Happy New Year! Now what?
As summer BBQs and beach cricket wraps up and the left-over Christmas ham is just about stripped to the bone, it's time to start thinking about our New Years resolutions and what we want 2016 to look like.Now is a great time to reflect on our achievements in 2015, what we can improve on in the New Year and what our goals are.For most of us, our 2016 commitments involve at least one of The Big Three: Health, passion project and career.We probably can't help you shake the Christmas weight, advise you on gym membership, push you to learn the hobby you've always wanted to master or free up your Saturdays to coach the kids' footy team. But if you've resolved to move forward in your career or transition into a new industry, WorkPac has you covered.So what's the first step in advancing your career, upskilling, securing stable employment or finding a new and exciting role? You NEED to subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook. 2016 is all about bringing you the answers you need on your job journey this year. We will be posting infographics, dos and don'ts and articles on topics like email templates for job applications, resume writing, interview tips, negotiating flexible working conditions plus we'll be recommending podcasts for those long trips out to work, quick and healthy snacks for crib and loads more. You can also follow @workpacjobs on Twitter for every one of our job vacancies.Our New Year's resolution is to continue living our purpose. To find you meaningful employment that will benefit your lifestyle and ambitions. 2016 will see WorkPac at the forefront of innovation and technology in the recruitment sector. We will create extraordinary experiences for our clients and FTMs - pairing job seekers with the right job and finding sustainable talent for our clients.Stay tuned, 2016 is going to be huge.The WorkPac Group wishes you success and happiness in the New Year. Make magical memories with family and friends, learn lessons from 2015 and embrace all opportunities 2016 brings.
New Year's career resolutions
Like many of you, we're heading off to a New Year's Eve celebration today, armed with a six-pack, a handful of sparklers and an answer to that frequently asked question of the evening, "what's your New Year's resolution"?Now is the time to start thinking about what you want 2016 to look like and what you want to achieve.The most common commitments for the new year are often career related - "I want to move forward in my career, transition into a new industry, upskill in my current role, secure stable employment, find a new, exciting job that challenges me, get the pay rise I know I deserve"!We've created a list of 10 career resolutions to inspire you on your job journey this year. Tip: Write down your goal and the steps you need to take to reach that goal. Make it your screen saver on your phone. Seeing the non-negotiable steps you must action to kick your goals on a daily basis is a great way to stay on track in 2016. 10 career resolutions to inspire you:1. Start developing the skills I need for my next career move.2. Take the first step towards completing a professional qualification.3. Join a professional association related to my field in order to expand my knowledge and contacts.4. Initiate a problem-solving discussion instead of stewing in silence when I am upset.5. Master new technologies related to my work.6. Stop griping about how much I hate my job and create a plan for career change.7. Research resume-preparation techniques and rewrite my resume.8. Subscribe to the WorkPac blog and use the online resources to help develop my job-search skills.9. Have a discussion with my boss about my career goals.10. Start contributing to my retirement plan to help secure my future.
How to write a rockin' resume
This week's #WorkHack is the ultimate collection of dos and don'ts on how to write a rockin' resume. Follow our simple tips to ensure your resume is professional, focused and a cut above the rest. We've done the hard work and research for you so you can get the best results on your job hunt. Share this Image On Your Site<p><a href='https://www.workpac.com/blog/write-a-rockin-resume/'><img src='https://www.workpac.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Write_a_rockin_resume.png' alt='Write a rockin resume' width='540px' border='0' /></p><p></a>This infographic was provided by WorkPac: <a href='https://www.workpac.com/blog/write-a-rockin-resume/'>Write a rockin resume</a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
The office Christmas party: A survival guide
It's Christmas party season. That time of year when *some* of us over-indulge at the workplace Christmas party, flushing our self-respect and career prospects down the drain. It’s a tricky social occasion to navigate. You want to have fun, let your hair down and celebrate a year of hard work with your colleagues. Fair enough.We've put together a survival guide for the office Christmas party so you can enjoy yourself while making sure you still have a job the morning after.Make sure you #sleigh at the Christmas party this year by keeping these dos and don’ts top of mind.Share this Image On Your Site<p><a href='https://www.workpac.com/blog/the-work-christmas-party/'><img src='https://www.workpac.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Christmas-work-party.jpg' alt='Managing Workplace Stress' width='540px' border='0' /></a>This infographic was provided by WorkPac: <a href='https://www.workpac.com/blog/the-work-christmas-party/'>The Work Christmas Party</a></p><br /><br /><p>
World first - Driverless trucks move iron ore in Pilbara mines
Rio Tinto's mines in the Pilbara, Western Australia, are the first two in the world to move all iron ore using remote controlled trucks.Workers are controlling the driverless trucks from an operations centre in Perth, 1,200 kilometres from Rio Tinto's pits at Yandicoogina and Nammuldi.Josh Bennett, Rio Tinto Mining Manger for operations at Yandicoogina, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the technology mitigates dangerous jobs while also slashing operating costs."We have taken away a very high risk role, where employees are exposed to fatigue," he said.Mr Bennett said newly created jobs for highly skilled positions would eventuate from this beneficial technology.Read the full story by Kathryn Diss via ABC News, here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-18/rio-tinto-opens-worlds-first-automated-mine/6863814Source: Kathryn Diss, ABC News, 19th October 2015.
Managing workplace stress
Emotions are contagious and workplace stress impacts your professional interactions, your family and your health. Managing work-related stress is critical to your wellbeing and to the people around you.According to the Victorian State Government, workplace stress is the second most commonly compensated illness/injury in Australia, after musculoskeletal disorders.Share this Image On Your Site<p><a href="https://www.workpac.com/blog/managing-workplace-stress/"><img src="https://www.workpac.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/managing_workplace_stress_lg.jpg" alt="Managing Workplace Stress" width="540px" border="0" /></p><p></a>This infographic was provided by WorkPac: <a href="https://www.workpac.com/blog/managing-workplace-stress/">Managing Workplace Stress</a></p><br /><br />Quick stress relieving techniques you can do at your desk or onsiteTake a deep breath: Breathing counteracts stress by slowing your heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Sit up straight, close your eyes and focus on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.Have an avo! High potassium foods fight fatigue and stress.Stretch. Sit up tall in your chair, or stand up. Stretch your arms overhead and interlock your fingers. It's a great way to release tension instantly.Crank up the tunes. Music has a powerful effect on our physiological functions.
36 pieces of career advice no one will actually tell you
Want honest, straight-up career advice from CEOs, authors, recruiters and career coaches? The stuff that no one tells you? BuzzFeed compiled 36 pieces of career advice no one will actually tell you. Get ahead with this list of candid career advice.Learn hard truths on what really gets you hired, what questions you should be asking plus valuable insights on how to create your dream job.And if in doubt, don't WWDDD (What Would Don Draper Do). Contact your local WorkPac centre for sincere career advice that will steer you in the right direction.See the Buzzfeed listicle on career advice no one tells you here.WorkPac’s Head of Marketing, Tracey Mesken, comes in with number 37 - enthusiasm. "Be enthusiastic about what you do and how you interact with your workmates. Engaged workers look confident and professional. A positive and excited attitude is a key indicator of success".
Steelmaking ensures iron ore retains strong industrial base
Iron ore is essential to steelmaking and steel is one of the most commonly used materials in transportation, construction, renewable energy and household appliances. Check out the infographic we found on Mining Iron Ore for Steelmaking.Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc illustrates our everyday encounters with steel and what happens after it leaves the mining operation and enters industry. Infographic: Mining Iron Ore for SteelmakingSteel is made from iron, which occurs in nature in combination with other elements. According tothe United Geological Survey, “Iron ore is the source of primary iron for the world’s iron and steel industries. It is therefore essential for the production of steel, which in turn is essential to maintain a strong industrial base. Almost all (98%) iron ore is used in steelmaking.”There are more than 3,500 different grades of steel with many different physical, chemical, and environmental properties.See more at: http://acceleratingscience.com/mining/infographic-mining-ion-ore-for-steel/ via Accelerating Science.Mining jobs are available despite tough global business conditions and steel is still the most useful metal, being used 20 times more than all other metals combined, according to the Federal Government's fact sheet on Australia's mineral resources and mines.
Safe Work Month 2015 Re-Cap
A message from WorkPac’s National Safety and Risk Manager, Rachel Pearse on National Safe Work Month 2015."With October being National Safe Work Month, we decided this was a great opportunity for us to focus on and promote safety in the workplace to reduce death, injury and disease in support of this year’s theme, Be safe. Be healthy. Because….The involvement from our Business Centres and FTMs has been overwhelming and we don’t intend to stop just because October is over. We are committed to keeping the energy high and the momentum going, staying focused on ensuring we all go home to the things that matter each and every day!" In WorkPac Biloela The Biloela Team attended a WorkPac Toolbox Meeting at Ostwalds, Moura. WorkPac have had several onsite injuries so we arranged a safety awareness breakfast BBQ, just one of the ways we promote our commitment to a zero harm workplace. The BBQ gave us an opportunity to discuss the importance of identifying hazards, looking out for your mates, presenting fit for work and most importantly managing your fatigue coming into the festive season.In WorkPac Townsville The WorkPac Townsville team promoted Sun Safety & Hydration. Being a hot and humid region with some extreme UV ratings, the team focused on the slip, slop, slap message and the importance of drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day.
National Safe Work Month - Mental Health & Wellbeing
Mental Health can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or social group. The most common forms of mental ill health are anxiety, depression, phobic anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. It is anticipated that by 2020 depression will rank second to heart disease as the leading cause of disability worldwide. Health and wellbeing at workConnection between health and work:The connection between physical hazards such as noise, dust and chemical hazards and health are well recognised amongst employers and employees alike. Less well understood is the relationship between mental and physical wellbeing and the jobs we do.Over two million people report suffering an illness they believe has been caused or made worse by their work.This can take the form of stress, anxiety, back pain, depression and increased risk of coronary heart disease.Possible signs of mental illness in the workplacePoor mental health increases the likelihood of sleep disturbance and anxiety, which can reduce the ability to concentrate on work tasks and production. Fatigue and other outcomes of stress and poor mental health can increase the likelihood of an employee being hurt. Some key signs to look for are:Constantly feeling down or hopelessHaving little interest or pleasure in doing thingsAn employee maybe more irritable, restless, feeling tired all the time, or experience a loss of energyIncrease in sick daysExcessive use of alcohol or drugsRapid changes of emotional moodPoor performanceOverall, a person’s usual behaviour changes - they don’t seem their usual selves.StressStress can be defined as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them.”Employees have responsibilities to talk to their managers about any external influences which can turn otherwise normal pressures of work into excessive ones.Breaking the silence around mental illnessThe negative attitudes and behaviours that surround mental illness prevent many workplaces from understanding how to deal with mental health issues. Stigma can cause co-workers to isolate someone with a problem, and cause those living with mental illnesses to hide their condition.How do we create an accepting, non-discriminatory environment?In WorkPac it starts from the top down. Our management strive to ensure a good working culture where differences are valued, discrimination is not accepted, and cooperative and flexible approaches to working situations for everyone are the norm.This is achieved by fostering an environment that promotes:InclusionRespectListeningUnderstandingWhat can I do?There are things that you can do to help yourself be well and stay well. These are the simple, effective things that you know work for you. What's in your wellness toolbox? Some examples include:Talk to a friendEat three healthy meals per dayExercisePlay with your family or pet after workGo for a walkDo some stretching exercisesReadDo something nice for someone elseWatch a videoListen to musicSee a counsellorAsk for a medication checkGet outdoors regularlyMost importantly seek help, speak to someone and don’t struggle through alone! Remember it’s not just a case of trying to be tough, if you don’t feel mentally well seek help.WorkPac has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Gryphon Psychology; this company offers professional counselling for all employees, partners and dependent children to help resolve personal and work related problems. EAP is a free service and is completely confidential.This month is National Safe Work Month and is a great opportunity for all of us to focus on promoting safety in the workplace to reduce death, injury and disease. If assistance or information is required relating to WorkPac’s EAP provider Gryphon Psychology, please contact your assigned WorkPac Recruitment Coordinator. The WorkPac Employee Assistance Number is 1800 056 076.