AMAZING OPP IN SURF INDUSTRY – WA STATE MANAGER

Posted on October 15th, 2009 in Advertorial, Job corner, News Stories, Top stories.

Iconic Brand
Successful Territory
$90K base plus car super and bonus

This brand is an icon in the surf industry marketplace. With a global operation and a strong heritage in Australia, the business is one of the key players in the sector. Maternity leave has led to an initial contract position to manage the entire Western Australian sales operations.

Managing four sales staff and admin, your role will involve driving optimal sales results across all categories including clothing and accessories. The business has one of the largest marketing and sales operations in the industry and as such your role will be to expand their share of wallet in the retail landscape.

This is an opportunity to join an icon in the industry with a territory that can achieve strong results. You will have the backing of a global operation with the autonomy to drive the business across the territory. A background in apparel and/or accessories sales, particularly in the surf industry will be highly regarded. Your initiative, drive and commercial focus will be critical in achieving strong sales results. You will have a passion for the industry and a desire to work with one of the strongest, most stable brands in the sector.

Please contact Nick Chandler at Chandler Macleod for more information.

Ref No. 178NC00087

Nick Chandler
(t) 0407 008 784
(e) nick.chandler@chandlermacleod.com

Junior Editor sought Tim Bonython Productions

Posted on August 17th, 2009 in Job corner, Top stories.

Tim Bonython Productions is looking for a semi – full time JUNIOR editor 10 am till 5 pm – Monday till Thursday.

The applicant would need to have FCP skills working on a MAC Pro.

Would be required to edit surfing segments for affiliated surfing web sites & have a good understanding & knowledge of surfing.

Has an understanding of editing stories related to surfing.

And would be interested in working on a definitive project called What Is Surfing (IMMERSION) &
Trigger Happy (story of surfing photographers & their profiles)

This would include the logging of interviews & stock surfing footage.

Would have some understanding of web site design – blogs – twitter/facebook – but this is not imperative.

Ideally the applicant would be living on the Northern Beaches – Avalon Beach is where we are based.

The wage is a junior wage but one that would be sufficient enough for you survive on.

Please send your resume ASAP to Tim Bonython or call him on 0412 5000 50.

tim@volatile.com.au

The right applicant if he or she is available would be able to start immediately.

Keeping the gold

Posted on April 16th, 2009 in Job corner.

Restructuring – how to keep the gold bullion and ditch the lead weights

The employment marketplace is contracting and surf industry employers have not been immune. In fact in many ways they have been most directly affected due to the global nature of the industry and the reliance on retail revenue streams (in addition to the knock-on effect felt by wholesalers when the retail sector slumps). Restructuring has become the latest buzz word to come to the fore, which often means that people will be retrenched from the business as organisations look to reduce their fixed costs appearing on the balance sheet.

But how do you know which people to retrench, and which to keep? In many sectors functional areas such as marketing, finance and HR have been the first to go. In the surf industry it has been production, design and support staff as well as finance that have felt the brunt of the change in economic landscape. In many cases there have been sweeping restructures that have cut out entire teams, and in this situation no-one survives the axe. However in other scenarios the business must make a choice – who should go and who should stay?

The easy answer in these times is that critical staff should stay and everyone else should be let go, but who is critical? Invariably it is those who have been able to demonstrate the consistent value they can add to the business. Take sales for example. The market has turned and many sales staff will be finding it difficult to meet their numbers. However if things are to improve there needs to be people on the ground to pick up every potential opportunity that comes up. Thus keeping people on, even if they are not meeting their numbers, may be appropriate if they are exhibiting the right behaviours for success through this market and, more importantly, when the market turns. Use this key checklist to work out if your staff are the shining lights or the lead weights:

• Are they highly motivated to achieve despite the current economic issues? They will need high levels of resilience and tenacity to survive in this climate.
• Do they exhibit the behaviours necessary to add significant value to the business? This will differ between functional areas, however behaviour is the driving force for high performance (more than ability or experience) and so should be reviewed by managers regularly.
• What have they done recently that is over and above what is asked of them in their job spec? High levels of initiative are present in all high performers.
• Can their output be measured? This does not have to be purely in revenue terms but could include a variety of ‘softer’ measures. For example their involvement in engaging stakeholders or driving process improvements across the business
• Are they adding overall value to the culture of the business; i.e. do they ‘fit in’? Culture is another key element in determining the value that someone can add to the organisation. Each business has its own specific culture. It is worth determining what your culture is and what the people who do well in your business ‘look’ like from a cultural perspective.

If you have an employee in your sights and they meet most of the above criteria then you should think twice before ‘restructuring’ their role. You might be losing one of your most valuable assets.

Nick Chandler is Partner at Luminary Search, Chandler Macleod’s Executive Search business. He has been providing recruitment and consulting services into the surf industry for over ten years.

Resume Health Check

Posted on April 10th, 2009 in Job corner.

So, you’ve been asked to step into the bosses office for a little chat? Likelihood is in this market that you might not have a job in the next 15 minutes (which can often be how short these conversations are). Regardless of the reasons or the validity of your employer’s argument, the result is the same. You’re going on a short holiday and then need to get yourself a new job.

The employment market has inverted over the past six months. Previously employees often called the shots, however now with the rapid increase in unemployment it is employers that have the upper hand. Recruitment agencies have more numbers on their books than they have in the past three years, so how do you stand out?

The first thing to do is to get yourself a decent resume. A resume is a marketing document designed purely to gain someone’s attention and let them know that you’re worth an interview. Once this is achieved it’s down to your personal style and fit with the organisation that may get you the role. If an employer is particularly savvy they may look at fit with behavioural competencies and other assessments of high performing characteristics. But before we get too ahead of ourselves let’s make sure you get through the door first.

Putting together a resume is not as easy as it seems. The following points are ones you can keep in mind to ensure you give people enough information to make you attractive as an employee, without giving them too much information to blow the whole thing:

1.

DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO. (capitals probably tell you this is a pet hate of mine). Unless someone specifically asks for one, there is no need. OK… if you can’t resist because you think you’re that good looking and believe most people are superficial who will hire on looks then go ahead. But make sure it’s not that one of you down the pub with a couple of mates, or of you surfing, or in a bikini (doesn’t matter which gender you are). The fact is that it shouldn’t matter what you look like – you’re going for a job, not an audition. It’s all about the value you can add to the business. A photo just adds another possible element that they could use to exclude you. What if you’re better looking than your new boss?
2.

Include some detail about your interests. But not too much detail. Given that you’re going for a job in the surf industry it’s good to tell them that you’re into surfing. But don’t overdo it. Statements like ‘surfing – especially when it’s 10 foot and slabbing bra’ do not help your cause. Neither does telling people you’re into origami unless you’re going for a job with Kikki K. Keep it relatively simple.
3.

Keep the overall structure simple. People often look for the ‘next best thing’ in formatting a CV. Don’t do it. A resume should state who you are (‘Personal Details’ – name, address, interests), the education you achieved (‘Qualifications’ – 1st in spelling at Harbord Primary is probably not relevant) and where you worked in reverse chronological order (‘Career History’). Under this heading you should then provide a brief synopsis of the business – even if you think people should know who the company or brand is. Then split your role accountabilities into “Responsibilities’, the basic accountabilities in your job spec, and ‘Achievements’, what you achieved over and above others who may have had the same job as yours. This outlines the individual value that you can add to an employer and will separate you from average performers.
4.

Do not use Comic Sans as a font. I can’t believe I have to say this, but using a font that makes it look like your kid sister in fourth grade did your CV is a career limiting move. This also goes for Broadway, Magneto and Wingdangs. Try something simple like Arial, Gill Sans or Times New Roman. Remember, it is your experience that should speak for itself.
5.

Include a cover letter. But make sure it is at least partly tailored to the role you are sending it in for. Addressing it to “dear Mike” at Rip Curl when it should be “dear Wendy” at Oakley is not going to go down well. Apart from slandering Wendy’s entire gender by addressing her as a bloke, you also tell her who else you’re talking to. Not a good move. Read the ad you’re responding to and include references to the key areas outlined in the ad and how your experience reflects skill in those areas.
6.

Make contact. This is not a piece of resume advice per se, but relates to it. Never send out a resume without attempting to call the contact named in the ad. If the ad doesn’t name someone then fair enough, but it could be worth a few calls to see if you can identify the key person responsible for the role. A personal connection can always help you stand out. It’s surprising how many people don’t do it.
7.

Demonstrate results. In the achievements section of your CV, make sure you are able to indicate some sort of measurement of the initiatives you were involved in, and your personal involvement in those initiatives. Raw data and numbers speak louder than broad fluffy statements.
8.

Keep it simple. A resume should not be your own personal version of War & Peace. Keep things to around four pages maximum. In the same vein it should be longer than a page – fitting it all on an A4 sheet makes it easy to lose and looks like you’ve got so little experience you should only be going for jobs as the lollypop man at the local kindy.
9.

Friendly but formal. Salutations like “Hey mate” or “g’day fella” should be reserved for when you’ve actually got the job. Your correspondence doesn’t have to be all “Dear Mr Warbick” but should at least maintain a modicum of respect until the employer has invited a less formal method of communication.
10.

Use Spellcheck. Seems obvious I know but you’d be surprised how many people just click send without adhering to the basics. Spellcheck doesn’t get everything though so if you’re in doubt have that mate who won 1st place in spelling at Harbord Primary have a look at it for you. He might be able to pick up a few other grammar issues that you missed. In this climate people can use all sorts of measures to cut down the shortlist. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered.

Once you’ve got all these sorted get out there and apply away! You’ll be in a much better position to get an interview and hopefully secure that cushy industry job.

Nick Chandler is Partner at Luminary Search, Chandler Macleod’s Executive Search business. He has been providing recruitment and consulting services into the surf industry for over ten years.

10 Point Resume Health Check

Posted on April 9th, 2009 in Job corner.

So, you’ve been asked to step into the bosses office for a little chat? Likelihood is in this market that you might not have a job in the next 15 minutes (which can often be how short these conversations are). Regardless of the reasons or the validity of your employer’s argument, the result is the same. You’re going on a short holiday and then need to get yourself a new job.

The employment market has inverted over the past six months. Previously employees often called the shots, however now with the rapid increase in unemployment it is employers that have the upper hand. Recruitment agencies have more numbers on their books than they have in the past three years, so how do you stand out?

The first thing to do is to get yourself a decent resume. A resume is a marketing document designed purely to gain someone’s attention and let them know that you’re worth an interview. Once this is achieved it’s down to your personal style and fit with the organisation that may get you the role. If an employer is particularly savvy they may look at fit with behavioural competencies and other assessments of high performing characteristics. But before we get too ahead of ourselves let’s make sure you get through the door first.

Putting together a resume is not as easy as it seems. The following points are ones you can keep in mind to ensure you give people enough information to make you attractive as an employee, without giving them too much information to blow the whole thing:

1. DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO. (capitals probably tell you this is a pet hate of mine). Unless someone specifically asks for one, there is no need. OK… if you can’t resist because you think you’re that good looking and believe most people are superficial who will hire on looks then go ahead. But make sure it’s not that one of you down the pub with a couple of mates, or of you surfing, or in a bikini (doesn’t matter which gender you are). The fact is that it shouldn’t matter what you look like – you’re going for a job, not an audition. It’s all about the value you can add to the business. A photo just adds another possible element that they could use to exclude you. What if you’re better looking than your new boss?

2. Include some detail about your interests. But not too much detail. Given that you’re going for a job in the surf industry it’s good to tell them that you’re into surfing. But don’t overdo it. Statements like ‘surfing – especially when it’s 10 foot and slabbing bra’ do not help your cause. Neither does telling people you’re into origami unless you’re going for a job with Kikki K. Keep it relatively simple.

3. Keep the overall structure simple. People often look for the ‘next best thing’ in formatting a CV. Don’t do it. A resume should state who you are (‘Personal Details’ – name, address, interests), the education you achieved (‘Qualifications’ – 1st in spelling at Harbord Primary is probably not relevant) and where you worked in reverse chronological order (‘Career History’). Under this heading you should then provide a brief synopsis of the business – even if you think people should know who the company or brand is. Then split your role accountabilities into “Responsibilities’, the basic accountabilities in your job spec, and ‘Achievements’, what you achieved over and above others who may have had the same job as yours. This outlines the individual value that you can add to an employer and will separate you from average performers.

4. Do not use Comic Sans as a font. I can’t believe I have to say this, but using a font that makes it look like your kid sister in fourth grade did your CV is a career limiting move. This also goes for Broadway, Magneto and Wingdangs. Try something simple like Arial, Gill Sans or Times New Roman. Remember, it is your experience that should speak for itself.

5. Include a cover letter. But make sure it is at least partly tailored to the role you are sending it in for. Addressing it to “dear Mike” at Rip Curl when it should be “dear Wendy” at Oakley is not going to go down well. Apart from slandering Wendy’s entire gender by addressing her as a bloke, you also tell her who else you’re talking to. Not a good move. Read the ad you’re responding to and include references to the key areas outlined in the ad and how your experience reflects skill in those areas.

6. Make contact. This is not a piece of resume advice per se, but relates to it. Never send out a resume without attempting to call the contact named in the ad. If the ad doesn’t name someone then fair enough, but it could be worth a few calls to see if you can identify the key person responsible for the role. A personal connection can always help you stand out. It’s surprising how many people don’t do it.

7. Demonstrate results. In the achievements section of your CV, make sure you are able to indicate some sort of measurement of the initiatives you were involved in, and your personal involvement in those initiatives. Raw data and numbers speak louder than broad fluffy statements.

8. Keep it simple. A resume should not be your own personal version of War & Peace. Keep things to around four pages maximum. In the same vein it should be longer than a page – fitting it all on an A4 sheet makes it easy to lose and looks like you’ve got so little experience you should only be going for jobs as the lollypop man at the local kindy.

9. Friendly but formal. Salutations like “Hey mate” or “g’day fella” should be reserved for when you’ve actually got the job. Your correspondence doesn’t have to be all “Dear Mr Warbick” but should at least maintain a modicum of respect until the employer has invited a less formal method of communication.

10. Use Spellcheck. Seems obvious I know but you’d be surprised how many people just click send without adhering to the basics. Spellcheck doesn’t get everything though so if you’re in doubt have that mate who won 1^st place in spelling at Harbord Primary have a look at it for you. He might be able to pick up a few other grammar issues that you missed. In this climate people can use all sorts of measures to cut down the shortlist. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered.

Once you’ve got all these sorted get out there and apply away! You’ll be in a much better position to get an interview and hopefully secure that cushy industry job.

Nick Chandler is Partner at Luminary Search, Chandler Macleod’s Executive Search business. He has been providing recruitment and consulting services into the surf industry for over ten years.