July 06 Newsletter

Tip Top Temp

Outstanding performance from our temps doesn’t go unnoticed. We truly appreciate their efforts and therefore would like to acknowledge the great work they are doing for us.
Our June Temp of the Month award goes to Lisa Woodhouse. Lisa is currently working at The Pharmacy Guild where they have promoted Lisa and have said she is “the best temp they have ever had” – well done Lisa!

Lisa receives a $100 voucher from the store of her choice.

It’s all about keeping in touch

You should always let your referees know when you are going for a new job. Not only is it courteous to do so, but it also gives you an opportunity to prime your referee about the job you are going for. You want to make sure they have a clear memory of who you are. You don't want your referee to sound surprised, vague or irritated when a potential employer telephones him or her to start asking questions about you.

When you are after a role, leave no stone unturned. Don't provide a list of referees and just hope for the best. It could be a couple of years since you have spoken to this person so you need a brief conversation at the very least.

First up, make sure your referee is still contactable on the number once provided. Many reference checkers do not want to call a mobile phone number, as the person could be anyone. Going through a company switchboard is the preferred option as the reference checker can verify the referee's name and title before speaking to him or her. Even if you have the referee's direct line and permission to provide it to a potential employer or recruitment consultant, still list the company switchboard number.

You should also make sure your referee is not about to go on holiday. Not knowing this detail makes you look sloppy and just irritates the reference checker when they call up only to find out the person is away. It could even cost you the job.

Finally brief your referees. Tell each person what you have been doing since you worked for them or with them. Tell your referees about the role you're going for and how your work history with them is relevant to this new job. Don't instruct your referee on what to say. However, remind your referee, if need be, of awards, projects and special achievements you earned while you worked with them. You worked hard for such recognition so don't be shy. You are really doing everyone a favour by being thorough, so go for it.

Keep a track of your referees

When you're in a job, keeping track of your referees isn't a priority. However, when the time comes to move on, losing touch proves cause for regret.
Most people can't ask their current manager for a reference so they must rely on past managers.
For those who haven't yet lost touch with your referees, my advice is "don't". Ask your referee to let you know if he or she is moving on. However, it's more than likely your referee will be too busy to think about such things so you need to call or email every six months just to "touch base" as they say.

Don't rely on written references. These days most companies don't accept written references preferring a list of referees and their contact details so they can make their own inquiries.

It's perfectly acceptable to say to your referee that you are just keeping your resume up-to-date and checking as to their willingness to remain a referee as well as their preferred contact details.

If you've lost touch, make every effort to find the person. If they have moved on from their company, ask if he or she left a forwarding address. If you know where the person lives, look them up in the phone book and phone the person. If you feel awkward about that, then write to the person. Writing a letter is less intrusive and gives the person time to phone you or email you - or even ignore you - sorry, just a little reality check.

If you know your referee is a member of a professional association or club, write to him or her care of that organisation. Be sure and mention something like, "I remember you were an active member of the such and such association, so I hope you don't mind me writing to you this way." Also explain why your need to contact them is so important.

Plugging referee gaps

So whom can you approach to vouch for you?
Here are some possibilities.
Someone who has worked for you. This person can talk about what you are like as a manager, if you are organised, driven, fair and so on.

Suppliers

These people can confirm that you worked for a particular company in a specific role. A supplier could also talk about your professional style.

Clients

A good referee because a client can talk about the things most companies hold dear such as customer service skills, reliability, whether you kept promises, were prompt with replies to queries and proactive about solving problems.

A current colleague

A co-worker can confirm your claims re position and responsibilities.

Voluntary work

This includes school groups if you are a parent, community greening groups, sports clubs and so on. Anywhere where you had to jump in and get to work. Remember too, that even if you cannot find your former boss, if the company still exist then the HR Department can at least confirm your dates of employment, the position you held and the duties you performed.

Article from: Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au

Important changes to Traveller Visa Rules

New working visa conditions effective from July 1 mean that travellers will finally be able to work in the same job for more than 3 months, and up to 6. Travellers granted this visa can;

stay up to 12 months
leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid
work in Australia for up to 6 months with each employer
study or train for up to 4 months.

Travellers who applied for a visa before July 1 can

undertake study or training for up to 3 months
work for up to 6 months with each employer.

This visa will have a condition limiting work with each employer to 3 months however, all visa holders have been granted permission to work for up to 6 months with each employer.

For further information and some good tips on visa applications, visit Live in Australia.

What’s going on with that Beaumont lot?

We bid a fond farewell to the delightful Anita. She is off to Italy to discover her roots and get in touch with that ‘Mambo Italiano flavour’ she has been craving for so long. We know she will have a fabulous time and we will be waiting patiently for the first in a series of tacky postcards we have been promised.

We would also like to welcome the newest member of the Beaumont team – Peter Farrow! Peter joins our Banking and Finance division as its newest consultant. You can be sure to expect big things from this promising young lad!

On a more serious note, a longstanding member of the Beaumont team passed away earlier this month - our beloved Siamese fighting fish Bob has gone to big fishbowl in the sky. After two and a half years of delighting all who graced his presence his number was up and may he rest in peace.

Joke of the month

Job Performance quotes

These are supposed actual quotes taken from some employee performance evaluations;

1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."

2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."

3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be."

4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."

5. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."

6. "He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle."

7. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

8. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."

9. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."

10. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better.."

11. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."

12. "A gross ignoramus--144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."

13. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."

14. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."

15. "He's been working with glue too much."

16. "He would argue with a signpost."

17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."

18. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."

19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."

20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on."

21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection."

22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."

23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."

24. "He's got two brains, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."

25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."

26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."

27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."

28. "It's hard to believe he beat off 1,000,000 other sperm."

29. "One neuron short of a synapse."

30. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."

31. "Takes him 2 hours to watch '60-minutes'."

32. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."

Quote of the month

Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets; then can come the best of benedictions - 'If I had my life to live over, I'd do it all the same.'

Joan McIntosh