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.

This role involves managing menus and food preparation for both the guest restaurant and the staff canteen.

The Restaurant:
The kitchen specialises in preparing innovative seafood cuisine featuring local produce, offering other alternatives also.

Position Summary:

• Overseeing the operation of the restaurant & staff canteen
• Managing budgets & monitoring expenditure
• Negotiating terms with suppliers
• Menu planning
• Communicating with Chefs & kitchen staff regarding menu items
• Monitor kitchen hygiene & ensure that legislation is adhered to
• Maintain high standards in food preparation

Key Competencies:

• Tertiary qualifications (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery)
• Strong A La Carte skills
• Experience as an Executive Chef in a 5 star environment
• Solid kitchen management &leadership skills
• The ability to motivate a close knit kitchen team in a remote location
• Excellent communication skills

Please note: This position will involve relocation to the island on a permanent basis, with single accommodation only available.  Applicants are advised to consider whether remote living suits their current aspirations.

In the first instance, please submit your application online for this position by selecting the Apply option below.  We will be contacting applicants individually to discuss further details about the position.

APPLY ONLINE

Recruitment Cairns

Please take an opportunity of our special offer HR&OHS Diagnostics worth $465.00 and be ready for 2012.

In this month’s edition we have the following:

• 2012 WHS Harmonisation – Are you prepared?
• Legal Wisdom with Travis Sturgeon
• Identify Stress in Workplace
• Steps to Implement when Changing Work Culture
• Be the Employer of Choice
• Psychometric Tools for Employers

You may view all the articles once you have open the Newsletter.

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

• International Financial Firm
• Competitive salary & benefits package
• Career growth opportunities
• Full Time Permanent Role

The Company & Working Environment:

• In exchange for your loyalty and hard work, our client offers:
• Close knit, welcoming environment
• Energetic & driven team
• Dynamic work environments with a positive atmosphere
• Ongoing training opportunities

Skills:

• 4 years minimum experience
• Qualifications or equivalent in Financial Planning
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Knowledge of current Financial Planning Issues
• Able and confident in managing client relationships
• Ability to work to deadlines

If you are a qualified Para Planner looking for a great opportunity in Cairns, apply online today or contact us 07 4050 3888 or apply online http://www.digital88.com.au/ss/candidate

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