WiseWolf Talking – Leadership, Management, Career and Personal Development

There will be no new posts on this blog.

Providing two blogs on the same subject is confusing to readers.

I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but I think you will find the content on Wisewolf Talking richer and more varied.

Posts about job search etc have now been transferred to Wisewolf Talking and Dave will have his own page there

Thanks for your interest

Wendy Mason

Brushing up on your interview techniques, having a confident manner and knowledge about the company all help you on the day. But some extra help is  always a good idea!

That is why Psychologies Magazine have compiled some of the interview techniques and application processes that you may meet these days  on your search for a new job.

You are unlikely to be asked to carry out Apprentice-style tasks, but you might need to be prepared for multiple interviews, group assessments, speed interviewing or even an ‘application vacation’.

Here is the link to the Pschologies Magazine post

HOW TO MASTER THE MODERN INTERVIEW

The house is full of simmering discontent. Dave and his wife June don’t seem ready to compromise – they don’t even want to discuss the issues between them.

Right now they seem to have different priorities; they want different things!  It isn’t clear how they will choose too resolve them.

What advice would you give?  How can they reach the common ground and go forward together?

Six is the new 30 – how to impress with your CV in less time – Mildred Talabi

Last week I read an interesting article on Business Insider titled, “What Recruiters Look At During The 6 Seconds They Spend On Your Resume”. This article has been circulating on the social media front for a little while so if you haven’t yet seen it, it’s probably because a) you don’t follow me on Twitter, or b) you haven’t joined my 7 Keys to a Winning CV Facebook page. But not to worry, you can catch up on the link at the end of the article……………….. 30 recruiters were subjected to “eye-tracking” over a ten-week period which recorded and analysed where and how long they focused on CVs. The “where” is shown in this heat map below, and the “how long” worked out to an average of six seconds.

Read the rest and see the heat map at this link

Other useful articles:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After You Interview – Now What?

There is very good advice in this post that appeared recently on the Resume Bear Blog

Now that your interview is over you can relax and wait for the answer –WRONG! In any good sales campaign, you have a plan, and you keep on selling. No interview is over until you’ve assessed the interview and written and mailed the thank you notes to all who interviewed you. You should also notify your references that they may soon be getting a telephone call from your prospective employer. Be sure to coach them on what you’d like them to emphasize.

These are the extra steps that go into making you the outstanding and memorable candidate in the mind of the employer. If done correctly, these steps can put you a cut above the competition.

You can continue reading at this link.

Job interviews are stressful, not least of all because it’s hard to tell if you’re on your way to the next round or being crossed off the short list altogether. In a first interview, it’s very rare for an HR person or hiring manager to offer you a job right off the bat. But there are some signs that you might be getting a call back shortly — or even a job offer. Here are seven to look for:

The interviewer uses “forward-thinking” language. The person you’re speaking with might reveal what they’re thinking through subtle hints. “Listen closely to see if the interviewer is giving you any verbal cues about the future,” notes Amanda Haddaway, author of “Destination Real World: Success after Graduation.” “For example, the interviewer might say things like ‘once you start,’ or ‘when you join the team.’ ”

Read more at this link

In a recent post at this link, I introduced the Tuckman theory of how groups/teams develop (forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning). Most groups go through a formation process like that described by Dr Tuckman. Understanding the model can help you to lead, manage and facilitate teams and work groups more effectively.

Some group leaders find the stages uncomfortable – they can be challenging to handle. Some stages seem slow and a waste of precious work time. But going through them means that a more cohesive and efficient working group is formed – a group that allows everyone to contribute their best!  A skilled manager can observe the stages happening and help the process along.  That means you get the best outcome for all, in the least time.

I’ve followed that initial post with posts on  Stage 1 Forming, Stage 2 Storming and Stage 3 Norming. In Stage 1 I described how the group will be looking for ground rules. In Stage 2, they set about testing what they think those ground rules might be. In Stage 3, people begin to experience a sense of group belonging and a feeling of relief that conflicts are being resolved.

This week I’ve written about Stage 4 - now the group are high-performing, motivated and achieve effective and satisfying results. Next week, all being well, I’ll be tackling the final stage, Adjourning.

I hope the material is useful to you and I’d welcome any comments you have to add from your own experience of team management.

Wendy Mason is a Life and Career Coach.  She helps people have
the confidence they need to be successful at work and to change career. She can help you – email her atwendymason@wisewolfcoaching.com

Other useful articles

• Team Work; forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning with Dr Tuckman
• Team Work; Forming, Storming, Norming,Performing and Adjourning. Part 1 – Managing the Forming Stage
• Team Work; Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning. Part 2 – Managing the Storming Stage
• Team Work; Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning Part 3 – Managing the Norming Stage
• Team Work; Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning Part 4 – Managing the Performing Stage

Today we have another guest post from Ian Machan of Prepare4private Limited.  Ian has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. His earlier posts have included  Watch your language – it’s a different world out there!, Transferable Skills and The Hidden Job Market.  Prepare4private Limited  are now running Culture Change workshops for Public Sector employees looking to make the successful move into the Private Sector. Their online questionnaires are still available, but now they are a free resource.

So here is Ian’s post.

Should you take part-time work?

About 1.5 Million people have part-time jobs because they can’t find a full-time one. They are within the near 8 million people, now a record, that are classified as either part-time or working self employed and only part-time.

If you can’t get a full-time job, should you take the part-time option?

Of course, that really depends on you and what you need! Money to cover the bills, a continuation of being a “working person” rather than out of work, all drive you towards it. A downside is that while working, your job hunt time available is squeezed: Searching for jobs on-line, footwork round shops delivering CVs, researching new jobs, writing letters can get pushed into the dregs of the day.

Part-time work done, Family and house chores done… now to hunt for a full-time job. Hardly the best timing!

On the other hand, part-time work may expose you to new skills, working environments, a new employer and demonstrate in your job application process, your eagerness to work.

If you have worked in the Public Sector, and you have a chance to take a part-time job in the Private Sector, it may be the opportunity to re-badge yourself and gain important knowledge of your new Sector.

What’s your view, how has part-time worked or not worked for you?

Ian Machan ”Levelling the playing field for Public Sector workers seeking jobs: www.Prepare4Private.co.uk“

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live Wednesday, 4 April 2012 at 1502 BST On Radio 4 and Online

If you are thinking of, or in the process of, starting a new business, you will be interested in today’s edition of BBC Radio 4′s Money Box Live

You can find the BBC Podcast at this link

Despite the challenging economic conditions, the number of small businesses in the UK continues to grow.

A number of Government initiatives were launched earlier last month aimed at helping small firms.

The National Loan Guarantee Scheme will aid businesses with cheaper finance by reducing the cost of bank loans under the scheme by 1%.

Key announcements for business in last month’s Budget include:

• A cut in the main rate of Corporation Tax from 26% to 24% next month;
• The Enterprise Management Incentive scheme will provide additional help to start-ups;
•  The Government is consulting on how to make it easier for sole traders and small businesses to calculate their taxable income.

Topics considered include;

• Are you starting a small business and want advice on the best way of going about it?
• Do you run a small business and want help on calculating your tax?
• If you are approaching your bank for a loan what must you bear in mind?
• What are the biggest issues facing your business?
• Are you struggling with unsecured or secured debt?
• Is the Government doing enough to support small business?

Vincent Duggleby was joined by:

• Iestyn Davies, Federation of Small Businesses

• Mike Warburton, Grant Thorton

• James Henry, Business Debtline

• Peter Ibbotson, Natwest/RBS

Presenter: Vincent Duggleby

RELATED INTERNET LINKS

HMRC

HMRC Budget 2012

DWP

Federation of Small Businesses

Business Debtline

National Loan Guarantee Scheme

Businesslink

WiseWolf Leaving the Public Sector and the BBC are not responsible for the content of external internet sites

via BBC News – Money Box Live: Small businesses.