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Looking for great careers advice? Look no further

7 Apr 2017

There is a wealth of careers advice out there, but wading through it all to get to the nuggets you actually need can be a hard slog. We’ve done the searching so you don’t have to.

We’re all about knowledge building on the Careers team here at Siliconrepublic.com. We have access to great sources, and we love to share the wealth with you. This week, our advice took in everything from benefits packages to employee retention.

For jobseekers, we sought to bring a little clarity to the situation. When applying for a job – or considering accepting one – benefits can play a huge part in your decision. But what if shares are one of the benefits? Do you know what that means?

Not only that, we took a look inside two massive tech employers – Dropbox and PwC – and asked what they seek from candidates. Take notes, people.

For burgeoning entrepreneurs, we found inspiration. Looking at some of the business people who have trod the path to success already, we offered some pointers for those hoping to build solo careers.

For those who want careers in tech, we spoke to Emma Hammond, associate director of PaaS (platform-as-a-service) and cloud operations at Fidelity International. She gave some pro tips that should help people take the first steps.

On the other side of things, we gathered some advice for those who work with talent.

Not many recruitment processes are perfect, and there are always ways to make them more enticing. We found out how you can make your processes more fun for everyone involved.

Diversity and inclusion are also big parts of recruitment. We asked Daniel Tóth, a member of informal LGBTQ network InterTech Ireland, what companies can do to ensure that their staff is truly diverse.

And, once you’ve ticked those boxes, there is one other small matter: keeping your employees. There are lots of ways to ensure retention. One of the simplest? Upskilling.

But, of course, we can’t just skate by on advice alone. This week, we also looked at some of the broader issues facing the future of work.

First, the topic at the forefront of most people’s minds: are robots stealing our jobs? For quite a while now, we’ve been told not to worry about our careers, but a recent study from the US National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that we should start.

But perhaps that worry will be short-lived. Robot take your job? Try your brand new basic income on for size! We did a deep dive on the concept of the basic income, and how it could change careers.

As always, for more on any of these stories, follow the links below.

1. What do I need to know about shares?

Have you been offered company shares as a benefit in work? If you’re feeling out of your depth, John Lowe, the Money Doctor, is here to help.

2. Dropbox: Seeking those who embrace ‘We, not I’

Most companies have something that they believe sets them apart from the competition. At Dropbox, that’s ‘We, not I’.

3. Ability to build strong client relationships vital at PwC

If you want to work at PwC, you don’t necessarily need deep technical skills, but you do need to be able to build strong client relationships.

4. Can these successful people help you become a better entrepreneur?

For entrepreneurs, it’s all about reaching the next rung of success. But how did the world’s most successful business people get to where they are now?

5. ‘Every day, a new challenge as tech evolves around us’

Emma Hammond of Fidelity International talks us through her career, from her earliest interest in tech to her current role as associate director of PaaS and cloud operations at the investment solutions firm.

6. Make your recruitment process fun, attract top talent

Looking for top talent to join your company? Making your recruitment process more fun might be the key.

7. How to make sure your company really is diverse

Diversity is one of the hottest buzzwords for companies right now. But how do they make sure it’s more than that?

8. How do you retain top talent? By upskilling them

For HR professionals, addressing a skills gap while also trying to retain the best employees is a balancing act. Upskilling your current staff could solve both problems.

9. Each robot in the workforce could cost labour market 5.6 jobs

A paper from the US National Bureau of Economic Research took a historic look at robots and their effect on the US labour market. Analysing industrial robot usage between 1990 and 2007, the study found that the machines reduced both employment and wages.

10. Could the future of work include a basic income?

A basic income would give every citizen a set amount of money, regardless of situation, but would it improve the world of work?

Kirsty Tobin
By Kirsty Tobin

Kirsty Tobin served as careers editor of Silicon Republic from 2015 up to August 2017. When she was younger, she had a dream where she started and won a fight with a T-Rex, so she’s pretty sure she kicked butt at this, too. Passions include eating all the cake, watching more TV than is healthy and sassy comebacks.

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