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Apple Inc. is a prime example of a company that has mastered the art of understanding and influencing consumer behaviour to build a cult-like following around its products. Through meticulous design, innovative marketing strategies, and a deep understanding of human psychology, Apple has successfully created a brand that transcends its products, becoming a lifestyle and status symbol.

Understanding Consumer Psychology:

Apple's success is rooted in its ability to tap into key aspects of consumer psychology:

1. Emotional Connection: Apple's branding focuses on evoking emotions rather than just promoting technical specifications. The company emphasizes how its products can make users' lives easier, more creative, and enjoyable, appealing to the desire for personal enrichment.

2. Simplicity and Usability: Apple products are designed with an emphasis on simplicity and intuitive use. This resonates with consumers' desire for convenience and ease of use, reducing the cognitive effort required to interact with the technology.

3. Social Identity: Owning an Apple product is often seen as a status symbol, leading to a sense of belonging to an exclusive community of Apple enthusiasts. This taps into consumers' need for social identity and belongingness.

Apple's strategies for creating brand loyalty are multifaceted:

1. Product Ecosystem: Apple encourages customers to stay within its ecosystem by seamlessly integrating its devices and services. Once a consumer invests in one Apple product, they are more likely to continue purchasing others to maintain compatibility and enhance their overall experience.

2. Limited Product Releases: Apple employs a controlled release strategy, generating anticipation and a sense of exclusivity around new product launches. This scarcity and anticipation drive consumers to line up for the latest offerings.

3.User Experience: Apple prioritizes customer experience, offering in-store support and assistance that enhances the post-purchase journey. This service-oriented approach builds trust and loyalty among consumers.

Consumer Behaviour Insights in Action:

In 2016, Apple launched the iPhone 7 without a traditional headphone jack, opting for wireless headphones or the proprietary Air Pods. This decision seemed risky, as it required consumers to adopt new technology. However, it capitalized on the psychological principle of loss aversion - consumers who had already invested in Apple products were more likely to embrace the new technology to avoid feeling left behind.

Apple's success is a testament to its understanding of consumer behaviour and its adeptness at using this knowledge to create a brand that goes beyond products. By triggering emotions, aligning with social identity, and providing outstanding user experiences, Apple has built a loyal customer base that eagerly awaits each new release. This case study underscores the importance of understanding and leveraging consumer psychology to create lasting brand loyalty and drive business success.

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Case Study: The Apple Phenomenon - How Consumer Behaviour Shapes Brand Loyalty

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Introduction: Apple Inc. is a prime example of a company that has mastered the art of understanding and influencing consumer behaviour to build a cult-like following around its products.

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Turn 20 years old

Travel to Mexico and book European city breaks

Continue to live life

Become an auntie

Start saving towards moving out

Gain financial stability

Continue to travel

Focus on a healthier lifestyle

Become more active and eat healthier

Continue learning Spanish. Extend streak to 730 on Duolingo (Currently on 400)

Start meal prepping to save money

Stop buying takeaways and limit eating out for work lunches

Visit museums and exhibits to look at the history of the world, especially for fashion - V&A, Natural History Museum, The British Museum ETC

Spend quality time with family and friends

Make more memories through holidays and days out

Start preparing to move out

Buy a new car in my own name (currently sharing with Dad)

Move out of home into my own house that I have purchased (mortgaged) not rented

Get engaged and start planning a wedding

Get a dog - Sausage dog or Toy Poodle

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Graduate from university

Attend the graduation ceremony

Get a full-time job

Adjust to full-time work

Train towards becoming a sales manager

Become a supervisor or team lead

Attend fashion weeks, starting with Milan and London. Possibly attend New York

Build connections through networking

Build knowledge through relevant LinkedIn learning courses

Get a promotion as sales manager

Gain as much experience and first-hand knowledge from colleagues in other fields such as visual merchandising and buying

Get guidance

Continue to develop practical skills

Move around departments to get a full grasp of the differences in different sectors within fashion

Adapt my skill set

Train towards becoming a divisional sales manager

Get promoted as a DSM for a store in London (busier environment, more experience, a variety of different target demographics)

Travel more to gain insights into foreign retail

Look into launching my own business developer consultancy company - providing existing companies with advice and services in order for them to improve further

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We recently asked sales professionals from within the building products/materials industry to express their opinion on the biggest obstacles that prevent them from achieving success in their jobs. The results show one of their main frustrations is poor operational support.

Over the next few days I will be looking in detail at the relationship between 'Operations and Sales' and providing useful insight to help those from both functions in their jobs.

To start with, I thought we'd look at this problem from the view of Operations and try to discover why there is division between the functions and how to establish a positive team relationship. From our experience of dealing directly with companies from the building products industry, we gain a lot of knowledge of the issues facing companies and how they are addressed.

Understanding the function of Operations

The crux of the division is perfectly illustrated by these statements, firstly from Sales: "Why can't you supply what we are selling?" and from Operations: "Why are you selling and promising what we can't supply?"

Who is and who isn't doing their job correctly? Like most things, it's not quite that simple. So, what is the main function of Operations at a manufacturer of building products?

Operations is at the centre of a company and, although their jobs don't exist without an order, it's no good having an order if the products can't be made and to the correct standard and quantity. It is also equally pointless having an order if it cannot be dispatched to the customer when they need it.

Additionally, there are many wider company issues that need to be considered by the person in charge of Operations: manpower and recruitment, logistics and budgets; for example, a company may not be financially viable if stock value is too high or if processes are too costly or unreliable. These challenges normally sit firmly in the domain of Operations - Sales can be blissfully unaware that they have other things to do than assist them!

However, this does work the other way round too, which demonstrates why 'understanding' is one of the first barriers that needs to be broken down if you want to create a true team relationship between Sales and Operations.

The role of Operations should be to ensure there is always the right stock of the right products at the right time, and within a system that provides flexibility for those inevitable emergencies.

There is, of course, the equally important requirement to ensure processes are efficient and accurate, to maximise margins and create a climate where growth is possible. This has to be achieved with the focus on the needs of the customer, which is often forgotten by Operations and, yes, Sales too!"

So far, this all sounds perfectly sensible: a Salesperson wants to sell a product and Operations want to make and dispatch the product. Both are seemingly doing their jobs and are working for the same company with the desire to make it a successful one by meeting customers' requirements profitably. However, things go wrong. Why?

What causes the issues between the functions?

The problem in many companies is that the real needs of the customer are not at the centre of decision-making.

This is one of the main causes of the problem as self-interest, combined with a general lack of communication, understanding and process, results in everyone forgetting what is important: the customer.

Generally, a Salesperson only focuses on their quota. Once they make a sale, they move on. It is not their concern how orders are fulfilled. As soon as they have their order, any problems that may arise are an Operations problem. The key to resolving this line of thought is to drive home that a sale is not a sale until the customer is happy.

Operations tend to view Salespeople as an annoyance to their daily work. An Operations employee focuses on the many tasks involved in running a business. Although the obvious goal should be to drive sales, many don't look at it that way and will put a sale at the bottom of the pile...'I'll get to it when I get to it'.

So, rather than accuse, blame, defend and have an ensuing state of chaos, Operations and Sales need to focus on how the requirements of the customer can be met and how the company can operate efficiently and effectively, leaving the competition to fight over the unwanted scraps.

The need to view Sales and Operations as one function

Many companies are beginning to realise there is no dividing line between the two departments. Operations should be a function of Sales and Sales should be a function of Operations.

Unless both sides realise that the common goal is the customer, nothing will ever change. If the blame culture continues to be rife in your company, the customer will be the loser, which ultimately means everyone loses.

It is strongly recommend that the only way to move forward and stop having the same problems and issues is to create an environment where everyone is on the same side, acting with one voice and in one direction. So, rather than moan, find out the solution to the problems and issues and don't let them happen again, wherever the blame lies.

How do companies go about creating this change of approach?

The following guidelines should be at the centre of any approach a company adopts:

Understand the needs of the customer and focus your actions around them

Understand the current limitations of the Operations and Sales departments and find a way to solve them - permanently and perpetually

Create a climate of education and understanding of each other's role within the company

Work together and communicate as one team, creating a happy working environment where people want to work for each other and take responsibility

Be consistent but flexible in your approach

Create a climate for growth and market-leading excellence, to give your company a competitive advantage

In the part two, I will be discussing how to implement this new culture and the role Operations plays to ensure it is a success.
Steve Rogan
Managing Director
Pinnacle Consulting
www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk sales and marketing recruitment for the construction and building products sector

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The relationship between Operations and Sales

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We recently asked sales professionals from within the building products/materials industry to express their opinion on the biggest obstacles that prevent them from achieving success in their jobs. The results show one of their main frustrations is poor operational support.

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I have always had customer-facing roles -- for years in titles like Product Management and Marketing, before transitioning to a pure selling role. Now, my view of sales is informed by experience in other functional areas,.

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Data analysis is a game changer. I never expected to be so captivated by it, but the more I learned, the more I realized its potential. Here, I'll share 10 reasons why I find data analytics so fascinating--and why you might, too.

1. Data can help people do what they do, and do it better

It's incredible how much data can help take the guesswork out of decision-making. With the right approaches, you can solve problems or come up with possible answers to things that seemed like they might be mysteries with no clear answer. No longer do you just have to rely on reporting and descriptive data that tells you what happened in the past and then guess at what to do in the future. You can venture into the realm of predictive analytics and figure out what will likely happen next based on the historical data, and then you can use prescriptive analytics to determine how to respond.

As someone who had been living for a long time in the world of the semi-abstract and subjective (former English professor here...), this has been sort of mind-blowing to me. I don't think past-me even fully knew what was possible with data, and even now I am discovering new possibilities every day. Data analytics is immensely powerful and promising.

One caveat, though. While I do think data is key to doing so many things better, I will qualify this by saying that I personally think good decision-making weighs in elements that are not necessarily quantified or quantifiable--which is why it's so important to present and consider data in context. But the level of specific insight that having good data on something can offer is pretty amazing.

2. There is a near-infinite number of things to learn

... and because technology evolves so quickly, this will always be the case! For someone who loves learning in general, this has been one of the most exciting elements of the field. You can always go deeper and learn more with any specific topic or technology, or you can learn additional skills and technologies. It's a field where learning and growing is basically a requirement of the job. Who wouldn't want to be continually challenged in a way that makes you more skilled, more capable, and more awesome every day?

Further, since it's a field that requires continuous learning, there are also a ton of high-quality online learning resources. (And my bar for what I consider a "high-quality learning resource" is actually pretty high.) Widely accessible and generally free or cheap education--you can't beat that.

3. There are near-infinite ways to indulge your curiosity

Once you know how to do even some basic data analysis, you can find datasets on all kinds of things. I saw a dataset last week about helicopter prison breaks. Another I found was a dataset of visitors to the White House. Whatever wacky niche topic you're curious about, you can very likely find a dataset and play around with it to discover something.

Also, you can use data to learn about yourself (and probably learn some things you don't want to know!) Did you know you can download your entire purchase history from Amazon as a .csv file? If you have any wearables, you can probably extract data from those as well. You also can likely download data on your gas or electric usage from your power companies, and you can get your data from any number of apps/sites that are collecting data on you. Gather all of that info together and be astounded.

There are also lots of other data people doing really interesting stuff and posting about it online. I've been a longtime fan of this spurious correlations website, and earlier tonight I was reading about weird data science insights. So when you're not making your own rabbit holes to go down by exploring weird or interesting datasets, you can go down the rabbit holes of others. this article

4. The excitement of discovery

I spend more time than I'd like to admit just playing around with data in a way that doesn't culminate in any sort of formal project, but the exploration phase is very exciting. Sometimes it's fun to just explore a dataset and see what emerges, but when you're approaching data with a specific question or purpose in mind, there is still a strong 'discovery' element to it. As an added bonus, sometimes you also get to do a little research to find more data, figure out missing values, or get more contextual info on the data you have--and now we're back to the curiosity element I already mentioned loving so much.

When analyzing data, often the answers you find create more questions. It's a trap! But it's a really fun trap.

5. Data cleaning is great

Yep, I said it. I know no one likes data cleaning, but I really love this part of the data analysis process. It's just so satisfying taking data that is a mess and transforming it into something orderly that can be used. It's like finding hidden potential .

6. Surprising amounts of creativity required

There are the creative elements of data storytelling, and the visual design aspects of Tableau and data visualizations. If you bring some creativity to the table when doing exploratory data analysis or debugging code, it can be helpful there too. I have always found a lot of intersection between problem-solving skills and creativity.

7. A seemingly rich community

While I know it's a competitive field, I've been so surprised by the online data analytics community. There are tons of reddit communities and discord servers where people are really generous with providing support and help. People on LinkedIn are really friendly, too. It is amazing giving and getting continuous support and encouragement from strangers. (In that spirit: If you haven't already, connect with me here!)

8. The promise of what you can do with Python once you know Python

Since I've been pretty focused on the analytics, stats, and visualization libraries in Python, this is an area I'm only just starting to explore. I'm really eager to start automating day-to-day tasks, and another thing on my learning agenda soon is using Python to work in Excel. There are so many uses for Python.

9. The sheer practicality of data skills

An understanding of probability and statistics changes how you understand the things you encounter every day. There are graphs and charts everywhere, and data is also everywhere.

Further, after learning what I've learned so far, I can't say enough about the value of even basic-level data literacy. I think there's enormous potential for companies to help their 'non-data' employees grow their data literacy skills and see a good return on that investment. Along with some comfortability with interpreting data, data literacy also involves having a healthy skepticism of data and a willingness to interrogate data, and that's important too. It can empower anyone in any role to look at any data more critically.

In short, I'm excited to have (and be continuing to build) such a practical bundle of technical skills and knowledge, and this is knowledge I hope to share with others no matter their roles.

10. It is a powerful skill that can make the world better

This is coming from the idealist in me, but I do think it is important. Data can be used for good. It can identify gaps, problems, shortcomings--all of which can then, once quantified, be addressed. Very often, quantifying a problem is key to solving that problem.

Data can help people make strong arguments for change or strong arguments for additional funding. Predictive analytics can help an organization identify how to improve or spot trends before they happen. Linear optimization can help a business make good decisions.

So there you have it, ten reasons the field of data analytics has captured my heart (and mind!). If you've found your passion here too, drop your story in the comments.

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10 Reasons I Fell in Love with Data Analytics (and Why You Might, Too)

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Data analysis is a game changer. I never expected to be so captivated by it, but the more I learned, the more I realized its potential.

# data[].attributes.body
I believe I am really good at Data Analytics.

Data helps people do what they do and do it better.

There is a near-infinite number of things to learn.

There are numerous ways to indulge curiosity.

The excitement of discovery.

I am good at data cleaning as I can quickly identify what is necessary and what is not needed.

Data is all about being creative. I believe I am creative and see the bigger picture in something.

I have an understanding of probability and statistics changes how you understand the things you encounter every day. There are graphs and charts everywhere, and data is also everywhere.

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I love being involved in the operations behind sales. This includes reading data and creating business plans on a small scale to improve business.

Motivation creates a great team of sales representatives.

Great sales people develop into leaders.

Inspiring sales leaders develop new ways of leadership.

A business can fail very easily if their customers needs aren't at the centre of their decision-making.

Sales and operations needs to be seen as one function.

Understand the needs of the customer and focus your actions around them

Understand the current limitations of the Operations and Sales departments and find a way to solve them - permanently and perpetually

Create a climate of education and understanding of each other’s role within the company

Work together and communicate as one team, creating a happy working environment where people want to work for each other and take responsibility

Be consistent but flexible in your approach

Create a climate for growth and market-leading excellence, to give your company a competitive advantage

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Experiential retail is rising.

Omnichannel engagements are becoming more popular.

Sustainability and ethical business practices.

AI and ML (Machine Learning)

Social Commerce

The skyrocketing growth of mobile commerce

Voice Commerce

AR and VR in retail

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In the context of location intelligence, the retail industry trends refers to businesses that sell products or services directly to consumers, whether through physical or digital channels. This includes physical stores, online retailers, and other businesses that engage in direct-to-consumer sales.

Location intelligence is highly important in the retail industry because it allows businesses to analyze and understand customer behavior, preferences, and trends based on location data. This data is used to optimize store locations, manage inventory and personalize marketing campaigns to create a better overall customer experience.

Furthermore, location intelligence helps retailers identify areas of high foot traffic, evaluate competitor locations and streamline their supply chain logistics. With this data, retailers can make informed, data-driven decisions that improve operational efficiency and ultimately drive business growth.

The Retail Industry Is Transforming

When you look closer, the retail segment is constantly changing, and new retail industry trends can have a huge impact on how businesses use location intelligence to make decisions. For instance, the rise of e-commerce, the growing importance of environmental sustainability, and the popularity of buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS) options are all factors that businesses must consider when making decisions about their store locations, inventory management, and marketing campaigns.

By staying on top of emerging retail trends, businesses can use location intelligence to stay ahead of the competition and adapt their strategies to meet changing consumer demands. They can spot new growth opportunities, optimize their operations and create better experiences for their customers.

Ultimately, businesses that embrace emerging retail trends and use location intelligence to make data-driven decisions are much more likely to thrive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing retail landscape. So, if you want to succeed in the world of retail, keeping up with emerging trends and using location intelligence is essential!

Trends to Anticipate

Here are 10 trends to keep in mind as you plan your business strategies for the year ahead:

1. The Rise of Experiential Retail

The rise of experiential retail is a response to changing consumer preferences, where customers are seeking more than just a transactional shopping experience. Instead, they want to be engaged, entertained, and emotionally connected with brands. Experiential retail is all about creating an immersive and memorable experience that connects customers with a brand and encourages them to stay longer in-store.

2. Omnichannel Engagements

Consumers' reliance on e-commerce and omnichannel retail will reach new frontiers. Retailers must meet customers where they are to deliver seamless and personalized shopping experiences that are consistent across all channels. As a result, the retail industry will undergo a paradigm shift towards a more customer-centric approach. The challenge for retailers will be to leverage new technologies and data-driven insights to provide exceptional service, meet customer expectations, and create a competitive advantage.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Business Practices

The trend towards sustainability and ethical business practices is gaining momentum, as more and more consumers are prioritizing environmental and social responsibility in their purchasing decisions. Retailers are recognizing the importance of integrating sustainable practices into their operations, from reducing waste and carbon emissions to sourcing ethically produced products. As consumers become more mindful of the impact of their consumption on the planet and society, retailers who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices are likely to gain a competitive advantage and earn customer loyalty.

4. AI and ML

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into retail operations is becoming increasingly prevalent. Chatbots, personalization, and predictive analytics are just a few examples of how AI and ML can be used to improve the shopping experience for customers. With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and predict consumer behavior, retailers can offer personalized recommendations and promotions, improving customer engagement and loyalty. As AI and ML continue to evolve, their potential impact on the retail industry will be nothing short of exciting.

5. Social Commerce

With the growth of social media, the trend of social commerce has emerged, providing a convenient and seamless shopping experience for consumers. Brands are utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to directly sell their products, creating a new retail channel for businesses to reach potential customers. This trend is set to continue and will likely play a significant role in the future of retail.

6. Skyrocketing Growth of Mobile Commerce

The proliferation of mobile commerce persists as more consumers opt to use their smartphones for both online shopping and in-store purchases. This means future shopping experiences will be delivered to the fingertips before shoppers are inside the retail premises. Using location marketing technology, everything from promotions to carting experience will be via phones.

7. Voice Commerce

As smart speakers and digital assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant become more commonplace in households, voice commerce will gain momentum. This trend will change the way customers interact with brands and make purchases. With the ease and convenience of voice assistants, customers can easily shop for products and services with just a few phrases, making it an important area for retailers to explore and optimize.

8. AR and VR in Retail

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming more prevalent in retail, providing innovative ways for customers to experience products and shop more efficiently. By creating immersive shopping experiences and enabling customers to try on products virtually, AR and VR are transforming the retail industry. According to retail technology trends, retailers are increasingly incorporating AR and VR into their operations to enhance customer experiences and drive sales.

9. Subscription-Based Business Models

As consumers seek convenience and personalized experiences, subscription-based business models are expected to see continued growth, particularly in industries like beauty and fashion. These models offer a unique opportunity for retailers to establish a loyal customer base by providing curated and customized products regularly. Additionally, subscription models will provide a predictable revenue stream for businesses and reduce customer churn. As the subscription economy continues to evolve, retailers will need to find innovative ways to differentiate themselves and provide value to their customers.

10. Data Privacy and Security

With the rise of data breaches and privacy concerns, consumers are becoming increasingly cautious about sharing their personal information with retailers. This has led to a greater focus on data privacy and security in the retail industry. Retailers are now expected to provide clear and concise information on how they collect, use, and store customer data. In addition, they must implement robust security measures to protect this data from unauthorized access or theft. As consumer awareness around data privacy and security continues to grow, retailers must remain vigilant in their efforts to safeguard customer data and maintain their trust.

Delivering Above Expectations With Technology and Innovation

With technology leading the way, retailers can now wield advanced tools and software like never before, giving them the power to streamline their operations, create personalized shopping experiences, and knock customer service out of the park. By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and virtual reality, retailers can tap into the minds of their customers to better understand their needs and preferences, predict upcoming trends, and offer tailored recommendations that keep them coming back for more. And, with the rise of e-commerce and mobile shopping, retailers simply can't afford to ignore technology anymore if they want to keep up with their competitors and keep customers happy. So if retailers want to stay on top of their game, investing in technology and staying up-to-date with the latest innovations is an absolute must to meet the ever-changing demands of their customers.

Cutting-Edge Location Technology

With so many innovative solutions, it can be tough to pick just one that'll take your business to the next level. Mapsted's world-leading location-based platform achieves what other brands can't with its award-winning technology. Here's how:

Mapsted's solution is anything but a run-of-the-mill tool designed to streamline work. This technology is a one-stop-shop location intelligence powerhouse. One that is adaptable to the fast-changing realities within a complex business framework.

By harnessing the power of Mapsted's advanced indoor navigation and positioning technology, you can level up the shopping experience for your customers, making it a breeze to navigate through complex retail spaces.

With Mapsted's analytics platform, you can also unlock a treasure trove of valuable data insights into customer behavior and preferences, giving you the inside scoop you need to make informed business decisions, optimize store layouts, and elevate product placements.

Mapsted's marketing technology can also help cut operational costs by automating inventory management and streamlining employee workflows. Mapsted's technology empowers you to provide a shopping experience that's personalized, efficient, and profitable.

The Future Looks Bright

Ultimately, the retail industry is on the brink of major transformations as novel trends emerge and established ones shift. From the surging significance of e-commerce and digitalization to the growing emphasis on sustainable and ethical practices, you must adapt to remain competitive and pertinent. These trends hold immense potential to shape the industry and its customers, highlighting the necessity of staying ahead of the curve to succeed. In this fast-changing landscape, it's time to embrace innovation and novel technologies to thrive and stand out. If you found this content valuable, then here's a question for you: Are you ready to elevate your customers' retail experience with smart technology? Do you crave cutting-edge insights to revolutionize shopping even before a customer steps foot inside your store? If your answer is yes, reach out to Mapsted, and our team will collaborate with you to select a solution that delivers optimal outcomes for your retail business.

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Must-Know Retail Industry Trends for 2024

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Stay ahead of the curve in the retail industry trends with our comprehensive guide to the top 10 trends shaping the future of shopping.

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Creating and developing successful sales strategies and targets.

Coaching and leading a number of sales representatives, working towards targets.

Meeting set goals, personal and professional.

Skills needed are: Flexible and open to change, applying initiative, communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.

Expected tasks: Identify new business strategies, develop sales strategies and set targets, and gather and analyse sales figures.

This job requires flexibility and open to change, I am already familiar with this as whilst working for Fenwick, I have worked across all departments to gain vital experience.

I have experience with applying initiative as I go the extra mile to help someone and make sure problems are solved. I work well without supervision required and I like to suggest new ideas.

Communication skills require acting listening, the ability to take in feedback, having empathy and being friendly. Negotiation skills are also key.

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Sales manager job description | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Build a great job posting with this Sales Manager job description template and find the best candidate for your company's open role.

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Essential digital skills are a step towards learning lots of other new things. They can improve your confidence to use technology for work, learning and daily life.

Many jobs today need digital skills. You need them even for jobs that do not ask for high levels of qualifications or experience.

Highly experienced with Adobe, Canva and Microsoft.

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Learn how to improve your digital skills to help you in your daily life and your career.

Why digital skills are important

Essential digital skills are a step towards learning lots of other new things. They can improve your confidence to use technology for work, learning and daily life.

Many jobs today need digital skills. You need them even for jobs that do not ask for high levels of qualifications or experience. For example, if you work in a warehouse or a shop you may keep digital records of stock.

You also need digital skills every day for shopping, banking, and keeping in touch with family and friends.

Digital skills for daily life

Essential digital skills include being able to:

use devices like a computer, tablet or mobile phone for simple, personal and work tasks

find and use information on the internet

understand how to be safe and responsible online

communicate socially and professionally using email, messaging and social media

shop, bank, access services or apply for a job online

Build your confidence

Being more confident using the internet and communicating online can:

help you keep in touch with family and friends

make everyday life easier

increase your chances of getting and keeping a job

improve your access to information, advice and services

open up learning, training and career opportunities

Digital skills at work

As technology advances, most jobs are beginning to need some level of digital skill.

Technology is also creating lots of exciting new jobs. These jobs will need workers with the confidence to:

use the internet on a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or PC

communicate online using email and social media

work from home or a remote location. For example, using online tools like Zoom, Skype, Teams and Facetime to communicate

create online accounts to access information

search for reliable information online

behave safely and legally online

Learn digital skills for free

There are lots of ways to get help, and free courses to help you improve your digital skills. You could:

find an online course on essential digital skills in the Skills Toolkit

use Learn My Way or Lloyds Bank Academy to gain digital skills for daily life. For example, for online banking, shopping and helping children with schoolwork

use your local library - you can book time on a PC and use their learning resources

sign up for a course at your local college or adult education service

Going back into education can be a challenge. Not all learning has to take place in a classroom. There are lots of flexible ways to learn at your own pace, in your own time and in a place you feel comfortable.

If you do not like the idea of doing a course, you could start off by asking a friend or family member to help you get online.

Finding careers advice

Digital skills can help you research your ideas and find careers information online.

Career websites are great sources of useful information and advice where you can:

Applying for jobs

Digital skills can help you find and apply for jobs. They make it easier to prepare for an interview and help you succeed.

Many jobs are only advertised online. You'll often need to apply using an online application form or by emailing a CV.

The job selection process may also include online tests or a video interview. Knowing how to cope with these will improve your job chances.

Skills for jobs in the digital sector

If you're confident with basic digital skills, you may want to go on to learn something more specialist like:

how to code a website

using social media as a marketing tool

cyber security

designing digital products and services

This could open up new career opportunities or help you to do your current job better.

Learn more about digital careers including roles, salaries and experience required.

Digital skills in demand

Half of all employers say they cannot find candidates with advanced digital skills. Roles requiring digital skills often pay more than those that do not.

Free level 3 Digital and IT qualifications could help you get the digital skills employers want. Search free courses for jobs to explore opportunities in IT and the digital sector.

To help you develop the skills in demand in your local area and get a better job, you could take part in a Skills Bootcamp.

To get more help with your next steps for developing your digital skills, speak to an adviser.

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Improve your digital skills | National Careers Service

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Learn how to improve your digital skills to help you in your daily life and your career.

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To understand what is happening in our environment, identify things we want to change and then figure out the things that need to be done to create a desired outcome.

Able to handle difficult and unexpected situations in the workplace.

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Kepner-Tregoe | Leaders in problem solving

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For over 60 years, Kepner-Tregoe has been helping companies across industries and geographies to develop and mature their problem-solving capabilities through KT's industry leading approach to training and the implementation of best practice processes. Considering that problem solving is a part of almost every person's daily life (both at home and in the workplace), it is surprising how often we are asked to explain what problem solving is and why it is important.

Problem solving is at the core of human evolution. It is the methods we use to understand what is happening in our environment, identify things we want to change and then figure out the things that need to be done to create the desired outcome. Problem solving is the source of all new inventions, social and cultural evolution, and the basis for market based economies. It is the basis for continuous improvement, communication and learning.

If this problem-solving thing is so important to daily life, what is it?

Problem-solving is the process of observing what is going on in your environment; identifying things that could be changed or improved; diagnosing why the current state is the way it is and the factors and forces that influence it; developing approaches and alternatives to influence change; making decisions about which alternative to select; taking action to implement the changes; and observing impact of those actions in the environment.

Each step in the problem-solving process employs skills and methods that contribute to the overall effectiveness of influencing change and determine the level of problem complexity that can be addressed. Humans learn how to solve simple problems from a very early age (learning to eat, make coordinated movements and communicate) - and as a person goes through life problem-solving skills are refined, matured and become more sophisticated (enabling them to solve more difficult problems).

Problem-solving is important both to individuals and organizations because it enables us to exert control over our environment.

Fixing things that are broken

Some things wear out and break over time, others are flawed from day-1. Personal and business environments are full of things, activities, interactions and processes that are broken or not operating in the way they are desired to work. Problem-solving gives us a mechanism for identifying these things, figuring out why they are broken and determining a course of action to fix them.

Addressing risk

Humans have learned to identify trends and developed an awareness of cause-and-effect relationships in their environment. These skills not only enable us to fix things when they break but also anticipate what may happen in the future (based on past-experience and current events). Problem-solving can be applied to the anticipated future events and used to enable action in the present to influence the likelihood of the event occurring and/or alter the impact if the event does occur.

Improving performance

Individuals and organizations do not exist in isolation in the environment. There is a complex and ever-changing web of relationships that exist and as a result, the actions of one person will often have either a direct impact on others or an indirect impact by changing the environment dynamics. These interdependencies enable humans to work together to solve more complex problems but they also create a force that requires everyone to continuously improve performance to adapt to improvements by others. Problem-solving helps us understand relationships and implement the changes and improvements needed to compete and survive in a continually changing environment.

Seizing opportunity

Problem solving isn't just about responding to (and fixing) the environment that exists today. It is also about innovating, creating new things and changing the environment to be more desirable. Problem-solving enables us to identify and exploit opportunities in the environment and exert (some level of) control over the future.

Problem solving skills and the problem-solving process are a critical part of daily life both as individuals and organizations. Developing and refining these skills through training, practice and learning can provide the ability to solve problems more effectively and over time address problems with a greater degree of complexity and difficulty. View KT's Problem Solving workshop known to be the gold standard for over 60 years.

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What is problem solving and why is it important | Consulting and Training Solutions | Kepner-Tregoe

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What is problem solving and why is it important : Interesting articles and current news Read more in our Blog!

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Time management is the process of organising and planning how to divide your time between specific activities and priorities.

Balancing university assignments alongside working part-time.

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Time management is the process of organising and planning how to divide your time between specific activities and priorities. The benefits of time management include better habits and greater productivity. Improved time management increases your focus, builds confidence, and allows you to plan your time more effectively.

The Top 10 Benefits of Time Management

Effective time management helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners achieve their goals. Managing your time wisely improves work-life balance and increases happiness. Good time management also reduces stress and allows you to achieve your goals faster and easier.

Time management benefits you in every area of your life. Time management is important to help you prioritise better and increase your productivity. Good time management also makes you more intentional about how to invest your time.

Managing your time helps you work smarter, not harder so you can get more done in less time and capture bigger opportunities. Time management is important to help you maximise your strengths and plan your day efficiently. Good time management helps you work smarter, not harder, ensuring you get more productive work done in less time.

In this article, we'll show the importance of time management. In addition, we'll outline the benefits of time management and give you ten tips to improve your time management skills.

What is time management?

Time management is the process of organising and managing your time. Good time management helps you schedule your time between your most important activities. Effective time management means you take control of your time and energy. Taking control of your time enables you to achieve bigger and better results in less time, without the stress.

The objective of time management is to maximise the time you spend on specific activities that help you achieve your goals faster. The benefits of managing time allow you to reduce time on unimportant work and increase time on important work.

Good time management enables you to achieve greater levels of performance and productivity.

When you work smarter, not harder, you achieve better results in less time with less effort. Working smarter enables you to get more done and achieve your goals faster.

Time management skills mean focusing time on the things that are most important to you. It also means spending less time on everything else. Essential time management skills include prioritising, goal setting, and delegation.

What are the benefits of managing time?

The benefits of managing time are simple. Good time management allows you to accomplish bigger results in a shorter period which leads to more time freedom, helps you focus better, allows you to be more productive, lowers your stress and gives you more time to spend with the people that matter most.

When you manage time, it's easier to achieve bigger results and bigger goals simply and productively. The benefits of managing time include greater effectiveness and productivity with less stress. The advantages of good time management at work mean you can work less and achieve bigger results.

Effective time management skills increase your focus and productivity. They also reduce distractions and procrastination. Taking control of your time through good time management increases your productivity. It also helps you get more of your important work done simply and easily.

What are the benefits of managing time?

Here are 10 benefits of time management

2. Better work-life balance

One of the most important benefits of time management is a better work-life balance. If you achieve a better work-life balance, you can be more productive at work and have more time to spend on your most important relationships.

Work-life balance creates a good balance between your professional life and personal life. When you spend long hours at work, you risk burnout and feeling tired all the time.

5. Higher levels of productivity

Good time management skills increase your productivity and help you get more done.
Time management skills help you reduce stress and prioritise your time. Effective time management clarifies your goals and prioritises your most important tasks. As a result, you have more time to achieve bigger and better results.

When you manage your time, you can plan your day and increase your performance. Daily planning improves your productivity. Planning your time is an important element of time management. Planning increases productivity and effectiveness.

To be more productive with your time it's important to identify your daily priorities. Identifying your priorities helps you spend your most productive time working on them.

Conclusion

The benefits of time management include greater clarity, greater capability, and greater confidence. When you are clear on the best use of your time, you become more focused and productive. Good time management helps you achieve bigger goals, reduces procrastination, and increases productivity.

Effective time management reduces overwhelm and helps you prioritise, ensuring you work smarter and achieve your goals faster. One of the best ways to manage your time better and get more done is to work with a personal coach like WORK & MOVE Software to plan your time more effectively.

If you feel busy but not productive and want to free up more time, improve your time management give us a call and we will tell you all about our software solution.

WORK & MOVE™ Software

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The 10 most important benefits of time management

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Good time management allows you to achieve higher levels of performance and productivity. What are the benefits of managing time?

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By delivering messages clearly, there is no room for misunderstanding or alteration of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict.

Seeking to understand first to ensure better communication

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As humans, we are drawn to one another and communicate with each other in a variety of capacities. There are several roles that each individual fills on a daily basis, depending on the context of an interaction. What every interaction has in common is the need for clear and effective communication. There are several elements that are involved in creating and maintaining lasting and genuine relationships through communication, two of which are recognizing body language cues and using effective listening skills. In correctly making use of these elements, one can see an improvement in the quality of social interactions, as well as increased confidence in engaging with others in a social capacity. These benefits can be essential tools in securing a job or building lasting relationships.

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As humans, we are drawn to one another and communicate with each other in a variety of capacities. There are several roles that each individual fills on a daily basis, depending on the context of an interaction. What every interaction has in common is the need for clear and effective communication.

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National Careers Service skills health check to help determine the correct career path

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National Careers Service skills health check to help determine the correct career path

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The skills health check is a set of quizzes and activities designed to help you explore your skills, interests and motivations.

Working through the skills health check can help you decide what kind of jobs might be right for you.

You can save your results and come back to them at any time or able to download your report once you've completed at least one assessment.

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Skills Health Check | National Careers Service

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The skills health check is a set of quizzes and activities designed to help you explore your skills, interests and motivations. Working through the skills health check can help you decide what kind of jobs might be right for you.

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How to become a sales manager

You can get into this job through:

a university course

an apprenticeship

applying directly

training with a professional body

University

You could do a degree before joining a company as a graduate management trainee. Employers recruit graduates from a range of subjects. Particularly relevant subjects include:

sales and marketing management

business management

retail marketing

For some jobs, like selling hi-tech scientific or engineering equipment, employers may prefer you to have a qualification in that field.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could complete a sales executive higher apprenticeship before applying for a trainee manager job.

For sales manager roles selling to businesses, you could do a business to business sales professional degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You'll need experience in sales and a record of achieving targets. Most employers will consider your sales and management experience, market knowledge and track record to be more important than your academic qualifications.

You could also be considered for specialist sales management jobs if you have a background in designing or manufacturing the products your team are selling.

Other Routes

You could take a professional qualification like:

Level 4 Award in Managing a Sales Team

Level 4 Award in Finance for Sales Managers

Level 4 Award in Operational Sales Planning

More Information

Career tips

In some jobs you could travel around the world to meet customers, so it may be helpful to speak a second language.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in sales through the Institute of Sales Professionals.

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Sales managers organise, coach and lead teams of sales representatives to work towards agreed targets.

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When you're deep in job interview mode, a seemingly unrelated question like, "What are your hobbies?" might throw you for a loop. Is your hobby supposed to show what a dedicated employee you'd be? Are pivot tables a hobby?

What's the best job for you?

Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you:

How many years of experience do you have?

What company benefits are most important to you?

Calculating your job matches...

"Job candidates often fear that interviewers will ask them 'trick' questions or expect a 'right' answer," says career coach Jennifer Fink, founder of Fink Development. Personal questions can spark this anxiety even more than other common interview questions. But it's not a trick. Interviewers asking about what you do for fun actually want to hear you talk about your hobbies.

Read on to find out how to choose a hobby to talk about, what to include in your answer, and what an answer to, "What are your hobbies?" might look like.

Why do interviewers ask about your hobbies?

When companies interview people, they're looking to answer two key questions:

1. Can you do the job?

2. What will you bring to the company as a coworker?

You're not just getting hired to do a specific job, you're getting hired to join a team and contribute to the business and its culture. So interviewers want to get a sense of who you are as an individual and as a teammate.

In asking this question, the interviewer may even be trying to help you. "Many interviewers understand the stress of the interview process and may want to ask questions to create a friendly dialogue to ease the candidate's nerves," Fink says. "Asking about someone's outside interests is meant to be a low-stakes question that most candidates can respond to off the cuff." By giving you the chance to talk about something you love and are passionate about, this question can allow you to relax and let your personality shine through.

How do I choose a hobby to talk about?

On your job hunt, you might have been encouraged to tailor everything-whether that be your cover letter, resume, or interview responses-to the specific position you're applying to. But with this question, that's less important. You should certainly keep the job in mind as you're selecting a hobby to talk about, but that's not nearly as high a priority as choosing one that's truly important to you.

If you have more than one major hobby, that's when you can start taking the specific job into account. "Ask yourself: Is this something that would add to my profile?" says Muse career coach Lynn Berger, founder of Lynn Berger Career Coaching. For instance, if you're applying to a job that requires creativity, you might mention that you write short stories or if the company really pushes teamwork and you can mention a team sport you play.

You might also choose a hobby that shows how you would add to the company's work environment. While you're researching a company before interviews, you'll see that some companies or teams will publicize the more social aspects of working there on their website, social media, or Muse profile. So take note of any group activities you come across that align with the hobbies you already have. For example, if they highlight their karaoke nights and you love to sing, mentioning that might help interviewers picture you as part of the team.

But don't fall into a trap of elevating or inventing a hobby just because you think it's the "right" one. "I use what I call the two-minute rule here with my clients. If you can talk about whatever it is for two minutes passionately, it's worth mentioning," Fink says. If you can't, then choose something else. You'll come across as more genuine than trying to force it. And definitely don't try to pad out your answer by talking more about the job: "Answering in a way that ties directly to the job description may end up coming across as disingenuous or inauthentic," Fink says.

Example hobbies to talk about in a job interview

Here are some possible hobbies and interests you might base an answer around. But this is just to get you thinking! You should definitely feel free to choose something that's not on this list.

Baking

Camping

Collecting

Cooking

Crossfit

Dancing

Dog training

Drawing

Exploring new places

Gaming (board, video, or other kinds of games)

Gardening

Going to museums

Hiking

Kayaking

Learning new languages

Makeup

Music (playing, listening to, or attending concerts or performances)

Painting

Photography

Puzzles

Reading

Running

Sculpting

Sports (playing, watching, coaching, or managing a fantasy team)

Technology and/or gadgets

Traveling

Trying new cuisines, dishes, drinks, or restaurants

Volunteering

Videography

Woodworking

Writing

Yoga

What kinds of hobbies should I avoid?

As far as what not to talk about, there are a few guidelines. In general, you should avoid:

Talking about anything political, according to Muse career coach Heidi Ravis, unless it's directly relevant to the job or you know from your research that the company culture is welcoming to folks airing their political views. That said, if not being able to express your views or affiliations freely is a dealbreaker for you, you might consider sharing something political anyway, as a kind of test.

Mentioning anything that's potentially illegal, like cultivating marijuana or sports betting in states where it's not permitted.

Indicating you might not be a reliable employee. For example, saying that your hobby is "partying with friends" would give an interviewer doubts about your ability to show up on time and on schedule. (It also doesn't really tell them what you're passionate about or why.)

Saying you have no hobbies. Not only are you not making an effort to answer the question, but you're also throwing away an opportunity for your interviewer to get to know you better.

Other than these categories, "Interviewers want to get a sense of what makes you tick, what makes your eyes light up, so any hobby that you can talk about with enthusiasm and insight is probably acceptable," Ravis says. Don't avoid talking about something you truly love just because it seems weird or it's not related to the job.

What if I don't have any hobbies?

There's most likely something in your life that you care about and do frequently, even if you wouldn't call it a hobby. In fact, this question is sometimes phrased as, "What do you do for fun?" or "What do you do outside of work?" without using the word "hobby" at all.

Remember that you don't have to do something as part of a formal class or group for it to count as a hobby. And you definitely don't have to spend money on it. Hobbies can be as simple as reading, exercising, taking walks to explore new places, or cooking new foods.

If your hobby is more of an interest, that's fine, too. Maybe you're fascinated by fashion and read and watch everything you can about current trends, or maybe you're a history buff who loves books about little-known historical events and spends part of every vacation at a museum.

If you don't have much free time right now, it's perfectly OK to use something you've done in the past that you hope to do more of in the future. Or maybe you just love to try new things. Going out to experience something new whenever you can is also an interest you can talk about, and curiosity is a valued quality for an employee, Berger says.
Read More: 4 Ways to Find a Hobby You Love

How do I answer "What are your hobbies?"

Regardless of which hobby, interest, or activity you choose to talk about, you don't want to just say what it is and then stop speaking. And you don't want to just tie it back to the job description. So what do you say? Here are a few tips:

Talk about how you partake in your hobby. Start by giving a bit of detail about what your hobby looks like for you. Sure, you like creating art, but what kind of art? Are you taking a class or do you paint on the weekends in your backyard?

Consider sharing a quick story or anecdote. How did you get into your hobby? Do you have any compelling experiences you can share? How has the way you participate in your hobby changed over time?

Discuss this is your hobby. "Two different people can have the same hobby for two very different reasons, so it's important to let the interviewer know why you care about your hobbies or activities," Fink says. Your explanation can reveal a great deal about your interests, motivations, strengths, and values. For example, if you volunteer at an animal shelter you can talk about how good you feel knowing that the cats and dogs feel safe and cared for. Or if you run marathons, you might talk about how you value discipline and the satisfaction you get from achieving the goals you've laid out for yourself, Ravis says.

Be honest and authentic. At the end of the day, "Conveying genuine enthusiasm and a sense of what role it serves in your life is more important than the specific activity you choose to talk about," Ravis says.

Example answers for "What are your hobbies?"

So how would an answer to this question sound? Check out these sample answers-and what makes them work.

Example answer 1
"One of my big interests has always been soccer. I played throughout school, and in college when I studied abroad in Spain, my passion for the sport was reawakened because of how enthusiastic the people around me were. I still follow European teams and I play with a local rec team. I even help arrange the schedule for the whole league including times and locations. Last year, I coached my daughter's soccer team for the first time. They're only four, but getting to pass on something I love is so rewarding and there's a lot of satisfaction in figuring out the best way to teach each of the kids a new skill."
This answer focuses on soccer but reflects a few of the candidate's strengths and values. Arranging a schedule for an entire league shows that they're organized. Coaching their daughter's team shows that they value spending time with family, passing on knowledge, and making sure that each person on a team is able to thrive. Plus, working with a group of four year olds implies a lot of patience and understanding!

Example answer 2
"I'm a huge foodie. My friends and I love trying new restaurants in town as soon as they open-the more unusual the better! I love discovering new foods and cuisines, and it's also a great activity to share with friends. I try to go out with the same group at least once a week and it's a fun way to make sure we keep in touch and share experiences even when we're busy with other things. We even took a trip to New York City and spent each day in a different neighborhood, buying something to share from a few restaurants."
This answer shows an interviewer that the candidate is open-minded and values friendship and new experiences. They also love food and going out to eat and maybe that's an activity they can share with their future coworkers!

Example answer 3
"I love camping. As a kid, I went with my siblings and parents to a different national park every summer and really grew to appreciate natural beauty and enjoy discovering new ways to entertain ourselves away from the usual options. Now, I go with my friends, my partner and kids, or even on my own whenever I can. It's become a great way to escape from technology and really connect with people or reflect on myself. My family still does a yearly trip to a different national park too-but now I'm the one planning it and there are way more spouses and children involved so it takes a lot of coordination to get things to run smoothly."
While this answer is about one hobby, it shows a lot of things you're interested in and care about, such as nature, family, friends, self-reflection, and creativity. An answer like this could especially work for an organization focused on the environment. Plus, the last line hints at some project management and scheduling abilities.

The interview question "What are your hobbies?" is a great chance to show your interviewer who you are outside of work and make a connection on a less formal level, Ravis says. "You never know-a common interest in yoga could help you to forge a strong connection that leads to a second interview!"

But don't fixate on finding the "perfect" hobby. Instead the emphasis here is on you and what you care about. "As humans, we're drawn to others who have a passion for something, regardless of what it is," Fink says. So don't be afraid of this more personal interview question and, above all, just be yourself.

Regina Borsellino is a NYC-based editor at The Muse covering job search and career advice, particularly resume best practices, interviewing, remote work, and personal and professional development. Before joining The Muse, Regina was an editor for InvestorPlace, where she also wrote about topics such as investing and biotech companies. She holds a BA in English language and literature from the University of Maryland and an MFA in creative writing from American University. Find her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

More from Regina Borsellino

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The Right Way to Answer "What Are Your Hobbies?" in a Job Interview

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When you're deep in job interview mode, a seemingly unrelated question like, "What are your hobbies?" might throw you for a loop. Is your hobby supposed to show what a dedicated employee you'd be? Are pivot tables a hobby? What's the best job for you?

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Retail merchandisers work closely with buyers to predict up-and-coming sales trends to ensure maximum profitability

Your role as a retail merchandiser is to ensure that products appear in the right store or website, at the right time and in the right quantities. This involves working closely with buying teams to accurately forecast trends, plan stock levels and monitor performance.

You'll play a key role in maximising profits by setting prices, managing the performance of ranges and planning promotions and markdowns. Other responsibilities will include overseeing the delivery and distribution of stock and deal with suppliers.

While the buyer selects the lines, the merchandiser decides how much money should be spent, how many lines should be bought, and in what quantities. In smaller companies, both roles may be carried out by the same person.

Responsibilities

As a retail merchandiser, you'll typically need to:

plan product ranges and prepare sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers

liaise with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors

maintain a comprehensive library of appropriate data

work closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise sales

produce layout plans for stores, sometimes called 'statements'

forecast profits and sales, and optimise the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas

plan budgets and present sales forecasts and figures for new ranges

control stock levels based on forecasts for the season

use specialist computer software, for example to handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs

analyse every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles), ensuring that they reach their full potential

maintain awareness of competitors' performance

monitor slow sellers and take action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary

gather information on customers' reactions to products

analyse the previous season's sales and report on the current season's lines

make financial presentations to senior managers

accompany buyers on visits to manufacturers to appreciate production processes

meet with suppliers and manage the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing timescales and delivery dates and completing the necessary paperwork

identify production and supply difficulties and deal with any problems or delays as they arise

manage, train and supervise junior staff.

Salary

Starting salaries for an assistant merchandiser range from £16,000 to £18,000, rising to £22,000 with experience.

After several years' experience, a merchandiser can expect to earn between £28,000 and £36,000.

Salaries for a senior merchandiser range from £45,000 to £65,000, plus a benefits package. At the top of the profession, a head or director of merchandising in a large company can earn more than £85,000, plus benefits.

Salaries vary depending on location, employer size, turnover and product type. Large, high-street multiples often offer the highest salaries. Other benefits, such as a company car and private health insurance, are common.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are normally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, longer working hours may be necessary to support the opening of a new store, during a special sales promotion, to launch a new product or range, or to deal with unforeseen production difficulties.

Weekend or evening work is occasionally necessary to visit stores or for competitive shopping.

It can be difficult to get part-time work because of the need to be available daily to deal with problems with suppliers. However, some companies may offer flexible working hours.

What to expect

Work is mainly office based with a balance between independent work and regular team contact. Some of your time will be spent each week visiting stores or suppliers and occasionally attending trade fairs or fashion shows.

Merchandising can vary in different retail organisations, and it can be a head-office or a branch-based function. Most retail merchandisers work from head offices, commonly based in London and the South East, or in other large cities.

The job involves working in a fast-moving and competitive environment, with high levels of responsibility for potentially very large budgets, where even minor errors can result in vast reductions in profit. This aspect can either be motivating and challenging or a source of stress.

You may occasionally need to spend short periods away from home and there can be opportunity for overseas travel, particularly in fashion, for example, to accompany buyers to Latin America, East Asia or South East Asia. At senior level, you may be required to travel to find new suppliers, select and buy goods or solve problems with manufacturers.

Self-employment or freelance work are only viable options if you set up as a retail consultant.

Qualifications

Although this profession is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances of finding work:

accountancy and finance

business or management

economics

IT or computer studies

marketing

mathematics or statistics

retail management.

Many companies prefer to recruit graduates with business-related or maths-based degrees due to their analytical abilities, but others will consider graduates from any discipline, provided they have the necessary skills.

Having an interest in the products that the company retails will be an advantage.

This occupation is also open to those with an HND, particularly in the following subjects:

accountancy and finance

business or management

transport, distribution, logistics or operations management.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible for candidates with other relevant qualifications or experience. Some allocator or assistant merchandiser posts require good A-level results.

A postgraduate qualification isn't needed, although there are relevant courses available. Search postgraduate courses in merchandising.

Skills

You'll need to have:

strong analytical and numerical skills to work out budgets and understand sales figures

the ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment and to quickly identify problems and recommend solutions

sound decision-making skills and the ability to plan and prioritise

excellent communication and negotiation skills

the ability to work well as part of a team and to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people

strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand what will appeal to customers

computer literacy

creative flair

self-confidence

a driving licence - is also often a requirement.

Work experience

Strong competition for vacancies means that pre-entry office-based work experience is often essential. In addition, work experience with one of the major high street retailers may help to demonstrate both an interest in retailing and an understanding of stock control levels, which can be advantageous at the application and interview stage.

There are relatively few graduate training schemes for merchandising, although some retail management training schemes include merchandising as one of the specialist areas. Most graduates will need to apply directly for junior or entry-level posts, usually as an allocator whose main responsibilities include data analysis, assisting the merchandiser to allocate stock to stores, and liaising with suppliers over stock delivery times.

It may be useful to make speculative applications for work experience directly to the merchandising departments of major retailers. It's important to understand an organisation's definition of the role when you're applying for work experience or vacancies, as the job description and work activities can vary greatly.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The retail industry employs around three million people. The industry is currently in a state of change, largely due to the rapid growth of online retail. Over the next five to ten years, online retail sales will continue to increase - while the number of traditional high street stores is expected to decline, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

The types of employers most likely to recruit retail merchandisers include:

fashion retailers

department stores

multiple high-street chain stores

supermarkets

fast food, sandwich and coffee chains

larger independent high-street retailers

wholesale suppliers

manufacturers

mail order companies

internet shopping providers.

There are opportunities to work abroad, particularly with retail firms which have international outlets.

Look for job vacancies at:

Fashion and retail recruitment agencies frequently handle merchandising vacancies, for example:

It may be possible to enter this career by starting in a similar role, such as visual merchandising, and then progressing to the retail merchandise position. A visual merchandiser creates window and in-store displays in shops and department stores, taking responsibility for the 'look' of the store, with the aim of promoting goods to maximise sales.

Professional development

Training for retail merchandisers is largely on the job and competency-based, and usually involves working towards specific set tasks and undertaking projects, either individually or as part of a larger team.

Most retail companies will have a training scheme. This will vary according to employer but may include courses on:

assertiveness

communication

consumer behaviour

negotiation

system training

time management.

There are a number of merchandising courses, including short courses in fashion merchandising at the London College of Fashion, and postgraduate taught courses and research opportunities at a variety of universities.

Further education colleges often offer courses that focus on retail display and merchandising. You can also study a distance learning courses in buying and merchandising.

To support those wishing to embark on a career in fashion retail there is the Fashion Retail Academy. The Academy aims to work in partnership with the retail industry to deliver professional and vocational training programmes, including the Level 4 Merchandising for Fashion.

The Academy has strong links with fashion retail head offices in London, enabling students to gain first-hand experience as part of their studies. Shorter merchandising courses are also offered at introductory, intermediate and postgraduate level.

Other professional qualifications that may appeal to merchandisers are offered by:

Career prospects

The entry point of a retail merchandiser can vary between companies and will depend on relevant experience and qualifications. Usually, new entrants begin as allocators, distributors or merchandise administrative assistants (MAAs).

There is a clear career development path in merchandising. Companies often have a competency-development programme in place, with a set of competencies that must be achieved in order to qualify for the next level and gain promotion.

The next level up from working as an MAA is assistant merchandiser, although in some companies, there is the additional step in between these two roles of senior allocator or senior distributor. Remaining at assistant level for a couple of years before promotion to merchandiser, and then to senior merchandiser, is common.

Working up to merchandise manager, head of merchandising and then merchandising director is possible for those interested in management. These roles will be based at a head office.

Career development can be rapid but is largely dependent on individual performance. It's possible to have responsibility for a large budget and a team of people within five years, and common to have reached senior merchandiser level within eight years.

Merchandisers usually specialise in a certain product area, such as homeware, food or fashion, but skills and experience are transferable between products. It's also possible to move sideways into a business analyst role. However, moving between career areas within a company (from merchandising to buying, for example) is not always as simple.

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Discover what it takes to be a Retail merchandiser. Find out expected salary, working hours, qualifications and more.

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Search for Sales Manager jobs at some of the world's top companies using the UK's leading recruitment consultancy.

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What Does a Data Analyst Do? 2024 Career Guide

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A data analyst gathers, cleans, and studies data sets to help solve problems. Here’s how you can start on a path to become one.

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Retail merchandisers work closely with buyers to predict up-and-coming sales trends to ensure maximum profitability

Your role as a retail merchandiser is to ensure that products appear in the right store or website, at the right time and in the right quantities. This involves working closely with buying teams to accurately forecast trends, plan stock levels and monitor performance.

You'll play a key role in maximising profits by setting prices, managing the performance of ranges and planning promotions and markdowns. Other responsibilities will include overseeing the delivery and distribution of stock and deal with suppliers.

While the buyer selects the lines, the merchandiser decides how much money should be spent, how many lines should be bought, and in what quantities. In smaller companies, both roles may be carried out by the same person.

Responsibilities

As a retail merchandiser, you'll typically need to:

plan product ranges and prepare sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers

liaise with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors

maintain a comprehensive library of appropriate data

work closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise sales

produce layout plans for stores, sometimes called 'statements'

forecast profits and sales, and optimise the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas

plan budgets and present sales forecasts and figures for new ranges

control stock levels based on forecasts for the season

use specialist computer software, for example to handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs

analyse every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles), ensuring that they reach their full potential

maintain awareness of competitors' performance

monitor slow sellers and take action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary

gather information on customers' reactions to products

analyse the previous season's sales and report on the current season's lines

make financial presentations to senior managers

accompany buyers on visits to manufacturers to appreciate production processes

meet with suppliers and manage the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing timescales and delivery dates and completing the necessary paperwork

identify production and supply difficulties and deal with any problems or delays as they arise

manage, train and supervise junior staff.

Salary

Starting salaries for an assistant merchandiser range from £16,000 to £18,000, rising to £22,000 with experience.

After several years' experience, a merchandiser can expect to earn between £28,000 and £36,000.

Salaries for a senior merchandiser range from £45,000 to £65,000, plus a benefits package. At the top of the profession, a head or director of merchandising in a large company can earn more than £85,000, plus benefits.

Salaries vary depending on location, employer size, turnover and product type. Large, high-street multiples often offer the highest salaries. Other benefits, such as a company car and private health insurance, are common.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are normally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, longer working hours may be necessary to support the opening of a new store, during a special sales promotion, to launch a new product or range, or to deal with unforeseen production difficulties.

Weekend or evening work is occasionally necessary to visit stores or for competitive shopping.

It can be difficult to get part-time work because of the need to be available daily to deal with problems with suppliers. However, some companies may offer flexible working hours.

What to expect

Work is mainly office based with a balance between independent work and regular team contact. Some of your time will be spent each week visiting stores or suppliers and occasionally attending trade fairs or fashion shows.

Merchandising can vary in different retail organisations, and it can be a head-office or a branch-based function. Most retail merchandisers work from head offices, commonly based in London and the South East, or in other large cities.

The job involves working in a fast-moving and competitive environment, with high levels of responsibility for potentially very large budgets, where even minor errors can result in vast reductions in profit. This aspect can either be motivating and challenging or a source of stress.

You may occasionally need to spend short periods away from home and there can be opportunity for overseas travel, particularly in fashion, for example, to accompany buyers to Latin America, East Asia or South East Asia. At senior level, you may be required to travel to find new suppliers, select and buy goods or solve problems with manufacturers.

Self-employment or freelance work are only viable options if you set up as a retail consultant.

Qualifications

Although this profession is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances of finding work:

accountancy and finance

business or management

economics

IT or computer studies

marketing

mathematics or statistics

retail management.

Many companies prefer to recruit graduates with business-related or maths-based degrees due to their analytical abilities, but others will consider graduates from any discipline, provided they have the necessary skills.

Having an interest in the products that the company retails will be an advantage.

This occupation is also open to those with an HND, particularly in the following subjects:

accountancy and finance

business or management

transport, distribution, logistics or operations management.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible for candidates with other relevant qualifications or experience. Some allocator or assistant merchandiser posts require good A-level results.

A postgraduate qualification isn't needed, although there are relevant courses available. Search postgraduate courses in merchandising.

Skills

You'll need to have:

strong analytical and numerical skills to work out budgets and understand sales figures

the ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment and to quickly identify problems and recommend solutions

sound decision-making skills and the ability to plan and prioritise

excellent communication and negotiation skills

the ability to work well as part of a team and to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people

strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand what will appeal to customers

computer literacy

creative flair

self-confidence

a driving licence - is also often a requirement.

Work experience

Strong competition for vacancies means that pre-entry office-based work experience is often essential. In addition, work experience with one of the major high street retailers may help to demonstrate both an interest in retailing and an understanding of stock control levels, which can be advantageous at the application and interview stage.

There are relatively few graduate training schemes for merchandising, although some retail management training schemes include merchandising as one of the specialist areas. Most graduates will need to apply directly for junior or entry-level posts, usually as an allocator whose main responsibilities include data analysis, assisting the merchandiser to allocate stock to stores, and liaising with suppliers over stock delivery times.

It may be useful to make speculative applications for work experience directly to the merchandising departments of major retailers. It's important to understand an organisation's definition of the role when you're applying for work experience or vacancies, as the job description and work activities can vary greatly.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The retail industry employs around three million people. The industry is currently in a state of change, largely due to the rapid growth of online retail. Over the next five to ten years, online retail sales will continue to increase - while the number of traditional high street stores is expected to decline, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

The types of employers most likely to recruit retail merchandisers include:

fashion retailers

department stores

multiple high-street chain stores

supermarkets

fast food, sandwich and coffee chains

larger independent high-street retailers

wholesale suppliers

manufacturers

mail order companies

internet shopping providers.

There are opportunities to work abroad, particularly with retail firms which have international outlets.

Look for job vacancies at:

Fashion and retail recruitment agencies frequently handle merchandising vacancies, for example:

It may be possible to enter this career by starting in a similar role, such as visual merchandising, and then progressing to the retail merchandise position. A visual merchandiser creates window and in-store displays in shops and department stores, taking responsibility for the 'look' of the store, with the aim of promoting goods to maximise sales.

Professional development

Training for retail merchandisers is largely on the job and competency-based, and usually involves working towards specific set tasks and undertaking projects, either individually or as part of a larger team.

Most retail companies will have a training scheme. This will vary according to employer but may include courses on:

assertiveness

communication

consumer behaviour

negotiation

system training

time management.

There are a number of merchandising courses, including short courses in fashion merchandising at the London College of Fashion, and postgraduate taught courses and research opportunities at a variety of universities.

Further education colleges often offer courses that focus on retail display and merchandising. You can also study a distance learning courses in buying and merchandising.

To support those wishing to embark on a career in fashion retail there is the Fashion Retail Academy. The Academy aims to work in partnership with the retail industry to deliver professional and vocational training programmes, including the Level 4 Merchandising for Fashion.

The Academy has strong links with fashion retail head offices in London, enabling students to gain first-hand experience as part of their studies. Shorter merchandising courses are also offered at introductory, intermediate and postgraduate level.

Other professional qualifications that may appeal to merchandisers are offered by:

Career prospects

The entry point of a retail merchandiser can vary between companies and will depend on relevant experience and qualifications. Usually, new entrants begin as allocators, distributors or merchandise administrative assistants (MAAs).

There is a clear career development path in merchandising. Companies often have a competency-development programme in place, with a set of competencies that must be achieved in order to qualify for the next level and gain promotion.

The next level up from working as an MAA is assistant merchandiser, although in some companies, there is the additional step in between these two roles of senior allocator or senior distributor. Remaining at assistant level for a couple of years before promotion to merchandiser, and then to senior merchandiser, is common.

Working up to merchandise manager, head of merchandising and then merchandising director is possible for those interested in management. These roles will be based at a head office.

Career development can be rapid but is largely dependent on individual performance. It's possible to have responsibility for a large budget and a team of people within five years, and common to have reached senior merchandiser level within eight years.

Merchandisers usually specialise in a certain product area, such as homeware, food or fashion, but skills and experience are transferable between products. It's also possible to move sideways into a business analyst role. However, moving between career areas within a company (from merchandising to buying, for example) is not always as simple.

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Discover what it takes to be a Retail merchandiser. Find out expected salary, working hours, qualifications and more.

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Recruiters only spend eight seconds looking at your CV so you've got to be sure it stands out for all the right reasons. Find out how to write a CV and discover tips that will help ensure your application is progressed to the interview stage

What is a CV?

A CV, which stands for curriculum vitae (a Latin phrase meaning 'course of life'), is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers. Alongside your CV employers may also ask for a cover letter.

In other countries, such as the USA and Canada, CVs are known as résumés. These documents tend to be more concise and follow no particular formatting rules.

How long should a CV be?

A standard CV in the UK should be no longer than two sides of A4. Take a look at our example of a chronological CV for inspiration.

That said one size doesn't fit all. For example, a school leaver or recent graduate with minimal experience may only need to use one side of A4. Although not used as often, a three-page CV might be needed for those in high-level roles or for people who have gained a lot of experience or worked in multiple jobs over the last five to ten years. For example, some medical or academic CVs may be longer depending on your experience. While it's important to keep your CV concise you should also avoid selling your experience short.

When writing a CV save space by only including the main points of your education and experience. Stick to relevant information and don't repeat what you've said in your cover letter. If you're struggling to edit your CV, ask yourself if certain information sells you. If it doesn't cut it out. If it's not relevant to the job you're applying for delete it and if it's old detail from ten years ago summarise it.

What should I include in my CV?

Contact details - Include your full name, home address, mobile number and email address. Your date of birth is irrelevant and unless you're applying for an acting or modelling job you don't need to include a photograph. If you have a professional networking profile, website or online portfolio link to it within your contact details.

Profile - A CV profile is a concise statement that highlights your key attributes and helps you stand out from the crowd. Usually placed at the beginning of a CV it picks out a few relevant achievements and skills, while expressing your career aims. A good CV profile focuses on the sector you're applying to, as your cover letter will be job-specific. Discover how to write a personal statement for your CV.

Education - List and date all previous education, including professional qualifications. Place the most recent first. Include qualification type/grades, and dates. Mention specific modules only where relevant.

Work experience - List your work experience in reverse date order, making sure that anything you mention is relevant to the job you're applying for. Include your job title, the name of the company, how long you were with the organisation and key responsibilities. If you have plenty of relevant work experience, this section should come before education.

Skills and achievements - This is where you talk about the foreign languages you speak and the IT packages you can competently use. The skills that you list should be relevant to the job. Don't exaggerate your abilities, as you'll need to back up your claims at interview. If you've got lots of job-specific skills you should do a skills-based CV.

Interests - 'Socialising', 'going to the cinema' and 'reading' aren't going to catch a recruiter's attention. However, relevant interests can provide a more complete picture of who you are, as well as giving you something to talk about at interview. Examples include writing your own blog or community newsletters if you want to be a journalist, being part of a drama group if you're looking to get into sales and your involvement in climate change activism if you'd like an environmental job. If you don't have any relevant hobbies or interests leave this section out.

References - You don't need to provide the names of referees at this stage. You can say 'references available upon request' but most employers would assume this to be the case so if you're stuck for space, leave this out.

For more help and advice on how to create a CV and to find CV templates, see example CVs.

How do I format a CV?

The layout of your CV also has an effect on its success. Keep in mind the following tips when crafting your CV:

Avoid titling the document 'curriculum vitae' or 'CV'. It's a waste of space. Instead let your name serve as the title.

Section headings are a good way to break up your CV. Ensure they stand out by making them larger (font size 14 or 16) and bold.

Avoid fonts such as Comic Sans. Choose something professional, clear and easy to read such Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Use a font size between 10 and 12 to make sure that potential employers can read your CV. Ensure all fonts and font sizes are consistent throughout.

List everything in reverse chronological order. Then the recruiter sees your work history and most recent achievements first.

Keep it concise by using bullet points. This type of CV layout allows potential employers to skim your CV and quickly pick out important information first.

Double check your margins - Having white space around your CV will make it easier to read and look less cluttered. Aim for 2.5 centimetre margins all the way around. Don't be tempted to make these smaller to fit more in.

Name the document when saving - Don't just save as 'Document 1'. Make sure the title of the document is professional and identifies you, such as 'Joe-Smith-CV'.

Save with a .PDF file extension - This ensures it can be opened and read on any machine. Unless of course the job advert states differently (for example, it may ask you to provide your CV and cover letter as a Word document).

How do I write a good CV?

Use active verbs when possible. For example, include words like 'created', 'analysed' and 'devised' to present yourself as a person who shows initiative.

A good CV doesn't have any spelling or grammar mistakes. Use a spell checker and enlist a second pair of eyes to check over the document.

Avoid generic, over-used phrases such as 'team player', 'hardworking' and 'multitasker'. Instead, provide real-life examples that demonstrate all of these skills.

Tailor your CV. Look at the company's website and social media accounts, look to see if they've recently been mentioned in the local press and use the job advert to make sure your CV is targeted to the role and employer.

Create the right type of CV for your circumstances. Decide whether the chronological, skills-based or academic CV is right for you.

Make sure your email address sounds professional. If your personal address is inappropriate create a new account for professional use.

Don't lie or exaggerate on your CV or job application. Not only will you demonstrate your dishonesty to a potential employer, but there can be serious consequences too. For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud. Take a look at this advice and guidance on degree fraud for students.

If posting your CV online don't include your home address, as you could be targeted by fraudsters.

Always include a cover letter unless the employer states otherwise. It will enable you to personalise your application. You can draw attention to a particular part of your CV, disclose a disability or clarify gaps in your work history.

Employers understand that candidates have lives and responsibilities beyond the world of work, so don't automatically assume that a gap in your education or employment history will take you out of the running.

Another thing you shouldn't do is ignore a gap in your CV.

Acknowledging a period of time spent out of education or work is a bit of a balancing act. You need to make the recruiter aware, without going into too much detail (you'll get the chance to do this in your cover letter - Read our example cover letter explaining a gap in your CV.)

Briefly mention (in the appropriate section) the reason for the gap (with dates) be that a gap year, illness, caring for a relative or redundancy and rather than going into too much detail, instead list the transferable and relevant skills/qualifications gained during this experience.

You could mention:

details of online courses or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) you've undertaken or webinars or online events you've attended

the acquisition of new skills, such as learning a language or learning to code

volunteering work

charity work - perhaps you got involved with fundraising or raising awareness of a particular organisation.

new hobbies such as starting to vlog, picking up a sport, learning to cook or setting up a community book club.

Remember - you'll need to relate these to the job you're applying for so focus on the skills these activities taught you and how/why they'd be useful.

Where to put this information depends on the activities. Volunteering or charity work can be included under the 'Work experience' heading. The online courses and additional qualifications you've gained can go in the 'Education' section while any new skills you've learned need to be housed under 'Skills and achievements'. If any new hobbies are relevant to the role you're applying for place these in the 'Hobbies and interests' section.

Where can I get help with my CV?

If you're a student or recent graduate and you'd like help putting together a CV, then you can get professional advice from your university careers service.

Find out more

Written by Jemma Smith, Editor

Prospects · May 2023

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Find out how to write a good CV and discover handy CV tips to ensure job success.

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Why you need a CV

A CV is your first chance to promote yourself. A good CV might get you a job interview.

You usually need a CV to apply for a job or to give to an employer you'd like to work for.

Tips for writing your CV

Employers get lots of CVs to look at and have to decide quickly who they're going to interview.

When you write your CV, remember to:

use a clear font like Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri in size 11 or bigger

always use the same style throughout

use headings and bullet points to make it easier to read

be clear and to the point

get someone else to read it to double check your spelling and grammar

Information you need for your CV

Start with the job advert for the role you're applying for so you can look at the job description, essential criteria and the company details.

If the job you're applying for does not have a job description, you can look at our job profiles to see what skills you'll need and the typical things you'll do in that job.

You should write your CV to match the job and company you're applying for to improve your chances of getting an interview.

Sections for your CV

Your CV should include a section for your contact details, an introduction, your education history, your work history and references.

Contact details

You need to let employers know how to contact you if they want to offer you an interview.

You should include your name, phone number, email address and a link to your work network profile, if you have one, such as LinkedIn.

You should not include your age, your date of birth, whether you're married or your nationality.

Introduction

This is a few short lines that sum up who you are and what you hope to do. It should go just under your name and contact details.

Make your introduction sound like you're the right person for the job.

Education history

You can add this after the introduction if you're early in your career or do not have much work experience.

If you have a lot of work experience, you might want to change the order and show off your work history and experience first.

Whatever order you choose, you'll need to include the:

names of your qualifications

name of the school, college or university where you studied

dates you attended

Work history

You should include details of any work placements, volunteering and paid jobs you've had. List the most recent experience first.

You should include:

the employer name

the job title

the dates you worked there

what you did, usually 2 to 3 lines using the STAR method

Gaps in your work history

It's normal to have some gaps between jobs and work experience when life events happen.

You can read our advice on how to explain gaps in your work history.

Short work history

If you're applying for your first job, you can focus on skills you've learned through projects, work experience or volunteering.

You can also include your interests and hobbies that show some of the skills you have. For example, if you're a captain of a sports team, this demonstrates leadership and organisation skills.

References

You might want to include a section about references if there is someone who has agreed to give you one. This could be your current or previous employer, a teacher or someone respected in your community.

However you should not put someone else's contact details on your CV. Instead, you can say that 'references are available on request'.

Speak to an adviser if you need help

It's ok to feel overwhelmed or confused about how to write a CV, especially if you do not have a lot of work experience.

A careers adviser can help you work out what your CV should say and get you on the path to your dream career.
Speak to a careers adviser

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A CV is your first chance to promote yourself. A good CV might get you a job interview. You usually need a CV to apply for a job or to give to an employer you'd like to work for. Employers get lots of CVs to look at and have to decide quickly who they're going to interview.

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List of projects to include in portfolio:

Product development

Data Analytics

Internationalisation and Globalisation

Business Economics

Fashion Retail Landscapes and Environment

Consumer Behaviour

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Sales manager job description | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Build a great job posting with this Sales Manager job description template and find the best candidate for your company's open role.

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Social Media Executive Job Description Template | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Looking to hire a social media executive? This article provides a job description template and outlines the required skills and qualifications.

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How to write a marketing professional job description

The best marketing professionals can be found by developing an effective job description. Optimize yours with information about your company, the responsibilities of the role, and the qualifications for candidates. Keep the post detailed but brief, avoiding any industry jargon. Be sure to read your draft carefully, correcting for any inaccuracies, typos, or missing information.

Marketing professional job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization's culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they'll contribute from Day 1.

Sample marketing professional job description

At [Company X], marketing begins with people, so we're looking for a customer-centric marketing professional to join our thriving department. The ideal candidate will have experience in outbound or inbound marketing activities, as well as a creative mindset for helping us remain fresh and competitive. [Company X] will rely on this person's ability to collaborate with a team of thinkers and doers, managing multiple tasks simultaneously. The marketing professional will be expected to prepare and present ideas and deliverables on a regular basis, and to research market trends and industry data so that the company remains on the cutting edge.

Objectives of this role

Support marketing director in delivering effective programs that achieve company and client objectives

Assist with initiatives that drive brand awareness, trial, and distribution, including day-to-day execution of marketing campaigns, promotions, and sales support

Support the development of sales and marketing materials, adapting scopes, timelines, and deliverables for maximum benefit

Build skill set and engage in ongoing education for the company

Responsibilities

Collaborate with team members to execute sales and marketing campaigns by leading brainstorming sessions for internal and external projects

Meet with clients to plan and implement marketing campaigns for brand building and lead generation, aligning with overall company goals and sales targets

Help gather and analyze data to reach insights about brands, competitors, and trends

Contribute to lead-generation and customer-acquisition activities, such as sales enablement, media promotion, networking, trade shows, and events

Coordinate public relations and outreach initiatives, including media releases, awards, company announcements, and speaker proposals

Measure and report performance of marketing campaigns, gain insights, and assess against goals

Required skills and qualifications

Two or more years of experience in marketing, sales, or advertising

Hands-on experience in developing campaigns and promotions

Proven success in a fast-paced environment, working both individually and as a team member

Exceptional communication and presentation skills

Strong attention to deadlines and budgetary guidelines

Preferred skills and qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in marketing, business, or related field

Professional certification (ex: Professional Certified Marketer)

Experience in content development and website design

Experience with relevant markets and trends

Established media contacts

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Marketing Job Description Template | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Finding the right XXX for your company starts with creating a good job posting. This job description template can help.

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Operations Manager job description

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What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are responsible for maintaining and increasing the efficiency of a business, government agency, or non-profit organization. These professionals are talented leaders who support operational leadership in a variety of departments - from finance and IT to human resources and accounts payable. It is their responsibility to supervise, hire, and train employees, manage quality assurance programs, and strategize process improvements, among other things. Operations manager jobs can be found in large and small organizations, across industries.

To find the most qualified candidate for this role, start with a good job description for an operations manager. You can use the template below and tailor it to your organization.

How to write an operations manager job description

Attracting the right candidates begins with an excellent job description. First, you'll need to set clear expectations about the operations manager role. Create a specific list of duties, responsibilities, and qualifications, taking time to review and prioritize them. Make sure each element reflects the job accurately in clear, simple language.

You can also use the job description to introduce the culture and values of your organization. This will help candidates determine whether their ideals align with yours. Above all, be direct and concise.

Operations manager job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization's culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they'll contribute from Day 1.

Sample operations manager job description

At [Company X], we owe our success to the efficiency of organizational processes. To help maintain and grow this standard, we're seeking an experienced operations manager to oversee daily activities. The ideal candidate will have a sharp business mind and proven success in managing multiple departments for maximum productivity. This person will be highly skilled in human resources, finance, and IT management, and be able to develop and maintain an environment of trust, diversity, and inclusion within the operations team.

Objectives of this role

Maintain constant communication with managers, staff, and vendors to ensure proper operations of the company

Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance protocols

Increase the efficiency of existing processes and procedures to enhance the company's internal capacity

Ensure that operational activities remain on time and within budget

Track staffing requirements, hiring new employees as needed

Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable departments

Responsibilities

Lead, motivate, and support a large team within a time-sensitive and demanding environment, including career development plans for direct reports and problem resolution

Manage data collection for the updating of metrics to achieve productivity targets, reduce cost per unit, eliminate errors, and deliver excellent customer service

Partner with cross-functional teams to improve proprietary tools and systems

Work closely with legal and safety departments to ensure that activities remain compliant

Oversee materials and inventory

Conduct budget reviews and report cost plans to upper management

Required skills and qualifications

Two or more years of proven success in an operations management role

Strong skills in budget development and oversight

Excellent ability to delegate responsibilities while maintaining organizational control of branch operations and customer service

Proficiency in conflict management and business negotiation processes

Knowledge of business productivity software and an aptitude for learning new applications

Preferred skills and qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in operations management, business administration, or related field

Working knowledge of management software programs, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, and CenterPoint Payroll

Strong IT skills, including database development

Multiple years of financial and account reporting experience

Ability to communicate in more than one language

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Operations manager job description | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Build a great job posting with this Operations Manager job description template and find the best candidate for your company's open role.

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CV360.

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Data Analyst job description for career ideas.

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At [Company X], we're proud to stand at the forefront of the Big Data revolution. Using the latest analytics tools and processes, we're able to maximize our offerings and deliver unparalleled service and support. To help carry us even further, we're searching for an experienced data analyst to join our team. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in all aspects of data analytics, including mining, generation, and visualization. Additionally, this person should be committed to transforming data into readable, goal-oriented reports that drive innovation and growth.

Objectives of this role

Develop, implement, and maintain leading-edge analytics systems, taking complicated problems and building simple frameworks

Identify trends and opportunities for growth through analysis of complex datasets

Evaluate organizational methods and provide source-to-target mappings and information-model specification documents for datasets

Create best-practice reports based on data mining, analysis, and visualization

Evaluate internal systems for efficiency, problems, and inaccuracies, and develop and maintain protocols for handling, processing, and cleaning data

Work directly with managers and users to gather requirements, provide status updates, and build relationships

Responsibilities

Work closely with project managers to understand and maintain focus on their analytics needs, including critical metrics and KPIs, and deliver actionable insights to relevant decision-makers

Proactively analyze data to answer key questions for stakeholders or yourself, with an eye on what drives business performance, and investigate and communicate which areas need improvement in efficiency and productivity

Create and maintain rich interactive visualizations through data interpretation and analysis, with reporting components from multiple data sources

Define and implement data acquisition and integration logic, selecting an appropriate combination of methods and tools within the defined technology stack to ensure optimal scalability and performance of the solution

Develop and maintain databases by acquiring data from primary and secondary sources, and build scripts that will make our data evaluation process more flexible or scalable across datasets

Required skills and qualifications

Three or more years of experience mining data as a data analyst

Proven analytics skills, including mining, evaluation, and visualization

Technical writing experience in relevant areas, including queries, reports, and presentations

Strong SQL or Excel skills, with aptitude for learning other analytics tools

Preferred skills and qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics, computer science, economics, or statistics

Experience with database and model design and segmentation techniques

Strong programming experience with frameworks, including XML, JavaScript, and ETL

Practical experience in statistical analysis through the use of statistical packages, including Excel, SPSS, and SAS

Proven success in a collaborative, team-oriented environment

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Data Analyst Job Description | LinkedIn Talent Solutions

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Finding the right data analyst for your company starts with creating a good job posting. This job description template can help.

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The Guardian

Business of Fashion

Drapers Online

BBC News

Forbes

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Personality insight test

Career decision-making

Decision-making

Resilience

CV's and applications

Attitude and mindset

Teamwork

Emotional intelligence

Social media

Career possibilities

Moving into self employment

Presentation skills

Communication

CV360

Interview360

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Develop your communication skills and interpersonal influence

Essentials of team collaboration

Building relationships

Conflict management skills

Leadership foundations

Project management fundamentals

Time management fundamentals

Finance for non-financial managers

Analytical thinking skills

Different types of decision-making

Problem-solving techniques

Critical thinking

Thinking creatively

What is innovation?

45-minute business plan

Start your new business

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Global Risks Report 2023

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Videos Bangladesh is vulnerable to natural disasters. Here's how it has learnt to cope
Bangladesh is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries. The country is prone to disasters such as cyclones, flooding and landslides. But in the past 50 years Bangladesh has made a lot of progress on climate resilience. Its journey began when it was hit by the deadliest cyclone in recorded history. In 1970 Cyclone Bhola took the lives of 300,000 people. Today, cyclones of comparable intensity cause 99% fewer fatalities in Bangladesh thanks to decades of investment in climate resilience.

Are you an impact-driven investor? We are looking to select 10 new funds which will join UpLink's Top Investor community by the end of 2023. Submit your fund today!

Are you working on a game-changing solution for sustainability? Submit your solution on UpLink.

Supporting the implementation of world-leading innovations in urban sustainability

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The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Forum is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.

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Transparency index 2023 report

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WE ARE FASHION REVOLUTION

For nearly 10 years, we have been campaigning passionately for a clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry. We believe in a global fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit.

JOIN THE FASHION REVOLUTION

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We love fashion, but we don't want our clothes to come at the cost of people or our planet.

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Connecting the dots 2023 report

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On-demand consumer research powered by GWI. Understand your audience in an instant with global consumer data at your fingertips.

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The state of fashion 2024 report

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McKinsey partners with leaders on strategy, innovating to net zero, leading with tech, and building capabilities for a sustainable, inclusive, growing future.

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Professional skills for business (such as flexibility, adaptability, influence and negotiation).

Communication theories and practice.

Social and communication style - using the psychometric tool for practical analysis of skills and style (such as MBTI and Social Styles).

Leadership and management style and practice.

Building collaborative relationships teamwork and motivation theory.

Continued professional development and professional membership in the changing face of the working landscape.

How to apply for graduate jobs and post-graduate education.

CVs, LinkedIn, Professional and continued development as well as professional membership.

Starting a small business and becoming self-employed.

Project management strategy and tools.

Business policy and strategy - analysis of business policy and strategy in relation to a changing environment and the impact of these on leading and managing.

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Stage 1 - Reflective practice skills of education, skills, interests and values.

Stage 2 - Identify core knowledge, talent, strengths and skills.

Stage 3 - Compare results and findings to core industry requirements, key industry trends and themes and different career and education options.

Stage 4 - Find 'best fit' (something you love and something you are good at).

Stage 5 - Create your unique portfolio and visual career plan strategy to turn your proposals into actions.

The plan must be created in the form of a timeline covering the following periods 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months,18 months - 2 years and then 3-5 years.

The career plan must include a range of both professional and personal goals and objectives.

The plan should include supporting and auditory content, where appropriate.

The content of your portfolio must clearly demonstrate your reflective critical evaluation of the relationships between aspects of who you are, your chosen career options and the core skills, competencies, trends and themes that are appropriate to careers within the UK and wider global fashion industry.

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Your personal portfolio will be created as a website and must include the following elements:

1. Personal Biography (300 words)

2. Professional CV (600 words)

3. Creative CV (500 words)

4. LinkedIn and social media profiles

5. Approximate examples of work/experiences that you have completed that will enhance your portfolio - max of 6 examples

6. Supporting visual and auditory content, where appropriate

The content of your portfolio must demonstrate your reflective critical evaluation of the relationships between aspects of who you are, your chosen career options and the core skills, competencies, trends, and themes that are appropriate to careers within the UK and wider global fashion industry

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Task 1

Personal portfolio - Friday 15th March 2024 by 4pm

Task 2

Career Plan - Friday 15th March 2024 by 4pm

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Self Reflection exercise - Education skills

Think about your education to date, especially the modules you have covered at the FRA, and ask yourself the following questions to reflect on what you have studied:

What did I learn?

How did I feel about the module/subject?

What was easy and what went well?

What was difficult and what went badly?

Now spend some time reflecting on your answers to identify your key education likes, strengths and core skills.

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Start to consider what the future of work will look like in terms of core skills, competencies and behaviours.

Understand the aims and descriptions of the module, including key resources and sources.

Appreciate the difference between search and research.

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Self Marketing

Promotion of self (product/service)

Personal Branding

Self-marketing strategy

Creation of professional personal profile (Website)

Personal Portfolio

Advanced reflective practice skills

Ability to think about our experiences to learn from them and develop an action plan for what we want to do next, as part of our 'continuous learning'.

Education

Work

Interests

Values

Vision and goals

Creation of a visual career plan (professional and personal)

Interpersonal and managerial development

Inter-personal - Develop our ability to manage processes, resources, activities and costs

FRA Wheel of Competency

FRA Careers platform

Linkedin Learning

Roles and employment issues - Changing market requirements

Key shifters:

Technology and digital

ESG, Sustainability and Ethical Values

Diversity, equality and inclusivity

Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty

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LibGuides: Reflective Practice Toolkit: What is reflective practice?

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LibGuides: Reflective Practice Toolkit: What is reflective practice?

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Continual learning

Career paths are less structured and predictable

Gain skills able to deal and manage information

Prepare for yourself

The growth of automation

Focus on the important future skills

Start doing things

Map your skills to your passions

At the start, learn the generalities not the specifics

Understand the bigger picture

Try stuff - be brave

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The digital future of work: What skills will be needed?

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Career industry talks and workshops - Industry knowledge, standards and experience.

Self-reflective practice skills - Core competencies, knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Core learning resources - FRA and Falmouth library and databases, FRA Careers platform, Linkedin Learning, Independent study topics.

Current and future industry trends - Key industry reports, Research and self-directed study.

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Professional strategies are techniques for achieving personal and professional goals.

The strategies aim to improve your chances of being either selected for a role and building a rewarding career or successfully moving on to post-graduate education.

Professional goals:

Professional goals are anything you hope to achieve during your career, including skills, milestones, career changes, salaries etc.

Personal goals:

Personal goals can be short or longer-term goals that can apply to your work, family life, well-being or lifestyle. They are meant to motivate you to achieve what it is that you want out of life.