With the Wimbledon championships underway this week, the best tennis players from around the world will be aiming to showcase their talents to reach the top. Rafael Nadal, the Williams’ sisters, Roger Federer and of course local favourite Andy Murray focus their entire careers on that moment when they lift the winning trophy. So what separates the best from the rest when it comes to major sporting championships and how can job seekers learn from the top players?
With six Wimbledon titles to his name, the grace and guile of Roger Federer has wowed centre court crowds over the years, but what is the biggest reason for his success. Undoubtedly, it is Federer's killer instinct that time and again sees him come up trumps when it really matters.
Federer’s victories and continued appetite for success cannot, however, be overstated. It is not down to luck. Such an astonishing list of titles is only achieved through hard work, relentless practice and yes, a fair bit of talent. It is this relentless practice that gives Federer the ingrained habit of knowing how to handle the pressure situations where tight matches can often be decided on a few key points.
‘Winning a grand slam championship is much like winning the top job for an executive job seeker - you have to be committed to this same level of relentless practice in the job search,’ says Derek Pilcher from executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk.
TheLadders has these three tips for executives looking to reach championship heights when on the job hunt:
• Have a game plan – ensure you are clued up on the industry happenings, analyse your competitors and lay out your career goals.
• Be match ready – ensure your CV is up to date and rehearse interview questions and answers so you are ready to handle the pressure of the interview.
• Put on your game face – presentation is essential in the interview process, from the way you walk in to the room down to the shoes on your foot it’s important to possess a confidence and show you want to win that job.
‘With this same spirit of both competitiveness and commitment to 'practice', executive job seekers can reach their ultimate goal,’ says Pilcher.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
12, 14, 21, 36 - How long does it take to make it to board level?
Sir Terry Leahy’s announcement this week that he will be standing down as CEO of Tesco follows an impressive, 14 year tenure where he has brought the company to the forefront of the supermarket industry. His replacement Phillip Clarke first worked for the company stacking the shelves 36 years ago and has been on the board for the last 12, which poses the question – how long does it take to reach the top of the business ladder?
In a study last year, executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk found that the average term of a Board level executive in the UK is 21.7 years. After surveying its senior management members the site discovered that nearly all of its CEO level candidates had 21 years plus experience.
Derek Pilcher says ‘there is no exact time when any business person will reach board level, there are a variety of factors involved including experience, qualifications and the company. But it’s clear that you do have to earn your stripes to join the club and this is something only gained through time and hard work.’
If you have your sights set on reaching the top, here are some tips from TheLadders to help you achieve your goal:
1. Dedication. Clarke and Leahy are prime examples of how dedication can get you up the business ladder. Job hopping from one position to the next for more money or a title does not always reflect favourably on the individual.
2. Network, network, network. Online and offline, a good network is invaluable.
3. A profile. PR yourself and your work. Win accolades for your business and demonstrate your worth. Sir Terry Leahy has shown his leadership success by quadrupling the size of Tesco since coming in to power, making it the most dominant supermarket in 75% of British postcode regions not to mention nearly £1 in every £7 spent in Britain is at a Tesco store.
4. Be brave! Senior executives who have made big career moves when they were young, have often managed to hang on and be part of a company’s big succession plan.
5. Ensure you have a good knowledge base from different businesses and industries.
6. Work across different industries, taking-on different positions to show you know how a business works from all aspects of the chain.
7. Having a broad range of skills. This means that you will be well equipped to handle most situations thrown at you.
8. Listen. To your teams, to your peers, to your predecessors. This is not a natural skill for an entrepreneur which is why the best ones work alongside a CEO.
9. Stick at it! 14, 21 or 36 – they are all big numbers but it’s important for any executive to stay in their role for more than 10 years to really move up and reap the benefits.
In a study last year, executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk found that the average term of a Board level executive in the UK is 21.7 years. After surveying its senior management members the site discovered that nearly all of its CEO level candidates had 21 years plus experience.
Derek Pilcher says ‘there is no exact time when any business person will reach board level, there are a variety of factors involved including experience, qualifications and the company. But it’s clear that you do have to earn your stripes to join the club and this is something only gained through time and hard work.’
If you have your sights set on reaching the top, here are some tips from TheLadders to help you achieve your goal:
1. Dedication. Clarke and Leahy are prime examples of how dedication can get you up the business ladder. Job hopping from one position to the next for more money or a title does not always reflect favourably on the individual.
2. Network, network, network. Online and offline, a good network is invaluable.
3. A profile. PR yourself and your work. Win accolades for your business and demonstrate your worth. Sir Terry Leahy has shown his leadership success by quadrupling the size of Tesco since coming in to power, making it the most dominant supermarket in 75% of British postcode regions not to mention nearly £1 in every £7 spent in Britain is at a Tesco store.
4. Be brave! Senior executives who have made big career moves when they were young, have often managed to hang on and be part of a company’s big succession plan.
5. Ensure you have a good knowledge base from different businesses and industries.
6. Work across different industries, taking-on different positions to show you know how a business works from all aspects of the chain.
7. Having a broad range of skills. This means that you will be well equipped to handle most situations thrown at you.
8. Listen. To your teams, to your peers, to your predecessors. This is not a natural skill for an entrepreneur which is why the best ones work alongside a CEO.
9. Stick at it! 14, 21 or 36 – they are all big numbers but it’s important for any executive to stay in their role for more than 10 years to really move up and reap the benefits.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
HAYFEVER SEASON CAUSES COSTS TO THE WORKPLACE
Sniffy noses, bloodshot eyes, itchy skin and sneezing are all clear signs that the hay fever season is in full swing, and with an estimated 21 million allergy sufferers in the UK the warm weather can wreak havoc on workplace productivity.
Sick days and lost productivity resulting from hay fever is estimated to cost UK businesses up to £7billion. Those who do manage to make it to work often find that their work quality suffers and they feel miserable stuffed up and congested as they struggle to get through the day.
Here are some top tips from executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk to ensure that the pollen doesn’t pollute your workplace.
Prevention is key - It’s important to get into a routine of monitoring pollen counts and keeping your home dust and pollen free - through frequent vacuuming and washing before bedtime to remove the pollen from the day and in the morning before you get dressed, you can reduce exposure to your allergens. This means a reduced frequency and intensity of hay fever symptoms and a better day at work.
At work, take a few minutes to wipe down the area around your desk and remove your coat to somewhere else in the office before you sit down. It may sound unnecessary but pollen gathers on clothes, hair and exposed areas of skin on your way to work and can then irritate you all day.
Be prepared – ensure you keep some hay fever medicine handy at work. Sometimes even popping out at lunchtime can expose you to a high level of pollen. Make sure you are stocked up on the decongestants, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs or other hay fever medication you require for your symptoms and keep a supply in your handbag or briefcase. Most importantly make sure you take non-drowsy medicine – you don’t want to be caught snoozing in an important business meeting.
Alternative work options – If hay fever symptoms keep you away from the office, don’t call in sick, ask to work from home. Employers may be sympathetic but if your boss doesn’t suffer, he or she won’t understand. Explaining your symptoms and offering to work from home will be appreciated by your boss and colleagues.
Hay Fever isn’t for life - But it will be around for most of the summer. If you are plagued by the symptoms each year and it does significantly affect your work and life, then plan ahead and consult a specialist so that this time next year you are working to your optimum best.
Sick days and lost productivity resulting from hay fever is estimated to cost UK businesses up to £7billion. Those who do manage to make it to work often find that their work quality suffers and they feel miserable stuffed up and congested as they struggle to get through the day.
Here are some top tips from executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk to ensure that the pollen doesn’t pollute your workplace.
Prevention is key - It’s important to get into a routine of monitoring pollen counts and keeping your home dust and pollen free - through frequent vacuuming and washing before bedtime to remove the pollen from the day and in the morning before you get dressed, you can reduce exposure to your allergens. This means a reduced frequency and intensity of hay fever symptoms and a better day at work.
At work, take a few minutes to wipe down the area around your desk and remove your coat to somewhere else in the office before you sit down. It may sound unnecessary but pollen gathers on clothes, hair and exposed areas of skin on your way to work and can then irritate you all day.
Be prepared – ensure you keep some hay fever medicine handy at work. Sometimes even popping out at lunchtime can expose you to a high level of pollen. Make sure you are stocked up on the decongestants, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs or other hay fever medication you require for your symptoms and keep a supply in your handbag or briefcase. Most importantly make sure you take non-drowsy medicine – you don’t want to be caught snoozing in an important business meeting.
Alternative work options – If hay fever symptoms keep you away from the office, don’t call in sick, ask to work from home. Employers may be sympathetic but if your boss doesn’t suffer, he or she won’t understand. Explaining your symptoms and offering to work from home will be appreciated by your boss and colleagues.
Hay Fever isn’t for life - But it will be around for most of the summer. If you are plagued by the symptoms each year and it does significantly affect your work and life, then plan ahead and consult a specialist so that this time next year you are working to your optimum best.
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