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Job loss, a disaster or a chance for unfulfilled desires?

Being separated from one’s job is extremely challenging because many of us closely identify by what we “do” for a living. When the job is taken away, we can lose track of who we are and even why we are! Emotional issues aside, many of us are able to identify the practical issues, from determining how long our financial resources will sustain, to deciding if a career change was in order. In other words, practical planning for the future.

What potential employers don’t want to hear at the job interview

Questions can be TRAPS meant to catch you off guard and others are just ordinary questions that appear to be inane… innocent even, ones that can lead you down the wrong path. Don’t get caught in the negative trap. Compose your responses in a positive and flattering light!

The Application Resume – Performance for your career – it’s worth the effort

It’s easier to be a serial applicant than be someone who carefully and painfully works out what is the best option for them. The option that will enhance your life, and may even leave the world with a legend and a legacy. My Father would say “leave places better than when you found them”.

Is your Resume and image landing you that job or promotion?

What you wear and how you were it, says a lot about you! Is your resume and your image congruent?

Resumes and Roses, both need constant attention

Resumes and Roses require constant attention. Are you dreaming of the same, secure job for life?  A job with status and tons of security or even a rose-paved career path that extends far into the future with more roses at the end? Then, I am sorry, as this dream is truly a thing of the past. There are no guarantees of job security or of permanency in any job. In this climate of change, innovation and creation of new job roles, what are you doing to best prepare yourself for the tricky, often twisted path? Even roses need to adapt to seasonal fluctuation, unexpected changes in weather patterns, and unpredictable climate. Let’s not forget the competition for nutrients from weeds, disease and pests, not unlike some workplaces. Many of us associate what we do each day at work with who we are. This is not entirely our fault. Identity is closely associated with our jobs and at most social occasions, people will ask us “Where do you do?” and make judgement of us based on our job title! Businesses both large and small, are reviewing and changing the way they staff their workplaces. It could mean more part time and/or casual labour, it could be a matter of downsizing. I’m not implying that their methods are ethical. but it does happen. A job is something that we do, but should not be something that defines us fully, and forever! Our work provides us with an income, and our job gives us a title along with responsibilities and duties to perform. Some lucky people get to do the job that they love for many years and can actually attain the 100% perfect fit! However, this is not the norm, most of us tend to link and merge our personality into the job and do the very best we can do to enjoy our working life. Now here’s the problem. We sometimes “marry” and merge our personality into our work, so much so, that if and when, the job is no longer available due to whatever reason, redundancy and economic downturn. We are understandably distraught.  Jobs themselves are labelled, either permanent or temporary, and this misleads us into thinking that permanent work is on-going and perhaps forever. The best way to approach the world of work is to truly understand that you don’t “own” any job, and to start this process, don’t call it “your” job. It’s just a role and a duty you are performing at this space in time, to be of use to the community; acquire an income; feel fulfilled and maybe enjoy a way of life. Your job is not your whole life, even though it can help us meet others and socialize, provide personal and professional growth, and of course, be a source of income. The job is here and now, and who knows for how long? No one can predict the future with any certainty, and we are no longer assured of one job for life (unless we start our own business based on our interests, and even then nothing is assured) We are living and working in times of rapid change, with new technologies and new ways of performing roles, and let’s mention the other R word. ROBOTS . In Conclusion, what are you doing to best prepare yourself for the future? Here are three major suggestions to help get you thinking,  and hopefully set you on the rosy path to learning and growing from experience: Keep abreast of change, Maintain your currency, and thirdly, check the job market. 1.Keep abreast of trends, read and...

DIY Resumes? are some things better done by others?

DUI resumes can turn out amazing. Many do not make the first cut! If you’re not sure, ask an expert to review and advise.

Not all resumes are the same, and so it should be so…

Readers of your resume need to have things spelled out to them … literally! they need to see the possibilities, the foundation skills set that would entice them to at least interview the candidate.  They need to read fit for purpose-make the transition easier for them… spell it out!

Let’s explore the Excruciating “Writing Part” for Key Selection Criteria (KSC)

Firstly, you must respond to the Key Selection Criteria. If you only send in your Cover Letter and Resume for a job that has a request for you to respond to Key Selection Criteria your application will immediately be discarded… outch!

Don’t assume that employers or the selection panel will pull the information out of your application package and pick up the salient points. They will not! Even if they had the spare time for such insight, they are not allowed to infer anything.

Self-awareness, a Jewel in the E.Q crown

Conflicts and unexpected disasters are a natural part of living and if you are unable to forge through most these and come out the other end a “better” person for the experience, then you will find your life and your future happiness and well-being will suffer as well as your personal and professional growth.

JOB INTERVIEW, WHAT NOT TO SAY!

“OMG! Did I really say that?” How many times have you heard yourself say this post interview? You experience the after-shock and the rewind of the interview and worry yourself sick over what you said or didn’t say. Here are some helpful tips on interview preparation

Perform the job you were born to do!

Imagine for a moment what it would be like to do exactly what you love, to do what you are really, really good at, imagine the work being so in tune with who you are, it almost seems a piece of cake! You are invigorated each day, keen to get started!

Does your JOB equal your passion?

Job = passion? Are you capable of blending both? Here are some inspirational quotes to help. Which one resonates the most to you?

The big, long wait, will you get that call?

We are often asked how long it would take a company to get back to you after you have applied for a job. There is no right answer. There is best practice that most companies try to follow.

Career objective, make it sing and dance to the right tune

The career objective can be a tricky statement to compose and is often open to many interpretations, often wrong ones. Sometimes these paragraphs are just “motherhood” statements, totally broad and boring. They don’t tell the reader anything specific about you – in face it could read like thousands of other profiles. Don’t use career statements unless you write a good one. Instead insert an “about me” statement. One that sells you to the employer.

Capability Statements and your response,it’s a hill climb

How are selection criteria developed? All essential criteria are based on the core and business enabler capabilities contained in the organisation’s Capability Framework. Usually the selection panel will go through the key responsibilities of the job and pick the capabilities that they believe an employee would need to do these duties effectively.