Smart ways to answer stupid interview questions
We’ve all experienced it. You are in an interview for a role that really excites you, you’ve prepped in advance expecting to be asked intelligent questions and then you are asked a question that seems pointless or generic, perhaps borderline stupid. How do you respond?
Writing a killer cover letter
Regardless of whether you are actively in the job market and looking for a new role, it’s likely you have some semblance of a CV ready to go should an opportunity arise. A major hurdle for many however is the thought of having to write a cover letter. Why does this one page of content, of which you are the subject matter expert, cause so much grief?
Are you doing ‘stay interviews’?
Rather than waiting to “unexpectedly” hear that an employee is leaving and conducting an exit interview to understand why they quit, the key to retaining good staff could be in regular one-on-one interviews to learn what keeps them motivated to stay in the business.
Is your workplace harnessing the power of relational energy?
Energy*, either positive or negative, can have a major impact on the action and motivation of individuals and ultimately the achievement of workplace goals. Increasing role demands, particularly while we are facing the uncertainty and disruption of a global pandemic, can lead to stress, burnout and disengagement.
Diversity + Inclusion + Equality = Equity
We’re seeing a lot more focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives within the workplace and rightly so, a group of people hired for a specific skill or competency is the perfect environment for watching the value derived from diversity and inclusiveness in action.
How to attract passive candidates
In a talent scarce market, finding candidates to fill roles is challenging and for highly specialised and technical roles it is not an exaggeration to say that talent pools are running dry. Furthermore, it is highly likely that the person you are looking for, the “ideal” candidate, is already happily employed and not actively in the job market.
Work life balance tips for working remotely
A global pandemic did not invent working from home, but it certainly was the proof of concept that was needed to push the popularity of what was once considered a workplace perk. Working from home (WFH) is here to stay but is the reality of working remotely as great as we all imagined?
Businesses leading the way with employee benefits
You put a lot of time and effort into marketing your business to customers. That is where you make money, right? But are you putting as much focus into your employer brand - how you would like to be seen and experienced by employees and candidates? You should, because it is a critical success factor in attracting, recruiting, and retaining talent.
Employee benefits – perks or standard practice?
In a hiring market fraught with uncertainty and talent scarcity, an enticing employee benefits programme can be key to securing top talent. However, events of the past 12-months have resulted in a blurring of the line between what constitutes a workplace perk and what is considered standard practice by prospective and existing employees.
Rethinking diversity, equity and inclusion
With more organisations embarking on diversity programmes, it has prompted us to pause and reflect on our contribution in this space as we ask ourselves the question - could we be doing more?
Should you relocate for a role?
Maybe you have spotted an exciting career opportunity or perhaps your employer is offering you a new and challenging role – but there is one major catch, it is in another town or city. Should you relocate for a role?
Is the ‘right to disconnect’ part of your wellbeing policy?
Many countries around the world are leading the way with the introduction of laws to give workers the right to switch off from their jobs, to preserve work-life balance. In an era of digital technology and remote flexible working that means we are always connected and available to work, what lessons could business learn from ‘right to disconnect’ legislative control?
I didn’t get the job
Rejection is not easy and for job seekers it’s likely something that most have experienced at some stage in their career. The feeling of despair is often exacerbated if you felt that the opportunity was a perfect match for your skills and background and put a lot of time and effort into your application.
Is it time for a board refresh?
With the challenges brought about by a global pandemic, many organisations have had to radically transform the way they do business. The path ahead remains filled with uncertainty and in the face of this “new normal”, boards and senior leadership teams will require different ways of thinking.
Recruiter beef with buzzwords
We all use them, those specific words or phases that have a meaning in a particular context but are often associated with impressing those around you. Even more so in recruitment where both the company recruiting, and the candidate are simultaneously attempting to strike a connection in a short period of time.
Interview hack: online interviews
As a national recruitment consultancy with an international talent pool, Decipher Group has been utilising video technology for many years as a way of interacting with clients and candidates. Face-to-face interactions have many benefits but when recruiting for senior level roles or positions that are public facing or have a high degree of stakeholder interaction...
Resume screening – what is it and how does it work?
Quality of hire is often the number one measure of success when utilising the services of an executive search and recruitment consultancy. It is not simply about filling a position but rather finding talent that will bring the necessary skills and expertise required for the role while also adding value in terms of contributing to an organisation’s long-term success.
Is an interim manager the solution?
As said by Winston Churchill, never waste a good crisis…
Internal talent – why can’t they be the next CEO?
This is a question that I have pondered a couple of times already in 2021 as I have seen internal talent overlooked for the promise of what an external appointment can deliver. What is stopping our Boards from taking on internal talent and how do we turn the tide?
Quickfire tips for a CV refresh
Regardless of your career goals or aspirations, it makes good sense to have a well-constructed CV on file, should an opportunity arise. At this stage in your career, you no doubt have a version of your CV currently available. So here are some tips and trends to consider when “refreshing” your resume.
Interview hack: soft skills Q&A
When it comes to a robust recruitment process, technical skills and relevant experience are important variables in assessing a candidate’s ability to do the job well. However, what we are increasingly looking for are soft skills as a predictor of performance.
Boards: what to do when [multiple] senior leaders resign
Stay calm. This isn’t however a time for panic or impetuous decision-making. So, what steps should boards take?
Recruiter tips for being seen in the talent market
Whether you are looking for a new role having left your previous one, looking to change roles, or perhaps you’ve been made redundant post-COVID, here are some real-world tips from executive recruiters, to help you stand out in the talent market and secure that next role.
Career goals – how to set them and achieve them!
There's no better time than right now to reset your career goals! That doesn’t have to involve a complete reshuffle of everything you have been working towards – remember that not all career goals require huge change. Instead, it is time to pause, reflect and then start moving towards achievement.
Dual-CEOs – does it work?
Last week’s ‘top four must reads’ post which included a link to an article in HBR titled “Is CEO a Two-Person Job”, has created a lot of chatter in our business. So, we thought we’d dig a little deeper…
