The Other Side

Give It To Me Straight - Episode 9

Receiving feedback can be a scary thing, and the same can often be said for giving feedback to others.  And when personal relationships, hard work, and / or a lot of time and effort are involved, things can often feel more challenging. But rest easy folks, mastering the art of feedback doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, at Maxme, we’ve come to LOVE feedback. It helps us learn from past approaches, grow and improve our offering, heighten our self awareness, and much more. Without it, we really couldn’t move forward. When you think of feedback as a critical tool for development, growth and lifelong learning, it’s a concept we believe everyone can come to embrace, get comfortable with, and encourage! But where to start with feedback, especially in the context of work and career success? Get ready to read, listen and learn! On our mission to support as many individuals as possible to thrive in work and life, we’re spreading the magic of human skills as widely as possible - through immersive apps, coaching, experiences and partnerships, but also through rich conversations. The Other Side is a mini podcast series by Maxme [https://www.maxme.com.au/]where our Founder Renata (Ren) Sguario [https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-sguario-b91b661/] chats with recent graduate James (Jimmy) Oana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oana/] on the experience of making the leap from Uni to work, and thriving on the other side.  Over 9 episodes (including a bonus intro chat [https://open.spotify.com/episode/17mKCwWxfSDBB7xG3EOfQd?si=df57bd593c9349c9]), Ren and Jimmy cover Gen Z career building essentials like what makes a great CV, acing a job interview, seeking and giving feedback, the importance of self awareness, networking, body language and more.  In Episode 9 of The Other Side, Give It to Me Straight, Ren and Jimmy explore the importance of asking for feedback, and the art of both giving and receiving feedback effectively. They review some of James’s past experiences with feedback, alongside Renata’s experience of giving/receiving feedback within the workplace. To close, Ren and Jimmy explore the value of a mentor, and how to seek out the right one for you.  In under 30 minutes, you’ll cover critical tips, insights and tactics for giving and receiving feedback at work: * The importances of asking for feedback and how to do it * Giving feedback - order your thoughts with consideration: start with the things that went well before moving to negatives * Feedback is a gift when given from the heart, with the best constructive interests in mind * How to receive feedback, especially when it’s negative: how to turn negatives into positives, and build from it * Jimmy’s personal experiences with feedback: what to do when you’re unsure if your thoughts / feedback is valuable  * Can you give feedback to others more senior to you? Ren’s advice on building confidence in the workplace and within yourself  * Ren’s tips for making feedback purposeful - a great reflection of your personal brand  * What to do with conflicting feedback * Feedback and the importance of being yourself - do what you think is true to you and represents you the best, then ask for feedback on your approach (baring in mind your interests won’t be right for everyone)  * Asking the right person for feedback, and how to identify the right person  * 360 degree, diverse feedback (not just your friends or people who like you or have similar interests to you) * How to find a mentor and are they worth it?  * Yes mentors are worth it! Ren’s tips - look for someone who has the time, and approach the relationship with a win-win in mind * In considering a mentor that’s right for you, think about what can you bring to the table - offer your prospective mentor something new(even as simple as a different way of thinking, or a different, generational perspective).

Networking - Episode 8

Is there value in networking for recent graduates, new or recent members of the workforce, or is something only senior professionals need to think about? Networking doesn’t have to mean making smalltalk over drinks or coffee at industry events or conferences, networking can be as simply as leveraging the full extent of your existing family, friends and former colleagues! In fact, if you’re not willing to use the power of your personal circle, professional or personal, you could be missing a great opportunity to get ahead. In many ways, your network is your ‘net worth’ - an asset in your career arsenal that needs to be considered, cultivated and nurtured. Afterall, your network is also a reflection of you and your personal brand - a striking reflection of the company you keep, and the calibre of your relationships. So where to start with networking? Get ready to read, listen and learn! On our mission to support as many individuals as possible to thrive in work and life, we’re spreading the magic of human skills as widely as possible - through immersive apps, coaching, experiences and partnerships, but also through rich conversations. The Other Side is a mini podcast series by Maxme [https://www.maxme.com.au/] where our Founder Renata (Ren) Sguario [https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-sguario-b91b661/] chats with recent graduate James (Jimmy) Oana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oana/] on the experience of making the leap from Uni to work, and thriving on the other side.  Over 9 episodes (including a bonus intro chat [https://open.spotify.com/episode/17mKCwWxfSDBB7xG3EOfQd?si=df57bd593c9349c9]), Ren and Jimmy cover Gen Z career building essentials like what makes a great CV, acing a job interview, seeking and giving feedback, the importance of self awareness, networking, body language and more.  In Episode 8 of The Other Side, The Social Network, Ren and Jimmy unpack common myths around networking, share their personal networking experiences, and welcome special guest (senior corporate leader and networking extraordinaire) Karla to share her insights, tips and tricks on how to network for career success.   In under 30 minutes, you’ll cover the ‘networking for career success’ essentials: * What networking means, and how to leverage it as a quick-win opportunity to ‘get ahead’  * Ren’s definition of networking and communication - being able to carry yourself in a conversation * Communication is key to networking and success, but requires practice  * Ren’s commitment to opening doorways for others - networking’s role in personal purpose * Ren chats about networking with Karla - a Senior Corporate Leader and Networking Extraordinaire * The importance of nurturing your networks - never ‘set and forget’ * The importance of approaching conversations with ‘higher-power’ professionals (more progressed in their career) as a normal conversation, otherwise they may be sceptical about your intentions * How to use your network to find a new job - Karla’s personal experience after being made redundant * People are often more approachable, supportive and willing to connect / help you than you might think * Embrace your network - if you have people who can open doors for you, don't hesitate to use them! * It’s a competitive, cluttered world, so be sure to use what you are given - everyone else does! * Networking isn’t always work based conversations, but starts with a normal conversation first * Networking isn’t just about finding a job - it can open doors for collaborations, mentoring relationships, personal development, surrounding yourself with more diverse insights, experiences, lifelong learning and more * Successful network needs to be grounded in authenticity and mutual benefit.

Body Language - Episode 7

What is body language and why does it matter at work? Body language is one of the most critical elements in effective communication. In fact, over 90% of effective communication is defined by non-verbal aspects. One of the most well-known research projects on nonverbal communication was led by Psychology Professor Dr. Mehrabian in the 1960s [https://www.lifesize.com/en/blog/speaking-without-words/], where he found that the interpretation of a message is 7% verbal, 38% vocal and 55% visual. So according to Dr. Mehrabian, communication is 93% “nonverbal” in nature! Thus, from initial job interviews, to weekly presentations to your manager or a bigger group of colleagues, body language is JUST as important, perhaps even moreso, than what you’re actually saying. Body language includes everything from eye contact, to facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, stance and much more. How to get body language right at work? Read, listen and learn! On our mission to support as many individuals as possible to thrive in work and life, we’re spreading the magic of human skills as widely as possible - through immersive apps, coaching, experiences and partnerships, but also through rich conversations. The Other Side is a mini podcast series by Maxme [https://www.maxme.com.au/] where our Founder Renata (Ren) Sguario [https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-sguario-b91b661/] chats with recent graduate James (Jimmy) Oana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oana/] on the experience of making the leap from Uni to work, and thriving on the other side.  Over 9 episodes (including a bonus intro chat [https://open.spotify.com/episode/17mKCwWxfSDBB7xG3EOfQd?si=df57bd593c9349c9]), Ren and Jimmy cover Gen Z career building essentials like what makes a great CV, acing a job interview, seeking and giving feedback, the importance of self awareness, networking, body language and more.  In Episode 7 of The Other Side, Your Body Tells a Different Story, Ren and Jimmy dive into body language - what it is, how to get body language right in job interviews, and the greater role of body language in communication throughout work and life.  In just over 30 minutes, you’ll cover the following body language insights, tips and takeaways: * The importance of body language and its pivotal role in effective communication - 90-93% of the effectiveness of any communication is determined by the non-verbal aspects (body language)! * Thinking about ‘how’ you communicate, not just ‘what’ you communicate * Ren’s personal experience with Toast Masters [http://www.toastmasters.org.au/] - self-awareness is key for effective communication * The role of VOICE in good communication [https://youtu.be/5asC6wUuC90] - pitch, pace and tone  * James shares his personal experience with ‘communication readiness’ for interviews - a critical skill he has built over time through much reflection, practice and confidence * The importance of practice in gaining confidence at public speaking, and the role of body language in effective public speaking  * The role of eye contact, pacing and voice inflection in good communication and earning trust * Good communication and body language will help you ‘sell messages’ to key audiences, for instance sharing an idea, telling your story or seeking approval for funds or sign-off * Tips for body language in job interviews - how you sit in your chair, reading the room, taking time to reflect on your surroundings, channelling nerves into good energy, how to use your hands    * What to wear to a job interview - do your research, dress prepared and in keeping with the ‘culture’ of the employer, best to over-dress than under-dress.

How to Ace Assessment Centres - Episode 6

What on earth is an assessment centre, and why do I need to know about them when applying for jobs? Assessment centres are involved in many interviews, particularly if you’re applying for roles at big corporate organisations with multi-stage processes. An assessment centre [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assessment_centre] is a process where candidates are examined to determine their suitability for specific types of employment, especially management or military command. The candidates' personality and aptitudes are determined by techniques including interviews, group exercises, presentations, examinations and psychometric testing. Long story short - they’re pretty important for Uni graduates to know about! On our mission to support as many individuals as possible to thrive in work and life, we’re spreading the magic of human skills as widely as possible - through immersive apps, coaching, experiences and partnerships, but also through rich conversations. The Other Side is a mini podcast series by Maxme [https://www.maxme.com.au/] where our Founder Renata (Ren) Sguario [https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-sguario-b91b661/] chats with recent graduate James (Jimmy) Oana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oana/] on the experience of making the leap from Uni to work, and thriving on the other side.  Over 9 episodes (including a bonus intro chat [https://open.spotify.com/episode/17mKCwWxfSDBB7xG3EOfQd?si=df57bd593c9349c9]), Ren and Jimmy cover Gen Z career building essentials like what makes a great CV, acing a job interview, seeking and giving feedback, the importance of self awareness, networking, body language and more.  In Episode 6 of The Other Side, How to Ace Assessment Centres, Ren and Jimmy explore what listeners can expect from assessment centre ‘testing’, and share some important tips for how to excel in group interviews too. In 40 minutes, you’ll cover the following essentials for group interview and assessment centre success: * Jimmy’s personal experience with group interviews, and why they made him particularly nervous  * Ren’s personal experiences with assessment centres * Why group interviews matter - important and powerful way to show how you operate in a group * What employers look for in group interviews - for people who are mindful, aware, and can find ways to contribute value in difficult situations * What will an assessment centre ‘test’ involve? Often exam-like case studies, scenarios and ‘problems’ to put your skills and capabilities - most typically ‘soft skills’ / EQ to the test * Assessment centres help to identify people who are good at listening authentically, and engaging others  * What is ‘interdependence’? A characteristic that helps employers appraise and understand your ability to operating in teams, to playback information to a group, and add value * Practice and experience with assessment centres will help you improve over time - don’t expect to ace it up front * Common activities and exercises you can expect in group interviews * Key phrases and ideas you should know when going into assessment centres - more powerful to ask a question rather than make a statement, you don’t need to have all the answers! * After listening - be sure to share a strong point of view  * How Jimmy’s assessment centre experience helped him to identify that the employer wasn’t for him.

The Mock Interview - Episode 5

“How do I ace a job interview?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we get at Maxme, and it’s not difficult to understand why. It takes a LOT of work to land a job interview, let alone ace it! With the employment market more competitive than ever, the ability to verbally ‘sell yourself’ in an authentic, memorable way has never been more important.  On our mission to support as many individuals as possible to thrive in work and life, we’re spreading the magic of human skills as widely as possible - through immersive apps, coaching, experiences and partnerships, but also through rich conversations. The Other Side is a mini podcast series by Maxme [https://www.maxme.com.au/] where our Founder Renata (Ren) Sguario [https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-sguario-b91b661/] chats with recent graduate James (Jimmy) Oana [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-oana/] on the experience of making the leap from Uni to work, and thriving on the other side.  Over 9 episodes (including a bonus intro chat [https://open.spotify.com/episode/17mKCwWxfSDBB7xG3EOfQd?si=df57bd593c9349c9]), Ren and Jimmy cover Gen Z career building essentials like what makes a great CV, acing a job interview, seeking and giving feedback, the importance of self awareness, networking, body language and more.  In Episode 5 of The Other Side, The Mock Interview, Ren and Jimmy mock up an interview scenario with Ren as interviewer, and James under the spotlight. This fun episode comes jammed with tips, tricks and plenty of real-world tactics you can start practicing today, to apply in interviews from tomorrow! In just over 35 minutes, you’ll discover how to perform in typical interview scenarios, and respond to common interview questions such as: * “Tell me a bit about yourself …” - how to use an elevator pitch in your interview response * How to use ‘prepared’ answers, without sounding like a wrote-learned / ‘standard’ response * Shining the light on strengths, and comfortably talking about weaknesses * How to use pause, and take your time with interview answers * How to handle curve-ball questions in interviews - it’s ok not to have an answer, but try to provide relevant information or a perspective  * “What are your key areas of development?” … - a perfect opportunity to demonstrate lifelong learning and a curious growth mindset   * “Give me an example of when you’ve had difficulty working with other people, and how you overcame these difficulties?” * “What brings you to this organisation, and why are you keen to work here?” * The importance of demonstrating your interest in, and background knowledge of, the company, but don’t regurgitate what they already know - weave in your own stories and make it relevant to you * “Do you have any questions for us?” - how to use prior research to ask about possible direction of company (e.g investments), strategy, employee benefits, social impact etc.