May 08 Newsletter

New faces for May!

We have had a very busy April at Beaumont Consulting, and have 4 fabulous new faces to show for it! Our newest stars are:

Amanda Stapleton – Business Services – Sydney
Angelina McMenamin – Banking and Finance - Sydney
Claire Tate – Temp Division – Sydney
Kristen Paes – Team leader – Temp Division – North Shore

Have a look at their bio’s by clicking on their names.

Salary Earnings Report

Females are receiving up to $300 less then male co-workers, the salary earnings report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed.
Male employees still dominate the wage package as the ABS report reveals that full time male employees earn on average $1,212. This is more than the general full-time working Australians.
In general full time Australian workers earn on average $1,126 and part time employees make $412 per week. It has also been found that the highest paid people are 35-44 year olds and the lowest being in the 15-19 age brackets.

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Competency Based Interviewing Skills

Many people run into problems when it comes to interviewing. Nerves and lack of preparation are two major causes that ultimately result in the role being offered to your competition. With competency based interviews becoming more and more popular, here are some competencies that are frequently addressed in interviews:

Accomplishments
Adaptability/flexibility
Attention to detail
Communication
Customer service
Decision making, problem solving and judgment
Goals, values and motivation
Initiative and innovation
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Planning and organization
Pressure tolerance/energy/resilience
Supervising and developing others
Teamwork/working with others

With this in mind, think about the competencies that are most relevant to the role you are interviewing for, and then have a think about your previous experience and strengths in relation to these areas.
Come up with some examples of times when you have shown these competencies in previous positions, and keep them in mind during the interview process. You will feel much more confident if you have solid examples of the relevant competencies prepared!

2020 Summit Vision for Business

Business ideas that emerged during the 2020 summit encouraged the increase of workforce participation and better skills. The summit also discussed business themes of higher productivity and more efficient regulation.

Ideas

National survey of the Australian workforce to measure workplace contentment and create transparent competition among employers for the best staff.
‘Golden Gurus’; the return of older people to the workforce as mentors.
Allow the free movement of labour into the Australian Pacific region.
Improving business connections with both the Government and the education system.

Call Centre Funnies!

Here are some excerpts from actual call centre conversations. We thought they were quite funny!

Customer: 'I've been ringing 0800 2100 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?'
Operator:    'Where did you get that number from, sir?'
Customer:   'It was on the door to the Travel Centre'
Operator:   'Sir, they are our opening hours'.

Caller:        'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator:    'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about'.
Caller:         'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?'
Operator:    'I think you mean the telephone point on the wall'.

Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?'
Operator: 'Doesn't the product name give you a clue?'

Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland'

Fact Update!

Aussies are working longer hours! New data released from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) shows that Australians are working more than 43 hours a week. Britain follows closely by 42 hours and with the US covering less than 42 hours a week. It was also found that the Spanish work less than 41hrs and Germans barely do 40 hours a week.

Go the Aussie effort!

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What's on in Sydney?

8 March to 19 May 2008 - Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
See the 2008 winners at the Art Gallery of NSW. Price: $8.00 adults; $6.00 concession or members; $5.00 per student booked school groups

Sunday 11th May 2008 - Mothers Day Classic
The Domain and Parramatta Park
The Mothers Day Classic is a national walk or run that raises money for breast cancer research. You can participate in the 4km walk, 4km run, or 8km walk or run to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. To find out more visit http://www.mothersdayclassic.org/

Friday 16th May 2008 - Loud Shirt Day
Help raise vitally needed funds to help deaf children across Australia reach their listening, language, and speech potential so that they may integrate into their local community, school and the hearing world. To register or find out details visit http://www.loudshirtday.com.au/

19th-25th May - Sydney’s Writers Festival
Local and world talent gather together for discussions on leading literary works. For more information visit www.swf.org.au

22nd May - Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Host your own morning tea and held raise much needed funds for The Cancer Council. To find out more, visit http://www.cancer.org.au/Home.htm

Sunday 25th May - Primo Italiano 2008
To celebrate Sydney’s original Little Italy, Stanley Street, East Sydney becomes Piazza Italia, with a range of market stalls, exhibitions, music, entertainment and al fresco dining at some of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney.