As 2007 ends we would like to wish all of our candidates a safe, restful and happy holiday period.
Please click on the link to view our special E-Christmas card wishes.

As a premier agency for the Marketing and Corporate Communications sector, HR and Executive Search, this year Blue Sky Careers has been on the frontline addressing the State’s demand for talented professionals. The booming economy, driven by major growth in the resource and infrastructure sectors saw heavy demand for communication specialists with skills in community engagement, social marketing and consulting. General business activity has also been elevated; Queensland had the highest level of non-mining known investment projects among all the States and Territories in 2007. This trend is expected to continue in the medium term with growth in both public and private investment likely to continue to support employment growth. Monthly jobs rose modestly 0.2% in October for the third consecutive month, and Queensland’s unemployment rate has now been below that of the rest of Australia since July 2004, a period of 40 consecutive months.

In an attempt to address the current shortages and continue to be competitive many employers have offered above award wages to encourage applicants.  This strategy has been driven by headline inflation being slightly higher in Brisbane than nationally, with the main contributors to the increase in the Brisbane CPI being housing, food and financial and insurance services.

Source excerpts: Queensland Economic review November 2007, Queensland Treasury.

Senior roles across all of our specialist sectors have been on offer this year.  Below is just a taste of some of the fabulous and interesting jobs for which Blue Sky Careers has helped candidates find challenging new roles this year.  Client organisations have ranged from financial to professional service associations, through to not-for-profit and major corporates to both State and local government sectors.

We have also been kept busy recruiting candidates for numerous mid level permanent and contract roles.

Roles we are currently recruiting are:

Communication Officer • Not-for-profit sector • Permanent role - $50 plus For sheer interest and variety, this not-for-profit role is a must for an up-and-coming communication professional. View job details and apply online now »	Market & Business Analyst • Salary circa $120k • Fantastic Greenfield role • Nine month contract with view to extension Our client is at the forefront of developing and delivering major water demand management programs aimed at reducing consumption in the residential and business sectors. The role will involve analysis of market data to determine customer behaviour and develop models to assist in targeting the market. View job details and apply online now »
Project Administrator Prestigious high-profile corporate organisation 12 month contract circa $50,000 p.a. Fast-paced environment Unique blend of project administration and marketing skills This is a truly brilliant opportunity for the right candidate to join a top team of professionals currently working on implementing large scale business and consumer awareness programs in SE Queensland. View job details and apply online now »	Public Relations Consultant • Prime roles in premier Brisbane consultancy; • Outstanding opportunity to make your mark and fast track your marketing career; • Major cross industry, national and international clients. Our client is a pre-eminent marketing communication consultancy in Australia. Headquartered in Brisbane, this well known firm has a reputation for excellence among its prestigious client base and offers the perfect employment home for discerning, ambitious consultants wishing to advance to the next level in their careers. View job details and apply online now »
Contracts in Marketing and Communications • Earn $30-$45 per hour • Various contract terms available • Brisbane’s leading corporations We have a number of contract roles with state and local government departments, as well as private companies, with a particular emphasis on communication skills. View job details and apply online now »

There are different types of job interviews you may participate in during the hiring process. Here are the major ones and tips on how to handle them.

Stress interview
Stress interviews are a deliberate attempt to see how you handle yourself. The interviewer may be sarcastic or argumentative, or may keep you waiting. Expect this to happen and, when it does, don't take it personally. Calmly answer each question as it comes. Ask for clarification if you need it and never rush into an answer. The interviewer may also lapse into silence at some point during the questioning. Recognize this as an attempt to unnerve you. Sit silently until the interviewer resumes the questions. If a minute goes by, ask if he or she needs clarification of your last comments.

One-on-one interview
In a one-on-one interview, it has been established that you have the skills and education necessary for the position. The interviewer wants to see if you will fit in with the company, and how your skills will complement the rest of the department. Your goal in a one-on-one interview is to establish rapport with the interviewer and show him or her that your qualifications will benefit the company.

Screening interview
A screening interview is meant to weed out unqualified candidates. Providing facts about your skills is more important than establishing rapport. Interviewers will work from an outline of points they want to cover, looking for inconsistencies in your resume and challenging your qualifications. Provide answers to their questions, and never volunteer any additional information. That information could work against you. One type of screening interview is the telephone interview.

Lunch interview
The same rules apply in lunch interviews as in those held at the office. The setting may be more casual, but remember it is a business lunch and you are being watched carefully. Use the lunch interview to develop common ground with your interviewer. Follow his or her lead in both selection of food and in etiquette.

Committee interview
Committee interviews are a common practice. You will face several members of the company who have a say in whether you are hired. When answering questions from several people, speak directly to the person asking the question; it is not necessary to answer to the group. In some committee interviews, you may be asked to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. The committee will outline a situation and ask you to formulate a plan that deals with the problem. You don't have to come up with the ultimate solution. The interviewers are looking for how you apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life situation.

Group interview
A group interview is usually designed to uncover the leadership potential of prospective managers and employees who will be dealing with the public. The front-runner candidates are gathered together in an informal, discussion-type interview. A subject is introduced and the interviewer will start off the discussion. The goal of the group interview is to see how you interact with others and how you use your knowledge and reasoning powers to win others over. If you do well in the group interview, you can expect to be asked back for a more extensive interview.

Telephone interview
Telephone interviews are merely screening interviews meant to eliminate poorly qualified candidates so that only a few are left for personal interviews. You might be called out of the blue, so ask if you can call back, which will give you time to work from your resume and prepare. Your mission is to be invited for a personal face-to-face interview. Some tips for telephone interviews follow:

Anticipate the dialogue
Write a general script with answers to questions you might be asked. Focus on skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Practice until you are comfortable. Then replace the script with cue cards that you keep by the telephone.

Keep your notes handy
Have any key information, including your resume, notes about the company and any cue cards you have prepared next to the phone. You will sound prepared if you have you don't have to search for information. Make sure you also have a notepad and pen so you can jot down notes and any questions you would like to ask at the end of the interview.

Be prepared to think on your feet
If you are asked to participate in a role-playing situation, give short but concise answers. Accept any criticism with tact and grace.

Avoid salary issues
If you are asked how much money you would expect, try to avoid the issue by using a delaying statement or give a broad range with a $15,000 spread. At this point, you do not know how much the job is worth.

Push for a face-to-face meeting
Sell yourself by closing with something like: "I am very interested in exploring the possibility of working in your company. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each other. I am free either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Which would be better for you?"

Try and reschedule surprise interviews
You will not be your best with a surprise interview. If you were called unexpectedly, try to set an appointment to call back by saying something like: "I have a scheduling conflict at this time. Can I call you back tomorrow after work, say 6 p.m.?"

Source excerpts: USA TODAY -  http://www.usatoday.com

A resume, no matter how good, will not get you a job by itself. However, a good resume will attract the attention of the hiring manager and secure a job interview. The purpose of a resume is to disclose your accomplishments and qualifications to a potential employer.

Think of your resume as a promotional brochure about you. You need to show a potential employer what you have accomplished and where your experience lies. Your strategy should be to emphasize the experience and skills that a particular employer is looking for.

Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational skills. A well done resume will be noticed. Likewise, a sloppily produced resume is a terrific way to get yourself taken out of the running before it even starts.

There is a lot of information available on resumes and resume writing - some of it contradictory, but most of it useful. Try and stay with the most current material you can; resume advice follows trends. The Internet is home to plenty of free advice and information, but in most cases that information will be less detailed than what is required.  At Blue Sky Career Services we have many years of experience in helping people find their home in the workforce by providing practical advice on developing resumes.  If you would like some help to prepare your resume to assist you to achieve your career objectives, check out our website.

Source excerpts: USA TODAY -  http://www.usatoday.com