Thursday, May 28, 2020

How to Find Candidates Social Networks Simply By Using Their Profile Picture

How to Find Candidates Social Networks Simply By Using Their Profile Picture Have you ever wondered what the easiest way is to find out the other social profiles for a specific candidate? Need to learn more about a candidate by reading their Twitter feed? Would you like to see where they check in on a regular basis via Foursquare? There are plenty of plugins that can aggregate profiles for you, but we can go into that another time. For now, I would like to show you a quick and simple trick to search for people using their profile avatar (profile picture) using, probably the most powerful aggregator out there, Google! For this trick you need to install and use Google Chrome (get it here). Once you have it open, lets install a very simple extension plugin called “Search by Image (by Google)” (get it here). Open the link and click “Add to Chrome” in the top right. Once it is installed, go to a LinkedIn profile. I have chosen Jorgen Sundberg, founder of this blog, as my example. A high percentage of people use the same profile avatar for multiple social networks and Jorgen is a good example of this practice. Right click on his profile picture and choose the newly installed plugin “Search Google with this image”: You will be taken to a Google Image search with the image as the search criteria: From this result you can see that we now have links to his Twitter page, LinkedIn profile, Google+, Facebook Profile, His Blog (This one) and his YouTube Channel. All with a single action! Footnotes: Results will vary depending on how active the candidate is and how often they use a single avatar as their profile picture obviously. With the release of Google Glass (coming soon!), Google have been re-indexing all images stored to give better facial recognition results. As you can see at the top of the Google results page, it says: “Best guess for this image:  Jorgen Sundberg” which tells me that Google are starting to store names associated to images or that facial recognition will start telling us who people’s faces are! But again that is a conversation for another time. Have you got any other methods of doing this quicker? Had success with this technique? Let us know with a comment below. RELATED: How Many Companies Use Social Media to Recruit?

Sunday, May 24, 2020

How to be a Teaching Assistant

How to be a Teaching Assistant There are many people involved in a student’s education â€" could you be one of them? There are course leaders and classroom teachers, there are playground supervisors and play leaders. There are teachers with specialist knowledge and there are teaching assistants. All these professionals and others are involved in helping students to access learning in a way that suits them. Being a teaching assistant is rewarding, yet challenging choice of career. You can work in many educational settings from primary and secondary classrooms, to colleges, pupil referral units and day nurseries. The TA plays a vital role. From encouraging students to be proactive in their learning, to working with a student on a one to one basis to occasionally leading small group sessions, there are many tasks and activities that a TA could be asked to carry out. The Rewards The rewards are enormous. A TA is often the professional in the classroom that alongside the class teacher, helps a child to flourish, to learn in a way that suits them and to succeed. Children and young people will often remember the TA for years to come. The Challenges A classroom is a busy place and with educational always being a political hot potato, educational and school policies, guidelines and practice can change frequently and quickly too. Students can also have a complex mix of needs and as a TA, you would be expected to be able to deal with emotional and behavioural issues. The Training There are many training courses from which a TA could benefit, including those ‘awareness raising’ courses that focus on key issues in the modern classroom including autism, speech and language, as well as managing behaviour. In this guide, you will understand what you need to become a TA, as well as pathways in how to become a TA.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

5 Interview Questions for Discussing Work-life Balance

5 Interview Questions for Discussing Work-life Balance For job seekers, finding a company with a great work-life balance is a high priority.You want to find a job that fits your professional experience but doesn’t leave you without time or energy for other activities.Asking these questions during your interview helps you discover your work-life balance expectations.1. What Does Your Company Do to Improve orMaintain Its Employees' Work-Life Balance?This is a good question to open up a discussion about what benefits and programs are in place to support work-life balance without putting too much focus on just benefits. Positive sign: Discussion of benefits, programs, and policies that encourage and support work-life balance in employees.Some examples of work-life focused benefits include flexible schedules, unlimited PTO, wellness/health incentive programs, and mental health support.Any program or policy that supports employee’s health and happiness are usually signs of healthy work-life balance.Negative sign: If the hiring manager seem s to freeze up or become uncomfortable with discussing work-life balance, you know the answer.If work-life balance is essential to the company, they would be open to discussing it in the interview.2. What Does a Typical Day in This Position Look Like?This question is a good way to judge your daily responsibilities, how your team functions, and how long a typical workday is.Positive sign: Your daily responsibilities should be clear and understandably laid out.The workload on your team is balanced, and the structure is easy to understand.The work hours are regulated or fair considering the role.Negative sign: If your interviewer can’t give you specific details on your daily responsibilities, this may be a warning sign that the company is unsure of what your role will be.If the work hours seem long or unbalanced with the position, work-life balance may not be a priority for this company.3. What Is the Company Culture Like?What Makes It Unique?Company culture is a critical part of wor k-life balance. A company focused on good work-life balance will have a culture that employees enjoy and are supported in.Asking what makes this company’s culture unique will give you a clearer picture of what this company is doing to stand out.Positive sign: Good company culture will be clearly defined, support employees, and encourage growth and development.They may offer employee get-togethers, encourage career development, and support employee health.Any mention of benefits, programs, support, and growth are all signs that the culture is positive and supportive of work-life balance.Negative sign: Vague, non-specific descriptions of company culture is a red flag.If your interviewer can’t give you one example of what makes their culture unique or has nothing positive to say about the culture, it probably isn’t going to be a good fit.4. How Is Employee Success Measured?What Is the Process for Employee Feedback?Examining how a company measures employee success and handles empl oyee feedback is an excellent question to judge how you will be supported in your role.Positive sign: Defined policy for measuring and rewarding success. Clear process on how your feedback will be handled.A company that values work-life balance will appreciate your success and will have a process for how you are encouraged and rewarded for meeting and exceeding goals.Likewise, your feedback should be valued and implemented to improve processes.Negative sign: If the hiring manager doesn’t have a process for measuring your success or doesn’t put a priority on employee feedback, be warned that it may not be a good fit.5. What Do You Enjoy About Working Here?While your interviewer can tell you all about the company culture and what they offer, the best way to get a sense of the company is by asking for their opinion.Positive sign: Your interviewer’s answer should be happy with clear examples of why he or she enjoys working for the company.Specific examples of the work, the company , or the culture are good signs of a great company.Negative sign: Vague or non-specific answer without any passion or interest. Any open hostility or negative comments is an immediate red flag.(If you enjoyed this article, you may also find this comprehensive article to be helpful,100+ Questions to Ask in an Interview.)

Sunday, May 17, 2020

How Can Automation Make or Break Candidate Experience

How Can Automation Make or Break Candidate Experience Whether youre all for technology being at the fore of your business or if the thought of it makes you break out in a sweat, it WILL be part of your company in some way. Candidate experience is no exception but whether automation will be a help or a hindrance is a risk you may want to take. Our expert panel give their views on whether there is scope for automation when it comes to candidate experience. Katrina Kibben Theres such a thing as too much automation things moving too quickly, a no coming too fast. Im most excited for the HIC (human in command) automation thats coming. The tools where they perform basic tasks with a human available for quality check so that we can make more time for the human element. Katrina Kibben is the CEO and Principal Consultant at Three Ears Media. Kevin Grossman Automation can be a recruiter’s best friend, empowering them to invest more in real-time communications and feedback loops with future fit candidates, silver medalists and of course those they want to hire. However, if auto-screening applications is set to send immediate rejections to candidates, then that’s a fail. Also, if companies aren’t auditing their automated communication templates at least a couple of times a year for consistency and human connection, then they could be turning off even more candidates, those same ones who may not hear back from the same companies. Kevin Grossman is President of Global Programs at The Talent Board. Lori Sylvia Make â€" automation can ensure every candidate receives a personalized email or text response after they join your talent network or apply for a job and especially if they don’t get selected to move forward â€" just doing that would put your company ahead of most others and help turn a candidate into a fan, not someone who’ll spread bad word of mouth because you left them in a black hole. Break â€" automation not set up correctly could make your employer brand feel cold rather than helping you make a real “connection” with candidates â€" time to respond and time to connect human to human are what will give you the advantage in time to hire. Lori Sylvia is the  Founder and CEO of Rally Recruitment Marketing. Manuel Heichlinger Automation has the potential to transform candidate experience for the better- freeing up hiring managers’ and recruiters’ valuable time. Companies are increasingly experimenting with chatbots, online platforms, and AI systems to keep candidates more engaged and informed throughout the hiring process. For example, Johnson Johnson wanted candidates to see exactly where they were in the hiring process, any time of the day or night. So, they developed a “candidate experience platform” called Shine, which allows candidates to follow which stage their application is in- in real time. The only downside to these automated solutions is that they can lack the personal touch that so many candidates value in the interactions they have with recruiters and hiring managers. This is why it is vital for these tools not to be used in isolation, but to support and assist traditional processes. Manuel Heichlinger is  LinkedIn’s Senior Manager for Talent Acquisition. Jeanette Maister Automation software can learn what aspects interest particular candidates and show content that will engage them. Using automation ensures maximum conversion of job seekers to applicants by nurturing and showcasing relevant content to candidates during each interaction. This is groundbreaking because it helps build the relationship between candidates and businesses.69% of executives believe diversity/inclusion is an important issue in recruiting. The content shown to different candidates plays a large part in promoting inclusion by showing diverse role models, which in turn can boost diversity hiring metrics and help create a more inclusive workforce. Jeanette Maister, is Head of Americas at  Oleeo  (formerly WCN). Josh Tolan Automation can positively and negatively impact candidate experience. The key is to personalize the automated aspects of your candidate experience as much as possible. If you keep it personal and have well defined processes for using automation, it will not only lead to huge boosts in productivity, but youll also end up with a much smoother candidate experience. Josh Tolan is the CEO of Sparkhire. Aida Fazylova Technology and automation is only enhancing the candidate experience for better. With technology barriers in HR are finally being addressed, self-service interfaces like automation are being turned to as helpful solutions that align efforts and produce reliable outcomes. Any recruiting team can now deliver an individual experience at scale for a reasonable price. If you’re properly automating the brute force elements of talent acquisition â€" Initial Candidate Engagement, Pre-Screening, and Interview Scheduling â€" you can focus on building relationships, clarifying context with hiring managers, scouring LinkedIn to build a proactive pipeline, and more. Aida Fazylova, CEO and Founder, of  XOR.ai. Benjamin Gledhill People comment that automation might make recruitment unhuman: in my opinion it will improve as less mistakes will be made that are usually down to human error. . Benjamin Gledhill is the Head of Resourcing at Yodel. Jill Shabelman If you consider the ways automation has made our consumer experiences better, I think there are similar ways it can help the candidate experience. I’m excited for the possibilities of chat bots answering candidate questions, systems that allow candidates to see what stage they’re at in an interview process, and using robotics and process automation tools to relieve some of the administrative tasks that fall to recruiters. All of these things could give recruiters more time to have meaningful connections with candidates, which in the end is probably why we got into this profession to begin with! Jill Shabelman is the  Employer Brand Marketing Manager at Deloitte Services LP. Chris Murdock If the automated interactions feel fake, it’ll fail. Candidates want real interactions and won’t tolerate chatbots. Chris Murdock is Senior Partner and Co-Founder at IQTalent Partners.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Home Office Trends You Dont Want to Miss

Home Office Trends You Don’t Want to Miss More people than ever are working out of their homes. Either working from home a few days a week or permanently running a home-based business working for themselves.While working from home can be an excellent opportunity for many, it also comes with its challenges. It can be difficult to concentrate when you are surrounded by home distractions, some people struggle to focus on work, and more still struggle to switch off at the end of their working day.One reason many people start to work from home is the search for a better work-life balance. And yet, in many cases, they find that work completely takes over, and the balance is worse than ever.Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comevalOne way to avoid these issues is making sure you’ve got an office at home. Away from distraction and family life. A place to meet clients, keep your files organized and to help get you in the mood for work. But, when it comes to fitting an office into your home, you’ll want to consider style.There’s no reaso n your home office can’t compliment and fit in with your home décor, reflect your personality and taste and be a room that you love and look forward to being in.Here’s a look at some key home office trends you might want to consider.White SpacePainting your walls bright, fun colors can be tempting. While this may be great for the rest of your home, in the office it can be distracting and overwhelming. Try to keep your walls light and neutral which will make it easier to focus and work productively. You can always add some fun to other areas.ComfortWhen you are working in your office for long periods of time, it can be tiring so it’s a good idea to have space where you can relax and chill out. Add a comfortable seat, sofa or a reading nook for when you need a break from work.You should also place close attention to the comfort of your desk and office chair. Make sure they are ergonomicand supportive.Statement PiecesLook at some statement pieces such as a trendy sofa from Joybi rdto add some color and style to your office as well as comfort.Clever StorageevalIf you’ve got a smaller home office, you may need to be clever with your storage solutions. Hang hooks on your doors, install shelves above your desk and a filing cabinet underneath.Fitting it InMany of us simply don’t have a spare room at home to add an office. So, instead, we have to fit one in where we can. Some fantastic options include converting the area under your stairs or taking the doors off a large closet.ArtAdding art to your office walls can look both stylish and professional. Think about what you like, but make sure it’s calming and not too distracting.Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comRemember, your home décor is very much all about you. Your personality should shine through in every detail, and this is no different in your office. Make it a room that you love and that you’re keen to show off.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Working in the Construction Industry How to Carve Your Career - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Working in the Construction Industry How to Carve Your Career The growing number of highway systems and buildings is causing a high demand for construction workers. These people build commercial buildings, houses, roads and bridges. They are the backbone of the construction industry and commonly called “labourers”. Which Construction Job Fits You? If you are interested in construction jobs, you must first determine the type of job you’d like to do. There are several positions that require varying amounts of work and experience. For instance, being a construction labourer requires the least training. They do common tasks such as clearing debris, digging drenches and loading materials. Because very little formal training is required, the pay is relatively lower than other skilled construction workers. Skilled construction workers do tasks that require rigorous training such as masonry, carpentry, HVAC work and electrical work. If you are aiming for a supervisory position such as foreman or site supervisor, you must have the experience and skills necessary for the position. Apply for these types of jobs only if you have the required education and prior construction experience. If you are looking into managing a construction project, you may also apply to be part of the project management team that manages the schedule, budget and workflow of the construction. This type of job typically requires a bachelor’s degree and experience. Training and Education Construction jobs are best filled by people with relevant skills, education, training and experience. If you are an aspiring construction labourer, look for trade schools or local community colleges offering short courses that focus on construction safety and other related subjects. Seek additional training to make yourself a more appealing candidate. Consider getting an apprenticeship or associate’s degree (2-year program) in a particular trade if you want to be a skilled worker. Accumulate experience as a labourer or skilled worker if you want to be a site supervisor or foreman. Taking a course in management from a community college or university may also help. Here’s how to apply for a construction job: Create a resume detailing your education and experience. Include the jobs you’ve hadâ€"even those not related to construction. List down at least three references. Look in the classifieds of a local paper or check with your state employment agency to look for companies offering construction jobs. The internet is fast becoming the main source of jobs. Many construction firms post their job openings in their websites and online job boards. Check out the websites of construction companies in your area to know about their latest job openings. If you do get invited for an interview, convince the interviewer that you have a genuine desire to succeed. Associate your answers with real-life construction experience knowledge. If you can, get a non-construction job in a construction firm. Once you hear of opportunities, start working your way to the construction industry. If you are still in college, start looking for work experience as early as you can. The more experience you have, the better career opportunities you will have.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Come see me in NYC thrice this month-ish! - When I Grow Up

Come see me in NYC thrice this month-ish! - When I Grow Up As a former actor, I knew that Id eventually make the transition to more steady speaking gigs. I loved being up there at  SXSWi, the first  Etsy Success Symposium, and  The World Domination Summit. With the exception of speaking at a private event at  Macauley Honors College  this March, theres been a lull with the whole getting-up-on-stage thing for over a year. Well, there aint a lull no more.  You got not one, not two, but three opportunities to see my speak/sing/panel it up in NYC over the next 3 weeks.  And then a chance to hit the beach with me next April for an amazeballs conference. Im stoked. Here are the deets. On Tuesday, September 17th at 7pm, Ill be part of a panel on work/life balance presented by  Freelancers Union.  The Freelancers Union! This feels like the big time, guys. Im still pinching myself to be involved in this way. Its gonna be a fab conversation, so come  join us  to learn some tips, tricks and techniques to prevent some head explosions. In November of 2011, I was diagnosed with boob cancer at the age of 33. Because Im a weirdo, I took to my pink ukulele, Lucille, and broke the news on the Interwebs with an original titty ditty. And another. And another. On September 20th at 8pm, Ill combine boob cancer tunes with show tunes and raffles in a one-woman show to raise money for my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer team.  Get all the details including how to reserve your ticket  right here. Im a presenter at the next Reboot Workshop on October 1st  alongside the co-founder of reddit, a TED speaker and app developer, the Executive Director of the largest Meetup group in the world. Talk about The Big Time, you guys! Im nervous/excited about it in the best of ways, and cant wait for my half-hour to speak on Tapping Into Your Inner Child. And yes, my pink uke Lucille will most likely make an appearance.  Get your early bird tickets  here, and save an extra $5 with the code speakerdiscount  (only 20 tix with that code available, so if its not working it means all those tickets are gone). Aaaaaand just in case youre planning your 2014 trips/retreats/vacations,  Ill be a presenter at  Craftcation  in Ventura, CA this April!  Tickets arent on sale quite yet, but you can learn more and stay in-the-know by checking out  the site  and/or signing up for their newsletter. I mean, their  speakers list  is amazeballs, you guys. And there you have it! Planning on coming out to any? Any of em you wish you could come to? Anything in particular you want me to speak about? Let me know in the comments!