If you want to build a successful career, facilities could be your fast-track to senior management
Facilities is a fast-growing industry with 11,000 vacancies, but few jobseekers have even heard of it
IT’S one of our fastest-growing industries, with more than 11,000 vacancies on offer – but few jobseekers have even heard of it.
Facilities management is the sector that is responsible for keeping buildings and services running properly for all other industries, from hospitals to schools to airports and hotels.
Roles include cleaners, security staff, heating engineers, electricians and other specialist managers.
While it may not seem the most glamorous of professions, it does offer a very fast way to climb the career ladder into senior management.
Many top bosses in the sector started out in entry-level roles or as apprentices, then found their skills in demand around the boardroom table, as they understood what made a business successful.
Salaries for junior contract managers range from £28,000 to £43,000 while seniors can get up to £70,000 for looking after a big venue.
As well as needing exceptional organisation and time management skills, you must also offer good customer service and be comfortable using computers.
This is because clients expect online updates about problems with their buildings, and when they have been fixed.
Facilities management giant ABM is now hiring.
It operates worldwide and has 120 jobs on offer across the UK.
Managing director Andy Donnell said: “ABM wants to hear from people who are committed to developing their technical skills but also understand the importance of delivering excellent customer service.
“They should come to us with ambition and an appetite to learn.
“In return, we offer some interesting and diverse careers that can lead to senior management positions.
“Everyone on the senior level started out as an apprentice so there is nothing to stop people — as long as they have the right attitude.”
To apply, visit . For more on facilities management, see .
Build a new career like Nadia Mitchener
NADIA is facilities management company ABM UK’s first female junior contract manager.
She originally embarked on a media and cultural studies course at university but quit to find a job after breaking her leg and missing her studies.
The 28-year-old from Northolt, North West London, is now urging more women to go into the industry.
Apart from anything else, she says it is an eye-opener. Nadia added: “People are completely unaware of how much effort goes into creating and maintaining the environments we work and play in.
“Start by being inquisitive about the environment you’re in. How are the lights on in your office every day?
“What goes into making it safe, clean and warm? This job is unique because it challenges a broad range of skills, both technical and organisational.
“I’d love to see more women in the industry for that reason, because although it is a traditionally masculine world, enjoying variety and multi-tasking is an advantage.
“It’s great that you’re not in an office every day and can manage your own time. You also get to see some really beautiful places. There’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment when everything comes together, problems are solved and your clients are happy.
“It’s also good that people cannot pull the wool over my eyes when it comes to mechanics – I know what things cost.
“People are often surprised about my knowledge when it comes to getting my own boiler fixed at home.”
It pays to mind the gap
WOMEN are still being paid an average of 18 per cent less than men for the same work, despite the introduction of the Equal Pay Act 46 years ago.
If you’re getting less than you should, employment lawyer Homa Wilson from Hodge Jones & Allen, explains what to do.
She said: “You must be able to identify a ‘comparator’, which is a man doing the same job or job of an equal value but who receives better pay.
“Gather evidence that your work is equal, such as a copy of the job description or advertisement for your comparator’s role.
“Next, make your employer aware of your concerns.
“The first step should be to speak with your manager or the human resources department.
“If a conversation does not lead to a satisfactory resolution, you should raise a written grievance following ACAS guidelines.
“Ultimately, you can enforce your legal rights by bringing a claim against your employer.”
To find out more, go to .
How to be liked at work
WANT to get on well with your colleagues? There are three key traits to have.
Being positive is most important, with two thirds of staff rating it highly.
Forty per cent want co-workers to be approachable.
And 39 per cent say having a sense of humour helps you get on in the office.
But the study from job site CV-Library showed that arrogance is the biggest workplace turn-off, hated by 67 per cent of colleagues.
Laziness is also disliked by 48 per cent, while a quarter cannot stand staff who are patronising.
Spokesman Lee Biggins said: “It’s only natural to want to be liked.
“But try to figure out the right balance that will help you be respected by both colleagues and senior management alike.”
Top tips for making the grad
MANY top firms will be closing the applications for their graduate job schemes over the next few weeks.
Competition for the roles is tough, with experts estimating applicants have only a one in 40 chance of landing a job.
So how can you boost your chances? Russell Sims landed a place on the L’Oreal scheme and is now a high-flyer in the cosmetic firm’s consumer products division.
Here are his five top tips:
➊ Be honest with yourself – know exactly what you want from your career.
Authenticity, self-awareness and enthusiasm are the first things interviewers will look for. They are seen as proof you really want to work for the firm.
➋ Sell yourself – during the interview provide evidence of key skills like analysis, leadership, diplomacy, team working and motivation.You may also need to display these in a group task.
Look at your work experience and extra curricular profile. Place your personal experience well.
➌ Know the company inside out – read all you can about it, from social media to newspapers to official reports. Insight and analysis will make you stand out.
➍ Explore the role – a key aspect of preparing for an interview for a graduate scheme is to fully understand the role for which you are applying, and where it can take you within the company.
➎ Prepare some questions – show you are keen by asking questions about the role and what makes a successful graduate employee.
For L’Oreal UK & Ireland’s current graduate jobs, see .
German earner
CONSIDER learning to speak German to boost your salary.
Analysis of UK jobs ads reveals that it is the most requested foreign language by British employers.
It is also the highest paid, with German-speaking staff earning more than French, Mandarin, Arabic and Japanese speakers.
On average, German speakers command a salary of £34,534, according to the study by job site Adzuna.
It also found there were around 1,000 vacancies for Welsh speakers, at an average salary of £26,469.
Adzuna co-founder Doug Monro said: “The business community will be looking to the UK Government for assurances that access to skilled foreign language speakers will not be restricted by Brexit.”
You'll go pharm
PHARMACEUTICALS giant GSK is taking on 80 new apprentices.
There are roles available across the UK in engineering, manufacturing, laboratory science, finance, IT and HR.
Stephen Stewart, GSK Global Talent Programmes Lead, said: “We’re committed to building a diverse workforce and our apprenticeship scheme has allowed us to open up our roles to a wider talent pool.
“Ninety-five per cent of our apprentices to date have moved into a permanent role with us and many have progressed to work in different departments and even different countries.”
To apply visit .
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Christmassy careers
’TIS the season to take on new staff. Discount supermarket Aldi needs to find 4,000 permanent staff before Christmas.
Mary Dunn, the supermarket chain’s communications director, told Sunemployment: “Between now and Christmas, Aldi will be recruiting for 4,000 permanent store positions across the UK.
“Aldi’s current vacancies are available at a significant number of stores and include senior store management positions such as store manager and assistant store manager roles.”
Apply by heading to .
Switch on for success
POWER up your career with E.ON. The energy firm has announced vacancies for 100 apprentices in areas including IT, HR and highways lighting.
Jobs are available at sites in Bedford, Bolton, Coventry and Nottingham. The company is also taking on 500 new smart-meter technicians.
For apprenticeship jobs, see . For smart-meter roles, see .