In spite of all the gloom and doom about unemployment today, there still are good jobs out there. Only problem is, now you’re up against record numbers of competing applicants for that spot. HR teams are overwhelmed by this massive influx of candidates, and often have to wade through hundreds of resumes per job post.

Fortunately for them, this process can be automated and streamlined with an applicant tracking system. Applicant tracking systems are designed to weed out unqualified candidates and make recruiters’ lives easier, so it’s important you don’t become part of the discarded pile.

Here are a few tips to make sure your resume is one of the select few that make it to the recruiter’s pile of possible candidates.

• Key words, key words, key words. We can’t say this enough. You have to tailor your resume to each job description. Using the same key words and phrases used in a job description, and repeating them as frequently as possible in your resume (while remaining logical), will make the applicant tracking system rank you as a higher and better match for this job. Also, many ATS weigh more heavily when those key words appear at the top of your resume, because it indicates you’re currently or very recently enacting those key terms. So, key words — often and at the top.
• Keep it simple, in terms of a lot of things. Don’t include graphics, logos or pictures. Also, don’t try to get fancy with text boxes, headers or footers. While resume-parsing tools are a great resource and save hours upon hours of manual data entry, they can’t always parse text boxes, headers or footers with 100 percent accuracy. It’s best to avoid the risk and leave out these features altogether. Furthermore, almost all ATS will strip down resumes into their most basic format, text only. So don’t stress over font or color — it ultimately doesn’t matter.
  

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 If you could enhance any of your communication skills, which would it be? That’s the question a colleague recently asked me. It was an easy answer: my financial know-how. While being financially savvy may not be classified as a “communication” competency, it’s certainly important to business leaders. And what’s top of mind for management should also be our priority if we want to provide the best counsel — and have leaders seek our advice. 

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To weather today’s economic storm, many companies are implementing cost-saving measures that impact employee benefits, including pay cuts, forced vacations, suspended 401(k) matching contributions and frozen pension plans.

These actions don’t happen in a vacuum — and neither should communications about any benefit reductions, which are part of a company’s overall business strategy and financial plan to return to profitability or greater stability. While this is difficult workplace news, it’s another opportunity for us to address employee fears and clearly explain the rationale for these changes against the bigger business picture. Consider these ideas:

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Since the economic crisis erupted last fall, we’ve developed an increased awareness of all things financial — from quarterly corporate earnings to our 401(k) statements to the fluctuating stock market. But there’s also a workplace communications upside to the economic downturn.

You now have employees’ full attention to communicate the business of your business. It’s a teachable moment — an opportunity to partner with our organizations or clients to help improve the business literacy of employees. Addressing their financial anxieties can help keep employees motivated and productive during these stressful times. Consider these ideas:

Continue reading " Using the Economic Downturn to Turn Up Employees’ Business Literacy "

Here are some thoughts on how to keep the job you are in. They could be perceived as ‘common sense’, however not always ‘common practice’.

E — Go the Extra mile — Take on additional responsibilities and do your job with both energy and enthusiasm.

M — Manage your time — We all have the same amount of time in a day, yet some people are more productive then others. Motivate yourself, which is only something you can do for yourself.

P — Be Professional at all times — You are truly on 24/7 — someone is watching us and making a judgment in the way we Present our self and the type of Poise we possess; take Pride in your work.

L — Listen with both your ears and eyes. We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason — use them in proportion so that we listen more then we speak.
Show your loyalty to your company in all that you do.

Continue reading " Staying Employed "