Saturday, May 30, 2020

Why Job Ad Jargon Scares Off Young People

Why Job Ad Jargon Scares Off Young People Are you looking to streamline your job ad to onboard talent with the right KSA? Well, then you might want to ditch the jargon. Acronyms and technical jargon may be one man’s familiar language, but they will be foreign to many others, especially the young. A study by Business in the Community and the City Guilds Group asked a group of 16-24 year olds to assess the recruitment processes of over 65 companies. The research revealed that confusing and overcomplicated job descriptions were a major hidden barrier for young people, putting them off from applying. Recruiters may feel that using such language exerts a level of professionalism and expertise, but unnecessary jargon only overcomplicates something simple. From CRO, KPI’s, to OTE  an alphabet mess of acronyms, with verbose business-talk simply scares young applicants off.  John Sweeney, who participated in the research explains: “Everyone in my group mentioned the jargon in the job descriptions. It was just things being made needlessly complicated or things being confusingly phrased… just not good communication. “One of the jobs was an entry level secretary but used lots of industry terms, even though it was in the entry level section. It was meant to be an entry level role with training so it was needless to have all these confusing terms in there.” John is not alone, 66% of participants didn’t understand the role they would be applying for. When a job description is so saturated in a clutter of jargon and inflated language, the actual core information becomes lost under a hazy veil of pointless words, rendering the reader clueless of what the job entails. And whilst in most cases a Google search will translate, it often leaves the reader isolated, losing the confidence to apply for a job that seems above them. Some of the most confusing terms frequently used by recruiters for entry level roles include: “SLAs”, “fulfilment service”, “procurement” “KPIs”, “compliance, “mergers and acquisitions”. Googling up some of these terms I’m still none the wiser, but be sure understanding jargon and technical language is not a measure of a young person’s capabilities for a job, and does not serve as a filter system to seek out the best talent. And the problem goes beyond jargon and technical terms, it’s also the vagueness and obscurity of the descriptions. Too many job ads elevate a role through complicated language in an effort to dress-up what is actually a simple set of responsibilities. Among a very wordy job description for a receptionist role found on Linkedin, were the following responsibilities: “Making linkages between activities and priorities” and “Communicate compelling outward facing messages” ‘Outward facing’ meaning external people? And what are these ‘linkages’? Do they mean prioritising activities? Indeed, an advert must rely on effective copywriting to sell whatever it is they want to sell, but would you ever sell a burger by describing it as a Thermally excited bread container of compact, moulded beef? No, you use language that people understand. Thankfully, some companies are listening, making the first needed changes. Barclays were among the 65 companies assessed who as a result have eliminated jargon from their entry level job roles.  Mike Thompson, ?Director Early Careers at Barclays Bank said: “Having had our recruitment assessed we’ve made a number of changes to how we write entry level job descriptions, trying to remove unnecessary technical language. It’s important that we do this to make sure our roles are accessible to a more diverse talent and make our roles attractive to young people. Sometimes it’s easy having been working in an industry for so long to forget how much jargon there is in your industry and how excluding this can be to people who are looking to take their first step. That’s why we’ve committed to removing all technical language and jargon from our entry level roles.” Will you be following the big guys in leaving the jargon? It’s important for recruiters to move away from these old, and out-of-touch ways that could be deterring the best young talent from your job.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

A Resume Writing Course in Brisbane

A Resume Writing Course in BrisbaneIf you want to write a great resume for your next job opening, it is a good idea to take a look at a resume writing course in Brisbane. Although it may seem like you are throwing away a lot of money by taking such a course, you could end up saving money in the long run because you will be more successful with your next job. In this article we will take a look at what the best options are for finding a course in Brisbane.Some companies may only offer this course through a website. These websites are a bit limited when it comes to the amount of information that they offer. You can find many courses that will teach you everything you need to know about creating a professional resume. Of course, this means that you will have to pay a monthly fee to be able to keep taking the course.The other option for getting a quality online school is to go to a university or technical college in Brisbane. They will probably charge you less than the one you attend on your own but you will have to leave the country for the entire time you are attending classes. This can make it difficult to find out if the program is legitimate before you commit to it.Before you consider taking online schools, it is a good idea to do some research into the universities and colleges that are accredited. You can do this by doing a search on Google. You should also check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the school you plan to attend is a legitimate one.One of the possible things that you will learn during a course in Brisbane is how to organize your resume. You will learn how to format your resume in a way that will help it stand out from all the others. Not only will you learn how to build your resume properly, but you will also learn how to eliminate the mistakes that most other people make when they are trying to figure out how to format their resume.It is a good idea to apply for a new job as soon as you can. Even if you wait a few weeks after you gr aduate, it will give you a head start and increase your chances of being called for an interview. Your resume should also include your contact information so that you can get in touch with your prospective employer right away.When you use a resume writing course in Brisbane, you should be able to start getting your resume together for an interview. The entire process of writing a resume can take a while. It is a good idea to take the course when you feel like you have hit a plateau with your resume. Taking a break can be helpful for those who have been stuck for a while trying to figure out how to get their resumes to look their best.Finally, don't forget to take the time to learn how to edit your resume before you submit it. There are many people who don't do this can be the biggest mistake they make when it comes to their resumes. An experienced resume writer in Brisbane can tell you where your mistakes are and help you fix them before you submit it.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Programs for Learning English as a Second Language

Programs for Learning English as a Second Language English as a Second Language (ESL) programs furnish classes to individuals with various language backgrounds and abilities. Programs in which students experience immersion type atmospheres to learn ESL provide varied opportunities for enhancing and encouraging language expansion. Most programs are cross-cultural and serve as reliable environments for students to associate with each other, fostering friendships and promoting self-confidence. Moreover, ESL programs inflate literacy, build careers and offer opportunities to earn degrees. Intensive English I recently visited the CSI Chicago campus where they have intensive English programs combined with classroom experience and computer-based training. With multiple levels from beginning to upper advanced, students are able to obtain quality instruction and support services. Prior to admission, the English placement test measures the current level of proficiency. If a student scores high enough, immediate enrollment in intensive programs are offered. ELS programs offer non-native English learners a chance to enrich their academic and professional English skills. The focus on education prepares for integration and immersion into real-life practical scenarios. Classrooms that consist of students with myriad nationalities tend to center on dynamic instruction, peer engagement, and skill-level-specific hands-on knowledge. Academic English Courses in academic English programs include meticulous English instruction in comprehension to learn ESL for scholarly expectations, analytical writing, and communication tactics uniquely suited for collaboration in American college classrooms. These accelerated courses build on the existing native language abilities in verbal communication, writing, and reading, providing high quality training to speakers of other languages. More than simple conversational skills, students in academic programs gain precise groundwork in university-level English to strengthen expertise in collegiate writing, reading, listening, speaking, pronunciation and grammar, as well as academic and social orientation to the American culture. Small, personalized classes feature diverse classmates and highly experienced instructors. Business English Success in the current multilingual workplace environment requires industry specialists to interact with confidence by accurately and efficiently communicating in English-speaking circumstances. Business English programs cater to international students with an advanced English mastery who are seeking to boost their professional communication skills and gain professional experience. A combination of lectures and externships create a way for students to try out techniques acquired in the classroom in practical business situations. Teamwork improves English fluency by enhancing negotiation, presentation skills, business vocabulary, and writing abilities. Some of the subjects covered may include marketing, finance, American business, international trade, human resources, and management. Degree Programs   ESL degree programs offer students the opportunity to earn degrees in high-growth career fields through local universities as they learn ESL. While working through levels of ESL courses, students achieve various higher education-related goals, such as professional development or continuation of college studies. Advanced level students accepted to undergraduate degree programs may receive credits for completing ESL classes. In addition, the core writing, literature, and graduate research paper preparation helps students utilize their English language skills to increase confidence and competencies required for success. The need for individuals who can communication with people of different nations and cultures escalates daily. Being able to learn English by actively participating in American culture, conversing with native speakers, and communicating in professional settings enhances the grasp of the language. In the end, combining these skills with academic and personal development creates solutions for overcoming a lack of confidence when using English. Have you had experience working with ESL learners? Share your experience with us in the comments below or tweet us @mscareergirl! Image courtesy of Franky242  / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Heres How To Make Filing Employee Tax Forms Easy

Heres How To Make Filing Employee Tax Forms Easy It’s pretty incredible how far technology has come over the past few decades, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The amount of disciplines and fields affected by advancements is staggering, and every year you hear about new inventions that help make human lives easier and take a load off our minds. From transportation to money transactions, there’s no limit to what technology can do and is doing to better our way of life. One area was always a bit lagging behind, though, and that was bureaucracy.  You still needed to do a ton of paperwork to get things done in many places, but one thing has been made easier, fortunately, is filing your employee tax forms. Fill the W-2 form online Form W-2 is basically your wage and tax statement, and each employer is obligated to complete and give this one out to their employees by the end of January of every year. Then, the employer gives this tax statement to the IRS with each employee’s individual tax returns, and you have to fill this out and give it to the IRS or else your people’s income tax return would not be considered valid. This process usually entails a lot of bureaucracy and you find yourself going back and forth with each member trying to get this done as smoothly as possible, which rarely happens. This is why the technology had to step in to make things a little simpler, and it’s now possible for you to create that form online to make things easier for you and your employees. Why you should use this technology As mentioned earlier, the process of getting the W-2 tax forms the old fashioned way and distributing it manually to each employee can be quite taxing and takes a lot of time. More importantly, there’s much room for errors and problems that arise from going about it as you usually do. There are a lot of perks that come with using a w2 generator, and if you do the math and figure it out, you’ll find it’s much easier and simpler for your entire business to use one to file the W-2 form. When you get the W-2 form online, you allow yourself to operate using a much easier interface that is easy to navigate through, where you can generate the document in minutes and start filling it out. There’s also the option of available instructions online that will help you ensure no information is missing and that you filled out the W-2 efficiently, which is not an option you’d usually get in the normal scenario. The great thing about the services that give you that option to create and fill in your W-2 forms online is the fact that they’re pretty safe and completely secured, using the latest data encryption to protect the privacy and security of your data so that no one could ever access that information unless you want them to. Problems you get to avoid There are actually several common problems that you get to avoid by using the online W-2 generators, and you’ll be grateful once you understand just how bad some of these mistakes can be and how much problems they could cause your business. Common problems include: Using any other ink, but black. Using an outdated form from a different year. Discrepancies with employee names and social security numbers. Missing deadlines to file the W-2. Discrepancies with retirement or Medicare fields. How it works The steps for this are quite simple really. You need to just download a version of the W-2 document, and after that you’re good to go. You’ll need to preview the document to understand exactly how it works, and then you’ll start filling it out. Now, the great thing about the online W-2 documents is the fact that they come to help. So, you’ll find definitions of what each item means and how you should fill out each point in the form using clear instructions that anybody could understand. Next comes the biggest feature of this technology; using a few bits of information, your tax withholdings are calculated automatically. Saving time and energy For an employer, the process of filing employees’ tax returns is never easy, and it’s also quite mundane since it’s something you have to do every year for God knows how many people. You also find that you’re too busy with your own and the business’ tax returns, and you just need to make your life easier. This is why W-2 form online generators are quite the optimum solution. You’ll get to save time and energy by giving those simple tax forms to your employees and contractors to fill, and the tool does the math for you and the tax withholdings for each employee are calculated with ease and efficiency. You can have the entire process done in a few minutes on your end, and then you can send the W-2 form with the proper calculations for your people to fill out. What goes into W-2 tax forms? You need to know what else goes into a W-2 form, because there are several pieces of information that should be included there for it to be valid. You naturally need to add in your business’s name, location, and the state tax ID number as well. Then the employees need to fill in their names, addresses, and social security number. Lastly, you need to add the wages of each employee and any other compensation forms. The W-2 form is a very important document for any employer, and the government needs it to learn how much you’ve paid and withheld from your employees. Your people also need it to understand all information about their income tax, like what goes into their retirement plans and medical insurance. In the past, this process would’ve been a nightmare for both the employer and employees, but now with those online W-2 form generators, the process has been made much easier and you can easily file your entire company’s tax returns to the IRS with ease.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Writing a Follow Up Letter After Submitting Your Resume

Writing a Follow Up Letter After Submitting Your ResumeWriting a follow up letter after submitting your resume to a company you are considering working for is not always an easy task. The companies usually want to check the work history of the applicant, as well as the abilities of the applicant has. There are several benefits in hiring an applicant that is certified and there are several disadvantages that come with hiring an applicant without certification. In this article we will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of hiring people without certification.Certified employees have certification from a recognized organization such as American Association of Employment Counselors (AACE) or other equivalent organizations. Certification helps protect the rights of an applicant. In addition, employers that hire individuals without certification face two disadvantages. These include the following:Lack of Certification: Because there is no certification required of an employee when hiring, they are less likely to do a thorough job of the job. Employees without certification may not understand the deadlines of a job offer or the instructions on a job offer and often do not take the job offers seriously. This means the company who hires them without certifications will have difficulty getting the job done.Offered Jobs When They Do Not Get it: It is normal for people to want to do the job the way it is done in the office. However, once someone does a job incorrectly they generally want to correct the error. The problem with employees without certification is that they may get a job they are not qualified for and they may find they will be offered positions that they should not be offered.Lack of Qualifications: An applicant without certification may not have the skills or experience necessary for the job they are applying for. The person with the certification is often able to perform a job in the same manner as other employees without having to go through t he employer's training programs. Additionally, the employee who has the certification usually knows more about the job than the other employees. This allows the person with the certification to provide more relevant information to the employer.Overall; companies that require employees to be certified will save money by reducing training costs, and also eliminate employees who have qualifications that are not relevant to the job. For an employee to get a job without certification, they must either do a job incorrectly or they must not know how to perform the job properly. The certification eliminates the person with the certification from performing the job. Therefore; the certification makes the employer more money.Finally, employers will not waste time when hiring employees who are certified. The more applicants an employer has to interview, the more time they will waste. By hiring employees without certification; an employer is freeing up their time to focus on the skills of the e mployees that are already employed.These are some of the disadvantages of employees without certification. Employers should be very careful when hiring employees without certification.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Happy About My Job Search

Happy About My Job Search Im thrilled to announce the release of my new book, Happy About My Job Search: How to Conduct an Effective Job Search for a More Successful Career. This book offers a candid perspective of what a search is and isnt and practical hints for building better resumes and cover letters, networking strategically, interviewing effectively, and negotiating a more competitive compensation package.Most of what occupies people in their job search is really no more than busy work or wheel spinning. Job seekers often post endlessly on dead-end or random job boards, attend local career fairs whether or not they are useful, or simply hand out resumes to someone who promises to see what they can do. But these search methods rarely yield  fruitful outcomes. This book reveals the way to be better informed and better prepared for the journey ahead and how to even find some fun, joy, and happiness during a job search.You can get a sneak peak of the book here or  order the paperback, ebook, iPad or Kind le versions here.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Making Yourself Stand Out From The Crowd Its Not Just about The Résumé - Pathfinder Careers

Making Yourself Stand Out From The Crowd… It’s Not Just about The Résumé - Pathfinder Careers Making Yourself Stand Out From The Crowd… It’s Not Just about The Résumé CNN.com recently spotlighted a woman who set up a website (myhusbandneedsajob.com) as a graphic illustration of how tight and desperate the job marketplace is right now. The CNN article also quoted Paul Forster, co-founder and CEO of the job search site Indeed.com, who gave advice to job seekers that they need to find ways to make themselves stand out from the crowd, instead of blasting employers with résumés. The online article mentioned that as a result, the womans husband has received quite a bit of interest from several companies. So what are you doing to kick up your job search a notch? Obviously, you have to get your ducks in a row by having a polished résumé, targeted job search and solid networking plan. But in this hyper-saturated job marketplace, these three approaches will only get you so far. The key is finding a way to attract attention to yourself in a positive way. A simple way to garner attention is to simply drop off your résumé and cover letter in person, instead of hitting ‘send’ from home. Several clients have used this approach, and gained an on-the-spot interview as a result. Employers are going to be much more likely to remember to someone they’ve met rather than just another entry in their email ‘inbox.’ Be careful, however, that your sudden appearance in the lobby with your résumé isnt misunderstood as an immediate demand for an interview. An important thing to also remember is if you are going to stop by the employer, you should always be dressed up as if you might be interviewed. Most people dont realize that the receptionist is often instructed to make notes about the appearance and demeanor of the applicant when they come into the office to either pick up or drop off application materials. Some other creative approaches include creating a thematic approach to your submission process. Here’s a specific example: A client slipped his résumé and cover letter into a large manila envelope and hand-addressed it to the specific hiring manager to personalize it. On the outside of the envelope, he wrote “Confidential” most of us would tear into something that looks that important, right? You can imagine that this immediately got the hiring manager’s attention. It gets better. In the cover letter, his first paragraph after the contact information started out as follows: “I’ve got a secret to confess. For 15 years, I have had a passion for (name of industry that the company is in), and when I read about your position opening, I realized that my dream had come true.” Catchy, huh? He effectively tied in the envelope gimmick with his enclosed career materials by mentioning “secret” to loop back to the “confidential” statement made on the outside of the envelope. Right now, capturing employer interest in this buyer’s market requires thinking outside of the box. You’ll need to evaluate what kinds of innovative tactics you can employ (in a tasteful fashion) to attract positive attention to your application. A good way to gain the right perspective is to gain as much insight into the company and hiring manager as possible, and then develop essentially a marketing campaign strategy targeting that audience. You could do something as simple as sending a cookie bouquet with your résumé and say that you offer a sweet opportunity to build the company revenue base. Being creative and knowing your audience can elevate your market position with employers. Remember, your job right now is to market yourself, and by thinking strategically to boost your profile and visibility, you’ll have a decided advantage over other applicants.