Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Whose Responsibility is Employer Branding

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Whose Responsibility is Employer Branding A recent article from my friends at Recruiter.com asks an intriguing question: who exactly owns the employer brand? In 2015,employer brandingfirmUniversumreleased a four-part study,“2020 Outlook: the Future of Employer Branding.”Based on asurvey of more than2000 HR professionals and CEOs from around the world, the study examined where employer branding is today andhow employer branding may evolve over the next five years. Interestingly, the results illustrate that HR and the C-suite can’t seem to agree on whoshouldown employer branding, with 60 percent of CEOs saying it’s their job and 58 percent of HR executives saying it’s theirs.Uh oh. This situation rather reminds me of the bystander effect â€" a social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present. That’s because every individual assumes that someone else will call for help. The researchers believe that employer branding efforts are stalemated at many organizations precisely because no one is sure who should be issuing calls to action. “Since there seems to be a misalignment on who is accountable on both a strategic and operative level, no one has a good answer on how to increase internal engagement on the employer branding topic,” says Jonna Sjövall, vice president of talent strategy and employer branding for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa atUniversum. For more insights, check out the SilkRoad blog.

How to Put Study Abroad on Resume

How to Put Study Abroad on ResumeKnowing how to put study abroad on resume is something that will make the difference between getting a job or not. It will really show if you know about the whole thing and are just blowing it off, which will not be in your best interest.If you're going to the place you're going, then it's a good idea to put it there. You can do this by placing all the relevant information on your resume. You could have traveled abroad with a course you're taking, for a day or two, or you could get back from it a year later. You'll need to mention how long you've been there, and what were the dates, and why you decided to go.If you're one of those people who have studied abroad, then you'll probably have an in-depth knowledge of where you've gone, and what you learned in that course, which would serve you better than just saying you have a 'field experience' in a college there. Remember that your field experience will be in the classroom, not in the actual location wh ere you took the course. You may be able to include that in the 'extracurricular activities' section of your resume, but you won't want to get too creative, because it will just look like you're trying to leave something out. There are places that have specific requirements in order to work there, and you don't want to get too overboard in the details.It doesn't matter if you're going there as a full-time student, part-time student, an apprentice, or if you're working, you can still put on study abroad on resume. Whether you're going for full time or part time, or even for your professional career, you can still include it on your resume. If you're going abroad to study a language, for example, then you might want to also include any school you're studying it with, and your field experience if any.Whatever the case may be, you need to include it. You might think that you'll get a job that has nothing to do with your background or your learning abroad, but the odds are very high that the person will say no to you because of how you've put it on your resume. Make sure you look into everything before putting it on there. It may be hard to hide your educational background on your resume, but if you know how to put on study abroad on resume, then you'll learn it.If you're just starting out in the entire field, then you'll need to start with a college or university. Find the place you'll be taking the course in, and find out if they offer it.Do your research about the school, find out if they offer it at a certain level, and what exactly it is that you'll be learning. You can find out some tips online, but the place that you'll learn what needs to be taught, as well as what's expected in your course. Study abroad in your home country and find out what the requirements are, before heading over to the UK or any other place.After doing the whole procedure, you can put your entire background on your resume in detail. You should be able to get a job without even having t o look for it, if you've done the right things.

How to Maintain an Inviting Store That Attracts More Customers

How to Maintain an Inviting Store That Attracts More Customers If you’re the owner of a brick-and-mortar establishment, the first opportunity you have to catch the customer’s eye is your storefront â€" the display window, your store entrance, its upkeep, maintenance and even color scheme are all factors that play into giving your business the ‘wow’ factor you need to attract consumers. This can unfortunately be the make-or-break moment for a potential buyer to set foot inside your business, and if you don’t have the right combination, you might miss out on potential revenue. True, a person can’t always judge a book by its cover, but there is a reason they say first impressions are so important. Try to think of the factors listed above as the components of a 3D billboard representing your establishment’s image. What is your store’s image? It can be anything â€" trendy, kitschy, upscale, fun, creative, homey etc. â€" your image is your choice, and its design is up to you. The important point to point to keep in mind is that you’ll want to make all these factors work together to create a smashing first impression. Here’s a list of 11 ways you can make your store more inviting and unforgettable: Try not to be too loud in your decor. They do say less is more, and this is entirely true where the display windows of your business are concerned. Look specifically at different display ideas, and sort through what vibe fits you and your image best. Make sure your display has a plan â€" a cluttered window will likely draw the eye of the the curious but not necessarily the consumer. Make sure your merchandise is what you’re trying to sell. Don’t have your potential customers get so lost in the shuffle of your image that they forget what it is exactly that you sell. Be clear on what goods and services you offer through your business and use your image to promote your merchandise, not distract. Show your products’ best sides. In order to make your products as attractive as possible, you need to not only have adequate lighting for the window, entrance and establishment, but you also need to make sure your routine maintenance is up to par. Investing in proper cleaning equipment for your business is an absolute necessity for creating and maintaining the image you want to sell to customers. Build curb appeal. Placement of your items in the display window, outside the store entrance and inside on displays are critical to draw in the masses from across or down the street. You want your establishment to be a place that people pass and say, “Oh! I have to stop in there!” Use the magnetic pull of strategically placed items â€" like brightly colored umbrellas arranged together or stacked shapes and pyramids. You want a curb appeal that draws the eye and still remains structured. Have some fun with your props and products. Perhaps the use of mannequins is relevant to the product you’re selling. If so, have some fun with the set up. Use them to create poses that suggest activity and movement. Incorporate your products together with the mannequins. It will be both fun and useful for your customers to see how to meld your products into their daily lives. Unsure of where to begin? Here is a great list of mannequin display ideas to start with. Utilize your creative genius. You have your props and mannequins. Now you can really let the creative juices flow. Experiment with colors and patterns to accentuate your product and overall goal of the message you are trying to convey. Customers like a business that can offer something unique. While more shopping continues to move online, 85% of consumers still prefer to shop in a physical store. Keep those numbers in mind as you create a shopping experience for your establishment. Don’t lose your theme or objective. While creativity is a wonderful tool, sometimes it can also get away from you if you don’t continually revisit the message and image you are presenting to potential customers. Come back to the underlying idea of keeping it simple. If you maintain this mentality and couple it with fun and creativity, you are sure to have a winning combination. Combine brick-and-mortar with online. While a great number of consumers still prefer to shop in a store, it is important to keep in mind that your customer base will also want and demand a legitimate web presence. Be sure to integrate your web options (i.e. website, platform, partners, retailers etc.) together with your in-store décor plans. People like options. Give them some. Roll out the welcome mat â€" even literally. Sometimes the obvious answer is the best one. Make sure your customers know you are open and that their presence is also wanted. Welcome them with a traditional welcome mat, a homey backdrop or scintillating music. Appeal to the human senses, and you’ll have a response. Make sure your stock is ready to handle promotional or featured items. There is no point in highlighting your goods and services with an intricate image display throughout your store, and then not have the sense to have enough of these items on hand. You can even use a promotional or featured product to help create your store image, but before you choose that image, do a little research to learn about your demographic and market.   This will help you design your image around the items your area will most likely need and want â€" in addition to building up a sufficient inventory for the actual sale and the proper cardboard display stands or signage to promote the items. Maintaining a successful business is difficult. However, building your store and gearing it toward your customer base will be both a satisfying and fun experience â€" which will hopefully make the process a bit less painful. Keep the potential customers in your area in mind, and find an image that fits this demographic. With the right products and image, you are bound to increase your foot traffic in no time, as well as enjoy the fruits of your labor. Remember to revisit your ideas often to keep your store image fresh. The time invested will surely pay off in the long run with more sales and higher revenue. You’ll also have a good feeling of personal accomplishment. Get everyone on board. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to successful retail store execution is communication among your team. This includes HQ, district leaders, store managers and hourly employees. Everyone has to be on board for your store to succeed. Develop in-house systems for clear communication, whether its team meetings, video conferencing, or emails. Or, if you really want to be hyper-organized, consider using  retail communication tools  to streamline communication and task management across the whole business.. Only when your teams are aligned on store goals, plans, and to-do lists can you create a seamless customer journey.

How to Plan a Company Retreat

How to Plan a Company Retreat With 80% of employees reporting that they’re too stressed in their office jobs, it’s more important than ever to facilitate employee happiness in the workplace. From snacks and a casual work environment to flexible work hours and office retreats, there are plenty of ways to show employees you appreciate them without breaking the bank. Although there is no quick fix to creating company culture, ensuring that your employees are building relationships outside of the office is key to boosting morale. Encourage your team to spend at least 20% of their time building relationships in-office to increase gratitude and empathy between employees. Doing so can improve communication between teams, leadership, and different departments. The Importance of Time Out of Office A study by Harvard Business Review found that even though the technology is constantly increasing productivity in the workplace, the amount of vacation days employees take off is steadily decreasing. In 2015, employees took an average of 4 days less paid time off than years prior. Considering people that take at least 10 of their vacation days have a 65.4% chance of receiving a raise, there’s more reason than ever to make time for hobbies and trips that get you away from the office and encourage the mentality among peers. The Benefits of Company Retreats Hosting a company retreat fosters a culture that many in the workforce today and seeking in their potential employers. Inspire your employees to work towards a shared goal, break communication barriers, and expose hidden talents in the office with a retreat. By inspiring employees to look at the big picture outside of their typical day-to-day tasks, they’re able to destress, get to know their coworkers, and create lasting bonds that can foster greater creativity in the workplace. Company Retreat Planning Planning a meaningful company retreat doesn’t have to be an elaborate production. Start with the basics: goals, scheduling, and location. Make sure you’re able to measure the results of your company retreat with viable KPI’s. Some examples of attainable goals at your retreat could be: improving communication between departments, breaking the monotony of office work, employing a creative mindset, or even education in a new product line or service. Next, schedule the retreat during your company’s slow season. The goal is to help employees destress, not create a more stressful schedule during a busy time. Last, find the perfect location. Think about meeting rooms, outdoor space, lodging, and restaurants within walking distance or close proximity. Make sure that leadership attends the event. Company culture starts from the top-down, and to get buy-in from all your employees, your leaders need to have a positive attitude about the event. Involve your leadership from the beginning and take off some of the stress of planning the event by having them assist in creating and planning team-building activities and networking events to host during the retreat. You’ll want to ensure to provide transportation to and from the event, so check if you can get a package deal or discount on the service. You’ll be bringing in a lot of business, after all. Lastly, make sure you carve out time after the retreat to discuss what went well and what didn’t. Transparency is key when it comes to improvement, and the feedback from your first-ever company retreat will help you build successful events in the future. Run a survey and find out what your employees liked and didn’t then revisit the KPI’s you set while planning the event and see what you were able to accomplish. Make sure to speak with the location of the event for future deals and early-bird booking discounts for future retreats! Check out this detailed roadmap created by Fundera for more tips on planning a meaningful company retreat. About the author:Meredith Woodis Editor-in-Chief at Fundera. Specializing in financial advice for small business owners, Meredith is a current and past contributor to Yahoo!, Amex OPEN Forum, Fox Business, SCORE, AllBusiness and more.

Best Resume Writing Services For Teachers

Best Resume Writing Services For TeachersIf you are looking for best resume writing services for teachers this year, there are a lot of options. These services are very popular and growing because there are a lot of talented teachers out there who want to improve their skills and make a name for themselves. The following are some of the best resume writing services for teachers.Ares is a resume writing services that will help you write a resume that can increase your chance of getting hired. This is a company that offers online resume services and makes sure that the format is relevant and puts emphasis on the right points in your resume. One of the most impressive aspects of this resume service is that it makes sure that the content of your resume is on topic and very useful to the employer.Another resume writing service is Adobe Doc and Writer. Adobe is one of the biggest companies in terms of education software and they offer the best possible resume service for teachers. Because of their software, students can add their own projects and all the necessary information for these projects as well as just about anything else.Since Adobe Doc and Writer are a very popular software, it has a good reputation in the education industry. You should not have any trouble finding one of these services if you want one. One of the main features of these types of programs is that they are easy to learn. You don't have to be a computer genius to use them and you can spend time doing other things that are more important.Valance Publishing is a company that focuses on high quality resume writing services. Their service includes everything that you would expect from any reputable writing service. This company also has a professional resume service that helps you find a career in teaching.The company First and Last is an excellent resume service that will help you create a very professional resume that will put you ahead of the competition. The writers for this company focus on u pdating the skills that you have as well as any other educational or skill-related qualifications that you may have. This company will make sure that your resume is not only technically accurate but also interesting to read.When you want to find best resume writing services for teachers, one of the best places to look is through the Internet. There are so many companies online that will compete for your business. By using the Internet you will find what you are looking for very quickly and find the best quality at the best price.With the cost of education on the rise, it is essential that you find the best resume writing services for teachers. Most people don't realize the importance of a well written resume until they are reading through the documents of other employees.

Ideas for Providing Your Employees with the Resources They Need

Ideas for Providing Your Employees with the Resources They Need If you’re an employer, you know the job market isn’t just about employees competing for top positions. Businesses are constantly competing for talented employees. Although a high wage or salary can attract employees initially, a solid pay rate alone won’t allow companies to keep them.Prospective employees look at a larger picturethan just the job duties and pay to decide if a position with your company will be worthwhile. Because of this, employers should aim to offer a variety of benefits, perks, and initiatives in order to retain talent, increase productivity, and inspire a company culture based on appreciation and loyalty.evalHere are a few major concerns employers should consider when supporting their employees.Offer Benefits That MatterEmployees have come to expect certain benefitsfrom their jobs, and today this is crucial for attracting and retaining talented workers. Common benefits include things like health insurance, paid time off, paid sick days, performance bonuses, and options for a retirement plan. Of these, providing several options for health insurance â€" including medical, vision, and dental â€" may be the most valued benefit for employees. This has become fairly standard for most businesses, and though you might hire employees without offering health insurance, they will likely be looking for positions elsewhere that do offer benefits.While major benefits are important, an employer’s role in shaping a positive company culture doesn’t end there. Smaller perks can also have a major impact on the company.Casual dress codes, the option for remote work, catered lunches, and gym memberships offer employees flexibility and can allow for a better work-life balance.Other activities like group fitness sessions, potlucks, and happy hours offer employees the chance to engage with each other beyond strictly work-related situations. These also show that your company supports each employee as a whole, considering their overall happiness and wellne ss.Perks and benefits will help keep employees engaged with the company, the culture, and their work. Aside from lowering productivity and employee morale, disengaged employees cost U.S. companies an average of $450 to $550 billion annually.evalIn contrast, employees that are engaged at work have the potential to outperform their disengaged counterparts by more than 200 percent.While it may take time, effort, and significant financial investment to maintain employee engagement, the boost in productivity and employee retention will be worthwhile in the long term.Update Equipment and the WorkspaceObviously, the physical elements of your office can affect productivity and employee satisfaction. This includes the arrangement and quality of desks and other furniture, the overall floor plan, the amount of natural light, wall decor, and access to other resources like technology.Investing in improvements for these elements will help employees to do their best work, while also demonstrating that you care about their experience in the workplace.evalEspecially if your employees spend much of their time sitting at a desk, outdated chairs without proper support can contribute to major health risks of sitting.If possible, opt for adjustable standing desks which can offset the ill effects of sitting as well as reduce pain in the shoulders, neck, and lower back.Alternative workspaces that feature more comfortable chairs or couches can also offer employees another choice beyond their normal seating arrangements.Technology is also a huge factor for employee satisfaction. If your staff work primarily on computers, you should consider updating the hardware and software regularly enough to keep up with their job requirements.Everyone knows the pain of working on a slow computer, or trying to find a workaround for not having the correct software. If your technology isn’t performing well, your employees’ productivity and morale will suffer.If new computers aren’t in the budget , allowing employees to bring their own devices Of course, the lighting in your office is another major aspect of office design. Because many office buildings rely on stale fluorescent bulbs, you should take advantage of natural light whenever possible. If your office doesn’t have enough windows, you can improve the quality of light by installing smaller lamps with warmer light.This creates a more natural feel, calming staff members and making the office feel more like home than a workspace.Finally, creating a designated space for recreation can break up the monotony of daily tasks. This could be an area in the break room that includes a ping-pong tableor a video game.Though it may seem counterintuitive to encourage people to play while they are at work, the chance to take a few minutes to have fun can pull employees out of slow points in their day. This is also another great opportunity to get people communicating and allow employees to build bonds with each other.Support Employe es After an InjurySetting up safety precautions, proper equipment, and training employees is the best way to prevent workplace injuries. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries can occur in any work environment, even with safety practices. Having a firm understanding of the process for filing workers’ compensation claimscan help employers to support their staff in the case of a workplace injury.evalAlthough it might seem financially smart for the company to avoid workers’ compensation claims, employers should encourage their staff to report injuries through the proper channels immediately.This allows the company to avoid any legal issues associated with denying or discouraging an employee from receiving proper care and their right to benefits. Also, prompt attention to injuries ensures that the injury won’t get worse, which could lead to longer recovery times and higher costs in the long run.Aside from encouraging employee participation in these programs, employers can aid the p rocess by communicating their knowledge and concerns about a situation with the claims adjuster.Also, staying in contact with the injured employee can prevent them from feeling disengaged, isolated, or embarrassed about their situation, which would only make things worse. If possible, it can be helpful to find light-duty tasks that allow an injured employee to contribute to the company while they recover.In a perfect world, you’d be able to provide everything your employees want or need to do their best work. With budget constraints and a long list of competing priorities, this isn’t always possible.However, by paying attention to these areas and allocating a certain amount of your budget to gradually improving the work environment, you can identify new ways to motivate your employees, improve productivity, and encourage your company culture to grow.

8 Top Tips For Passing Psychometric Tests - How 2 Become

8 Top Tips For Passing Psychometric Tests - How 2 Become Psychometric tests have become more frequent in job selection processes. Psychometric tests allow employers to assess candidates based on their skills, knowledge and personality; essential to maintaining a strong workforce.In this blog, I am going to provide 8 top tips for passing psychometric tests. Use these top tips for passing psychometric tests to help you prepare for ANY job selection process. No matter what psychometric test you are undergoing, these tips will prove invaluable.8 TOP TIPS FOR PASSING PSYCHOMETRIC TESTSTo begin with, you should first know what the employer is looking for. When you are seeking to fill a job position, and psychometric tests are going to be used, it is important that you know what the employer wants from their potential employees.This is a top tip for passing psychometric tests because it will make sure that you have fully understood what skills and attributes are required for the job position.Generally, the job description and person specification is a FANTASTIC way to gain an insight into what the employers are looking for.The second top tip for passing psychometric tests is knowing what type of psychometric test you will be sitting.As you can imagine, psychometric tests are used in a vast array of job selection processes. These tests can vary from anything to testing your mathematical knowledge to mechanical concepts.Below is a list of the different psychometric tests that you may be assessed on:Numerical ReasoningVerbal ReasoningMechanical ComprehensionElectrical ComprehensionNon-Verbal ReasoningConcentration TestsFault Analysis TestsFor more information on these different types of assessments, with practice questions for you to try out, please check out our Youtube channel, CAREERVIDZ. For more top tips for passing psychometric tests, don’t forget to watch the FULL VIDEO on this page to help you prepare for any psychometric test.The third top tip for passing psychometric tests is to practice speed as well as your accur acy. Psychometric tests are primarily used to not only assess your mind-set, but to determine your proficiency and speed.Whilst this tip is imperative for high scores during any psychometric test, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be accurate. Yes you are trying to work as quickly as you can, but you don’t want your answers to suffer. Careless mistakes will cost you easy marks.That is why you want to work on your accuracy AND your speed. Employers want to see that you are knowledgeable and possess the correct qualities, but they also want to make sure that you are an efficient worker, who is able to manage high-pressured situations.Statistics show that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle are far more likely to succeed in a psychometric test.There are four main areas that you should remember when trying to excel in your performance: Ensure that you are eating the correct foods. Maintain a balanced diet. Consume a healthy breakfast.Ensure that you receive a good nigh ts’ sleep. People who receive a good nights’ sleep are far more likely to perform at their best.Exercising on a regular basis will ensure that you not only maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, but exercise will also reduce stress.Drink plenty of water! Drinking coffee or alcoholic drinks slows down your performance, so you want to make sure you are fully hydrated prior to your assessment.The more practice you undergo, the better you will perform during a psychometric test. As with any type of assessment, it is important that you are prepared for each type of psychometric testingquestion.We have a whole range of psychometric testing questions which you can try out for FREE. Simply click on the following link to access your free psychometric testing questions.Whilst you may be required to sit a numerical reasoning psychometric test, you can still benefit and increase your scores by practising other psychometric tests. For example, a numerical reasoning test is likely to assess yo ur ability to concentrate on lots of information.Practising a range of psychometric tests will definitely improve your overall intelligence.If you don’t know what type of tests you will be facing, then I highly recommend you practice as many type of questions as you can. If you do know what type of psychometric test, consider how else you will be assessed.You may not have had to sit a test since your GCSEs or A-Levels, and therefore the thought of sitting an assessment can be off-putting and stressful.When you undergo your preparation stages, make sure that you practice in a similar environment.Here are a few things you could do to help you prepare for the testing environment:Minimise any distractions around you. Find yourself a quiet place to practice in.Ensure that you practice under timed conditions. This will improve your overall performance. The fact that psychometric tests are almost guaranteed to be assessed under harsh timed conditions, will ensure that you are ready to ha ndle this constraint.Practice as many psychometric testing questions as you can. This will improve your overall intellect and mind-set.Give yourself plenty of breaks in between study sessions. Generally, 30-50 minutes of practising will be more beneficial alongside a 15 minute break, as opposed to working for hours and hours. Your mind will begin to switch off and you will start to see a decrease in your proficiency and concentration.Finally, my last top tip for psychometric tests is to receive feedback. If you are not successful, you should ALWAYS try and receive feedback.  This will help you to understand where you want wrong, which you can learn from for future reference.  Generally, people who fail at this stage have not practiced for their assessments. That is why you should do on-going practice to ensure that you are fully prepared.Psychometric tests need to be prepared for, and if you wish to gain the job position, you will want to do everything in your power to succeed!HOW T O PASS PSYCHOMETRIC TESTSFor more advice, tips, practice questions and detailed answers, check out our psychometric testing guide!  Use these top tips for passing psychometric tests to help you prepare for any psychometric or aptitude test. This entry was posted in Resources. Bookmark the permalink. Katie Noakes KS2 Science SATs Revision â€" Sample QuestionsCustomer Service Interview Techniques

Inspirational Thought -Tips for Maintaining Balance When Setting Goals - Hallie Crawford

Inspirational Thought -Tips for Maintaining Balance When Setting Goals Last week, I shared a quote about goal setting with you and encouraged you to enjoy the process of working towards a goal. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind to look ahead and maintain balance in your life: a. Your To Do list is never endingNot to sound ominous, but your list is never going to end. You might as well enjoy the journey. Notice if you’re living each day like it’s your purpose to get everything done on your list. Do you tell yourself that if you can only get things done, you’ll feel relaxed and happy? There will always be unfinished items on your list, so enjoy the process instead of being run by your desire to get everything accomplished. Be happy and at peace now, don’t wait until you’ve checked everything off. b. Be honest with yourselfIf a goal doesn’t really fit or is something you think you should do but aren’t really energized about, ask yourself…Do I really need to be doing this? Get rid of the goal, change it, or put it on the backburner for a later date when you feel more energized about it. Similarly, if a goal is too big and makes you feel overwhelmed or frozen into inaction, change it or change its deadline. c. Cut yourself some slackGive yourself a break. Goals are a tool to help you plan and motivate you, not something to beat yourself up with if you don’t achieve them or achieve them in the time frame you expected. Cut yourself some slack and acknowledge that you’re headed in the right direction. Instead of getting frustrated over small setbacks, learn from them and move on. Career Tips