Today is THE last day to delete your Google Browsing History before the new Privacy Policy comes in to force.

If you are anything like me, every time you have opened up the Google search page in recent weeks, you have been greeted with a box about the new unified privacy policy Google are about to introduce. However, how many of us have actually looked in to it and what it entails? Not many, have you?

If not, don’t worry there is still a very short amount of time to amend your Google account settings to ensure any data Google collects from your account is anonymous. It is pretty quick and easy and in my opinion, worth taking time out to do. Who knows where our info would end up otherwise!

According to many reliable online sources, if you don’t alter your settings, Google will be able to use all data already collected about you and your browsing history, including: website searches, sites visited, age, gender and location – even your online identity by way of your Google or Youtube account. Worrying stuff?

I am also told that after the new Google Privacy Policy takes effect on 1st March 2012, you will have NO future option to ‘opt out’ without abandoning Google altogether – that’s a bit of a sticking point, isn’t it? To use Google and let your info go who knows where or have no choice but to change to another search engine.

Before the new Google Privacy Policy comes in to effect, you can delete your web browsing history by following a few simple steps so Google is no longer able to associate data collected about you with your Gmail or Youtube accounts.

How to Delete your Web Browsing History from Google

* Go to the Google Home Page and log in to your Google account
* Click on the settings button – it looks like a gear cog in the top right hand corner
* Click on ‘Web History’
* Click ‘Pause’ to stop them collecting any more data
* A message will come up advising you that your web history is paused
* Then, tick the box and click ‘Remove All Web History’
* It will ask you if you are sure, click ‘Yes’
* Google should no longer be allowed to collect data from your browsing history

OR

* Go to the Google Home Page and log in to your Google account

* Click on the drop-down menu next to your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen

* Click ‘Account Settings’

* Locate the ‘Services Section’

* Locate the sub-section ‘View, Enable, Disable Web History’

* Click the link ‘Go to Web History’

* Click ‘Remove all Web History’

* A message should appear advising you that your web history is paused

From reading a number of online posts from reliable sources, I have learned that this will stop search data, including sensitive information about you, your location, age, religion, health concerns, sexual orientation, etc from being revealed.

That said, it doesn’t stop them from collecting your data, just associating it with your Google or Youtube account.  It will also stop Google from sending you customized search results.

Let’s hope that the current opposition to this new privacy policy is effective, why should large companies be able to use our data in this way?

See What our Happy Customers Say!

I have had the pleasure of working with lots of different clients this year, all wanting CVs, cover letters and Linkedin profiles written.

These projects have been a mixture of standard and premium CVs, advert and speculative letters and a variety of Linkedin profiles for people literally all over the world, including the UK, Afghanistan, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and the USA.

Not only do I love my job writing CVs because I am good at it and it is incredibly interesting but because I get to work with people all over the globe, in hundreds of different sectors and at all stages of their careers; from school leavers to Boardroom Executives.

This year I have received some fantastic testimonials from happy clients, many of which have let me know they have found their dream new job!

Here are just a few of them!

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Thank you very much. My first impression was ”wow! Is it really my CV? What a make-up!”.  I have to say that I am more a “number” person than a “word” one. I loved the work you did on my CV; I could never say all of those things about myself.”
“Miss A C – Finance, Middlesex/Portugal

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Thank you for doing such a wonderful job with my CV. Thank you for all of your hard work Claire! I really appreciate your assistance.”
Miss K A – Director, New York

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“The resignation letter, cover letter and the CV look AMAZING!!!”
Mr L R – Airline Pilot, the Netherlands

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“I am really pleased with the end result of the CV and I think you have done a great job! I wouldn’t of been able to do this so thankyou!”
Miss M M – Architecture Student.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A Note from Me

I have really enjoyed writing all the CVs this year and it is really rewarding to know that my work helps people to secure new jobs, despite the tough employment market.  Armed with their new CVs, I know my clients stand a far greater chance of securing a new position, more quickly.

With only two days left in the office before the Christmas break, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their hard work and to thank each and every one of my clients for placing orders in 2011.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012!

Claire

——————————————————————————————————–

Start 2012 with a bang!

If you are going to be looking for a new job in 2012, why not start as you mean to go on, with a CV which gets you noticed and more importantly conveys all your key skills, experience and attributes to help you secure that interview!

For a short time only, we are freezing our standard CV writing prices at £49.99!

So, don’t miss out before the prices go up, place your order for the New Year!

———————————————————————————————————

Yes, it is another Christmas blog post, two in one day!

I just thought I would give you a little reminder that we offer a range of gift vouchers for both CV writing services and Virtual Assistant services in case you are struggling for present ideas!

CV Writing Gift Vouchers

In today’s competitive market getting a job is more difficult, there is no denying it but one thing that can make the challenge an awful lot easier is to have a brilliant CV, which outshines the competition.

Deciding what to get someone for Christmas can be difficult, particularly if they are someone who has everything (except a decent job) so, why not consider buying a gift voucher for one of our CV writing services?

You can buy gift vouchers in £20 increments and your friend or family member will have a full 12 months to redeem them against any of our CV writing services.

So, why not buy a truly unique gift for someone this year?   You can buy CV Writing Gift Vouchers here!

Virtual Assistant (VA) Gift Vouchers

Our sister company Anglia Business Solutions also offer a gift voucher scheme.  Why not give the gift of time to a busy friend or family member who would really appreciate and extra pair of hands with their business or personal admin and organisation.

The Virtual Assistant vouchers are available in £25 increments and entitle the bearer to a full hours’ assistance, redeemable over the next 12 months.

So, why not really help out a friend or family member this year? You can buy Virtual Assistant  Gift Vouchers here!

Merry Christmas!

Whilst I have written 99% of my Christmas cards (there’s bound to be one I’ve forgotten) I still haven’t got round to braving the cold and getting them posted.  So, I checked the Royal Mail website today and we still have ample time to send them in the UK – phew!

If like me, you need to double-check, here is a list of recommended last posting dates for Christmas 2011.

Today’s task is to definitely get the address labels printed off, affix them to the envelopes with the stamps and take a brisk walk down to the post box.  I really have no excuse given there is a glint of sunshine peeking through today.

Do You Still Need to Send Your Christmas Cards?

If you still need to send your cards but just don’t have the time to do it, one of our Virtual Assistants can help.

We probably have just about enough time left to source some cards from an online supplier for you, if your are VERY quick.  Or, we could even just type up your business or personal card list addresses on to a database for label printing or, copy them directly on to a label template, print them out and post them to you for the next day.  It is one of those things, once the labels are done, they are done, so well worth the investment now to save you time every Christmas.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012.

Anglia!

Christmas Competition – Free Entry

We all love a little competition or two, particularly at Christmas  – the season of giving.

So, this year we are giving away a copy of “The Ultimate Christmas Book”, which is packed full of wonderful festive recipes and Christmas craft ideas, a Christmas planner, home-made decoration ideas and lots of information on the origins of Christmas traditions.

This really is the perfect book for the whole family, showing you how to make your home warm and welcoming this festive season.  Find out why we celebrate Christmas, get handy tips on choosing the best Christmas tree and how organise a wonderful party, make lots of crafty things with step-by-step guides and of course, how to cook the ultimate Christmas Dinner!

All you have to do to enter is simply RT and follow us on Twitter for a chance to win this lovely hard back book, which retails at £15.99!

Follow us on Twitter now!

Recipes Include: a range of delicious soups, crostinis and pates, Goose with honey and pears, Beef Wellington, the traditional Christmas roast, chutney, super tasty vegetables, sauces, puddings to die for and a lovely selection of home-made party food.

Drinks Include: punches, cocktails and mulled wine.

Crafts Include: Tree decorations, home-made cards, table decorations, garlands, wreaths and advent calendars!

The Christmas Competition Winner

One winner will be chosen at random on the 10th December.

The winner must be a follower and have retweeted the competition to their followers.

If the winner doesn’t send across their address within 3 days, we reserve the right to select at random an alternative winner to ensure the book arrives before Christmas.

Click here for full competition T&Cs

It’s that time of year again when we are bombarded with that memorable saying… “trick or treat!”

This year, we are offering you a treat.  What could be better?

For every CV order placed between today, 31st October 2011 and Friday, 4th November 2011, we are offering every customer a FREE treat, a free cover letter with every stanard and premium CV order placed.

So, don’t miss a trick and get yourself a treat, just quote code TorT on your order to qualify.

To order your professional CV, please visit our website.

PS: Do you like the kitty-cat pumpkin carved by my hubby?

In truth, I cannot believe 10 years have passed already since that fateful day in which so many people lost their lives… where has the time gone?

Yet, for many people, the last 10 years have been the longest and most painful ever without their loved ones by their sides; their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends and relatives… all perished, lost forever, injured or scarred for life by the atrocities they faced.

Much has happened in the world since then and is it really a better place as a result? I’m not going to jump on to my soapbox, don’t worry!

Whilst life goes on, let us all spare a thought today for those who not only lost their precious lives, were injured or scarred for life but for all those wonderful people who risked their own lives to help so many casualties at the scene and also those who were involved in the months following.  Thank you.

A Day We Will Never Forget…

I will never forget hearing about the ‘Twin Towers’, it is one of those moments in history  you will never forget, a moment when you will never forget where you were when you heard.  For me, I was with a friend literally signing on the dotted line in the car dealership when a Salesman came in to the office and told us a plane had hit the World Trade Centre.

Rightly or wrongly, being in my very early twenties at the time, I didn’t really watch the news regularly, I had no interest in finance and was employed, so I wasn’t completely au fait with what the Twin Towers were (*blushes*), nor was I familiar with the sheer numbers of people it housed.  We all assumed it was a light aircraft having veered out of control and the Twin Towers just happened to be in the way.  It never occurred to us that it would be anything sinister.

Sitting in that office, it was hard to compute the scale of destruction that a plane hitting the World Trade Centre was causing thousands of miles away in the USA.  When we got home, we turned on the news.  Complete horror! The world’s worst fears were realised, it was indeed a terror attack using a commercial plane but by this time, it was not just one, it was two towers that had been hit.  I remember we sat there in shock, numb, wondering what the world had come to.

Where were you when you heard and what was your first reaction? 

Please leave your comments below:

The Big Day!

You are probably one of over 600,000 teenagers (or their parents reading this) across the UK nervously clutching a brown envelope this morning because today is GCSE results day.

At last, the big day has arrived… so, how did you get on?  Did you get the grades you wanted to get?  Please feel free to leave us a comment and share your news, we will also be tweeting about any student or graduate job offers we see advertised in our timeline, so don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

2011 GCSE Exam Results

According to the exam boards, 2011 has been another record year for GCSE exam results, with over 23% of pupils having attained grade A or A* this year and an impressive 69.8% have been awarded grade C or above.  Sorry boys, but the results are also saying the girls pipped you to the post at getting better grades overall.

So, What Now…? Are You Going to A Levels or Get a Job?

Not everyone wants to do A Levels or advanced courses and even if you do, you are probably thinking of  getting a part-time job anyway.   If you are not doing A Levels or any other form of training then you will need to take that big step in to the wonderful world of employment, so make sure you start out on the right course with a CV which works and conveys ALL your skills, experience and attributes.

You would be amazed just how many young people, like you, have a CV which is really lacking in essential information and is not presented correctly, is yours one of them?  It probably is, send it in to me for a FREE CV review and I will let you know my thoughts.

BLOG/Twitter EXCLUSIVE CV OFFER for GCSE Students!

Because it is so very important to ensure you impress a potential employer, particularly whilst competition is so very steep out there, I want to help you make that VITAL first impression.

So, for the next 14 days, I have a FANTASTIC OFFER just for you!

For every student CV or graduate CV order placed by the 8th of September, I will write you a FREE cover letter, just quote GCSE11 on your order.

That’s right, you will get an impressive, bespoke and professionally written CV and cover letter for just £31.99. 

This is a short-term offer open to the first 30 CV and Cover Letter orders so don’t miss out, order your new CV today!

To find out more about our Professional CV writing service, please visit our websites:

www.angliacvsolutions.co.uk / www.professional-cv-writer.co.uk

What do I do once I have my A Level Results?

Well, it’s that time of year again when thousands of you, A Level students across the UK, will wake up with that sick feeling in the pit of your stomachs or a million butterflies teetering around as you try to eat breakfast but if you are anything like me, end up pushing it aside due to sheer anticipation of those oh so important RESULTS!

Yes, it’s the 18th of August 2011 already and that means it’s A Level Results day in the UK.  Before long many of you will be arriving at your place of education to open the envelope, which could determine your entire future career.

Sadly, getting the right grades is even more of a pressure this year with university fees set to top up to £9k per year at some universities… an amount, which is just too far out of reach for many of you, who consider this year to be your chance.  Despite the doom and gloom swirling around in the media, we must remember that this year is 2011 and this year fees remain ‘less expensive’ let’s say, because tuition fees are still mighty high.

So, how did you get on?

I Got the Grades to meet my Firm Offer at my First Choice University

Congratulations! if you have got the grades, that is fantastic news!  But, please spare a thought for all those fellow students who have not been so lucky and may have just missed out on their dream placement.

Whilst your first instinct maybe to call your first choice university, remember today is going to be a manic (with a capital M) day for them and it is advisable to leave the lines open for those students who didn’t make the grade and are now having to embark on the ‘Clearing Process’.

If you have met the grades outlined in your ‘Firm Offer’ then please try to resist calling and keep checking the UCAS Track, but bear in mind it may take some time to update.  Difficult to resist calling the university, I know!

Sit tight, within a few days you will receive your AS12 letter from your university, confirming your placement and course details.  Then the hard work begins!

My Grades are Higher than Expected, What About Adjustment?

If your grades have turned out to be simply stunning, better than you ever expected, you might now be thinking you could have opted for another university with more stringent grading criteria.

Adjustment is optional and to find out if your grades qualify you, I would recommend you visit the UCAS website to double-check.

You will have just a few days to register you adjustment interest on Track so ensure you register in good time if this is the option you want to take.  You will have to physically visit each universities website for Adjustment places as I understand these are not published by UCAS and the UCAS Track system.

I Didn’t Get the Grades to meet my Firm Offer

Don’t panic! I know it is easier said than done but if you have missed your firm offer, check the Track system to see if it is a conditional or unconditional offer.  If the offer is unconditional, then you have a place, all you have to do is wait for the AS12 letter.

If it is still showing conditional, then it is advisable to call the university, they’ve probably sent you a letter already with the phone number on, to ask them if you are accepted and don’t forget to sell yourself to them!  Remind them just how fantastic your module results were, how you have narrowly missed the grade by X marks and, of course, how much of a committed student you are.

If they have not made a decision, don’t forget to ask them when you can expect to hear from them.  They shouldn’t keep you hanging around for too long but if you don’t hear within a few days, follow it up or contact UCAS directly.

If your UCAS Track is showing up as unsuccessful, I am sorry to say you have not made it on this occasion but don’t despair, there are still options open to you but perhaps not your ideal option.  Please bear in mind that pleading and begging is unlikely to secure that place so you would be better spending your time seeking an alternative placement.

What About University Places Available Via The ‘Clearing’ Process?

Clearing works two-fold.  It helps universities to fill vacant course spaces and offers students a vital chance to find a course placement if results mean you’ve missed out on your first choice university.

Clearing actually runs in to October but you MUST have your application registered before 20/9/11.  However, the sooner you register, the better as the majority of places are snapped up and allocated within the first week or so after A Level results are published.

Am I eligible for The Clearing Process?

You will be eligible for UCAS’ clearing process if your UCAS application is current and you have not withdrawn for any reason.  In order to be eligible for clearing, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have NO current university placement OFFERS on the table
• Your university has NOT confirmed your place due to unexpected grades, etc
• You have DECLINED or not responded to an offer you have been made
• Your UCAS application didn’t go through until after 30/6/11

If you are in the UCAS Clearing System you will be allocated a ‘Clearing Number’ on the UCAS Track System.  Keep this number SAFE!! You will need this number whenever you speak to a university and so they can view your application.

The beauty of clearing is that you can apply for any course which takes your fancy, even if it is nothing like the type of course you originally applied for.  If you are looking for a specific course, the options might be limited and you might have to make a compromise but if you do take an alternative course, ensure you have made the right decision for YOU and it’s not just a knee-jerk reaction to ensure you have uni place.

I think it goes without saying that there are some universities who don’t participate in the Clearing System: Oxford, Cambridge and UCL for example, due to the huge demand for their prestigious places.

Where are Clearing Vacancies Published?

Clearing Vacancies will be published from today (18/8/11) and all week in the Telegraph newspaper but you will also find clearing vacancies in places, such as:

• UCAS Website
• Individual University websites
• Telegraph newspaper
• Local Universities may advertise their spare places in your local newspaper

Clearing Vacancy University Contact List 2011

Twitter ID:  #ucasclearing

UCAS Contact Information

Already, UCAS has opened a special telephone helpline for those students who have not quite made the grades required.  They also have lots of information on their website and also have ‘apps’ for most platforms, including BlackBerry, Android and iPhone. You will also find them on Twitter and their Twitter Clearing ID is: #ucasclearing

UCAS Helpline: 0808 100 8000

UCAS Website: http://www.ucas.com/students/track/

UCAS Mobile App info: www.ucasconnect.com

Track System

Remember, the UCAS Track system is likely to be horrendously busy in the coming days and so access may be a bit temperamental in the early hours as IT systems tend to chose times like this to throw a wobbler… just when you don’t need it!

More Information

For more information, please visit reputable sites including:

The Student Room: they have a dedicated page for A Level students.

The Government website: A Level Results Guidance Information

The Telegraph: Clearing Guide and Placements

Actually, I Have Decided I Don’t Want to go to University After All!

That is fine, there are lots of options open to you and I wrote a blog post dedicated to this a few weeks ago, you can go straight to it by clicking “What if University is NOT for me?”

I’ve Decided I Want to get a Job

If you have decided you don’t want to go to university and you are going to try and get a job, then make sure you have an excellent CV.

We are offer YOU a special offer Professional CV writing price of just £31.99

Order NOW to take advantage of this special offer on A Level Student CVs!

We are pleased to announce a free CV distribution and job vacancy finding service for candidates using:

Thanks to our friends at Webmploy, we can now offer YOU a brand new, completely FREE service – A Free CV distribution and vacancy finding service!

Because it is so important to help YOU get an excellent new job as quickly as possible, we recommend that you promote your CV using a dedicated recruiter, a recruiter who is commited to sourcing and securing the right vacancy for you, your skill set and your experience.

How Do I Get the Free CV Distribution and Job Vacancy Finding Service?

When you place your CV, cover letter or application form order or even just request a FREE CV review, you can ask your professional CV writer to forward your CV on to this firm of highly experienced headhunters and recruiters who get RESULTS!

By submitting your CV, you will be exposed to a whole new world of job opportunities because Webmploy has access to literally hundreds of job boards to ensure they can find just the right vacancy for YOU.

How Much Will it Cost Me?

Using the CV Distribution and Job Finding Service costs you absolutely nothing!

It is completely 100% FREE even when they find you your perfect job, so please send in your CV using the secure upload button below:

 Don’t miss out, your perfect job could be just around the corner!