Don’t ignore the Capability statements, levels and frameworks.

Tread slowly and carefully, as responding to these can be a minefield.

Capability (or ability) frameworks describe the skills and behaviors that employers want their people to demonstrate if they are doing high quality work. These frameworks provide an over-arching list of the skills required in particular work settings or contexts. They are broad descriptions, against which specific skills can be mapped. Typically they cover a range of job roles andor work contexts.

Many organisations have critically analysed the role/s and formulated the necessities to perform the roles. Not only is there a LIST of what is required, they also have graded the capabilities in priority groups. These levels reflect a progressive increase in complexity and skill that may be required from the candidate. Job applications for  many public sector jobs  now require you to address “capability statements” in your application. These were developed using a capability framework and have replaced the old “selection criteria“. NO application will be considered seriously unless your application incorporates the capabilities.

So, you find “that” great job and you eagerly apply.  You notice that they only have a few application requirements, that is, a resume and responses to a few “target questions“.

Often the target questions seem quite simplistic, innocuous even, just like the following examples:

1. We are all faced with challenging deadlines. Could you describe a scenario where you had competing deadlines. How did you manage your workload? What was the end outcome?   OR
2. Please describe a situation where you had a complex issue that had to be resolved. What was the issue? What factors did you have to consider in resolving it? What was the outcome?

Then you notice other documents, like the position description; a table with capability framework and capability statements.  All these documents need to be thoroughly analysed prior to your application. DON’T assume that they are just background chatter! The “trick” is to incorporate the capabilities into target question responses .YEEK – not as easy as it sounds!

This is my advice for tackling target questions

1. read and analyse all documents
2. visit the public sector website for handy hints
3. note the “weightings” on specific capabilities – some are more important than others
4. create responses that reflect the capabilities, in fact adapt and use some the wording used to describe the capabilities for example in response to a target question on the capability, challenging deadlines

“I self managed the work load by formulating a clear and simple Business plan that followed measurable and achievable goals and included priorities and deadlines. I arranged the project into bite sized projects and whilst investigating and researching the project I proactively encouraged “excellence in trade operators” to gain their T A E qualification. This ensured that I had a workforce plan with capable resources.  Once I set the operational targets, I consulted and evaluated the progress with the customer demographic, along with the team and executives. I solicited feedback, gathered more ideas and resolved potential problems”. The outcomes were,  job ready staff, new products delivered on time; increase in student numbers .

NOTE the following: The items in “bold” all reflect the abilities required to handle challenges BASED on the capability statements that are clearly outlined in the application documents . Also note that it was all set in the past and the story had the following formula or structure

1. a scenario or situation 2. what you did in the scenario 3. the results or outcomes

Many organisations, especially those that all on-line applications, also use software programs that check for KEY words and phrases as they pertain to the capability statements and grade your application accordingly!!!

Computers now conduct searches for the vital key words in a resume and the targeted responses to  find the more qualified candidates in a few key strokes.  They don’t care how long  or detailed your resume is (now) because they let the search engine do the identification based on what THEY ARE LOOKING FOR and believe that the software will identify the more qualified candidates to interview.

So start the process of updating and obtaining a rewrite of your resume TODAY with the best resume writer in the marketplace so you, as the job seeker, can be ready to actively (or passively) search for that next exciting career job!

Ivana Agapiou Resume Writer 

Extensive experience in Education, Training and Employment services both in private and public sectors – 0404056278

The post What are Capability Frameworks and how to treat them seriously… appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

A little FIGJAM is good for you. I‘m Good, Just Ask Me.

That announcement is OK, provided the self-praise is meant to bolster and boost your confidence.

This is especially true if you’ve suffered a career disappointment. However, be wary of staying in this state of mind for too long. There may be a risk that you could become a little too arrogant and less humble.

There will be times when you will need to have a ready script that sells all your key achievements.  When its vital to proudly state what great contributions you have made to a successful project or to your workplace. The trick is to have it said or written in such a way that you don’t appear arrogant and totally “up your self”! 

Your resume needs to have your relevant achievements listed, as it pertains to the job your applying for. The reader can clearly see the correlation and connection between you – their job description and personality profile they seek. A resume needs to spell out what you have done and most importantly, how well you did it!

There are a number of reasons why you should include a little  FIGJAM in your resume’s work history, let me list the 5 top reasons you might want to be a bit proud.

1. it’s true and correct, you are good!
2. your achievements are an historical journey, demonstrating improvement, learning and growth
3. the resume records outcomes and milestones that prove your worth
4. serves as a memory jogger when responding to selection criteria or capability statements
5. lovely and damn good for you to know your worth

Many employers want you to be confident and self-assured. They are not seeking a shy wall flower who is reluctant to support and “back-up” their own capability statements. They want to hear that the person they have short-listed can cut the mustard, that it isn’t just bravado speaking.   Most want to know that you are as good as you claim to be. Be ready with solid examples that support your statements; be ready with statistics; outcomes and/or examples of your work. Often the best way to demonstrate your greatness is by providing testimonials, so make your sure our referees love you and can also substantiate your claims!

Having trouble working out the difference between arrogance and proudly stating your worth?  You are not alone here, we all struggle with this! The best way to write your own history is to have an objective third party help you.  Ideally, this person doesn’t know you, they don’t have an agenda, other than to see you succeed. All they want to do is help you flesh out the diamonds in your work history.

Lastly, self praise is still great to boost your confidence!

If you need help crafting a job application that provides your future employer with a positive view of how you can enhance their business, give me a call on 0404 056 278 or visit figjamresumes.com.au

Ivana Agapiou – resume writer and career consultant

The post A little FIGJAM is good for you appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

A resume is a living, breathing document! It should NEVER remain static, if it does, it will loose its relevance and perhaps become redundant.  Workplaces and work requirements are changing rapidly and it’s important for job seekers to get a professionally written and rewritten resume completed for their job search.  What does this mean for the applicant  who is looking for a job now?  Today’s job seeker must have a well-written resume; the resume that is rich in content,  concise and with wording that showcases career achievements, capabilities  and accomplishments as it pertains to the job that they are applying for!    The resume must demonstrate diversity in skills and capabilities based on technical skills, and where possible, volunteerism, languages, publications, and awards and recognition.

The job seeker should be careful when hiring a resume writer.  They can be sucked into ridiculously expensive resume writing services with very little return on their career search investment.  Some resume services charge between $1-2,000K and the result is essentially ‘a pretty resume’ that on appearance looks great, with borders, fancy text, and filler words, but very little Return on Investment, because it’s loaded with subjective verbs versus objective descriptors.  Some claim that they can “re-brand” the applicant.  This is often marketing bunk! Re-branding sounds a bit too fake for me!

There are resume certification services that claim their resume writers are the best qualified  – but those certifications are not necessarily important.  And, you don’t necessarily need to meet face-to-face with those resume writers – that just makes you spend time and money that is not really necessary.

You do want to use a resume writer with hundreds, if not thousands of resumes under their belt and loads of positive reviews and references.  You do want to see samples of those resumes when you are shopping around.  A professional resume writer will also explain the process to you,  for what they will do with your resume.  They will explain the process, the steps, and work interactively to reword and design the best-practices of the resume rewrite formatting.  Good resumes service companies will offer smaller and affordable packages, so even if the job seeker is unemployed, they can afford the services (this means the resume writer is empathetic to the job seeker’s financial circumstances).  You want to get a ‘good feeling’ from the resume re-writer’s personality, where you hear their empathy and just know they are on your side and will work hard to really make your resume shine to recruiters.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON RESUMES AND RECRUITING PRACTICES:

Statement claim 1:                       

You need to rewrite the resume for every job you apply for …

Response 1:              

Not necessarily so,  if you write a ‘capability’ resume, for all your skills, experience, strengths, and education, that one resume only needs to slight adjustments for each job application.

Statement claim 2:           

Resumes should only be 2 pages long

Response 2:              

Resumes can be longer than 2 pages. Agencies and employers are looking for the most qualified candidate in experience, which means you may need to ‘load’ that resume with far more content to really compete with the dozens or even hundreds of other competitors for those  jobs.

Resumes for private sector companies can be one page (if new to job market and fresh graduate) and

to up top four pages (if experienced careerist).

In the main, Resumes used to be submitted in paper form.  Loads of filing cabinets took up lots of valuable office space.  Now,  most resumes are required to be uploaded  and digitally stored.  And, now the recruiters can search that database of resumes in the entire database or only within the job requisition pool of applicants using  Search criteria for the more vital key words in a resume and find the more qualified candidates in a few key strokes.  They don’t care how long the resume is (now) because they let the search engine do the identification of the more qualified candidates and only need to glance over the resumes now for  key words and phrases. In summary, it might just be a machine that decides if you are shortlisted to an interview!

TAKE ACTION – be proactive

Commence  the process of updating and obtaining a rewrite of your resume TODAY with the best resume writer in the marketplace so you, as the job seeker, can be ready to actively (or passively) search for that next exciting career job!

Ivana Agapiou resume writer

The post Resumes need attention and updating appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Looking for work? Loads of others are also on the search.

Make sure you stand out, but also make sure you do use the tried and true methods first.

Job seeking activity can become a full time job.  We hope that some of the following suggestions assist you in your search. Most importantly, stand out from the herd and have your application and efforts count!

Firstly, the tried and true – the faithful list….

• SEEK and my career and on-line recruitment services
• Networks and connections within your industry and social circles
• Registering with various agencies for work
• Newspapers and periodicals
• Word of Mouth and knowledge of possible up coming vacancies, ask around!
• Cold calling and unsolicited resumes to employers of choice
• Advertise your skills through social media channels
• Update and fine tune your resume

Connect with key players through Linkedin

Once you have exhausted the list for sourcing work, consider carefully how and when you will approach the vacancy. Is your resume up to scratch? does it sell you well? Do you need to obtain a second opinion? What stands out about you in your resume? Is it a memorable one? Have you linked your resume to the job your seeking? What is the local demand like for jobs and can any of your work skills be transferred to suit the market?

If this is all too daunting, why not consider consulting with the experts and seek advice on your current and future prospects? Eather Recruitment offer a suite of services to suit your individual needs! Call us to find out what we can do for you

Ivana Agapiou resume writer 0404056278

The post Looking for work in all the right places appeared first on Eather Recruitment.