Improving Your Candidate Screening Process - Spark Hire

Improving Your Candidate Screening Process - Spark HireWhen organizations decide to cut corners in candidate berprfungs in order to speed up the process, they ultimately lose in the long run. While speeding up the process can be helpful by reducing the risk of losing great candidates to other offers, speeding it up too much to the point of making multiple hiring mistakes will negatively affect a companys bottom line.Theres no question about it finding and attracting top talent is difficult. But once you find your talent, screening them to ensure cultural fit and company success shouldnt be. Below are a few simple ways to improve your candidate screening process to ensure overall company success.Assign pre-hire projects.While many candidates will have portfolios or personal websites displaying their work, for some candidates it is better to showcase their skills through pre-hire assignments or projects in real-time. Especially if the candidate is going through an industry change where their current projects dont necessarily line up with the organization they are applying for, this is a great way to binnensee what they can do within a deadline. This way they can do their research on the company and present a polished project showing what value they will bring to the company.Some companies will also administer pre-hire tests to ensure a candidate is a perfect fit. For a few examples of awesome hiring tests, check out the blog post written by Spark Hires CEO, Josh Tolan titled 9 Creative Hiring Tests You Need to Know About.Use social media as a tool.Weve all been guilty of social media stalking at some point or another, whether were aware of it or not. We log on to Facebook (or any other social media outlet) to check in on what our friends and family are up to, we stumble on a picture of them with someone we dont know, and 10 minutes later we find ourselves browsing around profiles for no reason other than curiosity. Using social media for screening candidates is s imilar to this except screening for hiring has a purpose the purpose of finding a professional, responsible potential hire.Its becoming more common that companies ask for applicants social profiles, and for great reason. Social media profiles give the hiring team insights on how an applicant behaves outside of work, and how their opinions may affect the companys values. While LinkedIn is great for diving in on candidates past work experience and checking references, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram give great insight into the personality of a candidate and how they will mesh within the company culture.Conduct video interviews.Dont be afraid of innovative tools like video interviewing technology. Video interviews are popular in the screening process of recruiting and hiring for many reasons. First off, video interviews save a ton of time in the first steps of recruiting efforts. Now, its much easier to weed out bad candidates early on by determining which candidates arent fully qual ified or do not meet the necessary traits of a good candidate.Companies use one-way video interviews to connect with candidates in a more convenient way by sending over pre-set questions for candidates to answer on their own time. This is particularly handy for passive candidates, remote workers, and for those who currently hold a full-time position elsewhere.Share your findings with your team.Be sure your recruiter is an awesome notetaker, and communicates detailed insights with you regarding every candidate. This way, hiring pros can share their notes and thoughts with the other team members involved with hiring decisions. By sharing and collaborating on each candidate, better hiring decisions are made.In order to improve a candidate screening process, it is clear that every single person involved with the hiring decisions must be on the same page. After all, an organized hiring process will lead to a long-term positive impact within the company. With these 4 tips, youll start to notice your screening process becoming more and more seamless with time.For even more ways on how to streamline your process, check out Spark Hires whitepaper titled Tips for Streamlining Your Hiring Process Maximizing Time With Video Interviewing.What does your candidate screening process look like? What improvements have you made in order to create a seamless process? Comment below to start the conversation.Image Ammentorp/BigStock.com

Top Exam Study Guides For PMP

Top Exam Study Guides For PMPTop Exam Study Guides For PMPWhether you are studying for your Project Management Professional exams or trying to refresh your project management skills, there are some really good guides out there to meet your needs. While all of these guides are good resources, the best approach often is using a blend of materials and books during your studies. PMP certification is provided by the Project Management Institute, which has chapters in more than 200 countries. Ace the PMP Exam Apple iPad This is part of the iPad publishing app, so is not in a traditional book format for a study guide, but dont let that put you off. The guide has interactivity built in through flashcards, questions and answers, and interactive presentations. The layout is clean and easy to read, and its simple to navigate. The app includes real-world project challenges like how to apply processes to a multiphase project. This makes it practical for real-life as well as for a test-taking guide. Find it on iTunes. Head First PMP Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman OReilly Media, 2013. ISBN 978-1449364915 The publishers say the book is structured in the way your mind works, and it does seem to be structured in a way which makes a lot of sense for a project manager. There is an emphasis on graphical representation of the information as well as interactivity, which you may find useful if you find you learn better from those types of study aids. If you do use this guide, make sure you do all the exercises as you go through, as it really aids your learning process. PMP Exam Prep Accelerated Learning to Pass PMIs PMP Exam Rita Mulchay RMC Publications Inc, 2013. ISBN 978-1932735659 This is a well-structured guide that leads you logically through what you need to know to reisepass the exam. There are good sample questions and useful hints and tips throughout. It is easy to read and includes some well-explained definitions, which can be a real bonus, as sometimes glo ssary terms can be written in a dry inaccessible way. So when you are approaching the exam and get the inevitable mental block, a simple explanation to remind you about a concept can be a lifesaver. The PMP Exam How to Pass on Your First Try Andy Crowe, Velociteach Press 2013. ISBN 978-0982760857 Simple explanations of the complex concepts required to pass the PMP exam are contained within this book, including the project management knowledge areas. It covers the rationales behind the courses of action required to take depending on what situation you face in the exam and in the real world. It also boasts a really good glossary of terms. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)- 5th Edition Project Management Institute, 2013. ISBN 978-1935589679 This is the official reference text you must know to pass the exam. The latest edition expands on the chapters available in previous versions and has added some invaluable details about the examinations. This book sets the standard for what you need to know to pass the exam, which makes it an essential, if bulky, tome. PM Prepcast OSP International LLC, available as a downloadable product from their website. This series of training videos can be a useful study guide, particularly if you have a busy schedule. You can study for your exam on the go across any of your devices. The visual presentation is straightforward and has a user-friendly way of accessing what can be a complicated set of information. As well as being for people who are on the move a lot, it also could appeal to anyone who finds they learn more effectively from visual sources rather than solely reading textbooks. PMIs Code of Ethics Available as a PDF download from the PMI website. Ethics relates to how we best use resources (human and other) to achieve our goals. PMI has a focus on honesty, responsibility, respect, and fairness in the work its members carry out. The code of ethics sets out how we can all meet the se standards, and your PMP exam will include questions that reference PMIs code of ethics.

5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search - FlexJobs

5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search - FlexJobs5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search -4Here are five easy steps to help you kick yourself into gear and be mora successful at work or in your job search1. Aim to surprise your boss, co-workers, and people in your professional network often in a good way.Even in small ways, you can make yourself and ultimately your value to your company stand out.2. Take inventory of your accomplishments.Make a detailed list, including measurable metrics that help convey the list.3. Take inventory of your weaknesses.Make a list of areas that are important to your job, and that you want to improve upon or get become more knowledgeable in.4. Find ways to improve.Pull from both your accomplishments (how you can do more along those lines) and from your weaknesses (find a mentor or enroll in a business class, etc., to help).5. Set goals.Start with 5 or so, and add from there. Some can be small, some big. Then put a recurring appointment in your calendar to review once a month to see where you are, cross off ones youve done, and add new ones that come up.Truly, just being aware that you have a deciding role in how successful you are can help you BE successful at work and in your search. Yes, from time to time we can all be mercy tocircumstances (badeconomy, bad bosses, badco-workers, bad days, etc.), but its important to remember that YOU can help YOU be successful.

Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)

Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)Its getting a little colder and a little darker out which means that commute of yours is going to get a little harder. Heck, just getting through the day as the seasons change is harder. This is why you need some major listening pleasures and you may as well try to get a little career inspiration at the same time.So, we put together a list of some of the best career-oriented podcasts started by women. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be equipped to go in and ask for a raise or maybe start your own business. Check out these podcasts below.Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff by Rebecca MinkoffIn addition to being an incredibly successful designer, Minkoff has been all about helping women move up in their careers. And as a mother of three, she gets it. We want to shift the conversation fromcelebrating individual female heroes to celebrating t hose that make them heroes every day. Simultaneously, emphasizing female camaraderie in entrepreneurship and in life, Minkoff, Co-Founder and Creative Director, said. Each episode of Superwomen celebrates collective success by exploring how thought leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates achieved their goals without sacrificing their multidimensionality. In intimate, share-all interviews, Rebecca takes listeners on a journey, but uncovering the many sides of powerful women and learns how they are encouraging the women around them.The Femails by Career ContessaLooking for some real, solid career advice? Turn to Career Contessas recently launched podcast The Femails. Hosted by CEO Lauren McGoodwin, they have had some incredible guests including Farnoosh Tarobi, Drybar founder Alli Webb, and actress Autumn Reeser.Be My Neighbor by Bevin Prince and Brittney LevineBrittney and Bevins friendship sounds a bit like a late 90s sitcom but the issues they talk about on their podcast go way deeper than that (though we would love them to do an episode on their thoughts on 90s sitcoms.) Though talking to your neighbor in New York is a rarity somehow these ladies made it work and together they have created a podcast that is talking about the real issues. Prince is an actress (One Tree Hill) and SoulCycle instructor as well as health and fitness expert and Lululemon ambassador.Style and Trend Expert,BrittneyLevine, covers everything from womens accessories and makeovers, to mens grooming and sports, catering each one of her segments (often on The Today Show, E, Extra and QVC) to how every viewer can get the most bang for their buck. Though their lives sound quite glamorous, this is a podcast that is all about honestly with a particular focus on rejection.Both women are on a mission to not only elevate each other but to keep learning and evolving, together with their neighborly listeners along for the ride.Pretty Electric byDara Kaplan and Gwen WunderlichPretty Electric is a weeklypodcastfor women that want to create an electric life of their very own. Hosted by BFFs and business partners, Dara Kaplan and Gwen Wunderlich, the Pretty ElectricPodcastincludes noteworthy discussions on everything from female entrepreneurship to business adviceto up to the minute pop culture. Champions of all things female, Pretty Electric is a natural progression of D Gs globally acclaimed program, The Enternship.The Pretty Electricpodcastfeatures interviews with Dara and Gwens badass femmepreneur friends, and hilarious personal stories based on the pairs 20 plus years of owning a thriving Fashion and Celebrity Public Relations firm. From the founders The Pretty Electricpodcastis for anyone looking to raise their vibrations, start a new side business, or make a big life change. Its also for the woman that just needs a good laugh while being inspired, uplifted and ultimately shifted.Join in to listen and get ready to be completely, utterly and undeniably electric. Whe ns Happy Hour by Betches MediaJust in time to go with their book of the same name, Betches latest podcast proves that you dont have to go to business school to be an entrepreneur. Hosted by Betches co-founders Jordana Abraham, Samantha Fishbein, and Aleen Kuperman, their special guests have plenty of advice to offer to aspiring entrepreneurs based on their own experiences. If youre struggling to find a job, do well in your job, cant figure out what you want to do, want to start a new business (and dont know how to behave at happy hour)Whens Happy Hour will give you the honest advice you need to move your career forward in the right direction.Lady Bosses (and Ben)by Jesse Draper and Ben HigginsShes a legacy venture capitalist who has helped fund some of the most successful female-founded companies in the last five years and he was on The Bachelor. An unlikely pair to host a podcast on female entrepreneurs? Maybe or maybe not. Higgins also is the co-founder and President of his social enterpriseGenerous Coffee and he is all about helping women. The podcast is called Lady Bosses (and Ben), and is produced and distributed through iHeartRadio.Each week, theyll sit down with a different CEO, entrepreneur, or business mogul and learn how they achieved their goals, what challenges they facebuilding a company, and the tips they can share with the next generation of business leaders. Upcoming guests include Brooklyn Decker, founder of Finery, and Alli Webb, the founder of Dry Bar.Skimmd From the Couch by theSkimmWhat cant theSkimm do? Well, nothing apparently because now they have a super popular podcast full of good career advice. The weekly podcast features powerful and successful women sharing their stories, especially the times when it wasnt so great. You can expect real stories from women who are leaders in their fields, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, cofounders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, told Glamour. Not just the flashy, success headlines weve all heard about. We get into the reality of starting a business, learning how to embrace failure, and recognizing when to take the advice of those around you and when to trust your gut. The stories and advice are relatable, funny, and honest. Notable guests include Sallie Krawcheck, Whitney Wolfe and Reshma Saujani.Chase Wild Hearts by Laura ChungEver wonder how all those people with magical lives on Instagram make it work? This is the podcast that shows you how they came to be and juggle it all. Chase Wild Hearts is a weekly interview-based podcast hosted by Laura Chung. Tune in to be inspired and empowered by entrepreneurial women from around the globe who have redefined what their dream life is by starting their own businesses, all while managing relationships and focusing on well-being.

I studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessons

I studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessonsI studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessonsAll day every day, throughout the United States, people push buttons on coffee makers, TV remote controls and even social media posts they like. For more than seven years, Ive been trying to understand why, looking into where buttons came from, why people love them and why people loathe them.As I researched my recent book, Power Button A History of Pleasure, Panic, and the Politics of Pushing, about the origins of American push-button society, five main themes stood out, influencing how I understand buttons and button-pushing culture.1. Buttons arent actually easy to useJust give it a try.George Eastman Museum/Wikimedia CommonsIn the late 19th century, the Eastman Kodak Company began selling button-pushing as a way to make taking photographs easy. The companys slogan, You press the button, we do the rest, suggested it wouldnt be hard to use newfangled technological devi ces. This advertising campaign paved the way for the public to engage in amateur photography a hobby best known today for selfies.Yet in many contexts, both past and present, buttons are anything but easy. Have you ever stood in an elevator pushing the close-door button over and over, hoping and wondering if the door will ever shut? The same quandary presents itself at every crosswalk button. Programming a so-called universal remote is often an exercise in extreme frustration. Now think about the intensely complex dashboards used by pilots or DJs.For more than a century, people have been complaining that buttons arent easy Like any technology, most buttons require training to understand how and when to use them.Pilots need a lot of training and practice to know what to do with all those buttons.U.S. Air Force/Kelly White2. Buttons encourage consumerismThe earliest push buttons appeared on vending machines, as light switches and as bells for wealthy homeowners to summon servants.At the turn of the 20th century, manufacturers and distributors of push-button products often tried to convince customers that their every whim and desire could be gratified at a push without any of the mess, injury or effort of previous technologies like pulls, cranks or levers. As a form of consumption, button pushing remains pervasive People push for candy bars and tap for streaming movies or Uber rides.Just press here and get more detergent.Alexander Klink/Wikimedia Commons, CC BYAmazons Dash button takes push-button pleasure to the extreme. Its tempting to think about affixing single-purpose buttons around your house, ready to instantly reorder toilet paper or laundry detergent. But this convenience comes at a price Germany recently outlawed Dash buttons, because they dont let customers know how much theyll pay when they place an order.3. Button-pushers are often seen as abusiveThroughout my research, I discovered that people worry that buttons will fall into the wrong hands or b e used in socially undesirable ways. My children will push just about any button within their reach and sometimes those not within reach, too. The children of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were the same. People often complained about children honking automobile horns, ringing doorbells and otherwise taking advantage of buttons that looked fun to press.Adults, too, often received criticism for how they pushed. In the past, managers triggered ire for using push-button bells to keeping their employees at their beck and call, like servants. More recently there are stories in the nachrichtensendung about disgraced figures like Matt Lauer using buttons to control the comings and goings of his staff, taking advantage of a powerful position.4. Some of the most-feared buttons arent realBeginning in the late 1800s, one of the most common fears registered about buttons involved warfare and advanced weapons Perhaps one push of a button could blow up the world.Fortunately, starting a n uclear war is a bit harder than this.rogistok/Shutterstock.comThis anxiety has persisted from the Cold War to the present, playing prominently in movies like Dr. Strangelove and in news headlines. Although no such magic button exists, its a potent icon for how society often thinks about push-button effects as swift and irrevocable. This concept is also useful in geopolitics. As recently as 2018, President Donald Trump bragged to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Twitter that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger more powerful one than his, and my Button works5. Not a lot has changed in more than a centuryAs I completed my book, I welches struck by how much voices of the past echoed those of the present when discussing buttons. Since the 1880s, American society has deliberated about whether button pushing is a desirable or dangerous form of interaction with the world.Persistent concerns remain about whether buttons make life too easy, pleasurable or rote. Or, on th e flip side, observers worry that buttons increase complexity, forcing users to fiddle unnecessary with unnatural interfaces.Not so fast, Staples.StaplesYet as much as people have complained about buttons over the years, they remain stubbornly present an entrenched part of the design and interactivity of smartphones, computers, garage door openers, car dashboards and videogame controllers.As I suggest in Power Button, one way to remedy this endless discussion about whether buttons are good or bad is to instead begin paying attention to power dynamics and the ethics of push buttons in everyday life. If people begin to examine who gets to push the button, and who doesnt, in what contexts, under which conditions, and to whose benefit, they might begin to understand buttons complexity and importance.Power Button A History of Pleasure, Panic and the Politics of PushingMIT Press provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.Rachel Plotnick, Assistant Professor of Cinema and Media Studies, Indiana UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

How to Master the Final Round of Job Interviews

How to Master the Final Round of Job InterviewsHow to Master the Final Round of Job InterviewsYou have come a long way in yur job interview. The phone screening and meeting with recruiters and staff are a thing of the past. Now, you are going into your final job interview. So far, you made no mistakes. Yes, you have a legitimate shot at getting hired So, do elend blow itCompanies do not set up final round interviews to go through the motions with job candidates. We explain how you can be the master of your next final round job interview.Never assume the job is in the bagYou should be proud and acknowledge how much you appreciate the companys time spent interviewing you. However, this is not the time to let off the gas and start acting like the job is yours. You should take this interview just as serious and with every ounce of professionalism that you did for your phone screening. You must continue to sell yourself as the right choice for the job. It is not the time to get cocky.Revi ew previous interview details for yourselfMake koranvers you have the details of previous interviews in your mind or in front of you. More than likely, previous topics from job interviews will come up again. You want to be able to reply effectively to interview questions previously discussed.Dress appropriately for your industryAll industries have a form of dress code culture. Some industries are more casual while others demand suits and ties.However, do not overdo it. You are still trying to leave a good impression. Avoid clothes that go too far and just make you look like either a slob or someone who is clueless about the industrys dress code. Dress like you deserve the job.Bring extra resumes, required documents, and referencesDepending on your career level, some final round interviews may ask you to do presentations. If you are asked to do powerpoint presentations, do not rely on the company to have all the computers you need for you. Take the initiative and handle it yourself.A t times, unexpected people will show up to interviews, which will require handing out more resumes. References are important, too. Make sure that your references are available that day, just in case the company wants to speak with them during the final interview, or after.Keep your energy upAfter many job interviews, your mind starts to wonder exactly why the company just does not hire you. The problem with thinking this way is that it often leads to RNTs (random negative thoughts). These are the random negative thoughts that pop into a persons head for no reason whatsoever. Unfortunately, this can lead to the feeling that one should just give up and confidence is lost for the job interview.You cannot let this happen. You have to keep your energy up and never carry yourself in any way that looks like you are giving up. If you do start to sound like this interview is all too much to handle and think, Why bother? It should not be this hard, the people interviewing you will see it.Ask the bigger and more important additional questionsThink about it. You have been interviewing for a while now and you have some awareness of the companys goals. This is not the time to ask those scripted, basic questions like, What are our companys long-term goals?Ask questions about previous interview topics and clarify information you could not find while doing your online research.Keep cool and follow-up when it is doneIdle time is the devils playground The wait will kill you a bit and you may be tempted to call and ask what they decided. Instead, follow-up with a Thank you letter for their time and make one last mention of your skills and accomplishments.Companies take time to make final decisions and put offers together. If you are not contacted immediately, do not worry. You made it to the final round of an interview, so someone is going to get back to you with the companys decision

Who Else Wants to Learn About Server Resume Examples?

Who Else Wants to Learn About Server Resume Examples? How to Find Server Resume Examples Online Employed as an administrative assistant will be able to help you make a sufficient amount of money and is thought of as a strong career path for everyone with a passion of working with numerous files and secretarial work. To make a productive objective for the server resume is to understand what the employer is searching for in the most suitable person for the position. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Click the resume examples below to receive a jump start on your resume and locate a job faster The Honest to Goodness Truth on Server Resume Examples After producing the directory you will have to change in that directory. Perhaps while looking for examples you noticed poor samples throughout the internet. ur Server resume sample has all of the ingredients to produce your application stick out from the rest. Other server resume exa mples dont make this point. It is going to also demonstrate all items which were entered into the database. Typically, as databases could acquire bulky as a result of volume of information stored in them, it is necessary your server has enough bandwidth to put away the database. The database wants the capability to efficiently compute the start pointer of an upcoming page. In most instances, these databases arent huge and dont have too many data fields. Most Noticeable Server Resume Examples The job of a server is among the entry points in the restaurant business but its the most challenging one. The best servers usually make great hints, or so the competition for these jobs can be difficult. Thus, its understandable to have an extensive work experience for a Server. Any former experience for a server also needs to be divulged. Life After Server Resume Examples Resource governance of supporting this kind of approach would be quite cumbersome. CV Owlhas an extensive colle ction of industry resume examples to help you land the job that youre trying for. If youre applying for work in the tafelgeschirr business, you would require a resume like anywhere else. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. Server Resume Examples at a Glance There are multiple resume templates youll be able to select from to customize your application and produce your resume your own. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. When youre asking for work, it is almost always better to use resume templates which have been specially designed to suit the goal. Begin by utilizing a resume objective. Additionally, you need to demonstrate that you may handle responsibility and arent reluctant to work with different folks to plan events and reach team objectives. The sphere of information technology gets mora important daily. In addition, you need a great deal of c reativity to address complex issues. Additional skills may include the amount of language you speak. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. Too frequently, a resume will list duties which were undertaken under each former function. Under each job, attempt to spell out why you are much better than other candidates. Make certain you highlight technical wisdom and certifications. Based on different facets of this profession, there are distinct resumes that has to be employed to secure work. Furthermore, consider the descriptions of the jobs to which you wish to apply. Your present job is the sole thing which should be in the current tense. Dont stop with an internet search. The Birth of Server Resume Examples Format your resume appropriately and guarantee that it is grammatically correct with the correct spelling. If so, there are a few instructions that you need to follow for you to produce the best resume. The most suitable selection of words can make all of the difference to your nature and your approach to get the job done. You are able to occur after the pattern provided here in order to make an impressive resume for yourself. Whether it was during an earlier job or a pastime, describing a project with a succinct narrative is likely to make your work persona more palpable to anybody reviewing your technical resume. Last, the procedure will take some time, and might fail, so I wished to figure out how to take care of that in this second experiment. To be able to strike a great impression you should incorporate these qualifications in your Dispatcher skills list. Review the work post very well and highlight the essential credentials and skills that you should put in your objective. The very first important section of your resume is known as the Career Objective. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, together with your abilities and accomplishments, there are vario us ways to present this info.