Christmas a time to focus on career options
A lot of farms are in ‘‘cruise’’ mode now as we head into summer and before what I hope is the opportunity to take a break over the Christmas holidays.
Spending time away from the operational side of the business gives an opportunity to focus on more strategic parts of the farm and your career progression.
This may include applying for jobs or changing the staffing structure on your own property.
In an ideal world all parties need to communicate their intentions in good time so that there is an opportunity for plans to be in place well before the end of the season.
For those of you looking for jobs, make sure you have a relevant up to date CV that stands out from the others as a lot of jobs attract many responses and it is usually impossible to reference check every applicant.
From my perspective a letter applying for the role and the reasons why you are suitable is a good start. This personalises the application.
A photograph can also help break up the words on the CV.
Personal information is important on a farming CV as the owners will need to know how many people will be in the house and what companion animals will be present. A clear timeline on your work history and relevant referees to contact are vital as chasing up people to supply this information means they are unlikely to ‘make the cut’.
It really is as simple as that.
For (mainly) the younger generation be aware that inappropriate comments and photos on sites such as Facebook may also show you in a bad light.
You are now ready to put yourself onto the job market and showcase yourself in the best possible way.
I would like the opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas.