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23.01.2022 Are you caught in a cover letter kafuffle? You’ve spent all this time creating a kick-ass resume and (spoiler) you have nothing left to write in your cover letter.... It’s okay to replicate right? WRONG! You handsome, silly schmuck! A cover letter is a personal introduction to the professional and talented you; a first impression, an entrée to the main. It’s an opportunity to detail your unique ability to UNDERSTAND, FULFIL and generally CONQUER the company’s needs. Ultimately, it will translate how, where and why your skills, knowledge and or experience will be of value. The first and only chance to sell yourself. Below are some handy hints for scribbling out a fancy pants cover letter: - Customise. Responding to 10 different advertisements with the same generic cover letter is a no-no. Contrary to popular belief - it's easy peasy to spot, shows minimal interest, zero effort and compromises the quality of your work ethic. Ensure your template includes 3-5 sentences you can change a little or a lot to align with each company's preferences and values. - Stay authentic. Avoid using phrases that feel uncomfortable or unnatural. Forget pre-conceived ideas of 1970’s slang and read the advertisement to assess the company’s language. Write in a similar voice, remaining professional and sticking to your unique character. - Read and relate. Scan the advertisement for key words, pluck out a few that relate to you and use them IN CONTEXT. - Give examples. Back your skills up with experiences. For example, if you have experience in training and development describe who, what, where, when and how you excelled. - Don’t waste space with what you’re missing. Translate how what you HAVE will provide what the company NEEDS, rather than accidently telling the reader why you don’t deserve the job. If you’re falling behind on the criteria, remember that a new role means new training. Stay confident! - Accent skills. Your comprehension, critical thinking and communication skills are all evident through the way your application is written. Remember to EDIT your work, checking spelling, grammar and flow as this document is an example of your quality of work to be expected in the future. If you know your worth but struggle to write it down, get in contact. Tailored applications are my specialty. With Love, Loz :)

23.01.2022 What’s stopping you from getting interviews? Recently I dipped my toes in the employer side of the SEEK pool.... In just 24 hours, there were over 300 applications received for a Senior Administration Role. Imagine little, old me taking on the task of shortlisting just EIGHT of those candidates in less than 2 hours. Struth! After learning the particular must do’s and please don’ts from the employer, I was faced with two options next to every candidate ‘shortlist’ or ‘not suitable’, there was no in between. While employers are actively looking for applicants who DO meet the selection criteria, the process begins by eliminating those who HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED. This doesn’t always mean that a) you don’t have the desired 2 years’ specific experience or b) the ideal qualification, because I often hear back from customers who received interviews without either. The primary concern is c) there’s something missing or worse, d) something wrong poor execution. TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR APPLICATION SHINE: - A resume needs a cover letter, just like potato needs gravy. A missing document is seen as a lack of effort and employers want enthusiasm. - A generalised cover letter is as bad as no cover letter they don’t get a second glance. STAND OUT by tailoring the document and referencing the advertisement. See previous posts for details. - Edit your document! Scan the damn thing for spelling errors, grammar and punctuation. AKA don’t include: ‘excellent attention to detail’ if you’ve spelled multiple words incorrectly or have some weird text overlap stuff going on. - Format your information with flow. If your document only has 40 seconds with the reader, there’s no time to get lost. All elements should be easy to find and easy to read. Ya dig? - Tell your story with conviction. No-one will see you’ve been in a role for 10 years and assume you were promoted 3 times if that’s the case, TELL THEM! - Make your ‘responsibilities’ worth reading. Leave out things like ‘cleaning’ ‘cash handling’ ‘banking’ and other non-negotiables. They can and will be assumed as a standard in most roles. - Avoid repeating information, it’s unnecessary (and boring). - Update regularly, that means your seek profile, your employment history and your contact details. - Minimise the pages, 2 is golden. - Tidy your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current position and feature stand out achievements. This makes connecting with employers easy and networking with others a dream. Your application needs to DEMONSTRATE how you can and will perform in a role, not just summarise things you know how to do or have done in the past. If there’s a role with your name on it, flick me a message. Let’s get started. With love, your yelly, screamy pal, Loz :) x

19.01.2022 Are you scribbling out Selection Criteria that’ll make their soul sizzle? Be honest!... Depending on which role takes your fancy, (if it’s anything Government/Council, I’m looking at you) it’s likely that you’ll stumble upon the wordy wonder that is ‘Key Selection Criteria’. This is a specific set of 2-6 criteria questions that require you to demonstrate your unique ability to perform the primary duties of the role. Make no mistake, you loveable loons - this is an employer cheat sheet for the selection process and often eliminates the need for a cover letter, AKA you’re qualified and shortlisted or chucked in the bin, with just a quick glance. Yikes! Here’s a few steps that will shimmy you closer to the shortlist party: - Read ALL the questions before you get started on the first, gain a clear understanding of what you would be expected to do in this role and have a good hard think about whether it’s right for you. - Suck the text in and let it sit in your brain for a moment. Jot down a relevant example for each question that you can build on later. - Stick with examples that are RELEVENT and RECENT. Eg. Technical skills from 10 years ago probably (definitely) aren’t as useful as something you were practicing last year. - Stick with S T A R, this lingo will TAKE YOU PLACES. Start with a SITUATION, what was your role and where were you working? Add the TASK, who and/or what were you responsible for and how was your success being measured? Slip in your ACTION or APPROACH, essentially what did you do? How did you do it? Why did you do it? End with a positive RESULT, how did the situation end/be resolved/improve? - Avoid generalising, dive in with details. Be a show off if you’ve got figures, USE ‘EM. - Avoid fibbing/making your answers up. If there’s nothing relevant from employment related activities, try using examples from volunteer work, Uni, placements, hobbies, community participation ect. - Use ONE example for each question and don’t go crazy with ‘filler’ sentences. 250 words is a juicy mouthful that will have employers hungry for more during an interview. - Use a similar language to the job description. Even better, google the business and read about their values or mission and try to work some of this into your responses. - Edit, always. Any role that requires communication will shine a spotlight on your written capabilities. A once over to check spelling, grammar and punctuation could be your hero you don’t make friends with salad or errors. Remember, there are no follow up questions for an answer that didn’t make sense or danced around the mark instead of hitting it. No-one will call you and say ‘what did you mean?’ Make sure you’ve impressed yourself before you submit. Feeling stuck or at a standstill? Flick me a message and we’ll get started! Found this helpful? Feel free to SHARE! With love, Loz x

18.01.2022 My resume is TOO LONG, what can I take out? Well, accepting it is the first step - congrats on getting there!... A *juicy* resume should be no longer than 2 pages, Amgio - or you go. It’s a document that should be easy to navigate and simple to understand. Employers will spend on average 10-20 lickety split seconds scanning it for the information they need. If they can’t find it, you go in the bin and they push through the next 250 applicants. TRY THIS: - Clean up your education: Remove any degrees you started and didn’t finish, especially if you’re not planning on taking it up again. For example, if you started a Business degree 5 years ago and completed 4 subjects before a quick exit, it’s not relevant. If anything, it just shows you start things and don’t finish them. - Get rid of jobs that aren’t relevant to the role you’re going for: Example, 2 years at coles, 3 at woolies and 9 months at the local steakhouse are all fine and dandy but it’s a waste of precious space if you’ve been working in law firms for the last three years and they support your move. - Avoid repeating responsibilities of the same job twice. For example: if you were a childcare educator for 3 different centres and had the same responsibilities at each role, only list them once. Knock the socks off your employers with achievements listed under the other roles, if you have any, instead. - Keep your skill set tailored and specific to the role you’re going for: Avoid vague space fillers like ‘well organised’ and ‘good time-management’. Think about what those two competencies would actually look like in your new role and try something punchy like ‘able to manage changing priorities and work to strict deadlines’. Need a hand getting your application looking snazzy? Get in touch, we can get started today. With love, Loz x

17.01.2022 Are you ready for change? Imagine what it would be like, to have legendary employers offering you new, exciting and financially DROOL WORTHY roles. Pretty snazzy, in comparison to scrolling Seek 20 times a week and pulling your hair out trying to crack the cryptic code RE: bragging about yourself. (You're not the only one!)... Imagine choosing your path of progression, negotiating your salary as an industry expert and enjoying kicking ass in a role you genuinely like. IMAGINE waking up every day and looking forward to going to work. Coming home every arvo feeling fulfilled. Existing in a grand old mental state as a result of making a positive difference in your own special, whacked out way. My question to you, dear Dreamer, is what you're doing to make these things a reality? Someone, somewhere says Recruiters spend an average of 6-10 seconds scanning your resume before they make a punchy yes or no decision concerning your future with their business. SIX TO TEN SECONDS! Is your document concise and a breeze to navigate? Is all the important info there and easily accessible? Can your reader check important boxes without reading the entire document 30 times? Have you got a hook? Something interesting that keeps the eyes moving? Is it full of personality or is it just plain BORING? Words are funny little things but gee wiz they make a big impact. It's true, we're in a competitive marketplace and it's not easy to get ahead. But never fear, once an employer understands the benefits of what you've done for others, they start to imagine what you could do for them. Here's the catch: you could be the perfect applicant for any job - but if your resume sucks, no-one's ever going to know about it. My applications highlight: - Technical and transferrable skills - Related experience - Knowledge expressed rather than stated - Evidence of implementing measurable change - Positive behavioural competencies - Demonstration of good culture fits Remember, a professional application is an investment in YOU. Your future is worth the words! If you'd like me to help you write some, get in touch. We'll get started lickety split. With love, Loz x

16.01.2022 Are tricky interview questions getting your lucky knickers in a twist? (Part One) Picture this, you’re cruising through an interview confident and in control. You’re getting along with Betty-Bomb-Dropper really well, everyone’s chuffed! ... Out of nowhere, she drops the first big one. A question so awkward and seemingly unnecessary you think it’s got to be a trick. Reverse Psychology? Maybe it’s rhetorical and she’ll answer it for you? Unfortunately, not. Every question has a purpose and guess what Smarty? Identifying how you’ll fit into the business is it! Below are common catastrophe questions and how you can answer them with confidence: 1 | Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Usually this is an ice-breaker and the robotic response of name, age, suburb is of little value to your overall success. It’s not a professional question, however, it is a great opportunity to shed some light on your character and demonstrate how you can positively impact the company’s culture. If you've done your research like a good pumpkin, you can tailor your answer to match their values. For example: I’m very much a routine kind of gal. I love going for a run early in the morning and going for a paddle with friends when I knock off work. Most weekends I’m outdoors, I love anything nature related and I’m saving for a quick trip to Europe next year. How about yourself? An answer like this (yours would be different) shows that you’re confident. You value a work/life balance and you’re actively working towards a goal. It also shows that you’re self-motivated, a quick thinker, excellent communicator and get along well with others. Not to mention, you’re creating a communication channel to chat common interest. Gee wiz you're spiffy. Tune in for more questions/answers/golden nuggets comin' in hot next week! In the mean time, getting an interview for the dream job starts with NAILING your application. Need a hand? Get in touch. Let's do the damn thing! With Love, Loz x

15.01.2022 Are you applying for jobs and getting nowhere? DON’T give up - DO make changes to your application.... Handy hints for a high-performing resume: - Insert a profile as an opener. Be specific as to how what you’ve learned in the past will be of value to what you can offer now. Ensure this focuses on the employers criteria as well as your own preferences. This gives your resume context and leads the reader to believe in you from the get-go. - Give your key skills and competencies a purpose. Rather than ‘customer service’ try ‘customer focused and results orientated’. - Be specific in your employment history. Avoid swimming in the ‘stating the obvious’ pool - dive into your unique contributions and explain the positive impact they had. - Highlight your accomplishments. What’s better than someone who can do the job? Someone who KICKS ASS and uses results to show it. (Pow pow.) - Use action words: developed, resolved, increased, achieved. - Keep your qualifications relevant by stating the year you gained them, keep them in order from most to least recent and don’t forget to list any past training that could relate to your new role. Your application is a reflection of YOU. Your work ethic, your passion, your purpose. You wouldn’t put 50% into an interview so don’t half ass your resume. If you need help making your application shine, flick me a message. I’ll fill it with the juicy stuff. With love, Loz :)

14.01.2022 What difference does a tailored application make? Why do you need one? How can it improve your odds? Let me tell you, Smarty Pants! Here's a fun story about Jenna.... She's a fabulous, passionate, intelligent individual who slid into my DMs late 2018. She was in need of a tailored application - Resume and Cover Letter, from scratch. The gal was pretty busy, didn't have a lot of time to spare and was keen to invest in herself with an application that gave her confidence. At the time, she was finishing up her Certificate IV in Mental Health, eager to dip her toes in the industry pond. Jen was working as a private Nanny, with past experience as a Legal Receptionist and and Physiotherapy Assistant. The Community Services related roles she was laser focused on required 2+ years of experience in the field, something she didn't have yet. We went for it anyway! YOLO. Jenna recently reached out and told me about how that risky business worked out for her. As her review mentions below, she applied for two roles, got the interview and landed her dream job as a Family Contact Supervisor with a Private Company, contracted by Family and Community Services, NSW Government Department of Justice. The most exciting part (for me) is that there was A LOT of applicants for that role, and little, old Jenna breezed through without the *must have* experience. When HR called Jen, they acknowledged it was missing, but said that her application was too impressive to ignore. Her passion was evident, her communication skills throughout the documents were exactly what they were looking for, she had some really decent transferrable skills and overall, she sounded like a great fit. As the story goes, they interviewed, they hired and they lived happily ever after. YAY! Here's your answer: researching and demonstrating your understanding of a role shows that you're really interested. Speaking a company's language suggests you already fit in. Communicating with confidence and showing your creative flair screams that you're pretty damn passionate. There's an art to shaping someone else understanding of what you can bring to the table and how you can impact their operation. When you value yourself, it makes it easy for others to value you too. When you're looking for a new job, that all starts with your application. So, if you're going to apply for a job, do it right! On your own, or via me! If you need a hand, get in touch. Let's get you HIRED. With love, Loz x

13.01.2022 When was the last time you updated your profile picture? Roughly every occasion you catch yourself looking damn good? I mean, it's kind of rude not to share, right?... Soooo... how often do you update your resume, your LinkedIn page or your SEEK profile? It's no secret that recruiters are searching for pieces to fit their puzzle at the very same time we're out there hunting for a new position to call home. New employees can be found by searching by keywords including related experience, location and qualifications. Don't get caught out showing up in searches with a resume that's ten years old and missing all the funky stuff. Hard work deserves recognition and that starts with you. If you've been hustling and had some serious achievements, show them off, you glorious spud! Here's a message I received not long ago from a very happy customer. "I finally worked up the courage to put the resume you wrote for me up on my SEEK profile and a week later a company called me. I start my new (much higher paying) job tomorrow! Thanks so much for your help!" You are W E L C O M E. GET UPDATING! And if you need a hand, I've got two! Get in touch and we'll get writing. With love, Loz :)

11.01.2022 Are tricky interview questions getting your lucky knickers in a twist? (Part Two) Don't throw your Batman undies in the bin just yet, try this answer and you'll be fighting crime again in no time.... 2 | What would you say is your primary weakness? *Silence* (Um, nothing - I'm perfect? Obviously.) You can bet your very last penny that majority of the applicants before AND after you will answer with the double-sided coin I’m a perfectionist. Stating a characteristic that’s a professional strength and personal irritation is a no brainer but that’s the problem, you beautiful, organised thing. There’s nothing in it! It's predictable and boring and your interviewer has hopped on an express to Snooze Town after wincing at it. (Yikes.) We all have weaknesses, including the person interviewing you. This question IS NOT about being perfect, or without flaws or showing you can do anything and everything, if you're just given a *damn* chance. IT IS about acknowledging room for improvement and implementing change. Give an example of a genuine professional issue that you face and describe the tools you've used to overcome it. For example: In the past I’ve struggled with taking on multiple tasks from various roles, like Project manager, IT manager and Account manager all at once. Basically, I would just take the work with little information and try my best to get it done as quickly as possible, because I thought that was the most important thing. I got the work done sucessfully, but I was stressed. (Notice we're not blaming anyone else.) In my most recent role, I’ve learnt to take a moment and ask the person giving me the task about its level of importance and its deadline. This has allowed me to manage my time and calendar effectively based on priority while creating a better channel of communication between myself and a multidisciplinary team. This answer or one similar is great stuff for a couple of reasons: - It outlines your ability to assess procedures for areas of improvement and implement the necessary change ON YOUR OWN. (Accountable/Takes Initiative). - It screams that you genuinely give a hoot about business objectives and take pride in a dead-set legendary work ethic. (Diligent/Team Player) - It suggests that you’ll be easy to teach and take on feedback like a DREAM. (Dynamic/Judicious) Tune in for more questions/answers/golden nuggets comin' in hot next week! In the mean time, getting an interview for the dream job starts with NAILING your application. Need a hand? Get in touch, I have two! With Love, Loz x

07.01.2022 Your interview went well, what stopped you from getting the job? It’s no secret that employers like to do some *low key* investigating to confirm that what you’ve said in their office is in line with who you project to the World Wide Web. If the role is a big deal (they all are) these folks are looking for someone legit - a person they can trust to represent the brand they’ve worked hard to build. (Not a lunatic who will be a liability to their biz.) Follow these steps to a...void a new gig slipping through your fingers: DON’T make your social media suck - you might be super proud of the wild stuff you do on weekends, but professionally, it might not fit the glove. When applying for a new role, put your junk on private and avoid advertising anything you wouldn’t want Nanna to see. DO update your LinkedIn - as the number one platform for professional networking, you can bet your bum that you’ll be searched the same day you’re interviewed. Ensure that your profile reiterates the resume you’ve handed over - dates, roles and responsibilities. If you’re entering or moving up through the corporate world, get active. Connect with others in your field, share posts that are meaningful to your role, have an opinion about your industry and ask others for theirs. This shows that you’re passionate, knowledgeable and confident. Pow pow! DON’T fib about your referees - in the likely event that the person checking your references calls the organisations Head Office or business number listed online, rather than the phoney you’ve listed, you’re screwed. Adios! DO take examples of your work to show and share. If you’re applying for a role that requires a particular skill, for example: sales, marketing, software development or civil construction, take something that boasts previous achievements. A spreadsheet of consistent figures you’ve achieved, a recent campaign that increased the bottom line, a website you’ve developed from scratch or a portfolio of projects you’ve worked on. This way, an employer doesn’t need to wonder how you would contribute to their business - they can see it. Not to mention, if you’re the only one to take this initiative, you’re immediately one step ahead. If you’re the only one not to, you’re two steps behind. The only ticket to the interview party is a killer application. Need help getting started on yours? Flick me a message, let’s get cracking. With love, Loz x

07.01.2022 CAREER CHANGE STUFF It's no secret that 2020 has been a bit of a shit show so far and recent weeks (months, even) have really been giving the world grief.... BUT - an abundance of time to reflect and reset doesn't come around often. So, my question is - how are you using it? As the easing of ye ol' restrictions rears it's head, we're starting to review how close we are to reaching the goals we set in the back end of last year and thinking about how we can improve our quality of life once we're free again! ...Did you get that promotion you were gunning for? How about the better paying job - did you save for your next holiday? Is it just me, or did you promise yourself that you'd find a job you didn't dread going to 5 out of 7 precious days a week? Did you pursue your passion and move into a role that enabled you be HAPPY, feel FULFILLED and receive RECOGNITION for all your hard work? If you answered no, it's cool. You're not the only one. Now is probably a red hot time to wiggle on with it, though. Don't you think? Here are a few of the successful transitions my glorious customers have made pre covid-monster, through tailored applications written by yours truly. CONGRATS to ALL of you dreamboats. Someone's gotta do the fun stuff and I'm stoked it was you. - Construction Labourer to Mining Truck Driver - Sales Manager to FIFO Train Driver - Construction Labourer to Leading Hand - Customer Service Officer to Account Manager - Marketing Assistant to Marketing Manager - Personal Assistant to Bank Sales Manager - Early Childhood Educator to Quarry Operator - Area Manager to Regional Operations Manager - Telecommunications Account Manager to Real Estate Agent - Communications Officer to Employer Engagement Consultant - Operations Manager to a Firefighter - Factory Work to Financial Accountant - Retail Manager to Dental Assistant - Retail Manager to Interior Designer - Retail Manager to Flight Attendant - Technical Support Officer to Legal Secreta - Pharmacy Assistant to Marketing Assistant - Bartender to Legal Secretary - Hairdresser to Real Estate Administration - Retail Assistant to Administration Officer (NSW Health) - Casual Waitressing to Full-Time Pathology Courier - Influencers to P A I D Advertisers - Fresh UNI graduates into Nursing, Speech Pathology, Marketing, Journalism and PR roles If you *want* change, you *need* to take action. If you're ready, enquire about your tailored application now! Be spoilt for choice, go on. With love, Loz x

04.01.2022 Are tricky interview questions getting your lucky knickers in a twist? (Part Three) It's the final chapter, you can finally pull out that wedgie!... 3 | What don’t you like about your current role? (EVERYTHING.) Firstly, NEVER, EVER, EVER bad mouth your current company. The poor form is not favourable. Plus that stinky, bitchy behaviour will be assumed as a character trait that will continue in the future. (Aka, you will one day say the same things about the exact human who is interviewing you on this glorious occasion.) Being honest while also avoiding The Blame Game is the application of INTEGRITY. Be a legend and use yours! Secondly, your answer shouldn’t be ‘nothing’. (Oh, I love my job Betty! I just really like wasting all my spare time at interviews! What a hoot, wouldn't you say?) Obviously, if your current role really fulfilled you, you wouldn’t be interviewing for a new one. You know that and so does everyone else in the room. Use this answer as an opportunity to: Shape yourself as a self-motivated individual, dedicated to kicking goals. Explicitly outline what you value in a workplace. Show that you have tip top ethics. TRY THIS: I'm really passionate about sales and dedicated to my role as an Account Manager. I strive to achieve consistent success, but I don’t always receive recognition for the big clients I bring in. To me, a simple thank you or well done can be so gratifying and motivating. I'm really eager to join a supportive team that encourages success by recognising and rewarding effort. In saying that, one of the things I loved most about this role was your commission structure - can you tell me a little bit more about that? This example addresses what support your current role is lacking without throwing anyone under a bus/truck/fighter jet. It gives an indication of what motivates you and how your new employer can assist you to work towards your full potential. It also sets a standard for your expectations and the more an employer knows about your needs, the better they can allocate resources. Finally, showing that you did your research on their company and the role they advertised is a very smooth move. Note - giving an answer, followed with a relevant question makes this thing more of a conversation. A conversation levels out the playing field and puts you all on equal ground. It shows that you're confident in your ability and are therefore making sure this role will work for you, the same way they're trying to establish that you will compliment them. Remember, do your dang research. Think before you speak and say something that will help Betty remember you. Be professional, but don’t let your personality suffer. In the mean time, getting an interview for the dream job starts with a spiffy application. Need a hand? Slide into my DM's and we'll get started. With Love, Loz