The Health Benefits of Working Flexible Hours

New evidence has emerged from Europe to suggest that workers who are able to have input into the way their hours are structured, might also experience tangible health benefits.

A recent review by researchers for the Cochrane Collaboration has highlighted the potential health benefits associated with the current trend towards more flexible working hours in the UK and Europe.

The Cochrane Systematic Review included ten studies involving a total of 16,603 workers and examined a variety of forms of flexible working. Self-scheduling was found to have positive impacts on a number of health outcomes including blood pressure, sleep, and mental health. Read more

More Women encouraged to join the ranks of Firefighters in Victoria

The Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) in Victoria has launched its Gender Inclusion Action Plan 2010-2013, showcasing the organisation’s commitment to becoming an employer of choice for women.

The plan aims to deliver an inclusive, accessible organisation that delivers inclusive and accessible services. The plan lists 45 actions endorsed by the MFB Board and was launched at the MCG on 9 March by Danielle Green, Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services.

“We currently have 1737 firefighters, of which 56 are female. That equates to 3.1 per cent of our operational workforce. With this new plan in plan in place, we’d like to reduce that gap,” said Ken Latta, MFB Chief Executive Officer and Chief Officer. Read more

CME Women in Resources Awards 2010

Women working in Western Australia’s resources sector were recognised today at the inaugural Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) of Western Australia Women in Resources Awards breakfast in Perth.

Sabina Shugg was named the 2010 Women in Resources Champion, for significant contributions to the industry, particularly through her establishment of the Women in Mining and Resources Network in WA (WIMWA).

“Through a lot of hard work and sourcing many sponsorship arrangements, Sabina has kept the network membership free, also maximising its impact across the resources industry,” said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.

“Currently 1050 females within the resources sector have joined WIMWA, designed to support women in the mining and energy sectors.”

One of the events organised by Sabina was the inaugural WIMWA conference in September last year, where more than 250 women were provided with support strategies and general education about the resources sector. Young women from several Perth high schools were also invited to attend the conference and several expressed interest in working in the mining industry as a consequence.

“With skills shortages highly likely in the future due to anticipated sustained growth, it is people like Sabina who lead by example and encourage West Australian women to either take this as their career path or give encouragement to women currently within the mining and energy sectors,” said Mr Howard-Smith.

Erica Smyth was awarded the Women in Resources Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than 30 years experience in the mineral and petroleum industries, Erica has made significant achievements and milestones for women in the resources sector. Read more

More women choosing accounting as a career

The accounting profession is attracting greater numbers of women, according to statistics released today by Australia’s peak accounting body, CPA Australia.

CPA Australia CEO Alex Malley said the ratio of women to men in the accounting profession had moved towards parity over the past decade or so – a trend that was reflected in CPA Australia’s membership figures.

The figures show 57 per cent of new entrants into the CPA program for 2010 were women and women now accounted for 43 per cent of CPA Australia’s 129,000 members.

In 2000, CPA Australia’s membership included just over 27,000 females. This figure has now reached 55,000 compared with nearly 74,000 men. Read more

Older Australian workers experience longer periods of underemployment

Despite underemployment generally being more common among younger workers, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on February 23, older workers are much more likely to remain underemployed for one year or more.

The ABS defines underemployment as part-time workers who want, and are available for, more hours of work than they currently have. In September 2009, there were 811,600 underemployed workers in Australia and 61% of those were women.

Almost half of underemployed workers aged 45-54 years and 45% of those aged 55 years and over, had been underemployed for one year or more. By comparison just over one fifth (21%) of 15-19 year olds had experienced insufficient work for the same period.

For those aged 45-54 years, the median duration of the current period of insufficient work was 39 weeks (34 weeks for men and 52 weeks for women) and for those aged 50 and over the median duration was 34 weeks. Overall, the median duration of the current period of insufficient work for underemployed Australian workers was 26 weeks. Read more

Next Generation of Hospitality and Tourism Managers

With 335,000 job opportunities forecast over the next three years*, the Australian tourism and hospitality industry is set to make a come back in 2010. However, job seekers should take note, the days of rising through the ranks without a qualification are over.

Stuart Wiggins, deputy head of the William Blue College of Hospitality Management, says there has never been a better time to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality management.

“Demand for highly skilled hospitality and tourism management professionals remains high, despite suggestions the industry took a hit during the GFC. And while our sector has suffered in some shape or form, the industry has managed to retain staff and keep busy,” he said.

According to Wiggins the professionalisation of the industry has resulted in employers placing a high priority on business qualifications and all major hospitality and tourism organisations now require graduates and trainees to have a degree qualification.

“Employers are looking for graduates with more than just entry-level skills. They want industry-ready professionals equipped with strong interpersonal and communications skills, a good work ethic, a sound knowledge of food and beverage in addition to business and management skills and qualifications.”

He has also seen a growing number of students studying with the intention of going into business for themselves. Read more

Australia’s first Branded Fashion Degree

The Billy Blue College of Design in Australia will offer one of the world’s first Branded Fashion courses in 2010. Branded fashion is a huge growth area that requires talented designers to generate clothing that resonates with a brand’s image, meaning and price point.

The new course has been developed by industry veteran, Dr Mieke Leppens, in consultation with leading design houses in Australia, Europe and the United States.

“The fashion industry has moved on from needing good sewers and pattern makers. Fashion houses are demanding students come equipped with a cutting-edge eye for contemporary designs and the required industry and business knowledge needed to meet the tough demands of a branded fashion brief,” said Billy Blue College of Design program director, Dr Mieke Leppens.

“The Branded Fashion course will appeal to students who have a natural eye for forecasting trends, cultural demands and attitudes towards contemporary design. The course will teach students to utilise their design and academic knowledge and skills,” he said.

It is the first, and only, course in Australia to balance design strengths such as drawing, written and visual communication, with management, planning and business skills. Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Design, majoring in Branded Fashion, and could find themselves working for the likes of Quicksilver, Bonds, Witchery or Ralph Lauren, or even starting their very own fashion label. Read more

Career One Reveals Top 10 Job Hunting Blunders

Employment website, CareerOne.com.au today revealed its list of top 10 job hunting blunders.

1. Spelling mistakes on a CV/cover letter

“The cover letter is a candidate’s first impression. It shows the commitment to the job from the very early stages,” says Gary Banks from ABT Recruitment.

Andrew Brushfield of Robert Half in Australia says spelling mistakes on resumes is a pet hate for consultants. “If you make errors on your application, employers assume you’ll make mistakes on the job.”

2. Using “crazy” email addresses

Example: sexylovegod@hotmail.com

3. Inventing careers and skills

Helen Olivier, of The Olivier Group said that there was a degree of desperation in the market so people overstate their skills and salary.

“Often people assume they are going to earn a lot more than market reality just because they are moving jobs. If you are head-hunted it doesn’t necessarily mean you are worth higher than market value.”

4. Interrupting an interviewer to look at a text message or take a call

5. Reeking of that last minute cigarette as you walk into the job interview. Overpowering colognes/perfumes are also bad form

6. Dressing inappropriately – the way you look should match the image of the company you are interviewing with. Also, jewellery that jangles irritates interviewers

Angela Vithoulkas who owns the VIVO Café franchise in Sydney said that one candidate came in for an interview dressed in a clown costume. “I felt like sticking a sign on my forehead saying ‘are you serious?’. It’s hard to take someone seriously when they’re dressed as a clown.”

7. Not setting up a quiet space for a phone interview. Pet noises, house mates/family asking questions or loud music in the background are interview killers

“Talk with a smile on your face. Keep answers short and think of the 50/50 rule – listen for half the time and talk for the other half,” said Annie Cerone from Resume by Design.

8. Sharing too much personal information

One recruiter said a candidate told him of his criminal conviction including a physical demonstration of how he assaulted his wife.

9. Bagging your former employer or boss

10. Not doing your home work about the employer – and worse – calling the employer by the name of their competitor

“Candidates should take the time to research the company and re-read the ad prior to the interview. This shows genuine interest, effort and commitment in the position,” says Geoff Mitchell-Burden from Recruitment Partners.

Mistakes made on a cover letter/resume:
1. Spelling mistakes
2. Addressing your cover letter to the wrong person
3. Cover letter too generic and not addressing the desired role
4. Length! Candidates sending through pages and pages of information
5. Inputting information over 10 years old
6. Submitting a handwritten cover letter
7. Providing too much personal information.
8. Inventing careers and skills. Professional resume checkers will sniff this out.
9. Excluding contact details and gaps in job history
10. Using inappropriate email addresses

Face-to-face interview mistakes reported by recruiters
1. Dressing inappropriately
2. Bringing in fast food during the interview and eating it while being interviewed
3. Turning up late or not turning up at all for the scheduled interview
4. Offering sexual advances/propositions
5. Sharing too much personal information. No need to tell us about your second job driving hookers around
6. Not showing enough or showing too much enthusiasm
7. Questioning the intentions of the recruiter and questioning the questions of the recruiter!
8. Behaving inappropriately – don’t pick your nose during an interview please
9. Turning up drunk
10. Threatening and physically abusing recruiters out of desperation for a job

Mistakes reported by recruiters made during a phone interview
1. Not finding a quiet place for the phone interview.
2. “Yes” and “No” answers or silences.
3. Waffling too much.
4. Forgetting which job you are interviewing for.
5. Being ill prepared – stick notes on walls – the interviewer can’t see you.
6. Making it obvious you are speaking from a pre-prepared script
7. Multi-tasking during the phone interview. What is that tapping sound in the background I hear?
8. Talking to the recruiter on your mobile phone…from the bathroom. Yuk.
9. Interrupting the interview for anything reason bar an emergency.
10. Being unavailable for your scheduled phone interview. Application death.

Editor of CareerOne, Kate Southam, says with the job market showing continual improvement it is a good time to search for a new job. However, job hunters must be careful not to sabotage their own success.

“Job hunting blunders get you remembered for all the wrong reasons,” says Kate Southam. “How well you conduct yourself at each step of the recruitment process speaks volumes about how your will act in the job – if you get it.”

Kate’s Top 10 tips on how to ace a job interview:

1. Research, research, research – on both yourself and the employer.
2. Tailor your resume and your interview prep for each role.
3. Rehearse for the interview – at least three times
4. Prepare to use real examples from your work history to answer interview questions
5. Pick your job interview outfit days ahead to make sure it fits and is stain free.
6. Be positive about your past work experience
7. Prepare questions to ask the employer
8. Always be 10 minutes early for an interview
9. Follow up with a thank you after the job interview
10. Be on your best behaviour but be genuine. If you have to pretend to get the job then it is not the job for you.

For more tips and information on the job-hunting process visit CareerOne’s News & Advice section: http://www.careerone.com.au/news-advice.

Fall Back in Love with Your Job

The word ‘love’ is not a word most of us associate with ‘work’, as work is about function, purpose and necessity, while love is a blissful emotion associated with immense happiness. But like the personal relationships we have in our lives, our relationship with our job can often present the same challenges and play the same role in influencing our day-to-day happiness.

Fiona Webster, Head of Career Coaching & Outplacement at recruitment & HR services company, Randstad, believes we need to treat work more like a relationship to see its positive benefits.

If you were asked to rate ‘love’ and ‘work’ on life’s happiness barometer, it would be rare to find them on the same scale, but think about the 168 hours there are in a week and how many of those you spend working. So learning to love your day job is vital to achieving a happy balance both at and away from the office.

It takes two
Like love, work is a two-way street, if you don’t feel satisfied about what you’re getting out of your role, then it might pay to give more to your day-to-day activities. Sometimes, ‘you only get out what you put in’ and thinking of ways to improve your basic daily tasks can give you more satisfaction and provide more value to those around you. In the same way, contributing more to your team or getting involved in social activities at work might hold the key to a healthier two-way relationship in 2010. Read more

Employers in hot pursuit of Plug ‘N Play Graduates

With baby boomers cutting back on their hours, marketing industries including PR, event management and journalism, will struggle to fill the void.

“The alumni of 2009 and 2010 have large boots to fill as baby boomers start to step aside. As a result employers will be looking for graduates that ‘have it all’ and can hit the ground running,” says David McDonald, Head of College, APM College of Business and Communication.

“Employers are not looking for ‘technicrats’. They want graduates with practical experience behind them, who can apply that experience the moment they walk in the door. A solid knowledge of the industry, a can-do attitude and the drive to deliver immediate results is a must in this fast-paced industry,” he said.

“Star-graduates will always be in demand, but businesses are under pressure to identify those that can manage a number of different responsibilities. They want staff that adapt quickly, are flexible, multi-skilled and can wear the many ‘hats’ that come with their role.” Read more

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