The 7 Key Elements of Employee Retention [INFOGRAPHIC]

The 7 Key Elements of Employee Retention [INFOGRAPHIC] We’re in the  middle  of a talent shortage. The shortage varies per industry, but generally, the supply of experienced and skilled specialty talent is not meeting the demand of companies. Many companies are now spending more time and money recruiting than ever, mainly because they are waiting to find experienced candidates, as opposed to hiring green candidates. Because of this, employee retention is a hot topic. When it comes to retention, salary is still important to each and every one of your employees, but it takes far more than a competitive salary to retain themâ€"especially in today’s candidate-driven market. As your top professionals are pursuedâ€"and even offeredâ€"by other companies, you have to step up your game. You have to provide them everything possible to convince them to remain in place. So let’s look beyond salaries. What else matters most to your current workforce? Is it all about benefits? What about opportunity for growth? Check out  these 7 ways to keep your top talent by our friends at Ajilon: Conduct employee  surveys; what motivates them, what they would change and do exit interviews when people leave. Get  managers invested in their people; have them perform regular performance reviews, promote higher performers and coach struggling employees. Encourage  open communication  between employees and management; hold regular meetings for everyone, establish an open-door policy and dont punish anyone for speaking their mind. Tailor company benefits to your employees needs; look at things such as flexitime, working remotely, free meals or other incentives. Always seek to  promote from within;  provide clear paths for advancement, offer support and training, implement a KPI system to spot your top performers. Get employees  engaged with the business; ensure that they see their place in the bigger picture, clarify what is expected, provide goals to strive for. Hire an  HR director if your company is pushing 100 employees; allow them to streamline your structure, trust them to head up employee satisfaction and establish employee wellbeing as a clear priority. More ideas below in this infographic from our friends at Bayt. RELATED: How to Recruit and Retain All-Star Talent.

Tips For Writing a Genaric Resume

Tips For Writing a Genaric ResumeLearn about the tips for writing a generic resume and get it done right the first time. This can be the key to getting the job of your dreams.How do you get the most out of your Genaric resume? That is the million dollar question. However, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow to be on the right track and prepare yourself for the real world of employment.The greatest benefits to a Genaric resume are both education and work experience. Your career history will show you what your skills are and how to create a narrative about yourself. It is always best to utilize the former for your own benefit and enjoyment as well as those companies that are hiring you. More often than not, employers are looking for you to add something to their company or corporation that is missing in their current team.However, a good point of focus is to focus on your academic achievements in addition to any other skills or career experience that you possess. You s hould write about your educational history first. Then, be sure to make that into a career profile that you can then turn into a skill based resume. Of course, you should still put a summary or bullet points that cover the major qualifications that you have while incorporating your career history as well.Employers will want to know about the jobs that you have held in the past, both in the employment field and what you are capable of doing. However, your recent work experience is something that you should concentrate on to get it right. By creating a profile of your past experiences, you will be able to describe them in a manner that is more understandable and to relate them to the role that you have been offered.There are two common questions that people ask about their resume. They are about how long they should make it and how they should change it from one application to another. The first thing to remember is that you do not have to make your resume any longer than is necessary . Sometimes, it is easier to tailor your resume to specific positions or companies that you are applying for.After that, just use a very brief paragraph on what it is that you can bring to the company and what your specific skills are. You can use examples to back up your statements, but make sure that the resume is short and concise so that you do not look like you are over-compensating. Most importantly, stick to what is necessary and what is essential to your ability to do the job.These are just a few tips for writing a generic resume. Of course, each employer is different, so it is best to tailor yours to the needs of the position and to the company. Just do your best to put the right points in your resume and see how it can help you get the job of your dreams.

Use Humor Safely During Your Next Talk - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Use Humor Safely During Your Next Talk - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Many people advise new speakers to avoid using humor during their talks. Its not a safe subject, they say. It will almost certainly backfire, and you could cause yourself a lot of trouble. Sure, if you have all the self-awareness of Michael Scott in a coma, yes, it will backfire. If youve been told to be afraid of humor, because its a two-edged sword made out of a cobra, it will bite you. (Of course it will! What do you think will happen when a parent tells their child learning how to ride a bike, I think youre going to fall and break your arm?) Im tired of this doomsayer advice of never using humor in speeches. Ive been a humor writer for nearly 20 years, and have learned plenty of things to do and not do. Ive managed to never have to apologize for a joke made during a speech, although making them after a one-on-one conversation is a completely different matter. Here are the best secrets I can share with you for safely using humor in your next speech: You should only make fun of the people with higher status than you. But dont be an ass about it. Never, ever make it personal (i.e. family, marriage, etc.). If you want to make fun of the CEOs plush office, and how its so big, you got lost, thats fine. Dont mention the five-day conference in Cancun he attended with the PR director. Never make fun of someone lower in status than you. If youre the CEO and you make fun of how much money the new HR staffer earns, youll seem cruel. Which you probably are. Generally, the person in power is going to be you. You have â€" temporarily â€" a higher status than everyone else in the room by virtue of being on stage. Make fun of yourself. Avoid any jokes where the punchline relies on a reference to race, sex, sexual orientation, hair color, religion, etc. If you take out the reference to a group/type, and the joke doesnt work, kill the joke. If it works, you can use it. Without the reference to the group! Run your jokes by some friends. And not the friends who tell dirty jokes at work. Ask the friends who will tell you that youll probably be fired if you use any of it. Never, ever repeat regular jokes, like the two animals walk into a bar kind. If its a traditional joke, avoid it. This is where people usually shoot themselves in the foot. Also, its comedic laziness. Write your own jokes. Your best jokes will come from your subject matter, not from outside the room. Work out jokes about friends with them beforehand. When I give a talk about my No Bullshit Social Media book, I sometimes make jokes about my co-author, Jason Falls. Weve already discussed it in advance, and covered whats acceptable, and I pick on the things that everyone knows about, like his Kentucky accent. It gets some good laughs, but I already know Im on safe ground. Make fun of someone fictional. The only person who will never get his or her feelings hurt is someone who isnt real. Pick something so outrageous, you know no one is going to believe it. I once gave a small speech at a county political dinner where the Lieutenant Governor was the guest of honor. My speech? Top Ten Pet Peeves of Being Lieutenant Governor. His favorite entry was tired of explaining to my mom that Im not the Governors stunt double, and he laughed harder than anyone. (See item #1 about making fun of people in power.) A Quick Example Remember the opening of this piece? All of the jokes I made were safe and could go over very well in a regular speech. A joke about Michael Scott from The Office. Hes fictional, hell get over it. Two-edged cobra sword: exaggeration. No one is going to believe this is real. Plus, its an inanimate object. Mostly. A bad parent? Id like to think no one would actually tell their kids theyre going to fail (and do we really care if we hurt the feelings of someone like that?). Apologizing after jokes in private conversations was about me. It pokes fun at me, especially after setting myself up as being a good example of what not to do. The things that are going to screw you up are jokes about groups of people: not just making fun of HR or Legal, but groups based on demographics. Youll always be safe making fun of yourself, or someone whos not real, but make sure you run anything else by your friends first. And if youre in doubt about any joke, even a little bit, play it safe and leave it out. Its a very thin line to walk, but if you can walk it carefully, and get good at it, you can make a few jokes during your speech that wont get you in trouble. Author: Erik Deckers is the owner of Professional Blog Service, and the co-author of Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself and No Bullshit Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide to Social Media Marketing. His third book, The Owned Media Doctrine, will be available this summer.

5 Reasons Youll Love Working in FMCG

5 Reasons Youll Love Working in FMCG When you are considering applying to work in a role in an unfamiliar industry, it is natural to have some trepidation over whether it is the right step for you. It could be that someone has recommended that you apply for a role in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, or you are simply looking to switch up your career, but if you are going to make the change, you need to understand the sector. There are many reasons that working in FMCG can be fantastic. This is a dynamic industry with fantastic opportunities for those who have the skills and are willing to put in hard work. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that you might fit perfectly into a career in FMCG. 1. An industry full of big name brands Have you ever wanted to work with some of the most renowned and popular brands in the world? The FMCG sector is the place to do it. Some of the world’s most famous names reside in the industry including Coca-Cola, Heinz, Unilever, and Nestle. There is a real prestige in working for a brand that is known across the world and it can provide you with amazing job satisfaction to see your work affecting the lives of so many people. Of course, the big names are not the only companies in the industry, so it may be that you have a specific business that you would love to work for. When you truly believe in a product because you use it every day, there is a strong incentive for you to succeed in your work. 2. A wide variety of employment prospects If you are looking for a job in a secure sector, there aren’t many safer options than FMCG. This is an industry that will always be popular because it involves the selling of goods that people use every day. Additionally, the FMCG industry is often associated with sales roles, so you might assume these are the only options available. It is undoubtedly the case that sales are a hugely important factor for any business operating in the sector, but it is also worth noting that there are many varied opportunities available that could suit your skillset. FMCG companies are driven by sales, but these sales cannot happen without stellar work from those in marketing, analysis and management positions. 3. Fast career progression Due to the nature of FMCG and the fact that hard workers can have instant success, it is possible to progress your career very quickly. As the name suggests, things happen quickly in FMCG so if you have got a product that is selling well then you can have a huge success that can look fantastic on your CV. 4. A fast-paced and innovative industry FMCG thrives on innovation, so if you would like to work in an industry where new ideas and different ways of thinking can make a huge difference, this could be perfect for you. Think about how often packaging for products changes or new advertising campaigns catches the public’s imagination. If you are highly creative and you want to bring it into your work, there are many opportunities to do so in FMCG. 5. Succeed on your skills, not your qualifications An aspect that can frustrate people in many industries is that they are required to have specific academic or working qualifications in order to apply for a role or progress in their career. In FMCG this isn’t a problem. This is very much a results-based industry, and if you are successful in your job then you can advance quickly. This is perhaps the ultimate example of a job where it is far more important to prove what you can do on a practical basis than it is to have the correct qualifications. It also means that working hard can reap real rewards. The key is that you need to be able to think fast, work hard and be good at your job, and the sky is the limit for your success. About the author:  Mike James  is an experienced business writer specializing in HR, tech, and cybersecurity. On the latter, he has contributed to many of the leading publications both online and in print â€" such as StaySafeOnline, GlobalSign, Tech London and more.

Programs For Resume Writing

Programs For Resume WritingMost often, the most effective way to write a resume is through the use of programs for resume writing. Resume writing should be taken very seriously, as a professionally written resume could mean the difference between a job interview and no interview at all. If you want to get a job interview, you need to write a professional resume.A good resume needs to be well written and well organized. Many people simply run out and write a resume in a hurry. They forget all about organization and make numerous mistakes in the process. This may seem like a very bad idea, but it is possible to write a great resume without writing a perfect resume.When you are writing a resume, it is important to not be worried about mistakes. If your resume has some small problems, it will make you look more unprofessional than an individual who has written a professional resume. This makes sense, since if your resume looks very bad, you are probably the one who is getting the job int erview.The first thing that you should do when you are working on your resume is to organize the information in a manner that makes sense. When you are organizing your information, make sure that you create a resume that is not too long. It should not be more than one page, although if you have a lot of pertinent information it might be better to have a two or three page resume.Make sure that the information that you place on your resume is something that is very helpful and relevant to the position that you are applying for. If there is no relevance at all, then the employer will find that very hard to believe.While you are organizing your resume, you need to have a solid understanding of how your resume works. If you do not know what your resume is about, you are going to be at a disadvantage when you are submitting your resume. You are going to receive a lot of rejections if you do not have a very strong understanding of how a resume works. Using a program for resume writing is t he best way to learn about how your resume works and how you can improve it.Once you have your resume organized, you need to learn how to write a resume properly. With programs for resume writing, you will learn a lot about how to structure your resume. In this case, the resume will look very professional resumes get a lot of interviews.There are many ways that you can improve your resume. Programs for resume writing will help you create a resume that looks professionally done. This is a great way to get a job interview and to find out what kind of work you will be doing once you get hired.

5 Ways to Boost Your Concentration at Work - CareerMetis.com

5 Ways to Boost Your Concentration at Work Doesn’t it seem like the most important meetings come at the worst time? We’re talking about the 3:00 slump. Your morning cup of coffee has completely worn off, you’re still full from lunch, and you feel like it’s nap o’clock. But somehow, you have to function and be alert.The natural reaction is to reach for another cup of coffee, but that might mess with your ability to sleep tonight. Your next best idea might be to hit up the vending machine for a sugary snack.evalThis is also a bad idea. Sugar may give your energy levels a temporary boost, but you’ll crash hard before too long. Too much sugarin your diet can also have long-term health effects, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This could be problematic if you’re in the habit of giving yourself a sugar boost every afternoon.So, what do you do? Here are 5 ways to help boost your concentration at work.1. Go for a walkWhen your energy starts plummeting, put on your walking shoes and take a quick walk around the b uilding. Not only will the exercise get your blood flowing, but it may help increase your performance on cognitive tasks.Researchfrom the Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience at the University of Illinois tells us that walking at your own pace for 40 minutes three times a week can help with cognitive function. This particular exercise may enhance the connectivity of crucial brain circuits, increase performance on cognitive tasks and combat brain function decline associated with aging.Overall, the most active participants in this study performed best on cognitive tasks.So, a quick stroll around the building may just get your cognitive juices flowing enough to finish out the workday.2. Get some sunshineIf you’re able to go for a walk, then bask in the sunshine. If not, try to position yourself near a window or door where you can benefit from natural light.evalYour body will convert the sun’s rays into vitamin D, which has many health benefits. For one, it increases your body’s acetyl choline levels. Acetylcholine is instrumental in helping you maintain focus and concentration.Sunshine can also help keep your body’s circadian rhythm in check. If you’re spending most of your time in a dim office, your body may be confused about whether it’s morning or dusk.Sunshine helps reset the clock and remind your body that it’s daylight and there’s still plenty of time before bed.3. Narrow your focusWhen you’re having trouble focusing to start, it’s not the time for multitasking. Choose one task to focus on at a time. If you try to do too many things at once, you run the risk of doing a mediocre or poor job on everything. Focus on doing one task well, and then move on to the next one.evalWhen you narrow your focus, you’re also making a conscious effort to avoid procrastination. Don’t check emails, look at your phone or invite small talk while you’re working on this task. All these things will weaken your concentration.If you’re trying to focus on a larg e task, it may be more difficult to avoid distractions and narrow your focus. When you find this to be the case, try breaking that large task into smaller chunks. This way, you can commit to completing a section before you do anything else.4. Remain positiveEspecially when we’re tired, our thoughts towards work can sway towards the negative side. After all, we’re obligated to do our work. It’s not something we’ve chosen for fun or entertainment.But the greatest thing about having negative thoughts is knowing you have the power to change them. Start by evaluating your mindset. Are you focused on everything that could go wrong?Instead, start thinking about what could go right. If it helps, make a list of the positive things. And if you’re still feeling down about your task, try to imagine ways it could benefit you personally. Are you gaining any experience that could help further your career?Could you list this task as an accomplishment on your resume if you do it well enoug h? When you align work tasks with your personal goals, it’s easier to stay positive and focused on the task at hand. 5. Set the mood with musicYou know that feeling you get when you hear your favorite song? That’s an example of how music can change your attitude and outlook. When you want to concentrate at work, music can help. But you may not want to choose your favorite song. Songs you know, and even any songs with lyrics, can be distracting.Instead, stick with the research and choose an instrumental baroque soundtrack. A small University of Maryland studyfound that radiologists saw an improvement in their work and mood when listening to baroque music.Another studyfound that subjects were less stress and felt more relaxed when listening to music that played about 60 beats per minute.evalAs for volume, researchers foundthat moderate noise levels are best for creative thinking. Keep your music on low to moderate levels.As with anything, it’s best to test the music type and vol ume that works best for your cognitive processing. Feel free to try different music types and sound levels until you find the one that works best for you.Just remember that it’s not always going to be the one that you like the best, so try not to get caught up on a catchy beat or melody. The key to getting this one right is for the music to remain in the background.Now that you have some alternatives to coffee and sugar for the afternoon slump, maybe you can finally boost your concentration and remain focused. If you’re in a slump now, take action.Get up from your chair and go for a walk outside. Then, come back to your desk and turn on your favorite concentration music. You’ll get back to being productive in no time.evalDo you have any tricks to help you stay focused at work?

Impress employers with this 1 compelling tool. - Hire Imaging

Impress employers with this 1 compelling tool. - Hire Imaging A smart job seeker in today’s economy has the opportunity to create and use an innovative, powerful communication tool in job transition. It can be sent along with your resume and cover letter. Here’s how to use it to maximize your results! Think about the books you read Grab a few of your favorite books. Look on the back covers. You’ll see short testimonials, often just a few sentences in length. What’s the impact? They each support the book, and persuade potential readers to read it!  This is what you can do with a reference portfolio. It’s a one-page document with four to six testimonials that will acclaim your value and entice hiring professionals to want to know youâ€"and hire you! Testimonials backup your credibility in a recession economy Unfortunately, hiring folks are used to job candidates exaggeratingâ€"even lying on their resumes. In reality, many expect it in a tough economy, because so many take desperate measures to get noticed. I’m not assuming you do this. But if you’re well matched to the job, why not help seal the deal by letting others sing your praises? Use it to reduce the skepticism with which a hiring person might read your resume. The professional references with testimonials in your portfolio will substantiate the successes and contributions you have on your resume. Whether you are a new grad, a professional in a progressive career path or a career changer, include references who can attest to your performance and ability to produce results that contribute to organizational needs. Control their endorsements Once you’ve chosen and verified that four to six people will endorse you, try this unique approach, as suggested from my long-time mentor, Jay Block. Write the statements yourself!   If you think about, celebrities don’t write copy for the products they endorse. So, why not write your own testimonialâ€"pertinent to that relationship and situation of course? Write it, and then send it to your references. They can review it and make any edits they feel warranted. Most companies are unwilling to provide references on company letterhead. However, your references may well be willing to do so on YOUR list; and using a personal email or phone number. You’ve just accomplished the customized messages of your choice; but with full input and approval from the references! It also saves the references time, which enables your getting buy-in and a timely response! Ask your references to keep a copy on file, so they can easily refer to it should a prospective employer contact them. Although I advocate the above approach, if writing the endorsements yourself is not for you, don’t panic; asking your references to write them can work too. In this sample reference portfolio, the first and last testimonials were from the heart by the references. The others were heavily edited to add things the candidate was too humble to include. Get it out there If you are emailing your resume and cover letter, put them into one file, with the cover letter first, the resume next, and the reference portfolio as the last page. One attachment shows consideration for the hiring person on the other end. Bonus Tip: Another great idea from Jay Block is to add this P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter. Bold it so that it stands out and conveys a positive confidence to prospective employers. “PS: I have included my reference portfolio to assure you that the information and achievements contained on my resume are truthful and accurate.

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are you at risk of failing at

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are you at risk of failing at Greatest Risk by jenzet I attended a webinar last week where Penelope Trunk interviewed Seth Godin, knew I had to blatently rip off a question that struck me with exclamation points lightning bolts: What are you at risk of failing at? Meet me in the comments tell me why you might be falling right on your face in the (near?) future. If you cant think of something, then youre playing it safe, safe is a 4 letter word.   Pick something with a nice failure risk commit to it in the comments. Well do our best to keep you from tumbling, or at least give ya nothin but a scrape.