18 Simple Side-Hustles to Help Cost of Living Crisis

18 Simple Side-Hustles to Help Cost of Living Crisis

In the face of the ever-increasing cost of living, it’s inspiring to see many people turning to side hustles to make ends meet. With hard work, dedication, and some creativity, these extra income streams can provide financial relief and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Let’s explore some side hustle ideas that can help you navigate this challenging time.

 

1. Freelancing

Offer your skills on a per-project basis. Whether you’re a graphic designer, writer, editor, or website developer, freelancing allows you to work flexibly and earn extra money.

2. Pet Sitting and Doggie Day Care

Consider offering pet-sitting services if you love animals. Platforms like Mad Paws connect pet owners with caregivers.

3. Dog Walking

Combine exercise with earning money by becoming a dog walker. Many busy pet owners appreciate this service.

4. Tech Setup Services

Provide help setting up devices, troubleshooting tech issues, and installing software. This can be done remotely or in person.

5. Blogging

Start a blog on a topic you’re passionate about. Monetise it through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored content.

6. Companion Services for Older Adults

Provide companionship and assistance to older adults living alone. This could involve running errands, reading, or simply spending time with them.

7. Babysitting and Childcare

Babysitting is a classic side hustle. Parents often need reliable caregivers for their children.

8. Virtual Assistant

Offer administrative support to busy professionals. Tasks may include scheduling, organising, and managing emails.

9. Mobile Car Washing and Detailing

Set up a mobile car wash service. You can visit clients’ homes or workplaces to clean their vehicles.

10. Local Handyperson

If you’re handy with tools, gardening, offer basic repair and maintenance services in your local area.

11. Ironing Service

To start this practical, lucrative side hustle, you need only invest in a good-quality steam iron, garment steamer, and ironing board.

12. Pamphlet Delivery

If you want to get your step count soaring for the day while also cashing in on your effort, pamphlet delivery is the perfect side hustle for you. You can become an independent contractor or join an existing pamphlet distribution company.

13. Custom Makeup Artist

Start a custom makeup business from a home studio. It’s a great way to indulge a passion for creating makeup looks for clients while bringing in extra cash!

pexels freestocksorg 324655

14. Video Editing

If you’re tech-savvy, consider offering video editing services. Many businesses and content creators need help editing their videos for social media, websites, or YouTube channels!

15. Craft Sales

If you’re crafty, sell your handmade creations online, on a platform like Etsy, or at local markets. There’s a massive market for unique crafts, whether jewellery, pottery, or knitted items.

16. Home Organisation and Cleaning

Help people declutter and organise their homes. Many busy people are willing to pay for assistance in keeping their living spaces tidy.

17. Tutoring or Teaching

Share your expertise by offering tutoring services. There’s always a demand for learning, whether academic subjects, music lessons, or language classes.

18. Delivery Driver or Food Delivery

With the rise of food delivery apps, becoming a delivery driver can be a flexible way to earn extra income.

 

Remember, the best side hustle for you isn’t always obvious. It’s about exploring different options, trying new things, and finding what works best for your situation. Whether it’s a creative pursuit like make-up looks or a practical service, like ironing, side hustles can offer a beacon of hope and optimism, helping you to alleviate financial stress during challenging times.

How to Become a Freelancer: 7 Tips for Success

The dramatic shift to online work over the past few years – largely due to the pandemic – produced a remote workforce with insight into what flexible work feels like. Many professionals couldn’t return to the office’s regular 9 to 5 grind, opting to go out on their own when workplaces wouldn’t embrace flexibility indefinitely. Whether you’re considering creating a freelance business or starting projects on a contract basis, navigating the gig economy can be equally exciting and intimidating. In this blog post, we explore freelance occupations and how to become a freelancer, providing valuable insights and practical advice for success in Australia’s ever-changing gig economy.

What is the Gig Economy?

The gig economy, a labour market characterised by short-term contracts or freelance work, is on the rise in Australia. This trend is driven by technological advancements, changing work preferences, and the desire for greater flexibility among professionals. The gig economy offers unique benefits, such as the freedom to choose projects based on your interests, set your own rates, and explore diverse opportunities across various industries. These advantages make the gig economy appealing to professionals seeking more flexible and varied work experience.

Advantages V’s Challenges of the Gig Economy

Working as a freelancer or contractor has many advantages, but it’s also important to consider the challenges when considering how to become a freelancer. Because while freelancing offers numerous benefits, it also comes with its own set of unique challenges.

If you’re prepared for the downside, you’ll be more prepared and resilient.

Advantages:

  • One of the primary attractions of the gig economy is the freedom it affords.
  • Choose projects based on your interests and passions
  • Set your rates and terms
  • Diverse opportunities to explore various industries and expand your skill sets.
  • Better work-life balance is a significant drawcard.

Challenges:

  • Uncertain income streams
  • Lack of job security
  • The responsibility of managing taxes and finances can be daunting for newcomers to the gig economy.
  • Competition can be fierce, requiring freelancers to continuously upskill and differentiate themselves in crowded markets.

7 Tips for Success in the Gig Economy

If you’re still keen to join the gig economy after weighing the advantages and challenges, below are some helpful tips to get you started. Remember, the initial start-up phase of business planning can be challenging, but it’s also when you may feel most motivated. So, it is crucial to follow all seven tips to ensure the successful start-up and longevity of your new venture.

  1. Identify Your Niche

Determine your unique strengths and expertise, and position yourself as an expert in a specific niche. Specialisation can help you stand out and attract clients looking for specialised skills. So, whether you’re a freelancer, consultant or entrepreneur, specialisation in a niche is a powerful way to grow your new business and achieve your career goals.

  1. Build Your Brand

Creating a strong personal brand that reflects your values, skills, and professional identity is crucial in today’s highly competitive business landscape. A well-crafted portfolio, website, and an active presence on professional networking platforms can enhance your visibility and credibility. It’s also important to maintain an active presence on social platforms, particularly LinkedIn, to highlight your skills, endorsements, and recommendations, enhance your credibility and increase your visibility to potential clients and other professionals who can help you succeed in your new venture.

  1. Network Strategically

Networking is essential in the gig economy due to the fierce competition in gaining jobs and contracts. Word-of-mouth referrals are crucial, so you’ll need to work hard to become well-connected. You can expand your network by attending industry events, joining relevant online communities, and connecting with fellow freelancers and potential clients. Remember, investing the time to build meaningful relationships can lead to valuable opportunities and referrals in the future.

  1. Set Clear Boundaries

Building clear boundaries around your working hours, rates, and scope of work will promote positive client interactions. Communicate your expectations to clients upfront to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a mutually beneficial working relationship.

  1. Manage Your Finances

One of the less glamorous aspects of freelance occupations is managing your finances. You’ll need to track your income and expenses, set aside taxes, and maintain a financial buffer for lean periods. To optimise your financial management strategies, consult a financial advisor or accountant.

  1. Professional Development

The gig economy is constantly evolving, so staying current with industry trends and continuously upskilling to remain competitive is crucial. Invest in professional development opportunities, online courses, and certifications to enhance your skills and expand your expertise.

  1. Prioritise Self-Care

Freelancing can be demanding, so prioritising self-care is essential for maintaining your well-being. Set aside time for relaxation, exercise, and hobbies to prevent burnout and sustain your productivity in the long run.

Popular Freelance Occupations

When considering how to become a freelancer, you must decide on your freelance occupation. What are your strengths and skills? The following is a list of freelance occupations that consistently remain popular due to high demand and their flexibility.

man on a laptop

Graphic Design

If you have a visual eye, graphic design could be your ideal freelance occupation. There is an increasing demand for visually appealing content across various platforms, so graphic designers are in high demand for creating logos, marketing materials, website designs, and more.

Writing and Content Creation

Content creators, including journalists, technical writers, copywriters, bloggers, and content marketers, are sought after to produce engaging and informative written content for websites, blogs, social media, and marketing campaigns.

Web Development and Design

Web developers and designers play a crucial role in building and maintaining websites for businesses, organisations, and individuals seeking to establish an online presence.

Digital Marketing

Freelancers specialising in digital marketing, including SEO specialists, social media managers, and PPC advertisers, help businesses optimise their online visibility, attract customers, and drive conversions.

Photography and Videography

Freelance photographers and videographers capture compelling visual content for various purposes, including advertising, events, weddings, editorial, and social media.

Consulting and Coaching

Freelance consultants and coaches offer expertise and guidance in business, career development, marketing, finance, and personal growth, catering to individuals and organisations seeking professional advice. Whether your area of specialisation is in sports, business, food, life, wellness and health, expertise that others will benefit from coaching would make an ideal freelance occupation for you!

Translation and Localisation

As a result of the globalisation of businesses and online content, freelance translators and localisation specialists are in demand to facilitate communication and adapt content for different languages and cultural contexts. So, if you’re skilled in languages, this is your ideal freelance occupation.

Virtual Assistance

Virtual assistants remotely provide administrative, technical, and creative support to entrepreneurs, executives, and businesses. Everyday tasks carried out by virtual assistants include email management, scheduling, research, and customer service. If you have administration skills and strengths, it’s an ideal way to segue into a freelance occupation.

Software Development and Programming

Freelance software developers and programmers create custom software, mobile applications, and websites, leveraging their coding skills to meet clients’ specific needs.

Project Management

Freelance project managers oversee and coordinate projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery, efficient resource allocation, and effective communication among team members.

These freelance occupations indicate the diverse skill sets and expertise demanded by clients across various industries, highlighting the flexibility and opportunities available in the freelance market.

Learning how to become a freelancer is rewarding and offers the opportunity to start your own business. The benefits of autonomy and flexibility in your career are undeniably enticing. If a freelance job is right for you, identifying growth opportunities and adopting a proactive approach to self-management ensures you will thrive in Australia’s dynamic gig economy. The right mindset and strategies mean you can take your freelancing and contract work dream into a fulfilling and sustainable reality.

Building Resilience at Work: 9 Success Strategies

Developing resilience at work will help you take setbacks in your stride while making the most of career opportunities. Let’s face it: setbacks are part of life, and the workplace is no exception. But while some people deal well with adversity, others are more sensitive to challenges and stressful situations. The good news is that while personality traits play a part, learned coping techniques, mindset training, and self-care strategies can boost your ability to cope with difficulties.

What is Resilience at Work?

When you’re resilient at work, you’re more adaptable, bounce back, and thrive when faced with challenges, setbacks, and stressful situations. It’s also easier to maintain a positive attitude, remain productive, and effectively cope with adversity or change, both personally and professionally.

Those with high resilience tend to have the following traits: adaptability, optimism, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, strong support networks, self-efficiency, self-care, and work-life balance.

So, how resilient are you at work? And how can you develop the traits to cope with setbacks and adversity better? The first step is to identify your workplace challenges and then create the necessary strategies to build resilience.

Identifying Workplace Challenges and Adversity

Identifying the workplace challenges and adversity you’re experiencing might seem simple, but we’re often unaware of the cumulative impact of stress before it gets the better of us. So, what kinds of challenges are common in the workplace?

Communication problems – One of the biggest challenges is miscommunication or lack of communication in the workplace. Addressing this issue is important before it leads to misunderstandings, conflict, and decreased productivity. A few practical strategies to address this in the workplace are to encourage email etiquette, provide clear instructions on work responsibilities and tasks and conduct regular and effective meetings in which everyone has a voice.

Work-life balance – Ensuring you balance workplace responsibilities and personal life priorities is crucial to avoid stress, burnout and health issues. If you’re coping with long hours and unrealistic expectations, try to negotiate time off to recharge.

Job security – Are you worried about losing your job or feel there’s no opportunity for advancement? If so, job insecurity could be creating anxiety and job dissatisfaction.

Workload – Excessive workloads, unrealistic expectations and pressure to perform lead to avoidable errors, stress and decreased quality of work. Clearly communicate your capacity relating to workload to help manage expectations and reduce stress.

Change – Rapid changes in technology, processes, and organisational change can be challenging, requiring you to adapt and change constantly. Change management is critical to ensure a resilient workplace environment.

Conflict – Interpersonal conflict, whether with work colleagues or management, creates a toxic work environment and compromises teamwork. Conflict management is important to ensure a healthy workplace culture.

Discrimination and inequality – When you or your colleagues face bias, discrimination, or a lack of diversity or inclusion in the workplace, morale and culture deteriorate. A focus on inclusivity and diversity training is a must for all workplaces.

9 Ways to Develop Resilience in the Workplace

You can develop resilience at work through self-awareness, proactive strategies, and adaptive behaviours.

  1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

When you view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than insurmountable obstacles, you cultivate a growth mindset. An important element of embracing a growth mindset is seeking feedback and learning from it, even when it’s critical. It’s valuable information that can help you improve and advance your career.

  1. Build Strong Support Networks

Cultivate a supportive network of colleagues, mentors, and friends who can provide advice, feedback, and encouragement. Collaborating with others on projects is also helpful in enhancing a sense of belonging and a shared purpose at work.

  1. Practice Self-Care and Stress Management

Maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep to manage stress effectively in the workplace. It’s also crucial to focus on improving your mental health through engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as mindfulness, meditation or hobbies you enjoy outside of work.

  1. Learn From Setbacks

Take the time to reflect on setbacks and try not to dwell on failures. Instead, analyse any mistakes to understand what went wrong and how to avoid similar issues. It’s also important to recognise and celebrate success and achievements at work and give yourself credit for navigating challenging situations.

  1. Develop Emotional Intelligence

Managing your emotions is the key to success in all careers. Learn to recognise your emotional triggers and develop strategies to manage your reactions, ensuring they don’t interfere with your professional goals. You can enhance your emotional intelligence by practising empathy towards yourself and others, understanding different perspectives and fostering positive workplace relationships. If you need further professional development in cultivating emotional intelligence, it can be learned.

  1. Set Realistic Goals and Take Action

Establishing clear, achievable goals that provide direction and a sense of purpose in your work is important to building your resilience in the workplace. Take proactive steps to break goals into manageable tasks and adapt them as necessary. You can learn more about the art of goal setting to build resilience and achieve career success with professional development.

  1. Embrace Change and Uncertainty

Being open to change and willing to adapt your strategies and goals as necessary is critical to resilience. To anticipate potential challenges, think through how you might handle them, which will build confidence in your ability to cope.

  1. Seek Resources and Help

Take advantage of learning and development opportunities offered by your employer or seek out external courses and workshops to build skills. It can be helpful to access employee assistance programs (EAPs), counselling, or coaching services to get through tough times.

  1. Maintain Perspective

Keep the bigger picture in mind, understanding that most workplace challenges are temporary and that you have overcome obstacles in the past. A helpful strategy to maintain perspective during difficult times is to practice gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your job and life.

Developing resilience at work is an ongoing process that involves continually adapting and learning from your experiences. If you implement these strategies into your daily work life, you can enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of the workplace with confidence and resilience.

If you’d like assistance with developing resilience at work or to enquire about relevant professional development opportunities, contact us today on Live Chat or 1300 76 2221. We’d love to help you find your new direction!

15 Easy-to-Start Small Business Ideas!

Considering 20% of businesses fail in their first year and 60% within the first three years, it’s easy to become disheartened. But while it’s a grim figure, don’t let that stop you–those with an entrepreneurial spirit can overcome all odds! Plus, if you create one of these easy-to-start small business ideas, you’ll be up and running faster than you think.

So, what type of small business would you like to start? A passion or hobby often expands into a lucrative business idea, but sometimes, you need a little inspiration. That’s why we’ve listed 15 small business ideas that are relatively easy to start. Take a look and see if any jump out at you.

1. Graphic design

Are you looking for a creative field where you can demonstrate your talent and passion? Graphic design offers many opportunities to apply your artistic skills as a freelancer. It’s one of the easier small business ideas to set up due to low-entry costs, as you don’t need a physical store or expensive equipment. If you have a computer, design software and a strong and reliable internet connection, you’re all set.  If you’d like to start your own graphic design business but don’t yet have the skills, take our Introduction to Graphic Design to see if it’s the right small business choice for you!

2. Content writing

Do you have a way with words? If so, starting a content writing business is a great way to achieve financial freedom with relatively low start-up costs and the ability to scale up. Your business can also be supported through online freelancing platforms such as Freelancer. If you’re passionate about writing but need to develop your skills and knowledge, consider one of our Writing, Editing & Communication online courses!

3. Social media management

Setting up a social media management business is relatively straightforward, making it an accessible start-up business idea for aspiring entrepreneurs. The simplicity lies in the minimal startup requirements – a computer, an internet connection, and a good understanding of various social media platforms will suffice! If you’d like to develop your skills in social media management, take a look at our Social Media Strategy and Certificate of Social Media and Engagement courses.

4. Virtual assistance

Are you looking for a small business idea that’s portable? One that could take you around the world? If so, a small business idea like a virtual assistant is ideal. Setting up a virtual assistance business is fairly simple, making it an accessible small business idea for individuals seeking flexibility and remote work opportunities. All you’ll need initially is a computer, an internet connection, and strong organisational and communication skills. Once set up, aspiring virtual assistants can establish their business from the comfort of their homes or from the other side of the world. Do you need to develop skills as a virtual assistant? Check out our online professional development course, Certificate of Business Administration (Virtual Assistant Program).

5. Web development

These days, with so many tools and resources available, starting a web development business is surprisingly straightforward. A dependable computer and a strong internet connection are the main necessities for working from almost anywhere. You are also spoilt for choice when it comes to user-friendly platforms, like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress, so even people without much technical experience can quickly build clients’ websites that look amazing.

6. Tutoring

It’s easier than you think to start a tutoring business, so if you’re enthusiastic about education, it’s a way to share your knowledge and support struggling students. This business is easy to get started with because it requires very little. Equipped with subject matter or skill-specific knowledge, all a prospective tutor needs are a peaceful place to hold lessons and a dependable internet connection to facilitate online teaching. The advent of digital platforms and online tutoring marketplaces has made it possible for tutors to connect with students anywhere in the world without being physically present. Looking for a course to help you be a successful tutor? Take a look at our wide variety of courses in Education and Teaching!

7. Handmade gifts

A popular small business idea, handmade gifts are a surprisingly easy way to get started in business. It’s a simple and accessible business concept, needing little more than imagination, dedication, and a little initial expenditure. Showcasing and selling handcrafted items has never been easier, thanks to the rise of online markets, like Etsy, and social media platforms that help you spread the word.

8. Event planning

Small event planning for birthdays, weddings, or local events is a lucrative small business opportunity. Those who enjoy organising and creativity can consider starting an event planning firm. The first steps are simple, requiring only a sharp eye for detail and decent interpersonal skills. The only upfront fees are those associated with establishing a digital presence via a professional website and social media channels. Take a look at our online professional development course, Certificate Wedding Planning & Event Management, which will help you get started as an event planner.

9. Fitness training

Personal training or fitness classes are an ideal start-up business idea, as they’re remarkably accessible, making them ideal for those passionate about health and wellness. With relatively low startup costs, you only need your expertise and minimal equipment to commence. If you’d like to explore fitness as a career, take a look at our Certificate of Health & Fitness!

10. Consulting

Whether business, career or financial consulting, this start-up business idea is easily set up for aspiring entrepreneurs with knowledge to share. If you decide to set up a consultancy business, you’ll enjoy low barriers to entry. You can commence operations with just a laptop, internet connection, and expertise in your specific field. The flexibility of consulting allows entrepreneurs to choose their niche based on personal interests and professional strengths, ensuring a gratifying and tailored business model consulting. If you’d like to gain professional development to start a consulting business, explore our Professional Practice for Consultants.

  • Business consulting
  • Career consulting
  • Financial consulting

11. Pet services

If you have a passion for pets, a pet services business idea is right up your alley! It’s also a surprisingly easy venture for animal enthusiasts to get off the ground. The low barrier to entry stems from the minimal startup requirements. Aspiring animal-loving entrepreneurs can create pet services businesses without extensive capital investment or specialised facilities. Services such as dog walking, pet sitting, or grooming can often be operated from home or via mobile means, reducing overhead costs.

12. Cleaning services

Cleaning services are always in demand, so this start-up business idea is sure to be a success. It also offers simplicity of entry and is a practical option for those looking to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in cleaning or setting up your own cleaning business, take a look at our Certificate of Domestic & Commercial Cleaning.

  • Residential cleaning
  • Office cleaning
  • Mobile car wash

13. Photography

the ease of entry and the ability to adapt to a digital landscape make starting a photography business an attainable goal for passionate individuals seeking a creative and entrepreneurial venture.

  • Event photography
  • Portrait photography

14. E-commerce reselling

Buying and selling products online through platforms like eBay or Amazon is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to start your own business. With strategic product selection, a customer-centred approach, and consistent effort, you can quickly establish and grow a profitable e-commerce reselling business! Learn more about e-commerce with our Introduction to e-commerce.

15. Gardening services

If you’ve got a green thumb, gardening might be the perfect small business idea for you. It requires little in the way of startup costs. All you need is a passion for plants and a basic set of gardening tools to get started. The demand for gardening services is consistent, as homeowners, businesses, and communities always seek professional assistance to maintain and enhance their outdoor spaces. We have a huge variety of gardening courses to help you get started.

  • Lawn care
  • Gardening consultation

 

Remember, the key to success with any small business idea is understanding your target market, providing exceptional value, and being persistent in your efforts. Additionally, consider your unique skill set, interests, and local market demand when choosing your business idea.

Develop a new business venture!

Explore the Develop New Business Ventures course if you want to learn how to plan and implement a new business. You’ll learn to investigate new business opportunities by analysing market information and trends, gathering essential data and sourcing information supporting business ideas and concepts. You’ll also discover the key to developing and presenting professional business proposals, communicating risks to stakeholders and understanding legislation, standards, codes of practice, policies and procedures, and financial and resource requirements!

If you’re interested in professional development, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants on Live Chat or 1300 76 2221 to learn more. We’d love to help you find your new direction!

 

10 Motivation Tips to Master Online Study!

Looking for motivation and online study tips? You’ve come to the right place! While online study has many benefits it also requires personal commitment and self-discipline. If you’re considering gaining professional development online, it helps to plan for success, and motivation is crucial. Motivation is the driving force that will help you overcome challenges, stay engaged and achieve your professional development goals.

  1. Set clear goals

The first step to staying motivated while studying online is to set realistic goals – and stick to them. First, make sure your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-sensitive). You can learn more about setting SMART goals here. It’s also important to visualise your end goal to stay motivated throughout your course. Perhaps you plan on changing careers or gaining a promotion after completing your studies. Whatever your ‘why’ for studying should stay top-of-mind to keep you on track.

  1. Set up a productive workspace

It’s also important to have a dedicated workspace where you can ‘switch on’ while working through your course. The physical space should be conducive to productivity and help you block distractions. You can learn more about creating a beautiful and productive home office here. Make sure you pay attention to ergonomics so that you’re not compromising your posture, which impacts productivity. Good posture contributes to physical health, mental alertness, and focus.

  1. Create a strict study schedule

Maintaining a strict study schedule will help you achieve your study goals. Consistency in studying is key to reinforcing what you’ve learned and helping memory retention. A study schedule also encourages time management and discipline, both valuable skills in your academic and professional life. It’s also a vital way to balance your life, making time for work, study, sleep, and personal time, which reduces stress.

  1. Learn your self-motivation strategies

What motivates you will be unique. Positive reinforcement of your progress through reward is another great way to stay motivated when things get difficult. It’s a good idea to set benchmarks for earning rewards. You might reward yourself for reading course materials up to a certain point or for completing an important assessment or assignment. While rewards work well to push through challenging parts of your online course, drawing on intrinsic motivation is still crucial. So, remind yourself about your end goal to stay the course!

  1. Stay engaged

If you’re stuck, ask questions to get back on track. Our tutors and course consultants are always eager to help. Seeking feedback and asking questions throughout your course will ensure you stay engaged, which is vital for motivation.

  1. Take regular breaks

One major online study tip is to take regular breaks! Why? Because prolonged periods of intense focus lead to mental fatigue and reduced concentration! Regular breaks will recharge your cognitive resources, optimising your learning efficiency and reducing exhaustion. Everyone is different when it comes to how often you need to break and for how long. But generally, it’s a good idea to take a break from studying every 50 to 90 minutes to help maintain productivity and break for between 10 and 25 minutes. So, make sure you schedule breaks into your study routine.

  1. Manage stress and burnout

It’s important to recognise signs of burnout in an online learning environment. If you’re feeling exhausted (no matter how much sleep you’re getting), irritable, bored, anxious or depressed, you might be experiencing academic burnout. There are many ways to combat burnout, including focusing on a healthy diet, regular exercise and self-care. You can learn more about beating study-related stress here.

  1. Overcome procrastination

If you struggle with procrastination, you’re not alone. This online study tip will hopefully help you tackle difficult – or boring – tasks that trigger a procrastination reaction. If you’re avoiding doing an important task in favour of something more enjoyable, it’s procrastination. Most of us will procrastinate when we’re bored, tired or overwhelmed. So, how do you minimise procrastination for maximum productivity? As well as recognising procrastination to stop it in its tracks, you should have a ‘priority list’ to go to when this happens. Take the least challenging study task on your list and work your way up to bigger, more complex tasks until you get in the flow. You can learn more about getting into a flow state to increase your productivity while studying here.

  1. Seek inspiration from success stories

Real-life examples of people who have excelled in a career or business to which you aspire might inspire you to push ahead with your studies when you’re feeling stuck. Drawing motivation from other’s experiences and how they overcome challenges may help you find the strength to continue with your studies despite the setbacks you might encounter.

  1. Celebrate achievements

Finally, make sure you recognise and celebrate your achievements. If you finish an important assignment, treat yourself to a relaxing weekend with friends or buy that new outfit you’ve been coveting.  Recognising and celebrating milestones and accomplishments will motivate you to complete your studies – so celebrate!

 

Hopefully, these online study tips will help you stay motivated and achieve your professional development goals. We encourage you to reach out if you need any help with your studies, as we want to ensure your professional development journey is smooth.

Tips to Embrace AI Tools in Your Career

Are you concerned that AI will take over your job? You’re not alone. A recent poll revealed that more than half of people aged 18-24 are worried about AI and their careers.

It’s a concern that’s understandable, as companies rush to replace many jobs through automation to remain competitive and viable. In fact, recent research found that a quarter of tasks that humans currently do could be automated in the coming years.

However, if you take a strategic approach to protect your career and embrace AI, you’ll soon learn how to stay relevant and thrive in your career.

Navigating AI can be challenging at first, but with a little research and a bit of practice, you’ll soon learn to love AI.

Continuous Learning

The speed at which AI and automation are advancing means your skills can fast become outdated. So, make a commitment to lifelong learning by staying updated on the latest AI technologies, tools, and trends. It’s also important to maintain your professional development through online courses, workshops, and conferences to ensure your skills stay sharp and adaptable.

Embrace AI Tools

If you can’t beat them, join them! If you learn to leverage AI, it can be a valuable tool to boost your efficiency and effectiveness. Discover how AI can complement your skills and help you solve complex workplace problems. When you collaborate with AI tools, you’ll become more productive and focused on higher-level tasks.

Cultivate Soft Skills

While AI can handle many technical tasks, soft skills like communication, creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are irreplaceable. These skills allow you to excel in jobs that require human interaction, leadership, and decision-making.

Networking and Relationship Building

Building a strong professional network remains crucial in the AI age.  Make sure you attend AI-related events, join online forums, and reach out to experts in your field. When you network, it opens up new opportunities, collaborations, and insights that keep you relevant in the AI age.

Remember, AI can help you adapt and enhance your career management. By continuously learning, embracing AI as an ally, nurturing soft skills, specialising in critical areas, and expanding your professional network, you can position yourself for success in the AI age.

Top 18 AI Tools for Work

So, you’re ready to embrace AI tools? If so, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to integrating AI tools to enhance your productivity and efficiency at work. We’ve listed a few of the most popular for different work tasks, but make sure you do your research, as AI is a dynamic technology.

Communication and Collaboration

  1. Slack: An AI-powered team communication platform that integrates various apps and helps streamline communication.
  2. Microsoft Teams: Offers chat, video conferencing, and file sharing with AI-powered features like real-time translation and transcription.
  3. Grammarly: AI-driven writing assistant that helps improve grammar, style, and tone in written communications.

Data Analysis and Decision-Making

  1. Tableau: Uses AI to analyse and visualize data, making it easier to gain insights and make informed decisions.
  2. IBM Watson Analytics: Enables data exploration and predictive analytics without requiring advanced technical skills.
  3. Power BI: Microsoft’s business analytics service that transforms data into visuals, aiding in data-driven decision-making.

Task and Project Management

  1. Trello: Organises tasks and projects with customizable boards and cards, integrating AI-driven automation and insights.
  2. Monday: AI-enhanced project management tool that assists with task allocation, scheduling, and progress tracking.

Virtual Assistants and Productivity

  1. ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool that helps you answer questions and assists with tasks, such as composing emails, essays and codes.
  2. Microsoft 365: Offers AI-powered tools like Outlook’s suggested replies and Cortana for productivity enhancements.

Customer Support and Engagement

  1. Zendesk: Integrates AI-powered chatbots for automated customer support and streamlined interactions.
  2. Intercom: Provides AI-driven chatbots and messaging solutions for personalised customer engagement.

Content Creation and Marketing

  1. Canva: AI-enhanced design platform for creating graphics, presentations, and visual content.
  2. HubSpot: Offers AI-powered marketing automation and analytics to optimize campaigns and lead generation.

Language Translation and Localisation

  1. Google Translate: AI-driven language translation tool for written content.
  2. DeepL: Provides high-quality language translation with AI-powered neural networks.

Sales and CRM

  1. Salesforce Einstein: AI-enhanced CRM that offers insights, predictions, and automation for sales processes.
  2. HubSpot CRM: Utilises AI to track, manage, and analyse customer interactions and relationships.

Remember, the success of these tools varies based on your specific workplace needs and industry. Always assess the tool’s features, integration capabilities, and reviews before implementing it in your workplace.

How to Fast-Track Your Career Progression

If you want to move ahead in your career, hard work and passion are a powerful pair. But if you want to motor along in your career, take the fast track! It sounds like we’re advocating a shortcut to achieve your career goals. Yes, and no. It’s not so much about cutting corners. Instead, you’ll need to be strategic and determined. So, career progression refers to learning skills, training and development, and taking charge of your career trajectory.  So, what’s the secret to fast-tracking your career progression?

What is career progression fast track?

We won’t sugar-coat it; the career progression fast track isn’t for everyone. It involves building a professional network, embracing continuous learning, creating SMART goals, seeking mentorship, developing leadership skills, building a professional brand, embracing challenges and failure, and staying positive and persistent. To top it off, you’ll need to strike a balance between working hard towards a goal and avoiding occupational burnout – no mean feat, but possible.

So, how determined are you to take the fast track? Let’s look at the steps you can take to make it a reality. But remember, patience is a virtue, and your expectations may start a bit too high. After all, the making of a successful career is a lifelong work in progress.

Build your professional network

When you start your career, your professional network will probably be small. However, if you attend industry events, join relevant associations, and connect with professionals in your field, your network will soon grow. Networking is crucial to career progression because, despite the naysayers, who you know matters. Networks can open doors to new opportunities that are closed to many. People in your network can also provide valuable insights and help you stay connected with significant industry trends.

Embrace continuous learning

Learning is a lifelong habit that’s worth the investment. Stay updated with industry trends, acquire new skills, and seek out professional development courses at every opportunity. Make a professional development plan and stick to it.  This makes you a valuable and adaptable employee. And one on a fast track to career progression and success.

Create SMART goals

Setting goals is essential to fast-track your career progression, but make sure they’re SMART. A SMART goal, which is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-sensitive, ensures you stay accountable.

Foster a growth mindset

A growth mindset means you believe that your abilities and intelligence can evolve through dedication and hard work. When you foster a growth mindset, you embrace challenges and persist despite failure, realising that it leads to learning and improvement. You’ll feel empowered to take risks, explore new opportunities, and constantly seek personal and professional growth.

Seek mentorship

Find experienced professionals in your industry who can serve as important mentors and advisors. They can provide the guidance and insights you need to navigate your career path successfully. Start by outlining your goals for professional growth and think about what you need to get there. This will help you determine who could be a good mentor for you and a good starting point for a conversation with them.

Develop leadership skills

When you develop strong leadership skills, you inspire others to achieve their career goals. As a result, you also advance your career by positioning yourself for professional and financial success in the future. If you’re looking for a fast-track career, seeking professional development courses in leadership and gaining training and development in this area is crucial. After all, leaders are made, not born.

Build a professional brand

Your professional brand defines the value you bring to your career. It represents your position in your industry and tells people about your values and beliefs. A professional brand is a powerful marketing tool that has the potential to strengthen your connections and fast-track your career. The first step in creating a personal brand is defining who you are and what strengths you bring to your industry. Once you’re clear on that, start sharing informative content on social media or create a website to grow your connections and reach those who can help fast-track your career progression.

Embrace challenge

View all challenges as opportunities for growth because stepping outside your comfort zone will accelerate your career progression like nothing else. You will get noticed if you can solve an organisation’s work problem. If you can tap into your manager’s style and help them achieve their goals, they will also have your best interests at heart. So, embrace uncertainty! What’s the worst that can happen – you’ll fail? That leads us to our next point.

Learn from failure

Finally, don’t allow failure to define you. Learn the critical lesson from it and move on to new opportunities to succeed. Employers appreciate the resilience and those who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.

Stay positive and be persistent

Career progression takes time, so stay positive in the face of setbacks. Maintaining your motivation when things don’t go as planned can be challenging, but persistence pays when it comes to achieving goals. Patience, perseverance, and a positive mindset can make all the difference in your career progression.

Maintain a work-life balance

Finally, work hard but make sure you’re also working smart. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re on a fast track to burnout. It isn’t easy to overcome occupational burnout, so prevention is better than cure. Ensure you have sufficient time away from work to enjoy your relationships and hobbies and get adequate exercise, nutrition, rest, and relaxation!

 

Remember, career progression is a process, so try to enjoy the journey. If you’re too focused on rushing to the finish line, you’ll miss the moments and lessons along the way. But, by employing these tips, you can fast-track your professional achievements and career goals.

If you’re looking for professional development opportunities to help fast-track your career progression, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today on Live Chat or 1300 76 2221. We would love to help you find your new direction!

How to Address Selection Criteria – 7 Steps to Success!

When you’re looking to land your dream job, you’ll most likely encounter a request to address selection criteria during the application process. It can be time-consuming, but on the upside, it’s also an ideal way to provide evidence of your suitability for the job. So, what exactly are selection criteria, and how do you ensure you have addressed them correctly?

What are selection criteria?

Selection criteria are the qualifications, abilities, knowledge, experience and personal characteristics that a hiring manager or panel will use to assess applicants for a certain job or position within a company or organisation.

Employers use selection criteria to determine which applicants are most suited for a position based on their competencies and qualities. Selection criteria ensure applicants have the knowledge and abilities to execute the job successfully.

Selection criteria can vary depending on the company or organisation and the nature of the role. They might contain the following criteria:

Education

The level of education of the candidate, including formal qualifications, professional development or short courses that are required for the role.

Work experience

The duration of relevant work experience or industry-specific field experience.

Technical skills

Specialised knowledge and abilities relevant to the profession include software program competencies, technical proficiency, or specialised training.

Interpersonal skills

The capacity to communicate effectively, manage relationships, work in a team and interact successfully with stakeholders.

Analytical and problem-solving ability

The capacity to recognise and solve issues, analyse data, make judgements, and think critically.

Flexibility and adaptability

The ability to handle competing responsibilities and tasks and perform in dynamic environments.

Leadership and management skills

Capability for managing teams, projects, tasks and organisational objectives.

Communication skills

Strong verbal and written communication abilities and the capacity to communicate information effectively, persuasively and clearly.

Time management and organisational skills

The capacity to set priorities, adhere to deadlines and manage resources successfully.

Personal qualities

Characteristics include motivation, initiative, focus on details, dependability and a solid work ethic.

How to address selection criteria

The following steps will help ensure you successfully address the selection criteria to give yourself the best chance of progressing in the application process.

  1. Understand the selection criteria

To ensure you accurately address the selection criteria in your application, carefully review the criteria listed in a job application. You can indicate your suitability for the position and raise your chances of being chosen for further consideration by responding to these requirements.

  1. Gather evidence

Look for examples that demonstrate you can meet each of the selection criteria. Condition. Gather evidence of credentials, abilities, and experiences. You can include evidence of prior employment, academic achievement, volunteer work, professional development, short courses, and other significant activities.

  1. Structure your response

First, create a new document stating your full name, the job title, and a headline, such as Summary Addressing Key Selection Criteria.

Next, divide your response to each of the selection criteria into three sections, including:

Introduction: Briefly restate the selection criterion and provide a succinct overview of how you meet it.

Example/evidence: Provide a specific example highlighting your skills and experience related to the criterion. Describe the task or situation, outline your actions, and highlight the favourable outcome or result experienced (see point 4 on using the STAR method).

Conclusion: Summarise the example and accentuate how it demonstrates your suitability for the role.

  1. Use the STAR method

When providing examples of your skills in action (highlighting necessary qualifications or experience), follow the STAR method to ensure your response is structured and compelling.

Situation: Describe the situation (or context) in which you demonstrated a particular skill in the workplace, study, or life.

Task: Outline the specific challenge or task you faced in that situation.

Action: Identify the steps you took to address that challenge or task

Result: Explain the positive impact or outcome of your actions

  1. Be specific

provide details: Ensure your responses are detailed, precise, and provide relevant information. Use quantifiable results whenever possible to showcase your achievements and impact.

  1. Tailor your responses

Customise your responses to align with the requirements of the specific role or organisation. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that directly relate to the position.

  1. Proofread and edit

Review your responses to ensure they are clear, concise, and error-free. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Consider asking a trusted friend or colleague to review your responses as well.

Other (random) tips to succeed!

 

Employ active verbs

Active verbs result in assertive and succinct communication – perfect for addressing selection criteria. For example, write ‘I managed or negotiated’ instead of the weaker ‘I was involved in or responsible for.’ As you can see, the active verb helps you describe your role more clearly.

Use correct English

You will be judged on your ability to communicate in writing. So, make sure your responses to the selection criteria use correct English. You should run your writing through a proofreading software program, proofread yourself and ask a family member or friend to double-check that your work is error-free.

Ask yourself, so what?

You must be brutal regarding what to include and what to leave out. No one wants to read superfluous selection criteria, and hiring managers are generally time-poor. So, ensure you are succinct while including enough evidence of suitability – it’s a balancing act.

Be honest and authentic

You want to sell yourself, but not at the expanse of exaggeration or misrepresentation. So, be genuine and provide accurate and compelling examples that demonstrate you’re a good fit for the role.

Incorporate keywords

A handy trick to ensure you’re on track in your responses is to look for keywords and phrases used in the selection criteria and the job description. You should strategically incorporate these keywords throughout your answers to show strong alignment with the requirements.

Seek feedback

Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review your responses to the selection criteria if possible. Their feedback will be valuable in finding areas for improvement and enhancing your answers.

Highlight transferable skills

You may not be able to meet all of the selection criteria. But you can highlight any transferable skills you possess that still demonstrate your ability to meet the criterion in the future.

Remember, knowing how to address selection criteria is vital to landing your dream job. When done correctly, it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications. It provides potential employers with evidence of your suitability for the job. So, make sure you take the time to prepare thorough and tailored responses that strongly demonstrate your suitability for the role.

 

If you’re looking for professional development opportunities to help you land your dream job, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today on Live Chat or 1300 76 2221. We would love to help you find your new direction!

How to Master Behavioural Interviews

Behavioural interviews are the most feared but the most important part of a job selection process as they delve into past behaviours to help predict future success in a role. So, why are they so feared, and how do you overcome your nerves to master this type of interview?

What is a behavioural interview?

First, let’s begin with a definition. Behavioural interviews are a type of job interview where the interviewer asks questions about how you have behaved in specific situations in the past.

What is the purpose of behavioural interviews?

The purpose of a behavioural interview is to understand your skills, abilities, and traits based on your past experiences and actions in other workplaces or situations. It’s an ideal way to predict your future performance.

In a behavioural interview, the questions are designed to prompt you to provide detailed responses about your past behaviours and actions. It’s an excellent way to avoid hypothetical or theoretical responses which may not match your work behaviours.

The core idea of the behavioural interview (and your responses) is that past behaviour is a reliable predictor of future behaviour. By asking about specific situations you have encountered in your workplace, the interviewer gains a clearer understanding of how you will navigate challenges, solve problems, work individually and as part of a team, and determine if you have the crucial skills that are relevant to that particular job.

What type of questions will I be asked?

The phrases you’ll often encounter during a behavioural interview typically begin with “Tell me about a time when …’ or ‘Can you provide an example of …’, prompting you to share a specific experience you’ve encountered.

When asked these types of questions, it’s vital to provide as much detail as possible to describe that particular situation, the action you took, and the outcome. The STAR method is a great framework for structuring your responses to these types of behavioural interviews.

Your responses tell potential employers a lot about your competency, interpersonal skills, adaptability, problem-solving ability and leadership potential and many other qualities relevant to a particular role. It’s real-life examples that will help you demonstrate how you handle various work-related situations and challenges.

Preparing for behavioural interviews

So, you have an upcoming interview and want to know how to prepare for these behavioural questions. How do you prepare? First, you’ll need to reflect on your past experiences and identify any relevant examples that relate to the role you’re applying for.

You should practice your responses to potential questions in a structured and concise way. A great way to pre-empt what might be asked is to review the job description and identify the core skills and competencies the employer is seeking. Be sure to demonstrate the impact of your actions and the results you achieved in your previous role, and highlight any relevant transferable skills.

You can incorporate storytelling techniques to keep the interviewer engaged. Basically, this involves revealing the facts, creating a narrative, and then restating the facts (however, this is a blog unto itself).

You should also research and ask thoughtful questions about the values, culture and team dynamics of the company. Understanding and incorporating the company’s culture and values into your responses show enthusiasm and genuine interest in the organisation.

Do you have a mentor? This person is preferably someone with knowledge of the industry or company you’re seeking to gain employment. They can help you rehearse for an interview. Their feedback on how you handle behavioural questions will be valuable.

Body language and communication tips

Once you’ve rehearsed your responses to potential behavioural questions, it’s time to turn your attention to non-verbal communication. Make sure you maintain good eye contact and have good posture, which demonstrates confidence in yourself. You should also show engagement by using positive and assertive language and active listening skills. Don’t forget to smile and nod!

Final tips for success

If there’s ever a time to dress for success, it’s at the interview. Make sure you’re wearing suitable attire that’s clean, ironed and fits you well. Depending on the job, keep make-up, jewellery and strong fragrances to a minimum.

Finally, arrive early and have some prepared questions to ask the interviewer at the end of your interview. Follow up in a few days with a thank-you email or note.

Remember, the goal of a behavioural interview is to provide proof of your abilities and aptitude for the role. You’ll need to show this based on your past behaviours. So, emphasise relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills. You will boost your chances of making a good impression and winning the job!

Notetaking for Successful Online Learning

Did you know that taking effective notes for studying is vital to success? There are considerable benefits to learning to be a successful notetaker, including higher retention of information to complete assessments and assignments quickly. It’s also hugely beneficial t to your future career, making you more productive in meetings and boardrooms and at industry conferences!

Benefits of notes for studying online

  • Organise and structure your learning: taking notes will help you more quickly understand the relationship between ideas.
  • Reinforce important points: when you take notes for studying, you can better identify and learn the important points.
  • Review notes for learning: when it comes time to study for an assessment or complete an assignment, you will have detailed notes to enhance your ability to complete your course successfully.
  • Keeps you focused: when you take notes for studying, you stay engaged in your learning and can be an active reader.
  • Improves your understanding: When you summarise and put learning concepts in your own words through notetaking, your comprehension of learning materials improves.
  • Memory retention: taking notes helps reinforce memory retention so you remember what you learn long after you’ve read through your learning materials.

Five types of notetaking

There are five primary note-taking methods: sentences, outlines, mind maps, Cornell, and digital notetaking.

  1. The sentence method

This method involves using sentences to summarise and organise your thoughts on study materials or at work. The most significant advantage of the sentence method is that it’s versatile and easy to use but not always the most efficient way to take notes. It can be helpful during fast-paced lectures but isn’t suited when you have more time to take structured notes, such as reading online course materials.

  1. The outline method

The outline method is one of the most common methods for note-taking. It organises notes for studying and involves using indentations, bullet points or numbers to visually separate main points, sub-points, and details. This method works well by incorporating different coloured pens, capitalisation, italics, or highlighters. It’s a straightforward notetaking system that records content and relationships and reduces editing as you can turn main points into questions. However, this notetaking method may not be ideal if you’re in a fast-paced class.

  1. The mind-mapping method

The mind mapping method is a graphic representation of the content of a lecture. It looks a lot like a tree with branches! It starts with one idea in the middle (the main topic) and then has branches (major points), reaching out with smaller branches (sub-points) underneath. If you’re a visual learner, you will probably love this system!

  1. The Cornell method

The Cornell method is a systematic method for condensing and organising notes. There are two columns on the page and five steps: record, questions, recite, reflect, and review. It’s an excellent note-taking method that helps highlight significant concepts and ideas and efficiently. It also doubles as a very effective study system when it’s time to revise for an exam.

  1. Digital notetaking

Digital notetaking has become popular as technology becomes increasingly helpful in completing tasks efficiently. It involves using note-taking apps or software to create and organise digital notes. Digital notetaking offers features like searchability, tagging, and multimedia integration but may be best used with handwritten notes to consolidate learning and retention of information. See below for digital notetaking applications to help you take effective notes to enhance your online learning journey.

Notetaking tips for online learning

When it comes to online learning, notes for studying need to be adapted to the digital world. The following tips are a few notetaking methods to help you take notes successfully in an online learning environment.

Handwrite your notes, then type them!

Typing notes is fast and efficient, but the hand-brain coordination of handwriting your notes is a powerful learning tool. So, handwrite your notes before typing them up and reviewing them to increase memory retention by a whopping 75%!

Always use your own words

Your ability to understand new information and retain knowledge improves when you use your own words to take notes.

Make use of white space

Don’t try to cram too many notes on one page. Instead, space out the main points.

Develop your own shorthand style

Take faster notes by creating your own shorthand. Try abbreviating common words and sentences in your course or workplace, such as BM, instead of ‘behaviour management.’

Maintain a glossary

It can help to maintain a glossary for words that are important but might need to be clarified to look up later.

Don’t write everything down

When studying an online course, you won’t always have access to textbooks and hardcopy books, so the tendency is to write everything down. But this can hurt your ability to study successfully as you’ll experience information overload.

Take notes while reading course materials

Online courses primarily involve reading course materials independently, so being an active reader is crucial. Being an active reader means taking notes instead of just reading or skimming materials. It’s also helpful to highlight sections that stand out, or you don’t understand so you can go back to later.

Use drawings or diagrams!

If you have difficulty finding words when notetaking, try drawing pictures or diagrams to deepen your learning. For example, if you’re learning about human anatomy, try drawing a picture of the human body and labelling body parts with brief descriptions. It’s a great way to record concepts so that you quickly grasp them when you return to your notes.

Incorporate notetaking software

There are many options for software applications that help you take, store and retrieve important notes during online learning. Here is a list of a few notetaking applications:

Evernote is one of the most popular notetaking applications, supporting images, audio and video storage. You can scan papers, email integration, webpage sharing, bookmarking and more.

OneNote is a free notetaking application that integrates with Microsoft software packages, including Word and Excel. You can take notes, draw, record audio notes and share with others.

Google Keep – Google’s notetaking application is freely available on the web. It works with Google Drive and Google Documents and allows you to scan text and images, notetaking, voice recording and store URLs.

 

Remember, the success of your notetaking depends on how actively and thoughtfully you engage with the learning materials. So, stay engaged and read actively by adapting these notetaking methods to your preferred style to maximise your online learning experience!

If you have any questions about our professional development courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today on Live Chat or call 1300 76 2221.

What is Career Cushioning?

Are you worried about the security of your job? You might be a candidate for career cushioning!

We’ve heard many buzzwords in employment over the past few years, especially during the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. There’s been remote work, hybrid work, the great resignation, quiet quitting and now, career cushioning.

So, what is career cushioning, and how do you do it?

What is career cushioning?

Career cushioning, put simply, is having a Plan B! It’s especially important as the rapidly changing employment landscape puts more jobs at risk of redundancy.

It’s certainly not a new concept, but due to our increasingly unstable employment landscape, the impact of new technologies, geopolitical struggles and a possible recession, career cushioning is crucial for many.

More people are searching for career cushioning, with Google Trends reporting a 5,000 per cent increase in the search term in the last 12 months!

Job loss and economic uncertainty

Tristan Wright, Business Coach, says career cushioning reduces the risk of job loss and economic insecurity.

“It involves developing multiple sources of income, skills, and networks to increase resilience in the job market. This can include building up a side business, investing in real estate, developing new skills and certifications, or networking with others in the industry.

“The goal of career cushioning is to have a backup plan in case of an economic downturn or job loss, allowing you to continue earning a living even if one source of income dries up.

“By having multiple income streams and a diverse skill set, you can increase your chances of finding new employment or generating income from other sources.

“Career cushioning is especially important in today’s fast-changing job market, where job security can be uncertain, and it’s wise to have a plan in case of unexpected events,” says Wright.

Career cushioning is more common when uncertainty exists in the employment and economic environment.

“People feel that career cushioning is necessary for today’s job market because of increasing uncertainty and volatility.

“With technological advancements and automation transforming many industries, jobs are becoming more transient, and there is a growing need to adapt and be prepared for changes in the job market,” explains Wright.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having a backup plan, says Wright, as many people lost their jobs or faced reduced hours and pay.

“In such an economic climate, having a career cushion can provide peace of mind and financial stability, helping individuals weather unexpected events and changes in the job market.

“Finally, having multiple sources of income and skills can increase your earning potential and provide greater flexibility in career choices.”

Inflation and tech to blame

Nicole Coggan, Employment Consultant and Professional Resume Writer, says her clients increasingly need to implement career cushioning strategies.

“Career cushioning is becoming increasingly popular amongst my clients contacting me to get their resume ready ‘just in case’.

“Previously, my clients only contacted me if they had a job in mind. However, I would estimate that around 25 per cent of the resumes I am writing now are for people who are career cushioning.

“This is so that they are ready to move in case of sudden redundancy and helps my clients feel more secure about their job prospects and ability to generate income moving forward.

“Inflation and changes to technology have many of my clients feeling less secure about their current jobs.”

6 career cushioning techniques                 

If you’re feeling the need to protect yourself from job loss, try some of the following career cushioning techniques.

  1. Stay up to date with industry news

Invest in subscriptions to online journals and magazine subscriptions in your industry to stay abreast of all the latest developments. It’s a great way to stay informed and feel more secure in your current role. You could even take it one step further and submit articles to said journals or magazines!

  1. Network like a pro

Networking is always a good idea. But it’s even more vital in times of economic and employment uncertainty. Make sure you attend any events that could put you in touch with a future employer, client or business partner.

  1. Apply for new opportunities

Why wait for redundancy? If you’re feeling uncertain in your current role, take the initiative to seek and apply for new jobs. You don’t have to accept every offer, but it’s nice to have options and a great way to explore opportunities.

  1. Start a side hustle

Do you have a hobby or a passion that could turn a profit? If so, why not start a side-line business while you’re employed? A small business will give you an income if you’re made redundant or lose your job.

  1. Hire a career coach

A career coach can help you pursue opportunities that best match your skillset and feel confident to apply for new jobs. They can also help you with mock interviews and resume help and coach you on networking like a pro! You’ll also identify self-sabotaging behaviours holding you back when achieving your career goals.

  1. Upskill to outsmart the competition

Do you have any skills gaps? If so, online professional development courses can help you fill them fast. You’ll feel more confident in your current role and be prepared if you lose your job or become redundant. The new skills will give you confidence that your education and training are up-to-date and online courses can also motivate and inspire you to change your career or apply for a promotion.

Invest in yourself to pivot

If you’re ready to pivot through career cushioning, it’s sure to break your fall should the unexpected happen. No one can completely prepare for job loss or redundancy, but career cushioning ensures you’ve got a plan B and gives you the confidence to weather unemployment should it occur.

If you’re interested in professional development, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 76 2221, Live Chat or Enquire Online form. They can help you upskill to outsmart the competition! And who knows, you might find a career cushion or a whole new direction!

STAR interview method helps you shine!

What’s your interview style? Do you tend to talk too much, giving away far too much? Or do you get quiet and reveal too little about your experience and strengths?

If you get the balance right – well done! But without a lot of training and experience in interviews, it can be tough to answer the questions that paint you in the best light! It’s especially tough to answer behavioural questions! You know the ones that usually start with, ‘Tell me about a time you…’?

Well, fear no more! We’re going to show you how to structure your answers to these questions by using what’s called the STAR interview method! It’s sure to make you shine at your next job interview.

What is the STAR interview method?

The STAR interview method determines whether your past experiences and behaviour make you a suitable candidate for the position they’re looking to fill. After all, past performance is a pretty good predictor of the future!

The interview response method is a way of answering behavioural questions. Behavioural interview questions seek to understand how you handled work situations in the past.

Recruiters and hiring managers use the STAR interview method to

The STAR acronym stands for:

Situation – share an experience, problem or challenge faced in your professional life.

Task – describe your responsibility in the situation and what was required.

Action – explain the actions you took in the situation.

Result – what was the outcome of your actions?

Why the STAR interview method works

The STAR interview method works because it challenges the interviewee to demonstrate their competencies in a real-world context. It gives the interviewer a peek behind the veil of your resume!

The STAR method in action!

There are endless behavioural questions you could be asked in an interview, but they generally fall into five categories, including Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Interpersonal Communication Skills and Stress.

When preparing for an interview, think about a question that’s likely to be asked from each category and practice your response using the STAR method.

How to answer STAR questions

Here are a few examples from each category:

Teamwork

Can you tell us about a time when you had to motivate a co-worker?

Situation: ‘I was working on a proposal deadline and needed statistics from an analyst who wasn’t getting back to me.

Task: ‘I needed to source statistics to finish the proposal on time for a client meeting the next week.’

Action: ‘I asked if we could get a coffee one day to discuss the proposal timeline, and it turned out he was having a few personal problems. I encouraged him to take a few personal leave days and pass the work on to his co-worker.

Result: ‘I ended up getting the statistics on time and was able to finish the proposal by the deadline. The client was happy! And my co-worker solved his personal issues and returned the following week ready to work.’

Problem-Solving

Can you tell us about a time when you had to problem-solve a difficult situation at work?

Situation: ‘I had a customer who wanted a refund but didn’t have her receipt, and she was extremely rude.

Task: ‘I needed to find a way to appease the customer, but the store policy was not to issue refunds without receipts.

Action: ‘I asked why the customer why she wanted a refund on her purchase of a board game, and it turned out it had pieces missing.’ I contacted our supplier and was able to have them send her the missing pieces of the game.

Result: ‘The customer left happy as she did like the game, and the supplier was alerted to the fact that there were some quality-control issues with that particular game.’

Interpersonal Communication

Can you describe a conflict you had with a colleague and how you handled it?

Situation: ‘My co-worker took a long time to process customer service queries, and I was getting many complaints.

Task: ‘I needed to find out why my colleague was not responding to customers adequately, but she is pretty sensitive, so I needed to be diplomatic.

Action: ‘I told her about complaints from customers not getting a timely reply to their queries and asked if she had any ideas to solve the problem. She told me she was getting too many emails to handle, so I approached our supervisor to help.

Result: ‘It turned out we needed to hire another customer service representative, and we advertised for the position the next week!’

Stress

Can you share a time when you felt overwhelmed or stressed in your current role?

Situation: ‘I always have a million things on the go at once, and sometimes it can be challenging to keep on top of deadlines.

Task: ‘I knew I needed help organising and prioritising my weekly tasks.

Action: ‘So, I asked my manager if we could invest in a time management software program.

Result: ‘Now I’m using Monday. I don’t stress about my weekly priority list as it keeps me organised.’

Hopefully, next time you’re confronted with a tricky behavioural question in an interview, you’ll recall the STAR interview method and shine like the perfect candidate you are! Good luck!

 

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5 Steps to Achieving Your Professional Development Goals

Have you heard of career capital? That’s what you gain when you set and reach your professional development goals. There’s no limit to improving yourself, so smash your career goals and make the most of your potential.

What are professional development goals?

Professional development goals are goals you set for yourself or your team (if you’re a manager) to encourage career growth. They can be long and short-term goals that help you find your direction and lead a fulfilling professional life.

Why are professional development goals important?

There are many advantages to setting and achieving professional development goals throughout your career, including:

  • Helping you envision the big (bright) picture
  • Hones your current skillset
  • Improves your productivity
  • Increases your chance of advancement

5 Steps to Achieving Your Professional Development Goals

You don’t need to wait for your employer to present professional development opportunities. If you’re interested in a promotion or career change, you can make it happen with professional development goals.

Step 1 – Define your end goal

I’m sure you’ve heard if you don’t plan, you plan to fail. It’s so true when it comes to achieving your professional development goals. But to plan to achieve your goals, you need to fully understand what the end result looks like.

So, if you want to communicate better at work, what’s behind the motivation? Are you looking to move into a managerial role? Do you need help handling conflicts to improve your relationships in the workplace?

Make sure you clearly understand your goal and why it’s important in the landscape of your career. That way, you can work backwards to decide the direction you need to take now to get to the final destination – your dream career!

Step 2 – Look for clues in performance reviews

If your career’s stagnant and you’re stuck in a rut, go over your performance reviews. Here you’ll find clues to where you can improve to reboot or transform your career.

If your performance review is glowing, go straight to the source. Ask your manager or work colleagues where they think you can improve. Honest feedback will help direct your professional development goals and shows you’re interested in continuing to grow in your career.

Step 3 – Make your goals SMART 

If your goals aren’t SMART, you won’t have much luck achieving them. The SMART goal system ensures you make a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-sensitive plan.  

You can find out more about setting SMART goals here.

Step 4 – Break it down into manageable parts

It can be overwhelming to achieve a long-term goal, but just like climbing a mountain, one step at a time! When you break big goals into smaller, more manageable parts, you are more likely to achieve long-term goals. Set a schedule where you complete a task each day or week towards your end goal.

Step 5 – Make time to achieve your goals

Time management is vital in achieving long-term (and short-term) goals. If you lack organisation, time management and project management, consider a short professional development course to hone those skills.

Step 6 – Review (and reward) your progress

Keep yourself accountable by regularly reviewing your progress towards your goal. In doing so, you’ll realise you’re getting closer to achieving your goal, which is motivating. When you reach critical milestones, reward yourself for your efforts. Perhaps it’s a new gadget or dinner out with friends when you get to the halfway mark. Whatever motivates you, reward yourself for progress, and you’ll stay the course. 

Professional Development Goals include:

  • Industry events that facilitate networking
  • Short courses, certificates and degrees
  • Non-fiction books to enhance your career/professional relationships
  • Leadership training
  • Communication skills training
  • Membership with a professional organisation
  • Promotion and/or increased work responsibilities
  • Volunteering in an area of interest that relates to your job or dream career
  • Workshops related to your current or dream job
  • Mentoring – seek mentorship or become a mentor
  • Give and receive professional feedback
  • Manage your habits – increase energy
  • Develop a growth mindset
  • Keep up with new technology, systems and processes

Are you ready to find your new direction? Now’s an ideal time to start planning your professional development goals for next year! Browse our extensive professional development online courses today, and start next year with a plan!

How to Find a Job – Start the Search!

Avoid procrastination and learn how to find a job fast. If you’ve recently graduated from your course but feel anxious about marketing yourself and your new skills, we’ve got the advice you’re looking for.

Lucyna Polok of a leading international job board, Europe Language Jobs (ELJ), collaborates with recruiters to help job seekers find a job by optimising their job search. So, what’s most important? Read on to discover ELJ’s top tips to get your job search off to a flying start!

Set goals

A successful job search requires a plan. Job hunting shouldn’t consist of sending out dozens of applications in a burst of energy followed by static periods. It’s necessary to set daily and weekly goals. Perhaps you have a set number of applications, hours spent researching new opportunities, or networking events you will attend in a given week or month to keep you accountable.

Stay organised

If you’re wondering how to find a job, think organisation! Setting goals is crucial, but that shouldn’t be where it ends. It’s not enough to make a to-do list and then forget its existence. A successful job seeker will be thorough and diligent – you need to meet the goals you have set for yourself and make sure you’re on track.

Review your network

According to ELJ, at least 70% of vacancies have yet to be advertised. Most jobs are usually filled through networking. So, in addition to applying for advertised positions, you should also take advantage of your connections. Reach out to people you have cooperated with in the past and ask if any vacancies might suit your skill set. If your network isn’t broad enough, it might be worth attending a few networking events before the job search to gain a competitive edge.

Update your LinkedIn profile

We usually remember to freshen up our CV before sending it out, but it’s common to neglect our LinkedIn profile. Nowadays, recruiters like to double-check the candidates’ LinkedIn profiles to either search for more information or verify the facts they’d put in their resumes. Inconsistencies in LinkedIn from those you provide in your CV may confuse a hiring manager. Check that dates, previous positions and job titles are consistent across your LinkedIn and CV.

Clean up your social media

Socials are an essential step that many applicants need to remember. It’s common knowledge that recruiters visit the LinkedIn profiles of candidates, but it’s still somehow less known that they also, more often than not, run a social media background check. It’s not to find embarrassing content but to learn more about the person they may hire. Still, it’s better to make sure we didn’t post or haven’t been tagged in compromising videos/photos and that, if so, our accounts’ settings are set to private.

Create a dedicated email address

Few things annoy recruiters more than being unable to contact the ideal candidate. Imagine the horror of discovering a company had reached you, but the email got lost among all others, and you never saw it until it was too late.

Creating a separate email address dedicated to your job search might help you stay on top of correspondence with potential future employers. It will also ensure that the address itself is professional. Recruiters still find immature email addresses on their candidates’ CVs.

Ask previous employers for references in advance

Recruiters may sometimes ask for references from previous employers. They don’t always do that, but it can happen. Waiting to ask for them only after being requested by the hiring manager can significantly delay the process, so it’s much better to have them ready before you start your active job search.

Boost your employability

The job-hunting process can take longer than expected. Doing it while still employed puts you in a slightly more comfortable situation, but many look for a new job after leaving a previous position.

In that case, use the time to your advantage. Attend webinars, complete online courses, and sign up for extra classes to develop the hard and soft skills you need for the job. Not only will it make you feel better and disperse the illusion of time wasted while being unemployed, but it will also increase your attractiveness on the job market.

Use different job-seeking strategies

It’s not enough to kick off your job search on LinkedIn. The more means you employ in your job hunt, the more successful it can be. Create profiles on as many job boards as possible, and download job-search apps. Companies don’t always advertise vacancies on all platforms, so using just one may result in you losing valuable opportunities. It is also a good idea to look directly at the websites of the businesses that interest you. Some businesses may not even post the positions on any job board, sharing them on their website’s “careers” tab instead.

Sign up for job alerts

You can’t possibly spend the whole day manually looking for open positions. At some point, you will need to leave your computer and tend to other matters. Life can’t be put on hold during the job search.

Signing up for personalised job matchings won’t cost you anything and can get you ahead in the game. You will be one of the first candidates to know about freshly-advertised positions and will be able to apply straight away.

If you correctly complete your candidate’s profiles, the alerts you will receive will be matched to your needs, which will help you save the time you would otherwise spend sorting through irrelevant vacancies.

 

If you’re still unsure about how to find a job, whether it’s writing a resume or attending an interview and gaining time management skills, you’ll find lots more advice on our Blog!

In-Demand Skills (and Jobs) For 2025

The job landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, particularly with the advent of COVID-19. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2.1 million people left or lost a job, and 1.3 million people changed jobs. That’s the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012.

The types of in-demand skills have also changed. The World Economic Forum (WEF) projects that nearly half of the world’s workers will need to re-skill in one way or another over the next five years. Their 2020 Future of Work report has identified “the potential scale of worker displacement due to augmentation and technological automation, alongside effective strategies for empowering job transitions from declining to emerging jobs”.

And a recent study conducted jointly by RMIT Online and Deloitte on the “future of work” has revealed that digital literacy skills will be in high demand in Australia in the next few years. The study reports that Australia will need over 156,000 more digital technology workers by 2025, representing one in four jobs created during that period.

WEF’s top skills for 2025

However, it is interesting to note that the WEF report also cites the top 15 skills for 2025 — and many aren’t directly connected to technology, cybersecurity or software development. They are based on being better at learning, thinking and adapting to an ever-changing world. Many of them cover management and leadership skills and others can be gained with personal development courses. Some of the in-demand skills they forecast are:

Analytical thinking and innovation

Analytical thinking skills help you take an in-depth look at complex issues, determine how to fix problems, and come up with solutions. Innovation is the ability to generate ideas that create value and improve processes to develop and adapt to change.

Active learning and learning strategies

Active learning involves being motivated to learn new things, engaging, applying and reflecting on knowledge gained, and retaining knowledge that can be built upon.

Complex problem-solving

Beyond just finding solutions to problems, complex problem-solving involves considering future changes to resources, circumstances and capabilities that may affect the success of the solutions. It can also include assessing the solution’s impact on individuals and the surrounding environment.

Critical thinking and analysis

Critical thinking allows us to understand and address a situation based on all the available information and facts. These skills enable you to sort and organise data, facts and other information to define a problem and develop effective solutions.

Creativity, originality and initiative

Creativity, in particular, is another one of the in-demand skills as it allows you to increase efficiency, develop new ideas, and devise solutions to complex problems.

Leadership and social influence

Leadership in the workplace refers to the ability of an individual to “manage and supervise a company and its fellow employees”. It also refers to the “ability to positively influence others to perform their jobs to the best of their ability”.

Technology use, monitoring and control

The use of technology in the Australian workforce covers many platforms and programs such as Information Security, E-Commerce, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Drone Technology (among many others!)

Technology design and programming

These jobs involve developing creative, tech-based solutions, and can cover everything from engineering to graphic design. Here are some of the top careers in design and technology, according to Indeed.

Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

Resilience is the ability to handle disappointment and face and adapt to challenges and overcome them. It can include identifiable skills like self-confidence, optimism, flexibility, responsibility, patience, problem-solving, self-awareness, communication and teamwork.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to identify and regulate one’s emotions and understand the emotions of others. A high EQ helps build relationships, defuse conflict, reduce team stress and improve job satisfaction.

Jobs in demand by 2025

Globalisation, new ways of working and COVID-19 have all played a part in what is known as the “future of work”. According to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise in 2021 report, some of the current jobs in demand include:

  • Mental health specialists
  • Healthcare/medical support workers
  • Customer service workers
  • E-commerce professionals
  • Digital content writers
  • Education roles
  • Finance professionals
  • Digital marketing specialists
  • Recruitment professionals
  • ICT managers
  • Cyber security specialists

Inspiration alert! Read more about these high-demand jobs and find courses to match here!

Jobs in demand according to WEF

Looking ahead, here are the jobs that will be in demand by 2025 according to the WEF (which offers great inspiration for fine-tuning the in-demand skills for the future):

  • Data analytics and scientists
  • AI and machine learning specialists
  • Big data specialists
  • Digital marketing and strategy specialists
  • Process automation specialists
  • Business development professionals
  • Digital transformation specialists
  • Information security analysts
  • Software applications developers
  • Internet of Things specialists
  • Project managers
  • Business services and administration managers
  • Database and network professionals
  • Robotics engineers
  • Strategic advisors
  • Management and organisation analysts
  • FinTech engineers
  • Mechanics and machinery repairers
  • Organisational development specialists
  • Risk management specialists

Jobs of tomorrow

And looking ahead even further, in their report, the WEF also lists a range of “jobs of tomorrow”, which are jobs over the coming decade that will include newly-created roles in new occupations or existing occupations that will undergo significant transformation in terms of their in-demand skills and requirements. They include jobs in the following:

  • Cloud computing — cloud engineers, cloud consultants and DevOps engineers.
  • Content production — content specialists, creative copywriters and social media coordinators.
  • Data and AI — AI specialists, data scientists, data engineers, data analysts and analysts consultants.
  • Engineering — full-stack engineers, Javascript developers and back-end developers.
  • Marketing — digital specialists and E-Commerce
  • People and culture — HR professionals and IT recruiters.
  • Product development — product owners, quality assurance engineers and digital product managers.
  • Sales — business development specialists, sales development representatives and customer specialists.

LinkedIn Strategies for Professionals

LinkedIn is the largest business-oriented networking website in the world, with over 700 million members in over 200 countries. According to LinkedIn statistics, there were 12.7 million LinkedIn users in Australia as of April 2022, which accounted for 48.7 per cent of its entire population.

A professionally written LinkedIn profile allows you to create an online professional brand, showcase your profile, expertise and achievements, and help open doors to networks and career opportunities. LinkedIn’s features are constantly being updated to increase its capabilities, and many are free with a Basic account. Subscribing to Premium subscriptions up the ante on your job searches, and lead generation and, if you are a recruiter, helps you find and hire talent. Here are the top LinkedIn strategies for professionals.

Choose a decent profile picture

One of the most essential elements of a LinkedIn profile is your profile picture. It is your introduction to other users, helps to build your personal brand, and can enhance your referral and response rates. LinkedIn offers some advice on choosing the right profile pic, but some quick tips include ensuring your photo:

  • Is high resolution.
  • Is recent.
  • Doesn’t have anyone else in the shot.
  • Highlights your face (it should take up 60 per cent of the photo).
  • Is taken by someone else (avoid selfies).
  • Looks like you!

Include a background photo

This is another important visual element of your profile, and sits at the top of your profile page. It helps tell your professional story, makes your profile more visually appealing, and enables you to stand out to recruiters, prospective clients, future employers and other LinkedIn users.

Maximise your headline

Your profile headline sits at the top of the page and is another chance for you to enhance your personal brand. Impactful headlines typically include more than just a job title. You can use it to showcase your role, your skills and experience, why you do what you do, what you are capable of, and what inspires you.

Leverage your summary

Surprisingly, many LinkedIn users don’t include a summary. But it’s a valuable piece of LinkedIn real estate! It is an excellent opportunity to set yourself apart from everyone else and inject some personality into your profile. It is a personal piece of content marketing and a great platform to sell yourself, from why your skills matter, to how your experience has shaped you, what motivates you, and what your career aspirations are.

Be careful using buzzwords

Buzzwords are terms regularly used in business to boost morale, gain attention, and describe social and cultural situations. They often change over time to reflect trends in how people talk to one another and what attributes are most desirable in a particular business. However, the overuse of business jargon can lead to negative reactions, from frustration to boredom and confusion. Here are some of the most over-used buzzwords, according to LinkedIn.

That said, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t necessarily include these in your profile. However, one of the LinkedIn strategiesrecommended is that you back them up with tangible examples, including how you describe yourself, your career history, and your skills and experience.

Grow your network

Another one of the valuable LinkedIn strategies is to sync your profile with your mobile address book. This enables LinkedIn to identify which of your contacts are already using LinkedIn and is an easy way to find and connect with professional contacts and grow your network. You can select who you’d like to connect with and who you’d like to invite to join LinkedIn, and you can also turn off syncing anytime.

List your relevant skills

LinkedIn offers a super-efficient way of including your skills on your profile. You simply scroll through the options available and identify those that are relevant to you. This will help boost your headline and summary and provide a platform for other users to endorse you. But keep them relevant! A long list of skills that aren’t reflective of who you are and what you’ve done may come across as vague or even unsubstantiated.

Showcase your services

Another handy LinkedIn feature is their “Services” feature which helps those who work for smaller businesses (like freelancers and consultants) showcase what they offer. It’s a great way to boost visibility in search results.

Generally, a potential client submits a project request to a provider, and the provider then responds with a proposal to express interest in the project. Once the client receives a desirable proposal, the provider and client agree on the terms of the project. The provider then completes the work. Payment for project completion happens through the service provider’s typical process outside of LinkedIn.

Use the Skills Assessment tool

This feature on LinkedIn enables you to demonstrate the level of the skills you’ve added to your profile by completing assessments specific to skills such as technical, business and design skills. A typical assessment consists of fifteen multiple choice questions, and each tests at least one concept or sub-skill. You can then display a Verified Skills badge on your profile. Find out more about the complete list of available skill assessments and sample questions here.

Ask for endorsements

In terms of LinkedIn strategies, endorsements from other LinkedIn members can increase your credibility and substantiate your skills and experience. You simply go through your network and identify connections you’d like to endorse. This can often lead to them returning the favour. You can also request an endorsement from your relevant contacts via a message.

Request recommendations

Recommendations take things a step further. These are personal testimonials written to illustrate the experience of people who have worked with you. Although you can only request one recommendation from a connection at a time, there is no limit to the total number of recommendations you can request or receive.

Share content

Content that you produce and share is another one of the valuable LinkedIn strategies worth considering, as having an active role in your LinkedIn network can add another dimension to your profile. Whether it is white papers, case studies, E-books, blogs, comments or other branded content, it can give others personal insights and demonstrate your commitment and passion. Long-form content can also enhance your expertise and thought leadership credentials.

How to Write a Good Resume – Strategically!

Your resume is a critical marketing document — in any career at all levels — and is typically the first impression a recruiter or potential employer has of you and your study and/or career achievements. It can also set the tone for the rest of the recruitment process. In our digital world, there are some scenarios where a resume may diminish in importance compared with other factors.

In the IT space, demonstrating on-the-job skills may land you a job without you submitting a resume. For example, Google often uses Code Jams to hire developers. In the digital marketing space, an active Twitter profile can often lead to job offers. And in many fields, LinkedIn is a valuable business tool for recruiters, giving them faster access to relevant professionals. However, a concise and accurate resume still plays a vital role in recruiting. It allows a recruiter and prospective employer to find out more about you, your skills and your background in a “digestible” manner.

In terms of how to write a good resume strategically, it involves going beyond including short-term, “tactical” elements (designed to gain an objective) to longer-term “strategic” elements (like complex activity, operational patterns, activity and decision-making) that lead to the execution of tactics. Factors to consider include:

Length

According to Indeed, a one-page resume is a standard length for students, new graduates and professionals with up to ten years of experience. Multi-page resumes can be acceptable if you have many years of experience, achievements, projects and other relevant information.

However, it’s a delicate balance, as you don’t want to frustrate recruiters and potential employers by including pages of irrelevant information to make you appear more qualified. The key is to create the most relevant, concise and easy-to-read document possible. Length is secondary to high clarity and quality content.

Structure

In terms of how to write a good resume, most resumes are typically organised into the following sections:

Heading and contact details

The main heading should be your name and contact details, including your phone number and email address. You don’t need to include the word “resume”, as it’s safe to assume recruiters will know what they’re reading! Ensure your email address and phone voice message are professional. You may also want to include the following:

  • Your current job title if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Alternatively, you could indicate your career goals. For example, “Aspiring chartered accountant”.
  • Links to your professional online profiles, including LinkedIn, Twitter and your personal website if you have one.
  • Your location. A full residential address isn’t required. You only need to specify your city or region.

You don’t need to include the following:

  • Your age
  • Your gender
  • Your date of birth

Summary

Often called a “personal profile”, “overview”, or “career objective”, a summary is used by experienced candidates to tie together their years of experience into a common theme. It should be concise, relevant to the potential employer, and include a clear value proposition in line with the position requirements. You should also avoid subjective terms (like “team player”, “detail-oriented”, and “effective communicator”), as they usually come across as bland or generic and rarely add value to a resume.

Education

A critical factor in how to write a good resume, this section can include qualifications or other relevant training, licenses or accreditations such as industry certifications. If you graduated within the last ten years, you could also include your school results if they reflect your academic success.

You should list qualifications in order of their timing, importance and relevance. The amount of information you include will depend on the role you are applying for. Generally, you should only delve into subject-level detail if it’s relevant to the job. For each qualification, you should include information on the following:

  • the institution
  • start and completion dates
  • degree grades
  • any relevant academic awards
  • any subjects, dissertations, research projects etc. that are relevant.

Experience

You don’t need to list every role you have had. Instead, focus on highlighting experience relevant to the position you’re applying for.

List your employment in reverse chronological order, and include the following:

  • the organisation name, including a description
  • your job title
  • your role and responsibilities, including what you contributed, accomplished or learned. The “STAR” framework(Situation, Task, Action, Result) is useful for clarifying these details.
  • start and finish dates
  • a short description of what each experience involved.

Other examples worth mentioning, if relevant, include:

  • voluntary positions
  • fundraising positions
  • contributions to University clubs, societies or other membership bodies
  • roles in sporting organisations
  • freelance assignments
  • part-time work
  • internships
  • temporary, freelance or contract work.

Try to focus on your actions and results, and back up your claims by using direct action words (like “designed” or “organised”), and include evidence you can quantify, like data or statistics that show how much, how many and how often. Don’t use industry jargon to show off your knowledge, and again, avoid vague and subjective buzzwords like “detail-oriented”, “effective communicator”, and “team player”.

For example, instead of “Detail-oriented data entry and analysis in Excel”, consider “Modelled 20 years of historical financial data in Excel to determine the relationship between commodity prices and profitability”.

Instead of “Launched internal team productivity reporting dashboard”, consider “Liaised with senior leadership and colleagues to develop a productivity reporting dashboard that cut team task allocation time by approximately 50 per cent”.

Instead of “Researched CRM options”, consider “Collaborated with a team of four to evaluate alternative software platforms to drive sales productivity, ultimately saving an estimated $500,000 per year”.

Skills and attributes

This is another important factor when it comes to how to write a good resume. This section gives you the opportunity to list all of your relevant skills, and group them into themes that will enhance your resume’s readability.

Your skills may include “hard” skills, which are technical skills that help you perform a specific task, and “soft” skills. According to LinkedIn, the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022 are adaptability, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, time management, initiative, teamwork, leadership, proactivity, networking, life-long learning, negotiation, self-care, emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience.

In terms of a specific role, evaluate the job description. Hard skills are normally listed explicitly in job ads, but you should also consider your education, qualifications, certifications, training, other languages you speak, machinery you can use, software you are familiar with, and industry or role-specific knowledge you have gained over your career.

Soft skills are also increasingly being listed on job ads. If they’re not, develop your own list of what might be required by considering the company’s culture, your past experiences in similar positions, and networking with those who are currently in similar roles. Any awards, accolades or achievements you’ve obtained in your career can also often mirror your strongest attributes. You can also include any extracurricular interests or activities, including sports, travel, volunteering and hobbies — but make sure they are relevant!

Format

Knowing how to write a good resume is only part of the process. Formatting is also essential, and although resume layout and design can vary greatly, the primary consideration should be readability for the recruiter or prospective employer. Some guidelines to consider, include:

  • Keeping it simple and consistent. Consistent formatting, in particular, will help recruiters with “skimming”. They will also know where to look if they need to refer back to something.
  • Considering the font you use. A safe default font is Calibre, which is clear and scales well for both content and headings. An 11 or 12-point font size will ensure readability, and you can use bold and italicised text to draw attention to headings and key points.
  • Including bullet points, subheadings and white space. These can enhance clarity, readability and visual style.

Our Top Tips on Career Transitioning

Career choices don’t have to be permanent. Changing circumstances, goals and interests, or an unplanned change in career status can lead many of us to explore new industries and roles. And although it can be a daunting experience, statistics show that during the year ending February 2022, 1.3 million people (or 9.5 per cent of employed people) changed jobs. That’s the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012.

Here are our top tips if you are considering career transitioning, including gaining clarity on what you want and taking action to achieve it.

What drives career change

There is a range of reasons people decide to change careers. They include because you:

  • Want a better quality of life — mentally, physically and/or emotionally.
  • Want to reduce stress.
  • Want to increase your self-esteem.
  • Want a more meaningful job that aligns with your values, passions and life goals.
  • Have become apathetic to change.
  • Are jealous of your friends’ jobs.
  • Want a better work-life balance, including working remotely or having a more flexible work schedule.
  • Lack energy or are bored or frustrated with your current job.
  • Have been made redundant or experienced a reduction in work hours.
  • Need to earn more income. Some inspiration … according to a recent article by the Australian Financial Review, skilled workers in demand who change jobs could be rewarded with a pay rise of up to 20 per cent. This is partly due to forecasts for record-low unemployment, falling inflation, and the decades-long downward trend in job movement being reversed thanks to Australia’s historically tight labour market.

Before you transition careers 

Before considering career transitioning, it’s vital you make a plan, set goals, develop a timeline, and take some steps to prepare yourself. They can include:

Self-assessment

This is a great place to start. Significant challenges can result from changing careers, so you should be clear about what you want in the future. Some questions to yourself: What do I want from a career? What is my “dream job”? What sacrifices am I prepared to make to achieve it? What financial commitments need to be covered? What are my strengths and weaknesses?

Identifying your skills

These include technical or “hard” skills that help you perform a specific task and can include qualifications, education, training, certifications and role or industry-specific knowledge you have gained over your career. They also include “soft” skills, which, according to Indeed, aren’t about the knowledge you possess, but rather the behaviours you display in certain situations.

According to LinkedIn, the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022 are adaptability, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, time management, initiative, teamwork, leadership, proactivity, networking, life-long learning, negotiation, self-care, emotional intelligence, confidence and resilience.

Experimentation

According to a quote by Herminia Ibarra in her book, Working Identity, “By far the biggest mistake people make when trying to change careers is to delay taking the first step until they have settled on a destination”. It sums up her view that career transitioning is not necessarily just a product of careful planning but comes from experimenting — including in your current role.

According to a LinkedIn article, career experimentation is a risk-free way to try out new “identities”, roles or responsibilities while still connected to the security of your current identity and career. It could be

taking on an additional role, a temporary project, finding a coach or mentor, or seeking new types of training or educational opportunities.

Networking

Building and leveraging networks to support your career change progress can be enormously beneficial. Connecting with industry professionals — in-person at industry events or via associations, or online through sites such as LinkedIn — can give you guidance and advice about your new career path. They may also introduce you to valuable contacts or recommend job openings that might suit you.

During your career transition

Career transitioning requires commitment and a variety of action plan steps, including:

Leaving your current job

It can be tempting to quit in a dramatic fashion if you are unfulfilled or unhappy at work, but it’s always wise to be professional. After all, you may need a reference for your new career! When the time comes, request a meeting with your boss and let them know your intentions. Give them a formal resignation letter and adequate notice. Finish any existing projects, and document your workflows and job duties for a smooth transition. It’s not only the “right” thing to do; it ensures you maintain your professionalism and leave on good terms.

Undertaking more study

Career changes often mean additional study, particularly if you are looking to enhance your career prospects. This can include learning new skills or obtaining a certification, license or other educational qualifications. Volunteering or obtaining an internship is also a great way of gaining experience in a field that perhaps you’ve not worked in before, before taking the plunge!

Updating your resume

Make your resume as concise, accurate, relevant, and readable as possible, as it is generally the first impression a potential employer or recruiter has of you and your achievements! Here are our top tips for How to Write a Good Resume.

Answering questions

Finally, consider how to position your career change to others including recruiters and potential employers. Don’t wait until you are in an interview to consider how to explain the reason for your career transitioning. Because you will be asked this weighted question, it’s best to be prepared.

Prepare a positive, strong, confident, and future-oriented response. And never lose sight of the fact that you are a multi-faceted person capable of accomplishing many things, and your skills and experience apply to more than one job and possibly more than one career. The more clearly you can articulate your value and connect the dots between your past experience and new opportunities, the more possibilities that will be available to you!

Career Options for School Leavers

Life after school can offer many interesting and exciting opportunities, including developing new skills, discovering new passions and learning more about what you want out of life. However, change is often challenging, and COVID-19 has presented many of these!

The workforce and education landscape is also continually changing, but there are lots of options for training, education and work in 2022 that can help you further your career. The Australian Government’s School Leaver’s Information Kit (SLIK) can help you discover what options are available, so you can make your next life-changing move. It also offers support and guidance to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, or those living with a disability or special education needs. The SLIK has also been translated into additional languages. Here are some of our tips on career options for school leavers. You got this!

Start work

If you’ve decided to jump straight into the world of work, the Your Career website can help you navigate your career options. You can find out which occupations match your preferences, whether you need further training and education to secure a job, what skills employers are looking for, and what your estimated pay might be. The tool asks you things like what are your interests? Do you have any deal breakers? And do you have an industry in mind?

Undertake study

If you are keen to undertake some further study to enhance your knowledge, skills and career options, consider:

  • Higher education courses. These include studying at university or other higher education provider for an undergraduate Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The length of time it takes to complete higher education varies. As an example, most Bachelor’s degrees take a minimum of three years to complete.
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. These include apprenticeships and traineeships that typically combine paid work with structured training. They focus on real skills, knowledge and attitudes and can be delivered off-the-job, on-the-job, or both. VET courses aren’t just for traditional trades either. They included hundreds of different industries and occupations, from retail, accounting and technology to arts and hospitality. Apprenticeship usually involve structured training for three to four years. Traineeships are usually between nine months and four years, depending on the vocation and Certificate required.
  • Short-term courses (including online courses like ours) are also a great option if you don’t want to commit to the time and financial commitments of a degree. These can also sometimes be credited towards a full qualification if you decide to continue further study. Plus, if your career goals change, you don’t have to stick with the qualification you started with. You can move between different types of training and courses if your priorities and interests change!

Other career options

Want to try something new and different? There are so many options for you to explore after leaving school. And the best part? You don’t have to pick just one!

Short-term work placements

Early experience in the sector you’re interested in can help you decide whether a particular job is right for you, and it might also help further your career. You can find out more tips on short-term work placements here.

Volunteering opportunities

These can help you build valuable skills and give you the chance to make a real difference to people’s lives. You can get involved with many sectors and organisations, depending on your location, interests and availability. Find out more information on volunteering opportunities in your state or territory here.

Start your own business

Keen to turn one of your passions into a business idea? Even though starting your own business is generally a long-term venture, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, it shouldn’t stop you from giving it a go! The Australian Government’s Business website has some great tips. You can read more here. Starting your own business might also involve you joining what’s called the “gig economy”. This can involve being employed by an employer as a contractor or freelancer.

Take a gap year

Taking a gap year used to be about meeting lots of new people and exploring new countries. But with COVID-19 still affecting our lives, including our ability to travel, the idea of a gap year has changed. If travel is something you are passionate about, why not think about travelling within Australia instead?

There are lots of opportunities for seasonal work in Australia. Whether it’s pruning vines, picking fruit or veggies or working on a dairy farm, you’ll be helping farmers while topping up your savings along the way!  And if you’re at least 17 years of age and have graduated from Year 12, you may also be eligible for reimbursement of up to $6,000 to cover the cost of accommodation, travel and some work-related items. You can find out more here.

Do some research

If you are exploring your future career options, an excellent place to start is to think about the types of industries in Australia and the range of roles that might be available in terms of your interests, skills and abilities. Some of the biggest sectors include:

  • Hospitality, tourism and events
  • Agriculture and horticulture
  • Arts and recreation services
  • Construction
  • Education and training
  • Electricity, gas, water and waste services
  • Financial and insurance services
  • Information, media and telecommunications
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Public administration and safety
  • Rental, hiring and real estate
  • Retail trade
  • Transfer, postal and warehousing
  • Wholesale trade

Continuing globalisation, new ways of working, and the challenges of COVID-19 have also changed the career landscape, the “future of work”, and your career options. According to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise in 2021 report, some of the current high-demand jobs are for:

How to Find a Job You Love!

Finding a job is one thing, but finding a job you love is another. This fact may contribute to the current, much-talked-about trend known as the Great Resignation, which is an anticipated higher proportion of employees quitting their jobs this year.

This trend is backed up by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which cited that 9.5 per cent (or 1.3 million people) changed jobs during the year ending February 2022. This is the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012! So whether you are a graduating student or one of the 2.1 million Australians that left or lost a job during this period, job satisfaction is critical. Here is our guide on how to find a job you love.

Think about what you value most

Prioritising what you value most in a role is a great first step towards finding a job — and a possible career — that you love. It may be salary, location, work/life balance, employee benefits or company culture (or a combination of one or more of these). Regardless, it is probably something you don’t want to compromise on, which will affect the jobs you apply for.

Find your passion

Take time to identify things in your life that make you feel excited, satisfied, fulfilled and motivated. Pay attention to what you spend your time and money on, including the topics of magazines, books and podcasts you consume. And consider what you love to teach or talk to others about. All of this can help you pinpoint the types of jobs or careers that will engage and inspire you.

Explore career paths

In terms of how to find a job you love, once you have identified a few areas of interest and passion, spend some time exploring different types of roles. Reading job descriptions on job sites may help you come to some conclusions, but also allow you to research others that are related but might be an even better fit!

Some of the best job sites in Australia, according to Workable, include:

Job sites for all industries worth perusing (in alphabetical order) include:

  • Adzuna – The Australian version of the global employment portal Adzuna is focused on expanding employers’ outreach to a broader audience.
  • Career One – A partner of Monster in Australia, it is popular with job seekers because they can not only find jobs, but get career advice and request a resume evaluation.
  • Career Jet – A global job search engine that operates in 94 countries (like to work overseas?), including Australia.
  • Gumtree – This site doesn’t just include classified ads. It is also a popular tool for promoting jobs in the services, hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries.
  • Indeed – According to their site, they have over 10 million monthly visitors. Its resume database also allows you to upload your CV for potential employers to view.
  • JobSearch – The Australian Government built this portal to increase employment rates. Sign up, and new jobs (by title and location)will be sent to your email inbox.
  • Seek– One of Australia’s biggest employment marketplaces, the site also has lots of advanced filters that can help you narrow down your search. These include searching by location, title, work type, salary and the time period in which the job ad was listed.

There are also lots of specialised job platforms that post jobs specific to particular sectors, including:

  • ArtsHub – This site focuses on the creative industry and advertises publishing, cultural events and fine arts jobs.
  • FlexCareers – Focuses on flexible job opportunities and helps organisations get established as progressive employers.
  • GradConnection – Assists students and recent graduates secure employment or internships according to their field of study or qualifications.
    Job Seeker – Now known as Pro Bono Australia, this is Australia’s job posting site for non-profit organisations.
  • Paddl – This platform connects employers with graduates and students in a modern way. Instead of only relying on resumes, employers can use scorecards to test applicants. This can help highlight your specific skills and professional interests.

Do your research

If you are keen to explore tips on how to find a job you love when evaluating vacancies — and even job offers — research is essential to help you decide what you will apply for and accept. Organisations’ websites and social media profiles often give great insights into employee benefits and company culture.

Leverage your skills

Skills typically fall under two categories: “hard” skills and “soft” skills. Hard skills cover your technical knowledge or those gained through training or life experience, including via education or previous jobs. Soft skills are personal traits that shape how you work, engage with others and solve problems. Here are the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022, according to LinkedIn.

Connect with those in the know

LinkedIn is an extremely valuable business platform, and Australia’s largest online professional network. According to Social Media News statistics as of June 2022, it was the fifth most popular social media platform with over 6,500,000 monthly active Australian users. If you know the sector you’d like to work in and/or potential employers, you may be able to connect with those that can help you make a more informed decision about whether to pursue a job or career path. It also offers lots of helpful advice on how to find a job you love.

Consider your ideal working environment

Part of narrowing down the type of organisation you want to work for is considering what kind of environment you will be working in. It could be as simple as them having values and a company culture you align to. But it could also involve more practical elements, such as the size of the company and its commitment to employee development.

For example, do they offer mentoring, training and/or management/leadership and personal development opportunities? Is there room for career progression, or will you have to look elsewhere to move up the career ladder?

Build a personal brand

Take the time to fine-tune the avenues where you “brand” yourself, including carefully managing your social media messages via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn by changing your privacy settings and removing anything unprofessional.

It’s also vital to have a comprehensive and up-to-date resume. This is your “pitch” document, which will answer all the questions a recruiter will have about you. Here are global recruiter Hays’ tips for writing a professional resume.

Build and maintain relationships with recruiters

Another valuable resource if you’re wondering how to find a job you love is by leveraging recruiters’ professional skills and expertise. From interview tips and help with drafting a resume to finding exclusive job opportunities, they could be a critical step to landing a role you’ve always wanted. Here are some LinkedIn tips on cultivating the ideal relationship with recruiters.

Find your new direction today!

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