11 mistakes most commonly made by job seekers

We here at CallCentre People often see job seekers making the following mistakes when searching for a new role:

1. Thinking "something will come along". As a general rule, good things don't just happen, successful people make them happen. Put in some effort, the harder your work the sooner your job search will end.
2. Bad attitude. Interviewing while still angry at your previous employer or demonstrating a negative attitude towards your job search will not help you make a good impression.
3. Relying on someone else to find you a job. This includes recruiters, partners, family etc. Remember the quote - "If it's to be, it's up to me".
4. Taking rejection personally, instead of using it as a learning exercise for self improvement.
5. Shooting too high. Be realistic about the level of the role your skills and background will suit.
6. Acting desperate. you may well be, just don't let people see it. Telling a recruiter or prospective employer "frankly I'm desperate, I just need the work" doesn't help your cause. They want someone who wants to be there not just because they need a job.
7. Looking for just a job, instead of a career. This implies you will not stay long and will move from job to job searching for something that not even you know what it is.
8. Launching into a job search before you know who you are and what you want to do. This fits back into points 6 and 7.
9. Hard selling - coming on too strong and pushing people away
10. Not getting feedback during or after an interview - so no opportunity sought to improve
11. Lack of peperation for an interview.

Turn your job search into a positive experience by taking some time to think about what you want and why and then learn from each step. Look at yourself as a potential employer will. Make use of interview training tips and get your CV in order. A good way to start is to undertake a quick and easy online training programme called "turn your CV into a winning sales tool" which you can download from http://www.callcentrepeople.co.nz/

9 day working fortnight update

The following is an exert from the NZ Herald on the 9 day working fortnight written by Simon Collins - 4:00AM Wednesday May 27, 2009


"The Ministry of Social Development said that as of May 15, seven firms had signed up to the summit's flagship programme - the "nine-day fortnight" scheme. It pays employers $12.50 an hour for five hours a fortnight for up to 10 times the number of workers they would otherwise have made redundant, on condition that they don't lay off any of the workers in the scheme for six months.

The ministry is paying the subsidy for 758 workers to save 143 jobs at the seven businesses.
Fisher and Paykel Appliances in Auckland and Summit Wool Spinners in Oamaru are still the only two firms that have signed up publicly, and Fairfax Magazines has publicly invited its staff to join the scheme".

We here at CallCentre People Ltd would love to hear your comments on the 9 day working fortnight option. Is this something you would take up given the opportunity? Is this an option for your business?