I think that it is fair to describe the economy as patchy right now. There are good months followed by difficult ones. Costs are rising and sales are not following them at the same rate. Businesses are under pressure to remain profitable. I spoke to the owner of a business who has been struggling with […]
As we enter FY26 in Australia, many organisations are focused on budgets, forecasts, tax returns and reporting. But there’s one area that often gets overlooked or given little consideration – staffing. July presents an opportune window to plan the year ahead and ask yourself: Do we have the right people in the right roles? What […]
In a world where industries shift overnight, AI transforms workflows, and the “new normal” changes by the quarter, one truth holds firm: the most successful people are those who stay hungry to learn, adapt, remain open to development. As a recruitment consultant, this mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the lifeblood of staying effective, competitive […]
We all have stress and pressure in our lives, both personal and work. It seems to be a common theme from both clients and candidates, commenting on how busy they are. And it doesn’t sound like things are slowing down any time soon, especially with Financial Year End just around the corner. Here are […]
In recruitment just about everyone (well not quite everyone but a large majority!!) I speak to talks about boosting their career – climbing that ladder, getting advancement upwards or looking for the promotion. It was not until I interviewed a lady this week who was extremely senior in her field mentioned to me “career progression […]
Queensland is in the middle of a major development surge, but not all sectors are growing at the same pace. Construction is running hot, with demand for vertical builds stronger than ever. Meanwhile, the civil infrastructure market is facing a noticeable dip in activity, and many businesses and professionals are feeling the slowdown. With government […]
2025 is nearly half-way through and due to the natural cycle of engagement surveys, performance frameworks/reviews, change and transition, it has been a busy period for us here at Optimum on the HR Consulting area of our business. Some trends are emerging, and we are in a bit of a push/pull situation. Some factors […]
Engineering talent is in high demand and increasingly hard to retain. Whether it’s a mining engineer working FIFO shifts or a mechanical engineer in a city-based consultancy, the reasons engineers leave their jobs tend to follow clear, recurring patterns. Working in Technical Services Recruitment, I’ve spoken to hundreds of engineers across many disciplines. Here’s what […]
Know your resume I’m always surprised (concerned!) when candidates can’t give precise answers to information on their resume. “When did you leave that role?” “Ummmm, I think March 2022?” Don’t answer a direct question with a question or a vague answer. Make sure you know your dates, can give a concise answer about why you […]
In every great team, there’s someone who quietly gets things done, someone who doesn’t ask for the spotlight but absolutely deserves it. For me, that person is Grace. Grace has worked with me—put up with me, really—for nearly six years. Over that time, we’ve built a working relationship grounded in mutual respect, shared humour, and […]
