There is a question that sounds simple, but for many people it is surprisingly difficult to answer. Who are you when you are not working? For some, the answer comes easily. They are a parent, a partner, a gardener, a musician, a walker, a volunteer, a traveller, a cook, a friend, a grandparent, a reader, [...]
There is a common pattern that shows up in resumes, regardless of industry, experience level, or seniority. It is subtle, but it is one of the main reasons strong candidates fail to stand out. They write their resume like a history lesson. It reads as a chronological account of roles held, responsibilities performed, and tasks [...]
Most people prepare for interviews by rehearsing behavioural stories. These “Tell me about a time when…” questions still matter, but they’re only one part of the picture. In reality, strong interviewers use three broad types of questions, each designed to uncover a different dimension of capability: behaviour, approach, and insight. Understanding these three categories helps [...]
Most leaders spend a lot of time thinking about capability: skills, systems, structures, KPIs. But one of the most powerful forces shaping performance isn’t a process at all — it’s the leader’s expectations. This is the Rosenthal Effect, also known as the Pygmalion Effect: the idea that people tend to rise (or fall) to the [...]
Ask someone what their personal brand is and the answer is often a job title. “I’m a project manager.” “I’m a lawyer.” “I’m a consultant.” That’s understandable—but it misses the point. What you do is not your brand. Your brand is the outcomes you consistently create, regardless of role, industry, or context. Jobs change. Titles [...]
Let’s call it like it is: losing your job sucks. Redundancy often feels personal, even when you’re told it isn’t. The rug gets pulled out, the security disappears, and your brain starts doing loops. Why me? What did I do wrong? Who made the call? Some people get angry. Others go quiet. But a common [...]
Dear Job Seeker, The hiring process is a strategic game, and understanding how recruiters think can give you the winning edge. Every time a recruiter looks to fill a role—whether internally or externally—they go through three distinct phases before making a final decision. Knowing how to navigate each phase effectively can significantly increase your chances [...]
After 30 years in personal and business marketing, I can confidently say that the single most important factor in success is the strength of your network. Whether you're changing careers, building a business, or seeking new opportunities, your ability to connect with people is far more critical than having a perfect resume, an optimised LinkedIn [...]
As people near the end of their careers, many imagine retirement as the golden reward — a time of freedom, leisure, and personal choice. But for a surprising number of retirees, something unexpected and unsettling creeps in: a lingering sense of being left behind, overlooked, or no longer needed. This feeling has a name — [...]
As one of Western Australians leading companies providing outplacement and career transition support to many local and national companies, we see both sides of the story. If there is one complaint that most people have, when their role is made redundant, it’s not that it wasn’t necessary for the company to make that hard decision, [...]
Dr Susan Roberts says: