Smart buzz
Are you looking for careers inspiration?
This is where you’ll get to hear and learn from other people. We would bring you random stuff from interviews, poems, articles, inspirational stories etc. The great thing is we are keen to hear about the everyday escapades of people from different sectors (not excluding students and those on maternity leave or career breaks!). So if you’ve got something to say, get it off your chest! If you fancy writing for us, then kindly contact us.
We are particularly keen to hear from inspirational women who have made great progress at work and advanced their careers, despite the obstacles they have faced.
Interview with Helen Grant
06/02/2012
I set up my first business at the age of eleven, digging up old bottles of antique value in a Victorian dump and selling them to an antiques trader...
Is it time to follow your heart?
03/02/2012
Sadly, nobody can really show you the way or the path to follow. They can guide you, but it’s up to you to do it. The very first thing is to start thinking for yourself...
Network your way back to work
31/01/2012
Combining what you know with who you know may be exactly what you need to land your next job. A general consensus about networking is that it creates a pool of contacts from which you can draw leads, ideas, referrals and information for your job search.
Pitch Yourself and Flaunt What You've Got!
01/11/2011
To celebrate the launch of the flexolution site in November, we are offering free spaces on two career workshops to women living in Kent and its surrounding areas...
Do you speak from Your Head or Your Heart?
16/09/2011
In a bid to dazzle and impress interviewers and investors, many job seekers and business owners rely heavily on their head knowledge or intellect and dish out facts and figures which show...
Stay focused on results and keep dreaming
10/08/2011
Trying to introduce a new service, concept, initiative or product is not an easy task. I had started to concentrate on the difficulty of the work at hand, instead of focusing on the results and rewards. How did I get to this point?
Equality in the workplace
13/05/2011
The World Economic Forum look at many different aspects of gender equality and while in terms of health and education the UK performs well, when it comes to career prospects in top level jobs and top pay rates, Britain lags behind. The UK was 15th in the world in 2010, after countries such as Spain, South Africa, the Philippines and Lesotho and...
Three Reasons Why Women Don’t Progress???
25/03/2011
Well, if all the research and statistics are to be believed we women are a feeble bunch and hugely lacking in confidence! And that lack of confidence in our own abilities is a significant reason in our not applying for the top jobs!
Book to attend the life-changing Renewyou course (£50 off)
14/03/2011
You will leave feeling like a new woman, energised and raring to put your plans into action! RenewYou could literally change your life and make your next 12 months your best ever...
Ten top assertiveness tips
01/03/2011
I wish I had read this article on assertiveness by Jane C. Woods much earlier. I have practised the techniques, and found them really useful...
Nostalgia makes you happy
10/01/2011
“Men tend to reminisce about the past as a form of escapism, but women are better at drawing on past experiences to help them with a current dilemma.”...
Men and Women talk differently.
01/10/2010
If you talk to other people and are either a man or a woman, you need to read this! Read more
Increase your Success Rate in Relationships
27/08/2010
Relationships with others are central to the human condition; we are all connected to one another in all sorts of ways. If we want to be successful in any area of life we need to be skillful in relationships...
A Life of Enthusiasm
05/07/2010
Smart Opportunities speaks to Rachael Rainbow, Production Director at the award-winning digital agency, Cogapp.
Read moreKeep your life details safe online!
30/06/2010
As the number of unemployed individuals rises, scammers are becoming proactive and targeting those who are keen to get back into work...
Does your CV stand out?
23/06/2010
A good CV is a marketing document or promotional tool which shows prospective employers that an individual has the right skills and experience required...
Fabulous free training for women over 50
03/06/2010
The Centre for Micro Enterprise (CME) at London Metropolitan University is offering a FREE Training Programme for women aged 50 or over...
Leading the Team
29/04/2010
Smart Opportunities speaks to Donna Miller - European Director of HR for Enterprise Rent-A-Car - about her unplanned but successful career in human resources (HR)
Read moreHave passion, will travel
06/04/2010
Smart Opportunities speaks to Surinder Hundal, Director of Communications at the International Business Leaders Forum, about her career and her approach to business.
Read moreDeveloping your business career strategy
06/04/2010
Successful business communicator and innovator Surinder Hundal shares her experience on developing a career strategy.
Read moreThe 'Real' Recruiter
26/03/2010
Debbie Thrift has more than 20 years in the UK recruitment industry and takes great pride in connecting the right people to the right opportunities. We spoke to Debbie about what it takes to be a first-class recruitment consultant.
Read moreGender Blindness in the Workplace?
15/03/2010
I think I had better begin by declaring my bias! I am a feminine feminist: I do not think women need to, or should have to, behave like men to get on in the world of work...
Read moreHow PREPARED are You?
25/02/2010
Last year, Yasmina Siaddatan was hired as Sir Alan's apprentice. She believed that she had something to offer, and rather than giving in to fear or allowing the obstacles...
Read moreMaking Networking Work for Her (Jackie Groundsell, co-founder 1230)
05/02/2010
We speak to Jackie Groundsell - co-founder and co-director of networking business 1230 - and find out a little more about how she did it.
Read moreReview your last 12 months
14/01/2010
Most of us are busy at the end of every year with the build up to the festive season swiftly followed by a bout of New Year resolution making. And then we forget them within weeks!
Some inspirational quotes that we love....
05/11/2009
We believe that you will enjoy these quotes...
Read moreWomen not second best!
04/09/2009
A recent study, ‘The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness’ said that women are unhappier now, after 40 years...
Read moreI feel very comfortable speaking to people about their finances....
05/06/2009
The enforcement sector is often viewed as a ‘man’s world’, but Marston Group is challenging this stereotype...
Read moreCan you Change your Life in Thirty Minutes?
04/06/2009
When you are finding it hard to motivate yourself, or can’t see a way ahead, try the thirty minute rule!...
Read moreRelationships Definition Time (RDT)
20/04/2009
Our relationships with people can affect our professional development and influence us positively or negatively...
Read moreAdvice - who needs it?
17/04/2009
Well, to answer that, most of us from time to time. Few of us get by in life without any help at all and advice from a person you trust can be an amazing source of wisdom and professional development...
Read moreFirst impressions
28/03/2009
It is a very old cliché but you never get a second chance to make a first impression. But you do get a chance to revitalise your image and confound people’s expectations of you...
Read moreMotivate yourself
15/03/2009
Motivate Yourself to do well at work, whatever your job! If you find yourself operating below your best at work, lacking in motivation, it will gradually erode your confidence in your abilities and you can be sure someone will notice!
Read moreUpcoming Events
Smart Opportunities
Smart Relaunch Medway, 24th May 2012
Are you a professional looking to relaunch your career following a break?....
Employers/Recruiters More Information
