7 Things Fairy Tales Taught Us About Recruitment Success

7 Things Fairy Tales Taught Us About Recruitment Success Albert Einstein once said that If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. This advice also feeds constructively into the recruitment industry, with fairy tales holding a surprising number of lessons to hep recruiters win their happy endings. Not only do fairy tales teach us how to find hidden rewards in difficult situations, they also offer instruction on how to use what we’re given to survive in an unpredictable world full of pitfalls. In a changeable industry with many difficulties and obstacles to overcome, these fairy tale lessons frequently overlap into recruitment. Here’s a list of 7 valuable lessons from fairy tales that recruiters can take on board in the workplace. 1) The Little Mermaid: Be adventurous: Venturing outside your comfort zone is often a daunting experience, but one that can offer rich rewards. Ariel’s journey out of the sea and onto the shore is a prime example of stepping out into unexplored territory and winning fantastic results in the process. The Little Mermaid teaches us that boldly embracing change can have a transformative long-term effect. In an industry currently undergoing a rapid social evolution, this is a lesson of great value to recruiters.  2)  The Princess and the Frog: Be patient if you want to find the perfect candidate: Kissing multiple frogs to finally find a prince is a highly fitting analogy for the recruitment industry. When wading through a pile of ill-fitting CVs, every recruiter has despairingly felt like they’ll never make a placement. If The Princess and the Frog teaches us anything, it’s that patience and perseverance pay off when trying to find the right person. They might be rare in a skills-short market, but those perfect candidates are out there if you’re prepared to leave no stone unturned.  3)  Hansel and Gretel: You can overcome adversity if you keep your wits about you: In today’s candidate-driven recruitment climate, it can sometimes feel like you’ve been thrust into the metaphorical woods, with little hope of making it back out successfully. Taking a leaf out of Hansel and Gretel’s book could benefit recruiters feeling lost. In what seems like a hopeless situation, the pair refuse to give up, keep their eyes open for opportunity and act quickly when a prospect becomes available. As a result, they’re able to fight their way out of a tight spot. 4) Pinocchio: Always, always be honest: Absolute transparency is key to successful recruitment. As Pinocchio illustrates, lies are destructive for you and those around you and should be avoided at all costs. When he stops telling untruths, Pinocchio experiences rebirth through metamorphosis and finally achieves his dreams. Similarly, as every recruiter should know, glossing over less attractive aspects of a job role to win a quick placement will only ever result in dissatisfaction, a poor experience for both client and candidate and the loss of your fee to boot.  5)  Mulan: Don’t judge a candidate by their cover: There are a small group of recruiters out there who seem to believe that hiring for ‘culture fit’ means selecting candidates who are young, stylish and attractive. Anybody familiar with Mulan’s tale knows that making such appearance-based judgements is unwise and often injurious. Mulan teaches us that being the right person for the role has nothing whatsoever to do with appearance; attitude and ambition are far more important factors when it comes to being a strong cultural fit.  6)  Rapunzel: Get creative when it comes to problem-solving: Using the materials that she already has available to her, Rapunzel comes with up a unique but highly effective solution to her problem. Rather than assuming that there is nothing that can be done, Rapunzel thinks outside the box and wins results by doing so. Rapunzel’s lesson of using existing tools in new and innovative ways is a particularly beneficial lesson to recruiters. In a time of industry change, the recruitment wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented: it just needs to be reinvigorated with creative ideas.  7)  Jack and the Beanstalk: Don’t be afraid to climb sky-high: By trusting his gut instincts, Jack makes something out of nothing and reaches dizzying, unexplored heights. He fearlessly climbs up into the sky and doesn’t stop until he reaches the castle and slays the giant within. For recruiters, the lesson of Jack’s journey is clear to reach your end goal, you have to keep going and continuously push upwards. To make those deals, win those top fees and ultimately climb the career ladder, you’ll need grit, determination and drive just like Jack. Though it can seem far from a fairy tale at times, recruitment is in fact filled with surprise rewards, exciting growth journeys and unexpected happy endings. It might be taxing KPIs we’re fighting against rather than wicked witches, but the lessons from fairy tales still ring true in our daily office struggles. The next time you’re having a tough day as a recruiter, think like a fairy tale hero and watch the rewards roll in. Author: Roxanne Abercrombie is a professional copywriter and serial blogger. She works as PR, Content and Social Executive for unitingambition.com, a specialist company that provides recruitment and talent management services to businesses at varying stages of growth, from start-up and medium sized enterprises through to global brands.

The Top 10 Countries that Defy the 9 to 5

The Top 10 Countries that Defy the 9 to 5 Businesses in these countries offer alternative  working options that aim to limit interactions with employees after hours, shorten the work week and encourage leave to be taken, and workers generally report higher levels of overall  happiness  and engagement. With UK workers believing that over 36% of their time spent at work is  unproductive, Instant Offices look at what countries around the world are doing to encourage employee engagement and overall happiness. TUC has recently announced with the advances in technology, the possibility of a four-day workweek in the UK is likely to happen by 2100. However, countries like Germany, Norway, Sweden, and France are already proving that you don’t have to work eight-hour days to be more productive. Data shows that Germany works the shortest hours with a weekly average of 26.37 hours.   Netherlands and Norway work the second and third shortest hours, working just 1% less than Germany respectively. What’s more,  Germans can  request  a reduction in their hours if they work for a company with fewer than 15 employees. Research points to the fact that employers reportedly find it easier to attract top talent with flexible working options and a better work-life balance. UK employees  voted  flexible working a favored benefit, with 35% listing it as their top one. In  Sweden, the introduction of six-hour work days was established to motivate employees to work smarter at work while having more time to spend at home. Sweden and Germany are not the only countries that believe the 8-hour work day isn’t as effective as some think. As we already know, Germans have the highest amount of annual leave with a whopping 30 days off annually. In Norway, it’s 21 days each year and in Denmark, the average paid vacation allowance is five weeks. The Danish consider  family  highly important, so finding a balance for work and home is easy â€" they have the right to five weeks of holiday a year, of which three weeks can be taken consecutively during the school vacation periods to encourage time with children. The UK is committed to transforming the modern workplace, and through several benefits and options for employees, the UK labor market has introduced some of the most diverse working patterns in Europe. After 26 weeks of continuous employment with a company, workers in the UK can request agile  working  options, including anything from job sharing and shift work to part-time work or even working from home. In Germany, flexitime is a popular working arrangement in larger organizations and is agreed between the company and the employee at their discretion. A  French employee’s  time spent working can be broken up with a generous lunch break that can last 2 hours, and some smaller businesses tend to close for lunch so employees can spend time with their families. Germans follow a similar suit, often having full, sit-down lunches with colleagues, with a lunch beer, not something that’s frowned upon. Labour ministries in Germany have banned managers from  calling or emailing staff  after work hours, except in an emergency, enforcing the idea that employees leave work  at  work when they go home. France followed similar suit when the country passed a law which requires companies with 50 or more employees to establish hours when staff will not send or respond to emails. In France,  overtime  is not generally part of the working culture â€" taking work home to do in the evenings or over the weekend is not common practice for regular employees, however, senior staff are more likely to put in overtime.  Regulations  like these ensure that employees are fairly paid for work, and prevent burnout by protecting private time. Through strict paid leave programs, like compulsory vacation time, maternal and paternal paid leave, countries like Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany take a strong stand when it comes to preventing worker burnout. With the rise of  family-friendly workplaces, the reduction of hours spent at the office and different ways of working being encouraged, a new culture is emerging that challenges the traditional 9 â€" 5. About the author:  John Williams, is the head of Marketing and Research at Instant Offices. Bringing extensive experience in the commercial property market. John joined The Instant Group in 2015 to spearhead Instant Offices marketing team and support the rapid growth of the business both on and offline.

Are you Talking Past Each Other - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Are you Talking Past Each Other - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Too often these days we end up talking past each other. When the other person is talking to often we are thinking about what we want to say next or what we missed saying the last time we had our opportunity to talk. That is a classic case of talking past each other. What can we do about it? It’s simple. Be present. It’s as simple as focusing on the conversation and being present in the moment. Is it hard to do? Absolutely. It can be very hard to do and even harder execute. So, what can you do about it? Again, it is simple. Take a moment Take a breath Take a beat And focus on where you are right now. Focus on what you want to accomplish right now Focus on what you want out of the conversation Focus on what you think they want out of the conversation Then make it happen. How do you know what the other person wants out of the conversation? That’s easy. Ask them! Pro tip: Never go to a meeting that doesn’t have an agenda. Before you meet with someone set the ground rules of what you want to accomplish and what you expect to happen. This doesn’t always work. Because sometimes you’re in the office, on elevator, at a tradeshow, or just out in the wild. And you don’t always have that moment to set context. But, when you get that impromptu request you can take a moment to ask what the other party wants out of the conversation. Set  SMART Goals Take a moment and ask. Pro Tip: Learn to say NO like a pro  â€" Read  How You Can Say ‘No’ Like a Pro When you have the time… take the time and: Set the tone Set the pace Set the agenda The ends will justify the means. Take the time to prepare. Take the time to really listen. And, most important of all, take the time to be present. When you can master this one skill you will stand out in your career. You will be known for hosting effective meetings and having meaningful conversations.

The Guide to Hiring Passive Candidates

The Guide to Hiring Passive Candidates Passive candidates could be the answer for your most challenging recruitment activities. Passive candidates are those who are not actively looking for a job but have the suitable qualifications and experience, and may be interested in discussing opportunities if the right one comes along. It is often thought that the most skilled workers are happy with their job so to target the passive candidates would mean that youre tapping into the best potential  employees. Weve taken a look through this infographic by  Armstrong Appointments for our top tips for hiring passive candidates. The global workforce: Did you know that only 15% of the global workforce are satisfied at their current job? This leaves a whopping 85% of the workforce as  potential new employees, with only 12% of them actively looking out for new jobs and opportunities. Only 15% of employees are satisfied with their current jobs 12% are actively searching for a job 13% are casually looking for better opportunities 15% are thinking about changing jobs Why passive candidates? Theyre potential long-term, top quality candidates  If youre hiring a passive candidate, it obviously shows that they are willing to remain in a job long-term. This means youre probably hiring someone thats going to potentially stay with your company long term. Theyre the best when it comes to qualifying for a specific skill set  Theyve been doing a great job at their current role, which means they have the skill set youre looking for. Less competition as they wont be interviewing anywhere else.  A typical passive candidate will not be taking part in interviews anywhere else, so you dont have to be worried theyll be taking another job. Theyre unlikely to stretch the truth on their CVs.  If theyre coming from a similar role, you can count on the fact they havent  lied on their CV, They are valuable assets at their current employers. Benefits for candidates: So why would a candidate ever change jobs? If theyre content and satisfied with their current position then why on earth would they go elsewhere? One of the main reason is so that they can achieve a better work/life balance which is a top priority for many employees. Another reason is for the benefits and pay that a new job can bring. But its not all about money passive candidates also move for more challenging work. Theres nothing worse than being bored at work because youre not being challenged enough. Best ways to attract passive candidates: Through an internal reference Blogging, publishing articles and social media Refer a friend Totally off the grid Have you had experience in the past with passive candidates? Wed love to hear your experiences, so tweet us @UndercoverRec. RELATED: Passive Talent: Not as Passive as You Think

How To Use A Worksheet For Resume Writing

How To Use A Worksheet For Resume WritingWhen you are ready to start writing your resume, the worksheet for resume writing is a great idea. The worksheet will act as a reference that will help you get ideas for your resume and will make the writing process a little easier. The worksheet can also be used in conjunction with the help of a research paper to make sure that you do not forget to mention your education and how much experience you have.The worksheet can be used in place of a research paper when you are writing your resume. The resume writing process is usually lengthy and you should try to include all of the important information about yourself, but the resume writing process is lengthy because it takes the reader a little while to process the information in the resume. Using a worksheet for resume writing will make the writing process a little less tedious and you will be able to get all of the information on your resume without having to go back over it several times.The f irst step in the resume writing process is to find out what kind of format you should use. The worksheet for resume writing has four sections: your educational information, your work experience, your education and your professional contacts. You will use this information to build your resume from the top down. The information from each section will then help you to write the rest of your resume.Your work experience is probably the most important information that will be included in your resume. Make sure that you state where you worked and how long you worked there. This information will show the reader that you have the work experience that they are looking for in their candidate. You should also list any training that you have received.The next section of the worksheet for resume writing is your education section. You should list your major and the dates that you completed the requirements. The educational information that you provide on your resume will be one of the most importa nt things that they see.The third section of the worksheet for resume writing is your professional contacts. You should list your current employer, the name of your former employer and the telephone number where you can be reached. The professional contacts will help to show the reader that you have good references and that you have good communication skills.The fourth section of the worksheet for resume writing is your work experience. You should list your work experience in chronological order and list each year of work experience that you have had. The work experience information is a very important part of your resume and you should do all that you can to list the work experience accurately.When you are finished writing your resume, you will be able to go back over it and add in the additional information that you need to get the job. You should try to keep the information on your resume to only be a few sentences and you should not be concerned about whether or not you include all of the information on your resume. It is a personal statement and you will be writing a letter to the hiring manager and have to state your resume.

Become Visible in a Job Search Thanks to SEO - CareerEnlightenment.com

Using your name for link text will help increase the ranking for your name. If you have the time, attempt to do some guest blogging on professionally related sites, making sure to link back to your site from your guest post. Not only will this increase your visibility in your professional space by drawing more eyes, it will improve your site’s search engine performance for related keywords.Keep Tabs on GoogleSince Google is the most widely used search engine, the logic it uses to rank search results (widely referred to as its search algorithms) can make or break a commercial or personal website. Developers are constantly tweaking the Google search algorithms in order to deliver high-quality search engine results. They also make occasional major changes that can affect search rankings. The most high profile of these changes was nicknamed Panda by Google developers. Released in early 2011, Panda employed artificial intelligence to lower the search rank of low-quality websites. A litt le over a year later, the Penguin update was launched. The purpose of this update was to lower the ranking of websites that use black hat SEO techniques, like keyword stuffing and duplicated content.Website owners cant afford to ignore Panda, Penguin and any future modification to Googles algorithms. These changes allow Google to add value to searches by filtering out what appears to be useless content. Besides enhancing your professional reputation, high-quality content and skillful use of career-related keywords will help your website survive Google filtering and rise to the top of search engine rankings. And remember: High ranking means your personal brand will be more visible and help your next employer find you, instead of the other way around.

Theres Literally No Reason Why You Cant Get A Job Youll Love - CareerAlley

There’s Literally No Reason Why You Can’t Get A Job You’ll Love - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The dream is to be able to get up every single morning and head into a job that well love or, at the very least, enjoy quite a bit. Well, the dream, for many, is to have all of the success in the world and to be sitting on a beach drinking cocktails, but were not all going to be hitting that stage just yet! The ninety-nine point nine percent of us are going to be working away for many years to come, first. Well reap those kinds of rewards a little later on. Finding a job that youll enjoy doesnt actually have to be an impossible task. It may feel that way, but earning a living doing what you want is a genuine possibility. Tweet This Seriously, though, work is inevitable, so we need to be able to enjoy the forty to fifty (maybe more) hours a week that are filled with focus and concentration. Fortunately, finding a job that youll enjoy doesnt actually have to be an impossible task. It may feel that way, but earning a living doing what you want is a genuine possibility. While its not going to fall onto your lap, there are some things you can do to put yourself in a position to do so. Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash Realize That Youre Not Stuck In This System Yes, we have a very systematic approach to things in order to keep our communities flowing smoothly. That doesnt mean you have to fall completely in line throughout your entire working life. Sure, there will be times where somebody has to find the most convenient job for the situation theyre in, but it doesnt mean theyre in that zone for fifty years. You can get out of those psychological handcuffs and work in a new, exciting place if you want! Understand That Those Who Do It Arent Special We often look up to those that have so-called good jobs or are successful and put it down to them just being better than the average man or woman. Its not true at all, though. Theyre just ordinary people; they just managed to get up and push for something that they wanted. Look: Opportunities Pop Up Everywhere When youre bogged down at work, and youre focusing too heavily on getting your domestic things sorted, you can miss out on something thats staring you right in the face. They can be quite difficult to spot, but opportunities throw themselves at you all the time. It could be in the form of somebody coming into your life or an open day at a new exciting education center. Once you actively try to find these kinds of things, youll notice that theyre around in abundance. Your ability to stay focused and determined while you put yourself out there without feeling negative or deterred is going to play a vital role in your ability to land your next job. This is why it is crucial that each day you set aside at least one hour a day to sharpen your positive mindset so you can stay motivated. Stay Motivated During Your Job Search There Is So Much Available To You Online The internet provides us with so much nowadays. Its virtually impossible to miss out on any information. If you need to know about a certain topic, then you can just Google it. You can also find hundreds of jobs that are going a few are bound to suit you, so you may as well apply. You can also lookup specific jobs that you might want. For example, if you wanted to be a fitness or health instructor, and wanted to travel to somewhere exotic, you could find pages like https://kayayogalifestyle.com/300-hr-intensive/. Because of the number of people online, there are so many different pages and posts from all kinds of walks of life. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay You Just Have To Give It A Go When people realize that they can make a really good go of life, they still tend to idle in the life theyre living. They feel as though theres no point in bothering. There is a point to it, though. As we mentioned earlier, those in the good jobs are people that just got up and did it. 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