The new year is coming, ready to be welcomed for all the new possibilities it can offer. 
Is now the time to make the move into a new career? 

Before you consider a change, consider the factors influencing your decision.  Balance these out with some market knowledge (you can talk to your friendly recruiter for that) regarding opportunities in the industry you are interested in.

In the Manawatu, business networks and connections are strong.  If you are job seeking, being memorable will open doors for you.  Word of mouth is a powerful tool in your job search.

Reflecting on the many job seekers I have spoken to over the years, seven specific attributes stand out as memorable to me. These attributes may not secure you the first job you apply for, but it will set you up as a highly desirable candidate. 

As an employee you want to feel valued, appreciated and trusted in your job, you want the tools to be able to do your work and the opportunities to reach your career potential.  In supporting you to be your best, your boss is likely to be exceptional themselves in the following areas…

In an interview you are faced with a wide range of questions, all structured to generate different responses.  Most questions will be open-ended – requiring more detail than a simple yes or no.

Competency based questions are designed so the interviewer can better understand your approach to a task, how you react, and act in certain work situations, as well as what learnings you have taken from your past experiences.

The STAR approach is a way to answer such questions. STAR stands for:

Situation – describe the setting for the interviewer.

Task – explain what you had to do, your roles and responsibilities in the situation.

Action – what did you do to address the situation?

Result – what was the outcome and what did you learn?

It’s common to spend a lot of time perfecting your CV, but your cover letter can easily be overlooked.  If you currently use a standard template for every role, today is the day to stop!

As recruiters, myself and the PN Personnel team read a lot of cover letters. If you are serious about the vacancy you are applying for, you need to spend the time to tailor your cover letter.

Working from home is the option for many staff currently, as businesses work with COVID-19 guidelines for staff and customers.  If you have never worked from home before, there are some tips to manage your working day remotely.

It’s always amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it.  The speaker at the recent 3Keys event I attended impressed me with her story.  Hollie Woodhouse is a full-time endurance athlete, adventurer and graphic designer.  Every year she sets herself a goal, a challenge to complete.  In doing this, she has been on some impressive adventures. 

We can all benefit from mindfulness. The opportunity to clear away the “noise” in our head and approach life with a calm and focused perspective.  To acknowledge and manage your emotions and be present in the moment.

As the festive season is upon us, take a mindful approach to appreciate the celebrations and the people surrounding you, to manage your tasks more effectively.

It all starts by taking a PAUSE.

Recently I worked with two job seekers for a position.  I briefed each of them on the history of the company they had applied to and suggested they conduct their own research prior to their interview.

One did, one didn’t.  Can you guess which one was offered the job?

Your response to these two questions can set you apart from the rest…

New code compliant and proud of it! RCSA CEO Charles Cameron says it best:

“Professionalism is not a tagline, it is something we learn and earn.”

An interview is a two-way street, for the employer to assess your suitability for the role and vice versa.  Whilst most of the questions are targeted at the interviewee, the employer often (and should) give the opportunity to be asked a question or two.

Phrasing your questions correctly does require a little preparation but having a couple ready is much easier than trying to come up with something on the spot. 

CV length and structure can and do make a difference - so should it be a generic CV with all history included? Or should your CV be laser targeted and with as much punch as triple shot espresso?

The answer may surprise you!

Finding a job in 2020 is different.  By using a combination of traditional and new communication methods, you can discuss job opportunities, interview for roles and view a potential new workplace without leaving your home. Whilst ideally face to face contact is preferred, meetings and interviews via technology will become part of your new normal.

Here’s how we think it will look, what is means for you and how we see it working within recruitment.

Most of us are aware we are time poor.  We are consumed by constant demands on our time, from all areas in our lives.  Scheduling time for exercise has been proven to have many benefits not only for physical but also mental health.