What Makes a Great Candidate Experience

What Makes a Great Candidate Experience Why is the candidate experience so important? Well if you want to attract and hire the best employees, then youre going to have to do something to impress them in the hiring process! The individuals experience throughout this phase will be reflective of what it is like to work for the organisation, so its as essential for you to make a positive impression as an employer, as it is for the candidate to sell themselves as the best person for the job. If a candidate has a bad  experience with a particular company; for example poor communication, or a lack or organisation, then it is likely they will look elsewhere.  So if you want to hire superstars, youre going to have to wow them from the very start! So what can companies do to make the candidate experience as good as possible? We asked the Undercover Recruiter community what their thoughts are on the topic and heres what they had to say: Kelsey Sorensen Healthcare Recruiter at Pride Health Listening to the candidate and having the candidate feel like you really understand them and what they are looking for and wanting in a position. Nothing is worse than pushing a candidate in the wrong direction for the sake of money or because you dont have an opportunity that meets what they are looking for! Robin Renée Blanc I was flown in for an interview and when I checked in at the hotel, I was given a small gift bag. It came with a note from the department where I was interviewing, and had a bottle of water, some mints and hard candies, a few snacks (granola bar, etc.), a pen with the school mascot, and a couple more school logo trinkets. It was a great surprise and made me feel welcomed. Elza dos Santos Senior Recruiter at  MasterWord Services Hospitality, because if you cant treat people well when putting your best foot forward, how will you after hiring them? East Side Staffing New York based HR Recruitment Firm Its going above and beyond to make a candidate feel welcome at each step of the interviewing process. Kindness. Generosity.  Think of this way: Without treating candidates exceptionally well in the process, theyll go elsewhere. Its THAT important! Helen Blaszczyk Head of Client Solutions at  t-PHI Use techniques that are fair, transparent more specific to the role they’ll be doing. Dont be boring. Be immersive! e-Volving There are many but we think feedback is very important. Keeping candidates in the loop at all times. Yellow Monkey Marketing agency for corporate non profit organisations They have to have a spark, some raw grit to get stuck in and be a success!

4 Benefits of Getting a Business Coach - Classy Career Girl

4 Benefits of Getting a Business Coach Back in 2014, I made the best decision of my life and invested in myself. I hired a coach.  I hoped that this would be helpful to push me to where I wanted my career to go, but I had no idea what was going to happen. Here are 4 benefits I found in working individually  with a business coach: 1. Push Past  Your Fears Your coach will push you to do something scary you wouldnt do by yourself.  In the second coaching session we had back in 2014, my business coach,  Sue Painter at ConfidentMarketer.com,  told me that I needed to do my own live event. We agreed that I was behind my computer screen too much since I only had virtual clients and virtual events. I was not doing the networking that I actually teach about in my own courses.  (Oops! Practice what you preach!) It was August. She told me  it was time to have my first event in the fall before the holidays started rolling around.  I said, “Umm…it’s already mid-August, I don’t know.”  She asked me what was holding me back from having a live event?  What was I scared of? She told me to write down all of the things that I was scared of. Then she gave me a minute to write and made me share my fears with her. It was pretty obvious that when I actually told her my fears, they were pretty silly and she helped me push past them and have my own event the next month even though it was very scary. 2. Make Decisions Rationally When she asked me to list my fears, I said, “I am scared that no one will show up. I am scared that I won’t be able to afford the event and that I won’t have the time to actually make it happen.” She said, “Ok, how many people would have to be at your live event for it to be considered a success? I said, “Ten.” She said, “That’s doable. Are you willing to plan out time in your calendar to make this event happen and try to get some sponsors to help you out?” I said, “Yes. Ok, I suppose I can do this. I do like planning events but really I am just scared to fail.” This conversation with Sue helped me see  that there was a way to make sure that my biggest fears didnt happen.  It was so simple when she just asked me what I needed to do in order to make sure 10 people came to the event and what I needed to do to make sure that I was able to afford it by getting sponsors. She helped me see that it really wasnt that scary and all I needed to do was make a decision and start taking  action. 3. Accountability After that call we hung up and I started making things happen knowing that I just had another week before I would be talking to Sue again. I would have to tell her what I did and I knew she was holding me to it! I booked the hotel for the event the next day and started inviting people I had never met through LinkedIn.  I NEVER would have put this event together if  Sue  hadn’t pushed me. She knew what I was capable of if I got over my fears. That event also ended up being a major transition in my business. Not only did half the room join my course at the event, but also I met partners that helped me get on the local news station every week. Here’s the best thing of all that I want to share with you. There were OVER TWENTY people who came!!  That’s double the “success” that I had hoped. Not only that, but I found SPONSORS who helped  me with the cost and I successfully managed my time to make this event happen. I had the event recorded so I could use it later online and the photos taken at the event were my professional photos that I used for my brand for the following year.   4. Think Bigger My business coach made me dream bigger and really made me see all that I was capable of. Sometime you just need someone who believes in you to push you on to bigger and better things. That is why I highly recommend that you also get the support you need to help you become the woman that you are capable of.  

Sacred Space How Your Work Environment Impacts Productivity

Sacred Space How Your Work Environment Impacts Productivity When I left my job this past Thanksgiving I started working from home. I spent a lot of time sitting on the sofa hunched over a laptop with Netflix running for background noise as I read and wrote articles, and browsed job boards. Occasionally I’d walk up the street to my local coffee shop to work, but even that wasn’t the right environment for me to really be productive, as the tables were small and cramped, and the place was always packed. Whether you work in a corner office, on-site, or remotely, it is critical to cultivate an environment that caters to your productivity. And, as the structure of “the office” continues to change â€" with a number of companies no longer having dedicated spaces to house all their employees â€" you are going to need to figure out what works best for you. Cultivate Your Sacred Space If you work remotely and don’t have an office to go to or run a small business from home but find that being at home is too distracting, you might want to look into a coworking space. There are great options in many cities (Chicago, New York, Seattle, and D.C. to name a few) where you can rent space for a single day, have a punch card for a certain number of visits a month, or rent a desk or private office for an entire month at a time. You can even rent open space and conference rooms to host seminars, meetings, and classes. Coworking space gets you out of the house and into a quiet, organized environment designed to assist with your focus and productivity. There are even shared use kitchens already equipped with professional gear for the aspiring baker or chef. With the entire world at our digital fingertips, why not pick up your job and see the world while you work? The “digital nomad” is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular. Find your work-life balance. Go out and surf to clear your head and bring your board in to your computer when you have that “aha” moment. Always wanted to see the rainforest in Australia? No problem. Hole up in Cairns in an open air gazebo and pen that next great article. Are you in an open office space that doesn’t work for you? Don’t worry â€" you’re not alone. A recent article in The New Yorker cites a study that found open office spaces “were damaging to the workers’ attention spans, productivity, creative thinking, and satisfaction. Compared with standard offices, employees experienced more uncontrolled interactions, higher levels of stress, and lower levels of concentration and motivation.” To get in your own groove, check out [amazon template=productasin=B007SY4QTW]  or this USB light that lets your colleagues know if it’s safe to approach you. Organize Now that I’ve got a home setup that works for me, I don’t leave the house to get away from the space, I leave the house to find different perspective. (My favorite outside perspective these days is from the window counter at an authentic French patisserie just up the street.) I’m finding what’s more important is setting up visual cues to help me complete my tasks during the day. I use post-it notes organized by category. I have a notebook to jot non-critical thoughts in so I don’t forget and can review them later. Having a visual plan is key to productivity. The less clutter in your sacred space, the easier it will be for you to think. In order for me to maintain productivity, at the end of each day, I make sure my desk is set back to neutral with my starting action items for tomorrow on a note stuck to my keyboard. This little list will get me going and to fuel my ideas for the rest of the next day. So, what are your tools? How do you create a sacred space?

Smarts, Luck and Hard Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Smarts, Luck and Hard Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When the confluence of these three things happen simultaneously there can be magic in the air. Of course, that’s the magic everyone is seeking. Whether they are seeking to become a newly minted entrepreneur or whether they are a seasoned industry veteran. Corralling the  smarts, creating the luck and putting in the hard work takes effort. The good news is… each of these can be learned and earned. For those seeking to stand out in their career there is work to be done upfront. Those that put in the work up front will find that their hard work will pay off as they “create” their own luck and it will all seem like magic to an outside observer. But, they’ll know how much hard work went into their overnight success. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. ~ Thomas A. Edison Sure there are those that happen upon a great idea or have a flash of inspiration, but these magical situations are rare. It’s even more rare to know what to do… and then to do everything just right to make them commercially successful. Common sense secret: Find a problem and solve it. No matter how mundane… there are lots of nagging,  niggling little problems that people are willing to pay to fix or otherwise not have to  deal with in the first place. What would you like to drop off your list of things to do? What things would you prefer never to have to do again? How much would you pay someone to take those tasks off your plate? Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.  ~Henry Ford There is no such thing as luck As I have written about here before There is No Such Thing as Luck. While I do think this is true You can make your own luck with smarts and hard work. The luck here is in the form of timing. Timing for introductions, timing for market dynamics, timing for other effects, such as people and processes, to become available so that you can harness them for your efforts. Call it luck if you want, but luck takes a lot of hard work up front. Smarts is a relative term I think we all know someone that always seems to find the silver linings and rainbows. Weve all read about the people that have built industries. They built them with a lot of smarts and hard work. For example, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller built huge industrial conglomerates in the  USA. There are countless examples of similar ideation and industry building acumen all over the world Tata (India), Sasol (SA), Petrobras (Brazil), and Nokia (Finland). In science we hear about the discoveries of Newton, Galileo, Kepler, Einstein, and more recently of Higgs. These discoveries often took years And lots of smarts and hard work. The reason you haven’t heard of it yet is because you have not discovered it yet. ~ Spock to Scotty in Star Trek Hard work is just that It is the rare exception when something just happens. We have to put in the effort to get the returns. Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.  ~ Paulo Coelho The old adage… “Theres no replacement for experience” is often a significant component of hard work. You put in the time, you get the experience… and when it all works out right you can combine that experience with your smarts and the luck you created to build something amazing. Get started now Your next discovery may be right in front of you.  It’s going to take all the Smarts, Luck and Hard Work you can muster. I look forward to seeing your next invention and to seeing all your efforts pay off. What are your favorite examples of the confluence of Smarts, Luck and Hard Work? Please share them in the comments.

Is SEO a Good Career Choice CareerMetis.com

Is SEO a Good Career Choice Choosing the right career for you is one of the most important aspects that could impact your future growth and happiness. That’s why this decision-making process should not be disregarded.There’s a lot of career paths one may choose from nowadays depending on his abilities, perceptions, preferences, and passion. And one of the most recognized careers worldwide is the recently emerging field of SEO or Search Engine Optimization.evalIt covers a very large scope of virtual and offline businesses that seek SEO services. Many youngsters opt to choose this career since it offers plenty of opportunities in all other business sectors.However, many young professionals who are still looking to start their career in SEO often wonder whether it is a good road to take or not because of the different misconceptions regarding this industry.So to tell you, joining an SEO company is a pretty good idea if you seriously want to prosper in life and be a successful person! So read on as this article will help you to be enlightened with all the important things you have to know before entering this career in SEO.What is Search Engine Optimization?SEO or Search Engine Optimization is the science and art of web page optimization with the goal of being found by search engines like Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc.It is part of science because you will be dealing with the website’s technicalities like codes, information architecture, etc.An SEO could be also described as a process of making the marketing of goods as efficiently as possible. It plays a fundamental role in the growth of different businesses out there since it promotes their online visibility to the target market.It basically seeks to provide the best available resources nearest to people and makes it easier for them to gain access to it by creating an online mirror image of real-world communities.Why You Should Choose SEO as Your CareerevalBecause of the growing popularity of internet-driven businesses, the emerging field of Search Engine Optimization can be considered as one of the most promising and profitable professions nowadays.As you can see, the SEO industry is growing so fast and it is a good choice to take this as your professional career. The list of reasons below will surely convince you.1) High Demand for SEO ServicesevalSearch engine optimization services provide help to people’s business websites in order for it to cope up and adjust with the different search engines And for this very reason, a noticeably increased demand for search engine optimization experts is foreseeable.2) Makes Good MoneyAs an SEO professional, you can work for a particular company or as an individual practitioner. You have the freedom to choose and still, expect to earn a lot. And if you are wondering how much is a lot, you can take look at the Craiglist and Dice, a popular job board that can give you some idea about the compensational rates offered to SEO professionals.If you choose to work for a particular co mpany, you will probably get the same salary amount with the developers, designers, and marketers or even a higher rate in some situations.But if you’re planning to work as a freelance practitioner, you don’t have to worry because it will just be the same with working for a company since you will surely get a lot of freelance projects.3) Added Value to your ExpertiseIf you’re a search engine expert with a piece of good knowledge about web designing or developing, it will be advantageous since most of the website owners are looking for a company or a professional who is competent and equipped with skills to render more than one service at the same time.Website owners looking for people who can do both because it is way lot cheaper because it is such a nuisance to look for a designer to create their website and then hunt for an SEO company or a freelancer to make it search engine friendly.By extending your expertise and bettering your prospects, you can increase your value and e arn more than expected!4) Logical Step AheadYou can be one step ahead of your competitors if you’re a marketer or an advertiser who is already working for an online platform with some knowledge about search engine optimization. But if you are not, it is a logical step to take the initiative in learning new skills that can improve you.Possessing knowledge about search engine optimization can be a game-changer even if it is just the basics. Remember that the expert’s knowledge has just evolved from the basics; you just have to be patient.5) Ability to Work From AnywhereevalevalOne of the perks of being a search engine optimizer is that you can work instantly from anywhere and anytime that you want either alone or not. You can also work home base or do it during a vacation on the beach!You might not be able to meet your client personally because there is a high probability that he or she lives on the other side of the globe as well that is why the presence of different communicatio n tools is very important.6) Certified CareerIf you’re thinking that search engine optimization is just another sideline, well, think again. There are actually legit and viable courses and exams for SEO practitioners. These courses will give you eye-opener knowledge about how important and how rewarding SEO is.And if you are also thinking that this profession won’t last long, maybe it is time for you to look at your surroundings. The fast escalation of today’s technology offers the SEO profession’s more futuristic and infinite possibilities. It is currently at its nascent stage and it is here to stay.What are the Recommended Skill Acquisitions?The technological advancement and the use of the internet continue to widen the portal of endless opportunities for search engine experts. So if you are thinking now of the different requirements upon entering this career, the list below will guide you:eval1) Master Google’s Webmaster GuidelinesAs an SEO, it is important that you mas tered Google’s webmaster guidelines because it is obviously the most prominent search engine known in the world.And you are called search engine optimizer so it is important for you to have or to learn how search engines work and how you can optimize it.2) Learn How PPC WorksPPC or Pay per Click provides an immediate result. Businesses pay for it so that their websites will be placed on the sponsored result section by the search engine.It is important for an SEO to learn or to have knowledge on how to effectively use the result of PPC in analyzing possible realistic outcomes and the state of the website’s offered products.3) Development Skills Could Set You ApartIt is important that you have a more advanced skill that could set you apart from other competitors. If you can offer more of your expertise, you will surely stand out and this is advantageous for you!4) Learn Offline Local MarketingSince we are talking about the virtual world of the internet, it doesn’t mean that the spin of the 3D world will no longer matter. In fact, you should learn the offline local marketing in order for you to be more critical and logical in analyzing how to effectively optimize a website.5) Study A Second LanguageYou might not be able to personally meet the person who owns the website you are working on with. That is why communication will be a critical aspect of this career.That is why it is an advantage for you if you have the knowledge or studied a second language since people who ask for your service area from the other part of the globe.6) Follow the Leaders!This is the most important thing to learn. You must know how to follow your leaders since they are your leaders for a reason. They have more experiences than you do, and they know more than you do.As online marketing tactics continue to evolve faster than educational systems can keep up, understanding your field through outside sources is now more important than ever.Keep in mind that this adaptability might mean learning some things that might intimidate you at first but you should not step back. SEO is an exciting field that really allows professionals to learn and grow with their passion.

NHS Receptionist Interview Questions Top Tips On How To Pass!

NHS Receptionist Interview Questions Top Tips On How To Pass! One of the most important, and often understated, roles within the NHS â€" is that of receptionists. Receptionists play a key role in NHS customer care protocols, and in delivering a fast, efficient medical service, that is second to none.In order to work as an NHS receptionist, you’ll need a very particular set of skills. In this blog, we’ll run you through the day to day role of an NHS receptionist, and give you some great tips on how to pass the NHS receptionist interview.#section_276465900{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}The Role of an NHS Receptionist #row-18525677.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}In very simple terms, the job of an NHS Receptionist is to manage the greeting and scheduling of visitors to the hospital, answer and deal with phone calls/appointments, maintain a clear line of communication with doctors and other staff at the hospital, and ensure that the ward or hospital they are working in runs smoothly. While this is a very simple description, it goes without saying that all of the aforementioned take tremendous amounts of organisation and skill. Let’s look at these in more detail.Manage the greeting and scheduling of visitors to the hospital As a receptionist, you are the first person that a patient meets/sees when they arrive. This means that, very often, you will be dealing with distressed or upset people, who are in pain or scared. Put yourself in the position of a patient. How would you want to be treated in this situation? You would want someone with a calming, reassuring presence, who treats you with respect and dignity. It’s imperative that NHS receptionists can remain calm under pressure, and display impeccable customer service skills. The latter will be a key phrase during the NHS Receptionist interview, so take note of this.Answering and dealing with phone calls/appointments As an NHS receptionist, your organisation skills will be paramount to the role. It’s extremely important that you have things in or der, and therefore any experience of scheduling and managing appointments will be very useful in this respect. Obviously, you’ll be working with other receptionists, so you won’t have to do everything on your own, but you can probably imagine that things get very complicated when it comes to a service such as the NHS. This is also why you need to be good at the next area…Maintaining a clear line of communication with doctorsAs a receptionist, your ability to communicate and maintain a good relationship with medical staff is imperative. The NHS is a team effort, and everyone on the medical team (doctors, nurses, receptionists) need to operate from the same page and work as a unit. During your interview, you can expect to be quizzed on your ability to cooperate with others and work as part of a team.#section_1149323918{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px} #image_533023667{width:100%}#section_1130771490{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}What qualities do you have that would make you a good NHS receptionist? #row-372791244.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}This is a very common opening question, and is a fantastic opportunity for you to sell yourself to the interview. So, do it! Tell the interviewer all about your skills and how they link up with the particular requirements for this role.Think about what makes a good NHS receptionist: teamwork, customer service, organisation, a genuine care for patients, and then show the interviewer that you have all of these skills. When formulating your response to this question, try not to just list the qualities, as this will make your answer seem false. Instead, take the time to expand on each individual point.For example: ‘One reason I think I’d be a good NHS receptionist, is that I’m a really organised person. I understand that this is important in a service such as the NHS, which requires staff to maintain a tight schedule, and adhere to appointment accuracy.’Top Tips For Answering This Ques tion Study the job description before you attend the interview. Learn the key skills and qualities that the interview is looking for, and think about how they relate to you personally.Don’t just list the qualities â€" make sure you expand on them!Think about what makes a really good NHS receptionist, and then use this during your interview!#section_757392054{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}How do you think you would cope when working under pressure? #row-1822523713.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}This is a very apt and important question. Working as an NHS receptionist is not like other receptionist roles. You will be under severe pressure at many points â€" and you must be able to handle this and organise yourself in the right way. Hospitals sink or swim based on their staff’s ability to manage themselves in times of crisis, and for this reason it’s important to the interviewers to hire somebody who can handle tough days.When answering this question, try to give a personal or professional example of when you’ve been under severe stress, but still managed to stay calm and professional, achieving a great result despite adversity.Top Tips For Answering This QuestionThe interviewers will want to see that you have the mindset and confidence to deal with stressful situations â€" so make sure you show them this.Pre-prepare for the interview, by thinking about situations where you’ve coped with adversity, to achieve a good resolution.#section_1427367846{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}How would you handle an angry patient? #row-2123856781.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}Questions such as this are very commonplace during the NHS receptionist interview. The interviewers want to see how you would deal with everyday situations â€" and this is something you are very likely to encounter at one point or another if you are working for the NHS as a receptionist. The key to answering this is to demonstrate your impeccable customer service skills, and your empathy for others. For example:‘If an angry patient came to the desk, then the first thing I would do would be to try to calm them down so they could explain the issue clearly, and so that we could resolve the situation. I understand that often, patients are frightened or scared. Hospitals are intimidating places, and it would be my role as a receptionist to lessen this fear and make things comfortable for everyone.’ Essentially, you need to show an awareness of people’s emotions, and how they might be feeling in a stressful scenario, rather than making the situation worse. The NHS wants receptionists who show impeccable customer service skills.Top Tips For Answering This QuestionShow your empathy and understanding for others. It’s better to try and understand why someone is angry, than getting angry yourself.This is a customer service-related question! So, demonstrate your customer service skills!Remember that the interviewers are looking for a cal ming, reassuring person, not someone who responds angrily to customer complaints.#section_2002346527{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px} #image_1268055504{width:100%}If you want to further increase your chances of securing an NHS career, then we’ve got the perfect resource for you! Our NHS interview hub is jam-packed with tips and tricks on how answer just about any medical interview question that you can think of. So, don’t hang around. Sign up below, and get notified on how YOU can join the NHS! First Name * Email * I agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy. * By subscribing you are agreeing to How2Become’s Privacy Policy and for How2Become Ltd to contact you with marketing information relating to NHS careers and How2Become’s resources and offers. *Get NHS Interview Advice »#section_1569036280{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px} This entry was posted in Interviews, Job Competencies, NHS. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke NHS Graduate Scheme Video Inte rview: Secure Your NHS Career!Ex-Thomas Cook Employees: What Happens Next?

Tips On How To Get The Best Resume Writing Resources

Tips On How To Get The Best Resume Writing ResourcesWith the help of the Internet and other best resume writing resources, you can find just about everything you want to know about how to write a perfect resume. If you are lucky enough to have that kind of fortune, then you can hire the services of a professional to do all the heavy lifting for you. On the other hand, if you are more likely not to have that kind of fortune, but you would still like to impress your employer, then here are some tips on the most basic types of resume writing resources.The first resource you should consider in order to find out what to include in your resume is a resume writing book. These books will help you make your own resume that is based on your ideas and skills. You may not like the idea of writing your own resume, but with the help of a writing book, you will be able to do just that. As you can imagine, it will cost you a lot of money, but the end result will be worth it. Using a writing book, yo u will be able to perfect your resume right from the very start.Second, you should consider writing essays on different topics related to your job experience. This will let your employer know exactly what you have learned about the job that you are applying for. It will also let him or her know that you can write well for this particular job. And when you do well, they will not be afraid to promote you to the next level.Third, you should also consider using essay-writing software as part of your resume writing process. These programs will do the heavy lifting for you by pulling together all your pieces of information and setting them all together in one cohesive piece of work. This will help you save time and get your resume done more quickly. You may have to pay for it, but it is well worth it.Fourth, if you are considering hiring an editor to give you a great resume, then you should consider checking out an online review of editing companies. In most cases, you will find that ther e are several such reviews on the web. You can check out these reviews in order to make sure that you have found the right one. Once you have narrowed down your search, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you will be able to select the right company for you.Fifth, if you want to find out what other people think about resume writing resources, you should ask them to share their opinions. Some of these experts may feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts because of their professional reputation. However, there are many people who do not mind sharing their opinions because it shows that they have put in the work to create the best resume they could and then shared it with the world. This is your chance to make your resume more credible and come across as someone who cares about the job you are applying for.Remember, there are no shortcuts to writing a good resume. Your work will determine whether you will get the job or not. There are many resources out there that wil l show you how to get started on the road to success.