How to explain a gap in your CV honestly and confidently
Practical wording for career breaks, redundancy, caring, illness or study, and what to say in interview.
Ideas for working life
The Journal.
Useful, plain-English guidance for making your next move with more confidence.
26 articles
References and background checks: what UK employers can ask
How references work, what a DBS check is and which checks are legal for different roles.
Disability and job hunting: adjustments, interviews and support
Your rights under the Equality Act, the Disability Confident scheme, Access to Work and how to ask for adjustments.
Apprenticeships for adults: yes, you can start one at any age
How apprenticeships work, what you earn, how training is structured and how to find a vacancy.
Probation periods in the UK: what they are and what rights you keep
How probation works, notice during probation, extensions and what employers must still do.
How to read a UK payslip (and spot mistakes)
Understand gross and net pay, tax codes, National Insurance, pension and other deductions.
Employee, worker or self-employed? Why your status matters
The three main employment statuses in the UK, the rights attached to each and how to check yours.
How to make a flexible working request (and what happens next)
The right to request flexible working, how to write the request and how employers can respond.
Holiday entitlement in the UK: how much you get and how it is calculated
A clear guide to statutory leave, part-time and irregular hours, carry-over and holiday pay when you leave.
Redundancy in the UK: your rights, pay and next steps
What a fair redundancy process looks like, what you may be owed and how to protect yourself.
Landing your first graduate job: what actually matters
Start earlier, use work experience well and show employers evidence, not just a degree.
How to write a LinkedIn profile that recruiters notice
Set up a clear headline, summary and experience section that matches the roles you want.
Finding genuine remote and hybrid jobs in the UK
How to search effectively for flexible roles and check that the arrangement is real.
Changing career in your 40s: a practical plan
How to move into a new field using transferable skills, short courses and a gradual approach.
Recruitment scams: how to protect yourself while job hunting
Spot fake recruiters, advance-fee demands and phishing before they cost you money or identity.
Zero-hours contracts: your rights and what to check
What zero-hours work means, which rights apply and the questions to ask before accepting.
How to negotiate a job offer without risking it
Ask for a better package in a professional way, using evidence and clear priorities.
Right to work checks: what employers will ask to see
A plain guide to the documents and online checks UK employers use to confirm you can work.
Notice periods in the UK: what you owe and what you are owed
Understand statutory minimums, contractual notice and what to do when you want to leave.
15 common UK interview questions and how to answer them
Prepare for the questions employers ask most, with a simple way to structure each answer.
How to write a UK CV that gets read
A clear, practical structure for presenting your skills without unnecessary personal information.
The STAR interview method, without sounding rehearsed
Turn your experience into focused interview answers with a simple four-part structure.
Seven warning signs of a fake UK job advert
Protect your identity and money by checking the employer, contact details and application route.
A realistic four-week graduate job search plan
Break applications into research, evidence, tailored submissions and follow-up.
Write a cover letter that adds something new
Use the letter to connect your strongest evidence to the employer's actual problem.
Licensed sponsor does not always mean sponsored job
Understand the difference before investing time in an application.