Author name: Liesel

I’ve wondered about this question a lot these last couple of months. How do I, how do you, respond to criticism? It is important to note that I am referring to constructive criticism.  During the last year alone, I noticed many people can’t handle workplace criticism or conflicts with colleagues. Ok, let’s be honest for a second. It’s not easy, at first, to receive criticism. The trick is to respond to it maturely. I remember the first time I received a batch of good old critiques. I was in my 20s and just started my career. It took a lot to not run for the hills, lock myself up in the employee bathroom and have a good cry (believe me, I did that when I drove home). Yes, I took it personally, and I wanted nothing more to do with the Manager who critiqued me (if that was so easy to avoid!). When I was younger, I did not realise that constructive criticism could greatly benefit me, especially if the person critiquing you sees your potential and wishes to build you up and not tear you down. I thought I was beyond critique, did not deserve it, and could not possibly learn something from it. That is where I was wrong. We must learn to handle constructive criticism with maturity, professionalism and humility. We must understand that we can learn from it and use it to thrive and succeed. You might ask, “How do I respond without starting to get defensive or even angry?” Well, it’s very easy.   Bite your tongue. It’s only human to want and defend yourself. Don’t. Listen to what is said. Take notes to refer back to it when you feel calmer.   It’s not personal. It really isn’t. Remember. You are part of a team, and a good Manager wants what is best for the team and each team member. You might not be a good fit for the team if you respond negatively or throw a tantrum like a 5-year-old.   Ask questions. It might be that you didn’t even realise that you had a flaw, that you did something wrong or that you didn’t understand a task or project. Ask questions to ensure you understand and will not repeat the same mistake.   Be humble. It’s no time to come to your own defence. None of us are perfect. Not even you. Recognise your flaws and move on.   Action speaks louder than words. It isn’t enough to just acknowledge your weaknesses. It would help if you showed a willingness to learn and improve yourself.   Take the time to think about how you will handle criticism in future. Someone may even learn from you and how you responded. This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

A new year brings fresh challenges and opportunities. Like many around the world, you’ve likely set career goals and New Year’s resolutions. However, sticking to these resolutions can be difficult. Research shows that many people who feel dissatisfied in their jobs or want new experiences use the start of the year to make changes and focus on their professional aspirations.   Read more here: SA CV Writing is awarded as the most customer-focused CV Writing Agency 2024 – South Africa   Here are some tips to help you reduce stress and avoid disappointment when aiming to achieve your professional objectives: 1. Keep it simple. Setting overly high expectations can lead to self-criticism if you fall short. Aim for simpler goals to lessen feelings of guilt. 2. Don’t overthink it. Your goals can be anything from dedicating more time to a project to arriving at work earlier to complete your tasks. 3. Check in on yourself regularly. Whether weekly or monthly, reflect on your progress. Assess if your goals are realistic and what steps you’ve taken towards them. This reflection helps you stay motivated and focused.   Also read: 5 Tips to Showcase Your WOW Factor   4. Be open to adjusting your goals. Sometimes, it’s clear that certain goals aren’t achievable within your timeframe or current situation. It’s okay to change or lower your goals without feeling guilty. Many people abandon their resolutions early in the year because they set unrealistic expectations. 5. Enjoy the process. We often overlook the fun in the journey toward our goals. Embrace it as an adventure, and you might discover new skills along the way.   Wishing you a successful 2023!   #cvwritersinsouthafrica #professionalcvwriters #cvwritingservice #SA_CVWriting #careergoals #NewYearsResolutions  This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

doormat (dɔːʳmæt) One who submits meekly to domination or mistreatment by others.   We all know the term “to be a doormat”. But have you ever found yourself to be the office doormat? I started my career when I was very young and inexperienced. I didn’t know how to say no and set boundaries when it came to my colleagues. Often this resulted in me performing someone else’s duties over and above my own, working overtime without getting paid and getting saddled with tasks nobody else wanted to do. People saw my “niceness” as being week, and they took advantage of it. Now, after many years, I realise that I was treated as the office doormat.   What can you do if you fall under the “office doormat” category?   The trick is to learn to say “no” and set boundaries. Most people feel guilty in saying no and are scared they will offend someone or damage their reputation.  On the other hand, you might jeopardise your career and lose the respect you, as a valuable team member, deserve by always saying yes. Stop completing your team members’ work. Spending more time on a colleagues project than focusing and completing your own might be a clear neon sign that you fall under the office doormat category. Again, set boundaries and remember, it’s ok to say no. Are you trying to prove yourself by taking on tasks not assigned to you? Rarely you will get recognition for taking on other’s duties. Most likely, and almost always, someone else will get praised for the work you put so much effort and time into completing, and almost always, the person you assisted will not acknowledge you as a valuable contributor. Be polite. Saying no gracefully and with genuine empathy and kindness can be so empowering. You don’t have to be puffed up and bark a harsh NO to get your point across. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to help colleagues out now and then and always shut them down if they need some assistance. You will start to see which colleagues rely on your help and those just trying to get someone else to put in all the effort and time. Personally, I had to come to the point of realising that I had to respect myself and my time. At this stage in my career, my time is more important than it ever was.   This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

Today’s 50-somethings are like yesterday’s 30-somethings, those in their 50’s are in general young of heart, fit in body and even feeling that they can still conquer small kingdoms. But they are the ones you will typically find described in the self-help section of your local bookstore, your local mountain bike club, gym, yoga retreat and so on. What happens when you find them in their CV’s, those young 50-somethings. One part of their lives full of energy and passion, the other part hunting the job market of 2021? The ones that will usually judge them in their CV’s will be the 30-something Recruitment Agent and HR Recruitment Specialist looking to finalise the shortlist for the vacant position from amongst a hundred applications received for the job on offer. You may find the tips mentioned below helpful if you are one of the older cadres of job seekers. Suppose there is an age bias in a particular industry. In that case, you need to do your research to establish that clearly, to avoid repeated disappointments on your job search journey. If that is primarily where your skills sets are, the earlier the reality check dawns on you, the better it will position you to avoid the formal application process in those industries favouring out of the box thinking. Assuming the industry you apply to does not have an age bias and assuming your CV is top-notch, modern, catching the eye with a compelling covering letter, you crossed a significant milestone. Ensuring that your profile is visible on the most appropriate social media and other digital platforms where potential employers will be looking, is critical. Ensure you research the industry/sector for any signs of age bias and understand their recruitment methodologies. Search media to ensure your CV is modern, updated, eye-catching and posted on the right platforms, for those overworked scanning eyes compiling interview lists to discover you. When invited to the sifting interviews and if you feel worried that your age might come up, you could be in danger of carrying yourself too young or too old, especially if the “competition” are those young enough to be your son or daughter. Dig deep to find your passion and energy and do not focus on your age as a disadvantage. Instead, focus on the strengths you have to offer the employer. Focus on the fact that your experience and emotional maturity are unique skills-sets the employer in your chosen industry/sector will evaluate as critical additions to their people culture. You’ll probably be confronted with questions about seniority, salary and why you are available in the job market. Absolute honesty is paramount. If you had a relatively senior position with a high salary package, you would have to engage your mind about how flexible you are about working at lower seniority levels, perhaps more in a mentoring or consultancy capacity than the new boss. The challenge will be to convince the prospective employer that you can utilise your wide-ranging experience to their benefit. Seniority may not be number one on your wish list. Do a lot of introspection to understand yourself in terms of how flexible you are with those vital attributes of seniority and experience, which could work against you for a specific position. Suppose you happen to be one of the “older” job seekers actively engaging with a market where there is an apparent oversupply of applicants for one job advertised. In that case, you can only rely on those things you can influence in your active search. Remind yourself of Stephen R Covey’s “Circle of Concern/Circle of Influence” to become more self-aware in your actions to be proactive in your search, by working on those things you can change (as the examples mentioned above). Be aware of, but realise, that you should not spend energy on those things you have no influence over. For example, the company culture, the legislative issues around retirement age and so on. Don’t get demotivated entirely about the various “age-views” you will encounter on your search journey. Remind yourself that there are specific strengths that your generation can add to any workplace, being a Boomer in your 50’s or a Xer in your 40’s, you grew up in a certain period of specific change; different leaders influenced your thinking. Make a point of becoming aware of your younger counterparts and bosses’ styles and backgrounds and use your emotional intelligence to illustrate how you can strengthen these differences for the potential employer’s good. Remember, you are not too old to be hired.  You are fit as a fiddle in your workout gear, clear in your mind and moulded by various work accomplishments. Your passion for contributing and giving back to a new employer those skills and experiences you obtained over a productive and fulfilling career should be your key focus. Think again and put yourself out there. Daunting, yes. But achievable. Best of luck and use your accumulated wisdom, old friend! This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

Welcome to a new year with new challenges and probabilities. You have, like so many people globally, set some new year’s resolutions and goals for both your personal life and professional career. But, as you almost certainly know by now, it’s not always that easy to keep to those resolutions and goals. Statistics show that many people who are unhappy with their professional careers or those who are eager for taking up some new challenges, use the new year as an opportunity to make those changes. Here are a few pointers in how you can take the stress (and disappointment if not reached) out of trying to achieve those resolutions and goals: 1. Keep it simple We tend to set the bar very high and then when we don’t reach our goals, we chastise ourselves and feel very guilty for not keeping to that resolution or reaching that goal. Don’t. Keep it simple, so when you don’t reach them, you won’t feel so bad. 2. Don’t over think it Your goals can be anything from wanting to spend more time on a specific project to something like getting to work earlier to ensure you finish your daily tasks. 3. Do ‘self-check-ups’ on a weekly or monthly basis Now that you have set those goals, you need to keep yourself accountable for reaching it. Take a step back and see if those goals you’ve set are realistic, and if so, what you have done to date to reach them. This way you can track and motivate yourself in working a little bit harder in achieving them. 4. Are you flexible in changing that goal? Sometimes we set goals that, if we are completely honest with ourselves, are just not reachable in the set timeframe or at that stage in your career. Don’t feel guilty if you have to re-evaluate, adjust or change that goal completely. It’s reported that at the second week of February, more than 80% of people who set goals for themselves have given up in reaching them. It might be that they have set the bar too high and instead of re-evaluating, they feel ashamed and just throw in the towel. 5. Enjoy the journey! We tend to be too serious and don’t realise that we are allowed to enjoy the journey leading up to achieving that goal. See it as an exciting adventure, and without realising it, you might just pick up some new useful skills along the way! Happy New Year! This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

You worked for your current company for more than five years. You’ve been a loyal employee with a track record of putting in more hours than what is required. You met every target, all deadlines and even contributed to increasing overall company profit. But, you did not get that promotion… The first normal reaction that most of us will have is anger and frustration. I mean, you did not work yourself to pieces for nothing. Breath… 1. Don’t take it personally I know it’s easier said than done. Face it, we are just human and most of us will crucify ourselves. So many people let rejection define them for the rest of their professional careers. Don’t fall in that trap. 2. See this experience as a learning curve There is something to learn out of every situation. Ask yourself if you really wanted this specific job and if it isn’t time to explore other positions while focusing on different strong points that you might bring to the table. 3. Ask questions Try and find out why you weren’t a suitable candidate this time round. Maybe you didn’t have some of the points that was required for this particular position but you have other strong skills that can be best applied in other positions. And again, learn from and utilise this information to benefit yourself. 4. Cold feet? Don’t be afraid to apply for other positions. Be positive. Even if you get turned down again and again, see this journey as one step closer to successfully filling that dream position. Remember, rejection builds character, and it’s up to you on how you will react to it and what steps you have to take to ensure that you will get noticed in future. This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms. 

It’s a new year. You are recovering from a very busy holiday period and just can’t seem to even think about setting goals for the year that lay ahead. You are not necessarily unhappy with your current work situation, you just feel overwhelmed in trying to focus and set new goals for yourself. Don’t feel alone! Various professionals have admitted to not being able to set clear goals sometime in their life. According to research done by the University of Scranton, 92% of individuals never achieve their set career goals. The first thing you need to realise is that you absolutely have to identify your goals and devise a strategic plan in achieving them. Here are a few tips in getting started: Make time Go ahead, get yourself a cup of coffee and make time in creating that list. Evaluate those goals Set a time in which you would like to achieve your goals and clearly state when you have reached them. ALSO READ http://sacvwriting.co.za/discover-your-passion/ Make it visual Write your goals down and place it where you will be able to see it every day. Be committed Work diligently towards achieving your goals. Update your CV and LinkedIn Profile Regularly update your CV and LinkedIn profile to ensure you include your most recent achievements, completed courses as well as details regarding your most recent work experience. Are you flexible? Review and adjust your goals if necessary. Most likely your goals will change as you grow as an individual and progress in your career. Stay positive! It’s so easy to just give up when you don’t see results and achieve your goals within your set timeframe. If it is time to let go of certain goals because it is no longer achievable, unrealistic or doesn’t form part of your career plan anymore, then do it! Rather invest more time and focus on those goals that you feel still forms part of your vision. Finally, consider this process as a unique opportunity for personal growth and each situation as a step closer to achieving your goals! This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms.