Two minute reads

The CBI predicts that 50% of UK businesses intend to hire this year, also reporting that firms could struggle to fill these vacancies because of skills shortages.  My head-hunting contacts are under pressure to meet this demand for talent.  Add to that the strength of...

You may feel like you deserve to be promoted next year, but how do you demonstrate that you are really worthy of promotion, perhaps ahead of your peers? You may have the numbers to back up your claim – quantifiable performance measures that show consistent delivery –...

Three reasons why your star performers will leave you. Returning to work after the holidays is bad enough without having to worry about who might ask you for a ‘quiet word’ in order to hand in their notice. I don’t want to cause any paranoia, but if that resonates...

Over-controlling managers may produce great short-term results by constantly getting involved in decision making that is way below their job title. However, this is to the ultimate detriment of their own professional development as well as that of their team’s. No one...

Career changers and job seekers are swamped with information and advice on the ‘right’ way to go about finding a new role. Much of this is anecdotal, or based on out-of-date research more relevant to graduate entry jobs. It’s a bit of a minefield and somehow...

Research shows that traditional biographical interviews have low effectiveness in predicting a candidate's performance. An interview by an untrained interviewer may be no more effective a selection tool than a handwriting assessment. Consequently, many organisations...

It's annual review season. You and your direct reports are probably as keen as each other to get it over and done with. When handled properly, the appraisal can inspire solid performers and reignite the poor ones. When mishandled (and I am thinking particularly of...

Perfectionism is the uncompromising pursuit of exceptionally high standards. This would appear to be a great characteristic to bring to the workplace. These high achievers will use their time and energy in the pursuit of doing a first class job, they will get great...

Here are some observations about clients who have successfully looked for new roles or more freelance work. These are five common factors - some intuitive, some learned - that have enabled them to get what they want within their timescales. They are sustainable ways...

Some of the senior executives on our outplacement and career management programmes are considering leaving conventional employment to embark on a plural or portfolio career. This is usually fuelled by a desire for more variety, freedom and control over their time. Of...