The traditional right of passage isn’t so much the moving to the UK, but getting a) a bank account, b) surviving the northern hemisphere cold and flu strains determined to crush you, both of which are arguably harder than securing c) a JOB.
I can tell you that nothing squashes backpacker zen faster than dealing with recruiters in the UK. Never fear! We are here to help smooth the transition with an unofficial list of tips and tricks to help you find a job.
Former 59-test cap All Black, and former Australian rugby league star, Brad Thorn coined the phrase, “Champions do extra”, a philosophy that means finding incremental ways to do more and continuously improve.
The same phrase could be extended to the New Zealand Business Women’s Network (the network) – a 1,400 strong network characterised by our collective desires to continuously improve both personally and professionally, build our networks, grow our careers and businesses, and help other Kiwi women do the same.
This collective desire is epitomised by the continued popularity of the network’s Business Book Club Brunch (book club), where a group of like-minded women discuss a chosen book designed to inspire and challenge us, over a Kiwi-styled brunch. This book club was no different.
Looking for inspiration? Our mentoring programme has helped over 50 network members
Since launching in early 2015, the NZBWN Mentoring Programme has enabled over 50 network members to get a jump-start on their own individual journey towards overcoming a specific challenge, seizing an opportunity, or realising their aspirations. So far we have run 9 mentoring groups centered on various business and individual topics, and we have plans to run more groups in the near future. Past topics have included leadership, starting up a new business, scaling up an existing business, career progression, getting a board role, and clarifying and traversing change. We have been deeply honoured to have had the support and generosity of 8 talented mentors who have led these groups and shared their skills, expertise, and experiences to enrich and enlighten others in the network. Through actively encouraging and nurturing each others' growth, this programme brings to life our network's guiding values: to connect; to learn; to inspire.
To help us with planning the themes for future mentoring groups, we would like to hear from you if any of these proposed topics are likely to hold personal interest for you over the next twelve months:
*** Click here to express your interest in these topics ***
You can learn more about our programme from our website , including what some of our past participants have said about their mentoring experience, or email us with any other questions.
Sitting in a slightly darkened basement room of an old building in London, I was part of one of the liveliest discussions I have ever been in about Optimism.
The basement is part of Ozone Coffee in Old Street, London. A great New Zealand business where the food and coffee were both top notch. Add into that 15 Kiwi ladies, who get together once every two months as part of the NZBWN, discussing Martin Seligman’s bestseller Learned Optimism and sure enough, there was a lot to be said (and consumed) in our two hour get together.
Martin, often known as the father of Positive Psychology first published this book in 1990, followed up by many others on the same topic. In addition, he has done a very popular TED talk and has toured the world speaking on this topic. Many of us were lucky enough to hear him speak when he was in London; some around the table were self-proclaimed Martin ‘groupies’!