We are seeing increasing moves from employers to control the activities of ex-employees. This can mean zero contact with the market sector in general, especially with competitors, network connections or even ex colleagues. It could include punitive and restrictive non competition clauses lasting as long as two years, or asking for LinkedIn connections to be deleted from the employee’s LinkedIn account. I…

One of the most curious and confusing trends in recent times is the business dressing down culture. A fad from California and dot.com start ups in the 90s, it has spread with  the viral persistency of fast food outlets to other geographies. We started with casual Fridays, an employer’s way of showing the caring and human sides of their corporate natures.  In many organisations this has evolved now into…

The growing beard and designer stubble trend There is no doubt facial hair is on trend in my part of the world at least. A quick look around my MBA classroom, TV shows and a recent series of interviews, was a clear testament that designer stubble and beards of various shapes, sizes and design are adorning an increasing number of male faces. From David Beckham, to…

Generational diversity in any organisation encourages a broader range of talent, but it can often mean conflicting ideas and judgements impacted by unconscious bias based on generational stereotyping. Identifying and appreciating generational differences can transform the selection process from one of miscommunication to building up an effective age-diverse and productive team. Mind the gap One of the greatest challenges for let’s say more mature candidates, is when they are…

Even though my kids left school years ago, I’ve always been impacted by the back to school vibe. Just like in school, it’s a great opportunity to use this symbolic period to take some refresher classes.  I decided I needed to go back to school and focus on some time management tips. Why? My goal is to work smarter not longer. Click…

interview (n.) 1510s, “face-to-face meeting, formal conference,” from Middle French entrevue, verbal noun from s’entrevoir “to see each other, visit each other briefly, have a glimpse of,” from entre- “between” (see inter-) + Old French voir “to see” (from Latin videre;). After six years of deep recession and demand driven hiring processes, interviews have been…

The festive period is now upon us. After several years consigned to the doldrums by diminished, recession ravaged budgets, I have it on good authority that this year, with the green shoots of recovery and buoyant economies the good old office Christmas party is back in full force. With a cautiously optimistic outlook about the future,  many organisations are going back to hosting their annual office Christmas…

Tips for Career changers help to get them unstuck Career Changers are often nervous and apologetic for being uncertain about not knowing exactly they want to do. What they usually do know and are very certain about is what they don’t want to do. As Marilyn Ferguson says ” . . It’s like being between trapezes. It’s Linus when his blanket is…

So you think that change will fly by and leave your career plans untouched? You do? Then I suggest you watch this video! Do you have career insurance or a career management strategy? One of the greatest challenges is planning a career strategy in a job market that is changing faster than we are.   All the goal posts…

Resume / CV fraud has always been around, but the case of Scott Thompson, named Yahoo’s chief executive in January 2012, illustrates how easy it is for even senior appointments to slip through the net without thorough due diligence and reference seeking. By May of the same year he was history. Everyone assumes that the previous company has…