Effective business writing is one of the most important skills you should develop, no matter what your job title is or how long you’ve been working. Whether you’re sending an email to your colleagues, generating a report or creating a new sales pitch, the ability to communicate effectively could be the difference between success and failure in your next business endeavour.

 Almost half of Irish business leaders would engage in potentially unethical actions to meet financial targets, according to a recent survey by EY. This startling statistic is consistent with another finding from a survey last year that company chiefs are among the professionals least trusted by the general public to tell the truth.

Starting your first job is an intimidating experience. Aside from learning the practical and technical side of the job you will be doing, companies will have specific rules and customs that you will need to become familiar with.

Frantic study, mini mocks, brain straining to retain every detail, a little more study... Yep, that’s me a couple of days before the exam.

As I try to keep everything on track with the day job and with so much going through my mind before entering the exam hall, my thought process isn’t always the clearest.  Let’s face it, as a man multi-tasking may not be my thing, so I‘ve put together a quick checklist to avoid turning up at the exam hall and having a panic over something vital that I’ve forgotten. 

We’re always looking for ways to achieve the best result possible in exams – whether that’s perfecting your study habits, creating a detailed study plan, asking for advice from mentors at work or getting up a half an hour early to fit in some revision. However, just as you are preparing your mind in the weeks before your exam, you also have to start preparing your body. Long exams are like mental marathons in which endurance is critical, and what you eat and drink can drastically affect your exam performance.

So here we are in the final sprint to the finish line...

For those of us sitting exams, there are a mere seven days until the exam hall beckons. I don't know about you, but for me it feels a bit...aarrrgghhh!!! I feel like the kid in the back of the car asking 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' Well, we really are nearly there and I for one am looking forward to getting the show on the road. 

It was likely to happen at some stage. As we count down towards the exam (just over two weeks now), frustration is starting to get the better of me and my textbook plus some study supports nearly went sailing out the window.

There are no two ways about it – today’s job market is extremely competitive. Achieving good grades and having experience may not be enough to get you hired; what’s important in addition to this is how you position yourself, your skills and your values to potential employers and the market at large. This is called building your personal brand.

It’s important to find your niche – what do you want to be known for in your industry? What reputation would you like to have? What is it about you that will get you noticed by potential employers?

Below are some handy tips on how you can begin to build your personal brand.

Finding a job is never easy, no matter what sector you want to work in. From discovering the position you want to apply for, to securing an interview and closing the deal, there are a lot of steps to go through before you can find your dream job. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how to get a job in insurance – particularly if you’re starting out or changing careers.

 If you’ve just finished college or you’re in final year, you might be starting to feel the itch to travel abroad, see the world and embark on new adventures. And why shouldn’t you? Post-graduation travel is a fantastic experience – you’ll have independence, learn how to manage your own budget, discover different cultures and embrace new ways of living.