How to Attract and Retain Talented Staff

How to Attract and Retain Talented Staff Hiring and retaining really good people is a challenge at the best of times. Management guru Jim Collins said that “the single biggest constraint on the success of my organization is the ability to get and to hang on to enough of the right people.” McKinsey coined the term ‘war for talent’ in 1997 when referring to the increasingly fierce competition to attract and retain employees at a time when too few workers are available to replace the baby boomers now departing the workforce in advanced economies. Top talent is scarce and the best candidates may be picky about which offer to accept. Employers need to pay attention to the employer brand and their image in the jobs market and ensure they make a good showing when they offer vacancies. Aim to be an employer of choice. Employer brand determines whether candidates will choose to engage with the organization. Talent attraction is not a one-off exercise, it’s a process aimed at building and nurturing a talent pool. Showcase your assets One of the most effective things you can do is the use the assets already to hand. If the organization has good levels of employee engagement then the workforce will be happy to advocate and share stories about the organization. Employee referrals are a very cost-effective strategy as referred applicants come with the recommendation of an existing employee and will have some familiarity with the culture and how the enterprise operates; after all, employees only recommend people they think will be a good match. Culture is a big draw; it will attract like-minded people so showcasing company culture is important in increasing the chances of appointing the best candidate. Talent will consider whether the organizational culture aligns with their personal values; a strong link between personal values and corporate values makes the employment offer more attractive. A positive organizational culture shows that the organizations put the focus on creativity and innovative work in a collaborative environment that values teamwork, engagement, and high performance. Flexible benefits are increasingly attractive to candidates at all levels. If you can devise a ‘pick your own’ package rather than a one-size-fits-all system that will be an advantage. Don’t forget that research suggests that employee’s value non-monetary benefits over money based incentives. Make sure you highlight training and developing opportunities as this a major area of interest for the best candidates. Lack of development is the primary reason that good people move on. Talk about career progression and personal development at an early stage. Talented people always want to develop and grow both personally and professionally; ongoing training and development mean employees know that the organization is serious about investing in staff and retaining the best. Nurture your talent Good people also tend to plan a career path,  so an organization that helps by investing in talent and improving the skillset and career prospects of staff is more attractive than the sink or swim attitude of many employers. At 10Eighty we emphasize the importance of using regular career conversations to engage with the workforce around skills, strengths, and aspirations. Remember that not everyone is climbing the career ladder, but good employees want new opportunities in new areas, feedback, responsibility and an awareness of their contribution to the overall operation. It is a huge mistake to assume you will retain people because you are a good employer; first, earn the trust, commitment, and loyalty of staff and then ensure that the organization aids them in enhancing their skills, networks, and options. Providing career planning gives an organization an edge over the competition and a major advantage in retaining talented staff. Quick tips to attract and retain talented staff: Attract people whose values align with those of the organization and where possible use existing contacts to find those likely to be a good fit Consider organizational objectives and seek out candidates with the strengths, skills, motivation and professional to adjust quickly to the environment and culture. Retain talent by paying attention to motivation, engagement, and career planning to help staff to grow in their roles.

How to Write a Retail Salesman Resume

How to Write a Retail Salesman ResumeFor any retail salesperson, the most important factor when it comes to getting a job is to find out how to write a retail salesman resume. Just think, all that information and all those experiences - if you don't know how to present them in a way that gives you an edge, then you will not get hired.In fact, most people have several different reasons for wanting to become a salesperson. Some want to earn a bit of extra money or get back into the working world after some time out, while others want to help support their family by getting into sales.A resume should be designed to focus on your strengths, your goals and your skills. The applicant with a clear picture of what he or she wants to achieve, what kind of salary he or she is hoping to receive, will be able to provide an accurate portrayal of themselves.One of the first things you need to do when designing a retail salesman resume is to decide exactly how you would like to convey yourself. Wil l you choose a professional-looking design, or one that will impress your prospective employer? What about the colour scheme you choose for your resume - do you want something that will stand out, or will you go for a more subtle approach?Another important consideration is how you would like to be seen by your future employer. Do you want to stand out, or blend in and make a good impression? This will tell the applicant what impression he or she needs to make to get a job interview, which in turn, can help them get hired.Writing your resume in a way that will get you hired, a good technique is to always use bullet points to convey the best ideas. Use your experiences in the past to draw out the good points, but don't give away all the bad ones.You need to emphasize on your strengths, including your knowledge of product-related topics and customer-facing roles such as retail sales. You should also include any references you may have to demonstrate your experience and education.Your c over letter is very important, and many applicants believe that they have to memorize their letter and hope their employers will pick it up, but it really doesn't matter. The main thing is to get across your message to your prospective employer, and include every possible detail that may allow you to get your foot in the door.

3 Reasons Why LinkedIn is Important for Job Seekers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Reasons Why LinkedIn is Important for Job Seekers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Yes, your LinkedIn profile is more important than your resume!   Do I shock you with this declaration? Think again. Your résumé is typically being sent to individuals, to recruiters, or as a job application, which has limited exposure. Yet your LinkedIn profile is open to literally the entire world around the clock. Moreover, as I understand it, LinkedIn is now considered the choice tool by recruiters and human resources professionals because it is so user-friendly and searchable. If you think like I do, then you may want to revisit your LinkedIn profile and make a few easy improvements. For example, upload a professionally produced photo to enhance your image. Make sure the tagline contains a good description of what you do. The summary section should be your marketing piece. Your current and past positions should be clear. Don’t say too much; rather, make them intriguing. Include a few but strong accomplishments in your bulleted items. Keywords pertinent to your profession should be listed as well. Listing your specialties offers additional, specific information that enhances your chances to distinguish yourself. LinkedIn lets you upload various applications. Take advantage of that. Recruiters like to see that you have several recommendations. After all, they have to sell you to their clients. Recommendations serve as strong support for your candidacy because they come from others. Everything else you say in your LinkedIn profile comes from you, and in this case you’re a salesperson selling a product, which is yourself. If you have a Web site or blog posts, list them. Belonging to several professional groups also enhances your image. Similarly, if you’ve received honors and awards, they should be listed. You also should include some interests because you’ll be selected not only for your qualifications but also for your fit factor. And finally, review your personal settings. There may be great qualifications listed on your Linkedin profile, but if you limit those you allow to view the profile, who do you think is losing out?

Personal Branding Interview Kerry Hannon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Kerry Hannon - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Kerry Hannon, who is a nationally acclaimed personal finance contributing editor and retirement correspondent for U.S. News World Report. Her latest book is called WHAT’S NEXT? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job.   In this interview, Kerry talks about how to find your dream job, what stops someone from finding the perfect job, tools for career reinvention, tips for finding a job, and how shes built her own personal brand. How does someone find their dream job? Is it trial and error? No two paths are the same. Each person I interviewed for What’s Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job faced a different set of challenges. But these success stories reveal common threads. Many of these men and women were spurred to discover what really matters to them and transform their work (and, in turn, personal) lives by a crisis or loss that starkly revealed the fleeting nature of life. No one acted impulsively. They paused. They planned. They bypassed helter-skelter approaches and pursued prudent, well-researched moves. Each person had flexible time horizons for his or her venture to make it. If necessary, these people added the essential skills and degrees before they made the leap. They often apprenticed or volunteered beforehand. They reached out to their networks of social and professional contacts to ask for help and guidance. They downsized and planned their financial lives in order to be able to afford a cut n pay or the cost of a start-up. Several were fortunate to have a spouse’s steady income or had some outside investments, retirement savings, and pensions in place to ease the transition to their new line of work. But what really sticks with me is that they all share a clear, confidence in the direction they have taken. They collective work longer hours, but it doesn’t matter. They only wish they had done it sooner. Ten tips: Understand what is behind your desire to make a change. Get your life in order. Get physically and financially fit. Debt hanging over your head limits you. Be practical. If possible, make your move in stages. Take one class at a time if you need a degree or more training. Find a mentor to guide you and seek advice from people who have been successful in the field you are interested in switching into from the start. Be prepared for setbacks Volunteer or moonlight. You might try on several jobs before you find the one that’s right. Upgrade Your Skills and education Start small and give yourself time to grow and learn Don’t be afraid to ask questions Check out job web sites like encore.org, careerbuilder.com, whatsnext.com, secondact.com to get a flavor for what others are doing and what jobs are out there now. Is everyone looking for a job they love or just to pay the bills? What stops someone from finding the right one? Money is a motivator. But, if you’ve lost your job and are dealing with a second act as a necessity, it’s crucial that you don’t act out of rashness and fear, but rather knowledge of how you can use this life-changing event to your advantage. All of us need to work in jobs to pay the bills, but why not make that a job you love? What seems to stop people is the fear of taking a risk and the unwillingness to step back and take the time to find the right fit and prepare personally to succeed in a new field and line of work. In essence, though, it’s deep-seated fear of change and failure that are the tripping points for job changers. In reality, if you have lost a job in the recent turmoil, this is the perfect time to move into a job that means something to you. With the cushion provided by a severance or early-retirement package, grab hold of your chance to try something new. What tools would you recommend to someone who is looking to quit their job and start over? Evaluate your skill set and be confident. What skills do you have that are transferable to your next pursuit? You might check out a self-assessment quiz to get started, there are free ones at CareerPath.com and Monster/com’s career advice section. Seek advice. Hunt for groups and activities that allow you to meet new people. Or consider hiring a career coach. If you know you need a change, but are unsure of what to do, a career coach can help you set goals, outline steps to take you there, and motivate you to make it happen. More details in What’s Next? about ways to go about finding someone who is qualified. Tap into your personal network. You never know who can help you. Reach out to potential contacts through alumni publications, Web sites, or regional associations if there’s a chapter near you. You can reach out and meet five or six new people at an alumni event. Tap into supercharged alumni websites. Through college career centers, you might be able to access online Web refresher courses on résumé writing, interviewing, and post résumés and profiles, view job and internship listings with contact information, sign up for career center appointments, and get the latest news on job fairs and recruiter visits. Many schools offer free career coach meetings via their career service centers and welcome alums back at job fairs and for company informational meetings. Some schools assist alumni in scoring interviews. You can also tap into a school’s LinkedIn alumni network. What three tips would you give someone that knows what they want to do, but cant find the right job? Network, network, network Volunteer Be persistent. Don’t be discouraged. How have you built your personal brand? First, I did some soul-searching to understand what I stood for and what my purpose as a financial journalist and author is: The answer: With over 25 years experience as a financial journalist, I make a difference in people’s lives by showing them how they can successfully manage their money and careers. I empower them and show them how they can do it themselves. So my purpose statement: “Journalist and author Kerry Hannon, a leading authority on careers and personal finance, shows you how to manage your money and career with confidence. Whether youre new to saving and investing, planning for retirement, gearing up for a second act, or coping with a heavy debt load, her books and articles provide the tools you need to get started and the inspiration to do it now.” That is now my criteria for any assignment or job I accept. While career stories are critical to my current body of work, I also cover a broad sweep of consumer and personal finance areas from health to travel to retirement planning. My books have covered women and money topics, estate planning and careers…along with profiles of Navajo weavers! At the heart of each endeavor is making a difference in people’s lives. Second, I got my web site up and going. Still a work in progress, but it’s coming together and always evolving. It’s a place people can come and meet me and my work. Third, I established social networking accounts at LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. I joined the personal branding network on LinkedIn to learn how others are creating their brands. With my new book arriving, I set up an author fan page on FaceBook. Today, I am getting my blog, Followyourpassions.com ready to roll by the book’s official pub date, June 1! The blog will focus on careers, but passions run deep, so I suspect it will venture into many other other life issues as well. Possibly, a few words now and again about, horses…one of my passions…not a paying one, mind you. Fourth, new business cards and stationary. Yes, I am a contributing editor at U.S. News World Report, but that no longer defines me. I am Kerry Hannonâ€"journalist, author, speaker. Kerry Hannon is a nationally acclaimed personal finance contributing editor and retirement correspondent for U.S. News World Report. Her latest book, WHAT’S NEXT? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job (Chronicle Books) will be in bookstores across the country April 28, 20. She has been writing the “Second Acts” feature for U.S. News World Report since the fall of 2006 and is a careers expert for usnews.com. She is the U.S. News retirement correspondent to The Nightly Business Report on PBS for the series “Get Your Finances Ready for Retirement.” She is the Money section book review columnist for USA Today. Hannon has previously served as a reporter and personal finance columnist for USA Today and as a writer and editor for U.S. News World Report, Money, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and Forbes. She was a regular women and money columnist for iVillage.com. Hannon’s work has appeared in CBS MoneyWatch.com, AARP Bulletin Today, The Wall Street Journal, Business We ek, Readers Digest, Good Housekeeping, Institutional Investor and Advertising Age, among other national publications. She has appeared as a financial expert on ABC News, CBS, Fox, CNBC, and CNN and has been a guest on numerous radio programs, including National Public Radio’s “Talk of The Nation.”

Creating waves for a Smooth Sale - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Creating waves for a Smooth Sale - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What is the image you have when you think about waves and a sale? I picture a speedboat out on the ocean with little wave streams following the flow. The imagery for me relates to business due to the fact that we now build followings online. So the question becomes do our connections follow our lead as if we were the speedboat? Following our lead refers to being attracted to what we have to say as well as what we have to offer. And if not, what is being missed? You would know if your lead is being followed online by the responses you receive and the increase in numbers following you. Are you checking steadily for the number of responses for each venue such as blog or video, and whether the interest is going up or down? Also, what is your actual feedback being received saying? Do some of your postings receive rave testimonials or unusually high Re-tweets or re-postings? Make waves It’s interesting that Facebook named the statistics found on our pages for blog postings, video views, and reach, as “insights”. The name is very apropos. Your postings that receive the highest reach percentages indicate the perfect subject matter for you to consider creating additional products or services. This is one example of the rippling effect you may create. Another example of the rippling effect where you take the lead is to reach out to teach others who come up from behind as you continue to learn. Does the feedback you receive on these sites or in your email indicate that you are contributing to the success of others? Social media is the perfect venue for us to learn from one another. The key to business development online is connecting with those who put out information with which you resonate. Exchange communication with these individuals and eventually request a phone or Skype conversation to get to know one another better. From this pathway frequently come brilliant ideas and collaborative plans to expand services for your clientele. So the question now becomes how does this translate to actually making a sale? When others experience your delivery of outstanding content and witness your reaching out to help others, your personal brand becomes known as “the leader” in your field. You are now positively in the spotlight attracting referrals and testimonials. At this point increased inquiries are made regarding your services and wonderful opportunities come your way. The online world is largely gentler than the corporate world. And so when you stand out as a leader helping others, you definitely will experience a brisker business. But greater than all of this, in a sense, you leave a legacy behind knowing your help went a very long way influencing and teaching many people. I find this exhilarating. These thoughts came about as I read a tweet directed to me. The woman said not only is she benefitting from my helpful tweets but so are her students. Instantly, I held the picture of the boat leading multiple streams in my mind. And of course the boat was on a lake enjoying a very Smooth Sale! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSe1j4iUqRk] Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, (800) 704-1499, was honored by Open View Labs with inclusion in their international list of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and the best selling career book, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press. She provides team sales training, private coaching and highly acclaimed inspirational keynotes for conferences. Elinor is available for consultation.

Productivity Lessons from a Chinese Village - CareerMetis.com

Productivity Lessons from a Chinese Village Source : UnSplash.comI remember the story told to me as a student in school, of the fast hare and slow tortoise. In the story, the speedy hare started the race strong, but the tortoise was ultimately able to beat it slowly and steadily. Although I found the story interesting, it failed to leave a mark on me.My personal experience seemed to suggest the oppositeâ€"the fast hares tend to win consistently while the slow tortoises struggle along forever. I recently read a book, however, which has made me believe the hare and tortoise story.The book, titled Longevity Plan, narrates the lives of centenarians living in a Chinese village. After reading about longevity village, named for the high number of centenarians living there, I have faith in the slow and steady path. This is because, the book suggests that one way of living beyond a hundred years is to keep calm and carry on, as a famous car bumper sticker also proclaims.evalThe principal author of the book, Dr. John Day, is a cardiolog ist who used the lessons learned in China to transform his health and lifestyle. He explains that before his visit, Dr. Day falsely believed that he had a healthy lifestyle and the Chinese experience taught him a different approach to healthy living.In this book, he outlines these as seven life-changing principles. I have used his lessons to create a template about how anyone can become more productive slowly and steadily, live a more wholesome life and not burn out.Just like Dr. Day looks outside the box, to come up with a new game plan regarding health, my model of productivity takes a different approach compared to more mainstream beliefs regarding what it takes to be productive.Step 1- Have a broader visionevalThis is more than just a goal. It is an awareness of an individual’s ultimate destination, and the ability to look at immediate tasks using the lens of this plan. When someone has a sense of where they are going, it is easier to keep up the effort of following incrementa l productivity strategies.The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel not only seems nearer, but the path to that goal is more apparent than it would have been otherwise. A broader vision also helps to light up the passion when the going gets tough, and there is a desire to give up on daily tasks.Step 2 â€" Have a master planWhile the vision is an idea, the master plan is the implementation of this idea. If your larger image is to work for ten years and then become a teacher or coach, the master plan would be a yearly breakdown of how to achieve this goal through strategic action.Daily tasks will flow out of the master plan, which is a high-level outline to reach the desired target while the functions address the actual specifics that need accomplishing.Step 3 â€" Achieve goals regularlyevalThis implies that one should not stop performing, no matter what the circumstances might be on a given day. Even if one can implement only one of many productivity strategies, like the slow and steady tortoise, the objective should be to keep working at it.A constant assessment of goal achievement should also be part of the plan. Daily productivity actions should ideally lead to the accomplishment of goals set earlier.Step 4 â€" Create a dedicated teamA sense of belonging adds to the feeling of accomplishment derived from a productivity strategy. Group work is more rewarding, in other words than being solitary. In certain situations, however, team building may not be a feasible option. This could be due to the nature of the tasks undertaken or the inability to pay salaries to a team.If team building is indeed not possible, a connection to a broader community is desirable. Without a community to reach out to, the stress of a demanding routine can be a lot more taxing.Step 5 â€" Produce quality workevalevalAiming high increases the chances of being innovative, more confident and achieving success. It is also an inspiration to work harder and be more productive.Step â€" Enjo y work in all circumstances.It is all about the journey as they say, rather than the result. Such an attitude reduces stress, keeps the morale high and lowers the chances of giving up mid-stream.Step 7 â€" Take care of one’ physical conditionHealth is wealth, as they say, and mainly while trying to lead a productive life. So, instead of assuming that one’s body will gladly follow the demands of a productive routine, the approach should be to maintain a healthy body shape. Your body needs to be able to support a productive life.Good physical condition not only improves the quality of work, but it also enhances psychological well being. Physical conditioning involves maintaining a healthy diet and following a regular exercise regimen. Finally, observe your body for signs of fatigue or more serious ailments.The overall hope is that these steps to productivity should lead to a more fulfilling life, without giving up on achieving one’s potential. It is important to remember, howeve r, as Dr. Day also explains in the context of the Chinese village, that it is best not to overthink productivity.Just like the centenarians who don’t scrutinize their lifestyle constantly. As implied in steps three and six above, the motto should be to keep at it and have an enjoyable time.More importantly, this approach to productivity is neither overtly mechanical nor completely unplanned. It is calculated, planned, while also having a comfortable rhythm that allows the individual to relax. It allows you to have fun and savor the journey towards their goal.

Job Search Quit Banging Your Head Against the Wall

Job Search Quit Banging Your Head Against the Wall Job Search: Quit Banging Your Head Against the Wall This is a story about hairspray. Well, not really. But it serves as a great metaphor for a job search. This morning, as I was getting ready, I was exhausting the last little bit of the hairspray can as I readied my hair. You know that moment- when you are shaking the can, trying to get the spray nozzle to empty that last annoying spritz that you can hear jiggling inside. As much as I wanted to get that final amount out, the can was not cooperating and instead just spraying empty aerosol at my head. Finally, I called it. And reached for the new can. In a job search, this can also be the case. Sometimes, it is best to reach for a new direction. If we keep trying to squeeze one more result out of something that is not yielding the results that we desire, we are wasting our time and energy. We know that we’ve reached the end of the road with one direction in a job search, and now it’s time to reach for the new opportunity that is much more rich with possibilities. If you are doing everything right in a job search including networking, having a polished resume, and focusing your efforts on a specific area, and you keep running into dead ends, maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s the job search direction you are going that isn’t producing the jobs you want. Maybe that career direction is going the way of the ancient dinosaur and it’s time to call off the search for openings in that area. Necessity is the mother of invention, the saying goes, and sometimes, it is necessary to move away from things that are fruitless endeavors in a job search. So if this situation sounds familiar, quit shaking that empty hairspray can hoping you’ll get the final spray out, and move on to more fertile ground. It’ll help you get the results that you desire in a job search.

Hallie Recommends True Colors career test - Hallie Crawford

Hallie Recommends True Colors career test Several people have recommended this program (True Colors) to me, saying it has transformed their business and improved the way their co-workers work together. It’s helpful and easy to use for any type of organization, or individual wanting to know their behavioral tendencies, how others perceive them, how they can work more effectively with others and what type of job is best for you. The My True Colors website allows you to take the assessment for yourself. The assessment helps you you define your work personality and your strengths which in turns enables you to understand how you operate at work, what kind of job is best for you, and how you can successfully work with others. The test defines your personality type as a color, known as a personality dimension. This program can benefit those in career transition as well as managers who can use the test with their employees and teams. It’s $22.50 for an individual assessment. Good luck, Hallie Job Transition Coach