AT WORK

For those in need of a little Job love and career inspiration

Love to chat with you!

Looking for a proactive and rewarding approach to job search?

You’re now in the market for a new job…a good job, the best job right? Not just a job for the sake of a job but one that’s a good ‘fit’ for you. You’re picking over the papers, seeking on search engines and sending applications with fingers firmly crossed. Go for that advertised job certainly but remember, you’re just one of many vying for the role, your competitors likely boasting the same qualifications and experience as you.

We call this a ‘reactive’ approach to job search, a romp in the ‘visible’ market, yet statistics tell us that 60-70% of jobs are actually obtained in the ‘hidden’ market. So how does the ‘proactive’ job seeker tap into this market? Well they are out there talking to people.

No, they are not asking for jobs, rather, they’re researching their targeted companies…asking questions about the culture, industry specific challenges, skills the company looks for when recruiting. They’re looking to see if the company might align with their strengths, values and preferred work environment…and they’re seeking further referrals and introductions, all of which has great potential to uncover the perfect opportunity, one that never makes it to the job boards.

Sure, but doesn’t that smack of ‘networking’? I’m not good at networking I hear you say. Let’s take a step back…

Networking is a vital resource for promoting your ‘brand’ in the marketplace yet the very word ‘network’ strikes fear in many a heart. So why don’t we change the language? What if we were to replace the word ‘networking’ with ‘let’s catch up for a coffee’?

Still feeling out of your comfort zone? Why not start with the people you already know…friends, colleagues, ex colleagues, neighbours? You know who I mean. People who know you, know what you do and can speak well of both. Your questions could simply start with ‘who’s a good recruiter you think I should be talking to?’

Coffee conversations present great opportunity to tap into a contacts’ knowledge and insights on what is happening around town, industry trends and challenges, market movement, who’s who in the market and of course, the names of additional people who may also be worth contacting based on their introduction.

This path will help you to identify the companies you want to target in the first place and lead you to the people you need to influence there. Think about it…five coffees a week, that’s 250 a year…imagine the progress you could make with 250 short, relationship focused ‘information gathering’ meetings?

Now what’s the worst that can possibly happen? You make a good impression with a decision maker? You have the opportunity to broaden your network; you get out of the house and your doing something productive on your job search that will stand you in good stead for managing your career in the future. Now isn’t that alone worth the effort?

Oh! And don’t forget our good friend LinkedIn…find the people you need to coffee with, connect with them then shut the computer and go for it!

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Frocking up for High Tea…

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Corralling all four girlies into one room is equivalent to organizing the world trade summit, thus it was with great excitement that the frocked up, bejeweled and stilettoed Slappers* met at the Sofitel to indulge in each other’s company over a delightful little High Tea.

Beautifully themed and playing to the Black & White French Fashion Stills Exhibit currently being hosted by the Sofitel, the High Tea, served in the comfort of top floor luxe with spectacular city views, doesn’t disappoint. Before we’ve even had a chance to clink the Champers glasses in celebration of all things girly, four miniature Parisian trunks arrive, each housing individual serves of delicate ribbon sandwiches and petite scones, followed closely with slender elongated plates resplendent with delectable sweet treats. Falling in love with the delicate themes displayed across each plate…ginger snaps with macaroon spools posing as film reels complete with rice paper strips painted with film stills, miniature strawberry tartlets, the cutest tiny double profiteroles…our taste buds positively tingle in anticipation!

Toasts over and I’m busy congratulating myself on choosing such a delightful environment in which to catch up with beloved friends when suddenly we are thrown into ‘uh-oh’ space!

While observing and speculating the scenario of a cluster of women being ‘styled’ in tiny paper top hats and gaudy feather boas and happily tittering as they pose for themed photos, we are approached by our gracious hosts and asked if we might also like to take advantage of this ‘value add’. Hmmm! A pause for quick reflection, followed with speedy collective conclusion…thankyou but no. For the tittering women a fun interlude to be sure, yet the concept a total contradiction to the sophistication of the fashion stills upon which the high tea theme was founded, and so totally at odds with the classicism of the event…hence our reticence.

Instead we shrug, pour another tea and settle in to ruminate on love and life and an enduring friendship that has seen us all through the best and worst of life’s offerings over the years. And that’s when I’m suddenly blindsided by an epiphany…

If just one of us had contemplated putting one of those tacky hats on and lined up to pose, we would all have entered into the spirit without question giggling all the way , because making each other happy is what friendship’s all about…no questions, no judgements…simply doing what true friends do to make each other happy. Smiling at the thought I emerse myself in the conversational warmth of these women…after all, who knows when we’ll have another opportunity!

If you feel the need to release your inner Parisian self and line up for themed photos, or simply yearn for an elegant indulgence, we thoroughly recommend the Sofitel’s High Tea!

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* Slappers – an endearing term coined by one of our partners…we don’t hold it against him!

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