Another year is over.  It feels like it was only last year we were celebrating the beginning of a new millennium with the big 2000 and worried whether our bank balances was really going to vanish overnight!
 
2010 was a very interesting year for many.  From speaking to many of my candidates, clients and friends – 2010 caused much change and for some 2010 didn’t cause enough change.
 
Bringing in a new year causes many of us to reassess our lives hence the famous ‘new years resolutions’.  Did you know 80% of us will include in our resolutions something to do with careers?  Whether it’s to find a new job, ask for a pay increase, promotion, change departments, improve their education by taking up additional courses to further advance their careers.  So it’s no wonder why this time of year is the busiest for career councillors and recruitment agencies.
 
What is interesting about the ‘reassess’ process is whether many will actually ‘follow through” on their resolutions.  How many times have I heard “I need to find a new job”.. and another year goes by and the same person is still complaining how they still hate their job and when asked “have they applied for another positions?”.. They answer is “NO”. Most often they don’t even have their resume updated to apply for new opportunities.
 
“You must take action today to change tomorrow, otherwise tomorrow will stay the same”.   Isn’t that the truth!
 
Change is an interesting thing.  Some of us hate it, some shy against it and some embrace it.  Many candidates I speak to would stay in a job they hate because they are afraid of ‘change’.  A concept I will never understand.  I couldn’t think of anything worst than being in a job I truly hated and going back day after day for more!
 
Lets overanalyse this for a second.  One would stay in a job they hated because they are afraid of change or the ‘unknown’ factor?  Some would argue ‘better the devil you know’?   What could be worse?  Of course you wouldn’t accept a lesser paying job and if you do the job move well, you should in fact be negotiating better terms than your current positions.
 
Wouldn’t it be worth the risk to move into a job you really loved?  Most often the shear fact of moving into a new environment and new work culture is enough to get anyone motivated and excited about coming into work again!
 
Sometimes you need to take a small risk of going to a new environment find that dream job instead of dreading of going into work each morning. 

Some of you might be wondering, what is your dream job? The following diagram might help!

 The ‘follow through’ process when setting goals down is certainly the most important.     Before you achieve anything great you need to imagine it and aspire to it – This is called manifestation.  You are manifesting what you want however it’s the ‘follow through’ process which is the hard work which most people shy against.
 
My advise for anyone hating their current positions is before storming into your managers office with your resignation letter is to have a PLAN.  This is referred to calculated risk. Instead of taking the risk of being left without a job, you are assessing what you want, putting in place ‘non negotiables’ for your new job and then going out there and hunting for it!
 
My Tips…
 
1.  Write down what you enjoy doing and what you hate about your current role.

I would highly recommend doing a career assessment test which will evaluate your skill sets and recommend various career paths your suited for.  I have been working on a test over the past 6 months which will blow you away with how accurate it is!  Follow me on facebook  for further updates over in the coming weeks.
 
Another great tip is putting in place ‘Non Negotitables’.  Non Negotiables are deal breakers i.e.  working full time, working in the CBD, working till 5.30pm etc.  In order to ultimately achieve your dream job you need to put in place what you are NOT willing to accept.
 
2.  Start preparing your resume to apply for new positions. 
 
Your resume is the most important document you will need when applying for new roles.  It needs to clearly signify your skill sets and experience and highlight why YOU would be a perfect candidate for the position you are applying for.
 
I would highly recommend to have a resume expert write you resume to target your new position.  Check out The Resume Company for further information.
 
3. Start searching for positions online.

Go to Indeed which combines all job search engines or go directly on Seek , CareerOne or Monster.   The searching process is very important. Refer back to your list of likes and dislikes and only apply for positions which match your new list.
 
4.  Start applying for positions on a confidential basis and preferably make contact directly with the hiring manager or recruitment consultant. 

This is the time where you need to start being proactive and get your new resume seen.  For example; If I had the option, instead of simply pressing the ‘Apply Now’ button, I would write a personal email to the person receiving my resume with my cover letter included in the body of the email.  I would list down specifically why I would be suited for the position advertised.
 
If contact details are provided on the job advertisement – don’t be afraid of politely calling the hiring contact and confirming they have received your application.  This shows you are thorough.  While you have them on the phone mention “I am really looking forward to knowing more about the position as I have the right skills set to perform the role”.
 
5.  Attend the interviews;  ensure you read my interview tips article!!
 
Represent yourself in the best light possible. This is your time to shine and show the hiring manager you are perfect for the position.  Regardless whether you think the position is 100% right for you at that point – you need to represent yourself in the best way possible.
 
Once they love you, you have full control to negotiate different terms.  For example.  I have had a candidate attend an interview and be offered a more senior position within the firm because they represented themselves much better then perceived in their resume.
 
My biggest advise in a first interview is let the hiring manager fall in love with you…once they do, you will have some power to negotiate better terms or the option of saying ‘no’ to the position.
 
6.  Being offered the position.
 
Once you are offered a position in another company, you are completely in control of accepting or declining the position. For some, this also means negotiating terms ie. pay, benefits or working conditions.
 
My advise, this is the time where you seriously need to assess whether the new position is one you will LOVE.  Anyone can get a job these days, however a minority will LOVE what they do.
 
For me, I would be going back and asking about the working culture, benefits, management structure etc to ensure the position is one you will overall enjoy.  Ultimately, it all comes down to your gut. What is your gut telling you to do?  Will this be a step up which you will enjoy? 
 
7.  Accepting the position.
 
Once you have decided to accept a position, always accept in writing using the positive words such as ‘I am delighted/excited to accept the position’.  Finalise your new commencement date and ensure your ’start date’ factors the correct notice period you need to provide to your current position.
 
This is a very important point.  Regardless of the relationship with your current employer, always work out your notice period.  Refer back to your contract regarding your notice period and if you do not have a contract go by the state industrial law.   For some this is 1 or 2 weeks and for most senior management positions the notice period is upto 8 weeks.
 
Doing the right thing by your current employer is crucial especially because you will want to be remembered as a ‘good employee’.  You will want to use your employer as a potential reference in the future so ensure you leave on good grounds and do the right thing by them regardless of circumstances.
 
8.  Resignation.
 
Now that you have your new job, ensure you do not provide your resignation until you have received and returned your new employment contract.  I have seen many instances whereby the position was offered verbally and then retracted.
 
Patience is a virtue!  Wait until you receive your contract, review it carefully, sign and return, confirm receipt and then submit your resignation letter. 

Writing a resignation letter is easy… There are many templates online which you can follow.  Google ‘resignation letters templates’.  You do not need to go into detail ‘why’ you are leaving.  Some resignation letters are only a paragraph long.. Long enough to say ‘I hereby tender my resignation and provide my 2 weeks notice.  My final date of employment is x’.
 
Putting in your resignation will always cause some doubt however if you truly believe your new position is going to be a step up to your dream job then do it. 
 
If you have any specific question in relation to career advise, please comment on the article and I will provide my advise free of charge.
 
I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes;
 
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius

Your resume is your advertisement. Applying for a job is like pitching your worth as an employee to a buyer, who in this case is your prospective employer. Do not take your only form of advertisement for granted. A well-presented resume with substance will go along way for you and your career as a professional. Follow these tips and land that dream job of yours!

Get the Employer Hooked!

It’s all about keywords, jargon, conciseness and highlighting the correct words to grab the attention of the employer who is always in a hurry. These recruiters only have 30 seconds at most to glance or browse through your resume. So what would make them stay and read its entirety? Focus on your skills and your qualifications. Always ask yourself, “What would make me suitable for this position?” or better yet, “What can I contribute to this organisation?” The answer to these questions should be the center of your resume but summarize them through keywords and highlights. You do not need to provide explicit details – that is what the interview is for! The goal of a well-prepared resume is for you to keep the recruiter interested that they will invite you for an interview.

So again, for good measure, let’s repeat what is important here:

Keywords – by adding words which are commonly searched by hiring employers, your resume will easily pop out on search engines. In short, make your resume “searcheable”.

Jargon or buzzwords – by using these on your resume, you convey a message that you are very familiar with the industry the company is involved in, it may be medical, scientific, financial, IT, etc.

Highlights – entry headings such as those pertaining to previous positions you held or core skills should be in bold or underlined to easily attract the reader.

Sort by Relevance – arrange your credentials in order of significance, this is what most recruiters prefer. Again, this should answer the question on what you can contribute to the employer’s company and what makes you the best candidate for the position.

Be concise and up-front – summarize your worth as an applicant or your selling points by applying the abovementioned tips in a clear-cut but professional manner. Everything that you need to keep the employer interested should be squeezed in a page or two at most.

Final retouches can spell the difference between “hired” and “We’ll just give you a call”.

It is not enough to get that recruiter hooked on your resume because of its clear-cut presentation. Getting their attention is only the first step and once you have it, you should continue to keep them interested by adding more information to further convince them that you are worth their time and that granting you that job interview is a worthy decision.

Read along and refer to your resume once in a while to check which information should appear on your resume and which ones you should omit.

Details which Support your Qualifications

Market yourself in a positive note and adding personal traits such as “willing to be trained”, “fast learner”, “resourceful”, “has a can-do attitude” will help you in becoming an applicant worthy of the employer’s time. Just make sure to pick personal traits which are relevant to the position applied for, for example if you are applying for a research assistant position, the relevant personal traits to use would be, “resourceful”, “works with precision”, “maintains accuracy”, “creative”, “unbiased”, etc.

In line with personal traits, boost your resume by emphasising your skills, accomplishments and strengths. Create a functional resume rather than a chronological resume. Some applicants devote too much time on their work experience thinking that it is what dictates their chances of landing the job and while it is a deciding factor, employers are on the look-out for applicants with skills and accomplishments which they might have gained either through their lengthy work experience or through their extensive undergraduate training. With experience sometimes being only second to skills and accomplishments, this results to an even playing ground between the fresh graduates and experienced applicants vying for the same position.

Sometimes it is best to create a combination of a functional and a chronological resume which emphasizes both your core skills and your accomplishments, and the progress or advancements you have made throughout your career. In doing so, you need to quantify your achievements in your previous works where possible to create a clearer picture of these, and you need to relay only the most recent work and educational background and the general rule is to show only the ones within the last decade.

While it has been previously advised that the use of jargon will work to your advantage, avoid excessive use. Use it only to show your familiarity of the nature or industry of work because its excessive use will not impress but will only annoy the recruiter. Keep your resume easy to understand yet with a content that is professional.

More  people than ever before are using social media websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. When job hunting the image you display to your friends on the internet might not be best suited for landing the position you’re seeking.

Why can Social Media websites be a problem?
If you think your Facebook profile isn’t something a recruiter is going to look up – think again.

35% of hiring managers use Google to do online background checks on job candidates, and 23% look up people on social networking sites such as facebook.

Lewd photos, suggestive pictures, images of heavy drinking and illicit substance abuse are many of the reasons for rejections.  Prospective employers can even be deterred by poor spelling; spelling mistakes and use of slang can be seen as having poor grammatical and  communication skills.

This is critical when you are on the market for a new job or even potential promotions.  With social media being used so readily used in everyday lives, its not hard for a third party to find out ‘more’ about you.

Page Privacy
If your page is public it’s recommended that you set it to private. This is not only to protect your privacy from employers but also for your own safety from things such as identity theft and stalking.

Setting your profile to private means only your accepted friends are  able to see your personal photos, status updates and conversations between other people and yourself.

Profile Photo
What does your profile picture say about you? Is it an acceptable photo for a new boss to see?

Once your profile is set to private, your display photo will usually still appear.

Party pictures, seductive shots and photos in your swimwear at the  beach should be avoided. Try to keep your profile picture as professional as you can.

Avoid being tagged in other peoples photos
One too many drinks at a party in the weekend can suddenly be posted for all to view, not just your close friends who shared the moment with  you.

For Facebook modify the setting next to “Photos Tagged of You”.  Select the option which says “Customize…” and a box will pop up.

Select the option “Only Me” and then “None of My Networks” if you would like to keep all tagged photos private. If you’d like to make  tagged photos visible to certain users you can choose to add them in the box under the “Some Friends” option. In the box that displays after you  select “Some Friends” you can type either individual friends or friend  lists.

These are tips you can certainly use to increase your privacy settings, however as a candidate you need to be consciously aware that your online image can affect whether you’re going to get a call for an interview or whether you will be offered the position.

As boring as it may seem – keep your profile shots clean cut, saving  those seductive shots for your screen saver on your personal computer.

Your first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one.. afterall, it only takes 3.2 seconds to make a first impression!

When you go to an interview the first judgment an interviewer makes is firstly on how you look and what you are wearing, energy level and your smile. That’s why it’s always important to dress right for a job interview – even if their work environment is casual.

So what’s appropriate dress code for an interview? You need your first impression not just to be a good one but a great one. In nearly all instances the candidate in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than a candidate in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt

How to Dress for an Interview:
Here are some tips on what you should wear to give the best first impression possible when you meet your potential employer or when meeting a recruiter.

Men’s Corporate Interview Attire
•              Suit (solid color – navy or dark grey)
•              Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
•              Belt
•              Tie
•              Dark socks – Whatever you do.. DO NOT WEAR WHITE SOCKS WITH A SUIT.  This is a big no no!

•              Clean leather shoes
•              Little or no jewelry
•              Neat, professional hairstyle
•              Limit the aftershave
•              Clean neatly trimmed nails
•              Portfolio or briefcase
 
 
Women’s Interview Attire
•              Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
•              The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
•              Coordinated blouse
•              Conservative shoes
•              Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets.. BIG NO NO)
•              No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
•              Professional hairstyle
•              Neutral pantyhose
•              Light make-up and perfume
•              Neatly manicured clean nails
•              Portfolio or briefcase

What Not to Bring to the Interview
1.           Gum
2.           Cell phone
3.           Ipod
4.           Coffee or soda
5.           If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)
6.           Cover any tattoos
 
 
Interview Attire Tips
•              Before you even think about going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits correctly
•              Make sure you have ironed your shirt/skirt. Crinkled clothing give the impression you have bad attention to detail
•              Dress for the position you want to obtain, not for the position you are currently in
•              Get your clothes ready the night before, so you don’t have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview
•              If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for next time
•              Polish your shoes
•              Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter

I regularly get asked many questions from candidates to help them nail an interview.
 
Please find the top 5 questions I often get asked and my respective answers.
 
My biggest advice to anyone going for an interview; ‘You can never be over prepared for an interview’.

1.  I get very nervous before an interview, is there anything I can do?

It is perfectly ok and quite normal to feel nervous before an interview.

A good technique is to ask yourself ‘what’s the worst thing that could happen” in an interview? Once you know, ask yourself “could I deal with it  happening?” Chances are you could, so why worry.
 
Always remember a job interview is a two-way deal. You should be searching to see whether this is the right fit for you, just as they are searching to see if you’re the right fit for their organization. It’s important to ask yourself  “do I want to work for these guys?” and “will I be happy here?”.

2. Should I have prepared answers to anticipated questions?

You should understand your strengths and your objectives. Know your resume inside and out – and also have a thorough understanding of the business you’re interviewing with.  Be prepared for common questions, and also understand yourself and your experience enough that you are able to answer unexpected questions as well.

3. If I don’t know the answer to a question what should I do?

Just look them straight in the eye and say I’m not too sure on the answer to that question and then wait for them to speak again as they may rephrase the question in a way that you do know the answer. Honesty and candor works, don’t dwell on it, move on and focus on their next question.

4. Can you provide some useful tips for interviews?
 
Be punctual! If, for some unforeseen reason, you are going to be late, ring the interviewer, apologize and ask if they would prefer to reschedule.

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a warm smile.

Memorize the interviewers name(s) and ensure that you pronounce it correctly.

LISTEN to the interviewer.

• Answer their questions fully, accurately and keep to the point.
• Be sensitive to the interviewer’s reaction to what you are saying, if you notice that they seem to be impatient or checking the time, then keep your answers brief. If they seem unsatisfied with your answer, ask them if they would like more detail, or if you have answered to their satisfaction.
• If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. This can also be a useful stalling technique while you prepare an answer to a difficult question.
• Ask questions that demonstrate an interest in the role, the company and career prospects, not only in salary and conditions.
• If the interviewer seems to be rude or abrupt, continue to be courteous and don’t take it personally, they may be testing you (or just having a bad day).
• Be courteous, relaxed, confident and positive – do not be negative or critical about previous employers!
• Make eye contact with the interviewer(s), particularly while listening to them.
• Don’t fidget, cover your mouth, or slouch.
• Try to enjoy the experience!

5. What sorts of questions do I ask the interviewer?           

• Why is this position open?
• How often has it been filled in the last 5 to 10 years?
• What have been the primary reasons for individuals leaving?
• What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this job?
• What is the most pressing problem? What would you like to see done in the next 2 to 3 months?
• What are some of the longer-term objectives that you would like completed?
• What freedom would I have to determine my work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
• Where could a person go who is successful in this position and within what time frame?
• How is one judged? What accounts for success?

Be prepared...

Being prepared for an interview is vital if you want to land the dream job. My thought on candidates arriving to an interview un-prepared, un-researched is… “WHY BOTHER?” Why waste your time getting dressed and coming to an interview when you are not prepared?

My philosophy on interviews is if you get the chance to sit down in front of the recruiter or the hiring manager should be “This is it”. This is your time to sell yourself and make the person sitting opposite you realise your potential and worth. I find the Americans do this very well…

In fact at times I believe they oversell and under deliver whereas Australian candidates generally undersell and over deliver. The problems is, you won’t get a chance to ‘over deliver’ if you don’t get the job!

From my experience speaking to various candidates, I find people find it hard to sell themselves. It’s hard tooting your own horn!

Being prepared for certain obvious questions at an interview can help with this. For example; 80% of the time the hiring manager will and should ask; why should YOU be given the opportunity? This is an obvious and valid question. Why should they give you the JOB? Why should they select you from the others that have also applied for the position?

Many candidates apply for positions yet find it difficult to answer this vital question. If that is you for whatever reason then I will give you my killer response. Business owners look at key attributes in staff and its very simple:

1. Dedication:
I want to know the person who I am hiring will be dedicated in their job

2. Persistence:
I want to know this person is persistent and won’t give up so easily. No matter which position you will be hired for, there will be days where you will be pushed and need to push to get an outcome.

3. Follow through:
They follow through on their tasks and promises. There is nothing worse then to constantly follow up staff on tasks that should have been completed.

4. Trustworthy:
The most vital of attributes. TRUST. This is obvious however often under estimated. The employee’s trust factor is crucial. After all, this is what an employer wants in a staff member in addition to specialised skill set. So, when planning a response to WHY you should be selected you need to list out the above 4 key attributes and relate them back to YOU.

For example:
1. I am a dedicated person.
2. I am persistent. I don’t give up easily and
3. I follow through on tasks given.
4. I am trust worthy and loyal.

Of course if you are not any of the above then I urge you not to quote them as one of your ‘attributes’. Quoting the above will help you represent yourself and articulate your strengths in a more strategic way.

Shereen Mitwalli

Over my career I have screened hundreds of candidates, applying for various roles from Administration Officer to Senior Manager, and I have seen firsthand the simple mistakes candidates make in their attempt to get a job.

Job applications and interviews are like an audition. It’s your chance to show that you’re the right person for the role. It’s also your chance to make sure the employer is right for you and in-line with your career goals.

It never ceases to amaze me how many candidates will go through the effort of applying for a position with a poor resume, or no preparation and research before their interview.

Did you know it literally takes 3.2 seconds for someone to make their first impression of you.  That means before you say ‘hello’ – someone is already making an assumption of YOU!

This doesn’t mean a face to face meeting relating to your personal image, it actually all starts with your resume. Your resume says a lot about you, it makes an impression on whether you will be called in for an interview or not.

As a Recruiter & Manager I have seen a huge volume of resume’s in my time. Many of them are very well put together and then there are some which miss the mark that are difficult to read, include spelling errors, inappropriate profile photos and slang.

I believe everybody needs a current resume close at hand. You never know when a great opportunity may arise, and it’s good to be prepared and ready. Your resume is a vital part of your job-search exercise. I am here to provide you hot tips you need to create the resume to get you in the door!

Resume Tips:

• Ensure that your name, contact details (including mobile number) and email address are listed at the start of your CV
• In recent times headings such as gender, age, marital status, religion, ethnicity or health are usually not included in resumes. Some experts strongly counsel against including these details.
• Don’t include email addresses like ‘hotchick007@***.com’ for your contact email address. This is a big no-no! Set up a generic and professional email address for the use of job applications, such as lisasmith@***.com
• If you have decided to include a profile picture, ensure the picture is a professional head shot only. Do not include your facebook/social/holiday photos on your resume!

• Ensure you include the company name of each previous employer, dates of employment and your position title.
• Don’t just describe your duties and responsibilities. Emphasize your achievements and show examples of how you have contributed to the business. Carefully consider how you can quantify your goals and achievements
• It is no longer necessary to include ‘References’ contact details. It is common and accepted to Quote; “References supplied upon request”
• Read your CV carefully and ensure there are NO spelling or grammatical errors. There is no point listing under your strengths that you have ‘attention to detail’ when there are errors throughout your CV.

I look forward to giving you further tips on how to get your job of your dreams.  Watch this space!