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The employee's guide to office etiquette

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:09:00 +1000

Working five days a week, eight hours a day often means that we end up spending more time in the office with our work colleagues than at home. In order to peacefully work, live and play with our office family we need to follow the unspoken rules of workplace etiquette.

Etiquette guidelines are important to show your manners and respect for others to ensure a harmonious workplace. While the accepted behaviour is different at different workplaces, there are some common practices which can be applied to most.

1. Dressing the part Unless you work in Hungary where shorts are considered acceptable office attire, you should err on the side of formal for your first day of work. While Google's dress code is simply 'must wear clothes', most other companies will require you to put in a bit more effort. Dress codes will vary with the industry and business you are in and it's best to scope out your colleagues' attire before you pull out your sequinned one-piece.

University degrees pay off

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:35:00 +1000

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has recently published estimates of the return on investment (ROI) for university bachelor degrees � and the news is good for uni graduates. Despite the lost wages and expenses incurred over the time it takes to complete a 4-year bachelor degree, graduates can expect to enjoy a significant rate of return � especially female graduates. With the nature of work changing to now place greater emphasis on things like communication and relationship skills, the return for women, who tend to excel in these areas, is particularly high. For men, the rate of return for investment in a university education increased from 13.1 per cent in 1981 to 19.6 per cent in 2001, and then dropped to 15.3 per cent in 2006; over the same period, it ranged from 18.0 per cent to 17.3 per cent for women. The return on educational investment generally increases over time for both males and females.

Five hottest media and communications careers

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:41:00 +1000

If you're an ideas person with a flair for writing, you can't go past a career in communications for diversity and creative stimulation. All businesses need communications specialists, and with rapid change in every sphere due to new technology and social media growth, opportunities abound in every industry. 'The beauty of the business and communications industry is that job opportunities are endless. Skills can be transferred across different industries through roles in public affairs, corporate communications, event management and new business development,' says David McDonald, head of college for APM College of Business and Communication. In this increasingly connected world, communicators are in hot demand. Here's a look at five of the most exciting options in the world of media and communications.

Attractive women lose out on some jobs

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:19:00 +1000

It's no secret that being good-looking is a huge advantage in life. When it comes to work, studies have shown that attractive people get better jobs and better wages. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Social Psychology has demonstrated that when it comes to certain occupations, attractive women lose out and face discrimination. These occupations include research and development manager, director of finance, mechanical engineer and construction supervisor � jobs that are traditionally considered 'masculine'. For jobs like director of security, hardware salesperson, prison guard and tow truck driver, good looks have no effect whatsoever. When it comes to jobs like receptionist or secretary, on the other hand � traditionally considered 'female' roles � beautiful women have a distinct advantage.

11 top tips for effective time management

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:18:00 +1000

Time management is all about making the most effective use of your time and working smarter, not longer. It requires planning, and then sticking to the plan � and that takes discipline. According to the 80/20 rule, 80 per cent of results come from 20 per cent of effort. That means that of all the things you do, 20 per cent are vital and 80 per cent don't contribute much. Just think of how much you would achieve if you focused more effort on the 20 per cent that really matters! This is where effective time management comes in. 1. Set clear goals It's important that you know what your short-term and long-term goals are � this will enable you to differentiate between what's important and what's not. It's only when you know where you want to go and what you want to achieve that you can figure out exactly what needs to be done, and in what order. Once you are clear about your goals, you can plan and prepare a sequence of action steps to achieve them.

Job interview question and answer: Tell us about a goal that you have set yourself and worked towards, of which you feel truly proud or satisfied. What did you learn about yourself?

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:25:00 +1000

This is a question that may come up if you are applying for a graduate, internship or vacation program. It's best not to get caught out unprepared for this question, as it requires some thinking and reflecting.

Firstly, choose a goal that you have achieved or are working towards. Your goal could be from any area of your life, be it personal or work related, but try to choose one from the recent past. Having a goal that you have set and reached shows the interviewer that you have determination, drive and can finish what you set out to do.

Tell the interviewer how you have worked towards your goal, and what you did to ensure you reached it. Keep this section brief, as they are more interested in finding out what you have learnt from the process and how you will use this in your career. A great way of approaching this part of the question is by recognising the skills and strengths that you drew upon to reach your goal. There is a good chance that these qualities will match the values and qualities that the company is looking for.

Job interview question and answer: Describe a time when you have worked as part of a successful team. What do you think contributed to your team's overall success?

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:22:00 +1000

This behavioural-based interview question is quite commonly asked in the application for graduate, vacation or internship programs. The ability for a team to work together effectively is a critical factor in the smooth running of a business, whether you like it or not. Recruiters want to know that you have experience working in cohesive and successful team environments � outside of work as well as at work.

Give an example of a time you have worked in a team and your reflection of the experience. You may choose to discuss a work assignment or an extra-curricular activity. Paint the interviewer a picture by describing the scenario and the details of your team.

When you discuss your team, talk about the role that you played and the contribution you made to the team's success. You will need to find the balance between portraying yourself as doing too much and doing too little, in order to avoid the unwanted labels of slacker or control freak. Be sure to mention the qualities and strengths that you drew on to accomplish the task. Don't be afraid to mention any weaknesses you faced and how you worked through them.

Australians are stressed and overworked

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:00:00 +1000

Australians are stressed, overworked and reluctant to take holidays, according to the latest Australian Work Life Index (AWALI) report. The index measures how work affects quality of life for working Australians. The proportion of people dissatisfied with their work�life balance has increased over the last three years, with the majority of Australians reporting that work is negatively impacting on the rest of their lives, causing stress and less time for themselves, their family and friends. One quarter of full-time working women and one fifth of full-time working men feel dissatisfied with their work�life balance, and two thirds of full-time women and half of full-time men frequently feel rushed and pressed for time. Seven out of 10 working mothers report almost always feeling rushed and under pressure.

Careers that make a difference

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:42:00 +1000

If you enjoy helping people and want an interesting and varied career, have you considered community services? Choosing to work in a field that gives back to the community is a rewarding experience, satisfying not only your career goals but also your social conscience.

Community services encompass the provision of physical, social, emotional and community support, and are essential in ensuring the wellbeing and development of all community members from birth to death. Many jobs in the industry are related to care of the elderly, disabled or mentally ill.

Over the last five years the community services and health industry has been the second fastest growing industry, and is expected to take first place in the next five years. An ageing population and a trend towards de-institutionalising care and reducing lengthy hospital stays will make for plenty of opportunities in this growing sector.

Engineers: Rebels with a cause

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:43:00 +1000

Like a tall, dark and handsome stranger, engineering is often considered the mysterious outsider in the room full of Average Joes. It is one of the most misunderstood industries, with misconceptions largely surmising it to be a predominantly boy's domain where people design bridges and not much else.

With Australian Engineering Week next week, starting 1 August, we've looked back on how the tide has started to turn. Recently this wave of ignorance has been met with a tsunami of interest and activity in the industry, from both males and females, looking to remove the veil that has shrouded the industry.

Ingenious people First, it started with a competition in 2009 to find an accurate definition of the term 'engineering', won by Daniel Indyk for his single sentence that managed to sum up the entire profession. 'Engineering is the discipline of using I(E)NGINUITY combined with the known laws of science to design and create devices and systems that improve the overall quality of life for mankind.'

Dietitian/nutritionist sample resume

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:04:00 +1000

This free sample resume for a dietitian/nutritionist has an accompanying dietitian/nutritionist sample cover letter to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to health and science employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Dietitian/nutritionist sample cover letter

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:54:00 +1000

This free sample cover letter for a Dietician/nutritionist has an accompanying Dietician/nutritionist sample resume to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to Health and science employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Dietitian/nutritionist sample job advertisement

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:49:00 +1000

This sample job ad has a sample dietitian/nutritionist resume and sample dietitian/nutritionist cover letter specifically written to help you put together a winning job application.

Freelance writer sample resume

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:06:00 +1000

This free sample resume for a freelance writer has an accompanying freelance writer sample cover letter to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to media and entertainment employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Freelance writer sample cover letter

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:53:00 +1000

This free sample cover letter for a freelance writer has an accompanying freelance writer sample resume to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to media and entertainment employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Freelance writer sample job advertisement

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:46:00 +1000

This sample job advertisement has a sample freelance writer resume and sample freelance writer cover letter specifically written to help you put together a winning job application.

Massage therapist sample resume

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:24:00 +1000

This free sample resume for a massage therapist has an accompanying massage therapist sample cover letter to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to health and science employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Massage therapist sample cover letter

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:10:00 +1000

This free sample cover letter for a massage therapist has an accompanying massage therapist sample resume to help you put together a winning job application. You can write and save job-winning resumes and network them to health and science employers within your FREE online resume management account at www.idlogik.com.

Massage therapist sample job advertisement

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:41:00 +1000

This sample job ad has a sample massage therapist resume and sample massage therapist cover letter specifically written to help you put together a winning job application.

Job interview question and answer: Do you see yourself as an ethical person?

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:03:00 +1000

In an era when corporate responsibility and sustainability are becoming prominent in public consciousness, professional ethics are assuming greater importance to both employers and employees alike. Employers want ethical employees, employees want to work for ethical employers, and companies are realising that operating in an ethical manner is, in fact, good for business. Ethics encompass a person's values and moral principles and extend into every area of life. If you see yourself as an ethical person, you should be able to demonstrate that in any manner of ways. It could be through your 'green' practices, volunteer work, involvement with the RSPCA, working as a surf lifesaver, community involvement or your commitment to buying 'fair trade' products. You should explain how these practices are reflections of deeply held beliefs about what is right rather than mere token efforts. Even if you don't engage in these sorts of practices, you could simply state the importance to you of maintaining your integrity in everything you do, both at work and in your personal life. You could emphasise the importance to you of honesty and trust in your relationships, and show how you demonstrate this in your relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Job interview question and answer: Why are manhole covers round?

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:45:00 +1000

This question was made famous when Microsoft began using it as a job interview question. It is an example of a creative problem-solving question that is used to assess how a person approaches a problem with more than one possible answer, and to test their logic, common sense and ability to think through an unusual question. According to Joel Spolsky, one of Microsoft's early program managers, questions like these distinguish between people who are smart and get things done, people who are smart but don't get things done, and people who get things done but are not smart. Microsoft must have been onto something, because this type of question has been adopted by many other companies as an alternative to more traditional interview questions.

Job interview question and answer: Describe a situation where you demonstrated negotiation skills

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:29:00 +1000

The ability to negotiate is an art that is highly valued by many employers. Negotiation is about using your powers of persuasion, diplomacy and ability to come up with creative solutions and compromises to achieve, as far as possible, a win�win outcome or resolve a conflict. Think of a specific situation that required you to use your negotiation skills and describe the situation, how you approached it and what result you achieved. What you are hoping to demonstrate is an ability to be persuasive and assertive and get a positive result, while also being able to make compromises and maintain relationships. Effective negotiation requires you to be able to communicate effectively, listen, read your audience, and be flexible and diplomatic. Examples from your professional life could include the time you had to negotiate a new contract, deal with a difficult or demanding client or colleague, or close a tricky sale.

Job interview question and answer: Describe a situation where you demonstrated flexibility

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:12:00 +1000

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to different people and circumstances, and handle unforeseen events with grace. It's a valuable trait in any employee and an essential quality in certain occupations and industries, so be sure you can demonstrate it to your interviewer with concrete examples.

Are you the kind of person who easily adapts to different professional and social environments? If so, describe these environments and how you smoothly move between them. Perhaps in the past you worked as a temp and constantly changed locations, environments and cultures, working in a large insurance company one week, a government office the next and a small family-owned business the week after. Look back on your employment history and see if you can identify significant differences between your various employers while demonstrating how you thrived in each situation.

Also think about specific situations where you demonstrated flexibility. Perhaps you were managing a large project at work and had to deal with very different personalities, adapting your style and approach to get the most out of every team member, or while managing that project an unforeseen circumstance arose or your client suddenly changed their mind about something that required you to quickly change tack. Describe how you were able to swiftly accommodate the new condition while maintaining your good humour � this will show your facility for rolling with the punches and thinking on your feet without getting rattled.

Job interview question and answer: If you were a car, what type would you be?

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:50:00 +1000

If you were a car, would you be a sleek and speedy Jaguar, a solid and dependable Volvo or a practical and fuel-efficient little Smart car? Your answer to this question shouldn't be guided by car envy or the latest model featured on Top Gear, but by the requirements of the job you're applying for. If you're going for a job in a fast-paced industry where speedy thinking is paramount, then it would be wise to liken yourself to a sports car of your choice. If image matters � let's say it's a job in advertising � go for something sleek and classy, maybe a Ferrari or an Aston Martin if you want to give off a James Bond vibe. If, on the other hand, you're applying for a job where reliability will be particularly valued, then you can't go past something like a Volvo or Lexus. Just make sure the car you choose has characteristics and associations that are in keeping with the kind of job and industry you're about to enter. For example, when you think of a Volvo, innovation and 'cool' are not the first things that enter most people's minds. That may not matter if you're applying to be a tax auditor, but it may if you're applying to be the newest member of a company's social media marketing team.

University graduates: who's getting the work?

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:05:00 +1000

After spending three or more years of your life studying, you might be wondering if it was all worth it. So which uni graduates are getting the most work? The Beyond Graduation 2009 survey investigated which university qualifications most often led to full-time employment following graduation.

The survey, by Graduate Careers Australia, collected information from more than 5800 Australian university graduates who completed their studies in 2006 and found that overall, the proportion of bachelor degree graduates who are in full-time work has increased since 2006, rising from 76.9 per cent to 86.8 per cent in 2009. Male bachelor degree graduates were more likely to be in full-time employment across the board than female graduates.

Open Universities Australia Study Period 3 enrolments closing soon

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:56:00 +1000

Looking to study a few units that interest you or complete a full degree from the comfort of your home? Open Universities Australia (OUA) brings 18 leading Australian universities and other higher education providers to you. With the 13 August enrolment closing date for OUA's Study Period 3 drawing near, there is no better time to apply.

If you complete a degree through OUA, you will graduate from the university offering the course and your qualification will be identical to that awarded to an on-campus student. The units and courses offered through OUA provide a global perspective that gives graduates a competitive advantage in the marketplace that can boost their employment prospects across diverse industries.

You only have a few weeks left to enrol. OUA's Study Period 3 enrolment close 13 August (enrolling over the phone) or 15 August (enrolling online), to start studying on 30 August.

MBAs: the most bang for your educational buck

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:33:00 +1000

In an increasingly competitive labour market and one where higher educational qualifications are becoming the norm, it's important for aspiring executives to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. For anyone with high ambitions in the corporate world or who wants to run their own business, one of the best degrees you can do is an MBA (Master of Business Administration).

'In business, an MBA is probably the most useful qualification, both in terms of what it gives the individual and in terms of employers' perceptions of value-add to an employee's quality and potential,' says Stephen Scheeler, Director of Strategy and Innovation for Inchcape Australia.

Scheeler knows this from firsthand experience � his MBA enabled him to move from various jobs teaching English and running a small business to becoming a management consultant, then business development director for Lion Nathan and Westfield, before landing his present position at Inchcape.

395 aged-care nursing scholarships announced

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:54:00 +1000

Thinking about studying nursing? With 395 undergraduate aged-care nursing scholarships just announced there's no better time to consider a career in aged-care nursing.

The annual government scholarships are worth up to $5000 per semester to a maximum of $30 000. The total government spend will be over $7 million, aimed at providing practical support to Australia's future aged-care workers.

Aged-care nursing is a rapidly growing field in Australia with the oldest of the baby boomer generation now in their mid-60s.

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, announced the scholarships last week. 'If anyone is interested in a nursing career, aged care is a great part of the health system to work in and scholarships like these provide real and practical support while you study,' said Elliot.

To help build a workforce qualified to care for Australia's aging population, the government will provide many nursing scholarships over the next four years � 1580 undergraduate nursing scholarships, 1240 postgraduate scholarships and 40 practitioner scholarships.

Job interview question and answer: If you only had six months to live, what would you do with the time?

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:17:00 +1000

Despite its initial air of morbidity, this question has less to do with actually dying and more to do with your aspirations and motivations. Your answer will give the employer an insight into how you prioritise your life and what you hope to achieve. This question will also test your ability to think quickly and perform under pressure.

Rather than blurt out that you would spend your time partying it up with your friends and sunbaking in Hawaii, think about what you would want to achieve in your life, particularly in your career, and what you would like to be remembered for. This will give the employer an indication of your values, how much importance you place on your career and your family, and what ambition you have in all areas of your life.

Like many job interview questions, your answer will depend on what type of job you are going for. If you're applying for a job that requires creative thinking, then demonstrate this by having a creative answer. Talk about a variety of different things you would like to achieve in both your personal and professional life. Focusing on just your career or just your personal life will make you seem like you don't have any career-related ambitions or that you have too many.

Warning: skills shortages ahead

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:43:00 +1000

Australia's skills shortage crisis is expected to intensify in the coming months and years, resulting in major gaps in the workforce in a range of occupations and industries. This will have a significant impact on productivity and on Australia's potential for economic growth.

Skills shortages: A high risk business, a report conducted by the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and Deloitte Consulting, surveyed over 400 companies from the manufacturing, services and construction sectors. The survey found that the vast majority of companies are concerned about looming skills shortages and how they will negatively impact business. As a result, organisations are giving high priority (38.8%) or top priority (8%) to managing future shortages.

'Of particular concern is that shortages are intensifying in occupations associated with manufacturing, construction and engineering, which are pivotal to the Australian economy,' says Heather Ridout, Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group (AiG).