High Turnover Rate? Maybe That’s a Good Thing
In most people’s minds, high turnover equals problems with the company. Maybe it’s bad management, poor working conditions or low pay, but whatever the reason, people are in and out of the company on a regular basis. But before you start patting yourself on the back for your low turnover rate, stop and ask yourself the following questions.
What Does Low Turnover Really Mean?
Well, it could mean different things, some positive and some negative, based on the environment within your company.
- Positive Low Turnover—Good managers, competitive pay rates, supportive working conditions—these are all reasons your employees might be happy where they are and unwilling to make a move. And they’re qualities every business should seek to cultivate. If your employees love working for you, quality talent is more likely to stick around.
- Negative Low Turnover—However, there are some negative reasons employees might be hesitant to leave your company as well. These include:
- Undesirable Skill Sets—No one is recruiting your employees because they don’t have skills that are desirable in the current job market.
- Punitive Measures for Job Seekers—Your company may take negative measures when an employee seeks an outside position, leading workers to sit tight for fear of losing their jobs if the new position falls through.
- Low Visibility—Employees who work in less visible fields or who never get outside the company for workshops, conferences, or training seminars, might not be identified by recruiters.
- Poor Company Image—If your company has a weak brand image or you work in a field with a poor image (such as retail or fast food), your employees may not be able to find work easily based on their current experience and skill sets.
Are There Times When High Turnover is a Good Thing?
Yes. High turnover can be a positive thing if the reason for it is that your employees are highly sought after for their skills, productivity, work ethic, and experience. Many recruiters routinely target only those workers in the top five companies within their industry, meaning that if your best and brightest are always getting calls from recruiting agents, you are doing something right.
How Do You Know Whether Your Turnover Rate is Satisfactory?
Both exceptionally high and exceptionally low turnover rates may indicate problems with company practices. The bottom line is that it’s not so much about achieving a certain number as it is about evaluating the atmosphere within your company, determining whether your employees demonstrate the skills and experience needed to do the job well, and assessing company practices regarding employee training, management, reward programs, and growth potential.
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Hone Your IT Skills for the Best Jobs in 2013
Filed under: College Grads, IT, IT Staffing, Jobs, Staffing, Technology
In a technology-driven world, finding skilled IT talent remains high on the priority list for most companies, even in a slow economy. As one of the consistent bright spots in terms of employment opportunities, IT holds out hope for talented young professionals seeking a position in a fiercely competitive hiring environment. But in order to land the Job, you must bring the right skills to the table.
What Skills Are Most In Demand?
IT is one of the most quickly-evolving fields out there, so it pays to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. Let’s take a look at five of the most sought-after skills needed by companies in order to remain competitive:
- Programming and Development
According to Computer World, programming and development top the list of needed IT skills, with 60% of surveyed businesses looking to hire in the next year. Meeting customer needs and maximizing productivity means remaining competitive in terms of applications, web presence, and software.
- Technical Support
As new technology and new systems come on the scene, businesses need support personnel to teach employees to use them effectively and to handle questions and problems.
- Cloud Architecture
A relatively new skill demand, cloud computing has become a vital aspect of data management. Businesses are looking for knowledge of the field as well as the ability to accomplish needed tasks within budget.
- Virtualization
Honing your virtualization skills, understanding the logical connections behind it, and remaining up to date on the latest developments will be key for those looking to land a position in the field.
- Mobile Management
Smart phones and tablets play an ever-increasing role in the function of both businesses and consumers. Mobile app development and design skills are crucial to remaining relevant in today’s technology climate.
Of course, foundational skills such as security, project management, and networking remain in high demand as well, making IT a diverse and challenging opportunity for young professionals.
How Can You Land a Top IT Job?
Of course, it’s not enough just to get a degree in one of the up-and-coming IT fields. Businesses want someone who has their company’s best interests in mind and can bring more than just book knowledge to the table. Here are five additional things recruiters want in an IT professional:
- Experience
- Leadership
- Attention to Detail
- Thinking Outside the Box
- Business Acumen
In order to break into the IT industry, you must hone these and other high-demand skills. Stay on the front edge of the technological wave, and you’ll be more likely to catch the recruiter’s eye.
What Are the Best Jobs for 2013?
Filed under: College Grads, Hiring, IT Staffing, Job Application, Job Candidates, Job Searching, Jobs, Recruiting, Staffing, Unemployment
Looking for a job? The U.S. News list of Best Jobs for 2013 comprises the top 100 careers in the fields of Business, Healthcare, Social Service, Technology, Construction, and Creative. The list provides an excellent starting point for college grads and others looking to enter a new career.
How the Lists Were Developed
Finding a good job depends on more than just making a good salary. The top jobs in each field were chosen based on a number of criteria including:
- Demand—Which jobs are most in demand in the current market? Which fields offer the greatest opportunity for new talent to find and hold a satisfactory position? How quickly are positions typically filled and how difficult is it to obtain a position?
- Salary—Which fields offer the greatest potential for good entry-level salaries as well as opportunities for growth?
- Personal Satisfaction—Which jobs provide a sense of personal fulfillment, investment, and personal growth? Which positions offer opportunities for personal development and statistically show high levels of employee satisfaction?
Which Jobs are the Winners for 2013?
Six of the top ten best jobs on the U.S. News list are in the medical field. The remaining four are IT positions. As medical practices seek to add patients, the demand for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals will remain high. And as society becomes increasingly digital, IT administrators, developers, and analysts will be needed to keep businesses competitive.
Although we can’t cover every job on the list here, let’s take a quick look at the top positions in each field.
- Business—Market Research Analyst, Financial Advisor, Accountant, Compliance Officer, Audit Clerk
- Healthcare—Dentist, Registered Nurse, Pharmacist, Physician, Physical Therapist
- Social Service—School Psychologist, Interpreter and Translator, Substance Abuse Counselor, Speech-Language Pathologist, Landscaper and Groundskeeper
- Technology—Computer Systems Analyst, Database Administrator, Software Developer, Web Developer, Computer Programmer
- Construction—Cost Estimator, Construction Manager, Plumber, Glazier, Cement Mason
- Creative—Public Relations Specialist, Architect, Art Director
In today’s highly competitive job market, choosing a satisfying, lucrative career that’s also in high demand can seem like a difficult prospect for new workers entering the job market. Knowing what companies need, what they’re willing to pay, and what jobs tend to offer a satisfying experience can help make the process a little less intimidating. As companies compete to attract the best talent in the field, workers can make themselves more desirable by pursuing the right training and marketing themselves effectively.
Hone Your IT Skills for the Best Jobs in 2013
Filed under: Hiring, IT Staffing, Job Interview Tips, Jobs
In a technology-driven world, finding skilled IT talent remains high on the priority list for most companies, even in a slow economy. As one of the consistent bright spots in terms of employment opportunities, IT holds out hope for talented young professionals seeking a position in a fiercely competitive hiring environment. But in order to land the Job, you must bring the right skills to the table.
What Skills Are Most In Demand?
IT is one of the most quickly-evolving fields out there, so it pays to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. Let’s take a look at five of the most sought-after skills needed by companies in order to remain competitive:
- Programming and Development
According to Computer World, programming and development top the list of needed IT skills, with 60% of surveyed businesses looking to hire in the next year. Meeting customer needs and maximizing productivity means remaining competitive in terms of applications, web presence, and software.
- Technical Support
As new technology and new systems come on the scene, businesses need support personnel to teach employees to use them effectively and to handle questions and problems.
- Cloud Architecture
A relatively new skill demand, cloud computing has become a vital aspect of data management. Businesses are looking for knowledge of the field as well as the ability to accomplish needed tasks within budget.
- Virtualization
Honing your virtualization skills, understanding the logical connections behind it, and remaining up to date on the latest developments will be key for those looking to land a position in the field.
- Mobile Management
Smart phones and tablets play an ever-increasing role in the function of both businesses and consumers. Mobile app development and design skills are crucial to remaining relevant in today’s technology climate.
Of course, foundational skills such as security, project management, and networking remain in high demand as well, making IT a diverse and challenging opportunity for young professionals.
How Can You Land a Top IT Job?
Of course, it’s not enough just to get a degree in one of the up-and-coming IT fields. Businesses want someone who has their company’s best interests in mind and can bring more than just book knowledge to the table. Here are five additional things recruiters want in an IT professional:
- Experience
- Leadership
- Attention to Detail
- Thinking Outside the Box
- Business Acumen
In order to break into the IT industry, you must hone these and other high-demand skills. Stay on the front edge of the technological wave, and you’ll be more likely to catch the recruiter’s eye.
Thanks for reading this original article from Hire Velocity! We would love to hear what you think of this post. Please leave a comment below and share this article with your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ followers!
Five Ways to Land a Job After College
Filed under: College Grads, Hiring, Job Application, Job Candidates, Job Interview Tips, Job Searching, Jobs, Staffing
Finding a job after college is no longer a given. College grads struggle to find work in any field, much less the one they’ve chosen for their degree, with a lack of any actual work experience putting them at a disadvantage. The good news is that purposeful preparation can increase the chances of getting hired. Here are five ways to beat the odds.
1. Get a Four-Year Degree
Young workers with a four-year degree still have better chances of finding a job than those who forego a college education. However, getting a master’s degree doesn’t increase those odds much. Be ready to enter the workforce after graduation and don’t rely on grad school to catapult you into a full-time position.
2. Develop Desirable Skills
One of the greatest hindrances to landing a job is lack of experience. You can tackle this problem by seeking out opportunities to get hands-on experience during your undergrad years.
- Find an internship—Internships in your field of interest help you discover what the job requires, learn how to work in an office environment, and develop the skills you need to be successful.
- Get a part-time job in your field—Waiting tables at a restaurant may help you pay your school bill, but it’s not going to help you land your dream job. Find a part-time job with ties to the industry you hope to enter in order to gain valuable experience.
- Participate in practicum opportunities—Practicum, cooperative education, and industry mentoring opportunities all give students the chance to learn from someone who knows the field and to develop needed skills.
3. Manage Your Online Image
You can bet on it. Potential employers will Google you, and you want them to see a polished, professional image. Not that embarrassing picture you took at your cousin’s birthday bash. Keep personal information private and make sure that employers see a person they would be comfortable adding to their team.
4. Cast a Wide Net
Graduates may need to adjust their expectations by being willing to accept a job outside their initial field of study. Great opportunities often come from unexpected sources, and students can prepare for a broader range of job possibilities by taking classes outside their majors and applying for many different positions.
5. Network
Meeting people within the field gives students a foot in the door that could help them land a job after graduation. Join the University Business Association, create a polished LinkedIn profile, and make sure you present yourself professionally online.
College offers young workers an essential way to prepare for their future careers, but these days, students must do more than just get good grades. They must also begin creating a professional image, gathering work experience, and creating a total package that will make them attractive to employers.
Thanks for reading this original article from Hire Velocity! We would love to hear what you think of this post. Please leave a comment below and share this article with your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ followers!
Why SEO Matters For Hiring
Filed under: Branding, Hiring, Marketing, Recruiting Tools, SEO, Social Media
If you run a successful website, then you’re already somewhat of a search engine optimization expert. If you’re not, you’ve hired someone who is. SEO seeks to please the Google gurus by developing content and structure designed to attract the attention of the search engine. Without it, your site will never be seen. But what about your job postings? Have you submitted your career page to the rigors of SEO? If not, perhaps you should.
Why SEO for Hiring?
If you could guarantee that 3 million or more potential job candidates would see your job listings, what would that mean for your hiring process? That’s what a high SEO ranking can do for you. Organic search represents a largely untapped resource for the hiring process, and with millions of searches performed for keywords like “jobs” and “careers,” it’s one you can’t afford to ignore.
What Google Looks For
Google’s algorithms remain a well-kept secret, but below we’ve listed four elements you must optimize if you want to boost your organic search rankings.
- Quality Content
Google’s primary concern is for customers, not businesses. They’re looking to provide the most relevant information possible on any given search. That means your page should be chock full of quality, helpful information. To determine quality, Google looks not just at the primary search keyword, but also at closely related keywords and user behavior on the page.
- Keywords
Keywords should be as specific as possible to describe the content of your page. A keyword like “jobs” may receive a lot of hits, but it will also result in a high bounce rate as most of the traffic probably won’t be looking for the specific jobs you’re offering (unless you’re a job search website). You can use your keywords to target traffic based on location, industry, and whatever niche your company is seeking to fill.
- Links
So much has been written about link-building that I won’t go into detail here. Back-links are essential to your SEO efforts, so take the time to develop and implement a strong link-building strategy.
- Social Media
Google recently updated their algorithms to include social media references as part of their ranking process. That means all those “likes” and “shares” can impact where your site shows up in a Google search, especially when quality raters promote your site. Real-time social sharing and the addition of the +1 button to the search results also mean that social media just got a lot more important for your business.
It’s true that your best contacts for potential employees may not come from a Google search. But just about everyone uses Google (or another search engine) to find information, including information about potential employers. That means that up-and-coming talent in the field as well as contacts from your networking efforts will be Googling you to find out just who you are as a company. Implementing a sound SEO strategy can help solidify you as a leader in the field, simply by making sure your website is one of the first people see when they want to find out more.
Thanks for reading this original article from Hire Velocity! We would love to hear what you think of this post. Please leave a comment below and share this article with your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ followers!
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