The Essentials of an Excellent Employer Brand

The Essentials of an Excellent Employer Brand Whats in the secret sauce to developing a great employer brand? To find out what  the ingredients are,  we  sat down with Adam Glassman, the Recruitment Strategies Manager at Alorica;  a global customer service BPO with over 100,000 employees in 16 countries around the world. For a full summary keep reading below and  remember to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Do you have a  secret sauce recipe to building a brilliant employer brand? I do have a secret sauce. I dont know if its so secret or just my impression of it, but for me at its core, a strong employer brand, again, tells the stories of those people behind the company. And generally throughout history, good stories have some kind of a hook. They have something to keep us interested. And today even more so, our attention span is so limited, its so small that anything we can do to attract some attention and keep somebody interested in watching a video or reading some content is all the more important. For me, the secret sauce really comes down to three things. And the first one is finding and collecting the stories of your people. So who are they? What do they do? What makes that story interesting to somebody whos never met that person, and again, probably has a very short attention span. So it cant just be, you know, this is John Smith, and hes from London, and hes 33. Well, thats not really interesting. You need to dig a little bit deeper behind the story. In doing so, the second piece is what I like to call sharing the why. And when youre telling those stories, the why is really one of the most critical elements of that story. So why do the employees do their job? What motivates them to do it for this company? What compels them to get up every day, early in the morning and maybe fight through traffic and trudge to work? Theres a reason, right? And it cant just be a paycheck. You could get a paycheck anywhere. Certainly, your pay scale could go up or down, so maybe benefits is p art of that story. But generally, theres a reason. Theres a why behind why your employees do what they do, and that should really be one of your hooks. The third aspect  is that the best stories have some kind of an emotional pull to it. It tugs on your heartstrings a little bit. It has something you can connect with, you can emphasize with, and it really makes you feel a certain way. And so each company has to kinda decide what is that feeling that they want their audience to have, and its really important to tie your stories to that feeling. How can you ruin your employee brand? I think there are a lot of things that companies can certainly do to hurt themselves here. I actually wrote a piece on this for the Undercover Recruiter not too long ago. But a couple of things, when I think about some of the things that I see, probably the most common mistake is that companies still think that they can control their brand. Some of them, even in this day and age, dont want to get on social media for fear of negative criticism like somehow that stops a bad review from happening, right, simply because they dont have a Facebook page. They dont let their employees have the freedom, like responsible adults, to talk about the company or share information about the company, and they live in this reactive mode like theyre living in a turtle shell petrified of coming out. So I think thats probably first and foremost. Theyre afraid of getting out into the marketplace and sharing positive stories for fear that it could turn negative. I think the second thing is probably not und erstanding how to properly leverage your brand and share some of the EVP that youve probably put a lot of work into. There are a multitude of different ways to do that, but for me, if you have developed a solid EVP that truly reflects your company and your employees, you want to infuse that into everything that you do. So all of your external communications, your website, your ads, your social media, any interactions that your recruiters have with candidates, it should really reinforce that message over and over again. Another point that I see where companies struggle is they try to be something that theyre not. Being authentic and being real to me trumps almost everything else. I see that a lot especially lately where theres this increased push on trying to attract millennials and how do we hire millennials and how do we employ millennials, and companies are trying to jump on that bandwagon. And you know what, its okay if your brand isnt for everyone. We obviously have to adjust to a changing demographic or changing generations, but if you are a very conservative bank, dont go out into the marketplace and talk about how your employees played ping-pong every day, you know, and we provide MMs; for lunch or whatever it is that you think youre doing, if thats not true to who you are. Because at the end of the day your EVP should be matching who you want to hire because it doesnt do anybody any good to attract people who are not the right fit for the job. Lastly, I always think its a good idea if you can somehow connect your employer brand to your consumer brand. So again, kind of telling those stories of why most people, particularly for retail organizations, know the consumer brand much more so than the employer brand. So they know what products you sell or maybe they have an affinity towards your brand because they like that product or theyve walked into your store. Being able to tell the story of the people who make those products or who sell those services, and really sharing some of that story and connecting to what people already know from a consumer perspective is always a good idea. I see that mistake a lot and thats a missed opportunity for a number of organizations. Who are some of the companies doing it right? You know, I think, and maybe Im just cynical, but I think we tend to have moments of doing it right. But like I mentioned, we dont control the brand anymore. Right? So one slip-up or one argument your employee gets in or one bad experience, and all of a sudden were a bad company, and its posted on YouTube for millions of people to see. I think of some of the experience that Uber and United Airlines has gone through recently. You know, did anybody think they had such terrible brands a year or a year and a half ago? Probably not. But your question was whos doing a good job today? So Im maybe a little bit US-centric, but I have a couple of brands that I see out there who are telling some good stories. The Home Depot tends to tell some good stories about their associates and their employees as does Thermo Fischer, who has been written a lot about lately particularly in the U.S. Theres a lot of good stories that theyre pulling out, and thats an example of a company thats really pulling ou t the why. Right? Their employees are working there for a reason. You know, these are very smart people who are innovating research and working on diseases and cures for diseases, and things like that, so theres a lot of real stories and real emotional pull there. Who else? I see Taco Bell is actually pretty innovative in their career space usually on social media. Theyre usually some of the first people to or one of the first brands to hop on like Snapchat and try some different things like that. I like Target too which is interesting because I think for me Its in the U.S. in particular. A lot of brands have started to become more vocal publicly about where they stand with some of their core values particularly when political issues arise or social issues are coming up publicly. A lot of brands interestingly enough in the last couple of years have started to really take a stand where in years past, you couldnt get a brand to comment on it for fear of losing business or getting criticized. Now, brands are saying, Hey, look this is where we stand. This is who we are. We will fight for those values, and we will fight for what we believe in, and I think Targets one of those brands. So I do value that. Whats  the next big thing in employer branding? The next big thing? Well, I think theres a ton of room for us to improve what were doing today. So you know, like I said, telling better stories and understanding who our employees and our candidates are is probably a great place to start. But if were looking ahead, I actually see a world where our EVPs may start to become a little bit more personalized, and so when we think about our values, our brands values in certain cultural components those may be standards. But as we get a better understanding of who our candidates are and personalizing some of that experience, we may be able to personalize the EVP a little bit too. Right? So why cant we provide relevant components of that EVP if for instance, we know that a candidate likes, I dont know, Habitat for Humanity  and building for the communities. Why cant we personalize some of that EVP and talk about our community work a little bit heavier in our content messaging and our content marketing to that candidate because we understand who they are and what they value? So I think probably in the coming years as we get more data and we start working artificial intelligence into more of what were doing in talent acquisition, I see a little bit more of a drilled-down EVP that could be more relevant to each of our candidates. Follow Adam on Twitter  @aglass99.

Practical Online Jobs for the Busy WAHM

Practical Online Jobs for the Busy WAHM We’ve seen just how mothers who choose to go beyond home-making and child-rearing have revolutionized both the workforce and the economy. Balancing all the duties of a mother with all the demands of a career or income source is nothing short of remarkable. It isn’t an easy feat. But when these hybrid roles first began, moms were hard-pressed to find the sweet spot to accommodate all of these tasks and be successful at them. Schedules and deadlines had to be met, budgets computed and re-computed, lifestyle choices carefully weighed, and all family and work obligations addressed and balanced. Thankfully, there is now an excellent array of online jobs that the WAHM (and even their single counterparts) can take on without unreasonable demands regarding time, effort, and obligations. Jobs you can do without getting up (too often) As this handy list of home-based jobs mentions, you can always stay home or even right where you are in your pajamas! and still earn some money. Many home-based workers (moms or otherwise) hardly need to get up from their comfy, cozy seats to get some supplemental income, which is pretty impressive (though it’s highly recommended to get up, stretch, do some light exercise, and move around every few hours or so to encourage proper circulation). You can choose to be a remote personal assistant and use your time management skills to help clients oversee their websites, schedules, social media accounts, and even private social events without needing to go on face-to-face meetings with them. Another great stay-at-home job is being a beta-tester for apps or sites it doesn’t require programmer-level computer skills, after all. Or you can opt for audio transcription jobs that necessitate some speedy typing and sharp listening skills. You could also take advantage of the sharing economy by renting out a spare room, your garage, or even driveway to those who need them and are willing to pay for them. Another home-based job favorite involves doing tasks on GPT (get-paid-to) or paid survey sites, which entails pretty much the same kind of activities one usually does online. These include answering surveys, completing offers, watching videos, downloading apps, and more. But the best ones also offer a referral program, like GrabPoints. A referral system is great for some passive income because you are basically earning from your successful referrals’ earnings without putting any time or effort into it! Jobs that can battle cabin fever One of the biggest complaints about freelancing or working from home is how rote the jobs can get followed by how solitary and boring being at home all the time could be. In stark contrast to the examples listed a few paragraphs up, this particular list is for those who prefer getting out once in a while to meet other people and earn some money while they’re at it. For instance, dog-walking and pet-caring are fast becoming popular career options for many animal lovers. You can also haul cargo or deliver packages on your free time if you already have the right kind of vehicle for them. These are just some of the side hustles can help WAHMs and other freelancers battle the occasional cabin fever while still giving them the kind of flexible schedule so many remote workers need. Jobs that involve shopping Now, on to the fun part of this list earning while shopping! It’s recreational and practical at the same time. One of the best ways to do this is via cashbacks. Cashback shopping entails purchasing specific products from select shops and retailers using an app and then getting back a percentage of what you paid for them. There are also other incentives with this kind of rewards system, including coupons, promos, and discounts. It isn’t too challenging to enjoy shopping even when you have savings to think about. Nor does it have to be less enjoyable. If you want to earn from shopping, you could also try being a mystery shopper. Some companies hire remote workers to pose as regular customers for restaurants, bars, convenience and grocery stores, cinemas, and other establishments to determine if they are complying with specific consumer laws. These laws could be about not selling cigarettes and alcohol to minors, if service and product quality are up to par, and if the premises are sanitary, and other issues. Then there is also becoming a private shopper for select clients. It is a lot like the Lyft or Uber of shopping because you will be running purchasing errands for your customers, be it for groceries, clothes, or other supplies. It is a service-oriented task through and through, so friendliness, promptness, and the capacity to pick out the best products for a customer are called for. Always Options For WAHM So whether it’s a side hustle or something more full time, there are always practical options for a WAHM. It’s merely a matter of choosing the ones that are a great fit with your preferred lifestyle, schedule, skills, and tools!

Why Professional Development Should Be A Priority

Why Professional Development Should Be A Priority You’ve taken all of the necessary courses and training that you needed to get the job. Now comes the real work. The same commitment that you made to get the job will need to be tripled in order to keep the job; the things you do each and every day will be the difference required to establish yourself as a credible career professional  and create valuable solutions to the most complex problems that your industry is facing. Here is the most expensive career mistake that some people make: once they find their dream job or earn the income that they were seeking, they stop investing in themselves. They think they can rest on what they have already done in order to get them where they want to go. Here is the truth: it’s not the education or certification that will allow you to succeed in business, but the application of everything you have learned and your ability to continuously find new ways of adding value that will allow you to win in your career. Professional development doesn’t end when you master a topic; it’s an ongoing process. You have to keep learning in order to discover new ways to harness your talents and explore untapped potential. Here are four reasons why professional development is an essential piece of your professional package. Remain Relevant in the Marketplace. The world is changing every day. Are you expanding your mindset to keep up with the shift from industrial age thinking to a digital culture? If you are not at the forefront of those changes, you may be left behind and replaced by those who are. Your relevancy in the work place will be determined by your ability to keep pace with the current standards of others in the same field. What industry related publications and organizations can you add to your professional development toolkit in order to remain relevant? Go Beyond Mediocrity. The person who stops learning is doomed to mediocrity, no matter what their career potential looks like. Keep expanding your knowledge through  certification trainings, networking opportunities, and lunch and learn sessions during your non-working hours. Set goals that will allow you to abolish the mediocre mindset. Tolerance of mediocrity is incompatible with achieving promotions, retaining business, and acquiring new opportunities. Maximizing your potential in the workplace requires replacing mediocrity with continuous learning. Position Yourself as a Professional Leader. Any person that has the ambition to allocate personal time during the day to invest in their career potential has the qualities needed to be a good leader. This person demonstrates that they take 100% responsibility for their learning and are committed to growing in the industry. They prove that they are willing to be able to be at the forefront of changes that are taking place. They also show that  they take the  initiative to share it with others in order to develop their team. These traits will gain the attention of decision makers who are seeking to build their leadership pipeline. Build Your Career Confidence. If you don’t know what you are capable of, you won’t take advantage of new opportunities. It’s all about increasing your competence.  Competence increases confidence. When you know what’s going on in the industry and how you can play a role in the changes that are taking place, you become an active contributor and participant in the things that are taking place around you.  When you have invested the time into studying your craft, you are more confident expressing your views; you gain a voice in the workplace. As people notice these changes within you, more people will begin to rely on your expertise and knowledge. Those who invest in professional development with a clear purpose and definite plan will gain confidence and boost their value; this will automatically lead to more options in the marketplace. Images:  Main  When you aim at mediocrity

Using Positive Affirmations to Help you through a Job Interview

Using Positive Affirmations to Help you through a Job Interview Using Positive Affirmations to Help you through a Job Interview We all know that job interviews can be nerve-wracking events that can cause us to spend days in a state of high anxiety. However, there are certain tips and tricks you can use to help you to mentally prepare yourself for your interview, as well as boost your self-confidence and make you feel good! You only need to look towards our most successful sports people to see how they use positive affirmations to give them a sporting edge and to help beat the nerves when they are performing in a big game or match. Positive affirmations can not only help to focus the mind and quieten down negative thoughts, but they can help to give you a physical boost too!Repeating affirmations can make your stand tall and improve your posture. The concentration and repetition of positive words can make you breath deeper and walk with more confidence. This is precisely what you need for when you step through the door of your job interview.Lets look at Mo Farah for example. In his early days as a runner he admits he was quite a nervous soul who looked around at his competition on the day and would resign himself to taking third or fourth position â€" even before the race had actually started! Once he started using positive affirmations and changed his mindset to one of a winner, he quickly started to win over his competition.The same can apply to you when you are preparing for your job interview. There can be nothing more excruciating than sitting in a waiting room lined up with the other job candidates. Who hasnt looked around to eye-up the competition and felt immediately intimidated by who you found there.Getting mentally prepared for your interviewThe key here is to start your interview preparation well in advance of your actual interview date. Once you get your mind into a better state, you will not even notice that there are any other candidates there. Your main goal is to not only stay focused while you wait, but stay focused on winning. Turn up to your interview like you have already won the race. You are there to simply confirm the details of your appointment.One way you can mentally prepare yourself for your interview is to start using positive affirmations as soon as possible. You can use these affirmations, or positive statements, to repeat to yourself over again. Your affirmations can help you to focus your mind, quieten the chatter in your head and rid you of negative thoughts and worries. You must always speak your affirmations in the present tense. So for example, say that you are a successful person, not that you will-be a successful person. Anything less would mean that you are not currently a success, and that is a negative for your mind to dwell on.Repetition is keyRepetition of your most positive statements is the key here. The more that you repeat your affirmations, the more that the brain will listen and believe what you are saying rather than anything else. The idea is to drown out those negative voices in your head that can cause you to doubt yourself.In the same way that top sports stars use positive affirmations as part of their training, you will also use the same techniques every single day. To get to the top of their sport and to stay there, successful athletes never take a day off from training â€" both physically and mentally.Positive affirmation examplesYour positive affirmations should be entirely personal and meaningful to you. However, to get you started, here are some examples that you may choose to use or adapt to suit your own needs. Remember that you must repeat these regularly every day for them to become effective. By the time your job interview rolls around you should have a completely focused and positive mindset â€" one that is the same as a top athlete who has set out to win!I am smart and confident. Job interviews are a breeze.I am the perfect candidate for this role. No one is better than me.I am calm and energised. My enthusiasm is contagious.I stand out from others. I am the perfect can didate.I handle interviews with ease. I am focused and engaged.Always remember that you are here to win your interview. Treat it like a sporting match where only the best player wins the game. previous article Free Classic and Sleek Resume Template next article Café au Lait | A Free Resume Template with a Creative Touch you might also likeWhy Do You Want to Work Here? Best Answers to This Interview Question

How A Career Break Can Help Your Professional Life CareerMetis.com

How A Career Break Can Help Your Professional Life â€" CareerMetis.com You can experience burnout at any stage of your career. Whether it’s a lack of purpose or a poor work environment, many things can cause us to become disengaged or unsatisfied with our jobs. If stepping away from a problem can help you find a better solution, why not apply that to your career by taking a break?Career breaks don’t usually come with a positive connotation, but the benefits of a sabbatical can be invaluable to your health.Reasons to Take a Career BreakevalThere are many valid reasons to take a break from your professional life.evalIf you seek to start a family or need sometime to work on your health, those things should always come before work. Maybe you have always dreamed of pursuing a hobby or passion as a business but haven’t been quite ready to make the leap. The only way to successfully start a business is to invest time, and with a full-time job, that can be very difficult.If you’ve been contemplating a total career change, exploring your passions during a break can help you determine your next move. For adventure-seekers, a career break offers an opportunity for new experiences and travel so that they can return restored and refreshed.Benefits of a Career BreakCareer breaks don’t have to be career ending.There are so many ways to improve your skills and value during your break. You can continue to build your personal network, volunteer, learn a new skill, or improve a hobby with transferable value. Because our jobs can be so demanding and inflexible, take advantage of a career break by discovering your passions and finding purpose.Focus on your health and find activities that make you happy and fulfilled. Returning form your career break can leave you feeling motivated, content, and ready to take on new challenges.What to Consider Before Taking a BreakUnfortunately, not everyone is in a position to take a leave from work. You will miss out on a steady income, benefits, and the opportunity to save. You may also lose health insuran ce coverage so consider how to keep yourself protected during your gap. Of course, if you help support others, a career break may be unfair to your dependents. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider the pros and cons before declaring your break.If a career break is calling your name, start looking into whether it’s time to take a step back. Carefully review your career path, goals, and current situation to determine if this is the right move for you and your future.evalThis infographic (from Bestow)outlines reasons to take a career breakand how to successfully resume your professional life afterward.Infographic Credit â€" hellobestow.com

The 3-Word Daily Habit to Make This Your Best Year Yet

The 3-Word Daily Habit to Make This Your Best Year Yet Would you like to make this your best year ever? Now, lots of things go into having a great year. Like setting out your goals and vision, creating a plan for getting there, and taking action. Plus, it helps to have a bit of luck along the way. But while these are important things to do and have, they’re only part of the picture and a lot of it is outside your control. Alongside the planning and the luck, you need a strategy that’s completely in your control and happens on a day-to-day level. That’s where a key to success I learned from my father just a few months ago comes in. It’s helped him live a wonderful life and been a game-changer for me. Maybe it can help you too. What I Learned from My Father My father recently retired after a 60-year career in academia. His university hosted a 2-day celebration honoring his legacy, which ended with my father giving a personal speech. After he’d thanked everyone for attending and shared some memories and highlights, he said, “… and I’ve enjoyed every day.” And my father really meant it. He has enjoyed every day. Yet, things haven’t always been rosy in my father’s life. In his youth, he and his family lived through times of war in China and ultimately fled the country with just a small bag each. As an adult, he faced financial pressures supporting a young family plus various relatives on a junior academic’s salary, serious illnesses and deaths in the family, and challenges at work like being passed over for promotion and grant funding falling through. And that’s just what I remember. Yet he found a way to enjoy every day. Enjoying Every Day is a Choice Enjoying the day is a choice my father makes every day. And since hearing my father’s remarks, I’ve made it part of my daily practice to remind myself to “enjoy every day” too. “No one is a failure who is enjoying life.” â€" William Faulkner Having that mindset as I go through the day has made a huge difference to my mood and the way I react to what’s going on around me. When I feel anxious before a meeting or presentation, I’m reminded to enjoy the moments leading up to the event and to frame the event itself as something I’m looking forward to. And when I’m impatiently waiting for someone to finish making their point, it’s a reminder for me to appreciate that they’re sharing their views. It can take some effort as you consciously build this habit of enjoying each day. Especially when there’s so much that can happen outside your control that knocks you off course or onto a different path altogether. When I asked my father how he enjoys every day when things aren’t going well, he said he reflects back at the end of the day and appreciates what he’s accomplished and been a part of. Some days it’s just being grateful to be alive or looking forward to the next day to come, but there’s always something to appreciate. There’s always something to appreciate. Some days it’s just being grateful to be alive or looking forward to the next day to come. So, having great days that add up to a great year â€" even your best year ever! â€" is about focusing on what’s in your control and appreciating what you have. Creating a Virtuous Cycle The practice of enjoying every day is powerful because it creates a virtuous cycle that has a positive effect on your life and career. When you’re enjoying your day, you can’t help but bring positive energy. This rubs off on the people around you and makes them want to be around you and support you. This, in turn, attracts opportunities to you which leads to a better future for you to enjoy. Like getting an unexpected introduction to someone who ultimately becomes your future “best boss ever”. Or having word get back to top management that you’re someone worth investing in. All it takes is the daily practice of choosing to enjoy every day. And when you enjoy every day, you can’t help but have a great year. When you enjoy every day, you can’t help but have a great year. The Path to Your Best Year Ever To have your best year ever, it’s important to set your vision and plan. But it’s also incredibly valuable to create your daily practice of enjoying every day, no matter what happens. Some days will be more challenging than others but that’s when this practice becomes more important than ever and will make the biggest difference for you. So let's make this your best year ever. What will you do to create the habit of enjoying every day? Leave a comment and let me know.

4 Steps to Design a Resume

4 Steps to Design a ResumeAn American resume can go far in an international or corporate career. A resume should be short, to the point and informative. Read on to learn how to put together an informative, yet professional American resume.The first thing you should do when you are designing your resume is to evaluate the career for which you are applying. Don't waste your time or energy on a career that is not ideal for you - find out what is required of you and what you have to offer.You don't have to look all over the place! Most American jobs require certain skills. If you do not have the proper skills, you may end up spending most of your time at home doing nothing. It would be a great idea to look for jobs that will help you advance your career while developing your skills.One good resource to use when looking for a job is a professional resume writing service. These companies can help you by hiring a professional to write a resume for you. You will be given options of different types of resumes, and these professionals can tailor-make the one you need based on your profile. By combining a professional resume with samples of your work experience, the resume writing service can help you create a perfect resume.Make sure that you get plenty of feedback when you design your resume. Make sure you have all the pertinent information on your resume, and provide the company with a sample of your best work. Having professional samples or a written portfolio can help you quickly land the position you desire.When you are designing your resume, it is a good idea to include a bio section. This will give your prospective employer a good idea of who you are and what you have done. A bio section is important because a company needs to know who you are, what you have done andif you are likely to be productive in the position for which you are applying.You should also include a section to list any online presence you may have. Having an online presence can also be a great w ay to market yourself when it comes to career planning.So there you have it, four steps to design a resume. Be sure to follow these steps and you will definitely land that dream job you have been searching for.