iDlogik - ID Who? Entrepreneur Case Study

We recently caught up with iDlogik Founder and Director Aussie Michael Costin

Where did the idea for iDlogik come from?

iDlogik came about from a simple idea to develop an innovative and dynamic online resume builder to help jobseekers with resume creation and storage. The concept continued to evolve, and as a result, jobseekers now not only build an online resume with iDlogik, they get to create and manage their entire online career portfolio with which to maximize their full career potential.

With an iDlogik account, Jobseekers can write and store cover letters, verify key career milestones, manage references, upload important documents, apply for jobs, and even elect to have their resumes searchable online by the top employers and recruiters in town… ensuring that they never miss out on any great opportunities.

What have been the challenges in starting up an online business?

It’s been a huge effort over the past 2 years to get iDlogik up and running. The main challenges have been in the development of our exciting ideas into actual web products. The relationship between the IT and R&D sides of the business have been strained at times but we are all really proud to have finally launched a truly innovative online product.

What is your ultimate vision for your business?

iDlogik’s ultimate vision is to create the worlds leading online space, where jobseekers can create and manage their entire career portfolios from the one online location, in effect creating the world’s first independent resume board. The result will be an environment where jobseekers can achieve their full career potential by taking a more proactive role in promoting their resumes and career experience to recruiters and employers.

Each day what are the things you do that you LOVE and things that you do each day that you DISLIKE but just have to do?

The best thing about this job is that every day is different. We work with a wide-range of people from jobseekers, students and career advisors to employers and recruiters. All have an active interest in the iDlogik brand so it’s never a dull moment meeting new users and watching the business grow. Dislikes are few and far between but like any job there are niggling little tasks that just have to be done, but the good times definitely outnumber the bad.

So go and set up your online resume now at www.idlogik.com

We love the idea here at The Frank Team as we do presentations to young people and young professionals all over Australia about career success and having a resource like this will help so many - so well done Michael!

The Importance of Mentoring

A recent report issued by Deloitte found that chief execs of companies rate mentoring as the second most useful method of improving staff skills. It's also one of the cheapest.

And yet, it's only the fourth most used method. So why isn't it being used more? Particularly considering the skills shortages affecting many businesses of all sizes. Why not take advantage of the expert knowledge, experince and different perspective of those more experienced to increase your skills? You don't need to be mentored by someone within the business - external mentors with relevant skills can be just as, if not more, useful and valuable.

Rated first is in-house training.

Source: BRW May 1-7, 2008, pg. 12.

What's in it for me?

This is a question probably asked too often by some of us... but if being an enterprising young person doesn’t leave you much time to be generous with, then it’s a question you feel is worth asking. Consider this though - Work experience (giving your time + skills + knowledge) = plenty for you in return. Like that equation? Read on to see how factoring some work experience into your week can help you get places faster!

At FRANK Team HQ over the years we’ve had a few work experience students and volunteers dropping in to get some experience and lend a hand. It’s awesome - we get to meet some great young people who are willing to help out, and they are developing their skills and getting some valuable experience to add to their resumes! It’s a win win situation!

So what’s so good about volunteering VS hanging out for the job you want, I hear you say? There is actually a lot in it for you. It’s not just working for nothing.

- Experience is sometimes valued over a qualification. So you might have a diploma or degree, but employers like to hire people who have some experience up their sleeves as well.
- Put your degree or diploma to work. If you are studying, why not put your learning to use straight away, who says you have to wait until you graduate and get a job?
- You could get a job out of it. If you make a good impression, you'you've got your foot in the door!
- Try before you buy. If you're considering an industry, but not sure and you don't want to commit to study yet, do some work experience first - this will help you decide if you are interested in pursuing that career, or if you need to do some more thinking.
- It's a great way to meet people who are in the industry you want to be in. This can help you get the job you want faster through networking - they will all find out what a hard worker you are. Plus you will be learning from professionals.
- You could find a mentor. You might meet someone in the workplace who inspires you, and embodies who you want to be in your career - support from them will help you succeed.
- It’s an opportunity to develop your skills, and find out what you're good at. Or use the skills you have to help others - we know we've learnt a thing or two from our work experience girls

So... you’re convinced now aren’t you?? Here’s how you can get yourself a work experience opportunity...
- Do some research. Find some local organisations, businesses etc who are in the industry you want to work in. Give them a call to see if they have any work experience positions. If they do, ask if you can go in to meet with them and see if you would like to do some volunteering there. If you don’t have any luck, keep searching... or check out the volunteer opportunities @ seek.com
- If you go in to meet with people and suss out an opportunity, put together a resume so you can show you are serious about having a go and you can display some of your assets!

So what are you waiting for?