Rebecca Tee 2009 Blog - This is the Rebecca Tee 2009 site

February 2010

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 -1:00:00 GMT

"Knockout Job Interview Presentations" is all about how to cope with doing a presentation when you go for a job interview.

It is increasingly common to be asked to deliver a presentation as part of the selection process, even if that skill is not one that will be used much in the actual job. You are sometimes given the topic in advance or else told you will get the topic on the day with up to an hour to prepare your material.

Employers want to assess your ability to plan, think on your feet and be impressive in front of a group. They often use presentations to cover a subject that would otherwise need to brought up at the interview, such as: “Tell us about the contribution that you could make to this organisation” or “Outline your strategy for this department.” In this way they can get you to answer one big area of interest to them, leaving the questions in the interview afterwards for other topics.

My book is the only one on this subject and it will tell you everything you need to know about how to deliver a presentation in your interview with confidence.

January 2010

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 -1:00:00 GMT

As the effects of the recession start to take hold, finding yourself out of work can become a reality. Redundancy in a family can have a big effect on everyone and the aftershocks can last a long time. However, as my book points out, it need not be a career disaster.

If you do find yourself out of work you will need to take time to come to terms with what has happened before rushing into the next step. Often it can provide a rare chance to take stock and weigh up what options are ahead of you. Losing your job can even be helpful if you wanted a change anyway or if you were in a declining industry. It may provide the boost you need to make a career shift to a more productive area or to find a more fulfilling future.

During December 2009 when the book was published, I had many requests for interviews with various newpapers and other media including careers websites and radio stations around the country.

November 2009

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

This month's exciting news is the launch of my new book 'The Redundancy Survival Guide' published by Kogan Page.

This book was co-written with Barry Cushway, a very experienced human resources expert and writer. It covers how to negotiate your way through a redundancy and how to cope with all it entails. All the legal and technical details of being made redundant are detailed and explained.

Even if you can see it coming, having your employment taken away can be a real shock and difficult to get over. Moving forward to survive losing a job and finding yourself a new career option or direction, is a big part of the book and will enable you to start to plan your next steps.

This book will prove to be invaluable if you find yourself about to go through redundancy or if you know someone who is. It can turn a lonely event into a positive experience. It encourages positive thinking, helps you to keep a sense of perspective and provides all you need to forge yourself a brighter future.

I am now engaged in publicising this book so look out for me in print or in the media.

October 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

The new fifth editions of my books 'Preparing the Perfect CV' and 'Preparing the Perfect Job Application' have now been published.

They both contain lots of new material and have been brought right up-to-date. There are extra case studies and examples in each one and they include more tips and hints to get your written job applications as good as they can get.

These books cover two aspects of applying for jobs that are really important to get right. A first class CV is vital as a tool for impressing potential employers and getting it to the best level you can, can be a real confidence booster.

It is easy to forget what a high standard of written application is needed now, especially if you have not applied for a job in a long time. The application form book takes you through each stage of preparing your written evidence to create the impression that you are a candidate who must be interviewed for the job.

Don’t apply for any job without having a look at these books first just to make sure you give yourself the best chance possible.

September 2009

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

I have just returned from a holiday to find that the new fifth edition of my book 'Successful Interview Skills' has been published.

Since 1992 when I first wrote this book, it has been continually brought up-to-date through new editions. Regularly refreshing the book in this way keeps it relevant and current as each new edition contains at least 10% new material.

This latest edition contains more on having to do a presentation as part of your interview and updated internet resources. Another new aspect is an increase in the examples of interview questions. The book previously had 30 questions that are asked at interview. This edition contains an extra twenty new questions in addition. That means there are now 50 sample questions together with suggested answers. You will have even more chance of finding every possible question that may be asked of you at your next interview in the book now.

Do let me know if it helps you to get the job you want.

June 2009

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

I have just finished writing a new book that will be published at the end of the year. It is on an aspect of presentation skills. Many work roles involve standing up in front of a group and making a presentation. Speaking in public is always stressful and some people find it too daunting a prospect altogether. We worry that we will fluff our lines, look all wrong or make some terrible mistake.

Nerves affect all of us. Even the most confident people get jittery before they perform in front of others. I would argue that a certain feeling of being 'on edge' is necessary in order to stand up and start speaking. The secret is to use the nervous energy to propel you on rather than let it trip you up. If you can let what you are saying take priority, you will be able to carry on, forget your own feelings of self-consciousness and deliver your message.

May 2009

Thu, 14 May 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

As the economic downturn continues many more people are at risk of losing their jobs but this need not be a calamity.

The finance, retail and manufacturing sectors are all suffering job losses. You may have heard talk of a lack of new orders, a shrinking customer base and disappointing sales, but even if you knew times were hard, it can still come as a great shock when you are told your contract has been terminated. However, if you can deal with the upheaval of losing your job and the uncertainty of the immediate period, you could well end up being the one to gain.

A different set of choices will emerge, one with new options to consider and increased potential. Redundancy can prompt you to evaluate your position and may lead to you taking a different career path. This could transform your life. I have just started writing a book about dealing with redundancy, which will include facing and shaping the way ahead to make the most of your the new future awaiting you.

April News

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who contacted me to give me your views on this new website. I was especially grateful to be informed about some errors that I had missed. The compliments were welcome too! If you have ideas for topics that you would like to see please let me know.

You will see in my Guest Book, the first contact from a reader in India this month. My publisher tells me that I have many readers in Asia, so do contact me wherever in this world you are reading this. Let's see how many different places we can get represented on the site. I heard this month that a consignment of my books have just been sold over in China – a country I have visited twice and love. I look forward to hearing from job seekers over there soon too.

I spent last month in a flurry of writing and the new editions of Successful Interview Skills, Preparing the Perfect CV, and Preparing the Perfect Job Application have now been completed and are with Kogan Page, the publisher. These new fifth editions will appear around the end of 2009.

So now I have moved on to my next task, which is to write not one, but TWO new titles, which is very exciting. It is too early to reveal exactly what they are about as I don't want anyone else to write similar books, but they are both for job seekers. One is being co-written with another of Kogan Page’s authors - the first time I have collaborated in this way on a writing project. More news will follow.

Rebecca Tee - March 2009 blog

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 -1:00:00 GMT

2009 is proving to be very busy. First my website designers contacted me to help me refresh the website. That has been stimulating, thinking about what should be included and getting new photos taken. Do leave me a message in the Guestbook to tell me what you think of the changes. I am always interested to hear your suggestions for other things you would like to find here.

I have a large community of readers around the world and the new website design allows you to interact with me and each other for the first time. The Q and A section is a way of sharing the contacts I have with you, instead of replying privately to queries. The blog can keep you up to date with my writing news.

In this economic downturn, more people than ever need help with applying for jobs and going for interviews, so I am currently half-way through new fifth editions of my books on CVs, interviews and application forms. They will be published at the end of this year.

I am also starting work on two brand new books. More news on them next time.