Latest news with #APPRENTICE
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
I'm worried about a clash of interests between jobs but I need the money – please help!
Scroll down to read Karren's advice to the reader BOSSING IT I'm worried about a clash of interests between jobs but I need the money – please help! APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert career advice to a reader who has been left to present a stressful project alone after her colleague took a last minute holiday. 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q: I work part-time as a teaching assistant in a primary school, and I recently asked if I could increase my hours to full-time. I need the extra money, but I've been told there isn't the budget to do this currently. So, I've been thinking about working as a self-employed childminder on the days I'm not contracted at school, but I'm worried the senior leadership team might be annoyed if I approach parents with details of my childminding, in case they think it's out of order or a clash of interests. I don't know how else I would find potential clients, though. Please help! Kia, via email A) It's fantastic you're taking the initiative to boost your income – it sounds like becoming a self-employed childminder could be a great fit for you, especially with your experience. Since your employer can't offer you more hours at the moment, it's absolutely fair for you to explore other options. However, before you do anything else, I would check the school's policy on outside work or speak discreetly with your line manager. A quick, honest conversation can help clarify boundaries and prevent misunderstandings. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear If promoting your services directly to parents at the school feels tricky, try alternative routes, such as Facebook groups, childcare platforms, community centres or word-of-mouth through neighbours and friends, as these can be effective. Childminders need to ensure they are registered with Ofsted and you will need to declare any self-employed income to HMRC, so do make sure you keep accurate records. With your skills, you're in a strong position – just be sure to keep your school role and any private work as separate as you can. Best of luck with your new venture! Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@
Scottish Sun
26-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I'm a 50 year-old career changer – what advice do you have for me as I look for a new job?
Scroll down to read Karren's advice to a reader who is changing careers later in life BOSSING IT I'm a 50 year-old career changer – what advice do you have for me as I look for a new job? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is looking for help on writing a CV. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) I am 50 and have been at my current job for 24 years. Over the past few years, there have been a lot of changes at the company and I think it's time I moved on, and also look at a complete career change. I have excellent audio-typing skills and have recently completed a Microsoft course. But I haven't written a CV or cover letter in years, so I need some help with how to do this. I am also not sure if my age is an advantage or disadvantage when looking for a job. Do you have any advice? Name and address withheld A) First, congratulations on 24 years at your current company – it says a lot about your loyalty, hard work and professionalism. A career change now is a brave and exciting step, so well done on making this decision. Updating your CV might feel overwhelming at first, but start with simple and straightforward actions, such as listing your skills and achievements, like your Microsoft course and audio-typing skills. Focus on your transferable strengths, including communication, organisation and adaptability, and be sure to highlight any other recent training to show you're up to date and eager to grow in a new role. When writing your cover letter, keep the tone confident, clear and genuine. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear Tailor each letter to the specific job you're applying for by connecting the wealth of experience and skills you clearly have to exactly what the role requires. Focus on your achievements, rather than just responsibilities, and use keywords from the job description to help your application get noticed. Explain why the role excites you and finish with a confident invitation for an interview. As for your age, it's far from being a disadvantage – employers value experience! Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@
Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I have 20 years experience in marketing but I'm struggling to get interviews – how can I stand out?
Scroll down to read Karren's advice to the reader on how to protect herself and her business going forward BOSSING IT I have 20 years experience in marketing but I'm struggling to get interviews – how can I stand out? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is struggling to get job interviews despite an abundance of experience. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) I'm currently looking for a new position in the marketing sector, but I'm not having much luck. I have 20 years of excellent experience and have worked my way up the ladder across three different companies to be in a mid-senior role. I know I already have most of the skills needed to do the jobs I'm applying for, but I'm still not even getting interviews. How can I make my application stand out in such a competitive job market? Clare, via email A) It's frustrating to have such solid experience and still feel like you're being overlooked for positions. You clearly have a lot to offer, so the issue likely isn't your capability – it's about how your application is landing in a very crowded market. First, take a fresh look at your CV and cover letter. Are you tailoring them to each specific role, highlighting the exact language and priorities from the job description? Hiring managers often scan applications quickly, so make sure your most relevant achievements and leadership skills are front and centre. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear Lead with notable results, focus on outcomes, the value you bring to the business and the difference you have personally made. Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Posting and engaging with content in your industry is increasingly important. If you're applying for jobs mostly online and not hearing anything back, try to expand your approach. Reach out directly to hiring managers and named recruiters on job adverts. You could also speak with a trusted recruiter or book a session with a career coach to get some objective feedback on your CV and covering letter. Sometimes, just a slight shift in how you frame your achievements and skills can unlock new opportunities. Good luck!
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
I had to dismiss a negligent apprentice who is now threatening to take action. What should I do?
Scroll down to read Karren's advice to the reader on how to protect herself and her business going forward BOSSING IT I had to dismiss a negligent apprentice who is now threatening to take action. What should I do? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who had to dismiss a negligent apprentice. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) I run a pet-grooming business and the safety of our animals is of the utmost importance. I employed an apprentice, ensuring I gave him plenty of training and detailed instructions. But after a few months, I noticed he was cutting corners and leaving pets unsupervised. After speaking to him about this on numerous occasions, I eventually had to dismiss him. Now he has a vendetta against me, claiming his role was meant to be work experience for his veterinary course. He has threatened to get his university involved, as well as his parents, saying I've been unfair and unprofessional. While these are baseless claims, it's a lot to deal with. What can I do? Kara, via email A) You absolutely did the right thing by putting the safety of the animals you look after first, however difficult the conversations with your trainee were. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear In roles that involve trust, responsibility and the wellbeing of animals or people, there is no room for repeated carelessness. To protect yourself and your business going forward, keep thorough records of everything – specific incidents, reminders, one-to-one conversations and any formal or informal feedback you've given, along with dates and times. If you are contacted by your former trainee's family or university, respond professionally and stick to the facts. Make it clear that the dismissal was due to consistent breaches of safety protocols and not a personal grievance. If he continues to make false or harmful claims, report his actions through the appropriate channels as harassment or defamation. You've built your business on high standards, care and professionalism – don't let this situation shake your confidence or distract you from what you do so well.
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help!
Scroll down to read five ways to save on baby showers BOSSING IT My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help! APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert career advice to a reader who has been left to present a stressful project alone after her colleague took a last minute holiday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q: My colleague and I have been working on a stressful project for the past six months and it's finally reaching the crunch point – but she's chosen to take a last-minute holiday over the two weeks we need to deliver the project and present it internally, then put it in front of the client. I understand the whole process of getting the project to this point has been difficult and meant some long hours, but I feel abandoned and like I now have to carry it all on my own, which is causing me huge anxiety and stress. What should I do? Amelia, via email A: First, speak to your manager about the situation as soon as possible. Explain clearly that with your colleague away during such a critical phase, you're concerned about the impact on delivery of the project and don't want the workload and pressure to compromise the final result. Ask whether some tasks can be reassigned or if extra support is available. Set firm boundaries – don't take on everything alone, especially at the cost of your physical and mental health. Keep a written record of your agreed responsibilities and decisions during this time to protect yourself and manage expectations. When your colleague returns, have a respectful but honest conversation about how this affected you, so it's less likely to happen again. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear Most importantly, prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – take breaks, ask for help when you need it and be clear about what you can and can't do. As tough as the current situation is, moments like these can highlight your resilience and capabilities, and will give you a chance to show your manager how well you handle pressure and take the lead when it counts. Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@
