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Blue Monday Getting You Down?

Blue Monday Getting You Down?

Blue Monday - sad face balloon on a blue background

Blue Monday may well have started out as a marketing campaign to encourage people to book a week in the sun, but it actually ignites conversations about much more than that.

The come down from Christmas and New Year is an abrupt one. There are no more presents to wrap, turkeys to buy or big parties to organise. You’ve returned to work and realised that despite all the “New Year, New Me” mantras your life is the same as it was three weeks ago, just a little bit lighter in the wallet.

What if your job is the problem?

It is no coincidence that January is one of the busiest months for recruitment. For people looking to make a real difference to their lives this year, changing jobs is one of the most impactful ways to change your life.

What if your job is the thing making you feel blue? Here are a few of the most common identifiers:

Stress

Stress exhibits itself in different people in different ways. Maybe your hands shake, you can’t sleep, or you get migraines, there are hundreds of ways stress affects our bodies. According to statistics released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in their Labour Force Survey, 12.8 million working days are lost every year due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. This has been attributed to workload (44%); lack of support (14%); violence, threats or bullying (13%); changes at work (8%); and other (21%).

Take a step back. What is causing your stress?

Fridays vs Sundays

Do you feel real joy when your working week is over, and you can have a break from it all?

Do you feel a sense of dread the night before going back to work? This can mean that your stress from work is leaching into your personal time and this can have major effects on your whole life. Not wanting to go to work is something that almost everyone experiences at some point, but a relentless, strong sense of fear is not.

Whatever the reason behind your anxiety, you will need to address it before you can move past it. In a survey by Aviva, where they surveyed 2000, nine to five workers from various industries, 2 out of 3 people felt like their weekends are cut short by an anxiety about work. You want to be those 1 in 3 people who don’t.

Management Issues

There is truth in the saying:

“People don’t leave bad companies; they leave bad bosses”

Some bosses micromanage, others offer no support and some just don’t think the same way you do. This can sometimes be no fault of the management team, or of yours; sometimes teams don’t always work well together. This can really stunt your professional growth and your personal happiness.

Boredom

Sitting at your desk twiddling your thumbs is going to be demotivating, depressing and will knock your self-esteem. Likewise, boredom from doing mundane, repetitive tasks can be just as detrimental to your health. Results from a survey conducted by CV Library in 2017 revealed that boredom affects 44.9% of workers in the UK and 54% of those surveyed also admitted that they have looked for a new job because of the boredom at work.

Lack of progression

Feeling like your career has come to a standstill and you have nothing to aim for can be a huge motivation killer. Gaining some progression in your career, whether that is a salary increase, extra responsibility or gaining a feeling of respect can often be easier by jumping ship, than staying put.

You’re looking through our site

If you are looking for new routes to take in your career, it means that your current path isn’t going as you expected or you have realised that you have gained the most out of your current position. Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side.

At Select, we are celebrating our 25^th anniversary this year. Over this time, we have encountered every job hunting scenario you can think of and we have acquired an understanding of how daunting taking the leap, changing jobs and banishing the blues can be. We try to make your whole transition – whatever form that takes – as smooth, easy and stress-free as possible. So, if you are relating to all of the Blue Monday conversations doing the rounds, get in touch with us today.

#BlueMonday #GreenerGrass #JobsforPeopleforJobs

Testimonials

Thoroughly Recommend

“Caroline and her team took the time to listen to and fully understand our requirements. They demonstrated their understanding by presenting us with a short list of candidates all of whom could have filled the post. Thoroughly recommended for their fantastic service, thank you.”

Select Client – Google Review – Select Appointments St Albans

Second to None

“I have worked with and for ‘Select Appointments’ since Aug 1st 2017. I have nothing but absolute praise for the care and attention I have received whilst working under their ‘umbrella’. The interaction and provision of work, remuneration and holiday entitlement is in my opinion second to none, I would certainly recommend the agency to anyone with full and utmost confidence.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Norwich

Best agency in Cambridge

“Select Cambridge is an excellent agency specialised in offering jobs in the Hospitality sector. The quantity and quality offered make it the best agency in Cambridge. Personally, I have had the opportunity to work with […] an excellent consultant, attentive to the details and needs of her employees. I highly recommend it for those who are considering joining this sector.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Hospitality Cambridge

They Invest the Time

“I have worked with the Select team on both assisting me recruit as a customer and more recently as a candidate. Having first worked with Select on a couple of recruitment projects with great success she was my first call when I needed assistance with my own career move.

For me the difference with Select is that they invest the time to understand your requirements both as a business customer and as a candidate and match you to the right people or positions. Unlike a lot of Recruitment companies the communication is strong from the Select team with regular updates and you never feel like just another candidate in a drawer. Dedication, passion, professionalism and commitment are the qualities that set them apart from the rest and I cannot rate the Select team more highly.”

Select Client & Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Lowestoft

Very Supportive Team

“I worked with the very supportive team from Select. He rang just before every appointment I had with my new employers to offer advice and support. He was also on the end of the phone when I asked for advice about my current position. Needless to say, I was offered the job I was recruited for and had a very good experience with Select.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Hospitality Peterborough

Able to Get Results

“Select have been absolutely amazing from the get go. I haven’t had any problems with finding a job, pay or communication. The team found me a new job within 1 week and another job after the contract ended on that one.

I would heavily recommend this company as not only are the staff so friendly, they are able to get the results that you want from employment. After years of working with other agencies and having many problems, Select come out on top and will be using them in the future. I found an amazing job and was so sad to leave it as I have continued my journey at university.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Chelmsford

Lovely Agency to Temp With

“Lovely agency to Temp with. Always there for advice and respond quickly to any queries I have had over the last couple of months. I would like to thank the team for the incredible service they have provided me, very professional and they really care about their work.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Oxford

Cannot Recommend Them Enough

“Select Appointments are an AMAZING agency!

My consultant believed in me and saw my strengths. He gave me back my work confidence then found me my dream job. Nothing is too much trouble. The team are with you every step of the way ensuring that you are well prepared. I cannot recommend Select highly enough.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Northampton

Genuine Care

“Probably the very first agency that provided amazing customer experience to me. Staff are very professional and friendly to the point where they have managed to find something that suits me in the first 30 minutes of walking in for the first time. Paperwork isn’t as burdensome as in other recruitment agencies which is a big plus. I got an impression of genuine care from them due to the fact that they were always in contact with me and whenever I had an enquiry they responded asap.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Lincoln

Dedication is Abundantly Clear

“I am an IT Engineer specialising in Apple systems. Over the course of 1 year I entertained many recruiters claiming their understanding and ability in finding a position that suited my expertise.

Chris Lo is the 1st (& only) recruiter in my experience that not only dedicated & understood my goals, but also had the technical education to fully understand my abilities and provide appropriate prospects. This lead to my current position with a company & group of people I want to stay with indefinitely.

Chris’s dedication is abundantly clear; extremely communicative and driven nature, exemplifies his passion and character.”

Select Candidate – Google Review – Select Appointments Croydon

The Seven Cs of Recruitment

Advice

Interview Hints and Tips

FINALLY… Make sure you have confirmed your interest in the job. Conclude the interview with a handshake, remembering to thank the interviewer for their time. After the interview contact your Select consultant and let them know how the interview went.