We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and positive workplace. Our teams are reflective of the communities in which we operate, and we value the unique contribution each member makes to PERSOLKELLY.

Clint Dixon is our Recruitment Consultant, based in Western Australia. This is his story.

What has been your path to PERSOLKELLY?

I know it’s such a cliché, but I sort of became a recruiter by chance, and was not something I intended to do as a career.  I completed a degree in Commerce (HR Management) from Murdoch University, and my intention had originally been to build a career in HR.  After taking some time to travel abroad and then some other corporate work, I was offered a role working for an ASX listed recruitment company in Perth.  At the time, I saw working in recruitment as a good foot in the door to a career into a more broader HR role.  However, when I started in recruitment, something unexpected happened – I really enjoyed it!  No one day was the same.  Every day you meet new people, visit new companies, and help people with their careers.  To this day, I still get a massive rush when I tell someone they have been successful for a role.

How long have you worked in the recruitment industry and why?

I’ve worked in the recruitment industry in WA since 2008, in white-collar recruitment for Western Australia’s utilities, government and private sectors.  Working in recruitment has given me so many things in life that I am very thankful for.  I have been able to meet so many great people over the years.  People who started out as colleagues, managers, clients and candidates are now lifelong friends.

What roles have you held at PERSOLKELLY?

I work for PERSOLKELLY’S Burswood offices in WA, as a Recruitment Consultant with our STEM team, focusing on Engineering and Technical staff placements.  I recruit for a variety of industries, such as the mining sector, private sector, government and utilities. 

Did you learn different skills?

Yes, absolutely.  Although I already came from a recruitment background prior to joining PERSOLKELLY, I am still learning new skills all the time.  When I first started, I went through a thorough learning and development program that all new hires are given.  I also started recruiting for companies I’d never worked with before and learnt about what they do, their hiring processes and what sort of staff they need. 

I have also been given the opportunity to recruit internally, for our partner company Programmed.  I’d never done “internal” recruitment before, and I found that really satisfying.

Biggest lessons learnt in your career?

I think the biggest lesson is not to worry about things that you can’t control.  Working in recruitment, you can be extremely thorough in your approach and in your processes, you can tick every box, and do everything right.  And sometimes, you still won’t get the outcome you want, because you are dealing with people, and not a product. 

Best advice you were given?

I’ve received some great advice over my career.  From colleagues and from managers.  The ones that stick out are all customer service focused.  “Treat people as you want to be treated”.  “For a candidate, no news is news”.  “Make sure you are giving the client an update, before they come to you for an update”.  These all seem like obvious things to remember but are all so important in being successful as a recruiter.

Why do you love working at PERSOLKELLY?

Honestly, there are many reasons.  The opportunity to supply staff to some of the biggest companies within Western Australia.  The opportunity to recruit for our partner company, Programmed.  The extensive training, learning and development offered.  I love that PERSOLKELLY and our partner, Programmed, sponsor the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Force, and I’ve been able to attend matches with our clients in our corporate box.

Most of all though, I love the people here.  Everyone gets along, works cohesively, is helpful, and works together as a team in order to succeed.  I love that everyone comes from different backgrounds, experiences and interests.  One day you can be talking to your colleagues about your favourite sports team (Collingwood!), the next day what music you’re listening to, and the next day what restaurants you are hitting up on the weekend.  Everyone’s opinion is valued and respected.

Why others will love working with us?

You will love it here too!  The first thing you’ll notice is how welcoming everyone is.  It may come as a surprise, given I had worked in recruitment for 12 years already, seeing people secure new jobs on a daily basis, but I was actually incredibly nervous starting a new job myself!  I was made to feel really welcome, had one on one meetings with all new colleagues and management to get to know them, and was fully supported, to make sure I settled in really well.  And I wasn’t alone – everyone who has started since has been treated the same, and you will be too. Working here, you’ll feel respected, supported and professionally challenged, by both your colleagues and management, and you’ll want to stay too.

Oh, and you’ll love our “Friday spritz” – where we take it in turns preparing food for the team.  Think your family Sunday dinners, PERSOLKELLY style.

Why do you love working in the recruitment industry?

I still love helping people with their careers, and helping organisations find the best staff.  For me, I find it incredibly satisfying seeing people you have placed into jobs grow their careers.  There’s often occasions where people you have placed into jobs become hiring managers themselves and will come back to you to find staff for their team.

What you love about our offices?

Our location in Burswood, WA, is great. 10 minutes to the city centre, without the hassle of driving into the city every day.  Free parking within 5 minutes of our office.  A bus service that stops right near the office.  Right near some awesome coffee shops and restaurants in Burswood and Vic Park.  One of my favourite things is that we are walking distance to the Perth Stadium, so I’ll walk during my lunch break along the river and around the Stadium.

How do you feel PERSOLKELLY provides you with flexibility and work/life balance. 

I think PERSOLKELLY recognises that we all have lives outside of work.  For me, the most important thing in life is my family, and being there to see my kids grow up.  That means attending school assemblies, doing school pick ups from time to time, and occasionally working from home if the kids have a day off.  PERSOLKELLY is fully supportive of this.  I feel like I am able to be there for my family, and that is so important to me. 

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We’re always on the hunt for great people to join our team. If you’re confident and caring, proactive and passionate, smart and resourceful, and want to kick-start or continue your career in helping others achieve their career goals, then we’d love to hear from you.

To register your interest in a future with PERSOLKELLY, visit our careers page.

We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and positive workplace. Our teams are reflective of the communities in which we operate, and we value the unique contribution each member makes to PERSOLKELLY.

Kristy Borg is our Recruitment Consultant, based in Western Australia. This is her story.

What has been your path to PERSOLKELLY?

After completing high school, I took a hospitality management course before starting work in the hospitality sector, moving my way up within the company. I worked across a variety of roles, including banquets, switchboard, reception, team leader, duty manager and front office manager. I left the hospitality industry as I wanted to try something new and I also wanted to get away from shift work.

I then started working in the travel and tourism industry as a travel consultant, where I worked in differing capacities over the course of twenty years.

When COVID hit in March 2020, I was in Mauritius on a work trip, which wrapped up early to avoid getting stranded overseas. I hit the ground running when I got back to the office and honestly thought it would be over and done within 3-6 months.  After hours of cancelling and refunding, I started to realise that it would be a while before borders reopened and people could travel freely again. Twelve months on, I decided to start looking for a new opportunity and it was then I was introduced to PERSOLKELLY Recruitment Manager, Caroline Hanley, who saw potential in my transferrable skills. She offered me a position as a permanent recruitment consultant.

As a mother of two young children I have always worked but not in a full time, Monday to Friday capacity.  Moving into a corporate environment has certainly been a great move for my career as it frees up my weekends to spend with my family and friends.  The working environment is very flexible and working from home arrangements are in place for those days when you’d like to attend a school assembly or take the kids to the dentist.

Nearly six months in and I am really enjoying the larger team environment and the ability to make my desk my own, not to mention the relationships I’m building with colleagues, clients & candidates.

Onwards and upwards!

Have you been learning different skills?

I have, including new systems, but the skills of customer service and relationship building were transferrable.

Biggest lessons learnt in your career?

Don’t take anything personally and don’t hold grudges.

Best advice you were given?

Listen and learn from the wealth of experience around you!

Why you love working at PERSOLKELLY?

The team is amazing and growing every day, and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.

Why others will love working with us?

Lots of room for career growth and movement.

What you love about our offices?

The kitchen on level 3 is the size of some people’s apartment! The office is in a central and convenient location. It’s also new and fresh, which I love.

Do you feel PERSOLKELLY provides you with flexibility and work/life balance?

Absolutely, I hurt my leg about 3.5 months into the job and as I hadn’t accrued much sick leave, I was able to work from home.

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We’re always on the hunt for great people to join our team. If you’re confident and caring, proactive and passionate, smart and resourceful, and want to kick-start or continue your career in helping others achieve their career goals, then we’d love to hear from you.

To register your interest in a future with PERSOLKELLY, visit our careers page.

We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and positive workplace. Our teams are reflective of the communities in which we operate, and we value the unique contribution each member makes to PERSOLKELLY.

Kayla Densley is our Senior Recruitment Consultant, based in Melbourne. This is her story.

What has been your path to PERSOLKELLY?

I began my career in Recruitment after I graduated from University with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management. I took a break from recruitment and moved into the travel industry over a five-year period when I lived in Canada and the UK.

I realised that I had a passion for Recruitment however, and when I moved back to my hometown of Melbourne in 2019, I wanted to embark on a long-term career, which is when I joined PERSOLKELLY. A decision I’m extremely happy with as I’ve recently been promoted to Senior Recruitment Consultant through the career pathways program.

What roles have you held at PERSOLKELLY?

I started as a Recruitment Consultant and have recently been promoted to a Senior Recruitment Consultant.

Did you learn different skills?

I did, I had to learn to be more consultative with clients and earn their trust and confidence that I was the person who is going to solve their staffing needs.

What kind of opportunities have you been given at PERSOLKELLY?

I’ve been given opportunities to develop my skill set and tackle new challenges by working on a wide range of positions within the Professional Services sector.

Through PERSOLKELLY’s quarterly rewards and recognition program, I’ve been lucky enough to be recognised as Consultant of the Quarter. I was grateful and appreciative that my hard work and persistence was recognised!

The Victorian team, which I’m part of, has also been recognised as Team of the Quarter. It’s such a pleasure to be a part of a successful team and it’s also refreshing to work for a company that rewards their staff for their efforts.

Biggest lessons learnt in your career?

Be professional, consistent, and work hard and you will seek rewards.

Best advice you were given?

That it’s not a spirit, it’s a marathon.

Why you love working at PERSOLKELLY?

PERSOLKELLY has an inclusive, welcoming and warm culture, there is ample resources and training available, and many internal stakeholders to learn from. 

Why others will love working with us?

Well, working in the Vic team is fun, supportive and if you love thriving on challenges and being successful, you will love it here. 

What you love about our offices?

The Collins Street location is a beautiful office located in the heart of the CBD; a close walking distance amazing cafes, restaurants and retail stores.  You will work with a vast group of professionals from other divisions to help build solid working relationships.

How do you feel PERSOLKELLY provides you with flexibility and work/life balance.  

I feel positive around work/life balance and supported by the business. As I’m based in Melbourne, I’ve been working remotely for quite some time and have always felt supported by the Business and Leadership during the COVID-19 period.

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We’re always on the hunt for great people to join our team. If you’re confident and caring, proactive and passionate, smart and resourceful, and want to kick-start or continue your career in helping others achieve their career goals, then we’d love to hear from you.

To register your interest in a future with PERSOLKELLY, visit our careers page.

There’s a good chance you’ve heard the term ‘bringing your whole self to work’ before, as it gets thrown around quite a lot. So, what is it, and should we do it? According to Mike Robbins, the author of Bringing your whole self to work, ‘the foundation of bringing your whole self to work is authenticity, which is about showing up honestly, without self-righteousness, and with vulnerability’.

The author goes on to say that it’s about showing up to your workplace with more of your humanity and feeling free to choose what you reveal about yourself.

Making adjustments
Bringing your whole self to work can be a daunting prospect for some people. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that certain behaviour and parts of our personal lives are not appropriate for work, so changing can be hard. What might be welcome news is that bringing your whole self to work isn’t about saying whatever is on your mind including offensive and unhelpful comments and behaviour, but instead about bringing your whole lived experience to every situation. This includes empathy, inclusion and sharing personal experiences when they can be helpful to a situation or someone else.

It’s no secret that many people can be scared of voicing their opinions in group settings, and this has a tendency to lead to a company or meetings full of “yes men”, which isn’t helpful for developing ideas. More and more companies are made up of diverse workforces, so employees sharing their experiences and speaking up can help improve a concept or perhaps prevent pushing out communications or product names that may be offensive to a subset of people.

Judgement-free environment
If a company wants to foster an environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves, they need to feel safe to do so. If workers feel they might face judgement or repercussions, they won’t speak up, which can lead to less ideation, collaboration and even a myriad of cultural problems in the workplace.

It takes everyone
Encouraging people to be themselves has to be more than just words in a manifesto and it must start at the top. The former CEO of one of Australia’s big 4 banks used to send regular emails to all staff where she’d talk about her family life as well as business-related updates. This helped to create an environment where employees felt they could talk to their superiors about personal topics when the CEO of the company was divulging hers.

Allow yourself to be vulnerable
Another example of being your authentic self is showcasing vulnerability, where appropriate. Admitting you got something wrong and apologising can be powerful admissions. It shows that you’re human and that you have faults. Making mistakes, provided you learn from them is a very important part of growth. It allows trial and error and fosters an environment for new ideas to flourish.

Saying ‘I don’t know’ can also be powerful. We’re programmed to think we can’t admit we don’t know something in a professional setting, often bumbling together an answer we think the questioner wants to hear. Admitting you don’t know shows you can admit to not knowing everything and it might lead to someone else who does know speaking up in a meeting. You might then learn from that person and the business can benefit.

Pick your people
You may have close friends at work who you know very well, and sharing intimate details about your life may be a regular occurrence. However, expressing a personal opinion or story in a meeting or in a setting where not everyone knows you well normally won’t be appropriate. Where, how and with whom you share personal information comes down to judgement. Robbins says that it involves using basic emotional intelligence, ‘which is relatively easy to understand, but again, more challenging to practice. You’ve got to read the room.’

Removing the divide
Some people like to have a buffer between their personal and work lives. It has been rather normal to have a persona at work and one at home. However, this can be extremely exhausting. While there are times leaving personal drama at the door is prudent, being transparent to a boss or colleagues when your personal life is taking a mental, physical or emotional toll on you can be beneficial.

If you’ve lost a friend, having family issues or going through a breakup, for example, letting your boss or those at work know may help them treat you in an empathetic way and perhaps provide some additional support or flexibility.

BetterUp’s ‘Bringing your whole self to work – should you?’ blog suggests you shouldn’t be changing your personality for work, and that if you’re enthusiastic and outgoing at home, that’s the way you should be at work around your colleagues too. According to the blog, ‘maintaining two separate selves is exhausting, even more so if we have to actively hide parts of ourselves. If we separate our emotions and attitudes from work tasks, we risk becoming detached on the job.’

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.

As well as make us realise we haven’t got long to get Christmas presents sorted, November’s arrival also signifies that time of the year where many of the men in our lives grow a moustache in the name of men’s health.

However, getting involved isn’t limited to men anymore. As well as growing some choice facial hair, you can ‘move for Movember’ and walk 60km over the month to raise funds. Each kilometre represents the number of men lost to suicide around the world each hour. You can even create your own challenge to get involved, it can be literally anything! It could be a test of physical endurance or something else altogether, but your efforts will help change the face of men’s health. You can also host a ‘Mo-ment’ by getting a group together and doing something fun whilst raising funds.

Starting from humble beginnings back in 2003, Movember has since funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the globe. The initiative aims to challenge the status quo and shake up men’s health research by transforming the way health services reach and support men. Movember supports mental health and suicide prevention, with the aim to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.

Another area of men’s health the cause raises funds for is prostate cancer. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with the disease every year. The third area Movember focuses on is testicular cancer. Also by 2030, Movember aims to halve the number of men dying from prostate and testicular cancer and halve the number of men facing serious ongoing side effects from the treatments of these diseases.

As mentioned earlier, there has never been more ways to get involved in Movember and raise vital funds for men’s health to help prevent deaths from suicide, prostate and testicular cancers. While many people are motivated by the cause alone, others might find the prizes and rewards up for grabs might inspire them to flex their fundraising muscles.

If you want to get involved in Movember by growing an 80’s moustache (or a regular one), doing a challenge or hosting a ‘Mo-ment’ you can do so via the Australian and New Zealand websites. If you’re not keen to change your facial appearance or perhaps don’t want to shave your beard or do a challenge, instead attend a ‘Mo-ment’ if you can or donate to friends, family members and colleagues during their fundraising journeys. You can also donate directly to the Movember campaign in Australia and New Zealand via the links.

The PERSOLKELLY Future Scientist Award is now open. The Award gives science graduates the opportunity to showcase themselves to employers from Australia’s leading scientific companies, get advice on how to present and prepare for interviews from our specialist Scientific recruiters and go in the running to win $1000.

We spoke to 2019 finalist Shaghraf Javaid,who is now working as a University Associate about her experience in the Award Program.

Can you describe your experience participating in the Future Scientist Award program?

It was honestly a life changing experience. When I was shortlisted for this program I had just submitted my PhD thesis and was actively looking for a job. The whole team at PERSOLKELLY, especially Keelie, was very supportive, not just for this competition but also for sharpening my interview skills for future. I felt extremely looked after and was given some amazing tips on how to present the best version of myself and engage with the interviewer or audience. More than anything, this award has given me recognition in my field.

Can you list your three highlights from the program?

• As a freshly graduated research student, I was completely oblivious to the industrial sector. The coaching and some great tips from PERSOLKELLY during this competition gave me a new perspective in terms of finding the common road and bridging the gap between research and industry.
• Presenting in front of great industry professionals and talking about my strengths and ambitions. The Q and A session with judges after my presentation was itself a huge learning opportunity.
• Getting a job offer and networking with the judges after the competition.

How has the Future Scientist Award Program helped you in your career?

I received an amazing job offer straightaway from one of the judges. The job description was perfectly suitable for my background. This exposed me to a professional environment as soon as I graduated.

What are your career plans?

My career plans revolve around doing something which is a hybrid of research and getting it out there in the market through the industrial sector. I want to remain connected to both innovation and practical application, especially in the energy sector. In the coming years I want to keep working and contribute towards achieving those goals.

What advice would you give current Science graduates?

• Knowledge is actually power so learn and expand your skills and interest as much as you can.
• Keep an open mind to try something new professionally because you never know, it might become your next passion.
• Be confident but first prepare yourself and do your homework, even if it seems small and easy.
• Networking plays a key role in your professional journey. Do not hesitate and try to connect with as many people as you can. You never know when you can be the right person at the right time.

Apply for the 2022 Future Scientist Award today!

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.

Ten years ago, I booked flights to Australia and started applying for jobs, not really knowing what I was doing or what to expect.

Having fallen into the recruitment industry (like most of us do) in Northern Ireland, it was a natural option to explore in Perth.

Most companies scheduled interviews for when I arrived but what was the old Kelly Services business went ahead and arranged two Skype interviews, psychometric testing and references. Before I knew it, I was signing my contract and providing my details for visa sponsorship before I had even boarded the plane.

Way back then, I remember thinking, WOW, this company is:

A) On the ball

B) Forward thinking

C) Not shy of taking a risk

Knowing I had a permanent job on arrival made the whole experience of moving half way around the world a whole lot more comforting.

Since then, I have grown personally and professionally in my ten-year tenure in the now PERSOLKELLY business.

With this significant milestone looming I have been reflecting on my journey and wanted to share why I have stayed happy, loyal and engaged at PERSOLKELLY.

Let me introduce the 5 C’s (in no particular order):

1.      Colleagues – Spending more time in the office than at home has been a pleasure with the amazing array of characters I have worked with over the years, some of whom will be friends for life.

2.      Culture – Fun, supportive, passionate, professional, team focused, all blend together for the perfect culture balance.

3.      Career – Every few years I have approached my leader with a plan for my next step, it has always been welcomed and supported.

4.      Care – Whether it be attending my kid’s sports carnival, looking after myself or my children when we are unwell, having the flexibility to work remotely and part-time, I have always felt my leaders cared.

5.      Coaching – I have been lucky to have worked with a wide range of leaders and leadership styles and have learnt so many pearls of wisdom along the way.

Written by Ashley Speers

Ashley is a Perth-based Business Development Manager, responsible for establishing and driving new client partnerships throughout Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory.  Ashely’s experience in the workforce solutions industry spans ten years; she’s worked collaboratively with leading Australian organisations to design, implement and deliver talent solutions pertinent to their business priorities.

If you would like to explore a career at PERSOLKELLY or would like support finding the best white collar talent, please get in touch today Ashley.speers@persolkelly.com.au

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.

The pandemic has disrupted the process of changing your career dramatically. The newly developing culture of working from home and the threat of lockdowns are slowing our transition back to the office, preventing businesses from using traditional recruitment methods.

While there are new challenges impacting how we now live our lives, you can still change careers and begin your dream job. Our guide will be able to help you on the path to starting the next chapter of your career.

Seeking a new job

Before you start looking for available job positions, take the PERSOLKELLY career pathfinder quiz to help you understand the kinds of jobs that match your skills and passions. Once you understand the sort of roles that will suit your professional goals and align with your training and qualifications, it is time to search for positions being advertised.

Today, roles are generally advertised on either online job boards or through staffing and recruitment providers. Recruitment providers such as PERSOLKELLY offer depth and breadth of expertise across a diverse range of industries. Browse new job opportunities to find the right role for you.

Applying for advertised roles

When applying for a position, you will generally need to put your best foot forward with a professional resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should explain how your skill set and personality will suit the role you are applying for, not simply be a rehash of your resume. Often these two documents are all you have available to make a first impression; make them count!

Creating a LinkedIn profile can assist your job application as it provides a profile of who you are in a more personal way than a resume. It will also help you develop a network with other professionals that could provide career and sales opportunities as well as professional advice to assist your further development.

Virtual interviews

You will most likely conduct your interview virtually over a video call. Before your virtual interview, it will be important to test your technology as it can easily fail. Ensure that your computer, microphone and camera is set up so that you can have clear video and sound. Make sure you choose a quiet area of your house with an appropriate backdrop behind you.

When on your call, first impressions still matter. It is important to maintain a sense of professionalism with your attire and body language. How you speak with your body is just as important as what is being said verbally and may influence your interviewer’s impression of you. Throughout your interview, be authentic and try to build positive rapport to show who you are as a person and how you can fit into the team.

Starting your new career

Starting a new job can be daunting when you are working from home. Your management will have set up processes to properly onboard you to help you perform your new role effectively. Work with your manager and team to create social events online to get to know and interact with people and feel that you are a part of the team.

At PERSOLKELLY, our passion is to help people move forward in their careers. Our expertise and capability can help you to source the next job for you to progress in your career. Contact us today at PERSOLKELLY to learn more.

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.

A year ago, the Programmed Professionals team and the white-collar arm of Kelly Services Australia and New Zealand joined forces to become a bigger, stronger business, operating as PERSOLKELLY.

To celebrate PERSOLKELLY’s first anniversary, members of our senior leadership team share their favourite moments from the past twelve months.

Kurt Gillam, Executive General Manager

I’m constantly inspired by our PERSOLKELLY team who have worked together to establish a business that’s becoming well known for propelling our partners forward by delivering quality service, innovative solutions, and the best people.

We established our entire brand and team in 2020, all via remote working during the pandemic. And despite this, the way that everyone has embraced our vision has me forever grateful and incredibly proud.

I’m genuinely pr​oud of the passion our team have for supporting the careers of our candidates and employees, combined with supporting Australian employers.

Wendy Hewson, General Manager, New Zealand

For me, PERSOLKELLY New Zealand really took shape with the appointment of our National Manager, Audrey Noakes. Having worked with her previously, I knew her experience and passion for our industry would mean PERSOLKELLY New Zealand would have a terrific foundation and sustainable future.

Watching the team grow has been a real joy. Their hard work and dedication to our customers and candidates is something we’re incredibly proud of.

Jodie Mott, General Manager Queensland

Moving into a new office in Brisbane was a big highlight of mine! It’s been great to see the team enjoy our new office, and support all our customers and candidates across Queensland from there!

Ashely Speers, Business Development Manager Western Region​

Some of my favourite moments include hosting a client event at the Fremantle dockers premises to share the Workforce Insights Report.

I also loved being a part of hosting our Solider On Prep for Pathways event, to support veterans to gain meaningful employment.

We received our own branded polos, which was another highlight this year.

Attending the Nathan Sharp Awards ,Western force Rugby, on behalf of Programmed, was also terrific.

Mitsuru Katada, Business Development Manager

When PERSOLKELLY was launched last year, we became one of the largest white-collar workforce solutions providers in the APAC region, spanning over 45 offices across 13 markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The breadth of our expertise creates opportunities for our clients and candidates, something I’m excited about.

Sarah Swiderski, General Manager Western Australia

It’s been a big first year for PERSOLKELLY in the West, with our WA and SA teams working together to kick some big goals!

Along with supporting our clients and candidates throughout the past twelve months, we’ve had two new babies added to the Perth family – and they arrived just two days apart.

Trevor Bradley, General Manager NSW/ACT and Executive Recruitment

The first year for PERSOLKELLY has been a tremendous success. Building on our rich heritage, we have grown significantly across Australia despite the challenges faced primarily in Victoria and New South Wales.

In Sydney, we have welcomed many new faces and celebrated milestones – such as my 10-year anniversary, Arek received his Australian Citizenship and we were recognised at the RCSA National Awards, attended by both PERSOLKELLY and Programmed staff.

We re-calibrated the Sydney business during our first year, and despite working remotely for extended periods of lockdown, we have built a collaborative, engaging, focused and caring team environment to build on in our second year.

As we embark on year two, you can expect to see PERSOLKELLY continuing to deliver greater value to our customers and candidates across Australia and New Zealand.

We’re also focused on continuing to expanding our team, and have already started our search for experienced recruiters, looking for a new challenge with a leading staffing and recruitment provider.

We’re always on the hunt for great people to join our team. If you’re confident and caring, proactive and passionate, smart and resourceful, and want to kick-start or continue your career in helping others achieve their career goals, then we’d love to hear from you.

To register your interest in a future with PERSOLKELLY, visit our careers page.

In a hotly contested job market, having a comprehensive skill set can give you that competitive edge. But what skills can you focus on to give you a leg up on others? Developing universal skills will make sure you can apply them to any job throughout your entire career.

Communication and teamwork skills

Communication is everything in a team and business. Developing excellent communication skills will help you to advise, train, listen and empathise with your coworkers. Don’t overlook listening and understanding! So often we focus only on what we’re saying to others, that we forget listening is just as important in building trust and quality relationships with our coworkers. If you’re looking to develop your emotional intelligence, you can read our guide about empathy.

In a survey of 350 executives across nine industries, the World Economic Forum (WEF) found emotional intelligence and coordination with others to be among the top-most desired employee traits for businesses. Every job involves working with others, whether it’s your manager, co-workers, or customers. If you can collaborate with others as a team-oriented employee, you’re boosting your value in the eyes of recruiters.

Critical thinking skills

Critical thinking skills are desired by employers and will help you stand out. When you’re using critical thinking skills, you’re assessing all the details of a situation, understanding the connections between these ideas and using that to make decisions to solve problems. No matter your position, in any business, you’ll need to utilise critical thinking to resolve everyday issues and put out fires in times of crisis. This does not mean making decisions alone. Seeking insights and advice from others is just as important when assessing a situation. Once you’ve reached your decision, you’ll also need to communicate your reasoning with others so that they see can your vision. 

We’re also now moving to an age where technology and automation are solving the smaller tasks. You now need to know how to work with technology, as it helps us identify patterns and gather data while we analyse and conceive new ideas from the information provided.

Computer skills

Even if you work in an industry that does not typically use computers, you’ll probably need digital skills. Technology is all around us today and is being used to automate certain tasks and streamline communication in the work environment. Video communications are becoming a key tool due to the pandemic. While using video conferencing is becoming a staple for office jobs, as employees work from home, even industries such as healthcare, retail and education have moved online or over the phone to comply with restrictions.

It’s important to be flexible when it comes to working face-to-face and remotely, as we deal with the uncertainty of the pandemic and beyond. At the very least, developing skills such as using the Microsoft Office suite will go a long way to increasing your value as a job candidate.

Learning skills

Learning is a skill in itself. No matter how much experience you have, you will always be learning new things as you step into new roles. This can be learning the processes of your new company or even learning fresh skills in your first job. Having skills such as being able to read properly, listen effectively, retain information and think critically as you apply what you learn, all make up the skills of learning.

Being able to proactively develop yourself is also a desirable skill to have in any workplace. The ability to honestly reflect on your past performance and self-assess to improve for the future will help develop you into a sought-after professional.

Time management skills

Managing your time is incredibly important, as we all need to meet deadlines while keeping our work to a good standard. If you can effectively manage your time, you’ll not only fit everything into your workweek, you might also find you’re not as stressed and produce better work.

If you have a large project that needs to be completed by your team, you’ll need to use time management skills such as planning out key deadlines, knowing what tasks need to be prioritised, delegating and outsourcing tasks to meet your deadlines. To learn how to properly schedule your time and eliminate issues such as decision fatigue read our blog.

Whether you’re looking for permanent or short-term positions, we can help you find the right job for you. Our recruitment specialists at PERSOLKELLY are here to help you by providing roles in a range of industry sectors including professional services, ICT, government, STEM and management roles. If you are looking for assistance with finding an employer, contact us at PERSOLKELLY today.

Working from home and lockdowns have made us isolated from each other, creating loneliness and challenging our mental health. Someone you’re working with may be silently struggling with their mental health, so practising empathy and emotional intelligence is more important than ever as we work together through the pandemic.

Developing emotional intelligence skills

Empathy is our ability to recognise or feel the emotions another person is experiencing. Developing an understanding of how others feel will help you to develop stronger relationships with others.

Recognising people’s emotions – Making an effort to observe the emotions your coworkers may be feeling will help you work with them effectively. Look at their body language, what they’re saying and recognise how other factors in their life may be influencing their mood; such as financial pressures, or their family to name a few.

Anticipating actions – Identifying other people’s emotions will help you predict how people will respond to you. Knowing what may happen will help you make better decisions about your own actions in addition to what is appropriate to say in certain situations.

Keeping oneself calm – The ability to remain calm when in challenging situations, such as dealing with a hostile coworker, is a form of emotional intelligence. If you can remain calm, you can make better decisions about how you communicate with this person and avoid escalating the situation into something worse.

How to practise empathy with coworkers

Stay Connected – While working from home, try to stay in contact with coworkers to maintain that social connection you had in the office. If you feel someone is struggling, going through a traumatic event or experienced a loss, you might want to send care packages, groceries or meals to them to express your support and show that you care about their wellbeing throughout this difficult period. 

Good person, bad circumstances – If someone is being negative, confrontational or absent-minded, it’s best not to jump to conclusions about the person’s character. You may want to remind yourself it is a “good person experiencing bad circumstances,” and make the assumption that a negative situation is causing their actions. For example, if someone is acting hostile, they may be stressed about the pandemic. If they’re ignoring your emails, they may be snowed under with work or distracted with managing home school for their kids. We truly don’t know what someone is going through until we walk in their shoes, so assume the best and don’t let this negative experience impact your working relationship.

Starting the conversation with those struggling

It’s not always easy to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK, but it could change a life. RUOK provides recommendations to begin the conversation with someone that may be struggling mentally.  

1. Approaching someone you are concerned about

Try to be friendly but concerned in your approach. Help them open up by asking questions like “How are you going?”. Using phrases such as “It looks like” or “It sounds like” is a non-confrontational way to express what you see without sounding critical or malicious. If they don’t want to talk, don’t criticise them as it is difficult for people to open up.

2. Listen with an open mind

When listening to what the person is saying, take what they say seriously and don’t interrupt or judge them for what they are saying. They won’t open up if they don’t feel you want to hear everything they have to say. If you need to encourage them to say more, ask open questions such as, “How are you feeling about that?” or “How long have you felt that way?”

3. Encourage action

If they seem to be struggling for more than two weeks, suggest they go see a professional for help. Talking to a GP is a good place to start, while Lifeline is also a great resource. Offer support to help them through this process and don’t take it personally if they don’t want your assistance.

4. Check in

Stay in touch and provide genuine support where you can. If they haven’t done anything, don’t judge them.

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.

From time to time, it’s not uncommon to experience burnout and a lack of motivation. The pandemic has brought many challenges that impact our mood, such as loneliness from being isolated at home and juggling homeschooling while working from home. If you need some help increasing your energy, motivation and enjoyment of work, we have some simple tips and strategies that you can incorporate into your day.

Get a quick win

Start your day with a win. Studies have shown that one of the top ways to boost your mood and motivation is making progress in meaningful work. When looking for your quick win, ask yourself “what is the smallest first step I can take to achieve what I need to do today?”. This may be something as simple as writing an email.

This small step is like pushing over the first domino and will create the momentum for the rest of your day. When you complete a task, make sure to cross it off a list. It’s satisfying crossing things off, as you can see your progress, which might motivate you to achieve more.

Mindfulness and gratitude

Practising mindfulness puts you in the present moment. Mindfulness has been found to increase relaxation and reduce anxiety, helping you navigate the stresses of the day. Make an effort to dedicate some time in your day to meditate, relieving the stress you may be feeling. To learn how to incorporate mindfulness into your day, read our guide.

Exercise regularly and eat a good diet

It’s no secret that eating well and exercising are good for us physically and mentally.

As we spend more time indoors due to working from home, getting outdoors and exercising is going to make a difference to your mood. Exercise releases endorphins which improves mood and helps relieve stress.

Studies have found that certain foods such as blueberries, salmon, eggs and dark chocolate contain nutrients and vitamins that can boost your brain health as well as improve your mood. Fitting these into your diet will help with your energy production and make you feel good.

To help you create healthy habits around exercise and eating habits, Headspace has some guides that will put you on course to a healthier lifestyle.

Schedule your day

Planning out your day strategically will keep you energised throughout the day. A big killer to mood and motivation is working for long periods, which can lead to fatigue, poor decisions and procrastinating.

Simple tips for scheduling your day include:

• Schedule periods in your day for intensive work, for no longer than 90 minutes. This is the average amount of time that we can effectively create quality work.
• Don’t book meetings back-to-back. Giving yourself as little as 5 minutes between meetings allows you time to reflect on what happened in the previous meeting, and take any necessary notes. It will also help you mentally prepare for the next one.
• Schedule downtime in the middle of the day. Allow yourself to recharge your batteries so you aren’t fatigued towards the end of the day.
• Create blocks of time where you exclusively respond to emails. Constantly going back and forth between a task and looking at your email can slow you down, as it takes time to refocus on what you were doing previously.

Human interaction

Humans are social creatures. Better Health highlights proven links between having strong social connections and lower rates of anxiety and depression. Conversely, loneliness can have dramatic consequences on your health as it may disrupt your sleep, increase stress, blood pressure and lead to depression. If you are feeling a bit down due to the isolation of working from home, make a deliberate effort to regularly be in contact with friends, family and coworkers. Have a quick coffee with someone, jump on a Zoom call or go for a walk with someone.

Looking upward

Our brain is connected to our eyes and is hardwired to respond to simple cues. When our eyes begin to droop, this tells our brain that we’re tired and need to sleep. Today, we’re looking down at a laptop or tablet which means lowering our eyelids for long periods. Unknowingly, we’re telling our brain that we’re weary and need to sleep, which is why we feel drowsy.

A simple trick for you to prevent this is to have a monitor that’s at least parallel or slightly higher so that you’re looking up for the majority of the day. If you’re feeling tired, a fast fix is to look up at the ceiling for 15 seconds. It’s that easy. For a complete rundown on this eye and brain relationship, you can learn from Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman.

Getting into good habits will help you to feel a greater sense of motivation while working from home, as we navigate our way through challenging times.

If you are looking for a job that creates a greater sense of purpose, we can help. PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers so take the next step in your career with PERSOLKELLY today.

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PERSOLKELLY is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading staffing and recruitment providers. If you’re looking for work, explore our jobs, or register your details, search and apply for jobs on GO, available free from your App store. If you’re looking for staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support your business with great people.