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Newsletter  # 5

 

Welcome to the Autumn 2006 newsletter

 

After the summer hiatus and with Easter holidays out of the way, it is high time we deal briskly with the change and development that each New Year inevitably brings.

 

But first...Impressive Interviews News

 

…in the news

              

In December, Impressive Interviews was featured on ABC TV midday news, which covered our new initiative of using acting techniques to assist clients to prepare for job interviews.   The news item showed how we engage experienced actors to present sessions in group training programs, using acting techniques in preparation for job interviews. 

 

Impressive Interviews’ creative approach to training clients for job interviews has also been covered in both The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald.   And, a client told me that the story also appeared on Fox TV in Fiji.  So, what do you think - ‘Impressive Interviews International’? 

 

New developments….

 

In the meantime, we have expanded group training to country areas working with Communicare and TEAM NSW to deliver Assertiveness and Confidence Building Programs for long term unemployed people. These initiatives attracted good coverage in regional NSW media such as the Wellington Times.

 

Another new initiative this year will be the development and launch of a suite of online services.  First off the blocks, is Preparing Public Sector Selection Criteria. The online workbook will provide practical strategies and tips  for creating effective responses to public sector selection criteria.  This is currently in development and should be available at the end of May.

 

Reminder…

 

Early Autumn is the time of year again when specialist medical training positions are advertised. Impressive Interviews has a successful track record in assisting medical practitioners in structuring their applications and preparing them for specialty interviews through an individualised interview training program. 

 

For more information about these tailored programs please contact Deborah Barit on (02) 9331 1853

 

And finally…..  

 

As always we invite you to contribute to this newsletter and to provide feedback. If there are particular topics you would like to know more about or wish to contribute a short article or share an experience please email to newsletter@impressiveinterviews.com.au

 

Also in this issue, we look at:

  • Coping with WorkChoices – the Workplace Relations Bill
  • Overcoming procrastination 
  • Thoughts on Change 

 The New Workplace Relations Bill

 

The new Workplace Relations Bill came into effect on the 27th of March this year. The legislation is complex and the full impact of these changes is just emerging.  There has been considerable discussion on what it will mean for job seekers as well as new and current employees.  Most recently there has been much media coverage of instances of unfair treatment of employees.

 

A key feature of the bill is the expectation that employees will have to negotiate individual contracts with employers.  In the past, most employees’ conditions of employment such as hours of work salary overtime, holidays, sick leave etc were covered by either Federal or State Awards

 

This is no longer the case and employees will have to negotiate terms, as best they can, with their employer.  This can be a daunting prospect for even the most seasoned employees. 

 

Here are some questions to bear in mind when entering negotiations:

  • Is the position being offered permanent full time, part-time, casual or fixed contract work  The salary will be calculated on the basis of the type of offer
  • What is the length of contract? Do I need an ABN?
  • What are the provisions in your current contract or the contract you are being offered for:
      • Holiday leave - how many weeks?
      • Hours of work – does it include shift work?
      • Is there overtime and does it include penalty rates?
      • Sick Leave - how much is paid leave?
      • Family leave – is it available and is this paid?
      • Study leave?
      • Long service leave?
      • Religious holidays?
    • Are performance reviews conducted, how often and are they tied to pay rises?
    • Is reasonable adjustment available - eg for a person with a disability or with family commitments?
    • What grievance procedures are in place?
    • What is the basis for dismissal or terminations of contract?
    • What are the resignation provisions?
    • What provisions for superannuation are in place?
    • Ask about Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) provisions
Before entering into negotiation, take your time to read the contract carefully.  Don’t sign anything without first reading it thoroughly.  This may seem obvious, but many people sign contracts without reading the fine print.

 

NEVER SIGN A CONTRACT WITHOUT READING IT THOROUGHLY AND, YOU HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO DO THIS.

 

Consider carefully which of these terms and conditions are essential to you and on which you are prepared to negotiate.  Keep this list with you and add to it as you think of other things.  Ask questions and make notes of the answers.  Repeat the answers to make sure you fully understand the terms of the offer. Ask to take the contract away so you can read it carefully and/or seek advice if necessary. Ask the employer if you can bring an advocate to the negotiation?

 

Where possible seek advice from an experienced negotiator. If you are a union member ask them for advice. 

 

There are also many resources to assist you with negotiation skills so take the trouble to find the one that suits you best.  The internet is a good place to start your research.

 

If you have a story about a negotiation or hints please feel free to write in and we will publish it in the next newsletter.

 

Overcoming Procrastination

 

I just had to write a few words of thanks to Joy Atkin for her lively, practical and easy to read book

 

So What’s Today’s Brilliant Excuse.  

 

We all procrastinate from time to time – some more than others.  And, if you feel that “This could be me!”  Then, this is the book for you. 

 

While the purpose of the book is to assist writers to overcome writers block, it also offers some practical tips for all of us.  What I really appreciated was that, not only does it not make one feel a failure or guilty if you do not follow all the instructions, it is written in a clear style and with great humour. 

 

Joy has had a varied career starting as an English teacher, advertising copy writer, ghost writer and more recently creative coach, author and publisher. For more information about the book or Joy’s work please visit her website on www.aampersanda.com  If you would like to get a copy of the book attached please find an order form.

 

Change Can be Fun

 

Most people find it difficult to adapt to change whether in their personal life or in the workplace. Every person will deal with change differently, depending on their circumstances.  Some will view change with suspicion and we can all point to examples when this concern or suspicion was justified – but, it doesn’t always have to be this way.  There is a way to deal with the unexpected, or even anticipate change and the secret lies in changing the way we think about change.  

 

I learned this very recently when I enrolled to undertake graduate studies. It has been an interesting process. This is not my first degree so I was confident, if a little unsure, that adapting to study after many years would be quite easy.

 

To my surprise, I have found it actually required a significant adjustment in expectations and thinking.  I work in an area which requires learning new information and changing thinking processes, however, since my last foray to university a good deal has changed and I found it difficult to adapt to the new environment.  For example, far more coursework is now available on line and students are expected to access their course work this way.  Needless to say, the first essay was a nightmare!

 

It has taken me several months to begin to adapt to the new academic environment.  During this time I have run the whole gamut of negative feelings. How can I do this? Am I smart enough? Other students seem know so much more….should I leave?

 

But, I decided to stay realising that the best and only way to adapt to this new situation was to change my approach.  I realised that the only thing I could control in this new and difficult situation was myself.  So, I made myself focus on what is expected and look forward to the new experiences that I had chosen to confront – after all, I chose to do this course! 

 

While I do not anticipate that all will be smooth sailing I now look forward to learning more, taking in new ideas, working out different approaches and gaining new insights. It makes life just that much more interesting.

 

For information on programs visit the website at - www.impressiveinterviews.com.au


If there is a particular topic you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please send your suggestions to -newsletter@impressiveinterviews.com.au

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