Returning to the workforce

• How can I prepare myself for a return to work? (http://www2.careers.govt.nz/plan-your-career/i-want-to-change-career-or-return-to-work/returning-to-work/#c10230)
  • Make sure your CV is up to date, laid out properly, concise and tailored to the work you are looking for. You might like to seek advice from a career consultant and/or ask them to review your CV.
  • Prepare for any interviews to ensure that you increase your self-confidence.
  • Make connections with people who can either give you information about potential job openings or introduce you to others who have this information.
  • Consider writing a career plan so that you can work through things step by step.
  •  Don’t overlook volunteer opportunities, no matter how short-term. Many volunteer or work experience opportunities turn into long-term or permanent positions. They also show you have a good attitude, and help you to build your networks.

  What are some good job options for me? Your best job options will obviously depend on what skills and experience you have. However, it can be worth considering: (http://www2.careers.govt.nz/plan-your-career/i-want-to-change-career-or-return-to-work/returning-to-work/#c30978)

  • taking a temporary survival job in another area while you are sorting out your options
  • taking an entry-level job to get started on your career path
  • taking a part-position. This can be a good way to ease yourself into work, and you get to see if you would enjoy doing the job on a full-time basis.
  • It can be confusing when trying to decide how to address a gap in your resume, the following is advice on how do explain/address a gap; http://www.alec.co.uk/how-to-write-a-resume/explaining-gap-in-resume.htm

In Person Interview Preparation

• Prepare and allow ample time for travel. You want to appear timely – but don’t be more than 5mins early as turning up half an hour early does not do you any favours when the interviewer is a busy person.

• Research – go online and look at the company’s website (familiarise yourself with their products and or services), their competitors and google the company for the latest news on the direction the company is taking.

• Practice interview questions;
• General candidates and useful for those new to NZ –  http://www2.careers.govt.nz/how-to-get-a-job/new-to-new-zealand-advice-for-migrants/job-interviews-in-new-zealand/
• Graduates –http://www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/careers/resources/career_publications/career_essentials/common_interview_questions_print.aspx

• Make sure your clothing is clean and pressed

• Bring extra copies of your résumé in a folder or portfolio. Reassess your résumé – familiarise yourself with the content and additional points you would like to make.

• Do not ask about salaries/benefits

• Collect a business card – email a formal thank you afterwards

Phone Interview Preparation

Some employers choose to prescreen job applicants over the phone before doing an in-person interview. If you’re selected for a phone interview, prepare for a phone interview just as carefully as you would for a regular interview.

Prepare for a Phone Interview

Research the job and the company so you are prepared to discuss the company and your role if you were to be hired.

Compile a list of answers to typical phone interview questions. In addition, have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer.

Confirm the Phone Interview

Before the call, confirm all the details including the date, time, and who you will be talking to. Be sure you know whether the interviewer is calling you or if you need to make the call.

Choose an Interview Space

Use a quiet, comfortable, and private space. If you’re at home, kick out kids, spouses, significant others, parents, pets, and anyone else who is in the house and close the door.

Have your resume in clear view taped to the wall or on your desk. Also, have a short list of your qualifications and skills specific to the job you’re interviewing for close at hand. A “cheat sheet” will help you respond to related questions without fumbling for words.

Have a pad and pen ready to jot down notes. Turn call waiting off on your phone and be sure to use a landline, not a cell phone, whenever possible. You don’t want to have to worry about dropped calls.

Use Proper Phone Interview Etiquette

Answer the phone yourself, let family members and/or roommates know you are expecting a call. When you answer the phone, answer with your name i.e. Jane Doe (in a perky tone of voice) so the interviewer knows they have reached the right person.

Use the interviewers’s title during the conversation (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.). Only use a first name if they ask you to. Otherwise, use the formal title.

Listen to the interviewer and don’t interrupt. If you have something you want to say, jot it down on your note pad and mention it when it’s your turn to talk.

If you need a few seconds to gather your thoughts, don’t worry, but don’t leave too much dead air. If you need the interviewer to repeat the question, ask.

Polish Up Your Phone Communication Skills

During the phone interview, you’ll need to sound as professional as you would if you were meeting the interviewer face to face:

• Don’t chew gum or eat while you’re on the phone.
• Have a glass of water close by, in case you need a sip or two during the conversation.
• Standing up is an option to consider. Sometimes you can focus better when you’re standing.
• Be sure to smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Don’t ramble on so the interviewer can’t interject or ask more questions.

Send a Thank You Note

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer and ask what the next step in the process will be. Ask for the interviewer’s email address and send out an email thank you note immediately, thanking the interviewer and reiterating your interest in the job. It’s important to show your appreciation for the interview regardless of how the interview was conducted.

 

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/phoneinterviews/a/Prepare-For-A-Phone-Interview.htm

Quitting with style

Ready to resign? Before you storm the bosses’ office to tell him what you really think, consider that how you quit can have a big impact on your future job prospects. Take a deep breath and consider the points below.

Do you really have to go? Make sure you are planning a change for the right reasons. Would promotion or a move into another department within the business resolve your problems? If you have faith in your HR representative, sit down with them and discuss your options. That’s what they are there for! You may find there are more opportunities with your current employer than you realised.

“…how you quit can have a big impact on your future job prospects”

Expect a reaction! Unless your employer has been expecting you to resign, or requested it, you may be confronted with a range of reactions to your intention to resign. Don’t see it as an opportunity to respond with a list of complaints and the companies’ failings. Maintain a cool head and simply state clearly your rehearsed reasons for leaving. Make it clear to your employer that you wish to leave on good terms.

Know your obligations. If you are currently under contract or working in a probationary period, you may have the responsibility to provide a certain amount of notice. Be aware of your rights and contractual obligations and seek out your union representative or legal advice if you require clarification.

Don’t burn your bridges. Venting about your job to colleagues or at your boss may mean losing a potentially valuable reference; you may also make it very difficult to return should you ever need to. In addition, the people you work with today will inevitably move on to other things. You may find yourself looking across a desk at them in a future interview!

“Words said in the heat of the moment have a habit of coming back to haunt you!”

To sue or not to sue.
If you have been treated badly and have grounds to sue your current employer, the last thing you want is a messy resignation. Words said in the heat of the moment have a habit of coming back to haunt you! Stay calm and consider your next move carefully, gathering evidence for your case if necessary. Your employer may well escort to your door the day you hand in your notice and you could lose this opportunity.

Get what’s coming to you.
Ensure you are aware of what you are entitled to, take stock of your annual leave and any long service owing. It can be easier to make these simple enquiries while you are still with your employer and have access to an HR representative or a payroll system.

Identify a good referee.
Find someone within your business who may be willing to act as a referee. Make sure it is somebody that you have had a working relationship with for a reasonable period of time. A future employer is likely to ask detailed questions about your work habits and ambitions, and you want your referee to be able to answer with confidence. Ensure your referee is warned in advance of a possible phone call from a prospective employer.

Consider a counter offer.
If your employer makes a counter offer to entice you to stay, it can be tempting to take the money without considering the consequences. If you choose to stay and accept the money, do so for the right reasons. More money in your pocket won’t resolve a problem with a difficult supervisor, or a bad culture fit. In addition, will your employer continue to have the same faith in you? If you feel that accepting the offer and remaining in your position may bring your commitment to your employer into question, it may be easier to simply move on.

Wrap up your previous work.
Try to resolve as much outstanding work as you can in your remaining time, or at least ensure that you leave a comprehensive handover document for your successor or supervisor. Nothing leaves a worse impression after you leave like a pile of unfinished work in your in-tray. If anything, you should strive to work harder in your last few weeks that you might have otherwise.

Participate in an exit interview.
If you are invited to be part of an exit interview, you should strongly consider participating. Most employers will appreciate your involvement, and you are likely to have a more enthusiastic referee when you leave. Under no circumstances however, should you use it as an opportunity to vent. If you do feel it necessary to make a comment on the reasons for your departure, ensure your remarks are not inflammatory. Rather than naming names and laying blame, recommend changes that may improve the position for the next person in your old job.

“…if you had nothing nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all!”

Write a professional resignation letter.
When your mother told you if you had nothing nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all, she was right! Keep your resignation letter formal, straightforward and professional.

• State your intention to resign and if necessary, the last date of your employment.
• If appropriate, include a short comment regarding your willingness to stay on and train a replacement.
• Don’t use it as an opportunity to vent!
• If you wish, include a short note of thanks in the letter, but keep it brief.

Finally, don’t feel guilty! Remember the reasons you are making the change, and focus on your next career move. Taking the time before you depart to visit colleagues and associates before you leave can be worthwhile as well. It’s a small world, and you never know when you may meet these people again in your career.

by Martin Jorgensen

http://www.seek.co.nz/jobs-resources/get-your-dream-job/quit