corestaff

Leadership - You don't always need to look to the top!

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 06:27:25 GMT

Leadership – you don’t always need to look to the top!

It would appear, now more than ever, that leadership scrutiny through a political, community or business lens is as intense as it has ever been.

The COVID19 pandemic has ensured that leaders globally, at all levels, are being judged through the impacts on community health, the bond of social contracts and the adversity of economic disruption. At more than any other time I can recall throughout my lifetime, leaders are being judged as much for what they don’t do as what they do.

Of course, judgement should always start with oneself.

Throughout the pandemic, most Australians have generally fared better than many others around the world. I am not a scientist or epidemiologist, and I expect there are health and geographic benefits to living in Australia and our relative success in dealing with COVID19. I believe our political and community leaders have strived for a unified outcome, genuinely worked collectively and collegiately and the broader population has shared in the collective responsibility of the social contract to minimise the devasting impact of COVID19.

Working in recruitment I am fortunate to gain insight into an individual’s career ambition, approach, challenges, and fear. In some regards, the conversations have remained constant pre/post COVID19 though extremes are amplified in an economic and employment environment where there is limited opportunity. For the team member who has been years without a performance and development review, let alone a salary review, concern is heightened. When employees have had to reduce pay, accept reduced working hours or be placed on unpaid leave, concern is replaced by anxiety and fear.

Who can question employee fear when leaders haven’t implemented performance, development, or salary reviews in the years prior to COVID19 and start economic rationalisation in the middle of a pandemic? It is little wonder employees are anxious and feel totally out of control of their destiny. The reality is some organisations place profit above all else and arguments can be made that they are contemptuous towards employees or have neglected their relationship to nothing more than a paycheque transaction.

It remains true that people still leave leaders rather than organisations.

At all times, employees look for their leader’s authenticity, transparency, consistency with the ability and passion to communicate across all business levels. In this pandemic, the benchmark is set a little higher – effective leadership needs to be more than cutting costs – employees are attracted to leaders who have positive and constructive internal and external communication skills. They are the brand ambassadors who clearly, readily, and consistently articulate the strategy and value of the company to employees and the market. They are personally genuinely concerned for their staff’s health and well-being and communicate directly with individuals and don’t defer this accountability to adjuncts.

Most people still need to go to work every day, and not all businesses have the leaders to drive the turnaround required, nor will all business ultimately survive this global pandemic. However, individuals need not look up for leadership. They should look firstly at themselves or across their colleagues for leadership. I am often reminded and inspired by the people I have worked with who are now leaders of their own organisations.

A couple who readily come to mind are Robert Bromage of IntelliHR and Sarah Rajic of Capital Recruit. I was fortunate to work with both early on in their careers and from my earliest memory they had a commitment to their effort, the ability to overcome obstacles, a belief in themselves, the confidence to ask questions and the resilience to overcome challenges. They are both successful entrepreneurs in today’s challenging and ever-changing human capital industry. Importantly they weren’t people I reported to; however, I find their leadership rewarding and inspiring. I watch with an active interest in their success and hope to learn from it.

If looking within yourself or your team for leadership, I recommend reading Dr Ric Charlesworth’s book ‘The Coach’. Dr Charlesworth is somewhat of a chronic underachiever – a medical doctor, a parliamentarian, an elite sports performer across multiple disciplines, a 4-time Olympic athlete and the coach of 2 Olympic Gold medal teams. However, even in his storied career, much of his innovation around team and leadership was challenged. Two of his concepts that have resonated with me are those of ‘social loafing’ and ‘a leaderful team’.

Social loafing is described by Dr Charlesworth as an attitude or behaviour which says, ‘someone else will do it’ or ‘it is someone else’s problem’. Even those who might feel marginalised in their career or not in control can demonstrate base levels of self-leadership in eliminating ‘social loafing’. What can I do, take the initiative, develop a skill, or take up a course?

The concept of ‘A Leaderful Team’ involves as many leaders as possible. In a work environment they don’t need to be a manager – encourage your peers and colleagues. Create a diversity of views and allow a greater number of people to excel in a shared high-performance environment and drive the team to greater success. Encourage all team members to be more inquisitive, more creative and value their participation and contributions. Dr Charlesworth believes this approached made individuals in the team more aware of their responsibilities and expanded the critical mass of leaders in the team who ultimately defended their 1996 Atlanta Olympics Gold medal by repeating their success in Sydney 2000.

Ideally, you will work in an organisation with a clear strategy for the future, have a leader who balances the needs of its employees and positioning the business for future growth and is authentic in everything they do. Even if you have this leadership, think about ‘social loafing’ and your role in ‘A Leaderful Team’ and take responsibility for your growth. If you work in an organisation where leadership doesn’t meet the needs of the current environment, your greatest accountability is to ensure you do all you can to position yourself for the next career challenge.

Written by David Gallagher, Manager NSW

Preparing for the Interview

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 06:21:27 GMT

When it comes to preparing for an interview, where do you start?

Being unprepared may leave you feeling anxious as you approach your interview and could demonstrate a lack of interest in the organisation and role.

Over preparing, whilst it seems like the logical thing to do, could potentially be your down-fall. A question outside of your extensive preparation may just throw you off track.

The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to behavioural-based interview questions by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

SITUATION : Describe the context of the scenario/event. Example – Working with conflicting deadlines.

TASK : Explain the task that was at hand including your responsibilities and expected outcome. Example – Two clients demanding their tasks were completed by close of business. Not enough notice was provided to action their requests within the required time frame.

ACTION : Describe the specific actions you took to complete the task. Be specific about your personal involvement/responsibilities. Example – Asked a colleague for assistance to complete the tasks. Advised both clients that for future X amount of notice is required.

RESULT : Explain the outcome. Example – The clients were appreciative their requests were actioned promptly and acknowledged future notice required.

Give this a go next time you are preparing for an important interview!

Article written by Hayley Heaton.

CV’s That Open Industry Doors

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 06:16:25 GMT

Your CV is the key to opening the door to your next opportunity. In order to open up the best opportunities, your key needs to be in good shape. You might have some amazing skills and experience that have perfectly shaped you for the next big opportunity in your career – but if you don’t craft a key that fits, that door will still remain firmly closed.

The Real Estate of Your CV

When writing your CV, you need to market yourself in the best way possible. Don’t get too hung up on the length of your CV. For CEOs and people just starting out with little experience, it should be easy to keep your CV concise, to one or two pages.

It’s the people in the middle who often get tripped up by managing what to include and leave out from their variable previous jobs. Once you’ve whittled down your list, make sure its clear why you’ve listed each role.

Information to include in each role listed on your CV:

More than the business name, include one or two lines about the organisation. This gives some context. It often doesn’t hurt to link to the business website.
What you did in the role (if this isn’t obvious to you, you might need to go back to the drawing board).
Accomplishments! For each role, identify (at least) one or two ways you were able to impart benefits through your unique contribution.
Succinctly identify a challenge you faced, your approach, and the result.

The two things to remember when styling your CV:

Put the most important or relevant information “up front” – if the hiring manager needs to go digging to find what they need to know, they’re going to lose interest.
Keep the content concise and relevant – again, the person reading your resume shouldn’t have to go digging.

Keyword Lists

It’s true that many companies are using time-saving software that scans applications for a set list of keywords. If you want your resume to be read by a person, yes, you do need to include keywords specific to the industry and the role you’re applying for. However, I can’t stress this enough: have some decorum about how you use these words! Keywords should be integrated into the body of text; a keyword list slapped at the top of your application looks lazy.

Delete These Relics of Resumes Past

Hobbies and Interests – Consider this: is a new boss really going to care if you enjoy hiking, arts and crafts, or brewing beer? If your hobby relates well to the role you’re applying for (say, if you are applying for a role that involves speaking to crowds and you have some community theatre under your belt) you should be able to mention it succinctly in your cover letter. If the employer has any more interest in what you get up to in your spare time (which yes, could possibly relate to your cultural fit), they’ll cover this at the interview stage.

Cover Letters Nowadays

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:38:39 GMT

A while ago a friend approached me and asked me a question about cover letters. He was applying for a job and knowing I work in recruitment wanted a 2nd opinion on what he had written. Naturally I gave my advice, but it got me questioning whether the cover letter is still relevant today and if so, what should its format and content look like.

To me (a recruiter) a cover letter is the old school however it is still widely requested when applying for roles. A cover letter is essentially requested to give the hiring manager an introduction to you and an insight into your current situation/availability/relevance. This should lead them to your CV, CV leads to an interview, interview to a job, job to living happily ever after. Simple.

So what information should you include and what shouldn’t you? What’s too long and what’s too short? How formal do you make it? Where to start?

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

Each cover letter should be tailored specifically to the job you are applying for. This is extremely important. Sending the same letter over and over again may speed the rate you are applying for jobs but in reality, it will be hindrance rather than a help. Copy and pasted letters are easy to spot and once spotted, will quickly make the reader question your true desire to work for that company in that role.

The advert will list the requirements of the role, taking time to align the content to this will reap rewards. Take time to research the company and its culture and explain why it appeals to you. People like to know the reasons you want to work for them. Tailoring the letter shows the reader you have taken time consider the position seriously. If you are merely “looking for a job” you will fall in with the masses.

Content

Remember a cover letter is not a CV. You do not need to give information on every bit of experience, ticket, course or qualification you have ever attained. Make sure you clearly reflect how you match the requirements of the role, but make sure it’s relevant and snappy.

Bear in mind your letter may be the 100th letter the person at the other end is reading, they will not be spending long examining it. On average a hiring manager will spend around 30 seconds looking at a cover letter. This means paragraph after paragraph won’t fly. Make sure paragraphs are bite sized. Bullet points are a good way to draw attention to your relevant skills, experience and achievements.

How formal?

This will fall in line with how you tailor your letter to the advert, company and the role. You ought to be able to get a good an idea of how formal the letter needs to be from the type of role you are applying for. You can make a fair assumption that a cover letter required of a lawyer will demand a more formal approach than that of a boilermaker for example.

If in doubt remain professional but don’t over-cook it. If your letter starts with “ Greetings kind Sir/Madam, it is with the utmost pleasure I wish to state my interest in applying blah blah blah ” it’s likely it will raise eyebrows rather than interest.

Know where it’s headed

Think about who is advertising the role. By researching the advert/company you can get a fair idea of who will be casting their eye over your letter. If it is a smaller company, it will usually be the hiring manager which means your letter will be going straight to the decision maker. Larger companies may have HR/Recruitment departments that will do the initial screening of hundreds of CVs for many different roles.

This will give you a bit of perspective of what to include and how to tailor the content. If it is a mass recruited role a short snappy letter with clear correlation of your experience and role requirements would be best. If it’s going straight to a hiring manager, you may be able to elaborate on experience and achievements.

Recruitment Company VS End Employer

I can’t speak for all but I, as a recruiter, spend little time dwelling on cover letters. The reasoning: recruiters are engaged by companies to find them people and, because they have to find people specific to their client’s requirements, they generally focus on qualifications/experience listed on the CV. Once a recruiter finds someone that could be a good match, they will undertake a phone screen and conduct their own interview before deciding if the candidate is a good fit and worth submitting to their client. This eliminates a need for a cover letter.

As an applicant bear this in mind and look to see who is advertising the role. Tailoring letter after letter to adverts listed by recruitment companies may not be time best served.

Other important points to consider:

Grammar & Spelling – Always proof read, and spell check your letter
Contact details – Include these on both your letter and CV (simple yet so often missed)
Location – if you are not located near the role explain why in the cover letter otherwise you may be dismissed very quickly
Human touch – Be yourself and convey some of your personality in the letter
CV/LinkedIn – Make sure your CV and LinkedIn profile reflects the information in the cover letter. Conflicting information can raise suspicion and doubts

Taking the above on board, a cover letter should read well and should always focus on what you have to offer the employer rather than why you want the job. Being clear and concise is a must. If you want to see some examples of how it’s NOT done there are some crackers here:

After the conversation with my friend it reiterated that entering the job market as a candidate can be daunting. It is something most aren’t familiar with. It may have been months or years since you last touched up your CV or looked at constructing a cover letter. Hopefully the above can give some insight and help.

IWD 2020 – Meet Trisha, Office Manager and Senior Recruiter for Perth

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:14:32 GMT

Meet Trisha, Office Manager / Senior Recruitment Consultant for CoreStaff Perth

Being both the Office Manager and Senior Recruitment Consultant makes for an extremely busy day with a variety of challenges to be faced. In my roles as the Office Manager, my responsibilities include ensuring that the process and procedures that are in place within the business are strictly adhered to, support and train new staff and facilitate the smooth running of all administrative aspects of the business.

In my role as a Senior Recruitment Consultant, I work closely with both candidates and clients as both are as important as each other. I gain great satisfaction in finding the right employee for my client as there is no better feeling than receiving positive feedback from both the client and the employee.

Finding the right people to fill vacancies can be a great challenge as there are not always an abundance of people who are seeking to change employment or who are looking for work.

Highlights : Winning the CoreStaff Rising Star Award for 2019 was extremely exciting for me as it was recognition for the work that I do. I’m also very excited to have the opportunity to work closely with one of our clients on a new style of recruitment that enhances the relationship between both businesses.

I can honestly say CoreStaff is the best company I have worked for and is the reason why I am still here after 8 years. The executive team are fully engaged within the business and are always demonstrating an inclusive approach. I am extremely fortunate to have a very supportive manager who has always allowed me to grow and develop within the business.

Challenges : Recruitment as a whole is, and always will be a challenging environment.

Advice : You have to put in the hard yards to achieve your best.

What Trisha’s team say about her.

Trisha is very hard working, juggling both the office manager and recruiter roles. She is a strong leader while being supportive of the team and promotes the quality CoreStaff want to be known for.

We are incredibly proud to have such incredible talent in our Group. Trisha, you are a true champion and we are very fortunate to have you working with us!

Meet Leanne, Operations Manager for CoreStaff Sydney

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:09:03 GMT

Meet Leanne, Operations Manager for CoreStaff Sydney

As the operations manager, I manage the day to day operations of the Eastern Creek CoreStaff office while supporting and mentoring the operations team. I am also a major account manager matching candidates with clients needs.

Highlights:

My team and my clients make each day a highlight. My lovely relationship with them all make coming to work enjoyable. CoreStaff provides me with the flexibility to manage work-life balance accordingly and allow me the autonomy to lead my team effectively.

Any challenges?

It can be challenging juggling all aspects of my role and managing the different personalities. No one solution works for all. Finding that perfect solution becomes the highlight.

Any advice?

Always be true to yourself. Be kind and understanding as we all have our struggles.

What Leanne’s team say about her.

Leanne is a brilliant female role model for this year’s International Women’s Day!

She is tireless in her efforts for our branch. In her ‘Operations Manager’ position for Corestaff Sydney, she is continually pushing for high standards and brings out the best not only in each individual but the team as a whole. She runs the day-to-day structure of our branch by ensuring procedures and compliance are at the forefront of what we do but also understands the practicalities involved in recruitment.

She is not only a Manager but also a teacher, a mentor and a caring, loving friend proving to put the needs and concerns of the Sydney team before her own. Her woman’s empathy encourages a family vibe for our team, showing that we can work as professionals with common goals while maintaining a warm and caring atmosphere.

We believe with this year being her 5th year with Corestaff, she has not only maintained professionalism and strived for the best possible outcome for the business but also has maintained her loving and caring nature for all welcomed into the Corestaff family. This includes not only in Sydney but across other branches too, proving Lee to be a great friend and colleague to all.

IWD 2020 – Meet Rebecca, Operations Manager for Brisbane

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:05:30 GMT

Meet Bec, Operations Manager, CoreStaff Brisbane.

As Operations Manager, I am responsible for leading our front-line teams, servicing both our QLD mining contracts & general labour-hire market. I manage our client relationships and candidate requirements while also driving our team to provide over 80 candidate submissions a week to our client base.

Highlights Working with Corestaff for almost 10 years, I have been given the opportunity to work within 3 different branches across various national mining contracts, and a broad range of local clients. I am part of a highly motivated team of other like-minded females driven to exceed targets.

Throughout my time with Corestaff I have been really lucky to travel to places I never considered I would venture, including Darwin, Mackay, Townsville, Adelaide Wineries, Mount Isa Rodeos and various mine sites, both underground and open cut.

No two days are the same within this business, the continuous development from upper management ensures our teams remain engaged.

Corestaff as a company has great energy, they recognise staff and provide an inclusive team environment.

What Bec’s team say about her.

Bec is a very supportive manager. She has the best interests of her team in mind and knows exactly what is going on in each team member’s lives. She is always professional and focused on delivering results, no challenge deters her from reaching and delivering the best for CoreStaff. Her work ethic is excellent with email replies coming through early mornings 5 am, late nights at 11 pm and any other time of the day, night, weekday or weekends. As a single mum, she also took responsibility for the night phone for more than a year to ensure a reliable point of contact for our contractors after hours.

We are very happy to have Bec as our fearless leader.

IWD 2020 – Meet Josephine, Senior Payroll Officer for CGH Group Head Office in Darwin

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:03:50 GMT

You would think that payroll is the same every week, but it never is, every day/week is a little different. I mostly look after the QLD CoreStaff payroll; however, I overlook all of the other payrolls and help manage the payroll team as much as I can. To put it briefly my role involves; setting up rates, entering timesheets, processing pays, generating/sending/uploading invoices, chasing POs, creating client reports and maintaining healthy relationships with our candidates and clients.

Highlights:

Being able to help the payroll team as much as I can, wherever I can and building relationships with members in each CoreStaff office. I also enjoy building great relationships with our clients. The work you put in becomes really rewarding.

Any advice for those looking to follow in your footsteps:

Lists!!!! Create lists/notes for everything. I have notebooks full of weekly/daily tasks, that way you won’t forget. Always ask if anyone needs a hand.

What Josephine’s team say about her.

“Hardworking female” is an understatement. She stays back after work almost every day and puts her heart and soul into her work. Her patience and understanding is that of a mother with 50 kids and deserves to be recognised. She’s an excellent teacher, mentor and friend to all. Josephine is a star at the Darwin Branch and is a great role model.

WE ARE NOW PROVIDING LABOUR HIRE AND RECRUITMENT IN SINGLETON NSW!

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:59:49 GMT

We are pretty excited to officially announce another new CoreStaff office opening in NSW. Welcome to CoreStaff Singleton, located in the Hunter Valley.

While the Hunter Valley boasts one of the best wine growing regions in the country, it is fundamentally driven around the black coal industry. With our dedicated team now established in the Hunter Valley, we look forward to providing our clients and candidates a greater reach into the Hunter Valley and surrounds.

The lovely Laura has already set up in her new digs and a number of new staff members moving in before the end of February. We can’t wait to see this new branch flourish!

Contact Laura on (02) 5504 4500 to discuss our services and opportunities in the Hunter Valley.

You will find the new office at

2/6 Castlereagh Street

Singleton NSW

Ph: (02) 5504 4500

Email: singleton@corestaff.com.au

IWD 2020 – Meet Christi, Operations Supervisor for CoreStaff Tasmania

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:59:33 GMT

Currently in my seventh year with CoreStaff (previously VMAC) I have watched our client base expand, and our Devonport team grow from a small group of three to seven.

I manage up to 140 people in the peak agriculture season for one of our large clients in a facility management role. This is different to our traditional labour hire which involves me being on site full time, running safety meetings, developing and issuing training and SOPs, timesheet collation a lot of problem solving among so much more.

I am also the return to work coordinator for North West Tasmania.

Before starting with Vmac I worked in the workshop of a male dominated industry, building and quality assessing underground machinery in the final detail section. I was a safety committee member and health and safety representative.

My other roles have been admin/customer service related. At any point where I was in between jobs, I could always be found working on a farm somewhere planting broccoli and cauliflower cutting, potato harvesting or anything else farm related.

Highlights:

Watching our small Devonport and Launceston teams grow over the past 7 years.

Any challenges?

Working with people from all over the world can be challenging. Language barriers present the greatest challenges.

Any advice?

Be prepared to do the work that you expect your employees to do! They will respect you so much more.

What Christi’s team say about her.

Christi does a fantastic job for us and is a great role model who has come up through male dominated industries.

New CoreStaff Recruitment Port Hedland Office Now Open

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:54:46 GMT

We’re excited to announce the opening of our new CoreStaff Recruitment Port Hedland office, providing our clients an extended reach into the Pilbara region.

The branch will focus on finding experienced personnel for local clients in Port Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Karratha, Broome and right across the region, while also providing a local point of contact and support for FIFO orientated clients and candidates.

At the helm will be, Rod Blakeman as Branch Manager and Amanda Guilfoyle as the office administrator. Rod has many years of experience working in service and supply industries and has been in labour hire for several years. He is commonly referred to as Mr Pilbara as he knows just about everyone, having lived in the Pilbara for the past fifteen years.

To contact the branch call 08 6000 0920 or email hedland@corestaff.com.au.

Welcome Rod and Amanda and Hello Port Hedland!

PERSONAL RESILIENCE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:53:33 GMT

Resilience in psychology is the positive capacity of people to cope with stress and adversity. COVID-19 presents as a major health, social, economic and personal challenge which will require us to demonstrate resilience at home and work. OPRA has pulled together some simple but effective strategies for you to use, share within your workforce or with your friends and family.

Visit the full document here

Resilience in Uncertain Times – OPRA Psychology

5 Critical Tips to Improve your Resume

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:51:02 GMT

Your resume is your first impression, and we all know first impressions matter. An excellent resume gives employers an idea of who you are and your suitability for the job. Here are 5 tips on how to make it count!

1 Formatting matters

Often candidates become too engrossed on making their resumes stand out that it becomes too fancy. A resume is a reflection of your professionalism, so ensure your formatting is consistently clear and your layout is appealing but most importantly, readable. Remember that content is key and ultimately, the simpler, the better.

2 Keep it Short

Recruiters can receive many applicants for one job opening, so it’s important to keep your resume at a reasonable length that makes it easy to skim read, email and scan. A one to two page resume is ideal and should be sufficient in outlining all relevant details about you. This ensures that the recruiter isn’t overwhelmed by your content yet is aware of the important information that makes you a great candidate!

3 Content is always key

Like everything else in life, the content of your resume should be quality over quantity. Good content that is informative and substantial is concise. This means keeping the information simple, relevant and functional. A good way to do this is by tracking your word count, keeping within one to two pages and including metrics and data as opposed to only text.

4 Tailor your resume

Personalising the information on your resume specifically for the recruiter will aid in standing out amongst other applicants.

This can be achieved by researching the requirements and skills desired by the recruiter. Customise your content and get that follow up interview!

5 Make it error-free

An easy way to improve is by making sure your resume is free of any grammar and spelling mistakes. You could be the best fit candidate for the job, but typos or obvious errors can make you look unqualified and unprofessional. To reduce this risk, proofread carefully or reach out to friends or family for a second opinion.

These are simple yet effective tips that will drastically improve your resume and bring you a step closer to getting that job! Now here are 6 tips on standing out in your next interview

Stand out in an interview with these six top tips

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:47:12 GMT

You’ve adapted your resume and optimised your cover letter. The phone call went great and you’ve made it: you’ve landed an interview. Interview etiquette you know, researching the company is down pat. But how do you make yourself stand out in an interview?

You might hope that your experience and knowledge is enough to set you apart, but human beings are flawed. That said, you can play on human psychology to your benefit, and hack your way to being a candidate the recruiter can’t stop thinking about.

1. Practice storytelling

It’s not just what you say that is going to matter: it’s how you say it too. Try practising your storytelling to help smooth out your question-answering skills. Listen to podcasts like The Moth or Tall Tales And True. Pre-plan answers to traits-based questions you’re likely to be asked. If you can master smooth question-answering, you’ll stand out in the candidate pool.

2. Beef up your vocab

Repeating buzzwords like ‘passionate’ is a huge turn-off to a recruiter, but trying to entirely overhaul your language mid-interview is an impossible feat. Try expanding your vocab pre-emptively. Learn new synonyms, and different ways to say the same thing. Rather than repeat a list of times you increased sales, try mentioning an improvement on returns, a record-breaking quarter, a something percent rate rise in purchases.

3. Dress for success

It’s an age-old style move to wear a distinctive colour or some costume jewellery to show a bit of personality and create topics for small talk. Psychological research has shown that humans are perceptive to these little signals. So much so, that wearing the colour red may make you appear more powerful than someone in blue.

4. Power pose to get pumped

Your body language matters and can help you stand out in an interview. It’s important to appear an engaged and interested person, what’s on the outside can also influence what’s inside. By practising power poses before an interview, you can actually trick your brain into feeling the confidence you want to give off.

5. Make an entrance

It’s good practice to be early; you want to show your punctuality. This also gives you a chance to make an impression with the front of house. An organisation’s receptionist may not have decision-making power, but they are a vital vetting tool for candidates. Make small chat and be friendly, and you may well be pinned as the candidate who is most likely to fit in at the office.

6. Follow up

If possible, try and create some breadcrumbs to an extracurricular topic; like a podcast, event or some books. This gives you a reason to follow up, and help the interviewer remember who you are. There’s something in memory called the primary-recency effect. This is where a person is more likely to remember the first and last of something. It could be things on a list, or people met in a day. It disadvantages you if you’re interviewing between other candidates. By following up, you’re helping the interviewer process their memories of you into long-term memory, where it’ll be easier to recall why you’re suitable for the role – rather than relying on their brief notes.

Check out the Jobs Page to start your success story now.

Your desk is a window to the mind: here’s what it says

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:45:51 GMT

Famed management theorist Laurence J. Peter once said that “If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?”

This quote has since been misused by many a creative to justify a messy space, but scientific research has shown that some truth may lie in the statement. Whilst an untidy desk correlates with creativity, a neat space may promote better habits.

With that in mind, we’re having a look at the different kind of desks you find in every office. No matter how many jobs you’ve had, you probably already notice some patterns. What does a desk say about your colleagues?

A jungle of plants

If they don’t cycle in, they go to the gym regularly. They have interesting water infusions and call themselves a wellness guru on Instagram. They always have a beautiful lunch, but you never feel you know the ‘real’ them.

Post-it city: the productivity guru

This is someone who Gets Stuff Done. They’re always enthusing about a new time-saving hack. They might seem boring but they have a plan. Great to chat with on their own, but they tend to flounder in team social situations.

Post-it city: the procrastinator

Hardly Kanban, more can’t be bothered. You can age their desk by the number of layers there are. Most of these post-it notes are doodles. That said, they are creative – but take their role as ‘joker’ a bit too seriously.

Totally empty and devoid of personality

In one word: boring. The blank desk gives off a whiff of someone not intending to stick around. Living the life of a temp, they roll in as they roll out. In a couple of years, you probably won’t remember their name.

Wallpapered with photos

Holidays, kids, pets… whatever they’ve posted up there, there’s a lot of it. They sometimes over-share but offer a great shoulder to cry on. As the social glue of the office, they always remember everyone else’s birthday.

Painstakingly neat

Probably self-diagnosed as “a bit OCD.” They often deliver work late as their perfectionist tendencies won’t let them send anything less than flawless. But they can be a good collaborator, as they will get the job done.

Go go gadget multi-screens

Each inch of the desk is covered in screens, wires, or bolted-on attachments. They act as an informal IT department but can get so lost in processes they forget the task at hand. Though quiet, they have a heart of gold.

The stationery castle

Whether its Typo, Milligram, kikki.K or Muji, they worship a particular brand of office supplies. Their desk is a picture-perfect tribute, which reflects their obsession with looks over the content. They excel at witty kitchen signs.

What to Wear to Your Next Job Interview?

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:39:00 GMT

Amazed a potential employer with your stellar resume and scored yourself an interview? Now it’s time to wow them with your professional appearance.

What you wear to an interview can project a self-image of skill, professionalism, competence, and experience.

Why is it Important?

Dressing appropriately signifies that you are serious about the job. It alludes that you are respectful of the interviewer’s time and are genuinely interested in the position. It can also demonstrate your capability to perform professionally, which can lead to better chances of an offer.

What to Wear

While the specifics on what you should wear to your next job interview depends on the position you are applying for, as a rule of thumb, aim to overdress rather than underdress.

Be aware of the industry and role of the opportunity. For example with blue-collar jobs, the work environment is relatively less formal than a typical corporate interview. For example, if you apply for a role in construction or transport, a suit will make you look out of place in an environment where practicality is prioritised.

If you are ever in doubt, go for a smart casual look. A long-sleeved button-up shirt paired with pants or knee length skirt. You can complete this look with clean enclosed shoes.

Take note of your personal grooming and hygiene as this indicates the effort and care you will take as an employee.

What Not to Wear

Clothing that is stained, ripped or with visible holes should not be worn to an interview. Irrespective of how formal or informal the work environment may be, you should always aim to look professional.

Avoid statement shirts with slogans, funny captions or any distracting designs that may distract or offend your interviewer. Instead, choose clothing in block colours with minimal designs.

Remember that your clothing only leaves a lasting impression if it is matched with the confidence you feel in your ability to perform and succeed in the job. Wear something practical and appropriate, but also something that makes you feel empowered and self-assured. Good luck!

CGH GROUP ACQUIRES DOWNING TEAL

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:38:29 GMT

CGH Group, one of Australia’s largest privately owned, recruitment and human resources consulting firms, is excited to announce it has entered into an agreement to acquire Downing Teal (DT), a leader in specialist mining, construction and defence recruitment, as of 1st April 2019.

Founded in 1966, Downing Teal is a leader in executive search, professional recruitment and labour hire services to the mining, construction and defence industries through its Downing Teal and DT Workforce brands.

CGH Group operates 5 specialist brands; CoreStaff, Beilby Recruitment, OPRA Psychology Group, Goal Indigenous Services and Vmac Employment Solutions. These brands provide a full suite of recruitment and HR services including labour hire and workforce management, executive search and permanent recruitment, professional contracting, and industrial/organisational psychology services from 18 locations around Australia.

This transaction adds significant value and opportunity to both businesses and a broader range of services to our clients. Over the next few months the Downing Teal business will be integrated into the broader CGH Group. A number of offices will merge into cobranded premises and new offices in Gladstone and Brisbane CBD with expand the CGH national footprint to 20.

Recognising the exceptional strength of both the Beilby and Downing Teal names, with a combined experience of over 100 years, Downing Teal and Beilby will merge to become Beilby Downing Teal. With over 50 staff in 7 offices, the new business will be one of Australia’s largest providers of executive search, professional recruitment and contracting services.

The DT Workforce business in Western Australia will merge into CoreStaff making it one of the largest providers of labour hire services in the state. As both businesses are key suppliers of labour hire to the WA mining industry, and share a number of key clients, this is a natural fit. Clients and candidates will continue to receive the high level of service they have come to expect from both CoreStaff and DT Workforce.

Mr John Downing, Managing Director and major shareholder of Downing Teal, is excited by this new opportunity. “It will provide significant career opportunities for our exceptional team and extended services to our loyal clients through the additional CGH brands and new regional reach.” Mr Downing, who has been with Downing Teal since 1971, said he looks forward to joining the CGH Group in a new Senior Executive role.

Rob Blenkinship, CEO and Co-Founder of CGH Group said he is humbled by the opportunity to partner with Downing Teal and is looking forward to working closely with Mr Downing and his great team nationally. Mr Blenkinship said the CGH Group is committed to ensuring that all Group companies continue to provide the highest standard and depth of services our clients require, now and long into the future.

IWD 2021 – Angela From Jaytex

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:35:00 GMT

Meet Angela, Project Manager, Jaytex

Angela is a project manager at Jaytex in the Northern Territory. We asked her to give us some insight into her world as a female lead in the male-dominated construction industry. How does she choose to challenge?

What are the challenges of your role:

The work requires long hours to complete works within tight time frames, always having to work within constraints, either time, resources or budgets, juggling and balancing all of those components.

How do you challenge gender bias and inequality or seek out and celebrate women’s achievements?

As a woman, I lead a project team made up of almost exclusively men (I do have project support staff that are women).

I am involved with several women’s advocacy groups and networks, developing programs to encourage and support women within the B&C industry

I support other women’s networks by attending their events

Any advice for those looking to follow in your footsteps?

Nothing comes for free, hard work is required to get where you want to go. Don’t be discouraged and take any opportunity that gets presented to you.

IWD 2019 – Meet Maxine, Multi Skilled Plant Operator

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:33:44 GMT

Meet Maxine, Multi Skilled Plant Operator at Mt Arthur Coal for Robson.

I’m a multi skilled plant operator hired to Robson through CoreStaff, Newcastle. I’m currently operating an excavator at the Tailings Dam Lift Project.

The biggest highlight for me is being able to work on the rehabilitation of open cut mine sites. I have found this to be a very interesting role.

Challenges? In this industry you can encounter daily challenges. The one that is most predominant for me is working on slopes or edges. Being trained to do this safely has boosted my confidence immensely.

Any advice for those looking to follow your footsteps? My advise to any ladies that may be interested in operating machinery (and don’t mind getting a little bit dirty) is if I can do it then you can.

CoreStaff are a very professional company and have allocated me to a position that suits me best. The company I’m currently hired to, Robson, show great appreciation for my skills on a daily basis. Its great to go home with a smile on my face.

It’s a very rewarding role.

IWD 2021 – Tuesday from CoreStaff and Goal IS

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:25:47 GMT

Meet Tuesday, Business Development Manager, CGH Group

Tuesday is our business development manager for Goal Indigenous Services and CoreStaff in the Northern Territory. She is a highly accomplished business professional who strives every day to challenge change.

Tuesday makes a massive contribution to the Territory and its people across community, business and sports. She is a committee member on numerous business and community groups including NAWIC NT , Territory Proud, SKAL NT and Young Defence Professionals and many more. In 2020 she was a finalist in the NT Young Achiever awards. Read on to see how Tuesday Challenges Change.

Brief Overview of your job.

To look for new business opportunities in a range of areas for the business as a whole and retain current relationships with current clients and contracts.

What are the challenges & highlights of your role:

Current challenges would be the skills shortage and shortage of candidates due to job seeker. Highlights are always landing those contracts that you have worked on for months and months and thought they weren’t even going to sign and then one day it just happens.

How do you challenge gender bias and inequality or seek out and celebrate women’s achievements?

By always asking for equal wages and knowing what a position and role is worth. Always asking for the same amount of money a man would receive.

Any advice for those looking to follow in your footsteps?

Be loud, been seen but always be humble.

Push hard, go to every networking event, let people know who you are even if you are not going to do business with them.

Help others and above all be kind.

IWD 2019 – Meet Tuesday, BDM CoreStaff

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:24:49 GMT

Meet Tuesday, Business Development Manager, CoreStaff Darwin.

As the BDM it’s my role to make sure our clients are getting the service they deserve and expect. On the flip side it’s also my role to go and seek new business with new clients. My day consists of lots of conversations, some easy, some hard, identifying clients staffing problems and where CoreStaff can assist.

Highlights come in many different shapes and forms in this role, but I think when our clients are winning with big projects and we have supplied amazing, quality, candidates to get the job done, then we as a company are winning.

CoreStaff has provided me with such a great job role, I have the support of an amazing team, mentorship of a great GM and any tools I need in self or skill development open to me.

I am never afraid to ask a question or for guidance.

Challenges of your role? Recruitment is not an easy sell. Trying to explain to clients why using a recruitment company can be such a great asset can be hard work and sometimes you do not see results for an extended period.

Advice for those looking to follow the same career path? BDM is not always a role that shows results straight away, building relationships takes time, it’s important to keep a goals list and record small progress that takes place alongside the big wins.

Remember people need information to make decisions. Make sure your sell is informative, identifies their problems and provides solutions.

Make sure the relationships you build are genuine and taken care of it at every step.

IWD 2021 – CS Kalgoorlie – Sisters at Sunset

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:16:13 GMT

Our Kalgoorlie Branch Manager Natasha attended the Goldfields Women’s Health Care Centre – Sisterhood at Sunset for International Women’s Day. She was inspired by what she experienced and shared with us some of her standout moments.

“There were so many wonderful speakers, including Laura Dwyer (CEO Shire of Willuna), Rowena Leslie (Director Kai Rho Contracting), Rev Dr Elizabeth Smith OAM, Sabina Shugg (Director WASM – Kalgoorlie Campus) & Dr Ann O’Neill. All speakers talked about how they #ChooseToChallenge the norm in their male-dominated industries.

Rev Dr Elizabeth Smith shared how changing simple words within her congregation from Him, Brotherhood etc to the more inclusive language of His/Her/Them has changed how her congregation look at the world. Laura Dwyer spoke about how she worked through the Male-dominated Mining industry to become the CEO of Willuna (remote Goldfields Community) because she wanted to make a difference in the community. She shared that women can do just as well as men in these industries we just have to back ourselves!

The most inspiring talk of the night was from Dr Ann O’Neill. In 1994 her life changed forever when her estranged husband attempted to take her life and succeeded in taking his life and the lives of their children. She survived and worked to challenge the normal response of people when something like this happens. She chose to not accept that she ‘did something wrong to deserve this , she chose to be the voice for herself and her children. To share her story in the hopes that it will help other people by taking that next step. If the path you are on is not happy or safe then choose another path. She said that everyone needs a hero and she chose to be her own!

It was a beautiful night with so many wonderful Goldfields Women who all showed up to support one another”

Listen Up: How To Listen More Effectively At Work

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:03:24 GMT

It’s one of the senses that we take for granted. We do it all the time, all day long. Regarded as important by employers and colleagues alike, it’s a crucial soft skill. But are we any good at it?

We’re talking, of course, about listening.

Hearing versus listening

One of the main issues facing listening is the confusion of hearing and listening. Often used as synonyms, they are as different as glancing and reading. The first is merely the receipt of information. But to understand, interpret and act on information – that requires listening.

This is important in the office as so much communication is verbal: on the phone, across the table or at the watercooler. You need to listen to know what tasks to focus on or to hear feedback. Bad listening can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. But good listening can advance your career, and put you in good standing come promotion time.

Listening takes more than ears

Stephen O’Keefe, a deaf man, gave an excellent TEDx talk on how to listen better. His three main points were to listen with your attention, your eyes, and your heart. Efficient listening is more than just taking in information. The person you’re listening to must feel heard, and understood. After all, as little as 7% of communication is the content itself. Context and cues, like the speaker’s tone, volume and body language, all play a crucial role in effective listening.

Listening well takes time and commitment. But it’s a worthwhile investment to help improve your job performance and interpersonal skills.

How to fine tune your listening skills

It can be difficult to unlearn the unhealthy habits you’ve garnered over the years – especially with something so instinctive as listening. But we’ve got some top tips to help you improve:

Eliminate Distractions:

Turn your mobile onto silent, close your laptop or turn away from any screens. If there is something that is diverting your attention, avert your eyes.

Move the Conversation:

If the environment is disturbing your attention, try to take the conversation somewhere else. Somewhere you can give the speaker your full attention.

Maintain Eye Contact:

If you’re keeping your eyes on the speaker, you’re less likely to get distracted by any external factors. And if your speaker feels they have your full attention, they’ll feel more confident. In turn. this improves their speech, making it easier to follow.

Prepare Questions:

One of the best ways to digest information is to interact with. As you listen, think of relevant questions that could help solidify what you’ve just heard. This also demonstrates that you are paying attention.

Take Notes:

If you’re in a meeting, jot down any important keywords or tasks. Or take down some quick recollections after a chat with a colleague. This helps you to focus on what they’re saying, and aids remembering.

Agree or Acknowledge at Appropriate Moments:

A nod, ‘yes’ or ‘uh-huh’ shows that you’re listening intently. In doing so you’re showing respect to your speaker, and focusing your mind on paying attention.

Practice Meditation:

The art of mindful meditation requires practice at staying focused. Brains get distracted by design, so by training yourself to keep focused in one activity will improve your ability.

With these tips, you can improve your listening skills, up your empathy and reap the rewards of being an attentive employee.

5 Inspiring Quotes To Kickstart Your Work Life This Year

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:38:13 GMT

It’s hard to channel that “new year, new me” attitude as you drag yourself back into the office after spending time off for feasting and festivities. Add to that the beautiful sunshine, mocking you as you’re tether to your desk… January is a hard month to kick off the new year in Australia.

Rather than set a resolution, why not seek inspiration? We’ve scoured the internet, books and radio shows for some rousing quotes that should get you feeling a lot more ready to kick your career up a notch for 2019.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou

One of America’s finest memoir-fiction writers, Maya Angelou had a no-nonsense upbringing: one that could impart some career wisdom. Moaning about your job, your responsibilities or your managers does nothing. If you aren’t willing to change the root cause of the issue – have you considered that your outlook is the problem? Use this thought to evaluate not only your job, but how you engage with it, too.

“I need to listen well so that I hear what is not said.” – Thuli Madonsela

Listening regularly tops the charts of skills needed for future jobs. But as Thuli Madonsela, Law professor and former Public Protector of South Africa notes, using your ears alone is not enough. To understand what someone is saying, you need to analyse – what are they not saying? Silence can be worth a thousand words.

“Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.” – Jennifer Lopez

The queen of the block J-Lo has had a meteoric career – all built on her personality. This is no mean feat in front a hypercritical press and public. So heed her advice: be confident in you. If you aren’t – take a step back. Learn who you are. As the commonly-shared phrase says: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Without firm foundations in yourself, you’ll struggle to grow – both personally and professionally.

“Each one of us matters, has a role to play and makes a difference.” – Jane Goodall

Building on from J-Lo, primatologist Jane Goodall extols the virtues of living in harmony. After all, a human is not an island. Once you’re comfortable in yourself, you need to remember to be comfortable as part of a team. Never downplay yours, or someone else’s role: a successful company runs on a whole mechanism of whirling cogs.

“Such is life.” – Ned Kelly

One of Australia’s most controversial figures, whether you love or loathe him you have to admit. Ned Kelly said it best. Through thick and thin, life is what it is. It’s a journey, and although parts and jobs and projects might get tough, they are just a stage along the way. The sooner you accept that, the easier you’ll find it to make

The Going Will Get Tough: Here’s How To Make The Most Of Sticky Situations

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:30:34 GMT

Your career, much like your personal life and relationships, isn’t always going to be smooth sailing. But going through difficult circumstances that can cause emotional reactions can seem unprofessional. Trying to react to situations as a human and with your job performance in mind is a big task. But managing sticky situations at work is achievable.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Anti-venom is made from antibodies – antibodies that can only be created by being exposed to the venom. Anti-venom can only be created after encountering the venom it is fighting against. Similarly, difficult choices are fundamental to your growth. Rather than get absorbed in the immediate issues, think about trying times as opportunities for growth. These character-building moments are crucial on your continuous journey of self-improvement.

If building was easy, we’d all be doing it – all the time

In life, it’s the challenge of getting things that gives you the motivation to do it – and fuels the satisfaction of achievements. For something to be worthwhile, there will likely be some associated costs; of time, of energy, even on your relationships.

Without the bitterness of hardship, you can’t appreciate the sweetness of success.

Weave hardships into your story

Hindsight is 20:20, so it’s easier to look back and critique your previous actions. Rather than get stuck in the moment, try and bring that clarity of mind to the situation as it unfolds. And don’t be hard on yourself in retrospect – build these trials and tribulations into your narrative. If your career was a fairy tale, think of which character-building moments were your quests; your foes to battle or perilous journeys to make.

Put your Press Relations hat on

Sometimes, sticky situations can have a fallout – a series of consequences that continue to affect you. The best way to approach these is like a PR: how can you spin this situation into a win?

A great recent example of this came on Instagram. Thrifty chef Miguel Barclay, makes meals for £1. He was surprised to see an image lifted straight from his recipe book on the website of a gourmet ready meal site. His picture of his £1 mac and cheese was being used to sell a meal that retails at £8.50. That’s a mark-up of 850%!

Rather than delete the evidence or issue a rushed apology, the company reached out to Miguel to propose they collaborate on a project – one close to his ambitions.

Try a different perspective

You live in your own head, so of course you always see things from your point of view. But so often, other people don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes of your mind. When approaching tricky situations, try and flip the way you see it. Think about the information other parties have. Is it possible they’re reacting in a certain way because they don’t actually have a full picture of the situation? That’s something you can address.

Sometimes you need to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes – other times, it pays to think about the way they’d walk in yours.

7 life hacks that will inspire change in your routine

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:25:09 GMT

As we begin to slip towards the end of the year, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit stuck. The hope and ambition of a fresh start has faded, but the reflection at the end of the year is not yet upon us. It’s the time of year when life can feel a bit sluggish, or unsatisfactory. So it’s the perfect time of year to shake things up!

It can be hard to feel refreshed if you aren’t heading off on holiday, but these 7 hacks are all free or cheap, and easy to implement. They offer an opportunity to look at your daily routine a little differently, and create the environment for inspiration to strike.

1. Try a different breakfast

Even if it’s just once a week, push the boat out. Check out the Symmetry Breakfast Instagram for some adventurous inspiration, but it need not be so complex. Swapping toast for fruit salad or cereal with scrambled eggs mixes up your routine up enough to escape the monotony of a blurry midweek morning.

2. Change up your hot drink

Similar to hack 1, try swapping your go-to desk drink. Swap your tea for a coffee, change your milky coffee to a long black, ditch a caffeinated tea for something herbal or fruity. You might even find some inspiration in the new breed of caffeine-free lattes; from chai, to turmeric or even beetroot.

3. Commute differently

Your journey to and from work is an important time for introspection, preparation and unwinding. It’s a buffer between work and life. So try mixing up your journey with an alternative route. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a different mode of transport. See how it makes you feel.

4. Start a new skill

Your brain is always changing, adapting and building new pathways. To nurture its elasticity, you want to feed it. Nourish it with education. There are so many free or cheap ways to skill up, such as Udemy or other MOOC platforms, or language-learning apps like Duolingo . Nourishing a learning habit will help you see things differently.

5. Mix up team lunch

If you don’t have a semi-regular team lunch, start one. If you do have one, try something different. Arrange to all eat together on-site, eat out at a new kind of restaurant or run a potluck and share homemade goodies. Different environments help to breathe new life into existing relationships, or encourage new ones.

6. Refresh your desk

Einstein prided himself on his messy desk as a testament to his busy mind. If you’re feeling a bit stagnant, look at the environment around you. Is it inspiring – or is it dragging you down? Rearrange your workspace, stick up some new pictures or upgrade your pot plant or decorations. Let your thinking space be a positive influence.

7. Do part of your daily routine in the opposite hand

This is a common mindfulness exercise, intended to let you live in the moment and draw your attention to the minutiae of your life. Try swapping the hand you eat or do your teeth with. This makes you notice things you may well never have noticed, like the weight of the toothbrush, the way you move your wrist or even how stand.

These hacks will have you looking at things a little bit differently – see what they inspire!

Working Around The World: 10 Laws That Will Surprise You

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:29:05 GMT

All around the world, humans are working. No matter how different our food, cultures or cities, most of us get out of bed, and do a task in exchange for money. The world of work is universal, but there are a surprising number of differenced – even in today’s connected world.

Here are 10 of the more surprising laws that govern the workplace around the world.

1. Japanese employees get to sleep in on Mondays Named

Named “ Shining Monday, ” employees are given one Monday morning off per month to do as they please. This is to curb employee overtime: a chronic problem in Japan. It’s so bad, they even have a word for death by overwork. Karoshi.

2. French workers aren’t allowed to answer emails outside office hours

This law is meant to reduce burnout, and ensure employees are paid a fair wage for fair working hours. Known as the “right to disconnect,” companies with over 50 employees must establish hours when staff shouldn’t write any emails .

3. Indonesian employees cannot lose their job unless the company ceases to exist

The number of reasons someone can be fired in Indonesia is incredibly short. And if an employee takes an unfair dismissal to court, they’re still entitled to draw a salary. The only way to terminate an employee without the hassle is if the company closes down.

4. Survivors of domestic violence are given time off to rebuild their lives in New Zealand

It should come as no surprise that a country with its third female head of state is creating empathetic legislation. New Zealand companies now must give up to 10 days paid leave to employees leaving a violent situation.

5. You cannot be fired for failing a drug or alcohol test in Minnesota, USA

… Or the first time, at least. By law, a company must let an employee who fails a drug or alcohol test to complete a treatment program before returning to work.

6. The Irish Constitution references the fact that a woman’s work is at home

Enshrined in the very constitution that Ireland is built on is the phrase that “mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.” It’s likely to be debated soon, but right now “running a home” is legally job for only women in Ireland.

7. The Living Wage in the UK is only for the over 25s

Inspired by a charity initiative of the same name, the UK government introduced a living wage : one that covers the basic cost of living. But, it only applies to those aged 25 or over. No research has shown if the under 25s have lower living costs, though.

8. In Hong Kong, you can buy your way out of a job

The hardest thing about terminating a contract is the time between the giving of notice, and the date it actually ends. To ease this, both employees and employers in Hong Kong can pay their way out of a notice period.

9. In Spain, you can get away with doing no work for a decade – and still get paid for it

One civil servant in Spain claimed a €50,000 a year salary simply by clocking in, heading out, and returning to work just in time for hometime at 4pm. He got away with it, too, for 10 years – before he got found out .

10. You don’t even have to exist to get paid a salary in Uganda

Or at least, that used to be the case. With recent crackdowns on the government payroll , nearly 6,000 of the government’s 300,000 strong were found to be ‘ghost workers’ – and promptly removed from the system.

Romantic Clichés That Could Make You Better At Your Job

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:16:28 GMT

Matters of the heart are seldom simple, but over time humans have created a language to make them a bit easier to understand. Everyone knows these romantic clichés. They’re the ones rolled out at a break up, during times of trouble or in the early days of a blossoming courtship. But what wisdom could these catchphrases offer to your career?

“Faint heart never won fair lady.”

What do all of Google’s famously happy and satisfied employees have in common? It’s not necessarily their digital skills, knowing the right people or the school they attended.

They all applied for a job at Google.

Listen to Sheryl Sandberg’s rallying advice. To get ahead at work, you have to lean in. You can’t get a job if you don’t apply for it. And you will miss every single opportunity you do not take. Be brave: go for it.

“There’s plenty more fish in the sea.”

You probably heard this first from a parent, whilst in the throes of your first heartbreak. Maybe that wasn’t your soul mate, but worry not: there are plenty more people out there. The same goes for jobs. There are an infinite number of careers and businesses out there – and more are changing or being invented all the time.

If something isn’t working, there’s plenty more out there. Try something new.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Even the most enjoyable job can become tedious at times. And that’s ok – sometimes you need a break. The human brain thrives on being stimulated. Rather than let yourself fall into despondency, take a step away. Go on holiday, try working on a different project or shaking things up. Give yourself some space to fall back in love with your job.

“You have to kiss a few frogs!”

There are plenty of questionable choices throughout any lifetime – but they lead you along a path. A bad job isn’t a waste of time – it’s a lesson, or a step in the right direction, even if it involved taking a step away from the route you were taking.

“You’ve made your bed [now lie in it]”

Though the romantic connotations are negative here, there is a lesson to be learned. All actions have consequences. So if you take a risk or gamble, you should see it through. Own the outcomes and be accountable. Even if the results are unfavourable, it’s important to show your colleagues and managers that you’re reliable and responsible.

But Not “A leopard never changes its spots.”

It’s a useful one to remember when dealing with other people; no amount of eye-rolling will curb a colleague’s annoying habits. But in your own life and career, it doesn’t have to be the case. Just because you fill a certain part – be it a certain job or social role – you are not fixed in place.

You have the freedom to change your circumstances.

6 Surprising Lessons From The Remarkable Eucalyptus

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:15:06 GMT

It’s an icon of Australia, and grows across the length and breadth of our country. Three quarters of our native forests are eucalyptus.

As a family, eucalypti vary from short shrubs in scrub, to towering giants in Tasmania. There are countless different species and varieties thriving in all manner of terrain.

It may be a plant, but the eucalyptus can teach us some very valuable lessons.

Lesson 1: Be adaptable

Most species of eucalyptus are native to Australia, save a few across the islands of New Guinea & Indonesia. But due to their determination to thrive, Eucalyptus is cultivated globally, and has become totally naturalized in the USA. Like a euclypt, you should always be ready to adapt to your situation. Be open to opportunity – even If takes you out of your comfort zone.

Lesson 2: Explore different paths and skills

The reason for the Eucalyptuses global spread is due to how many uses it can have. Its wood pulp can make paper, its oils for medicine, fuels or fragrance. Its such a thirsty tree that it acts as a swamp drainer, which can help reduce malaria infections. It’s a jack of all trades, and that’s something you should also be open to. Apply yourself widely, and see what good you can do in the world.

Lesson 3: Accept & embrace change

One of the key features of the eucalypt is how its leaf formations change during its lifetime. A junior sapling and full-grown eucalyptus of the same species may look incredibly different. But change is crucial to growth. Don’t feel guilty or wistful for the person you once were. Your experiences and environment has shaped you. Embrace the changes – and see where they take you.

Lesson 4: Shed dead weight

Each year, the eucalyptus sheds its outer layer of dead bark. If it’s a particularly dry year, it will shed branches, in order to maintain the health of the rest of the plant. This is important for long-term growth for the eucalyptus – and for you too. You can’t be everything to everyone, so focus your attention on where it matters. It’s important for succeeding in your goals – but also maintaining your health (and sanity!)

Lesson 5: Be defined by difference, united by similarity

There are well over 700 species of eucalyptus out there. But they still have some traits in common. Just like humans. There are billions of us, but we all have a lot more alike than we admit. Use your differences to showcase your skills and stand out. But let your similarities with those around you – even those you disagree with – to find common ground. Empathy and respect for others opinions is crucial if you want to be well rounded.

Lesson 6: Focus on (sustainable) growth

The eucalyptus grows fast. Adopt a similar growth mindset, and focus on the steps you’re making forward. Revisit your goals often, and be grateful for the gains you make. But do so sustainably, without crowding others out. The eucalyptus didn’t – and in growing at the expense of others in Canada it’s become a pest!