Tuesday, May 7, 2019

What does a selection criteria template look like?


Key selection criteria, or selection criteria, is one of the most important elements of public position application in Australia. By relying on selection criteria, the governmental body is able to learn more about you and establish whether or not you’re the right person for a job.


As the name implies, selection criteria explain what is expected from you. It is presented in the form of a bullet list where an agency puts ahead of you a list of requirements. For example, there are statements regarding education, work experience, expertise, skills and so on. If you’re applying for a higher position, there will be more requirements. Anyway, just by reading the list, you can tell whether or not you’re the right person for a job.



You have to keep in mind there are a lot of different public positions and agencies in Australia. That being said, jobs will vary significantly and it is really hard to create a universal template that will cover all the selection criteria. 


However, here are some of the examples of how a template might look like:

  • 3+ years working as a marketing manager
  • High level of expertise working in Microsoft Excel
  • Proven track record
  • Knowledge of another foreign language is desirable with emphasis on German
  • Goal oriented, able to work as a part of a larger team

As you can see, these criteria are very similar to any other job. You can get a feel for the position just by reading it. In most cases, the list is much more complex than presented here. Keep in mind that governmental bodies usually have a much more restrictive and thorough process compared to private companies. Besides that, you might go through several interviews and tests where your competencies will be put to a test.


Things to keep in mind when preparing to respond

The candidate will have to respond to these criteria to the best of his or her ability. The initial stage usually has a big impact on whether or not you will land a job. There are certain things you can do to properly prepared and execute the process:

  • Learn more about this particular job
  • Learn more about the agency posting an ad
  • Modify your answers so they fit according to requirements
  • Create a good, simple layout
  • Avoid using personal pronounce
  • Be specific; go into details if needed. This is especially important for positions with more responsibility
  • Don’t leave any chance for misinterpretation

Answering key selection criteria can be really easy if you know what to look for. Keep in mind that are lots of professional companies such as resume companies that can help you with this step. This might be an optimal choice if you really want to land a particular job and you think you have the necessary skills for it.


No matter what, don’t apply for a position if you don’t meet the specific requirements. The screening is really thorough so there is no need to lose time on something that you likely cannot achieve.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

The Certificate in Information Security Management Principles

There is no denying that one thing that all professionals should do, no matter what industry you operate in, is look for ways to better yourself. After all, if you want to progress, move forward, and earn more money, you need to ensure you have something extra to offer. One area that is in high demand and thriving at the moment is that of data security.


Information security is an industry that is growing phenomenally. As cyber criminals get more intelligent and the security threats to businesses continue to grow, the demand for IT professionals with expertise in information security will increase. Nevertheless, you will, of course, need to make sure you take the relevant courses and achieve the right accreditation to exceed in this field. CISMP is something you may wish to consider. In this post, we will tell you all you need to know about this course, including what will you learn and whom it is designed for.

CISMP stands for Certificate in Information Security Management Principles. It’s an excellent qualification for anyone that wishes to progress in the information security industry. Perhaps you are an IT professional that wants to develop a career in IT security management? If so, this qualification is ideal for you. Nonetheless, it’s not only ideal for those looking to enhance their employability. A lot of existing IT managers take a CISMP course so they can broaden their knowledge in regards to information security. They do this so that their organization has adequate information security controls and management in place. From delivering a more reliable authentication experience to understanding how security differs based on the environment, there are so many important bits of knowledge that this course can provide you with.

The CISMP qualification is a foundation-level qualification and the great thing about it is that it is internationally recognized. This is not only important for those that wish to transfer their skills abroad when relocating but, of course, a lot of IT security is outsourced all over the world nowadays. When taking a course to achieve your CISMP you will cover all of the key areas that are related to information security management. This includes all of the following…

    Security standards – You will learn about the national legislation that impacts IT security management, as well as any national and international standards and legal frameworks that are in place.
    IT security management concepts – This includes the likes of threats, risks, confidentiality, vulnerability, availability, integrity, and countermeasures.
    Environments – You will need to understand the different business and technical environments that IT security management will need to operate in. This includes physical and people security.
    Knowledge of technical and management controls – This includes the different types of controls and their characteristics. You will need to have knowledge of their categorization, operation and their effectiveness.

So now you know the basis of what a course in CISMP will cover. But, how do you achieve this qualification? It is entirely exam based. Therefore you will need to take an exam, which consists of 100 questions. All questions are multiple choice and you have two hours to complete the paper. Thus, you can look at it as having one minute per question and then 20 minutes to go over the exam paper. It’s a closed-book examination, which means you’re not allowed any research materials or textbooks to assist you. In order to receive your CISMP you need to get a minimum of 65 answers correct. This will give you a pass mark. However, to achieve a distinction you need to get a minimum of 80 out of 100.

You can do a bit of digging online to find some example questions. Plus, if you choose a reputable course provider, you can expect them to provide you with all of these details.

All in all, if you wish to progress in the world of information security management, no matter whether you want to carve a career in this industry or it’s necessary to protect your current organization, a CISMP training course is one you should consider taking.



Friday, May 3, 2019

10 Reasons Why We Love Jewellery

Image by Scott Webb from Pixabay

We all know the Marilyn Monroe sang, "diamonds are a girl's best friend," and as many will agree, there is no better feeling than getting a beautiful new diamond bracelet or trying on a pair of birthstone earrings. It might seem odd and even shallow to feel this way about jewellery, but here are a few reasons why we love it so much:  

There's something for every occasion.
Whether it's a gift for your niece's birthday or something more elaborate like a necklace for your wedding day or your engagement rings, there's always a piece of jewelry for you. Jewelry comes in a vast variety of styles, colors, and choices; and because of this, there's something appropriate for every need, every occasion, need every price point.

It completes any outfit.
Any piece of clothing goes well with a pair of simple diamond studs, and that's a fact! A piece of jewelry adds the finishing touch to any outfit and makes it complete. While certain universal pieces go with almost anything (like diamond earrings or beautiful pearls), there is also jewelry that can complement even the most complex of outfits. No matter what you are wearing, jewelry is the cherry on the cake to your look. It can make a simple or even dull outfit look more exciting, or it can add the final touches to an already existing glamourous look.

It can reflect the wearer.
The best part about beautiful jewelry is that it shows off the style of its wearer, it is personal to you, and it can show and be a big part of your personality. Every piece of jewelry a person wears, whether it be a custom-designed engagement ring or a bangle, the jewelry that you choose to buy and wear reflects who you are.

Jewelry can be as formal as you want it to be.
Most pieces of jewelry can be dressed up or down however you want them to be. Pearl studs, can be worn casually in day-to-day events, formally with your wedding dress, as part of your everyday work-wear, and everything in between. Jewelry is versatile in its wear.

It's customizable.
Whether you're having a completely new custom piece made, renovating a piece of old family jewelry, or just getting your jewelry engraved, one of the great things about jewelry is it can be personalized and made uniquely yours. Customizing a piece of jewelry makes it as unique as you are or whoever is wearing it - and what could be better than that?

If it breaks, you can fix it.
When a bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings breaks, you don't have to buy a completely new piece. Instead, you can take it into a jewelry repair shop to get it as good as new.

Each piece has a meaning and story.
While custom designed pieces have a story and a meaning, actually every piece of jewelry has a unique story of how and why it was purchased. Fine jewelry, in particular, isn't just jewelry, it's a memory.

It's universal
People all around the world, in every culture, wear jewelry. Jewelry doesn't require you to speak a certain language or know any particular customs. You can love beautiful jewelry, no matter where it is from, and you could even say that jewelry is the glue that binds the world together—it is an untouchable universal aspect of life.

It commemorates the special moments in life.
Engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary bands are all symbols and of the celebrations of life's most wonderful moments. Jewelry is there to celebrate and commemorate birthdays, engagements and other special occasions and a piece of jewelry is a keep-sake and memory to the beautiful reason behind its purchase, whatever that reason may be.

It becomes a part of you.
The jewelry that you wear can become a part of your everyday signature look. Your jewelry can actually become a part of you. The jewelry that you wear regularly is there for every moment of your life, and some people start to feel incomplete without it when they have to take it off or have forgotten to put it on. Each time you wear it, a piece of jewelry becomes less of an accessory and more of a part of who you are.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Pressure-Free Ways to Live a Healthier Life



Often, people struggle with healthy living because they put too much pressure on themselves. However, although health requires discipline, it shouldn’t be something that you feel pressurized into. Health should be a lifestyle and not something you try and do when you feel like it. Having said that, think about what makes you feel pressured when it comes to health and why such feelings occur. This could be the starting point for you to turn such anxieties around and turn them into positive thoughts. For those who are ready to change their lifestyles, here are a few tips on living a healthier life without the pressure.



1.)           Set Realistic Goals



Setting realistic goals is a must if you want to live a healthier life without the pressure. Although lofty goals can help you strive harder, they can also make you feel discouraged and like you’ll never reach them. Think about where you are now and where you want to be and resolve to take baby steps. Some things to take into consideration are what you can physically and mentally handle. It is often advised that you make your goals SMART so that they’re a lot more tangible.



2.)           Address Bad habits



At times, bad habits get in the way of you achieving your health goals. Unlearning or dropping these habits can take time and persistence. There are several habits that are counterproductive to good health that people pick up from their families or on their own. It could be eating too many fried foods, having meals late in the night or being reluctant to do anything but be a couch potato.



Alcohol and drug addictions are bad habits that can also trigger a decline in your health and make it more challenging to lead a healthy lifestyle. If this is something you’re finding hard to shake on your own, Forwardrecovery.com can offer options to help you break the habit.



3.)           Associate with Healthy People



The people that you associate with every day can bring you closer to or take you further away from your goals. To avoid the latter, find people who live a healthy life and that you admire to spend time with. This is a way of learning more about health and being inspired simultaneously. When you spend time with people that don’t have any interest in growth in their mental or physical health, you’re more likely to be comfortable where you are, so consider this.



4.)           Start with Healthy Snacking



If you’re a notorious snack eater, this tip may help you more. Instead of eating unhealthy snacks all day, try replacing them with nutritious bites instead. A primary example of a healthy snack is mixed nuts which can reduce the risked of heart disease or red bell peppers with guacamole which are rich in vitamin C. You could also try Greek yogurt and mixed berries if you want something rich in potassium and calcium.



Living a healthier life is a process and not something that usually happens at the snap of your fingers. However, if you’re committed to the cause and ready to keep going even when you fall off track, you should get there in the end.

Apps That All Parents Should Have


Nowadays most of us are relying on our mobile phones for pretty much everything and although some people may see this as a bad thing, technology of today certainly has its benefits, one of which is the ability to get things quickly and easily - such as if we get lost somewhere, we can pretty quickly open up Google Maps and find our way, or we can check the weather forecast for the next 7 days without having to wait until the evening news broadcast.

When it comes to apps, especially, there’s literally an app for everything, and if you’re a parent, then you’re going to find some of these apps to be must-have ones when trying to raise a family.

ChatterBlock:

This is an especially good app for those of you who are looking for fun things to do with your kids on a regular basis in your local area. So whether it’s planning a family day out or looking for a new class or something of interest that you and your child can do together and also meet new people, then ChatterBlock is a must-have app. Not only does it help you find things going on in the local area, but it also sends you notifications when it finds something in your area that you might like and sends you event reminders because life can be busy when you’re a parent and it can be easy to forget things.

Family Orbit:

When your child is older and starting to ask for things like their own phone, then one of the main concerns you likely have as a parent is the safety issue that comes with this, so one way to deal with this is by installing an app like Family Orbit on your child’s phone that allows you track their phone. Now, it’s important to remember that installing software like these is something you should be doing only with your child’s knowledge and not behind their back - it should be a condition of getting a phone, but if you do it without them knowing, you could majorly damage your relationship by violating their trust and privacy.

Chore Bank:

As your children get older, then teaching them the value of money and also personal responsibility is something that should be happening, and one of the best ways to go about this is through having them do certain chores for which they receive pocket money. Chore Bank is an app that’s been designed to track all of this and keep all of the information on who’s done what and how much they’ve earned in one place, which can be great for keeping them motivated as they see the money build up.

DisneyWorld Wait Times:

If you’re ever planning a trip to Disney with your children, then you know that one of the major downsides of visiting such a theme park is the massive wait times for the rides, so if you want to be prepared as much as possible, then download this app that lets you see the current waiting times for each ride so you can plan your day without standing in line.