Personal appearance is extremely important because as most people know, people will judge you on the way you look. For your interview, you must be dressed professional and look put together. You don’t want to distract your interviewer with your personal appearance so don’t over do it with makeup, perfume/cologne, accessories, clothing, etc. By having these types of distractions your interviewer will be focusing on those items instead of your answers and your personality.

Once you have a professional appearance put together, now you can focus on your body language and what does your body language say about you. In your interview, the first four to five minutes of your body language is extremely important as within that time a strong, positive impression can be formed or also a strong, negative impression can be created. By having a firm positive handshake you inspire a sense of strong confidence and create the tone of the interview as you being a strong, positive and confident applicant. On the other hand, a weak and limp handshake will undermine or affect an otherwise positive interview.

During your interview, your hands should either be placed loosely on your lap or put them on the armrest of your chair. When you use hand gestures during your conversations, the interviewer views you as confident and comfortable with the progress of the interview. It is important not to over exaggerate your hand gestures as that instead shows over excitement and projects apprehension or aggression.

Our body language is important because we not only speak with our words, we also speak with our facial expressions, tone of our speech, and eye contact. A steady, controlled, and clear voice that can be easily heard makes you come across as confident and positive to the interviewer compared to someone who speaks in a low voice, showing nervousness, or unsure about their speaking ability.

How to use your body language correctly:

• When seated, don’t fidget. If you feel uncomfortable, adjust your position slightly and sit up straight to maintain alertness.
• When faced with a difficult question, first breathe, stay calm, and avoid rushing to answer the question. Be mindful of your negative body language habits before answering. This is where it helps to practice answering interview questions before attending the real interview.
• Observe and mirror the interviewer’s gestures (but not over the top), by mirroring their gestures it signals togetherness and you will likely receive a more open response from the interviewer.
• Relax and breathe throughout the interview. You shouldn’t try to rush the interview, allow the interviewer set the speed and instil yourself in a calm and comfortable mind.
• Maintain eye contact with your interviewer, but avert your gaze from time to time to avoid staring.
• Remember to smile! Smiling creates positive emotional responses and re-affirms your enthusiasm and positive attitude.

Let’s quickly review the physical preparation to interviews, as all of these are items you should already be aware of, and hopefully are already doing. It is essential that you always dress professional, which means clean, neat clothing. Even if you just graduated from school, or have been unemployed for a period of time, you can always dress professional. A button-down shirt, nice trousers, and good quality shoes can go all long way if that is all you can manage or afford. Biggest tip for physical presentation is to know your location; what is the typical work attire in your city, find out the culture of the company (by doing your research), and lastly if you aren’t sure, ask! When setting up the interview, ask the person scheduling the interview, “Is business attire acceptable?”

To help prepare emotionally for your interview, first know the answers to the most typically interview questions. Do an Internet search for “common Interview questions” for suggestions, and then this way you have already practised the answers and will be more comfortable when those questions or questions like those come up. Second, to emotionally prepare for the interview ensure you know where the interview is taking place and determine how you will arrive at the interview location. By figuring out these details beforehand and knowing how long it will take to get there, you won’t be rushing to your interview or being stressed about not knowing how to get there. Third, determine what helps you relax, whether it is doing exercise before your interview, listening to your favourite music on the way there, or repeating a mantra or phrase to yourself before your interview. Anything that relaxes you and makes you feel at ease will help you be calmer and help your real personality, enthusiasm and energy for the position come out. Researching the company and the position is only part of preparing as the most important part of the interview preparation is getting yourself prepared emotionally.

Author: Vlasta Eriksson

Check out our Cairns Jobs – Job Board

A job seeker must now be aggressive about the job search which means doing more than just sending off an application or your CV. Of course, you need to ensure that you have a strong cover letter and CV as a HR professional typically only spends seven seconds scanning each resume. Therefore, tailoring your cover letter and CV to each position you apply for will help the chances of land you the next step, the interview.

That said, sending a strong cover letter and CV is integral BUT it is not the only steps you should be taking during your job search. Since you can assume that there are at least ten other individuals applying for the same position, you need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Once you have applied for a position, follow up with the company to see where your application stands. However, this requires a balancing act, and as a guide you should only follow up once unless otherwise told to, as calling too much will put you in the pile of “bothersome” applicant. Following up and speaking to a HR representative shows that you are truly interested in the position, and going the extra step. When all of the applicants who have applied have similar traits or experiences, calling after submitting your application might help you get into the “to interview” pile.

Another way to follow up after submitting your CV is checking your professional network and seeing if you have connections directly to the company you applied for, or if anyone in your network knows someone in the company. Word of mouth and networking events will help achieve this, but also using social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook will make the process even faster. Look on LinkedIn to see if the company has a company page, and look at the profiles of HR representatives for the company you are interested in, and see if you are somehow linked and connected to any of them. Use these social media advantages to find some sort of link or connection to the company that you want to work for, and ask your network for an introduction.

In conclusion, these days a job search requires an individual to spend a fair amount of time researching and following up with positions that they are interested in receiving. A CV explains what you did and what you are capable of, but personally following up and using your networking skills to make connections shows why you are the one that should be selected for an interview and offered the job!

Need Career Advice email us careerhelp@signaturestaff.com.au

Signature Staff also on True Local, click here: HR Resources

Our client is looking for a hands on Head Chef to manage their mid sized kitchen on an island resort in the Whitsundays.

Position summary:
Multi faceted restaurant catering to resort guests
Managing around 10 kitchen staff
Ordering stock
Rostering
Preparing buffet style cuisine
Some banquets & room service work

Key Competencies:
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Demonstrated kitchen management skills
High level of professionalism
Excellent communication skills
Ability to lead a team in a busy kitchen
Applicants must hold permanent residency in Australia

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your job application online today.

It is also true that everybody has issues that turn sour at work. Everyone has to deal with annoying managers, delayed reports, and times when everything seems to go in the wrong direction no matter what. Failing to deal with such situations, makes you a highly unpopular employee at work.

Most employees who more often face such situations need to be more inclined towards their commitment to work and their self esteem. There are several ways to become popular at work, seven of which are as follows.

1. Know people

Unpopular employees often think of what makes the popular employees so likeable. It’s very simple; try to know everyone so everyone in turns knows you. It will be more suitable to call it “Networking”. The best way to develop and grow your network is to know the people you work with and the ones you have worked with.

2. Stay in touch with people

Make it a point to keep in contact with everyone you have worked with. It does not matter if they sit two rows across you. If you were helped by a colleague with any unusual project or task, remember their courtesy and be keen to response well in time.

Don’t ignore people whom you pass by, try saying “hello” and ask about their work. Show interest in their job profile and ask them intelligent and polite questions on how they got there. This way you not only get to tell about yourself but also these people remember you.

3. Try to get to know people

Always greet people in the elevator or in the canteen. Strike a conversation about the weather or anything that would be of interest to both of you. While meeting people for the first time, ensure a firm handshake, and brief a little about your job and department.

4. Dress appropriately

You want people to know you, so you must dress to impress. It certainly does not mean that you need a whole new wardrobe, but be sure that your clothes are not torn or faded. Dress up professionally to represent your position instead of wearing revealing or overly flashy clothes.

5. Talk

Talk as much as required, otherwise you will be avoided because you talk too much. Try to talk about something intelligent or useful. You should not always talk about the same topic such as the weather, or how you are. Bring something different to the table such as pop music, culture, and other things. Intelligent conversations are a great way to become popular at work.

6. Help out people

The easiest way to become popular at work is to help people out. You can volunteer in the organization when there are opportunities or perhaps help a co-worker with a challenging task.

7. Do not try to climb the ladder

One you become popular at work, never try to climb the career ladder too fast. People have already started noticing you but that does not mean you divulge yourself. Remember once you fall from grace, it will take you much time to earn that position back.

For Career Advice please email us CareerHelp@signaturestaff.com.au or have a look on our Virtual HR Resources Department.

Position summary:
Overseeing the smooth running of the front office operation
Liaising with other departments to coordinate guest services
Leading, motivating & managing front office staff
Resolving customer issues

Key competencies:
Previous front office duty management experience in a large hotel or resort
Immaculate personal presentation
Previous experience with Hirum software
Driven, energetic approach to work
Demonstrated ability to drive a front office team to deliver first class guest service
Fantastic conflict resolution skills

Our client offers a welcoming atmosphere, 1 weeks paid training and the opportunity to feature an industry leader on your resume.  Cairns locals or Visa workers welcome, though excellent spoken & written English communication skills are a must.

If you are passionate about guest service and are available for a 5 week position with a large Cairns hotel, apply online now or contact Jason on 07 4050 3888 today.

Signature Staff’s Job Board

Position summary:

• Berthing & deberthing vessels at the port
• Managing the maintenance & checks processes on vessels
• Communicating with crew members
• Night duties are a part of this role

Key competencies:

• Minimum Open Master Class 5 Skipper
• Marine Engineer Driver Grade 3
• Front-end Loader Operator Ticket (OHS Certification)
• Current First Aid certificate
• At least 2 years Tugs or Barge experience
• Current QLD Driver Licence
• Successful applicant will be required to pass physical and drug & alcohol tests before employment commences

If you have the above qualifications including the Front-end Loader Operator Ticket (OHS Certification), call Danielle at Signature Staff today or apply online.  Email queries can be directed to danielle@signaturestaff.com.au.

Signature Staff’s Job Board

Criticism comes in many different ways; it can be subjective, harsh, polite or humiliating. The final outcome to any criticism reflects your ability to distinguish between the useful and hurtful criticism and how you accept subjective criticism.

Subjective criticism refers to reasons that have their origin in their subject rather than in their object. Usually there are people who merely have opinions to express, whereas on the other hand there are experts. These experts are not experts only because they have absorbed a lot of external data, but because they have the intellectual capacity to transform the external data into useful information. This process of transformation takes place through logical interpretations and subjective reasoning of opinions.

Subjective criticism can be wisely conceived as constructive because it is experienced, reflective and systematic. If you have been ever subjected to such criticism, you should learn to use it with the same intention. It will immensely help you advance your career and self esteem.

Always take notes when you are given subjective criticism. Listen and absorb it whether it relates to the quality of work or your interaction skills with co-workers. More often you will feel difficult to take on criticism probably because you might take it as too harsh or disrespectful. Here you ought to evaluate the circumstances that led to such a level of criticism on your behalf because you could be the sole reason for it. If you don’t find a suitable reason for being criticized; then never let it drain or shake you. Use your positive points and disregard the undue ones.

You should look upon subjective criticism as your new personal agenda at work cairns. Take all the criticism very humbly and work upon it very closely. Evaluate the best criticism and assess it against the quality of your work and other areas. You will have to understand the fact that subjective criticism is a great opportunity for you to evaluate and improve yourself from an expert’s point of view and use it wisely.

For some people it is source of joy to continuously criticize and evaluate everyone. Have a sense of humor and laugh it off because it might give you a whole new perspective about you. Remember, if not for a good reason, you will be criticized anyways.

For Career Advice email us CareerAdvice@signaturestaff.com.au and put “Career Help” in subject line

Great pay rates

Flights & accommodation provided

Contract position for an experienced Construction Foreman in remote Queensland. This role commences in October 2011 and is expected to conclude in December 2011.

Position summary:

• Contract role with a council employer in remote Qld
• Interpreting plans, liaising with engineers, contractors
• Leading a construction team on the project
• Resolving construction issues as they arise
• Holding on site meetings
• Promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring that company OH&S procedures are adhered to on site

Key competencies:

• Previous experience in a Foreman role
• At least 10 years civil construction experience in Australia
• Excellent leadership skills
• The ability to enforce OH&S policies on site

Our client is keen to secure a skilled candidate as soon as possible. Please email your resume to Danielle at danielle@signaturestaff.com.au or call Danielle on 0740503888 (Business hours) or 0409126356 (After hours or over the weekend).

APPLY ONLINE

Established, innovative law firm

Cairns location

Genuine career opportunities

Ongoing training to ensure your skills are updated

Supportive working environment

Modern premises in Cairns

Position summary:

• Providing a professional legal service to a range of businesses in the Cairns region
• You will be involved with Insolvency, Insurance Employment Law and Construction
• Assisting a range of clients from small businesses to large organisations
• Contributing to a fast paced team environment
• Mentoring junior team members

Key competencies:

• Our ideal candidate will be qualified with a minimum of 3 years PAE
• Demonstrated ability to build & maintain positive working relationships with clients
• Good understanding of business & commercial operations
• Positive, energetic approach to work
• Ability to relate to a broad range of people
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Passionate with an attention to detail

If you would like to be considered for a position with this sought after employer, contact Danielle in confidence today on 0740503888 or email danielle@signaturestaff.com.au

APPLY ONLINE