Hiring in 2015 Pros and Cons - Spark Hire

Hiring in 2015 Pros and Cons - Spark HireThe hiring process in 2015 looks decidedly different than it did 20 or even 10 years ago. Hiring managers and recruiters must adapt to these changes in order to continue to bring in top tier talent. If youre in a position where youre focused on talent acquisition, heres what you need to know about the perks and pitfalls of hiring in this eraThe prosGeography doesnt matter anymoreWith tools like video interviewing technology, youre no longer limited to candidates who live in the geographic area immediately surrounding your company. You can schedule a video interview and have the opportunity to have a conversation with people from all over the country. This ensures that youre getting the most qualified candidate as you fill an open spot, not simply the most convenient one.Youre able to reach a broader groupSocial media allows you to broadcast job openings to a wide sortiment of people. Youre no longer limited to running ads in newspapers and hop ing that the right person reads it. You have a global reach, often with little to no cost associated with posting the opportunity.Careers are more fluidCandidates often come to you with a range of skills. Theyve no longer only held one job throughout the duration of their career. This means they can easily transition into a different kind of role, or contribute to a variety of different departments within your organization. In fact, many employees like having a diverse range of experiences at work, and welcome this kind of job.The consCandidates are more cynicalJob seekers are more familiar with recruiter-speak, and know what terms like Well keep your resume on file mean. Theyre used to applying for many jobs and not hearing back, or perhaps theyve been in an office environment where they were unhappy. Because of this, youll need to prove why your company is different, or why your strategy as a recruiter is unique.People are more likely to bounce from job to jobIts becoming increasi ngly common to see employees stay at a company for two years or so before moving on to the next opportunity. The days of ten and twenty-year veterans are few and far between. Frequent turnover damages a company in the long run, and makes it hard to boost camaraderie within the office.People are more mobile, and there are more opportunities availableBecause people are getting recruited from all over the country and are more willing to relocate, it makes it harder for your business to stand out. Talented individuals are being recruited from various businesses, so youll need to make an even bigger impression in order to make an impact.While recruiting and hiring have certainly changed over the past few decades, technology has made it easier than ever to reach qualified candidates who can help you grow your business.Image dolgachov/BigStock.com

Yes, You Have a Unique Career Story!

Yes, You Have a Unique Career StoryYes, You Have a Unique Career StoryYou may not believe it right now, but those cut-and-dry resumes youve been sending out could be a lot better if you just believed the one thing that resume writing professionals already know you have a unique career story Too many job seekers craft their resumes in a way that reduces their experiences to mere bullet points on a page, neglecting the harder-to-quantify skills that their employers have cherished for years. When youre writing a professional resume, its important to consider these hard-to-measure aspects Finding Your Special StoryZooming in on your uniqueness requires more than a quick moment of thinking. After all, youre just doing what you think is normal from day-to-day. Thats why its great to have work friends, colleagues and others around you who can help you fill in those blanks. Ask your co-workers what sort of skills make you good at your job, especially those things that reach beyond the requir ements for your position.You might discover that they think youre a great leader despite not being in a leadership position, perhaps youve been reminded that it was your idea to digitize all the records, which now means efficiency is 30% higher. They may say you have a gift for customer relationship management, because three times in the past year you saved accounts from walking away because the customers were angry. These are areas you can draw from when building your career narrative. Start with specific skills and think back to times when you were doing the very things that caught your co-workers attention in the first place.Creating a More Narrative ResumeInstead of reducing your accomplishments to bullets and lists, use your narratives to demonstrate how you solved problems similar to the ones your future employer is facing right now. Dont just declare that you improved the customer service experience 22%. Tell the story of how you did it. Maybe your goal was simply to help spe ed up retail shopping lines, but you happened to also win an award for your efforts thats the kind of achievement that matters to employers.Guaranteed youve done something at work that was worth noting thats why they kept you in that job. These are the elements of work that will make your resume stand out from others with similar training and experience how you handle a challenge is likely different from anyone elses approach.Work narratives that tell your unique story capture your distinct personality and thought process, making it clear to your future employer exactly what you bring to the table. Everyone likes a good story, and these are stories that could illustrate so much more about you than a list of skills ever could.

7 Types of Companies You Should Never Work For

7 Types of Companies You Should Never Work For7 Types of Companies You Should Never Work For No matter how desperate you are for a job , or how annoyed you may be at your current gig, there are some companies youre better off notlage working for. Even if the money is good, the role seems irresistible, and even your friends say its worth a shot, accepting a role at acrappy company can set your career back and even jeopardize your future success.So how do you know which companies to steer clear of? Here at Glassdoor, we dont like to point fingers because all companies have the tools to change . Nevertheless, here are 7 types of companies that might as well have Do not apply flashing on a neon sign in the window.Red flags Key roles pop up consistently on a companys job site.How bad is it A company should not be on the hund for the saatkorn important roles in management or leadership every six months, and if they are that means that they have fallen into a hire-and-fir e cycle. This can indicate a few things. One, leadership may be very fickle unable to land on the specific qualities they want in a candidate. Two, the company may have a bad internal culture which makes retention nearly impossible, no matter how talented the new hires may be. Three, top level goals may be as fleeting as the talent.What to do Companies with high turnover wont deliver on their promises and may just be a waste of time.Red flags Negative employee reviews, lack of focus on a true employee experience, recruiters evading your questions.How bad is it A poor company culture may not seem like a deal breaker, but it should be. Recently, weve seen a handful of examples where company culture has significantly handicapped public perception. Even if a companys poor culture hasnt played out publicly, it can be bad for your career. Its well known that a positive company culturecan drive financial performance and a productive workforce. Therefore, a negative culture can do the exact opposite.What to do Avoid companies who tout their ping-pong tournament but wont allow you speak to existing employees about their experiences. Consider ending bewerberinterview discussions with companies that evade questions about culture. And just say no to places who define hard work as 15-hour days and long weekend email threads.Red flags Pristine and ideal image in marketing materials and publicity, however, the day-to-day operation is far from glamorous.Only the leaders have what can pass as offices, staff is dispersed amongst shoddy cubicles, lighting is awful, technology is from the 90s, and lets not get departureed on the break room.How bad is it Weve all seen them the amazingly beautiful house on the block with the pristine lawn and the paint job that always manages to look fresh, even in the winter. These are the homes with curb appeal. They are the envy of every neighbor and look like a million bucks. But, have you ever been inside a home with massive curb appeal ? Unless youre in a really impressive neighborhood, they can have less-than-ideal interiors. The same can go for companies that are featured in all the top publications, have the coolest website, the most cutting-edge ad campaigns, and marketing materials. However, inside might tell another story.What to do Do your due diligence before you apply to a company to look inside its offices , get a sense of the digs and see if its a place you want to spend 40+ hours a week.Red flags Too many executives brainstorming, too few employees tasked with executing.How bad is it The three leading drivers of long-term employee satisfaction includeculture and values, career opportunities, and trust in senior leadership. That does not mean, however, that all of the emphasis should be placed on attracting top executives to a company. Sure, its important to have phenomenal leadership, but when you read reviews of a company be sure to note how much emphasis is placed on rank & file employees. All team members are important and you should see that reflected in employee reviews of the company and in their hiring practices.What to do Ask yourself Whos getting promoted internally? Or are outsiders filling key positions? Why are there 10 SVPs, but only 100 employees? If the answers to these questions puzzle you, then you may be looking at a top-heavy company.Red flags Unfulfilled corporate expectations, employees report alack of trust in CEO , inability to live up to brand promises.How bad is it In the era of transparency, most companies are fully aware that they must attract the best talent with full, robust and competitive packages. In order to do this, they make promises. Companies make promises around the job, the compensation package, the culture and the brand. Furthermore, companies have a brand promise that is a manifestation of its core business strategy. The problem with promises, however, they can be broken. Beware of companies that make promise after promise aft er promise.Lets boil this down to something tangible a promotion. Your boss at XYZ company promises you a promotion based on your hard work and value to the company. You start to get excited about the new role and, of course, the increased pay. However, a month goes by and no one has mentioned anything. You follow up, and your boss routes you to HR. All you get from HR is blank stares and shrugged shoulders. Finally, weeks later youve been sent an email stating that your promotion has been delayed. Sigh. Broken promise.What to do Consider leaving. A company is only as good as its brand promise and the trust of its employees. Without these two things, it is doomed to fail.Red flags Lack of learning opportunities, fails to promote mentorship, offers little more than the role youve applied for.How bad is it Youve got the offer from the firm or company of your dreams. The money is right, the role is perfect and yourfuture coworkers are people youd absolutely grab a beer with after wor k. So what, theres no learning-and-development offerings. So what, the hiring manager evaded your questions about your future goals. No big deal, right? Hardly. The stagnant company is one to stay away from as well because it places little to no emphasis on helping you meet your long-term career goals. While this type of company may work for some job seekers looking for a very particular type of job, for many it presents a dead-end.What to do Working at a stagnator means that youll likely be back on the job hunt in 12 to 18 months. Remember, to stagnate is a verb that means, to cease developing become inactive or dull. This is not what you want for your career.Red flags No clear plan for the future, employees dont know long-term goals, senior leadership fails to adequately communicate.How bad is it Beware of the Titanic companies that tout all the bells and whistles, but lack a clear direction. Its these companies that inevitably hit the icebergs or big challenges over time and c an become in danger of sinking. Companies should be forthright about where they stand financially, where they see themselves going, and should be willing to talk about any major challenges. If the hiring team is unable to discuss openly what direction the company hoping to go, it may be a clue that they lack a plan for growth and that the foundation may be shaky.What to do No matter how promising a company looks to the media or how much buzz surrounds the companys latest product, if the value proposition and forecast are unclear, the company does not have a winning strategy.

Air Force Cyberspace Defense Operations (1B4X1)

Air Force Cyberspace Defense Operations (1B4X1)Air Force Cyberspace Defense Operations (1B4X1)Are you interested in a career protecting computer networks from cyber-attack or being part of operations to crack hostile computer systems? A skilled cyber warrior has quickly become a stock character of television series and movies. Defending computer systems from attack and designing counterattacks is not only an intriguing fantasy adventure, but it is also a career path in the Air Force. The career field in cyber warfare operations is open to enlisted military Airmen who already possess skills in computer networks. A minimum score of 60 on the Air Force Electronic Data Processing Test is needed for entry to this career field. Cyber Warfare Operations Specialty Summary Personnel in the Cyber Warfare Operations specialty perform duties to develop, sustain, and enhance cyberspace capabilities. These capabilities are used to defend national interests from attack and to create effects in cyberspace to achieve national objectives. They conduct both offensive and defensive cyberspace operations. They act to protect cyberspace systems from adversarial access and attack. They execute command and control (C2) of assigned cyberspace forces and de-conflict cyberspace operations. They will partner with the Department of Defense, interagency, and Coalition Forces. The career progression includes Cyber Warfare Operations Apprentice 1B431 Awarded after completing 1B4X1 Cyber Warfare Operations anfangsbuchstabe Skills Course. Apprentices are assigned into positions such as incident response operator or interactive operator. The technical school takes 16 months on average.Cyber Warfare Operations Journeyman 1B451 Awarded after completing 1B451 CDC and other requirements.Cyber Warfare Operations Craftsman 1B471 Minimum rank SSgt.Cyber Warfare Operations Superintendent 1B491 Minimum rank SMSgt. Duties and Responsibilities in Cyber Warfare Operations As a part of cyberspace war fare operations, personnel in this career field work with surveillance, combat, reporting and network management systems. Operations work to protect data and network systems in ways beyond passive defense measures such as firewalls. Some operations are in support of intelligence operations. You must be able to interpret directives into specific guidance and procedures for operator actions and develop and execute operation plans. You will evaluate the operational readiness of communications, sensors, intrusion detection, and related support equipment. You will coordinate with other operators performing weapons control, surveillance, and network activities. Your duties can include advising the commander on thereadiness of capabilities, status reports, training exercises, and evaluation results. Specialty Qualifications Knowledge This field requires knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware, software, databases, and programming languages. It is essential to understand netwo rking fundamentals, protocols, network addressing and infrastructure, telecommunications theory, and data communications. You must be proficient on wireless networking as well as delivery to personal wireless devices and understand cryptography, including utilization and exploitation techniques. You must understand cyber operation laws. Education Must have completed high school. Additional courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are desirable. It is also desirable to have an Associate degree or higher in related fields or Information Technology (IT) certification.TrainingFor anaward of AFSC 1B431, completion of Cyber Warfare Operations Apprentice course is required.Experience.No experience is required for the Apprentice level. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC at Journeyman and Craftsman levels are indicated 1B451 Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1B4311B471 Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1B451 OtherEligibility for a Top Secret security clearance according to AFI 31-501, Personnel Security Program Management.Award of the 3-skill level without a final Top Secret (TS) clearance is authorized provided an interim TS has been granted according to AFI 31-501. Source AFSC 1B4X1 Cyber Warfare Operations Career Field Education and Training Plan, November2014.

Cover Letter Example for Fiction Writers to Send to Agents

Cover Letter Example for Fiction Writers to Send to AgentsCover Letter Example for Fiction Writers to Send to AgentsGetting published is not easy and, as the saying goes, its who you know that counts. Below is a sample titelseite letter (otherwise known as a query letter) sent by an aspiring writer to a literary agent.In this case, the first-time author had a connection to the agent. Because of this, and because agents are very busy people, the writer kept the letter brief and to the point. Sample Letter December 18, 2015Mr. John DoeBrilliant Literary Agency123 East 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10012Dear Mr. DoeOne of your authors, my friend Olivia Oh, spoke with you recently about a middle-grade novel I wrote. I am sending it for your consideration.Its Me Rhonda Michaels is a contemporary story set in a high rise apartment in Los Angeles. The hero is thirteen-year-old Rhonda Michaels, who is on a quest to find her brother, who has run off with the circus. It is my first novel, and it is 38,000 words long.The book is enclosed. Thank you in advance for your time.Sincerely,Berniece L. Writer123 Pretty Town LaneAny Old City, NY 10009blwritergoshmail.comTel 212-121-1212 Expand Why Send a Cover Letter? The point of the cover letter is to give context to what an agent is about to read, to interest the agent in you as a writer, and to give the agent some ideas about how they might begin to market and sell your work to editors and publishing houses. The writer above accomplishes this by noting the genre, setting, and plot. Youll notice that the author is concise and to-the-point. The author does not pad the cover letter with unnecessary information, nor does the writer waste any time getting right to the point of the letter. Personal Contacts Matter One of the most important aspects of the letter to note is that the writer begins her inquiry by referencing who recommended her (Olivia Oh). Any connection you have to the agent is extremely important. It might be the di fference between having your manuscript read or tossed in the trash. Therefore, always begin your cover letter with your in, which in this case is who you know, especially if your colleague is accomplished. Other Things to Include in Your Cover Letter Youll also notice that the writer does not mention any previous publications. Thats because this is theirfirst novel and is likely theirfirst attempt at a fictional publication. However, if you have publications that are relevant (i.e., fictional publications in literary magazines, other books that have been published, or relevant essays) then by all means highlight that in your cover letter. Similarly, if you have relevant experience, you should also mention it. However, dont use your cover letter as a biography or resume. A cover letter is just that, a letter. By relevant experience, that means experience that somehow informs your abilities as a writer. For example, if you held an administrativeposition in a publishing house, tha t is not relevant experience because it doesnt speak to your skills as a writer. If however, you graduated from an MFA program or won an award for your writing, you should mention that in your cover letter.

Dont Leave Accounting and Finance Staff Puzzled

Dont Leave Accounting and Finance Staff PuzzledDont Leave Accounting and Finance Staff PuzzledManagers You expect your accounting and finance staff to deliver the best work possible and help the company to succeed. But do you know if every team member truly understands how his or her contributions have a direct impact on the firms bottom line?Theres a strong chance that many of your employees arent making this important connection. A survey by our company found that mora than half of professionals (53 percent) wish they had mora insight on how their day-to-day duties make a difference to the organization.Gen X employees feel the most disconnectedThe surveys findings also point to a potential staffing management issue that many employers will want to move swiftly to address Only 38 percent of professionals who are 35 to 54 years old - essentially, the Generation X demographic - said they see a direct correlation between their efforts and the companys performance. This compares to 44 percent of employees who are 18 to 34 years old (primarily millennials - Generation Y and Generation Z) and 59 percent of workers over the age of 55(baby boomers).Given that many Gen X workers are now serving in leadership roles, this disconnect could ultimately hurt a companys bottom line if it is left to fester. Tim Hird, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources, says, Its concerning that so many workers who are 35 to 54 - a group that often serves as managers and top executives - lack a complete understanding of how their responsibilities help their organizations bottom line.Hird also notes that when workers have a sense of connection, they are more engaged, make better spending decisions and can identify new ways to increase productivity and growth.However, interestingly, the survey also found that only about half (51 percent) of respondents from the 35 to 54 age group said they would like more insight on how their work makes an impact.Why not a higher percenta ge? It could be that Gen X professionals in some organizations do not have someone working above them who could provide this perspective. Others may not be comfortable asking their manager to provide such insight, as they might be concerned that admitting they do not completely understand how their work makes a difference will somehow reflect poorly on them.All accounting and finance staff must be able to visualize how their work fits into the big pictureEven though millennial and baby boomer employees appear to have an easier time connecting their contributions to the bottom line, the survey findings show that managers need to do more to ensure that workers across all demographic groups in their organization understand how their work adds value. And failing to prioritize these efforts could have a negative impact on the business, according to Hird.Managers who do not have regular conversations with staff about how their work affects the company are missing a major opportunity to de velop ideas for improving the business, he says.Good communication from management is essential to ensuring that accounting and finance employees know how they as, individuals, are making a difference at the firm. With that in mind, heres some advice for helping employees better understand how they make a differenceDiscuss company performance and goals with staff members at all levels. Sharing this knowledge directly can also inspire workers to boost their own performance.Find ways to keep the dialogue going. Staff meetings, performance reviews and regular check-ins all provide opportunities for managers to communicate how individual employees contributions benefit the business.Accounting and finance leaders should also seek out external perspectives as a way to benchmark their teams performance and learn best practices from other firms. Executives can check in with their networks and with consultants to see how managers at other companies are communicating with their staff members about their contributions. Tapping outside resources for insights can yield ideas from a diverse set of organizations. Tags

Buying Basic Resume Example

Buying Basic Resume Example The Lost Secret of Basic Resume Example Most employers arent expecting you to get extensive experience because an internship is generally the very first experience students have in their area. Job requirements vary, and certain businesses concentrate on education value and various other skills. Distinct kinds of work in the food tafelgeschirr industry require resumes with a number of the exact skills. Accounting and finance managers may wish to see your technical understanding. Basic Resume Example Every trade position has a particular tischset of skills which are required at work and its crucial that you highlight your technical training in your resume. Volunteer experience is also a great add-on to healthcare resumes as it shows the hiring manager you have compassion off the work also. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. To begin with, consider the work description to see whether it indic ates the form of skills the provider is seeking. No beating around the bush, tell your recruiter what you would like, and should you fulfill the requirements, you will receive the job. An interview could also be needed to land the job, but a resume is imperative to begin the approach. Each time you apply to get a new job, check your resume to guarantee that it is not only targeted, but in addition current. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about Speaking of unique, the main target of your resume is to make you stick out from the remainder of the folks applying for the exact same job and another means to create that happen is to use action verbs and power words (also called resume verbs). From the kind of content to its layout, everything matters when youre attempting to acquire the utmost attention of the recruiter. There are lots of ways to approach these sorts of resumes and the examples should assist you in finding a direction thats suitable for you. However much or what type of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. Lies Youve Been Told About Basic Resume Example Your cv ought to be clear concise complete and updated with current employment and educational info. ur resume examples can ensure youre prepared in the event you receive a referral. Very best cv photo suggestions and tips. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Basic Resume Example There are two sorts of font. Ideally, prepare a resume utilizing all formats and decide which to submit. To find some formatting suggestions for your resume, have a look at our samples. Getting the Best Basic Resume Example Remember also you have the cover letter to spell out why youre the perfect candidate. Do you have to compose a curriculum vitaea curriculum vitae commonly referred to as a cv is an alternate to writing a resume to apply to get a job. Chronological resumes are the idea l place to highlight your accomplishments. Its hard to select a service to purchase your essay from. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, in addition to your abilities and accomplishments, there are various ways to present this info. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. Preparing resumes is simple, but writing an effective one which catches the interest of the reader isnt. Actually, you ought to be aware that plenty of companies these days are using Applicant Tracking Systems to help them screen resumes and get the best candidates. Sales is much like customer service as salespeople can be effective in a variety of industries. Whether youre asking for work, a grant, or using your resume to construct your own client base, a skilled and well-organized resume is advised. Gave sales pre sentations to prospective customers. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Basic Resume Example A fundamental job resume is best for candidates that are fresh out of college and are probably on the lookout for an expert start. Each guide is based on another amount of expert experience, so locate the one most appropriate to your specific circumstance. The aim is to show youre an ideal candidate for the position youre applying for. Basic Resume Example Explained Impress to your own private site Show your skills with a web-based portfolio, professional resume or CV. Make sure that you get the info youre looking for. Have a look at our article on the way to use your job references strategically in case you need more info. Some will enable you to apply online. Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. Customer service is a critical element in many jobs and its imperative that you concentrate on that in your resume. Resumes are usually categorized by the style in w hich the info is presented. See the included Internship resume for a complete example.