As I Please

This edition of The CareerCast with Steve Hart features an interview with Tom O’Neil of CV.co.nz. In short, Tom says your CV is your sales brochure. He provides some brilliant advice on what recruiters look for and we discuss the merits of putting your photo on your CV. Is it a good idea?

The New Zealand Retirement Commissioner has started a review of retirement income policy, its something the organization does every three years Peter Neilson, CEO, Financial Services Council, says the state pension, or NZ Super, is not enough for most retirees to live on. It currently pays out a maximum of $349 a week for a single person or $537 a week for a couple. If you are mortgage free when you retire at 65 this may just about cover food, utilities and rates. But if you are paying rent then life may not be so easy. A survey carried out by the Financial Services Council shows that only nine per cent of New Zealanders believe that NZ Super alone will be sufficient for them to live on when they reach the age of entitlement. The survey also says that even those in a Kiwisaver scheme will find it tough getting by. Neilson says people under 50 should be saving 10 per cent of their salary today and that those over 50 should be saving half of what they earn – if they are to have any hope of a financially comfortable retirement.

Jane Kennelly, director of Auckland's Frog Recruitment, tells Steve Hart how companies could take a more subtle approach to recruitment when trying to attract senior talent to their firm. She says people are ready and willing to be shoulder tapped, but are too busy to actively look for a job - so adverts aren't always the best solution to catch their attention. The little black book of the usual suspects is also out, as searches for top talent could end up pulling people in from anywhere on the planet as well as tapping new migrants. And for senior people with time on their hands, it's time to raise your profile and keep up memberships of professional industry organizations. Find out why by playing the podcast.

Janice Davies is a professional speaker and motivator. In recent years she has been working with large companies helping them to get the best from their staff by improving people’s self confidence, talking about workplace bullying and helping managers get the most from their teams. Today she is helping individuals – those with jobs as well as those looking for their next position – to help them seriously consider the next step in their career, boost their self esteem, adopt the best attitude, and help them decide the best career path for their skills and abilities.

Steve Hart interviews Paul Janssen of I-Placements about the construction skills gap that is holding back companies keen to take part in the rebuilding of Christchurch and other home-building projects across the rest of New Zealand. His firm has a database of thousands of pre-qualified workers ready to move to to New Zealand.