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Interesting Facts
Rebecca Stewart posted on May 11, 2012 08:24
Every career path is a journey. It has twists and turns, the expected and the unexpected, peaks and troughs, milestones and celebrations. You must be prepared and always have a back up plan. Don't assume you only have one career choice. Some of the most successful people in the world started out with the most basic of jobs, built on their experience and flourished. Others have floundered in various roles until they found what they loved. Their secret to success is that they didn't stop looking. Question is; have you settled on "this is as good as it gets" or are you still looking?
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Rebecca Stewart posted on May 09, 2012 08:15
Ever been shortlisted for a position, only to be told you were unsuccessful? It can be discouraging stuff that can affect confidence and the motivation and will to keep moving forward. But believe it or not there can be a small glimmer of hope in the delivery of bad news! Recruitment Managers and potential employers are often on the lookout for credible candidates who have the potential to become future employees. How you receive the “bad news” could make all the difference. Maintain your composure, request feedback, and keep an open mind. Demonstrating professionalism in trying circumstances can impress and you could be earmarked for future roles or even recommended for positions outside the immediate business.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 30, 2012 22:43
Did you know that over 75% of jobs are never advertised? Networking, that is developing relationships with others in your industry; trainers, lecturers and colleagues can be a useful launching point for finding you next position.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 25, 2012 21:20
Volunteer work can be a great way of building your profile, confidence and skill. Whether you are just starting out in the job market or are you are returning to it, volunteer work can help to build your image in the mind of a potential employer. It shows initiative, motivation and commitment. Attributes any employer would be seeking in their business.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 24, 2012 22:22
Do you have skills that can cross several different industries? The ability to communicate clearly in both written and oral form, the ability to critically analyse and synthesise information, to solve problems and work in a team and the skill of working independently are all important to any employer and you should demonstrate your ability in these areas in your resume.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on August 27, 2011 11:00
There are different dictionary definitions for 'job' and 'career'. Interesting way to look at the differences between the two. Which would you rather use to label what you do for a living?
JOB
1. a piece of work, especially a specific task done as part of the routine of one's occupation or for an agreed price
CAREER
1. an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework
2. a person's progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking
3. success in a profession or occupation
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Rebecca Stewart posted on June 02, 2011 08:06
Should you include your date of birth on your resume? When contemplating whether or not to share your birthday with complete strangers consider the following; does my date of birth assist me to do my job? In some countries to include date of birth is an acceptable practice, but in Australia, it is generally an unwritten rule that date of birth should be left well and truly off. There are recruiters out there who will have preconceived ideas about age - whether they discriminate about the older or the younger generation. If you are willing to offer up this information, you have made their job to cull your application a lot easier. You will never know why. You can only guess. You will be told there were better candidates. No one is going to admit they discriminated against you. Bottom line; focus on the skills and attributes you have to offer - not your birthday!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on May 30, 2011 10:08
The average person will live through 4,200 Mondays in their lifetime! Are you one of those people who suffer from Monday-itis or the Monday Blues? Just why is Monday the most universally hated day of the week? In the modern world, Monday is widely accepted as the beginning of the working week, hence, the reason it is so disliked. However, if you love your job, are excited about your career, then Monday should not be of concern. If you find you are on of the masses who despises the thought of waking up and going to work on Monday morning, then this may well signify that a change in your life is required. It is time to take action. Do something different. Follow your dreams. Pursue your passion. Start today!
Check out this clip ‘Manic Monday’ by the Bangles – released in 1984
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZgLcK5LzI
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Rebecca Stewart posted on May 01, 2011 18:58
In Australia, 1st May (commonly known as May Day) signifies the commencement of the eight hour working day which was brought about by a union movement in Melbourne during the 1800’s. Yes, that’s right, all the way back in the early 1800’s workers from various trades recognised the impact their work life was having on their well-being and they took a strong stance in their belief that all workers should have a reasonable work/life balance. They campaigned for 8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation and 8 hours of rest and were successful in establishing the eight hour working day and a just wage in all occupations. May Day now holds significant value to the work conditions we have in place in today’s modern world.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on April 29, 2011 00:57
One sure way to get rejected in a job application is to greet recruiters with a ridiculous voice mail message, or better yet, no voicemail at all. If you were serious about the job you would replace your intergalactic voicemail with an upbeat and professional greeting. Your quirky voice mail message may be all fun and games between friends and family, but when looking for a job, you are wasting the recruiter’s time - one sure way to land in the ‘NO’ pile. Remember, you haven’t got the job yet!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on April 28, 2011 00:22
Referees. It seems like such a basic component of your resume, but there is much to consider when selecting your referees. Referees are an essential component of your job search but not the only component. They go hand in hand with the presentation of your resume, the qualifications and skills you have to offer and your performance at interview. They are merely a piece of the puzzle the recruiter needs in order to make a decision about you. Referees are vital. If they don’t check out, then you don’t check in (for the new job that is).
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Rebecca Stewart posted on April 15, 2011 00:34
Today, our office received a call from a new client who had insisted that her resume be shortened. From what length? We asked. Her reply was that it was currently three pages and she didn't believe anybody in their right mind would read three pages. This is a common misconception. Just like a good book cover or a creative CD case, if it looks great, it will catch the attention of the intended audience. Something which looks interesting will generate interest. It is not the length which matters so much, it is presentation first, content second. These are equally important aspects of a resume, however, this is generally the order in which a recruiter will cull and sort through a pile of resumes. You have to deliver what they are looking for and make it sound interesting. On the other hand, a 10 page resume could be stretching things a little!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on April 14, 2011 11:23
If you are a career Mum or Dad, then why do you hesitate in placing this very important career move on your resume? If it's relevant and helps to explain a gap in paid employment, then why not include it? Many parents treat their job at home as a serious career move and are deserving in boasting about their choice. Anyone, who has done it, knows it is not an easy task to manage the lives of many while keeping a house clean and tidy and fully stocked. It is the role of 'Home Manager' which helps to create great memories and build skills and abilities. Write down what you do, because you are going to need it when you write your CV/resume! After all curriculum vitae means ‘A summary of one’s life’.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on March 25, 2011 08:36
Finding a job that fits in with your family life can be difficult. There are many considerations such as; the cost of childcare, proximity to home, wages and a job that matches your skill set. Many Mums and Dads tell us they have trouble finding the perfect job, but when there are so many barriers to employment, beggars can’t be choosers. So why not volunteer your services for free with a smaller organisation? Small business owners usually cannot afford to hire staff and your no-strings-attached assistance could lead to a job offer in the future. Better yet, being back in the workforce will give you current workplace experience, with skills and abilities to add to your resume. You could also ask for a reference which will support you in your search for that dream job.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on March 15, 2011 01:30
Well, Monday is just around the corner! Do you feel a touch of Monday-itis coming on? What does that tell you? Time to plan to achieve a change? Or time to change to get the best of your time?
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Rebecca Stewart posted on March 08, 2011 01:30
The average job seeker will secure employment after approximately 8 weeks of intensive searching. So how much is that worth to you? The average Australian employee is worth approximately $55K pa. This equates to $1,057 per week! Therefore just 8 weeks out of the workforce can end up costing you over $8,400! Compare this to the cost of our services and our proven track record and it's a worthwhile investment!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on March 01, 2011 03:00
Did you know it is actually a dismissible offence to lie on a job application or during a job interview? Lying or exaggerating the truth is definitely a NO GO ZONE! Don’t get carried away. Stay true to yourself or run the risk of destroying your reputation in the process of pursuing your dream.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on February 22, 2011 03:00
Do you have the skills, experience and relevant training to achieve career success, but a nagging voice constantly whispers you are not worthy? Career coaching can assist in removing those self-limiting and mind crippling barriers.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on February 14, 2011 03:00
Do you love your career? ... Nurture it? ... Pay attention to it? ... Spend money on it? ... Do you make sure it is constantly blossoming? In much the same way we treat our Valentine to a special treat to ensure they don’t go away, we must ensure we treat our careers. If not, you run the risk of waking one day to find your career has left you behind. Think about it!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on February 08, 2011 03:00
The ‘age factor’ for the mature age job seeker is often perceived as a barrier to employment. When in fact many employers love to hire candidates from the older generation – they are more stable, do not come with many of the disruptions and commitments in life a budding family will face, have a positive outlook and bring maturity and experience you cannot buy. Put a negative connotation on it and it will be perceived as negative! If you are a mature age candidate – use your age to your advantage!!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on February 03, 2011 20:21
There is a major difference between having a career and having a job. A job gives the impression of something which is a chore. A career is something you should commit to, dedicate time towards developing and have a passion for! Ask yourself if you have a job or a career.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 25, 2011 03:00
When seeing spelling errors, typos and poor formatting in a resume, it will create a negative impression. No matter how well suited you are for the job (even if it is one that doesn’t require a high level of written skill), it is unlikely that any potential employer would continue reading on.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 18, 2011 03:00
Your resume is your opportunity to brag about all your accomplishments and experience. Yes, brag! If you write your resume effectively the recruiter will conclude that your background would be a great fit for the position being filled. Your phone will ring!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 11, 2011 03:00
Did you know the average recruiter will spend less than 30 seconds looking over your resume? When faced with hundreds of resumes, they will only look at the most highly presented, skimming over the content looking for a match. It is essential to treat your resume as a marketing tool and not just a typed document. All the more reason for a professional makeover on paper!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on January 04, 2011 03:00
Did you know? .... Many thousands of jobs are not even advertised! Try something different.....why not approach businesses who are not currently advertising. The 'door knock' approach has produced jobs for many of our clients!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 28, 2010 03:00
Did you know that the Government application process is often scored to determine the most suitable candidate? If your written application does not score well enough, you will not be invited to interview. Yes that’s right. If you are putting forward well crafted applications but do not get a response, this could be why. If you don’t understand this process, you could be missing out on great career opportunities.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 20, 2010 03:00
The job interview is undoubtedly the most important aspect of the selection process. It is doubtful and unusual to get a job without one. Your aim is to convince the interviewers that you’re the best person for the job. If you have been successful in gaining an interview then you should take pride in the fact that your written application has been competitive, however it must be followed by a competitive interviewing style. Your inability to be competitive could impede on your success in securing the job.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 14, 2010 03:00
An interview is not just about your answers to the questions and getting them right. It is about how you answer; your tone, your body language and your ability to engage with the interviewers. The interviewer will be looking for comprehensive answers that include real-life examples. They will look at your dress, your grooming and your personal hygiene. They will look for someone with confidence and the ability to speak clearly and listen well, someone who has an understanding of the job and who is motivated and enthusiastic.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 09, 2010 08:01
The best person for the job does not always get the job! It can often be the person with the best written application and interviewing style. Many of the most suited candidates will actually miss out because they did not put forward the best resume or did not perform well at interview. Therefore, your entire job hunting strategy should be in ship shape condition to ensure you beat your competition. This means polishing up your resume, investing in some grooming tips and refining your interview skills.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 07, 2010 08:05
Our company is aptly name 'Career Origin'. The dictionary definition of 'Career' is a path through life or history; chosen profession or occupation or one's professional achievements...........and 'Origin' is the point at which something comes into existence or the beginning of something. See, our name is not just a name, it is very fitting for the professional services and support we provide to our valued clients.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on December 06, 2010 21:14
A career is the sum total of paid and unpaid work, learning and life experiences you undertake throughout your life. The term ‘career’ was traditionally associated with paid employment and referred to a single occupation, as it was literally expected that a job (one job) would be a job for life. In today’s world the term ‘career’ is seen as a continuous process of learning and development, especially given that most people will move on after five years with one employer (on average). As you gain more experience from your world and undertake a variety of life experiences, you’re building your unique career path.
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Rebecca Stewart posted on November 29, 2010 18:37
A cover letter is rarely read! Recruiters will often glance at or skim over a cover letter! Then why does Career Origin encourage the use of cover letters? And why do recruiters request one if they don't intend to read it? Commonly it is a request to gauge whether you can follow instructions! And it is expected to be short introduction. We are not saying don't use cover letters! Just be aware what purpose they serve!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on November 22, 2010 10:56
When applying for jobs via email, add that email to your address book. It will dramatically decrease the chances of any response going to your junk or spam folder, ensuring you get responses to your long sought after job application!
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Rebecca Stewart posted on November 12, 2010 21:16
A resume is not the only tool to winning you the job of your dreams! The whole package is often what secures a role! It is the way you present your cover letter and resume, the follow up phone calls you make (pre and post interview), your performance at interview, your presentation, and finally, but most importantly, the way you sell yourself to the employer....selling your personal agenda. In other words -Why do you want this job? What are you going to do for the company? Why should I invest the time and money in hiring you? Remember, a job offer is not a favour, it is a privilege. And any business owner wants to know how you can make a difference to their life. Remember, it's your career!
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