Post pay blues
For those receiving a pay rise this new financial year, the "envelope" should have arrived by now. To those who have written about their pay rise disappointment, you are not alone.

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Study vs employment dilemma
Roslyn writes: "I'm currently studying and working on a casual basis but have been offered a better, permanent job here. If I accept the job I will have to give up my studies. I am not sure what to do. What do you think?"
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Pay reviews, to stay or go
This week I want to impart some advice about pricing the "intangibles" of your job - those things that are not part of your pay but that you really value.
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Spellcheck is not enough - proof-read too
This week, a glimpse from the other side of the recruitment desk. Executive recruiter Mps People Solutions took a look at its database of candidates and found some spelling and grammatical gems in applications received. 
Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Group certificates and tax
Interesting question this week from Brett: "Last year my employer took forever to give us our group certificates and I am worried the same thing might happen this year."
Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Tired and emotional on the job hunt
As anyone who reads this column knows, job hunting is an emotional business and candidates take it to heart when they get treated shabbily on the job hunt.
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

So long, farewell and moving on
As promised, here are some tips on writing a resignation letter. It seems many people rate writing their resignation letter high on their list of things they hate doing. However, by keeping the letter simple you can stop worrying and just get on with it.
Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Pay excuses and current salary trends
There is a lot of talk about salaries right now. The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is leading the charge with a pay freeze for MPs and a call for Australia's top executives to sacrifice their hefty pay rises this year in the name of fighting inflation.
Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Help for people with a disability
I've received several questions about finding employment services catering to those with a disability and or those wanting to return to work after an injury.
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Resignation Letter
As promised, here are some tips on writing a resignation letter. It seems many people rate writing their resignation letter high on their list of things they hate doing. However, by keeping the letter simple you can stop worrying and just get on with it.
Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Finding a career coach
A lot of people email me questions about finding a career coach. The use of career experts is definitely on the rise but there are some dos and don'ts.
Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Reminder - Prime your referees
I was contacted by email recently to provide a reference for a graduate who had done some work for me. The candidate is an intelligent and diligent young woman and I was happy to say so but I was not at all happy with the email.
Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Pay rise by email
VM asks: "Could you please advise if I can ask my boss for a promotion and a pay rise using email?" The answer is no and yes.
Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Annual leave
Robyn's employer is closing the office over Christmas and has directed employees to take holiday leave. Warren's manager says he has way too much accumulated leave (7.5 weeks) and "must" take three weeks off over the "quiet holiday period". 
Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Help for the bullied
After making an appeal a few weeks back for information on support groups for those who have experienced workplace bullying, I'm sad to report that there is very little out there.
Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Bully update
BB writes: "I'm attending an interview with a potential employer and found out that one of the interviewers is an ex-colleague, who I didn't get along with. Should I pull out or try to talk to her beforehand?"
Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Three questions
A few topics this week, namely photos with resumes; working from home; and researching careers in government. First, to Jayde and Emma, my answer is "no", it's not the norm to include a photo with your resume.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Mature hopefuls
I recently profiled an amazing guy, Ian Blair. Ian landed a really cool job as a senior consultant with software specialist Prima Consulting. He has also become the office "sustainability guru" - a cutting edge role made possible via a career spanning 40 plus years.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Bully hot button
I've done a fair bit of media work on office bullies recently. This includes commenting on a recent survey CareerOne.com.au compiled with researchers Core Data that found 74 per cent of respondents had been bullied at work and 77 per cent thought bullies got ahead at work.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Office farewells
Something a little lighter this week - office gift giving. DT writes: "This issue has caused me distress in the past and continues to surface regularly. How much money should I give to a temp's farewell collection?
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Help
Australia's first Workplace Ombudsmen recently started work so here is a column to clip in case you ever need the details.
Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

Mining mystery
I get hit with a wave of emails every time a new "mining boom" story makes the newspapers. While the boom is fact not fiction, I have to wonder about this notion that people without experience can up sticks and walk into lucrative mining jobs.
Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

Pay rise update
It's the time of year when our thoughts turn to pay rises in readiness for the new financial year on July 1. So what should you do? Hope for the best?
Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

Friendly mature-age employers
I recently reported the first mature-age friendly employer awards. Organised by Adage, the awards attracted many big name employers. (You'll find the winner and 20 short listed companies in the Ask Kate section on careerone.com.au.)
Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

Tide turns slowly on age prejudice
Grace du Prie writes: "Is it really true that employers are starting to value experience again and that mature-aged workers have better chances now to find employment?" Grace, the tide is definitely turning.
Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

Expression of Interest
Lydia is applying for a job that requires an "Expression of Interest". What is it? According to my research, an "Expression of Interest" is a term used when an employer is casting a wide net to find a certain type of candidate.
Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

About Kate
Kate Southam is the founding editor of careerone.com.au, and has specialised in employment reporting since October 1999.
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST

Nothing shameful in redundancy
I've had a few emails recently from people who have been made redundant.
Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Blue language
Following on from my recent column on rudeness, BB is having problems with "colourful" language at work.
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Rudeness, have your say
Through Ask Kate I hear many tales of workplace rudeness that in my opinion border on bullying.
Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Pay review time
Many of you are starting to pluck up the courage to ask for a pay rise. Some companies hold pay reviews on an employee's anniversary and some foreign-owned companies run to a calendar year...
Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Mobile phones
I've had two emails from people who say that in exchange for having a work-issued mobile phone their respective bosses want 24/7 access to them...
Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Job ad puzzles
This week, Anushka wants to know what "ability to work autonomously" means, while Pete wants to know what employers mean by "process driven".
Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Office baby showers
Jayne writes: "The number of baby showers held at work is burning a hole in my pocket. Can I just go to the showers for people I know or is it better to go to none?"
Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

A matter of timing
Interesting question this week from JF about start times. He writes: "I arrive at work at 9 am sharp, occasionally a couple of minutes late. My boss says I should be ready to start work at 9 am not just arriving at work.
Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Crystal Ball
Jodie writes: "I have been totally out of the workforce for a few years and I also have limited skills. All I know is bar work but I am confident that I could work in an office. How likely am I to get a job in admin?"
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Emailed farewells
Two questions this week and an appeal from me to you for information. First up, Phil wants to know what the "k"stands for in job ads, for example "package $70k pa". The "k" stands for thousand, in this case, a package of $70,000 pa.
Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Lowdown on cover letters
I've met managers who throw resumes in the bin if they don't come with a cover letter. I've also met one recruiter who doesn't like cover letters but he certainly wouldn't dismiss a candidate for writing one.
Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Using a career coach
The New Year is a hot time for job change so I've devoting the first few columns of 2008 to revisiting popular topics such as resume and cover letter writing, referees, interview tips and resignation letters.
Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

WIP that employee into shape
KB has a team of three. "One team member appears to listen to instructions but never seems to finish anything. I have to chase him to find out what he's up to. I hate nagging and quite frankly, resent it.
Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Christmas party blues - CareerOne
Annie thinks it's strange how many Christmas work parties are now organised on a week night instead of a Friday night. "My work party, my son's, my husband's - it seems the office Christmas bash.
Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Mixed messages
"AS" interviewed for a job and was later told she was not successful by letter. "I rang and asked for feedback and was told the job went to someone more qualified.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Mining follow up
I've received some fantastic emails after writing about the mining sector. People have shared their real life experiences - some successful, some not - about working in mining. Craig told me about driving across the country with a mate.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Salary frustration 1
Yvonne wants to see salaries on job ads, which echoes what I've heard from many other Ask Kate readers. She writes: "It should be mandatory for a company to publicise the approximate salary for any given job.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Salary frustration 2
Last week "Yvonne" related her daughter's experience of going through two rounds of interviews without being told the salary for the role she was interviewed for.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Bullies bite back
I've had lots of emails about workplace bullies after my recent articles and you can read these comments on Kate's Blog on www.careerone.com.au. In two cases, I heard from entire teams who had been bullied by a manager.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Rude
Has anyone else noticed that people are getting ruder? It appears to me that courtesy has somehow become 'uncool' and that rudeness has become associated with power..
Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

Pay disappointment
It appears the new financial year has brought mixed fortunes.  A few of you missed out, a couple have questioned their pay rise of 3 per cent and one person was crushed with a pay rise of 6 per cent.
Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

Micro manager - CareerOne
"Daf" writes: "What is your recommendation if you feel your employer micro-manages you and that after x years you feel you've lost skills rather than gained skills?"
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

More on referees
I recently wrote about your right to see notes made by someone reference checking you.  The CEO of the Recruitment & Consulting Services Association, Julie Mills, has followed up with some interesting info about accessing those notes.
Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

Fashion wannabes
I get quite a few emails about breaking into the fashion industry. People wonder if work experience leads to permanent work
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

After school teen care idea
I wrote a column recently about the lack of after school and holiday care for teenagers. The column was prompted by an email from one single mum who had good arrangements for her eight-year-old son but nothing for her daughter, 13.
Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

Legal and Industrial
Click on Legal and Industrial for the links which represent the different stories we have available on employment law and industrial relations topics.
Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Ask Kate archive
Read previous articles published by Kate on careers and job seeking.
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST