Free Resume Advice For Job Seekers

Well-Run Concepts conducted research to quantify what is needed to be an effective Salesperson. A comprehensive, validated, step-by-step process called the Trimetrix^TM system was utilised to determine what is needed for top performance. The data revealed the top 7 attributes:

1. Results Orientation:

Maintaining focus on goals; Identifying and acting on removing potential obstacles to successful goal attainment; Implementing thorough and effective plans and applying appropriate resources to produce desired results; Following through on all commitments to achieve results.

2. Influencing Others:

Effectively impacting others’ actions; gaining commitment from others to achieve desired results; Analysing other’s opinions and leading them to understand and willingly accept desired alternatives; Persuading others in a positive manner.

3. Self Management:

Independently pursuing business objectives in an organised and efficient manner; Prioritising activities as necessary to meet job responsibilities; Maintaining required level of activity toward achieving goals without direct supervision; Minimising work flow disruptions and time wasters to complete high quality work within a specified time frame.

4. Goal Achievement:

Establishing goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable; Identifying and implementing required plans and milestones to achieve specific business goals; Initiating activity toward goals without unnecessary delay; Staying on target to complete goals regardless of obstacles or adverse circumstances.

5. Interpersonal Skills:

Initiating and developing business relationships in positive ways; Successfully working with a wide range of people at varying levels of organisations; Communicating with others in ways that are clear, considerate and understandable; Demonstrating ease in relating with a diverse range of people of varying backgrounds, ages, experience and education levels.

6. Problem Solving:

Analysing all data relative to a problem; Dividing complex issues into simpler components in order to achieve clarity; Selecting the best options available to solve specific problems; Applying all relevant resources to implement suitable solutions.

7. Decision Making:

Analysing data necessary for decision making; Making decisions in a timely manner impacting strategic outcomes appropriately and effectively; Demonstrating ability to make unpopular and difficult decisions when necessary.

I’m here to help market you!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone

Solid interpersonal skills are essential in the workplace. If you cannot connect with the people around you, your professional life will suffer. Interpersonal skills include empathy, listening, mediating, negotiating and persuading. Here are some helpful tips for improving your interpersonal skills:

1. Smile often and maintain a positive cheerful attitude; be friendly and upbeat.

2. Appreciate and pay attention to others by praising people around you and providing encouragement and positive feedback.

3. Listen attentively to others to show that you have heard them and understand their point of view.

4. Facilitate a collaborative working environment by encouraging others to work together.

5. Resolve conflicts as they arise; take a leadership role and learn how to be an effective mediator

6. Communicate clearly by paying attention to what and how you relay information; clear and effective communication avoids misunderstandings.

7. Use humour as an effective tool to establish rapport in situations and to gain people’s affection.

8. Be empathetic and show that you understand how the other person feels; view situations and what other people are saying from their perspective.

9. Do not complain or whine in the workplace as it will not be viewed favourably; verbalise your frustrations to family and friends outside of work.

I’m here to help market you!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone

We all lack motivation on occasion, particularly when we dislike or feel overwhelmed by a task at hand. But there are procrastinators who habitually immerse themselves in busy work to avoid tasks that must be done. Procrastination basically means avoiding doing tasks which need to be done, sometimes doing them at the last minute or sometimes never doing them at all. The psychological price we pay ranges from minor self-guilt and irritation to intense anxiety and self-disgust. Habitual procrastination, however, keeps some people from working to their potential. Sometimes you can identify why you lack motivation at work, whether it’s the project or situation that you dislike. However, if a specific cause cannot be pinpointed then most likely psychological issues are involved.

There are 3 key reasons as to why individuals lack motivation and procrastinate:

1. Fear of failure – this is the most prevalent reason. These individuals usually avoid important projects and busy themselves with routine and familiar tasks; have trouble concentrating and voice all kinds of excuses; overestimate the difficulties involved or underestimate their own abilities to resolve them.

2. Perfectionism – tasks are put off because these individuals fear failure. In contrast to failure-fearers, they set exceedingly high standards and overambitious goals, and attempt to do everything perfectly, regardless of its importance. Perfectionists cannot set priorities or determine which tasks require minimum or maximum effort.

3. Fear of success – success-fearers welcome challenging assignments but as soon as they have made any significant progress, they feel compelled to check themselves and cast about for ways of postponing additional work.

How can we beat procrastination at work? The following are some useful methods and techniques you can follow, and by just applying a few of these will assist in releasing your energies for action.

1. Delay gratification: M. Scott Peck’s book ‘The Road Less Traveled’ (one of the books I have recommended you read in my previous blog under the Motivational Tips category) will provide you with invaluable insight into the why, how and what to do with this technique.

2. Identify action steps: Successful execution of a project or task begins with a series of specific actions: undertaking research, collecting information, writing letters or memos, calling or seeing people, assigning responsibilities, holding meetings, reading reports, and so forth. First step is to list as many specific tasks as you can. Second, organise the tasks and establish an action sequence. Third, set deadlines for tasks and draw up a master list which is a continuous, single listing of everything that must be done. The tasks are then transferred each day to your daily list of things to do. Importantly, breaking the project into feasible units and taking it in small doses lessens the drudgery.

3. Build mini completions: Starting a project or task that cannot be completed for weeks or months can be exceedingly difficult. Motivate yourself to make a beginning and provide the necessary gratification by establishing interim completion points. Think of several easy instant tasks that can be done in a few minutes and the build on that. After several mini-task sessions, you will know about how much time the project will take. This helps you schedule enough blocks of time to complete it before the deadline and then concentrate on the larger tasks.

4. Divide large tasks: This means choosing tasks that will fill the time available. For example, if you have a three-hour time slot, tackle one big task rather than several smaller jobs.

5. Delegate: When faced with a routine or unpleasant task, look at assigning the project or parts of it to another team member or subordinate. Alternatively, you may look out outsourcing the task and hiring someone outside of the organisation to complete it.

6. Reward yourself: It is very important that you provide your own positive reinforcement. Give yourself a treat when you have completed the job, something you find enjoyable or makes you feel good. Importantly, this reward does not have to be big or even cost money.

In summary, first, admit you have some fears and anxieties (psychological research has shown that a mild degree of anxiety is normal and can actually lead to better performance). Second, act on it and face your fears with concentration and time management. Third, identify your strong points and set goals and priorities which will assist in developing a ‘can do’ attitude. Finally, take the initiative to change your work environment if it causes distractions. Remember, a few changes in your attitude and work habits will make a dramatic difference in the way you perform your work.

Beat procrastination and get motivated!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone

What percentage of the Australian working population do you think are satisfied with their jobs? Here’s what the latest figures show provided by CMyPeople/Galaxy Research in 2008.

1. Working Australians totaling 2.2 million are generally dissatisfied in their chosen job, career or profession. Now, I don’t need to tell you that this is a huge chunk of the Australian working population.

2. More than half of Australian workers did not plan their careers but instead fell into them. This most likely is a leading factor toward general dissatisfaction in one’s job career or profession, hence the statistics in the previous point.

3. Almost two-thirds of the Australian workforce are considering a new job or career. Power to these individuals, it is never too late to make a change! You just have to look at the amount of mature-age individuals attending university degrees. When I was undertaking my Psychology degree a few years back, the mature aged individuals outnumbered those fresh out of high school. In fact, it was not unusual to see students aged well over 45 years of age and I witnessed this across other programs including the Arts, Education and Business just to name a few.

4. Australian workers totaling 75% complain of being pigeonholed by employers because of their present jobs. To ensure that this does not continue, work on developing your resume to show transferability of skills and diversity. I’ll be devoting an entire blog in the next week or so covering this particular area in depth.

5. Of the 25% of Australian workers who actively plan their careers or professions, over 80% were satisfied with their current jobs. For those of you who are dissatisfied, it may be a worthwhile investment in seeking the services of a business which offers specialised career and competency assessment tools. These tools are an objective (and scientifically validated) guide and may help to steer you in the right direction; and provide you with the motivation and desire to embrace change and to simply go for it. Remember to look at change as a positive; you never know the fruits that lie ahead especially when embracing something new.

I’m here to help market you in the best possible way!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone

On March the 6th and 7th 2009, Brisbane will be hosting a major career expo focusing primarily on mature-aged individuals over the age of 35 considering a career change. Featured exhibitors will include the Brisbane City Council, Woolworths, CareerOne, the Australian Taxation Office, Defence Force Recruiting, Flight Centre and Bunnings. In light of current economic conditions, statistics have shown that the skills shortage will remain unchanged over the long term. Moreover, the ABS has revealed that by 2016, more than 80% of labour force growth will be among workers over 45. The onus is now on employers to target this group in order to fill roles when the shortage returns.

This would be a great opportunity for those of you considering a career change.

Cheers,

Annie Cerone

There are numerous books focused on job search strategies and techniques on the market today. To make your life easier, here’s my pick of several of the best job search books around (most of which I’ve read), and all are very affordable:

‘What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career Changers’ by Richard Nelson Bolles. This book is updated and revised annually and was first published in 1970! The 2009 version is now available for purchase. If you want to save some money, I recommend buying the previous (2008) version or even a version prior to this. Importantly, this book comes highly recommended by a University Professor who specialises in business and recruitment and lectures throughout Queensland Universities.

‘Knock ‘Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seeker’s Handbook’ by Martin Yate

‘Career Coward’s Guide to Job Searching: Sensible Strategies for Overcoming Job Search Fears’ by Katy, Piotrowski

‘Ultimate Job Search Book’ by Lynn Williams

‘Tell Your Story, Win the Job: The Best Kept Secret to Job Search Success’ by Fred Coon

‘The Complete Job Search Book for College Students’ by Richard Walsh

Enjoy the reading!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone