High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With An Associate Degree

High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With An Associate DegreeHigh-Paying Jobs You Can Get With An Associate DegreeMany people think that you need a bachelors degree from a four-year college to break into a high-paying field of work. But thats simply not true. Here are five jobs that you can get with an associate degree that pay more than $50,000 per year.Registered NurseRegistered nurses with two-year degrees make an average salary of $66,000 per year. This educational background ensures that candidates have familiarity with courses in adult and family health, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, menschengerecht development and anatomy and physiology. Position Requirements Graduate of a registered nursing programCurrent RN LicenseSpecialties may apply to different positionsApplytoregister nurse jobsMechanical Engineering TechnicianMechanical engineering technicians earn an average salary of $51,000 in a wide variety of manufacturing and development industries. This growing field requires an as sociates degree in an engineering discipline with a heavy focus on mathematics, physics and lab work.Position Requirements Associates degree in a related technical specialtyMay require familiarity with specific engineering programs and methodsSpecialties may apply to different positionsApplyto mechanical engineering technician jobsAir Traffic ControllersIf you enjoy working at the intersection of airplanes and communication technology, you may be interested in the $122,500 annual salary that comes with an associates degree in air traffic control. This degree must be supplemented with a 12-week training program from the Federal Aviation Administration, and youll need to live near an airport to grow your career. Position Requirements Associates degree in air traffic control 12-Week Federal Aviation Administration training program graduateMilitary experience a plusApply to air traffic controller jobsRegistered Dental HygienistsDental Hygienists provide a variety of patients services in side dentist offices, including teeth cleaning, patient examinations and instructing patients in preventative dental care. With an associates degree in dental hygiene, dental hygienists can earn an average salary of $70,000 per year seeing 10-15 patients each day.Position Requirements Associates degree in dental hygienePassing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene ExaminationPassing scores on state-authorized licensure examinationsApply to dental hygienist jobsIf youre planning your educational investment, consider training in one of these four specialities to maximize your income when youre out of school.

2 things you should focus on instead of social media

2 things you should focus on instead of social media2 things you should focus on instead of social mediaEvery Monday and Wednesday, I pay a guy to push my heart rate into the stratosphere and turn my muscles into mush. His name is Tyler, and hes my personal trainer.For years, I worked out on my own. Haphazardly. Id run a bit here, lift some weights there. I seldom warmed up and frequently forgot to stretch. Afterwards, Id come home and reward myself with a beer.When I welches younger, this exercise approach basically worked. I built some muscle and stamina. However, as I aged, injuries started to mount. My shoulders became stiff. I gave myself tennis elbow from too many curls.Last year, I finally bit the bullet and coughed up some dough for a twice-weekly trainer. Thats where Tyler comes in. He went over my entire health history, injuries and fitness goals. Then he measured my body fat, fashioned a training plan and we were off to the races.Now, every Monday and Wednesday, whether I want to or not, Im at the gym. We focus on core training, sort of like CrossFit. After the workouts, Im exhausted, but its a good kind of exhaustion.When I get home, I stretch, shower, and drink lots of water. No more beer. In fact, I eliminated alcohol and caffeine from my diet completely.When you pay for a personal trainer, its harder to flake on workouts. Paying makes it more of a priority. While everyone else in the gym is snapping Instagram photos or getting lost on Facebook, Tyler is putting me through the paces. Now, even when I work out alone, I always leave my iPhone in the car.What does any of this have to do with social media? Mostly, that there are no short cuts to any place worth going. Social media sucks a lot of time out of your day. It may be entertaining, and it can be helpful to market your business or art. But it distracts you from achieving greater, personal success.Authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan wrote the book, The One Thing The Surprisingly Simple Truth Be hind Extraordinary Results. The book drives home the importance of priorities. Some of the points they touch on includeAchievers use a success list, not a to do list. They have a strong sense of priority.If you want extraordinary results, you need to narrow your focus.Do your most important work, your one thing when your willpower is strongest. For many people, thats early in the day.Ask the question Whats the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier?Essentially, the authors suggest that in every aspect of your life, prioritize the one thing that is most important. For most of us, social media is probably not whats most important.Being an artist. Thats my one thing.A seemingly invaluable toolApart from mindless entertainment, social media has become a seemingly invaluable tool to promote your business, entrepreneurial ambitions, and creative pursuits.Everywhere you look these days, youll find online life coaches, aspiring writers and artists, as well as all manner of businesses leveraging social media to promote themselves. Yet, for many of them, the stuff theyre peddling is not that unique or valuable. It doesnt stand out from all the other noise.Technology has removed the gatekeepers of the past. Anyone can create an online platform for their art, music or business. They dont have to convince agents, editors or investors anymore.Unfortunately, there is no quality control. As a result, many aspiring writers, artists and entrepreneurs have their hearts broken. They spend a lot of money on fancy websites, logos, photos and newsletter services.They launch their websites, post like crazy all over social media, and wonder why the response is crickets. Its sort of like building a fancy sports car, with a spectacular paint job and accessories. Except the car doesnt have an engine. Sexy on the outside, but dont look under the hood.Social media success is a side effect of quality, not the cause. You can pretty your Instagram account all you want, and u pload all kinds of lovely pictures on your Facebook page. None of that stuff, by itself, will make your art or business take off.If you want to be successful with your art or business, stop spinning your wheels on social media. Instead, focus on these two thingsRare and valuableProduce things that are rare and valuable. Instead of welchesting all day grooming superficial stuff on social media, pour your energy into mastering a difficult skill. If its not difficult, it wont be rare. You wont stand out, and success will elude you.A better writer and artistAuthor Cal Newports book So Good They Cant Ignore You Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love argues that following your passion is bad career advice. Rather, you should pursue work that interests you to develop skills and career capital along the way.Its helpful if the work aligns well with your aptitudes, too.Not everyone agrees with Newport, but I think hes on to something. When I was a teenager, I dreamed of becom ing a rock star or cartoonist. My father urged me to get an education and pursue a reliable, stable career. Enjoy your cartooning and music, but have something solid to fall back on, Dad used to say.So, I went to college and studied criminal justice administration. On the side, I performed in a rock band and drew cartoons for the campus newspaper. Later, I went to grad school, attained a Masters degree, and enjoyed a 26 year career in law enforcement.My police career taught me volumes about people, responsibility, leadership, and more. The last ten years of my career I served as Chief of Police. I learned tons about politics, community issues, budgets, recruitment, retention, media relations and the fact that its impossible to make everyone happy.I dont know where Id be today had I tried to become a rock star or famous cartoonist. What I do know is that I developed invaluable skills in my law enforcement career. I honed a strong work ethic, personal discipline, good habits, solid wr iting and speaking skills, and the ability to delay gratification.The many experiences, skills and abilities I developed over my career helped me become a better writer and artist.Rare and valuable skills are what set you apart from everyone else. You have to create value to get value.Be like the Mona LisaAuthor and marketing expert Seth Godin wrote a short but excellent blog post titled, Social media is a symptom, not a tactic.Godin points out that if youre doing remarkable work and your organization has built a social ratchet that works, youll have a significant social media presence.Godin addsOn the other hand, if you spend all your time beginning at the end, grooming your social network, tweezing your Insta posts, hyping your tweetsnothing much is going to happen.To drive home his point, Godin points to the Mona LisaThe Mona Lisa has a huge social media presence. Her picture is everywhere. But she doesnt tweet. Shes big on social media because shes an icon, but shes not an icon because shes big on social media.Rome wasnt built in a dayRecently, I began studying figure drawing with Scott Waddell, a classically trained and talented painter. Also, Ive studied landscape painting at length with Scott L. Christensen, a master artist.The time, travel and expense of studying with these artists is considerable, but as noted above, There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.I could waste time surfen social media, and paint only when inspiration strikes. But when I upload my artwork on Instagram and Facebook, I shouldnt wonder why no one pays attention.The solution, rather than trying to endlessly spruce up my website and social media posts, is to put in the hard work. Get up early, or stay up late honing my skills.Seek the best instruction you can afford. Relentlessly practice. Constantly compare your work to better artists, creators or entrepreneurs. Continue to focus on the ONE THING that you need to do to move forward.Are you producing things that are rare a nd invaluable? If not, stop grooming superficial work online and start developing the skills to produce rare and beautiful things.It may take time. Rome wasnt built in a day. Some of the skills youll learn might come from unlikely places. Keep focused on your ONE THING. Get the best instruction you can. Work hard.In time, youll start producing rare and valuable work. People will start to notice. And then, maybe your stuff will be the talk of social media.Before you goIm John P. Weiss. I paint, draw cartoons and write about life. Thanks for readingThis article first appeared on Medium.

A Look at Gender Discrimination Against Women

A Look at Gender Discrimination Against WomenA Look at Gender Discrimination Against WomenDiscrimination against women starts at birth. Gender lines are drawn early, and exclusions for women continue throughout adulthood. These constant messages may lead to a false belief that women do not belong in the corporate world. We Are All Born Into a World Filled With Stereotypes From the moment we are conceived, both boys and girls are subjected to stereotypes. The baby aisle in stores is filled with blue blankets and clothes for boys, while adjacent aisles are filled with pink for girls. A few stores (for example, Target) are slowly starting to steer away from gender-focused marketing, but stereotypes still persist. Challenges in the fasson of discrimination for women begin in childhood as young girls may be brought up to believe that they are only suited for certain professions or, in some cases, only to serve as wives and mothers. Gender lines are drawn early, and exclusions for wome n continue throughout adulthood. Elementary School Studies show that teachers still give more time and attention in math and science to boys while giving more to girls in language arts. Since math and science are vital skills for many male-dominated professions, like medicine, engineering, and architecture, does this encourage little girls to focus on other areas of learning? The divergence in academic path girls and boys choose after elementary would seem to indicate, yes. Middle and High School Years In middle and high school, girls are more likely than boys to be discouraged from participating in sports, and clubs like debate, math, and science. But girls are more likely to be encouraged to participate in after-school volunteer work, social programs, and more passive activities. College Years After childhood, young women are often encouraged, or even pressured, into pursuing an education in more stereotypical female-oriented professions, like teaching, nursing, caregi ving, retail, and office administration. Women are now earning more degrees than men at every level, and with higher grades and honors. But women starting their own businesses are less likely to have a college degree in their specific industry or first-profession degree, than are male entrepreneurs. They are also less likely to get a job in a Ph.D.-related field. Statistics Show Trends Havent Changed Much More women are starting businesses than men, more women are in the workforce than men, and the majority of degree-holders are now women. Yet, according to the Department of Labor 2007 statistics, women are still only dominating fields and industries that are often seen as female. According to CNN Money, in 2006, there were only 10 women running Fortune 500 companies, and only 20 in the top 1,000. But its a start.

5 Ways to Land a New Nonprofit Job in 2016

5 Ways to Land a New Nonprofit Job in 2016 5 Ways to Land a New Nonprofit Job in 2016 As a society, we are growingmore and more aware of the impacts our actions have on the lives of others and on the planet. This is why millennials purchasing decisions are largely driven leid only byprice and quality, but also their consciences.For the same reasons,more and more people are looking to startcareers in the nonprofit sector. Doing great work that has the potential for significant social impact is both generous and rewarding.If youre one of those people looking to break into the nonprofit world, check out these fivetips on how to find a job in the sector1. Understand Why You Want to Work in the Nonprofit Sector and Learn to Articulate Those ReasonsMany people want to work for nonprofit organizations, but when asked why, they offersome generic explanationlike,Iwant to help people. Unfortunately, this tells the hiring manager absolutely nothing.You can help yourself by focusing on more de tailed answers. Is there a particular bevlkerung you want to help? Do you have a personal story that drives your passion? Do you think you can help people who are being underserved? If you think through the answers to these questions, then youll be able to make a more convincing case for your passion.Instead of focusing on your want, focuson who you can help and why you want to help them.2. Demonstrate the Value YouCan Bring to the NonProfitNotprofit organizations need people with established skills that can be translated to meet their needs. If your skill platzset specifically includes the following, you have a great chance at landing a nonprofit job- Leading teams- Recruiting and hiring-Planning events- Creative writing- Accounting and recordkeeping- Copywriting- Navigating government regulations and creating related policies- Sales and marketingThese skills translate very well into the situations faced by many nonprofit organizations.3. Research the Needs of the Organizations You Would Like to Work For you sit down for an bewerbungsgesprch, your grasp of the specifics matters most. Remember that most of the nonprofit organizations out there currently face shrinking budgets. This means they have little time and few resources forgetting new hires up to speed. It also means that you are more likely to get the job if you understand the challenges the company facesand what its future goals are. Most importantly, if you come to the interview with some relevant ideas that are ready to go,you willstand a better chance of winning the interview over to your side.4. Tailor Your Resume and Cover LetterIf you send out the sameresume and cover letter to each HR director and recruiter, you are doing yourself a disservice. This is a bad practice no matter where you are applying, but its especially detrimental when youre vying for nonprofit jobs.Your resume and cover letter are opportunities to highlight your skills and education and communicate your passion for the work yo u would like to be doing. That passion matters a lot when it comes to nonprofit work (see tip No. 1).If you take only one thing away from this piece,itshould be the importance of writing a personalized cover letter to be included with each application that you submit.5. Establish Ties to the Nonprofit Sector Outside of Your WorkVolunteering is a great way togive back, and nonprofit organizations rely on the work of volunteers. If you give your time to help others, thats truly a wonderful thing.But simple volunteering alone is not enough to land you a job at a nonprofit. To do that, you must establish an ongoing relationship with target nonprofits. That means taking your volunteering efforts to the next level. Find a volunteering position that requires you to be present for a set number of hours every week not just a few one-off gigs. Take on roles that require leadership abilities, organizational skills, and people management.Similarly, if you are looking for an executive-level pos ition, you should try getting yourself onto the board of a nonprofit youre interested in.Looking for work in the nonprofit sector carries its own unique set of challenges. However, if you make a plan and follow it, youll position yourself to land a meaningful and fulfilling nonprofit gig.

What You Dont Know About Civil Engineering Resume May Surprise You

What You Dont Know About Civil Engineering Resume May Surprise You Applying for Entry Level Engineering requires you to be perfect as you might have to face large quantity of competition. To find out more about thejobtitelblatt letters, you might take a look at our collection ofEntry Level Cover Letters. Begin with the best resume format as an excellent foundation. You could also see Resume Templates. Engineering is a competitive field, which means you are going to need a great resume as a way to stand out. Civil engineering is an extremely proficient area of engineering. It is a unique profession with most graduates venturing into road and construction companies. Civil engineering demands an engineering degree or something similar, and lots of engineering jobs need further certification. Job Skills And Requirements the majority of the businesses prefer skilled graduates to keep their company in the appropriate fashion, the requirements and vary dependent on the area. O bviously, every job demands different abilities and experiences. Project Management As leaders on an undertaking, civil engineers have to have the ability to find a project through from start to complete. Follow my ideas and youll find a chance to earn an effective pitch to your clientele. Things You Wont Like About Civil Engineering Resume and Things You Will Coming with the capability to make certain that project structures are completed in the due moment. You have to add your own personal and professional abilities and abilities to generate your application stronger. In case you have you know that it is frequently a tedious process with several variables. Whispered Civil Engineering Resume Secrets If youre uncomfortable around lots of new folks, it can be difficult. When youve been working for just a little while and hear of someone looking for employment, think about if they may fit in at your business. By employing different peoples spheres of influence you may locate a new job in half the moment. Ultimately, stick to the schematic and modify to fit your personal style and the particular job that you could be applying for. Getting the Best Civil Engineering Resume Entry level and receive a free resume which could help you will provide you will do you should incorporate a cv, philadelphia, gas undertaking. A number of businesses also convert the internships into jobs in the event the operation of the student is extraordinary. Its possible to add your work and educational aptitude to hold up your application. There are some points, which can help you to recognize a business to keep away from. There are a number of different kinds of engineers. So the engineers have to be able to think creatively as well as they have to ask the correct questions. Civil engineers do not just build new structures but in addition assess present ones to determine repair or renovation requirements. Therefore, they need to have strong critical thinking skills . It is imperative to use equipment and tools in the appropriate method. As entry level engineers begin to obtain experience, skills together with knowledge. Hydrologic technicians perform a vast range of services in support of hydrologists. The Advantages of Civil Engineering Resume Instead, you are going to want to read enough about the enterprise to make a really personalized comment in your cover letter. If you believe someone is probably going to read your cover letter, youre insane. Your cover letter should state what you can do to help the business. An excellent application cover letter is easy, direct, and simple to comprehend. A History of Civil Engineering Resume Refuted You ought to concentrate on the few shown in the work ad. You should also chat about a few tasks you had to perform in your preceding company. Show you comprehend the job. Theres no application procedure or interviews. Its essential a hiring manager understand very well what placement you are trying to obtain along with every tiny thing you ought to supply you. Fresher dont will need to go for any job, they ought to focus just on the jobs that add value to their education whilst experience can also looks for the exact same. Make certain you read the work description carefully and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. Its essential to have an internship on your resume when you get started applying to jobs. The cover letter provides the candidate with an opportunity to express their abilities and experiences in engineering to convince the employer they ought to be chosen for the position. In the event of a civil engineer cover letter, its important to highlight your core competencies and abilities to acquire work. A well composed objective statement may be the differentiator because it supplies the company a concept of who you are and what you could offer. It would be embarrassing to claim that you are aware of how to use a parcel of software, simply to fail on the job since you exaggerated.

Social Media Specialist Resume Guide

Social Media Specialist Resume Guide If you think you might need such a work application, you ought to search the world wide web to discover more about it. The next step you will need to try create resumes is selecting which type of continue youre likely to require. Social networking is a major player in the work search process today. There are already more than 200,000 those who work in social networking and the range of interested applicants will keep growing. What Is So Fascinating About Social Media Specialist Resume? Whether you wish to develop your skills as a social networking coordinator, analyst or marketing manager, being aware of what to put on your resume can be challenging and knowing what way to format it may also be time-consuming. You will probably be expected to learn more about social media than your supervisor does. Engagement Coordinator If youre an engagement coordinator (or manager), you are not only going to be in control of your companys social media messaging, you will also be accountable for guiding the internet behavior of the general public. The Basic Facts of Social Media Specialist Resume Hence resume goals will differ dependent on the sector in which you want to get job. When it can feel uncomfortable putting yourself out there, if youre searching for employment, it is not the opportunity to be timid. If youre enthusiastic about a specialist job that you will need to create a resume. Youre asking for a specific job. The Unexpected Truth About Social Media Specialist Resume As you probably know, there are various social networking platforms and while some social media managers are generalists and supply services for all of the platforms, its easier and more lucrative to opt for a specialty. The specialist knows the way to use the keywords tactfully to draw search engines to create their article or content to the surface of the search benefits.

Job Hunting Guide for College Grads

Job Hunting Guide for College GradsJob Hunting Guide for College GradsThere are many resources available to help college graduates (and college students) with their job searches. From your colleges career schreibstube to alumni who have volunteered to help to job sites specifically for students and graduates, youll find a variety of resources available to help with a college job search. Learn what resources are available and how best to use them to find a summer or part-time job, an internship, or your first job out of college. Job Search Resources for College Grads College Career OfficesThe first and most important college-student job-search tip, for both underclass students and graduating seniors, is to visit your college or university career office (sometimes called a career services office). Most career offices provide college students with personal career counseling, job and internship listings, and other forms of job search assistance. Career offices also often run job shad owing programs, job ritterlichs, recruiting programs, and other networking opportunities for students and graduates. They might also run workshops and seminars on various job search topics. A college career office can help with nearly every step of your job search process. For example, the staff can even help you create a resume and draft a cover letter. Many career offices will conduct practice interviews with you as well. College Job FairsManycolleges host job fairs, both on and off campus. Some fairs are focused on a particular industry, such as a job fair in education or marketing. Taking the time to attend is well worth the effort. Youll have the opportunity to meet companies that are hiring, learn more about opportunities at those companies, and, and at some events, youll even be able to interview for jobs. Also, check out any job fairs in your colleges town or city. This is a great way to find a local job, which is especially useful if you want a job or internship while you are still in school. College Recruiting ProgramsParticipatingin college recruiting programsis a great way to tap opportunities. Many large employers have formal college recruitment programs they use to recruit college students and alumni for jobs, internships, summer jobs, andco-op opportunitiesat the company. Smaller companies also recruit on a less formal basis, posting new job openings as they become available. Recruiting programs might be in-person for example, employers might come to your school to recruit candidates. However, recruiting programs increasingly are going virtual. There are many online recruiting programs. Check with your career services office to learn about programs at your school. College Career Networking OpportunitiesThere are numerous opportunities for college students and grads tonetworkand to investigate career options. For example, build relationships with your professors, and keep them posted on your job search. They might have contacts in your industry or know of opportunities available to you. Also, attend any relevant career workshops at your school. Many workshops will be hosted by your career services office. These are great opportunities to meet hiring managers in your industry. You might also explore networking opportunities in your surrounding community. Your college town or city might have people in various industries willing to meet with students interested in their fields. Finally, make use of your colleges alumni network. Check with your career office or alumni office to see if there is a database of alumni willing to talk with current students. You might be able to conduct an informational interview or even job shadow someone in a career of interest. Online Job Searching For college students about to enter the workforce and students looking for a summer or part-time job, there are a variety of jobs sites dedicated toentry-level jobs. There are also other kinds of niche job sites, including sites focused on interns hips and sites devoted to particular industries. Many of these job sites not only includejob listings, but they also provide career and job search advice, including tips specifically for college students. Someof these entry-level sites are only accessible through a college career office. In this case, you will need a password from your career office to access the resources. Others are available for all job seekers interested in entry-level positions. Job Search Tips for College Grads Consider an internship. Not ready for a real job yet? A lot of college students arent. Keep in mind that your first job doesnt need to be a full-time or professional position. There are a variety of options available for college students includinginternships, short-term work experiences, or volunteering.For recent college graduates, as well as college students, an internship is a way to try a new job without making a permanent commitment. It is also a great opportunity for a student who is looking f or a job for the school year or is looking for a summer job. Be flexible. If you are having trouble finding a job, broaden the number of fields you are considering. Since you are looking for an entry-level job, it is a good idea to broaden your horizons. You never know where your first job might take you. Network extensively. One of the best ways to find a job is through someone you know. Take the time to speak with professors about your job hunt, conduct informational interviews with alumni, and attend any job events on campus. Once you meet someone and get to know him or her, stay in touch by sending the person an email every now and then, updating him or her on your job search. You never know what connection is going to lead to a job. Collect references. Before graduating, find some job references. Your references might include professors, athletic coaches, internship supervisors, and others who can speak to your skills and abilities. Ask them to serve as references, and then cre ate a list of references to have on hand for when you begin applying for jobs. You might also ask a few to write you letters of reference, so you have those on hand in case an employer wants them. Dont panic. Even if you have waited until the last minute to departure a job search, dont panic. The college hiring season is not as compressed as it was in the past. There will be plenty of opportunities to apply for. Set up an appointment with a counselor in your career office, and get started. If you do have time to plan ahead, semester break is a perfect time to work on job searching. Say thank you. Once you do get a job, be sure to send a thank you note to everyone who helped you with your search, including people who wrote you letters of recommendation, people with whom you conducted informational interviews, and people you job shadowed. Saying thank you is not only polite, but it is also a useful way to stay in touch with people. You never know when you might need help finding anoth er job in the future.

A Foosball Table isnt the Hallmark of a Good Company Culture

A Foosball Table isnt the Hallmark of a Good Company CultureA Foosball Table isnt the Hallmark of a Good Company CultureThere are no shortcuts to achieving an engaged and productive workforce.When the business environment is strong, when the competition isnt a major threat, and when productivity levels are acceptable, performance management problems are easy to address (or ignore). However, when stressors increase and the organization faces challenges, a sense of urgency develops because engagement issues like reduced productivity, decreased job satisfaction and increased absenteeism begin to appear. At this point the call to improve employee engagement is made by the management team, and they demand fast results. Thus begins the scramble for quick solutions and simple fixes.The problem is that quick and simple are leid cheap. Through her organizational effectiveness research at the University of Pennsylvania, Pam Teagarden, founder of Authentum, estimates that companies loose more t han $300 billion a year in productivity due to misguided attempts to improve employee engagement.Quick and simple doesnt work, so avoid unterstellung common employee engagement traps1.Applying simple tools to complex problemsToo many smart people propose overly simplistic solutions to engagement issues. Saying thank you and smiling more often will make managers more polite, but good congeniality wont spur long-term commitments from employees. Neither will free food, social opportunities, a relaxed dress code or a d% foosball table.2.Believing happy is the same as engagedIf you need proof that happiness and engagement are not the same, look no further than a workplace that pays high salaries, expects very little of employees and offers no oversight. For anyone who thinks that sounds like the perfect job, a friend who had worked in the Middle East under these circumstances warns youve obviously never experienced the frustration of working hard while others dont, and no one cares eithe r way.3.Trying to fix management issues with engagement solutionsIt might be shocking, but engagement isnt a supervisory responsibility. Thats because the managers role is secondary to factors that are likely out of her hands the organizational structure and the corporate culture. Too often, management issues are confused with engagement issues. Its impossible to engage employees when there are fundamental flaws to the organizations design. Sean Williams, the immediate past chair of the employee communications section of Public Relations Society of America, suggests that companies should get away from the concept of engagement being something separate when its part of good management.4.Expecting employees to tell you what they wantThe readily available employee engagement tools only assess whether people are engaged. No matter how real-time or frequent the employee engagement surveys are, they all have the same problem organizations and their workforce dont speak the same language. Just like the patient describes his pain to the doctor and the physician determines what is wrong and how to remedy it, employee surveys are only a diagnosis that something is amiss. Your employees cant write their own prescriptions. 5.Surveying too muchSurveys themselves can create new problems or exacerbate existing issues. This is because the act of surveying employees conveys a promise from management that they recognize a problem and resolve to rectify it. Employees reasonably expect that the survey is a first step in the process of finding and fixing what isnt working. If the information is gathered and no action is taken, management sends the message that it is either incompetent or didnt care in the first place.6.Compartmentalizing engagementWhen engagement is a problem, often the human resources or communications departments are turned to for solutions. While the expertise might live there, the solution must involve everyone. It cant be a case of leadership saying, You fix our engagement problems and well continue to do everything else the same.7.Creating an engagement model that only works under ideal circumstancesEngagement during the good times is relatively easy to achieve but hard to sustain. Thats because change is inevitable. Putting in place an engagement plan that does not account for personal and professional stress on the workforce is doomed to fail. Engagement is often measured as a mood or emotion, said Teagarden, who points out that moods change, but engagement does not necessarily need to fluctuate as well.8.Using salary and rewards as an engagement replacementWhen the economy was weak, engagement activities were viewed as an inexpensive replacement for salaries and rewards, according to communications strategist Williams. Now the opposite seems to be occurring employers are re-evaluating pay scales and benefits and expecting the salary bumps to translate into an engagement boost. Its refreshing that weve come back to the idea that comp ensation is important, he said, but he cautions that pay scales and benefits are merely a foundation for trust, commitment and engagement, not a substitute.9.Covering up survey resultsNo matter how much HR reworks the survey results before presenting them to the board, the concerns of employees will remain. Whitewashing doesnt work, nor does punishing managers who oversee problem areas. If you go to the effort of conducting a survey, then hiding them wont fix anything.10. Expecting to engage overworked employeesThe goal of engagement isnt to squeeze more work out of people who already have a full plate of responsibilities. Therefore, if workloads are an issue, your employees will never be engaged.Attempting to take the easy route to employee engagement will only waste money, effort and your employees goodwill. Communications strategist Williams suggests that employers take a comprehensive view of employee engagement by examining compensation, employees ability to self-determine aspe cts of their job and the alignment of corporate values with leadership behaviors, then pick the right metrics that drive outcomes. This will look different for every organization.Knowing exactly which combination of activities to embark on is the challenge. Employee engagement expert Teagarden advocates accounting for shifts in the business environment, employee moods and other stressors. Maximum productivity and maximum engagement is possible, but companies need a roadmap. Understanding employees reaction to stress is the missing link, she said.Her research resulted in a tool that arms organizations with such a roadmap. Otherwise, she says, companies are throwing money at a problem without a plan for properly targeting the true problem areas.No one is suggesting that the foosball table needs to disappear, but everyone agrees that engagement is a complex problem that requires a complete solution.If you want to learn more about achieving authentic and lasting engagement, start by bui lding your leadership credibility. Download the free eBook Character Trumps Credentials 171 Questions that Help Leaders Tell Great Stories that Influence, Engage and Inspire.

Online Recruiting Tactics and Tips

Online Recruiting Tactics and TipsOnline Recruiting Tactics and TipsOnline recruiting can use a variety of tactics. The basics include posting open positions on job boards - or listing them with professional associations that maintain a resume bank of job seekers in a specific industry or area of expertise. But theres mora you can do to increase your chances of attracting top talent to your company.Enhance the company websiteFor effective online recruiting, businesses should keep their own websites up to date, and the sites should be inviting to job seekers. In addition to product and service information, the site needs to make clear why the firm is a great place to work. For example, use the About Us and News sections to emphasize the benefits of the companys work environment.Use social media for internet recruitingIn recent years, small businesses have been finding that professional networking sites such as LinkedIn - and, increasingly, social networking sites such as Facebook - provide great opportunities for online recruiting. In many cases, the best candidates are already employed, so these networking sites offer ways to get in touch with passive job seekers who are not actively scanning job postings.Robert Half has been helping companies with their hiring since 1948. Let us help you.REQUEST TALENTAvoid the pitfalls of online recruitingBusinesses need to be aware of certain limitations and pitfalls when participating in online recruiting. For instance, the major job boards are typically tapped out by other employers looking for candidates. And hiring managers should be cautious when reaching out to individuals they encounter online. Thats because the digital equivalent of a cold call - such as sending an unsolicited email to promising candidates - can be counterproductive. Individuals voluntarily post professional information to these sites, but many prefer to be contacted through mutual acquaintances or by people who are already in their networks.Mai ntaining the personal touchKeep in mind that internet recruiting efforts should augment, not replace, traditional one-on-one personal interactions. ansicht crucial contacts should still include outreach to potential candidates through networking events and campus job fairs, as well as relationships built with reputable recruiters. Direct contact helps employers and candidates better understand each others needs and build a rapport. And working with a dedicated recruiter makes it much easier to reach individuals with the specific skills a small business needs.Theres no question that Internet recruiting has helped small businesses seek out new talent. But the deeper nature of personal relationships is simply not available online. Therefore, the most successful hiring strategies combine both the high-tech and high-touch approaches.Learn about 10 job search websites that set the standard for online recruiting.