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Onboarding – The Make or Break
15 March 2024In the fast-paced world of recruitment, finding the perfect match for your team is only the first step.
Unlocking Talent: The Role that Psychological Testing plays in Modern Recruitment Strategies
15 March 2024Have you noticed the Australian job market seems tight at the moment?
The Crucial Link Between Sleep and Work Performance
15 March 2024In the fast-paced world of modern work, it's easy to overlook one of the most fundamental factors influencing our success – sleep.
As the holiday season winds down and the new year approaches, many job seekers will be making “New Year, New Job” resolutions. This creates a unique opportunity for recruiters to capitalise on the post-holiday job market.
Crafting Honest Job Descriptions: The Power of Transparency
01 December 2023In the dynamic landscape of talent acquisition, honesty is the foundation of successful recruitment. Job descriptions serve as a gateway to attracting the right candidates, and their accuracy is pivotal in establishing trust between employers and prospective employees.
Put These 3 Things in Your Ad to Attract Quality Candidates
01 December 2023Keep in mind many candidates may be transferring from another industry with some great transferable skills and a fresh perspective; don’t deter them with industry-specific jargon.
5 Tips to Get the Right people Applying and Committing
07 September 2023Attracting staff (and getting them to commit) is as hard as it has ever been. In the post-Covid world, we as recruiters are finding it exceptionally challenging - and that is our core business! We can only imagine how difficult it is for everyone else. However, there are some simple ways where you can increase your success.
Asking the Right Questions
07 September 2023We often think of candidate attraction and employee retention as two separate entities, but really, they are intrinsically linked. To attract a good candidate, they must see meaning and purpose in your job advertisement. To keep a good candidate, they must experience meaning in their work (consciously, or not).
Dear Employer, From Candidate
07 September 2023A positive work environment is vital for employee satisfaction and retention; but with diverse teams with diverse values, how can this be achieved? We meet with a diverse and vast pool of candidates, who we specifically ask about their expectations from employers. Candidates often describe an employer of choice as one who fosters a culture that promotes open communication, teamwork, recognition, professional development, work-life integration and flexible work arrangements.
5 Reasons why you should Psych test your candidates
06 September 2023Psychological testing or psychometric testing gives you information that you wouldn't normally get. So why wouldn't you do it?
Step One for Better Teams
01 May 2023‘Intelligence’ is not just being book smart. Improve your team productivity, cohesion, and performance with EQ. Here, we give you step one...
What's your style?
01 May 2023For decades researchers have been interested in effective management and leadership styles, leading to a defined list of different types of management styles; some proving to be more effective than others...
What do your staff really think of you?
01 May 2023You may have an open-door policy in your workplace, but there’s many reasons your staff might stay quiet about their thoughts… fear of coming across the wrong way and losing a promotion, low performance reviews or even ....
Creating a Positive Environment in the Workplace
01 May 2023We often celebrate our successes via email, though this isn’t always the case. Responding to your staff with a simple ‘That was a great email’ or ‘This is a great result team’ can be really valued. Meeting a certain level of achievement, will also see ....
Detailed IVI data and Vacancy Report (January 2023)
27 March 2023Data Alert. The number of job advertisements has increased over January 2023 by the three-month moving average.
Detailed IVI data and Vacancy Report (December 2022)
21 March 2023Data Alert. The Job Vacancy is in for December.
Putting Your Eggs in the Right Basket
09 November 2022Psychological Testing is not designed to be a crystal ball, but it proven to provide an insight into how a potential future employee might perform in their work and with your team.
Come Prepared – 4 Activities to Attract and Retain Skilled Staff
04 October 2022Be well-informed and make evidence-based decisions, read four ways you can take control of promoting successful retention and recruitment of skilled staff.
Your Slice of the Skilled Market
30 September 2022Between the floods of candidates and job vacancies is a shimmering slice of the market, the superstars who are skilled and in high demand.
What’s Your Work Model?
15 August 2022When we encounter situations like the current candidate shortage, we naturally start to think about what “benefits” we can offer prospective employees to get them to sign on the dotted line.
Unsure if your Candidate’s the right one? Find out by booking our Psychological Testing now!
11 August 2022As a result of extensive research, Psychological tests have been the most thoroughly developed tool for candidate selection.
Use of Annual Leave
08 August 2022There's a reason we have annual leave and I'm a great believer that people should take it regularly.
AI and Automation - an ABC Article
26 April 2022Artificial intelligence and automation are already here in recruitment.
HR Consulting
11 April 2022With over 18 years of experience in both Recruitment, HR and Psychology; we are well equipped to provide you with evidence-based, data-driven recommendations on a range of different topics.
Power BI And Automation
11 April 2022Here at JP Smith, we are experimenting with the Microsoft automation suite.
Attention creative types!
04 April 2022Are you the creative type and don't get to be creative in your work? I meet a lot of people who have a creative flair or element but don't get to express it in their day to day work.
Are you looking for your ideal candidate?
04 April 2022Do you want to have your best bet in placing your ideal candidate – the first time?
A lot of factors can affect your future employee’s work performance and having a psychological profile as part of the recruitment process will give you information and confidence in finding the best candidate.
Why Job Ads are Attracting Fewer Applications
28 October 2021Since the pandemic, applications via Seek have dropped 15%. This is a large amount and may resonate with recent business frustrations of finding the right candidate.
What does Psychological Testing reveal?
06 October 2021The testing process offered at JP Smith Recruitment and HR is tailored to your specific needs and can be focused on areas that need improvement in your specific business or team.
How Do You Create the Perfect Dream Team?
06 October 2021As you are no doubt aware, effective and efficient teams are the foundation of every successful organisation. Therefore, how do you create your own “Perfect Dream Team”?
Job Advertisements – Our Top 3
06 October 2021Job advertisements are exactly that – your opportunity to advertise and market why someone should come and work in your business! To get the best response from your advertisement, you need to make sure you are appealing to a diverse audience.
Make Data Driven Recruitment and HR Decisions
20 August 2021It has always been difficult to get hard data around HR and Recruitment related decisions, but we can help you in your data driven decision-making.
Temporary Staff – The Benefits and Risks
17 June 2021There are many ways to consider how to bring on new employees into your business. Do you consider permanent, casual, contract or temporary staff solutions?
Behavioural interviewing is based on the idea that past behaviour indicates future behaviour.
Interviewing – The Do’s and Don’ts
17 June 2021As a Recruitment and HR service, it is our job to ask the right questions at the right time. As we interview on behalf of our clients, we need to ensure that criteria is met and our analysis of suitability is accurate.
5 Helpful Tips to Master the Art of Engagement
17 June 2021There are a few ways to keep employees more engaged and motivated. Take a look at these five helpful tips to master the art of engagement in the workplace.
Emotional Intelligence at Work
17 June 2021Over the last 20 years, there has been an increased awareness of the importance of Emotional Intelligence in the workplace.
Streaming services, Late nights and Performance
01 April 2021Over the last couple of years, I've noticed people who are struggling in their jobs and life in general and one of the factors that keeps coming up with these people, is that they spend a lot of their time watching streaming services.
Executive Search Made Simple
12 March 2021Your Exec is are instrumental to organisational profitability and success, that is why we provide a tailored Executive Search service that honours confidentiality and guarantees results.
Misfire of Technology When Recruiting
12 March 2021As many business owners and managers would know, the internet can be a valuable tool when recruiting. But when does overuse or misuse of the tools at our fingertips (quite literally) become too much or too overwhelming?
Personality Profiling
12 March 2021A standalone personality profiling service has continued to grow over the last six months. It is a simplified and quicker version of what we have always done.
We can provide you temp staff. These are people who we find, we pay and we help manage. We loan them to you for a day, a week or a month, or more. It's your choice.
Did you know, we are a proud sponsor of South's Magpies?
12 March 2021Did you know that JP Smith has been a longtime sponsor of the Southern District Magpies Cricket Club in Toowoomba?
Communication, Now and Moving Forward
15 December 2020Communication has been a talking point this year as people have found themselves not seeing family and friends as much and social interactions being limited due to the pandemic situation.
What’s your Work Model? (1)
15 December 2020Business tends to be in a constant state of change and 2020 has certainly made us flex more than ever before. Often with the goal of improving the bottom line or growing the business, we are constantly looking for any opportunities to innovate and make our teams more productive.
Emotional Intelligence Workshops
15 December 2020As we mentioned in our last newsletter, our emotional intelligence (EQi) workshops have come to fruition. We have done our first trial and we are ready to roll out in February 2021.
We have temp staff ready to start today!
15 December 2020I don’t think it has been any secret that 2020 has been a challenging year with many business’s having to reduce staff numbers in order to navigate a way through COVID-19.
Our Birthday
13 October 2020October is one of our favourite months. Do you want to know why, 'cause it's our Birthday! Here’s a quick rundown of the last 16 years….
Job Maker
13 October 2020Social and economic landscape changes are coming! Know what’s on the radar..
JP Smith does Team Building
13 October 2020You’ve asked for it. We will be launching our newest service, Team Building for everyone! Read more….
Skills Testing
13 October 2020You need to know the hard skills when it comes to interviewing and recruiting new staff. Our skills testing platform is available for you to use right now.
Watch this Space! New Service Coming…
17 September 2020By the beginning of 2021, JP Smith will be launching a brand new service for… drumroll… Team Building!
What's the Employment Outlook?
01 April 2020A look at the changing terrain of the current workforce.
Recruitment, Technology and Working in a Crisis
01 April 2020A review of how our work has changed and what that means for you, our clients.
JP Smith, Covid-19 & You, Our Clients
20 March 2020We at JP Smith value the health of our clients, candidates, staff and the wider community. We are implementing and have implemented procedures and are following Government and industry body guidelines with regards to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Australian Employment Rates – The Year That Was
12 December 2019The year is coming to an end, and with it comes the end to another decade. Although the common consensus is that “history never repeats itself”, as any recruiter will tell you, “past behaviour is the best indicator of future behaviour”...
2019’s Top Five Occupations and Industries – Our Perspective
12 December 2019A rundown of the most common occupations we've recruited for this year and which industries were the busiest.
Psychometric Testing - What does it really do?
12 December 2019The ABC wrote an article on the topic - here are our thoughts.
Casual/Temp Staff - The Law Says Yes!
14 October 2019A rundown of our temp services and a quick survey on them.
A Glance at Failures in New Hires
01 October 2019High turnover and underperforming staff are sure indicators that something's up. But how do you get the right staff into the right roles?
What exactly does our process look like? The 10 Steps to Successful Recruitment!
Recruitment - “Quick and Quality” – No!
22 July 2019Is a "quick and quality" outcome in Recruitment really feasible?
Why Invest in Executive Search?
19 July 2019Some saliant points to consider when recruiting for your next C-Suite Executive.
The Profile of a Good Temp
19 July 2019Many Recruitment Firms will tell you that their temporary employees are good. But what does a good temporary employee look like?
Your Culture and why it’s Critical to Know
19 July 2019Everyone talks about culture; but how is it that you can discover what your culture is?
The Executive Team
08 March 2019A brief definition of the Executive Team and some questions to ask yourself regarding your company's management.
How can I get these benefits for my organisation?
08 March 2019A rundown on our Executive Search process, outcomes and benefits.
5 Reasons You Can Have A PR Degree and Succeed in HR
08 March 2019Public Relations is used by corporations to communicate with external stakeholders. So, how can a degree in PR assist someone in becoming a successful Recruiter? Here is a list of 5 skills that both PR and HR have in common . . .
Employment in 2018
03 December 20182018 has been a tumultuous year for employment relations, HR and the business world in general. From numerous royal commissions, to nigh-uncountable, smaller changes to awards and employment standards, you’d be forgiven if you weren’t quite up to date, even here in December.
Casual Employment - Long-Term Changes
01 December 2018If you initially employ someone on a casual basis, don’t expect them to stay casual in the long-term. As of October this year, casual employees can now request . . .
Labour Hire
01 December 2018One big legislative initiative that came into play earlier this year is Labour Hire. In short, it is a licence, or certification, that allows businesses and entities to supply human capital and services to other businesses . . .
Advantages of Temp Recruitment
02 July 2018Recruitment consultancies and agencies are usually one of two types; they either specialise in permanent recruitment or temporary recruitment. What are temps and what's in it for you?
AI and Passive Candidates
02 July 2018In Recruitment jargon, a “Passive Candidate” is one who is currently employed, isn’t actively seeking work, but would be open to discussing opportunities with employers. The majority of the workforce are considered to be Passive Candidates, at least 80% in some industries. One of the conundrums of a Recruiter is . . .
Five Techniques for a Successful Reference Check
02 July 2018The main objective of reference checks is to identify past behaviours and experiences to indicate future behaviour and performance. No matter who does your reference check, they should be done with expertise and the following will go some way to help. Successful techniques include . . .
Social Media and Recruitment
24 April 2018Social Media is a big deal. Over the last decade, its relevance in both the social and corporate worlds has skyrocketed. Almost every business uses at least one Social Media platform, be that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or one of the many other, smaller-time Medias such as Yammer. LinkedIn has become a must-have in the corporate world......
One-Way Interviews
24 April 2018Here at JP Smith are currently trialling software that enables asynchronous interviews. These interviews are more commonly known as “One-Way Interviews” and allow the candidate to perform the interview on their own terms...
The Global Reach of the Internet
24 April 2018One by-product of the continuing integration of the internet into standard business functions, is the removal of geographic barriers to communication and engagement. In the current age, candidates from all over the world can apply to any of our roles. This provides us with an almost unlimited talent pool with which to service our clients’ needs...
Souths Sponsorship
09 November 2017JP Smith is proud to be business/corporate sponsors of the Southern District Magpies Cricket Club.
My Observations with Succession Planning
20 October 2017We have put together some observations regarding succession planning. It's not easy to get it right but it is so easy to get it wrong. Think about your timing...
Key Selection Criteria
20 October 2017Key selection criteria – to do or not to do
6 Things to Look for in a Resume
06 October 2017How many resumes are piling up on your desk? Six things you should be looking for in a CV.
Non Financial Benefits
14 September 2017Sophie Mexted gives some real-world advice on non-financial benefits for employees.
JP Smith are now doing video blogs re jobs.
12 September 2017JP Smith are now doing video blogs!
Resume Day!
31 July 2017JP Smith Recruitment and HR are offering a resume advice service to the public, free of charge.
A multi-national manufacturing company has chosen a Toowoomba psychologist to find a senior executive for its southeast Asian branch.
4 Reasons to Hire Now, Not Later
23 May 2017In almost all businesses, hiring is often only done when someone resigns, when an employee is terminated or when the business identifies the need for extra resources, but is this the best way to manage the process?
Engaging and retaining top talent is one of the biggest challenges facing Executives and managers today. So how do you retain high performers and prevent losing them to your competitors?
Social media is an increasingly important aspect of today’s business environment. Having an online presence is essential for companies to reach a wider market, as other means of advertising, such as newspapers, are becoming obsolete. As the world of business is more technology-focused than ever, maintaining online connections with your people, can set you up for future trends and changes.
IS YOUR HR MANAGEMENT IN CHECK?
20 December 2016The team at JP Smith Recruitment & HR work hard to find suitable candidates who are motivated to stay in your company and thrive. However, as an employer, are you doing your part? When was the last time that you reviewed your HR Management practices? After all, the effective management of your human capital is key to staff retention.
HR Audits – The Paperwork Behind the People
19 December 2016“What is an HR Audit?” is almost always the first question I am asked when introducing this service to clients. Often business owners have never even heard the term “HR Audit” before, let alone its purpose and the benefits it can provide. In short, an HR Audit is the process of examining every policy and procedure that effects an employee. Here is a brief run down on how they work and additionally, why they are important to your business.
Is Your Leadership Team Ready for 2017?
19 December 2016Christmas is already upon us and before too long we will be stepping back into the office in January to commence a new working year. Many of us have plans in place as to how we will grow profitability in 2017 however, are your leaders and managers best positioned for success? Why not put them to the test?
Work life integration
02 December 2016Our Director and Psychologist, Jamie Smith talks with the Chronicle about work life integration.
Take the Health Survey this National Psych Week!
08 November 2016Everyone is responsible for their own health and well-being at the end of the day. But having said that, don’t be too proud to ask for help. In a country like Australia, where there is resources galore, you don’t need to look too far to get some form of assistance.
National Psychology week is about to commence for another year. Here are just some of the ways JP Smith Recruitment and HR contributes to the community with the help of our in house Psychologists.
Don’t be a Fool to a Fake Referee! (Plus 4 more Steps Towards a Robust Reference Check)
07 September 2016Screening candidates is often overlooked by hiring managers when the time to fill the position, or a lack of suitable candidates, takes priority over finding the perfect fit for the business. It is something that needs to be taken seriously however, as hiring an employee without properly vetting their skills or experience can lead to terrible outcomes for the business.
3 Good Questions to get the Most from your Interview
06 September 2016As the Director of JP Smith Recruitment and HR, I am in the fortunate position that many of our clients contact me with a wide array of Recruitment and HR queries. One of the most common questions I get is, “What should I be quizzing for during the interview to get the right information?” I think we’ve all been told too many times what we are not supposed to ask during the interview, so here are three good questions to get the most from your interview.
Make the Most of your Recruitment Partner
06 September 2016At JP Smith Recruitment and HR, the two most common reasons we see for organisations wanting to work with us is either because they don’t have the time to conduct a full and comprehensive recruitment exercise themselves, or they feel they don’t have the expertise to recruit effectively. In either case, they need a recruitment Partner to guide, mentor and support a robust recruitment process. However, all the recruiting expertise in the world won’t net a good result, unless organisations are willing to enter into an open and mutually beneficial relationship with our consultancy. Whoever you work with, it is important to know how to make the most of your recruitment partner to ensure success.
Resume Building Service
15 August 2016The goal of any Resume or CV is to assist you in securing an interview. Many people tend to forget that they are essentially your "first impression" to any potential employer and as a result they need to be treated as such.
New Executive Search Video
20 July 2016JP Smith Recruitment and Human Resources are pleased to announce the release of the new video highlighting our Executive Search service.
Launch of Executive Search service
06 June 2016We are pleased to announce the launch of our Executive Search Service.
Traditional leadership practices are becoming obsolete, as business moves forward into an era shaped by social media, climate concerns and vast demographical shifts. What society has learnt previously needs to be adapted to meet the current demands on leaders today and the new leaders coming forward need to prepare for an ever-changing business environment.
Recruiting Leaders
06 June 2016Strong leadership is the foundation of business success and without it, many once profitable companies have floundered and even failed. Whether it be failure to match culture, having the wrong experience for the role or choosing a leader that is too junior (or too senior), the wrong appointment can be extremely costly to a business. How then, do you recruit leaders?
When recruiting for senior management and C-level roles, is it best to groom current staff for the management track, or look externally? This is a question many businesses face, however, in short, there is no right answer. Different circumstances call for different needs to be filled and as such, there are benefits to going either way.
5 Key Factors of Talent Retention and Development
07 March 2016This year has kicked off at a rapid rate and as we become immersed with business priorities and growing opportunities, it can be important to “take a step back” and ask some questions regarding your staff management.
Job Analysis and Position Descriptions
02 March 2016The key to any robust recruitment process is having a clear understanding of what you are looking for. Job Analysis and detailed Position Descriptions play an important role in actively improving hiring efficiency and staff retention.
Flexible Working Arrangements
02 March 2016In a time where flexible working arrangements are becoming increasingly popular, it is important to familiarise yourself with what works best for your business and your employees.
Heritage Business Excellence Awards 2015
07 October 2015We would like to say a big thank you to the clients and candidates who nominated us for the Heritage Business Excellence Awards.
Outplacement - Video by Declan
21 July 2015Outplacement services are an important consideration when looking to downsize. In our first video news post, Declan discusses the significant benefits to be gained by providing assistance to your outgoing staff.
Outplacement - An important service to consider
21 July 2015Outsourced temporary employees provide a flexible solution to meet uncertain workload increases whilst providing direct management and control over those working for your business. Consider sourcing temps through an outsource provider as an alternative to direct hires and outsourcing of entire tasks…
Exploring a candidate with transferable skills opens the hiring process to an almost limitless opportunity to find a new staff member who is the right fit for your business and who may well stay longer than the candidate with the most desirable direct experience…
Top 7 Ways to Retain Key Staff
03 March 2015Retaining your best and most valued staff is a constant battle - the great ones are in demand and they know it! Here, we have listed the top 7 ways we know will help to reduce the likelihood of your key staff departing for greener pastures.
An often overlooked factor of redundancies is the emotional needs of retained staff - the last thing a business needs is to action a series of redundancies only to lose remaining staff or experience reductions in productivity on the back of a significant drop in morale. Fortunately, there are tried and proven ways to manage the morale of retained staff through all stages of a downsizing.
The "must knows" of planning redundancies
01 March 2015The current economic climate has seen many businesses using redundancies to downsize and ensure long-term viability. Undertaking redundancy action requires careful compliance with a variety of requirements. Make sure you know your obligations before heading down that road.
As the start of a New Year approaches once again, the realisation that we can all start afresh and make our New Year Resolutions follows. This is the time to step back and assess what worked well throughout 2014, and what didn’t.
When all Else Fails Make a Phone Call
01 December 2014Email is fast becoming the predominant form of communication within offices and between businesses. This type of communication can be very effective, it is fast, convenient and gets your message across clearly, or does it?
Goal Setting the SMART way
01 December 2014Being motivated to get things done can be difficult when you have a long list of things to do. Goal setting is a great way to keep you motivated and focused on an end target.
Performing for Profit Seminar
09 September 2014The Crowe Horwath "Performing for Profit" seminar where Jamie Smith answered queries on staff performance matters.
What’s the Deal with Temporary Recruitment?
26 August 2014In today’s competitive market, it can seem more and more difficult to gain a permanent full-time position. Well you are in luck, because there is more than one option to gain employment and experience in today’s competitive market. Have you ever considered Contract or Temporary placements?
Double Your Chances of Landing Your Dream Job
26 August 2014There are many different ways that you can get a new job. This can be through an internal promotion, word of mouth, or searching for jobs on career websites. The one place that people can turn a blind eye to is a Recruitment Agency.
Reference Check’s – Why Are They Important?
25 August 2014A reference check on a possible candidate can help you with your final decision. It is all good and well to hear what a candidate thinks about themselves, but what does their recent employer think?
Communication is Key
25 August 2014Keeping your staff aware of what is happening within your business can go a long way to making them feel valued and keeping them focused on business goals.
Behavioural Interview Techniques
25 August 2014A handy interviewing approach is to use Behavioural Interview Questions. This focuses on understanding how the candidate performed in past situations and can give insight into how they will perform in a similar situation in the future.
Health and Safety Blog
23 July 2014I've been fortunate to have just come back from a developing South East Asian country and, among other things, have been amazed by their take on Health & Safety.
What are 360 degree reviews?
11 June 2014“What on earth is a 360° Review?” Keep on reading to find out what it is and the benefits for you and your company.
HR Audits - 5 reasons why you should do an HR Audit
11 June 2014Human Resources Audits are done so that companies know where they stand in regards to current legal requirements as well as best practice. Simply put, HR audits are an assessment of policy and procedure. It is a check-up that will explore all areas of the company to identify areas that need improvement and also to confirm the areas that are compliant, with ways to improve even further.
Focus on Employees Leads to Higher Profits
11 June 2014The brands of top-performing companies are characterised by an emphasis on the experience of employees according to research by Hewitt.
Staff Retention
01 April 2014“I had a great salesman/service rep/accounts team, but they left.” It is a common statement – retaining good staff is an ongoing battle and one that can be won with strategic management of matters employees value most.
Workplace bullying has become a hot topic in recent years – a few public and high-profile cases coupled with some incredibly expensive settlements have highlighted how serious the issue can be for businesses.
Benefits of Employing Temporary Staff
16 July 2013Recently there has been an increase in the number of organisations utilising our services for the placement of Temporary staff.
Tips for Before an Interview
08 July 2013Interviews can affect people in many different ways. Some people take them in their stride and their confidence exudes from their very being, whereas other people turn into a shaky mess. To make sure you are, at the very least, comfortable with the interview there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.
The Importance of Reference Checking
05 July 2013Reference checking is a vital tool in the recruitment process and is as important for short term, temporary employment as it is for permanent staff.
Have you thought about who is looking at your Facebook Profile? Social Media is here to stay; it opens the lines of communication in times where people are finding less free time to keep in contact with loved ones. It is fun to share memories of events and parties, but if you are applying for a position where a level of conformity or professionalism is required – I would advise exercising some caution.
Five Tips To Fitting into a New Working Environment
01 July 2013Your first day of work will probably feel just like an extension of your job interview. If you attack it the same way you did your interview you shouldn't have a problem.
Pre-Testing Jitters
28 June 2013As part of our recruitment process, JP Smith Recruitment & HR offers our employers a full selection of administrative computer based tests as well as the Psychological profiling and speed and accuracy tests.
Five Good Questions to Ask During an Interview
27 June 2013What are the other types of roles you have been applying for? - This seemingly innocuous question can...
How to Prepare for an Interview
26 June 2013Interviews can make even the most confident of applicants uncomfortable, and they often forget just how nerve racking it can be for the interviewer. Nerves can be minimised by ensuring you are prepared for your interview. A few tips on how to decrease those sweaty palms and shaking hands:
The Importance of Keeping Your Resume Updated
25 June 2013There is so much emphasis placed on developing a well structured resume, but how many of us actually update them? Remember, a resume is the first point of contact job seekers have in selling themselves to an organisation and it is the make-or-break point in proceeding to the interviewing stage.
Appropriate Telephone Manners
24 June 2013The first contact between a company and their prospective employee more often than not is via a telephone call. The way you answer a call can sometimes have a lasting effect on the caller.
JP Smith is now on Facebook
21 June 2013We now have a FB presence. Feel free to drop by. http://www.facebook.com/pages/JP-Smith-Recruitment-and-HR/154742507909022
Supporting Each Other Through Difficult Times
20 June 2013Given the wide scale impact of what has just happened to our region, there is a fair chance that you, your staff, or their families and friends have been affected in some way. There are things you can do in your business to help staff to work through this.
How to Motivate Your Staff for the New Year
19 June 2013So you have just arrived back at work after getting over the staff Christmas party and enjoying your holidays when you begin to wonder how you can get your staff performing at the best of their abilities again.
Gain some ideas on providing your team with a great work environment that they will enjoy getting out of bed in the morning to come to.
How to Successfully Structure a Panel Interview
17 June 2013There are many ways to interview a candidate. These can include one-on-one interviews, group interviews, panel interviews and interviews via Skype or phone. This article will highlight how to successfully structure a panel interview.
A number of large organisations, particularly in the mining and power production sectors, have implemented psychological profiling to establish benchmarks to ascertain an individual’s desire to maintain a safe workplace.
5 Key Metrics of Staff Engagement
14 June 2013Employee engagement is a hot topic at the moment and basically, it does not revolve around the employee being happy rather, it is their involvement in stimulating and challenging work. This engagement in stimulating and challenging work is one of the key facets of retention and productivity.
Making a Connection Through ‘Hobbies’
13 June 2013Hobbies – I like spending time with friends, going to the movies and walks on the beach.
What is really being said about you??
12 June 2013Reference checks are an essential factor in the recruitment process and at JP Smith we conduct a minimum of three professional reference checks before an offer is made. There is a certain etiquette that can be expected of those conducting reference checks; however you need to be aware of all information that can be sourced regarding your work history.
As June 2011 figures show, there is a surge closer to full employment with negative growth in Australian Unemployment Rates of 4.9% and a similar trend for Queensland with a decreasing Unemployment Rate of 5.2% (www.abs.gov.au).
How to really irritate your interviewer …
11 June 2013There is a lot of information out there providing tips on how to impress in an interview and what to do when dealing with a potential employer. Everyone always says, “leave an impression” and “make yourself known”, but please make sure you, “leave an impression” for the right reasons.
Keeping the Ball Rolling on the Recruitment Process
10 June 2013As recruiters, it is our role to source quality candidates for our clients. Depending on the role, this process can take anywhere from hours to weeks. Once a Shortlist of suitable candidates is found and forwarded through to our clients for their perusal, our role does not end.
In 2009, Jamie Smith was a appointed to the committee for the 2011 Industrial and Organisational Psychologists conference held in Brisbane.
Is Your Business’s Social Media Policy Clear?
07 June 2013As business owners, it is vitally important that you have a clear Social Media Policy in place for your team. Making your staff aware of the Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media within your workplace and setting clear boundaries on the use and misuse of sites makes for a smooth transition for your business into the world of Social Media.
At the recent Industrial and Organisational Psychology Conference in Brisbane, one of the most talked about themes was the impact of social networking within the workplace. We have all heard about disrupted productivity and decreased attention to detail but it was amazing to hear the number of positives that psychologists had noted with regards to this new phenomenon.
It really is all the rage now – social networking. If the ‘seven degrees of separation’ paradigm seemed a bit farfetched before, it certainly isn’t now. The minute you register a new friend on Facebook or colleague on LinkedIn, you are hit with a barrage of ‘other people you might know’ from your new friend/colleague’s contact list – and chances are you know at least some of them.
Social Networking in Businesses
31 May 2013Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and now the new Google+ seem to be the hot topic on everyone’s lips, from tweens to top business owners and businesses. Social networking provides an unmitigated smorgasbord of social interaction, though is it something that should be taken so lightly as just social interaction?
What motivates your staff?
30 May 2013People spend a lot of time wondering what it is that motivates their staff and colleagues. It can be quite simple to find out: just ask them.This can be done in a number of ways:
Tips for Setting Goals
29 May 2013It’s a new year, and already time seems to be escaping us. Getting back into our hectic working lives can be a struggle after a generous helping of holidays and setting goals in the workplace can make for a “big bang” start to the year.
Encouraging a Positive Working Culture
28 May 2013We all know a positive work place creates higher staff motivation and morale, which in turn, leads to greater productivity and output. We all know that a positive work place leads to happier staff, which then increases employee retention which can help reduce turnover costs.
Campaigning for a Job
24 May 2013Campaigning for a job, though different to campaigning for an electoral position, is similar in some ways! In both instances you have to be proactive and put yourself out there so that you can be identified, analysed and decided upon.
How to Become the Candidate of Choice
22 May 2013A good politician can be a great role model for someone applying for a job, although they can be somewhat distrustful with the words that come out of their mouths, their actions can be fruitful! To impress your interviewer, you need to adopt a similar mindset. Below are some tips on becoming the Candidate of Choice.
We have all been through interviews where we have been asked those tricky questions that make you stumble over your words and make you feel like you are talking in circles just to fill in time. Below are some tips to help you work through tricky interview questions in a logical manner.
Not only do you personally, as an employer want to appeal to the candidate as a great boss, your organisation needs to provide additional benefits, so you are seen as an ‘employer of choice’, which will entice people to work for your organisation. Below are some tips on how to create a positive organisation and workplace.
Utilising Behavioural Interviewing Techniques
14 May 2013Conducting interviews with prospective candidates for a position can be a daunting task. Whether it is an interview following screening by a recruitment company or a full recruitment exercise run by yourorganisation, it is imperative that you are adequately prepared to find out the most relevant information from your candidates.
Change Management; Post Election/Selection
09 May 2013Effective change management is an integral part of a business’s make up in this fast-paced and dynamic age of advancement. This advancement is in all aspects of business and can be related to the specific human resources as well as technological and environmental aspects of a business.
Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP’s) are an innovative and useful tool in establishing a supportive network for yourself and your staff.
The Benefits of an EAP for You and Your Staff
03 May 2013To understand the benefits an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can have for you and your staff, you must first understand what an EAP is.
We often hear people in business say, “our people are our greatest asset!” However, many businesses in our community and its leaders, fail to take the management of their people seriously.
EAP Proofing Your Organization
30 April 2013Like all good plans, EAPs can come unstuck if logical steps are not taken in order to ensure the seamless transition into your workplace.
Do you really want a culture of retention?
12 April 2013A lot of the talk in HR circles is all about retention and making sure that retention figures are up there with the best and having these marvelous statistics that focus on longevity.
Best Practice Recruitment – The Finishing Touches!
02 April 2013You have been through the arduous task of sifting through resumes, you have shortlisted and you have narrowed it down to one candidate, but best practice recruitment does not stop once the letter of offer has been signed.
Best Practice for Evaluating Candidates
29 March 2013By managing the candidate evaluation process successfully, you better your chances of finding the “Brightest and the Best” candidate to suit your business’ needs.
Best Practice in Recruitment – Job Descriptions
16 March 2013The process of Recruitment begins with attraction then recruitment and selection, and finally retention.
Improving Staff Retention & Talent Attraction
12 March 2013Retaining your top performers can be a tricky task, especially in today’s competitive recruitment environment.
Five, no-nonsense tips, that will ensure you instil best practice in your recruitment operations.
03 March 2013As the quality of the applicants will depend on the quality of the recruitment practices in place, ensuring best practice throughout the recruiting process is paramount.
5 Points to Remember to Help do the Best Recruitment Job
02 March 2013Five, no-nonsense tips, that will ensure you instil best practice in your recruitment operations.
Recruitment Specialist Backs Jobs Hot Spot Claims
27 February 2013The Chronicle reported on a Suncorp Bank report, interviewing Jamie Smith for his thoughts.
What is a Temp?
20 February 2013You hear about people putting “temps” into their business.
Retention culture
12 February 2013How to retain good people!? People retention is vital for growth in all teams, groups and organisations.
Requesting a Temp - as Easy as 1,2,3
05 February 2013There are many benefits in having a temp in your business.
The Bottom Line
08 January 2013Temporary staffing is on the increase and part of this new found fascination is due to lower financial costs.
Maintain or Increase your Business Activity!
12 December 2012We can assist your business with Temporary employees. If your business experiences change or faces the challenge of effectively maintaining or increasing output at any one time, then we can help you.
Policies – 5 Tips To Ensure They Work
03 December 2012All too often, questions are only asked about policy when something has already gone wrong.
HR Audits – What Are They, Exactly?
07 November 2012Simply put, a Human Resources Audit is an assessment of policy and procedure.
Five Interesting Facts About Awards
18 October 2012Awards are known to be a complex but essential part of business life.
Recruitment – Minimise Its Affect On The Bottom Line
07 September 2012When staff turnover or productivity starts to affect your company’s bottom line, it could be time to look more closely at how you hire.
Staff retention has been discussed at length, by those in the HR industry. We all know it is important in order to drive your business forward as time spent on advertising and hiring new staff, not to mention training them, is time wasted.
Benefits of a Temporary Candidate within your Business
21 February 2012Recognising and providing solutions to your business’ staffing needs is not always an easy process.