Linked-In, Twitter, mobile apps, RSS feeds, smart phones, tablets… The list goes on. It seems that if you’re not connected to the latest technology then you may find yourself left behind in the job market. Mobile technology has changed the way we communicate in virtually every aspect of our lives and most of us are rarely more than an arm’s length from our smart phones.
Richard Wynn, National Director for Marketing and Retail, talks about the state of the Retail market over the past 12 months and expectations for industry performance and recruitment activity for the year ahead.
Over 2011 the Retail market was a game of two halves. At the start of the year the market looked promising, with some incremental growth in retail sales and a significant rise in the number of jobs available compared to the same period in the previous year. Read more…
The festive decorations have been packed away for another year and you’ve pinned the new calendar on the wall. Now what? Are you happy to be back to the same old routine? Or are you determined to do things better this year?
Most of us find the new year is a time of reflection. It’s an ideal time to reassess career goals and an opportunity to make changes. So, what’s the best way to organise your thoughts in order to set objectives and start the year travelling in the right direction?
Phillip Guest, Regional Managing Director of Michael Page International reviews the year that was for recruitment in Australia and shares his thoughts on the employment market outlook heading into 2012, the sectors to watch and where the hot opportunities will be.
A contrast between States
The domestic employment market over 2011 was a real contrast between the resources States and the others. In Western Australia and Queensland (excluding the impact of the floods) the white collar employment market went from strength to strength and most businesses found it Read more…
When faced with an afternoon line-up of interviews to fill a vacant position in your department, how can you be sure to pick the best candidate for the role? As you meet each candidate these are probably the main questions in your mind:
-Are they capable of doing the job?
- Will the person be a good fit with others in the team?
- Will they be enthusiastic and work hard?
Managers at all levels know that when it comes to getting the best performance out of your team, the carrot is more effective than the stick – but you can only dangle the same incentive in front of your employees for so long. Even if your organisation is known for generous annual bonuses and financial rewards, good leaders know that intermittent rewards are still needed to ensure long term and consistent performance.
“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.” (Anonymous)
Motivation is easy when things are going well – when targets are being met, when clients are satisfied, work is busy but not stressful, and everyone is performing at their best. The challenge for managers and leaders is when times get a little tougher – when the budgets get tighter, resources are spread thinner and expectations seem much harder to meet.
So how can you keep yourself and your team focused and motivated to ride out the storm? Read more…
If you’ve been in the same role for a few years, you might be wondering whether you are hindering or helping your career by staying in the same position. Constant job-hopping may suggest to employers that it’s likely you’ll move on quickly, but too long in one role may raise questions around your ambition and motivation.
So how do you get the balance right?
“I refuse to accept the idea that man cannot influence the unfolding events that surround him” (Martin Luther King).
A great idea that will benefit your company can be an important stepping stone to your workplace success and career progression. But have you ever had such an idea, only to be met with resistance from your boss and co-workers? You’re not alone – getting ideas approved can be difficult. But it’s not impossible.
Understanding the art of influence – and using that influence – is key to getting what you want at work. While influence and persuasion are words that can carry negative connotations, they are also two of the most powerful tools in the workplace. Read more…
There’s little or no getting away from office politics. It exists in every organisation. For some it’s a dirty word, but for others, mastering it is essential to career advancement. The more senior you become, the smarter you need to be at handling office politics.
Like any savvy government politician, you will need to develop sound strategies to be heard by the right people and seen to be doing the right things.
If you understand how to play the game you’ll get ahead, gain respect, be well liked and valued. Now who doesn’t want that? Read more…
