Mobile Recruitment Facts and Figures

Mobile Recruitment Facts and Figures This infographic, from Jobsite  shows how mobile became very popular in 2012 and is expected to increase. Have you used mobile to recruit someone? Let us know in the comments! Takeaways: Nearly one third of job seekers want mobile versions of job boards. 40% of Jobsites traffic is from Apple mobile devices. In Feb 2010, only 43% of people said they owned smartphones. That number is now more than double that (in just over 3 years). In January 2013, 76219 applications on Jobsite were mobile. RELATED:  How To Use Mobile, Social Media and Video To Recruit Passive Candidates

3 Times When You Must Confront Your Boss

3 Times When You Must Confront Your Boss No one likes to put themselves at risk of losing their job. Yet, there are times when you, the employee, must confront your boss. The trick is not coming off looking like a combative and insubordinate know-it-all.You also want to protect your relationships for your career’s sake, too. We explain the times when confronting the boss is a must. We also explain some ways to handle it, wisely.1. When the Boss Is Dangerously Wrong and You Know ItIn today’s business climate, the wrong social media post or actions of a boss can damage a company’s reputation for years. This is a time when it is important to confront a boss. You are positive he/she is about to do something that will impact everyone’s job and the success of the company. For example, expressing an opinion towards a loyal customer in the community that is both public and discriminatory.How does someone know who is right or wrong?Easy. Try the following:Get the facts. Investigate both sides of the story before confronting the boss. Avoid being cocky or self-righteous. Ask yourself if your argument is “emotional” or “logical”. Logical arguments are tough to disagree with.It is ok to help your boss see another perspective, as long as you remain supportive and cooperative. Do not become argumentative. Say things like, “Let me show you why I am thinking this way.”Your argument has got to involve numbers and logic in order to show the true damage that can be done by the boss’s actions.2. When Your Workload Is Too Much to HandleNo one likes to feel like a quitter or whiner. However, if things get to be a little too much you have to keep your boss aware of your dilemma. After all, if you cannot achieve goals, the boss needs to know.To avoid sounding like someone just having a bad day, try key phrases to open up a dialogue with your boss like these:“My current workload is demanding so much attention, I may not be able to [insert dilemma]” “Would you help me prioritize my tasks?”Above al l, remind yourself you are not complaining. You are trying to achieve a form of balance that is better for the company.3. When Your Boss Is Dragging His/Her Feet and You Need ResourcesThe boss gave you a deadline, but then at some point stopped providing the resources required to achieve it. The boss believes in taking the initiative and out-of-the-box thinking, but deciding to try something new (or against company policy) will not make the boss happy. You need your boss on this one.The situation is delicate and you obviously do not want to sound like the “boss of your boss”. You do, after all, have to think about who is really in charge. Right? Try these statements to ease the tension when you are a step away from saying, “Hey! Boss! A little help here, please?!”“I realize you are busy. Do you have a moment to [insert]?” “Do you think I can complete the project by this date without [insert]?”Confronting your boss is never an easy thing to do, especially if you know your boss will not take it well. Trying the phrases and ideas mentioned above should assist you in reducing tension and protecting your relationship with your boss.

30 is NOT the new 20. Stop lying to yourself.

30 is NOT the new 20. Stop lying to yourself. A few months ago, my friend and former professor  Mark Lacker said I HAD to read Dr. Meg Jays book The Defining Decade. Im so glad I did. My/our generation (Gen Y) has been fed a lot of crap from the media and from parents who wish they did things differently when they were young. Sadly, it only ended up hurting us in the end. While you think that filling your twenties with underemployment and a total focus on going out with friends is the only way to spend your time, think again. Think about the successful people you know.  Did they waste their 20s? No. They got busy.  They try. They take things seriously.  Yes: perhaps they failed and they changed course. While you might think they are cool as a cucumber, they probably felt they had no idea what they were doing.  They fought with their bosses and co-workers.  They faked it until they made it.  But one thing is for sure: they dont keep making excuses about how theyll figure it out when they turn thirty. They set the tone for the rest of their lives in their twenties. As Dr. Meg Jay says the marriage, baby, job, house and life you want at 35 or 40 may be totally impossible unless you get started in your twenties. Your twenties truly is a defining decade. Stop saying its OK, I can hook up with this guy now, its not like Im going to marry him! Seriously, stop wasting your time on losers and stop fooling yourself. I know some people feel strongly that ones twenties is a time of total freedom and exploration. I get it. And yeah, the real world can be boring.  But is  sitting on the bench for ten years that great of an idea? Ive been in some heated debates about this topic since reading the book, and I welcome an open discussion here as well.  Check out Dr. Meg Jays Ted Talk below and let me know what you think in the comments section. In my opinion, if theres one book you read in your twenties, this is it. PS- I turn 29 on Monday.  For some reason I feel a huge responsibility of how I handle the last year of my twenties. Who made up this 30 benchmark and why does it feel like such a defining age? I will be doing a few posts about what it feels like going into year 29.  Stay tuned. Thoughts?

Six Summer Hiking Tips to Stay Safe

Six Summer Hiking Tips to Stay Safe There are many ways to prepare for your first hike. However, if it’s going to be done in the summer, there are some specific things you need to consider. First of the many is that a summer trek is a totally different experience compared to a winter or spring hike due to the amount of sun you’ll be battling. To help you gear up for that exciting hike under the summer sun, here are a few summer hiking tips you might consider packing with you. Planning is key Some expert hikers can make it seem like hiking is such an easy feat to accomplish. However, despite all those scenic photos that make it seem all fun in the sun, it is crucial to remember that hiking requires extensive planning and preparation. Your number one issue would be the weather. Planning your trip would include identifying the right trails to take, which in this case, should be anywhere at high altitude. There are many things that affect an area’s temperature, but the idea is that the air cools by 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of altitude you take. This is important to remember as you’ll combat great heat outdoors in the summer. It is also important to determine the best time of day to hike. Your window for cooler temperature narrows in the summer. During this season, you should plan your trip between 6 to 8 in the morning when it’s most likely still dewy and cool outdoors. Another option is to set your trail in the afternoon when outdoor heat is most likely to have subsided. Just don’t forget to pack stuff for a low light hike as you’ll probably still be trekking after the sun has already set. Water is your lifeline Even experts wouldn’t be able to stress enough how crucial it is to stay hydrated during a hike. While hiking, your body is in constant motion, sweating, and burning calories as you trail along. The last thing you want to happen is collapsing due to dehydration and heat stroke. To prevent any of these from happening, drink a liter of water for every hour of your trail. It is also better to have cold water as drinking warm water will only make you thirstier. Dress according to occasion While it sure is cool to look fashionable in your hiking photos, over- or under-dressing for a hike can be severely detrimental to your safety. As a general rule of thumb, you should wear clothes with light and breathable fabric when hiking during the summer. Wear a hat or any form of protection for your head to shield it from the direct heat of the sun. Likewise, bring a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct heat and too much light as it could get difficult to see through very bright surroundings.   And of course, be sure to select the appropriate footwear according to the trails youll be on, as discussed here.     Your load could make or break you You would often hear experienced campers say to pack light. This is a good rule of thumb since hikes can go on for as long as several days or even weeks. Technically, the weight of your bag(s) isn’t as big of an issue in short hikes compared to longer ones. You’ll have shorter walking durations for shorter hikes, so you will only be carrying your bags for a short period. Whereas for longer hikes, the weight of your belongings can literally break you. Remember that your trails may involve complex terrains. And when hiking uphill for several days, a light backpack makes a whole lot of difference.    Consider investing in trekking poles to help navigate the more challenging parts of the trail. Don’t expect it to be sunny all day It’s a no-brainer to expect a lot of sunlight in summer. But remember that when trekking high-altitude terrains like mountains, your destination might just have a weather system of its own. While it may be hot and humid down town, the mountains may actually be experiencing monsoons, so it’s always safer to check weather bulletins before setting off to your trails. Stop and smell the flowers You can be all pumped up with adrenaline from all the excitement while hiking. However, it is crucial to sit down under a shade at some point to hydrate and just relax your musclesâ€"and yes, maybe to smell the flowers too and appreciate the view. While you may not always feel it, your muscles, especially your core and your legs, are in constant work during a hike. Taking breathers from time to time will allow your muscles to recover and your body temperature to cool down. Hiking can be a challenging activity for a lot of reasons. But hiking under scorching hot temperatures during summer can be not only challenging but also very tricky. One does not simply jump into hiking like it’s a spontaneous walk in the park. Much like any other physical activity or sport, sufficient preparation and research are essential in gearing up for a worthwhile hike. This guest post was authored by Cal Bailey Cal Bailey runs Mountain Leon a travel blog he started after two years on backpacking around the world. If you want to learn more about life on the road or tips for travelling, you can read his latest post about choosing the right sleeping bag.

Job Seekers Guide to Getting Noticed by Your Target Company

Job Seekers Guide to Getting Noticed by Your Target Company It’s almost entirely certain that most jobseekers â€" regardless of if they are first-timers or looking for a better one than their current job â€" are already targeting a company where they would like to apply and work for.This is especially advantageous as it narrows down the job-hunting efforts and allows us to prepare ourselves for the entire process of applying, including the interview.However, with the oversaturated job market of today, are you guaranteed that your job application to your target company will be shortlisted, or even be noticed by the hiring manager?evalYour biggest problem is the competition â€" no matter how impressive your resume is or how flawlessly you passed the initial interviews and assessments, applicants who exhibit the same qualities and results such as yours will most likely push your application into obscurity.The competition in the job market today is so stiff that even an excellent scholastic record and work experience does not guarantee anymore the attention of the company you desire to work for.If you’re aiming to get noticed by the company you want to work for, here are some practical steps for you to follow:Infographic credit â€" Philexeq.com

There is No Such Thing as a Gotcha Interview

There is No Such Thing as a Gotcha Interview In the recent McCain/Palin interview with Katie Couric, the candidates referred to the interview as  gotcha journalism.  Job seekers often feel that the job interview process is a similar gotcha experience, full of potential land mines and trick questions. It isnt. When a job seeker walks into an interview, they are a risk. The interviewer is trying to assess:Are you as good as your resume says you are?Do you have past experiences that have prepared you to carry out this new role successfully?How long will it take you to get up to speed and add value to the role/organization?Do you have any weaknesses or limitations that will be a liability in this position?Are you ethical, trustworthy, and loyal and do you have tangible proof of these traits?The whole interview process is about developing rapport and credibility with the hiring authority and proving through accomplishment-focused, metrics-driven examples that you have the competencies and experience to be successful in the role.  Wh ether you are applying for the role of sales person, CEO, or U.S. President/Vice President, the concerns are the same. Hiring managers cast their vote for the job applicant that does the best job of proving their abilities and fostering trust.  Know your value proposition and your stories of success before you go into the interview and continuously showcase these stories of success to answer interview questions and inspire trust. Come prepared and you wont feel like the interview was a gotcha.

One way to empower yourself as a job seeker -

One way to empower yourself as a job seeker - Under the you never know what will inspire you to blog category, I was listening to a local radio show last week The Bert Show in Atlanta. They were interviewing Chilli (Rozonda Thomas) from TLC @officialchilli on Twitter. Youre waiting for the career connection? Chilli shared that she has a list when it comes to looking for Mr. Right. She explained that she has two categories needs and wants. (Disclosure I am paraphrasing here, as I was in the car listening and the audio isnt posted online as of this writing!) Needs according to Chilli include things that are must haves. Chillis needs for a life partner included family man and Christian, among others. Wants? A six-pack (shes willing to date someone who has a 4-pack!) and a man who doesnt eat pork (she can compromise), among a few other desires. Everyone on the show seemed to think it was great to have a list; they commented that it was empowering to know what you are looking for and to be able to quantify it clearly. It obviously helps Chilli to zone in on how to spend her time and energy when it comes to dating. Job seekers think about your needs and wants. Since this isnt a relationship advice blog, lets take this concept to your job hunt. Do you have a list? What are YOUR needs/must-havea? A certain salary? Flexibility? Type of organization? What about your wants? Close to home? Ability to telecommute? Have you narrowed down what you are looking for? If not, its a lot harder to find it! Take some time today to make your list if you have not already clarified this for yourself. Ive talked about searching for a company instead of a job, but its tough to choose a company before you really narrow down what YOU want. Empower yourself with a list. You deserve it! photo by tinybanquet