Here are a few good tips to help you land that job using your body language to your best advantage!

The right attitude. The fastest way to ensure a great first impression needs to be prior to entering the Interview room– is to strike a “power pose.”  Stand with your feet at least hip-distance apart, hold your head high, pull your shoulders back, and stretch out your arms. TIP Research shows that if you hold that pose for two minutes, you will feel (and be perceived as) more confident and competent as you walk into the interview.

Smile. Please, please don’t forget to smile! This is a sign of welcome. It says, “I’m friendly, approachable, and sure of myself.” TIP practice talking and smiling in front of a mirror

Maintain eye contact. Looking at your interviewers transmits confidence and indicates interest and openness.  TIP To improve your eye contact, make a practice of noticing the eye colour of everyone you meet.

Shake hands. A handshake is the quickest way to establish rapport. It’s also the most effective – if you do it right. Research shows it takes an average of three hours of continuous interaction to develop the same level of rapport that you can get with a single handshake. TIP practice handshakes, not too firm and not the “wet fish”!

Maintain an open posture. You may cross your arms because you are cold, or more comfortable doing so, but most interviewers will interpret that gesture as protective or resistant. If you keep your hands behind your back or stuffed in your pockets, you’ll seem tentative. But if clasp your hands loosely around waist level or let them fall comfortably to your side, you expose more of your body and look as if you have nothing to hide. Open and honest is the impression you want. TIP take note of how you sit when listening to others or during a meeting – what message do you think your gestures are conveying to the speaker?

Dress for the job you want. This means knowing what style of dress (from casual to corporate) is appropriate for the job you want. Don’t be under-dressed – I believe you should err on the side of business/corporate style regardless.

Effective body language alone won’t get you the job, but it can greatly enhance your chances of projecting a self-assured, competent, and professional image.

Ivana Agapiou

The post Fast tracking tips on body language at a job interview appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Better Public Speaking and Presentation skills

” Essential skills for career acceleration”

Think of the last really memorable talk or presentation that you attended.

Now, was that easy to do, or did you really have to really think hard to remember one?

Sadly, too many presentations are easy to forget. And that’s a big problem because the only reason the presenter gave the talk was to communicate something to you!

However, there are 4 basic things that you can do to ensure that your verbal messages are understood – and remembered – time and time again.

Although somewhat obvious and deceptively simple, these are:

1. Understand the purpose of the presentation – to persuade, to delight, to inform?
2. Keep the message clear and concise – stick to the rule of “threes”
3. Be prepared – practice, practice, practice
4. Be vivid when delivering the message – use words that create imagery – use body language to best effect

Understand what you want to achieve

Before you start working on your talk or presentation, it’s vital that you really understand what you want to say, who you want to tell and why they might want to hear it. To do this, ask yourself: 6 wise questions: Who? What? How? When? Where? Why?

Who are you speaking to? What are their interests, assumptions and values? What do they share in common with others; how are they unique?

What do you wish to communicate? One way of answering this question is to ask yourself about the ‘success criteria’. How do you know if and when you have successfully communicated what you have in mind?

How can you best convey your message? Language is important here, as are the nonverbal cues discussed earlier. Choose your words and your nonverbal cues with your audience in mind. Plan a beginning, middle and end. If time and place allow, consider and prepare audio-visual aids.

When? Timing is important here. Develop a sense of timing, so that your contributions are seen and heard as relevant to the issue or matter at hand. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. ‘a Presenter that goes over the scheduled time is not always received well.’

Where? What is the physical context of the communication in mind? You may have time to visit the room, for example, and rearrange the furniture. Check for availability and visibility if you are using audio or visual aids.

Why? In order to convert people from “hearers” into listeners, you need to know why they should listen to you – and tell them if necessary. What disposes them to listen? That implies that you know yourself why you are seeking to communicate – the value or worth or interest of what you are going to say.

Keep it simple… content is NOT King, it’s the how that really matters!

When it comes to wording your message, less is more. You’re giving your audience headlines. They don’t need to and are usually not expecting to become experts on the subject as a result of hearing your talk. I suggest you have a leading beginning that informs your audience what you are going to talk about… and help your audience follow your thought process by providing the main points you will cover.  Lead into your first point and link in to the other two. Provide a summary of what you just said as a conclusion to your presentation. ” Say what you are going to say, say it, and say it again”

If you’re using slides, limit the content of each one to a few bullet points, or one statement or a very simple diagram

Be prepared, that way you appear & feel the calm!

Preparation is the KEY! In fact, it is one of the most important factors in determining your communication successes. When possible, set meeting times and speaking and presentation times well in advance, thus allowing yourself the time you need to prepare your communications, mindful of the entire communication process By paying close attention to each of these stages and preparing accordingly, you ensure your communications will be more effective and better understood. Practice in front of a mirror, the dog, your family and friends…. it WILL help!

Of course, not all communications can be scheduled. In this case, preparation may mean having a good, thorough understanding of the office goings-on, enabling you to communicate with the knowledge you need to be effective, both through verbal and written communications.

Unforgettable delivery means paying attention to the non-verbals!

Your delivery of your speech or presentation will make or break it, no matter how well you’ve prepared and crafted your clear, concise message. Some useful tips for keeping your presentation vivid include:

• Use examples to bring your points to life
• Keep your body language up-beat – don’t stay stuck behind a lecture!
• Don’t talk to fast. Less is more here too. Pauses are effective.
• Use a variety of tones of voice
• Use visual aids.

Most of all try to enjoy the moment! Remember that your audience wants to see you succeed, they want to spend quality time discovering new information or being entertained.

All the very best!

The post Need help with the Perfect presentation? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Everyone has networks, but not everyone has networking in their job marketing plan. This is a well-proven strategy to assist job seekers source work.

So many jobs are found through word of mouth and many say “it’s who you know”.  Who do you know in your networks that are in positions of power or even people who know other influential people?  Are you maintaining contact with your networks? Do they know you are seeking work?

Don’t forget that small business is a BIG employer and many don’t have very sophisticated recruitment processes, even though they have very profitable businesses. Sometimes they may ask  current employees to refer “someone they know” for one or more of their vacant positions. If you have not connected with your circle, how will they know to mention your name?

In this Blog I am only discussing the face to face encounter. Social Media is a whole other chapter! However, it is vital that all your marketing is congruent, ie. your image on FB should reflect your professionalism too!

In summary, use each  encounter/ event/seminar/introduction to showcase your professionalism, your commitment to your industry of choice, your positive personality and most of all your advanced communication skills. When “working a room” – (more on this great tactic in another blog- shish so many interesting angles  to this topic!) make sure you ask questions and don’t monopolise a conversation – yep.. it’s 10% talk and 90% listen rule that applies at business and social functions. Keep your business card handy and collect ones from others. Follow up with a nice to meet you email. You want to be remembered and remembered for all the great things!

Just like meeting the Fockers for the first time – every meeting is a chance to impress!

Ivana Agapiou

Eather Recruitment Pty Ltd

The post Networking is Working and working often appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

5 fast tips for hiring long-term, loyal employees

 Are you in recruitment mode and seeking workers for your business?   Here are 5 easy tips that may help attract, recruit, and maintain happy workers…

1. Market and promote a strong brand image

Good marketing not only applies to attracting clients. Applicants want to work for an “employer of choice”.  Ensure you project the most professional image you can in all your media choices,  like your website, social media and events. Most importantly, this professional image must be aligned to your customers experience and what your potential new staff members notice about you. Is your establishment projecting what you are advertising?

2. Create a warm and positive work culture

If you maintain a pleasant work environment, you won’t have to look too hard for new team members, as no one will want to leave! Developing a reputation as a great employer helps position you as an ideal workplace. Companies known as quality work places often spend less money and time on recruiting because people are waiting for vacancies to arise!. Word of mouth works really well as your team talk to peers in other workplaces about what a great boss you are and what a great place to work!

3. Demonstrate community engagement

Get involved in your community. Sponsor and participate in events that get you out into the public and in front of prospective employees. Take on some public speaking engagements that present you as an expert and leader in your field. Start a blog and include comments about why your business has the best people and show you really are very proud of them.  Your reputation will spread and your current employees will appreciate you even more.

4. Recruit slow – consider recruitment Agencies

Often small business owners ask their staff to refer people (like themselves) to work for them. Sometimes this works, however you may find that “friends” and family may cause unnecessary conflicts in the workplace.  It is advised to recruit slowly and carefully, making sure you have a clear picture of the type of person you are looking for; as well as a good job description, prior to seeking any further staff.   Some employers may find recruitment difficult, whether it’s because they don’t have the time or maybe it’s because they are not confident with recruitment.  You may want to consider an objective perspective and hire a professional and experienced recruiter who knows just what to look for when sourcing the right staff for you. If you are a small to medium business, a good recruiter can attract and place candidates who might not normally consider your workplace.   For larger businesses, recruitment agencies can often be the most cost effective way to find the best fit.  As we all know, an unhappy,  team member can destroy the culture of any  business very quickly.  Just one bad apple…….

5. Manage their performance and reward good work

“Talk early, talk often and talk private”.  The most important aspect of any relationship is consistent and regular communication.  A clear written job description along with simple expectations of their on- the- job behaviour must be communicated to them. When you see your staff performing well, sincerely praise them! If and when they are not performing to standard,  a chat in private is necessary and make sure you refer them to the written expectations a help steer back on track.

In conclusion, one of the biggest challenges of any business is staffing.  If staff are the wrong fit, and do not enjoy their jobs, this attitude will be obvious to your customers! Your customers want to experience a happy, positive environment. It’s not just the great coffee and food that delights, it’s the people interactions, it’s the remembering of customer’s names and orders, it’s the genuine smile that really counts to making sure your customers return time and time again and making your business a success.

Ivana Agapiou 0404056278

The post 5 Tips for hiring great staff! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Customers are after not just a purchase, they also seek a great experience. This intangible factor can either break or make a business.

Recently I went to  Open House Port Macquarie, looking for nothing in particular, just a Saturday morning browse through the variety of furniture and home wares. Thankfully, there was a cafe there also!  Rachel our Barista, was amazing, she had all the essential ingredients … great smile, warm greeting as well as great Barista skills. Our stay was not only extended, our mood was now elevated and let me tell you, there is nothing like an elevated mood to get that wallet open!

Open House met all 5  of our human senses … maybe even a 6th one!

1. Visually appealing surroundings , with loads of colour, and interesting items.
2. Sounds of soft laughter, background music and the “quiet spaces to sit and contemplate”
3. Customers are enticed to touch and feel – you can’t help it!
4. The taste of coffee and the amazing cheese cake was to die for!
5. The Aroma of coffee and the subtle perfumes abound
6. Lastly, that 6th sense that tell you to come back because … just because it “felt good!”

Thanks OPEN House… we will return!

The post Stimulate senses for success! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

One of the most underrated and most challenging ways to increase your confidence and the potential of landing “that” job is …. are you ready for it?

through …………….PUBLIC Speaking!

Yes, the scariest thing you can do, is often the BEST thing you can do to improve your

• Confidence
• Speech – both with vocal variety and volume
• Vocabulary and use of proper grammar
• Speech structure and especially timing!
• Ability to use your  natural, conversational style, only to a larger audience
• Persuasive and motivational ability

Take any opportunity you can to present!  Raise your hand for any project that will need you to talk to an audience….still not sure? why not join a local Toastmaster club and see how warm and supportive this group can be! What better way to experiment, make mistakes and try out, then in a group of like-minded individuals who will encourage and motivate you to be successful.

Not only will public speaking help with the areas above, it will be useful in gaining a promotion; being noted and really… who wants to live a life in fear of “talking”?

Ivana Agapiou

Eather Recruitment Pty Ltd

The post Increase your confidence and land that job! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

The Devil is in the detail – Resumes must have detail that fits

Within the first few seconds of meeting you, people form opinions & judgments based on your  resume, your appearance and behaviour.

Your authenticity matters!     find out what’s important to do for your next job interview and to maintain a professional image…

click on this link to get the download on dress for the job!

The post Presentation for THE job appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

… at first glance it looks like a shark..

Are you being be 100% authentic? It’s difficult to fake… unless your a sociopath…

At some time we have all heard or experienced how some people act differently at work then  how the behave at home or in social settings.  Sometimes, even new employees once they have passed probation period, can appear to be a quite different person from the personality you met at initial interview! Why is this so?

Understandably there are a variety of complex reasons why someone would react and behave differently at work then at play. Firstly, there are pressures from work commitments, time lines, peers, policies, and company / business culture that will affect the way we behave.

Recent research within the banking industry has shown that there have often been cases of fraud, which have led to a considerable loss of image for banks. Are bank employees by nature less honest people? Or does the business culture in the banking sector favor dishonest behavior? New findings indicate that the business culture in the banking sector implicitly favors dishonest behavior.

Sometimes, it could be the reverse and we can be really nice at work but a nightmare at home!  If you are feeling a little “out of alignment” with your true self… it’s time to pause and reflect..  ask yourself a few questions: like .. Is what you are doing now either at work or at home, beneficial to all concerned? Is it the truth? Does it add-value to your life and the life of others? Is it congruent with the image you want to portray? Is what you are doing meet community and business standards?

Most of all – Is the job you are in, the best fit for you?

if you are seeking more research data and information? go to

http://www.nature.com/news/banking-culture-primes-people-to-cheat-1.16380

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141119132524.htm

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor

The post Aligning your professional image with the real you – be authentic appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Rightly or wrongly, more and more employers are searching Facebook for background information on candidates.

The most common red flags noted by employers were:-

• Racy Photos:
The semi porno shot needs to die. Half of surveyed managers found provocative or inappropriate photos and information about candidates by reviewing their social-media updates.

• Alcohol:
That album of your reckless and carefree holiday …Make this private. About 48 percent discovered information about the candidate drinking or using drugs on social-media sites.

• Crazy Ranting:
That nickname you call your workplace or boss should be nowhere to be found on your Twitter feed. One-third found applicants had bad-mouthed a previous employer.

• OMG i h8 inglish:
Thirty percent said the candidate had poor communication skills and appalling grammar

• Intolerance:
About 28 percent of managers spotted discriminatory comments about race, gender, and religion.

• Lies:
Did you really get degrees in Celtic languages and stem cell biology at Harvard? Just under one-fourth discovered candidates had misrepresented their qualifications through their online profiles.

So as long as you want to be employable, it would be wise to restrain your social-media posts so that they’re HR friendly. Most of your friends probably didn’t want to see those racy pics either.

This BLOG adapted form  Venessa Wong June 27, 2013

Venessa Wong is an associate editor for Bloomberg Businessweek.  Follow her on Twitter @venessawwong. 

The post Are your Facebook posts killing your image? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Time to stop, think, re-group, take stock AND start again with a even  better resume!

Often, our jobs are much more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as the way others see us. Our jobs give us structure, purpose, and meaning. So how will you cope when you are no longer working?

The good news is that despite the stress, there are many things you can do to take control of a future situation and maintain your spirits. You can get through this tough time by taking care of yourself, reaching out to others, and taking the opportunity to rethink your career goals and rediscover what truly makes you happy.

Remember that the vast majority of job openings are never advertised; they’re filled by word of mouth. That’s why networking is the best way to find a job. Unfortunately, many are hesitant to take advantage of networking because they’re afraid of being seen as pushy, annoying, or self-serving. But networking isn’t about using other people or aggressively promoting yourself—it’s about building relationships. As you look for a new job, these relationships can provide much-needed feedback, advice, and support

Other proactive strategies are:

• Complete and update a new resume
• Tailor resume for each job application
• Keep eye on job market trends
• Search for jobs each day using a variety of methods
• Stay positive

Regularly check link to job vacancy on Eather Recruitment and Labour Hire’s website https://www.eatherrecruitment.com.au/jobseekers/search-for-jobs/#

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and outplacement consultant
Eather Recruitment 

The post Getting ready for job loss – are you facing redundancy; resignation or seeing the writing on the wall? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

“Thank you for your application, unfortunately in this instance you have been unsuccessful” Wondering why you keep receiving the same notice???  The following may help.

Recruitment agencies tend to have a terrible reputation with job seekers. We are not saying that in some cases we don’t deserve a bit of angst from our candidates as sometimes it is easy to forget how much time and hard work a candidate has put into their application. But recruitment is a hard job. The candidate might be extremely good at the role, but unfortunately it does not mean they are always the right fit for job.

Most of the time, it is not about the candidate but the client.  There are applicants out there who are clearly not right for a client, but there are just as many clients who are just not the right fit for the candidate. For example, let’s say you hate being micro-managed and the idea of working for a manager who routinely calls his staff “the girls” makes you cringe.  Well, those managers are out there, and sometimes they work for the company that on paper looks ideal for you.  If we ignored his management style and encouraged you to take the role, what would happen?  You got it – you would be running as fast as you could before the trial period was up. Sometimes, it IS about the candidate.  We want to put the best person forward to the client.  It’s in our best interest to do so! And the best person is not going be someone who:

• Fails to turn up or is late for an interview without a reasonable explanation.
• Attends an interview dressed inappropriately – if a candidate wants to work in a corporate environment then demonstrating they can dress professionally from the very first interview with their consultant is a must.
• Talks badly of their current or previous employer – This is very unprofessional
• Is dismissive or aggressive with their consultant – we are going to look at that behaviour and ask ourselves how we can present this candidate to a client at all.
• Doesn’t understand the role they are applying for.  There are lot of candidates who don’t appear to have read the advertisement before they apply.  They see the Title and Location and neglect to read the finer details of what is expected in the role. I.E 3+years’ experience in MYOB software … but they have never used the program.

Many times candidates are unsuccessful because the client is not the right fit for them, sometimes they won’t get the job because they did not present themselves appropriately to the recruiter.  And sometimes – the recruiter is totally wrong in their decision…but not as often as people think.

The post Unsuccessful again? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

 Selection Criteria Responses that get you THAT interview.  Your application needs to have an  inviting “bite”.

Recently, I heard an interview on ABC Radio National. A leading HR company was discussing the ways to best respond to Key Selection Criteria. He stipulated how important is was to create interest, to “bait” and attract the reader enough to get you an interview.

Here is a very quick synopsis from the interview.

Many employers are looking for the right “fit” and this means that they want to get to know you, your likes, dislikes and most importantly… your failings… we all hate that dreaded question “What are your weaknesses?if you can’t find an example from work experiences,use examples from “life” .

1. To respond to questions we often refer to work experiences,  and all about forget our life’s experiences… Think of a time in your every day life that might be a suitable example to demonstrate your ability to perform.

2.  Use examples from “learned” experiences – mistakes you’ve made, what you learned and how this has made you a better, smarter employee

3.  Provide stories – examples of when you did wonderfully and what that meant to the outcome of the project/task

So basically, don’t panic if you don’t have work examples for all the questions – use your life experiences.  LASTLY,  remain up-beat; positive and always write in the active voice!

There’s loads more to know – if you seek help with your resume/ job application – phone Ivana 0404056278

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor

The post Key Selection Criteria Responses that get you THAT interview appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

The world of work is in constant, rapid change, no longer can we rely on a job for life, or a rosy career path all lined up far into the distant future with more roses at the end. LOL.

To have a robust garden, it has to adapt and be flexible to different seasons, unexpected changes in weather patterns, and unpredictable climate. Let’s not forget the competition for nutrients from weeds, disease and pests… hmm not unlike some workplaces!

So too many businesses need to be fully aware of future trends and both large and small businesses are reviewing and changing the way they staff and manage 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 right… but it does happen…There are no guarantees of  job security or of a permanent job … in this constant climate of change – what are you doing to best prepare yourself ? 

Many of us associate what we do each day at work with who we are. This is not entirely our fault! At most social occasions, people will ask us “What do you do?” and than make judgement of us based on our career choice!

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 a us a title along with responsibilities and duties to perform. Some lucky people get to do the job that they love and can actually attain a  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. Our jobs can help us socialize, provide personal and professional growth, and of coarse, be a source of income.

Now here’s a problem… we sometimes “marry” and merge with our work, so much so, that if and when the job is no longer available due to whatever reason, redundancy and economical downturn… we are understandably upset!  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” a  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 acquire an income and a way of life!

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)  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 …  so,  What are you doing to best prepare yourself for the future? Here are five helpful suggestions to get you thinking… and hopefully set you on the rosy path to learning and growing from experience:

1. Keep abreast of trends, read and research articles on new ideas and emerging work patterns – seek out contemporary and analytical thinkers, check Utube, Ted talks,  or listen to podcasts, but keep informed or you will feel “left out” or worse,  hit by a change that other’s saw coming first and were more prepared to adapt.
2. Maintain your currency in education, training and up-skilling and with new technologies; never stop learning and developing your knowledge, whether its personal development; meditation, learning how to learn,  or attending stimulating lectures. Just do it!
3. check the job market regularly, what new roles and new industries are emerging?
4. Review, Revise and refresh your resume every 6 months!
5. Keep a strong, core skills-set that are the foundation to any job – core competencies are a necessity anywhere!

Ivana Agapiou #resumewriter

RESUME WRITING SERVICES

The post A job, is a job, is a job…not your whole identity appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

 Let’s get real. If detective agencies and the FBI (along with Hackers) use Face Book to find stuff out about you… why wouldn’t an employer do the same?

YES! Face book is used by prospective employers to help them assess the character or personality of a candidate.  Sorry, it’s a fact that many employers do get on there and search around for your name and make all sorts of judgements on you.

These judgements may often be wrong, but we are all human and judging is what we do! If in your resume, you have written that you are a professional with a strong work ethic,  along with some hobbies and interests..etc.. do these details align with what you have entered on your FB page? or would a casual observer see a significant difference.. Dr Jeckell and/or  Mr Hyde??

Here are just 3 questions for you to consider when you are next visiting your own page. 

1) is your profile pic nice? what would your mother say about it?

2) Check your FB cover pic – is it a mainstream, and a non-offensive type shot – for example, not one of you half naked, with alcohol spilling down your chest?

3) what groups are you associated with? ( make sure that they are not outlawed!)

Your Facebook should align with the image you want to portray… it should speak volumes about your personality and character without highlighting the “seedy and sordid”. Facebook is NOT the platform for nasty complaints or for rubbishing others… it needs to remain in sinq with the branding and image you want others to think of you… especially prospective employers –  ASK yourself…..

• what is it that you want others to think about you?
• what statement best describes you and is this resonated on your page
• can you  develop a statement that speaks volumes about who you really are?
• MOST importantly – this will help you devise your SOCIAL Media strategy – yes you do need one!

Suggested SOLUTIONS?

• Add super-security settings to your page NOW!
• Maintain quality and some professionalism on your posts
• Guard your image as if your life depended upon it!
• remove any potential offensive posts and photos if you can

All the best in your quest to maintain the image you want… best advice.. think before you click!!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Don’t be Naive … Face book is used as a screening tool by employers appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Job vacancies within small business are often filled via Word of Mouth, but sometimes, applicants send their resumes and/or leave them at the front counter.  Regardless of the method you use for recruiting and sourcing staff, its’vitally important that you can interpret and read between the lines in any resume.

The undersell

Often a resume skims the surface by just listing the name of the company that they worked for, and the job title.. and …..very little else.   The logical interpretation could be:-

a) the writer is shy and cant blow their own trumpet or

b) the applicant is unable to expand on their experiences and skills. Either way, it’s up to you to decide if where they worked and the role they performed is worth a second look…

It’s easy to reflect that perhaps this applicant lacks confidence, or even that they are uninterested in actually finding work!

The oversell

This is where the applicant over-states or may even exaggerate their experience and skills, sometimes the resume may be more than 4 pages in length. Again, all open to many interpretations… for example, you may ask yourself – is this person suffering from over-confidence and perhaps arrogance? Are they being truthful? Will they talk as much as they write?

Again, you might consider that this applicant is perhaps “cocky” and may even want more salary than other?  Either way, park these thoughts and make a note to self.

In conclusion, resume writing is an art, a skill, and is often done by those least qualified to do the best job!  Many of us suffer from the syndrome of what to write and what to leave out of a resume. Sadly, it is still one the most utilized ways to source staff… and perhaps the most non-scientific!

It’s recommended that if you have any of  thoughts, questions or concerns about the resumes you read, you should take them seriously and consider your “red flags”  prior to proceeding the recruitment cycle.

The general rule is that as long as the applicant has paid attention to spelling, and general presentation and is honest about work history, the resume is worth a second glance.  Perhaps a follow up phone call to confirm or deny your initial judgement

Ivana Agapiou

The post Please read between the lines———————- appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Our client, a leading horticulture services company, is currently seeking experienced candidates to commence immediately working within and around the Port Macquarie region.

These opportunities will be for a 6 month period and will ideally suit candidates with experience within lawn and gardening maintenance, have an understanding of horticulture services and be willing to work unsupervised.

You will have a current driver’s licence, have your WHS white card and be reliable.

An excellent hourly rate is on offer, along with the permanent hours guaranteed for the duration of the contract.

The post General Labourers – Horticulture (Closed) appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

A healthy Work Culture!

• Is your work environment making you sick?

• Do you dread getting out of bed on work days? are you upset when your days off are over and you have to go back to work?

• Do you find yourself whinging, whinnying and complaining ….a lot?

These are just a few signs and symptoms of an unhealthy situation that is getting right under your skin! A great work environment is one of joy, laughter, comraderie, cooperation, and often built around genuine kindness and consideration for others.  It should be a workplace that recognises the contribution of others, compliments and praises for effort.

Often, the culture of any workplace begins with the leader. If this person has an open and transparent style, it can make all the difference to the well being of the staff.  We hear too many sad stories of employees who are unable to perform consistently due to increasing pressure and lack of support from above.

Just as the employer conducts interviews and reference checks on the applicant, it is vital that potential employees also research the employer prior to accepting a role. It makes sense to ensure that both parties have congruent values and expectations. A happy employee works harder, is generally more giving to the community and to their family – it has the ripple effect ….. what comes around goes around…

Life is too short to spend most of your life in a job that damages your soul and sanity!

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Employers usually look for “what’s wrong” with the applicant first, rather than what is right about them! Hiring is tough!

Eather Recruitment and labour hire is fortunate to have a wealth of resumes and candidates. We’re lucky enough to get a lot of interest in the many roles we post, but the massive number of responses we receive means we need to be efficient about the way we conduct the hiring process. One way we edit and process the applications, is by matching them to a mandatory list of “must have’s”.  Firstly, the RESUME must pass the first screen! Provided this makes the grade – There are 5 areas we explore and from our research, it is also the very same for many employers!

   1.  Candidates  haven’t conducted any research into the company

When we first opened and just getting off the ground and recruiting for staff,  one of  our first questions was about what the candidate knew and thought of our business: One candidate responded by saying “To be honest, I haven’t had time to research you yet!” That’s when the interview should have ended and saved both of us a lot of time.

Getting the company name wrong,  or not checking out their website, not thoroughly researching what a company does – you’d think getting these things right would go without saying, but they come up more often than you’d expect, and demonstrate a lack of attention to detail, passion for the product and industry and, frankly, respect for the company and interviewer.

2.      Typo’s and lack of attention to detail on Resume and application

Speaking of attention to detail, typos are another non-starter. Our team has received many  resumes expressing a candidate’s enthusiasm for a role at “Either Recruitment” or emphasizing their “Attenntion to dertail skills” (really!!). First impressions matter, and it’s worth taking the time (and getting a second set of eyes to look over your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn page) to make a good one.

3.      Out dated LinkedIn / Facebook Profiles

In many industries, but in particular the Tech world, having an out-of-date LinkedIn profile just doesn’t make sense. Sharing your resume via email is great, but having a clean, updated and professional public profile is essential. Having an updated LinkedIn profile says that you value personal brand management, understand current hiring trends and are upfront about your career history. Take the time to clean yours up, get recommendations from colleagues (and write them in return!) and make yourself look enticing to potential employers. You never know who might discover you that way.

Facebook profiles – make sure privacy settings are in place and that the cover photo reflects a professional image – yes,  employers DO look at this.. they DO check on your LIKES, LINKS and posts.

4.      Inappropriate on Twitter

Employers often check out candidates’ social media presence when screening resumes. Posting inappropriate, unprofessional content on your public Twitter account is obviously an even big red flag. If your Twitter account is public, it’s part of how you represent yourself and your company. And if you’re going to include it on your resume, make sure you’re not rescheduling interviews due to “a really bad cold” while posting about the fantastic hangover you have from last night’s binge (yes, this has happened).

5.      NOT Motivated to Do Great Things

If a candidate has no response to a question that should be easy for them to answer, it’s a good indicator that they don’t have that deep-seated motivation to do great things. Figure out what that question is for you.

• Why do you want this job?
• What would you do if you had $1 million?
• What kind of business would you start, if you could do anything?

As for our golden question, I’ll leave that as a surprise for when you’re interviewed at Eather Recruitment and Labour Hire!

Finally, naturally, the list of positive qualities we to look for in candidates far surpasses the negatives. Enthusiasm, passion, energy, intelligence, thoughtfulness – these go a long way in convincing a potential employer that you’re right for the job. Does this sound like you?

Ivana Agapiou,

Eather Recruitment

The post Who we are reluctant to hire appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Do you have a great chef who is ever-reliable, loyal and well-trained?

One of the biggest challenges affecting the hospitality industry is the task of finding appropriate kitchen staff. The lack of properly educated and trained employees can be a major problem.

The industry needs reliable, loyal, educated and trained employees!  Competition is intensifying more rapidly every day; it must surely be wise for management to implement long-term development and mentoring programs for their staff so that they can stay competitive and maintain good staff!

Often many experienced chefs leave the kitchen to find alternative employment. Low wages, long working hours and excessive discipline are amongst the more common reasons for their decision to quit their jobs.  However, there are 6 important factors that also influence their decision to move on.

1. staff shortages
2. excessive workloads
3. lack of feedback on performance
4. feelings of being undervalued
5. insufficient management support
6. poor communication between staff

The biggest challenge faced by the food and beverage industry is the availability of qualified personnel and motivated employees.  Analyse your current staff… and focus on their abilities and potential..  Could your Head Chef be mentored into a management position? What areas for career development can you offer?

Due to the difficulties in finding qualified and motivated employees and the cost of selecting and training employees, I recommend that Hospitality focus on their current personnel and seek ways to keep their motivation at maximum levels.  Sometimes the best ones are right under your nose!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Right under your nose… staff ready to step up! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Are you in recruitment mode and seeking workers for your business?   Here are 5 easy tips that may help attract, recruit, and maintain happy workers………….

Market and promote a strong brand image

Good marketing not only applies to attracting clients. Applicants want to work for “employers of choice”. Ensure you project the most professional image you can in all your media choices,  like websites, social media and events.

Create a warm and positive work culture

If you maintain a good work environment and you won’t have to look hard for new team members.  No one will want to leave! Developing a reputation as a great employer helps position you as the ideal workplace. Companies known as quality work places often spend less money and time on recruiting because people are waiting or vacant positions there. Word of mouth works really well as your team talk to peers in other workplaces about what a great boss you are and what a great place they work for!

Demonstrate community engagement

Get involved in your community. Sponsor and participate in events that get you out into the public and in front of prospective employees. Take on some public speaking engagements that present you as an expert and leader in your field. Start a blog and include comments about why your firm has the best people and show you really are proud of them.  Your reputation will spread and your current employees will love you even more.

Utilise Employment and Recruitment Agencies

Professional recruiters know just what to look for when sourcing the right staff for you. If you are a small to medium firm, a good recruiter can attract and place candidates who might not normally consider your firm. For larger firms, recruitment agencies can often be the most cost effective way to find the ideal fit. As we all know, an unhappy misfit can destroy the culture of a business very quickly. Just one bad apple…….

Reward referrals

Use networks to help find new staff. If one of your contacts refers a candidate to you, some of  the work is done as the candidate already has been provided a positive impression of you. You may like to offer rewards to current staff for high quality referrals. In most cases, your staff will only recommend other people if they think they will fit-in and add value to the company.

If you would like some advice on how to find and keep the best staff for your business, why not call us for an obligation free chat. We’d love to help!

Ivana Agapiou
Eather Recruitment Pty Ltd

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