LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for job seekers to network, research companies and showcase their skills and experience. By connecting with other people in your network you can drastically enhance your career prospects; it is a valuable tool for personal branding and career development in the digital age.

1. Optimise your Profile

Firstly, make sure to use a high-quality and professional profile picture. Then write a compelling headline that reflects your job goals, and a concise summary that highlights your skills, experiences and achievements. Make sure to use key works relevant to your industry, and complete the skills section with these. You could even edit your profile URL to make it more professional and easier to share.

2. Remain Professional

Remember that LinkedIn is a professional platform, so maintain a professional tone and avoid oversharing personal information. Review and adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your activity and connections.

3. Networking

Connect strategically with people in your industry, including colleagues, alumni, and industry professionals. Make sure to share your own content, such as articles or posts related to your field, to make yourself visible. You can even join and participate in relevant LinkedIn groups, attending online networking events and webinars and connect with participants afterward.

4. Stay Informed

Keep up to date with the latest LinkedIn features and news in your industry. Share and comment on industry news and trends to demonstrate your interest and follow the companies you’re interested in to stay updated on their activities and job openings.

5. Use Job Search Tools

Use LinkedIn’s job search feature to find job openings that match your skills/interests, and set up job alerts to receive notifications for new job postings. If you’re actively looking for a job, consider using the “Open to Work” feature, which discreetly signals to recruiters that you’re open to job opportunities.

6. Be Active

Regularly check your LinkedIn notifications, messages and connection requests to stay engaged with your network. Remember that LinkedIn is a dynamic platform, and building a strong presence takes time. Consistent and strategic use of the platform can help you stand out to potential employers and make valuable connections in your industry.

7. Continuously Update your Profile

As with your CV, it is important to keep your profile up to date, tracking your achievements and professional development to illustrate your career journey and how you’ve evolved over time. By consistently updating your profile, it shows potential employers that you are committed to your professional development and active in the online professional community.

Overall, LinkedIn is a powerful platform for job seekers as it enables them to connect, network, and find opportunities in a professional environment. However, it’s important to maintain an active and professional presence on the platform to maximise its benefits.

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Russell Oakley, our Head of Business Development, attended the SkillsForward 2023 Conference on the 31^st of October. While there at the Discovery Park, he covered which trends we are seeing in the current STEM job market in the UK.

Read an overview of Russell’s talk below for some interesting insights:

1. What are we seeing and hearing in the market right now?

Everyone is aware that 2023 has been a year of economic uncertainty. If you started your job search this year, then you must be thinking the worst!  The jobs market is cyclical. Russ has personally worked through 3 major economic shocks in this sector, and while Life Science is slightly protected, it is not completely immune. As a company we have seen a drop in jobs, however, oddly there has also been a shortage of skilled candidates. This has made it difficult for people looking for work AND for those hiring staff.

On the other hand, if you are looking for work, we have been seeing demand steadily rise over the last 4 months. As mentioned, the job market is cyclical and it does always come back around – just the types of jobs and skills in demand change.

2. What do we see in the long run?

In more positive news, numerous studies and data sources project significant growth in the UK over the next 4 to 7 years. What’s even more promising is that these projections vary, with some estimates indicating double the anticipated national average employment growth, and others nearly 2 and a half times as much. When you factor in the substantial increase in available lab space expected in the next 2 to 4 years, it creates an exceptionally favourable environment for scientists in the UK.

3. Which technical skills are in demand right now? 

At CK Group, we handle a broad spectrum of roles across the entire drug development process, spanning from preclinical R&D to product licensing. Over the past three years, the area that has seen the most substantial growth in demand has been for Bench Scientists, especially those specialising in Cell and Gene Therapy, Immuno-Oncology and, more recently, Neuro-based disorders. This surge in demand reflects a strong need for expertise in Biological Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, and Chemistry disciplines.

It’s worth noting that demand in this field can be also cyclical. Approximately a decade ago we saw a shift in demand for the chemist skill-set which has since gone from strength to strength.

4. Other notable skills which are in demand

Looking further ahead, it’s not surprising that digital innovation is already reshaping the landscape of recruitment requests – with our own database strongly supporting this trend.

The biggest skill sets that we believe will be in demand in the Life Science sector moving forward are: 

• AI and Machine Learning
• Big Data
• Cloud Computing

Currently, there’s a high vacancy rate for AI and ML positions. Therefore, if you’re a Scientist who can complement your expertise in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or Physics with proficiency in these additional areas, you’ll be highly sought after.

Just because a career in tech isn’t your cup of tea doesn’t mean you can’t land a job. On the contrary, there’s a growing demand for “softer skills” like communication, empathy and persuasion, particularly in roles like Sales, Business Development and Customer Service. As a Life Science recruitment agency with over 30 years of experience in placing scientists, we’ve seen an unprecedented surge in science-based companies reaching out to us in the past year. With the heightened interest mostly surrounding assistance in hiring technical sales and support teams.

5. UK Government influences

Did you know that the UK Government is fully committed to transforming the UK into a Science Superpower by 2030?

This means you can anticipate an expanding list of required skills and roles in the coming years, including:

• Proficiency in all things digital within our sector, encompassing Computational Chemists, Biologists, and Machine Learning experts.
• Increasing demand for advanced manufacturing positions, driven by a rise in manufacturing activities and a trend towards onshoring and reshoring in response to the supply chain challenges brought to light by the pandemic.
• A surge in roles related to Regulatory Affairs. With the ongoing adjustments post-Brexit, the regulatory landscape has become more intricate to navigate, necessitating a larger workforce to address these complexities.

To conclude, although the job market has been challenging this year so far, there are definitely viable solutions available and there is evidence that we are now overcoming them. The UK remains a hub of excellence for Science and Technology and as we gaze into the future, our outlook is optimistic.

It’s crucial for all of us to acknowledge our individual roles in enhancing our skills and aiding those around us; we mustn’t rely on others to do it for us. Employers should focus on nurturing the growth of their staff, which in turn benefits overall productivity and staff retention rates. As employees, we should actively seek opportunities to enhance our skill sets, ensuring we are viewed as valuable hires but also keeping our roles engaging and stimulating.

If you wish  to learn more about our insights into the current UK job market, or just want to chat further about any of the points in this article, you can start the conversation with us today by emailing Russell Oakley at roakley@ckgroup.co.uk.

In today’s competitive job market, self-promotion in the workplace a beneficial skill that can aid career advancement. Whilst many of us may find the idea of self-promotion uncomfortable, it’s an essential aspect of building a successful career. Self-promotion is not about arrogance or bragging, it’s about making sure that your hard work and contributions are recognised and appreciated. In a competitive work environment, your talents and achievements may go unnoticed if you don’t actively promote yourself.

1. Document & Communicate Your Achievements

It is important to regularly update your CV and document any notable achievements. This not only helps you remember your accomplishments but also helps to provide evidence of your value to the company. Don’t assume that others are aware of your accomplishments, make sure to proactively share your successes with your colleagues and management team. When you complete a significant project or achieve a milestone, send an email or mention it during team meetings; effective communication is key to self-promotion.

2. Seek Feedback

Feedback is essential for personal growth and development. Request feedback from your colleagues, supervisors, and managers. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and highlight your strengths. Use this feedback to refine your skills and enhance your self-promotion efforts.

3. Keep Learning and Developing

Continuous learning is a key aspect of self-promotion. By staying up-to-date with industry trends, acquiring new skills, and seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth, you give yourself the best chance of professional success. The more you invest in your development, the more that you have to promote. In addition to technical skills, soft skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork are crucial for self-promotion. Effective communication, for example, allows you to articulate your achievements and ideas clearly. Developing these skills will make it easier to promote yourself in the workplace.

4. Put Yourself Forward and Connect with People

Volunteering for projects or assignments can be an excellent way to showcase your abilities. Taking on these opportunities demonstrates your commitment and willingness to go the extra mile, making you a more valuable team member. This can help you to build relationships within your company and industry. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and connect with colleagues on LinkedIn. Networking can lead to valuable opportunities and increase your visibility in your field.

5. Highlight Your Strengths

Focus on what sets you apart from your colleagues, your unique combination of your skills, values and personality can define you as a professional. Consider your strengths, your areas of expertise and what makes you stand out in your field, be proud of your accomplishments.

Self-promotion in the workplace is not about ego, it’s about ensuring that your skills and contributions are recognised and valued by your employer. By understanding the importance of self-promotion, documenting your achievements, and effectively communicating your successes, you can advance your career and achieve your professional goals.

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In todays fast-paced world, people often find themselves caught in a cycle of work and stress, neglecting their mental health in the pursuit of professional success. However, in reality, maintaining good mental health is crucial not only for personal wellbeing but also for long term career success. An effective way to achieve this is to set yourself a realistic work schedule that allows for balance and self-care.

Consequences of having an unrealistic work schedule

An unrealistic work schedule, such as working long hours, excessive workloads and having little time for relaxation, can have serious consequences on your mental health.

Burnout: Overworking without sufficient rest can lead to a burnout, characterised by physical and mental exhaustion, decreased productivity and increased resentment towards work.

Stress & Anxiety: Constantly rushing to meet tight deadlines and handle heavy workloads can lead to stress and anxiety, which, if left unmanaged, can result in serious mental health issues.

Neglected Personal Life: An unbalanced work schedule often means sacrificing time with family and friends, neglecting hobbies and overlooking selfcare, all which are essential for a fulfilling life.

Reduced Productivity & Creativity: When your schedule is packed with back-to-back tasks, there is little room for creative thinking and problem-solving, which can affect professional growth.

How to setting yourself a realistic work schedule

Now that we understand the risks associated with an unrealistic work schedule, let’s explore some strategies to set a more balanced and realistic work schedule.

Prioritising & Organisation: Identifying and schedule your most important and urgent tasks during your peak productivity hours, this can vary between individuals.

Plan Breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout your workday. Short breaks can boost productivity and help prevent burnout. Use this time to stretch, take a walk, or have some personal time.

Set Realistic Deadlines: Avoid overcommitting and setting unrealistic deadlines that can lead to unnecessary stress. Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or seek help from colleagues when necessary, collaboration can reduce your workload and help build supportive work environment.

Establish Boundaries: It is important to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, not working out of hours, communicate your availability to colleagues and managers. You must learn to say no and know your limits, it is important not to overstretch yourself, and it is acceptable decline additional work when your plate is already full.

Maintaining good mental health should be a top priority for everyone, and setting a realistic work schedule is a key step towards achieving this goal. By taking control of your work hours, prioritising self-care and establishing boundaries, you can reduce stress, prevent burnout and ultimately become a more productive and balanced professional. Remember that a realistic work schedule is not a sign of weakness, but rather a wise choice that benefits both your mental health and your career in the long run.

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Working under pressure is a common aspect of many jobs and can be challenging, but there are many strategies to effectively deal with it.

Organisation, Prioritising & Time Management

Knowing what needs to be done and having a clear plan can reduce stress, by maintaining a well-prepared workspace and having an up to date to-do list you can help to organise your thoughts. Break your work into smaller, more manageable chunks – Identify the most important tasks and tackle them first. This ensures that you’re addressing critical issues before moving on to less urgent ones.

Problem Solving & Setting Expectations

Ensure that you and your employer have a realistic understanding of what can be accomplished within the given time frame, overcommitting can lead to unnecessary stress. If you’re already overwhelmed, it’s okay to decline additional tasks or responsibilities – be assertive and setting boundaries can be helpful.

Shifting your Mindset

Asking for help is not a negative thing. Don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues or superiors for help or guidance when necessary – collaboration can help lighten the load. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

Learn from Experience

Reflect on past experiences of working under pressure as an opportunity to learn. By identifying what worked and what did not, you can use this knowledge to improve your approach in the future.

Everyone experiences pressure at some point in their careers, however this is not necessarily a negative thing. Effectively managing pressure at work involves a combination of organisational skills, time management and self-care. Learn from your past experiences to find ways to deal with the pressure that work best for you that you can then apply to new work situations.

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Mental health in the workplace

We are aware that fraudsters may potentially be using our likeness to contact prospective job seekers via social messaging platforms; such as telegram and WhatsApp. Please be vigilant and feel free to confirm our identity by checking our ‘Meet Our Team’ page for our current consultants, and by contacting our consultants directly using the contact details you find there.

CK Group is a trading name of CK Associates Ltd and CK QLS is our Swiss division. Please note that we are not CK Recruitment Group, CK4 Ltd, CK Recruitment or other iterations of these.

We generally contact job seekers via telephone, SMS, email, LinkedIn and occasionally WhatsApp. We have Instagram and Twitter social media accounts for advertising purposes. We do not use Telegram, Snapchat, Signal etc.

Note: We will never ask for money from you, and would only ask for bank details if you are actively contracting through us.

If you have any concerns that the person contacting you is not a genuine CK Group employee, please contact us on 01246 457700 or at info@ckgroup.co.uk and we will be happy to clarify.

To get in touch click the below links:

Meet our team

Contact us

The workplace is where most people spend a substantial portion of their lives. It plays a crucial role in shaping our mental wellbeing. Forming positive workplace habits is essential for maintaining good mental health.

1. Open Communication

Effective communication is the foundation of a mentally healthy workplace. By encouraging open discussions, it builds trust amongst colleagues and employers. Employers and employees should feel comfortable sharing concerns and ideas, creating an atmosphere where they feel supported.

2. Being Organised

There is some truth behind the saying ‘a cluttered desk, is a cluttered mind’. Studies have found that people working in a clean uncluttered environment feel generally more productive and more able to manage their time effectively.

3. Work Life Balance

Maintaining a healthy work life balance is key for mental health. Employers can promote this by setting reasonable expectations for work hours, encouraging breaks, and discouraging out of hours working. On the other hand, employees should also attempt to disconnect from work during their personal time.

4. Stress Management

Work related stress is very common. Although employers should help by providing resources such as stress management programs or employee assistance programs – it is important that employees can also learn to manage stress through techniques for example deep breathing, meditation and time management.

5. Promoting Good Health

We all know that regular physical activity and a nutritional well-balanced diet has a profoundly positive impact on mental health. Both employers and employees should strive to encourage that balance.

6. Flexible Work Schedule

Flexibility in work hours and remote work options can contribute to better mental health. Employees who have the freedom to structure their workday around personal needs experience less stress and are generally more satisfied with their jobs.

7. Recognition & Appreciation

Acknowledging and appreciating employee work and achievements can boost morale and overall job satisfaction. Employers should establish recognition programs, and give employees opportunity to express gratitude towards their colleagues, creating a positive and supportive workplace culture.

8. Professional Development

Learning and growth opportunities enhance job satisfaction. Employers should invest in training and development programs, while employees can take the initiative to seek out new skills and advance in their careers if they so wish.

9. Clear Goals & Expectations

Setting clear expectations and goals reduces stress and anxiety in the workplace. Employers should feel able to communicate job roles and tasks clearly, while employees should seek clarification when needed to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary pressure.

10. Mental Health Support

Promoting mental health awareness and offering access to mental health resources is vital. Employers should provide information on available support and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. Employees should not hesitate to seek assistance when they are struggling with their mental health.

A mentally healthy workplace is one where employees can thrive both professionally and personally. By adopting these workplace habits, employers and employees can contribute to a positive work environment that promotes good mental health. Ultimately, prioritising mental wellbeing benefits not only individuals but also the organisation as a whole, leading to increased productivity, innovation and overall job satisfaction.

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Mental health in the workplace

As we progress professionally, our lives become increasingly intertwined with our jobs, employers and employees. Therefore, it is essential that we create a mentally healthy work environment.

Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health is a state of wellbeing which allows you to effectively cope with the demands of daily life, whether this be at work or in your personal life. In the workplace, mental health plays a key role in an employee’s ability to perform to the best of their ability, maintain healthy working relationships and overall career success.

Improved Productivity: People who feel well mentally, tend to maintain a healthy work life balance, this leads to them exhibiting higher levels of productivity and efficiency.

Positive Company Culture: Companies that support flexible work arrangements and make their employees feel valued are much more appealing to prospective hires. This advantage can provide employers with a competitive edge in the job market.

Staff Loyalty & Retention: Prioritising your employee’s wellbeing means a company is more likely to retain their best staff. Lowering employee turnover can lead to financial benefits for employers, as the process of recruiting and training new staff can be costly.

Challenges of Mental Health at Work

While the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are clear, achieving it can be challenging due to many factors such as:

Stigma: Stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to open discussions about wellbeing in the workplace. Many employees still fear discrimination or negative repercussions if they disclose their mental health struggles at work.

Lack of Awareness: Many companies still lack awareness and understanding of mental health issues, it is important to educate yourself to enable you to implement effective policies and support systems.

Work Life Balance: With the rise of hybrid and remote working, the boundary between work and personal life has become increasingly blurred – this is a key factor leading to burnout and stress.

Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace

To create a mentally healthy workplace, organisations must take proactive steps to address these challenges and promote mental wellbeing among their employees.

Raise Awareness: Conduct mental health awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health. It is important that managers and employees can recognise the signs of mental health issues and feel equipped to provide support.

Establish a Supportive Culture: A workplace culture that values mental health is key, by offering resources, support groups, and mental health days employees will feel valued and that their wellbeing is taken seriously.

Work Arrangements: Flexible work arrangements covers much more than offering flexible work hours and remote work options. It also means encourage self-care amongst staff; such as taking regular breaks and helping employees manage stress.

ntal health in the workplace is not just a buzzword, it’s a fundamental component of a positive and successful organisation. By acknowledging the importance of mental health, breaking down stigma and implementing supportive practices, employers can create a work environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. In doing so, organisations can expect improved productivity, staff retention and a culture of wellbeing that benefits everyone.

Find out more below:

Candidate Advice Centre

Client Advice Centre

Asking for feedback at work is an important way to improve and grow in your role.

Chose the Right Time, Place and Person

Decide who you want to ask for feedback from. It could be your manager, a colleague, a mentor or someone who is familiar with your work. Then select a suitable time when both you and the person giving feedback have some privacy and can focus on the conversation without interruptions.

Be Clear about your Objective

Clearly define the areas or projects you want feedback on, this makes it easier for the person giving feedback to provide specific and relevant input. Make sure to always be polite and respectful in your approach, and highlight that you are open to any feedback – be that constructive criticism or areas you are excelling in.

Taking Onboard Constructive Criticism

Make it clear that you’re receptive to criticism and want to learn from this. While receiving feedback, listen attentively without interrupting. Take notes if necessary, and ask follow-up questions to clarify points. Regardless of the feedback’s nature, thank the person for taking the time to provide their insights. This shows appreciation for their effort and encourages future feedback.

Reflect and Apply

After receiving feedback, take time to reflect on the advice and suggestions. Identify actionable steps you can take to improve based on the feedback received. If you’ve taken steps to implement the feedback, consider following up with the person who provided it. This demonstrates your commitment to improvement and shows that you value their input.

Remember that asking for feedback is a sign of your dedication to personal and professional growth. It’s a skill that can be improved over time, and the more you practice, the better you’ll become at receiving and using feedback effectively.

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