67% of Employers Plan to Increase Hiring Soon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

67% of Employers Plan to Increase Hiring Soon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It’s about time that job seekers, and economists alike, heard some good news about hiring particularly in light of this month’s unemployment figures with an unemployment rate of 9.2% and a mere 18K new jobs, 92K less than expected. According to Jobvite, the leading recruiting platform for the social web, 67% of companies will increase hiring in the next 12 months, a 12% increase from 2010. This figure, along with the basis of those in this blog, was just released today as part of Jobvite’s annual survey result and the timing couldn’t be better. Where the hiring happens: Social Networks 55% of survey respondents plan to increase their investment in social recruiting in the next year, up from 46% last year, said Anne Murguia, Vice President of Marketing for Jobvite. She went on to say that multiple social networks are where the action is at, “Linked In is the strongest and is used by 87% of the people. 64% use two or more utilities which I found fascinating.” With 80% of today’s hiring done via networking, it makes sense that social networking has such a place in today’s hiring practices. Jobvite’s Survey showed that Linked In, Facebook and Twitter and leading the social recruiting pack with Linked at the front. 87% of respondents use it for recruiting (95% yielded hires from it) followed by Facebook used 55% for recruiting, yielding 24% of hires. If you’re job seeking and not on Linked In, it’s time to build a high quality profile. Competition heats up As these social recruiting practices emerge more, so does the competition from both the employer and job seeker perspective. The survey found that 78% expect hiring competition will increase in the next 12 months. I know that sounds scary; I spend 10 hours/day coaching candidates currently looking for new careers and it’s already competitive. This simply means your job search approach needs to be more strategic, focused and clear. Who said tenure pays? Many clients these days come to me after successful careers with the same company for over 10, 15, 20, and 25 years. This is the way ‘we’ were taught to approach a career. Today’s new generation looks at a ‘JOB’ as an opportunity to get the most and move on. Apparently so do employers now. Jobvite found that 31% expect employee’s tenure to be less than 2 years or less, and 14% expect a new employee will stay more than 5 years. As a career coach, that’s great news (read: recurring clients) but as a business owner that’s bothersome on a variety of levels. Number one way to get hired Referrals are the best source. 70% of respondents said referrals are a better fit with the company culture and values than candidates from any other channel and 67% said recruiter referrals are faster making referrals the highest rated source for candidate quality. How do you ignite a referral through your social network? Employees (your friends, family, alumni) come with built-in social networks and they spread the word through those social networks about job openings. As Anne Murguiasaid, “It’s a powerful way for companies to get in front of potentially talented prospects.” Author: Adriana Llames is a veteran career coach and acclaimed author of Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game, released with top book seller Amazon.com. She is creator of   “HR In-A-Box,” a Human Resources software product helping small businesses across America and a professional keynote speaker motivating and inspiring audiences with her focused programs on “9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game”, “Confessions of a Career Coach” and “Nice Girls End Up on Welfare.” For more information, visit www.adrianallames.com

7 Effective Ways to Personalize Your Home Office

7 Effective Ways to Personalize Your Home Office Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comThe environment you work in has a big effect on your productivity levels, especially when you work from home. It can be tough to stay focused when you work and sleep in the same place, so you need to create a work area that feels separate from the rest of your homeâ€"ideally, itsown room.?Simple furniture and décor adjustments can make a big difference in how efficiently you work, as can the technology you use. And with the following seven tips, you can create your perfect home office.1. Decorate IntelligentlyStudies show that the addition of even a few houseplants to an office can make employees up to38% more productive, as the flora psychologically engages people and helps them feel happier. And, ultimately, feeling happier can make them better workers.eval?Plants also improve the air quality of a room, so it’s worth filling your office space with some foliage. Opt for low-maintenance plants like succulents if you’re bad at keeping plants alive, and watch how your mood improves while you work.Having a space where you can pin your current favorite images, quotes, and other inspirations is another great way to boost your mood while working. These kinds of decorations help your workplace remain fresh and vibrant, therefore helping you be more productive.?When you look at the same wall décor all the time, you become desensitized to it and it no longer gives you the mental boost it used to. Putting up a pinboard of some sort allows you to constantly switch up the mood of your office environment, helping you stay motivated and avoid the boredom of looking at the same thing every day.2. Put Your Desk by a WindowWorking by a window in your own space rather than in the drabness of an office cubicle can significantly improve your well-being. Thanks to its regulating effect on your Vitamin D, serotonin, and melatonin levels, natural light can boost productivity, increase creativity, reduce stress and the likelihood of sickness, and promo te healthy eye development.Positioning your desk somewhere that gets a lot of daylight may also improve the quality of your sleep at nightâ€"the exposure to the sun’s movements helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. One study even shows that people whosat by a windowwhile working got an average of forty-six more minutes of sleep than those who didn’t.3. Equip Your Space ProperlyWhen you work from home, you’re completely in charge of office supplies, so make sure you’ve got everything you need before you get to work. A good computer with all necessary software is an obvious must, and so are pens, notepads, file organizers, printing materials, envelopes with stamps, and whatever else you might use.Your needs will vary based on the type of work you do, so spend some time determining what supplies to equip your space with. If you’re going to have a lot of conference calls with video, for example, make sure your setup includes a good camera and microphone, and consider equipping your office with its own phone and number if you don’t want to use your personal cellphone or landline for work.4. Make Things ComfortableevalYou’re probably going to spend a lot of time in your home office, so having comfortable seating options is crucial. Don’t sacrifice comfort for style when designing your workspaceâ€"make sure your desk chair is suitable for hours of sitting.?Back pain is a common problem for most people who work in offices, and it can easily distract you from what you’re supposed to be working on. Try to prevent it by choosing a chair with adequate lumbar support.?You could also consider having a more lounging-suitable seating option, like a couch, for when you have multiple calls to make and want a break from sitting at your desk.5. Avoid ClutterIf you’re using a spare room in your home as an office, it can be easy for clutter to build up. This can cause your mind to become cluttered too, so try to avoid it at all costs.eval?The Princeton Neuroscience Institute found thatclutter competes for attentionin our brains, shifting our focus from what we’re supposed to be working on to the mess surrounding us. Treat your home office like a real office and don’t let junk pile up just because it’s in your home.?Wall-mounted storage is a great way to keep office stuff organized in limited space, andPinteresthas some handy tips for office organization.Digital clutter can also wear down your mental faculties and make it more difficult to work. By keeping the files on your computer properly organized and being strict about deleting files you don’t need, you’ll free up both time and hard drive space.?Your emails should also be well organized, so make use of features like Gmail’s auto-filter, or use a third-party organizer like Newton to really stay on top of your seemingly endless inbox.6. Don’t Skimp on Internet SpeedMake sureyour internet speedis up to scratch. It can be difficult to have an efficient conference cal l, for example, when one person keeps freezing or cutting out due to a poor connection. Dealing withtechnology issues while trying to work from home is far from ideal, and you won’t have the support of an IT team like you did while working in an actual office. Paying for reliable speed and connection can mitigate any issues you might have.The nice thing about this upgrade is that you can enjoy the benefits of a faster, better internet connection when you’re not working, so you won’t have to deal with constant buffering if you’re trying to unwind with a movie after work.7. Avoid MonotonyOne of the major perks of working from home is an increased degree of freedom, so make the most of it. However perfect your home office setup is, you may find that working there all the time gets a bit stifling. When that happens, be prepared to get outside of your usual work environment and head to a coffee shop or other new location.?This different environment will boost your creativity and motivation like adding plants and rotating décor does. While routine can be an important part of a healthy work life, you shouldn’t feel so married to yours that you’re reluctant to get outside of it occasionally.evalWorking from home comes with its own set of challenges, but if you do it right and cultivate a suitable working environment for you, it can be incredibly rewarding. It might take a bit of time for you to figure out what your ideal workspace looks likeâ€"be mindful of what seems to be working and what doesn’t, and make changes accordingly.

How to prepare for illegal interview questions

How to prepare for illegal interview questions 1 Flares 1 Flares While I believe ample time should be spent practicing popular interview questions, its also smart to know which questions are illegal and should never be asked.  Well trained HR folks have been brain washed into knowing every painful legality of interviewing, and pass that information over to hiring managers.  Sadly, some hiring managers just dont get the message.  Its possible they were sleeping during the illegal interview questions presentation, or maybe they just dont believe in what HR has to offer.  No matter the reason, when interviewers are ignorant to laws surrounding illegal interview questions, it becomes very dangerous for the company. Illegal interview questions come in a number of categories.  To help you remember these categories just think of DARN SCaR: D isability A ge R eligion N ational Origin S ex or Sexual Orientation C olor R ace/Ethnicity Interviewers should be  trained  to keep questions JOB-RELATED. Thats in bold because its crucial to the interview.  Keeping an interview job-related seems obvious, but far too many interviews utilize illegal questions.  Just last week I read a story from  COTJ fan through email.  She told me about a friend of hers that recently went on an interview.  The first questions out of the interviewers mouth were, Are you married, single, and how many kids do you have?  Holy pancakes, that hurts.  Those questions directly relate to the Sex or Sexual Orientation category, and are very well known illegal questions.  Not all illegal questions are as cut and dry, it can actually become quite confusing.  Here are more illegal questions from each category: Disability How did you get that scar? When did you lose your leg? Have you ever had a drug problem? Do you have the HIV virus or AIDS? Age How old are you? You seem to be in good shape for your age, are you? Religion Do you believe in God? Do you go to church on Sundays? What is a Bar Mitzvah? National Origin What kind of name is Kunis? Where did you grow up? Where were you born? Can you show me your green card? Sex or Sexual Orientation Are you married or single? Do you have children? Do you live with a man or woman? Color and Race List all the clubs or organization to which you belong to Please attach a photograph to your application What is your race? What is the name and address of a relative to be notified in case of an emergency? 99% of the time interviewers are simply ignorant to illegal questions.  Their objective is to screen out a candidate quickly by asking what they feel is a question relating to the job requirements.  Many times there is an even more direct way to find out if a candidate can meet these requirements.   Here are some examples: Illegal How old are you?  You seem to be in good shape for an old man, or woman. Legal This job requires you to lift 75 pounds daily.  Can you meet this requirement? Illegal Do you have children? Legal This job requires you to be at work by 7:30 each morning.  Can you meet this requirement? Illegal Show me your green card. Legal Are you authorized to work for any US employer? Illegal Do you go to church on Sundays? Legal This job may require some work on Saturdays and Sundays.  Can you meet this requirement? Illegal Have you ever been arrested? Legal Have you ever been convicted of a felony? What to do if asked an illegal question? Dont answer the question.  Keep in mind that your interviewer may not have been properly trained and their intent is not to discriminate. Tell your interviewer in a polite way that the question might be illegal, or even try to change the subject.  Ask  your interviewer how the question relates to the job.  For instance, if you are asked if you have children.  Ask him/her why that question is important to the job, or how it relates to the position.  A common response might be, Id like to know if you can arrive at 7:00 each morning.  Their response is now the question.  State if you can be in work by 7 AM each morning, and then move away from it completely.  If illegal questions persist, or if you feel youve being discriminated, then maybe you should file a claim against the company. How do you file a claim? If you feel youve been discriminated against in any of the categories listed in DARN SCaR, then you may file a charge of discrimination with the  U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  To file a charge, contact your local EEOC office.  Click here to view local EEOC offices If you have any questions surrounding illegal interview questions please contact me at CornOnTheJob@gmail.com

References On Your Resume: What Is Important To Include?

References On Your Resume: What Is Important To Include?The information found in the References section of your resume is vitally important and will have a direct effect on the success of your application. So you would naturally want to ensure that you provide as much detail as possible on this section of your resume.This section of your resume should be brief and professional and should be accompanied by a cover letter or CV with this information. There are many reasons why it is important to add a good references section to your resume:A good references section will give a reader a great deal of information about you and can save time for them. A references section is an indication of how motivated you are to get a job and how willing you are to work hard to get it. This also provides an opportunity to provide important details of previous jobs and companies to help the reader decide whether you are the kind of person they would want to hire. A references section is also a good ind icator of how you feel about the organization.A good references section should also feature the name and contact details of your references. If you have multiple employers, these should be kept as current.In addition to this, it is also worth noting that a references section on resume is one of the best ways to build the trust that is required when you are interviewing. Asking for references from a previous employer is always a good idea, but if you really want the interview to go well, you should ask them about their previous work and if they can put you in touch with their references. It can help you get to know them and can keep the interview short and pleasant. This is especially important if you are interviewing someone who has a reputation for going out of his way to help people.It is important to make sure that your references section on resume includes all of the information they provide, which means they must be able to talk about their experiences. These are then bound to be very helpful in your application. However, you should be careful that you do not fill in the references section with any irrelevant information. You should also be cautious about ensuring that the information is accurate and that you provide complete and honest information.Finally, the best thing to do is to ensure that you make the section on your resume stand out from the rest of your resume. However, if you simply want to find references for a specific position and not necessarily to give a full profile, you may not have much to worry about. Just make sure that you keep the section short and professional and you will have no problem in finding references.

Electrical Engineer Resume Sample - Makes Your Resume Simple

Electrical Engineer Resume Sample - Makes Your Resume SimpleUsing an electrical engineer resume sample to come up with an ideal resume is probably the best way to go. Once you have finished the technical writing skills, you can now focus on the more creative side of things such as preparing the resume. Here are some ideas and tips that you may want to consider.As soon as you are finished with the technical part of the resume, it's time to add a little personality to it. The applicant should have a background in a variety of engineering and related fields. These days you'll find that people with technical backgrounds and some creativity to them are often favored over those who have the perfect academic credentials.A resume for someone working in an electrical engineer will cover topics such as: circuit design, electrical engineering, software development, and other related fields. While most people would be impressed by a resume for someone that has a diploma or degree in mechanical e ngineering, one that has been designed with a creative eye has a better chance of succeeding in a competitive field. Also, it shows a unique perspective on what they do.You may have already found the ideal source for an electrical engineer resume sample, but there are also online sources that you can look at to find more samples. Most job sites have a form that asks you to fill out. If you're not sure which form to use, just use the standard one and use your keywords or keyword phrases. For example, if you have a specialty in integrated circuits, you might include 'integrated circuits' and the word 'design'.Your electrical engineer resume sample should include information that will prove to your employer that you can handle the job. You will need to list the position that you have, your educational qualifications, and any awards and recognitions that you have received. You might also want to include job history as well.The first step in producing a good resume example is to create a brief resume. There are several great templates available that you can download and use for free. Once you have them, all you have to do is fill in the blanks and put your personal details.Once you have created a resume, you can then look at the resume sample to see how your resume will look like once you have completed the technical side of it. Do remember to give yourself ample time in order to make the most of this sample resume and the rest of your resume.

Writing a Resume with One Job Ideas

Writing a Resume with One Job Ideas Besides helping your resume get selected, it will likewise help the hiring manager see how your abilities and experiences make you a perfect candidate for the particular job. Whether you are searching for your very first job or seeking to earn a career change, the procedure starts with your resume. There are a lot of standard kinds of resumes used to make an application for job openings. You could also search and appear at resumes of distinct prospects that possess the kind of job which you are looking for to acquire insight into the experience and skills employers value. Using Writing a Resume with One Job If you're attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Understanding how to tailor your work application will obviously provide you with a plus. Possessing an extremely clear and expert job application is crucial in the health c are industry. Why Almost Everything You've Learned About Writing a Resume with One Job Is Wrong As a consequence, while your resume objective should consist of home elevators the profession that you want, you should also spell out why you're the fantastic candidate for the work. Keep in mind, your resume is just the very first step. Functional resumes are excellent for highlighting transferable skills that are going to be relevant to your brand-new area of work. Work experience is more meaningful than school, and is the ideal approach to demonstrate that you've got the wisdom and expertise to be successful in your area. In reality, in regards to first resumes and job applications, the idea ought to be to deal with the process for a learning experience. Attempt to know the market of the organization you're asking for work, and identify what sort of difficulties they may be going through. Show your likely company why you will be in a position to do the work far better than ot hers no matter how much experience you've got. Lies You've Been Told About Writing a Resume with One Job Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. It can be a hard procedure and we would like to make it simpler.

4 Reasons Career Coaches Wont Make Money - Work It Daily

4 Reasons Career Coaches Won’t Make Money - Work It Daily I’m seeing a very disturbing trend... The need for career coaching is at critical mass. President Obama’s speech last week drove home the point Americans need to be taught the new rules to career success and employability. And if he didn’t convince you, check out these stats: We're at a 23-year all-time job satisfaction low according to Harvard Business School. 84% of Americans plan to look for new jobs in 2011 per Business News Daily. We have a 9%+ unemployment rate with it not expected to drop more than a point this year according to the Wall Street Journal. 7 1/2 months and climbing is the average length of unemployment as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor. 13M+ Americans are out of work according to latest U.S. Labor Statistics. So, you'd assume career experts and educators were plenty busy changing lives and earning solid incomes, right? Think again. Career coaches are going out-of-business daily. Many exceptional career coaches aren't earning enough to get by. Why? They aren’t selling much of anything. Sure, they’ve got lots of blog readers, a bevy of podcast and internet radio listeners, tons of Twitter followers and even lots of Facebook page ‘Likes,’ but none of it is translating into clients, which means they aren’t helping as many people as they could â€" people who desperately need their knowledge and guidance. So, what’s the problem? Is it their: Coaching technique? Social media strategy? Marketing materials? Website? Lack of being an author of a print or e-book? The answer to all of the above is...YES and NO! My name is J.T. O'Donnell. I'm the Founder of CAREEREALISM.com, a top 10 career advice site and CEO of CareerHMO.com, a web-based career development company. Prior to starting my companies in 2009, I spent 7 years building a private career coaching practice. I wrote a book, became a nationally syndicated advice columnist and traveled the country speaking to corporations and individuals on how to make ‘work’ something to look forward to. Along the way, I learned a lot about what it takes to make a solid living doing what I love: Helping others find career satisfaction on their own terms. Yet, in the last few years, I have watched the industry get turned upside-down. State of the Union for Career Coaching: It’s time to get our industry back on track! Join me for a 'State of the Union' address on the realities of the career coaching industry. I will: Detail what’s happened in the last 5 years and how it's hurt our industry. Explain 4 reasons why career coaches aren't earning the kind of money they used to. Outline the future of career coaching as a profession. Provide real examples of career coaches who are thriving in this economy. It’s up to us to put America back to work... Whether you are a new career coach or a 30-year veteran, I promise you will find this session worthwhile. Let’s talk candidly about how we can put America back to work. See you there! P.S. â€" Please! Consider forwarding this information to every career coach, expert and educator you know. The more of us that come together for this interactive session â€" the better. We need to help each other! Sorry, this event already happened. But you're in luck, we've embedded the recorded version below. Enjoy! J.T. O’Donnell is the founder of CAREEREALISM.com and CEO of CareerHMO.com, a web-based career development company. Photo credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!