Employee Retention Should Be a Talent Acquisition Responsibility

Employee Retention Should Be a Talent Acquisition Responsibility People are companies’ most valuable asset. This is something we all have known for a long time, but yet companies talk more than they actually do about it. A few years ago companies started focusing on which one has the most advanced technologies in order to create a competitive advantage. With time, they realized that practices and processes focusing on technology and machines were something that their competitors could easily copy. This made them turn their focus into something that was more difficult to copy, their people. The culture, the working atmosphere, and the purpose they provide their people with is something that can’t be easily copied by their competitors. It is something created by their people for themselves. It can be one of a kind, and it is crucial to retaining their people and keep them engaged and motivated. People stay with a company when the company helps them develop a feeling of belonging. Why Employee Retention Matters? In LinkedIns latest annual Recruiting Trends report, one of the four top trends is “Data”. The interesting thing about this trend is that more than half (56%) of the Talent Acquisition pros mentioned that they are using data to increase retention. This means that employers are worried about their people leaving them for someone else. They have realized how expensive it can be if employees leave the company within a short time. Just to have an idea about it, the Society for Human Resource Management supports that it requires six or nine months’ salary of an employee in order to replace him/her and train the new hire. In numbers, that means that if an organization loses a manager who earns $60,000 per year, it will need to invest about $30,000 $45,000 to find his/her replacement and offer the necessary training in order to cope with other employees’ performance levels. Defining HR’s and TA’s Roles and Responsibilities Now, the talent acquisition team within an organization is responsible to ensure that the organization has and will have the best available talents for each specific current or future open position. They invest time, money, and efforts in order to attract talents considered as of a high potential for the company’s needs; talents who are believed to add a considerable value to the organization. On average, a company needs around 42 days to fill an open position. During this period of time, TA specialists search, communicate and assess possible candidates for the position they look to fill. In case that they successfully fill the position, but the new hire decides to leave the company within a short period, that means that the TA team will need to re-invest money, time and efforts to hire a new person. Not a pleasurable situation of course, and this is what makes TA care about the time a new hire spends with the company. On the other hand, the role of HR is to ensure that employees have the necessary practices, processes, support, benefits, and freedom which will allow them to perform at their best potential, aiming to achieve their personal and organizational goals while having as a motivation organization’s overall vision and mission. It is an important and critical role of course, but at the end of the day when an employee will decide to leave the company for another company, HR will only need to process some paperwork for the one who is leaving and some other paperwork for the one who will join. Comparing the two roles, talent acquisition team as part of the bigger HR is expected to be more (negatively) affected if an employee leaves the company. Therefore, the TA team has extra reasons to care even more about the employee retention. They need new hires and all employees to stay with the company for as long as possible, not only because they in a first place believed that these people can add a huge value to the company and positively affect the overall company’s performance, but also because every time someone leaves, their workload increases as well. If it is more convenient for you, you can also call it “personal interest”. How Can TA Create an Impact on Employee Retention? As TA seems to be more directly affected by the employee retention, maybe it is time to rethink the way organizations split duties and responsibilities, and transfer some of them from HR to Talent Acquisition: Job Crafting â€" by definition it is how an employee reframes his/her work, physically, socially and cognitively. It is “…what employees do to redesign their own jobs in ways that foster engagement at work, job satisfaction, resilience, and thriving” (Berg, Wrzesniewski, Dutton, 2010). Real-time Training â€" forget spending time and money on training which requires physical presence and focuses on preparing employees for future potential situations which can in the end never occur. People should have training opportunities available at any time that they may need it. This is why 24/7 access to online training from anywhere should be available for employees. They should be able to receive the training at the moment that they will need it and not when the organization can do it (way too early or way too late). Performance Management, Career Growth, and Internal Moves â€" Most of the companies apply at least yearly performance management tools which aim to assess employees’ performance and evaluate how it aligns with company’s overall performance. Employees focus on improving their performance and achieving better business results. Sometimes it results in promoting employees to positions with more responsibilities, and sometimes it results in releasing employees from the company. Well, fair enough, but let’s think a bit different and instead of laying someone off, offer them the opportunity to try their skills in something else. Everyone is good at something; therefore, lets assess them and based on their skills, knowledge, and performance see where they can add value to the company and then place them there. EVP Ambassadors â€" employee value proposition is the unique set of benefits which an employee receives in turns for the skills, capabilities, knowledge, and experiences he/she brings to the company. If you create a unique set of benefits which will be appreciated by your employees then you automatically make your employees EVP Ambassadors. You will not only increase employee retention but at the same time, you will help the company attract even more talents. That said because people like to talk about things they enjoy, if you make them enjoy their time at the company, they will spread the word about the positive working atmosphere you provide them with and more people would want to join it as well. To conclude, employee retention is an issue which keeps employers awake at night. It is something that can create disruption in the way an organization works, but at the same time, people leaving the company can result in huge costs for the company. To avoid such disruptions and costs, it is time to shift responsibilities within the HR department and make accountable for employee retention the HR sub-function that really cares about it and that is directly affected by its consequences. Talent acquisition team has more reasons to care about employee retention, and maybe it is the time it becomes responsible and gains full control of the practices and process which focus and aim at increasing employees’ retention. About the Author:  Nikolas Tore is a young professional, MSc HRM graduate, HR content writer and an internet savvy who is keen to develop and apply the best HR practices in order to align the objectives of an organization while maximizing employees potential.

Strong Resume Words

Strong Resume WordsThere are many things to consider when you are creating a strong resume. There are some strong resume words and they are important. They can be used as key components of your resume or as an element that you want to use to tie into the rest of your resume.When you are creating a strong resume, you must decide what the most important elements are for you. You must determine what it is that you can do for yourself. This will then tell you what the strong resume words are for you.One of the strongest resume words that you can use is always. This is a word that can be used on all your resumes. Always can be used in your letters of reference as well as in your cover letter. This is something that will stand out to people who read your resume.The other strong resume words that you can use are also. This one will show a person who reads your resume that you have been an employee with the company that you are applying for. This shows that you worked hard and are an asset t o the company.You can also use might too in your resume. This is a word that means successful.The last strong resume words that you can use are also and of course because. These words are going to show a person that you are an asset to the company that you are working for. This also shows that you are intelligent and committed to the job. These are all good things to show.Using your own strong resume words can also be useful. The common resume words that you can use are also, of course, and of course. They will show that you have used all of your resources and taken your time in getting a job. They will also show that you have done your research and know that the company that you are applying for is worth working for.You can also use strong resume words that are fun too. This is something that is not used as much as it once was. You can use words that will show that you are adventurous. If you are an outgoing person, this is something that you can show in your resume.As you can see, there are a lot of strong resume words that you can use. They all work in different ways but they all show that you have done your research and you have put a lot of effort into finding the right job for you. These words will show that you know how to be successful and that you can show that success in your resume.

Not All Website Hosting Companies are Created Equal Choosing The Right One - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Not All Website Hosting Companies are Created Equal Choosing The Right One - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A professional website host provider for WordPress is just the start to establishing your personal brand online. Its important to choose one that can offer fast page loads, a dedicated email, and good security to block hackers. While many claim to offer many similar services at a low rate its important to focus on quality rather than pricing. What type of website host provider works best for professional brands? A company that offers good customer service along with a dedicated technical support structure is a good start. Take the time to do your research first before making a costly decision that could affect your visibility and sales. A web developer can help your brand grow with the right dedicated hosting package. Whether you are redesigning or starting from scratch there are a few key points to consider. Choosing the Right Website Hosting for Your Personal Brand Here are several ways to help you determine what type of company to choose for your business. Website speed Both reliability and up time are two key elements to weigh in on first. Your website will surely lose many visitors if it is down frequently and does not load quickly enough. Choose a provider with reliable uptime and a good record with other customers. Find out what others are saying Do your own research online to find out what other customers are saying in places like forums, social media posts and tweets, ect. This is a good way to learn how their customer service is being handled and the frequency of problems on their servers. Choose unlimited bandwidth and data While its tempting to choose an economical package its more important to choose unlimited band width, data transfer and disk usage. You must have FTP access, PHP, SSL, SSH, .htaccess and the flexibility in installing scripts and software (CMS, blogging and others), which will allow you to grow your online presence. Determine the level of security Website security breaches are on the rise this should be a priority consideration in your decision making. One of the best ways to combat attacks is through the inclusion of a Secure Sockets Layer, which protects your private data including that of your customers. The least expensive shared hosting plan may be easy on the pocket book, but more of a risk if your business has a lot of data that it needs to protect. A professional website hosting provider for your personal brand does not have to be complicated with all of the different companies available today. When choosing a business to work with be sure they have top notch technical support 24 hours and day and 7 days a week. Always check the fine print to see what is included or not in your package before making a final decision.

5 Things You Need For the Perfectly Productive Home Office

5 Things You Need For the Perfectly Productive Home Office Company culture has evolved from the weeklong 9-5 and more employers are letting their staff work from home. This allows businesses to give their employees a fair work/life balance and in turn promote diversity and productivity within the team two major things people look for nowadays on the new job hunt. So whether your employees have set work from home days in their contract or just need the extra flexibility occasionally, YES Glazing has five things they need to think about for a perfectly productive home office. 1. The chair When working from home it can be incredibly tempting to set up shop on the couch in front of the TV, on the bed or dining room table. While some of these are good temporary solutions, they don’t make for productive work at home environment; each of these places has their own purpose and it’s easy to get distracted in a place that isn’t specifically for work. Choose a chair that is the right height for you and your desk, is comfortable, and provides proper back and arm support. Tom Bourlet, Marketing Consultant for The Stag Company, says the first place he started was with his chair as he works completely from home:   “You will be spending a huge amount of time sitting down and unfortunately you won’t have the big budgets of giant companies to invest in high-quality chairs. But it should still be a heavily considered cost. I strongly believe that any chair under £100 you will probably regret further down the line and find yourself buying a replacement. Spend extra and you will find yourself happily sitting all day in your chair without any back pain or frustration.” 2. The lighting The lighting in your office can have a huge impact on productivity and wellbeing, and the road to improvement may actually mean turning the lights off. “Natural light is the best way to go,” says Tom Ellis, Managing Director of YES Glazing. “Not only will it not cost you a penny but it’s also much better for your mental health. A survey conducted by Future Workplace showed that 43% of people felt gloomy because of the lack of natural light, and 47% felt very tired. “So if you’re going to let some light in, make sure it’s as natural as possible. Set up your desk so that it’s in front of a big wide window, preferably south-facing if you can manage it. If that’s not possible, or it is but you find your office getting a little dark in the late afternoon, opt for soft and warm bulbs that replicate the outside light rather than harsh fluorescents.” The placement of any light is also incredibly important. To reduce eye strain, optimum light placement is directly over your ready area, above the computer and behind you, as this ensures there’s no glare or reflection off your computer monitor. Your computer should also be placed a comfortable distance from your chair; you shouldn’t have to strain or hunch to reach the keyboard but also not need to squint or use reading glasses. 3. The desk This is where you’ll be spending the vast majority of your day so make sure it’s a good place to be! In fact, Nick Pollitt, Managing Director at office furniture suppliers, Diamond Interiors, believes the desk should take pride of place: “Your desk is a key element to your home office; it’ll help pull the rest of the room together and will also act as a focal point that draws the eye. And it’s going to be an important part of your productivity levels. So take your time and choose something that is going to be a good place to work for a long time. No matter what you go for, make sure it’s large enough to fit everything you need within arm’s reach and sits at the right height for you to work comfortably.” If you find yourself quite limited to office space, it’s time to whip out the old paper and pencil. Draw out a rough floor plan on graph paper and take some measurements of the space available and the sizes of furniture you’re working with. Make the most of the space you have by installing shelves above your desk or an under-desk mobile or desk height fixed pedestal. 4. The layout Now we come onto the layout of what’s on your desk. It’s only natural to want things close to hand, but it’s surprising what you don’t need. No doubt you’ve heard the phrase “tidy desk, tidy mind”, and it’s true! Clutter can be incredibly distracting and can stop you from being productive. Instead, get yourself organised and sort through your supplies. Use ergonomics in your favour to make working easier and much more comfortable. If you like to put your feet up, then consider investing in a small footstool. Around 10” high should do and it should be placed under your desk. A slide-out keyboard holder is always a good idea for keeping your keyboard at the right height, and choose a mouse mat that provides wrist cushioning and isn’t too far out of reach. 5. The working day Now you’ve got your surroundings set up exactly the way you want them, it’s time to turn your attention to how you go about your working day. Staying motivated when you work from home is harder than you’d think, and it certainly isn’t the relaxing heaven it’s made out to be. Karen Kwong from RenOC, says you need to plan your day as meticulously as you choose your office furniture: “Have a plan for what you want to achieve that day and for the entire week. It gives your day some context and allows you to fill mini pockets of time with a smaller to-do list, whilst still being focused.   “Work out what your best work patterns are e.g. if you work better early or later. Then tell non-work people that you can’t be disturbed during those hours. It is assumed that people who work from home are free to play, whereas that’s not strictly true. Maybe sometimes they are and sometimes they’re not. Having these time limits in place helps to create healthy boundaries. “Also make sure you take regular breaks; it’s healthy for your physical and mental wellbeing. Make time to exercise during the day, eat well and get lots of sleep at night. It’s also important to get out of the house. When you work from home, face-to-face contact is one thing you miss out on, but you still need socialization, even if you’re a natural introvert.” Working from home can require a lot of will power to stay on track, but these tips will ensure a satisfying and productive day of hard work! About the author:  Tom Ellis, Managing Director at YES Glazing.

Do the Opposite of What the Industry Leaders Do - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Do the Opposite of What the Industry Leaders Do - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When people dig for gold, dont pick up a shovel and dig with them; instead, sell shovels. The best way to stand out above the crowd is to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.  But for companies and professionals, it doesnt make sense to blindly go against the crowd.  Instead, its best to solve a new pain created by the industry leaders. Remember when Groupon, Living Social, and the daily deal industry exploded back in 2010?  A bunch of me-too companies instantly sprang up trying to capitalize on a hot industry.  But the companies that directly competed with Groupon on a national level quickly failed because they were trying to dig for gold in a spot that Groupon had already dominated. Thats when my team and I realized that we had an opportunity to sell shovels.  We realized that while small businesses were getting a large influx of customers from daily deal sites, they werent getting the right type of customers and many of these deal-seeking customers would never return.  We created a digital rewards program called RewardMe to solve a pain created by the daily deal industry. The initial concept of RewardMe was to help small business track their customers and give them special treatment.  While Groupon brought a bunch of unqualified customers to their door, our goal was to capture their info and get them to keep coming back. Our vision resonated well with SMBs and we had many businesses use us in the Bay Area in Northern California. How to identify a hot industry thats now saturated Once you realize an industry is hot, its too late to get into the game. Unless you carve out a specific niche, its best to avoid a me-too product in an already crowded industry. Hot industries are covered by online tech publications all the time.  In the case of the daily deal industry, Groupon and Living Social were the most mentioned companies as they were the leaders in the industry. The leaders in the industry dont have to have a huge share of the market, but they do have the market that matters and have a huge head start.  Groupon dominated many metropolitan cities across the US back in 2010 and were also heavily funded, allowing them to hire a huge sales force that few companies besides Living Social could compete with. Carve out a niche to get into the industry (dig somewhere else) If youre fast enough, you can get into the industry with a me-too product as long as you carve out a specific niche.  One of my good friends started the Groupon of Orange County.  Groupon had yet to hit the OC, so he quickly assembled a sales force and straight copied the daily deal model that Groupon created.  He eventually sold the company for a decent amount of money in less than a year. Though you may never become the leader in a crowded industry, you still have a solid chance at getting bought out by the leaders in the industry.  Think of it this way: would Groupon prefer to go head-to-head with my friends company in the OC, or would they just buy them out and use their already established  infrastructure  to dominate the OC.  The latter option is a cheaper and faster way to capture the OC. If you see a clear leader in an industry that has lots of funding, then theyll be on the look out for strategic acquisition.  This could be you if you carve out a specific niche and show value. Approach the industry differently and sell shovels This is what we did.  Instead of  competing  with Groupon, we created an entirely different product that attacked a new pain in the industry. It seems that many companies had a similar idea.  After 6 months of launching our product, we began to see press for startups that were very simliar to ours trying to get into the loyalty industry.  Many started around the same time as us (end of 2010), and were finally gaining enough traction to get press. Throughout 2 years of battling to dominate the industry, we saw many competitors  get funding, many competitors die, and many competitors get acquired by larger players in the industry. Its very fascinating. I learned that one of the greatest assets that an entrepreneur can have is to be a true visionary and predict hot industries before they happen. Many times the winner is the company that got into the industry first AND at the right time. Too many entrepreneur try to jump into a hot industry when its already saturated and has big players. Instead of diving head in, think of a way to provide players in the hot industry with a new product or service to solve a new pain created. Author: Jun Loayza is the President of Lion Step Media. In his entrepreneurial experience, Jun has sold 2 internet companies, raised over $1,000,000 in funding, and lead social media technology campaigns for Sephora, Whole Foods Market, Levis, LG, and Activision.

Manor Racing on alternative careers in motorsport - Debut

Manor Racing on alternative careers in motorsport - Debut Debut had the exclusive opportunity to grill British Formula One racing team Manor Racing  about all things motorsport. In this post they discuss alternative careers in the industry, and how best to grab opportunities in Formula One: You don’t just need engineers in the motorsport industry. What other careers are there in the industry to pursue? There is definitely more to the motorsport industry than just engineering. Among other areas, there are marketing, commercial, PR and a wider variety of operational  roles, all of which require employees who are experts in their field and equally passionate about their work. Most business related degrees do not cover topics such as motorsport. How can students prove their business skills to an employer like Manor Racing? A motorsport  background in business related areas is not essential, and similarly, students can prove their business skills by demonstrating excellent results in areas of finance and commerce. Also, previous experience of demonstrating their experience and knowledge in a fast paced working environment is extremely attractive as well. Networking is a scary concept to a lot of students. What are your top tips on making a good impression in the motorsport industry? Do your homework and show that you have a passion for this industry. There is a lot of information available on the Internet about how the motorsport industry is evolving. You should also try exploring  the history and set up of individual teams. Context is everything after all! Having a keen interest in the motorsport industry will help demonstrate that you are genuinely passionate about working in it. Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter  today for more careers advice

Want A New Job You Need To Do The Work.

Want A New Job You Need To Do The Work. Want A New Job? You Need To Do The Work. Over the years, I’ve talked to hundreds, maybe thousands, of people who are looking for a new job. They want growth opportunities or more money. Some of them hate their boss. The common thread is that they all want a change. As with most things some are more successful than others. The successful ones are the ones who do the work. They don’t spend all day every day in front of the computer browsing job boards. (While that gives you a feeling of accomplishment, it’s not very effective.) Successful job seekers develop a multipronged job search plan and work it every day. Here is a basic job search plan that you can adapt to your needs. It’s broken down into job search preparation (PREP) and continuing activities (ONGOING). If you’re actively looking, as in you really want to find a job, follow A activities. If you’re passively looking, you’re open but not in any hurry, P is for you. #1 TARGET EMPLOYERS PREP â€" Create a list of 10 or so Target Employers, these are the companies where you would love to work for whatever reason.  Set up Google alerts for each of them so you’ll know when they are in the news. ONGOING Monitor the career pages on their company sites. A = 2-3X a week. P = 1X a week. Contact friends, family, colleagues, etc. to see who they might know who works for one of your target employers (or any employer who’s ad piques your interest). FYI, your alumni association may be able to help with this too.  A = 2-3X hours a week. P= 1 hour a week. #2 JOB BOARDS PREP â€" While job boards are not the most effective way to find a job, they should be part of every job search. ONGOING A = 1-2 hours a day. P = 1-2 hours a week. #3 NETWORKING PREP â€" Networking is the most effective, yet underutilized, job search tool. Research and develop a list of networking opportunities near you. Industry associations which often have local chapters that meet monthly. Alumni associations generally have events through the year. Meetups offer a wide variety of ways to meet people. Don’t ignore job seeker groups run by nonprofits and local libraries. They are a great place to trade job leads and learn from area career experts. ONGOING A= 1X week. P = 1-2X month. NOTE: Whether you’re looking or not networking should be a part of your life. You need to build your network before you need it. Be strategic when you attend events. #4 LINKEDIN PREP   Make sure your LinkedIn profile is recruiter ready. Really anyone ready. Yes, recruiters are on LinkedIn sourcing candidates every day. But, anyone you meet at a networking event or any employer who likes your resume will be looking at it too. So complete your profile, upload a head shot (get it analyzed at photofeeler.com), and upload a background photo. Make sure you include contact information in your Summary as well. Also, set your profile so that recruiters will know you’re looking. Go to Settings Privacy = Job Seeking Preferences = Let recruiters know you’re open to new opportunities. While there is no guarantee, LinkedIn says “We take steps not to show you current company that you’re open.” ONGOING Status updates which can include industry articles, news items, anything you think would be of interest to your connections. A=2-3X week. P=1X week. Stay active liking and sharing other people posts. A = 2-3X week. P = 1X week. If you want to be considered a thought leader, articles are the way to go. Bonus: they give you and other people something to share. #5 INTERVIEW PRACTICE PREP â€" Start bey creating a list of the most common interview questions: Why do you want to leave or why did you leave your current position? Why do you want to work here? Why should we hire you? Do you have any questions? (No, is not the right answer here.) Many employers will begin with “tell me about you” this doesn’t mean begin with your 1st job, it means give me a little background that will make me want to hire you. (There are tons of articles on top questions online.) ONGOING Write out and practice your answers to these questions. Tell your stories as Beginning = Middle = End based on the format Challenge = Action = Result. Partner with someone and grade each other. Record your answers and review them. (I use Voice Recorder Audio Editor, but you can find tons of apps.) Remember your answers should always focus on what you can do for the employer NOT what they can do for you. Many people say that looking for a job is a full-time job. I’m not sure I wholeheartedly agree with that. But you do need to work smart. Develop a multipronged job search plan that includes online and in person activities. Evaluate it periodically to see what’s working for you and what’s not. Keep the activities that are getting results, eliminate those that are not, and always stay open to trying new things.

Guest Post-Economy Update Stop Feeding the Beast of Fear Within

Guest Post-Economy Update Stop Feeding the Beast of Fear Within Kendall SummerHawk is a million-dollar marketing coach and author of the book, Brilliance Unbridled. She teaches consultants, speakers, coaches, and small business owners to manage their businesses smartly while following their souls desire. I was introduced to Kendall last year and have been a big fan ever since. She isnt just for business owners, but for everyone who wants to succeed in what they do. She talks about our pre-programmed MO-ney mindsets and how to change our thoughts about moneycreating more and receiving it. Her bold money goal helped me triple my income in a year. You need to sign up for her free newsletter. It is fantastic! Look for more guest posts from Kendall in the future. Love this woman! Here she is: Kendall SummerHawk. The recent economic news is truly scaring the you-know-what out of people. The reason is not the “facts” presented by the media, but because underneath those facts is the thinly veiled threat that on an individual level, our personal safety and security is at jeopardy. The news triggers fear that has been lying dormant in us, like a beast, just waiting to be fed. This beast grows stronger with every passing news article, late-breaking t.v. spot or report of more workers affected by the actions of a few greedy, short-sighted people. The beast of fear keeps us down. It gnaws at our confidence like a dog on a bone. It whispers in our ear that to be afraid is to be safe. It wants us to worry because when we do, it grows stronger. But the beauty of the beast is that it is, right now, providing us with the perfect opportunity to eradicate your fear, once and for all. Your fear doesn’t serve you, it only serves the beast. This is a time not just in our nation’s history, but in your own personal history, to strengthen your core faith in who you are, what you bring to the world and in life itself. My clients are continuing to make great mo-ney (one just signed on two new clients worth $10,000 EACH who both paid in full!) because they listen to their heart, where the beast can’t live. They listen to me, because they know I will always tell them the truth. And the truth is, that shrinking back from investing in yourself and your business will only feed the beast and will keep you from being paid (and paid well) for and fulfilling your Soul’s Divine Purpose. So turn off the news, stop feeding the beast and instead look for signs of prosperity, abundance and success. They are everywhere and I challenge you to find FIVE such signs every day! +++++ Would you like to learn more simple ways entrepreneurs can brand, package and price their services to quickly move away from dollars-for-hours work and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, https://www.KendallSummerHawk.com, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free audio mini-seminar 7 Simple Steps to Create Your Multiple Streams of In-come Money and Soul Business. Award-winning small business expert Kendall SummerHawk is the Million Dollar Marketing Coach.