Amazingly it appears that people are trying “something new today” as Sainsbury’s published a pretty bullish rise in profits (up 13% to £272m in the piggy bank), pinching customers from Waitrose and M&S to produce an average of 18m shoppers going to their stores each week.  Analysts (not to be confused with people who like going in the wrong door) say that Sainsbury’s has made a good play of getting customers to move to their own-label products, so customers are getting a cheaper weekly shop but staying with the brand. We met Sainsbury’s at Reading Careers Fair last week and found them in excellent spirits – especially with the new top-card that allows parents to pay cash onto their student offspring’s card to buy food (not booze) with. Video explaining all will go up in the next day or so…

A survey by Gumtree found rather embarressingly that nearly half of small businesses (SMEs) confessed to hire based on ‘looks’ rather than aptitude or qualifications. The same survey reveals that nine out of 10 SMEs claim they are unable to recruit good candidates despite spending an average of £4,000 to hire each member of new staff. As a result, turnaround of staff in SME’s is high – about a quarter of roles get replaced each year. See, its all very well not using a recruitment company, to cut costs, but then the SME interview may not unearth what the firm needs to know to make a considered hire. What does all this mean to you? SME’s are a viable alternative to big employers. Generally you get thrown in at the deep end, working alongside the management of the company, so you learn quickly and get a good profile. The high turnaround means jobs are always up for grabs. Just make sure you look good! For a real insight, watch this fab Feel Good film…