Tips For Getting Back To Work After A Career Break

 Regardless of how long or why you have been out of the workplace restarting a career, new job or self-employed business can be daunting. What was once the familiar has now become the unknown and you may have taken a little confidence hit along the way. To help you get back into the workplace stronger than ever, here are some tips that will hopefully make the transition smoother and easier. 



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Decide on what you want and need

When it comes to employment many people have a ‘take what you can get approach’.  While that may be a necessity in some situations if you have the time and ability to determine what you want and need from a career then you should prioritise that. This is especially important if you are returning to work after a period of absence to raise children or have family commitments to consider. It is important that you are honest and upfront with employers and yourself from the outset. Be clear about the type of job you are looking for, the flexibility you need and the responsibility you do or don’t want. The last thing you want to do is take on a role that is not suited to you and knocks your confidence further. 

Learn or develop a skill 

During your absence from work why not use the time to brush up on pre-existing skills or take the time to learn something new altogether. You could undertake an online course that allows you to undertake and understand CFD trading, social media management or even head back to the classroom to retrain completely. It is never too late to start learning, what is more, it will improve your confidence and job prospects in the process. 


Another great way to improve or refresh your skills is to undertake some volunteering roles. This will look great on your CV, improve your confidence and get you back into the habit of routine and responsibility. 

Explain your career break

Some employers may want to know a little bit more about your career break, especially if it has been a protracted one. It is a good idea to work out the reasons behind your break. That is not to say you need to justify it, rather explain it and be comfortable discussing it in interviews or covering letters. Remember, there is no wrong answer, keep it brief and to the point. 


Network 

If you have maintained a good relationship with former employees and colleagues then now is a good time to reach out. Typically people will always be willing to help, it might be by way of a coffee and prep talk or they may be able to offer you something more concrete. Reaching out and reconnecting with the professional world is a great way to let people know that you are returning to the workplace and potentially unearth opportunities you might not have known about. Networking does not have to be limited to the professional world, remember friends and family may be able to offer up the same benefits. 
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LIFESTYLE: 7 Crucial Factors That Can Affect A Home's Price

 7 Crucial Factors That Can Affect A Home's Price


According to consultancy firm TwentyCi, there were 350,980 homes for sale in the UK at the start of this year. It is no secret that several factors affect a home's price irrespective of its location. For instance, your property's age is one of the most popular determinants of how much it will go for, so homeowners are always making savvy improvements to boost value. However, numerous not-so-popular elements can determine whether you get more or less money when selling your home. Below are some critical factors that affect a home's price.


  1. Changing neighbourhood demographics


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The kind of buyers interested in a particular neighbourhood will also significantly influence which houses are in highest demand and will sell for more. For example, you may struggle to find buyers willing to part with a lot of money for a one-bedroom flat in a neighbourhood that primarily attracts couples with young children. Therefore, it is prudent to monitor the kind of homes being sold for the highest prices in your local area to discover the best time to sell. 


  1. Insulation


Many homeowners will paint their home's exterior, upgrade windows, invest in landscaping, and refurbish bathrooms and kitchens when considering ways to boost resale value. However, it is critical to note that modern-day home buyers are increasingly interested in home energy efficiency to reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills. Therefore, adding insulation to your home can be a huge selling point that fetches you more money when you put it up for sale. The exact impact of insulation will differ based on your home's size and the type of insulation installed. For instance, installing a 72.5mm Celotex Insulated Plasterboard in your home may save more energy than using blanket batts and rolls for insulation. However, some reports reveal that all homeowners can expect a 2%-6% rise in their overall property value, regardless of the insulation type they use.



  1. Superstition and bad history


If you are struggling to sell your home at a good price, you might want to consider the potential superstitions surrounding it as well as its bad history. According to 888 Poker's research, nearly 74% of the British population describe themselves as superstitious. These individuals will do anything to bring good luck, from picking up a penny from the ground to knocking on wood. Similarly, they avoid bad luck like the plague by avoiding black cats and not walking under ladders. Therefore, it is highly likely that your house numbered 13 is struggling to sell due to superstition. It also does not help if your home is on 13th street. Indeed, a study showed that homeowners who sell a property with the number 13 receive 4.1% less than average. Likewise, a home with a bad history of murder, hauntings, and divorce can ward off buyers. As such, you may be forced to accept up to £100,000 less than average property prices if your home has an unpleasant history. 


  1. Particular names and numbers


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The name of the road your property is located on can reportedly increase its value by up to 73%. Houses located on "Warrens" typically deliver the most returns when sold, while those found on "courts," "streets," and "terraces" return the least value when sold. You can also sell your house for more money if it is on a "King" or "Prince" related road, compared to a "Queen" or "Princess" road. However, you can get more from your property located on a royal road with "Elizabeth" in its name. Furthermore, a house with a name will usually sell for more than one with a mere number. Therefore, consider giving your house with a number a name instead to add value. However, remember to write to your local council first before deciding on a name for your property. This step is essential because your local council will consult the Royal Mail to ensure that your preferred name is not already being used to prevent any issues.

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  1. Available food and beverage amenities


Many experts believe that living close to food and beverage amenities can help you sell your house for more money. Indeed, the "Waitrose effect" in the housing market is well-documented, with research from Lloyds Bank revealing that living near a branch of Waitrose can add up to £40,000 to your home's value. You can also expect your property's value to increase by about 18% if you live close to the Italian restaurant Carluccio's. Furthermore, living near a Marks & Spencer store can add up to 9% to your property's value. However, you don't have to live near a high-end supermarket or store to get more money when you sell. For instance, a nearby Aldi can add about £1,333 to your home's value, so keep this in mind.



  1. Presence of Japanese Knotweed


Japanese Knotweed has a bad reputation in the UK since it has impacted the nation's ecosystems and caused significant damage to numerous walls, buildings, flood defences, and drainage systems. This destructive plant has reportedly wiped out as much as £20 billion off house prices in the UK. Therefore, expect home buyers to offer up to 10% less than market value for your home if it has Japanese Knotweed. Consequently, consider getting rid of any Japanese Knotweed on your property using a safe glyphosate-based weedkiller before putting it up for sale.


  1. Bad neighbours


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You may have the most attractive house on the street, but it sadly will count for little if your neighbours are putting off possible buyers. These prospective buyers will undoubtedly check out your home before buying and may even visit the neighbourhood at random to observe things that could make or break their buying decisions. Therefore, bad neighbours who make a lot of noise through loud music or arguing can deter buyers from purchasing your property. Buyers may also be unwilling to pay a lot of money to move next door to neighbours with unkempt yards, annoying pets, irritating odours, and dangerous trees.
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LIFESTYLE: Steps For Moving Out On Your Own

 There are advantages to living at home with your parents. For one thing, it costs much less money, even if you are paying something to your parents for still living there. But even if you broadly like living at home, there comes a point in everyone’s life when they know that it’s time to move out on their own. And even though this can be a little difficult, it’s rarely something that people regret. After all, it’ll allow you to really stretch yourself and step into the person that you want to become.


In this blog, we’re going to look at some essential tips for moving out on your own. 


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Crunch The Numbers


It’s easy to get lost in the idea of renting an excellent place to live, but it’s important to remember that you will (likely) be paying for it. So you’ll need to, first, figure out how much you can afford to pay. It’s best to keep the figure as low as you can, just so you don’t have to stress about paying rent. Also, remember that the cost of the rental will only be the beginning. You’ll also need to pay bills, internet subscriptions, food, transport to work, and so forth. 


Find the Space


Once you’ve got an idea of how much you can spend, you can begin looking for places. You might decide that it’s best to live with other people, in which case you’ll be looking for a flat share. This can be appealing even if you can afford to live on your own because living with other people can be fun. If you’re looking for your own place, then take a look at what’s available within your price range. Quality can vary significantly, so don’t get too disheartened if your initial search doesn’t yield results. You’ll find a place eventually. And when you do, you’ll be ready to sign on the dotted line.


Make the Move


You’re unlikely to have as much stuff as someone who already owns a house, which will make moving into your place more straightforward. But you’re still likely to have a fair amount of boxes to transport. Rather than trying to cram everything into your car, look at renting a van from a company like Sydney Ute Van Hire. That’ll allow you to make the move in one go, rather than having to make multiple trips back and forth. 


Make It Yours


You might like the look and feel of your new flat or house, but it won’t really feel like yours until you’ve put your own spin on it. There are plenty of ways to do this, including hanging photos of loved ones on the wall, creating a cosy environment, adding plants, and so on. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be in a position to embrace all that living in your own place has to offer. Don’t worry if you still don’t feel at home -- it’ll come in time. Eventually, you’ll know that you made the right decision. 


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