Stop! Read this before accepting a new job!

Many of us have experienced the feeling of utter relief and happiness when after a period of job hunting we are finally offered a position. For many of us, in our desperation for a new position we choose to ignore the red flags our potential employers may be holding up. When offered a new position, it is our natural inclination to accept. Take a step back for just a moment and remind yourself that most of our waking lives are spent at work. Given this, just like you would before investing in a new car or house, we should read the fine print of our work contracts and do some research before signing on the dotted line!

First thing first- ask questions! You are completely entitled to ask important questions such as “what is a typical workday like?” or “do you see any major strategy changes or reporting relationship changes in the near future” and “will I be expected to communicate after hours and on weekends?”

It is for your own benefit to understand what is expected of you before taking a new position. Some people don’t mind working after hours or on weekends and there has been a recent shift from typical ‘nine to five’ work to more flexible working arrangements (and longer hours in some cases!) If you are someone who likes to leave the office at 5pm on the dot, or if you have outside work commitments such as looking after children or parents then be up front with this information so your boss is aware can subsequently make more informed decisions.

Ask how you will meet your new colleagues and work team. This is particularly important if you are taking on a new position as a manager. Establishing rapport with your team is essential to your success in your new position and will make yourself and team members feel more comfortable with the change! It doesn’t need to be an extravagant event; a simple meeting in the conference room over coffee and some biscuits will suffice!

Understand the short-term and long term priorities of the position. By the time you have accepted the job offer, you should be able to set strategic goals to achieve within the first 30 days, as well as the next three months. Once you have an understanding of the high priority tasks and projects, have a conversation with your boss to ensure you are on the right track and get stuck into it! Demonstrating that you have the ability to be organised and strategic and showing that you are committed to producing work aligned with the objectives of your organisation is really important when you are just starting off in a new position.

Make sure all the details are covered. This is your stop and think moment! Sit down with a cup of tea and go over in detail your offer letter, contract and other information regarding your salary, bonus eligibility, benefits and any other significant terms related to your employment. This is the perfect time to ask any questions or clarify information. Or if you are feeling very brave- negotiate your terms!

Last but not least… Ensure your new position meets your needs. Is there room to grow professionally? Will you be eligible for promotions? You do not want to take on a job only to realise that it is stagnant position.

Ultimately, by researching, asking intelligent questions and being curious about your new position you will gain the confidence required when choosing to accept or decline your new position. If you do sign the dotted line- fantastic! You will feel more prepared and understand your working environment to a greater extent which will relieve those first day nerves. 

If you choose to decline- well done! You have clearly taken the time to re-assess your fit within the organisation and by doing the research you have given yourself another fantastic opportunity to find a job that suits your needs and career aspirations!

First Day Butterflies...

Congrats!! You just landed a new job which means all those countless hours of resume refining, research and interview practice have paid off! So why the nerves?! You clearly impressed with your resume and handled the interview jitters well enough to stand out from fellow applicants and you obviously have the right skill and attributes for the job. 

So take a few deep breaths and remind yourself of the following tips when the butterflies in your tummy begin to get the better of you… 

Preparation

Think of your first day as an extended interview and prepare accordingly. Plan to arrive early to work to give yourself time to settle into your new surroundings, chat to your colleagues and your boss. Your preparation can start the night before work as well! Get plenty of sleep and put some thought into your work attire.

Dress for success

Do your research and take into consideration what is usually worn in your new workplace. However, for your first day, take this idea and add a touch extra to ensure that you’re making a good first impression. For instance, if the office attire includes trousers and a button up shirt, add on a tie to your first day outfit.

Make a good first impression

Now that you have your outfit sorted, make sure that your body language is open and welcoming. Take the initiative to say hello to people in your new office and ask them a little about their jobs. Not only will this make you feel more at ease, it gives you an opportunity to discover some useful information about your new organisation.

Confidence is key

Be confident, not cocky. Show enough confidence in yourself so that your new work colleagues won’t doubt your position in the organisation. One way to show your confidence is to put yourself out there and invite your colleagues to lunch. 

Relax!

Don’t forget to breathe! Remember that first day nerves are completely normal and will subside in time once you start getting into a routine. Don’t feel disheartened from an unsettling first day. Remind yourself why you were so excited when you landed the job and more importantly, that you were hired because somebody believed that you could succeed in that role.

How to Sell Yourself in a Job Interview: Succeeding Over the Rest! 6 Simple Steps for Success

In a job interview, you might like to fancy yourself as a salesperson. The product? Yourself! You must have enough confidence in yourself and your abilities to succeed over the rest. As Allied Health professionals, one thing that does not come naturally is the ability to sell yourself. Unfortunately it is not good enough to be highly skilled at what you do, you need to be highly skilled at telling others of your skills! Here are 6 simple steps to selling yourself to get that job!

1. Find out exactly what your interviewer wants: 

Do your research and come prepared. Don’t be caught out not knowing everything a potential employee needs to know.  This may mean thoroughly reviewing the company’s website, looking up articles in online newspaper archives, all the way through to connecting with current employees of the company before the interview and asking some strategic questions about what the company values and is looking for.

2. Do not flood your interviewer with irrelevant past experience: 

Although it is great that you have a list of past experiences, your interviewer is interested in what skills you have that they can utilise. Keep it simple, to the point and only mention the recent experiences you have that are particularly relevant to the field you are interviewing for. Try to avoid the narrative and 'story' approach in an interview. Keep it crisp, short, and "headlines and bullet points". Know when to STOP in an answer.

3. Believe in yourself: 

Just like in sales, if the salesperson does not believe in their product, they are going to have a hard time convincing others to believe in the produce, or coming across as genuine. An employer will only hire somebody they have confidence in. They are not likely to be confident about a person who isn’t even confident in themselves. So believe in yourself and present a positive vibe. An interviewer will remember an interview that was a pleasant experience for them.

4. Never give up: 

This does not mean be a pest to your potential employer. Be patient and keep following up on the application process- not only does that show that you’re interested in the job, but it will also give you an opportunity to source out other openings if you are not successful this time around. This can be as simple as a follow-up email a day or two after your interview.

5. Be enthusiastic about the job:  

Being enthusiastic about the company and the job you wish to apply for shows your potential employer that employing you will benefit them. You may wish to couch your interview responses in terms of "benefit statements". Perhaps you can identify how you can help the company achieve its goals through the role you are being interviewed for. If you are enthusiastic and show that you care about the success of the company, the potential employer is inclined to think you are in it for the long haul and are not just applying for the job to work at until something better comes along.

6. Let the interviewer know you are available: 

Once you have nailed your interview, let your interviewer know that if they require any further information that you are easily contactable. Inform them of when you are available to begin so they are confident you are able to take up the position at a time that suits them if you are successful. Be sure to put a "messagebank" longer than 10 seconds on your phone, and don't answer calls with "yeah?"
                                              

5 top tips for your first day at work

Walking in to a new workplace for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. But by keeping a few simple tips in mind the first day can be turned into a positive experience and an opportunity to create a great first impression.

  

Get prepared for the first day

Any background reading that can be done before you start will help you get a grasp of the job. Have they introduced any big changes lately? Do they talk a lot about their corporate culture? Doing some research will help you be prepared for any basic questions on your first day at work so jump online and on their social networks and read up about the company. 

First impressions count

Wear clothes that are appropriate for the workplace and exhibit positive, confident body language – make eye contact and remember to smile! Don’t forget your handshakes and think about what to say about your ‘personal brand’ if asked to talk about yourself.

Be confident

Remember that they liked you enough to give you the job. Exuding confidence on your first day will show your colleagues that you are a strong and capable person for the job, just don’t get self-absorbed.

Listen as well as talk 

It is likely that you will have to learn and take in a lot of information on your first day so in order to remember everything listen carefully and avoid miscommunication. People like good listeners, and if you can earn a reputation as someone who pays attention and gets things right the first time, you will be able to fast-track your growth within the business.

Take notes  

From loads of new names to where certain files are located, people are going to be dumping a whole lot of information on you from the word go. Carry a notebook with you and take copious notes, these will be invaluable to you later, and keep you from having to ask as many questions. If you’re working for a large company, ask if you can have a copy of their organisational chart, as this will help you remember the names and roles of your co-workers.

Remember, your first day should be enjoyable. It’s an opportunity to get to know people and learn what the next few months and years of your working life will hold for you. Don’t be so stressed that you forget to have fun!