Three things that will make you happier, healthier and more successful

Three things that will make you happier, healthier and mora successfulThree things that will make you happier, healthier and more successfulAs humans, were really good atbeing hard on ourselves. It can be easy to look at what we didnt do - whether thatsnot getting enough sleepor making it to the gym - and convince ourselves its too late to start a new habit. But heres the thing Not doing something in the past doesnt mean you cant do something in the future. As clich as it sounds,every day is a fresh startand our chance tocreate a new habit, whether itsscheduling a walking meetingat work, or arranging our evening so we canget to bed at a reasonable hour. Here are three simple things that we can all start doing today that will make us notably happier, healthier, and more successfulFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreStart exercising even if you havent beenAs children, it was relativ ely easy to bephysically fit, between our boundless energy, constant opportunities to play with other kids, and the state-mandated physical activity of gym class. But as we age, it becomesharder to make exercise a priority. If youre not in the habit of scheduling regular workouts into your week, you may think its too late.But, according to a largenew study from the National Cancer Institute, its definitely not. The research found that people who started exercising in midlife enjoyed the saatkorn protection against mortality as people who had always worked out. (Just note that it also works the other way If you stop exercising in midlife, all the mortality points you may have racked up earlier on in life go away.) So get and/or stay movingStart prioritizing your sleepLike exercise, its entirely possible to develop good sleep hygiene later in life, even if your sleep habits havent been the best up until this point. Its a common misconception that people need less sleep as they age,acc ording to the National Sleep Foundation, though our sleep patterns can change. The key is to pay closer attention to our sleep architecture - recognizing what prevents us from falling and staying asleep - and solving for those issues. If youre having trouble winding down at night, you might want to try one of ourThrive Microsteps(small, science-backed behavioral changes that can make a big impact), like turning off your electronic devices a half hour before bedtime, or taking a hot bath or shower to help you transition into sleep mode and symbolically wash the day away.Sleepis certainly anintegral part of our physical and mental health, but getting enough shut-eye can also make us better and more successful people. According toThrive Globals Sleep Editor-at-Largeand CEO of Sleep Number,Shelly Ibach, sleep is deeply connected to our kindness and relatedly, our ability to form and maintain meaningful connections with others. When were well-rested, were more present in our interactio ns. We take more time to listen. Were more available. And presence leads to kindness. It enables us to connect in a way that brings joy to both parties, shewrote in an article on Thrive.Start a daily gratitude practiceBeing thankful should not be relegated to one Thursday in November - itssomething we should practiceon a daily basis. And, like exercising and getting more sleep, its something thats free, never too late to start, and available immediately. So why should we take the time to practice gratitude? For starters,it can improveour physical and emotional well-being, as well as our relationships with others, according to Robert Emmons, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and author ofThanks How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.In his research, Emmons had participants - ranging in age from 8 to 80 - use a gratitude journal, where they wrote down things that made them feel grateful, and noted that many of them began feeling th e positive changes within just three weeks. He found that people who practice gratitude experience a wide range of benefits, including stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, feeling more awake and alert, being more optimistic, beingmore forgiving, and feeling lesslonely and isolated- among many others. Even if you dont write down what youre grateful for, justtaking a minute to pause and reflecton it can have a big impact on your day and for your overall well-being.This article originally appeared on Thrive Global.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

This is why you arent achieving success despite working super hard

This is why you arent achieving success despite working super hardThis is why you arent achieving success despite working super hardOftentimes, we find ourselves hitting a brick wall. So much time has been spent on pursuing a target, a goal and our wants. We ask ourselves Why do I work so hard but yet I dont achieve success? Subsequently, we narrow our focus so intensely to achieve that goal till we eventually blind out all other opportunities and happenings that pass us by.For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term blinders, it is akin to the leather or plastic cups which are distribution policyd on the side of a horsess eyes (sometimes called blinkers) to prevent them from looking to the rear or the sides and basically to keep them from being distracted but instead, keep them focused on whats in front.Metaphorically, fruchtwein of us stay focused by having blinders on our eyes, blocking out everything else that do not seem to lead us to where we want to be or have.Now, here are three ways to remove those blinders 1. Loosen your gripThe very reason why we place blinders on ourselves is because we are so certain of the way we do things. We are so convinced that the methods we are using and the targets we set for ourselves are the right ones. As a result, we hold on very tight to them and narrow our sight dramatically. At times, being ultra-persistent may prove useful, but at other times, it may just lead you to that brick wall again and again.The first step to remove those blinders would be to loosen our grip. Let loose of our fixed ideologies and allow other ideas to flow in. Imagine yourself gripping an object tightly. So tightly, that your palms start to sweat and the object seemingly becomes harder to grip.The very same principle applies here, hold on too tight to our goals and well find it harder to achieve.2. Open yourself up to the ideas you are most againstRemember the last time you immediately shut out an idea that you didnt think will work? Wel l, bring that idea back to the workbench and reevaluate it. Most of the times, we are quick to dispel ideas that are out of our comfort zone and only embrace those that are aligned to the ways that we believe are right.Dont forget that most successful ideas were the ones that went under the radar.3. Stop, drop and start afreshIf all else fails, one of the best ways to avoid wearing blinders on ourselves would be to stop whatever you are working on, or even drop it and start afresh. Sometimes, our path has become so convoluted with failure and negativity that we often fail to reach our goal and spend most of our efforts and time to solve those problems instead.Clean out the palette and the drawing board. Venture out into stuff that you have little knowledge on. Start over and youll start to see that there is more behind those blinders.This post was originally published on Quora.com.

Heavy Lifting The History of the Elevator Code

Heavy Lifting The History of the Elevator Code Heavy Lifting The History of the Elevator Code The use of cranes and other types of mechanical lifting equipment grew in step with the growth in freight railroading and shipping at the beginning of the twentieth century.Guidelines for the safe design and operation of cranes were elend yet in place, and the high incidence of injuries to dockworkers, railroad yardmen, and factory workers was of concern to a variety of organizations, including the Locomotive Crane Manufacturers Association and the Association of Iron and Steel Electrical Engineers, as well as to the U.S. Department of the Navy, and other government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor, which was formed in 1913. By 1920, these groups were pressing hard for worker protection and safety.ASME was a key player in the discussion. The society formed the ASME Safety Code Correlating Committee to expand on an eight-page document, Code of Safety Standards for Cranes, deve loped in 1916. ASME also helped coordinate the input of 29 national organizations with a vested interest in crane safety. The effort led to Safety Code for Cranes, Derricks, and Hoists, ASA B30.2, which gained national acceptance in 1943. B30 evolved into a series of volumes addressing the various types of equipment within the committees scope, and would grow through the ensuing decades as one of the societys most important activities.While the ASME Safety Code Correlating Committee was at work on crane safety in the years following World War I, a building boom was under way in Americas urban centers. As buildings became taller, the need for a device to move people and material goods to upper floors became apparent. Elevators already had been in service for several years, but the public was not entirely convinced of their safety. Although Elijah Otis invented a safety brake in 1853, which prevented the fall of the elevator platform in the event that its hoisting rope broke, the publ ic generally feared elevators and were keenly aware of the need for safety.As with boilers and cranes before ASME addressed them, little regulierung and few design and operating guidelines existed to ensure safety in elevators. Code writing for elevators initially fell to the Elevator Manufacturers Association, then shifted to ASME in the post-war period. In 1921, ASME issued A17, Safety Code for Elevators, containing safety provisions for switches, door locking mechanisms, and speed.A17, Safety Code for Elevators was a 25-page publication. Todays ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators is a binational code, jointly developed by ASME and the Canadian Standards Association, contains more than 350 pages, and includes rules and guidelines for technologies that were not around ninety years ago, like relay control equipment and solid state computerized components. A key milestone in the development of the code occurred in 2007, when ASME, jointly with the Canadian St andards Association, published the first performance-based safety code, ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7.Adapted from To Protect and Serve, by John Varrasi, ASME Public Information, for Mechanical Engineering, July 2009.As with boilers and cranes before ASME addressed them, little regulation and few design and operating guidelines existed to ensure safety in elevators.

5 Types of Imposter Syndrome and How to Stop Them - The Muse

5 Types of Imposter Syndrome and How to Stop Them - The Muse5 Types of Imposter Syndrome and How to Stop ThemMany high achievers share a dirty little secret Deep down they feel like complete fraudstheir accomplishments the result of serendipitous luck. This psychological phenomenon, known as imposter syndrome, reflects a belief that youre an inadequate and incompetent failure despite evidence that indicates youre skilled and quite successful. In short, its a hot mess of harmfulness. It can also take various forms, depending on a persons background, personality, and circumstances. If youre familiar with the feeling of waiting for those around you to find you out, it might be helpful to consider what type of imposter you are so you can problem-solve accordingly. Expert on the subject, Dr. Valerie Young, has categorized it into subgroups the Perfectionist, the Superwoman/man, the Natural Genius, the Soloist, and the Expert. In zu sich book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women Why Ca pable People Suffer From the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, Dr. Young builds on decades of research studying fraudulent feelings among high achievers. Through her personal research, Young uncovered several competence types- or internal rules that people who struggle with confidence attempt to follow. This categorizations often overlooked in the conversation, but her reading of it can be really helpful in identifying bad habits or patterns that may be holding you back from your full potential. Below is a summary of the competence types Young identifies so you can see if you recognize yourself. I also provide some examples you might relate to in your day-to-day life, as well as questions you can ask yourself. 1. The PerfectionistPerfectionism and imposter syndrome often go hand-in-hand. Think about it Perfectionists platzset excessively high goals for themselves, and when they fail to reach a goal, they experience major self-doubt and worry about measuring up. Whe ther they realize it or bedrngnis, this group can also be control freaks, feeling like if they want something done right, they have to do it themselves. Not sure if this applies to you? Ask yourself these questionsHave you ever been accused of being a micromanager? Do you have great difficulty delegating? Even when youre able to do so, do you feel frustrated and disappointed in the results?When you miss the (insanely high) fruchtfleisch on something, do you accuse yourself of elend being cut out for your job and ruminate on it for days? Do you feel like your work must be 100% perfect, 100% of the time?For this type, success is rarely satisfying because they believe they couldve done even better. But thats neither productive nor healthy. Owning and celebrating achievements is essential if you want to avoid burnout, find contentment, and cultivate self-confidence.Learn to take your mistakes in stride, viewing them as a natural part of the process. In addition, push yourself to act bef ore youre ready. Force yourself to start the project youve been planning for months. Truth is, there will never be the perfect time and your work will never be 100% flawless. The sooner youre able to accept that, the better off youll be.2. The Superwoman/manSince people who experience this phenomenon are convinced theyre phonies amongst real-deal colleagues, they often push themselves to work harder and harder to measure up. But this is just a false cover-up for their insecurities, and the work overload may harm not only their own mental health, but also their relationships with others. Not sure if this applies to you? Do you stay later at the office than the rest of your team, even past the point that youve completed that days necessary work? Do you get stressed when youre not working and find downtime completely wasteful?Have you left your hobbies and passions fall by the wayside, sacrificed to work?Do you feel like you havent truly earned your title (despite numerous degrees and achievements), so you feel pressed to work harder and longer than those around you to prove your worth?Imposter workaholics are actually addicted to the validation that comes from working, not to the work itself. Start training yourself to veer away from external validation. No one should have more power to make you feel good about yourself than you- even your boss when they give your project the stamp of approval. On the flip side, learn to take constructive criticism seriously, not personally. As you become more attuned to internal validation and able to nurture your inner confidence that states youre competent and skilled, youll be able to ease off the gas as you gauge how much work is reasonable. 3. The Natural GeniusYoung says people with this competence type believe they need to be a natural genius. As such, they judge their competence based ease and speed as opposed to their efforts. In other words, if they take a long time to master something, they feel shame.These types of imposters set their internal bar impossibly high, just like perfectionists. But natural genius types dont just judge themselves based on ridiculous expectations, they also judge themselves based on getting things right on the first try. When theyre not able to do something quickly or fluently, their alarm sounds.Not sure if this applies to you? Are you used to excelling without much effort? Do you have a track record of getting straight As or gold stars in everything you do?Were you told frequently as a child that you were the smart one in your family or peer group?Do you dislike the idea of having a mentor, because you can handle things on your own?When youre faced with a setback, does your confidence tumble because not performing well provokes a feeling of shame?Do you often avoid challenges because its so uncomfortable to try something youre not great at? To move past this, try seeing yourself as a work in progress. Accomplishing great things involves lifelong learning and skill- building- for everyone, even the most confident people. Rather than beating yourself up when you dont reach your impossibly high standards, identify specific, changeable behaviors that you can improve over time. For example, if you want to have more impact at the office, its much more productive to focus on honing your presentation skills than swearing off speaking up in meetings as something youre just not good at. 4. The SoloistSufferers who feel as though asking for help reveals their phoniness are what Young calls Soloists. Its OK to be independent, but not to the extent that you refuse assistance so that you can prove your worth. Not sure if this applies to you? Ask yourself these questionsDo you firmly feel that you need to accomplish things on your own? I dont need anyones help. Does that sound like you? Do you frame requests in terms of the requirements of the project, rather than your needs as a person?5. The ExpertExperts measure their competence based on what and how much they know or can do. Believing they will never know enough, they fear being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable.Do you shy away from applying to job postings unless you meet every single educational requirement?Are you constantly seeking out trainings or certifications because you think you need to improve your skills in order to succeed? Even if youve been in your role for some time, can you relate to feeling like you still dont know enough?Do you shudder when someone says youre an expert? Its true that theres always more to learn. Striving to bulk up your skill set can certainly help you make strides professionally and keep you competitive in the job market. But taken too far, the tendency to endlessly seek out more information can actually be a form of procrastination. Start practicing just-in-time learning. This means acquiring a skill when you need itfor example, if your responsibilities changerather than hoarding knowledge for (false) comfort.Realize theres no shame i n asking for help when you need it. If you dont know how to do something, ask a co-worker. If you cant figure out how to solve a problem, seek advice from a supportive supervisor, or even a career coach. Mentoring junior colleagues or volunteering can be a great way to discover your inner expert. When you share what you know it not only benefits others, but also helps you heal your fraudulent feelings. No matter the specific profile, if you struggle with confidence, youre far from alone. To take one example, studies suggest 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their career.If youve experienced it at any point in your career, youve at one point or another chalked up your accomplishments to chance, charm, connections, or another external factor. How unfair and unkind is that? Take today as your opportunity to start accepting and embracing your capabilities. This article has been updated to reflect the name change of one of Dr. Youngs competence types, and to exp lain her findings in more detail.

Kids, Work and Best Resume Templates Free

Kids, Work and Best Resume Templates Free Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Best Resume Templates Free A traditional style resume schablone is also simple to customize. After you have modified the standard resume template that you found on the net, make it simple on your upcoming self and save several versions of your resume. Once you have selected your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the great modern resume. The majority of the templates are supplied by named, resume writing specialists and thus the quality is extremely good.Employing free resume downloads you will locate a range of alternatives for different styles that are readily available. Our creative templates let you stick out from the crowd. Employing a resume template is extremely useful in making your professional profile. It has become an acceptable and smart practice for a number of reasons.Your free resume templates is among the fruchtw ein significant parts of your job application. Resumunks resume templates consist of free resume layouts in addition to 17 premium templates offered for a yearly subscription of $19. You may always decide to download our totally free one-page resume templates. Free Resume Templates offers you the ideal solution and quick fixes to your resumes. If youd prefer a different search for your resume, take a look at our tremendous library of other beautiful templates. Fortunately, there are various publishers around whove created incredible resume templates for fast editing and formatting in Word. It is possible to also alter the font if you wish (and the exact same goes for each template in our list). If you locate a couple of templates whose designs you love, mischung and match till you locate a format which works for getting your message across. Best Resume Templates Free Secrets That No One Else Knows About The work description is the key to success. Some of the serious job du ties include Advantages of Resume Templates Whether youre using CV for the very first time or for your next job, utilizing the CV templates may add great benefit to the total allure of your CV. Saves Time whenever you are looking for a superior job, its always fantastic to have a separate resume for each and every job. Free resume downloads can be found in a wide selection of places today. Adding more quality words in our resume is effective but theres no use if its not linked to the work post applying for and does not entice employers. Get the job that you want with a completely free resumes templates to download totally free downloadable resume template that highlights your experience in various service circumstances. You must select the appropriate format that will fit your requirements and match the work description. Chronological format is most effective for a seasoned customer service associate. The Unexpected Truth About Best Resume Templates Free At this time theres s till an opportunity to stick out from the competition being different. In truth, its not that hard as it might appear to be. Then youve come to the correct location. There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous quantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both.At times the ideal approach is easily the most fundamental. The great thing about the Classic is that everyone can use it. Then it may be time to bring some style to your resume Get exploring and you may be spotting something which you feel is going to earn an effect on your job seeking process. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about Quite often, people creating resumes make the error of documenting their whole history which may lead to issues.

Video Interview Secrets to Hiring The Best Young Workers

Video Interview Secrets to Hiring The Best Young WorkersIs your company ignoring young workers? Perhaps when its time to schedule a video interview, youve gotten into the habit of avoiding those in a younger age bracket. Aside from being discriminatory, this just isnt wise for the future of your company. Young workers are bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to companies both big and small. After all, one of the richest CEOs started his company from a dorm room. That little company is now called Facebook and alfruchtwein everyone you know has an account.A recent post on Steve Boeses HR blog discovered a fairly alarming statistic to many. The number of workers 55 and older will soon surpass the number of workers in the 25 to 34 age bracket. The reasons for this are diverse, but they tie back heavily to the recent economic recession. For instance, the new crop of college students are having an increasingly hard time finding work, especially jobs matching their credentials. Meanwhile o lder workers, many of whom lost huge amounts of money in the economic downturn, have been forced to stay in the workforce longer.Bleeding young talent is bad news for most companies. The workers in the 25 to 34 bracket are the talent companies want to establish and develop. They are the next round of superstars at your company. While older workers are smart and competent, they may also come at a higher cost immediately and will be on the way out of your organization sooner.Its time for companies to start taking a chance on younger workers today if they want to be able to compete in the global marketplace of ideas tomorrow. The best way to hire the most talented young workers is to focus on hiring better right from the video interview. Here are some secrets on how to use video interviews to nab your next young superstarFocus on Skills, Not ExperienceYounger workers, especially those right out of college, wont have the same depth of experience as their older counterparts. Its a mistak e, however, to think this means they have no value to add to your company. In fact, these potential employees are eager to gain the experience they need to become a real powerhouse in your industry.Instead of focusing on experience in the video interview, focus on skills instead. Ask relevant interview questions about the candidates industry-specific skills and qualifications. Do they know certain programs or software? Also make sure to ask about what theyve done outside the classroom and their first entry-level jobs. Many candidates have taken on unpaid internships and volunteer opportunities from which theyve learned a wide variety of useful skills they can bring to your organization.Look for PassionYou dont just want a candidate looking for a day job, you want a candidate ready to embark on a career path. Passionate employees are going to be more engaged and more likely to take on additional responsibilities in the office.Young workers picked your industry for a reason, so find o ut what that reason is directly in the video interview. Does your candidate have a real passion for the work or are they just looking for a handsome paycheck? Ask about why they chose this career path and what they like most and least about the industry. These answers can give you a good feel for just how committed they are to your field, and how likely theyll be to stick around. Find the candidates who truly love what theyre doing and youll be hiring motivated, productive employees.Thirst for KnowledgeTraining is a major concern on the part of most companies when it comes to hiring young workers. Training can often be time-consuming and expensive and many companies want to hire candidates who can hit the ground running. The benefit of hiring younger workers, however, is that they are notlage opposed to learning new things. They dont have bad habits to break and theyre hungry for knowledge.In the video interview, make sure to ask what they know and what they want to know. If your ca ndidate has a list of things they want to learn on the job, this is a good sign. It means the candidate sees your company as a place to learn and grow, a place to become a better employee. Beware if they cant think of anything they want to learn from your position.Companies cant afford to ignore emerging talent, because this talent will make up their next generation of superstar employees. Its important, however, to assess this talent critically in the video interview. If you follow some of these video interview hiring secrets youll hire great young workers who will be adding value to your company for years to come.What are some secrets you have for using video interviews to hire great young candidates? Share with us in the commentsSOURCES Metro, Steve Boese, Pew Research Center

Your Appearance Could Impact Your Next Promotion - The Muse

Your Appearance Could Impact Your Next Promotion - The MuseYour Appearance Could Impact Your Next Promotion What if how you dressed impacted whether or not you ended up getting a promotion? Its nearly impossible to stomach, especially considering your skills and the accomplishments youve made at the company. The last thing you want to consider is that after all your hard work and focused effort, what you choose to wear every day could be the one thing holding you back. And yet, according to Kristin Wong on Lifehacker, this actually happens. Citing a recent CareerBuilder poll that surveyed 2,000 HR managers across the U.S., Wong tracks the statistics for notable employer attitudes about employee appearance. This is what she reports from among the findings44% were less likely to promote an employee who wore provocative clothing to work.43% were less likely to promote an employee who wore wrinkled clothes.32% were less likely to promote an employee with piercings other than traditional ear piercings.27% were less likely to promote an employee who frequently wore clothing that was too casual for the workplace.Of course, the piece also notes the obvious- that the impact will definitely vary from company to company. Still, its pretty tresor to say that no one wants to hear that how he dresses can negatively impact his career success. Look on the bright side These numbers may not tell a story you like, but they tell a story nonetheless- one you can use to your advantage. In other words, the old clich still rings true Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Photo of colleagues courtesy of Thomas Barwick/Getty Images.

Couldnt Make #ERE15 Here Are 5 Notes You Would Have Taken

Couldnt Make ERE15 Here Are 5 Notes You Would Have TakenCouldnt Make ERE15 Here Are 5 Notes You Would Have TakenLast week was a whirlwind of talent acquisition management and leadership best practices courtesy of the ERE Media Recruiting Conference in San Diego, CA.If you couldnt make it to the conference in person, were sorry to say that you missed out From captivating presentations by lead talent acquisition managers at top brands like Charles Schwab, Talbots and SAP, to spirited networking and engagement opportunities, there wasnt a minute of downtime.We could never capture the spirit and intensity of the event in a single blog post, but fortunately we were taking notes the entire time. If you missed the live event, heres a look at five key themes and insights from the conference that you can chime in on via social media.1. Speed-to-hire is 1Rob McIntosh, Chief Analyst at ERE Media, Inc., emphasizes that time to fill has always been important. However, in an increasingly tougher j ob market, its becoming more and more of a pain point for HR Managers in the field. For every recruiting segment represented in his presentation, he cited overwhelming difficulty with speed-to-hire over other challenges such as inconsistencies within the process, technology, quality, cost and people.Whats keeping recruiting pros up at night? Speed-to-hire is 1. You snooze, you lose. ERE15 TheRobMcIntosh- Kevin W. Grossman (KevinWGrossman) April 28, 2015 2. Struggling with quality? It needs to be trackedHR Managers continue to discuss quality as a critical KPI, yet theyre not tracking those metrics to gauge long-term improvement. And in a business environment in which What gets measured, gets managed, we can all agree that measuring and tracking candidate quality will be a critical element in improving recruiting outcomes in 2015.Analytics that are not being tracked. Quality is so important but nearly half dont measure it ERE15 pic.twitter.com/p5UsQZmgs7 - Jason Hopkins (JHopp12) A pril 28, 201532% of ERE_net survey dont track Cost Per Hire. 40% dont track Hiring Mgr satisfaction. 34% dont track source time. ERE15- Nicole L (NicoleJibe) April 28, 2015What gets measured, gets managed ERE15 data pic.twitter.com/v92BmLg6Tx- Suzanne Black (SuzBlack) April 28, 20153. Employer Brand takes center stageEmployer Brand continues to be top of mind for recruiters, especially as getting named on those top employer lists can cause a boost in the quality and size of a companys candidate pool. Many speakers shared statistics about the benefits of investing in Employer Brand as well as tips for improving it.Getting ranked on top employer lists will have a big impact on hiring. ERE15- Sam Hammond (SSHammond1) April 29, 20154. Employer Branding and candidate quality can join forcesSpeaking of the importance of Employer Branding, Dr. John Sullivan gave a provocative talk that shared a few actionable recommendations on how to deploy Employer Branding that actually improves cand idate quality. His presentation shared a new definition of strategic and encouraged recruiters to follow a more scientific path to improve these metrics over time.5. Simply Hired helps the best of the best get betterFinally, we were in for a little surprise of our own as Dr. Sullivans listed the top 12 companies with the most strategic recruiting functions. Of this independently-selected list, Simply Hired works with five of the top ten companies to help them develop higher quality recruiting programs.Did any of these themes leap out at you? Leave us a comment below or tweet us at SimplyHired to share your experience

13 Ways to Impress a Potential Employer

13 Ways to Impress a Potential Employer13 Ways to Impress a Potential EmployerLooking for ways to impress a profil employer? Want to make your resume or job application stand out from the pack? During one two week time period, a Human Resources staff member shared that she reviewed 485 resumes and applications for 18 different positions. They then interviewed 23 candidates and brought six back for a second, mora intense round of interviews. Believe this. This HR staff person can tell you what really rang her chimes. You may find that some of this advice is like, duh, who doesnt know this job search advice? Some of this advice may surprise you. Some may even make you angry because it doesnt seem fair or right to you. Not all employers will agree with this advice. But why take a chance when you want to find the best, most well paying, exciting job for you? How to Impress a Potential Employer Here are thirteen ways in which you can impress a qualifikation employer. 1. Apply for jobs for which you qualify. HRsno hire pile of applications is increasingly made up of people who dont even remotely qualify for the posted position. These job applications frequently consist of a resume in an envelope. Why waste the paper, the stamp and the time? Ditto for an online application or resume. Its become increasingly easier to werbemail a potential employer with unqualified applications. If you find yourself applying because its an area of work you might want to get into, or think youd like, dont bother. Unless you can make the stretch and fit between your qualifications and background and the described opening, you are wasting your time. Each application or resume gets less than thirty seconds of review time. You need to quickly qualify yourself as a potential candidate because the employer doesnt have or take the time to do it for you. 2. Write a targeted cover letter for the position for which youre applying. Address the targeted cover letter that introduces your key qu alifications and highlights your fit with the position to the person conducting the candidate search, when known. And, no, dont presume familiarity and write, Dear Susan. Until the employer knows you, her name is Ms. Smith. Additionally, the cover letter needs to specifically mention the available position for which you are applying. Spelling and correct grammar do count. So does the spacing of words on the page, an attractive overall appearance, and the feel of the paper in a paper resume. Online applications, which are the norm, must be targeted and formatted appropriately. Pay just as much attention to spelling, grammar, and appearance. Recognize that some online application systems do bedrngnis permit the submission of a cover letter and many employers dont want nor read cover letters anymore. If the potential employer does not state to submit a cover letter, it is optional. 3. Target the resume to the job. Would you like to know how many people are looking for a challenging opp ortunity to utilize my skills with a progressive employer who will provide opportunities for growth? Dont even ask the answer will break your heart if this is how you routinely describe the position you seek in your resume. Even more importantly, with instantaneous printing, no one needs to photocopy 100 resumes at an instant print store for distribution. Customization counts. Customization is everything when you are looking at substantially different opportunities, too. Say, you are looking for a training position or a marketing position. The identical resume wont sell your skills for either field. 4. Lead with your strengths. What makes you different from 40 other applicants? On your customized resume, departure out with the background and experience most important for the position you seek. The s24 stundene of your career is also highly relevant to the placement of information on your resume. If you are just graduating from college, lead off the first portion of the resume with y our education and degree. A seasoned veteran will start with an accomplishment summary with key achievements and then list jobs, titles, companies, and responsibilities chronologically. A network administration applicant should lead with his or her certifications (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and list software and hardware experience (Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server) before listing jobs and education. The key is to make it easy for the resume reviewer to see that you are qualified for the position. You want your resume in the coveted yes pile awaiting an interview or phone interview. Looking for more ideas about getting your foot in the door for the face-to-face interview? Youre unlikely to obtain a job offer without a highly effective interview. You have a couple more hurdles to cross, however, before you get that coveted opportunity to impress a potential employer. 5. Most employers hate fishing phone calls. These are candidate phone calls or emails that have absolut ely no purpose other than to make a potential employer notice an applicant. Wonder how many people call an HR office each week to see if the office has received their resume? Lots- and only the people with whom HR doesnt want to speak- they would have called you if you were a contender. Its a wonderful opportunity for you to make a lasting bad impression. An HR staff person said to one caller, You are calling to ask me to look through this pile of 200 resumes to see if I have received yours? If you are that uncertain, why dont you just send it again? Fishing-for-attention phone calls rarely help and usually brand you as a pain. They steal the companys time, irritate the resume screener and generally, accomplish nothing in your favor. In a client company, callers, and especially repeat callers, are known as stalkers. 6. If you want a call from a recruiter or potential employer, give them a smartphone number. Give them this number or another number at which they can reach you and tal k. Many resumes received by HR list only a home phone, although this is becoming less common. Big mistake though. HR staff membersgive up on candidates with whom they play phone tag for days. No, dont give a potential employer your number at your current job. But, you really need to honor the potential employers time by giving them your smartphone number. HR staff needs to reach you to set up a time and date for the phone screening. 7. Yes, phone screening. Forward-thinking employers dont waste their time or yours without an initial telephone interview. Be prepared to schedule a date and time, usually during the 8-5 p.m. work day. (Your potential employer is already working ten hour days- you wont endear yourself if you ask them to work more.) The phone interview eliminates most of the yes resumes from contention. Be prepared for a mini-interview and to give the interviewer your salary expectations. People who play coy when they are asked about salary are often not invited to visit in person. Why would the employer waste staff time interviewing an applicant who is making $70,000 or more, currently, for a $50,000 job? Employers can eliminate this problem completely by posting the salary range for the position in their job postings- but still, not all employers follow this recommendation. This is recommended if you want to attract the best candidates who dont want to play games or to have to negotiate a huge salary increase. And no, you are not going to be such a wonderful candidate that the employer blows away the salary range. In nine out of ten situations, the salary range is set with a large number of variables in mind including the local job market and the salaries of coworkers. 8. Preparation counts for both the phone screening and the potential face-to-face interview. If the HR staff member has set up a time with you for a phone interview, research the company in advance. Visit the website to see what the employer does. Many organizations even describe th eir company culture on their websites. If you take just a few minutes to do your homework, the quality of the interview will go up exponentially. Think about the HR staff persons time, too, as your potential employer. Imagine the decisions that are made about you when you ask for directions to the companywhile driving your car and talking on your smartphone. Wait a couple of minutes, one candidate said, while I get somewhere so that I can write all of this down. Research the company location online first call the company for directions as a last resort. Youve done the right things right. Your materials and credentials made a good impression. You passed the interview phone screening and youve been invited to the company for that all important interview. How do you continue to build the relationship with the potential employer that will lead to an eventual job offer? 9. Take time off work for the interview. As highlighted earlier, dont expect the potential employer to extend their day by several hours to accommodate your schedule. If youre currently working and looking for a new position, hopefully, youve chosen the most ethical path and your employer knows. If you are unable to inform your employer, for any reason, hopefully, youve saved up your vacation timeto use for your job search. A recruiting employer is often willing to interview a good candidate late in the afternoon, but rarely will the interview extend past 6 p.m. (Remember, most potential employers started work by 8 a.m.) You dont want your potential to contribute as an employee assessed at the end of a ten hour day either. 10. Make the right, positive impression at both the interview and with the company staff. Need the employer tell you to arrive early, dress up for the position for which you are applying and bring an additional resume with references? Remember to treat every person you encounter with dignity and respect. The receptionist is reporting their impressions of you to the HR director. Co unt on it, especially in small- to mid-sized organizations. Be unfailingly polite throughout every interaction you have with the company. Each person is assessing your potential fit within their organization. Dont blow your chances by behaving boorishly. 11. You will be asked to fill out a job application. So bring your resume and other needed information to complete the document. And, no, See attached resume, doesnt cut it. It is likely your application information is entered into an employment database and used for company records, government reporting, and more. The filled out application usually attests to the fact that all of the information you provided on it is true. It also allows the company to obtain your written permission to check your references, employment history, do criminal background checks if you are hired, and more. 12. The Interview Tells the Employer Whether You Fit the Culture The actual interview is the subject of additional articles. For purposes of this one , remember that the purpose of the interview is to determine if you and the organization are a good fit. The real purpose of an interview, sorry to tell you, is not to gain you a job offer. Do you feel confident that you can do the job and grow with the company? Have you conveyed this to the potential employer? If so, they will ask you back for a more intensive second round of interviews at most companies. 13. Follow up after the interview with a thank you letter, and perhaps a phone call. Good manners always count. The above-discussed HR office received three thank you letters and a couple of phone calls from the 23 people who participated in the first interview with the hiring team. Are thank you letters going the way of the dinosaurs? Not from candidates who count. Doing the right things right will result in more interviews, better job offers, and a more successful career. Take a little more time at each step and your application will rise above the pack. This is a promise and tr ue.