Monday 30 May 2016

The Secret to beating Procrastination

Right amount of time, physical space, equipment, optimal lighting and temperature....

Do you find yourself finding any excuse to stop you from doing the task in front of you?

Do you think you work best under pressure (or maybe that’s all you know?)

Are you taking care of everything else you’ve been putting off, so technically, (but ironically) productively procrastinating?

Video Interview Tips for Student and Graduates.


Your CV Video Introduction is one of the most crucial parts of your New Force profile. It allows your potential as the perfect candidate to come across,  beyond an A4 piece of paper.

1.       Position the Camera
If anything position the camera so it is looking down on you. Having the camera looking up is often unflattering and can be confronting.

2.    1.  Eye level contact
You want to be looking into the camera and making eye level contact. Imagine you are in a boardroom with an interviewer – this is the context that we want to be creating.

3.       Don’t read from a prewritten script
It’s the easy route, but unless you have a teleprompter, you’re going to look a bit stilted. Just think about the broad topics that you want to discuss and maybe have a friend hold up cue cards behind the camera.

∙         1. Who you are and your life stage

∙        2.  Skills

∙         3. Why this makes you suitable for the role

So for example ‘Hi I’m James, I’m 23 Years Old and I’ve recently graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology’
That gives a good introductory context as to where you are life. Next, Skills
‘I am fully proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel, and have a typing speed of over 60 words per minute’.
This is brief and to the point, however offers some rudimentary skills that employers are always looking for in entry level jobs. (Plus you can back this up by taking our skills tests, that show employers where you shine.)
‘I’m really keen to use my skills and take on my next challenge, I like to work hard to get a head and am willing to put in the hard yards to get there’.
This lets employers know that you are a driven and skilled person, that would be an asset to their organisation. Remember, employers will only hire someone if they can clearly trace how that person adds value to the business. To put it simply, how do you help your employer make money, or achieve similar goals?

3. Dress to the occasion.
You want to be presentable and seem like a fit in an employer’s organisation. Basically dress neatly, but don’t go over the top. You don’t expect to be wearing a tuxedo to your first job, however a T‐shirt and jeans is often not appropriate. The rule of thumb to go by is what would you wearing at a job interview face to face. Something you think is nice, yet appropriate for the workplace.

4.  Check out your background.
It is important that the location, setting or environment doesn’t detract from you or what you are saying. Look for a reserved, light and quiet space, such as an empty room or office. Make sure you face is well lit and there is nothing dramatic or out of the ordinary which may draw attention to it.  For example, it’s not great to film a video when you’ve got a huge moose head in the background.

5. Body language
Body language gives you a huge insight into what peoplle are thinking. According to a recent study by UCLA, only 7% of communication is based on that actual things we say, whereas 38% is made up of the tone of voice we use, and the remaining 55% comes from Body Language.  In your video intro avoid things like excessive nodding or sharp movement as this indicates anxiety. Be honest and chill. (https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty/page/mehrab)

The Force is strong in you, however to make this known to potential employers, check out our advice to make sure you match with the jobs you want! www.newforce.co.nz/advice

Friday 13 May 2016

Why Attitude is Everything

Whether you’re applying to be the receptionist or the Managing Director, showing that you are excited about the role is important.

Why? 

A job interview is an opportunity to sell yourself, and people love passion.  “Faced with two candidates, if one is really excited about the role and the other has a bit of a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude, I know who I’d pick” says Total Event Solutions General Manager, Joanna Baker.  “Experience and skills are important, but there’s no substitute for genuine excitement about my company or the role.”

Imagine you’re in a restaurant and you ask the waitress about soup of the day.  If she says ‘yeah, it’s ok’, how inspired will you be to try it?  What if she said instead “The soup is fresh off the stove, I just tried some, it’s fantastic!”  You can bet she sells a lot more soup with her second answer.
No matter the job, hiring managers are looking for a positive attitude, an upbeat approach to work and enthusiasm.  Don’t be afraid to show that you’re excited about working for that company, or that you just love what you do.  

Have you created a New Force profile yet?


New Force helps job seekers taking their first steps into the job market, to showcase their personality and skills. Create a profile, upload a video and get matched with employers who are looking for what you offer.  www.newforce.co.nz


Sunday 1 May 2016

Tip of the Week: Be more than a just a name on a CV.


When a hiring manager is looking at a stack of resumes, what is it about you that stands out?

Video CV introductions are becoming a popular way for job seekers to showcase their personality and presentation skills in a way that is just impossible on a piece of paper. 

Making a quality resume video isn’t difficult, just keep it short and professional.  Check out the suggestions below and let your inner Director shine!