Category: Career

Career Change, Job Search, Career Transition, Employment Market

Tell Me About Yourself (Developing a Networking Pitch)

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Interview, Networking

speech-bubble-people-talking

One of my goals this year is to build more local relationships and connections through networking.  Networking can come to some people naturally, but for others it can be daunting.  I would rate myself in the middle whereby I like to be social, yet it takes some self-talk and planning to get me out to market my business.

I plan my networking activity by listing who I’d like to connect with and how will I go about it.  Whether I’m cold calling on recruitment firms, attending a community event, or inviting people on LinkedIn for a coffee meeting, at some point a face to face discussion will need to take place.  Here’s where more planning needs to be done – preparing what to say.

Continue reading “Tell Me About Yourself (Developing a Networking Pitch)” →

Last Minute Interview Checklist

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Interview

checklistYour hard work in preparing an awesome job application has paid off and you are called up for an interview.  You know you can do the job, and are feeling confident about discussing what skills and experience you can bring to the role and the organisation.  Now, how do you keep your nerves in check in the lead up, to avoid that feeling of forgetting something?

Take a deep breath and get these details in order, then you’ll be stepping into the interview with an air of confidence:

  • Double check the time, date and location
  • Try on your interview outfit to make sure it’s clean, pressed and appropriate
  • Know who will be interviewing you and their role in the business
  • Prepare meaningful questions to ask the interviewer(s)
  • Research the company’s website to enable you to understand the business, such as services, locations, who’s who, core values and vision Continue reading “Last Minute Interview Checklist” →

Backing Yourself

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Personal Development

Confident RoosterWhen I was assessing my goals last year, a trusted advisor helped me realise that I wasn’t backing myself enough with my business.  She was right, and I thank her wholeheartedly for encouraging me to get serious, make some courageous decisions and act on them.

On reflection, my milestones for 2013 include creating a vision statement, a fresh logo and brand identity, monthly blog posts, a social media presence and a realistic marketing strategy.  The pay-offs have seen me help many local people with their job search skills plus my growing presence in the community as the person who helps job seekers achieve their career goals.

I find inspiration in the words of philosopher Henry David Thoreau: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams – live the life you’ve imagined!

My message for those looking for work or changing careers in 2014 is to never underestimate your potential, be positive in your approach and back yourself.  This will create the right energy to put you in a place to achieve what you want.  The opportunities are out there, so go for it!

Cheers, Gen

Ready, Set, Go! Let’s Get Organised

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career

Ready Set Get OrganisedSo, the countdown to Christmas is on. Typically, a busy time of year socially and in the work place where suddenly deadlines need to be met before people take holiday leave.  For job seekers it can be a time to get applications in before the quiet period starts. Here’s a tip – hopefully other job seekers are taking a break, thereby reducing the competition.

I won’t deny that I’m a list person and lately things have got a little out of hand.  We’re talking back of envelopes, whiteboard, post-it notes, notebook (Spirax, not Mac) and my iFriends ~ iPhone and iPad.  Earlier this week I even created an Excel spreadsheet thinking a weekly schedule will keep me moving forward with my business.  Unfortunately my multitude of lists has lead to a scattergun approach and some procrastination.  I was due to write this blog post two days ago!! Continue reading “Ready, Set, Go! Let’s Get Organised” →

Hitting the Target When Addressing Key Selection Criteria

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Key Selection Criteria

Targetsmall Australian Government job vacancies require applicants to submit responses to Key Selection Criteria (KSC) as part of their application process.  State and local government, community organisations and not for profits also ask for KSC responses.  Selection criteria can include skills, experience, qualifications, knowledge and attributes, and the hiring decision maker assesses your written responses to gauge level of competence or ability to perform in the role.

So how do you make sure you are on the mark when addressing Key Selection Criteria so you stand out above other applicants?  Take aim with these 5 tips: Continue reading “Hitting the Target When Addressing Key Selection Criteria” →

Servicing Your Career

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Personal Development

Now that Spring is well and truly here and the grass (and weeds) are growing faster than ever, talk turns to gardening and the perennial gripe that the mower doesn’t work properly.  Have you heard of the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”?  Just like your garden machinery your career can sometimes use a little love and attention to make sure you’re ready when a job opportunity steers your way.

1-tractor

It doesn’t matter if you are chugging along in your world of work or you’re on the hunt for a new job, tick off these three things and you’ll be ready to spring into action:

  1. Rev up your resume – Is your resume marketing you?  Does your career summary highlight your strengths and make it clear to the reader the role and industry you are targeting?  Do your achievement statements include power words such as “strengthened”, “managed” and “improved”?  Having a stand out resume ready to send off will speed up the chances of a call to interview.
  2. Pump up your network activity – In a previous post I stressed the importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships.  Every contact is important whether it’s at work, the newsagent, the cricket club or your art class.  Word of mouth is a powerful thing.
  3. Check your happiness gauge – Do you watch the clock for knock-off time and wonder whether you could be in a more fulfilling job?  The first step in kick starting a career change is self discovery.  By taking the time to assess your passions, strengths and values you can start to dream about a more fitting role and put steps in place to reach your goal.

I offer free 20 minute resume checks at our local market in Harcourt to help the community bring their resume up to speed.  How will you put the spark back into your career?

Cheers, Gen

Interview Skills – Info Management & Library Graduates

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career

Last month I was invited by Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) to speak about Interview Skills at RMIT University in Melbourne.  I was joined by Tanya Bramley – Manager of the Swanston Library at RMIT University and Hugh Rundle – Librarian at Boroondara Library Service.  The evening was most enjoyable, especially meeting participants afterwards and chatting with fellow presenters.  Our presentations were sound recorded and can be accessed via New Grads News Online.

How To Open Doors

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Networking

Handleby Genevieve Ward

The last few weeks I’ve been super busy juggling my business activities between working with clients, marketing via social media, preparing presentation slides, responding to emails and building my professional contacts.  All important and exciting stuff to keep my business moving forward and thankfully my efforts are paying off!  I’ve started working with some local people to hone their job search skills, I’m presenting to graduate librarians on interview techniques and I’ve joined a local think tank.  I attribute these recent successes to networking. Continue reading “How To Open Doors” →

What’s Great About Volunteering?

by thegoodlifecareers, posted in Career, Personal Development

by Genevieve Ward

Research shows that Australians love to volunteer.  Not surprising really when research also shows that people who volunteer have a greater sense of overall life satisfaction.

Last week I volunteered at the Melbourne Careers Expo where I gave career and resume advice to job seekers.  When I agreed to help out my motives were to do some professional development, network and promote my business.  Landing a client would be a bonus. Continue reading “What’s Great About Volunteering?” →