Valuing ‘deep work’ in a world of shallow intrusions
Whether or not it has impacted upon you yet, there is no doubting the fact that a workplace revolution is currently underway. The phrase ‘the future of work’ has become mainstream and enlightened organisations are focusing on how they can cope with the challenges of the new order, while workers, too, are trying to figure […]
Note-taker doth protest too much
Q: I’d like to take some notes during the interview – just to be sure I get a fair crack of the whip. Some dodgy appointments have been made in our place before and I need to be on my guard. If anything goes wrong, I’ll be able to pull them up on it. Would […]
Trip down side track could undo your chances
Q: My company have advertised a role I feel I should get – but I actually think they’ve advertised the wrong role. In reality, they should have created two or three roles and broken up the responsibilities differently. I believe this would be more effective and efficient for the company at a time of rapid […]
Form filling endurance tests take time
Q: The closing date is tomorrow. Last night, after much procrastination, I finally opened the application form and started to fill it out. I failed. Between the requests for examples of competencies, exhaustive previous experience, exact number of months worked, and a whole host of other questions, I just couldn’t get it done. Is this […]
How remote working could be just the answer
Q: Remote working is all the rage these days. It’s everywhere in the media. I live in a remote area – is this an option for me? Or is it just poppycock? And where would I even begin to start if I wanted to get into this? (OL, email). A: This is an area in […]
How to show job change is for real
Q: In my last interview, I really struggled to persuade the panel that I want to leave my current job. Yes, it’s a good job, and pays very well, but it doesn’t fulfil me. Been there, done that. I’m prepared to take a step back moneywise to start on a new road – but the […]
Need for speed put me off track
Q: I am a HR professional and in the interview, they asked me a health and safety scenario. “What would you do if the pressure was really on to get workers on site and you had a lot of inductions in a short space of time?” I started talking about speed but they wanted to […]
Putting yourself in the frame for future opportunities
Q: I went for a job in my own company recently and, to be honest, I didn’t really expect to get it. However, I got called to the second interview and got good feedback from my immediate manager. She said I had done well. The experience has made me itchy for a change as I […]
A time to say nothing
Q: I’m taking a lot of time off work lately to attend job interviews, and I fear my boss might figure out I’m thinking of moving on. I haven’t told any brazen lies – no phantom dead grandmother stories – but I have mentioned family occasions and hospital trips to justify the days off. Should […]
Preparation will ease worries
Q: I’m really worried about an upcoming interview. I’m afraid I will get all tongue-tied. I know my job inside out but others will sell themselves much better than me. Any tips? (ED, email). A: Get some notes down on paper, but don’t learn stuff off. Write down six stories that show you doing your […]