TipTopJob Blog

You’re ready to apply for your next job. Your CV is written and polished. Your cover letter is exactly where you want it. Your heart is pounding as you search the job offers available and you suddenly wonder, “What do I look for when applying for a job?”

As you ask yourself this, you’ll want to think outside the proverbial box. Certainly, salary matters, but there is more to a job and company than just salary. Here are a few things to look into while you’re applying for a job.

Research the Company

Start by researching the company. Check the company’s history and see if it is a stable company? Search if they’ve had frequent layoffs or cutbacks. Is there a history of legal troubles, or has the company been seen positively throughout its lifetime? If it’s a start-up, do some research about working for a start-up before you sign on the dotted line. Around 90% of start-ups fail, and you don’t want to be searching for a job again in the recent future.

Office Culture

See if there are reviews from other workers in the company and how they would rate the job atmosphere there. You want to ask around, if possible, to ensure that the other employees are happy there. Ask if the management ensures the safety and wellness of the employees.  If an employee is injured, how does the company react? Do they have an incident reporting system? How do they prevent future injuries on the job?

As you research the office culture, enquire about the dynamics of the office. Is the office respectful and courteous? Beyond that, is there anyone in the office that could become a mentor and help you as you achieve your goals for this job? Office culture is an important part of a job. You want to be sure you’re surrounding yourself with morally upright and hardworking individuals that will help you grow and achieve your goals.

Growth Opportunities

At the interview, enquire about opportunities for growth, if any. Inquiring about growth will help you understand what opportunities exist for you within the company long term. Sometimes, you can find more out about growth opportunities via social media pages, as some companies advertise when employees get promotions. You should also inquire about horizontal growth opportunities, because as your skills grow and develop, other jobs may open up that might be a better fit. For this job to be a long-term one, you’ll need to know there are chances for you to grow as well.

Educational Opportunities

As you fit all or most of the qualifications for a particular job, you’ll also want to keep growing and educating yourself. Check about any educational opportunities that the company has to offer. Do they want their employees to improve their education, and if so, how do they help them achieve their educational goals? Some companies offer stipends for continued education. Ask if this company pushes their employees to grow and thrive educationally and what they can do for you.

Values and Vision

In researching the company, you can easily see what this company values and how they are better reaching their vision and goals. Is this a company that is improving society? Do they help others and does their vision align with your personal vision? In the end, it all comes down to whether or not you'd be happy and proud to be working for this company. 

Hopefully, the company and job are a perfect match for your skills and life goals. If not, keep persevering. There are plenty of jobs out there, and one of them is bound to be a perfect fit for you! Good luck!

Our latest research tells us that recruitment agencies do not get a look in compared to job boards and direct applications to specific jobs and organisations.

After a month of asking jobseekers what they do once they are happy with their CV / Resume, we found that 45% choose to upload it to a job board and make online applications via their systems. 39% apply directly to company opportunities and lagging way behind is the option to use a Recruitment Agency with only 12% taking that route.

There will always be a market and desire to use Recruitment Agencies especially within certain specialist industry sectors so it really does come down to what kind of jobs are being applied for. Many jobs can be found on job boards so it is quick and easy to make job applications online in this way where the CV/Resume can be saved within a users account. On the flip side of this though, some companies will never publish their vacancies on job boards or even enrol an agent, so direct applications to companies would be the chosen avenue.

Where have you found the most success when applying for a job? Tell us here.....

There are plenty of cities that are frequently declared to be expat havens, offering a high quality of living and a vibrant international community to help new residents from all over the world feel at home. But if you’re a finance professional looking for your next step, there are other factors to bear in mind when you’re deciding where to relocate to.

As well as setting your sights on the world’s global financial centres, it’s important to look into the typical salaries on offer for finance professionals at your level in different locations. You may also wish to consider what personal income tax you’ll need to pay, and the economic stability of your potential new home.

For financiers just starting to research their options, here’s a look at some of the best cities in the world for people working in the finance industry.

Frankfurt
Often cited as the finance capital of Europe, Frankfurt is home to the heart of the European Central Bank and German Central Bank, as well as the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. The city’s ‘House of Finance’ research and teaching institute is said to set new standards in researching capital market issues, and a number of banks looking to relocate from London as a result of Brexit have decided to move their teams to Frankfurt because of its status as a financial powerhouse.

Data from PayScale and SalaryExpert places Germany in the top 10 countries worldwide when it comes to average pay for both Finance Managers and Financial Analysts, while additional data suggests that expats living in Germany also have a higher level of disposable income than those in other finance hotspots like Singapore and Hong Kong.

Aside from the ease with which you could find a job in Frankfurt’s finance sector, it’s also a trendy and welcoming city with plenty of great food, drink and shopping potential, as well as historic sites and cultural activities to enjoy.

Singapore
Salaries for financiers living in Singapore are generous, and this city-state is also known for being a safe location and one with an excellent quality of life. Rated as the second best place in the world for expats by HSBC’s Expat Explorer survey, this is a politically and economically stable location where career opportunities mix perfectly with an expat-friendly environment.

In 2018, the number of jobs in financial services and fintech in Singapore grew by 6,900, with an additional 4,000 financiers being hired during 2019. Salaries are comfortable, though it’s worth noting that the cost of accommodation and services varies from district to district and can be high.

You may also need to take out a global healthcare policy to cover any medical expenses while living in Singapore, because only those who are permanent residents or citizens will have access to the public healthcare system. Even so, Singapore’s private healthcare system is of a world-class standard and is only slightly more expensive to access than the country’s public healthcare system.

English is the language of business, which makes settling in to a new role that little bit easier, and if you’re moving with children in tow you’ll be pleased to know that HSBC’s Expat Explorer ranked Singapore in first place for both schooling quality and childcare quality.

Hong Kong
Whether you work in brokerage, banking, wealth management or another area of finance, Hong Kong is a gateway to China that offers a rapidly growing market for finance roles. If you speak Cantonese you’ll be at an advantage, but there are also positions available for solely English-speaking expats.

Hong Kong is known for being busy and crowded, and the cost of living is high. However, it does also have some of the lowest personal income tax in the world – currently capped at a maximum tax rate of 17% of earnings. A colourful culture and lively nightlife are just a few of this region’s selling points, along with an excellent public transport system that means you won’t have to spend your salary on personal transport.

70 of the world’s 100 largest banks have operations in Hong Kong, making it one of the highest concentrations of banking institutions worldwide. HSBC’s Expat Explorer rates this location as the best in the world for expat career progression, and states that ‘most international workers tend to leave Hong Kong wealthier and more senior’ than when they arrived.

Dubai
One of the main attractions for many people moving to Dubai is the fact that there is no personal income tax. This is because government expenditure is funded by revenue from the oil industry, income tax, inheritance tax, stamp duty and capital gains tax, which are all considered unnecessary. On top of this, it’s easy to get by without speaking Arabic – though it is, of course, polite to try and learn the basics.

Dubai has been making considerable efforts in recent years to become the financial centre of the Middle East, and the Dubai International Finance Centre is a ‘special economic zone’ with its own legal and regulatory framework. Housing hundreds of financial institutions, from wealth funds and private investors to multinationals, the area offers a 50-year guarantee of zero taxes on corporate income and profits.

One thing that’s important to keep in mind if you’re considering Dubai for your next career move, is that this is a conservative location with deeply ingrained customs and laws that may be unfamiliar if you’re moving from the western world. Female expats in particular should thoroughly research the local culture before a move, as while Dubai is more liberal than other parts of the UAE, there are still requirements for women to dress modestly in public, among other things.

Tokyo
Japan is one of the world’s safest countries, and while there’s likely to be an element of culture shock settling in to a place as bright and bustling as Tokyo, this is another area offering a good quality of life and opportunities for career progression.

More than 50 foreign banks have operations in Japan, including Citibank, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase, and Tokyo is the centre of all things finance in the country. Described as a ‘key financial centre for the international market’ , Tokyo does have a high cost of living to accompany the high salaries you can expect to find here. However, you can still expect to have a reasonable level of disposable income.

When you aren’t working, you can spend your time between historic temples or modern shopping malls, or simply eat your way around the city’s many excellent restaurants and street food stands. Tokyo’s work-life balance isn’t quite as life-focused as that of other cosmopolitan cities, but as a destination that is more politically and economically stable than the UK and the USA, you may find life in Tokyo less stressful in many ways than life elsewhere.

Your specific finance role and whether you’re moving alone, with a partner or with family, will help to indicate the location that’s best for you. Wherever you decide to move to, the good news is that there are plenty of cities around the world which can simultaneously offer you good career opportunities, a high standard of living, and room to develop both personally and professionally.

We have been asking YOU whether you are looking for a job this month.

Our results reveal the following.....

- 63% of people say "YES" they are looking for a job and do not already have one. 
- 30% say "YES" as well that they have a job and they are also looking.
- 2% do not want a job!!
- 4% have a job and are not currently looking.

Positive news that the majority of people either are looking for a job or have a job with only 2% happy not to work. 

January is a great time to go on the hunt with many more companies recruiting, advertising and looking for grow. Many want to start fresh and use January as a good time to make new, positive changes to their lives. 

Is that you? Tell us your story.....

Our recent survey reveals that over half of offices already have put their Christmas decorations up.

This was researched prior to the 1st of December this year.

It definitely seems there is more early excitement around the start of the festive season.

Our offices are full of fairy lights like we have never seen before. What decorations do you have up?

In our latest research, TipTopJob found that the majority of jobseekers that gain an interview, will turn up "extra smart". This involves wearing, for example, suits and ties, to make the best first impression possible.

2% of jobseekers however would turn up to their interview wearing "dress down" or "casual" attire. This includes for example, t-shirts, flip-flops, ripped jeans and caps. It depends on the job you are going for and the industry as to whether you would chose to attend such an important event in your career like this but it always better to air on the side of caution and to look the part over making your interviewer think that you cannot be bothered.

18% would wear "smart casual" and 34% "smart".

Our latest findings reveal that most jobseekers go shopping and buy a whole brand new outfit before they go for an interview. 

40% of respondents say that they would go to the shops in order to purchase everything new. 24% go out to buy a few new things. Interestingly, 36% reuse their wardrobe.

Some people re-using their wardrobe may have already bought a new outfit for recent previous interviews therefore not needing to buy everything brand new. Some may already be smart in their day to day life so have suitable and appropriate clothing anyway.

First impressions count and by turning up looking the part, you will be off to a better start than if you turn up in scruffy jeans and a cap. If that requires a visit to the shops, then so be it - you will not regret it!

In our latest research study, we found that the main reason for looking for a new job is "career progression".

Jobseekers look around in order to take the next step up the career ladder but staying within the same industry. Almost 60% responded to this option. In some instances, there becomes a limit and barrier to the progress that can be made within a company and so the only option is to move on elsewhere.

25% of jobseekers are after a new role of a similar level but just want to move away from their current company/organisation. Potentially due to staff or manager clashes, lack of training, money issues, location/commuting difficulties being some of the reasons.

15% however, were looking for a career change all together.

If you are looking for a new job, head over to our jobsite TipTopJob.com where you can search through over 400,000 active jobs in 61 industry sectors. You can register for free, upload a CV or Resume, Set up Job Alerts and search to apply to jobs in a matter of minutes. What are you waiting for? 

We are looking into the value of work experience and the affects it has had or is thought to likely have on the potential of landing a new job. 

Work experience can provide invaluable skills that can be highlighted on a job application. Recruiters respect work experience as it displays a desire to learn and develop one self and is always viewed favourably. We want to know your thoughts. Do you think it could help you land your dream job? Has it helped you in the past?

We are also looking at the differences between locations on work experience. Please answer our survey based on where you are currently living. Click on your location below....

UK

USA

Europe

Australia

Canada

Middle East

Asia

Our latest survey reveals that job boards are the favoured option for jobseekers when they are first looking to find a new job. 38% choose a "job board" in the first instance to search for their next role before anything else.

"Social networks" were the second most favoured avenue for a jobseeker with 18% visiting either Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram or one of the other platforms. 

"Recruitment agencies" were not as popular as we thought with 16% choosing them first and "search engines", an even less popular source (15%).

Only 10% of jobseekers go direct to the end clients and 3% use their own friend or acquaintance network, which was another surprising result as normally, the networks are a valuable and popular source to find a new job. Maybe it is not the first place people go though!

What do you use? Share here....