Did you see Sarah’s insight into recruitment from last week? If you missed it, take a look at this, otherwise read on for the next set of tips to make you rethink how you tackle those all important job applications:
So what makes the difference between getting that all-important interview and getting your CV automatically thrown in the ‘no’ pile? In this first part, Sarah shares a few handy tips, based on recent experience of recruiting for the Rambutan bunch… Perhaps this blog is worth sharing if you know somebody who is looking for a job and is struggling to even get a first interview…
Based on what we experienced when recruiting for James, Caroline and Fiona I can see why people say things like: ‘I’ve sent out loads of job applications and haven’t even got an interview’. If I was to offer one piece of advice from the employers side of the fence, it would be this: think about a job application as part of a sales process… you’ve got to sell yourself and what you offer to potential employers.
Brainstorming is an excellent way to gather a myriad of ideas from a group, some of which may be way too far off the wall to be feasible but others that may lead to that golden nugget of a big idea and often in a way that isn’t expected.
What exactly can The Simpsons or Kung Fu Panda teach us? How often do you unwind by turning on the television and letting the images dance in front of you? Craig found himself doing this and had a moment of cartoon clarity!
A seven year old recently said to Lance, “wouldn’t it be great if we had two lives?”
When Lance asked why, they explained that we could do all our work in our first life and then just have fun in our second life.
Isn’t it amazing how young people can really get you thinking? You see, how often do we give up an opportunity to have fun, don’t make the most of what we have, or don’t take the time to enjoy our successes?
So:
As for Lance… well despite not having the best physique for a wetsuit, he’ll be spending a lot more time in the sea.
Lucy had a recent encounter on her own doorstep with the worst type of salesperson.
It’s easy to think of salespeople as being sleazy, dodgy characters, especially when there’s ones like this about.
The latest thoughts from David…
The happiest person I have ever met was penny-less. She had enough to eat and a roof over her head but very few of what she called ‘luxuries’. At the time it seemed everyone around her was buying (and sometimes parading) expensive garments and gadgetry, yet this didn’t seem to interest her. Had she not been my mother I would have called her a fool. Read the rest of this entry »
An insight from Nicki…
Are you one of the many people, like me, who makes lists? It’s certainly a great way to remember stuff that would otherwise likely be forgotten. Read the rest of this entry »
The latest thoughts from David…
In Tom Rath’s book, Strengths Finder 2.0, he quotes some research on the chances of employees being actively disengaged based on their managers’ focus. I found it startling and obvious at the same time. Where a manager’s primary focus is on weaknesses this leads to a 22% chance that his/her employees will be actively disengaged. Ignoring employees altogether leads to a 40% chance which makes sense when you consider the basic human need for attention (anyone with children will be nodding at this point).
BUT (I hope that you noticed how big that but was) when the manager’s focus is primarily on his/her team’s strengths the figure drops to a mere 1%. Read the rest of this entry »
Fiona’s thoughts on building relationships with suppliers
What’s your opinion of suppliers? I think businesses should consider them amongst their favourite people; an individual or company which aids your ambition to meet deadlines, reach creative potential and be a guiding force through your ideas until completion. However, as the days on your advent calendar drop away, just sending out Christmas cards to any old printing firm or local designer isn’t going to make an impression. Instead, by establishing a relationship with a supplier – a task so simply instigated by inviting them for a meeting (or something less formal if you prefer) will improve the chance of greater understanding of your business needs & what they can offer you. Deals will be done and new relationships will be made. All pretty harmless really!
Because, and to use the old adage, a supplier is not just for Christmas… a supplier will help you through every season, by updating your webpage or printing your marketing materials. If you call on them quite randomly, chances are they will discard you (and your Christmas card) without a second thought. But who can dismiss the offer of a homemade mince pie and lovely cup of tea in the comfort of your office? [Other snacks are available for non-mince pie fans!]
Rambutan pride themselves on working with locally based companies, who posess a wealth of talents which make us shine even brighter, and we hope they utilise us as much as we utilise them.
