Finishing school or uni this month? This simple tool will get you the job on New Force.

When you consider what potential employers are looking for when hiring entry level and graduate staff via New Force profiles, there is one thing that stands out more than others. Video profiles. Why are video introductions are important? Video introductions complement your profile as they allow employers to see how you come across. Much of a job is having the personality and drive to do the job. If employers are looking to hire a number of summer or seasonal staff, viewing video profiles is a quick fire way of being able to cut down the shortlist. Not only does it let employers see a more three dimensional view of you, but allows shows that you have the initiative to do what it takes to stand out. At New Force we are disrupting the way graduates, students and entry level workers find jobs. Rather than apply on a job board you can find work or your first job by matching with employers via your profile. New Force

Looking for a Grad or Summer Job? Survive being Googled by potential employers.

Am I being Googled? Yes, you are. 

After you apply for a job, or create your New Force profile, it’s likely that you will be Googled. Short story is that employers and recruiters for government jobs, are increasingly turning to search engines to vet job applicants.

Our Tips

If you are a job seeker, before you create your New Force profile it’s a good idea to conduct your own search about you. Search your names in search engines and social networking sites, such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

It’s important to use common sense when it comes to using social media. Make sure the information you share or make public can’t be interpreted in an inappropriate or derogatory way.

The fact is, you are not going to be asked to defend your content, it is simply going to position you in the mind of your employer. This applies to the photos you have online, things you have written, things you have ‘liked’ and comments you have made.

Your New Force profile is a great way of giving employers all the information they need to know about you upfront. When you apply for a job on a job board, they simply see your CV and cover letter.

Your New Force profile allows you to upload a video introduction, write a bio, and take unlimited skills tests. Essentially employers want to know a) have you got the skills to do the job i.e. You can type fast, or you can use certain software, and b) do you have the personality or aptitude in order to do the job. Using the features of your New Force profile you can tick all these boxes without employers having to guess.

That being said it is still a good idea to monitor your online presence; whether you are looking for a student job, a government job or a role in private industry. Keep in mind what you are telling employers and whether it is line with your goals.

 At New Force we are disrupting the way graduates, students and entry level workers find jobs. Rather than apply on a job board you can find work or your first job by matching with employers via your profile.

www.newforce.co.nz

Job interviews aren’t the best way to hire, (and why hiring via New Force is better).

For years one of the last hurdles in assessing a job candidate was bringing that person in for a face to face interview. However according to Psychologist Ron Friedman, “interviews are a disastrous tool for gauging potential”.  In his book The Best Place To Work, Friedman is explains that over 80% of people lie in interviews. That means that if you are trying to gain meaningful insights about a candidate, the information is questionable at the very least. He explains even if the candidate was 100% honest, there are still issues with the interview process. Studies indicate the more attractive people are seen as smarter, and people with deeper voices are usually considered more trustworthy. None of these assumptions are necessarily accurate however they direct the course of an interview. Friedman explains “They affect the questions we ask during interviewers. And the way a question is phrased can make all the difference.” As an example if the interviewer perceives you to be extroverted, they might say, “tell me about your experience leading groups.” However, if they assume you are shy, they might say , “are you comfortable leading groups?” Both questions are primed to elicit different responses, even before the candidate has said a word.  Are you happy to take on a graduate who wants to take their first step into the workforce, but not sure whether they have the skill to do the job? Say Hello to New Force. You don’t need to look at CVs and guess who’s good and who isn’t. Match with candidates based on their actual skills and aptitude. Whether you’re looking for an account internship, looking at graduate programs, or looking to get your foot in the door with an entry level role; New Force is the place for you. Match with jobs in New Zealand based on your skills not just experience. Create a profile today on:   www.newforce.co.nz

Looking for internships, graduate jobs, and entry level positons? Take a risk.

At New Force we are about trying different things, going out of your comfort zone, and excelling.  With New Force, you don’t need to rely solely on your CV for employers to notice you on your job search, simply create a profile and match with jobs based on your skills and aptitude. The Oxford dictionary defines the word habit, as being a “settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up:” Habit fights risk. Habit is a tool humans use for survival; we stick to the things we know. By walking the well beaten path we minimise risk. Humans are wired to survive. However risk should not automatically be ? (It’s also something that a nun wears). Humans process and remember information; they make decisions tackle issues, and approach the unknown with negativity, yet the known with positively – often regardless if it beneficial or counterproductive to that person.  However as human beings we also have the well-developed psychological ability to realise that we are in fact bound by cognitive biases that don’t always achieve optimal results. This is what makes us intelligent beings, able to critically think, and understand the rudimentary flaws that prevent us from change and innovation. The people who are able to move from Point A: Habitual risk minimisation to Point B: Risk takers are in essence the leaders in society. These are people who on a range of scales have done things that no people have done before. This is all well and good for the people who lack the inhibitions to take unmeasured risks, but what does it mean to you right now, what does this mean when you are sitting at your desk drinking coffee looking at your computer tomorrow morning. It means do something different. Break the mould, do something that is completely out of your habit. At New Force we are disrupting the way graduates, students and entry level workers find jobs. Rather than apply on a job board you can find work or your first job by matching with employers via your profile.

www.newforce.co.nz 

Balancing your finances on a grad wage.

Unless you’re leaving uni with a Doctorate in Medicine or you’re lucky enough to have super wealthy folks, going into your first job as a student or graduate will mean that you are unlikely to have a huge disposable income. Many of us will feel fortunate enough to nab that grad role in the first place. But once you find it (hopefully on newforce.co.nz), it’s a good idea to go in knowing you’re balancing your money. Here’s some key tips: 1. Herne Bay is probably going to be off the cards for many off us for a little bit, but there are still loads of options. You may know people looking to flat where you are, in which case it’s a good idea to get a good number of people together to keep costs down. Otherwise, there are plenty of great websites such as http://www.trademe.co.nz/flatmates-wanted/auckland and NZ Flatmates. Also check out Facebook flatmate groups that are popping up all the time. It’s a great way to be across everything and places you may have never considered. 2. Your travel cost will vary depending on where you live and where you work. But there are heaps of options and it’s only getting better. If you live more than walking distance to work like most people one of the better options is now public transport, particularly in Auckland. With your AT Hop card https://at.govt.nz/register-for-at-hop/ you can hop straight onto any bus, train or ferry. The cool thing is they’ve also made the zoning cheaper than before, so if you go across the city it’ll probably cost you much less than you expect. Otherwise if you live and work  in Central Auckland or other main centres like Hamilton and Christchurch, cycling is a great option. New cycle ways are opening up all the time in Auckland and Christchurch and it’s becoming ever more popular. Check it out: https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/auckland-cycle-run-walkway-maps/  http://www.tfc.govt.nz/travel-by/bike/cycle-map/ 3.Saving. Yes it sucks, but the earlier you start this habit the better. At the very least you should look at the state of your Kiwisaver and the contributions you are making. You might not know this,  but you can change how much you are contributing each week, plus you can change the kind of investment fund your money goes into, i.e. Conservative low return vs. High Risk.  Get started early by making your student job work for you.  It’s a great idea to discuss your options with your Kiwisaver provider (usually the people you bank with). http://www.kiwisaver.govt.nz/

While you’re getting everything in order, make sure you’ve completed a  profile at www.newforce.co.nz to help in your job search.  It’s the best way to match with employers who are looking for students, graduates and career starters in government jobs, administration, call centre, IT and more.  

Plus, it’s free so no need to worry about your finances!

www.newforce.co.nz 

Graduate Jobs? Tips to stand out from the rest.

If you’re new to the workforce or a recent graduate, you have reason to celebrate. This group is experiencing a wave of the best job prospects in decades. Though the future is looking bright and jobs are booming, the question arises; how can you make the most of this sunny period and take advantage of these career opportunities? Here at New Force, we are the experts in the graduate employment sphere.  We hope the following tips will help you bring out the in your job search and applications. 1. New Force Profile New Force is a platform developed to work for entry level and graduate job seekers. Rather than be assessed simply based on your CV and experience, you can present employers a much more 3 dimensional view of yourself as a candidate. Your New Force profile allows you to fill out your details and bio, and upload a video introduction so employers can see you right away. Plus adding unlimited skills tests to your profile lets employers see that you can hit the ground running, and actually do the task at hand. 2. Social Media presence. There is a big difference between having social media profiles that simply exist and social media profiles that act as a promotional tool  to aid your job search. It is a ritual for many employers now to conduct an informal audit of a potential employee’s social media presence. A Google search, Facebook search, Twitter LinkedIn….. etc Be creative, brand yourself, and keep your personality consistent over all your social platforms. Giving the impression that you are one thing on your Twitter feed can send mixed signals if you are something completely different on your LinkedIn profile. Though they are completely different social networking tools that serve different purposes, it will act to serve your personal brand better if you can maintain a sense of connection between them all. 3. Don’t Hide This is something we don’t believe that entry level job seekers hear enough: Give potential employers as much opportunity to see you from as many angles as possible. If it’s your CV, add a photo, if it is your social media profiles let employers see information that portrays you in a positive light. We know that entering the job market after uni can be tough. Landing your first job is not just about the qualification or degree you have, it’s about your knowledge, skills and attitude you’ve developed.  Personality counts for a lot!

Match with employers who are looking for graduates and entry level workers. 
Register on www.newforce.co.nz

Do you have a broader degree but you don’t know what path to take?

Often when those of us who choose to continue tertiary study, many opt to take on degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts or communication studies. Though these programmes teach valuable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, research and effective communication, they often lead down a rather wide path in terms of career direction. Often many people finish their studies they have gained a new set of skills, however are unsure of where to apply them. Finishing a under graduate degree shouldn’t mean that you need to take on postgraduate studies to make use of it. Nor should it mean that you should be landed in a position where you scroll through every job ad on every job board, casting your net wide for any employer who may be interested. What you really need to be looking for are jobs that match the skills and knowledge you have picked up over your time studying. New Force matches you with the jobs that are suited to your personality and your skill set. When you create a profile on New Force you can take as many skills tests as you like, add them to your personal profile so employers are able to search for people like you based on their criteria. If you fit the brief, they can send you an expression of interest and you can choose to take up the offer or decline. By creating a platform where graduate and entry level job seekers can match with jobs, it removes the need to apply for hundreds of jobs on job boards, and hope that employers notice you out of a massive pool of CVs. If you’re interested to see which employers are currently looking for people with your skills, create a FREE profile today on www.newforce.co.nz. Who knows, you could find the job you’ve always been looking for.

What makes finding a job in 2016 different from finding one in 2006?

High School Musical was the best-selling album that year, Helen Clark was the Prime Minister, and to really put this into perspective; the iPhone didn’t even exist in 2006. (The first generation iPhone would go on to be released a year later in June 2007.) One of the biggest things that has changed in the last 10 years is the way people find jobs. Let’s look at 2016 versus 2006 with a focus on job seeking and recruitment.  Mobile It’s no exaggeration to say that the iPhone and Android have changed the world in a major way. Many of us couldn’t fathom the idea of going a day without our smart phone. Mobile has also completely revolutionised the way people are interacting with their job hunt. Statistics indicate that the majority of online content consumed by people is via mobile. For employer this has huge implications about advertising to their potential candidate pool. All businesses need to have an online mobile presence otherwise it is extremely limiting the way it can do business. Employers need  to be where their audience is and where they are consuming content. Those places are social websites, websites of interest and apps! Uberization The term uberization takes its name from the company Uber which has completely disrupted the global taxi industry by creating a business model allowing private drivers to be paid for providing what is essentially the same service as a taxi. Technology is replacing the ‘middle man’. With the advent of internet and smartphone apps, people and businesses now have the opportunity to instantly connect in way they never could before. An example of a business creating this kind of disruption in the employment sector is New Force. Rather than posting an ad on a job board or in paper you can now search a community of profiles then match with job seekers who fit your exact criteria. These include skills, and location then review their profiles and send an expression of interest. For job seekers in 2006 the job hunt might have involved trawling through hundreds of ads on a job board, or looking at Saturday employments ads in local papers. In 2016, all you need to do is enter your details such as skills and location into a database like newforce.co.nz, then be matched to specific jobs that are suitable for you. Social Networking In 2006 Facebook had 12 million users and looked like this. Today, Facebook has over 1.65 billion profiles of active monthly users who consume content via the website, communicate via messenger and upload and share images via subsidiary Instagram.That is a huge pool of people with endless granular targeting opportunites. For job advertising this means  you can specifically target potential candidates based on the industry they work in, their interest and hobbies, and their location.  Technology is replacing the ‘middle man’. Choice With the advent of technology solutions people now have the ability to more easily find work that matches their skills rather than simply their experience. Emerging players in the jobs sector such as New Force provide a platform for graduates and entry level job seekers to find and match with jobs via a profile that includes their skills and relevant details. Allowing employers and job seekers to match directly based on specified criteria removes the time needed to decipher whether the candidate had the skills and aptitude neccesary to do the job.  Show employers you have the skills to do the job –  Find out how; www.newforce.co.nz

Communication is crucial to any situation, no less for job seeking. But you might be doing it wrong.

"Take a step or two forward, lads. It will be easier that way." These were the last words said by Irish Nationalist Robert Erskine Childers. He was being executed by firing squad. Despite the grim nature of the situation it was a genius example of meaningful communication. What Childers displayed so brilliantly in his final moment is that effective communication is about being interested in others rather than just saying things that are interesting. This is a distinction people generally fail draw when they are trying to communicate. A good comparison is on the profiles of thousands of people using social networking sites. The internet is full of vacuous contributions of continuous nonsense.  People tweeting what they had for breakfast, or posting a video captioned “OMG look at this video of my 18 month old draw a circle”. This kind of communication is limiting. The only way you can respond is with a seemingly redundant “like” or perhaps a comment saying “that is so cute!”. Though it’s easy and you might get a moment of self-gratification following your circle drawing 18-month-old getting 3 likes, it doesn’t achieve much. This kind of communication can only elicit a limited response.  Real and effective communication is two-way. Now think about how this affects you as a job seeker. As someone with a goal you need to understand how what you are communicating is going to prompt the person looking at it to do something. As a job seeker the response you want to prompt from an employer is a positive one. You want an employer to position you in their mind as a potential employee. To do this you need to be effectively engaged with the job you are applying for. You need to be able to give potential employers the ability to see how you will add value to their business. The language you use on your New Force profile should reflect how you add value to the prospective employer’s business. Reflect on your skills tests and how you well you did, where are your strengths and where do you excel?   Then, apply this to your video intro and written bio. Consider how you are communicating this.  Rather than say something limiting such as  ‘I have 3 years accounting experience and am familiar with MYOB’ Consider saying it like this: “As someone who is proficient in Microsoft Excel and has experience using accounting software, I could add real value to your business” The main point is that if you want to be considered seriously you need to go beyond simply trying to be interesting, and actually communicate how your interest in the position relates to your skills and experience. To be an effective communicator you don’t need to write Shakespeare or have the superbly humorous vernacular of a 20th Century Irish Nationalist. We’re all guilty of taking the easy road and just stating what we know, the real value is creating a path for prospective employers to come back to you and stand out from the rest. To learn more or to get more tips and advice, check out www.newforce.co.nz/advice

New Force Quick tip: Social media and job hunting.

95% of graduate job seekers in New Zealand are on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram every single day. The advice we usually hear is make it private! Don’t let employers get a chance to see what you get up to outside of work. We’ve all been guilty of a few late nights sadly documented on our Facebook and Insta feeds. Our number one piece of advice is be smart. Social media is all about how you use it. You should share content that highlights your accomplishments and qualifications in a positive way. Highlight things such as travel, graduation, family, and achievements. If you choose to share content publicly on social media, make sure it’s working to your advantage. Facebook and other social media generally allow you to hide individual posts or photos, so anything that could potentially be viewed by an employer as unprofessional should be hidden. If you do want to keep your Facebook personal, then you can develop your New Force profile. New Force allows you to upload a picture, record a video introduction and write a bio so employers can see a 3-Dimensional view of you that they can’t through a CV or job board. For more tips and advice head to New Force.co.nz/advice – to find how we can help you find your first job. www.newforce.co.nz

Five benefits of hiring a graduate

 Whether you’re a small to medium sized business or a global conglomerate, graduates have many valuable qualities that can be beneficial to the success and bottom line of your business.

Here are 5 key reasons to take on a grad:

1. They are excited.

Leaving uni or high school, people are ready to take on their next challenge. For most that challenge is finding employment. Grads usually work their hardest to make a good impression and are keen to make it onto the first rung of the employment ladder.

2. They are open to different ways of working

Grads come into their first job without any preconceptions about entitlements, working hours, or attitudes to ways of working. Young workers will have a different perspective of the world to their older counterparts, often with a deeper perspective of cultural trends.

3. Grads are a blank canvas.

They offer a fresh perspective. Grads are primed to absorb all the information you teach them. This is their first experience they have in the professional world, you have the opportunity to train them and get them to fit into the business how best suits.

4. They are the iGeneration.

Today’s graduates have grown up not knowing what a world would be like without internet and communication driven by advanced technology. With a proficient knowledge of social media, this can be incredibly useful for your business and marketing.

5. Remuneration Cost

Often one of the appealing aspects of a job for grads is the value of experience they gain. This means they are often willing to work for a much lower salary than those who are further into their careers. This saving on staff salary could be financially beneficial to your business.

To match with the perfect graduate, search on New Force. New Force is a platform designed for you to search for the candidate who has the skills, personality and aptitude that is right for your business.

To get started, post your assignment to www.newforce.co.nz today and create a shortlist of candidates in minutes.

What employers are really looking for - And how they are finding it on New Force

Finding your first job can seem impossible: experience is almost always required, but to get experience, you need a job. That’s all set to change with the introduction of New Force. This platform rapidly qualifies grads with jobs that match them. As a result, the trusty old job board, with in all its endless scrolling glory is set to become a thing of the past. New Force, gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills, aptitude and abilities to potential employers – and enables those employers to quickly choose suitably skilled people like yourself to join their organisation. In your profile you can complete a set of online tests skills assessments and can even upload a video introduction. This information is used to match job seekers with employers looking for staff. The best part is; New Force is free for all candidates, you can start building a profile at anytime! www.newforce.co.nz

New Force June Employment Hacks

After years in recruitment, hiring across a range of exciting (and not so much) industries, including advertising, marketing, customer service, finance and engineering, the team at New Force has seen THOUSANDS of cover letters, CVs and job interviews. Whether you’re applying for your first job out of school or uni, or you’re ready to become the next Prime Minister with your own private crown limo, we hope you find the information below helpful!

The Secret to beating Procrastination

Right amount of time, physical space, equipment, optimal lighting and temperature....

Do you find yourself finding any excuse to stop you from doing the task in front of you?

Do you think you work best under pressure (or maybe that’s all you know?)

Are you taking care of everything else you’ve been putting off, so technically, (but ironically) productively procrastinating?

Video Interview Tips for Student and Graduates.

Your CV Video Introduction is one of the most crucial parts of your New Force profile. It allows your potential as the perfect candidate to come across,  beyond an A4 piece of paper.

1.       Position the Camera

If anything position the camera so it is looking down on you. Having the camera looking up is often unflattering and can be confronting.

2.    1.  Eye level contact

You want to be looking into the camera and making eye level contact. Imagine you are in a boardroom with an interviewer – this is the context that we want to be creating.

3.       Don’t read from a prewritten script

It’s the easy route, but unless you have a teleprompter, you’re going to look a bit stilted. Just think about the broad topics that you want to discuss and maybe have a friend hold up cue cards behind the camera.

∙         1. Who you are and your life stage

∙        2.  Skills

∙         3. Why this makes you suitable for the role

So for example ‘Hi I’m James, I’m 23 Years Old and I’ve recently graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology’

That gives a good introductory context as to where you are life. Next, Skills

‘I am fully proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel, and have a typing speed of over 60 words per minute’.

This is brief and to the point, however offers some rudimentary skills that employers are always looking for in entry level jobs. (Plus you can back this up by taking our skills tests, that show employers where you shine.)

‘I’m really keen to use my skills and take on my next challenge, I like to work hard to get a head and am willing to put in the hard yards to get there’.

This lets employers know that you are a driven and skilled person, that would be an asset to their organisation. Remember, employers will only hire someone if they can clearly trace how that person adds value to the business. To put it simply, how do you help your employer make money, or achieve similar goals?

3. Dress to the occasion.

You want to be presentable and seem like a fit in an employer’s organisation. Basically dress neatly, but don’t go over the top. You don’t expect to be wearing a tuxedo to your first job, however a T‐shirt and jeans is often not appropriate. The rule of thumb to go by is what would you wearing at a job interview face to face. Something you think is nice, yet appropriate for the workplace.

4.  Check out your background.

It is important that the location, setting or environment doesn’t detract from you or what you are saying. Look for a reserved, light and quiet space, such as an empty room or office. Make sure you face is well lit and there is nothing dramatic or out of the ordinary which may draw attention to it.  For example, it’s not great to film a video when you’ve got a huge moose head in the background.

5. Body language

Body language gives you a huge insight into what peoplle are thinking. According to a recent study by UCLA, only 7% of communication is based on that actual things we say, whereas 38% is made up of the tone of voice we use, and the remaining 55% comes from Body Language.  In your video intro avoid things like excessive nodding or sharp movement as this indicates anxiety. Be honest and chill. (https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty/page/mehrab)

The Force is strong in you, however to make this known to potential employers, check out our advice to make sure you match with the jobs you want! www.newforce.co.nz/advice

Why Attitude is Everything

Whether you’re applying to be the receptionist or the Managing Director, showing that you are excited about the role is important.

Why? 

A job interview is an opportunity to sell yourself, and people love passion.  “Faced with two candidates, if one is really excited about the role and the other has a bit of a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude, I know who I’d pick” says Total Event Solutions General Manager, Joanna Baker.  “Experience and skills are important, but there’s no substitute for genuine excitement about my company or the role.”

Imagine you’re in a restaurant and you ask the waitress about soup of the day.  If she says ‘yeah, it’s ok’, how inspired will you be to try it?  What if she said instead “The soup is fresh off the stove, I just tried some, it’s fantastic!”  You can bet she sells a lot more soup with her second answer.

No matter the job, hiring managers are looking for a positive attitude, an upbeat approach to work and enthusiasm.  Don’t be afraid to show that you’re excited about working for that company, or that you just love what you do.  

Have you created a New Force profile yet?

New Force helps job seekers taking their first steps into the job market, to showcase their personality and skills. Create a profile, upload a video and get matched with employers who are looking for what you offer.  www.newforce.co.nz

Tip of the Week: Be more than a just a name on a CV.

When a hiring manager is looking at a stack of resumes, what is it about you that stands out?

Video CV introductions are becoming a popular way for job seekers to showcase their personality and presentation skills in a way that is just impossible on a piece of paper. 

Making a quality resume video isn’t difficult, just keep it short and professional.  Check out the suggestions below and let your inner Director shine! 

Hello Dream Job, Hello New Force.

New Force allows job seekers to showcase the things that matter.  Skills, Aptitude and personality

Employers in a range of industries through-out New Zealand are looking for enthusiasm, professional presentation and a ‘can do attitude’ - none of which can be properly communicated on a piece of paper.   Rather than a few paragraphs of work history on a CV, we help job seeking grads and school leavers to sell themselves via a video profile and skills testing.

Automation and intelligence connects skills to employers

Finding your first job can seem impossible: experience is almost always required, but to get experience, you need a job. That’s all set to change with the introduction of an intelligent service which rapidly qualifies and matches job seeking candidates with companies seeking to employ people. As a result, the trusty old job board, with all its limitations, is set to become a thing of the past.