Saturday, May 30, 2020

5 Tips on Encouraging Women in Business

5 Tips on Encouraging Women in Business Tips on encouraging more women to progress in business are just as effective for encouraging more men to stay and climb the career ladder in your organisation as well. The aim is to create a culture where everyone can work in a way which makes them feel productive and engaged. Identifying any unconscious bias and barriers to progression, and finding positive solutions, helps to build people friendly workplaces which support both genders to thrive. So how can this be broken down into proactive steps? 1. Show encouragement and give employees a voice Despite having all the knowledge, intelligence, skills and expertise, some people are held back by their own self-doubt when it comes to climbing the career ladder. Often referred to as ‘Imposter syndrome’, research by McKinsey shows that more women than men are likely to experience this. If you spot the potential, attitude and enthusiasm you are looking for, then back that employee to do the job. Help develop their confidence and self-belief by looking for opportunities to get them involved in projects which are crucial to the business, empower them to take on broader responsibilities and open the way for them to proactively contribute in meetings and discussions. There’s a strong chance they will thrive and, in turn, your business will benefit. 2. Coaching and mentoring Coaching and mentoring can help people to realise their full potential and to develop their own authentic leadership style. A study by Grant Thornton revealed that one of the most significant things in helping women to succeed in leadership was having a mentor or sponsor. Find opportunities to match up-and-coming talent with sponsors, mentors or coaches. This could be from within the organisation itself, or via external networking and business growth schemes. Another study by Cambridge University showed that there is also a benefit to pairing people of different genders together. While many people seek a mentor or sponsor of the same gender because they perceive there will be more common ground, this research suggests that picking a mentor of the opposite gender will help people to appreciate what the workplace looks like from a different point of view. This not only encourages both parties to learn from each other’s strengths it opens opportunities for men and women to work together in tackling unconscious bias and barriers to progression. 3. Flexibility can make all the difference It’s equally vital for both male and female employees to strike the delicate balance between work and home life to be able to effectively manage their career life cycle and to continue to excel. Flexible working practices can give families more choice about how they manage their households and help both parents to successfully progress their careers. For example, an increasing number of men are choosing to work flexibly, often leaving early to pick up children from school. That’s why flexible working is one of the most sought-after employee benefits and organisations which able to offer it are more likely to be able to attract and retain the best talent. Flexibility can come in many forms and bring additional business benefits. Extending business hours so employees can come in earlier, or leave later, can also benefit customers by increasing the time in which the organisation is contactable. Toyota famously introduced a 6-hour working day in 2002 and has reported happier staff, reduced sick leave and higher profits. Flexible working may not be suitable for all businesses but the overall aim should still be on developing a company culture which is focussed on results and outcomes and not the amount of time spent in the office. Check that there isn’t any mistaken perception amongst employees that working extra hours will help to demonstrate how committed and valuable they are. 4. Monitor your talent pipeline Start from the beginning when exploring the talent pipeline. Is there an equal balance of men and women joining the organisation in junior roles in the first place? At what point does the number of women start to decline? If you don’t know why people fail to climb the career ladder at your organisation you can’t make any changes. Are women being put off going for promotion because director jobs are mainly occupied by men? Are junior employees aware of the career progression opportunities available to them? Take time to find out the reasons behind any trends discovered when investigating your talent pipeline, as they could be surprising. For example, a recent study by Ambition UK showed that while it was commonly assumed that women left the workplace due to family reasons, for most women (62%) a lack of perceived career progression opportunities was their main reason for leaving their current company. 5. Strong networks and more role models Following the rise of notable female world leaders such as Theresa May and Angela Merkel, a third of women now say they feel more confident to speak their mind at work, according to a new study released by Crunch. If these high-profile, yet far removed from day-to-day  life, leaders can have such an impact, imagine what increasing female leaders directly within an organisation, industry or local business network will achieve? More women in leadership roles will create a strong network of women in business and actively inspire more women to progress. Even a small business can have a large impact within their business community by helping to develop a female leader and actively encouraging them to extend their networks and connections. Through our Women’s Leadership Programme, we’ve developed a strong alumni network across the East of England of both male and female business leaders committed to creating inclusive work environments. Other businesses can look to create similar networks by working together to establish strong connections for their female employees and to share best practice on encouraging women in business.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

How Can Resume Writing Advisor Help You?

How Can Resume Writing Advisor Help You?Resume writing Advisor is the best tool in writing your own professional resume. It is not easy to write a perfect resume that requires an attention to details. That is why it is advised that you hire a professional resume writer so that he or she can be the one who will take care of the resume.The individual needs to keep in mind that even after writing a resume, you must pass a screening process before your application gets submitted for the appropriate job. You have to write a resume that will impress the HR personnel because they are the ones who will decide on the acceptance of your application. If your resume fails to impress them then it might take a long time before you get hired.One of the most common resume mistakes that most people commit is confusing education with experience. Experience is a crucial component in a resume and you should include it along with your education. After all, the resume is meant to express your skills and q ualifications, not your education or previous experiences.Other resume writing mistakes include including an incorrect and irrelevant experience. This is commonly committed by students who want to emphasize their passion for what they do rather than their skills. In addition, students who are confident about their abilities also add an experience section to their resumes. While experience is very important, it is just an extra section.Another type of mistake that you can avoid doing is forgetting about the format of your resume. The format of the resume can create a critical impression about you. It tells the reader about the kind of work that you have done previously. And the reader is able to see your attributes through the format.Resume writing advisor often advises you not to use your school transcript and letters of recommendation. However, those are often times necessary to get a job. If you put aside these essentials, it is much easier for a resume writing advisor to find you flaws.Another thing that should be taken into consideration is the purpose of your resume writing. Just like the resume itself, your purpose should be given priority over the things that are not necessary to gain employment. For example, if you want to get a job as a technical writer, then you can easily include any skills that you have mastered such as writing technical reports or technical speeches. On the other hand, if you want to get a job as a receptionist or office assistant, you can avoid mentioning them.Resume writing advisor is an effective tool in creating a great resume. It will help you avoid these common resume mistakes and can also help you get the job that you have been searching for. However, in order to be successful, you must first learn the things that you should avoid in creating your resume.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

How to Pack for a Work Trip

How to Pack for a Work Trip Work trips are both exhilarating and intimidating, invigorating and exhausting but whatever your feelings toward them, they are a fact of modern business life.  However busy your working week has been, a business trip is never something that you should just let happen. You need to do your homework: know who you are meeting and why you are meeting them, prepare your pitch, if that’s what you’ll be doing, know something about the culture, so that you don’t inadvertently offend anyone, and you need to prepare how you will present yourself.  That’s where packing comes in. This isn’t just some weekend away, where if you forget something you can easily pick it up; this is going to be busy and probably stressful and if you’ve got your packing right, you can have confidence in your appearance and one less thing to worry about. The Formality Go through your itinerary and for each day and decide on the kind of outfit you will need.  Be clear about the level of formality which each situation requires.  If you are not sure, then you need to try and find out. Feeling that you are dressed inappropriately, will really put you off your stride. The Weather Check online the expected weather for your destination, this should help you determine what kind of coats, shoes and other clothing to pack.  Will most of your time be spent indoors or will there be visits which require outdoor clothing? Perhaps you will be able to enjoy some personal leisure time during your visit, in which case you should consider how you intend to spend it and whether you need to pack accordingly.  Remember, weather forecasts can be wrong, so pack an umbrella and take more layers than you think you’ll need in case the temperatures drop. The Essentials Make a list of all essential items before packing, ticking them off once they are packed safely.  Among the key items you need to remember are passport, tickets, visa documents, currency and bank card, medication, toiletries, chargers, adaptor plugs, glasses and if you are going somewhere hot, prescription sunglasses.  It can be a good idea to keep your important documents all in one folder and your other key items in a small pouch in your handbag so they’re always to hand. The Accessories Carefully chosen accessories will help you transition from daytime to evening wear, or from smart to casual without the need for multiple outfits.  Lipsticks, earrings and clutch bags take up little space in your suitcase but can affect a very effective transformation. The Outfits When packing, focus on context appropriate outfits, not just a collection of things that you like.  You don’t want to arrive at your destination to discover that you don’t have any items of clothing which actually suit each other.  Sticking to a colour palette can be a way of ensuring that you feel confident in what you are wearing. Don’t Overpack Be decisive and don’t overpack.  If you can manage with hand luggage, so much the better, what you certainly don’t want is some great vault of a suitcase that you have to lug around only to find that you’ve packed enough for a sea cruise.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

What is a Production Assistant What Do They Do - Algrim.co

What is a Production Assistant What Do They Do - Algrim.co Production assistants work with other members of film or television crews and handle many administrative tasks behind the scenes of movie and television productions. They assist producers in all of their duties and perform organizational tasks such as taking notes, printing scripts, fact-checking, and more. What Does a Production Assistant Do? Production Assistants work across a variety of departments under a number of senior production staff and are responsible for many different administrative and organizational duties and tasks. You’ll be responsible for organizing meetings, arranging interviews, and liaising with personnel in every department of the production process. Production assistants also support the on-set staff and ensure the organization of equipment, props, maintenance of the set, and completion of all necessary paperwork. They also perform many administrative duties in an office setting including answering phone calls, managing production records, taking notes, and even assisting in the writer’s room. They also support editors and producers with their responsibilities as well. They assist with organizing footage and make sure that the editing room is always organized. They also shuttle the production equipment around as necessary. They may also shuttle people around by car for errands or moving between sets or production locations. In short, production assistants do a bit of everything and anything. Any senior-level staff member can make requests and a production assistant performs their duties all throughout the production process. How To Become a Production Assistant To get started on the path to becoming a Production Assistant, it’s best to earn an undergraduate degree in film and television production or film studies. These courses will prepare you for your career in film and television by teaching pre-production, production, and post-production processes. You will also learn film writing, directing, sound, acting, lighting, and editing. Many employers also want applicants who are experienced using editing software such as Final Cut Pro, so taking a course on similar software will only improve your chances of being hired quickly. An internship with a production company is also highly recommended as you will gain priceless hands-on practical experience and networking opportunities. Many internships lead to full-time employment and is a great way to get your foot in the door. There are also many training programs, usually 4-6 weeks long, that provide excellent hands-on experience on a production set. The majority of these training programs assist graduates with finding work after successful completion of the program, and some even offer up to 2 years of full-time employment for their favorite graduates. Related Hiring Resources Production Assistant Job Description Sample Production Assistant Resume Example

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Before you submit your resume, be sure to look it over. Check your grammar and spelling, and have someone proofread it. Doing a thorough job will ensure a success with the employers that are likely to get your resume and they can then go ahead and hire you. Tips on Writing a Resume For Students in College

Before you submit your resume, be sure to look it over. Check your grammar and spelling, and have someone proofread it. Doing a thorough job will ensure a success with the employers that are likely to get your resume and they can then go ahead and hire you. Tips on Writing a Resume For Students in CollegeStudents in college or even those working full time and starting college often struggle with writing resumes. It is just as difficult as it would be for a student to write a professional letter or cover letter, and the challenge of making something good comes down to the writer's own talent and ability. For students who don't have much experience in this field, there are a few things they can do to get a job that requires only a resume, and some tips on how to write a resume for students in college. With practice, anyone can write a resume for students in college and this article will highlight these key things for you.The first step in making a resume for students in college is to t ake out all your work from the college that you are using for this purpose. Most of your original papers or assignments are on these piles, and you want to be able to turn them into a format that can be submitted to a company or even used as a reference on future jobs. Use these samples to develop a better method of writing a resume. In most cases, the approach you use for each specific paper will be different than other examples because it is based on the specific individual's situation.Writing a resume for students in college may require some personal detail about yourself. Write something about what you did during the course of the class, how many hours you spent on each assignment, or even what you did after the course was over. A good thing to do is write about activities that were educational, and maybe share information about your teaching skills. People are generally more impressed by the quality of your work than any personal information you can offer. Be sure to be brief a nd make an impression.There is a common mistake in student resumes: the lack of a complete contact information. Any good resume needs at least a telephone number and e-mail address so that potential employers can contact you. Use a service like -click or Adyen.com to create a form and fill it out. Make sure to include the contact information for both yourself and your university. If you have any problems filling out this form, give a quick call to your school's admissions office.There are a few other pieces of information that you should have included on your resume. Any employer will need to know about your major, if you have one, and any experience that you have with a specific program, which is indicated on the last page of your resume. You also want to specify when you started working, what industry you are in now, what types of colleges you attended, and when you graduated. Adding details such as these will give your employer a better idea of who you are, where you came from, a nd why you might be a good candidate for a job.Other than your education, you should include a very interesting fact about yourself and your resume. You can usually find out this information from your school counselor, your recruiter, or a recruiter in your town. Having an interesting past can help you stand out from the others applying for the same position, and also give your employer a greater sense of your personal growth as a person.Don't forget to check out the most recent versions of your resume. Keep all the latest information on the computer to be able to make any corrections before sending it out. Also, it is a good idea to check your resume for errors before sending it. There are several free resume editing tools online, and you can download a free resume editor to do this on your own. This is especially important if you have any spelling mistakes.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Summary Sunday Adapt to Changes in Hiring

Summary Sunday Adapt to Changes in Hiring Managing your career and job search are much more difficult today given the changes in hiring practices. You need  to work smarter and harder to compete. Are your armed and ready? These posts address the changes that mandate a new job hunt strategy, how to succeed in the workplace and even how to exit your job. JOB SEARCH My Best Job Search Tip: How To Create An Interview Bucket List by J.T. ODonnell If you are still scouring the job boards looking for jobs, youre going to miss out. J.T. reveals the best secret to job search success! 6 Insider Job Search Facts That’ll Make You Re-think How You’re Applying by Adam Saven | The Daily Muse Do you wonder why job search is so difficult? Here are 6 reasons why! The New Process For Landing A Job  Interview with Susan Joyce and Chris Russell | CareerCloud Susan wrote a great piece about the new process for landing a job on Huffington Post  and Chris chats with her about how job searching has changed. CAREER WORK Reinvent Yourself. Here’s How in Ten Simple Steps with Dorie Clark | Switch Shift Any one, with a plan and taking the right steps, can reinvent themselves. This post includes a video interview with Dorie Clark, author and reinvention success story herself, about the 10 steps it will take to metamorphose. 11 Ways to Earn Respect by Frank Sonnenberg We all want itbut how can we get it? Frank regularly shares his insights on leadership and is the author of   Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life in the Lives of Others.   How (and When) to Quit Your First Job by SimplyHired | YouTerns Savvy Intern blog Quitting a job, at any stage of your career, is a difficult choice.    Sarah Greesonbach lists 7 considerations you need to make when making this decision. REPUTATION MANAGEMENT The Importance of Your Online Reputation in Todays Reputation Economy by Ryan Rhoten Ryan  sums up some key points from his interview with Trevor Young, author of  microDomination: How to leverage social media and content marketing to build a mini-business empire around your personal brand. Learn the 7 characteristics of a micro maven and how you can build your reputation- online and off!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Salary Discussions

Salary Discussions How in the world can you discuss your salary expectations without a full understanding of the job requirements and company benefits available? So why do they (employers)  want to know? The easy answer might be that they want to know whether you are in their price range or not.   Could there be other reasons too?   (For a truly interesting discussion on this and the topic of salary history requests by HR, you have to read Nicks post and comments on Ask the Headhunter) If you are planning on divulging this sensitive data early in the interview, I hope you have done your homework.   Ideally, speaking with people inside that company to get an idea of the range they are currently paying at that company.   If you have been unable to secure that information, then at the very least speak to peers within your occupation to find out the range they   currently see being offered.   If you would like to continue to do research beyond these, you could use any or all of these resources: salary.com payscale.com glassdoor.com Keppie Careers  referenced a new resource available called Jobnob.com.   I ran through it briefly and if you live in a metropolitan area, I think it can be helpful.   Check it out anyway and judge for yourself. We are in unknown waters right now.   My gut tells me that the age old rule of supply and demand will impact the salary ranges being offered.   Be prepared, you may not make as much as you did last time. But that doesnt mean the work you do cant be fulfilling and meaningful, right?