The post iPlace Recruitment are finalists in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards….Wish us luck! appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

The post RCSA Conference Hamilton Island 2015 appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

The post They’re Just Not That Into You – BiziNet Magazine Article appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

The team at iPlace Recruitment dusted off our walking shoes and had a great day out strolling around Parramatta River with our friends at Northcott supporting the recent Dick Smith Walk With Me event.

Walk With Me celebrates the diversity within our community in an inclusive and festive environment.

While it is only a short walk for some, it’s a real challenge for others. Walk With Me redefines the traditional notion of an event challenge. It’s not about running faster, swimming further or cycling longer differences. It’s a 2km or 4km walk challenging us all to take the time to walk along side people of all abilities.

There are over 20 Dick Smith Walk With Me events held across Australia with all funds raised being distributed to provide vital disability services to children, adults and their families.

So take the challenge, choose an event in your area and support a great cause!

The post Dick Smith’s Walk With Me Event appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

I walk into the room and sat down. I look across the table and sitting there was a fellow who was looking into the furthest corner of the room.

“Well this is awkward” I think to myself. But I start by asking a few questions about his background and what he’s like outside of work. Bueller, Bueller..Nothing.  Still no eye contact.

I can’t take this all day so I ask him whether there is any particular reason why he isn’t able to look at me. Is he nervous? If so, there’s nothing to be nervous about. Zip, zilch, nadda…crickets.

“OK so let’s talk about the role you have applied for”.  As I start to look down at my file I realise he is picking his finger nails and has quite the little stockpile right on the table in front of him. Before I can close my jaw – he swiftly wipes them off the table onto the carpet. I’m a little bit speechless and as I continue on he then starts to warm up and I actually get a few words out of him. As he was talking about how he likes to work on his own, and finds it hard to make friends (you don’t say), he then closes his mouth and burps. I’m looking at him because I’m wondering why he looks like he has a mouth full of water and like a 12 year old letting down the school bully’s tyre, he opens one side of his mouth and blows out the air….

I’m pretty sure this is the point when I look around, expecting Ashton Kutcher to run in and say I’ve been Punk’d.

Moral of the story: Always communicate and make eye contact. And get a manicure before you attend the interview.

The post Adventures in Interviewing……Nail Biting appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

I walk into the room and shake her hand and always try to make people feel instantly at ease – it brings out the red flags way quicker.

My candidate – let’s call her “Betty” was sitting across from me and if I’m honest I detect a wee bit of attitude. You’re right Betty, my bad for sitting here waiting for you to turn up for your interview 20 minutes late – how dare I. Stop it.

Attitude aside, she was well presented with beautiful skin, a lovely smile and…Oh my god what is wrong with her????

I’m looking at her face and I just can’t figure out what was going on here. I scanned quickly, like the Predator and quickly try to analyse what I’m up against. And then, like something out of a 3D movie it hits me. She’s lost one of her false eyelashes and as she flicks her hair for the 87^th time in 3 minutes I realise it’s hanging from one of her extensions. It’s like her left eye is about to fly out of her head yet her right is almost recessed back. And I’m fixated. I actually can’t believe she can’t feel that one of her tarantulas has fallen off. They are so long and for about 15 seconds I’m questioning how someone can even see through lashes that long.

She continues talking about her current boss and how much she hates her. Cue 2^nd red flag. Interview  101 – don’t bag out your current or former employees.

After 10 minutes of hearing why she can’t get on with any of her female colleagues I realise I’m too far gone and every time she makes a move, this lash lunges towards me and is hanging by a strand. In that moment I’m visualising this lash clinging for dear life like something out of Cliffhanger.  Three red flags later and I’m done.

I decide then and there that I will introduce her to my colleague to get a second opinion and as we walk back into the room, she immediately spots the lash and snorts. How am I suddenly the most professional person in the room!!!

It was later that evening that I chuckled to myself at the thought of her arriving home and looking in the mirror….

Moral of the story – always check your appearance in a mirror before an interview.

The post Adventures in Interviewing……Lash Attack appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

Some of us have attended a thousand interviews of every shape & kind. Others rarely have to don that one suit, usually reserved for interviews & funerals.

Some of the most commonly asked questions in before an interview include:

1. “What do I wear?”

2. “Skirt or pants?”

3. “Light or heavy make-up?”

4. “Hair out or pulled back”

5. “Nose ring, no nose ring?”

Stop it – question 4 was a trap and should never be asked out loud.

Here’s what we’re thinking….

Get to know your potential employer. Are you going to a construction company located deep in the west?  Or are you scheduled to meet with the Head of Capital Finance in one of the City’s most sought after Financial Services firms. Dress to your audience – but never underdress. A 15% overdress is way better than being underdressed.

Back in the day you could never research who was potentially going to be sitting across that big scary desk from you. But thanks to the wonders of social media it’s a level playing field and we can get to know our interviewer before we’ve even met them!

Once you have received a confirmation that you have indeed been selected to attend an interview – if your consultant is any good at their job they should furnish you within an inch of your life with information about where you need to go, and who’ll be awaiting your arrival.

My advice is to get on the internet and research. Check out the company’s location, jump on their website (there’s almost always an “about us” tab), get on LinkedIn….There is always a way to find someone.

On the flip side – you as a candidate are also very accessible. Like the time I was recruiting for a highly polished Executive Assistant who needed to put in long hours and have an extreme work ethic. I thought I’d found the perfect candidate. The phone screen was amazing, we were scheduled to meet. And then – I googled her and her latest Facebook post came up about the amazing sick day she was having at the beach, and how stupid her boss was. Ba Bow – survey says you will not be put forward for my position.

So dress appropriately, wear what makes you comfortable and when I say that I don’t mean pop on your “going out trackie dacks” and head down there – I mean dress in something corporate yet comfortable because if you’re comfortable, you’ll be yourself and if you’re being yourself you won’t say stupid things and then end up crying your eyeballs out in the carpark shortly after… Don’t do your makeup like you’re vying for a spot in the next Avatar movie and always, and I repeat ALWAYS make sure you glance in the mirror before you go in. The red lippy that you’re just loving yourself in can easily go so very pear shaped. And let’s not mention that rogue bit of avocado that your mates failed to mention, from your salad sandwich at lunch.

This is all so avoidable.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that every interview for every job will be different and you can’t take a one size fits all approach but if you spend the time to do a little bit of research you could be sitting in your new corner office before you know it.

The post Dressing for Interviews – The simple do’s & don’ts appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.

Applying online is one thing but your phone call to a potential client or Recruiter will make or break your chances of securing your dream job.

Treat the call like a potential interview, be prepared and don’t stumble through it or you could jeopardise your chances of moving to the next stage.

Here are our top 3 tips to help settle the nerves

1. Don’t Rush Your Application

Check and recheck your cover letter and resume before submitting it online. Choose a format that will make it stand out and ensure that your key skill are featured at first glance.

2. Keep Your Phone Handy

You may get a call from an agency or the client so get rid of your “Call me” voicemail and make sure that your sound friendly and professional on the message just incase you miss the initial call. Don’t answer unless you are in a quiet place where you can give the caller your full attention. Remember first impressions count!

3. Control The Nerves

Try to stay relaxed on the call and view it as a casual chat. Be confident and use the opportunity to showcase your personality. Try to stick to the question being asked. Dragging your response out including every task that you have ever completed will only make the caller lose interest quickly so keep it short and sweet. If you impress over the phone you will most likely be asked in for an interview so control those nerves and back yourself.

The post Navigating A Call About A Job appeared first on iPlace Recruitment.