A Guide to EVP Development

A Guide to EVP Development The EVP (employer value proposition)  can be the centerpiece of an effective employer brand. But what the heck is it? How do you go about developing one? What companies can we learn from? To get some answers, Ive spoken to that  other Sage of Omaha,  Maren Hogan of Red Branch Media. Have a listen to the episode below, keep reading for a transcript of our conversation and make sure you subscribe to the Employer Branding Podcast. What is an EVP? So an employer value proposition, is basically your overarching statement as to what you bring to the table as an employer to your employees. So I was recently asked a question like, Oh, what is it? Does it stand for employee value proposition or employer value proposition? And I believe the answer is both, because you really want people to understand what each person is bringing to the relationship, and what each person can anticipate getting out of the relationship. It is especially true when you really want those goals to be aligned. Do you have a step by step approach to EVP? We do have a step by step approach. I will say that there are a lot of really good models out there. Weve used models from all of the big thinkers, to help our clients when they want to develop an EVP. Because in some cases, it will be a startup. So we have to go in and talk to each of their employees. We have to talk to leadership at the company and say, Okay, what do you think the values are? Then we turn around and ask the same question of employees, What do you think the values are? So thats one approach. Another approach might be a large corporation that has existed for a very long time and is looking to move into maybe new areas. Im doing a case study around that shortly in SourceCon to say, Hey, you know, what works in the Midwest may not work on the coasts or what have you. So thats another model that we sort of follow. And then theres a third model which is to say, Okay, weve never paid very much attention to employer brand, we know we need to. We have a problem. This is usually when theres an issue within the organization, high turnover or, you know, bad reviews or whatever, and then we take a step by step. Its more of a tactical approach. We do the surveys and we do the anecdotal talks, but then we make sure to also start improving things tactically so they can see movement. Because one of the big issues when people start tackling their EVP or their employer brand, is that they dont see enough movement quickly enough, and then they abandon the project, leaving employees even more embittered and frustrated. Which companies who have good EVPs could we all learn from? A company that I feel has a good EVP is American Airlines. And I say this simply because you asked the thing about the USP, and of course, people complain about airlines all the time, and theyre always ticked off because this is late and thats late and they lost my bag. But what you can see from the employees on the inside is that they really, really feel valued, appreciate where they work. Nike is another great place that really takes care of their people, that really makes them feel valued, and focuses on really trying to bring that employer brand home. Southwest Airlines is another one. There was a kerfuffle two or three years ago where you heard about an employee being kind of ticked off at Southwest. But literally, in all the times that its been part of my presence and that Ive heard presentations from people who work there and talk to people that work there, people have been extremely happy, extraordinarily happy to go to work. So I would say that is a very excellent example. An employer brand that I think that is not at all flashy but really treats their workers right is Aldi. Its a chain of supermarkets, they also own Trader Joes, and Im sure that they also treat their Trader Joes people very wonderfully. But small things like their register workers can sit down, and theyre paid a fair and equitable wage, and theyre always willing to help. And that really does translate into when I, as a consumer, go in there, you get a really great feeling of these people are happy to be here, theyre not overworked, theyre not overburdened. I would compare and contrast that with, say, a Walmart, where it feels very different when you walk into the store. Follow Maren on Twitter @MarenHogan and be sure to subscribe to the Employer Branding Podcast.

How to Improve Your Resume Writing Skills in Resume Editing

How to Improve Your Resume Writing Skills in Resume EditingIf you are looking for tips on how to improve your resume writing skills in resume editing, here are some helpful ideas for you. Writing a resume is an important part of the job application process. Many employers will be evaluating your resume based on it alone. In order to make your resume stand out from the rest, it is essential that you make sure it is polished and professional.When you are applying for a job and going through the process of writing a resume, you are using the opportunity to showcase yourself and your skills. The goal is to create a resume that shows you are capable of performing the job duties for which you are applying. However, as with all things that require work, your resume will need to be edited before being sent to the employer. To ensure your resume is as professional as possible, here are some tips on how to improve your resume writing skills in resume editing.Be honest about your job history. T o do this, write a short cover letter that explains why you are writing the resume. Explain what your role is in the company and how you have contributed to it. Do not include your job history, only your role in the company should be mentioned. Be careful not to exaggerate, because it could damage your credibility as a prospective employee.Improve your writing skills. The next step is to improve your resume writing skills. The most effective way to do this is to read a variety of resumes for similar positions that you are interested in applying for. You can do this by simply checking out the companies online and downloading a resume template. Once you have done this, copy the information down and do not change anything about it.Find out and gather the most important information about each company. After you have completed your copy of the resume, read it thoroughly. In addition to using the template, try and read up on the company you are thinking of applying for.Assess the company and its business practices. While most companies are based on the quality of their products or services, many also provide financial assistance to the employees and their families. You can take this information into consideration when creating your resume. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the company by reading their official website.Learn about the company's services. Although they might be offering a lot of things for free, most companies also offer training programs, government grants, and other forms of financial aid. All these can be put into consideration when designing your resume. Make sure to highlight all these, so they are highlighted clearly in your resume.Lastly, after you have done all these, review your resume again to see if you have left anything out. Even if you are writing a full fledged resume, sometimes you will forget something important. Review your resume to ensure that everything is as it should be.

Words to Drop from your Job Interview to make you Sound Smarter

Words to Drop from your Job Interview to make you Sound Smarter Words to Drop from your Job Interview to make you Sound Smarter The modern fast-paced digital world has certainly made an impact on how we communicate with each other. Words seem to be falling out of fashion with the younger generation. We now strive to get across our message or tell others how we are feeling through the use of emojis, text-speak and cramming words into a post of 140 or fewer characters. 300 million people across the world are now so used to using social media that they no longer seem to have the time or attention span to articulate in any great length. However, there is one crucial area of you life where you absolutely cannot afford to be frugal with your words. This is within your job interview. However, you need to choose your words wisely and drop those words that can make you look bad.You need your job interviewer to understand you and to be able to explain why you are the perfect fit for the job on offer. You can only do this through having an engaging two-way conversation. The interview environment is your chance to ge t your message across succinctly. The last thing you want to do is to use words or language that ends up confusing your interviewer or makes you look inarticulate or unable to communicate well with others.Lets take a look at some words that you may want to drop from your interview and why using them may not reflect well:1. I WentWhen asked in interview about your past education or work experience, try to refrain from saying I went too often or at all if you can avoid it. I went sounds like you are referring to the past in a way that is no longer of any importance to you, especially if you over-use it. Use I attended instead. This is a much more positive and engaging way to describe your history, I attended Wentworth Academy where I studied.. sound much better than I studied science when I went to school.2. HonestlyIn conversation people will use the word honestly to add emphasis to their message. However, should you use this during your interview in an answer to a question, there is a chance that your interviewer will wonder if your other statements were not quite so honest. This could create an awkward atmosphere, especially if the interviewer is asking for the reasons why you left your last employment.3. Really, reallyYou have to appreciate that most interviewers or recruiters have to sit through a vast number of interviews, sometimes for hours on end every day! After a while their minds can become fatigued and little things can start to irritate them. Should your interview fall at the end of the day after a good few people have been seen ahead of you, it is pretty much guaranteed that your interviewer will be flagging in both mind and body. The last thing they want to hear is a job candidate repeating unnecessary words over and over again. We all want to come across as enthusiastic and positive in our interview, but constantly repeating unnecessary words such as really or even worse repeating them twice, I really, really enjoyed my time at Smith and Smit h accountants is going to grate on an interviewers nerves. So will overusing really and very too. I was a really very good student.. I had a really very good time at I am a really very good reader. Aargh!4. LiterallyWe all have a friend who over-uses the word literally. How annoying does it sound after a while? Now imagine how an interviewer is going to feel towards a candidate who literally uses the word literally in literally every other sentence? Literally. How annoying is that!5. MaybeUsing the word maybe in your job interview can make you sound not only unsure of yourself, but also unsure about your interview. Why are you here having an interview at all if you were not certain that the job on offer was the right one for you. Saying that you maybe could do the job isnt going to win you the position.6. StuffStuff is a non-word. It doesnt mean anything specific. It is a casual way to refer to activities you did or objects you own without any detail. Telling your interviewer that y ou attended a course and picked up a lot of stuff isnt going to impress. You need to be able to deliver details that your interviewer wants to hear, not that you consider courses and training as stuff that isnt important enough to be explained in detail.ConclusionYou need to keep your interviewer engaged if you are to stand any chance of landing a job. This is why there are some words that need to be dropped from your interview to enable you to come across as the super-smart cookie that you truly are. previous article Professional Resume Template Set | Spick And Span next article Professional Resume Template Set | The Honeycomb you might also likeWhy Do You Want to Work Here? Best Answers to This Interview Question

Indexing Career - VocationVillage

Indexing Career - VocationVillage For this indexing career profile, VocationVillage.com interviewed Carolyn Weaver from Weaver Indexing Service.How would you describe the main functions of your job?As the owner of Weaver Indexing Service, I manage the company and provide book and journal indexing services to clients.What is indexing?Indexing is the process of providing organized access to information in any form books, journals, technical documentation, or websites. An indexer assigns subject headings or coding that will all information to be retrieved in a systematic fashion.Interested In An Indexing Career?Photo courtesy of Stewart Butterfield via Flickr Creative Commons LicenseI personally specialize in health, behavioral, and social sciences book and journal indexes, as well as consulting on thesaurus and database design. However, an increasing market for indexers is indexing websites and technical documentation. Indexers are needed for virtually every subject specialty.What does a typical day look like for you? I tend to stick pretty much to a traditional 40-hour week, deadlines permitting. Im up about 6 a.m. (the cats see to that!), tend to household chores, and am generally at my computer by 7:30 am. I always check email first (since most of my clients are outside the Puget Sound) and then start on the days project. When theres an index in progress, I work until around noon (with a couple of breaks for email and to get the blood flowing), take an hour for lunch and a session on the treadmill, and then am back indexing until around 3:30. Im typical of most indexers, in that I cant do actual indexing more than 4-5 hours a daythe brain fries! So by mid-afternoon I generally switch to marketing, returning phone calls, or catching up on bookkeeping. Im actively involved at several levels with the American Society for Indexing (ASI), so generally spend some time each week on ASI business as well.When Im on deadline, it may be necessary to work evenings or weekends to get a project out the door , but I now try to avoid that. I take frequent breaks for email and phone calls during the day; its a necessity since the majority of my clients are in other time zones. Its also a necessary survival technique for a freelancer who doesnt see many people in the course of the day which is why I often schedule errands during the day. It gets me out of the house and in contact with live humans!What do you like best about your indexing career?First, getting paid to read stuff I would never encounter otherwise. If I hadnt indexed it, its unlikely that I would have read many books on Chinese tongue diagnosis, weight lifting, Seattle architecture, the European political economy, or alternative life styles among Native Americans not to mention (voluntarily!) neurochemistry, pain management, or genetics in the popular media. Second, the freedom to schedule my own day. I can work whenever and wherever I want to including on the back deck, in a campground in the Cascades or in an RV with my husband at the wheel. As long as I have access to email (which is used for client contacts and delivery of indexes) and the Internet, I can work anywhere.What are the most challenging things about your indexing career?In no particular order,Marketing (I _hate_ cold calls!).Meeting unrealistically short deadlines. The index is the last piece before a book goes to press, and editors often fail to allow adequate time for a quality job. On the other hand, rush jobs often pay better!Indexing subjects that are not in my core specialties. Although I dont accept projects which are totally outside my area of expertise (e.g., physics, mathematics, some very esoteric topics), it often requires homework to clarify concepts in peripheral areas before I can index them.The feast-or-famine aspects of freelancing: turning away jobs during very busy periods and agonizing when nothing is in the pipeline.As a freelancer, how did you build your company?I was a moonlighting indexer (in addition to a full -time job as a medical librarian) for nine years, before moving to full-time indexing in 2000. I did two large mailings in the early 1990s, and since then have relied almost exclusively on word-of-mouth for marketing. I joined and became active in the American Society for Indexing in 1992, and much of my work comes from referrals from colleagues. Ive gotten work from several online marketing tools and directories (including ASIs Indexer Locator), as well as from my website.My experience seems to be typical for most freelance indexers: it took about three years from the time I started marketing as a moonlighter until I started turning down work for lack of time. Since then Ive had about all the work I can handle by myself. And networking with other indexers is definitely the best way to build business!What was your professional background before you launching your indexing career?I was a medical librarian for 35 years, which gave me a solid background for medical indexing. The last n ine years of that, I also moonlighted as an indexer 15-20 hours a week.What is your educational background?I have masters degrees in Library Science and in Public Administration. Im a MEDLARS dinosaur who was trained in database indexing at the National Library of Medicine. Although Im self-educated in book and journal indexing, most indexers today learn their craft from the distance learning courses offered by ASI, the University of California-Berkeley, or USDAs Graduate School. Many indexers also receive on-the-job training from publishers or database producers.What skills are most important to succeed in an indexing career?These skills:Analytical thinking you have to index what the author means not just what he or she says!Organizational skills indexers spice cabinets and bookshelves are usually organized.Curiosity and a broad interest in a variety of subjects.Ability to see multiple viewpoints (indexes have multiple audiences).Attention to detail, including spelling and proof reading.Fanaticism about meeting deadlines.What advice do you have for someone who wants an indexing career similar to yours?Dont give up your day job! It takes about three years to build a client base to the level that you can be self-supporting as a freelancer, so you must have sufficient resources (savings or another source of income) to keep you afloat until your business takes off. Invest in the tools and training to do the job right. Dedicated indexing software pays for itself with the first job, and its very hard to meet client expectations without it. And dont undervalue your services. Even a beginner should be charging professional rates. Finally, develop networking relationships with other indexers. Its the best investment you can make in building a business.Are there any commonly held misperceptions about an indexing career that you would like to clarify?Although some authors index their own books, a successful career as an indexer requires a substantial investment in tra ining, computers and software, and office equipment and supplies. Its hard work, requiring ongoing education (formal and informal) and a willingness to make whatever adjustments that are necessary in your personal life to meet deadlines. Freelance indexers usually dont get rich, but they can earn a comfortable living working at home.What is the income range for persons in an indexing career?According to ASIs 2009 salary survey, the average gross income for full-time indexers was $51,000/year; net income after expenses was $43,000. For part-timers, average gross income was $12,000 ($10,000 net). Hourly rates averaged $31 $35. Per-page rates (the most common billing method) averaged $3.26 $3.50. Length of time in the business is the biggest influence on income, with those in business more than two years reporting significantly higher income.What are your long-term career goals?Im now on my second career, so freelance indexing is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Once my hus band retires, I intend to index my way across the U.S., delivering indexes from every one of the 50 states!Any other comments?For further information about indexing as a career, visit ASI .If you would like to hire Carolyn for her indexing services, you can contact her at:Weaver Indexing Service Phone: (206) 930-4348 Thank you, Carolyn! . Read more career profiles. .

How Much Is Monsters Resume Writing Service?

How Much Is Monsters Resume Writing Service?Monster Resume Writing Service is an online resume writing company which has built a reputation of delivering excellent work. You may be thinking that the Monster Resume Writing Service does not provide good service. If this is so, then you will be pleased to learn that the online company has thousands of clients who have made it a point to talk about how the work that the company does can actually help them land a good job. This company is not just about advertising and commercializing; it is more about helping people find work and get there in the quickest possible time.The Monster Resume Writing Service has been working with several different people in terms of different businesses, professions and industries. You will find that they have expertise in all sorts of fields; it can make a difficult process seem very simple to handle. In this regard, you will see that the company has its hands in a lot of different jobs.Before you talk to a writer, you should know what kind of resumes you are going to be writing for. Of course, one may not see the need to worry about this aspect. On the other hand, if you have some skills that may not be included on a resume, the writers may be able to modify these for you.When you have narrowed down your choice of applicants to a particular job or field, you will need to consider the writing quality that the writers will deliver. As you begin looking into how much is monsters resume writing service, you will see that most will charge you a flat fee. You will also be able to get a free consultation so that you can see what to expect from the work that they are going to do for you.Interview writing is certainly the most important aspect of a resume. You will not want to be doing the work on your own without a good reference. This is the reason why it is so important to get the work that you deserve in this area.If you do not know how to write a resume, there are several companies that c an teach you how to do so. You may find that writing a resume has never been easier. Of course, you are going to need to start somewhere and you will want to give yourself some time to find out how to do this type of work.Professionals will have some experience in this field as well. These individuals can take the time to show you how to create the right kind of resumes that will get you the job that you want. Of course, getting the right resume may take some time, but you will be glad that you took the time to learn how to do this and do it right.Look for an online resume writing company in your area today. With the help of professionals, you will be able to create the professional resume that you need. You will be glad that you took the time to do this.

Guide to Social Media for Small Businesses

Guide to Social Media for Small Businesses Marketing your small business is no easy task. Particularly, with all the channels and platforms available. To stay top of mind with your target audience requires strategy, planning and consistency. One of the best ways to keep your brand relevant with your customers is through social media. Research shows that companies will spend over $17 billion on social media this year alone. For a small business owner, however, it can be difficult to make time for social media among all the other requirements of running a business. With limited funds or employees, marketing your small business can be difficult. To build a successful small business social media presence, first evaluate your goals. Set goal metrics by determining what makes your business unique, looking at your competitors, and considering what’s important to your company. A social media strategy that is consistent and contains quality content will help to engage your audience and attract new followers. To stay consistent, build a content calendar that helps you stay organized. To help you get started, Valpak put together a guide to social media for small businesses. It covers everything from setting social media goals and metrics to crafting an omnichannel experience. Whether you’re looking to improve your small business social presence or you’re just starting out with a new business, walk through this step-by-step guide for helpful how-to’s and tips. Download Guide: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uev9yvq323lvpz2/VAL_%20PDF_final.pdf?dl=0

Recovering from Career Crisis

Recovering from Career Crisis If you havent heard, today shock waves went through Wall Street. Sadly, I know how these employees are feeling. Its de ja vu back to my experience with the Andersen/Enron debacle.Going through a corporate crisis is not something I recommend. Though I have to say it has made me stronger. For those personally impacted by the changes announced today on Wall Street, I do have some advice that can help you not only cope with the situation but use it as a springboard to take charge of your career.Take stock of what you do have. Its amazing how crisis puts things in perspective. Be thankful for your health, friends, family, skills, experience, savings. It will help you see that you have support to move on. Realize that this too shall pass. You have recovered from career setbacks in the past. You will recover from this one. Reach out to others who can share advice and ideas-former colleagues, mentors, recruiters, career coaches. Focus on what you can control. I remember being angry with mana gement for the Andersen situation. It was frustrating to see something end with so many good people impacted. However, Ive since realized that everything happens for a valid reason even the tough situations. I focused less on my anger and more on my abilities to create a new career. In fact I can honestly say that the end of Andersen meant the beginning of my new career in coaching.If you werent personally impacted by the fallout on Wall Street today, Im sure many of you know someone who has been. Consider calling or emailing to check-in. That was my first reaction when I heard the news. See if you can offer any help, even words of support would be of use to people in this challenging situation. Besides by offering help now, you give to your network. And you never know when you might be the one taking that assistance in the future.Has your career been impacted by corporate crisis? Have you recovered from crisis like these in your career?