Jobs & employment blogs

Rapid technological advances are a sign of the times, but they’ve left many employers scrambling to deliver IT and business transformation even faster than ever before. It’s therefore no wonder that IT contractors are now viewed by employers as an ideal flexible resource to help them deliver projects and add technical skills in areas where a team is falling short.   And it’s not a...

Research conducted by the company behind ChatGPT, Open AI, concluded that 80% of workers in the US could see at least 10% of their work automated in the near future. Similarly, a report published by Goldman Sachs in late March 2023 predicted that 300 million jobs worldwide will be affected by generative AI. The report also noted that, while some job losses would be inevitable, adopting AI...

The contemporary HR technology ecosystem is a hybrid of systems and software that supports the streamlining of talent acquisition and management, including payroll, employee communications and time/attendance monitoring. Less than a decade ago, these ecosystems would have consisted of distinctly HR-focused technologies, such as Applicant Tracking and Vendor Management Systems...

The world is going through a major shift, with people increasingly seeking purpose and meaning in their work. One trend that has emerged in recent years is the rise of the "tech for good" sector, which has attracted a diverse range of people, from seasoned professionals to recent graduates, who are passionate about using their skills to create positive change.  I recently spoke to...

  The journey to Net Zero will require sustained action to drive green growth. For organisations to achieve this, their workforce will need the right tools. The transition to a green economy – that focuses on social equity and reducing damage to the environment – has been accelerating in recent years stimulated by the drive to reach Net Zero by 2050. Innovation and technology...

To be at our best in terms of performance, life satisfaction, and ultimately our psychological health and wellbeing – we need to experience both a sense of purpose and pleasure. We feel a sense of purpose inside and outside of work, when we’re engaged in a task or activity that has real meaning for us, which fits with our values and identity, and is contributing to one of our bigger picture...

We’ve all had it, that awful sinking feeling you get when you’ve just realised you’ve made a mistake. Unfortunately, there is no avoiding it, we are all human, and mistakes are an inevitable part of our daily working lives. What really matters is how we take ownership for these mistakes, how we present a viable solution for them, and then bounce back. So, if you’ve recently made a mistake...

From succeeding in your current role to finding a new job, we always face challenges and obstacles in the world of work. Frustration, anxiety, and feelings of powerlessness can leave many other struggling to perform at our best. Today, I’m joined by Doug Strycharczyk and Dr Peter Clough, whose work in psychology led them to co-author the book ‘Developing Mental Toughness:...

When it comes to attracting and retaining top talent, it’s important that organisations are able to offer their employees more than just a competitive salary. Of course, remuneration is a significant factor in a candidate’s decision making, but it is no longer the sole (or, in some cases, even main) driver. Whether it be through their purpose or by ensuring that employees have the...

As leaders continually adapt to the ever-changing world of work, emotional intelligence has become an increasingly important trait to possess to effectively build trust and confidence with their teams. So today, we’re joined by Shannon Houde, Founder and Managing Director of Walk of Life Coaching, Certified Executive Coach, and Author of the book, Good Work. Shannon is here...

  An organisation’s commitment to sustainability has become hugely important in recent years – and its significance is only going to increase in the future with the realisation of the systemic challenges we face. Corporate commitments are growing across all sectors of society, with business leaders being in a strong position to drive higher ambition. Increasingly, companies that act are...

  I first left my homeland of England in search of personal and professional development in 1998 to venture to the other side of the world and settle in New Zealand. I spent the next 12 years working in New Zealand and Australia before being asked to depart the relatively familiar and comfortable antipodes to lead and grow the Hays business in Hong Kong. Adapting to a whole new...

  This July marks a significant moment not just in the Hays story, but my own story with Hays. As I step into my new role as Managing Director, Asia, I reflect on our new strapline and brand promise – Working for your tomorrow – and what it means for us as a business as we continue to lead the recruitment industry in Asia. Much has been said about the changes we’ve undergone in the...

The COVID-era cohort of school and university leavers are facing unique challenges entering the world of work. What role can employers play in helping the next generation take the first steps of their career journey? One of the lasting legacies of COVID-19 will be the unprecedented experience of young people who looked for, or started, their very first job during this pandemic. The...

  Are you considering a new job? If so, what are you hoping a new role with a different employer will offer you? A more attractive salary and benefits package? Improved career progression? Challenging and exciting work? Better work-life balance? These are all obvious and reasonable criteria of course – but have you considered the importance of working for an employer who places...

A key role for leaders is to engage and motivate their team – but how? And how can you do it when everything is so uncertain and different? To help us to find the answers, it’s useful to look at some of the main elements of engagement and motivation. There are numerous engagement theories and models our there – in fact, the ‘Engaging for Success’ report of 2009, estimated that...

Leadership and management takes place largely through face-to-face, in-person conversations – conversations about targets, priorities, context, solutions and achievements. Some of these conversations are formal, but many are informal, happening on more of an ad-hoc basis. As we move to virtual working we need to take a step back and think about these conversations. We need to work out how we...

How can you tackle the unique challenges that come with working in the comfort of your own home, whilst ensuring you’re as productive as possible?   I myself, am a seasoned remote worker, and tend to work from home on busy days like Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the present time, the challenge of ensuring high levels of productivity when working remotely is a very real one...

There are 300 million people using Skype each month. It’s no surprise then, that the video chat service has been deployed in the interview process. Using Skype allows employers to interview candidates from all over the world. These days, it is often the first step in an interview process, so it’s important it is a success. How to prepare for your Skype interview Skype interviews...

The recruitment landscape is ever shifting for most organisations around the world, and doubly so in the dynamic and often complex labour markets across Asia. While Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is gaining traction as a long-term solution to hiring challenges in the region, unlike more mature markets like the U.K., U.S. and Australia, much ambiguity remains around its actual value...