The Truth About The Worst Recruiting Nightmares

The Truth About The Worst Recruiting Nightmares Forget demons and serial killers in masks, recruiters have other things haunting their dreams this Halloween season. From seemingly perfect candidates who completely mess up their interview to clients who are never satisfied, finding great talent means facing some scary things. Check out the below infographic; it shows that  32 percent of American companies are having trouble filling open positions. And that means recruiters have to work harder than ever to connect employees with the right employers. Fortunately, there are also some tips on there to show you how you can overcome these difficult situations. Here’s a look at what makes both clients and candidates a recruiter’s worst nightmare, and how to turn them into a dream come true: Clients The nightmare Every recruiter has had that one client whose expectations and list of job requirements never seems to end. You find them a great candidate, but then they tell you they’d like someone with more customer service experience. This is a big part of what’s turned the hiring process into a long, involved process. As the infographic shows, it now takes an average of 26-34 days to fill an open position. And to find that perfect candidate, hiring managers and recruiters have to turn to, on average, 15 different sources. Then, after all that hard work and effort, low retention rates mean it won’t be too long before the position is vacant again. According to Indeed of being hired, 65 percent of new employees are already looking at job listings again. So how do you wake up from that client nightmare? The dream To improve the situation with difficult clients, the secret is good communication early in the relationship. By getting on the same page about their expectations, both you and your client will know what the ideal candidate would look like. Start by going in-depth into the job requirements. Careerbuilder tells us that  42 percent of hiring managers would still consider a candidate who meets most of their requirements. Find out which skills are the most important to the employer and which ones they’re willing to compromise on. You also need to hone your skills assessing the top baseline skills for companies across industries. Burning Glass Technologies explains that the most in-demand skills for employees are communication, organizational, and writing skills. Find ways to see how well each candidate exhibits these skills and you’ll be better able to match them to clients expectations. Candidates The nightmare Job seekers have one main goal: to find employment. If they’ve been on the hunt for an extended period of time, it’s not uncommon for them to get a little desperate. And that can make things more difficult for recruiters. That’s what’s led to an increase in the number of under-qualified candidates employers have been seeing in the hiring process. According to the CIPD,  48 percent  of hiring managers said they now receive more unqualified candidates than in the past. In addition, many  HR professionals report most job seekers are disappointing in the interview. Since you can’t magically wave a wand and make a candidate more skilled, how do you end this nightmare? The dream The hiring process is stressful for candidates, and you need to help them prepare. In fact, CareerArc tells us  60 percent of candidates say better communication throughout and after the hiring process would have the biggest impact on improving their experience. Stay in touch with candidates every step of the way so both of you know what to expect next. Putting them at ease will also create a better rapport between you and them. That way, they won’t feel the need to lie about their imperfections as job seekers. When there are no surprises during the hiring process, things go much smoother for everyone. Recruiting doesn’t have to be a scary process. Hopefully with these tips you’ll be able to get a better night’s sleep knowing that both your candidates and your clients are getting exactly what they need from you. About the author: Josh Tolan is the CEO of Spark Hire, a video interview solution used by more than 2,000 companies across the globe. Check out Spark Hires full infographic below!

3 Must Haves for Your Recruitment Strategy

3 Must Haves for Your Recruitment Strategy I often speak to companies about how they recruit and the challenges they experience. One of the questions I ask is How do you recruit new people into your business?, followed by “What recruitment challenges do you have?”. Many companies see a similar set of challenges regardless of their industry or sector: Can’t find people quick enough There is a shortage of suitably skilled, qualified and experienced  people It is crazy expensive to recruit people and  it is even more expensive to lose people The next topic of conversation for me is “What is your strategy for how you will recruit people in the future?”. Often the strategy for the future is the same as what is already the norm. Even though the recruitment challenges have such an impact on business, there is no plan to change. It is time to change: The methods of attracting people to join a business have changed and the effectiveness of new methods has greatly enhanced the opportunity for companies to attract people. The best part today is that people do not just want a job, they want a career with a company they believe in. It is the perfect time to rethink your strategy of how you attract people tomorrow and in the future. Its time to get a recruitment strategy! The essentials of a recruitment strategy: 1) Research: Research is the first stage of creating a successful recruitment strategy. Here are some tips for the research you might want to do: Historical: Create an honest report of how your recruitment function is currently delivered, the cost and timescales associated. Talent pool research: Find out how the people you would like to recruit like to find new jobs, what content engages them and what they want out of a career. Channel research: What channels are there that you can use to attract people, both online and offline, and are they used by your intended audience? Employer brand research: What do your employees and prospective employees think about you as an employer, and is your employer brand believable? 2) Plan: Next we need to create a plan that will help keep us on course for the next period of time. I would suggest that this plan should set the  course  for the next year with opportunities to review and make changes along the way. A typical plan might include: A definition of each segment of your intended audience. Which channels you will use to advertise jobs. How your jobs will be created to maximise impact. Which channels you will use to engage your audience. The type of content you will engage each segment of your audience with. A campaign calendar for the year. 3) Measure: Possibly the most important part of any strategy is to state what benefits you expect to deliver along the way. By doing this, you know if your strategy is a success. These might include: The target cost per hire. The cost saving you intend to deliver. How quickly you want to recruit people. How large you want your talent pools to be. The engagement metrics you want to see from you talent pools. Make sure all your goals are SMART  and don’t make you goals too easy, stretch yourself. The benefit of  a strategy: One of the best parts of creating a strategy is when you get something a bit wrong. The great thing is that when you track progress with SMART goals, you now know if something is going wrong. Previously you may have been stressing and wondering why you were not getting enough candidates or why your competitor had many more followers than you. Now with the research you have and SMART goals, you know if something is wrong and you can change them, having learnt from your experience. Have you a strategy, what have you learnt from it? Let us know in the comments below! Image: Shutterstock

Simple Tips To Make Returning to Work After the Birth of a First Child Easier Than Ever

Simple Tips To Make Returning to Work After the Birth of a First Child Easier Than Ever Having a child is one of lifes greatest personal experiences. When women bring new life into the world, they are celebrating the creation of a new source of hope and happiness. While doing so is a wonderful feeling, it is also very difficult emotionally, mentally and physically. Pregnancy can take a huge toll on a womans body that may take months to recover from fully. Labor can last for hours or even days. Caring for a new life is a huge task. Babies may not sleep through the night for months, leaving women exhausted. In the meantime, many women would like to return to work. Fortunately, there are lots of great ways to balance a job and caring for a baby at the same time. All women who are going to reenter the workforce should develop a plan as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Women who have the help and support they need will find returning to work much less stressful. Know Your States Laws State laws regarding pregnancy and child care leave can vary from place to place. You should know your states specific laws and how they apply to you personally. Strategic HR at work can help. They can clarify what laws you can use and precisely what they mean for you. This includes when you need to take leave should you experience physical problems during your pregnancy and when you need to recover after giving birth. Paid or unpaid leave can help women get the help they need to recover physically. Look for Childcare Options Early Good, reliable child care is a necessity for all new moms. Getting back to work is easier when you have a group of people to help you care for your new baby. Investigate all local options. You might find there are great childcare options near your home. You may also discover that there are options closer to work. Some companies offer onsite child care that they directly subsidize for their employees. Speak with employees there in person. The care center should be clean, well kept and have trained staffers. Have Backups in Place Emergencies can arise. A child may be too sick to attend daycare. The parent may have a work emergency that requires them to be at work past normal hours and put in overtime. One parent may be sick and unable to bring the child to the daycare center. Any parent should look for backups and create plans in the event that something goes wrong. A parent may ask their own mom if she would watch the baby for a few hours. The mom may also know many other parents with young children. A parent can network with them. Parents can ask others to help out and then serve as a backup childcare for other children. Flexible access to care is one way to be a good employee and a good parent. Remember Babies Grow Up Babies are a lot of work. One of the best things about having children is they will grow up. While it may seem like a challenge to go back to work after having kids, its important not to lose sight of the big picture. A mom should make time for the moments that are important to her. Bonding with a newborn makes babies feel more secure and makes parents happy. All new moms should bear in mind that the baby will no longer be a baby and it will get easier to care for them. Now is the time to enjoy the babys soft skin and how it nestles in the corner of a parents arm and smiles when it sees the mom. A new mom should take the time to care for herself, let her recover from the trauma of childbearing and appreciate the miracle of giving birth. This guest post was authored by Lindsey Patterson Lindsey is a freelance writer specializing in business and consumer technology.

Dreading Winter Here Are Some Fall Pick-Me-Ups

Dreading Winter Here Are Some Fall Pick-Me-Ups If youre like me, it can get a little challenging navigating the murky waters of this time of year.  Its part of my annual ritual of dreading winter.  Theres less and less daylight.  Were in the midst of Autumn, which means the fun of Summer is just a memory.  And while the coming holidays are a welcome social celebration, they also mean the added stress of shopping, preparing huge meals, more shopping, prepping the house and office and maybe even the car to look festive, and yes, still more shopping. On top of all that, in this particular year weve been deluged with more than one-too-many October surprises.  I mean, your voter registration card should have a prescription for Zanax attached! So its good to have some little diversions and pick-me-ups to put and keep a genuine smile on your face.  One that isnt hiding a clenched jaw!  Here are some of my favorites. Take A Spa Break  Massage Who doesnt love a good massage?  Whether its a traditional muscle-relaxing deep tissue massage or a Swedish massage with hot stones,  they not only relieve minor aches and pains, but also reduce stress. Even after a short session, you’ll be energized and relaxed. Facials A good facial isnt just to  renew and soften your skin.  It also relieves tension. Many facials and peels provide aromatherapy as they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. For an added luxury make sure to get a temple and scalp massage while having your facial.  Youll feel refreshed inside and out! Manicure and Pedicure Feeling just a bit pampered always helps to calm the shattered nerves.  Theres nothing quite like drifting off into relaxed oblivion while enjoying a pedi.  But even the idle chatter with your nail tech can help to re-connect with the lighter side of their life and yours. Embrace Nature Spending hours and hours indoors during the week can cause anyone to feel a little stressed. However, by having somewhere that you can go outdoors and get away from your daily routines for a few minutes, Paul Randall Smith   states that you can get yourself some great natural stress relief  just by getting outside.    The fresh air and sunlight are often just what your body needs to recenter itself and come back to the busy world prepared to accomplish all you have on your plate for the day. Try Yoga or Meditate Ms Career Girl columnist Beth Leslie reminds us that our mind and body are intrinsically interlinked.  Yoga is as much about mediation as exercise because practitioners understand that you cannot give something your all without using your mind and body together. If yoga isnt your thing or just feels too intimidating, try meditation.  It doesnt have to be a mystical session complete with chants.  A simple five minute session of relaxation, controlled breathing, and letting go of the minds chatter will work wonders. Remember Your Diet Yes, Fall and Winter are full of opportunities to indulge in foods we might otherwise avoid.  But its important to remember that foods, or more particularly the chemicals within them, play a huge part in our mood.  As HealthLine.com says: Blood sugar spikes and drops can leave you with a short-lived burst of energy followed by a tired, cranky feeling. For best mood results, you should also limit alcohol, since its a depressant and can disturb your sleep. Theres a clear relationship between food and your state of mind. When you combine strategies for eating regularly with foods that may have a positive effect on your well-being, you can plan meals that may help you to feel better. Need even more creative ways to bounce back and up out of the winter doldrums?  Check out these tips from author Patti Clark in an article on Ms Career Girl earlier this year. Image credits Main

How to Not Let Your Habits Keep You from Getting the Job

How to Not Let Your Habits Keep You from Getting the Job Small quirks and foibles are innocuous most of the time. But when you are applying for a job, these quirks are bad habits that can keep you from getting the job you want.Here are some bad habits that will stop you from getting the job and how you can stop them from ruining your chances.1. SmokingevalSmoking cigarettes can be a huge turn-off for an interviewer, even if you do not light up in the middle of the interview. Chances are the person will smell the smoke on you, especially if they are a non-smoker. While you might not be able to notice it, most non-smokers are not used to the smell of smoke and they will, even if it is faint.Best case scenario, they spend the interview nauseated and associate you with feeling sick. Worst case, they are against smoking and immediately have a bad impression of you.How to overcome it:Do not smoke right before an interview, no matter how stressed you are. Make sure your clothes are clean and you shower before going. Better yet, never smoke in you r interview clothes to keep the scent off. If you absolutely feel the need, use a drip e-cig instead of a regular cigarette because the scent is not as strong.2. Casual ConversationWhen you are with family or friends, it is easy to use informalities like “yo, what up?” or swear words. You might also be used to sharing everything with friends and family, telling funny stories, or laughing when one of you drops an unintentional innuendo.All of these things can easily make you fail the interview.How to overcome it:evalIt is easier said than done to say do not do it. After all, you do not want to end up coming across as stiff and boring either. There are many different types of employee training programs, so find someone in the professional sector to practice with.Preferably, this will be someone who has been in the interview position before but you should at least practice with someone who has had a successful interview.Do some practice interviews and get feedback on your conversat ion skills. Work on your weak spots and keep trying until you feel comfortable talking in a professional manner.3. BoredomA lot of people end up sending negative messages without even meaning to by looking bored. This translates into what you do while waiting for your interview and your body language.evalSlouching, using your cell phone before the interview, and even a resting face can tell your interviewer that you do not want to be there.How to overcome it:When waiting for your interview, do not scroll through social media on your cell phone because it automatically sends signals that you are bored. Instead look through a magazine or a company brochure.While waiting and while being interviewed, do not slouch or fold your arms. Try to look alert and remember to smile at everyone you meet for the interview, including the receptionist out front.Practice good body language and facial expressions at home in front of a mirror to help feel comfortable doing this and so you can do it auto matically.4. Over-eagerness and Lack of GraciousnessA lot of people have the impulse to ask for feedback as soon as they are done with the interview, or to ask if they have the job. Others will leave the interview without a second thought to the interviewer.How to overcome it:Do not ask if you did okay or if you got the job as soon as the interview is over. Instead thank them for their time and wish them a nice day. As soon as the interview is over, write and send them a thank-you note.Even if you do not think you did well, it is still important to thank them. It shows maturity and manners that can give you an edge over other candidates.

6 Skills You Need to Secure a Marketing Job - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

6 Skills You Need to Secure a Marketing Job You have studied marketing throughout the four years of your graduation program. You done everything to attain remarkable marks and the good news is you have actually made it. From now, you will be looking forward to get a suitable job where you can explore everything that you have learned in a better way. No wonder, it will be the next step of all marketing graduates, but you need to be slightly different. It means if you wish to unlock the unlimited job opportunities for yourself, you should get command over certain skills. The world of marketing has reached to a whole new level which demands practitioners and job seekers to become more competitive and results-driven. It is due to the reason we have mentioned some exceptional skills in this article. These skills are basically the requirements of today’s marketing world which will definitely help you secure a well-paying job. Communication Skills Being a marketing enthusiast, you should know how to communicate effectively. If you are well aware of the techniques to convince your listeners through captivating words, it will be a plus point for you. Marketing agencies and firms are always searching for candidates who can win races through their incredible speaking power. So yes, you have to work over your communication skills to stay ahead. You Should Be Tech-Savvy As said earlier, marketing world has become extremely competitive and demanding. If you want to be known as an expert in your industry, you should make technology your best friend. Today, more than half of the marketing work is getting done through internet. Therefore, to make your presence felt, you need to utilize technology for better results. Creative Enough to Think Out-of-the-Box It is an era of creativity. Whether you are living in a highly developed country or you belong to any third world nation, creativity will make you stand out from the competition. When stepping into the marketing arena, you need to see what others can’t. No matter if you are inexperienced, if you have the ability to think differently, no one can stop you achieve the goals. Content Creation Content is the king and it plays a pivotal role in marketing industry. Apart from all your academic achievements, you should have a perfect writing sense too. Content compels a specific audience to take actions. It helps marketers convert a single website visitor to a potential lead. If you are not working to improve your writing skills, it is the right time to start working on it. Recruiters don’t want a candidate with basic marketing knowledge. Instead, they want someone who can manage all types of marketing related tasks perfectly. Email Marketing Email marketing is still in the race of converting potential leads to customers. Companies knowing the importance of email marketing hire individuals who are expert in producing astounding emails. For this, you don’t just need to be fluent in English. In fact, you should know the best practices of writing an impressive email that can promise a valuable open rate. Team Player No matter how much educated and skilled you are if you don’t know how to perform well as a part of a team, you will stay behind in the race. Today, those who prefer working in a team get more chances of showcasing their talent in front of the upper management. If you are an introvert, you should overcome this barrier right now. Remember, if you are unable to work with people of different calibre and mind-set, you won’t be able to generate more business for a company. Author Bio: John Bishop is a Marketing Practitioner at Finest Assignments which is an education consultancy. He likes to tweet about latest and upcoming marketing trends.

How To Find The Best Resume Writing Services

How To Find The Best Resume Writing ServicesThe hiring managers of the jobs sites of today have not only a lot of things to sort through and check on their applicants, but they also need a lot of information on the people who apply for the job. It is not very difficult anymore to have more information about them since more website owners are offering LinkedIn profile & resume writing services. This means that they provide professional services to employers looking for candidates who have a profile and resume on the site.Every day, employers are seeking some sort of solutions to their current issues, and one of the things that is very much needed these days is 'What's resume writing?' or 'How to write a resume'. Of course, writing resumes can be quite tedious and troublesome and can take several hours or even a whole day. The best thing you can do at this point is to hire the services of someone who will do the resume writing for you.Today, there are quite a number of companies th at offer these services for a reasonable price. And these are usually companies that specialize in working with employers and companies as well, so they are more than capable of handling your requests.One of the reasons why employers go for hiring professional services from these companies is that they have found the LinkedIn profile and resume writing services offered by them to be very effective. Also, these websites also have a great resume writing service with some of the best writers who can help you write a great resume.The other reason is that they have been in business for quite a while now and have developed an excellent reputation that most employers look for when they are looking for websites offering LinkedIn profile and resume writing services. With some of the most popular companies in the world using them, it is not surprising that they are known all over the world. Also, hiring these companies is a lot cheaper compared to the services provided by the companies themse lves.Resume writing is a very important part of an application process, and you would want to make sure that the resume that you provide to the company is the best resume. You would also want to make sure that the resume you submit to the company has all the relevant details right. With the help of professional services, you will be able to increase your chances of getting hired when you know what to include on your resume.A resume is a representation of your work experience, so it is important that you use the best type of paper, including a high quality word processor and a job application form that is clean and clear. Remember that the first impression of the employer would be based on the resume that you write and so you would want to make sure that your resume is very professional. If you think that your resume could be updated, then you can go ahead and update it in the website of the company offering the resume writing services.Since there are quite a number of online resume services out there, you should still know which one to choose when you know how to read a resume and which type of LinkedIn profile and resume writing services is the best for you. The best services will allow you to use their resume writing services as well as edit your resume for free.