Nikki Vivian

Personal Assistant (PA)

A personal assistant, or PA, holds a crucial role providing administrative support to senior management or company directors, in order to free up their time for higher-level strategic tasks and responsibilities. There is usually a close working relationship between manager and PA, as it is the job of a PA to understand management's objectives and have extensive company knowledge in order to handle communications and admin on their behalf.

How to Answer 'What Would You Do if You Won the Lottery?'

You need to give your answer some thought. You want to make the right impression about your commitment to the role and the company. Career coaches often use this question on clients who are unsure what they want to do in their career, because it really allows them to think about what is important to them when money isn't a factor.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Industry for You

When it comes to finding a good career path, it is surprising how so many people just fall into a career with very little thought or planning. Choosing school subjects and university degrees often boxes people at a young age and they continue down that career path with little deviation or a belief that it isn't possible to change their path.

How to Ask for a Bonus (with Written Letter Samples)

Talking money is a bit of a taboo subject. We find it difficult to talk about salaries and even more difficult to ask for an increase or bonus. However, there will come a time in most people's career when they need to have the conversation about a pay rise or bonus to bring their salary into alignment with extra work, responsibility or a step-up in level.

How to Create a Europass CV (Tips and Example)

When it comes to writing a CV, there are so many templates and formats to choose from that it can get confusing. Do you choose a chronological or a skills-based format? Do you keep the design simple or use a fancy template? The choice can be overwhelming.

What Does CV Mean? | ResumeCoach

Create your resume now Simply put, CV is an abbreviation of Curriculum Vitae (Latin for 'the course of one's life'). However, the CV meaning is different depending on where you are in the world. What does CV mean? In the UK, a CV is the document you send to an employer when you apply for a job.

How to Write a CV as a Teenager (with Example)

Whether you're looking for a summer job, a part-time gig or even a work placement, you'll need to highlight your skills and educational achievements in a professional document. If you are currently in the process of searching for your first job, then you probably haven't had to write a CV before and are wondering where to start.

How to Get a Remote Job in the Virtual World: A Quick Guide

Your virtual job search will most likely begin much as it would have in the past. Mykola Tymkiv, the COO of MacKeeper, suggests '[looking] for jobs on platforms such as LinkedIn, [job boards], even Facebook' and goes on to recommend asking family, friends and professional contacts for leads.

When Success and Parenting Collide

When Success And Parenting Collide – It’s OK To Change Your Priorities

What is work-life balance and how do we go about achieving it? - Higher Education Jobs - Higher...

Work-life balance is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? Well, it can mean different things to different people but largely, it is helpful to think of it as an acceptable equilibrium between your work life and your home/personal life, in accordance to your priorities, enjoyment, and goals.

Stress relief when working remotely: How to scale up social-not physical-contact - Higher...

Working remotely certainly has it perks, but it also has some downsides. Most of these revolve around the isolated nature of working outside of an office environment. In absence of a team, remote work can feel very lonely at times. Without a trusted colleague to bounce ideas off of, spur you on, or resolve issues,...

What is Imposter Syndrome and how can you overcome it? - Higher Education Jobs - Higher Education...

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon whereby a person has serious doubts about their accomplishments. It's an inability to believe that what you have achieved is due to you and not some form of "luck" or misunderstanding. If you have Imposter Syndrome, you may feel that your success is not truly "yours," and you may...

Informational Interviews Explained - Higher Education Jobs - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

The word "interview" can often send us into a panic. We know we are going to be asked lots of questions, that we are going to be judged, and that the prospect of a new job rides on it. However, an informational interview is not your average interview and turns everything you know about interviews on its head.

Tips for higher education professionals working from home - Higher Education Jobs - Higher...

Most higher education faculty, staff, and administrators aren't fully accustomed to remote work. But the spread of coronavirus has prompted thousands of higher education employees to adapt to this new way of working, which is unfamiliar to many of us and brings a new set of challenges, especially for those of us working when family members are unexpectedly at home, too.

Not a professor? Not a problem: Eight Unexpected Careers in Higher Education - Higher Education...

Working in higher education isn't just for researchers and teachers. Higher education institutions employ health care workers, event planners, marketing staff, and trade professionals; there are a whole host of jobs in the sector that you may not have considered.

Being productive while working remotely - Higher Education Jobs - Higher Education Recruitment...

Remote working is becoming increasingly widespread, as institutions see the benefits of allowing employees to work from home and the huge advantages of hiring talented staff who may not be necessarily located nearby. Even if remote work is not the norm in your organization, in a time of crisis-such as current coronavirus response-the number of...

Dental Technician Profile

How to make a career change within higher education - Higher Education Jobs - Higher Education...

Nowadays, career changes are becoming increasingly common. Employers are starting to see the benefits that multiple career directions can offer, as employees can widen their skill sets and bring new perspectives to a job.

Artworker Career Profile

A position as an artworker is a great starting point for anyone looking to build a career in graphic design, with the right experience in desktop publishing software and working on live design projects Artworkers produce print-ready products by taking a design concept from a designer and tidying it up before it is sent to print.

Returning to the higher education workforce after a hiatus - Higher Education Jobs - Higher...

A career break of any kind should not hold you back. Providing you present your break as a positive experience rather than detrimental to your career, and that you take precautions to ensure you have not let your skillset become outdated, there is no reason why you can't step back into a role in higher education.

4 Ways Becoming a Parent Makes You More Productive at Work - Classy Career Girl

Becoming a parent boosts our skills, makes us more efficient and allows us to assess what really matters when it comes to getting the job done. Consider these examples of ways you improve in the workplace after becoming a parent.

Salary Negotiation- A winner's mindset

Salary negotiation is often the elephant in the room. Whether you're discussing a job offer, you're a freelancer talking to a prospective client or you're already in a job and want to talk about a raise, it's the conversation that we tend to avoid even though it is probably one of the most important and often the decider over whether we take a job or continue in a position.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself to Improve Your Personal Brand

Branding is a concept best understood by looking at companies and products. However, in the digital age, it's not just CEOs that should be concerned with branding, you too have a personal brand. When you go for an interview, you are selling yourself.

How to say 'No' at work

Going above and beyond is a great trait to have. It will make you stand out as reliable and driven, it's admirable within a team if you can help colleagues out and ensures excellent customer and client relations.

Outstanding Grades VS Outstanding Personality

Once upon a time, when only the minority were able to study at university, good grades were enough to make you stand out from your peers. However, in this day and age, when an ever growing number of people are university educated, are good grades still enough to land you that dream job?

How to use your Skills as a Parent to Land your Next Job

When you become a parent, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that 'that is all you are now'. This can be especially true if you take a break from your career to raise your family, as being out of the game can knock your confidence.

How to address a career break on your CV - CV Writers

How to address a career break on your CV Being out of work for a while comes with the dilemma of how to address this break on your CV. You'll probably receive varying advice about this but the truth of the matter is, it depends entirely on how long the break was for and whether you are going back to a similar role or looking for a career change.

Soft Skills That Absolutely Must be on Your CV When you Work in Education

Thinking about everything that needs to be on your CV, whilst also making sure you don't overload it with everything you've ever done, can be a tricky balance. It's important to make sure it is written with a role in mind so that you can tailor it to include all the skills and experience relevant to that role and that role only.

Christmas Eve at the office

It's Christmas Eve and things appear to be winding down at the office. The Christmas jumpers are out, Michael Buble is belting out his annual festive medley and everyone seems in good spirits. The countdown for Christmas drinks is on!

The Rise of the Portfolio Career

The prospect of a 'career' for life is one that is sadly in decline these days. Unless you set out in life with the dream of becoming a doctor, a teacher, a carpenter or similar, chances are you end up stumbling across your career a bit further down the line.

How to make your university work experience count after graduation

When you leave university and step into the "real" world, it can very often be a daunting and disheartening place. Being offered a job upon graduation is no longer the norm. Graduate jobs are competitive and employers are looking for more than just a good degree.

Choose a Skills based CV to Boost Your Chances of Getting Back into the Job Market after Having a...

by Nicola Vivian You've seen some great jobs you'd like to apply for but you have that gap in employment from taking time out to bring up your baby. While this shouldn't go against you, it is the unfortunate truth that gaps in your employment history may not be viewed favourably.

Your Degree Subject Doesn't Have to Carve Your Path for Life

If you went to university straight from college, you can be forgiven for not knowing exactly what you wanted to do for your future career. Chances are, you picked a course based on a subject you enjoy and now that you've finished it, you may be regretting your decision and want to change direction.

How Not to Write a Cover Letter

You may think that a cover letter is quite a simple part of a job application. After all, you just need to state why you're writing, tell the reader your CV is enclosed and let them know you're looking forward to receiving an interview, right? Wrong!

5 Steps to a Great Speculative Application

When searching for work experience opportunities, you don't have to limit yourself to established programmes and formal application processes. If you have something in mind that you'd like to do or know of a company or organisation you'd really like to work for, why not contact them directly with a speculative application?

How to Get Your Personality Across Without Being Too Informal

When you’ve been invited to the interview stage in a job application process, you’re at the final hurdle, the job could be yours.

How to Use Your Parent Experience to Find a Job

Becoming a parent is an amazing life changing experience. There is nothing quite like it and it is something I highly recommend to everyone, that is like another kind of career coaching based on real practice and leading by your child.

How To Find a Job After Time Out

A gap in your career to do the most important job of raising your young family does not signal the end. Admittedly, it can feel like when you make the decision to return to work. Taking time off can result in a dent in confidence and a feeling that you've missed too much to be able to get a foot back in.

How to Best Express Your Varied Career in a Resume

Having a varied career rather than following a specific career path and working your way up, may have been considered unfavourable in the past. It suggests to some that you are not committed and get bored easily.

Networking and the Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction states that your experiences in life are shaped entirely by you. You are in control of who and what you do and do not attract. Without going into the science behind it, the fundamental rule of the Law of Attraction is, that like attracts like, so in order to attract what we want, we must become it.

How to Make Your Varied Career Work for You on Your CV

Having a varied career can make writing a CV a daunting prospect. On the one hand, you have so much you can include, but on the other hand, it's hard to know how to structure your CV in a way that will impress rather than looking like you flit between jobs and passions.

Please Sleep, but Not All Night

Because, deep down, I know this is the last time I'll share my bed with a small person who steals my slumber, I'm as reluctant to give it up as I am sleepy. From the day we brought our little bundle home, she slept for five-hour stretches, though never at night.

The Determination of the Tiniest Fighter

They told us not to think the worst when we didn't hear a sound. They said a baby of your gestation wouldn't have lungs developed enough to cry. That tiny, determined cry as you were pulled from deep within me is etched in my mind for the rest of my life.

A Letter to My Daughter's Imaginary Friend

I wasn't sure you were good for my daughter you see. No offense, but I wasn't convinced I wanted her hanging around with you. Dear Jess, I'll admit, I was a little concerned when I first got wind of you. I wasn't sure you were good for my daughter you see.

My Daughter Ate A Roly-Poly (And 6 Other Things I Pretend Not To See) - Pregnant Chicken

Having kids is a glamour-less business. Until I had children I had never talked so much about bodily fluids, seen so many bodily fluids, touched so many bodily fluids. Ewwww! With so many things to address, so many things to clean up, so many 'don't touch that's' and 'don't stick that up there's' there are some things you've just got to let go.

Mother Dares to Feed Her Child Store-Bought Hummus | Sammiches & Psych Meds

By Nikki Vivian Francis White was outed by a gang of fellow moms at a local playgroup for not making her own hummus on Tuesday, it has emerged. Witnesses reported Mrs.

My Daughter Spent 6 Weeks in the NICU, and I Wouldn't Change a Thing

I'm feeling particularly emotional for a Thursday night. You see, my baby girl turns three tomorrow. I'm sure many parents feel this way as another year passes and we all wonder where the time has gone, but aside from worrying life is passing by too quickly, it's the time of year I find myself looking back at photos of when she was born and reliving the experience.

Lessons Learned. Transitioning From One to Two - Latched Mama

If you've just added a new little bod to your happy family or are pregnant with your second, you might be starting to wonder what you've let yourself in for. Well, I'm not going to lie, the first few weeks were tough for us, despite having done it all before.

5 Things Parents of Premature Babies Still Do Even When Their Babies Become Toddlers - Latched Mama

The possibility of having a premature baby isn't something that I really thought about when I was pregnant.

Top 10 Family Vacation Destinations | Seven Corners

The best part of family vacations is the memories you make with your loved ones. Being together is the goal, but finding the right backdrop for your family adventures is a key element in the best plans. Check out our top 10 family destinations in the United States.

How to apply for a Baby's Passport or Renew a UK Passport from the UAE

Whether it's time to renew yours or your child's' passport or you've just had your new Baby and it's time to take to the skies, knowing where to start with the whole process can sound a bit of a faff.

Eating Pastilla & Swatting Flies In Marrakech's Djemaa El Fna

'Just looking, looking is free.' We had just been jumped by the next person to thrust a menu in our faces on the endless trail of tourist restaurants and stalls lining the Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech's main square. We politely declined and continued along in search of some authentic cuisine without the tourist price tag.

Long Weekend in Cardiff | Urban Travel Blog

Birthplace of Roald Dahl, home of the Dr. Who experience, owner of the world's oldest Lovespoon... Cardiff has many claims to fame. However, as Nikki Vivian (G+) reveals, a better reason to visit is for the great nightlife, culture and people.

An Interview with Fuschia Dunlop - Honest Cooking

After attending a cooking Master Class with Food Writer and Cook Fuschia Dunlop at this year's Abergavenny Food Festival in South Wales, Nikki Vivian sat down with her to talk food. By Nikki Vivian Fuschia's book, Sichuan Cookery is a firm favourite in Nikki's kitchen and the Master Class saw Fuschia demonstrate some dishes from her new book, 'Every Grain of Rice'.

10 Out of Control Cupcake Flavors

Nikki Vivian shares weird cupcake recipes that have been sent to her by her dedicated followers. By Nikki Vivian One of the best things about cupcakes in my opinion is that they come in so many different flavours and varieties. I get great enjoyment out of trying unique flavour combinations and experimenting with different ingredients.

The Perfect Moroccan Mint Tea - Honest Cooking

Although served in an English tea-cup, Nikki Vivian shares her perfected version of Moroccan Mint Tea. By Nikki Vivian I have always loved tea. The thing is, while I love experimenting with food, trying new ingredients and different flavour combinations, my tea drinking has never ventured much further than your average teabag and the occasional herbal tea.

Staffing centered around you

At Survimar, we pride ourselves on expertly sourcing first class medical staff, safety professionals, and engineering and technical specialists, that precisely match your needs, to help your business develop in a sustainable manner. Whether you are looking for temporary, contract or permanent staff, we have the industry experience and connections to secure the right talent for your position.