Paying too much tax Heres what to do next

Paying too much tax Heres what to do next by Michael Cheary Not sure if you’re paying too much tax? No matter what stage of your career you’re in or where you work, paying the right amount on your tax contributions isn’t always straightforward. Especially if you’re not sure what rate you’re supposed to be paying.To clear up the confusion, here’s our advice to help make sure you get your tax right:How much should I be paying?How much tax you pay is based on your current earnings, as well as the amount you’ve contributed during the year, and your own Personal Allowance.To make sure you pay the right amount, HMRC allocates everyone an individual tax code. This may change when you change employment.The easiest way to check your contributions are correct is by using our Tax Calculator. You can also read more about Tax and National Insurance deductions through the Money Advice Service.Tax codes explainedHow do I check my tax code?You’ll be able to view which tax code you’re on by looking at a recent wage slip.Alternatively, you’ll be able to check this on your P60.If you have more than one job, you may have multiple tax codes. When looking to calculate your overall amount, make sure you check these separately.  Second job tax â€" how much will I have to pay?Why might my tax code be wrong?There are some instances where an individual may be issued with the wrong tax code. Possible reasons could include:If you’ve recently changed jobsIf you’ve recently started a second jobIf your state benefits have changedIf you company benefits have changedIf you are receiving additional income that isn’t taxed, such as rental incomeWhat should I do if I think I’m paying the wrong amount of tax?If you’ve checked your tax code against your Personal Allowance and think that it may be wrong, you should contact HMRC directly to confirm. You could also contact your tax office to ask for an assessment.If you think you’ve overpaid in previous years, you may need to provide P60s for the relevan t years. In this instance, making copies of these documents would be recommended, to ensure that you’re protected against loss.How do I claim a tax refund?Once you’ve contacted HMRC or your local tax office, they’ll be able to decide whether a refund is due or not.If you’re entitled to a rebate, you will be provided with the relevant process to claim your money back. Depending on your circumstances you may have to complete a form in order to complete your refund, you might be able to claim online, or they may be able to issue it directly.Alternatively, you might be asked to provide some additional information in order to verify their assessment. This could include your P60, or a recent wage slip.N.B. There are many third party sites and services out there which may offer to help you claim a rebate. However, you should never be charged for this service, and you should always go directly to HMRC in order to claim.Claim a tax refund  How long will it take to claim a tax refund? Once your enquiry has been processed, you may be issued with a new tax code by HMRC. If this is the case, your refund will be added to your salary (if you’re currently in employment).Your repayment will usually be sent within 5 weeks, although there are some circumstances where it may take longer.You should contact HMRC directly if you need a refund sooner.When you’ll get your refund  What happens if I’m paying too little tax?Unfortunately, it is possible that you might not be paying enough tax.If you think this might be the case, you should contact HMRC directly, or your local tax office to confirm.Always aim to do this as soon as possible. The amount you have to pay back will only increase over time, and can be claimed back for up to four years even if the error is not your fault.Still think you’re paying too much tax? Find out now with our Tax Calculator, or contact HMRC now. Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Salaries

How Much Does It Cost to Write a Resume?

How Much Does It Cost to Write a Resume?So you are wondering what the average cost of resume writing companies is. The answer is not what you think it is. Here is a breakdown of how much it really costs to create a resume for you.First, the different places you could find it will vary from about fifty cents to one dollar per word. Obviously, it depends on how long the resume is and how many words you need. There are so many ways to get your resume out there that some people don't realize how much it will cost them before they even begin to apply for jobs.What do you think will happen if you wait until the last minute to send out your resume? In addition, you will likely get more offers and more calls. This can be financially draining. However, you will want to know what to expect with the average cost of resume writing companies before you start to submit resumes to any place.With the many websites that offer resumes on the internet, you are going to have to remember that you will ha ve to fill out a lot of information in order to get the accurate information for your resume. Many of these sites will require you to give out information on your education, work history, as well as where you live. This will be difficult to do, but if you will have to fill this information out multiple times, you may find yourself in over your head.You may also find that this online resume site may also require you to create a cover letter. This can be very time consuming and difficult to do. Your resume is only going to be part of the package.The easiest way to make this easier for you is to choose a program that has a library of templates to help you out. Many of these programs will have many programs in one place for you to download. This can be very helpful to save you time when submitting your resume.The last thing to remember when filling out your resume is that the Internet is not always the best place to start. You can go online and research about the company you are conside ring using for your resume. It's always good to know about the business before you sign up for anything.Take some time to see what all it takes to complete a resume. Sometimes the prices can get quite expensive, but at least it will be worth it when you receive a great offer to work for that employer. Once you take the time to find the right resume writing company, you will be able to complete your resume in less than an hour, which will save you plenty of time and effort.

10 Simple Tips to Help You Learn Faster

10 Simple Tips to Help You Learn Faster With so many home learning courses on offer, the opportunity to learn has never been more accessible or available â€" and no surprise that people who have been out of the classroom for many years are once again, taking up the challenge of expanding their minds. Many people find that they struggle to remember things and re-call them when they need to. Your brain, you may feel, is awash with irrelevant information, clouded and fog-like and as about as much use as candy floss. You will be pleased to know, however, that this is reversible and here are ten simple, brain training tips to learn faster… Work on your memory Struggle to remember a shopping list longer than three items? Then this simple exercise is for you. Your brain works better to re-call things when it associates the item or person with something else. So instead of trying to remember walnuts, brown sugar and eggs, associate these three items with what you intend doing with them e.g. walnuts, brown sugar and eggs for Christmas cake. Try something new… and do it again… and do it again The best way of keeping your brain alive and alert is to do something new, and keep doing it. And small steps are the perfect way to start. This is essentially about repetition and learning a new skill that needs to be practiced. When you study home courses, you will be trying something new like reading a piece of medical jargon or technical text. It can be tough and this reading the whole two pages can seem a daunting tasks. In this case, you would take it paragraph by paragraph. And if you don’t understand it, read it again. Learn something new And this brings us nicely to point number three. The more you use your brain â€" and we mean really use it â€" the ‘better’ it will be. The muddle we feel our brain is in before we start learning, is a fog that will clear as you use it more. Try brain training programs You may have laughed at those early versions of brain training programs on various hand-held game consoles but there is some merit in them. Take a look at BrainHQ and see what you think… Exercise You may have had an inkling that somewhere in the list we were going to talk about exercising the body too and here it is. We are not suggesting you take out an expensive gym membership but that you understand being physically fit also contributes to how well your brain can function. So, instead of catching the bus home, how about a 20-minute brisk walk. Don’t overdo it Just like physical activity, if you do too much all at once, you could end up tearing a muscles, leaving you with soreness and, worse, becoming demotivated. The same is true when it comes to learning. Two hours of studying could yield less than 20 minutes of speed-study. Crosswords are not brain stretchers Might seem odd to include this but many people think that crosswords are the perfect way of sharpening the brain. They may keep it active a little, but there is no scientific proof that says crosswords stretch the grey matter. Eat well Just like exercise, you knew there was bound to be a reference to eating â€" and eating healthily. So yes, here it is. Whilst there is no diet that can help you be brainier, there are some foods which can boost how we feel about ourselves. Omega 3, commonly found in oily fish, is thought to be a great way of bolstering the grey matter. Staying hydrated too is also thought to help with keep the brain ticking over more effectively. Enjoy it The one thing about learning is that it should be enjoyable, probably the reason why many people found school stressful and unappealing. With home learning courses you can learn in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace, making it far more enjoyable. Speed isn’t everything but understanding is Although you may want to get through your course as quickly as possible, it is important to remember that when it comes to studying, speed is not of the essence â€" but understanding is. Just because you are slow to grab one concept but not another, does not make you stupid or ‘slow’. It means you need to spend more time looking at the module and the content. About the Author NCC Home Learning has a range of home learning courses students use to either or push forward in their current careers or to find a new one. There are some students who also enjoy the challenge of learning as a means of keeping their brain active and efficient.

Better Resumes Equal Better Career Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Better Resumes Equal Better Career Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week I was asked to qualify candidates to be presented to an employer who needed to hire someone. I proceeded to review 200 resumes over a period of three hours. The result? I found five people who, on initial review, seemed to meet the qualifications of the job. Thats an average of about one resume per minute. Actually, 70-80% of the resumes got less than 20 seconds and only the most interesting ones got a minute or more. This is typical for recruiters who must review lots of job applicants who respond to internet postings. They screen large volumes of resumes quickly, looking for reasons to throw most of them away. Then, they dig deeper into the short stack of those documents that look promising. If you use your resume to apply for published jobs, then it is likely you will be competing with a few hundred other resumes and you can improve your odds of surviving this grueling process by (1) including what most reviewers want to see and (2) eliminating what most of them dont want to see. When you are ready to pursue a new job, here are some things to consider including in your resume: Near the top, either a targeted objective (Senior Financial Executive, CFO/Controller, etc.) or a very brief description of your objective A concise list of relevant qualifications or skills. Quantified accomplishments and functional responsibilities in the form of bulleted items beneath each specific title in your reverse chronological work history. A single font with consistency of use of sizes and styles (bold, italics, capital letters, etc.), along with consistency in formatting of margins, indentations, line spacing, etc. 100% correct spelling and phrases that omit personal pronouns such as I, me, etc. Acronyms, industry terms, and other nomenclature that identify experience which recruiters seek to identify. Heres a corresponding list of things to consider not including in your resume: Near the top, a lengthy summary/profile that describes things you want (A place where I can make a strong contribution, etc.) and fails to be specific about the role you desire. A lengthy list or group of bulleted items. Nonquantified accomplishments and functional responsibilities described in sentences, packed together into large paragraphs beneath each specific title in your reverse chronological work history. Or, worse yet, listing these under functional headers in advance of your work history (the functional resume format). Multiple fonts and/or inconsistent use of font sizes and styles, along with other inconsistencies in formatting. Spelling errors and complete sentences that include personal pronouns. Nonspecific descriptions of your experience that do not identify software systems, methodologies, and relevant industry terms. In my career book Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!), I discuss these and other suggestions for improving your professional resume. By including what readers want to see and eliminating the bad stuff, you will be able to confidently present your qualifications and gain the positive recognition you deserve.

How to Do Resume Writing Reviws

How to Do Resume Writing ReviwsIf you want to be successful at your next job interview, there are a number of things you can do that reviws the writing process. You may want to use a resume reviws system that has been designed by an expert in the field, or you may find the advice here useful.Resume writing reviews often review your ability to write on the fly. When you have all the information you need, you are often rushed to make a decision about what to do next. The last thing you want to do is waste time and resources searching for information. You need to be able to quickly get down to work.While writing a typical resume takes a decent amount of time, once you start reviwing, you'll find that you can go from the first page to the last in less than an hour. That makes reviewing the writing process very beneficial, but you must know how to review in order to do it effectively. Here are some tips:Look over your resume. No matter what style of writing you use, you will be able to sp ot problems with the way you worded something. You will also be able to spot mistakes that you might not notice if you were writing the resume by hand. When you use a program, you can scan your resume from beginning to end to identify any areas where you are probably making a mistake.Make a list of potential contacts and potential employers. It is always helpful to have a few names at the back of your head when you reviw a resume. When you use a resume review system, you can easily eliminate names that do not make sense. One great feature of a resume reviws system is that you can easily search for potential contacts, employers, and dates in the past. This can help you narrow down the field.Add the contact information. Some jobs are easier to contact than others. You may want to add the address of the contact person on your resume to make the information easier to find. You should also include the name of the contact person if you have one in mind.Be thorough and do not cut and paste , but do save the contact information of your potential employer. When you have completed your resume, you can be sure that it includes everything you need. The sooner you get to the point where you are ready to submit your resume, the better off you are going to be.Do not look over your resume. You may be tempted to skim your resume. However, you should not do this, since the more you look over your resume, the more you will miss something.

7 Ideas to Jump Back When Your Career Hits Rock Bottom - CareerMetis.com

7 Ideas to Jump Back When Your Career Hits Rock Bottom Source : Pexels.comWhether you’re stuck in a job you dislike or struggling to find a position in a new town, it can be discouraging to feel as if your career had been put on standby. For too many adults, it is difficult to manage the anxiety and the disenchanted feeling that appear when your career is stagnating.In fact, if you’ve been desperate to escape your current situation, any rejection or lack of movement in the right direction is not just demotivating, it is also extremely painful. But you need to focus on what you can do to help restart your career.The more you listen to your fears, the more they’ll control your life. You will not be in the best position to tackle your next professional challenge when stress, low self-esteem issues, and anxiety cripple your every move.evalHowever, positive thinking can only get you so far. If you want to feel good about your career, there is no way around it. You need to figure out the best solution to jump back when you’ve hit rock bottom.1. Understand that rejection isn’t a personal criticismevalWhen you’ve been applying to a few roles and have received only negative answers, it can be impossible not to be hurt by the rejection. You will also find that some recruiters can be tactless when it comes to rejecting your application.Some hiring managers might use disheartening wordsto deliver the message, while others prefer not to get in touch. You need to understand that recruiters do not intend to break your heart over the news. Their role is to get on with the recruiting process, and unfortunately, some lesser experienced recruiters might affect your mood with a poorly worded email or a somehow childish ghosting techniques.Do not take the rejection at face value. All it means is that your profile â€" or more exactly, the way you chose to present your profile â€" wasn’t suited for this specific company. Don’t let it affect you. Your skills and experience can be a better match for another employer.2. Are you missing essential skills?Ultimately, you might be very experienced, but when a hiring manager asks from applicants to have followed a specific academic career, the first thing they will check on your resume is whether you’ve got the right degree for the job.Going back to school when you’re in the middle of your professional career can be a difficult choice, but you can find online universities such as Victoria University,that are specialized in helping people like you move their career forward. Through dedicated course models and online materials, you can juggle work and study effectively.Besides, you’ll be pleased to know that, on average, online studies can be completed faster than on-campus paths.evalFrom an applicant’s perspective, this means that within a couple of years, you can finally apply for jobs that were outside of your academic reach.3. Do you need more experience?It can be tricky to showcase your experience when you’ve been stuck in the same role for yea rs. It’s fair to say that a stagnant position â€" whether you’re employed or unemployed â€" can cause professionals to deskill. But when there is no option to expand your functions in the office, you can start thinking outside the box.Using volunteering organizations, you can not only help a community, but you can also help yourself. There is a ton of transferable skills to learn from your volunteering experience, starting with creative thinking, problem-solving and adaptability.Additionally, it also demonstrates that you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone to make things happen, which is ultimately the right attitude in any candidate.4. Is this the right career for you?evalIf you’ve been looking for a role that excites you and have so far failed to find it, it might be time to consider your career choice. Are you on the best possible path for your interestsand passion?Indeed, you will find it impossible to become the best candidate if you apply for a position that doe sn’t appeal to you. Delve into the peak moments of your life to understand what makes them stand out. They hold the key to finding your passion.Once you’ve identified the elements that made each experience valuable, you need to define the umbrella that keeps them together. This will be your ideal business or role.Source : Pixabay.com5. Use your networkevalHow many connections do you have on social media? These people could help you to land your dream job. 60% of all jobs are found through networking.Contacting the people you know can help to generate information and even job leads. You can also rely on a more formal approach, and use business conferences and trade shows to exchange business cards and get to know participants who share your business values.LinkedIn is also an excellent place to start professional networking if you prefer a digital strategy.6. Be bold and braveSuccess doesn’t always come immediately. Sticking to your guts and skill set can also be a profitable a pproach in the long term. J. K. Rowling, for instance, was an unemployed teacher living in poverty when she wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.The manuscript was rejected by 12 publishersbefore it was finally accepted. And even then, J.K. was warned not to quit her day job because nobody expected her story to be a success. But it was. The lesson here is to be brave enough to believe in your dreams â€" however, just like J.K., don’t make rash decisions until everything is settled. 7. Invite your future employerAre you an expert? Whether it’s marketing, data analysis, or even business strategy, if you can create a workshopto share your knowledge, you can attract potential leads.evalIndeed, you could get in touch with companies you’d love to work for to offer your free online workshop. It’s a great introduction to your services. And who knows, it might be the beginning of a professional relationship.Every career will go through low and high times. The secret to ma ster the professional rollercoaster is to keep your head cool and come up with the right strategy. It takes time to land your perfect job, but with a smart approach, things could turn around quickly!

Motivation Monday Unemployment

Motivation Monday Unemployment Unemployment Duration Have you ever said to yourself, I am so sick and tired of looking for a job? You certainly arent alone.   It just takes longer. Unemployment Duration Here are November 2011 stats from the BLS on Duration of Unemployment in weeks. 43% of job seekers are in job search for over 27 weeks! Dont fall into these statistics! So where is the element of motivation in this post?   Here it comes! Mapping Out a New Job Search You can beat the odds if you implement these job search strategies. Spend more time talking to people and less time applying for jobs online.   Read Change How You Look for Work for more specific suggestions. Write a WOW cover letter and modify your resume for EVERY job you apply for. Find company insiders on LinkedIn and communicate with them. Learn everything you can about the target companies you are interested in working for. Is your resume posted on Monster, CareerBuilder and Indeed? What about LinkUp? Make sure you have a solid, complete online presence (LinkedIn, website, about.me page, whatever!) Get group support.   Job seeker Networking groups are great! If you find that you cant do this alone and you need a push, check out my Tough Love Job Search group which starts in January! It is 4 weeks of online group meetings designed to hold you accountable and push you outside of your comfort zone in order to secure a new job faster! If you are interested, complete the Tough Love Accountability Group Questionnaire and return it to me.

hiring practices)

Trends Job Seekers Should Look for in 2011 (trends/tools/hiring practices) **I am a member of the Career Collective, a group of resume writers and career coaches.   Each month, all members discuss a certain topic.   This month, we are talking about trends for 2011. Please follow our tweets on Twitter #careercollective.   You can also view the other member’s interesting posts at the end of the article. It may not seem like it but the recession seems to be tailing off. More people are willing to spend money, so lending has returned to a degree. But that doesn’t mean anything if you’re one of the ones without a job. 2011 is shaping up to be a great year for job seekers, especially if you are filling a critical need job. Sure there is high unemployment still but that does not mean that you cannot make something happen in the New Year. Having a positive attitude and staying abreast of the trends will put you in the running to find that job you want. But, what are some of the trends for job seekers in 2011? There are a few different things to pay attention to, that are just over the horizon. The Outlook: Job growth is expected to be faster than average, thanks to growing demand for service sector jobs, the looming retirement of aging baby boomers, and broad efforts to create job growth. The volume of jobs is expected to increase throughout 2011, and rates are expected to continue through 2018, which are some of the fastest occupational growth rates being projected by the Labor Department. Money: Lending is expected to follow along current levels with some increase in lending to well-qualified applicants. But, lending can be a good thing in this economy, with more money changing hands there are more opportunities for job growth. Keep an eye out to see how the market affects your potential career field choice. Upward Mobility: If you want you can choose to go for additional schooling. Some jobs offer postgraduate programs for specialties in certain fields. It helps to be able to showcase strong educational history on your resume. As more people enter the workforce, employers can have the cream of the crop, so it creates incentives for potential employees to build their resume. Postgraduate work is a great thing to showcase on a resume and it can help set you apart from other potential job seekers. Hiring Tools: Employers are worried about salaries and specifically new salaries. In 2011 the trend is to develop talent from within, instead of spending the time to evaluate and train an outside employee. More employers are looking to promote from within. This is obviously not something that job seekers want to hear in 2011, but just focus on showcasing your skills and building your resume, and you will be on to your future job. Job Types: Expect a lot of graveyard shifts, weekend work and holiday work. Employers know that they have their employees in a tight spot and they are going to work their employees into the ground. Do not expect much help in the way of increased pay for this type of work. Profits are high for the top, not for the people doing the actual work. +++ Read below for more tidbits and wisdom from some of our industrys top career professionals: Social Media Recruiting to Grow Further in 2011, @debrawheatman Another Year, Another Job Search Begins, @GayleHoward In 2011, Increase Your Prospects With Better Differentiation, @WalterAkana 4 Lessons Learned From Job Search in 2010, @Careersherpa Your Career Action Plan for the New Year, @KatCareerGal Trends Job Seekers Should Look For in 2011, @erinkennedycprw Things Every Job Seeker Should be Thinking About in 2011, @expatcoachmegan Let your presence be known or send out a red flag, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes How to find a job in 2011: Pay attention to emotional intelligence, @Keppie_Careers 2011 Employment Trends Supercharged with Twitter, @KCCareerCoach 3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness Everything old is new again @DawnBugni Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords Career Tools to Check Out in 2011, @barbarasafani What Was in 2010, What To Expect in 2011, @chandlee The Future of Job Search: 3 Predictions and 2 Wishes, @JobHuntOrg