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.

Word of mouth is a powerful thing, especially in the Manawatu, you want to know if people will speak highly of you and recommend you to others, you can find out by asking the question.

How likely are you to recommend our business/product/service to others?

PN Personnel Managing Director Claire Hewson believes your ability to effectively respond and adapt to an ever-changing business environment is integral to building a resilient business.

“The best piece of business advice I have is surround yourself with people who have strengths in the areas of your weaknesses.”

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…

Video is an excellent tool an employer can use as part of the job selection process.  Video combined with a written CV can be a highly effective part of your recruitment strategy.  

To make a sound business decision, you need to be well-informed and have all the facts and information to hand.  To employ the right person for your business, you need the time and tools to target, identify and qualify this individual’s suitability for you position.

As recruiters we have been trained and have many years of experience in the hiring process.

When discussing our process with an employer we explain all the steps required for a successful recruitment and why they are important in attracting, assessing and qualifying the right person.

To assist you in your next recruitment, make sure you take these steps! 

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!

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. 

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…

 2020 is a tough year and it’s completely reasonable to feel or have felt stressed at some point. In challenging times, it can be easy to overlook your mental health and well-being. When stresses become too much, it can lead to burnout.

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.”

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?

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. 

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.