WINDSOR GROUP WISDOM
Throughout November we will be sharing 18 commonly asked questions and topics raised by our Clients and Candidates and our consultants’ answers. Follow #WGWisdom for consultant insights and knowledge from 18 years of business.
(18) What makes you (Windsor) my best representative in the marketplace?
At Windsor we like to consider ourselves as partners in the process of finding employment or the right candidate. We are available to source and guide you to the opportunities that suit your best.
The best representative in the market place is in fact, you!
Starting with how you present yourself from beginning to end i.e resume tailored to the role and professionally presented to your obvious enthusiasm for the position and preparation for the interview.
We’ll partner you along this journey but it’s a team effort – welcome to the team!
(17) How important is my social media presence in relation to applying for a job?
Online personal profiles and your personal usage of social media is becoming increasingly important when you are seeking a job or a Board position. Both Consultants and Clients are beginning to do an online search on prospective employees to get a better sense of who they are. With this in mind, it is important to put your best foot forward on professional platforms like Linkedin and have a profile which reflects the information in your CV. On other platforms used for personal reasons, have a look at your privacy settings and determine what you want to be publicly available.
(16) I’ve found the perfect job. How can I find out if the company culture will suit me?
Company culture is important as it influences how people work together on a daily basis. Getting the right cultural fit is important for both employers and employees.
When you are applying for a new job, do some research on the company.
Check out their website and read the annual report to see how they talk about values and culture.
Find the company’s social media pages and get insights on staff, see what the company shares and the latest news.
Asking your contacts if they know someone who works for the Company who you can have a confidential chat with is also a good way of learning more about the culture.
Then when you attend interview, be sure to ask some questions about values and culture. Ask the interviewer what they like most about working for the company and try gauge if it sounds right for you.
(15) I’ve been informed of inappropriate behavior amongst some staff members at the Christmas party though the evidence is second hand. How do I take this up with the individuals involved?
As the employer it is your responsibility to ensure the correct conduct of your staff at any function. You may be vicariously liable for any harassment or bullying claims. It is important to get the facts.
Determine if this behaviour was noticed by just one person or if everyone is talking about it. Once you have the facts and have assessed the situation you may have to meet with the staff members in question, separately, and ask them what happened from their perspective.
Treat it as any other performance issue. Once the matter is resolved, make sure your office training is up to standard across bullying and harassment and ensure you train every 6 months.
(14) New year, new position-what should I be doing now to position myself for a new career in 2018?
Ask yourself the question why are you seeking a new career Do you want new everything, or a new job or new employer? Break up your current position into specific areas and write the pros and cons and WHY against each area. This may give you a clearer picture as to your reasons and may open an opportunity to speak with your manager to progress within your present company. Otherwise review your list and research possible roles which accommodate your pros which in turn will play to your skill set and strengths.
(13) What response do you give when asked about your salary expectations in a job interview?
If your interview is with a Recruitment Consultant who you hope will champion you with a prospective employer, be absolutely open and honest.
Consultants know precisely what the job entails, what industry expectations are for a salary range for that role and more importantly, just how far the employer is prepared to negotiate for the ‘right’ person.
If you are meeting directly with the employer, do some research on salaries for similar roles before hand, so you can give a salary range that you would be comfortable with.
(12) I’m a new line manager and will be starting to recruit team members. I don’t have much experience with interviewing so what are the important things I need to do to ensure the interviews run smoothly?
Following are some of the suggestions we’ve made to our Clients who are interviewing our shortlisted candidates.
Firstly be punctual to the interview and if you take your phone, make sure it is turned off.
(11) I had a senior role at work and then took a few years off to care for my children. I want to return to the workforce and wonder what my chances are of getting a similar role?
It can be daunting when returning to work after a lengthy break. A lot will have changed in your absence.
The best thing to do is research what has changed and if you need to update your skills, then do so. This will give you an edge, because in addition to your experience, you will have taken steps to pick up new skills and knowledge required for the role.
Use what contacts you have to let them know you are returning to work and that you are upgrading your skills. Where appropriate meet up with old colleagues for a coffee to ask what the market looks like.
Increasing your market knowledge and updating your skills will help smooth your return to the workforce.
(10) How do I get a promotion?
Apply for the role when it comes up. Sometimes people will think you are happy doing what you have been doing and don’t think to ask if you will be interested. If you put your hand up your employer will know you are keen to progress. Do not think that you will get the job just because you have been with the employer for a long time or have performed well in the role. This is another job interview, your application and interview should be researched just as thoroughly as you did when you first applied for your company. You need to prove that you are the best person for the job, and you have advantage that your employer knows you. Do not think that you are entitled, instead prove that you can do it!
(9) I’m not one for formal study however wonder if it will help me to progress in my career?
Study is always good, no matter what your age or stage of your career, it demonstrates a willingness to learn, stay informed and potentially better yourself. Make sure they course is highly regarded in the industry and is offered by somewhere reputable. Remember also that study doesn’t replace experience, so having both is a good combination.
For advice on how to manage full time work and study, visit our blog for more advice.
(8)What should be included in a cover letter when applying for a role?
Your cover letter will be your champion when applying for a new job. It’s the advocate that opens the door to the interview room and hopefully points you towards the shortlist. It’s important to unpick the advertisement and/or selection criteria, identify what is wanted in the role and write the cover letter based on those requirements. Taking some time to get this right will ensure you put your best foot forward in your application.
Check out our blog for advice writing cover letters.
(7) I’ve just been retrenched. How will it effect my chances of finding other work?
Although being retrenched is a difficult period it’s important to create a positive mindset as this will aid in the process of looking for new employment. For some this may mean re-evaluating what you want from life and how a new job fits into that.
You should take time to consider how well you’re selling your greatest commodity – you!
Take a look at your resume, have you updated your skills, make sure you include those that cross the boundaries between sectors. Do the same with your online profile, Linkedin, Facebook etc.
Finally make a list of those in your network that you can reach out to and those companies that you have a desire to work for – then pick up the phone and call them. Remember to be positive, reach out to your networks and also agencies that work in your area of expertise.
(6) What should you wear for a job interview?
Wear an outfit that makes you feel professional and confident. It’s good to dress to impress but also dress to the standards of the sector. For more advice check out our blog about what colours to wear for a job interview.
(5) How do I dress for the first day at a new job?
It would depend on the requirements relating to the role and generally these should be specified within the contract offer. If the dress code is not specified then a quick call to the HR department would provide you with some insights.
As a general rule of thumb for an office based role the safest bet is to wear the same level of attire as you would have worn at the successful interview. Easier to dress down if you end up overdressed than to create a wrong first impression by being underdressed.
(4) How do I ask for a pay rise?
(3) Several of our clients have asked: how they can combat the staffing challenges associated with NDIS?
The first thing we ask them is what their workforce strategy is and if they have taken steps to identify their future staffing needs. Once a workforce strategy has been developed, our role is to assist organisations to secure the best talent available, and enable them to achieve their workforce objectives. Organisations that are pro-active as opposed to reactive will be better placed to succeed.
(2) How do I go from working in a for profit to a non profit?
We meet with many experienced job seekers who have built their skills in the commercial sector who ask how they can find a role with a nonprofit. Each day moving from a commercial business to a nonprofit becomes a more viable option. Given a variety of factors causing change in the sector, many nonprofits are seeking alternate streams of income to fund their worthy operations. As a consequence they are adopting business models generally used in the commercial sector.
Today, when they look for new leaders, most prefer to consider individuals who have marked success in commercial business, as well as nonprofit exposure. So, if finding a role in the nonprofit sector is something you are interested in, think about the skills and attributes you have that are transferable, and how this experience can be applied during what is undeniably a time of transformation.
(1) We are often asked by job seekers looking to shift sectors: How do I demonstrate my transferable skills when seeking opportunities in a new sector?
First of all breakdown your current position or recent experience and consider the skills you have gained from a broad perspective. Think about how your skills can be applied to deliver results in a different field. For example, if you’ve been working on the frontline in fundraising, then your relationship management skills and your ability to communicate across various levels of stakeholders should stand you in good stead in a variety of roles in different sectors. So list out your core skills and capabilities and consider how these could provide value to the sector you are interested in.