Recruitment and jobs blog

Ever feel like a mountaineer whose to-do list is a trembling mountain about to avalanche on top of you? Ever look achingly at your old to-do list like a long-lost love, as your boss dumps an entirely new list of goals on you? You're not alone. Various surveys reveal people feel busier than ever before. Yet, studies show that the busyness epidemic is less to do with taking on more things and more to do with the current psychology of busyness caused by things like the digital era and the sense of always being on. These factors can be detrimental to your productivity.  Thankfully your busyness mindset is within your control. You can be more productive by using these simple, science-backed brain hacks, so you and your to do-list can skip off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Stop being your worst enemy Nearly a quarter of adults around the world are chronic procrastinators, according to Joseph Ferrari professor of psychology at DePaul University. Time management is not the solution, Ferrari explains, self management is. According to Ferrari there are three distinct causes of procrastination: fear of failing to impress, fear of not meeting self-set expectations and not wanting the fun of a project to end. So to bring that dillydallying to a halt, a chronic procrastinator must forget about working faster and focus on addressing these three issues first. Try the pomodoro technique The effectiveness of this seemingly simple technique will astound you. The idea is to choose a task to which you dedicate 25 minutes, focusing solely on that and nothing else. After every 25 minute segment, or pomodoro (Italian for tomato - the person who came up with the idea originally used a tomato shaped kitchen timer), put a tick next to the item and take a short break. After four pomodoros you get a longer break. You will be amazed how productive you can be in a distraction free 25 minutes. You’ll also become frighteningly aware of the factors that are stopping you from progressing. Including, possibly, your ever reducing attention span caused by a digital lifestyle. Eat an elephant As the saying goes: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. (Just make sure you use loads of tomato sauce because elephant undoubtedly tastes disgusting.) The point of this (kinda gross) saying is that when you look at something as a whole it becomes stressful. The best way to take on a project is to break it down into smaller, more digestible tasks to avoid overwhelm. Many studies show that overwhelm has an adverse impact on productivity and can even create the illusion of being busier than you actually are. So grab a knife and fork and just get started on that tail. Delegate some work Delegation is bound to be the next buzzword of the zeitgeist. Gone are the days where we had to spend hours on tedious jobs or fight dinosaurs on our way to the office. There are so many task-outsourcing companies online these days it’s a simple project (to add to your mammoth to-do list). Not convinced? Grab a calculator, add up the amount of hours you spend in a week on menial tasks and times that by your hourly wage. Technically, there’s every chance, you’re actually paying money to do the jobs you hate most. Pop a Berocca Studies have shown that a B-complex vitamin can increase productivity and decrease occupational stress. It is particularly effective if you happen to be alleviating your stress with the occasional post-work tipple. It’s a no brainer, but many people are so swept up in the busyness vortex they often forget about the simple techniques that can have a profound impact on their general well being, which, in hand increases your overall productivity.  

When he’s not being paid to travel and surf new waves on Pink Foamy, his aptly named surfboard, or dedicating his time to his foundation whose goal is to motivate Indigenous youths and eradicate youth suicide and incarceration, Matt is making a difference through his work at Ignite. Matt is one of Ignite’s specialist Indigenous consultants who oversee recruitment and mentoring programs to connect members of the Indigenous community with public and private organisations. The team builds strong relationships in communities where they promote inclusion for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. So far the impressive Indigenous team recruited through Ignite have been engaged by such brands as Google, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and the NRL. To read some moving accounts of what Matt does on a day-to-day basis, to hear more about Ignite’s Indigenous recruitment and mentoring opportunities, or to hear what Tupac and Elon Musk have in common, read Matt’s Q&A below: Can you tell us some types of roles you’ve filled? I placed and assisted four senior Indigenous men that had just come out of prison onto a worksite. I would pick them up at 6:30am in my pyjamas and drop them at work for the day before heading into the office at 8:30am. Can you tell us about some of your biggest wins at work? One of my biggest wins at work so far was landing Google as a client. To support them in their journey to employing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people! What’s your absolute favourite part of your job? Meeting with passionate and inspirational people in other companies who are on a journey to help support Indigenous communities and people with employment opportunities and pathways that can change lives. Name one thing that made you smile at work this week? A very productive meeting with a new major client that we will now be supporting in their journey to employ Indigenous graduates. What’s one of your proudest moments at work? Recently I placed a senior Aboriginal lady into her dream job at NSW Government Family and Community Services. The day I called her to inform her of the great news, she was working at a topless bar. Her Job Active provider was making her do it. She broke down crying with happiness in the toilet of the topless bar. Now we are mentoring her to continue her amazing progression! Can you tell me a low point you’ve experienced at work? I live by the saying: “I never lose, I either win or I learn.” In saying that, any low point I have experienced has been a great learning curve not only for myself but Ignite as a whole. We have such passionate and amazing people working at this organisation, the most difficult thing to see is them being disheartened. How long have you had your foundation? I started The Bright Youth Foundation in 2012 officially, but I’d spent a year or two working behind the scenes before we officially launched. Can you share some major achievements of your foundation? I established the foundation with the aim of being able to empower and inspire the Indigenous youth in our communities to create a brighter future. We would provide what they needed to achieve that. Personally, I was nominated to be a candidate for Young Australian of The Year because of the work I had done with the foundation. The highlights, though, are definitely getting calls from parents who tell me how inspired and driven their children are after we have worked with them. And seeing them go on to full time employment and achieving their goals. There is nothing more rewarding than that! Your number one life achievement so far? Definitely founding The Bright Youth Foundation and being able to bring multiple opportunities and provide a vision and motivation for the Aboriginal youth of my home community. What did you want to be when you were little? I grew up surfing with my dad so I always wanted to be a professional surfer. I semi achieved that! If you could have one superpower? The ability to transform people’s lives You could have dinner with three celebrities, dead or alive, who are they? Tupac, Martin Luther King Jnr and Elon Musk. What’s your favourite thing about working for ignite? The coffee machine. *laughs. The flexibility and support. I get to be creative with my work. I’ve been here nearly two years and have already made so many good memories. The get togethers are always fun! You’ve officially just met Matt. He is an inspiration and everyone at Ignite is incredibly proud to have him on our team. Not only has Matt managed to realise his childhood aspirations and achieve his superpower, he can confidently say he’s making the world a better place on a daily basis. It looks as though we do have superheroes walking among us after all. If you’d like to know more about Ignite Indigenous recruitment, whether you’re looking to employ, be employed or be a consultant like Matt, don’t hesitate to contact Matt on the details below. He also just happens to be a very friendly guy! Matthew McArthur t. 03 8319 7850 | m. 0427 602 499 [email protected]

"More often than not, I find that, regardless of credentials, it's a candidates unique attributes that really influence the outcome of a job interview," says Matthew McArthur, Indigenous Specialist Consultant, Ignite. But what exactly is the elusive je ne sais quoi that makes one person stand out above the rest, beyond the obvious wear shoes, shower and don’t mention that giant pimple on their nose social norms? Fear less, work-seeking warriors. We’ve dug through the archives of scientific journals to uncover some empirically proven tips to help you win your interviewer over. First, you should ensure you gain the requisite skills and experience. And then, follow these steps to become the Don Juan of candidates. 1. Reveal your flaws As counterintuitive as this seems, studies have shown that revealing your flaws is a surefire way to win a person’s affection. According to the Pratfall Effect if people see you as competent and you then reveal your imperfections to them, you become more relatable and, hence, more likeable. As they say, humility is a virtue. But make sure you establish your prowess before you go bragging about your defects. 2. Mirror body language This doesn't mean to shadow your interviewer’s every move for comedic effect like your older sibling used to do to annoy you (yes, hilarity would ensue, but so too would a rejection email). The Chameleon Effect refers to the way people tend to mimic the gestures of others they are fond of. Various studies have shown that the more a person likes another, the more they will unconsciously mimic their behaviour. It stands to reason then, that if you mimic another person’s body language they’ll subconsciously assume they have established an affinity with you. Gestures might include anything as simple as crossing your arms, placing a hand on your hip or slouching. 3. You’re contagious, so make those spreadable vibes positive   Studies have shown that emotional contagion is a very real phenomenon. Furthermore, the emotions you catch off others tend to be influenced by nonverbal clues, as opposed to spoken words. So, for instance, you might avow your happiness, but if this declaration is accompanied by a light sob the person you’re conversing with is going to catch the sads, pronto. Try to remain positive, upbeat and happy and your interviewer will walk away feeling the same way. 4. Share the love Scientists have demonstrated the existence of what they call the Reciprocity of Liking, according to which we tend to like someone more when we think they like us. Unfortunately you can’t just go around pretending to like whomever you choose and getting them to fall at your feet. Authenticity is a vital ingredient in the game of winning people over. You have to find a way to actually like a person in order for a sort of likeability quid pro quo to be brokered. Try to focus on your interviewer’s most positive attributes. Perhaps try to envision them spending quality time with a loved one. If you meet an interviewer who is particularly hard to like, picture them experiencing a tragic moment and bear in mind philosopher Eric Hoffer’s quote: “Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.” Imagine how your interviewer wants to be seen, try to see them that way, and, who knows, maybe they’ll actually become that person. 5. Compliment other people According to the Spontaneous Trait Transference phenomenon, when a person uses certain adjectives to describe another person, whoever they’re speaking to will start to associate those same traits to the speaker. So if you were to speak about Mary in accounts, for example, and you were to say that Mary was competent and punctual, then your interviewer would unconsciously start to attribute those qualities to you. (By the way, I happen to know Mary and not only is she competent, she’s the best blog writer this side of the equator.) 6. Play Hard to Get   The Gain-Loss Theory of Attraction demonstrates that people are more likely to grow a fondness for another if they feel they have somehow won them over. In a psychological experiment, subjects were allowed to hear a recording of what other subjects thought of them. Those who heard the other people say negative things about them followed by positive things, were much more likely to be fond of those people. Ergo, it’s best not to go into an interview guns blazing: all smiles and superlatives. You should allow the congeniality to grow organically as your interviewer gets to know you and vice versa. Start by playing it cool and then end the interview with a saccharine compliment and your interviewer will be putty in your hands.

Visit Ignite at Booth #11, Melbourne Convention Centre, 13 - 15 February 2018 Not yet registered for VALA2018? If you’re an information management professional in the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives or museums), this 3-day convention offering the industry’s most tech-relevant info and valuable networking opportunities is a must. 1,000+ participants will attend numerous presentations and roundtables featuring world-renown library tech experts and will have the chance to access greater than a dozen electronic presentations that can be viewed at the VALA conference or online. Catherine Hill is a business leader with Australia’s leading information management recruitment firm, Ignite, formerly known as The One Umbrella. She recommends the conference to all Australian IM professionals. “I’ve been in IM recruitment for 32 years and the evolution of the profession in the last several years has been beyond exciting. Artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of things – among other progressions – are creating amazing possibilities in this field,” says Hill. “Libraries and other organisations are looking for candidates who understand emerging trends and how they may be applied to enhance value to the communities they serve. VALA2018 is a great way to learn, meet valuable contacts and energise your passion for your work.” The conference will explore trends and offer practical application with sessions on: Virtual reality: Learn the differences among augmented, hybrid and virtual reality, why they should matter to you and how to create virtual reality content. Internet of Things: Discover how you can use the Internet of Things in your community programs and data collection. Digital preservation: Find out what you need to know about how digital preservation is evolving. APIs: Learn how to benefit from APIs in collection development. Open Source: Understand what “open source” means and why you should be considering it as an option to save time, resources and budget. Dynamic roundtable discussions will focus on how to use technology to build community, how to make data more connective and strategies for remaining relevant in the changing environment that includes Amazon. Electronic presentations will be available on topics such as measuring user-engagement, digital collaboration and creating electronic content. Learn more about VALA. Be sure to visit Ignite at booth #11 to learn about exciting information management roles available throughout Australia. Not able to attend the conference or visit the Ignite booth? Submit your resume on the Ignite web site and we’ll reach out with relevant opportunities.

Nearly a quarter of Australian employers regularly use contractors to manage workloads and another 44% engage them for special projects. As organisations continue to reap the rewards of on-demand employment models – paying for resources only as needed and avoiding management obligations required with full-time staff – the use of contingent workers is increasing. But the benefits aren’t just for employers. If you’re not one of the 1 million Australian independent contractors partaking in the ever-increasing on-demand economy, you may want to reconsider, especially if you’re in IT. IT contract work is on the rise more so than with other disciplines. Imagine getting to choose when you’d like to work and the type of work you’d like to perform, and getting access to new and different environments and technology with every project. Add to that the reduction of some of the hassles that come with full time work – such as meetings and office politics – and the benefits of contract work just may outweigh those of a steady gig. Roubina Giragol is General Manager of Ignite On-Demand, the IT services division of the recruitment firm. The division provides IT solutions and skilled resources for short term, long term and project-specific work, either on a time-and-materials or fixed price basis across all IT sector clients. “There is so much freedom in contracting. You have the option of saying yes or no to a project and you can work ad hoc – 2 hours, 2 weeks or 2 months, etc. You can also supplement your income by working weekends, or before or after work,” she says. While greater numbers of IT professionals are choosing contract work long-term for the flexibility and to add more variety to their work, Giragol says it’s also a great short-term strategy. “Taking on project work is extremely beneficial for those who’ve just finished Uni or are new to the country and want to get a foot in the door,” she says. “They can build up their experience and make connections.” But with all the advantages of on-demand/contracting work often come some drawbacks, such as having to market yourself and managing the administration that comes with running your own business. While contractors who go-it-alone may struggle with these areas, Giragol says working through Ignite On-Demand will take away all those administrative headaches. “We have hundreds of clients who rely on us to provide pre-vetted, qualified contractors on short notice. This is all we do. We can keep contractors busy – they don’t have to worry about finding their next gig. They receive pay checks from us with Super and taxes paid.” Ignite On-Demand places all levels of support engineers for desktop-related projects, such as IMAC (install, move, add, change), as well as Wintel, server and network engineers. With client sites throughout Australia, contractors are placed in every corner of the country – cities, suburbs, small towns and remote areas. “We really care about our contractors – we want to see them happy and reaching their full potential,” says Giragol. “If that means providing them with as much variety as possible, we do that. If that means releasing them from their contract with us to work for a client full-time, we also do that.” Ready to experience the freedom, flexibility and variety offered by on-demand IT work? Email the Ignite On-Demand team at [email protected].

Many people begin the job search enthusiastic about the possibilities ahead. But when they don’t get a role they wanted or if the process goes on longer than intended, they feel deflated and less confident with each interview. Exuding a positive attitude and confidence is essential when looking for a job and will determine your outcome. Whether you’re embarking on a search for a new role or have been on the job hunt for a while, the following tips can help you feel more ease and less effort. Prepare your CV & pitch “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -Benjamin Franklin Like anything else in life, you’ll be more relaxed and confident when you’ve prepared for the job at hand. Hannah Simpson, recruitment consultant for Ignite in Sydney, says preparation is about making sure you have a complete CV, clear pitch and focused approach. She advises candidates to take the following steps: • Strengthen your CV: “Your CV is an extension of you. It needs to be consistent and complete. If you’re missing details about your experience and skills you could be missing your next opportunity.” • Create a pitch: “You should be able to briefly and clearly explain what you’re looking for and how you can benefit employers.” • Focus your search: “Make a list of the industries and organisations you’re interested in and proactively reach out to introduce yourself to internal contacts and recruiters." “If you look great on paper, sound crisp when introducing yourself and know what you’re after, you’ll be more prepared than most job seekers out there,” says Simpson. Focus on the benefits of the journey “Happiness is a journey, not a destination…So treasure every moment you have.” – Alfred D. Souza Many people view a job search as something to get through before you can relax and enjoy life. But as the writer and philosopher Alfred D. Souza discovered life is full of obstacles and there’s no sense in delaying happiness. Enjoying the job search journey will require you to change your perspective and see the benefits of the search itself, namely to explore and learn. • Get up to speed on trends: To be your best in interviews you’ll need to brush up on industry and trade trends, which will boost your professional confidence. • Explore organisations: The mere act of applying for jobs exposes you to a variety of organisations, educating you about the marketplace and possibilities. • Learning about yourself: When you mentally “try on” new positions, potential bosses and companies, you become clearer about what you desire from a role and a company. “The job search is an opportunity to grow as a professional,” says Simpson. “I encourage candidates to accept interviews even when they believe the role isn’t a perfect fit so they can practice interviewing and learn from the feedback interviewers provide.” Embrace non-attachment “Attachment is the origin, the root of suffering; hence it is the cause of suffering.” – Dali Lama Being detached from the outcome doesn’t mean that you don’t care or are non-emotional. It simply means you choose to not get entangled in the fleeting feelings and thoughts that come along with the process of landing a role. It means you choose to be empowered and joyful regardless of what happens in your search, during interviews and afterwards. Practicing non-attachment means: • You don’t allow other people’s words and actions to influence the way you feel. • You remain in the present moment, unconcerned about “what will happen.” • You release the need to control situations and trust that your needs will be met. “Interviewing is a two-way street. If it’s a fit for both of you, great. If not, know that there’s a role that’s a better match waiting for you,” says Simpson. “If you’ve prepared and go in with the intention of learning whether you want to work for the company and manager, you can relax and enjoy the interview.” Ready to search for a new role with ease? Ignite has job openings throughout Australia: Take a look here.