Yahoo Finance SEEK hires Hollywood actor to launch $90,000 skills prize
Jobs platform SEEK has launched a competition to encourage Australians to explore their skillsets, and has offered a $89,003 prize for the winner.
The Australia’s Biggest Skillseeker competition encourages participants to search their top skills on SEEK before submitting a video proving how their skills could lead to career or business success.
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And it’s calling on Napoleon Dynamite and Blades of Glory actor Jon Heder to encourage Australians to tap into their unexpected skills and potentially win a full year’s salary.
SEEK has named Heder as chief vice president director of skills, who will interview the finalists along with personal development expert and entrepreneur Kirsty-Anne Ferguson, before ultimately naming the winner.
"Discovering your top skills has never been more important when trying to further your career or pursue a passion. For me, I've always loved to dance, and my sweet dancing skills helped me land the role of Napoleon Dynamite and launch my acting career,” Heder said.
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Ferguson added that Australia has seen an “accelerated shift” in how employers and potential recruits value everyday skills when it comes to applications.
“Employers are attracted to candidates who not only have the experience but have the everyday skills that will allow them to succeed in a position,” Ferguson said.
“These skills are developed throughout your life in the way you approach tasks. I call it your 'how' in other words, how you communicate or how adaptable or resilient you are.”
The competition opens on Monday 13 September and will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 26 September.
Aussies hit the job hunt
The competition comes as SEEK reports 40 per cent of Australians are currently seeking a new job either within their organisation or outside.
Research by recruiter Hays found the top reason Aussies are on the job junt is due either to a lack of internal promotion opportunities, poor workplace culture or management style.
But the same SEEK research finds that 47 per cent of job seekers lack confidence, and are unsure how to display their skills without appearing a “show-off”.
SEEK head of customer insights and strategy Elyssia Clark said that as Australians shift careers, they should understand the value of highlighting their everyday skills - especially if they are changing industry altogether.
“Employers are now looking at candidates who may not have the exact experience but have shown how their everyday skills would make them the perfect fit for that role,” Clark said.
“Our latest research shows that more than half (58 per cent) of employers would hire someone without the right experience if they had the right skills."
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