How Office Design Can Impact Recruitment and Retention

How Office Design Can Impact Recruitment and Retention Have you ever considered that your physical workplace or even the room in which you host interviews could have an impact on whether your preferred candidate accepts a job offer? Well according to new research conducted by office design company K2 Space, it can. The survey of 1,000 GB-based office workers, undertaken by YouGov,  found that almost half (48%) of respondents agree that the room where they were interviewed would influence their opinion of whether or not to accept a job offer. This was particularly high in Medical Health services at 69%, Sales Marketing at 57%, and Finance Accounting at 53%. For employers and recruiters alike, this serves as a timely reminder that first impressions really do count and that they need to think carefully about the workplace and its overall design and layout. Demographically, the Millennial generation (people born between 1981 1996, aged between 22 37 in 2018) are most likely to be influenced by the interview setting, with 54% of respondents citing it as a determining factor. However, numbers were also high amongst Boomers (born between 1946 1964, aged between 54 72 in 2018) and Generation X (born between 1965 1980, aged between 38 53 in 2018) at 45% and 43% respectively. Company size was also a key variable, with 50% of those working in large organizations (250 staff) more likely to be swayed by where they are interviewed, but only slightly more so than those working in SMEs. The K2 survey also highlights the overall importance of workplace design more generally, with 30% of respondents agreeing that their current office was dated, uninspiring and in need of a complete refurbishment, a trend which is highest amongst those employed in the Hospitality Leisure (45%), Media Sales (40%), and Legal (37%) sectors. Amongst the major issues identified by respondents were a lack of natural light in their workplace (32%) and a shortage of access to quieter areas in their office for eating lunch, reading, and spending their downtime (30%). Almost a third of respondents (30%) would like to see more color, artwork, and graphics incorporated into their office design, while 23% expressed the need for more dedicated private spaces for taking calls, attending virtual meetings or simply concentrating without distraction. Other gripes included the need for better quality of tea, coffee, and snacks (28%), better shower washing facilities (20%) and the option of sit-stand desks (20%). It is also interesting to note that many respondents (33%) feel that the traditional boardroom the centerpiece of many offices over the past 50 to 60 years is a dated concept. Critically, 46% of Millennials surveyed agreed that the boardroom as we know it has had its day. Perhaps there is a case for rethinking the age-old boardroom layout and embracing, smaller, private spaces as mentioned earlier but certainly, with an emerging generation unsure of its relevance, we expect to see future workplaces experimenting with more innovative office layouts. The traditional boardroom may be dead in many eyes, yet meetings will always be an important part of work life. Respondents were asked what could be done to improve meetings in their workplace, with the following results:: Introduction of quiet rooms or spaces to take calls in private (31%) Better integration of technology to facilitate virtual meetings (25%) Redesign of meeting rooms to make them more attractive, fun and inspiring (24%) More informal meeting space instead of formal meeting rooms (20%) More different sized rooms designed for smaller groups (18%) While design certainly plays an important role in many candidates’ decisions to accept a role, it is also a key factor in helping companies retain the very best talent. The research highlights the fact that a dull and poorly-designed workplace is of absolutely no benefit to management or staff; however by creating an environment that reflects the needs of the workforce, both aesthetically and in functionality, companies can significantly improve productivity as well as staff retention and attraction. About the author:  Mark Phillips, is the Managing Director, at K2 Space. Mark has worked in office furniture for over 30 years and prior to co-founding K2 Space, served as Managing Director at Kimball Office, managing their presence and activity on the eastern US coast. Mark works directly with clients to deliver both furniture and office design and build projects and has worked with companies like Toyota, Sketchers, Belstaff and Beats to create amazing new workplaces.  

Three Tips for Marketing Yourself as a Tutor

Three Tips for Marketing Yourself as a Tutor Forbes published an article in 2012 that states the global, private tutoring industry will grow to be a $102.8 billion industry. Standing out from the crowd will require you to market yourself as a tutor properly. Its a growing industry that pays very well. But how do you go from wanting to teach someone your native language of French (just an example), to running a thriving French tutoring business? Start on the Ground Your first step to success is to work locally to secure clients. Its a lot of work, but your small investment in time will pay off in the end. You need to start off on the ground, and this means: Connecting with local teachers in your subject Posting your business cards on local boards to offer tutoring Taking out local ads to promote your business in the community A lot of tutors have success with going to local schools and handing out fliers. Teachers may also recommend your service, so network with your local French teacher (or any subject you choose to teach). Youll want to have the following made up: Flyers Posters Business cards Every time an opportunity arises, hand out a business card, post a flyer or attach a poster to the wall. Its a method of marketing that will never go out of style. Word of Mouth With a Dab of Email Marketing Word of mouth can start your business. Tell everyone you know that youre a tutor. Use social media to announce your services to your network. Its a way you can start securing paying work today if the right person sees your post. And once youve secured a few students, dont be afraid to ask them to refer their friends. A quick and easy way to do this is to collect your students e-mail addresses. Youll then send them a follow-up email after a session to ask them to: Review your service Recommend your service to a friend Referrals are very powerful, too. A referral is one of the best ways to attract new business. Simply asking for a referral may be all you need to boost your client base. Create Local Meetup Groups Meetup.com is a great resource for connecting with other people. Youll find that you can either join groups or host groups. Once method of marketing that I have found works very well is to host your own meetup groups. Well stick to the French tutoring example weve been using. So, maybe you host a monthly beginners French group. This group might teach: Animal words Counting Basic tourist question and answers Just the basics. You can teach for free and then use this platform to promote your tutoring services. Oftentimes, youll be able to convince attendees to use your tutoring services if you teach the class well. You can also join another persons meetup group and offer the same services. In either case, its a free method to promote your business to a highly targeted audience. If youre worried about where youll hold your classes, local libraries often have rooms you can book for free. Main image credit.

How to Have a More Successful Website Design With Multivariate Testing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Have a More Successful Website Design With Multivariate Testing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Its great to have high traffic for your personal brands website. How to get these visitors to convert into sales is the next challenge businesses face. The design and execution of elements are crucial to staying up to date with the latest technology and relevant content. This means your brand should be performing both A/B testing and multivariate testing to find out whats working and whats not. Here are the key differences between each test and how they can improve your sales: Honing in on your elements Multivariate testing allows your brand to take a closer look at specific things like your image header, website icons, ect. As you create different versions of the designs, you can then view the different variations of each. As you better understand your website you can then perform a split test of the volume of your traffic and conversions. A brand new landing page If you decide to completely redesign your website then A/B testing will help you achieve better results as you see exactly which area of your page has the most impact on your sales goals. This type of testing provides a a metric that tells you which sections influence your conversion rates and the ones that aren’t. Focus on small parts In order to make your time more efficient choose to test certain parts of your website at a time, especially as you incorporate multivariate testing. For instance, measure results on the headline and header image rather than the entire text of a landing page. Hire a website developer or use tools The process of testing will go a lot faster with the most accurate results as you choose to use the right tools or developer for the job. This is the best way to find errors, discover the impact of page elements on conversions, and find the best solutions for fixes. A quality website design that is up to date should be well-optimized, engaging and easy to access on a computer or smart device. With some extra time and even a investment your personal brand can gain more loyal subscribers with better conversions rates. Be sure to especially pay attention to the results, recommendations, and how many elements you are measuring at a time in order to have the most complete and accurate data.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Its Time to Admit It Are You Your Own Worst Enemy

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese It's Time to Admit It Are You Your Own Worst Enemy OK, time to fess up. It's Monday morning, and the truth is: This week is going to suck big time because you keep doing the same truly, truly stupid things over and over again.How's that for uplifting career advice? Not exactly what you expected, right?But the truth is, you keep shooting yourself in the foot, and you keep blaming other people for it. So, in the interest of keeping things simple on a Monday, I'm going to give it to you straight:You're screwing up, and you have no one else to blame but yourself.Let me give you some examples and see if you recognize anything familiar:* You really, really wanted to take a day off. But you didn't want to use one of your vacation days, so you called in sick. That wimpy little cough you faked over the phone didn't fool anyone. Least of all the co-workers who ended up getting stuck with your work while you slathered on the SPF 2 while sunbathing with friends at the beach and drinking Long-Island Iced Teas by the gallon. So now the next time y ou need you co-workers to help you out, don't be surprised if they suddenly have other things to do -- like count paper clips or read the phone book.* Being late is not a problem. Well, it's not a problem for you, anyway. Other people may get annoyed at your tardiness, but that's their issue. In fact, you find that you like the power you wield over others because you are late. Everyone has to wait on you, dammit, and that's an awesome feeling. Superman has his cape, Batman has the cave, and you have the power of the clock. But wait: your unwillingness to meet on time has caused the boss to dump you from an important project -- he's afraid you won't be able to meet the deadline of a demanding client. What's all that about?* You're passionate about what you do. Translation: You're a horse's ass when you don't get your way. You yell, curse, stomp and give a performance DeNiro or Streep would envy. If it's not about you, it should be! You can take just about any situation and turn it in to a reason to focus on how much you go through every day, how much you've sacrificed for your job and your employer and how no one gets it BUT YOU. Ahem. Once you rise from the fainting couch or unhinge yourself from the ceiling tiles, don't be shocked to find that people have scattered like cockroaches to get away. That doesn't exactly bode well for any promotion plans you might have, since the only way the boss is likely to get others to accept you is if he arms them with extra-large cans of Raid.* Technology makes the job bearable. Uh...not because it helps you do your job better. No, this kind of fun comes from shopping online during those boring conference calls, playing some online poker (mama needs a new Burberry purse!), checking out friends' MySpace pages and reading about the latest addition to the Jolie-Pitt litter. Of course, you never feel guilty about this because everyone does it. Maybe you spend a couple of hours (or three or four) on personal stuff, but hey...you d on't get paid enough as it is, so this is a little private benefit you've created for yourself. Doesn't really matter -- you don't plan to work at this job forever. In the meantime, ESPN is playing highlights of last night's game...Of course, you're really pretty peeved when the boss calls you into her office and notes that the IT people have been monitoring your Internet actitivies and oh, yeah, you've just been fired. For not only misusing company time and property, but because it shows what a general screw-up you are.So, I think you get my point. Some people try to blame their career problems on others. It's the boss. It's the co-workers. It's the company. It's the guy who empties the trash at night.Sometimes that may be the case. But if it keeps happening to you over and over, it's time to take a look in the mirror -- and realize the real problem in your career is staring back at you.Are you your own worst enemy -- or know someone who is? del.icio.us

Maximize Your Executive Brand Online with the 6 Ps - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Maximize Your Executive Brand Online with the 6 P’s Youve defined your brand and created your career marketing materials â€" executive resume, career biography and other collaterals â€" designed to resonate with your target audience. Maybe you get that, in today’s executive job search, youre in a sales and marketing campaign to promote your company of one â€" Brand You. Maybe you’re doing a decent job of promoting yourself in person â€"  at industry events and networking opportunities. Do you get that a strong online footprint with quality search results is now a requirement for successful executive job search? Most recruiters and hiring decision makers source and assess talent through Google, and other search engines. You’re being tapped or tossed aside  based on what these people find (or don’t find) about you online. All other things being equal with your competitors, having the strongest online footprint can tip the scales in your favor. People assessing candidates like you gravitate toward those who stand out the most online. See my post, Does Your Online Identity Scream Hire Me? Do you have a well-rounded brand communications strategy, incorporating real-life and online personal marketing, to  promote your unique promise of value and capture the attention of your target employers’ hiring decision makers? Based on William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson’s 6 P’s of brand communications in their book Career Distinction: Stand Out By Building Your Brand, here are some tactics to kick your online brand into action: 1. Publishing Provide evidence of your subject matter expertise and thought leadership through: Your own blog Guest blogging on relevant sites Publishing white papers on relevant sites 2. Posting Let people know you’re staying current with the works of industry thought leaders and subject matter experts by posting book reviews at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers. 3. Pontificating Express your opinions on relevant topics and add value through: Blog comments on top sites Twitter,

6 Surefire Ways To Find A Teaching Job - CareerAlley

6 Surefire Ways To Find A Teaching Job - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Whether youre a newbie after your first position, a seasoned teacher unhappy in your current one, or a driven individual looking for a new challenge, finding a teaching job can sometimes be difficult. In fact, it can be a major undertaking, often taking months, if not longer. While teaching positions are not in short supply, the competition for teaching jobs can be fierce. To help you succeed in finding your teaching job, here are six surefire ways to help. Everyone from your friends and neighbors to your college professors and classmates can prove to be great resources in your job search, so make sure that you tell them that youre on the market. Tweet This 1. Leverage Your Social Networks When youre on the hunt for a job, it isnt the time to be shy. Who you know can help put you ahead of the competition. This is only true if your connections know that youre looking. Everyone from your friends and neighbors to your college professors and classmates can prove to be great resources in your job search, so make sure that you tell them that youre on the market. While who you know has always been important, it has never been easier to leverage your network with services like LinkedIn and other social networks. But more importantly, its not only who you know, but also who knows you. Successfully leveraging your social networks in job search requires that you focus on those individuals who know first hand about you and what youve accomplished in your career. 2. Make Your HR Rounds Although online job forums and search sites (such as Monster.com) are useful tools, with so many people applying for open positions each day, its easy to get lost in the crowd. To avoid this, you should visit company career sites or recruiting departments of schools you would want to work in. Look for job opportunitieson their career sites, and, if there are none, submit a resume for the school to keep on file for any future openings. 3. Dont Discount Substitute Roles You may be after a permanent position, but that doesnt mean that you should completely discount substitute roles. Those who have worked in a school in the past are much more likely to be offered a job when one opens up at that school. This is especially true if youve connected with the students, parents, and other teachers in the time that you were there. Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash 4. Look On The Net The internet is a tool that can be used for much more than just job hunting, many people attend online virtual schools. With todays technology, you can consider online teaching jobs where you actually carry out your role over the net. These tend to offer good pay, as well as flexibility you simply dont find with other teaching jobs. This is a perfect option for those that move around a lot or like to spend their time traveling. 5. Attend Education Job Fairs Contrary to popular belief, job and careers fairs arent just for undergrad students. In fact, they can help almost anyone find a job, with those focused on education being a good resource for you. They let you check out active positions, including those in districts you may not have considered, as well as make a good impression and connections with school administrators. Be aware of the job opportunities available across a range of schools, and the ways in which you can make yourself more attractive to them; consider independent schools, academies, and free schools, and research your local area to see whats available. Independent schools, for example, will place more demands on living on campus if at a boarding school, and may also require postgraduate degrees from their prospective candidates. How To Get Yourself Hired As A Newly Qualified Teacher 6. Ramp Up Your Education The teaching job market is a highly competitive one, which is why most do all that they can to stand out from the crowd. For a better shot at landing a great role, youll want to do the same. There are a few ways you can go about this, but one of the most effective is improving your education. You can do so by taking extra classes or even completing a course online. Securing a teaching job can be tough, but, hopefully, with these tips, you find the process a lot easier. 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 find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. 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

Salt Lake City, Utah Resume Writing Services

Salt Lake City, Utah Resume Writing ServicesOnce you have decided to work for a top company and have successfully earned your next paycheck, it is time to write the resume of your dreams. Resume writing services are becoming more popular in Salt Lake City, Utah.Finding a great job with a company is no easy task. Most job seekers will spend countless hours on their resumes. The average resume will take anywhere from one to two months to be reviewed and eventually read before it is approved by the employer.Resume writing services can speed up the process. Salt Lake City, Utah resume writers specialize in keeping the applicant's interests and goals in mind. They are able to write resume after resume successfully with little input from the candidate.This allows them to offer you a range of resume styles that are unique to the job opening that you are applying for. A benefit of using a professional service is that you will be offered different formats for your resume. The reviewer can com pare the format and give you feedback on how the resume appears in the future.If you are a current employee, hiring an independent agency to create a resume for you could actually help you land the job. You will be exposed to employers who are not aware of all the criteria a hiring manager would require. Many of these candidates will ultimately get your job.While it is tempting to sit down at your computer and use free resume writing services, it is best to save your money and invest in a professionally created resume. It is much more valuable than having the company write your resume for you. A resume writer who has experience in the job opening you are applying for will know exactly what is required to land the job.Some people have been turning to resume writing services because they do not have the time to write a resume. But if this is you, you should realize that your resume is a reflection of your career objectives and the skills you have. Your resume should be constructed in such a way that it represents you.If you are an experienced professional, or just looking for a change in career, using resume writing services might be a good idea. Do your research and make sure that the company you choose is experienced and can do the job that is required.