7 Signs Your Candidate is Just Not That Into Your Role

7 Signs Your Candidate is Just Not That Into Your Role It’s a sad but familiar  story. You find the perfect person for the job. They’re qualified, experienced and within budget. Boxes ticked. As time goes by you  let your client fall more in love with them, only to have them pull out at the eleventh hour. Why? Because the perfect person never cared as much as you did. You were blinded by their profile on paper and missed the red flags. Apart from having lost time and a placement,  you’re now back to square one with a  client offside. And to make matters worse, hindsight  shows you  how it all could have been avoided So what are  the signs youre being strung along? 1. Poor communication: Not answering calls, ignoring emails, going MIA for days. As well as being incredibly frustrating, this kind of behaviour is totally avoidable in today’s technological age. Excuses, excuses… call them out. 2. Obsession with money: Of course the package has to be appealing, but watch out for people who can’t stop talking dollars, cents, pounds and pence. They might just be  sizing up their market value to negotiate a pay rise. 3. Bad diary management: Showing up late, rescheduling last-minute, getting held up. Clumsy organisation means their heart’s not in it. 4. Lack of questions: We all like a Yes Man. Jim Carrey showed us that saying “yes more leads us  to happiness. But be wary of a candidate that says it too quickly without probing for details. How can they be passionate about something they know so little about? 5. Careless reaction to feedback: Praise doesn’t excite them and criticism doesn’t faze them. If they’re not fussed about their performance, they’re not fussed about getting the job. 6. Serial interviewing: If their CV is flying all around town and every finger’s dipped in a different pie, what’s driving the urgency behind the job hunt? Find out what’s motivating them and make sure your job spec is more than just a Get Out of Jail Free Card. 7. Hesitance to meet you: You invite them for coffee and they can’t find the time. You are the gatekeeper to their career, so why wouldn’t they jump at the chance  to win you over? And more alarmingly, who turns down a free coffee? Be sure to keep your time-waster  radar switched ON at all times, even if youre sure youve found the one.  If  youre working with a candidate who is  showing one or more of these signs, why not call them out on it early and save yourself the heartache? Image: Shutterstock

Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills Step-by-Step Guide

Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills Step-by-Step Guide For the most part people try to improve the way they communicate with others by how they speak, however, there is another side â€" non-verbal communication. It’s estimated that non-verbal communication is responsible for 93% of communication, which means you cannot afford to not pay attention to it whilst you’re trying to improve communication skills. What is nonverbal communication? To better understand how to improve non-verbal communication you need to understand what it entails. It includes facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, body movements, posture and a whole lot more. Many of these are done automatically without realizing yourself in a subconscious manner. However, when you become aware of these nonverbal elements you can become to change them to create the effect that you want. How to improve non-verbal communication Now that you can see the importance of non-verbal communication and what it’s about here are some of the top ways of improving it: Face people When you’re communicating with people you need to face them as it allows you to establish a deeper connection with them. Also if you’re giving a presentation then try to look at the audience as much as possible. Avoid looking at your notes or the presentation screen as much as you can. Practising your material so that you know it well means you can keep your eyes on the audience. Maintain eye contact One of the by-products of maintaining regular eye contact is developing a sense of trust with the person you’re communicating with. It also illustrates that you are open to having an open line of communication. However, don’t go crazy and maintain too much eye contact as that can be counterproductive. It must be spread out and deliver in regular doses in a natural manner. However, by practising you will enable yourself to feel comfortable maintaining eye contact regardless of who you’re communicating with. However, if you’re interacting with a crowd of people then you can maintain eye contact with different members of the crowd. So scan the room and try to spread the eye contact towards different sections of the audience. Smile The language used to communicate will differ depending on where you are in the world, but smiling works regardless of your location â€" it’s universal. A smile is a non-verbal signal to the person that you’re in a happy or good mood and you’re open to having a warm conversation. It will make the other person feel comfortable and more open to have an honest communication with you. One way of winning people over to your side of a controversial argument is by inducing a sense of warmth into the conversation and smiling is a great way to do that. You need to use a good dose of charm when arguing with people so that you can sway them in the direction that you want. Tone of your voice You can get a lot of information about the state of one’s mind by the tone of their voice. Even if they utter just a few words you can learn from the tone of their voice if they are happy, angry, agitated and so on. Controlling the tone of your own voice allows you to induce certain feelings into the conversation. For example, if you need something done fast and want to express that time is of the essence then you can use the right tone. Next time consider the tone you are using and it might be the reason why you’re not getting the outcome you want. A firm handshake When you shake the hand of a person you want to impress a firm handshake is a must. A firm handshake is an indicator that you are alert and present in the room. And it also shows that you are confident. A confident person is one that’s worth listening to, so you need to get this first step right when meeting someone. Also don’t be scared to have a strong handshake with a female, because the same rules apply. You might be tempted to go for a softer handshake, but that can be counterproductive. Personal appearance How you’re dressed and present yourself will say a lot to the person you’re communicating with. If you’re in a professional business setting then ensure you look smart and have the appropriate clothing.   If you want to be taken seriously then you need to look the part. However, if you are in a casual atmosphere and don’t want to exuberate a serious feel to your communication then you need to relax your clothing to a more casual wardrobe. Conclusion The different tips mentioned above are just some of the different considerations that must be made when considering your non-verbal communication. You’ll see that with practise you’ll get better at not only recognizing the different signals you’re giving off, but also how to change them to match the desired effect. However, there is an overwhelming number of other nonverbal communication signals that you need to be aware of and constantly learning to improve is the way to go. Once you’re able to master some of these communication signals you can begin to get the outcome of an interaction with a much higher degree of success. This guest post was authored by Sharon Hooper Sharon is a marketing specialist and blogger from Manchester, UK. When she has a minute, she loves to share a few of her thoughts about marketing, writing and blogging with you. Currently, she is working as a marketer at the writing service Essayontime. Follow Sharon on Facebook.

Top Holiday Reads Great Careers Resources

Top Holiday Reads Great Careers Resources If you’re familiar with the adage that people spend more time planning their holidays than their careers, then what better way to combine both activities and taking one of our top Careers resources recommendations on vacation? Whether you’ve recently graduated and have been procrastinating on what to do next, if your parents or loved ones keep asking ‘what you’re going to do with that degree now you owe all that money’ or whether you’re stuck in a job that’s not right for you, our recommendations should help to kick start your career planning. At Warwick the Careers Team has come up with a list of recommendations. What color is your parachute?  Richard N. Bolles A  great book if you’ve no idea how to get started on your career planning. Completing a range of activities designed to help you identify your values, motivations, skills and interests you are better placed to explore where you might best find a home for these. The book then moves on to how to develop a network and explores strategies for applying to jobs whether these are advertised or ‘hidden.’ How to Get a Job You Love   John Lees This book applies similar principles to those in the‘parachute’ book but is written for a UK audience and had great practical tips on applications, interviews, tactics and approaches to take in your job search. The Success Code John Lees If you are an introvert and the very idea of networking makes you feel slightly nauseous, Lees breaks down into manageable steps how to approach the development of a valuable network without having to resort to ‘business card speed networking’ ghastliness.  Instead of talking about your “brand” it asks what would you like people to be recommending you for when you’re not in the room.   I really liked this notion. The Confidence Code   Katty Kay and Claire Shipman If you are a woman who lacks self-confidence,  while The Confidence Code is not strictly a careers book, it does explore how you can develop your self-assurance in the workplace so you are better placed not just to to survive but thrive there and (where it’s possible to negotiate your salary) better placed to do so. I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was   Barbara Sher This book explores getting off the fast track and onto the right track, finding your direction, overcoming personal blocks and creating your own luck and opportunities. It’s written in a very encouraging style and may help you think laterally about how to approach your career planning in order to find fulfillment. Mindset   Carol Dweck Mindset is currently trending, with many recruiters placing increased emphasis on attitudes and behaviours in the workplace, so a move to greater emphasis on how you come across rather than your transferable skills. Carol Dweck’s best selling book explores how you have the ability to control  your approach to the world and your response what life throws at you. Topics explore ability, leadership, learning, dealing with failure, love and friendships. The ability to be open to learning, change and growth develops your personal resilience and will make you more employable. From Average to A+  Alex Linley Explores how you can harness your Strengths and focus on developing those qualities you are both good at and enjoy, combining these in order to develop excellence. Given Strengths is a hot topic, with increasing numbers of the larger graduate recruiters incorporating strengths in their recruitment processes, it’s worth understanding what yours are and how you can describe and articulate these in applications and at interview. How to Find Fulfilling work   Roman Krznaric Explores how to find fulfilling work that is of the right status for us, makes good use of our talents and is also meaningful to us, while balancing our needs and pressure to earn money Talk  like Ted: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the Worlds Top Minds  Carmine Gallow   Deconstructs the ingredients of successful TED talks, the principles of which can be usefully applied to any presentation you may be required to give, of any length- not just the standard 18 minutes most presenters must adhere to when giving TED Talks. Helpful for preparing for presentations as part of the assessment centre process, especially if you don’t have long to prepare one. (I have tried these out, by the way and they work really well). New Scientist   For science students this is  a particularly valuable resource. Yes it has a careers section with careers advice and jobs listing which include a great many post-doctoral opportunities but the most valuable thing is to be able to get a good overview of developments in a diverse range of scientific fields. On this blog we often talk about the utility of commercial awareness   and part of that awareness is being able to anticipate what the next big thing might be! Be that defibrillator drones , novel materials made of bacteria or air breathing rocket engines. As careers professionals we are usually pretty good at helping students tackle the graduate job market in the here and now but getting to grips with what the future might hold can be trickier and anything students can do to get insights to this has got to be valuable! Windmills   A very practical toolkit that breaks down career planning and applications. Job is a fantastic tool to help people think about their motivation   and evidence for applying. Thinking about the skills you have used and your evidence helps you to think what you have and to think about the skills you would like to develop. It helps you to match up to the skills you need to do a particular role and consider your potential as this will take you from graduate through to senior management and deal with change and transformation Job Interview Success- Be Your Own Coach  Jenny Rogers Jenny Rogers has been an executive coach for a number of years as well as an accomplished writer. This book takes a down to earth approach, encouraging you to explore whether you actually want the job you’re applying for, and providing wisdom and guidance on how to prepare for interviews and provide compelling answer N.B. Quite a few of these books can be downloaded or purchased second hand.      

Where Are You Going And Who Are You Taking With You

Where Are You Going And Who Are You Taking With You “If you’re wanting to do something to change the world and make it a fundamentally better place, you need to be around the right people.” Justin Caden, a 29-year-old electrical engineer quoted in a New York Times article about  hacker hostels A coworker shared this article with our team and I loved this guys sentiment. I could not agree more. Last semester when I was in school, I wrote a couple of posts on my personal blog about my creativity/entrepreneurship class at Miami University. I didnt write about the last day of class when our professor posed the question: Where are you going, and who are you taking with you? I guess its more of a hypothetical question, but it made me think, and it made me feel inspired and anxious at the same time. Looking past my literal answer (Chicago, and no one) I think about how his question relates to our personal mission statements in life. People ask me all the time what I want to do everyone wants to know everyone elses life plan. I honestly want to change the world its just that I have no idea what I really want to be doing. There is so much on my list and so much more to learn about myself and the world around me. The part Im confident about is wanting to add meaning to my life and others lives surrounded by inspiring people who challenge each other and are working toward a common goal. (And I think a lot of people feel the same way whether they know it or not). When my professor threw out the question, I couldnt say the same thing as when people ask what I want to do it made me think in a new way. I didnt have an answer sitting in class that day, and I didnt give it much thought until I read this quote in the hackers hostel article. Justin Caden, a complete stranger to me, said: “If you’re wanting to do something to change the world and make it a fundamentally better place, you need to be around the right people.” Lightbulb. Im there literally and figuratively as I sit in my desk at my internship surrounded by people who are willing to answer my questions, show me the ropes, work hard, learn from and support each other. Yeah, I could be writing this post to suck up in an obnoxious way, but I feel genuinely inspired by this place, the atmosphere, the people, what Im learning and the work Im doing. How many people can look you in the eye and tell you that? (I really dont know, I just feel lucky). So, where are you going, and who are you taking with you?

The Average Hourly Rate For Resume Writing In Southern California

The Average Hourly Rate For Resume Writing In Southern CaliforniaSo, how does the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California compare to the rest of the country? Does it really matter? What's the best way to ensure that you get your fair pay for your efforts?For a while, the most common line of questioning asked about how the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California stacks up against the rest of the country was 'How can they be so much less expensive?' Now that it's probably pretty apparent to you why this isn't the right question to ask, let's talk about why this kind of question is even being asked at all.As you can imagine, the cost of living is far more affordable in Southern California than anywhere else in the country. It's not that this region of the country is somehow less productive or that it has lower standards for job applicants. What's different about this region of the country is that its cost of living has been artificially inflat ed by the state of California.The price of living is one of the most important factors affecting the cost of the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California. If you're just south of the ocean and you've got a great resume, then you're looking at a fairly decent salary - you're not going to get hit with a 25% wage increase because the cost of living in Southern California has gone up. However, if you are in the other half of the country and you're just trying to land a great position, it makes a lot of difference.The exact numbers vary depending on where you're interviewing and how much experience you have, but most job applicants have heard it said that your experience in this field determines the rate that you receive. Again, this is partially true. If you're one of the more experienced applicants in this market, chances are that you'll receive a higher rate than the average applicant who hasn't done as much work.As far as how the rate for resume writing in Southe rn California stacks up against the rest of the country, it's actually a little different. The best thing to do is look at a variety of different samples - job applications from around the country and apply for the same job. That way, you can get a better idea of what to expect, and since resumes from different companies tend to vary, this is a very good way to determine the averages.One last thing to consider about the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California is the fact that if the company you're applying for has been doing this for a while, they may not need you anymore. As a result, if you're trying to get into the new company, they may be willing to give you a lower rate in order to keep you.So while it might seem like there is no reason to ask how the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California stacks up against the rest of the country, it's definitely worth a few moments of thought. After all, if you're applying for a job in this area, y ou're probably one of the most qualified applicants in the entire country!

The Average Hourly Rate For Resume Writing In Southern California

The Average Hourly Rate For Resume Writing In Southern CaliforniaSo, how does the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California compare to the rest of the country? Does it really matter? What's the best way to ensure that you get your fair pay for your efforts?For a while, the most common line of questioning asked about how the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California stacks up against the rest of the country was 'How can they be so much less expensive?' Now that it's probably pretty apparent to you why this isn't the right question to ask, let's talk about why this kind of question is even being asked at all.As you can imagine, the cost of living is far more affordable in Southern California than anywhere else in the country. It's not that this region of the country is somehow less productive or that it has lower standards for job applicants. What's different about this region of the country is that its cost of living has been artificially inflat ed by the state of California.The price of living is one of the most important factors affecting the cost of the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California. If you're just south of the ocean and you've got a great resume, then you're looking at a fairly decent salary - you're not going to get hit with a 25% wage increase because the cost of living in Southern California has gone up. However, if you are in the other half of the country and you're just trying to land a great position, it makes a lot of difference.The exact numbers vary depending on where you're interviewing and how much experience you have, but most job applicants have heard it said that your experience in this field determines the rate that you receive. Again, this is partially true. If you're one of the more experienced applicants in this market, chances are that you'll receive a higher rate than the average applicant who hasn't done as much work.As far as how the rate for resume writing in Southe rn California stacks up against the rest of the country, it's actually a little different. The best thing to do is look at a variety of different samples - job applications from around the country and apply for the same job. That way, you can get a better idea of what to expect, and since resumes from different companies tend to vary, this is a very good way to determine the averages.One last thing to consider about the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California is the fact that if the company you're applying for has been doing this for a while, they may not need you anymore. As a result, if you're trying to get into the new company, they may be willing to give you a lower rate in order to keep you.So while it might seem like there is no reason to ask how the average hourly rate for resume writing in Southern California stacks up against the rest of the country, it's definitely worth a few moments of thought. After all, if you're applying for a job in this area, y ou're probably one of the most qualified applicants in the entire country!

How to Value a Business - CareerAlley

How to Value a Business - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Starting a business from scratch isnt the only way to build an empire and establish a long-term financial investment. Buying an existing business comes with many advantages and is often considered a less risky investment if youve done your research. Whether youre looking at management rights for sale, a franchise or a small owner-operator store, conducting an analysis of the business will help ensure youre buying a viable investment. As you search through for sale listings, keep these top 3 signs that a business is worth buying in mind. source 1. The numbers add up It might sound obvious that a good sign of a worthy business is that the numbers add up, but a surprising number of entrepreneurs fail to do a thorough analysis of the books before buying into the dream. This is where a good business broker can come in handy as many businesses are either overpriced or dont provide full financial disclosure upfront. Unless you know what it is youre looking for, you could miss something substantial such as a few outstanding debts or legal fees that youll end up inheriting. Whether youre looking at management rights for sale, a franchise or a small owner-operator store, conducting an analysis of the business will help ensure youre buying a viable investment. Tweet This Looking at the business balance sheets, cash flow and income statements, footnotes and tax returns for at least the last 3 years will help give you a good indication of the health of the business. If the numbers add up thats a positive sign the business could be a viable investment. 2. A good reputation Small businesses rely on a good, loyal customer base so a positive reputation is one of the key signs a business is worth buying. Today, its easier than ever before to research what the customers have to say. Jump on the businesss social media platforms and read the comments. Do a Google search to see if there are any forums where people are talking about the product or service. Have a friendly chat with the locals on the street. Check the business bureau, ombudsman or industry associations to make sure there havent been any complaints about the business. During your research, youll discover how active the business is in the community and online. This may be a red flag or it may a way for you to expand and grow the business when you take it over. Unsplash 3. Loyal, well-trained staff Another good sign a business is worth buying is if there are well-trained and loyal staff members who are keen to remain employed after an acquisition of the business. It shows the current owner has taken the time and energy to ensure the business runs smoothly and has created a positive working environment. Are you tired of the 9 to 5 grind? Maybe your industry or the company you work for are headed for failure. Or maybe you are just tired of working for other people and want to manage your own destiny. Whatever your reasons for thinking about making a drastic change in your career, there are tons of career alternatives that you can consider. You may even be starting your own business. 5 Ideas for Starting Your Own Business These employees will become one of your most valuable assets as it gives you time to work on the business rather than in it. An existing crew of trained employees also alleviates the stress of interviewing, hiring and training new staff. They can also help educate you on the systems, the customer base, and the products. Theyre likely to give you valuable and honest insight into what is currently working and whats not which will help you as you grow and put your own stamp on the business. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How concerns about health care plans affect your business and your employees

How concerns about health care plans affect your business and your employees How concerns about health care plans affect your business and your employees Health care can be an absolute headache for both businesses and employees. For HR managers who are trying to keep their employees happy and healthy, managing it can feel like an actual illness. As someone who’s spent the last 15 years helping companies choose and manage their health care plans, Cheryl Swirnow, co-founder and CEO of Sherpaa, noticed that many businesses are failing to use their benefits efficiently. In most cases, the cause is either the choice of the wrong plan for their business type or the inability to properly educate employees on what their insurance policies cover. The result is a workforce that does not proactively seek out preventative medical care, ultimately leading to a loss of overall productivity and an “unhealthy” business. First steps In order for businesses to attract new professionals and retain their current employees, they first need to identify optimal health insurance plans by understanding their particular needs and scaling programs for the size and budget of the organization. Next, businesses need to implement user-centered solutions that help employees navigate the health insurance landscape, which is where most problems can arise. Once employees understand what their health insurance does and does not cover, they will avoid overcharges and billing errors, saving them both time and money. However, jumping the hurdle of employee comprehension can be harder than it may seem. Studies on health care literacy today actually show that the majority of Americans know very little about how health insurance works. This may be caused by the simple fact that businesses lack the resources to guide employees through the ins and outs of an insurance plan, and the insurance companies don’t provide the resources either. This is the stage at which a telehealth service or third party consultancy can become a valuable tool, working both with HR managers and with a company’s employees. The service works with HR managers to identify the most strategic benefits packages to offer. And many offer employees the ability to speak with insurance guides who will help them understand their bills and communicate with providers and insurance companies on their behalf to resolve any issues. Benefits of efficiency According to Swirnow, improving the efficiency of health insurance policies not only improves employee health and satisfaction, but also has real impact on operational costs. For example, last year, the average small business in New York saw a 14 percent premium increase. For Sherpaa’s customers, however, this fee hike was 2.35 percent due to the effectiveness of policy and benefits management. In today’s climate of health insurance mergers that increasingly create conglomerates and may affect annual group rate premiums, HR managers will have to be even more strategic in identifying and delivering the right health plans to their employees. The threat of health insurance monopolies with no incentive to compete for the wellbeing of the end customer (your employees) makes it more important than ever for HR professionals to be informed when it comes to choosing the right group health plan. And Swirnow recommends, “If you need help, ask for it!” Third-party navigators can be a lifesaver for HR managers overwhelmed by regulations and the repercussions of changing legislation. Ultimately, it is only by being strategic and making careful decisions in choosing a group policy that HR managers will be able to “future-proof” their organization’s most important resource: a healthy and happy workforce.