5 Ways to Encourage Career Progression as a Recruiter

5 Ways to Encourage Career Progression as a Recruiter Increasingly, one of the most popular questions we’re hearing from candidates is ‘are there career progression opportunities?’. We can see why â€" 91% of millennials say progression is one of their top priorities,  so businesses who don’t have clear development paths are at risk of losing talent to their competitors. As employment experts, it is up to recruiters to educate our clients on the importance of this and assist in instilling a culture of development and learning. Here are just five ways to do so. 1. Re-work job specs The job spec is the first interaction a candidate will have with the company, so it’s important to make the career progression opportunities clear on this. Discuss with your client where this role could lead to in the business, and make sure to mention any potential pathways in any job advertisements. If there is scope for on-the-job training or qualifications (for example, a CIPD for an HR position), it’s essential to make this clear. Remaining transparent about where a candidate could go encourages buy-in and will attract a wider applicant pool. 2. Emphasize projects Projects are a great way for employees to develop skills in a particular area, while also assisting with wider business goals. It gives them scope to look beyond their job spec, liaise with colleagues they normally wouldn’t and perhaps, engage a passion that they otherwise couldn’t. As a recruiter, it’s up to you to advise on the best way to integrate it into a role. For example, a start-up might know they need admin support but aren’t sure what that looks like. Why not suggest a PA with scope for HR or office management projects? 3. Sideways movement Sometimes, the only way isn’t up. Internal mobility, or the process of moving talent from role to role internally, is becoming increasingly popular in larger organizations as a successful recruitment strategy. Instead of losing great talent who already understand the organization and the culture, why not encourage your clients to look for other opportunities within the business for them? At the end of the day, you’re still going to work a role, as if the candidate moves internally, you’ll need to fill their role. But this way, the client retains their exceptional talent, increasing their loyalty to the company. 4. Don’t be afraid of jumpy CVs The millennial workforce is driving the desire for career progression and they’re doing it quickly, more so than any previous generation before them. They are proactive and always looking for the next challenge, asking you ‘what is the next step, what can I do now?’. As recruiters, it’s important to educate your clients so they aren’t turned off by this enthusiasm. Instead, harness it by educating hiring managers on the value of this mindset and what these types of candidates can bring to their organization. This also means educating your clients on jumpy CVs â€" in most cases, a candidate changing roles every 18 months isn’t a negative reflection on their professional experience, but demonstrative of their rate of learning. 5. Think outside the box Career progression doesn’t just mean a promotion. If your client is struggling to hold onto good talent, why not collaborate with them to see if there are other ways to encourage engagement? This includes secondments or opportunities to join committees, organize social events or participate in training programmes â€" essentially anything that allows them to feel fulfilled in their role and as if they are developing or growing. These initiatives also make it easier to recruit, as they are of appeal to new talent. It’s worth remembering that we are as much advisors as we are recruiters. By collaborating with our clients on wider workplace practice, we can develop those relationships and provide value beyond just recruitment.

Resume Writing to Detail Oriented

Resume Writing to Detail OrientedResume writing to detail orientated or to be plain formal? While this may sound like a simple question, the answer can be hard to come by.The fact is that resume writing to detail orientated can be tailored to suit an individual's needs and it can be done by writing one page of a four-page resume. The trick to the job is to make sure that the person applying for the job reads what they are applying for on the first page of the resume and knows that the following page has information that will be useful in explaining the reason for wanting the job. As an example, if the person is an applicant for a position as a clerk in a hospital that requires a state license, the wording should not include a reference to the fact that the person holds a degree in nursing. In other words, to be plain formal with regards to these things would be to write a short paragraph explaining that the person holds a degree in nursing.On the other hand, if the person is applying for a position as a data entry clerk in a small accounting firm, the resume could go in one or two paragraphs discussing the applicant's qualifications for the position. The employer who reads the resume has had enough information to decide whether the applicant is the best choice for the job or not.For those who are writing a resume to detail orientated, the next step would be to look at the most appropriate way to write a resume to begin with. They could try to use key words that point out their special traits and make the resume easy to read.There are other ways of writing a resume that avoids using too many keywords. The best example is for someone who has worked at a place with poor communication skills or someone who has little understanding of business terms. If the resume is tailor made for this type of person, the resume writing should avoid the use of the word excellent, because this will appeal to the person's more analytical nature.Furthermore, the resume writing could be simple and to the point. When people are asked to elaborate on the subject of their resumes, it would be better if they had a different resume written for them.The most important thing to remember when writing a resume to detail orientated is that a resume is not a sales pitch. It should always be clear what a person's goals are and what they intend to do to achieve them.It is also important to emphasize how the person is able to meet their personal goals. Finally, they should be honest with their past history.

5 Soft Skills That The Best Employees Possess

5 Soft Skills That The Best Employees Possess When hiring, a lot of focus is often placed on the technical skills and qualifications required for the job; however, if the candidate lacks soft skills they may not be the star employee that the employer is  hoping for! Soft skills refer to the qualities that an individual possess, that enables them to work well with others by communicating effectively and building relationships. It is these traits  that are the most transferrable between jobs and settings, so without them employees may struggle with simple day to day requirements of them, such as working in a team or dealing with conflict appropriately.  These kind of soft skills can be gained from all sorts of life experiences, from previous jobs, to responsibilities at home. The important thing is that the candidate knows how to make best use of them in a professional setting and in relation to their particular role. Though hard skills listed on your resume may land you an interview, it is your soft skills that will shine through during your interview and get you the job. Employers want to hire people who know how to conduct themselves professionally, as well as possessing the technical abilities for the job. Here are a few of the top soft skills that a candidate should possess to become a great all round employee: 1) Communication For a business to run smoothly, it is essential that the team communicate well with each other in order to exchange ideas and keep up to speed with everything going on within the company. This doesnt just mean simple exchange of information with colleagues, however; employers want their staff to be capable of thoroughly explaining their thoughts and ideas with detail and conviction. They must also be able to communicate  confidently and professionally with clients and customers, as they  are a representative of the company and poor conduct could reflect badly on the business. 2) Collaboration The ability to get along well with  others and work in a team is one of the most valuable attributes that an employee can possess. Collaborating with your team can generate creative ideas and get work completed much more efficiently. On the other hand, if someone is unwilling to cooperate or compromise when working alongside colleagues, it is likely that conflict could arise, creating a poisonous atmosphere, as well as causing  damage to the  running of the business. 3) Self-motivation The best staff are determined  and have the get-up-and-go to complete tasks efficiently and to the best of their ability. Its not always possible for somebody to offer employees constant guidance or stimulation  to get the job done, so its important that they can provide themselves with their own motivation and  can take initiative when necessary. A positive attitude goes a long way and can rub off on others in the team as well. 4) Problem solving Employers want employees who can think practically and creatively in order to resolve any issues that arise. Its inevitable that problems will occur that have potential to delay or hinder projects, so the employer wants to feel confident that their staff can handle them effectively and are up to the challenge, rather than struggling under pressure. 5) Time management One of the most important skills for an employee to  possess is  the ability to organise their  workload, in order for tasks to be completed as required and ensure deadlines are met. A good employee will know how to prioritise tasks appropriately and use their time wisely. Missing deadlines can hold the hold team back and throw projects off track, so it important that they are observed. [image credit: Shutterstock]

How to budget for a job hunt

How to budget for a job hunt When you lose your job, or even if youre worried about it, the most important thing you can do for your career is aggressively save your money. And if you want to put that money to work, set some aside to invest with an innovative brokerage company like Glanmore Investments. The average job hunt takes six months. If your salary is above average, then so is the estimated length of your job hunt. Money in the bank will afford you the time you need to hunt.   The more time you have to hunt, the less likely you are to have to settle for a job you dont like. Even in the face of this knowledge, many people start their job hunt with a level of optimism (or denial) that allows them to continue their I-have-a-job spending patterns. Losing a job is like death â€" even if you saw it coming, you are sad. Most people cope with sadness by spending money: on clothes, on bars, on baseball tickets and all-day spa deals. The best way to convince yourself to immediately start saving is to envision what will happen to your career opportunities if you keep spending. Maybe you are one of those really optimistic people. Optimism is good. But optimism with money in the bank is better. For you, it might take a few months of job-hunting for you to cut your spending. You might send out resumes for jobs that are better than the job you just lost. Given the current market you would be being very, very optimistic, but hey, sending out a resume is free. It only takes time and when youre unemployed, you have a lot of that. If you dont get a job in a couple of months, you need to admit that you are just like everyone else, and your hunt will take half a year. At this point, you probably have had no interviews, or if you have had interviews, the hiring manager has said casually, We culled your resume from a pile of 300 qualified applicants. But theres still time to adjust your budget so you can last longer. Cut your budget as much as you can without losing your housing, your friends or your sanity. If its too late, and you dont have enough money to last six months, then cut your job expectations, too, so that you can land a job more quickly. Having a little money to spare allows you to be a little bit picky about the job you take. When youre broke you have to take the first job that comes along. Still not scared enough to save? If you dont cut back at this point, youll want to cut back later, but itll be too late. Early on, you can cut back on things that dont matter that much, like movies, facials, and extra toppings on your pizza. Later, you have to also cut back on things that matter a lot, like your cell phone (you turn it off even though you put that number on resumes you sent out) and your health insurance (you figure youre healthy, so you stop paying insanely high COBRA fees.) Then you realize you have erred. Like, you hear about someone in your position who got sick and had to go to a scary hospital because they were uninsured and they got even sicker while they were there. So you take a job at Starbucks, or the Starbucks equivalent in your neighborhood â€" one of those big retail chains that offer bad jobs and good health insurance. You find yourself living off your Starbucks salary and you are miserable, and you are drowning your sorrows in free lattes. This scenario is grim, think about it at the beginning of your hunt, when you are figuring out how long your money has to last. That way you are less likely to end up in job hunt hell. A key to a successful job hunt is giving yourself enough time to succeed, and in this case, time is money.

Benefits of Outsourcing CV Writing Services Oxford

Benefits of Outsourcing CV Writing Services OxfordDo you need to submit your resume and CV writing services Oxford? If you are a successful professional who wants to ensure that the content of your CV is as unique as possible, then you should opt for one of the many outsourcing companies who can write the same for you. There are various benefits to outsourcing CV writing services, and if you wish to find out which one will suit you best, you might want to read this article carefully.A very good reason why you may want to employ the services of outsourcing CV writing companies is because you want a more creative resume, in which your ideas will not be ignored or passed over. This is especially true if your resume is old and dull. With the help of these companies, you will be able to write a unique and fascinating resume.If you are looking for something more dynamic and innovative than what's typically available today, outsourcing CV writing services Oxford will certainly be able to ma ke your resume stand out. This means that your resume will not just meet the requirement of the company, but it will also stand out from others that are presented to them. This means that it will be noticed and that you will get the same responses you will get in any other case.Aside from people noticing your resume, it is also important that your potential employers to read it. If they see that you have provided such services before, they will be convinced of your capability. The reason why you want to ensure that your CV and resume are original and creative is because you want to ensure that your qualifications are recognized by potential employers.Employers are increasingly being influenced by factors such as brand image and research that shows the reliability of the company and its products. In order to maintain and improve its reputation, you need to be able to show that you are dependable and trustworthy. It is for this reason that you should think about outsourcing the servic es of CV writing Oxford.In addition to being dependable, it also helps that you're an expert on your field. This means that you can share your knowledge and expertise with the companies that you work with. The information you share will ensure that your employer knows that they are hiring a professional and will be aware of your experience and expertise.Employers will also appreciate the fact that you are offering CV and resume writing services Oxford. They know that you have been in the industry for quite some time and have the skills required to write a great resume and CV. As a result, you will be appreciated and your chances of getting hired will be higher than ever.These are just some of the benefits that you will get if you look into outsourcing CV writing services Oxford. These services will provide you with a customized resume, one that matches the needs of employers. This means that the same resume will be accepted by a variety of different companies, ensuring that you will be remembered by the company you work for, whatever your position.

How to overcome seminar shyness when at university

How to overcome seminar shyness when at university This post was written by an external contributor. Seren gives us her tips on how to get confident in a seminar situation. If you’re shy like me, seminars can be a nightmare. Seminars reward the extroverted, while the less outspoken spend an hour worrying about being called on. However, after two and a half years of seminars, I would like to think that my confidence has improved. As a result, seminars are a lot less scary than they used to be. So, here are my tips and tricks for learning to overcome seminar shyness. Break the ice Ever had something to contribute towards the end of the class, but feel like it is too late to start speaking now? Me too. My tip: speak up as early as possible. Whether you’re asking a question or asking the seminar leader to simply clarify something, by contributing early on you will break the ice and release any tension building up in yourself. Be prepared Do your reading, make notes, and know what you are talking about. Coming to class prepared with a stack of comments and questions will make you feel more confident in what you have to contribute. There’s nothing worse than being called on and not having anything to say, so do your homework! Know what you dont know Seminars are a chance to talk through the reading, to build on points you understood and to understand things that are more difficult. Remember that it’s okay not to get everything, and it is more than okay to ask questions. Don’t feel embarrassed about not knowing something. In fact, there is probably somebody else in the seminar itching to ask the same question! Have a chat Whether you’re in a seminar group with your best friends or total strangers, talk to those around you. In the few minutes before the class starts, or during the break (if you are lucky enough to have one), have a chat. Feeling comfortable with the group will make contributing so much more relaxing and put you at ease. Get to know the seminar leader Attend their office hours, email with any questions you may have, ask about upcoming assignments or feedback. Breaking the ice with your seminar leader is just as important as feeling comfortable with your peers. Also, it gives them a chance to get to know you and your engagement with the course â€" and it will show them you are taking the class seriously. Dont be discouraged Every seminar has that one person who seems to think it’s all about them. Yes, some people are naturally more confident than others, but don’t let that hold you back! If someone seems to be overpowering the seminar, don’t let that be an opportunity to hide away. Instead, challenge their ideas, or agree with them and build on their points. Whatever you do, don’t let louder students be an excuse to shy away. Utilise the silences Awkward silences in seminars can be painful. Everyone looks at each other, looks at their notes, avoids eye contact with the seminar leader, gazes out the window It feels like an eternity before somebody has the courage (or loses their patience) and says something. Break these silences and say something, even if it is asking to clarify the question. Don’t be shy about being the one to get the conversation flowing again. Be confident This is easier said than done, I know. But once you realise that everybody is in the same boat, everything becomes a little easier. Consider the last seminar you had: Did you think much about it after? Did you ponder over an answer somebody gave? I’m going to guess the answer is no. The moment you get out of your own head and realise how unintimidating seminars can be, you might even start looking forward to them. Download Debut  and connect with us  on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

The brain likes surprises - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The brain likes surprises - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog According to research, we become a happier when good things happen to us (duh!) but the effect is even bigger when good things happen to us unexpectedly: Emory University and Baylor College of Medicine researchers used Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain scans to measure changes in human brain activity in response to a sequence of pleasurable stimuli. They used a computer-controlled device to squirt fruit juice or water into the mouths of 25 research participants. The patterns of the squirting were either predictable or unpredictable. The researchers found that the MRI scans showed a brain area called the nucleus accumbens to be much more active when the subjects received unpredictable patterns of juice and water. So: Something nice happens that you expect = good Something nice happens unexpectedly = even better This is interesting in the context of happiness at work because many of the things companies do to make their employees happier are utterly predictable: Summer parties, Christmas parties, Bonuses, team events, and so on happen on an almost completely fixed schedule, which serves to diminish their effectiveness. This is why we advocate also doing random acts of workplace kindness. According to this research, a small well-meant surprising gesture towards an employee or a team may make them much happier. So what could you do, to surprise a co-worker today? Here are some examples from previous blog posts: A really nice, surprising reward for a star performer. Give you co-workers a morning surprise. Random acts of kindness at work. Your take Has anyone ever done something that surprised and delighted you at work? Or have you done something like that to you co-workers? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How to Call Out a Bad Idea at Work (Part 2) - Hallie Crawford

How to Call Out a Bad Idea at Work (Part 2) Hallie was honored to be featured in a recent Mic article about how to voice your concerns when you hear a bad idea at work. As a follow up to this article, we wanted to share some additional tips with you. It is appropriate to speak up about a bad idea when your team is involved in the decision or you are responsible for taking the idea to the management team above you. It could also be the reverse if management suggests an idea that you know would be bad for your team. If you don’t say anything and there is backlash on the company, this could put you into hot water. Here are a few ways you can present your case: Thank them for thinking of your team or department and trying to think of new ideas. This keeps the line open for future ideas, especially if it is a co-worker, and if it is your boss lets them know that you appreciate their work. Then try something like, However, I am not convinced that the idea would transfer well to this project/our department. Give at least two solid arguments as to why the idea wouldnt work. Don’t overreact. Tell them you are looking to make improvements and focus on the positive. The idea may be terrible, but if your reaction is also terrible, that will make the person less likely to listen to your reasons why the idea is bad for your team or for the company.