Some useful advice from the HR experts (Archive)

Four key steps to handling stress — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] So which is it, pressure or stress? Pressure can be good for us, and many people thrive under pressure: they like the adrenalin rush it gives them. But let the pressure get out of control and it can turn into stress—which isn’t healthy for you or the job that you do. So what should you do if the pressure is mounting?

Getting the most out of a meeting — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] How often have you gone to a meeting and wondered what it was all about or why you bothered? An awful lot of time can be wasted in meetings, particularly if nothing has been agreed at the end. This can lead to frustration all round—and waste a great deal of effort. So, if you’re running a meeting, whether it’s a formal or informal one, here’s what you should bear in mind.

Interviewing from a job seeker’s perspective — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] Interviews are the most popular selection process. Read on to find out what set of attitudes, skills and knowledge are needed and how to prepare for your interview.

Interviewing from a manager's perspective — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] People are a company’s most important asset, so selecting the right person for the job is an essential part of a manager’s role. You need to invest time, effort and thought into how you can recruit the best fit, not only to the job on offer but to your company’s culture and client base.

Get it wrong and it can be an expensive lesson, with your company incurring not only recruitment costs but a loss of management time and disruption to your business, and if the applicant feels they have been discriminated against, potential employment tribunal costs. Find out here how to make your selection slicker, while following best practice.

Moving on from redundancy — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] After you’ve got over the initial shock of being made redundant, don’t panic but take a deep breath, for this could be one of the best things to have happened to you. You might not think so now, but this will give you the opportunity to think about what you really want to do next. The key to success is having the right attitude—and planning your campaign to regenerate your career. You’re no longer helping to sell someone else’s brand, the brand is now you. But how to run your campaign? Here are few pointers.

Stress in the workplace: the manager's perspective — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] One in five workers says that their work is very or extremely stressful, but what is stress? Is one person’s stress another’s energiser? The answer is no: don’t confuse pressure with stress. Pressure can be a good thing—it can lead to improved performance—but let the pressure become excessive and you create stress. And stress is bad for your people and your business. But what to do about it if you’re responsible for others?

The perfect CV? — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] Is there any such thing as the perfect CV? We don’t think so, but the best is the one that gets you that all-important interview. And what sets the best apart? Thoughts differ, but the guidelines we offer reflect the fact that we see about 500 CVs a week—and the better ones do have traits in common.

Transferable skills: what are you selling? — The HR Consultancy
[15 Jul 2008] For whatever reason, you’re standing at a crossroad: which way now? Another job in the same sector, or a complete change of direction? Given that times are uncertain, you might want to consider both. More and more people are building a 'portfolio life': a collection of roles linked only by the attitude, skills and knowledge which they bring to each. But how to go about it?