How to love your job.

Studies show that out of every 5 people, 1 loves their job, 1 dislikes it and 3 are neutral.  This is unfortunate as we spend more waking hours at work, then not.  Loving your job can be hard, especially if you are bored and feel unappreciated, but here are 10 things that you can do to change your life and your job.

 

  1. CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK. If you are bored and unstimulated, making a little change can make all the difference.  Try answering the phone a different way or asking your clients a new question when you see them.

 

  1. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB. When you focus on the negative, you attract negative things, and when you focus on the positive, you get more positive things into your life.  Try making a “Gratitude List” and every day add 2-3 more things to the list.  They may be little things like the tea that you are drinking, the quiet walk to the building or your comfortable chair; or bigger things like the salary you receive or the medical aid/ provident fund that you are a member of.  Read through the list when you are having a bad day.

 

 

  1. STAY AWAY FROM THE HATERS! Every company has them- those people that see the worst in every situation, resent the boss, love to gossip and most of all, to bring everyone down with them.  If you are constantly surrounded by this negativity you will soon get the same reputation, and find it impossible to see the positive aspects of your job and the opportunities.

 

  1. LOOK FOR OPPERTUNITIES– Ask for more of what you like. Chat to your manager about your concerns and possibly volunteer to take on a new project.  If they know you are bored, they will be more likely to think of you the next time one comes up.  If you want things changed, think of possible solutions, and instead of taking grievances to them, take solutions.

 

  1. LEARN SOMETHING NEW. Most people are not actually unhappy with the company, they are just bored.  Take advantage of any courses or training your company offers, and if they don’t, set yourself a goal to learn something new or read a book that enlightens you.  We live in an age of technology that puts this all at our finger tips, and often for free.  Be proactive and help yourself!!

 

  1. IMPROVE YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS. Make friends with your co-workers and go to office socials and Christmas Parties.  Make your work station neat and inviting and add a personal touch if at all possible.

 

  1. LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE. We all have bad days or weeks, and particularly stressful times at work.  Don’t let a mistake or a challenging client ruin the whole job.  Look at the bigger picture and ask yourself, “In 6-12 months’ time will these issues matter?”  If the answer is “No”, then do your best, work through the challenge, and remind yourself that this is only a bump in an otherwise pleasant road to success.

 

  1. LOOK AT YOUR WHOLE LIFE AND YOURSELF. Is the problem your job, or is it your life, and are there any obstacles in your personal life that you can change, to make your job more enjoyable?  Are you travelling too far to work?  Do you need more support with child care?  Are you depressed and just looking for an excuse as to why you feel miserable?

 

  1. WORK HARDER. Hold yourself to a higher standard and set yourself goals- challenge yourself!  The Universe has a way of rewarding people who make a positive effort- one way or another.

 

  1. CONSIDER LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB. Sometimes, after you have gone through all the above steps, you realize that for one reason or another, it is time to move on.  Take time to think this through, and to think about what you will want in your next job, so that you will feel fulfilled.  If you go through the above steps, when you eventually go for interviews, you will be able to confidently answer questions about why you are leaving your current employment; what you are wanting, and not wanting, in your next job, and you will come through as positive and proactive.

 

Be proactive and take responsibility for your own life.  Motivation comes from within, and no one can make you happy in your job, unless you decide that you want to be happy.

 

Happiness is an inside job!  Good luck.

 

 

fall-in-love-with-your-work work-hard-for-a-job-you-love-is-passionchose-a-job-you-love

Don’t Make New Years Resolutions- rather try this!

This New Years Eve, don’t make empty resolutions, rather do something that will

make 2017 an exceptional year!

 

Every January we get an influx of job seekers looking for “New Year’s Resolution” jobs or career changes.  While we are thrilled to have their talent on our books, by March a lot of these job seekers have lost their motivation and many are content to continue along in jobs and at salaries that a few months earlier, they found less than satisfying.

Although New Year’s Resolutions are largely a waste of time, it does present the majority of people with an opportunity to evaluate their lives over the past year, and look towards the future and what they want to achieve.  The biggest problem with New Year’s Resolutions, is that firstly, people set them at the last minute, generally at a party under the influence of alcohol; and secondly, with no plan of action to make them a reality.

 

With 2-3 days left of 2016, why not schedule a few quiet moments to reflect on the past year, and what you want to achieve in 2017.  If you don’t know what you want to achieve, how will you ever achieve it?  Are you 100% happy with the way things are in your life- don’t you want more for yourself, your family and your career?

 

Here are a few steps that you can follow to ensure that you make

THE MOST EFFECTIVE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

  1. Decide.  It seems crazy, but when asked what their goals are, most job seekers go blank.  The same is probably true right now for you!  It often helps to do a mind map, and brain storm what you want out of your life under the following headings:- Success, health, personal growth, home life and love.  Once you have a bunch of ideas, you can follow the steps below of refine your goals.
  2. Write it down. Studies have shown the goals written down are more likely to be (remembered, and) achieved.  Make sure that they are specific.  It’s better to write, “I want to plant carrots, lettuce and tomato in my vegetable patch by May”, then it is to write, “I want to do some gardening.”
  3. Tell someone. The more you talk about your goals, the more easily your brain will start to believe that they are going to happen.  Choose people to tell that will support, motivate and keep you focused.  One of the huge advantages of living in the times that we do, is that you can join on line communities, such as Facebook Groups, and get this motivation and inspiration from people who have achieved what you are wanting to achieve.  A perfect example of this is the “Sleek Geek” Facebook Group which has thousands of members supporting each other in achieving better health and fitness levels.
  4. Break down bigger goals. Some of our goals can be so big, that it is hard to see them as realistic.  For someone who does not own running shoes, The Comrades Marathon is a bit of a stretch.  But breaking it down into smaller goals, suddenly makes it totally realistic!  (Research and buy running shoes.  Join a running club and comrades training group.  Download a training program.  Run a 5km race in a set time.  Run a 10km race.  Run a half marathon.  Run a marathon.  Run a set distance each week… )
  5. Plan your first step and act. Maybe your first step, is to find out what your first step should be!
  6. Keep going and don’t let little bumps in the road stop you. The journey to achieving your goal is not supposed to be perfect.  You will cheat and you will backslide.  Keep reading and re-evaluating your goals and don’t lose sight of what you have trying to achieve and why.
  7. Celebrate where you are today and the small victories. Enjoy the journey.  The more you focus on the positive, the more likely you are to stay positive!

 

2017 AFFIRMATIONS

New Year’s Goals are great, but I read a book recently that introduced me to setting an Affirmation or Mantra for the year ahead.  An affirmation is a positive statement that you repeat over and over to yourself, until your mind starts to believe it and make it a reality.  It is about re-programming the way that we think.  Here are a few steps to assist you in creating your affirmation for 2017

  1. Chose a negative though and write down the opposite positive thought. “I am so tired of being broke and always struggling financially,” becomes, “I have financial freedom and live a life of ease.”
  2. Make your affirmation as short as possible so it is easy to remember- no more than 10 words if at all possible.
  3. Start the affirmation with “I” or “My”.
  4. Write the affirmation in the present tense, “I am happy”, “I am fit”
  5. Focus on the positive only. Avoid words like “won’t”, am not”, “can’t”.
  6. Believe that it is possible.

Write your affirmation down and read it several times every day, until you know it off by heart, then repeat it silently, or aloud to yourself in the mirror, as often as possible.  Every time you feel any doubt slip into your mind, silence the doubt by repeating your affirmation and taking back control of your mind from the negative thoughts.  (Tell us your affirmation and the top ones will be brand onto coffee coasters for your desk, or a water bottle, do you have a constant reminder at your fingertips.)

 

 

Finally, LET GO OF THE PARTS OF 2016 THAT DO NOT INSPIRE THE AMAZING 2017 YOU DESERVE!

The final thing that you need to do in your 2017 New Year’s Eve preparations is to let go of all the negative aspects of 2016.  You cannot leap into the New Year, full of enthusiasm, if you are carrying the weight of all your burdens from 2016.  A lot of people like to write down all the things that they want to let go of, and burn it on New Year’s Eve.  Here are a few points to help you in letting go of certain aspects of 2016:-

  1. Make the decision to let go of your grudges, conflicts and negative experiences in 2016. They won’t leave you, until you consciously choose to let them go.  Choose happiness.  Making this decision in itself is liberating!
  2. Express your pain… and your responsibilities…. Once and for all… and then let it go. Stop dwelling on it and re-living it.  (This is where a powerful affirmation can help in stopping your mind from running away from you!)
  3. Stop being a victim and blaming others. Take responsibility for your own happiness, and your part in where you are.
  4. Focus on the present. Right now, in this minute, reading this email- you are safe, peaceful and powerful.  Let go of past hurts, so that you can enjoy all the wonderful things in this moment.
  5. Forgive others, but most especially forgive yourself. We all do and say things that we wish we could take back- it’s part of being human.  But you can’t take it back.  It’s in the past.  So focus on today, and making a better tomorrow.

 

 

How to come across positive in interviews

I know that it sounds cliché’d, but “Shew!  This year is flying!”  This weekend I noticed all the Christmas Decorations coming out in the shops, and there are only six weeks until the schools break up for the year.  I have also noticed that a lot of the candidates are coming for interviews tired and demotivated.  It’s been a busy year, the news and social media are full of negatively and drama, and it’s easy to get sucked into this negative mind-set.

 

People like positive people, and people employ people they like!  So if you want to get a job, you have to put a smile on your face, inject yourself with positivity and energy, and go out there and make it happen!  Easier said than done?

 

Every negative mood started with a single negative thought, which snowballed out of control.  The good news is that a single positive through can do the same thing!  Here are a few things that you can do to hopefully turn your mood around for your next interview.

 

Play loud music on the way to the interview. 

Make a play list of songs that make you feel alive, turn it up loud and sing along.  Dance and jump around if appropriate.  Get that blood pumping and feel alive! There is nothing like some music to lift your spirits (just make sure you turn it down when you arrive at the interview!)

 

Stay in the moment.

People tend to walk into an interview, and I am not sure if it is nerves or adrenaline, but they either jump straight into the past (more often than not, to negative work experiences); or to the future- worrying about reasons why they cannot accept the position or skills they may not have.  Just breathe.  Don’t let your mind run away.  Stay present and look for the value in the moment.

 

Smile and be friendly.

In life, you get what you give.  So if you want people to be nice to you, be nice to them.  Smile and be friendly (not over familiar), and your interviewer will have no choice but to be friendly back.  Never forget that your interviewer is a personal too.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own nerves and what is at stake, that we forget this.

 

Start a fan club

Unfortunately in life, we tend to be surrounded with too many negative people in general.  Start developing a group of friends that are positive and believe in you.  If you need an extra boost before the interview, phone one of them, and tell them the purpose of your call.  If you are going to an interview with one of our clients, give RESOURCE recruitment a call, and we will tell you exactly why we think you are amazing for the position and all the reasons that you are going to do amazingly well!

 

Turn the negatives into positives.

You need to constantly be mindful of your thoughts, can catch negative thoughts or doubts.  As soon as you do, rephrase them and repeat the positive version to yourself a few times.  For example, change “I hope this position is not as hard as the last one.” To “This is going to be such a fun, stress-free position.  I have the skills, experience and attitude to do any position I want!”

 

Don’t play the Victim!  You create your life- now take responsibility and make the most of things!

The challenges we face in life are all opportunities to learn and grow.  Without challenges you would not be looking for a new job that potentially could make your life so much better.  I interview many people who thought the end of the world had come when they were retrenched, only to realize that it was the push that they needed to get out of their comfort zone!

 

Focus on the positives in previous positions.

Ever notice how it is easier to get passionate and talk about the negative stuff?  It’s that negative thought spiralling out of control.  And before you know it, the interview is over, and all you have talked about is your miserable boss, how you get no recognition and you cannot afford to complete your studies.  If you focused on the positive, you could have told them all about how you have grown in your last position, all the amazing experience you have, your achievements, and your dreams to study further.

Be grateful

There are a million books and posts out there about gratitude, and they are all true!  At the end of the interview, thank everyone for the opportunity.  Be grateful that you got short listed for the interview.  Be grateful that you may have been asked some questions that made you think.  Be grateful for advice you may have been given.  Be grateful if it made you feel inspired.  And be grateful if you ever not successful- because something better is out there for you, and you are one step closer to finding it!

 

Be kind to yourself

Finally, be gentle with yourself.  We all blow the odd interview question or interview all together.   We all say stupid things and make mistakes.  Don’t dwell on it.  You are human.  Take the positive, and move on.

 

It’s really hard work staying positive, but it’s worth it!  Read inspiring quotes, keep a gratitude journal, surround yourself with positive people, do something new and exciting that challenges you and constantly look for the good in everyone and everything!

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Happy positive thinking!

 

 

 

Profile Pictures on CV’s

The latest trend in recruitment seems to be putting a photo of yourself on your CV.  The majority of the population hate having their photos taken, are naturally critical of themselves, and generally object to this.  I have to admit, if I was in your shoes, I would too!  But the reality is, that employers want these photos, so it may help you to understand why, and what your ideal photo should look like.

 

 

WHY PUT A PHOTO ON YOUR CV?

I cannot speak for every recruiter, and certainly I am sure that there are those people that are asking for photos for the wrong reasons.  RESOURCE recruitment does not ask for a photo when you apply for a job through us, but we take one at the interview, which we put on your CV that we will send to our clients.

We started this process a year or two ago, for internal purposes.  Many people are visual, and it helped us remember the candidate, a year or two down the line.  Clients then started requesting photos.  When they are interviewing several people in one day, it helps to look back on the CV and photo, to recall and reflect on the interviews.  Clients will also phone us three months down the line, and say, “Remember we interviewed that lady for the sales position, and she was not suitable.  Well another position has opened up, that she would be perfect for!  She was the one with the really cool afro.”  A glance at a photo, and they know they have the right person.

 

But probably the most important reason for putting a photo on your CV is that it makes your CV personal.  It makes a piece of paper, a person.  The candidates getting short listed, are the ones with pictures on their CV, it is not because of their good looks!  Last week we placed a senior bookkeeper.  All the applicants happened to be between 55 and 59 years of age.  One of the applicants did not want a photo taken for their CV (which we respect).  When the client short listed candidates for interviews, he asked to see all the candidates except the one without a photo.  When I asked him why he did not want to see her, he replied, “I don’t know.  I don’t get a good feeling about her CV.  Let’s see the others first.”

 

THE DO’S AND DON’T’S OF PROFILE PICTURES

Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when putting a profile picture on your CV.  Always remember the aim- to market yourself as a professional, not to win admirers and friends.

Blurry or Too Small

Ideally your photo should be 200 x 200 pixels or larger. Anything smaller and you’re guaranteed to end up with a fuzzy or teeny tiny image If possible chose a square head shot, as it will work with other social media accounts.

Too Close or Too Far Away

Stick with a standard head shot for your profile pic. Prospective employers won’t be able to identify you from a picture too far away.

The Group Shot

Remember, this picture is supposed to represent your professional brand – no one else’s. Don’t make recruiters guess which person you are in the photo. Use an image that shows you and only you.

The Crop

Cropping yourself out of the group shot doesn’t work either. While it may be your favorite picture, no one wants to see half of your loved one’s face or your best friend’s hair on your shoulder.

Too Serious

Opt for photos where you’re looking at the camera and smiling. You want to appear friendly and approachable.

Goofy Expressions

Remember, this image is supposed to represent your professional brand. When you look at your profile photo, does it send the same message as your resume?  This includes NO pouty lips!!

No props, baby pics and pets.

Save these cute pics with your toddler or puppy for your personal social-media channels such as Facebook or Instagram. Make sure that you are not holding alcohol or cigarettes, and that you don’t have any props in the picture indicating that you are off to do something, such as a motor bike helmet or fishing rod.  Stick to a photo of yourself for your professional profiles.

No Selfies

This is a professional photo of you.  Ask some to take it, rather that have your hand shooting out the corner of the photo.

Backgrounds Count

Before you put a photo of you in a nightclub, or most commonly a bathroom, think about the impression this makes.  Either a neutral background is good, or alternatively at your desk or in a professional setting is always good.

Dress to impress

Dress in appropriate work clothes.  No evening dresses, wedding gowns, bikini tops, topless men or sky diving suites if you want to be taken seriously.

 

It’s totally up to you if you put a picture on your CV or not, but if you are going to, make sure that like all things when looking for a new job, it markets you the way you want to be viewed by prospective employees.

 

 

How to use Job Portals to find a Job

 

Thirteen years ago when I started RESOURCE recruitment, I advertised every Sunday in the Sunday Newspaper, and the phones rang off the hook with people applying for jobs on a Monday morning.  Today, I cannot remember the last time that I placed a job advert in print media.

Now Mondays are about dealing with hundreds of email applications in our inboxes.

 

With recruitment trends taking such a rapid new course in recent years to e-recruitment and networking, I thought that I would share some information on Job Portals, how they work and a few tips on how to make them work for you!

 

What is a JOB PORTAL?

Simply put, a Job Portal is a website that job seekers can post their details (CV), and recruiters can post their vacancies and search for potential employees.  There are literally hundreds of job portals out there- some free and some charge employers to access the candidate pool.  As a Job Seeker you register your details on a Job Portal, and in most (but not all) only employment agencies that subscribe to the service can access your personal details, thus protecting you from your current employer finding your details on line.

Growth in online recruitment activities in 2015

In 2015 there was a 25% growth in the number of jobs being posted on line, and one service provider reported more than 600 000 new CV’s being posted to their site last year.  50% of the Job Seekers on these portals are reported to be between 26-35 years of age, and 20% between 18-25 years.

 

The five sectors that are highest in demand on the portals are reported to be Finance/ Account, followed by IT, Sales, Engineering and Administration.  There was a growth of over 33% in management positions being posted on websites in 2015.

 

CREATING & MAINTAINING AN ON LINE PROFILE

Like all things on the Internet and related to Social Media, it is important that you keep your profile active and up to date.  As discussed in last month’s newsletter, if you are going to do anything, do it 100%, so with this in mind:- set a goal to check your On Line Profile once a month to make sure that it is up to date.  I have also had job seekers complain that some of the portals take a long time to upload their details.  If this is the case, then use this monthly check as an opportunity to complete your profile as comprehensively as possible.

 

Here are five tips to help you get the most out of Job Portals:-

  1. Input as much information as possible.

Creating a profile is no different from creating a CV.  If the experience is not on your CV or profile, you never did it!  With portals, this is even more significant.  When a researched looks for a potential candidate for a position, they put in key words.  The Portal then searches the data base of profiles and CV’s and comes back with the most suitable applicants.  If I am looking for an Executive Secretary that has worked on SAP, arranged events and done minute taking and Dictaphone typing, I am going to search the following words, “SAP, Events, Minute Taking, Dictaphone Typing” and those people that have all these words in their application will come up as a 100% match.  If your application is incomplete, even though you are a perfect candidate, you will not come up in my search.

 

  1. Update your skills

Keep your profile up to date.  Have you changed jobs, moved hour/ areas, taken on more responsibilities?  You may be missing opportunities for these reasons.  Also, each time you update your profile, recruiters can see, and this tells them that you are an active job seeker.  Some portals offer recruiters the option that they only see candidates that have been active (created or updated their profiles) in the last six months.

 

  1. Keep it brief and to the point

As much as I want you to put as much detail as possible, remember to keep to the point, list information in point form and avoid subjective phrases like:-  “I work well within a team”; “I’m motivated”; “I have a proven track record”;  “I’m a fantastic communicator”;  “I thrive in fast-paced environments”.  This is to discuss in the interview- it won’t get you the interview.

 

  1. Attach a copy of your updated CV

One thing that I have never been able to understand in all my years in recruitment, is why do Job Seekers go to so much effort to apply for jobs…. And then use an astonishingly unprofessional CV that has been scanned through a fax machine (or are low resolution photos from a cell phone that you cannot read on a PC), with scribbled notes on it, a coffee mug stain in the corner and looks like it was kept in the bottom of someone handbag?  If you are guilty of this, I cannot stress how important it is to take a few minutes to retype your CV and save it as a PDF document.  It will be the most important thing you do in this process.  When I look at a CV, I assume that it is an indication of the applicants pride in, and quality of work, that they would produce if I employed them.

 

  1. Keep your personal information consistent with other websites

Use the same name for your Job Portal Profile that you’ve used on your LinkedIn, Twitter and any other social media platforms that you are using in your job seeking efforts.  Remember to include contact details, but not personal details.

 

WHAT JOB PORTALS DO YOU FIND THE BEST, AND WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF THIS MEANS OF FINDING A JOB?

We would love to hear from you, and share with other job seekers which Job Portals you think are the best- those that are the easiest to use and have the most vacancies.  Email us or post on our Facebook Group to share with other job seekers.  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/493969644105386/?ref=bookmarks)