2009 has truly seen the Internet generation stepping up a gear. Not only is being Internet savvy a staple part of everyday life, but it has finally gone massively mobile. People strut around facebooking and twittering on their mobiles on trains and the tube, next to the people browsing the web on their Wi-Fi-enabled laptops.

Sometimes I hear myself say sentences that would have absolutely no meaning to me about a year ago. The English student in me is still slightly perturbed by the way ‘Google’ has become an acceptable verb, and phrases like ‘I tweeted about that yesterday’ suddenly make sense- while a year ago people might have thought you were a slight bit mad, pretending to be a bird. It seems everyone, including my mother- who now MSN’s me regularly to catch-up, is now up to speed with the latest in social media and technological advancement that makes aspects of everyday life just that little bit easier.

But along with the advent of facebookers, the Twitterati, the bloggers, micro bloggers, online job seekers, online gamers, online shoppers, online [insert anything into this space], comes the inevitable dark side to the Internet; as a new outlet for crime. Fraud, identity theft, scams; all of these that can be executed by the tap of a few innocent keystrokes by faceless fraudsters. But this time the fraudsters are hitting home and banging down our door; the door of the recruitment industry.

An article released last week on the BBC News Website has highlighted the worrying increase of Internet job scams. The report has uncovered that figures ranging from £50- £5000 are being paid out to scam websites, all aimed at conning online jobseekers.

It’s no surprise that online fraudsters are turning to recruitment based scams to make themselves a quick buck, especially with the increase in unemployment, not just in the UK but worldwide. The Internet has become a celebrated new avenue for the recruitment industry, which has enjoyed a fresh lease of life by moving to the online market. Job aggregators, job boards, recruitment agencies and CV distributors have turned to the Internet to deliver quality services to the jobseeker, and reach a wider audience.

While Internet scams have always been present, the worry is that they are becoming more and more sophisticated. People are setting up fake recruitment sites, asking jobseekers to pay fees for services they will not ultimately provide. ‘Work from home’ scams are rife; tempting jobseekers with the opportunity to make a lot of money really quickly and easily, while all you have to do is pay ‘a small set up fee’, or pay for the materials to start the work- and as soon as you do, you hear nothing more again.

In light of the article, Tomorrow’s Blog will give you our guide from FreeMyCV.com HQ on what to look for and how to avoid getting caught out by internet scams. Remember- be aware of what’s out there and keep your data safe.

Deciding whether you are ready for a new career can mean many sleepless nights. There’s a lot to consider and will it all be worth it? If you’re thinking about a new start, make sure you have considered the following things, to ensure you make the decision that’s right for you.

Why do you want to leave?

Scenario 1: Personal issues. A lot of people that feel dissatisfied with their jobs don’t want to change their career. If this is the case, then it’s worth finding out: is it personal? Are you not getting along with another colleague? Are you being unfairly treated by your boss? Personal issues may be easy to resolve and won’t result in you having to uproot yourself from a great job. Why not talk to HR and air your grievances? Or talk to the person you are having issues with and work out if there is a way to get past this. Something so easy as resolving a personal conflict may just make your working life perfect- with no need to change your career.

Scenario 2: Job Role Dissatisfaction- “It’s not you, it’s me”. Your boss loves you, you get on great with your colleagues, the company perks are fabulous, but there’s still something missing... If you’re happy with everything about your job, except the job itself, then maybe it’s time to consider other job roles. We’re only human, and sometimes we get it wrong. We might think we’ve found the perfect career path, but sometimes it’s just not meant to be. The great news is you might not even have to leave the company. Businesses have internal vacancies all the time, so why not find out what’s available- changing your department might be all you need to kick start your career and leave your job role blues behind.

Scenario 3: Company Woes. “It’s not me; it’s most definitely you!” Does every day of your working life seem like a scene from Office Space? Although you might love the job you do, some companies don’t prove the perfect fit for all employees. If this is the case, search outside your business for similar roles but in a different company, a complete career overhaul might not be necessary, just a change of scenery!

Scenario 4: You just want a change. OK, so you’ve vetoed scenarios 1-3 which probably means you just need a change, a fresh start and a new career completely. There are hundreds of reasons why this might be the case; you never intended to stay on permanently, you want to move to a new location, you want to try out a different career... Whatever the reason, you need to be happy in your employment- you spend enough time there! So go out and get what you want, but remember, search for jobs while you still have a job. Go for interviews, get your CV out there, and find something concrete before you hand in your notice.

Practical Points to consider...

Is the job you want going to impact on your finances? It’s ok deciding that investment banking isn’t the right path for you, but if your desired career means you’re taking a monumental pay cut- can you, and/or your family afford it?

Are you qualified for the career you wish to pursue? You might feel that you’re a veterinarian trapped inside an IT consultant’s body; but do you have the training and the qualifications to ditch the desk and start operating on animals? Make sure you know what qualifications/training you need to pursue your new career. If you’ve got them, great! But if you are going to have to finish employment to train from scratch- you might need to consider the financial and practical implications of this decision.

Are there jobs available in your desired field? You need to check the availability of positions within your desired employment. You might fancy being a scuba diving instructor in Australia- but are there positions available? Have you checked to see how you can find work in this sector?There are quite a few things worth considering before you make that all important leap to a better career.

Make sure you have thought practically about your decision and weigh up your options. If all the signs still point to a new career, then go for it! Don’t settle for a job you aren’t truly happy with. And of course, remember to upload your CV to FreeMyCV, your next job might be closer than you think...

Why do application forms still exist?

You’ve given the employer a 2-3 page window into your working soul through your CV. It has your interests, your goals, your qualifications and a beautifully well-written covering letter. But they still want an application form. Why, you ask?

An application form also gives the employer the opportunity to request specific information that they want to know, that might not appear on your CV. This allows them to have all the facts about their applicants to enable them to make an informed decision.

Perfecting your CV is one thing, but what if an employer never gets to see it? The sad fact is that an employer might not have the time to read through every applicant’s CV. A polished CV may get overlooked if your covering letter is either non-existent, or not up to scratch.

And if all that info has got your head spinning, here’s an example cover letter to give you some inspiration:

Dear Mr Johnston,

I am writing in response to the job advert you placed on AllTheTopBananas.com, to express my interest in the vacancy of Sales Manager (ref 645/1982).

I believe I have the right skills for this position and wish to further my career in sales management, which is a position I upheld at my previous employment with Sales Inc. for five years. Being in charge of a team of six has made me very adept at motivating a team and ensuring the smooth running of my department.  

I am very interested in applying for this vacancy as I have often admired the business model that Sell, Sell, Sell, adheres to. Your large selection of clients is renowned within the industry and so is the quality of service you provide, which is something that I pride myself on within my own work.

I have held a number of roles that have enabled me to develop and perfect my skills in effective sales and customer service management. I am very goal oriented and have been successful in ensuring my team met the deadlines and targets set each quarter, and I believe that these skills would make me a valuable asset to your company. 

Please see attached my CV for your further information. I am available for interview at any time, and my contact information is at the top of my CV. I look forward to hearing from you soon,