When you apply for a role, most hirers will have just a few minutes to review your application. That means providing clear, concise information on you is key to standing out in those few minutes.

This, my friends is where a professional profile can help. While your resume and covering letter are the building blocks of a strong job application, a profile will give employers an overview of your skills and experience briefly, helping to capture their attention. A professional profile can be placed strategically at the beginning of your resume (a good idea if you’re unable to load a covering letter) you should also have it set up on LinkedIn and Seek (both platforms will guide you with layouts etc).

It means employers can get in touch with you about a great job opportunity, it’s also an opportunity for you to showcase yourself, what you’re looking for in an employer, what you can deliver, how you operate, while you’re also provided with job recommendations based on the information you provide.

More control over your job search- reading through hundreds of job ads and applying for each one can be time consuming but having a professional profile can take away a lot of this work. You can literally flick a switch on LinkedIn and Seek to have the recruiter or employer contact you, as well as be notified of jobs that meet your saved criteria.

A professional profile helps you find roles that align with what you’re looking for as you can choose when to be visible to companies. It puts you in the driver’s seat where before it used to be the employer.

Make a great first impression, quickly- yes, it is true 2 minutes or less is all it takes to review a CV and decide whether to progress you or not, it is like anything that you do repeatedly you get good and fast at doing it, not to be confused with lack of care and attentiveness. That means you need to quickly make a great first impression.

Giving employers a summary of your skills and experience is key to standing out, and that is exactly what a professional profile does. A profile could be the ticket to landing that next great opportunity, but not if you’re lacking the essential information potential employers are looking for. Just like your CV you need to keep it updated, even if you’re not actively seeking work.

Arm yourself with relevant market insights- your profile not only helps you stand out to hirers, but also helps you to keep informed about the job market and your industry. The more up to date the information you provide, the better your search experience will be as you’ll be served more relevant job opportunities that compliment your needs, experience, and interests. Additionally, the information you provide in your profile will help ensure you’re served relevant information about employment and salary trends in your industry.

Boost your chances of getting head hunted- being head hunted is much easier than job hunting. It is becoming more common lately as well with job seekers in short supply and recruiters increasingly searching for the people they need online. Even if you’re not actively looking for a job, there may be a great opportunity out there that you don’t know about. Having a professional profile means you won’t miss out on seeing these.

Build your personal brand- your profile can also be an extension of your professional brand acting like your own online marketing tool that works 24/7. In fact, 39% of job seekers agree that a professional profile allows them to add their personality in to make their application stand out.

Getting started- It is a great way to make yourself relevant and appealing to potential employers, and edge you closer to your next job. It can be your best asset in keeping your career options open.

Join us in commemorating nearly three decades of connecting talent with opportunity! As a leading recruitment agency on the Northern Beaches we’ve spent 29 incredible years cultivating relationships, forging pathways, and making dreams come true. From matching the perfect candidates to their dream jobs, to partnering with amazing local companies, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary filled with the highs and lows. From the early days of couriering/faxing resumes and timing candidates on shorthand to the online testing of today with sophisticated databases encompassing AI technology. Let us continue shaping the future together. Drop us a message to explore exciting opportunities and be a part of our legacy! #29yearsstrong #recruitmentexperts #careergrowth #recruitment #keepitlocal #happybirthday #earlyyears

Congratulations Monique you have been invaluable to our client, and they had wonderful praise for you. “She has stepped in over the Christmas break and has been a part of the team from Day 1. There were some IT issues which she took in her stride. She gets in and gets the job done and is more than willing to help wherever she is needed. Thank you, Monique!” Here she is this morning receiving her gift and certificate of thanks from PP! Well done.

Happy 2024, can you believe we are nearly through January. We are well and truly into the New Year now having spent this week catching up on all the correspondence from the break. Our various holidays were filled with some unforgettable moments and new skills acquired so we wanted to say hi and share.

Christmas on Top of the World Amanda celebrating Christmas on top of Sydney CBD was a dream come true! The city and the breathtaking views from high above made it an experience to remember. Truly, there’s nothing quite like Christmas in Sydney!

Sunset at Pildappa Rock Nature blessed Lisa with a spectacular show as she witnessed the sun bid adieu at Pildappa Rock in South Australia with her lifelong friends. Moments like these remind us of the simple yet profound wonders that make us happy.

Oyster Shucking on the Hawkesbury River Who knew shucking oysters could be so satisfying? Leigh spent a day by the Hawkesbury River, learning the art of oyster shucking. However, mastering the art of opening these delicacies was much harder than she imagined!

As the saying goes, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey,” and this holiday season was a testament to that. Grateful for the experiences, the laughter, and the joy shared with loved ones. Now, it’s time to unpack, reminisce about these incredible moments, and get back to work #officeisopen #backfromholiday #memories #pildapparock #oysters #sydneytower #happynewyear #recruitment #peninsulapersonnel

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with your loved ones! We will be in the office until Thursday for any last-minute requests. See you in the New Year #MerryChristmas #SeasonsGreetings #HappyNewYear

Congratulations Diana!

The lovely Diana was recognised for an amazing year of hard work and dedication to both Peninsula Personnel and her host company. She was awarded both the “Excellence Award for Temp of the Month for November 2023” and “Golden Temp of the Year 2023” Diana received 2 certificates and some lovely prizes that were delivered to her office. Thank you, Diana, for all that you do, we appreciate YOU!

Here is snippet of the feedback we got about Diana

“Diana is a valuable and reliable team member, she is diligent in carrying out her day-to-day tasks, and always going above and beyond to help our customer queries and sales team.   Her efforts are gratefully appreciated by her colleagues, Jenni and Leah and the wider supply chain team.  Well done, Diana!”

“Diana is an amazing colleague to work with she is so thorough in everything she does, she follows everything through from start to finish and nothing is too much trouble. She has the best “can do attitude” I have ever seen, and she helps me every day more than I can express. To say that I am grateful to have her work alongside me would be an understatement, THANKS DIANA, YOU’RE A STAR and we are so lucky to have you XX”.

Do you think a hobby is worth adding to your resumé? While they aren’t necessary, your passion projects can lend valuable insight into you as a person. They’re a great way to add some personality to your resumé, show how you balance work and life and add dimension to you as a person, not just an applicant. Your hobbies can reveal what’s important to you, like how you keep fit, let your creativity flow, or commit to self-development. They paint you as a well-rounded person. Sometimes, they can be key factors to support your suitability to the role you’re applying for. But is it always okay to add hobbies to your resumé? And if so, which do you choose?

Why you should include hobbies and interests on your resumé.
The interests to put on a resumé should in some way relate to the role, even if it’s not obvious at first. This way, you’re showing what you’re passionate about while highlighting relevant skills. For example, say you’re in the tech industry and you love gaming and building PCs. You should include this in your hobbies as it shows you have a passion for technology and hardware and demonstrates practical skills in setting up IT systems. You’ll stand out from other candidates who have the same qualifications and experience, but no proof of their interest in the field outside of a professional setting. 

How to choose the right activities for a resumé.
You probably enjoy doing a wide range of different things in your own time – but some are more suited to your resumé than others. So, which are the right activities for a resumé? 

Start by looking at the job you’re applying for and consider which of your interests, hobbies or activities may be relevant. Think about the skills and qualities the employer is looking for, especially the ones directly referenced in the job ad. For example, they may say there is heavy lifting involved. If you regularly go to the gym or do weight training, this may be something you add to showcase your suitability. It should go without saying that you avoid mentioning any controversial, political, or risky hobbies and interests. It’s best to appear as neutral as possible, unless those hobbies are especially relevant to the role you’re going for.

Where to include your hobbies and interests on a resumé.
As a list in its own section at the bottom of the resumé, underneath the work history, education and skills sections. Keep the hobbies listed brief, and ideally in bullet points if used in a section of their own. They should add to your resumé, not distract from it.

How to write a brief description of each hobby or interest.
You may have space to add a few words about your hobbies and interests for resumé applications, especially if you’re still at the start of your career. Keep descriptions brief and try to connect them to the job, explaining how your hobby-related skills are a benefit to the company. Start by listing what the hobby or activity is, then provide a little more detail about it before linking it back to the role. For example, you could say you play soccer to keep fit, an important part of jobs in landscaping, emergency services or construction. If you’re a copywriter, you could mention the genre of books you read, any personal blogs you keep, or writing clubs you belong to that show that you are passionate about your craft.

Examples of hobbies and interests for a resumé.
If you’re stuck on what interests to include in your resumé, look at these examples to see what may work for you and the role you’re applying for. 

Sports and fitness activities.
Mentioning sports and fitness activities on your resumé can be a good way to demonstrate you are fit, healthy and disciplined. They can be handy to add to resumés or applications for physically demanding jobs, like removalists, construction trades, personal training, teaching and more.

Creative pursuits such as painting, writing or music.
Creative hobbies like painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument can demonstrate to a hiring manager that you not only have creative skills but also have passion and self-motivation. They show you are a person who can probably think outside the box and find creative ways to solve a problem. Applications for creative roles like graphic designers, art therapists, writers and content marketers could all benefit from listing creative pursuits. But you could also add them to other non-creative job applications too. 

Volunteer work and community involvement.
Volunteer work and community involvement should be added to your resumé, as long as it’s relevant. It shows your passion for helping people (or animals or the environment), your sense of community and your empathy – traits most companies highly regard. 

Let’s say you’re a carpenter who has donated time to help repair homes in disadvantaged communities. This addition to your resumé shows a personal, caring side to you, and gives you a point of difference that should stand out in the mind of the interviewer. Your experience could have been something more casual; you may have donated your time to work behind the counter at a charity shop, which demonstrates your altruism alongside customer service and cashier skills. 

Travel and cultural experiences.
Including travel as an interest to put on a resumé can give you an advantage for many roles. If the job ad mentions specific language skills, travel requirements or knowledge of other countries or cultures, then travel-related hobbies and experiences may increase your chances of getting a callback. 

Professional development and continuing education.
Every company benefits from their team bringing new skills to the table. If you’re currently studying or are interested in developing your skills, then this is something an interviewer would want to see on your resumé. Good education-related activities for resumés include skills you would put in an objective statement.

Personal projects and hobbies that demonstrate skills relevant to the job.
If you’re passionate about the work you do, it’s likely your career and your hobbies somewhat overlap. Tradespeople, decorators and real estate agents might renovate and flip houses in their spare time, while a content writer may write novels. If you have a personal project or hobby that demonstrates skills you can bring to the job, include them in your hobbies on your resumé. Just be prepared to elaborate on them in your interview. 

How to talk about your hobbies and interests in an interview.
If you add hobbies and interests into your resumé, you’ll probably be asked about them in your interview. To prepare for these questions, make sure you consider how they would benefit your role in the company and why it’s something you prioritise in your life. When speaking about your hobbies and interests, show your passion for them. Enthusiasm is always a desirable quality in an employee. Keep your explanation positive and connect your passions back to your work and the job requirements.

Adding your hobbies and interests to a resumé can add a unique touch to your application. It’s a different way to stand out from the crowd, showing passion for what you do or unique skills you have that may not be obvious by reading your work experience or education. It’s all about how you connect your hobbies and interests back to the job. To showcase your hobbies and passions, be concise on your resumé and be ready to provide more explanation in your interview most effectively. Show your passion, discipline, and the extra skills you’ve picked up, and you’ve got a winning combination to land the role you want.

No one wants to feel like an imposter at work. But the truth is, imposter syndrome is a real thing. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong or you don’t deserve your job, know that you’re not alone.  So, what is impostor syndrome? Imposter syndrome is a sense of self-doubt related to work accomplishments. You might have feelings of phoniness and think you don’t deserve your job. Oftentimes, imposter syndrome makes you feel like you’re tricking your coworkers into thinking you’re good at your job. Other symptoms include: ·        Lack of self-confidence at work ·        Sensitivity of small mistakes ·        Fear of failing your team ·        Burnout from working too hard. If any of these feelings ring true, you’re not alone. In fact, according to research nearly two-thirds (62%) of workers worldwide reported experiencing imposter syndrome. All types of people experience imposter syndrome—and not just new hires, either. Team members in more senior positions are actually more likely than average to experience imposter syndrome. Characteristics of impostor syndrome could look like. ·        Self-doubt in your skills and competence ·        Crediting external factors—like luck—for your success ·        Decreased self-confidence ·        Isolating from team members ·        Perfectionism ·        Experiencing overwork and burnout ·        Setting impossibly high standards for yourself ·        Low self-esteem ·        Intense fear of failure Imposter syndrome during the pandemic The unprecedented and unique pandemic situation also caused a rise in imposter syndrome. In fact, 47% of workers worldwide reported feelings of imposter syndrome increasing in 2020 as being isolated from your work team while working from home compounded this issue. 5 types of imposter syndrome 1. The perfectionist The perfectionist is a person whose primary focus is on “how” something is done, instead of the overall outcome. Despite receiving praise, you believe you could have done better. 2. The expert When someone is more concerned about “what” and “how much” they know or can do, they may suffer from an expert mindset. In a scenario where you have a minor lack of knowledge, this extreme expectation of yourself can bring feelings of failure and shame.     3. The natural genius This type of person measures their competence by speed and ease. When you feel like this, you equate not understanding a subject or performing a skill successfully on the first try with failure. 4. The soloist Focusing more on “who” carries out the task, this type of imposter believes they must be the one to do everything on their own. If you fall into this archetype, you may believe that asking for help or needing assistance is a sign of weakness.  5. The superhuman This describes someone who measures their success by “how many” roles they can both juggle and master. With this mindset, you may feel guilty and ashamed when falling short in any role, even while excelling in others. 9 ways to overcome imposter syndrome.  If you’re personally struggling with imposter syndrome, there are a lot of actions you can take to reduce those feelings. The most important thing to do is remember you’re not alone—and these feelings aren’t abnormal. When you want to succeed, it’s common to feel like you aren’t doing a good enough job. But with time and hard work, you can overcome imposter syndrome. Here’s how: 1. Focus on the facts Imposter syndrome makes you feel like you aren’t good at your job. But oftentimes, these feelings are based on fear—not reality. The best way to fight imposter syndrome is to separate your feelings from the facts.  The Conscious Leadership Group calls this “facts vs. stories.” Facts are observable truths—things a video camera picks up on. Stories are how you interpret those facts.  You can’t keep your brain from creating stories, but you can centre yourself around the facts. The next time you’re in a situation that makes you feel like an imposter, refer to the facts vs. stories of the situation. For example, if you felt bad after speaking up in a team meeting, focus on what your team members said.  2. Acknowledge, validate, then let go Your interpretation of an event is a story (rather than the fact) this of course doesn’t mean your feelings are any less valid. Combatting imposter syndrome isn’t about ignoring your emotions. Rather, the best way to fight this feeling is by acknowledging that you’re feeling poorly, validate that it’s okay, and then let those feelings go if they aren’t based on reality. 3. Share how you’re feeling Imposter syndrome is a very isolating feeling. But as we shared above, these feelings are common in the workplace. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of workers worldwide have experienced imposter syndrome. So, the next time you’re feeling this way, try to share those feelings with someone else.  There are two advantages to sharing how you’re feeling: Instead of internalising the emotions, recognises them and move on. When you keep your feelings of imposter syndrome a secret, they grow bigger and harder to deal with. Sharing these feelings with someone else is a great way to recognise them on the path towards overcoming imposter syndrome. You might find someone who has also experienced imposter syndrome. Unfortunately, imposter syndrome is a common workplace phenomenon. You might find that the person you confide in has also felt imposter syndrome in the past. This helps you feel like you aren’t so alone in the way you’re feeling. 4. Look for evidence If acknowledging or sharing your feelings isn’t helping, try fighting your feelings with the evidence. Oftentimes, imposter syndrome isn’t based on facts—so focus on the facts to fight these feelings.  If you often feel like you aren’t getting your work done on time, try these steps: ·        Go back over your most recent projects.  ·        Review the work you’ve done to see if these feelings are based in fact.  ·        If they are, you’ve identified something concrete you can work on & improve upon.  ·        If they aren’t, use these facts every time that voice in your brain pipes up to tell you you aren’t good enough. If you don’t have an easy way to review your work, try using a work management tool, like a spread sheet. These tools help you organise your work, look back on past projects, and get set up for success on any future initiatives. 5. Reframe your thoughts There is power in our thoughts. The way we approach the world has the power to shape our reality—in both positive and negative ways.  If you often suffer from negative thoughts, start monitoring your mental voice and modifying it where possible. This technique won’t have immediate results, but over time, it helps you approach situations in a more positive light.  For example, the next time you make a mistake, try thinking, “That wasn’t my best work, but I’ll do better next time” instead of, “That was awful.” By reframing your mental language, you’re rewiring your brain to be more supportive. 6. Look for a mentor To fight imposter syndrome, try actively improving your hard skills and soft skills. That way, whenever that little voice in your head whispers that you’re not good enough at something, you can whisper back that you’re in the process of getting better so shut up! 😊 A great way to do that is to find a mentor. Look for someone in your company or your field of work who can give you practical advice and support. This might be a senior leader, or a leader at another company that you look up to. 7. Learn from your team members A common symptom of imposter syndrome is comparing yourself to your peers and thinking you’re worse at your job than they are. While comparing yourself is tempting, there’s a lot you can do to reframe these feelings.  The next time you feel tempted to compare yourself to your peers, try to take a step back and instead see what you can learn from them. The fact of the matter is, you will have team members who have strengths in certain areas you don’t, and vice versa. That doesn’t make you less worthy—but rather creates an opportunity for your team to learn from one another to grow and succeed in your roles. 8. Anticipate imposter syndrome to reduce its effects Over time, you might notice that you always experience imposter syndrome when a specific thing happens. If that’s the case, prepare in advance of that situation so you can combat the effects.  For example, let’s say you typically get nervous while filling out your self-review during your team’s performance cycle. If that level of reflection makes you uncomfortable, try keeping a list of things you accomplish over the course of the quarter or year in your collaboration software. That way, when the performance review cycle rolls around, you already have your self-review written, without even worrying about it. 9. Toot your own horn Sometimes, the best way to fight imposter syndrome is to face it head on. The next time you feel like you did something well, celebrate it! If you’re comfortable, share your accomplishment with your team.  You aren’t limited to doing this when you do a good job, either. Try creating a list of the qualities and skills you possess. These can be specific to your role—like being a great salesperson—or more general to who you are, like always being there for your team members.

Want to be more productive at work? Try the Ivy Lee Method.
If you have a role with competing tasks (and let’s face it, who doesn’t these days) and you might go home at the end of the day and think to yourself “I achieved nothing” and the days might feel very long and that you’re going in circles.

It might be time to consider how you’re working, and that might mean switching it up so you can get the most out of each day and go home feeling stronger and that you have things under a bit more control than previous days.

According to a recent study there is still a good percentage of employees suffering from “societal pandemic burnout” (say that five times really, fast) meaning we had met our limits mentally, emotionally, and physically. You know, tired but not normal tired.

I give you The Ivy Lee Method!
The story goes that in 1918, a man named Charles M.Schwab was known to be one of the most successful business owners in the world. He owned a steel corporation and wanted to further innovate his workplace.

To increase productivity, he enlisted the help of a productivity consultant, Ivy Lee to advise him in this. Quite simply it is an easy routine to effectively help with “maximising productivity” and who doesn’t need some of that.

How it works!
What you do, is at the start of your working week and day, you write down 6 of the most critical things you need to accomplish. That’s the rule, no more than six. Write them in order of importance and then simply start working on them. Start on the first task, and do not attempt the next task until it is completed in its entirety.

Anything on that list that’s unfinished by the end of the day (which is inevitable and nothing to beat yourself up about) just moves over to the next day.

Now if you’re “Super-Fly” and storm through those six items halfway through the day, then (you probably don’t need this hack anyway 😊) you make another list of six and get cracking.

Basically, that list is the last thing you do before finishing work for the day, and the first thing you look at before you begin.

It sounds simple, right? But does it work?
For a productivity hack to work, it must be very simple and intuitive. The beauty of the Ivy Lee method is that it allows for those silly little tasks that will inevitably come up and throw your entire day out. It means you can’t vastly overestimate how much you can get done in a day, and it provides a clear focus on what tasks are achievable.

The method removes the friction of starting as the biggest barrier to getting things done can sometimes be starting them. Most of us know the feeling of deciding to work on one task, then finding it too difficult, so starting another, and then wondering if you should be doing something else instead, allowing that process of decision making to take up the whole day.

The method also means you focus on one thing at a time. No multi-tasking, which can often mean dividing your attention 15 different ways and doing a bunch of jobs poorly.

We had two wonderful temps of the month for September. Congratulations to Simone (pictured) and Melissa who is so dedicated and hardworking and has an amazing eye for detail as well as genuine compassion and care for our amazing fundraisers! Well done. Simone we are so pleased you are enjoying the assignment and team of people you’re working with; the company said you have been fantastic. Always positive, very professional, and proactive. Thanks ladies and congratulations again, a gift pack and certificate are coming your way. #tempwork #award #congratulations #staffaward #tempofthemonth #peninsulapersonnel