More "Ask Kate Column" Articles


Job interviews: what happens if…

You've been planning for this interview for weeks but what should you do if you end up sick on the day? Here are some expert tips.

Getting back into the workforce:…

Getting back to work after having a baby can be tough but don't give up. An Ask Kate reader shares her success story.

Online career magazine: helping…

Introducing our new online career magazine with news, advice and job profiles to help you get ahead.

Workplace etiquette: can you…

Honesty and open communciation is important when you leave a job, no matter how early. A reader shares her experience of leaving a new job four months in.

Government jobs: are they already…

Just how difficult is it to get a government job? An insider tells us about their experience.

Workplace: MAWs more loyal

MAWs make stand out employees. Tell us something we don't already know.

Job hunting: Disabilities

What help is available for people with ability and a disability?

Including good performance…

Good performance reviews could serve as "achievements" on your resume

Career ideas: Financial planning

Financial Services Careers Week is a great time to explore this career option

Relocation and resumes

RJ writes: "I am a recent graduate that is looking to relocate interstate. I was wondering what is the best way to word this in a cover letter?"

Employment outlook: IT candidates

A new report shows who is hot in the IT sector

Candidates should be paid for…

Here is a new idea - paying candidates for their time

Employment outlook: IT grads

A new report shows employers want IT grads to have work experience - any kind.

Preparing for a group interview

I've received a few emails from candidates about "group interviews". Chelsea, 18, asked if a tank top and cargo pants were suitable interview gear while Robert wanted information about the process.

Post pay rise time blues

We have now past that time in July when we find out about pay rises. How did you go?

Workplace: Use of blue language

Managers set the tone at work but what if that tone is turning the air blue?

Referees - dish the dirt

I get many emails from people wondering if a former boss is sticking the knife in when a reference checker gives him or her a call.

Pay reviews coming up

I've read the signs and so should you to manage expectations around pay rises this year.

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. One writes: "My boss calls me at home at all hours...

Soap opera

Ray works in a retail store with a team of colleagues. One has recently broken up with her boyfriend. Each day she is subjecting Ray and everyone else to a run-down of all her thoughts and...

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. owever, by keeping the...

Pay reviews, to stay or go

Last week I wrote about the need to make a "business" case if you want to get a pay rise this year. If you need help, use the step-by-step How to pitch for a pay rise article in the Job Hunting...

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...

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 donts. This week I will focus on finding the right

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. Most...

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." It got me thinking. What...

Spellcheck is not enough...

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

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. I like to share these tales of woe...

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". Job ads should provide key information that candidates

Social networking and employment

I've been asked if employers and recruiters really search social networking websites when screening job candidates. Yes indeed. I cannot say how many or exactly how common the practice is in...