Below are a few tips to keep that flexibility a reality and your new lifestyle on an even keel:

• Always meet deadlines
• Always be the one to answer the phone during work hours
• Reply to emails asap
• Treat your telecommuting job as if you were at the office
• Lay down the rules to your family and friends about your work hours

Stick to these simple rules as though gospel and your boss won’t have any regrets in letting you work from home and you can keep all the benefits working.

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Yvette Cooper seems to have dropped any softly-softly approach to reforming the British labour market and dropped a big one on the business community, not least the business secretary Lord Mandelson.

Combined with yesterday’s announcement of the 3 month paternity leave, the right for everyone to ‘ask’ for flexible working arrangements clearly defines a new approach to Britain’s labour market in favour of lifestyle/family versus money/working hours. HR departments around the country are staring teary-eyed at the mountain of paperwork that awaits.

Is this a reaction to cuddly Cameron’s ‘broken Britain’? Legislation that will allow Britain’s families to be families rather than chasing the mighty £ at the cost family time. Who cares? If Cooper pulls it off it will finally tip the scales in favour of families.

No longer will parents be the only ones that can claim flexible work – it’ll be a level playing field. If you don’t want flextime, as a non-parent, don’t have it. But it is there if you want it and that makes all the difference in the subtle hierarchies of the workplace. Before parents had something the others didn’t, now they can choose to use what everyone has the option to use. Big difference.

This is Cooper’s email, whether you’re a Brit or not send her a message of support. She’s going up against small-minded business and the Dark Lord himself, she’s going to need it.

BTW – this is the second day in a row I’ve big’d up a labour minister, it won’t become a habit, I promise.

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The recruitment process is all about finding the one perfect candidate among the basket full of candidates. The phone interview has become a popular, flexible, inexpensive and speedy way of finding that one person:

Preparing for a Phone Interview

Before you begin your phone interview make sure that you are confident in your understanding of the position you are applying for and the company you are applying with. Do extra homework on the company’s history and research recent company news. Preparation is the key and will make a great impression on your interviewers.

Prepare your Interview location. Make sure you’re in a comfortable place with no distractions. Keep your resume in clear view, have a pen and pad to take notes and a glass of water sitting close by. Minimize any outside distractions that could potentially take your mind off the interview (HOT TIP: Disable call waiting on your phone). Dress the part so you feel and sound professional. The more professional you feel the more professional you will come across on the telephone.

Most importantly – Practice Interviewing. Rehearse and Practice. There are many ways to help you prepare for the telephone interview. Have a friend/ family member conduct an interview. Ideally, rehearse with someone from the same industry. The best way to hear how you sound is to tape yourself. Remember the more preparation you put into the interview the better prepared you will be.

Preparation is the key! Write down answers to questions you believe are going to be asked. Have questions ready to go so when the interviewer says ‘Do you have any questions to ask us’ you’re ready and prepared.

What to do during the phone interview:

• Remember to Smile. Experts say that smiling puts you in a better state of mind and will project a positive image to the listener
• Speak in a steady voice. Don’t rush what you’re trying to say. Ensure that you sound enthusiastic and passionate
• Don’t forget to breathe. It will help you stay calm and sound more relaxed
• LISTEN – Answer the questions which are being asked. Do not make the mistake of telling the interviewer what you want to tell them. Give them the answers to their questions.
• Keep a glass of water handy – Nothing is worse than having a dry mouth
• Address the interviewer in the appropriate way. Do not shorten people’s name. They are your potential employer not your ‘mate’
• Take your time – Don’t rush the interview. This is your time to shine. If your feeling nervous take a moment or two to collect your thoughts
• Cheat Notes. Prepare beforehand with notes to help drive you through the interview. If the interview is going to be technical then have notes ready to prompt yourself if needed
• Don’t forget to ask questions

What NOT to do during the interview:

• Do not eat
• Do not chew gum
• Do not drink
• DO NOT SMOKE
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer
• Don’t answer with just a ‘yes’ and ‘no’ - elaborate your answers, provide examples if applicable
• Don’t be too Casual/informal
• Long winded answers to questions

Conclusion:

The only way to master a phone interview is to practice, be professional, and show your passion for the job role. Remember you have made the phone interview stage so don’t blow your interview by not being ready.

Good luck!

Gavin Davis is the owner of RedStarResume and one of the hiremyparents experts – hmp members can take advantage of his very special and very limited offer here

Telephone Interview Technique

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A survey of more than 2,700 hiring managers and human resources (HR) professionals has shown that flexible work arrangements is no.4 on their list of priorities in 2010.  As ever with one of these surveys you have to wonder how much of it is a nod to a company’s public relations but it does seem, from the list below, that business is getting a bit leaner and more focused post recession with a trimming of perks and a view to hiring freelancers.

The following is a list of the top methods that employers will use to preserve the health and growth of their businesses:

1. Replace Under-Performing Employees: Taking advantage of the large number of talented jobseekers currently looking for work, more than one-in-three (37 percent) employers plan to replace under-performing employees in 2010.

2. Use Social Media: Almost four-in-ten employers (37 percent) plan to emphasize social media in 2010, and one-in-five will add social media responsibilities to current employees.

3. Rehire Laid-off Workers: Among companies with lay-offs in 2009, almost one-third (32 percent) of those employers plan to bring back workers in 2010.

4. Provide Flexible Work Arrangements: More than one-in-three (35 percent) employers plan to provide more flexible work arrangements in 2010, including: alternate schedules (73 percent); telecommuting (41 percent); and compressed workweeks (32 percent).

5. Trim Perks and Benefits: Perks and benefits will be cut by 37 percent of employers in 2010, including: bonuses; medical coverage; and suspended 401k matching.

6. Rehire Retirees & Postpone Retirement: Over one-in-four employers (27 percent) will consider retaining workers approaching retirement in 2010, while nearly one-in-three (30 percent) have workers expressing interest in postponing retirement.

7. Hire Freelance & Contract Workers: Three-in-ten employers anticipate hiring freelancers or contractors in 2010.

8. Add Green Jobs: More than one-in-ten (11 percent) of employers plan to add “green jobs” in 2010 to improve conservation and sustainability.

9. Recruit Bilingual Workers: Nearly four-in-ten employers (39 percent) will hire bilingual candidates in 2010 and half will hire the bilingual candidate of two otherwise equally qualified candidates.

10. Reduce Business Travel: Over one-in-four employers (43 percent) plan to have less business travel in 2010 than in 2009.

 

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Image by Ed Yourdon via Flickr

So you’ve decided to make the giant leap and start a home business, slowly at first – for God’s sake don’t quit your job – and then work on the goal of making it a full time income replacer. Through various hmp members I’ve seen that choosing a business to start and doing the day-to-day is often the easy part. You may have the sweetest product in the world but if no-one knows about it you’re going to fail, period. With cash in short supply there are still some great methods of promoting a home business but they do need work and lots of it. Take a look at the options below and look out for my new course launching for free in the members area soon – a full idiots guide to building a website you have complete control over and how to drive targeted (very important) traffic to it.

The first thing that you will want to do when you are promoting your home business is to write up a plan, this is sometimes referred to as a marketing plan. In this plan you will want to outline everything you intend to do as far as promotion is concerned. By doing this before you even get started, you will ensure yourself of having a guide to help you through the different stages of marketing. Many people overlook this step because they think that they can simply promote as they go along. This is true, but by having a promotional plan in place you will be much more successful.

One of the best ways of promoting your home business is through the use of a website. By having a website, you will be able to promote your business to people from all over the world. There was a time when this option was not available, but those days have come and gone. If you want your home business to be successful, you will need to have a top notch website that you can rely on.

In addition to promoting your home business with a website, there are other ways that you can do this online as well. Placing ads in ezines has been proven as a successful promotion method. The main advantage of doing this is that you can reach a target audience that is interested in what you have to offer. This is much better than simply placing an ad in a publication that does not even correspond with your company. Of course the hot topic at the moment is social marketing with the likes of facebook or twitter, but so many people (99%+) just don’t get it. Again, look out for the free course in the members area soon.

Of course, promoting your home business can also be done in more traditional ways as well. Many people feel that direct mail is still a great way to promote their business. This can be done by obtaining a mailing list, and then sending out some materials that will intrigue people to contact you. Even though this method is a bit outdated, and can still be very successful if done correctly.

Promoting your home business is the only way that you are going to be able to grow. By starting out with a plan you will be able to ensure yourself of guidance along the way. Remember, there are hundreds of promotional tactics available. Find a couple that work for you and stick with them. You will be seeing results in no time at all!

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