Communication Skills for Career Success Ask an employer from any sector what they look for in new recruits and it’s not long before that broadly defined powerhouse of a soft skill – communication – springs to mind. Not surprising, really. Effective communication means a potential hire has the interpersonal and persuasion skills to explain ideas […]
Rattle the stars Hundreds and hundreds of books overflowing from my bookcases show that I’ve always been a big reader. You can usually find me in the middle of reading something. I find it to be incredibly safe and familiar with my head in a book. The fact that I can escape to other worlds, […]
Talking in front of large groups or individuals can be tough for anybody living with social anxiety. I prefer to be around a friend or somebody I’m familiar with when speaking to one or several new people (and a bit of Dutch courage might help me too!). However, in the workplace you will not always […]
#TheVulnerabilityChallenge Day 4 Qualifications are armour that I wear to hide my self-doubt In my career I’ve never felt like I’m good enough, like I know enough or I’m competent enough. I imagine that I’ll feel competent and knowledgeable when I learn this or practise that; when I get the next advanced certification or when so and […]
Job interviews are terrifying. There is no other way to put it. I find them to be a surreal and an unrealistic experience. For me, like for so many others who are of a quieter disposition or feel socially anxious, the idea of selling yourself to a stranger as their next employee can trigger negative […]
My old school isn’t much like it was. The school building I once knew has been knocked down and a swanky, new university-like structure stands proudly in the grounds. There are few staff members I recognise. But then, it has been 12 years. I’m queuing at reception amongst cold and impatient visitors to sign in […]
Do you find the prospect of networking a little daunting? Here are six ultra-specific networking tips for introverts from recruiter Andrew Ellis to help you. How to master networking if you’re an introvert from Hayley Stanton “Find safety in numbers.” Take your comfort zone with you by networking in pairs or even larger groups. Going […]
Have you ever felt like the job interview is institutionalised discrimination against introverts? When I fill out a job application or write a CV, my introvert skills serve me well. I can research thoroughly, carefully consider an employer’s needs and how my skills might fit, and then present that information coherently. I’m often invited to interview for 4 […]
Bring your boldest self to your job interview How do you want to be seen in your next job interview? You probably want your potential employer to see you as confident, genuine and capable. Then why do we, all too often, approach the job interview with dread, execute it with anxiety, and leave it with […]
What does the word ‘networking’ mean for you? For me, it conjures up images of a space crammed with people; some awkwardly making small talk, some deep into delivering their elevator pitch. There’s that annoying guy running around the room thrusting his business cards into the sweaty palms of politely uninterested attendees. Everyone wants to […]