November 2008 Newsletter

Temp of the month

After a number of fabulous nominations over the past 6 months we are pleased to confirm that this month’s winner is Lorenzo Ruru! Lorenzo has worked with Beaumont Consulting for 10 and a half months as has received some amazing feedback on the way. This week was Lorenzo’s last week before being made permanent by his employer, Network Services.

This is what his manager had to say about him………

“My champion is Lorenzo Ruru. I am new to the company and immediately recognized the calibre of Lorenzo. In this short time I have bombarded him with numerous tasks, well outside of his job description. He has accepted all requests graciously and finished all on time. He has an excellent phone manner and stands out with his professionalism and willingness to ensure customer satisfaction. He is open to new ideas and eager to contribute solutions (don’t you just love solutions not problems!!) I think he is a worthy winner of the Monthly Award.”

What a lovely nomination Lorenzo, you really are a true star and we will miss you being part of our successful team. Good luck and enjoy spending you well earned vouchers.

create

Creating and maintaining positive relationships at work

The continuous demands on the job can become quite stressful and at times feel overwhelming. To be successful, productive and less stressed, you need positive and supportive relationships at work. Here are the 7 keys to help create and maintain them.

1. Be willing to listen. Good listening skills are necessary in creating good relationships with managers, colleagues, and employees. It is important to suspend your own needs and reactions in order to hear what another person is saying.

2. Promote working together. Working collaboratively is crucial to a team. Take notice of, and respond to the comments and requests of others. Each member of the team is valuable and has a role to play. If one or more team members try to be in control and view themselves as more valuable, the effectiveness of the whole team can be undermined.

3. Be respectful. Always try to be respectful. Showing respect to others, even if they are unpleasant or rude, displays a positive, strong sense of self, and earns respect.

4. Respond in a timely manner. Do a self appraisal of how timely your responses are to others. There is often a lot of time and energy wasted and unnecessary frustration simply because people don't acknowledge a message or request. Your response may affect other’s decisions or someone else's ability to complete a project. When you let someone know you’ve received their message, even if you don't have the data they require, you’ve let them know you’re not ignoring them.

5. Find a mentor. A mentor understands how decisions are made, office protocol and company culture. A mentor can answer questions and share their knowledge with you. Establishing a relationship with a mentor can help your transition into a company, a new department or a different job. In a competitive environment having a mentor can help you manage and succeed.

6. Do away with negativity. Ensure that you're not a constant complainer who rarely has a positive comment. Evaluate your behaviour, are you a boss that yells at employees in the guise of motivating them, or a person who always blames others for their problems. Also try to limit contact with such toxic influences as much as possible.

7. Surround yourself with supportive people. Both in the workplace and in your personal life people who value, support and encourage you are precious. They help you solve problems and deal with challenges. Even if asking tough questions they encourage you, and if they don't always agree with you they are still with you through times rough and smooth. Identify those people in your life that are supportive and let them know that you value them.

Look at your work place and ask yourself: What type of relationships do I want and need?

impact

Impacts on retirement plans by financial turmoil

The impact of recent stock market declines on superannuation savings is leaving many older employees uncertain about whether they can afford to retire and stop working altogether. While they are looking to their employers for practical help in preparing for retirement, many employers are failing to deliver. For employers this means facilitating financial advice and education as well as flexible working arrangements.
Recent research, which surveyed 600 employees and 150 employers, has found that more than 40% of employees aged 50 and over are unsure how much they will need in retirement, and one in four expect to delay retirement until their 70s. Nearly half of employees aged 50 and over were dissatisfied with the benefits on offer to them.

Financial advice, guidance and education were top on the list when these employees were asked how their employers could best help them prepare for retirement. While employers recognise the value of helping employees prepare for the transition to retirement, less than one in three are actually doing anything about it, and there is a lack of discussion between employees and employers on succession planning.

Older employees are looking for ways to reduce the number of hours they work while continuing to receive an income. At the same time, employers are competing for talented people in a tight labour market. But, in a tight labour market the right mix of benefits can help draw and keep talented people.

Be prepared! First impressions count!

It is well known that first impressions count, with many hiring managers (48% according to a recent survey conducted by Robert Half) forming an opinion of candidates within ten minutes of meeting them.

All too often, we see candidates who damage their chances even before they arrive for interview! Recruitment consultants usually interview many more candidates than internal hiring managers. With this in mind we thought we’d impart some advice as to how to approach interviews and what to do and what not to do. Much of it is commonsense, some of it has been covered before, but here goes:

Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself
If an interview has been arranged and you cannot make it for whatever reason: change of heart about the position, the offer an alternative role, it is common courtesy to call and advise the person you’re scheduled to meet. If you don’t it does get noted and may compromise your chances of gaining employment through that agency or employer in future.

Try to avoid being late…though also avoid being very early
Leave early and allow for delays. If you are struggling to meet the scheduled interview time, call and advise, rather than simply turning up late. If you arrive any more than 15 minutes early, grab a coffee, walk around the block, relax in the knowledge you have arrived with plenty of time to spare! We get occasional candidates who arrive up to an hour early…Yes, you may be keen, though potential employers may doubt your ability to follow simple instructions and may get annoyed as they feel pressured to see you early when they’ve other activities or interviews scheduled.

Be presentable
Come suited and booted, but even more importantly, get the basics right. It can be easy to look unkempt even in a suit. Is your hair tidy, your shirt pressed, are your shoes clean and polished?

Listen…and speak clearly and concisely
Listen to the interviewer. Most interviews are structured, and while you will be expected to do most of the talking (up to 80%) ensure you listen attentively, particularly at the start of the interview when the interviewer will provide an overview of what to expect, and sometimes, valuable tips as to what they are looking for. When answering questions, speak clearly and concisely. Take into account the communication style of the interviewer. No need to mimic them, though adjust your style accordingly.

Be happy, don’t worry!
Easier said than done, but in truth people respond more favorably to people who are positive, can smile and build rapport. Some interviews can be very formal, others more relaxed. If going through an agency, ensure you find out what the person interviewing you is like. Build rapport where possible and enjoy it! If the interviewer is conversational, keep it chatty where appropriate.

Do your homework!
An easy way to get brownie points is by demonstrating you know something about the company you are being considered for employment. We live in a time of information overload. The Internet will in most cases provide a really good overview of the company. Larger companies usually put favorable recent press releases on their website. Ensure you know your potential employer well. Use your recruitment consultant! They should be able to provide you with a clear overview of the position, how is relates and fits in within that particular area and department, and an idea as to what to expect at interview. Some agencies are better than others, so if this information is not provided, ask for it!

Ask questions
Have between three and five questions prepared. You may find some questions you had prepared are covered off by the employer in the interview any way, which is why you should have at least a couple up your sleeve. Make sure they cannot be misconstrued. There is a world of difference in asking “What’s the salary?” compared to “Can you provide me with an overview as to how my performance will be measured and how it relates to the incentive scheme you mentioned earlier?”

Get feedback
Whether successful or unsuccessful, seek feedback. Only then will you know how to improve and increase you chances next time round. Appreciate honesty, and thank them for you time in considering you for the position.

nov

Whats on in November

The Rocks Night Markets - Markets By Moonlight every Friday night in November

Glebe Music Festival - 8th - 30th November

Newtown Festival 2008 - 9th November

HarbourKeepers in the City foreshore clean up - 23rd November

Earth Festival 2008 - 29th November