Employee Referral Schemes Top 5 Myths Debunked [INFOGRAPHIC]

Employee Referral Schemes Top 5 Myths Debunked [INFOGRAPHIC] FACT: Employee referrals can produce hires that are of higher quality. They’re also known to stick around longer. However, even though many employers are aware of employee referral programs, they are still skeptical about the benefits. This infographic, compiled by Zao, counters this skepticism by debunking the five most common myths about referral programs. Takeaways: 41% of referral hires can come from your trusted external network, if you reward them Engagement can increase from 10 to 50 times with referral rewards Hires from referrals produce about 25% more profit RELATED:  Why Employee Referrals Are the Best Source of Hire [INFOGRAPHIC]

Are You Being Taken Seriously As a Young Professional

Are You Being Taken Seriously As a Young Professional By, Dawn Yerger Have you ever had the feeling that you werent being taken seriously as a young business professional? If so, it may not be all in your head. Whether it is a snide remark or an undermining of a suggestion that is made in a meeting, many young professionals experience feelings of inadequacy, whether from older colleagues or senior managers. These feelings may lead to a lack of confidence or a feeling of struggling uphill just to get a little bit of recognition from more seasoned colleagues. Or, it may be possible that there is something within your behavior and work habits that say naive worker. You are probably not aware of it, and no one has had the heart to tell you. Who can blame them? In todays competitive job market, professionals, both new and seasoned, are expected to know the fundamental rules of business etiquette and workplace protocol. Dont go to HR with complaints of hazing! All joking aside, there are some adjustments that you can make in your professional behavior that will display to your boss, upper management, and all of your colleagues that you are a true professional, despite your level of experience or date of birth. •Know Your Strengths and Challenges There is a reason why you were hired in the first place. Assess your professional strengths and assess the areas where you may not be as strong. Chances are, you can use your strengths to play up the other areas that need a bit of attention.   •Be Confident in Your Strengths and Skills There is nothing wrong with being confident and using your skills to your advantage. Volunteer for projects that will display your strengths and talents.   •Know Your Professional Brand Does your professional brand elicit a positive or negative association? Be aware of how your actions in the workplace affect how others see you and respond to you (see my previous article titled I Have A Brand? Creating a Positive Emotional Association with Your Professional Brand).   •Carry Yourself In A Professional Manner Proper eye contact and a firm handshake go a long way when communicating to others that you are a business professional. Keep a tidy workspace. Respond to voicemails and emails in a professional and timely manner. Keep business cards handy when outside of the workplace. Stay out of office gossip and politics.   •Be Willing to Learn and Accept That You Dont Know It All Many times as a young professional, it is easy to be on the defensive and act as if you know everything there is to know about your job or field. It is a great idea to pair up with your boss, a mentor or a senior colleague that can act as an advisor to give you tips and pointers. There is nothing wrong with asking for a little help. Resources •DiamondMind Coaching Consultings Presenting a P.O.L.I.S.H.ed Professional Brand Teleseminar Series This FREE teleseminar series is specifically about presenting an authentic and polished professional brand, and creating a brand that creates a positive emotional association in your niche market. The line up for this series presents four women entrepreneurs and business professionals who have extensive knowledge in professional branding and they are going to share their tips and secrets with us! This is a great way to get a sample of how beneficial business coaching can be for you! To learn more and register for this free resource, CLICK HERE!   •Article: 5 Tips To Being Taken Seriously As A Young Entrepreneur by Buhle Dlamini.   Although this article was written for young entrepreneurs, young business professions can glean some helpful tips and information from this article as well.

Prepare for Bay Street with a Part Time Master of Finance in Toronto

Prepare for Bay Street with a Part Time Master of Finance in Toronto Today’s employers want job candidates to possess in-depth and targeted knowledge of the industries they want to work in. That may mean obtaining a specialization with their MBA such as accounting, marketing, or supply chain management.It may also mean passing the CFA exams or earning a CPA designation; or it may mean a Master of Finance degree in Canada. Players in the financial arena are especially keen to find candidates with advanced degrees and fine-tuned educations tailored toward the challenges in their industry. Besides an in-depth understanding of investment management and trading, an often-cited benefit of aspecialized degree is networking. Not only do you get a chance to learn from real business leaders with experience in the global financial industry, you will also meet and befriend tomorrow’s industry players. Earning your Master of Finance in downtown Toronto will put you in touch with a competitive network of professionals who are taking their careers to the next level. More and more schools, including Wilfrid Laurier University, are offering alternate weekend Master of Finance programs that allow you to continue to work as you study. There is no substitute for work experience, but an advanced education will be the edge that puts you above the rest. Bay Street is always on the lookout for graduates with a Master of Finance degree. These are some of the careers someone graduating from these programs might look forward to. If you want to find out how you can be ready for these roles without leaving your current job, there is more information at Lauriermba.ca. #1 Brokers: Experts in commodities trading (i.e., energy, metals, and agricultural commodities), as well as bond trading. #2 Insurance Analysts: Underwriters, risk management experts, actuaries, and asset managers, insurance specialists are numbers-driven professionals. #3 Financial Analysts: Their job is to read markets and economics to help steer a firm’s investment choices, avoid unnecessary risks, and evaluate ROIs. #4 Planners: Earning an MFin alongside your CFA designation will put your median salary expectation over $70,000. When you take Laurier’s alternating weekend program, you can earn your Master of Finance while preparing for all three levels of the CFA exam. #5 Investment Bankers: If you want to manage enormous corporate portfolios, this is the role for you. Investment bankers are responsible for generating passive income from corporate investments. #6 Commercial Bankers: Professionals in these roles work with commercial and corporate clients’ deposits and loans. They also deal with high margin capital investments and command well over the $100,000 mark. If you have a head for math and sharp critical thinking skills, you belong in a part time Master of Finance program. They are intensive and demanding, and prepare students for high stakes roles in investment or commercial banking. Hard analytical skills are in high demand and will be as long as the financial industry remains dynamic and complex. It takes a special kind of candidate to excel, but if you have what it takes to earn your MFin, you’ll have the credentials to become a financial maven. Image Source; Image Source

Effective Easy Ways to Build Up Your Business Presence Online

Effective Easy Ways to Build Up Your Business Presence Online When you have your own business, there are some things that you need to be doing. You want your business to grow, so there are lots of things that need to be taken into consideration. One of the first  to do is to make sure that you have an online business presence. If you think about it, it makes no sense to not have an online presence. Even though you might not think that it is relevant to your business at all,  I can assure you, that it will be. There are different things that you can do, and at least one of them will be relevant to your business. Build A Blog One of those things could be writing a blog. If you have a hairdressing business, for example, the information on your main site doesn’t change. There might be details about you and your salon, along with prices and some testimonials. That is all fine, but a way to develop your online presence more would be to have a blog as part of your website. You could focus on hair and advice tips, as well as current trends or wedding hair ideas. Then it just adds a different dimension to your web page. You could attract more clients this way, through social sharing and things like Pinterest. If you link back to previous posts, or pages on your main site, it will rank higher in an online search too. Which brings me on to the next point. Learn and Practice SEO If you want your business to grow, one of the most effective ways is to focus on the site’s search engine optimization. Basically, this is how high up your site or page will come up if someone was to search online. So sticking with the hairdresser example, someone might search for hairdressers near San Diego. If that is you, you want to come high up in that search. They are more likely to view your page and then become a client if they don’t have to look too far for you. A blog is a great way to do that. Another great way is by collaborating with other digital influencers to share content and links. The more links there are back to your website, the higher you will rank. If all of this kind of thing confuses you, then it might be worth looking at outsourcing your search engine optimization. There might not be anyone in your business available to dedicate time to building your online presence. So having an agency do it for you is quite often the best answer. A company like Ruby search solutions would be a good place to start. You can at least get quotes for how much it will all be. It is worth investing in building your online presence. Social Media Social media is key to build up your business, also. It is where people go to these days for questions and answers. So having a Facebook or Twitter account for your business is a great idea. It is likely to create more loyal customers, as well as spread the word about your business. Images: Online  Image credit

10 Tips To Know Before Joining The Workforce After A Break CareerMetis.com

10 Tips To Know Before Joining The Workforce After A Break Alice Paulsen had to leave her flourishing career as an editor in a publishing house when she had her first child. She wanted to be a hands-on mother, so she went for a career break. Years later, when her child reached pre-teen, she decided to re-enter the professional sphere as a content writer. But, at the back of her mind, there were many apprehensions about this second stint.This could be the story of anyone who has been contemplating to pursue a career after a long break. Whether it was planned or unplanned, resuming professional responsibilities after being away for an extended period, always seems daunting.evalSo, before you start second-guessing your decision to get back to work after a hiatus, you need to read this post.1) Ponder over the situationevalBefore you consider diving into work all over again, you need to spare a thought about your situation. The prospective employers are going to inquire about your long hiatus from work, and also why you want to come back.So, you should be prepared to answer these questions. Other than that, you should maintain complete honesty while responding.Another factor to think about is the kind of work you want to do. Don’t just jump into applying for positions. Think about the location, timings, and field of your next employment. Again, if a recruiter doesn’t think you are serious about the application, they will assume you’ll take another break.2) Give your CV a makeoverIf you took a break for a substantial amount of time, it would look odd if you don’t provide details about your sabbatical at all. If you didn’t have a steady employment opportunity, create a ‘relevant experience’ section within the CV, list the activities done by you, describing skills learned along the way.In this section, you can list out the activities you indulged in while on a break. It can be volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or serving in a philanthropic organization. Focus on your achievements; it doesn’t matter if they took p lace a few years ago, you still achieved it.If the gaps in your CV bother you too much, adopt a functional CV format instead. This emphasizes the skills and experience instead of the dates of job titles. Above all, do some research first.3) Explain the reason behind your career hiatusYou need to address why you took a long break in your cover letter as well as during the interviews. Regardless of your reason for the break, you need to explain them in brief. Even a simple sentence will do. Try, “I had devoted time to take care of an ailing relative,” or “I was completing my higher studies.”evalWhatever your reason is for the long gap, try to keep that discussion brief and shift the focus of your conversation to the work you did before you took a break. Your work experience remains relevant, even if some time has passed since you gained that experience.4) Make optimum use of your networking skills If you have worked in a particular field in the past, you’re still likely to h ave a few contacts in that area or beyond. If you plan on getting back to the same field of work, you should reach out to these contacts and build your network again.Even when you’re aiming for a career shift, don’t give up on your old network. Your previous networks, even when they are from a different field altogether, can sometimes be instrumental in leading you to a better career prospect.You should perform a little research on the companies and the industry as a whole. You can also find out about the salary range for the job roles that are of interest to you.evalFor instance, if you want to pursue a career in academic writing and want to join an assignment help providing company. Then you need to gather more information about the organization you’re interested in.eval5) Update your skill setThings are continuously evolving in the job market. This means you’ll have to keep pace with the latest developments. This is all the more critical when you’re getting back to work after a long gap. Sharpen your skills before you send out the resumes or go on interviews. This will help you feel more confident as a candidate.You can pursue a course available to learn more about the latest developments and technology. This could be a traditional classroom-based course, or it could be an online tutorial. Once you’ve mastered a new skill, you can show it on your CV.In this case, there are many options to choose from when you want to enhance your skills. You can check out platforms like Google Digital Garage, Coursera, Hubspot, etc to select a suitable online course.6) Shuffle your scheduleThere will be a significant shift in your regular schedule once you get back your career. So, you need to prepare yourself to adjust to a new schedule. This process could take a little getting used to.If you want this transition to go smoothly, it’s vital that you take your time and ease into a different routine, instead of rushing into it. Keep yourself busy with chores and activities. Set up an alarm in the morning and switch off the gadgets early at night.Each day should have a new purpose; create to-do lists, finish off chores, apply for jobs or work on your resume. Ultimately, you’ll feel good about yourself if you take measures to develop your confidence.7) Be open to new opportunities At times, you may be presented an opportunity, but it may not be what you had in mind. However, it’s crucial that you don’t dismiss chances so easily.Opportunities appear when an employer wants to see how you will work within the organization after a long gap from your career. So, it’s vital that you consider these opportunities to show how efficiently you can work for them.evalFor instance, you may be keen on establishing a career in content marketing. But you are presented with an opportunity in the domain of social media. In this case, you shouldn’t disregard this chance completely.8) Forget the stereotypesIrrespective of who you are, what your age or gender is, the phenomenon of stereotyping is always going to be there when looking for a job. However, the key is to steer clear of those stereotypes and make potential employers understand how efficient you can be.The idea is not to emphasize on the stereotypes, but instead on the positives of how efficiently you worked before when you were active as a professional. The focus should also be on what you can provide the employer if they hire you. That way you will make it easy for them to pick you over other candidates.9) Prepare for the interviewThe greatest challenge you may encounter during interviews is convincing that you aren’t going to leave. The trick, in this case, is to show your commitment.Now one common blunder made when talking about your life before the break as if it was a long time ago. It’s obviously in the past, but it’s best not to emphasize it. It wouldn’t be wise to highlight how long you have been away from professional life.evalYou need to prove that yo u are as skilled as someone who has been consistently working in your particular field. You also need to show that you know everything about the organization and the sector they are in.Employers want to make sure that you’re ready for the job role. Gaps only become an issue if you aren’t able to explain them cohesively. So, say it as it is and don’t be apologetic. You can check out this post by ‘The Muse’ on the significant questions asked during job interviews.10) Having confidence is necessaryWhether you’ve been detached from work for a few months or a couple of years, re-entering the professional sphere can undoubtedly be tiresome. However, the essential thing is that you remain confident about your abilities. Without confidence, you will end up undermining what you can offer an employer.Take note of the strengths and skills you possess on a piece of paper. Mention those elements during your job search, to help you get noticed. If you’re unsure, ask your family and acquaintance to share their feedback on where your strengths lie. They may offer suggestions you hadn’t thought about before.Aside from researching the organization, you should also look at their competitors, go through the latest industry news and research industry trends. When you have all the details you need, it will help you to be much more confident, specifically during interviews.Parting thoughtsSo, it’s commendable if you have decided to re-enter the professional field. But, getting back to work after hiatus has multiple aspects to take into account. You may be still apprehensive about your efficiency as a professional. But following these tips can put all these apprehensions to rest.

Getting Involved in the Food Industry

Getting Involved in the Food Industry Increasing numbers of people are opting to set up their own business rather than remaining employees for the rest of their working lives. Now, there are benefits to being an employee you get annual leave, sick pay, maternity leave, and contracted hours of work at a fixed rate. But setting up your own business provides you with the opportunity to work towards your own dreams. You can specialise in your a chosen area of interest and direct your career in the direction that you want it to go. You don’t have to answer to anyone other than the consumer market and you can set your own working hours. What’s not to like? But for some reason, when people consider setting up their own small business, they automatically think of retail. Sure, retail is a lucrative area to consider working in. But there are other options out there. If you haven’t yet come up with an innovative product that can fill a hole in the market, why not try your hand at specialising somewhere within the food indus try? Here’s a little more information on the subject to get the ball rolling in the right direction if this is something that interests you! Providing an Experience In the past, consumers wanted something to hold and use for their money. This hasn’t changed. But millennials are tending to spend more money on experiences that can be shared with others than products that they can enjoy alone. This may be why people are still dining out on a regular basis, despite increasing costs in almost all areas of life despite wages and salaries not rising in line. One of the best, and lowest cost, ways of bonding and spending time with others is over food. We all have to eat, so why not make it a social occasion? By getting involved in the food industry, you can bring people together as well as provide them with a satisfying product that they can quite literally consume. Coming Up With a Concept Like retail, you are going to have to come up with a new and stand out idea. You need to provide food or a service that others aren’t already providing or you’re going to have to offer a similar food or service of a better quality than others are providing. Let’s face it if you’re planning on setting up a fast food chain that sells burgers and fries, you’re placing yourself up against some big competition that can offer this for a lower price than any small, independent company is going to be capable of offering. So, try something that isn’t quite so prevalent. Set up a street food van, open an ice cream store, or create a new dining concept. This will help you stand out from the other options out there and bring more customers through your doors. Conducting a Little Market Research While you may feel like the pressure is off once you’ve come up with a new concept, the hard work really isn’t over. You can’t just assume that your idea will definitely be a hit with customers. It might not go down the treat that you expected it to. So, it’s better to get an idea of how people react to your concept and whether they’d be interested in it before investing a whole lot of money into it. You can achieve this by carrying out market research. This can be done yourself or it can be outsourced through an agency. Either way, you will have to come up with set questions to ask individuals in your target demographic. This will help you to determine whether there’s interest in your brand, how you should price your dishes, where your company would best be located, and a whole host of other information that you could use to your advantage. Getting the Money Together If you receive confirmation that your ideas are sound, you’re going to need to get some money together to get things started. After all, you’ll need money to rent a commercial premises, to invest in furnishings, to hire staff (such as serving staff and chefs), to purchase ingredients, to take out relevant insurance, and to generally get everything off the ground. If you have savings, great! If not, you’ll have to source money from somewhere else, unless you believe you have sufficient time to wait and save. You could consider crowdfunding, pairing up with an investor, or even business loans. Seek professional financial advice before spending anything that is not your own though!As you can see, getting involved in the food industry does take a whole lot of hard work, time, effort, and financial investment. But if it’s a sector you’re interested in exploring and you have a good enough idea, you could set up a business that flourishes

Writing a Resume After College - How to Make it Look As Good As Possible

Writing a Resume After College - How to Make it Look As Good As PossibleWhen I was in college, I found it very hard to write a resume after college. I never really understood how to make sure that I looked as professional as possible, and the instructions on how to do it were either too complicated for me to follow, or were too vague to do anything but confuse me. But if you are like me, and you have already been working hard during your college years, you can now make it easier on yourself by using the advice of professional resume writers and making the changes that will help you get the job of your dreams.When I was still in college, I would always get told that it was necessary for me to have a full college degree in order to get a great job. Even today, I am told that people who have a Bachelor's degree are typically not considered 'college material'. This is definitely not true. Just because you went to college doesn't mean that you are a college graduate; it only means that yo u earned a degree.If you find yourself in this position and you are desperate to land a job, then you need to think about what your strengths are and make sure that you include them in your resume. It is probably time to reevaluate your education and see if there are any areas where you could do without. A better job can be had if you focus on writing a resume after college that will grab the attention of the employer.One of the first things you should consider doing is hiring a professional resume writer to write you a resume that can be submitted and reviewed in the early morning hours when most people are sleeping. By doing this, you will know that your resume is being looked at in a special way and will get a more positive response. This is what you need to do in order to land the job of your dreams.Now, when it comes to making your resume more appealing to employers, you want to make sure that you are going to highlight all of your skills and abilities in order to get a good jo b. You can achieve this by writing a concise, to-the-point resume. The introduction section of your resume is just as important as anything else in your resume because it will help to describe who you are and what you can do for the company. Make sure that you include this section in your resume, and then take some time to brainstorm your skills.The last tip I have for you when it comes to making your resume after college is to make sure that you include in your resume that you have a good solid college major and make sure that you mention all of your majors so that they can see what you can do. It may sound simple, but having to go back to college or taking extra courses just to get your degree can be really expensive. Include these details so that you can avoid paying for them.So if you want to land the job of your dreams, make sure that you have included all of the right college majors that you can remember and know how to write a resume after college that will give you the best chance of landing the job. Once you include these details in your resume, employers will be looking for more than just your degree and GPA.To summarize, when it comes to writing a resume after college, you want to make sure that you write a short, concise resume that includes all of your academic accomplishments and keep in mind that you also want to highlight your skills so that you can get the job of your dreams. It may seem to be a little silly to include your skills and talents in your resume, but that is why I recommend writing one for you, and you will be surprised at the results. Get started with a professional resume writer today and write your resume after college.