Sunday, May 31, 2020

LinkedIns Talent Strategy Top 4 Trends for 2020

LinkedIns Talent Strategy Top 4 Trends for 2020 With every new year comes a number of new trends and its no different when it comes to talent acquisition. LinkedIn has spoken to 7000 professionals in 35 countries to put together what they say are the biggest trends in recruitment this year. The 2020 Global Talent Trends Report has just been published by the professional network and we can share some of the findings with you here. “The competitiveness of UK companies is dependent on their ability to attract and retain the best talent. The current competition for disruptive tech skills in particular is fierce, with fintechs, traditional banks and retailers all fishing in the same talent pool. Companies are harnessing their culture and brand purpose, and investing in thoughtful learning and development initiatives to differentiate themselves and appeal to the hearts and minds of existing and prospective talent. This is crucial to building a strong talent pipeline today and in the future.” Jon Addison, Vice President of Talent Solutions EMEA at LinkedIn Trend #1: Employee experience is king Everything an employee observes, feels and experiences at work can impact retention, engagement, productivity, and performance. This includes everything from learning and development opportunities and performance management, to office design and the technology choices available to them. While the overwhelming majority of UK talent professionals (96%) say that employee experience is critical to their company’s success, and 80% say it improves retention, less than half (47%) believe their company offers an excellent experience today. The biggest areas for improvement are compensation and benefits, tools and technology, and learning and development investment. Trend #2: People analytics is key to future-proofing business success Analyzing employee data can help companies gain critical early warning signs into skills gaps and shortages, and enable strategic workforce planning. This intelligence, which is derived from human behavior, can help companies preempt challenges and plan ahead. While LinkedIn has seen a 299% increase in UK HR professionals with data analysis skills in the past five years, companies are only at the early stages of developing this capability. Sixty-one percent of UK talent professionals say the biggest barrier is that they lack the infrastructure to analyze employee data. This is set to change as nearly three quarters (72%) agree that people analytics will be a major priority to their organization in the next 5 years. Trend #3: Internal recruiting on the rise Given the UK’s competitive labor market, the majority of talent professionals (79%) say internal recruiting is becoming an increasingly important component of their talent strategy to fill open roles. While lifelong career paths are less common today, we may be seeing a resurgence as companies rethink how they can offer talent an exciting, rewarding and varied career path, which is crucial to improving retention. According to LinkedIn data, role changes within UK organizations (via promotion, transfer, or lateral move) have increased steadily by 6% over the last five years, and the financial impact can be significant. A 2018 Gartner study found the cost of employee turnover due to lack of career opportunities for an average-size company is £38 million per year. While talent professionals are keen to encourage internal mobility, 73% say the biggest barrier is often push-back from managers that don’t want to let good talent go. Trend #4: Harnessing the power of a multigenerational workforce With people living longer and Generation Z (aged 23 and younger) hitting the job market, the 2020s represent a new chapter in workforce age diversity. Companies are carefully considering how to recruit and manage multigenerational workforces, and harness the power of diverse experiences and skills. The report found that 46% of UK companies have recently started to change recruitment practices to appeal to younger and older generations. Contrary to some popular beliefs, Baby Boomers (aged 55 to 73) put the highest priority on working for a company with a purposeful mission. Gen Z, meanwhile, is most likely to value training 36% call it out as a top factor when considering a new job. For companies that get it right, there are huge benefits, with 89% of talent professionals agreeing that a multigenerational workforce makes companies more successful. “LinkedIn data shows that the hottest hardskills in-demandin the UK right now are people with blockchain, analytical reasoning, cloud computing, AI and business analysis expertise. Soft skills like creativity, persuasion, and collaboration are also highly sought after. HR professionals are using these data-driven insights to power their talent strategy, assessing the existing skills within their organizations, identifying potential gaps and planning for future needs.” Janine Chamberlin, Director of Talent Solutions UK at LinkedIn.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Do You Put a Period After Bullet Points in Your Resume?

Do You Put a Period After Bullet Points in Your Resume?Writing a detailed resume that attracts the attention of employers is a must when you are trying to obtain a new job. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of not including the required information that you will need to include on your resume.This is because they think that if they only include the bullet points and use very few periods, they will be able to get a high number of interviews. However, using just the bullet points will not be sufficient if you want to get an interview. In order to ensure that you get a job, you have to write a resume that stands out from the rest.To start with, you should only include the bullet points, which will make your resume look very organized. However, do not forget that the real advantage of writing a detailed resume is that it should show you have expertise in a particular field, or are an expert on something. Therefore, when you mention it on your resume, you will find that this all ows you to stand out from the rest of the candidates.If you look at the resume of another candidate, you will notice that it does not contain a lot of bullet points. Instead, they simply list the career objectives, along with their experience and education. However, these bullet points are very important as it helps them in defining the areas of the job that they would be good at.In writing a detailed resume, it is best to include both the bullet points and the periods. It is also best to include examples of how you achieved these goals. This is because the employer will be looking for examples and can easily judge whether or not you are capable of achieving them.Therefore, it is important to include the key skills, such as organization, time management, problem solving, and people skills, as well as specializations. This way, the employer will be able to evaluate the resume more easily.Using the periods after bullet points will help in creating a very impressive resume. It will add to the effectiveness of your resume, as well as the impression that you make. However, if you do not know how to include the periods in the correct way, it is best to refer to a professional resume writer.In conclusion, doing the proper steps when writing a detailed resume, including using bullets and using periods, is going to help you stand out from the rest of the candidates. Therefore, make sure that you include all the required information, and add these bullet points correctly.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

A look into 9 Different Functions You Can Attend at a Swanky London Venu

A look into 9 Different Functions You Can Attend at a Swanky London Venu There is always something to see and do in London. As a city, it provides endless entertainment, but it also provides a lot of opportunities. Functions and conferences of all shapes and sizes are held in countless London venues throughout the year, from weddings to art exhibitions, corporate functions and much more. So what would you expect to see in some of the many venues available for hire in London? Art Exhibits It can be hard to tell just what constitutes as modern day ‘art’ nowadays, with pieces such as ‘My Bed’ by Tracey Emin fetching a surprising £2.5 million at auction, but art exhibits are still a popular type of function, particularly in and around London. You never know when you might be able to snap up the next modern masterpiece! Improvisational Theatre Scripted Theatre Fans of drama flock to London to see a wide range of class acts, looking at both scripted theatre and improvisational theatre. With a whole host of musicals constantly playing in the capital, the theatre scene is always busy with up-and-coming stars, award-winning new shows and a few smaller venues that host comedy nights and more. If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping performance, or you just want to see out a local comedian for a laugh, London has it all. Team Building Events Working as a team is an essential part of any successful business. That goes for small and large businesses alike. With a range of different activities designed for groups and team-building events available across London, companies are spoilt for choice when looking for a venue for their monthly team-building exercise. Corporate Functions Corporate functions can serve a number of different purposes, whether they are introducing the launch of a new product or service or the managing director is rewarding employees for their hard work. They can be designed for larger audiences or for small groups of employees, and can sometimes include lunch or dinner at the event itself. London has a number of suitable venues where corporate functions can be held. Business Conferences Networking is always important. Most businesses are constantly looking for new connections, new ways in which to expand their business, new ways of making deals in order to make their company more successful. Business conferences are a means of companies coming together and the many colourful venues in and around London provide an accessible platform for businesses across the country to meet and talk with each other. Conventions Motoring conventions, replica aeroplane conventions, sci-fi and fantasy conventions, comic book conventions; it is likely that London has hosted a convention of every kind in the past. From smaller, less well-known conventions to international events such as EGX and FACE, London has room for every niche, every business and every hobby. Birthday Parties Whether you’re used to extravagances or you want to commemorate a milestone birthday, London plays host to some gorgeous birthday venues. You have your traditional function rooms with catered parties and your slightly more unorthodox venues that boast wonderful views of the city itself; it’s up to you to decide. Weddings Some people prefer to travel abroad for their big day, longing to take wedding photos on a beautiful coastline or aboard a Mediterranean cruise whereas others prefer luxuries a little closer to home. London has a number of landmarks that provide good backdrops for wedding photos. If you are looking at spending your wedding in London, you will want to book a long way in advance, as most wedding venues are in high demand. Hen Night/Stag Do A night out on the town with no inhibitions is something of a ceremony for soon-to-be newlyweds. In London, there are countless bars and nightclubs where hens and stags can drink and dance to their hearts content. If you’re looking at spending the ‘last night of your single life’ in London, there are also specific venues you can hire out for the night, if you just want it to be you and your mates. . Image credit.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Avoiding interview pitfalls

Avoiding interview pitfalls If youve been invited to attend a face to face interview, youre clearly doing something right. Selection for graduate schemes (and internships) is multi-stage, so youve already survived the initial screening, psychometric tests and telephone interview. Theres now clear blue water between you and the hundreds of applicants who fall at the first hurdle. At this stage you can afford to feel confident, but not complacent. Theres still some distance between interview and job offer and many potential tripwires lay ahead. Youre probably familiar with the more common interview donts arriving late, answering your phone but there are more subtle (and less conscious) ways you can scupper the outcome. Try and avoid them. Think about your body language, I mean  really  think. Now you may be thinking this is pretty obvious. And it many ways it is. Most people are conversant with the basics: firm handshake, good eye contact, warm smile. But there are far more subtle ways that you can betray your indifference, nerves or desperation Posture  â€" sit too close and you risk crowding the interviewer, too distant and you may appear cold and detached. It sounds cliched but sit upright: try to imagine  a string tied from the top of your head to the ceiling. This is a great tip that works well for presentations and interviews. Hand gestures  â€" I have to declare an interest here. I am an inveterate hand talker and when animated, excited or nervous my hands assume a life of their own! Small hand gestures can help emphasise your point, but too much and it becomes a distraction. Its an interview not an audition. Arms  â€" try to keep them loose and open. If you fold your arms, it can make you appear closed and unfriendly. You need to establish and sustain a rapport with the interviewer, not frighten them off. Think about the image you want to project. Fidgeting  â€" you may find interview nerves or excitement exacerbate your natural tendency to fidget. Twiddling a pen, fiddling with your hair, tapping your knee all send a clear sign to the interviewer that youre losing the battle with nerves. Its normal to feel anxious during an interview, but when nerves manifest in overt physical gestures it may cast doubt on your ability to check yourself and work under pressure. Do you have any questions? Is it ok to say no? This crops up time and again in mock interviews and is a real source of anxiety and confusion. Theres no definitive answer; one school of thought suggests that its better to say no than risk repeating yourself or asking an irrelevant question. I think theres some merit in this but I worry about the impression it leaves the employer. You may have aced the interview but risk ending on a flat note. Is this a wise strategy when the competition is so fierce? So, how should you respond to this tricky question: Keep it generic  â€" this is the safe option but may show a lack of imagination. Typical questions include: What is a typical day like?, What words would you use to describe the working culture? Make it personal  â€" relate the question to your role/progression within the company.Typical questions include: How would my performance be measured and what are the mechanisms for feedback?, How much guidance is available to help employees develop and realise their career goals? Use your research  â€" this is a way to really stand out from the crowd. By thoroughly researching the organisation or company (check our  commercial awareness    post for useful tips), youre much more likely to come across news and info that you can weave into an intelligent and thoughtful question. Typical question: I have read x about the marketing strategy of this company. How might this influence the release of future products? Keep it brief  â€" I would advise 2 or 3 questions at most. You dont want to monopolise the interviewer or appear arrogant. Know when to stop (talking) If your interview is scheduled to last 30 minutes and youre still talking after an hour, this isnt a good sign. You need to provide full, comprehensive answers but know when to stop. Respond to the non-verbal cues from the interviewer (or panel) and if in doubt, pause for a moment and ask if they want/need any further detail. Talking a mile a minute is both irritating and counter productive: the salient detail will simply get lost in the waffle. There are a few simple rules you can follow to help you find the balance: Take deep breaths and pause  â€"  dont leap in. Collect your thoughts, formulate your response and then answer the question. Make it relevant  â€" illustrate and substantiate your answers with one or two good examples. Dont provide a  verbatim  account of your work/life history. Read the interviewer  â€" is s/he looking bored or engaged. If you catch the interviewer nodding off or checking their watch, youve probably said enough. Interviewing is a skill just like any other. Practice makes perfect! If youve got an interview coming up why not book a  mock interview  with us and get those mistakes out the way before the real thing.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Tips on Writing a Resume For College Students

Tips on Writing a Resume For College StudentsTips on writing a resume for college students can make your job a lot easier. A student who will be going to college for the first time should do some research on his or her intended major before choosing a program. This will help him or her decide which school to attend, what degree to enroll in, and how much money to budget.Many students want to enter a program they are interested in but because of the uncertainty of the economy, they have a hard time making a decision regarding their career education. This leaves them in a tight spot. What should a student do? A resume is one of the few options to help a student to pick out the best possible school, major, and financial package.When choosing a school, remember that career guidance centers exist. They are not required for every school. However, it is good to contact them to learn more about the curriculum. Ask questions about career development, mentoring programs, and career counseling. Also, consider career guidance. Many students prefer not to choose a major on their own. They work with a career guidance counselor to make this decision. A career guidance counselor can guide a student toward a particular career path or even into an alternate career path altogether.Career counselors also work with students to explore their options for employment after graduation. This is especially important if the student is having trouble getting by. These counselors help you figure out how to cover your bills while you are working. They can even help you determine how long you need to look for a job to get paid.Remember that career guidance also has a lot to do with career services. There are services available for just about every major. These services include employee assistance, work-study, and so on. The career services can help you decide whether you want to work part time or full time. Some programs provide ongoing on-going training to help you prepare for career explorati on.Most importantly, a resume is also a very important part of the student's application. There are so many forms for students to fill out. Even if a student is going to complete all of the forms themselves, the resume is a big help because it helps to highlight all of the skills and strengths a student has.Writing a resume for college students can be frustrating but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. These tips can help a student write a resume in the right way. All he or she has to do is follow these tips.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Art of Getting More LinkedIn Recommendations CareerMetis.com

The Art of Getting More LinkedIn Recommendations â€" CareerMetis.com You have spent a few hours working on your LinkedIn Profile, you have added a professional picture, updated your work history, skills,projects,etc. You have also spent time expanding your connections on LinkedIn growing your network. Great job so far!!One of the most overlooked features of LinkedIn is the Recommendations section. Your past colleagues,customers can post references on your profile for everyone to see. This is like having a virtual billboard where people who had been happy with your services, can tell others on the quality of your work.Imagine that your old boss wanted to give you exceptional reviews/references on how valuable you were to her team. LinkedIn can help you do that with the Recommendations function.So how do you get more Recommendations?evalDefinitely, Don’t be this guy…http://theantisocialmedia.com/how-not-to-ask-for-a-linkedin-recommendation/LinkedIn has default texts/canned responses that you can use, to send to your contacts. However, I STRONGLY di scourage this. Sending a canned response is not personal it lacks credibility.Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. You want them to write a personalized and kick-ass recommendation. And you send them a canned response. What do you think their reaction will be?http://topdogsocialmedia.com/4-rules-to-successfully-getting-linkedin-recommendations/The most effective method I have used to gain LinkedIn Recommendations Go back to a time when someone did something nice for you. Let’s say a colleague bought you coffee. You feel obliged to repay the kindness by buying her coffee the next time. The same thing goes with gift-giving during the Holiday Season. People love to receive, but as humans we also love to give.Go through all your LinkedIn contacts. Chances are you have either known them through your school, your work. Start writing Recommendations for your past colleagues. The most important thing is that these Recommendations are genuine. I never recommend writing/asking for r eferences from people you have no history with. The most annoying thing being on LinkedIn is receiving recommendation requests from people you have never worked with. What are they thinking?If you have ex-bosses, past managers as part of your LinkedIn connections, write recommendations for them too.Most people will appreciate your gesture. A huge percentage of this group will reciprocate in kind. They will start writing recommendations for you, before you even ask them.evalI will share with you my success with this strategy. Over the years, I have written recommendations for about 46 individuals â€" past managers, colleagues, suppliers, classmates,etc.It actually felt very good when writing Recommendations for others. It gives you an altruistic feeling (trust me).Over the years I have received 24 LinkedIn Recommendations. So for every 2 recommendations I have written, 1 person has responded in kind. That’s not a bad ratio.In summary, the fastest effective way to gain recommendati ons is to write GENUINE reliable recommendations for others. Soon, they will reciprocate in kind.The more LinkedIn Recommendations you have on your profile â€" the stronger you come across as a reliable candidate to recruiters and hiring managers. It definitely enhances your credibility and marketability.What are you waiting for? Get started on your quest for more LinkedIn Recommendations.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Whats NOT Wrong With Your Life - Pathfinder Careers

What’s NOT Wrong With Your Life - Pathfinder Careers What’s NOT Wrong With Your Life? At an event earlier today, the program speaker, who was from ComedySportz, asked the audience to pair up with someone else at their table and then ask the partner: “What’s NOT wrong in your life?” Once the partner responded, the questioner was told to repeat the question over and over after each answer was given. This went on for about 30 seconds, and then we reversed roles. Nervous tittering trickled across the room. It was an unusual question aimed at provoking thought. Personally, I found this exercise incredibly difficult… my brain struggled to provide a new answer, and the funny thing is, I consider myself a positive person, and try not to dwell on the negatives. I have lots of things to be happy about. But why was this question so tough??? Most of us could probably tick off (without batting an eye) a list of things that you wished that you could fix… Need to clean house more often,  lose weight, take that class that you never have time for, or find that right person to date. But why is so easy to rattle off the bad things but when it comes to quickly pinpointing the positives, we are reluctant to mention them? Credit our parents. “Be modest” was drilled into our heads. “Don’t boast” is another social rule that we’ve been taught. These are all admirable etiquette tips to follow, but have we also lost something else along the way? Are we afraid to be centered and happy about our accomplishments? One of the biggest concerns that I hear from clients is that they are wary about claiming any kind of positive contribution at their employer when detailing their accomplishments on their résumé. There IS a fine line between being a braggart (ME! ME! ME!) and someone who has positively contributed to society, community, or business. Oftentimes during résumé consultations, someone will tell me that, “I haven’t really done anything” â€" which tells me that they haven’t been able to embrace the value that they have contributed to an organization. Wrong. EVERYONE contributes something. Case in point: Who is the most important PAID person in any company? (HINT: It’s not the CEO) Give up? It’s ANYONE who has the first point of contact with a customer. Without customers, the company is dead in the water. So while the CEO may get paid more, the person on the front line is actually holding the future of the company in the palm of their hand by how they interact with the customer. THAT’S a positive contribution. An important career management tip for everyone (myself included)  is to take a deep breath, do an inventory on your positive contributions, and accept being centered on those things without being ashamed. You arent boasting. Youre simply balancing the negatives with positives. Similarly, you need to be in the moment to celebrate the things that AREN’T wrong with your life. Remembering and cherishing those positive things will help you get through the bad times and give you sustenance to make it out to the other side. Be connected and celebrate the things that are going right… it’s okay, and it will help make your life more fulfilling. And believe me, I am thinking a lot about today’s experience so I can also be in the moment with the things that NOT wrong in my life!!!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Unlimited vacation No clothing policy Results based work environment - Hallie Crawford

Unlimited vacation No clothing policy Results based work environment A friend of mine recently applied for a job with a company with no vacation policy. Meaning, you have unlimited vacation days as long as you performed in your job. I heard about this trend again on the Today Show last week. I think it is still a new concept and I will be curious to see how it catches on. I think the factors to consider are â€" it sounds great, and I think for many people it would work well. But for others who need structure it’s not a good policy. So it depends on the employee. Some are empowered by this kind of freedom, some would be lost without it. My client, Jason in Arizona, recently said he needs structure, at least some element of it. This policy probably wouldn’t work for him. But I like the idea and I am curious what you think.  Please weigh in by commenting below. Here’s a good article from CNN.com for more on this topic. Ideal Career Coach P.S. Get one of the most information-rich career newsletters on the web delivered straight to your email inbox! Check out our  Free Newsletter  to help you along your career journey today!