Slamming that Summer Job Interview

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Whether you are earning spare cash in the local supermarket this summer or applying for a once-in-a-lifetime overseas temporary job, you’ll need to know some crucial techniques for smashing that summer job interview.

First impressions count

It may be your first time in an interview but don’t let this rattle you. Wearing the right clothes will boost your confidence and tell your future employer a bit about you. Remember to match your clothes to the job.

So for girls who are going to be spending summer supervising children in an American camp denim skirts are fun yet smart. If you’re a guy hoping for a temporary office job, a suit, shirt and tie tick all the right boxes.

Be open and friendly

In the 21st century, no employer is going to object to a summer temp being open and friendly, which is his is by far the best approach to take. They know a young person won’t have years of professional experience behind them so won’t be expecting a seasoned pro. Instead, the most they are hoping for is a happy and outgoing young person who’ll be a positive and enthusiastic addition to their workforce for the short amount of time they’ll be around.

Let your personality loose

The interviewer will likely have lots of people to see both before and after you. You’ll want them to remember you, so try to stand out from the crowd by letting them know who you are.

This doesn’t mean going over-the-top and being informal to the point of inappropriate. Instead stay relaxed, let them talk and lean forward to show engagement with what they are saying. When it’s your turn to speak be bright and positive.

Facts not fiction

Be careful not to oversell yourself, or feel the need to resort to outright lying. You may be so keen to make the right impression that you talk yourself into a corner you can’t get out of. Instead, when you’re asked questions about your experience, concentrate on what you have done and confidently talk about it.

Once you’re into the flow remember to keep what you are saying relevant and exciting. If you’re enthusiastic about what you’ve achieved, the employer will believe you can do an equally great job for them.

Seal the deal

Now you’ve made a great impression and made it clear to your future boss that you can do the job, it’s time to leave them with the right memory: stand-up, make eye-contact and shake hands firmly in a business-like way. Say goodbye as if you’ll be seeing them soon, while remaining upbeat and confident.

When it comes to an interview, the parting impression you leave can be just as important as the first one.

 

Stand Out In An Interview

During your job interview, you will probably get asked: “What makes you different?” Take this opportunity to highlight the skills that would make you stand out from the dozens of applicants also trying out for the job. Keep your composure and talk about your strengths to impress your interviewer

 

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Cool Family Activities to Do Over the Summer

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When the children are off school all Summer it’s difficult to keep them entertained without spending an arm or a leg. It’s worth looking online for events locally to you on directory websites, to be able to get out and about as a family for as cheaply as possible.

Another option is monitoring online competitions, which are often advertised via social media, such as this one from Wow247 where you can win an annual merlin pass allowing you entry into over thirty attractions for free for four people (normally costing £146!). This also means exclusive offers on short breaks within resorts such as Legoland and Chessington Hotel.

You could also find some free activities online to do such as arranged park explorations to identify animals, trails and their habitats. Check out the top film releases and buy a family ticket to receive a discount.

If it’s enjoying your own home that you want to do then get baking with the kids, teaching them about ingredients, shopping for a recipe and culinary skills. What better excuse to invite friends and family round for a tea party afterwards to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to keep your eyes out on the Internet for discount deals, as well as competitions and free activities to keep you all busy over the holidays for a realistic price.

What’s On At The Pleasance Theatre

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LAMDA Presents Summerfolk by Maxim Gorky

Theatre

Pleasance London » Tuesday 24th April – Friday 26th April, 2pm & 7:30pm

 

At the turn of the 20th Century a group of Russian friends retreat for their annual summer holiday in the countryside. United by their place in history as an emergent Russian middle class, but disparate in their political views and private lives, their friendship will never be the same again come autumn.

Maxim Gorky’s naturalistic masterpiece depicts Russia as it teeters on the edge of social upheaval – exploring the dreams, fears and vanities of one group of friends as they question their value in a transient society.

 

Free

 

 

 

LAMDA Presents Earthquakes in London

Theatre

Pleasance London » Wednesday 25th  April – Friday 26th April, 2pm & 7:30pm

 

How can you live in a state of constant impending catastrophe? Is hope possible, responsible even, when scientists and politicians are predicting an environmental apocalypse? Earthquakes in London tracks the tremors of hedonism, terror and activism through the lives of three sisters and their estranged, misanthropic father.
Written by award-winning Mike Bartlett (Love Love Love), the play premiered at the National Theatre in 2010.

 

Free

 

 

Robert Newman’s Theory Of Evolution: Work in Progress

Comedy

Pleasance London » Wednesday 24th April, 8pm
Join Rob as he tries out material in advance of a major new UK tour. Watch it evolve in front of your very eyes!

“I am completely in awe of Robert Newman. Of his talent, his passion, his intelligence, and the way he turns them to comedy with real firepower. If this world could be saved by a Superhero whose Superpower was Comedy, that hero would be Robert Newman.” Kate Copstick, The Scotsman

 

Tickets £10

 

 Joe_and_Eleanor

Joe Lycett / Eleanor Thom: Work in Progress

Comedy

Pleasance London » Thursday 25th April, 8pm

 

Joe Lycett Celebrity Juice & 8 out of 10 Cats):

Join award-winning sparky stand up Joe Lycett as he workshops material for his second hour show. Expect it to be rough round the edges, interactive, potentially slightly awkward, but most of all bloody good fun. Last year’s show got nominated for Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer so it can’t be all bad.

Eleanor Thom (Lady Garden, Absolutely Fabulous & Live At The Electric)

 

“The BBC said to me, ‘Bev, you need a vehicle’, so I’ve got one. Inclusive of drinks trolley. Get onboard.”

 

‘Britain’s funniest woman’ Sunday Telegraph

 

Tickets £5

 

 

Alan Davies: Work in Progress

Comedy

Pleasance London » Friday 26th April – Sunday 19th May, 8pm

 

Alan Davies returns to the Stagespace where, in 2011, he spent several evenings developing his last stand-up show. Life Is Pain toured throughout the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and will be out on DVD in time for the PGP (Prime Gifting Period or Xmas).
It’s now time to see whether there is any new material coming along that may be worth taking out of the borough in 2014…

 

Tickets £5 – £6

 

 

Ben Miller – My Million To One

Comedy
Pleasance London » Friday, 3rd May

What is My Million To One? – Well, you know your ‘bucket list’ or ‘100 things to do before you die?’ My Million To One is about helping you to achieve those goals/dreams. So we’ve asked lots of industry leaders to help us and they have. In Ben’s case: he wants to offer confidence to the UK’s aspiring comedians.

 

Tickets Free

 

 

The London Cuckolds

Theatre

Pleasance London » Wednesday 1st May – Sunday 12th May, 4pm & 7:45pm

 

Let Them Call It Mischief present
The London Cuckolds by Edward Ravenscroft
The London Cuckolds tells the story of three City boys, their bored housewives and two frisky young cads, all intertwined in a caper filled with sex and intrigue.

 

Calamitous and bawdy, this is a rarely performed gem from the restoration era transported to the sparkle and glamour of 1920s London.

 

Tickets £10 – £12.50

 

 

Adam Kay and Enemies

Comedy

Pleasance London » Friday 10th May, 7:30pm

 

Amateur Transplants frontman Adam Kay is delighted to bring his brand new monthly residency to The Pleasance. Alongside his uniquely depraved pop music re-imaginings, Adam is joined on stage by special guests he doesn’t particularly get on with, but are funnier than him. He’ll probably do the London Underground Song.

This month’s guests are comedy superstar Ardal O’Hanlon and the supremely talented Adam Hess. 

“Bracingly intelligent… enormous fun.” * * * *  Times
“This made me very, very happy” Stephen Fry

Tickets £12.50

 

 

 

Murray Lachlan Young – The Incomers

Theatre

Pleasance London » Monday 13th May – Saturday 18th May, 7:30pm

 

It’s Gordon and Celia’s wedding anniversary.  They’ve asked their oldest and dearest friends Zach and Jane down from London.  The only problem is that Zach and Jane aren’t Zach and Jane anymore.  Jane has gone and Julia, the twenty five year old, French burlesque dancer, has taken her place.

Written entirely in his characteristic verse by BBC 6 Music poet in residence Murray Lachlan Young it will have you gasping and roaring with laughter in equal measures!

 

Tickets £10 -12

 

 

Finding Libby

Theatre

Pleasance London » Tuesday 14th May, 7:45pm

 

At the heart of Finding Libby is one of the many heartbreaking stories of young women for whom the 1960s were less swinging than swingeing – a hidden pregnancy, a premature birth, the death of a tiny scrap never referred to again and a life stalled. Pauline is now in her early sixties and has been persuaded by her neighbour to take her first holiday, on a canal boat. We follow her from worrying whether anyone will meet her at the station, to the unexpected turn in the journey that forces her to face her past and to finding that it is never too late for a fresh start.

 

Tickets £8 – £10

 

 

Rehearsed Reading of Making News

Theatre

Pleasance London » Wednesday 15th May, 7:45pm

 

Rehearsed reading of Making News the new play by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky.
It’s the start of a 24-hour news cycle and Rachel Clarke has been promoted as the BBC’s newest Head of News. When a crisis erupts, she has to confront rivals from within and without, and decide how to report on a story that could bring down the Corporation itself.

A fast-moving satire about the BBC starring Suki Webster, Hal Cruttenden, Sara Pascoe, Liam Williams, Dan Starkey and Phill Jupitus as the Director-General.

 

Tickets £5

 

 

Tiny Tempest

Theatre
Pleasance London » Monday, 20th May – Sunday, 26th May, 4pm & 7.45pm

 

Shakespeare’s fantastical tale of magic, murder and monsters retold in an explosive new actor-musician adaptation. Tiny Tempest is a visual feast featuring thrilling physicality,slapstick storytelling and live music and songs. Mini Mall present their world premiere production that promises to be a Tempest like no other.

 

Tickets £7.50 – £9

 

 

Voices in Your Head: The Phill Jupitus Experiment

Comedy

Pleasance London » Sunday 26th May, 8pm

 

Deborah Frances-White’s fringe hit returns to London, but this time with only one special guest performer taking to the stage.

Phill Jupitus goes head to head with a disembodied Voice on a microphone who will interrogate, provoke and cajole him to create dark-hearted comedy mayhem. See the hidden depths of the human unconscious pushed to their illogical conclusions in this unforgettable, unmissable, electrifying and hilarious show. Voices in Your Head just got even freakier.

“Inventive, funny and wildly ambitious – you’ll never see anything quite like it.”’
* * * * * The Skinny

 

Tickets £12

 

 

The Trench

Theatre
Pleasance London » Tuesday 28th May – Thursday 30th May, 7:30pm

 

After a sell-out five star run at the Edinburgh Festival Les Enfants Terribles tour the UK with their new award-winning show, The Trench. From the team behind The Terrible Infants, Ernest and the Pale Moon and The Vaudevillains, comes a new play inspired by the true story of a miner who became entombed in a tunnel during World War One. As the horror threatens to engulf him, he finds that not everything in the darkness is what it seems as he starts to discover a new, strange world beneath the mud and death. Setting off on an epic journey of salvation, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur as he questions what’s real, what’s not and whether it even matters?

 

‘The overall vision stays with you like a strange, significant dream.’ Times

 

Tickets £10 – £12

 

 

Voices In Your Head

Comedy
Pleasance London » Friday 31st May, 8pm

Deborah Frances-White’s fringe hit returns to London as a cast of comedic performers go head to head with a disembodied Voice who will interrogate, provoke and cajole them to create comedy mayhem. Previous guests have included Phill Jupitus, Hannibal Buress, Russell Tovey, Mike McShane, Sara Pascoe, Humphrey Ker among many others.

This time the line-up includes Miles Jupp (star of Rev, The Thick Of It & Have I Got News For You) and Thom Tuck (Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee & star of Radio 4’s The Penny Dreadfuls) plus special guests.

Tickets £10

 

 

Laugh Your Farce Off

Theatre
Pleasance London » Sunday, 2nd June, 7pm

 

After its second sell-out show ‘Laugh Your Farce Off’ is back in Pleasance Main House, with another smash lineup…

 

Little Bear has challenged 5 award winning writers each to write a short but perfectly formed farce.

 

The only brief: ‘3 doors…’ – imagine the trouser dropping, mistaken identity mishaps and general all round chaos that will ensue!

Curated by Ursula Early with sensational new work from: John Luke-Roberts, Andrew Doyle, Caitlin Shannon, Charlie Partridge and Hannah Rodger – this is a night of sheer lunacy you can’t afford to miss!

Tickets £9 – £10

 

Parade

Theatre
Pleasance London » Friday, 14th June – Sunday, 16th June, 2:30pm, 3pm & 7:30pm

 

The tragic, true story of the trial and lynching of a man wrongly accused of murder is brought to emotional and theatrical life by acclaimed playwright Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and Jason Robert Brown (13, Songs for a New World). Daring, innovative and bold, PARADE won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, as well as six Drama Desk Awards.

 

Tickets £12 – £15

 

The Fantasist

Theatre
Pleasance London » Tuesday, 25th June – Wednesday, 26th June, 7:30pm

 

In the mind of the fantasist, the real and the fanciful become dangerously blurred. As Louise gazes into the night her fancy takes form. Objects move, time changes … and a seductive stranger opens up a world of exhilaration and magic.

 

Tickets £10 – £12

 

How Socialised Medicine May Affect Nursing Jobs in the U.S.

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imagesWith health care reform a major, continuing topic of debate, anyone who wears nurse scrubs is no doubt concerned about the future of their profession. The suggestion of socialized medicine and the variable permutations of it already implemented in other countries beg the question of how such an enormous change would affect nursing jobs.

There are only hypothetical answers, since any model that can be studied, such as those in Britain, Australia, Canada, and France would be significantly different than anything employed in the U.S. The word “socialized” confuses the question, bringing up concerns of threats to capitalism. The Obama administration is looking for reforms in health care, not to change the American economic philosophy, and socialism isn’t remotely what the end product will be.

What has become apparent is that the current system fails to guarantee all the medical needs of the population, but as of now, no other system currently in operation anywhere in the world can suffice. Nurses and everyone else in healthcare in the United States also understand that capitalism also produces the incentives for competition to perform the best service possible.

One of the concerns of nurses in America is that cost reductions from healthcare will dramatically cut their salaries since labor is the largest part of health expenses. The American Journal of Nursing claims there are many avenues for cutting costs without decreasing nursing pay including decreasing insurance company profits, tort reform for malpractice claims, and smaller corporate profits.

Whatever else is on the horizon, the U.S. Department of Labor gives a good job outlook for nursing; by 2020, jobs for RNs are expected to have increased by 26% since 2010, better than average for every occupation. This growth is due to expanded preventative care, projected advancements in medical technology, and the enormous baby-boomer population that will be requiring more healthcare services because they’re remaining active and living longer. So far, expectations are for 711,900 new positions for RN’s with associate degrees between 2010 and 2020.

On the All Nurses forum, a Canadian RN who has worn nurse scrubs for fifteen years of experience in their healthcare system, proffers that in America, it will be doctors rather than nurses whose salaries and fees would be regulated, and that the earning for nurses would not be greatly affected.

She is quick to point out that her wage is anything but Socialist, as she makes a commensurate amount to American nurses, as well as evening, night, and weekend premiums. In addition, 75% of her vision and dental care, life and disability insurance, RRSP and pension contributions, and other extended healthcare benefits are paid by her employer. She also reports that she does not work for the government, but for the local health region in which her hospital is located.

One thing that may be in the offing for nurses is a slightly increased workload. Healthcare professionals in Quebec recorded that income controls did negatively impact the work incentives of general practitioners, who spent on an average of 11 percent less time with their patients, shortening their working year by two-and-a-half weeks. Those in nurse scrubs, on the other hand, were still fairly paid but also took up some of the slack for the doctors, an inequity that still seeks a solution by the Canadian healthcare system.

Kobo Aura HD lands on store shelves today

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Kobo Aura HDKobo Aura HD Hits Shelves In The UK

Frost recently went to the launch of the Kobo Aura HD. We tested it out and loved it. If you also want a piece of the action it lands in WH Smith today.

The Kobo Aura HD, the definitive eReader for the dedicated book reader, goes on sale 25th April 2013.  With a global product launch that took place in London on 15th April, the Kobo Aura HD delivers the best eReading experience with the highest resolution 6.8” E Ink display available on the market today. Its sophisticated, book-inspired design is available in Ivory, Espresso and Onyx.

 

Kobo Aura HD offers the highest-resolution screen available in an eReader today. At 265 dpi, the spacious 6.8” Pearl E Ink touchscreen offers 30 percent more reading surface and the closest experience to print-on-paper – showcasing text and high-resolution images beautifully. The device’s 1GHz processor makes page turns fly and is the fastest eReader on the market – 25 percent faster. Kobo Aura HD has 4GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB) to easily store thousands of eBooks, and has a battery life of up to two months, making it the perfect eReader for people with a passion for the written word.

 

Price:  £139.99

WHSmith

 

Sterling rises sharply versus the euro and US dollar after better than expected UK GDP data

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“The pound rose sharply versus the euro and US dollar after today’s first-quarter 2013 UK GDP data suggested the economy avoided an unprecedented triple-dip recession by a wider than expected margin. Sterling remains some 2% lower versus the dollar compared to three months ago.” Chris Saint, Head of Currency Dealing, Hargreaves Lansdown

 

Despite the mildly positive GDP outcome for Chancellor Osborne, this does little to alter the bleak overall picture. The economy remains 2.6% smaller than at its 2008 peak, which compares unfavourably with many of the UK’s peers. It also does little to enable the government to refute critics’ claims that its austerity programme is doing more to stifle growth than it is to curb rising public debt. Absent an improbable U-turn from the government’s plan A, hopes of the recovery gathering momentum will inevitably be pinned to monetary measures such as quantitative easing and the newly extended Funding for Lending Scheme. From a currency viewpoint, this should keep the pound on the back foot in the near term given a widespread scepticism that these measures will be sufficient for the economy to gain suitable traction going forward.”

 

At the time of writing, the exchange rates stand at:

 

  Interbank rate                   % daily change

Sterling / US dollar           1.5402                                    0.79%

Sterling / Euro                    1.1805                                    0.62%

Classic Fashion Buys

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Jessica Ennis London Fashion WeekA lot can be said for having a capsule wardrobe. In fact most of those I-have-nothing-to-wear moments could be averted by a classic wardrobe. While certain garments will be up to interpretation we have put together what we think are some fashion classics. They can be mixed together and used separately to build up a great basis for a classic wardrobe. Here are our picks, put your own below.

Black Trousers

An absolute classic. You would be surprised at just how much you can dress up a pair of black trousers.

Little Black Dress

Ditto. A little black dress is what accessories were made for. You could wear a black dress everyday and still make it seem like a different one with clever accessorising.

White Fitted Shirt

White is classic and just looks amazing. Fitted is best. You can get good custom shirts for women at Shirtinator.co.uk. When buying a white shirt make sure it is good quality.

A Good Blazer

A good blazer can be worn with a dress for night and with jeans during the day for a great smart casual look.

Jeans

Who can live without jeans? Well, I have done so in the past but they really do make getting dressed so much easier. You can even have a night out wearing jeans and still look dressed up.

 

What are your fashion classics?

 

Interview with May I Kill U? Star Hayley-Marie Axe

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What did you think when you read the script?

I was intrigued and I couldn’t put it down. I did the nervous laugh thing that a lot of
people do when they first watch it, because you want to laugh at certain bits that you
really think you shouldn’t.

What made you take the role?

I really like Val’s character because on the outside she comes across as tough, but she
is vulnerable at the same time, which I can relate to. I thought she would be a very
interesting character to play and I could see myself playing her as soon as I read the
script.

Miku-Hayley-MarieAxe-LR1.jpg
Any great on set stories?

We had to go out and practice riding our bikes whilst being supervised and Kevin got
told off quite a bit, I don’t think he did his cycling proficiency at school.

Do you have a favourite genre of film?

Action or comedy….depending on my mood.

How long did the film take to shoot?

About five weeks. Went very quickly though.
What was it like working with Kevin Bishop?

Entertaining.

How do you prepare for doing a film?

I always do lots of research on the team involved so I have an idea of the style, and
even more research on the characters and the story. For ‘May I kill U?’ I read up
on serial killers, rode my bike a lot and chatted up the rather attractive policemen at
Sloane Square station on the way to my audition to ask them questions, and I also had
several conversations with a female officer from my local police station, who was
very helpful.

Do you think horror and comedy naturally work well together?

Yes I think horror and comedy can work really well together-particularly dark
comedy, and there is a place in the market for it.

Do you think that the roles for women in film are improving?

Yes, I think roles for women are improving, but there are still many more roles for
men than there are for women.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently playing Katia in the action web-series ‘Next Global Crisis’, and Delilah
Crunch in the spin off ‘The Fail-Safe Sisters’.