Blog - Carolyn Smith

Land the job with a thank-you note or letter after the job interview

April 3, 2017 by Carolyn Smith Leave a Comment

A thank-you letter or note after the interview could be the final key that secures you the job.

Most Human Resource Managers, will tell you that only about 25% of candidates send thank-you notes. Yet a well-written thank-you letter, or note, outlining key skills, always generates more interest. Plus, if the Human Resource Manager, happen to have a couple of candidates they are interested in, then the candidate that sends the thank-you note, could be the one that tips the balance in their favour. [Read more…]

My favourite ‘F’ Word for Jobseekers

March 7, 2017 by Carolyn Smith 2 Comments

Yep – I confess to using the ‘F’ word on occasion, such as when I got a flat tyre, lost my passport or was escaping a street riot (tear gas was involved).

But in this article, I’m not referring to THAT ‘F’ word – I’m referring to the word ‘FOCUS’ and how having the right focus can totally transform the way you conduct a job search. [Read more…]

The Typical Australian Workplace Culture

February 20, 2017 by Carolyn Smith 2 Comments

If you are a newcomer to Australia, then below is a list of characteristics that generally defines a typical Australian workplace culture. The list is not exhaustive and not all workplaces or Australian’s will reflect these values. However the list will give you a good idea of the general features of a typical Australian Workplace Culture.

For additional information on the workplace culture, I recommend that you read ’Day Boss! Australian Culture and the Workplace from the authors Barbara West and Frances Murphy. [Read more…]

My top 3 tips for telephone interviews

February 6, 2017 by Carolyn Smith Leave a Comment

What are the top three tips you would provide your client for handling the telephone interview? Why?

TIP ONE

Be as prepared as you can for telephone interviews and make sure there are no distractions.

Have a file of jobs that you have applied for readily available, so that you have a copy of the advertisement that you responded to, plus a copy of the cover letter.
Try to remove all distracting elements, by going to a room, without television, radio and away from the family (for example, ask your children not to disturb you). Put the employer on hold, if necessary, while finding a quiet location.

[Read more…]

Stop these habits – they are killing your career

January 16, 2017 by Carolyn Smith 2 Comments

Stop worshiping the job board

Job Boards are the worst invention ever for job seekers. No matter how many times I tell my clients that job boards are the least effective way to progress their career, job seekers continue to flock to them, as they have been lulled by the media and job boards themselves, that the only steps they need to make to progress their career is to use sites such as SEEK, or Career One.

Nothing could be further from the truth. [Read more…]

Why looking for a new career over the holidays can be so lucrative

December 5, 2016 by Carolyn Smith Leave a Comment

Christmas is coming – so many jobseekers wind down their job search. But in my opinion, you should be winding up your efforts, not winding down. Why?

Less Competition

My inbox goes crazy in November and again from mid-January through to April. Why? [Read more…]

Fast Track Career Success with Informational Interviews

October 31, 2016 by Carolyn Smith Leave a Comment

If you don’t know what an informational interview is, then it is simply a way in which you conduct a very informal interviews with people in the ‘know’, that can help progress your career and future. Business meeting

Or putting it another way, it is not about asking for a job, it is simply a ‘fact finding mission’ where you find out as much as you can and expand your network. [Read more…]

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