Massive Recruitment Mistakes You Might Be Making

Massive Recruitment Mistakes You Might Be Making “I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day you bet on people, not on strategies”  â€"  Larry Bossidy The phrase  you are what you eat  translates nicely to recruitment. Companies are built on great employees â€" hiring is therefore the most important thing we do. There are so many recruitment channels in today’s digital society that it’s increasingly difficult to stop stuff slipping through the cracks. This is by no means an indictment on the state of recruitment, but there is always room for change, room for innovation. If  a shark stops swimming it will die; constant  improvement  is the only way to become a better recruiter. Your job adverts aren’t helping Automation is great, right? With just one click your job ad can be in front of  thousands  of eager candidates. The problem? The rules are different now. There is no horde of  active  candidates waiting to find your jobs and apply. Adverts tend to be presented in employer-centric terms; there’s little focus on genuine engagement. Do away with costly advertising and focus less on products that let you post your job to hundreds of boards with one click â€" less than half of recruiters think this actually  works well anyway. There is a clear information asymmetry here. Recruiters are struggling to connect with the best candidates â€" neither party is satisfied. Better LinkedIn research means better results We all know how useful LinkedIn is for approaching  talent, but how often do you research the end user before you send that in-mail message? Carelessness at this stage can easily put candidates off. Taking just five minutes to check if a candidate is the right fit for your organisation is all it takes. Do they have similar past employment â€" if you’re looking for a enterprise sales rep, do they have experience in the role? Do they have the right skills? Where are they based? We often overestimate a candidate’s willingness to take on a horrific commute or relocate. This alone doesn’t necessarily rule a candidate out, but it should play a role in our decision. There can be exceptions, but candidates who  tick all the boxes here will be far more receptive to your approaches. Your applications are too long Would you want to apply for your job? It’s easy to hide behind the rhetoric that the more you know about a candidate, the better placed we are to judge them. Do we really need to know how many As they got at GCSE, though? Probably not. This is driving the increase in gamification â€"  recent research  suggests that by the end of 2014 more than 70% of the world’s largest companies will have at least one gamified application. L’Oreal saw significant success with its “Reveal” campaign. Allowing candidates to participate in the launch of a mock product, the game attracted more than  15,000 players  â€" many of whom would never have considered applying. Communicate better Great hiring is so much more than just matching candidates with job descriptions. The best recruiters take time to get to know their candidates. They find out what makes them tick and learn what they’re actually looking for. The problem? Currently most companies lack the framework to roll out this kind of continuous engagement process. Candidates slip through the cracks and are abandoned if they don’t meet requirements  at that moment in time. Instead, by redirecting these candidates to a talent community we can continue to evaluate them and provide them with carefully curated content. Maybe there’s a different role that they would be better suited for? Maybe in six months time you will have more suitable openings for them? A pool of engaged talent lets you develop an internal referral system. You already know who  is ready to be hired  before roles become available. Interview like a pro Behavioural competency interviews are not the gold standard. Following a strict playbook of questions that are designed to determine candidate suitability often leads to a leaden, inflexible process. It’s still essential to determine that a candidate has the core skills that will allow them to succeed in your company. When you’ve established this, you should consider the idea of hiring for cultural fit. How will the applicant fit in with your or your clients team?  Would  you want to sit next to him/her for eight hours every day? Will he/she be invested in the business, or is it  just a stepping stone for them? Asking the right questions and getting the answers you really need will let you work out what kind of colleague he/she would be. Is he/she worth it? Start following up, now The treatment of candidates you don’t hire has never been more important. Hard-won recruiting reputations can be quickly damaged by disgruntled applicants on social media and review websites like  Glassdoor. At this stage a shocking 73.8% of the  feedback candidates receive  is little more than a standard template â€" hardly conducive to a great candidate experience. Taking a little time to correct this will help stem negative reviews and may even lead to unsuccessful applicants referring their friends. Image: Shutterstock

Resume Writing Certification

Resume Writing CertificationIf you are in the process of learning how to write a resume, it is important that you understand what a certification level refers to. There are several different types of credentials that you can have and be qualified to hold. It is important that you learn all of these different levels in order to make the right decision when it comes to your resume.The first type of certification is a general one that is used to denote a particular academic level. For example, if you are a graduate student and you want to demonstrate this on your resume, you would need to demonstrate a certain level of experience and skills. There are many different levels of study, including undergraduate, masters, PhD, and doctorate. The number that you will need to demonstrate is based on what level of education you have attained.The second type of certification that you may need to display on your resume is one that requires a specific skill or knowledge. For example, if you want to obtain certification for a certain area, you may want to show proof of the specific training that you have acquired for it. This can include having completed specific courses, specialized training or any other type of certification. You should highlight this point as well, along with your academic credentials.The third type of certification that you need to know about is a specific type of skill or training. For example, you may be looking to attain a certification in an area such as accounting or finance, but you may need to demonstrate some specific expertise. One example is a person who is interested in learning how to become a certified financial planner.The fourth type of certification that you can display on your resume is one that requires specific knowledge or skills. For example, you may need to show that you have completed courses in the medical field. Again, the type of training or knowledge that you need to display depends on the type of certification that you are tryin g to obtain.The final type of certification that you need to know about is one that involves the specific skill or knowledge that you are seeking. For example, a person who wants to become a certified nutritionist will need to demonstrate this. Showing this is an important part of having a well-written resume.The types of specific certifications that you need to consider include doctorates, master's degrees, PhD's and other degrees that require specific knowledge or skill. There are some degrees that can be displayed on your resume, but they do not require any actual experience or skills. For example, there are degrees that can be found through the Bachelors degree or the degree. Other degrees that may need to be shown on your resume include those that are a Bachelors of Science or Masters of Science.All of these types of certifications are relevant when it comes to writing resumes. They are important to consider because they will help to demonstrate your expertise in the subject th at you are seeking. The more specific these certifications are, the better your resume will look.

Achieving Unity Within a Remote Workforce

Achieving Unity Within a Remote Workforce The following is a guest post by Tricia Sciortino.  Her bio follows. Many of us can now appreciate the benefits of being part of a remote workforce. There’s the daytime flexibility to help employees negotiate work and home life. There’s the ability to have a true lunchtime or mid-day break that includes a jaunt at the local coffeehouse or a 30-minute whirlwind of cardio around the neighborhood. Then, of course, there’s the autonomy of structuring your own workday, to a reasonable extent, based on the priorities and needs of the business. But there are risks of going remote. One of the major ones is the potential for isolation. Keeping those who work from home engaged is essential. Gallup identified employee engagement as fuel for productivity, profitability, customer service and retention, among others.   And ADP acknowledges that “working remotely could leave an employee disengaged, which in turn could serve as a detriment to the company.” So, it’s clear that keeping home-based workers involved is fundamental to an organization’s success. But what can employers do to mold â€" and meld together â€" physically distant teams? Pow Wow with Technology. Technology is so much of what enables virtual workplaces to exist in the first place. So we’d be remiss not to tout it as a key tool that builds togetherness within remote teams. Sure, there are conference calls, emails, instant messaging, project management dashboards and even text messages. But I am a big believer in the benefits of pow-wowing via visual technology. This calls for introducing and deploying those technologies that actually allow team members to see and hear each other. No matter what provider you use or which platform you select, video meetings that make use of webcams and live audio really do add to the experience of off-site workers. It helps to put a face with a name, or even to associate a voice with the personality you’ve seen shine through in written communications. We become reminded to know that our colleagues â€" be they miles, states or entire regions away â€" are real people. And this helps us to re-engage with them in more personal, meaningful ways â€" and they do the same for us. Make Time for Actual Facetime. Though I’m an advocate for virtual work and the many positives it brings â€" flexibility, employee commitment, organizational trust, access to greater talent, geographical breadth â€" I still understand the benefits of in-person contact. There are just some things technology cannot mimic, though it’s come a long way in trying to mirror real-life engagement. One of those things is the experience of face-to-face encounters. Many companies with a dispersed employee base do set aside time just for such gatherings. For some, it’s an annual retreat. For others, it’s a series of quarterly conferences. Whatever the format or timing, having co-workers periodically meet in person is a beneficial practice. Speaking from experience, seeing someone you email each day or speaking with someone you usually only engage with sporadically via conference calls does something positive for the company community. It really builds synergies and connects the dots between processes and people. Connect How It Counts. People grow together, forge connections and achieve that unique sense of true closeness when they experience life together. This goes for the good times and the not-so-great times. When you know you can count on your coworkers to be there when the chips fall â€" and to celebrate with you in times of success â€" it makes a difference in the emotional and social closeness you feel for the company. This can be achieved through transparent, employee-only social networking opportunities, from private Facebook groups to proprietary intranet sites. The point is to create a platform where people can share and feel like they can be themselves. Another and more official way this sensibility can be instituted is through employee assistance programs and other outreach mechanisms that build goodwill and opportunities to give back. For example, some companies (like mine) have a voluntary, employee-funded program that provides monetary donations to employees adversely impacted by unforeseen life circumstances, from illness or the loss of a spouse’s job to the recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of from natural disasters like floods or tornadoes. It’s important to show workers they are cared for in ways beyond the business of the day. From an employee’s perspective, touchpoints like these strike a positive note for professional happiness and true work-life integration. For employers, it boosts performance, deepens retention and adds to so many of the business imperatives surrounding employee engagement. About  Tricia Sciortino Tricia Sciortino is  the COO for BELAY, a company whose mission is to glorify God by providing solutions that equip clients with the confidence to climb higher.  You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter. . Images via Pexels

Working Moms Being a Great Host in the Christmas Holidays

Working Moms Being a Great Host in the Christmas Holidays The holidays are coming quicker than we know. Shortly after the Halloween holiday is over, the malls will be filled with festive holiday decorations and toy stores will be brimming with endless gift ideas for your little ones. For busy working moms, the Christmas season can be a hectic time. Juggling worklife and Christmas celebrations in your home can be challenging but here are some great tips on how to become the perfect ‘hostess with the mostess’ without giving up the day job. No career focused woman wants to let holiday plans become detrimental to her work but Christmas, just like Thanksgiving, is an important time to connect with friends and family and bring everyone together. So you want to be the perfect mom, holiday host and career girl all at the same time? Here’s how… Order Your Holiday Turkey in Advance Don’t risk it by leaving until last minute. Busy moms do not need to be rushing around the grocery store in search of a turkey on Christmas Eve. Order your holiday turkey in advance and you can focus on all the finishing touches for making your guests comfortable and welcome in your home.   Pre Bake Your Holiday Pies Pumpkin pie is a great dish for bug family gatherings. It’s comforting winter food that suits the taste buds of every diner, young or old. If you have a big group of people visiting you on Christmas Day, make sure you have a couple of pre-baked pumpkin pies stored in your freezer. Pies can be kept frozen for up to a month so start early and defrost the night before. Here’s a super delicious pumpkin pie recipe which is suitable for freezing â€" see Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie. Plan Your Holiday Decorations the Year Before Holiday decorations are a beautiful touch to the home, especially if you are expecting guests. Make the most of the January sales and pick up Christmas bargains a full year ahead. This gives you more time to focus on shopping for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Create an Ambience with Beautiful Lighting The holidays are all about culture, romance, and cozy family gatherings by the log fire. Give your home the perfect ambience with gorgeous Christmas lights and festive smelling candles. Scented candles are great for the guest room; spread the Christmas cheer with tantalizing scents of sweet cinnamon, warm winter berries and delicious mulled wine. Or to learn how to make cute hot cocoa candles in Christmas themed mugs, watch this step by step video tutorial. Create a Comfortable Guest Room Make enough space in your home so your guests will always feel welcome and comfortable during their stay over the holidays. Single beds with an extra pull out bed are a great way of saving space for the rest of the year when you don’t have family visiting and scented fabric sprays are great for giving guest rooms a refreshing smell.

Why You Should Consider Using a Resume Writing Service

Why You Should Consider Using a Resume Writing ServiceWhy would you need a resume writing service? The simple answer is that you want someone to write your resume and make it look as impressive as possible.There is, however, a very good reason to hire a professional resume writer, not a free resume writing service. You may be considering using a free service in order to save money, but most of the best services charge you for a service that they provide for free. Let's take a look at why you should pay for such a service.Your resume writer will not just sit there and take all of your written ideas and compile them into one, cohesive resume. While many free services offer a free resume builder, they will not do a quality job because they are not experts in this field. A professional writer can customize your resume and transform it into a professional document.It's very likely that you will get the same type of results that you get from the free resume builder. They are going to use t his as an opportunity to use fancy fonts and color schemes. That is a waste of time and effort.Resume writers know what works and what doesn't. They also know exactly how to transform you into a professional in the eyes of a hiring manager. With a skilled writer on your side, you will be seen as a highly desirable candidate.Of course, all resumes should contain a summary of your career and personal experiences, but a professional resume writer can take it to the next level. They can remove all of the fluff and remove any dated information and combine them into one cohesive outline. They will use that outline to help guide you towards the right section of the resume.It is important that you choose a service that offers quality resume writing. A service that focuses solely on writing resumes will be able to write your resume perfectly.In short, hire a resume writer and you will have a professionally produced document with all of the relevant information included. This way, your resume will be a winner.

4 Essential Executive Interview Questions to Ask the Employer - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

4 Essential Executive Interview Questions to Ask the Employer

Are You in Business to be Successful - CareerAlley

Are You in Business to be Successful - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be George Sheehan Making a go of a small business in 2011 is no easy task. A troubled economy, fears about the stock market, and where things will go in 2012 with a presidential election have led many individuals considering opening a small business to wait on the sidelines. That being said, some individuals have found the small business world to their liking. Whether it was always a dream to work for ones self or being let go at a full-time job and then turning to themselves for employment, some will tell you that opening their own small business was the best decision they ever made. Know the Risks of Opening a Small Business The choice on whether or not to open a small business is not to be taken lightly. Individuals must consider the risks and rewards that come with such a decision, including the potential financial losses that can quickly overcome someone and their family should the planned venture fail. When looking at where to possibly begin a small business, keep in mind that some industries are thriving quite well right now given their importance to consumers. Even when the economy is in trouble, some fields will continue to prosper, so be cognizant of that when looking into a small business venture. If your dream is to own and operate a small business, some industries to look to include: Elderly care With an ever-growing number of American senior citizens, it makes sense to have a business supplying them with products and/or services. Whether it is products to make their lives easier or health care items, this market is growing and can in many cases foot the bills; Employment assistance With many Americans out of work, a large number of them have still not given up hopes of locating a decent paying job. In turn, individuals need services such as resume writing, assistance in job hunting and more. Creating a one-fits-all service for such needs could prove quite valuable in this day and age; Retirement services As more individuals look at the possibility of having to work longer to meet their financial needs, they need retirement advice in the process. If you have sound financial planning skills and are qualified to work in such an arena, this can prove a steady source of clients; Home repairs Given that more consumers are looking to save money on their home repair needs, qualified and inexpensive service providers can pick up some steady and decent paying work in this area. The obvious catch here is being both talented and covered by insurance prior to working on someones home or business; Health and Fitness With more Americans being informed by their health professionals that they need to lose weight, lower cholesterol levels etc. it only makes sense. Properly trained fitness experts can cash in on such needs by either opening up their own studios or even coming to peoples homes to help them with their fitness needs; Home organizer/planner As more and more Americans find it hard to fit all they need to do into a 24-hour period, business planners and organizers can be a great asset to individuals. If you are good at organizing and planning things, your services can be a great small business need for countless individuals; Auto repair Even when people are struggling financially, 9 out of 10 still need their cars to get them around. Qualified mechanics that may be looking to branch out from their employer and open their own shops can potentially drive off with a good income. Finally, be ready to take on the added responsibilities of running your own shop, both good and bad. These are but a few of the small business ideas that you should consider if youre looking to open up your own company. Running a small business takes time, patience, money and a commitment to seeing the job through. If you think running a small business is a small task, think again. Dave Thomas, who covers among other subjects document management and background checks writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search.

Executive Recruiter Distribution

Executive Recruiter Distribution For the Executive on the move. Ive recently added an exciting new service to my site called, Executive Recruiter Distribution (https://www.proreswriters.com) . Whether you are actively seeking a new position or just monitoring the job market, the most effective way of getting a new position is to work with a recruiter. I can get your résumé in hands of select recruiters who are most likely to be looking for you. Quite unlike a typical resume blast, my database content is specifically targeted and based on your unique preferences and project parameters. Updated quarterly, my database consists of 15,800+ recruiters. I attach your résumé to a recruiter targeted letter in PDF or MSWord format. Upon completion you receive a Microsoft Excel file with the names, addresses and contact info for each recipient. The database is comprised of retained and contingency recruiters, and major recruiting firms such as Korn Ferry, Boyden, Heidrick Struggles, Egon Zehnder, Christian Timbers, and more. We also have a database of more than 3,000 Venture Capital and Private Equity firms that we can distribute your résumé. Dont miss this great opportunity to get your name out to the most prestigious recruiting firms! Act now! To learn more, call 1-866-793-9224 or go to my website at https://www.proreswriters.com for more details.