October 09 Newsletter

Temp of the month

This month our Temp of the Month honour goes to Frances Tate! We have been working with Fran since April this year, she has completed numerous assignments for us and has done an outstanding job for us each and every time. Fran’s current employer has informed us that Fran is doing an ‘admirable job’. Fran has also received the following praise, "Fran has a great personality, is reliable and fun to work with… I am safe in the knowledge that she can handle anything that comes her way. Fran demonstrates real dedication to the job". Such fantastic feedback, thanks for doing such an amazing job!

A special mention must also go to Ben Searle-Barnes, who "takes on new tasks with ease and uses his initiative. He always follows up on his work and ensures that his customers are satisfied with the service provided". Not only this but Ben meets all of his targets! Thanks Ben, we really appreciate all of your efforts.

bye

Bye Georgia, Hello Laura

The temp Chatswood team would like to say a big ‘Welcome’ to Laura Robertson!

We have been lucky enough to find Laura who has joined the team to oversee Georgia’s clients and candidates while she is on maternity leave. Laura comes from a solid temp recruitment background and is looking forward to getting her feet under the table!

We’ll be sad to see Georgia head off on maternity leave, but she’ll be back early next year, and watch this space to see news of the latest Beaumont Baby!

tops

Top Interview Tips

An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. However, there are certain rules and conventions to follow in interviews. Here's a checklist of the main do's and don'ts.
What to do:

Dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound.
Find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes.
Get your outfit ready the night before.
Find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare.
Examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you.
Prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses.
Make about three or four points in each answer.
Quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough.
Take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think.
Sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences.
Prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!
When discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this.
Get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not.
Turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention.
Keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you.

What not to do:

Don't be late!
Don't swear or use slang words.
Don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested.
Don't smoke.
Don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer may dismiss you if they find out.
Don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there will be other opportunities!
Don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident.
Don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations.
Don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted.
Don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip.
Don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

These rules apply for most jobs. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. If you're in any doubt, do some research on typical interview technique in your line of work.

Above all, preparation is the key to performing well in interviews. Research the role and organisation, and prepare evidence and examples of your skills and competencies.
Good Luck

pos

Positive Self Esteem Development In The Workplace

You may think you don’t need positive self-esteem development, after all, you could be fairly confident of your work, you have the necessary skills and you know have a clear sense of purpose. However, you may experience a temporary setback every now and then, so if you ever feel you have a need for positive self-esteem development in the workplace, here are some steps you can use:

1. Understand Your Own Competency
Do you have the necessary skills to complete the task given? Obviously, if you do not, you will feel incompetent and hence your self-esteem will take a beating. Once you understand your own skills set, you can begin to take the necessary steps to learn the required skill.
It will also allow you to open up a discussion between you and your manager regarding training opportunities. Of course, this is a long-term measure. For short term, perhaps you can request for a more senior colleague to shadow you on the task at hand. That way, you get practical lessons and feel more confident about completing the task.

2. Be Aware Of Your Worthiness
A sense of worthiness isn’t just about the capability of feeling good about yourself. In fact, it has to do with feelings like finding relevance in things that foster personal growth and making the commitment to these goals that gives you a sense of satisfaction. Find meaning in the goals you work on and how it will benefit you as a person.

3. Set Realistic Goals
Once you understand the above, the next step in positive self-esteem development in the workplace is to set realistic goals. Begin by developing a plan based on clear appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses. Then set realistic goals based on that. That will give you a clear sense of direction and where to focus your energy and effort. Setting goals is only part of the equation. The next important step is to act upon the plan. Nothing is achieved until you put your plan in action.

4. Commit Via Discipline
A Chinese saying goes, “For the person with will, there are no impossible tasks in this world.” With the will to improve, make sure you commit to achieving your realistic goals via discipline. You will achieve the goals as long as you are committed to making your plan work. When you achieve those goals, your self-esteem will naturally rise. This will set you on the path of positive self-esteem development in the workplace.

5. Freedom To Fail
What if you fail? Allow yourself the freedom to fail. No one great achiever has been successful one hundred percent of the time in all their endeavors. Failure allows you to learn where you went wrong. It is an opportunity to be better at what you do. Be thankful for failures as they increase the chances of success as we work on our plans.

Look at it from another angle, failure allows you to bounce back. That in itself is a way of positive self-esteem development. When you bounce back from failures, your self-esteem rises.

Failure also allows you to experience your true sense of competence. That is a crucial step in positive self-esteem development in the workplace.

oct

Whats on!

A brilliant month of entertainment, enjoy!

The Sydney International Food Festival – 1st – 31st Oct

Darling Harbour Fiesta – 2nd to 5th Oct

Manly Jazz Festival – 3rd – 5th Oct

Sydney Harbour Island Hopping – 3rd – 25th Oct

Sydney Childrens Festival – 5th – 17th Oct

Danks Street Festival – 25th Oct

Sculptures by the Sea – 29th Oct – 15th November