Can Remote Working Grow Your Hiring Pool

Can Remote Working Grow Your Hiring Pool In today’s world, with all the communication you could ever desire at your fingertips, the working environment is a fast changing landscape. Global companies can work in sync with offices on opposing sides of the world. Distance is no longer a barrier in productivity or a hindrance to communication. Unsurprisingly, over the last decade, we have seen a global trend of increasing telecommuting. But what does that mean for the employer? Is their workforce becoming more apathetic as they see the opportunity to hide their activity, or does the freedom to control and manage their workload independently in fact improve their output? And ultimately, does being open to the notion of remote working improve your chances at recruiting the best talent? A multitude of research has been published over the last few years claiming freedom to work from home directly correlates with a happier worker. A reduced commute, and control over personal factors, such as childcare, are all named as contributing factors for the improved working experience. The number of people working from home is higher than it’s ever been. In the UK, the percentage remote workers has risen from 12% to 13.7% in just 10 years. To put that into more relative terms, that figure now exceeds 4.2 million. Similarly, in Australia, it is estimated approximately a third of the workforce  are now working from home. The same pattern can be see across the world. This trend is hardly surprising. With more families coping with two working parents, growth in the transport industry allowing individuals to justify working long distance, and ultimately, a growing educated population making the job market more inflated meaning a willingness to work long distance, it’s plausible that more workers are taking the step to control their environment. A recent annual salary survey carried out by Mason Frank International revealed that, globally, the third most valuable employer bonus was working from home, and in the UK this bonus was deemed most valued, ahead of a company laptop and bonus. In the same survey, the global result stated that 16% of these workers spent at least one day working remotely. What could really be the downside to this worker freedom? Arguably, the notion of staying at home to avoid work is now antiquated and you are held too accountable for your output in the modern workplace. However, a study from the University of Iowa has highlighted some of the potential downfalls of the telecommute. Individuals who worked from home were reported to work on average 3 extra hours per week with no extra reparations. Even mapping this output over time, this extra commitment did not result in any longer term pay increase, despite the accumulation of extra work. In fact, the primary reason given across multiple studies to justify working from home is to do more work. It’s therefore unsurprising that employers can see an increase in productivity. A lack of necessity for taking breaks, a virtually obsolete commute, and lack of distractions from office ‘culture’ all fall in line with a more productive day. Additionally, it has been shown that a key reason  for a better work output is simply gratitude and a willingness to prove worth. So what can you do to attract more remote working opportunities? Outline your own policy for remote working, ensuring staff understand their opportunity to work independently. Use working from home as an incentive to reward employees. Be open to discussion about workspaces â€" different individuals have different needs. If you have the trust to accommodate those, you may feel your employees gratitude reflected in their work. It’s clear our working culture is taking continuous steps towards more telecommuting. Taking aside what makes a better employee, ultimately it’s better for the environment and reduces traffic. The conclusion that can be drawn from this debate is, ultimately, employers, HR  advisors and recruiters must have the ability to adapt to changes in order to attract the best talent. The question of productivity must be assessed on an individual basis and through experimenting with different working approaches. Having an open communication and continued dialogue with employees and candidates is crucial for ensuring a happy and committed workforce. About the author:  Maria Baranowska is an Outreach Executive at Mason Frank International and is  passionate about responsible marketing and the development of the UK technology industry.

Gift Ideas For The Traveler On Your List

Gift Ideas For The Traveler On Your List Its for sure that our world is much more mobile than it was not too long ago.  Theres a good chance that you know someone who travels a lot, or its all they do.  Travel bloggers, millennials who are not inclined to put down roots, and others have placed the way of the wanderer in our consciousness if not our own family. That makes for an interesting and sometimes challenging dynamic in maintaining a relationship.  And especially at this time of year.  What do you give to someone whose day to day possessions fit in a suitcase or two? Here are some gift suggestions for the vagabond in your life. Gifts For the Wanderer A Gift of Connection If youve traveled much, you know that it can be a challenge to use your smartphone in some foreign locations.  Due to local regulations and tariffs, you may not be able to connect to the local network. Whats the solution?  How about a prepaid phone card, like those offered by EnjoyPrepaid?   This one not only solves the gift challenge, but handily takes care of one of your travelers excuses for not calling as often as youd like! A Gift of Identity How many times have you been asked while traveling where are you from?  We found a great way to answer that and a gift idea from TheHomeT    that your traveler is sure to love.  The go-to casual wear item of all time, that fits into the tiniest space of any bags, the classic T-shirt.  But its got the logo of your home proudly displayed.  What better way to spark a conversation with fellow travelers or maybe even a new romance? A Gift of Organization For the person who travels a lot, efficient packing is a must.  One of the trends thats becoming more popular is the use of packing cubes.   Available from several sources, these handy little containers come in various sizes.  Not only is it neat and tidy, but it make it easy to find what you want.  Not to mention knowing when youre running low on clean socks! The traveler might seem like the toughest person on the list to buy for, but with a little imagination and web searching, youll find a perfect gift that theyll actually use.  Imagine that!

Your Dream Job Step Three Figure Out Where You Stand

Your Dream Job Step Three Figure Out Where You Stand I think the idea of pursuing a dream job is something every worker should aspire to. You should enjoy your work, use your strongest skills, and be paid well. Even in this recession, it’s possible to pursue and find your dream job; it just may take a little longer. So here is another step to finding your dream job eventually. Figure out where you stand in the market for this job; what do you need to do to compete and succeed? Determining your value and competitiveness in the market is one of the hardest things you’ll do in your job search. There are several factors that go into your overall competitiveness: Your credentials: education, certifications, licenses and training   Your experience: years count, of course, but don’t forget to think about what you can do.   Are there certain types of complex tasks, projects or accounts you’ve mastered? Your specific skills: are you bilingual? Familiar with industry software? Do you have what the ads are asking for? And the ads are what count for this exercise. Make it a habit to clip and keep (electronically or on paper) advertisements for jobs that catch your eye. You’re doing this for two reasons: first, to check whether your skills and experience are matching the level of job you’re looking for, and second, to make sure your resume reflects the language the ads are using. Here’s how you figure out whether you are qualified at the entry-level, mid-level, or senior level; its  where many jobseekers in transition make their mistake. The levels are based mostly on skills, not years of tenure. We use years of experience as a kind of shorthand for what employers are really looking for: things you can do on the job. It’s important to remember that if you’re changing occupations, your previous years of experience may not help you much. I hear from professionals all the time who are frustrated by the offers they’re getting for jobs they are new to. “I know I’ve never done this particular job before, but I have 15 years of experience in my field,” they say. More often than not, they’ll still get an offer close to the entry-level point. Think of it as a training penalty; employers would rather pay for someone who can be productive on day one; training takes time and costs money. You’ll have the most success negotiating a raise after you’ve been on the job for a while and proven your worth. Education is another source of frustration for individuals who grew up in their industries and learned on the job. “Twenty years of experience should be worth more than a four-year degree,” they complain. And they may be right. Education doesn’t necessarily mean you know the job better. But it is an easy way to sort candidates. In some employers’ minds, education represents your willingness to invest, learn and persevere. If education is keeping you from getting interviews, do what you can to fix that. Start a certification or degree program; learn that software. If the recruiter asks about education, you can truthfully say that you’re enrolled and working on it while you showcase your advanced on-the-job skills.

A Letter to My Discouraged Jobseeking Friends (with 11 Lessons and Tips)

A Letter to My Discouraged Jobseeking Friends (with 11 Lessons and Tips) There was a time before becoming a career coach that I felt lost, scared, and frustrated in my career path. In fact, I wish I knew career coaches existed because I could have really used one at one point. I was burned out from working 55-60 hour weeks, always making sure to respond to incoming emails from clients even just past midnight when my eyes were fighting to stay open. I dealt with some aggressive, egotistical personalities that made me question if my kindness was being interpreted for weakness. All in all, I knew I needed to get out, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. So, I let days turn into months turn into years. Then one day, a recruiter reached out to me about another opportunity and I was ecstatic. It sounded like a great match. Before I finally made the switch, people would ask me, “Are you OK? You’re not your cheerful self” to things like, “Are you sleeping and eating well?   You look tired.” I didn’t think my frustration and stress was visible, but I couldn’t fool anyone around me. Now as a career coach, I can hear the same self-doubt, disappointment, and confusion come across when I listen to my friends rant about how difficult it is to get interviews and offers. I have always surrounded myself with positive people, so their voiced frustrations are not taken lightly. The job search process can be a grueling one, I get it. So, here’s my open letter to frustrated job seeking friends everywhere. 11 Lessons Tips to Follow if You’re a Discouraged Jobseeker Dear Jobseeking Friend, You have every right to feel frustrated and annoyed, lost and confused. The recruiting process is archaic and broken. Unfortunately, bias still remains and sometimes companies don’t even know what they want when they post a job. They can interview hundreds of candidates and still not make a decision because the hiring committee isn’t on the same page. Alternatively, they could post a job and already have a candidate in their pocket. But to show they have ‘considered’ other candidates out there, they will entertain a few interviews before rolling out the official offer. Whatever the situation, recruiting is a numbers game. The good news is with targeted effort and patience, you will be happy in the long-run and this patch in life will be a lesson learned, something to reflect on and grow from. That said, here are 11 lessons I’ve learned along the way I’d like to share with you: Don’t take the first job given to you out of desperation. Unless you’re going to get evicted, you’re paying massive interest on credit cards, or you’re digging yourself into major debt, I would try to hold out for the right opportunity to save yourself from future headache and expending energy on job search #2. Don’t take it personally when you’re rejected. I’ve seen tons of perfectly qualified candidates get rejected because the hiring manager feared this candidate would outshine them and threaten their own value to the company. Sad. But it happens more than you think. Apply to the jobs that you meet 80% of the job requirements for. If you meet 100% of them, the employer will know you are taking a step back in your career or a making a lateral move, and will get bored and leave. You want a position you can grow in and need to demonstrate your willingness and capability to learn new skills. The cover letter is a great place to address these gaps or highlight the skills they need and you already excel in. Confidence is key. Ever hear the phrase, “Fake it until you make it”? Don’t let your doubt or worries show. If you portray yourself as you’re the right fit for the role, you erase any doubts of the interviewer. Confidence is contagious and attitude is half the battle. If you don’t believe in yourself, how is the listener going to believe in you either? Brevity is king. People are busy and inundated with social media, emails, text messages, you name it. If your messages are long-winded, see if you can practice making them more concise. If you’re writing an email, send it to yourself first. On your smartphone, do you have to scroll? Is it taking you longer than a minute to get to the end? Shorten it! Do your research and tell the interviewer you know what they do and you’re on board. It’s not strong enough to say “I’m good at marketing”. Come up with a more powerful opening phrase. “In my current position, I increased our subscriber base by 60% through writing compelling subject lines. I want to bring this same type of creativity and problem solving to Company A because its mission of helping solve world hunger issues resonates with me.” Stop spending all of your day on job boards. Start using LinkedIn as a resource to find who works there and see if you can make any meaningful connections. Ask for an informational interview and meet with these employees face-to-face. The more relationships you can build, the more ambassadors you will have. Use LinkedIn as your Roll-o-Dex. Everyone you meet at least once should be added on LinkedIn. You never know if someone’s cousin, uncle, friend, husband, wife, best friend etc. works for the company you’re eyeing. Make a list of top 10 companies in your targeted geographical area you admire and want to work for. Start following these companies and look out for any events they host or career fairs they attend. Take a look at what organizations some of their employees are in. Ask if anyone knows anyone who works here (or look through your second degree connections since you’re making so many first degree connections see #8!). Finding a connection in person is going to be way more effective than putting your resume into a black hole. Attend industry events and organizations. Google your city and your industry or specific skill set. Are there meet up groups or professional organizations you can join? Being an active member and volunteer can pay off in the long-term. Remember, it’s not who you know, but who knows you. Even if you find your dream job, never stop networking. Track your progress and know when to follow-up. People are busy. Just because you messaged them and they didn’t reply doesn’t mean you should call it quits. Gently nudge them in 3-5 days and ask them if they have had time to consider your initial request. Always give them an out. I like to end my messages with, “No worries if this isn’t your thing I completely understand. It would be great to hear either way and I hope to hear from you soon.” Good luck and don’t give up. The only way you will fail is if you stop trying. Best, Emily About the Author Emily is a former recruiter and human resources enthusiast who has channeled her industry knowledge into career coaching and blogging. Emily helps millennials in transition with to reach their career goals. She is the founder of CultiVitae , a resource with fresh career advice, resume and LinkedIn profile creation services, and 1:1 coaching to help those in career ruts. . Images via Pexels.

5 Ideas for Pursuing A Career in Conservation CareerMetis.com

5 Ideas for Pursuing A Career in Conservation â€" CareerMetis.com Source â€" Pexels.comYou may have always dreamed of seeing yourself landing a conservation career and working with all sorts of wildlife. These can be rewarding jobs and a great way to make a living, but it’s also a very competitive industry with a lot of people wanting to pursue and reach similar career goals.Take the time to learn more about what you’re going to have to do to get started pursuing a conservation career. You’ll walk away with a better idea of what you’re going to have to do to succeed and tasks you should be focusing on the most right from the start.1) Research Your OptionsevalYour first order of business in pursuing a conservation careeris to research your options for what jobs currently exist in your field.evalFor instance, you may want to consider if you have a desire to travel and roll up your sleeves working as a wildlife vet or turn your hobby as a photographer into filming and photographing wildlife in their natural habitat.Spend your time learning mor e about what careers are out there and what each entails to help you narrow down your options and figure out how you want to spend your time.2) Obtain the Right Education BackgroundYou should also focus on obtaining the right education and background needed for a conservation career. Attending school is a good idea to acquire the suitable knowledge and experience in conservation. You can even find help financing your career by applying for iHelp Student Loans.This will help you to build a stronger resume and make sure potential employers know that you’re serious about starting a career in this area. Once you know this is the direction you want to head then choose a school and program you find attractive and affordable and get started taking classes.3) Volunteer Your TimeA great way to get more involved in the conservation community and pursue your dream career is to volunteer your time. Work with animals and in the field and see if you enjoy your experience or not so you can bett er determine the best path for you going forward. This will also help you gain more experience so you become a more attractive job candidate to potential employers down the road.It’s a nice way to meet other people who have similar interests as well and a casual environment for getting all of your questions about this career path answered. It’s never too early to get started working in your field so you can gain a better feel for what a day in the life of a conservation specialist will look like.4) Find A MentorIt’s also a wise idea to find a mentorwho already has a career in this line of work and will be able to help guide you in your journey. Turn to this person when you’re feeling lost or confused about next steps or how to go about securing yourself a job.evalAsk them what roadblocks they encountered along the way and advice about how you can give yourself a better chance at standing out from the crowd and apart from others who are pursuing a similar career.You may also want to see if you can job shadow them so you’re exposed to what it truly feels like to have a conservation career. Choose a wide variety of people and positions to job shadow and interview to get a better idea of which path might be most suitable for you.5) Apply for JobsevalYour final step in the process is to start applying for jobsthat you’re interested in pursuing.Keep in mind that it can take some time before you may come across or land your dream position and find an employer that’s going to be the right fit for you.evalBe willing to interview for many different roles and companies so you can see which ones sit best with you and that you might want to accept.Remember that these jobs are competitive so the best way to get noticed is to have a strong resume, experience and a positive attitude about wanting to jump in and get your hands dirty.Don’t shy away from internships or temporary positions because they may also lead to more long-term opportunities one day.Remain p atient and know that if you’re persistent enough then eventually you’ll come across a good job that will put your skills to use and make you glad you followed your dreams.

Should you be making a higher salary

Should you be making a higher salary 2 Flares 2 Flares If you think youre underpaid and deserve a raise make sure to do your homework.  The last thing you want is to go into that conversation with your supervisor unprepared.  Along with utilizing your outstanding performance reviews, make sure to check out the below links to salary calculators to help prove you deserve a raise/promotion. Check next week to read how to go about asking for your promotion! http://www.payscale.com/salary-calculator/ http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_default.asp http://about.salary.com/ http://www.salaryexpert.com/

Looking For Resume Writing Companies Online?

Looking For Resume Writing Companies Online?Resume writing companies online can be an excellent place to look for job opportunities. Many people are searching for employment and end up wasting time going through the dozens of resumes that they receive each day. It is important to have a good resume and the right skills and experience so that you get the best employment openings and the most sought after jobs.Resume writing websites online can be a great resource for finding openings, especially those that require you to submit your resume online. Many employers will post resumes on these sites and can work to match you with the type of position that you have been seeking. While this does not always guarantee an interview, it will help to boost your chances of getting the job that you want.There are many resume writing companies that can be found online, some are small and run from a home office and others are internet based. You will want to select a company that is reputable and eas y to contact. Most often than not you will have a right to a resume, so make sure that you know what you are getting into before you begin.While many of the resume writing companies are legitimate, there are a few scams out there as well. They are out there to get your personal information and then use that for their own benefit. If you are not careful about who you give your information to, you could find yourself in trouble.To help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of these scams, you should find a website that has ratings and feedback from previous customers. This can help you see which resume writing companies are going to be the best fit for your needs. They can also offer valuable tips on how to write a good resume and if they can give you a price on writing services.Many of the resume writing companies online are very simple to use and can provide you with a high quality resume that will stand out. There are hundreds of different resume writing services that can be foun d online. Once you find a company that works for you, you can quickly learn how to create a quality resume that will help you land the right job.A website like these can be a valuable resource for any job seeker. You should only sign up for one or two services, but review several before choosing which one you want to use. You should also compare prices on all of the services that you are interested in using to ensure that you are receiving the best value for your money.By looking for resume writing companies online, you can save yourself time and find the best ones to help you get the job that you are looking for. Even if you are looking for the perfect job, it can still be difficult to land one, so if you do not already have a company to use, this could be the easiest way to get the job you want. Finding a great resume writing service can really help you get that interview you have been dreaming of.