Thursday, December 20, 2007
How To Make & Keep Your New Year's Resolutions
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Take Charge of Your Life
How To Become a Public Speaker (and get paid for it!)
Turbo-Charge Your Goals
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Secret to Success
It's largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
You're not finished when you're defeated, you're only finished when you quit.
The most important quality essential to success is perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
You can have a fresh start any time you choose.
Failure is not in the falling down, but in the staying down.
It's not over until it's over.
If you've got the courage to stick it out, you'll attain your goal.
Winning isn't everything, but wanting to is. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.
How To Achieve Success
Get out a shiny piece of blank paper. On that piece of paper write at the top "My Definition of Success". Write under that everything you will have achieved, everything you will possess (skills, belongings, everything) and everything that you will be when you’re a success.
Then get out another shiny piece of blank paper. At the top of this page write "Why I haven’t yet achieved success". On this page write every reason you can think of that spells out why you haven’t yet achieved your definition of success. If you’ve got nothing to write – because you’ve already achieved your idea of success – rock on! Go grab an ice cream.
For the rest of us (me included) get writing! If you’re actually going to do this exercise, don’t read further until you’ve completed writing both of these sheets. Done in one way this second sheet detailing the “Why” can be like an action plan for your life.
Examples of reasons why might be similar to these:
• I don’t read enough books
• I haven’t been associating with people who are achieving the level of success I want
• I haven’t gone out and done X
• I don’t have my goals clearly written outWhen this sheet is an action plan for your life – each one of these reasons will be items you can do, or change (if you choose to).
With this type of list – success is merely a matter of doing what’s on the list (if you’ve identified your “why” properly).
Done in another way, this sheet could turn out to be a litany of blame:
• I don’t get paid enough at work
• My parents didn’t have money when we were growing up
• I’m not tall / pretty / whatever enough
When done in this way – you’re saying that your success is determined by other people and by things you can’t change. I know for my way of thinking - I’d like to know that my personal success is determined by my actions, beliefs and associations. The books I read, the people I network with and model myself on and the choices I make determine my . I’ll let others play the blame game – but not me, what about you?
Reproduced with permission from the Kirsty Dunphey weekly email. To subscribe to Kirsty Dunphey's weekly email, go to www.kirstydunphey.com
How To Find The Ideal Company To Work For
We continually hear about “hiring the right people” for roles. People are an employers’ best asset”. This is definitely true from an employer prospective, but as an employee – how do you know the organisation is the right company for you?
Best practices in recruitment and selection when hiring staff have been around for a long time. No doubt we have all been through that dreaded interview where we have been asked the questions about our long term goals, where we see ourselves within the company, what we hope to achieve, etc. etc.
However, what should you, as an employee be looking for and what questions should you be asking of a potential employer?
Often we can be and are seduced into believing the company has loads to offer and it’s usually not just a good salary package. With unemployment statistics showing there is almost a 0% unemployment rate in the skilled market, companies are doing whatever they can to hire staff.
Today’s workforce is made up of permanent, casual, contract and self employed workers. Not everyone wants to be a permanent employee – probably because the days of having job security have long gone. The days of being able to choose what suits you are now available to us.
Some areas you need to consider include asking yourself and researching – is this an employer of choice, or is it company of mediocrity that touts they are an employer of choice? Questions you need to ask should possibly include:
- What are the company’s development and training processes
- How can they demonstrate to you their workplace culture and environment
- Is their Management style and structure what you want to work with
- Are the hours flexible to suit your family needs and lifestyle
- What are the company’s perceived values and ethics
- Are there other benefits as well as a salary package such as child care, healthcare, gym, share schemes, paid maternity leave, discount cards
- What reputation and prestige does the Brand have – is it a Brand you want to be associated with Do you believe in the company and/or its products
- Can working from home be an option
Are these things going to sway your decision making process? Is your value system similar to that of the company you are looking to work with? How does the company motivate their staff, what are their expectations of you? Are they expecting you to micro manage people or perhaps be micro managed? What are the company’s views on authority and how much authority will you have in your role? How comfortable do you feel with the person you will be reporting to?
Often the interview process involves a number of meetings. The person you will be working for or with, are they someone you would like to work with – how do you feel about them? Sometimes this will mean spending more than the usual one hour interview with that person to get to know them. Then go with “your gut feel” – it is usually right. Christine Watson
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Get Ahead: Lead the Field When Searching & Applying for a New Job
The most important thing you must have before commencing your job search is a resume. A prospective employer will decide from this document whether to meet with you or not. So there are a some do’s and dont’s to remember when developing your resume.
Your name and contact details (mobile phone number and email address) must be clearly shown at the top of the resume. I am aware that some recruitment companies ask you to leave your contact details out. How can they (recruitment companies) or an employer contact you if they don’t know how? I suspect this is to avoid a potential employer contacting you direct if you are going through an agency – thereby the employer tries to avoid paying a search fee to the agency.
Your email address should be a professional address such as your name and the service provider eg billwilson@yahoo.com.au. Don’t forget this document is selling you! First impressions are important. Its not just about how we look and behave when we meed someone. With the advent of technology our manners, values and education all come through the way we word a resume.
Keep the layout simple and avoid going into great detail about each of your roles. If you have not worked before and this is your first resume, concentrate on your sporting and/or scholastic achievements.
For those of us who have been in the workforce for a while, start off with an overview of your career. A list of your competencies, plus your strengths and the benefits you can bring to a future employer must be stated in a short paragraph. Be factual in what you say. Using words that sound “fluffy” will possibly mean your resume may not be considered. For example to state “I am a hard worker and know that I will do my best for the organisation” doesn’t actually say anything about what you will and can do for the organisation. Clearly state what it is you can do and include your education levels – list them out, where you went and the level/s achieved plus any professional memberships eg CPA, JP.
Your employment history must be accurate. Some organisations now utilise full time search companies to confirm your work history and qualifications. Show the name of the company, with a brief description of the organisation. Describe your positions within each organisation – stating the time you were there, the position you held and a list of key responsibilities. Don’t make this long winded - point form is much easier to read and will give your prospective employer a good idea of your capabilities. At the end of each role, list your achievements, ie awards for outstanding customer service, sales person of the year, etc.
Do not put the names and contact details of your referees at the bottom of your resume. Due to the privacy legislation, potential employers and/or recruitment agents must obtain your permission to speak to your referees, however by having their details at the bottom of your resume does give the person reading your resume the opportunity to contact them. State on your resume “Referees will be advised upon request”.
Remember – keep it precise and short. Employers to not have a lot of time to read pages upon pages of a resume – 2 to 3 pages is ideal.
Forward your resume with a brief letter referencing the role you are applying for, why you believe you would be suitable for the position and outline your ability to meet with them and potential start dates. Don’t forget first impressions. Have the letter and resume typed – make it look professional.
Statistically people change career direction at least 3 times in their life. Think about what it is you want right now, where it is going to take you and always look at a role where you can continue to grow from an educational level as well as personally. Our working environment has changed dramatically. Unemployment is at its lowest and companies are always looking for people with the right attitude – remember if possible and work for a company that continues to offer training and internal growth opportunities, a company that offers employees opportunities. There are a lot of them around, and it is now possible to select the right role for you, not just any role that is offered. Good luck with your job search. Christine Watson
New Year: New Career
How many of us look at the end of the year as a time to reflect on what we have done, both personally and at work and think perhaps we could have done better, perhaps we feel undervalued or perhaps we believe we did a fantastic job? Are there any areas we would like to change?
The pending new year tends to make us look at a number of personal issues. We’ve all been guilty of making new year resolutions - to lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with the kids, and we usually do all of these – usually for no more than three weeks then our life returns to our old ways of behaviour.
There are a number of questions we need to ask ourselves – is our job giving us the satisfaction we believe we deserve? Do we enjoy going to work every day? Are we working long hours for a reward that possibly does not reflect what we do? Has the role affected our family/work life balance?
This time of reflection can open a number of issues for us and it is not always reflected by the dollars. We need a lifestyle balance that is not driven by the almighty dollar. We certainly need to earn enough to keep food on our table and life, however, we spend so much of our time at work, - it’s important to enjoy it.
Statistics show that 37% percent of us work overtime for no extra pay. Therefore it makes sense to be in a role that we are happy in and enjoy going to work each day. For some, finding the right role can be a challenge and often it takes working for more than one employer to find this balance.
When seeking a new role, do a checklist of what you want and are willing to sacrifice. Promises of what we seek within a role can and made to you, often do not come to fruition. When applying for a new role, ensure it is a two way interview. Make sure the role you are applying for is a role you want, not just a role where the employer wants to hire you.
The days of security in the workforce have long gone. Typically a person stays no longer than 5- 7 years in one company and the days of spending a working lifetime within one company and being rewarded a gold watch at retirement have long gone.
Look at what the role is offering you and more importantly, is the company giving you the recognition you deserve. If it ticks most of the boxes on your checklist, then it is probably the right role. Just remember, this time of year gives us time to reflect on what we have been doing – do you checklist to ensure a change in your role is what you are really seeking. Christine Watson
hired
Marquette Turner Consulting offers an advisory and consulting service to individuals and businesses alike, and our personal attention to each client is second to none.
With a a huge array of industries catered for, we look forward to assisting you to enter a new, satisfying and exciting phase of your life.
Monday, October 15, 2007
FIRE SAFETY UNIT SUPERVISOR/ TECHNICAL INSTALLER - Facilities Management Industry
As part of this new division, you will be required to manage compliance surveys, quality assurance audits, data analysis and maintenance of OH&S in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards. In addition, you will be comfortable in the development of new business, which will include the preparation of quotations. Your previous experience will include the inspecting, testing and repairing of portable fire services equipment and supervisory experience of staff would be an advantage, although not necessary.
You continue to keep abreast of all relevant changes to the Standards within the industry, have an excellent customer service ethic and enjoy the challenge of being a part of a strong growth industry.
To apply for this position in the strictest confidence, please forward your details to christine@marquetteturner.com.au or call on 0414 352 680
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK - Facilities Management Industry
Providing administrative and clerical support to the Accounts Payable Department, you will assist with the work overflow and support to the company directors and senior management.
More specifically the role will include receiving and verifying invoices and requisitions for goods and services, entering unmatched invoices into the register, general office administration, and the coordination of receipting and placement for orders.
Ideally you have a minimum of 2-3 years experience in similar role, preferably within the trades industry. Your computer experience will include Outlook, Word and Excel as well as Pinnacle, JIWA or similar. Your data entry speeds will be above 8,000 keystrokes.
To apply for this position, in confidence, please forward your resume to christine@marquetteturner.com.au or call on 0414 352 680
RECEPTIONIST - Facilities Management Industry
To be successful in this role, your first class customer service skills are a must. Your previous experience in a front desk position is a requirement, together with a strong knowledge of MS Office. Although not necessary, a clean driver’s licence would be an advantage.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you role will involve daily assistance to the Operations Division.
Based in Silverwater, this is a great position for someone looking to return to the work force. There will be many opportunities for the right to use this role as a stepping stone to move within the facilities management arena.
To apply for this position, in confidence, please forward your resume to christine@marquetteturner.com.au or call on 0414 352 680
Job No. 1 – 15th October 2007