When faced with an afternoon line-up of interviews to fill a vacant position in your department, how can you be sure to pick the best candidate for the role? As you meet each candidate these are probably the main questions in your mind:
-Are they capable of doing the job?
- Will the person be a good fit with others in the team?
- Will they be enthusiastic and work hard?
Managers at all levels know that when it comes to getting the best performance out of your team, the carrot is more effective than the stick – but you can only dangle the same incentive in front of your employees for so long. Even if your organisation is known for generous annual bonuses and financial rewards, good leaders know that intermittent rewards are still needed to ensure long term and consistent performance.
“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.” (Anonymous)
Motivation is easy when things are going well – when targets are being met, when clients are satisfied, work is busy but not stressful, and everyone is performing at their best. The challenge for managers and leaders is when times get a little tougher – when the budgets get tighter, resources are spread thinner and expectations seem much harder to meet.
So how can you keep yourself and your team focused and motivated to ride out the storm? Read more…
If you’ve been in the same role for a few years, you might be wondering whether you are hindering or helping your career by staying in the same position. Constant job-hopping may suggest to employers that it’s likely you’ll move on quickly, but too long in one role may raise questions around your ambition and motivation.
So how do you get the balance right?
“I refuse to accept the idea that man cannot influence the unfolding events that surround him” (Martin Luther King).
A great idea that will benefit your company can be an important stepping stone to your workplace success and career progression. But have you ever had such an idea, only to be met with resistance from your boss and co-workers? You’re not alone – getting ideas approved can be difficult. But it’s not impossible.
Understanding the art of influence – and using that influence – is key to getting what you want at work. While influence and persuasion are words that can carry negative connotations, they are also two of the most powerful tools in the workplace. Read more…
There’s little or no getting away from office politics. It exists in every organisation. For some it’s a dirty word, but for others, mastering it is essential to career advancement. The more senior you become, the smarter you need to be at handling office politics.
Like any savvy government politician, you will need to develop sound strategies to be heard by the right people and seen to be doing the right things.
If you understand how to play the game you’ll get ahead, gain respect, be well liked and valued. Now who doesn’t want that? Read more…
As more brands choose to join online conversations, corporate Twitter profiles are growing by the minute. But what is the tweeting protocol for the professionals behind the company? As an executive, manager and representative of your company, should you be part of the Twitter mania? What do you tweet about? And just how much personal information should you share?
Sarah Riley, Associate Director at Michael Page, shares how to make the most of the relationship with your recruiter.
The role of your recruiter is to match your unique skills and attributes to a suitable role. We want to secure you the best possible job we can; working within a team you enjoy, for an organisation that you’re passionate about, doing work that you feel challenged by.
When we put you forward to a potential employer, we don’t just look at what’s on your CV. Our aim is to present a complete picture of who you are and what you have to offer as an employee. Read more…
Earlier this year, LinkedIn – the world’s largest professional network – surpassed 2 million members in Australia.
The growing momentum and influence of this online network of professionals reflects a changing professional landscape, and drives home the point that a great paper resume and impressive career path is no longer enough – not even for executives.
Nor is simply having a LinkedIn account.
Whether you’re a graduate or an executive, it’s important to maximise the potential of this platform to network, engage and outline your expertise to a wide range of connections, acquaintances and possible future employers. Read more…
Simon Meyer, Managing Director at Michael Page, covers the opportunities Technology professionals can expect to see over the coming year…
Over the last 12 months, employment opportunities for technology professionals have increased in line with strengthening market conditions. Our latest Michael Page Salary and Employment Forecast for 2011-2012 suggests that this trend is set to continue. Read more…
