How to Reinvigorate Your Workforce

How to Reinvigorate Your Workforce Productivity is high on current business agendas, both at a national-level and for individual business leaders as  ONS figures  continue to show a fall in the output per hour. In order to attain good financial results, customer satisfaction and high output, employee engagement needs to be a priority. We know that businesses are still harbouring retention concerns industry-wide, with skilled talent proving harder to attract, engage and retain. Learning how to spot a disengaged employee and understanding what can be done to inspire re-engagement is a key factor in reaching maximum productivity company-wide, as well as achieving increased employee retention. What causes employees to become disengaged? As our  recent report  has shown, the main causes of employee disengagement are boredom and frustration (35%), followed by a poor work-life balance (31%) and stagnant career prospects (30%). To put the issue of boredom into perspective, UK managers have  identified  that their employees spend an estimated 5.3 hours a week bored at work. A number that increases significantly within large companies (7.1 hours) and is higher than average in London and the South East (6.4 hours). Low engagement and boredom aren’t just down to quality of work though. Inefficient internal processes could also be a contributing factor. One in three (30%) managers have stated that there are too many meetings during the working day, many of which are poorly executed. In light of the ongoing skills shortage, stagnation becomes a key issue. Managers said that they believe roles are not interesting enough and that staff often don’t feel challenged (32%) or become disheartened by the lack of diversity that their role offers them (30%). Signs of a disengaged employee can manifest in the following ways: Not hitting targets:  Poor performance and consistently missing targets are clear indicators that your employee is not invested in the growth of the business or their own career within the company. No initiative:  Your employee has little to contribute at team meetings and doesn’t seem willing to generate new ideas or share independent learnings. Unhealthy activities:  Frequent cigarette breaks, long lunches, and multiple kitchen and bathroom trips are all signs of someone who doesn’t want to be in the office anymore. Bad attitude:  This includes complaining, not wanting to help others, being anti-social at work and displaying an unwillingness to get involved in company activities. How to re-engage a disengaged employee A common misconception is that giving employees a higher salary will help to engage them again, but this is often not the case. Research has shown that employees are 3.2 times more likely to be happy at work  when they’re given meaningful, challenging tasks that they find satisfying. You can reverse employee disengagement by introducing several simple processes and practices at work and within the employee-manager relationship. Role development via upskilling and employee training:  What are your employee’s long-term career goals? If they feel like you’re willing to help them work towards it, you might find that investment levels go up. Ask them which skills they feel they’d like to improve and address these within the  employee’s learning and development  plan. Regular progress meetings:  Touching base regularly after goals have been set will provide tangible achievements to keep things feeling diverse and challenging. Give them work ownership:  Research has shown that employees who feel free at work are 2.7 times more likely to be happy. Over half also said that they don’t have enough opportunities to be creative (58%). Allowing employees to become more involved in their own careers gives them the personal investment they’ll need to re-engage with the company they work for. Show them they are valued:  Small signs of appreciation can go a long way in the eyes of a disengaged employee as those employees who feel supported are 67% more engaged than those that felt undervalued. Understanding how to identify disengaged employees and acting on those observations will help companies attracting and retaining employees, and get the most out of their workforce to overcome the current productivity slump. About the author:  Phil Sheridan  is the managing director for Robert Half International’s UK operations where he is responsible for leading the organisation’s strategy and direction across more than 20 office locations.

Top Resume Writing Services - Check Out These Best Resume Writing Services

Top Resume Writing Services - Check Out These Best Resume Writing ServicesGa, a great and important company in the US, has come up with the list of the best resume writing services that you can use to help you look for a suitable job. The information given below is an important source to get you started in this job search.First of all, Ga has tried to create a list of the best full service resume services and within that list of services it has narrowed down the list to just five. In other words, the best services that GA has listed are the five that offer only professional resume writing. This means that if you want to look for a job, the services that you will avail not only services that can write the perfect resume, but also that can search for the right employer for you.Resume writing is actually an art. Not everyone can write a great resume; not even those who know that they should be able to do it. Some people may have had great results with the services that GA had provided t hem, while others have failed miserably.The top five services listed in this list are:Services that come after J. Lund are Bissell, the largest publishing company in the world. A lot of Bissell resumes are generally used by people when they are looking for a job, but not all of these resumes work because most of the Bissell resume writing experts have been trained by other firms and they don't always follow the guidelines set by Bissell for writing resumes.If you check the next item on the list, J. Lund, which comes after Bissell, then you will find that some of the writers on this list are actually trained by Bissell and even by Lund, but still they come up with not so stellar resumes for their clients. This means that they are more than likely not in touch with what is actually required in this field.The next four services that Ga came up with are the best ones for helping you with your search for the perfect resume. Services that come after this list are Carter-Quinlan, Career On e, Credentialing, and Global Powerhouse.If you want to choose the best services, then the best one is Nook Consulting. Nook Consulting offers the best resume writing services that you can find and they even have an award from the Federal Government for their work. Now you know what you need to do to get the perfect resume and how you can turn the resume into the perfect job.

Manchester Metropolitan University Launches GradMatch Scheme

Manchester Metropolitan University Launches GradMatch Scheme Even the the brightest graduate is far from guaranteed employment once they’ve finished their studies, and postgraduates aren’t any more certain either. Often the problem is that companies need people with experience (which not many graduates have) and graduates want to gain experience (which not many companies are willing to offer). It’s a classic catch-22. But now help is at hand through Manchester Metropolitan University’s GradMatch scheme. Small firms are being encouraged to take advantage of the scheme that will provide 100 internships for students graduating this year. “MMU takes the employability of our graduates very seriously and giving them support in getting high quality experience of the graduate labour market via a paid internship is one way of doing this” said Rita Lewin, head of Student Employability and Success and Deputy Director of Student Services at MMU. Read More 2

Social Networks Help In Job Search

Social Networks Help In Job Search Social Media Platforms In Job Search Useful Tools that will be of Help during Your Job Search For soon-to-be college grads and job seekers alike, it is important to stay on the lookout for opportunities that may present themselvesâ€"sometimes in the most unlikely of circumstances. Whether you are on line at the grocery store, an intern, or at an event, remember to market yourself. It is important to network throughout college and well after you have landed a position in your desired field. As the saying goes, “you never know who you’re going to meet next.” Always remember to present yourself well and as a professional in your field of study. Keep in mind that there are free tools that you may already know of that can be used to your advantage! Social Media Platforms In Job Search That’s right! Using social media can actually aid in finding and landing the job that you have been searching for. As social media interfaces change continuously, it is important to make note of the many benefits that social media can have, other than successfully taking up the majority of your day. Look to social media to get up-to-the-minute information on the latest job market and industry trends. Professionals within your field of interest are readily available to follow as well. Using Twitter and Facebook in your Job Search How far can a Tweet comprised of 142 characters get you? Image via CrunchBase That is a great question. If you use Twitter effectively, it could get your foot in the door of a great interview. According to Mediabistro.com, 62% of Fortune 500 companies have an active Twitter account while nearly 60% have an active Facebook page. How’s that for an exceptional social presence. Even the CEOs of well-known Fortune 500 companies can be found Tweeting and posting social updates. Use Twitter to acquire market insights from professionals and “Like” a company of interest on Facebook to get a feel for the company’s culture. Use your free Twitter account to your advantage and take part in the weekly #HFChat, regarded by Sparkhire.com as one of the leading job seeker and career advice chats. Using LinkedIn in your Job Search Image via CrunchBase For the ultimate networking tool, LinkedIn will keep you in the know and up-to-date with the latest industry news. You will also have the ability to share your professional information along with career experience and an updated resume with others in the field. Follow companies and take part in group discussions. The importance of demonstrating a professional demeanor is crucial. If you are a seasoned writer and find that your knowledge has helped others in the past, LinkedIn allows you to link to your blog. Now you have the ability to share not only your resume but your experience, all in one place! [ALSO SEE: 7 Tips To Get Started on LinkedIn as a Graduate] In Job Search? Words of Wisdom from a Recruiter The majority of internet users spend their time via social sitesâ€"22% to be exact. This is followed by online searches and reading content to name a few. Employers are aware that potential candidates will most likely have social accounts but it is how the candidate presents themselves to others that will ultimately reflect an employer’s decision of whether to call for an interview or leave alone.   A truly sought after candidate will know how to effectively communicate as a professional both in person and on social networking sites. Not only will that employee demonstrate confidence in themselves, but also in their company.

Resume Writing Services in Daytona Beach

Resume Writing Services in Daytona BeachResume writing services in Daytona Beach Florida offer a variety of services that include editing and proofreading. The greatest advantage of hiring a professional writer is that they will take the time to explain your job experience and education carefully. Resume writing services in Daytona Beach Florida will provide a resume that is clean and organized. This is the most important step in preparing a resume.The resume should contain all of the important information that will stand out from the rest of the applicants. An applicant must keep the information in the resume updated and up to date. There are many resumes for every opening that will be filled. The resume will not only highlight the applicant's skills, but also how well prepared the applicant is for the position.Several of the best resume writing services in Daytona Beach Florida offer resume writing services for different needs. These services include resume editing and proofreading . A resume editor will determine what sections need to be changed or removed. If the position does not require experience, then no experience is required for the position.Many people submit resumes that are identical because they have many great qualifications. Many employers want a resume that is interesting and unique. It is possible to make a resume that stands out. To do this, the resume writing services in Daytona Beach Florida will write the resume in such a way that it fits in with the qualifications and experience.They may edit the resume to remove any questions that are too general. The first thing an employer will look at is how experienced the applicant is. The next thing they will consider is how many jobs the applicant has held. The last thing they will consider is how many years the applicant has worked.A resume must stand out to a hiring manager. They are required to consider everything written on the resume. Many times, the resume is not that important and does not a pply to the position. However, a professional resume can get an applicant to the interview.The best thing about these resume writing services is that they are there to help you while you wait on the interview. A good resume is a reflection of the candidate's career and their skills. This is why it is important to ensure that the resume is accurate and meets the requirements. If it does not meet the requirements, then you must rewrite the resume and do some work to improve the resume.Resume writing services in Daytona Beach Florida provide resume writing services for a variety of different companies. These services include writing as well as editing resumes. When an employer wants a resume that is professional, they will refer their needs to a professional resume writer. This is a wise investment for any resume writing service in Daytona Beach Florida.

How to Turn Negative Qualities Into Positives During a Job Interview CareerMetis.com

How to Turn Negative Qualities Into Positives During a Job Interview How many times have interviewers asked about your most significant weakness? And, how many times have you faltered and fumbled to come up with an answer?Now that you’ve come to the end of your academic career, you are about to enter into the real world where you will be applying for jobs. Maybe even your dream job.evalWhen compared to the most difficult of academic assignments, job interviews are far more challenging. When you appear for an interview, you have to face it by yourself.However, you are not alone. We are with you, and we can help you spin around tricky questions.The most common area where most of us falter is during the tricky questions regarding our strengths and weaknesses. When an interviewer asks you about your weaknesses, they do not actually want to know about your negative aspects.This may seem counter-intuitive, but instead, they want to know how adaptable you are. More so, how effective you are at transforming yourself into a better human being.While answering the question about your greatest flaws, make sure you keep the following in mind:1) Be PreparedQuite often, a tricky question like “What is your greatest strength and weakness?” catches us off guard and we end up blanking while searching for an impressive answer. The best way to avoid this scenario is to stay prepared in advance.You already know that the interviewer is going to ask this practically mandatory question, so why not be ready with your answers! Rack your brain and make a list of your flawed traits.evalThen frame them positively, and make concrete points about how you have taken positive steps towards changing them.2) Be Honest and Be YourselfIf nothing else, be truthful to the person interviewing you. Being frank and open about what you honestly feel can earn you points with any recruiter. A good interviewer can see through lies, so do not try to deceive them or tell half-truths.Make sure that every academic and professional claim on your CV is accurate. Also, do no t try to be another person to impress the interviewer.3) Explain How You Overcame a WeaknessEveryone has a flaw, and so do you. So, do not so claim that you are some magical exception. First, understand that it is entirely reasonable to have weaknesses.evalSo, tell them about a flaw that you have and share how you are trying to overcome that deficiency. What is important is how well you can handle your faults and get the best out of them.4) Be Positive Throughout the InterviewHandle negative questions with a confident stance. This will prove your mettle and show your recruiter how composed you are and how well you can handle tough situations. Quite often, people get nervous and end up fumbling for answers.That is a natural response. But, if you answer a negative question negatively, this will reflect your mindset and approach. Suppose they ask you about the reason you left your previous job. Do not, under any circumstance, criticize your former workplace.When it comes to talking abo ut your flaws, it starts with acceptance. It is when you accept that you have a weakness that you know how to deal with it and overcome it.Even while talking about your shortcomings, make sure you express it with a smile. This will reflect the optimistic and favorable outlook that you have in life and in regards to your future.Here are five flaws that you can claim as your negatives and then turn them around into positive aspects about yourself to impress the interviewer.5) Time ManagementTime management is a severe problem for many professionals, and it can be yours too. If you think that you cannot manage time properly, then you can state it asyour weakness.If you feel you are unable to deliver your daily work target within the 8 hours window, feel free to communicate it to your interviewer when asked the dreaded question. But, at the same time, make sure you mention how you are trying to improve on it and how far have you have come.Tell them how you have taken measures to grow in the form of reminders and alarms and about the positive strides that you have made so far. Show them that you have invested time in rectifying your weakness.evalTell them how you plan to tackle the most critical tasks first and keep your work desk more organized to manage time better.6) Taking A Lot of StressWhen asked about your greatest weakness, you can say how much you worry about meeting deadlines and how you end up taking a lot of unnecessary stress which in turn makes you anxious. This can work as a positive since the recruiter will know how serious you are about the work assigned to you.Anybody dedicated to his or her job is a good employee and thus will make the interviewer give positive feedback about you. Worrying about an approaching deadline is good.However, when you end up taking a lot of stress, things may get a little out of hand. So make sure you spin this around by telling how you are training yourself to handle things better and learning to take less stress.7) Be ing a PerfectionistWhen asked about your biggest flaw, you can answer saying that you are often too hard on yourself and too critical over everything you do. You can explain how you have always been unhappy with the work that you deliver.evalSay how you always strive for perfection and yet somehow you feel you do not achieve it. This will give the recruiter a view into your sincerity and perseverance. But that is not where it should end.Make sure you explain how you are trying to bring in a positive change. Mention how due to that flaw, you always give your 100%. Then, say how you are learning to appreciate yourself more by accepting accomplishments and accolades as you receive them.Perfectionism is a trait that can be both a flaw and an admirable quality. Too much perfectionism can be detrimental to your self-esteem, but at the same time, it can also assure the recruiter how particular you are about the work you deliver.8) ShynessBeing shy is, of course, not a flaw. But it can come as an obstacle in the workplace if you cannot bond with your colleagues. Being shy can be detrimental to teamwork when you have to perform in a group. But at the same time, shyness can be rectified using various techniques.You can claim to be shy, but then mention how you are trying to overcome your flaw by engaging across multiple speaking classes. Tell your recruiter how you have made positive changes and how you have become more confident and outgoing.Narrate how you have taken lessons in boosting your self-esteem, which has helped you step out of the shell and make friends.9) ProcrastinationProcrastination is a problem that many people have, and even if you do not realize it, you may have it too. You may be thinking that owning up to this negative trait can land you in hot water. But, there is a smart way of putting this, spinning it around to make it look like a positive.When you say that you are guilty of procrastination, make sure you also follow up with how you are trying t o change that bad habit. Tell the recruiter how you have started creating a routine to cope with procrastination.You can also say how you have curbed your addiction to social media and made an effort to stop yourself from using your phone in between work. You can also mention how you are teaching yourself to be mentally prepared to start work immediately without delay.When asked about your weaknesses, it is a mistake to claim that you are free of defects. It is better to be upfront, and honest. So, admit to the flaws you have.It is not necessary to respond to a negative question negatively. You can tell the recruiter about a weakness that you have through the lens of positive steps you are taking towards overcoming it. This will show how concerned you are about your performance.

Four Things Job Interviews of Tomorrow Must Discover - CareerEnlightenment.com

Four Things Job Interviews of Tomorrow Must Discover Traditional hiring has largely focused on a candidate’s experience and education as the primary qualifiers for a position.   Both skills and knowledge can be learned and mastered over time.   While there certainly is merit in evaluating what someone has learned (knowledge) and what he or she has done (skills) so far in a career (experience), it is at best an incomplete set of criteria.   Why?  Because there is more to performing a job than just knowledge and skills.Study after study shows that of those new hires who fail in a job, most do not fail for lack of knowledge or lack of skill, but rather for who they are and who they are not.  In other words, they fail for the absence of specific natural capabilities with which an individual is born, and which can be developed, mastered, and applied on the job.    For example, a Leadership IQ study found that only 11% of new hire failures were due to a lack of technical skills, with deficiencies in coachability, motivation, temperamen t, and emotional intelligence as collectively comprising 81% of the reasons new hires fail.The purpose of this article is to set forth a highly adaptable framework for employers to use to identify and screen for the critical natural capabilities required for success in a position, and for job seekers to understand in anticipation of being interviewed by employers that use this approach.Intelligence Quotient (IQ)Measures the reasoning capacity of an individual and is a predictor of a person’s ability to learn and assimilate new information and to solve complex problems. Consider how rapidly technology will increase the degree of complexity of most jobs, which is why IQ matters as a valid predictor of job success.   McKinsey Company’s recent report, Management Intuition for the Next 50 Years points out how complexity is increasing in the jobs of tomorrow, requiring workers who have the intellectual capacity to recognize, think through and solve complex problems rapidly.Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ)Measures someone’s ability to perceive, control, and express emotions (commonly called people smarts). EQ is predictive of someone’s ability to fit on a team and his or her interpersonal acumen, and is helpful in assessing entrepreneurial tendencies.   In a global economy, the ability to relate to other people is increasingly important. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Employers will need to identify the specific IQ, EQ, TQ, and CQ parameters that make for a strong performer in a specific role.   Just as an employer today determines the essential duties of a position and the core competencies (skills and knowledge) required by a candidate, employers will need to expand the position’s requisite core competencies to include specific IQ, EQ, TQ, an d CQ elements.The next step will be to create effective interview questions to uncover whether or not a particular candidate possesses the expanded set of core competencies.   This will likely require educating hiring managers, recruiters, HR and others involved in the selection process so that they operate from a shared view when choosing which candidate to hire.   Once hired, the new hire’s onboarding process should incorporate intentional IQ, EQ, TQ, and CQ development and application activities.Job Seekers will need to evaluate their own candidacy in terms of the specific IQ, EQ, TQ, and CQ elements they can bring to an employer.   Candidates who possess a greater percent of the expanded core competencies are more likely to exude elevated levels of passion and engagement.   What most employers want to learn is how a candidate has successfully applied the elements of knowledge, skill, IQ, EQ, TQ, and CQ in previous work, volunteer, intern, and other activities.   Candidates who can make a compelling presentation of these capabilities during their search will â€" as today â€" position themselves in the place of greatest employability.Bottom Line.   Employers, employees, recruiters, job seekers, and HR will all need to recognize the opportunity that lies ahead for being able to identify and engage the elements IQ, EQ, TQ, and CQ to produce better hiring decisions and more fulfilling careers.This post is excerpted from my leadership development module Leading Through Peopleâ„¢ Staffing, Recruitment Onboarding.

How to reply to illegal interview questions -

How to reply to illegal interview questions - Yesterdays post described Natalies tale every job seekers nightmare illegal interview. She chose to simply respond to the questions. What other options do you have? JobWeb has some great information about how to handle illegal interview questions. They point out that you have a few options if faced with a question you think is inappropriate. (Hat tip to Karen Burns at Working Girl for the link!) You are free to answer the question. However, keep in mind that if you provide this information, you may jeopardize your chances of getting hired, in the event you provide the wrong answer. There may be a legal recourse available to you, but this is not the preferred outcome for most job applicants. You can refuse to answer the question. Unfortunately, depending on how the refusal is phrased, you run the risk of appearing uncooperative or confrontational, and losing the job. Again, there may be legal recourse, but this is hardly an ideal situation. You can examine the question for its intent and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job. For example, if the interviewer asks, Are you a U.S. citizen? or What country are you from?, you have been asked an improper question. You could respond, however, with I am authorized to work in the United States. Similarly, if the interviewer asks, Who is going to take care of your children when you have to travel for the job? your answer could be, I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires. Follow this link for more information to help teach you to identify questions no one should ask you! Dont forget, in general, its a good idea to view the interview as YOUR opportunity to evaluate the employer. Watch for warning signs during your interview! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?   If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While youre at it, dont forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on FacebookId be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers. photo by endless studio