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Sharp & Carter finds and attracts the best talent in the market and delivers people-focused solutions for some of Australia's leading businesses.
Sharp & Carter is a team of individuals who aspire to change the way the recruitment industry is perceived and who are passionate about delivering unrivalled service by putting people's interests first.
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blogs, candidate resources, client resources
19 January 2022,
By Sharp & Carter
Set Yourself up for Success in 2022
2022 is finally here and with the new year can come feelings of being overwhelmed and unsure about the year ahead. But how can one be best prepared for your new year start? How can you set yourself up for success and quell those feelings of anxiousness. Below are some actionable steps to start taking:1: Take the pressure offThe beginning of a new year is heaped with lots of pressure. From people claiming they will change all their bad habits to those who swear they will exercise every day. This mindset of needing to be better than ever before is overwhelming and a mindset that is almost impossible to hold up. So be kind to yourself and take on your tasks one at a time.2: Set Achievable 2022 goalsThis doesn’t mean just work goals, it can be any goals you are aiming to achieve in the year of 2022. Having any goals, big or small can help you to keep your eye looking forward and progressing towards being your best self at work and out of work. 3: Curate your morning routineMorning routines are how you set yourself up for each day and making sure your morning routine is personalised and tailored to yourself is important. Setting tasks like always making your bed before you leave or setting aside 10 minutes to enjoy your coffee and some fresh air is a great way to give yourself a routine that makes the mornings feel less rushed and positive. 4: Surround yourself with the right peopleSurrounding yourself with positive people in both your working and personal relationships will help you to achieve any goals you set for yourself. As they say, you are the amalgamation of the closest 5 people around you, so making sure your inner circle is personalised to bring out the best in you, can only help you to achieve success in 2022. 5: Ask for help As simple as this tip is, it is often a tip overlooked. Many of us have been conditioned to try and figure everything out on our own which can lead us down holes of feeling overwhelmed and overworked. In 2022 make it priority to ask for help whenever you need it. Whether it be help at work or help with personal situations, telling a manager or co-worker that you need some extra support will be the greatest step you can take to achieving all kinds of success.
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3 December 2021,
By Harley Thomas, Partner, Finance & Accounting
The Great Resignation
Harley Thomas, Finance & Accounting Partner at Sharp & Carter has delved into the hot topic of the ‘Great Resignation’ that is on the tip of everyone’s tongues for the upcoming year. See below his take on this theory and what it could mean for you and your business. Have you heard of the term “The Great Resignation” or “The Great Attrition”? While many are predicting the next 12 months will see a significant spike in the number of workers quitting their jobs, and consequently an increase in workforce turnover rates, our observation is that this phenomenon is already well and truly upon us in the Finance & Accounting employment market. The closure of international borders has driven extremely tight conditions in the labour market and availability of immediately available talent. This has both coincided with, and compounded, a significant churn cycle already underway. Whereas many candidates put job searches on hold through all the uncertainty of the Covid economic downtown and prioritised the security of a stable job over the next challenge or step up, it is evident that the tide turned on this front earlier this year. The perceived risk of moving companies has dropped considerably. With an effective backlog of these candidates reengaging with a job search, along with those who would have been in the market this year in any case, this churn cycle is being fuelled further by the tight contracting market. Whereas in more “normal” market conditions we might see 1 in 3 permanent vacancies being filled by someone currently not working, for example a talented expat, migrant or returnee from a stint overseas, this number is more like 1 in 10 now. Put another way, this means that while ordinarily there might be a 66% chance another permanent vacancy is created when a job is filled, in this market it is more like a 90% chance. Therefore the “multiplier effect” of the churn cycle is far greater, and the chain reaction of permanent vacancies created is greater and lasts longer. So, what does this mean for employers?A key takeaway from our August webinar hosted by business journalist and commentator Kate Mills was that many professionals are expecting to feel, or already are feeling, less connected with the companies that employ them since Covid forced the rise of remote work. Indeed, our research shows that 58% of all employees said that the deterioration of trusted human relationships at work was their number one concern about the post-Covid workplace, with another 24% saying it was the reduction in innovation and creativity due to reduced personal interactions.Employers need to understand that while tightness in the labour market is driving up salaries of Finance & Accounting professionals, it is a sense of connection and personal interaction many are feeling they are missing after months and months of the isolation of working from home full time. Those businesses that fail to grasp this and instead try to address the issue of staff turnover and improve retention through remuneration alone will potentially see a costly failure of this approach in the longer term. Though not specific to the local market or Finance & Accounting function, an excellent analysis from McKinsey of what this means for businesses and how they can in fact turn the “Great Attrition” to their advantage by focusing on the factors that are really driving employee mindset and intentions can be accessed via this link. If you are keen to understand further insights specific to your market, then please reach out to us here.
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blogs, client resources
23 November 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
Navigating the New 9-5
Dolly Parton once sang about the 9 to 5 work week, a week of day to day in and out of rolling office doors, but now those days are long gone after Covid-19 changed up our working world forever. Employees no longer look at their work week with an eye of distain knowing they don’t have a say about whether or not they want to come into the office. Employees now look at their working week in terms of a dialogue with their employers. We have seen over the past 2 years that although working from home has had its tough points, most employees have enjoyed the autonomy and casual working style in their day to day. Because of this, going back to a full work week almost seems impossible, both from a lifestyle point of view and a mental health point of view. Businesses are now having to navigate a new working world with new employee wants and needs. So, what is the best way to navigate this? Simple. It’s having open and honest conversations. Chatting with each of your employees and delving into what suits them will make the new working world seem less daunting. Ask them questions such as:1. What have you enjoyed about working from home? And the reverse of that, what haven’t you enjoyed?2. What can we do to help your transition back into the office?3. If you could design your perfect working week, what would it look like to you?This type of dialogue will give your business and its employees the best foot forward into a post Covid ‘working from home’ world. It will not only assist your business to retain and attract talent, but also support greater productivity, engagement and overall wellbeing.
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blogs, client resources
1 October 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
Remote Team Management
Managing a team whilst working remotely requires a different approach to managing when in the same physical space. We’ve provided some points below to help you drive outcomes, maintain engagement, productivity, motivation, and teamwork whilst managing a team remotely. 1: Clearly communicate expectationsTo allow them to deliver effectively, you also need to be clear about what is expected of them, so they can confidently get on with their tasks, working productively and effectively. Establish clear expectations from the onset. 2: Use collaborative toolsWe are fortunate to be living in a world where there are unlimited technological tools that can be used to increase efficiency, productivity and improve the organisation of tasks. Use this to your advantage to stay connected with your team. Platforms such as Slack, Google Docs, Microsoft Teams and Trello are great to keep track of tasks that both you and your employees are working on. 3: Recognise and encourage a healthy work life balanceAs a quality leader, you should promote a positive work-life balance and encourage employees not to overstretch themselves. Reiterate the importance of switching off after work hours and do not encourage the blurring of boundaries. This may include limiting you’re out of hours emails and communication, so your staff don’t feel the need to mirror your actions. 4: Maintaining engagement and productivity levels among teamsIt is important to check in throughout your teams work weeks to make sure they are feeling engaged and therefore productive. Working from home takes it tolls and sometimes checking in and asking the question ‘how are you feeling’ can do wonders in make sure your team feels heard and seen. 5: Providing resources throughout WFH periodsProviding a plethora of materials your team can utilise is of high importance throughout the WFH period. With your team not being able to reach out in person to people as quickly as they could in the office, making sure your team has easy access to all resources to help them complete their tasks is a great step in making WFH feel more comfortable.
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15 September 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
The Importance of Networking
Networking aids you to cast a wide net of contacts that can positively impact you with your career path and build important relationships that can help you access job opportunities. The more you network the more you will grow and learn how to make lasting professional connections. Networking is no longer based purely on meeting people. In this new world people are connecting via virtual events, webinars, and online conferences. There are limitless options out there to help you start growing your network tree. Because we know the importance and power of networking, we have collated some tips to help you network effectively and where to go to build connections.1: Connect with the right peopleIt is important to network with people who are within your industry. Creating a network that helps you to open doors in your industry means your chances of securing an amazing opportunity is that much higher. 2: Utilise LinkedIn Social media is an excellent way to easily and quickly connect with networking opportunities. LinkedIn is the professional social media platform and is the best way to connect with industry leaders and send direct messages about your interest in their career journey. 3: Use your resume as a talking point for adviceUtilising strong talking points when networking is important to strike up conversation and develop connections. Asking advice on how to best write up your resume is an easy way to chat with an industry leader you admire and hope to learn from. 4: Follow upAfter building connections, the way you maintain them is by following up. After meeting someone at a networking event etc, follow up either on LinkedIn or via email with notes about hoping to cross paths in the future to learn more from their experiences. This shows dedication and eagerness to learn. 5: Seek out networking events – live and virtual A great way to build connections is by signing up to relevant industry networking events, conferences, workshops or webinars. There are many websites available that can help you locate and register interest for such events. Getting on the front foot and signing up to these events is the best way of building a strong network.
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blogs, candidate resources, client resources
25 August 2021,
By Stu Smyth, Manager, Sales Specialist Recruitment Division
How to Navigate the Question - "What are your Salary Expectations?"
"What are your salary expectations?" This is the question many previous job seekers that have gone through a job interview process would have heard before. This question can create panic and fear in candidates who are worried about asking for 'too much' or 'too little' and being taken advantage of. But don't worry, this question is not a trick to try and trip you up.A Helpful Tip to Answer:It is important not to be afraid to ask the recruiter what they think you could get in the market realistically with your skillset. Additionally, as long as you can justify your salary expectations, don't ever be afraid just to say it outright.In recruitment, success is measured when both parties are happy (the candidate and the client you are recruiting for). Often recruiters ask the question to balance it out and get a salary that you would be happy with and a salary the client can realistically pay based on their budget. So, if you ever get asked the question and don't quite know how to answer it, turn it into a discussion where the recruiter can help you rather than feeling as though you are on trial.More often than not, employers and recruiters will be happy to help you and discuss similar roles they have recently recruited or hired for and discuss those rates. Connect with us! If you’re curious about current opportunities available or want to know more about market rates for salaries relevant to your experience, reach out to us here.
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blogs, candidate resources, client resources
12 August 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
What To Expect In Your Second Interview
Unsure of what to expect in your second interview? We’ve got you covered!Receiving a second interview is a positive sign. It shows you have impressed the employer and they now want to learn more about you and how you could take on the specific role and have impact. Be prepared for more detailed questions relating to all aspects of the role. While capability-based questions will most likely have come up in the first interview, your second interview questions will cover more specifics.Your second interview will also present you with more pressure and most likely more people in your interview. We suggest finding out exactly who will be in this second interview so that you know who you will be speaking to and what roles they play in the company. Having this knowledge will help you shape your answers and stand out whilst presenting as prepared and dedicated. The second interview is about finding out if you will fit in with the company’s dynamic. Be prepared for questions regarding your interpersonal skills and how you manage working relationships with colleagues. This is to gauge if your personality and technical skills could be a good fit. This is not only an opportunity for the company to find out if you will slot in well but it is a time for you to see if you feel comfortable working there, the culture, and what they would expect from you. Be prepared to ask questions. You will most likely have more opportunities to engage with your interviewer. Because of this, you will be expected to ask more comprehensive questions than you did in your first interview. Lastly, be prepared by being prepared. Have your questions ready, know your resume back to front and have a solid idea of who you are talking to and the company you wish to work at.
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blogs, candidate resources, client resources
5 August 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
How To Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
Gone are the days of setting up a simple and generic LinkedIn profile to tick a networking box and have a presence. Today, a strong LinkedIn profile can provide a greater chance of being seen and sought after by employers or recruiters.We’ve pulled together 5 tips to help you optimise your LinkedIn profile and position yourself for success.1: Choose a professional profile pictureIt is important to choose a high quality picture that is appropriate for LinkedIn. This means a picture that showcases you in professional clothing, facing the camera to highlight your face and not holding anything such as a drink in your hand. It is also crucial to choose a picture that features only yourself. You do not want to confuse potential employers by having multiple people in your profile picture. 2: Use a tagline underneath your nameWrite up a tagline that quickly and effectively summarises your capabilities, industry experience and holds meaning for your target audience. Also, incorporate keywords. For example, if you are looking for a job in the finance and accounting space, write your tagline as ‘Financial Accounting with FMCG and ASX Listed Experience’3: Write up a detailed summaryIn your summary section, you want to outline your industry experience, transferrable skills, and the organisational structures you’ve worked within. This is your time to go into more detail about what you know and how you can utilise your expertise. 4: Outline your job descriptions and dutiesWhen listing your past roles make sure you add descriptions about the skills you acquired and tasks you performed while working there. This helps employers to understand your capabilities and experience. 5: Update your LinkedIn settingsMake sure you change your settings to ‘open to opportunities’ if you are in an active job search. This helps employers to find you easily when seeking out candidates. Download your Comprehensive Job Seeking Guide HereFor more information to assist in your job seeking journey and help you secure your next career, download our guide by entering your details below:
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blogs, candidate resources
21 July 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
How to Navigate Interview Nerves
Interview nerves are a natural yet difficult emotion to navigate. As a potential employee, you are in the spotlight, presenting your best self which can be intimidating.We have compiled the below tips to help you navigate the stress and nail your next interview. 1: Practice makes perfect If you find yourself getting nervous in interviews, it is best to sit down with a trusted friend or family member who can ask you some of the likely questions you will be faced with on the day of your interview. 2: Your resume is your cheat sheet Your resume is what the interviewer will be looking at for talking points. Make sure you know exactly what is on your resume and the skills you have listed! If you know your resume back to front, you can feel assured that you will know what your interviewer will be asking. 3: Eat a healthy meal beforehand and drink lots of water The best version of yourself is the healthiest version of yourself. Eating some healthy snacks before your interview gives you the best chance to feel energised and focused.4: Give yourself a pep talkPositive self-talk is the key to navigating your nerves. Nerves will always emphasise the worst outcome of a situation, so it is important to debate those thoughts with a positive mantra whenever you feel yourself doubting your abilities. 5: Remember that nerves are the sign that you care about the job! Nerves are a signal that you care about performing well, showing the best version of your skills and potential. Reframing your nerves and using them in a positive light can help you to overcome your stress.
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blogs, candidate resources
9 July 2021,
By Sharp & Carter
How To Nail Your Cover Letter
Cover letters are still an essential part of a job application and can differentiate you from other candidates. A cover letter is essentially a marketing document used to pitch yourself and your relevant experience highlighting why you are the best candidate for the role.We have 5 tips to help you to write the best cover letter tailored to each opportunity.1: Address who you are speaking toYour cover letter should always formally address who it is speaking to. This creates a tone of respect throughout your cover letter.2: Be concise and outline how you can fulfil the job role (use keywords)A job role will outline the basics of what the role requires. In your cover letter, choose a few of these important requirements and explain how you can fulfil them, linking to examples of your previous experience. Also use keywords that the job poster has used.3: Add personalityYour cover letter allows you to write in a tone that showcases your personality. Use words you usually use and include real-life examples.4: End with a call to actionYou want to end your cover letter with a call to action. For example, end your cover letter by outlining your interest in the role and your eagerness to speak with someone from the company very soon.5: Proofread!The last thing you want is a spelling or grammar mistake in your cover letter. Run your cover letter through an online spell check and have someone proofread to ensure every word and sentence is correct.Click here to download our comprehensive guide on job applications, including advice on resume and cover lettering writing and optimising your LinkedIn profile - https://bit.ly/3qYR000
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