It’s supposed to be the highlight of the working year, a way to say thank you to all the employees for their hard work, and yet when the invitations come through for the Christmas party you can almost hear the collective sighs around the office. 
Are office parties really that bad, and if so, would it matter if you weren’t there?
Unfortunately, the answer really is ‘yes!’. If you don’t make a presence, no matter how fleeting, chances are that it will be noted. Managers are looking for team players and the Christmas party is a great way to get your face known around the company – when else can you talk freely with the HR manager, the MD and the post room boy? By its very nature, the office party becomes a melting pot where all the usual work barriers are broken down and you can really use this to your advantage.
“In the world of work, people tend to prefer to do business with those they like,” says Stephanie Peckham from The Magic of Networking Ltd, experts in corporate and career networking. “Getting to know each other in a more social environment allows for rapport and bonding that may not be do-able when working or talking about work. This particularly aids the development of teams, but also facilitates inter-departmental cooperation.”
Continue reading “The Christmas Party – Why You Need to Be There!” »
Assessment Centres are becoming more and more common during the interview process, with companies trying to ensure they hire the right person and reducing the costs of ‘poor hires’. Unfortunately, like them or loath them, this means that if you’re looking for a new job you’re likely to have to take part in one at some point.
This article is the first in a four part mini-series looking at what you should expect at Assessment Centres, some of the tests used and how to show that you should be the one they offer the job to.
Read Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 in the series.
1. Don’t just do it…….show the assessors your are doing it
Remember when you passed your driving test. You didn’t just need to look in your mirror before you made a manoeuvre, you had to move your head to show the examiner you were looking. It’s the same in an assessment centre. You not only have to listen to what people are saying, you have to show the assessors you are listening through body language and feedback.
2. Relax and be yourself
Let us do the hard work for you and take the hassle out of job hunting.
