Online Courses Australia Archives

How to Be More Creative at Work!

Creativity, a soft skill that has long been celebrated as the cornerstone of innovation and problem-solving in the workplace, is a key driver of unique ideas and a fresh perspective when tackling challenges. Unsurprisingly, this dynamic skill is ranked highly in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest Future of Jobs survey, with creativity projected to be among the top five skills that companies will demand by 2025. In fact, the report’s findings reveal that creative thinking is the second most important skill in the workplace.

Fortunately, creativity is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed and enhanced over time. This self-improvement is open to anyone, whether you’re a business manager, copywriter, freelance writer, or work in any role that requires innovative thinking. We’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you enhance your creativity as an individual or a manager in the workplace, putting you in control of your creative potential.

As an Individual

Creativity is an essential skill that can help you grow both personally and professionally. When you develop your ability to think creatively, you can come up with innovative solutions that make problem-solving more successful. This skill is especially valuable in jobs that require strategic thinking and adaptability.

Connect experiences

Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things”. Creative people can connect experiences they’ve had and synthesise them into new ideas. This involves paying close attention to processes, ideas, and methods used in other areas of life, as well as asking yourself how you can find and define inspiration from outside the office and repurpose it in your role and responsibilities.

Dim the lights

Humans are visual creatures, and what we see often shapes what we think. Hence, it’s essential to cultivate a workspace that enables us to reflect. In terms of how to be more creative, according to the Journal of Environmental Psychology, dimming lights can downplay a room’s distractions, which encourages the generation of ideas and freedom of thought. A too-bright computer screen can also lead to eye strain, which is certainly not conducive to creativity!

Add some noise

According to ResearchGate, ambient noise — around 50 to 70 decibels — can enhance creative thinking. This is because a low level of noise “increases processing difficulty, inducing a higher construal level and thus promoting abstract processing, which subsequently leads to higher creativity”. High noise levels, on the other hand, can impair creativity.

Get messy

Although a tidy workspace can enhance productivity, research also shows that creativity can be increased with a little mess! An article published by the Association for Psychological Science claims that “being creative is aided by breaking away from tradition, order and convention, and a disorderly environment seems to help people do just that. Orderly environments, in contrast, encourage convention and playing it safe”.

Disrupt your routine

In terms of how to be more creative, changing things up can help improve our brain’s neuroplasticity and help rewire its creative side, according to the book How We Learn by Benedict Carey. This is because our brains are wired to favour security and stability. Suggestions include changing your gym workout, finding an alternative way to get to work, or eating your lunch in a new location.

Get physical

According to online mental health provider Lysn, one of the most underrated benefits of exercise is what it can do for your mind. When we exercise, we release endorphins. This provides an instant mood boost and enhances forms of thinking. It can also allow us to tap into a more extensive spectrum of our imagination and generate more original ideas.

Practice mindfulness

Another element to consider if you are wondering how to be more creative is to practice mindfulness. According to Headspace, mindfulness is the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever you are doing, being free from judgement or distraction, and aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. A few strategies to try include breathing exercises, meditating, taking a walk outdoors, limiting social media time, and listening to calming music.

Stay open

Most problems have a solution – they just need to be discovered! Creativity often involves divergent thinking, and three great questions to ask yourself are “What if?”, “What’s a better way to …?” and “How might I …?” Putting these into practice daily can help build your creative muscle and boost your confidence in your ability to generate innovative ideas.

Find your lightbulb moment by developing creativity at work

As a Manager

Creativity has a business return on investment (ROI) because there is a solid connection between creativity and business value. In fact, a global study by Adobe found that when companies invest in creativity:

78 per cent increase their employee productivity
80 per cent have satisfied customers
78 per cent produce a better customer experience
83 per cent fostered innovation
73 per cent are financially successful

If you are a business manager, here are some ways you can cultivate a creative work environment and guide your employees to be more creative.

Try brainstorming

Flexible, pressure-free brainstorming in a relaxed setting is one of the best ways for employees to generate new ideas. Whether on a whiteboard or on good old-fashioned butcher’s paper, encourage them to scribble down ideas unprompted. It can enhance creativity and generate new ideas. But it also shares the load of innovation and encourages employees to work together to create viable solutions to problems.

Facilitate anonymous suggestions

Sometimes, employees may feel a little intimidated by making suggestions publicly, even when encouraged. They may have general anxiety, a fear of embarrassment, or other reasons for not freely speaking their minds. One way of removing social barriers is by allowing employees to share their ideas anonymously. Whether via a suggestion box or an online survey that guarantees confidentiality, it will show them that their suggestions are valid and their creativity valued.

Act on their ideas

If employees think their ideas will be acted on and implemented, they’re more likely to offer suggestions. Once you’ve determined an idea will be a success, let your employees know how the idea came to be. This will encourage employees to be more creative at work by increasing their motivation to contribute.

Encourage individuality

It sounds simple, but let your employees know you value their thoughts and appreciate their individuality. Make it clear that you see them as unique individuals rather than simply employees. Most people will respond well and reward you with their ideas and insights.

Hire diverse talent

Diversity in the workplace contributes to an atmosphere of creative thinking, so consider hiring employees from different fields and different educational and cultural backgrounds. Encouraging multicultural diversity, in particular, is essential as we live in a multicultural society, so embracing differences and developing cultural competence is crucial.

We hope these tips will help you consistently practice creativity in the workplace to improve your skills, embrace opportunities and drive meaningful change. There’s also value in pursuing diverse experiences and embracing an open-minded approach to learning to significantly boost your creative abilities. This ongoing development of your creative powers can lead to improved job performance, enhanced career prospects, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing industries.

Tips for Starting a New Job

Congratulations on your new job! You are probably feeling excited but nervous, as it can also be a little overwhelming. But that’s understandable — it can be a daunting experience for even the most seasoned professionals! However, it’s important you make a good first impression and gradually settle into your role so you can relish the next phase of your career. Here are some tips for starting a new job.

Your first day will probably be one of the most challenging days as you’ll be bombarded with so much information and new experiences.

Careful planning is vital, and some things worth considering include:

Contact your manager and ask if they have any recommendations for how to prepare. Reading material on the company and its products or services can give you insights. These include their website, annual reports and company newsletters.
Where you were interviewed may not be where you’ll be working, so check where you need to go.
Check transport schedules and parking availability so you can arrive on time.
Your manager. Confirm who you need to check in with when you get there, and if you’re unsure, contact the HR team.
If you haven’t already supplied, take along personal information such as your bank account and super fund details and your tax file number. You might also need to sign a contract, a confidentiality agreement or other documents on the day.
Work hours. Know when you need to arrive and what hours you’ll be working after that.
Dress code. Find out what you should wear. If you need to wear a uniform, make arrangements to collect this prior to your first day if possible.
Confirm if your workplace has a kitchen or meal area and what facilities are available for you to buy or prepare meals. Ask for lunch recommendations if you prefer to purchase your meals.
Workplace policies – Find out what policies and procedures need to be adhered to in your new workplace. There are also some rights and responsibilities that apply to all employers and employees. You can find out more here.

Once you’re there, try to relax

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience new things, learn new skills and meet new people. Embrace it! You should also try to:

Have a positive attitude

As you make your morning commute, remind yourself that the company chose you for a reason, so you have what it takes to master the role. Thinking back over your qualities and skills can further boost your confidence and motivation.

Be outgoing and confident

Your first few weeks or months will involve a steady flow of new faces, introductions and learning your colleagues’ names. If you struggle to put a name to a face, ask for a reminder — you’ll soon master who’s who in your new workplace. Also, try to confidently introduce yourself to new colleagues you run into. By remaining assertive and professional yet approachable in the early days, you’ll cement your reputation as a valued team member.

Plan an introduction

Creating a professional first impression is an essential part of building strong working relationships. When introduced to your new colleagues be ready to share information about yourself. However, it’s not necessary to reveal everything about yourself — communicating your background, and a little bit about you as a person should be enough!

Stay neutral

One of the worst things you can do when starting a new job is to get involved in gossip or office politics. If a conversation with a colleague turns into gossip, politely accept or deflect their opinions without getting involved further.

Listen and learn

When starting a new job, there is often a steep learning curve. Aim to take in as much information as possible, but also be prepared to ask questions. Also, remember that you are not expected to know everything from the start, and that a thorough understanding of any expectations will help you become a valuable team member in the early stages.

Take a physical tour

Most companies will offer this straight up. Note the location of bathrooms, the kitchen, the office supply room, and privacy/conference rooms where you might be able to spend a few moments of quiet time to regroup if you need to.

Take an organisational tour

This will allow you to understand where the major departments are, such as the areas you will work with, and the key support functions, such as the finance, HR and IT departments.

Take your manager’s lead

Typically you will have an induction period that will involve you becoming familiar with how the organisation works and your role within it. You can offer to get started straight away. But be aware, undertaking work assignments may be a gradual process.

Ask how they like to communicate

Is it via email, messenger, phone call or a physical visit to their office? Don’t assume your manager communicates like other managers you may have had before. Everyone is different.

Check in with them frequently

Most managers will schedule catch-up meetings with their staff. However, being proactive about checking in will allow you to get feedback and make necessary adjustments. This will show them you are open to change and willing to improve.

Ask them for more (or less) work

Your manager probably won’t know the full extent of your knowledge and skills or how quickly you will pick things up. They may give you tasks that are too easy or too much work or deadlines that are too tight. This is why frequent check-ins are valuable. They can offer real-time feedback, and your manager can gauge how quickly and effectively you work. Your manager can then adjust the pace accordingly or give you additional training or other support.

Get to know your colleagues

Lunch with your new colleagues is a great way to get to know them in a relaxed environment. Your peers can help you assimilate and offer valuable insights into the company and its employees. It can also help you build and maintain productive relationships and enhance your emotional intelligence.

High Demand Jobs & Courses to Match!

COVID-19 has brought significant disruption to the global economy and with it, changes to the careers landscape. However, as globalisation continues and new jobs and ways of working open up, the future of work will be dynamic, transformative and exciting!

There will be abundant opportunities for those with a range of skills and experience, and a love of lifelong learning will be an essential character trait in terms of people adapting to the workforce of the future. According to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise in 2021 report, here are some of the high demand jobs.

#1 – Mental Health Specialists

Several community services roles are currently some of the most in-demand in Australia. This includes the area of mental health, which was boosted by the government’s significant financial investment in the sector in 2020. The sector incorporates a range of roles and covers all stages of life, from children and adolescents to older Australians.

Mental health specialists can include practitioners, social workers, counsellors and psychologists who deal with vulnerable people who may be experiencing poverty, discrimination, addiction, illness, domestic and family violence, mental health issues or other forms of hardship.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs in the counselling sector is expected to be over 14.2 per cent by 2026.

#2 – Healthcare/Medical Support Workers

Other high demand jobs in the healthcare sector include support worker and case management roles. Workers in these jobs typically help people access a range of care, from support at home and physical therapy to delivering assistance and services to clients. Roles also cover a range of sectors from community and aged care to homelessness support services.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for aged and disabled carers is expected to be over 28 per cent by 2026.

#3- Customer Service Workers

With the advent of COVID-19, many customer service workers were asked to respond and navigate through significant disruption. From tourism to hospitality, they needed to re-purpose their communication and interpersonal skills to understand complaints and changing customer needs.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for those in the retail trade is expected to be over 4.1 per cent by 2026.

#4 – E-commerce Professionals

The retail sector is one of Australia’s largest employers. And despite the significant challenges that affected “bricks and mortar” businesses due to COVID-19, it’s not surprising that the area of E-commerce is booming.

According to an article in the Australian Financial Review in May, the growth rate of online sales was almost 30 per cent in 2018. During the 2020 lockdowns, this surged to over 60 per cent. High demand jobs are abundant for E-commerce professionals, but online business owners can also reap the benefits of this burgeoning retail platform.

Fast fact: According to Statista, while online sales accounted for 18 per cent of global retail sales in 2020, that share is projected to climb to over 21 per cent in 2024.

#5 – Digital Content Writers

Content is truly king in this digital age, and according to LinkedIn, its demand is increasingly high. In 2020, it observed a sharp increase in organisations’ posts, making bloggers, copywriters, freelance writers and podcasters some of the latest high-demand jobs.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for journalists and other writers is expected to be over 7.1 per cent by 2026.

#6 – Education Roles

Tasked with preparing children for primary school, those working in early childhood education prepare materials and equipment for children’s education and recreational activities. They also support their emotional, physical and social development, playing a crucial role in giving Australia’s youngest generation quality learning experiences.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for child carers is expected to be over 5.9 per cent by 2026.

#7 – Finance Professionals

Australia has a sophisticated financial services sector, which is one of the most significant contributors to the national economy. Another one of the high demand jobs in the current employment market is those of finance professionals, including accountants and bookkeepers.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for accountants is expected to be over 9.2 per cent by 2026.

#8 – Digital Marketing Specialists

The ability to communicate with customers using digital marketing, including social media, has become even more important in this Information Age as many brands face significant disruption to their usual customer engagement.

Fast fact: According to LinkedIn, half of the top ten jobs posted on their site are in the media or digital space.

#9 – Recruitment Professionals

With many companies freezing hiring the past year due to uncertainties, recruiters have had to re-evaluate their recruitment strategies. One trend that has emerged is recruitment consultants pivoting to a role as a “career development specialist”, focusing on not just recruiting but helping people find new roles and careers.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of jobs for HR professionals is expected to be over 13.1 per cent by 2026.

#10 – ICT Managers

The Information Technology sector is continuing to grow at a rapid rate and is arguably one of the most valuable future-proof industries. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Managers typically manage the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunications systems within organisations.

Fast fact: According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of ICT managers’ jobs is expected to be over 17.7 per cent by 2026.

#11 – Cyber Security Specialists

The cyber security sector is growing fast, and according to the Government’s own Cyber Security Strategy, Australia is suffering from a cyber security skills shortage. People in cyber security roles offer a range of services from developing software to minimising viruses, hackers and phishing.

Fast fact: Over the 2020-21 financial year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) received over 67,500 cybercrime reports, an increase of nearly 13 per cent from the previous financial year.

9 Wellbeing Strategies That Work (For You & Your Clients)

We commonly associate mental health with what’s wrong – such as depression, anxiety and other illnesses. But those who understand wellness know that mental health is also about what’s going right. How long since your last mental health check-up? Because, as we’re now realising, mental health is just as critical as physical health to longevity. Here are nine wellbeing strategies that might help you (or your clients) live better!

Build Connections

Relationships are vital to your mental health and wellbeing. This wellbeing strategy is the foundation that helps you get through the difficult times and to celebrate the happy moments in life. If you’ve lost some of your connections, whether with friends, family or colleagues, take the time to rebuild. You’ll enjoy a better state of mind and a more full, enjoyable life when you share it with others. If it’s difficult to find social avenues to connect with people, invest in a hobby or volunteer work that gets you into a positive social group – perhaps it’s book club or work with Meals on Wheels.

Keep Learning

The lifeblood of personal development and growth – learning! When you keep your brain active, you’re mentally healthier and better prepared to take on new challenges. Learning new things also boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence. So, whether you want to learn to plant a garden, communicate with confidence or change your career, you’re doing your health good when you invest in your education. After all, education is one thing that no one can take away from you!

Stay Active

Regular, planned exercise is a wellbeing strategy that will boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve your sleep. The trick is to make it a habit. Habits are best (and most quickly adapted) when you do something every day at the same time. So, if getting up at 5 am for a 10km run isn’t your idea of a good time, don’t do it! Set a time of day when you feel most energetic, and your time is your own. You can learn more about the critical role of physical activity and movement in our wellbeing course.

Give Generously

Generosity is a bit underrated (if you ask us), and it’s a shame because it’s so good for you. In fact, evidence suggests that during gift-giving, we secrete “feel good” chemicals in our brains, such as serotonin (a mood-mediating chemical), dopamine (a feel-good chemical) and oxytocin (a compassion and bonding chemical)! And just like exercise and a healthy diet, generosity may increase your lifespan, according to a study.

Be Curious

Did you know that curious people are happier? Research is proving that being curious is linked with psychological, emotional, social and health benefits. One study shows that curiosity is associated with increased positive emotions, lower anxiety, greater satisfaction with life and better psychological wellbeing. Of course, maybe happier people are just more curious. Regardless, discovering something new does make us feel good – so it’s likely this relationship travels in both directions. So, get curious about life!

Forgive/Make Amends

If you’re holding onto grudges, it’s time to let go. Research has shown that forgiveness is linked to better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression, anxiety and major psychiatric disorders. It’s also linked with fewer physical health symptoms and lower mortality rates! So, forgive those who’ve wronged you and make amends with those who feel wronged by you. It’ll make you a happier, healthier person.

Embrace Nature

How much time do you spend out in nature? If you’re a city (or suburb) dweller, make time to travel into a forest now and then for your health’s sake. It turns out that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. In Japan, the nature as medicine exercise is called shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, and its benefits are legendary. In fact, in Japan, over 40 decades of research into shinrin-yoku has led to it being prescribed by health professionals.

Eat Healthily

Have you heard of “good mood foods”? They’re the foods that boost our energy, alertness and state of mind, but they’re not the type you might think. If you’re thinking stimulants – caffeine – or sugar- glucose hit – you’d be wrong. While these quick-fix choices might do the trick at the moment, you’ll pay for it down the track. Food (and drinks) have a significant impact on our wellbeing. So, what foods should we eat for better health and wellbeing? In a nutshell, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy and lots of water are best. Curious for more? Learn about nutrition and mood foods in our wellbeing courses.

Make Time for Mindfulness

If you have a health device, such as an Apple Watch, you’ll notice that you’re prompted throughout the day to be mindful. So, why does mindfulness matter as a wellbeing strategy? This ancient practice is about slowing down to be completely aware of what’s happening in the present. It means doing away with being on autopilot. Studies suggest mindfulness helps manage stress, cope with illness, and reduce anxiety and depression.

15 Fascinating Facts About Wellbeing

Whether for your own knowledge or to entertainment your clients, we think these facts about health and wellbeing will fascinate and inform!

Laughing is good for the heart and can increase blood flow by 20 per cent!
You burn more calories sleeping than watching television
You’re 1cm taller in the morning than in the evening
Anxiety can make bad smells even worse
Eating eggs improves your reflexes and intellectual performance – not unlike medical stimulants like Ritalin
Chewing gum sharpens your focus
Physically active pregnant women have smarter babies
Oatmeal and coffee help ward off depression
Bananas can boost your mood
Gratitude can increase happiness by as much as 25 per cent
Having a good social circle boosts your longevity by 50 per cent
Dehydration negatively impacts mood, memory and brain performance
Inactivity and excess sugar consumption is as bad as smoking for your health
Just 10 minutes of daily exercise can save your health
Brisk walking is nearly as healthy as running (the same distance) in lowering hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Why Study Health & Wellbeing?

If you’d like to improve your own health or your client’s wellbeing, consider our Certificate of Health and Wellbeing. You’ll learn about wellbeing strategies to boost physical, social, intellectual and emotional health and wellbeing to meet the demands of life. Whether for personal gain or to serve clients better through professional development, this course shows you how to optimise all areas of health and wellbeing.

Our online courses are an excellent way to test the waters before investing in further education. If you have any questions, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

Develop Skills for Working with Vulnerable People

Working with vulnerable people in society is pivotal in the community services sector. The sector is also one of the largest in Australia, with the COVID-19 pandemic increasing demand for “care economy” workers.

The sector covers all stages of life — from childcare to aged care — and incorporates a range of roles. It can also involve working with vulnerable people experiencing domestic violence, discrimination, illness, disability or other forms of hardship.

This includes working in various sectors, including aged care, mental health, family services, child protection and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island individuals and those with specific disorders from Autism Spectrum Disorder to dementia.

According to LinkedIn’s 2021 report, Jobs on the Rise, several community services roles are currently some of the most in-demand in Australia. These include childcare workers, case managers, youth workers and social service specialists.

If you are keen to work in a sector that involves working with vulnerable people in our communities, here are some skills that might be beneficial.

Working with vulnerable people can be challenging. And while skills and training are paramount to maintaining high working standards, a passion for helping those in need can make a real difference.
Dedication to the profession is also crucial. Many people who work in community services view their job as more of a “calling” than a job. They are the people that often family and friends look to in times of need. And for many, their role is part of their identity and putting others first comes naturally.
Along with training, care workers bring varied life experiences to their work, enabling them to relate to clients more effectively. Simply getting through challenges or having experience in other areas of life can be wonderfully beneficial to the worker-client relationship.
If clients are exhibiting behavioural issues or are withdrawn, a friendly presence will often help them feel safe and happy. When working with vulnerable people, being warm and open also helps those in community services build rapport with their clients. This develops not only better working relationships but long-term friendships.
Because those in this sector regularly encounter individuals from a variety of backgrounds with diverse health issues, it may impair their ability to communicate. Interacting clearly with clients — who may have individual needs — will assist with effective working practices. Good communication will colleagues also ensures clients receive a standardised level of care.
Isolation is a situation many of those needing support face daily, and this can have a range of negative consequences. Humans are generally social by nature, so just being present can be a huge part of working in this field. In addition to physical assistance, listening and engagement are some of the most valuable support mechanisms that can be offered.
A sense of humour. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. When clients suffer from health issues, making them smile — even for a short time — can make a world of difference to their physical and mental wellbeing.
Many of those working with vulnerable people are on the front line, facing clients’ challenges alongside them. Many will build close relationships, and it may be difficult seeing people suffer. However, if they can remain positive and strong during difficult times, it can help clients face their difficulties more effectively.
As a worker in community services, it is often valuable to place yourself in your client’s shoes. Questions to ask include: How would you feel in their situation? How would you react? Imagining yourself in different scenarios can help you better understand your clients’ behaviour and mindset, helping you to provide the individual support they need.
A desire to learn. In many professions, when you are working with vulnerable people, you will need to complete training to ensure you are safe and effective at work. However, treating every day as a learning experience can improve your skills and knowledge and contribute to your continued professional development. This learning can also be used to complete further training as you advance in your career.
Exceed expectations. Community care workers understand they are responsible for providing their clients with the best quality of life possible. Even in demanding or stressful situations, they go the extra mile for vulnerable individuals in society, often without expecting or receiving recognition.
Open-mindedness. Working with vulnerable people often involves dealing with people from diverse backgrounds, including people with cultural, behavioural and physical differences. Treating clients with respect, regardless of their situation, will ensure they receive the dignity they deserve throughout their care journey.
Organisational skills. Depending on their work environment, those working with vulnerable people may have to coordinate a range of activities in a working day. This can include planning and coordination with colleagues and other specialist health and wellbeing services to ensure a holistic service delivery.
Calmness under pressure. Working in the community services sector can be stressful. And given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, resources can be stretched. Time and budget constraints, and the desire to provide the best possible care to clients, can often be a constant balancing act.
For many vulnerable people, those who assist them are their lifelines, and they rely on care input for much-needed social interaction. It can also extend to the area of assisting with basic activities for daily living, so reliability is vital.
A calm presence is essential for putting individuals at ease, particularly when working with the elderly, including those with dementia. Those with personal care needs or mobility issues may also require extra help. Working with clients at their own pace can improve the delivery of care.
Critical thinking. Working in community services is complex, and a wide range of challenges may be encountered. Problem-solving, where appropriate, ensures individuals remain safe while continuing to deliver the highest quality care.

Could You Be an Adult Educator?

Learning is essential to our existence. And just like food nourishes our bodies, continuous learning nourishes our minds. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”.

And despite the studies citing that after the age of twelve we lose some of the capacity to absorb new information, all of us have neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to new challenges. This fact alone is motivation enough for you to work in the area of adult education, and a great first step is to undertake our Facilitate Adult Learning & Development course!

Whether it’s in literacy, language or numeracy, this course will teach you how to guide, advise, support and respond to the needs of those keen to step into the wonderful world of adult learning courses. Need more inspiration to get started? Let’s look at some theories around adult learning, the types of adult learners, and what makes adult learners different from younger generations.

Adult Learning Theories

There is an abundance of theories surrounding adult learning, and many are based on “andragogy”. Andragogy is the “art and science of helping adults learn”. The first recorded use of the word was in the 1830s, however, the disciplined pursuit began in the 1960s.

Within formal education including adult learning courses, the word is most often used in reference to self-directed learning. This takes into account an individual’s desire to know:

The reasons for learning something.
Broad experiences and knowledge bases.
Need for high levels of autonomy in their learning.
Inclination toward immediately relevant and useful subjects.
Preference for informal, problem-centred over formal, content-focused engagements.
Tendencies to be more internally than externally motivated.

Alexander Kapp and Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy developed theories around adult education that were later popularised by Malcolm Knowles, a theorist in adult education.

For Knowles, adult learning was premised on these principal metaphors:

Knowledge is … what one has learned.
Knowing is … using what one has learned.
A learner is … an adult (individual).
Learning is … experiencing and integrating.
Teaching is … facilitating.

How Adults Learn

As a result of undertaking our Facilitate Adult Learning & Development course to encourage individuals to undertake adult learning courses, you may be interested in some of the fundamental theories around how people learn. Three major theories are:

#1 – Behaviourism

Behaviourism stems from the work of B.F. Skinner and assumes the learner begins as a “clean slate”, passively receives information, and adopts behaviours through negative or positive reinforcement. Learners focus on and remember key points, and learning is a response to particular stimuli. Instruction is repetitive and reinforced. The focus of this theory is that all behaviours are acquired through conditioning.

#2 – Cognitivism

Cognitivism rejects the idea that all behaviour is merely a response to external stimuli. Instead, learners actively process information by linking old and new information together in a cumulative and meaningful way. The theory assumes that learning occurs as a result of mental or cognitive processes. Mental processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, observing, problem-solving, categorising and making generalisations. This theory focuses on the human mind and how people think and understand.

#3 – Constructivism

With constructivism, learning is a process of building one’s own subjective reality, and learning is an active, constructive process. Knowledge is developed through the process of contextualisation, and learners bring their own experiences, interpretation and cultural factors to a learning experience.

Types of Adult Learners

Those who undertake adult learning courses can be typically described in five groups:

#1 – Lifelong learners. Adults who have had positive experiences of learning and want to continually expand their knowledge, skills and interests.

#2 – Reluctant learners. Adults who have had negative learning experiences and need a lot of encouragement to give learning another go if it is in a formal environment.

#3 – Breaking barriers learners. Adults who want to learn more but have barriers to participating in adult learning such as isolation, financial concerns or lack of family support.

#4 – Community builders. Adults who want to learn with others in order to participate in their community and expand the quality of their relationships.

#5 – Foundation learners. Adults who missed out on the schooling they need and want to be able to read, speak, write and listen more effectively and improve their basic maths skills. It also includes adults whose first language is not English who want to improve their English reading, writing, listening and speaking.

What Makes Adult Learners Different?

For Knowles, adult learning was premised on the following characteristics:

The need to know

Adults want to know why they need to learn something and understand its value. They may ask, “Why is this important?” or “Why do I need to know this?” They also want their learning experiences to:

be relevant
meet their needs
help them achieve their goals.

Learner’s self-concept

Adult learners want to be seen as capable learners and should be offered choices and be encouraged to set their own learning goals. Adult learners:

are independent
are self-motivated and self-directed
can make their own decisions
like to find their own way
want to manage their own learning.

The role of the learner’s experience

Adult learners bring the diversity and richness of their lives with them. Hence, they should be given the opportunity to use their existing experience and knowledge, which they can apply to new learning experiences. They typically:

may have ingrained ideas about things
have diverse experiences and knowledge
apply their life experience and knowledge to new learning
use their reflecting, problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Readiness to learn

Adults are ready to learn when they identify something they want to know, become proficient at, or experience something that connects with their life situation. They typically:

are goal focused
want timely learning
seek meaningful learning experiences
need clear learning goals.

Orientation to learning

Adult learners want to be engaged in problem-centred or life-centred learning experiences. They typically:

are practical – their learning should apply to their job, lives, etc.
want to be involved in planning their learning
focus on the aspects that are most useful to them.

Motivation

Adults are responsive to external motivators such as an increased salary or a better job, however, the best motivators are internal. For example,

increased job satisfaction
heightened self-esteem
better quality of life
personal growth and development.

What Are the Different Types of Marketing Careers?

Marketing is inherently cool. It’s appealing for its reputation for embracing change, innovation and the latest technologies. Whether you’re a creative, strategist or number crunching analyst, there are so many marketing careers that will fulfil your career ambitions. So, what are the different types of marketing careers, and what are they like? We dive in to explain and provide a link to the professional development courses that will help you find your dream career in the marketing field. But first, let’s start with a definition.

What is a Marketing?

The Australian Government Business broadly defines marketing as activities initiated to build a brand and business. ‘It’s about identifying and understanding your customers and developing products and services that meet their needs. Marketing requires careful planning and research – but investing time and money will pay off in the long term.

Mirriam-Webster offers the following definition: ‘Marketing is the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.’

Why Work in Marketing?

Marketing is a growth industry. Technological advances have also created new ways to engage with customers over many platforms. As a result, opportunities in marketing continue to evolve and grow.

Another plus is that you don’t need a degree! There are many ways to get started in a marketing career, from taking an online professional development course to applying for entry-level positions and gaining work experience.

So, what type of person makes a good fit for a marketing career? A marketing career could be the perfect fit if you’re creative and have excellent communication and analytical skills. Whether you’re interested in management, analytics, public relations or content creation, there’s a diverse range of jobs on offer.

9 Types of Marketing Careers

Marketing Research & Analysis

Market research is critical in collecting data that drives intelligent business decision-making. An education in marketing research and analysis is ideal for entrepreneurship, communications, and business strategy roles. You’ll quickly learn about consumers and clients, including their motivations, desires and how decisions will impact business strategy.

Our Market Research Analytics course will provide a solid understanding of how market research is conducted and planned and how to identify and evaluate marketing opportunities and interpret market trends and developments. Upon completing this professional development course, you’ll be able to add value to an organisation’s marketing efforts, feel confident to pursue further studies or gain an entry-level role in this diverse sector.

Content Marketing & Copywriting

Content marketing and copywriting are both critical to a business’s marketing strategy. Content marketing includes blog posts, articles, podcasts, videos, whitepapers, ebooks and email newsletters. These communication channels all present an opportunity to connect directly with an audience. If you’re creative with great attention to detail and above-average written communication skills, a copywriting and content marketing career might be the perfect fit for you.

Our professional development courses, Compelling Copywriting and Business Storytelling and Certificate of Copywriting, will give you an essential understanding of how to craft compelling copy to create a compelling and cohesive story that’s brand consistent. You’ll learn about the elements of narrative fiction and persuasive writing in a business context and how to write clear and engaging copy for print advertising, direct mail email, media releases, websites and broadcast media.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing has grown faster than any other marketing career and shows no sign of slowing down because social media has changed how businesses interact with their customers. This new-age marketing involves promoting products or brands through digital media channels, including websites, email, search engines, social media and apps to engage with customers. Digital marketers boost brand awareness while driving traffic to attract new customers.

Our Certificate of Digital Marketing is a professional development course that explores various marketing, advertising and selling techniques using SEO, online advertising and social media platforms. So, if you want to enhance your career prospects by gaining a globally in-demand skill or boost your business’s success, this course is ideal!

Marketing Communications

Marketing communication roles are vastly diverse. You may work in marketing, advertising, social media, sales, event planning, market research and content creation. Marketing communications professionals handle public relations and media requests and plan social media and advertising campaigns for a business or organisation.

Our Certificate of Marketing Communications is an online course that introduces you to one of the most creative and fulfilling positions in the business sector. You’ll learn how to design an integrated marketing strategy and develop creative briefs and key marketing messages. So, if you have a creative streak with a business brain, this course is perfect for your professional development.

Social Media Marketing

If you’re a social butterfly online, a marketing career that will appeal to you is a social media manager! Social media marketers develop a brand’s tone and personality. They generate engaging content, boost site traffic, connect through messages and shares, research analytics, advertise products, research market trends and work with influences to collaborate on projects – all to attract loyal social media followers!

Our Social Media Strategy and Certificate of Social Media & Engagement will provide you with foundation knowledge and skills to interact with customers online to maximise engagement through social media. You’ll learn to confidently communicate with customers and measure engagement and success of social media campaigns.

Event Marketing

An event manager oversees the development and delivery of events to promote a business. These events can range from small corporate conferences to huge, multi-day festivals. Events management aims to improve brand awareness and reach target sales.

Our Certificate of Marketing – Sports and Entertainment and Certificate of Event Management will provide you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a marketing career in the events sector. You’ll learn about managing and coordinating everything from a conference to a concert! So, if you want to launch your career in the dynamic and exciting world of event management, these professional development courses are ideal for you.

Marketing Assistant

A marketing assistant is an entry-level marketing career role that involves working on campaigns and undertaking marketing-related administrative tasks.

If you’d like to gain an entry-level role in marketing, our Certificate of Marketing Foundations is ideal for professional development. You’ll learn how to incorporate sales, marketing, advertising and public relations into a business with this fundamentals marketing course.

Telemarketer

Telemarketers are professionals responsible for talking to existing and prospective customers on the phone and selling or acquiring donations. Their tasks involve tracking customer contact lists, explaining the benefits of a service or product and gaining payment. A telemarketer usually works out of a call centre in an open-plan office with other sales representatives.

Our Call Centre Career Starter Program and Contact Centre Management Program will provide the skills and knowledge to provide quality service to customers in call centre environments across a range of service industry workplaces. If you’re management material, make sure you enrol in the Contact Centre Management Program. You’ll gain crucial skills in management strategies to manage a call centre team.

Sales Manager

Sales managers who understand the sales process are crucial to driving sales and managing teams. Though not traditionally a marketing career, sales work with marketing professionals to determine the best ways to attract customers and generate revenue for their companies.

Our Certificate of Sales Management will help develop your sales and management skills to oversee the entire sales process. You’ll learn about sales concepts to assist marketing goals, communication and relationships, product development, and customer strategies.

Do any of these marketing careers appeal to you? If so, explore the many professional development courses that can add essential skills to your professional portfolio. Or maybe you’d like an introduction to study further? Our online courses are an excellent way to test the waters before investing heavily in a more comprehensive marketing education. If you have further questions, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email today.

10 Short Courses to Get a Job Now

The job market has changed dramatically in the past decade, particularly with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting virtually every industry. However, not all sectors and occupations have been adversely affected. According to the Australian government’s Labour Market Insights here are the occupations with the most significant projected employment growth. (And our recommended short courses to get a job that you can sign up for today!)

#1 – Certificate of Aged Care Counselling

With the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has put on our healthcare system, it is not surprising that healthcare jobs are in demand. In fact, jobs in healthcare and social assistance are expected to grow by 15.8 per cent by November 2026.

Aged care in particular is a growing profession, primarily because people are tending to live longer. And along with ageing, comes specific challenges that require qualified and compassionate experts to assist.

Our Certificate of Aged Care Counselling is ideal for those looking to enter the sector or who are currently working in aged care, counselling, psychology or in a carer or health professional role. After completing this course, you will have expanded your knowledge and understanding of the ageing process and be able to devise strategies to help and support the elderly with a variety of age-related changes.

#2 – Certificate of Disability Services

The area of aged and disabled carers is one of the largest employing occupations in the health care and social assistance sector. In terms of disability services, this is partly due to the Australian Government investing over $64 million in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the 2018-2019 budget.

In terms of short courses to get a job, our Certificate of Disability Services will provide you with the essential knowledge and skillset to provide person-centred support to those with a disability, including how to facilitate the empowerment of people with disability by fostering self-determination and independence.

#3 – Certificate of Mental Health

Another one of the largest employing occupations is that of a welfare support worker, with the industry set to grow by over 25 per cent over the next five years. Mental health workers, in particular, are in high demand, mainly due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has profoundly impacted the mental health and wellbeing of many Australians.

In 2020, the Federal Government provided more than $20 million in additional funding for research to improve mental health care and reduce suicides in Australia. This is also affecting the demand for jobs in the sector.

Our Certificate of Mental Health will give you insights into the issues surrounding homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, advocacy, legal and ethical obligations and the recovery approach.

#4 – Certificate of Medical Business Administration

Along with the increase in jobs in health care and social assistance comes a demand for those with medical business administration skills, particularly in general and specialist medical services. Ideal for medical secretaries, medical practice managers and specialist medical personal assistants, our Certificate of Medical Business Administration is one of the ideal short courses to get a job and will help launch your career as a practice manager.

In this course, you will learn to use appropriate advanced medical terminology, carry out routine tasks, and communicate with a range of internal and external clients in a medical environment. You will also gain insights into how to provide advice to patients regarding process referrals and fee structures, and to prepare and process medical accounts for a range of patients.

#5 – Certificate of Information Technology

Another occupation with considerable projected employment growth is software and applications programmers. Projected employment growth is estimated to increase by 27 per cent by November 2026.

However, IT technology as a whole — including the areas of e-commerce — is a vital contributor to every industry sector, from sport and retail to sport and finance (and everything in between!) Again the COVD-19 pandemic has played a part, with many businesses forced to move online and offer work-from-home solutions for staff.

In terms of short courses to get a job, our Certificate of Information Technology will provide you with the foundational knowledge to understand the operations and components of computer systems. It will also give you the confidence to create and design HTML, and use publishing and word processing software.

#6 – Introduction to Cyber Security

Another of the occupations with the largest projected employment growth is in the area of cyber security. Projected employment for database and systems administrators and ICT security specialists is expected to increase by nearly 39 per cent by November 2026. This is mainly due to the increase in cybercrime in Australia. In 2021, a report issued by the Australian Cyber Security Centre cited an increase of 13 per cent in reports of cybercrime from July 2020 to July 2021.

In our Introduction to Cyber Security course, you will learn how to understand the concept of cyber security, the types of threats and defensive mechanisms. This will give you insights into the importance of digital literacy to improve privacy and protect businesses from potential cyber threats.

#7 – Certificate of Legal Administration Paralegal

The law sector (particularly solicitors) is set to have substantial projected employment growth of 21 per cent by November 2026. And although we don’t offer these specific qualifications, we do offer courses that will enable you to amply support your solicitor boss!

These include our Certificate of Legal Administration Paralegal, which will equip you with the knowledge and skills to work as a paralegal, legal secretary or administrator in a legal office or a legal department within an organisation.

#8 – Certificate of Human Resource Management

Those working as HR managers are also in roles that have the largest project employment growth for the next five years (up by over 16 per cent). We offer a range of HR and recruitment courses, including our Certificate of Human Resource Management, which will teach you how to manage all aspects of selection, recruitment, performance management and strategic workforce planning.

#9 – Certificate of Payroll

The number of accountant jobs is also set to increase by 2026 — by nearly 18,000, which is an increase of 9.2 per cent. In terms of short courses to get a job, one speciality worth considering is in the area of payroll.

Our Certificate of Payroll will teach you how to manage the entire payroll process, from preparing payroll documentation and dealing with payroll enquiries to processing payroll in manual or computerised payroll systems. This will allow you to work in small and medium businesses, and big accounting firms or even give you the option to work for yourself in the “gig economy”.

#10 – Certificate of Business Management

Management and organisation analysts will also increase in demand over the next few years — by over 32 per cent. These roles involve assisting organisations to achieve greater efficiency and solve organisational problems by analysing organisational methods, structures, procedures and systems.

Our Certificate of Business Management will teach you how to strategically manage quality customer service, budgets and financial plans, people and performance, operational planning and team effectiveness.

How to Network (Clue, Make Friends!)

According to the Oxford dictionary, networking is “the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts”. It doesn’t always have to be business-oriented — hence, the words “social contacts” in this definition.

According to LinkedIn, it can be as simple as “making new friends”. It can be a way of getting better acquainted with others outside of seeking success or professional gain. Along the way, it can also give you insights into yourself and your future life and career goals. Here are some tips on how to network successfully.

The Life Skills That Matter website cites that meeting new people is a necessity if you want to create a lifestyle that revolves around more meaningful work on your own terms. Interacting with like-minded people can not only help you make changes in your life but can also dramatically improve your chances of success. It cites three primary “mindsets” — the established set of attitudes someone holds — in terms of building connections.

The Networking Mindset

In terms of how to network, the goal here is essentially to view other people as “transactions”. This means you want something from them — a sale, a job, money or a favour. So, often it means the connection is self-interested and not genuine. Many find networking uncomfortable as they feel like they:

Are always asking for something.
Don’t know what they want, so don’t know who they really want to connect with.
Are afraid of rejection.
Believe networking is all about meeting as many people as possible, so feel guilty about meeting an imaginary quota.

The Friend Mindset

The goal of making friends is essentially about feeling a “connection” with someone and sharing mutual interests. And the best part is that you can be yourself! It’s also about “feeling” a connection rather than “making” one. And they are very different. When you meet someone, you aren’t necessarily looking for an agenda. The foundation of friendship is trust, not a transaction. When you meet someone you could consider a friend, you aren’t guiding the conversation towards a sale or hunting down a new contact. You are simply enjoying the connection.

The Community Mindset

The goal of building a community is to “ feel both connected and collaborative with a group of like-minded people. You support each other to help each other succeed”. This is about building a professional community based on mutually beneficial relationships so you can help each other grow over the long term.

10 Ways to Network (But Not in the Most Obvious Sense)

–

Tap into your existing network

Before searching outside your current circle of contacts, start closer to home. Let everyone know you are interested in expanding your network. Several people in your network likely know someone who knows someone who knows someone that would be a good introduction for you. Ever heard of six degrees of separation?

Don’t cling to old contacts

On the flip side, another essential part of how to network is letting go of old contacts, particularly if they aren’t giving you the type of friendship you are looking for. Finding new contacts is an investment and a slow and steady process, but it will have enormous benefits.

Be yourself

As Albert Einstein once said, “In a world where you can be anything, be yourself”. People tend to give off a trustworthy and positive energy when talking about things they are interested in or passionate about. And authenticity is vital in these situations.

Be interested and not just interesting

This theory revolves around making a concerted effort to get to know the other person. You can achieve this by being fully present in the conversation and listening as much as you speak. Knowing how to network in this sense is understanding that it’s a two-way street and successful networking occurs when both parties benefit. It’s also about asking questions. Asking more questions can build emotional intelligence and lead to better soft skills, which are key to building interpersonal relationships, communicating better and connecting with others.

Focus on feeling connected

The quality of your relationships trumps quantity in terms of “making connections”. Those at the core of your relationships will serve as your advocates and vastly amplify your message by not just talking about you but your community and beyond.

Find a common interest

According to the psychologist, best-selling author and the “Godfather of influence” Robert Cialdini, the best way of making personal connections is to figure out what you have in common with them — and it doesn’t have to be work-related! It could be as simple as being dog lovers, sharing the same sports team or enjoying the same lifestyle or health pursuits. Connections are created through shared experiences, so can also build trust over the long term.

Give to receive

Another tip for how to network and potentially make new friends is to show your individuality and stand out from the crowd. Being memorable can also involve offering your help and support (kindness is king!) and then demonstrating your interest in doing so, not just talking about it.

Actively engage

For those of us who are a little more introverted, place yourself in the “path of conversation”. This can be daunting, but it is about putting yourself in positions where you will actively have to talk to people. It can include seeking out groups or associations you are interested in, volunteering for organisations aligned with your goals, and/or engaging with social media platforms with like-minded people. LinkedIn is a particularly powerful tool (being one of the world’s largest professional networks). A good tip is to search for possible contacts and then send them a personalised message with an introduction and a reason for reaching out.

Take it slow

Forming connections takes time and they aren’t typically created overnight. In fact, experts say it takes from 40 to 60 hours spent together in the first few weeks after meeting people to form a casual friendship. The transition from a casual friend to a solid friend takes even more — between 80 and 100 hours!

Think long-term

Many of us have a friend or colleague who we haven’t seen for months. But when we do connect, it’s as if we’d made contact yesterday. Sound familiar? Strong relationships can last forever, and networking can be the start of such relationships. Creating connections based on shared goals and interests can also boost positivity and productivity. Plus, you’ll enhance your personal and professional life, as everyone wants to surround themselves with people they like. Why not make that you?

How to Ask Better Questions (At Work)!

Whether you are happy in your current role or seeking alternative employment, asking questions is essential to improving as an employee, enhancing your career prospects and helping you form professional relationships. It is also vital for developing communication skills in the workplace.

Yet, unlike professionals who are taught to ask questions (for example, those in medical, media or legal professionals), many of us find it challenging to ask the right questions to the right person at the right time.

Here is our guide to the benefits of asking questions, what makes a good questioner, and how to hone and improve your question-asking skills.

Benefits of Asking Questions

Asking questions forms a large part of developing communication skills in the workplace and can help in more ways than just getting answers! Ultimately, it is a uniquely powerful tool for unlocking value in employees and mitigating business risk in organisations by uncovering unforeseen challenges. From an individual’s perspective, asking questions can also:

Give you new opportunities to learn. Fostering a “growth” mindset can help you think positively about questioning and using the answers to improve yourself. It can also enhance your skill set and improve your emotional intelligence and natural curiosity.
Create a positive work environment. Asking questions can help foster an honest workplace, build rapport and trust among team members, and encourage learning and the exchange of ideas.
Illustrate your drive to improve. By asking questions, you can show colleagues, supervisors and potential employers that you are focused on improving yourself, your skills and your knowledge. It can also fuel innovation and performance improvement.
Form new professional connections. Asking questions is also a valuable way of forming connections with mentors and other professionals in similar industries. This includes on LinkedIn, one of the world’s largest professional networks.

What Makes a Good Questioner

Regardless of the kind of question you’re asking, questions should lead to the information you need. To do that, you need to know what type of information you are looking for and who best to ask it of. A good questioner is:

Curiosity leads to continual growth and learning, which drives positive personal, team and organisational outcomes.
Choose your words with purpose, and ensure you are asking at an appropriate time and in the right environment.
Often people don’t ask questions because they are afraid of what others might think of them. However, asking challenging questions can often lead to valuable clarity.
Respectful questions are those that aren’t accusatory, judgmental or threatening. They don’t cause the questionee to recoil, feel less important or, at worst, leave the conversation!
Speaking neutrally can help you gauge an honest answer without bias. Avoid inserting your own opinions into your questions so you can obtain answers that are on your questionee’s terms.
Effective communication is an integral part of asking good questions. When asking, speak clearly so that the questionee understands what you are saying and there is no confusion. Keep questions straightforward, use simple language and keep your questions brief.

10 Tips for Asking Better Questions

Now for the nitty-gritty! We’ve covered some of the benefits of questions and some of the keys to being a good questioner, including enhancing your communication skills in the workplace. But how do you go about asking better questions?

Know what kind of answer you’re looking for.

Think about what specific information you want to know — is it an opinion, factual knowledge or are you simply looking for advice? Then think about who you need to ask to get the kind of answer you’re looking for — is it a colleague, a mentor, a supervisor or another professional source? Finally, determine what type of answer best fits the information you need in order to draft your question.

Understand the goal of your conversation.

According to an article published in the Harvard Business Review, the best approach to questioning depends on whether your discussion is cooperative (for example, accomplishing a task together or building a relationship), competitive (seeking to uncover sensitive information from each other), or a combination of both. For example, conversations between friends and colleagues are generally cooperative, and discussions about allocating resources tend to be competitive. When leaders are communicating with employers, conversations can often be a combination of the two — supportive, but also communicating expectations and providing feedback.

Do your research

It may sound simple, but knowing what you’re asking and why is vital.If your questioning is too vague or confusing, you may not get the answers you want. Research can also confirm that the answers to your questions aren’t easily accessible, making you feel validated in terms of asking in the first place!

Ask open-ended questions

These are questions that a person can’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no” — they require a longer, more detailed response. Open-ended questions can help people feel free to respond however they see fit. Questions beginning with “should”, “would”, “are”, “is”, and “do you think” will often lead to a yes or no answer. Those beginning with “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “how”, or “why” will typically lead to the questionee giving more thought to their answers and providing more information.

Be a good listener

In terms of communication skills in the workplace, employing active listening skills is an essential part of the process. Silence is powerful! It can help you get the information you need and fully understand the answer. It can also show the questionee you value their responses and are interested in what they are saying. Active listening can be demonstrated by displaying good body language, making eye contact, and being patient by not interrupting the questionee when they are speaking.

Go where the conversation takes you

Everybody can get “off-topic” sometimes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Conversations can flow in many different directions both before and after your question is answered. They can prompt follow-up questions, or questions you planned to ask may be answered without you even having to ask them.

Avoid “leading” questions

A leading question already assumes an answer. Questioners who ask these types of questions sometimes want to confirm they already know the answer. And while it can be harmless in some situations, it doesn’t leave room for individual responses.

Keep questions short

Long-winded questions often show a lack of self-awareness and can end up confusing questionees. Short questions won’t be overwhelming, will provide enough details to summarise what you want in a response, and will minimise the need for you to ask again!

Ask follow-up questions

After the questionee has answered your question and you’ve considered their response, ask a follow-up question. These can deepen your knowledge of the topic and show the questionee you value their answers. Valuable questions include asking, “Why do you think that?” and “What makes you say that?”

Say thank you

After the conversation, make sure you thank the questionee for their time and responses. It shows you are grateful for their help but also strengthens your communication skills in the workplace and your professional relationships, which can form valuable connections for future questions.

6 Brilliant Benefits of Rising Early!

You don’t need to sacrifice your beauty sleep, but if you’re not a morning person, you’re missing out. But don’t worry because you can set your body clock to make the most of a healthy morning routine, even if you’re usually a night owl. So, what are the main benefits of getting up early? You might be surprised at how your morning routine will wake you up in all areas of your life! We take a look at the research and discover why it really is better to wake up with the birds!

Avoid cycles of negative thinking

A study published in Cognitive Therapy and Research found that people who went to bed later were more likely to be overwhelmed with repetitive negative thoughts. Have you ever been in a cycle of unhelpful negative thinking late at night? The thoughts are usually deemed an overreaction by the time morning dawns, right? Most of us can relate, I’m sure! So, go to bed early to avoid that spiral of negative repetitive thinking and feel more refreshed in the morning.

Improve your mental health

Going to bed just one hour earlier and waking up earlier have been shown to reduce the risk of depressive illness. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that shifting your sleep schedule by just one hour resulted in a 23 per cent lower risk of depression. While the study hasn’t revealed if it’s helpful to shift your sleep schedule if you’re already a morning person (so more like a 9 pm – 5 am sleep schedule), it does heed a warning to the night owls to get to bed earlier. A similar observational study that looked at the sleep habits of nurses found that those who rose earlier were up to 27 per cent less likely to develop depression over four years.

Be more successful

Biologist Christoph Randler’s study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that morning people had a more proactive mindset, increasing their productivity! A willingness and ability to take action to change your situation to your advantage is the act of being proactive. Proactive people will achieve more and feel more satisfied with their personal and professional lives. They’re also more likely to anticipate problems and minimise them successfully, leading to more success in their careers or business. So set that alarm clock and get to bed early tonight. You might find yourself more motivated to complete that short course you enrolled in last month!

Exercise more

According to research from the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science, early risers are more inclined to be active. Those who identified as ‘night owls’ in the study were less active than their early-rising counterparts. In fact, the night owls had up to 60 to 90 minutes per day of activity. So why are early birds more active? It’s not known for sure, but it could be that night owls find it harder to incorporate exercise into the morning routine (the ‘daylight’ hours). Or maybe they wake to feel ‘jet-lagged’ due to societal pressures to fit the 9 to 5 workday and, as a result, have less energy for exercise.

Feel happier

Do those early birds always seem a bit too chipper? Happy as larks even? It might be because of their sleep schedule. A research review concluded that morning people report higher levels of positive emotions compared with their night owl counterparts! According to a University of Toronto study, morning people also report feeling happier. So, if you’re feeling less optimistic than you’d like, maybe scheduling an earlier bedtime is key!

Eat healthier

It seems the early bird catches more than the worm. Those who get up early enough to enjoy breakfast will make better meal choices to start the day. If you start your day with a nutritious and satisfying breakfast, you’re also more likely to feel full longer. So you’ll be much more likely to resist the high-fat, high-sugar convenience foods that we tend to choose when we’re time-strapped! You’ll also enjoy a hot cup of coffee before the distractions of work descend.

So, if you’re a morning person, congratulations! But, make sure you have a healthy morning routine to make the most of being an early riser. If you’re more of a night owl, start slowly to adjust your body clock. You’ll reap the benefits of rising early in no time!

Discover the Purpose of a Business Plan and Kick Goals!

The purpose of a business plan is to give organisations direction and define their objectives, giving them the best chance of success. Ideal for business managers, administrators or owners, this course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the essentials of business planning.

Our Business Planning For Success will give valuable insights into legal and administrative requirements, how to set goals and objectives, the importance of a business name, and strategies for coping with growth and business risk. You will also explore financial planning, marketing, HR and operations and how various business analysis tools can help you define and achieve key business goals.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course giving insights into the purpose of a business plan include:

Learning about business plans and objectives
Exploring strategic planning and documenting the strategy
Gaining an understanding of operational planning and documenting the operational plan
Studying the key components of the business plan
Examining action plans
Understanding the RACI matrix
Attaining knowledge of focus and direction and planning for direction
Gaining insights into examples of vision statements and a mission statement
Learning about SMART objectives and a SWOT analysis
Exploring strategic planning
Gaining an understanding of legal and administrative requirements
Studying how to determine the most appropriate legal structure
Examining the types of business ownership
Understanding sole traders, partnerships and the deed of partnership
Attaining knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of partnerships
Gaining insights into companies and the memorandum of association
Learning about proprietary limited companies (PTY LTD) and Private LTD companies
Exploring trusts and business name
Gaining an understanding of taxation
Studying other compulsory taxes/insurance following Australian legislation
Examining regulations, licences and permits
Understanding how to develop objectives, goals and strategies
Attaining knowledge of SWOT analysis, Pestle analysis and Gap analysis
Gaining insights into the connection between strategy and objectives
Learning about the process of strategising
Exploring responsibilities, tasks and timeline
Gaining an understanding of gathering information about the business and its market-place
Studying corporate objectives and developing strategic policy
Gaining an understanding of risk management and contingencies
Studying risks to consider, insurance and risk analysis
Examining how to identify threats to the business, including estimating risk, managing risk and reviewing risk
Understanding simple contingency plans
Attaining knowledge of systems, quality management and benchmarking
Gaining insights into innovation and protecting your business
Learning about information technology and systems control
Exploring marketing plans, what is marketing and the marketing process
Gaining an understanding of market research, the marketing mix, and product, price, place and promotion
Studying where the marketing mix fits into marketing planning
Examining a strategic response through the marketing mix
Understanding market analysis and military-inspired strategies for marketing and sales
Attaining knowledge of the internet and social media
Gaining insights into operation plans and the factors that need to be considered
Learning about fast-tracking to an operating plan and strategy
Exploring how to develop a business strategy

And more!

Business Analysis Tools

The purpose of a business plan is to help a business define their objectives, map out how goals will be achieved, manage issues and give the business direction. A range of business analysis tools can help businesses succeed and grow, and here are three of the most popular ones used.

SWOT analysis

A SWOT analysis assesses the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of a business. It can help to create or fine-tune a business strategy and prioritise areas for business goals to be achieved.

Strengths are positive factors within your control. For example, significant capital, proprietary property and management knowledge. Weaknesses are negative factors within your control. For example, a poor reputation, high debt and an unclear value proposition. Opportunities are positive factors out of your control. For example, an increasing market gap, an emerging need for products and lowered export tax. Threats are negative factors out of your control. For example, new government regulations, negative media coverage and new competitors.

Here are some helpful questions to ask if you are undertaking a SWOT analysis.

What does the business do well? What can it do better than its competitors? What positive aspects of the business give it a competitive advantage? What unique assets does it have (ie. knowledge, background, reputation, skills, customers, technology, capital?)
What doesn’t the business do well? What and where can the business improve? What do competitors do better? Can business processes be improved? What are the gaps in the company’s assets and resources?
What are the biggest possibilities for the business? What trends can it use to its advantage? Do the public like the business? Has anything changed in the market that could create opportunity? Are there events or changes that could positively impact the business?
What could potentially harm the business? What factors beyond the business’ control could place it at risk? Are its material supplies and resources insecure or unstable? What potential competitors could enter the market? Are there any events or changes that could negatively affect the business?

Pestle analysis

P.E.S.T.L.E stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors. This tool is used to gain a “macro” picture of an industry environment, and it can help identify risk factors for a SWOT analysis.

Political factors: relate to influences over industry or the economy and government controls. They can include trade tariffs, tax, conflicts and fiscal policies.
Economic factors: have a direct impact on a company’s long-term prospects in its market. It can influence the supply-and-demand model and affect how a company prices their products. They can include disposable income, inflation rates, interest rates, unemployment rates, economic growth patterns and foreign exchange rates.
Social factors: can impact businesses by influencing purchasing habits, lifestyle choices and peak buying periods. They can include health, religion and ethics, media, demographics, education, opinions and attitudes, brand preferences and consumer buying patterns.
Technological factors: can have a direct or indirect influence on an industry. They can include automation, patents, licensing, IT, technological development and awareness, communication, and research and development.
Legal factors: may affect the internal and external environment of a business and can control safety, employment and regulations. They can include consumer protection, employment laws, regulatory bodies, and environmental and industry-specific regulations.
Environmental factors: include factors relating to the physical environment and general environmental protection requirements. They can include climate, weather, global climate change, geographical location, environmental offsets and stakeholder and consumer values.

Gap analysis

Also known as a “needs analysis”, a gap analysis compares your business performance with your desired performance to see what’s missing. It is a valuable tool to leverage in terms of the purpose of a business plan. It can be used during strategic planning, when performance issues are encountered, or when stakeholders need additional context.

Some areas where a gap analysis can assist include:

Technology: can highlight a wide range of issues from missing technological capability to incompatible systems.
Project management: during the project planning or review stages, it can highlight areas that aren’t up to speed with the project as a whole.
HR: during the hiring process, it can show you what is lacking on a team and help you define the factors needed in new candidates.
Marketing: can help boost customer satisfaction by looking for industry gaps and then strategising ways that a business can fill them.

The four steps involved in a gap analysis include:

Defining a business’ goals using goal-setting methodology, which can include using objectives and key results (OKRs) or key performance indicators (KPIs). Regardless of which methodology you use, goals should be M.A.R.T – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
Benchmark current business performance using historical data, goals and past gap analyses to set the standard for how you work.
Analyze gap data. These are tactics and strategies to close the gap. This is an ideal time to meet with stakeholders to brainstorm strategic planning initiatives to achieve your goals.
Compile an action plan. Once goals are solidified, an action plan can clearly dictate how the business will close the gap. Data is essential here — including qualitative data (like current processes and process improvement strategies) and quantitative data (like benchmark data referred to in step 2).

Gain the knowledge and skills to understand the purpose of a business plan and write one that’s comprehensive and successful with a Certificate of Business Planning.

9 Career Advice Tips (to Succeed Anywhere)

Whether you’re working in an office, a hospital or a warehouse, some general career advice tips will see you succeed anywhere. It’s about making the most of opportunities that come your way, taking time to reflect and finding a balance between your professional and personal life. But arguably most important of all, our number one for a reason, never stop learning in life!

So, how do you stay happy and become successful at work? We think the following ten tips will see you challenge yourself while maintaining a happy and healthy personal life.

Never stop learning

You’ll never know everything there is to know about your industry – but you can try. If you have a passion for what you do, you’ll always find new ways of learning how to do it. Whether reading trade journals and cutting-edge research, attending workshops or enrolling in professional development courses, being a lifelong learner will help you achieve your career goals.

Set SMART goals

You’ve probably heard the expression, ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’! It’s true because, without a plan, you have a wish, not a goal that will help you succeed. But how you set your goal matters, so make sure they’re SMART goals.

Stay organised

Staying organised comes easily for some, but it’s a real struggle for others. But organisational skills are at the heart of productivity and success in every area of your professional (and personal) life. If you’re in the disorganisation camp, try a short professional development course in time management to gain the skills you need to stay on top of your workload while balancing your personal life.

Build your network

Many people think that networking is about gaining connections to help them advance in their careers or business. But that’s not exactly right. It’s only half the story because instead of networking for professional gain, try connecting to ‘make friends.’ Friendship is the key to all genuine and mutually beneficial relationships. So, next time you’re at a workshop or conference, try shifting your focus and see what happens – you might find it takes the pressure off.

Stay healthy

Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial to well-being and productivity at work. Setting goals for your health is important, even if it’s just a power walk for 30 minutes daily. It’s about making it achievable and fun, so choose something you enjoy. Take time to mentally check in with yourself and employ coping strategies or seek help when struggling with mental health and wellbeing. You can find information on mental health via online resources like Beyond Blue, through your company’s human resources department or by making an appointment with your GP.

Find balance

You’ll discover that there is no perfect work-life balance at some point. It’s about feeling fulfilled in work and your personal life, not so much a 50-50 split between the two. If you’re in a job that makes finding that balance impossible and impacts your physical and mental wellbeing, it might be time to consider alternatives. Check out the 6 Careers for the Best Work/Life Balance.

Start your day early

If you’re not an early riser, there are plenty of reasons to set your alarm clock to wake with the birds (no, not with the night owls!). Studies indicate that students who rise earlier get better grades than those who burn the midnight oil. You’ll also have more time for exercise (see point 5), which increases your energy levels throughout the day. It’s also easier to find calm when you give yourself enough time in the morning to prepare for the day.

Challenge yourself

If you feel too comfortable in a role, shake things up with a challenge. Creating your own challenges, if they’re not provided, is an ideal way to improve your career performance and boost your confidence. Are there new skills you’d like to learn? Any skill gaps you need to fill? If so, look for a workshop or online course that allows you the flexibility to work and study.

Stay calm, ask questions

Are you afraid to ask questions at work? If so, be brave because asking questions is good for your brain health. Research shows that being curious leads to higher levels of positive emotions, less anxiety, greater satisfaction with life and better overall satisfaction with life. Asking questions also encourages a more positive work environment as it promotes collaboration and trust.

Your success in life is limited only by the limits you set yourself. If these tips help you stay motivated and successful at work, great! But if you’re unhappy despite your best efforts to succeed in your current role, it may be time to change your career. Take a look at the hundreds of professional development courses we offer in almost all industries to discover what you’re passionate about today. It’s a great way to sample your future career of choice.

Future of Work: 5 Trends to Watch

The future of work will be transformative, exciting and dynamic, and new careers and ways of working will open up as globalisation continues, new technologies are introduced and we adjust to continual challenges like COVID-19. All of these changes will reshape the nature of work itself. Here we look at the top 5 trends to watch.

#1 – Advancing technology

Technological change is having an unprecedented impact on the future of work, particularly in the areas of AI, virtual reality and automation. When technology complements the work humans do, it can lower costs, lift the productivity of workers and increase the demand for new products and services. However, there has been some debate about the impact that automation in particular has had on jobs.

According to figures released in 2019 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD), 10.6 per cent of jobs in Australia are vulnerable to automation. However, automation, and in fact technology as a whole, has varying effects within different industries, occupations, job types and skill levels.

For example, computers have replaced labour in some jobs, but also created new tasks including programming and application and software development. Construction workers who in the past have relied on operating physical tools and measurement techniques are now relying on the use of visualisation software and drones to execute projects. And marketers are seeing a shift in the way audiences are targeted with more money now being spent on digital ads than TV ads.

Hence, there is, and will continue to be, an increase in demand for workers with particular skills to meet these opportunities in the future. And organisations will focus on sourcing and developing these skills through re-skilling, up-skilling and drawing on the wider “gig economy” of flexible workers.

#2 – An increase in job transition

Along with the future of work being centred around the need for workers to be prepared to re-skill throughout their careers to meet changing demands, the 2021 National Skills Commission report also cites that Australian workers will be likely to change their jobs 2.4 times over the next two decades.

This parallels research that shows that Australian jobs are changing by an average of 18 per cent every decade, and Australians are predicted to spend 33 per cent more time on training and education across their lifetime by 2040. This is estimated at an additional 8000 hours (or three hours per week) until retirement.

The result? Apart from workers re-skilling and retraining, organisations must be prepared to invest in workforce planning and learning and development, and education providers and policy makers must provide the necessary infrastructure and information to enable these investments.

#3 – Alternative ways of working

One of the “future of work trends” that emerged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was remote work. And, while it was a challenge to both monitor and manage, it showed that work can get done effectively — sometimes more effectively — away from the office! However, while productivity may have been enhanced, many leaders reported that team dynamics, culture and the depth of relationships was suffering.

Hence, and according to a report by management consultant firm Korn Ferry, not only will organisations continue to experiment with new roll-out models of work, there will be fully onsite and fully remote models and everything in between. This might also include shifting from “synchronous” to “asynchronous” work (where work doesn’t happen in meetings but independently on shared documents) or ensuring that employees on a particular task are “all remote” or all “in person”.

And according to the 2021 National Skills Commission report, there is also a rise in part-time employment, with these employees growing to represent 31 per cent of the workforce, which is double the level of the late 70s.

#4 – A change in leadership structures

COVID-19 also forced many of us to work in temporarily agile ways, including organisational leaders who were challenged to remain flexible in the face of, what was in many cases, disruptive change.

One of the future of work trends also predicted by the Korn Ferry report cites that organisations will be looking to make this permanent. This will result in flatter, non-hierarchical structures and more project-based working where teams assemble to achieve specific goals before dispersing out into the organisation again. Companies will reinvent where work gets done with “hub-and-spoke models” and remote-only teams.

There will be a shift from hierarchical leadership (rising to the top of the “pipeline” resulting in Executive Leadership) to “Enterprise Leadership”. Leaders will perform and transform by working across organisations and the wider ecosystem.

And learning agility will become more important for everyone in an organisation. With this shift, it will be critical to ensure that increased fluidity does not lead to greater fragmentation, so collaboration and connectivity will be key.

#5 – The importance of soft skills

According to the 2021 National Skills Commission report, there will also be growing importance for core competencies, otherwise known as “employability skills” as part of the future of work, which will ensure workers have continued success in the labour force. “Core competencies” are the basic building blocks that are common across most industries and occupations.

They are a set of skills — often called soft skills — that can enhance career progression, and they include teamwork, communication skills, critical thinking, self-management and problem solving and they provide a base to further develop specialties and skills.

And according to a 2019 employer survey done by the National Skills commission, they are highly valued by employers. In fact, 75 per cent of employers considered them to be as, if not more, important than technical skills. International professional services network Deloitte also estimates that two thirds of jobs will be soft-skill intensive by 2030.

5 Steps to Making the Right Career Choice

Whether you’re a school leaver, after a career change or returning to the workforce, everyone negotiates a career choice in their own unique way. Effective career decisions can help you to adapt to change, and take control of your career and opportunities that may arise. However, the process can be daunting as other factors may be involved, including how to manage yourself and/or your family, your lifestyle, your personal interests and your financial future.

There are a range of decision-making strategies and models that can help, however, one industry-recommended model is based on the CASVE Cycle, which was initially devised in 2003 by James P. Sampson and his colleagues from Florida State University. It focuses on action-oriented steps broken down into five stages — Communication, Analysis, Synthesis, Valuing and Execution. It has been recommended as a great career decision-making model, and here we look at the process behind the theory in terms of five steps that can help you make the right career choice.

#1 – Knowing when you need to make a choice

The first step on a career journey is knowing you need to make a career choice, and a good indicator is if there is a gap between your current situation and where you’d like to be.

If you are a school leaver, there are lots of exciting opportunities ahead, but it can also be difficult choosing what to do next. The Australian Government’s School Leavers Information Kit is full of lots of insightful information so you can make your next move. You may choose to jump straight into the world of work and start building your career or gain qualifications or pursue some further study.

If you are already employed, there are a range of cues that can alert you to realising it’s time for a career change. According to Seek they include if you:

Dread going to work
Envy other people’s success
Have stopped “thinking big”
Are never challenged
Have no work-life balance
Don’t feel appreciated or listened to

#2 – Understanding yourself and your options

The second step to making a career choice involves being clear about your abilities, skills and your career interests. This can include:

Spending some time thinking about your personal situation, what you value and what you hope to achieve from your career.
Creating a “mind map”of things you do and don’t enjoy doing, which can help you rule out any unsuitable career directions.
Thinking carefully about your short and long-term goals (and making sure they’re MA.R.T). Focus on the things you’d like to do more of and ask yourself whether you will want to keep doing these things in one, two and five years.
Understanding what you are best at (and not so good at) both personally and professionally.
Considering the way you like to work. Do you prefer to work autonomously or within a team? Where and how would you like to work? For example, is part-time work or a job in the “gig economy” an option?
Knowing what type of industry and company you’d like work for, including what aspects about both will be most important to you.
Understanding your personality type. The popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can help you identify your strengths and attributes.
Using labour market information which will help you choose a career with good potential for future job earnings and security.

Tools available to assist decision-making

Regardless of whether you are a school leaver, a job-changer or returning to the workforce after a period of time, the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment also has a range of valuable tools that can help you understand and refine some of these decisions. They include:

Your Career website — can help you explore and make decisions about your career options. You can research more than 1000 different types of jobs, take a Career Quiz or Skills Match quiz, learn about the skills needed in different jobs, and understand what jobs are in your area. A full list of their resources is available here.
Job Outlook website — allows you to explore your job options, match your work style and interests to potential jobs, and learn about job prospects, tasks and pay.
Labour Market Insights website — will give you insights from the National Skills Commission to help you better understand your local labour market, future workforce changes, and current and emerging skills needs.
National Careers Institute — works to ensure Australians have access to high quality career information and support regardless of their stage of life or age.
My Future website — Helps secondary students explore career pathways, including providing tools that can help with career decision making.

#3 – Expanding and narrowing your options

This step in making a career choice is about expanding and then narrowing your list of options.

Researching your possible options including on careers pages, websites and industry/educational blogs.
Finding descriptions for current jobs that are available in your area of interest and cross matching any personal requirements with your own skillset.
Considering following companies that align with your values and interests on social media and/or LinkedIn.
Engaging with a careers counsellor to fine-tune and/or clarify your options further. They will be able to explain the benefits and drawbacks as you consider your career change, and help you research any options you might not have previously considered.

#4 – Choosing an option

Once you’ve solidified your career choice, whether it be a study subject, job or career, it’s time to fine-tune your options before you execute your intentions. “Implementation intention” is a valuable strategy that can help you follow through with the goals you set yourself. Introduced by psychologist Peter Gollwitzer, it is essentially an “if-then” plan that works on structuring goals around statements like, “If X happens, I will do Y in order to achieve Z”. One of its key proposals is that you will cover more contingencies and be better prepared for whatever comes your way.

Whether you are contemplating your future career for the first time or a change to your current role or industry, success involves risk. But fear of both failure and success can be debilitating. Some of the most common career fears are, fear of:

Failure
Success
What others think
Taking on too much
The unknown

See page 20 of our The Ultimate ‘A to Z’ Career Change Guide for more insightful detail on how to overcome career fear.

#5 – Implementing your career choice

The fifth step is all about putting your career choice into action. This involves creating a flexible plan and actioning steps to put into effect your preferred option/s. Steps to take that can help you apply for a job include:

Researching jobs online. Job vacancies are largely advertised online — in many cases via an internal or external recruiter. You can find out more about job search websites in Australia here. You can also access Workforce Australia, which is the new employment service delivered by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), which will replace jobactive in July 2022. It has stated that it will, “help Australians find and keep a job, change jobs or create their own job”.
Researching organisations that are hiring directly. Before applying for a job, ensure you have conducted research on the company. Navigate to their “about” page for valuable insights. Running the company’s name through a search engine can also give you information about current news and employee or client reviews. Networking with people who are employed with these organisations (LinkedIn is a valuable tool), can also help you gain an overall feel for the company culture, the particular skills they value, and an overview of the staff they employ.
Tailor your CV for submission. This is probably the most crucial document when applying for jobs as it outlines your key strengths and experience. Here are some tips from Seek on writing your resume. Also consider whether you need to include a cover letter — prospective employers will typically inform you if they need one when you apply.
Once you’ve applied, follow-up if you can. If you applied via a recruiter, consider contacting them via an email regarding the status of your application …. But give them ample time to review it first!
Make your career choice, but don’t forget to keep a close eye on future career progression and training opportunities. The Future of Work is ever-evolving so you who knows what’s around the corner!

6 Quick Strategies for Career Progression

Everyone likes to believe that their career is heading in the right direction. And the good news is that there are a variety of strategies to shape the direction of your future. Career progression can happen due to chance, good luck and other external factors, however, more often than not, it is a result of detailed and proactive planning.

So whether you are after a specific role, company or promotion, here are six strategies that will build your assertiveness and motivation, and have you on the road to the career of your dreams before you know it!

#1 – Go above and beyond

A great way to enhance career progression and get noticed is to build a “big picture” understanding of your organisation. This will allow you to lead, be proactive, make quick decisions and share insights and advice. An important component of this is to understand your organisation’s strategic objectives and the roles your colleagues perform. Ways you can do this include:

Reading your organisation’s strategic plan, operational plan and annual report.
Gaining a thorough understanding of your organisation’s vision, mission and values.
Understanding your organisation’s target audiences and customer journeys.
Joining key industry bodies, attending networking events and enrolling in professional development.
Becoming a “knowledge sponge” by watching webinars and TED talks and listening to podcasts and audiobooks (to name a few).
Contributing to problem-solving whether it’s from a colleague, manager or company perspective.
Asking yourself, “How can I add value and solve problems by doing what I love?”

#2 – Mentor and be mentored

In terms of being mentored, it is extremely valuable if you can find an “executive sponsor” who believes in you. And it may be as simple as reaching out to a senior leader you resonate with, outlining your career aspirations and defining ways your connection may benefit both of you. Ideally, your sponsor will endorse you, coach you, advocate on your behalf and introduce you to the right people in the organisation at the right time.

One of the best ways to progress in your career is to also coach and mentor others. Understanding that we think, behave and communicate with others differently is the key. By adopting a “service” mindset, you can improve your connections and communication, establish trust, deepen relationships and build business.

#3 – Plan your career progression

To maximise your career progression potential, the first step is knowing when it’s time to move on. Having personal insight and understanding what makes you happy, sad, drained, motivated etc. can help you establish whether your current role is helping or hindering you. Facing fear and stepping outside of your comfort zone can also help you grow and move forward. Whether it’s asking your boss for more responsibility, leading a pitch to a new client or presenting your department’s quarterly objectives, you will begin to move beyond words to action.

Having a career plan in place is also a powerful way to work yourself up the career ladder and achieve your ambitions. It should involve career goals, and SMART goals are widely used among professionals as they are likely to result in successful outcomes. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related:

Specific: Set concrete and clear goals without ambiguity based on specifics like “who”, “where”, “when”, “why” and “what”.
Measurable: Set goals that are measurable in terms of time. Include a quantity of “how much” and/or “how many”.
Achievable: Goals shouldn’t be too easy, but goals that are too difficult can be discouraging — they need to be genuinely achievable.
Realistic: Make the right judgement on how realistic your goals are which requires you to analyse them to determine the time, resources and expenses involved in achieving them.
Time-related. Have key dates, timelines and milestones in mind when you set goals. These can motivate your efforts and prioritise tasks above other distractions.

#4 – Build professional relationships

Positive professional relationships are essential to success and career progression. Whether it’s through internal training, industry conferences, networking events or making a new contact on LinkedIn, there are an abundance of ways we can meet new people, acquire knowledge and advance our careers.

Once connections are cemented, strong communication can also enable you to build and maintain productive relationships. Intently listening, having a constructive approach to problem solving, leading with a positive attitude, showing respect and interest, and supporting colleagues and stakeholders can all deepen professional relationships even further.

#5 – Proactively job search

Keeping your finger on the pulse of career prospects is important regardless of whether you’ve found your dream job or not. It allows you to keep up with current industry trends and identify potential opportunities in the event your job situation changes.

In terms of planning a job search, it is firstly worth identifying your career goals and the skills and experience you will need to fulfil those goals. Then identify who you want to work for and with, where you want to work, how you want to work and why you want to work towards your goals. Make sure your CV is up to date and then start to plan your outreach efforts. These can include leveraging your connections — including on LinkedIn — and reaching out to HR contacts to alert them to the fact that you are job searching.

#6 – Continue to up-skill

Probably one of the most valuable strategies you can adopt that will help with career progression is following the concept of “lifelong learning”. This is particularly important in this Information Age where the automation and digital transformation of workplaces continues to increase and evolve.

Up-skilling is also not necessarily about achieving accreditation in the most up-to-date technical skills. Businesses are increasingly looking to complement automated business models with a workforce equipped to provide strategic and human insights in terms of their soft skills. These include team work, communication skills, conflict resolution, adaptability, efficiency, leadership and problem solving skills.

Power of Positive Thinking – 8 Practical Tips

Can you think yourself into a successful career or relationship? Does the power of positive thinking help you to achieve your goals? It might seem like a cliché. But, according to the experts, the power of positive thinking – a part of the positive psychology movement – is the key to unlocking your full potential, whether in your professional or personal life. So, what is positive psychology, and how can you improve your positive thinking powers? It turns out that you can improve your ability to think more positively by taking positive action.

What is Positive Psychology?

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life fulfilling, focusing on individual and community well-being to improve quality of life. Many studies show that positive emotions and life satisfaction enhance physical health, creativity, relationships, coping skills and connection.

Spend time with positive people

You’ve probably heard motivational speakers preach, ‘You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with,’ and the adage, ‘Misery loves company.’ Again, this might sound like a cliché, but there’s a lot of truth. If you’re surrounding yourself with negative people, developing and maintaining positivity will be challenging. Try to minimise your exposure to the negativity of others in your life and join groups – whether social, sporting or volunteering – that boost your positivity quota. You could also listen to positive podcasts or audiobooks to fill your positivity cup further.

Contribute to your community

Volunteering has long been connected to positive mental and emotional health outcomes. It can provide purpose and meaningful experiences to your life, increasing self-esteem and general wellbeing. It’s also widely recognised as relieving stress and symptoms of depression and improving relationships. If you can make time to contribute to your community, your mental and emotional well-being will thank you for it.

Recognise and replace negative thinking

Negative thoughts are insidious. They creep in when you least expect it and influence your whole perspective, negatively impacting your life. Keeping a mood diary can help you identify and challenge your negative thinking by replacing every negative thought with a positive one.

Make and achieve goals

Fail to plan, and you intend to fail, they say! So, make sure you’re setting SMART goals. When you’re actively working toward achieving personal or professional development goals, you’re engaging in positive thinking. The act of holding yourself accountable further encourages you to take positive action. Just as negative thinking can be cyclical, positive actions can promote more positivity. So, make a list of what you want to achieve next year and set SMART goals.

Gratitude

In positive psychology, gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness. Gratitude encourages more positive emotions and is crucial to engage in good experiences fully, boosting health and maintaining strong relationships with others. If gratitude is challenging at first, start noticing even the most minor things that bring joy. Notice if it’s the sunshine after the rain or a home-cooked meal.

Mindfulness

According to research, mindfulness can help you learn acceptance skills and notice present-moment positive experiences. One of the simplest ways of incorporating mindfulness into your every day is to focus on the five senses at moments throughout your day. Take a moment to observe what you can see, hear, smell, feel and taste as a way of grounding yourself. Next, focus on your breathing to slow down. When you get accustomed to slowing down, you’ll probably find that you can readily identify every day’s positive aspects.

Laugh more

Laughter is the best medicine! Researchers discovered that positive emotions associated with humour and laughing correspond with understanding the purpose of life and help older people appreciate a positive perspective on the obstacles endured in life. So, if you want to increase positive thought, put on a comedy, read a funny book or learn and tell some jokes!

Positive self-talk

Positive self-talk is your internal dialogue. It’s often subconscious and influences your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about yourself. If you tune into your self-talk and find a negative Nelly/Nell – it’s time to challenge and change how you talk to yourself. When you change your self-talk, you’ll improve your self-esteem and ability to tackle challenges.

Interested in developing the power of positive thinking? Is negativity holding you back? If so, try incorporating one (or all) of these strategies to improve your positive thinking skills. The law of attraction shows that where your focus goes, energy flows. So, when your focus is positive, your life is a magnet for more positive experiences. And if your professional or personal life needs a positivity boost, browse hundreds of online courses and discover your full potential today.

Joining the Booming Gig Economy – 5 Tips to Success!

It’s the latest trend in an evolving workforce where individuals seek employment on their own terms. It is known as the “gig economy” and it’s here to stay! But what is it exactly, what kind of jobs are involved and how can you be part of this booming industry?

According to the Macquarie dictionary, the gig economy is “individual workers … employed on a contract to do a particular task for a set time with little connection to their employer”. People work in the gig economy for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. Some people work in the gig economy as their main source of income. Others work in it occasionally to supplement their income when moving between careers, jobs or as a transition into retirement.

Why is the gig economy so popular?

Participation in the gig economy has grown rapidly over the past few years, particularly with the challenges of COVID-19. The gig economy has transformed the traditional, in-office 9-5 working world and caused many to pursue “gig” work for additional (or even primary) income.

Employment figures are also a factor, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting that in April 2020, underemployment hit a record high of 13.8 per cent, and in June of that year, unemployment hit a record high of 7.5 per cent — the highest level in over 20 years. For many, the gig economy was, and still is, a way of keeping money trickling in.

The gig economy can offer individuals flexibility and convenience. It gives individuals the opportunity to work when and how often they want, and to balance work with personal commitments such as hobbies, study and family responsibilities.

What work options do I have in the gig economy?

Examples of “giggers” include project-based workers, independent contractors, freelancers, sole traders and people hired temporarily or part-time.

But perhaps one of the biggest draw-cards of the gig economy is the breadth of variety in terms of the industries you can work in. You can specialise in anything from graphic design, E-commerce, copywriting and bookkeeping to childcare, beauty, gardening and even dog grooming! And that’s just the start! Many giggers also run their own ridesharing, delivery, tutoring, administration, marketing or project management businesses.

How can I join the gig economy?

In terms of how to join the gig economy, there is a wealth of advice readily available, including at the national and state government levels. But here are five of our top tips.

#1 – Register for an ABN

If you want to be part of the gig economy in terms of starting your own business and being paid for your goods or services, you will need to register for an ABN (Australian Business Number) to legally operate.

This is a unique number that the Australian Business Register issues to all businesses. It identifies your business to the government and community and to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) when dealing with your tax obligations. If you earn more than $75,000 per annum, you must also register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which requires an ABN.

#2 – Market your brand

If you want to join the gig economy, marketing and advertising your brand and business is critical. A good place to start is by researching problems, trends, demographics and other observations within your target market. Then take a close look at your business and see how you can set up smaller marketing tasks. Here are some examples:

Reach out to current business connections and ask friends, family and past colleagues to reach out to their co-workers and connections. Referral discounts or free services or consultations are incredibly valuable here.
This can include digital networking, joining online forums, attending conferences and industry events, and actively engaging with other businesses via platforms such as LinkedIn.
Create a website. There are a range of easy-to-use website creation tools out there that you can experiment with. You’ll also need a domain name, URL and a web hosting company that will help get your website “live”. You can find out more here.
Advertising takes many forms, and the platform you choose will depend on your target audience, your budget and what is appropriate for your particular product or service. Traditional advertising platforms include newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, phone directories, outdoor, direct mail and electronic direct mail. However, advertising online via websites, digital marketing, Google My Business and social media (like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter) is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to attract new customers.

#3 – Be insured

Another important element to consider if you are keen to join the gig economy is insurance, particularly if you are a sole trader. A sole trader is classified as “someone who owns and operates a business in their own name”. The different types of insurance include:

Public liability insurance. This is required for all sole traders and covers accidents, damage to third-party property, or bodily injuries resulting from services that you provide.
Third-party personal injury insurance. This is typically required for sole traders who operate a vehicle as part of their job.
Worker’s compensation insurance. Although not necessarily required, it might be worth considering if you plan on hiring subcontractors or other freelancers to work with you on your business as it will help you provide compensation for any injuries they incur while on the job.
Professional indemnity insurance. If you provide advice or professional services, this kind of insurance protects you and your business against claims of errors, negligence or
Insurance for equipment. Many creative professionals use expensive equipment. Insuring this will help you get reimbursed for stolen, lost or damaged gear. Additionally, you can purchase electronic equipment insurance to protect things like your laptop or computer from damage or theft.
Technology and cybercrime insurance. If you operate much of your business online, cybercrime insurance can give you financial protection from scamming, hacking and other technological disruptions.

#4 – Consider your super

If you are considered to be a sole trader or self-employed by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), obviously super payments won’t be contributed on your behalf by an employer. However, any super you pay will be your choice rather than a legal requirement.

The benefits of contributing to super include:

You will be saving for your retirement.
You may be able to claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions.
Super contributions are taxed at 15 per cent, so you may save tax depending on your situation.
Super investments usually get better returns than bank savings accounts, so your savings will grow faster.

#5 – Get financial help

Between managing customers and clients, sending invoices, marketing your products or services and actually working, finding time to undertake your own administration and finances can be challenging. If you work for yourself as a contractor, freelancer or sole trader, engaging the services of a professional accountant can help with:

Saving you time. Transferring the financial upkeep of a business to a professional will allow you to continue what you do best — working! It will alleviate you having to research complicated tax rules and lodging tax returns and Business Activity Statements (BAS).
Saving you money. Experienced accountants can advise you on which of your business expenses are necessary, those that may help minimise unexpected tax obligations, and help you claim potential deductions on business expenses.

How to Choose a Careers Counsellor (And Why)

Not sure what career you want to pursue? Or ready for a change in your current role? Whether you have just finished school or are keen to switch careers, finding a fulfilling way to earn a living is perhaps one of the most important decisions many of us will make, so it can be a daunting prospect. And that’s where a careers counsellor comes in!

What is a careers counsellor?

Careers counsellors help individuals search for employment, plan and manage their careers, make decisions about training, education and personal development, and analyse an individual’s underlying drive, abilities, motivations and personality traits. Essentially, they bridge the gap between job seekers and opportunity!

What is involved in a career counselling session?

The process of career counselling is typically carried out through a series of counselling sessions and aptitude tests to gain a clear picture of your ambitions and competencies.

There is a huge range of techniques that career counsellors use, including:

Aptitude tests. These are often tailored to specific professions and are designed to objectively measure skills and attributes that relate to workplace performance. Some tests focus on cognitive skills such as verbal, numerical or abstract reasoning. Others examine your workplace behavioural style.
Personality tests. Research has shown that certain personality types have a predisposition to certain careers and achieving success within them. The two most common personality tests are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® and the Big Five personality traits.
Goals/desires. Goals and desires are often then assessed to see if they line up with the first two tests.
Job market. This is a secondary consideration, it is still important as if there are limited jobs or a diminishing market, customised or alternative suggestions may be necessary.
Psychology – Sometimes, individuals are dealing with particular issues that may decrease their success in a certain field regardless of their skills.

However, many career counsellors go above and beyond these techniques in order to:

Clarify what you want in terms of a career and job role.
Find and remove limiting beliefs.
Identify personal issues and blockages.
Increase motivation and personal confidence.
Provide a sense of empowerment and clarity.
Help to identify expectations and goals.
Create a framework for achieving goals.
Highlight personal strengths and weaknesses.
Remove negative beliefs about strengths and weaknesses.
Clarify personal desires, including salary, travel, work expectations etc.
Refine your goals and expectations.
Identify the areas to work on for maximum success within a chosen career, including up-skilling.

What sort of questions will a careers counsellor ask me?

It depends on a range of factors, however, ultimately, a careers counsellor will help you to crystallise your thoughts and feelings so you can come to your own conclusions. They may even help you to realise that the career you thought you wanted is not what you want at all! Questions they might ask include:

For what specific reasons are you drawn to this particular field?
What framework do you have on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis for achieving your goals?
Do you have side projects that will have lateral effects on your career decision?
Are there past issues that could potentially prevent you from reaching your full potential in your chosen field?
Do you possess the resume writing and interview skills necessary to qualify for positions?
Are you prepared to sacrifice your leisure time to achieve success in your career?
Is the career path you are interested in something you want to pursue for many years to increase your knowledge?
Are you truly passionate about the career, or is it merely the best available option?

What questions can I ask my careers counsellor?

There are also a range of questions you can ask that may help you and your counsellor get to the heart of what you want in a career and what career may suit you. These include:

How can I build on my strengths?
How can I improve my weaknesses?
What is the current job market for my industry?
Can you provide me feedback on my resume and cover letter?
How can I make myself stand out against competitors?
How do I optimise my time while studying?
Where can I find more information about my intended career?
How can I best network in the industry I’m interested in?
How do I prepare for an upcoming interview?
Can I become a competitive candidate without job experience?
What other career resources are available to me?

What do I look for in a career counselling service?

Choosing a career counsellor is a personal choice. But aside from personal preferences and feeling comfortable with your choice of counsellor, other factors you should consider include:

The credentials of the counselling service
The counsellor’s experience
Academic qualifications
Professional memberships (such as with the Career Industry Council of Australia)
The cost of the counselling service
The type of session (online, one-to-one, group etc.)
The scope of the session
Client testimonials

How do I become a careers counsellor?

If you would like to become a careers counsellor yourself, then a Certificate of Carer Counselling is a great place to start! It will give you the confidence to assist clients with career guidance, identify their career aspirations, and plan the appropriate pathways to support their career development.

As career development is often a lifelong process, a careers counsellor can work with clients of all ages, including in schools, education facilities, organisations, government agencies or in private practice.

Career counsellors play a valuable role in Australian society and its working communities. Their services not only enlighten job seekers and those currently employed but also help those who have experienced job loss or other circumstances that may result in an individual needing to re-evaluate their career path.

The counselling industry, in general, is a large one in Australia, and according to JobOutlook, the field is expected to grow strongly in the next five years, from around 33,000 counsellors in 2020 to nearly 38,000 by 2025.

A counselling career is also a fantastic launching pad for a range of other careers in recruitment, HR management and even running your own business as a recruitment consultant

7 Survival Tips When You’re Made Redundant

If you’ve been made redundant, you’re either in shock, or it was expected. Regardless, you’re faced with one of life’s most difficult setbacks. It can happen at any age and any stage of your career. It’s often a shocking and upsetting experience. But you can feel more confident after being made redundant, especially if you think of it as a forced fresh start!

Like they say when one door closes – jump out the window! Okay, so they say another door opens, but it’s more fun to jump out of the windows! But seriously, your state of mind makes all the difference when faced with adversity, so try to stay positive with our seven survival tips!

What is Redundancy?

According to Fair Work Australia, redundancy is defined as being genuine when:

Your job doesn’t need to be done by anyone
Your employer followed any consultation requirements in the award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement

Why Were You Made Redundant?

Fair Work Australia states that redundancy occurs when an employer either:

Doesn’t need the job to be done by anyone, or
Becomes insolvent or bankrupt

A redundancy is likely to occur when a business:

Introduces new technology (a job can be done by a machine)
Slows down due to lower sales or production
Closes down
Relocates interstate or overseas
Restructures or reorganizes due to a merger or takeover

You’re Not Alone

Redundancy is normal and will not impact finding another job, so don’t shy away from it. You can write that your job ended due to the position being made redundant. According to the employment website SEEK, more than 1 in 4 Australians (26%) have had their role made redundant at some point in their working lives. Further, at least half of us know someone who has been made redundant or impacted ourselves. And keep in mind this data was taken before the pandemic, which has seen global redundancy rates skyrocketing. So, you’re certainly not alone.

How to Recover from Redundancy

While it might feel overwhelming at first, you can recover from redundancy and find a more rewarding job. Through keeping a positive attitude and being organized, you’ll soon be over this hurdle and onto your next challenge. So, you’ve been made redundant. What’s next? We’ve put together seven important tips to help you get back up after the shock of redundancy.

Get the language right

Be aware of how you talk about your experience. Instead of saying ‘I was made redundant, which has negative connotations, say ‘my role was made redundant. It helps to separate yourself from what has happened. You shouldn’t take it personally because redundancy does not reflect your work ethic or ability to do your job. It’s simply that the job no longer exists. You do, and you’ll most likely go on to bigger and better things after redundancy.

Organise your finances

When faced with redundancy, one of the most overwhelming feelings is about personal finances. You should make a budget of your living expenses and determine how to manage essential expenses. If you have a mortgage, talk to your bank. They are often helpful in arranging to put repayments on hold when you’re in a financial crisis. We saw how banks responded during the pandemic, and a personal financial situation is no different. You should also contact the Department of Human Services to see if you’re entitled to any benefits while you search for your next job.

Consider taking on temporary work

Don’t rush into a job because you feel stressed about being made redundant. If you need to get back on track financially, consider taking on freelance or contract work until you’re sure about your next permanent move. Finding this type of work allows you to structure your week, maintain motivation and gain financially while also providing breathing space to think. If you don’t find temporary work straight away, that’s okay too. Take time to process what’s happened, and if you feel you need to stay busy, volunteer your services to a community group or organization.

Reflect on your career direction

Were you happy in your last job? If not, consider changing directions in your career. Now’s an excellent opportunity to follow a passion, start a business, or study for a dream job. If you’re not sure about your new direction, you don’t have to spend a fortune on education to find out. Consider short, professional development courses in the area you’re interested in before diving into a higher education degree.

Banish negative feelings

An adverse event can have you spiralling into a negative headspace, which won’t help your mental health. Make sure you plan your day and include time for exercise, fresh air, healthy eating and self-reflection. If you need some professional help, reach out to your GP to refer you to a mental health professional. Talking about your experience will help you process what’s happened and move into a more healthy state of mind. Remember, you’re not alone – and you’ll be back on your feet again in no time.

Work on your resume

This is an ideal time to dust off your resume and make it shine. Spend time updating your work history, education and referees. Ask your last manager if they’d be a referee. Better yet, ask for a written letter of recommendation. You should also update your LinkedIn and let your contacts know you’re looking for work (in fact, put out a message on all social channels – friends can give the best recommendations!).

Stay connected to your tribe (or make new connections)

It can feel isolating to be made redundant, especially if all your family and friends are working. It’s important to reach out to people who will help you emotionally. Make plans to catch up for dinner or during their work lunch for a bite to eat. If you’re feeling adventurous, now’s a great time to join a group fitness class (even a free Parkrun) or start a new hobby and expand your social network. Be brave – it will make you stronger!

Being made redundant isn’t easy but stay the course, and you’ll be back working in no time. Research shows that 60 per cent of Australians made redundant find another job within two months. But don’t despair if you’re in the 40 per cent that takes a little longer. It just means you’ll have more time to consider your options.

Discover hundreds of online professional development courses today – it might open your eyes to a new direction you didn’t see coming!