UK infrastructure – Ellis Fox

What are companies really looking for when they read your CV?

As part of a job description, companies usually have a list of requirements that job applicants need to meet. These are generated after looking at a role and what makes people successful in them. Does this mean that you should align all of your skills […]

Negotiation – how sharp are your skills?

Applying for a new job? Asking for a raise? Closing a contract for a major framework? Submitting a bid for a tender? All of these tasks involve elements of negotiation, and yet these aren’t skills that most people consciously develop. They just become part of […]

How the UK government plans to fill the skills gap in construction

A recent report estimated that more than a quarter of a million workers will be needed in construction between now and 2028. As a result, government has singled out construction as one of the sectors to benefit from skills development. It’s an ambitious plan with […]

Resign your way and be confident about it

As much as employees go through the process of searching for a new job, interviewing and considering offers, when it comes to resigning, there’s still a level of anxiety. For some reason in that moment when you have to confront your manager and hand over […]

Construction career progression Ellis Fox Blog

What does the construction sector downturn mean for your career prospects?

Currently industry journals are dominated by headlines citing a continued downturn in construction output. This isn’t really news. Given current economic trends and a multitude of challenges it would have been more surprising if construction had managed to remain buoyant. While the bigger industry picture […]

The disconnect impacting hiring and employee retention

The phrase “We can’t afford that!” is used far too frequently when it comes to hiring. And with it comes the expectation that the candidate will give in and accept a lower offer. It’s a job after all. But let’s not forget that it’s a […]

How to respond to interview questions with confidence

Being asked to talk about yourself is such a broad question, yet it’s the default that most interviews start with. For candidates it’s awkward to answer because although it may seem like a logical starting point, do you talk about skills, success, interests, or career […]

Common ways companies lose opportunities to hire great candidates

Last week’s article on interviewing seemed to hit a nerve, if the feedback from my network is anything to go by. Several people shared their bad interviewing experiences. It’s a very real reminder that the small things that companies do, and don’t think matter, are […]

Should you accept that offer?

Whether you’re making a move because you’re unhappy in your current role or because it’s an opportunity too good to refuse, when it comes down to accepting the offer, there can always be a moment of doubt. Is this the right career move? Are the […]

Interview preparation guidelines for senior roles

Knowing that there’s a demand for skills in construction and infrastructure in the UK, should empower those going for interviews with a greater level of confidence. Still, there’s the thought of being under review or being caught off guard by an unexpected question that can […]