Top 10 Tips to Employee Engagement

As the labour market tightens and the economy continues to grow, there has never been a greater need to determine how best to motivate employees. While Australia was spared the worst of the Global Financial Crisis we were certainly not exempt – employers had to make some tough decisions and, on the whole, employees lived with these to ensure their job security in difficult times.

However, as the balance of power shifts back to employees and the changing dynamics of an intergenerational workforce becomes more apparent, it is important for employers to understand how they can best tap into the psyche of their employees. Recognition that every plan is motivated by different things, the challenge is to piece together an effective yet agile strategy to get the best results. Continue Reading

Job Search Means Always Saying Thank You – 5 Tips for Thank You Letters

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

After sorting through countless resumes and interviewing candidates, it sometimes comes down to the Thank You letter as the deciding factor for some hiring managers.

Now you may be thinking why should I send a Thank You letter and how can this possibly decide the outcome of who gets the job, but Thank You letters really have little to do saying thank you (confused yet?). Continue Reading

U.S. Economy Gains Whopping 206,000 Jobs in November

ADP today reported that employment in the U.S. nonfarm private business sector increased by 206,000 from October to November on a seasonally adjusted basis. The estimated advance in employment from September to October was revised up to 130,000 from the initially reported 110,000.

The increase in November was the largest monthly gain since last December and nearly twice the average monthly gain since May when employment decelerated sharply. Continue Reading

Job Cuts Down 13% From 2010

The number of planned layoffs announced in November remained virtually unchanged from the previous month, as US-based employers reported job cuts totaling 42,474, down 0.7 percent from 42,759 in October, according to the latest report on downsizing activity from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

November job cuts were down 13 percent from the same month a year ago when employers announced plans to cut 48,711 jobs from their payrolls. November marks the second consecutive month of lower job cuts after surging to a 28-month high of 115,730 in September. Continue Reading

‘Tis the Time for Your Seasonal Job Search

If you have not had luck finding a job this year, now may be the perfect time to do so.  With the holiday season upon us, some companies will look to add workers due to increased demand.  According to one article, retail employers increase staff by at least 4% during the holiday season.  Here are some seasonal employment options to consider: Continue Reading

5 Tips for Leveraging you Social Network in Your Job Search

“Social media is just a buzzword until you come up with a plan.” – Zach Dunn

You know what they say – “It’s who you know, not what you know”. While I’m not so sure the second half of the statement is true these days, the first half of the statement is definitely true. Your network of friends, family and acquaintances is by far your single largest asset. While many people worry that “leveraging your network” means you will need to “cold call” your friends and relatives and ask them to help you get a new job, this is not the case. The Internet combined with your Network makes for a very powerful tool in your job search. Knowing how best to leverage this tool is not always obvious, but if you know what to look for it is quite easy to do. And then, of course, there is your extended network. Before the Internet, it was difficult, at best, to know who was in your extended network. With sites such as LinkedIn, your extended network is immediately known. =>> Ten ways to leverage professional networking Continue Reading

Half of U.S. Employers Monitor Internet and Email Use of Employees

Cyber Monday broke online sales records last year, and according to CareerBuilder’s latest survey, the trend may be poised to continue. Fifty percent of American workers plan to spend time holiday shopping online at work this season – on par with 52 percent last year. Of these workers, 34 percent will spend one hour or more shopping (up from 27 percent in 2010) and 16 percent will spend two or more hours (up from 13 percent in 2010).

The survey – conducted August 16 through September 8, 2011, among 4,384 workers and 2,696 employers – points to a larger trend of increased, non-work related Internet activity met with steadily tightening online policies on the employer side. Half of U.S. companies monitor Internet and email use of employees, which is up from 47 percent last year. Continue Reading

New Global Software Headquarters in Bay Area to Hire 400 Software Engineers

GE has announced what would be a new dynamo powering this growth: a new Global Software Center, located in San Ramon, California. The center will hire and house 400 software engineers and other professionals developing digital tools that gather and analyze the millions of gigabytes of data generated by controls, sensors, computers and other parts of the brains of industrial machines. These tools will predict and respond to changes, and guide customers in how to best use their assets.

To learn more about the new facility and software engineering positions at GE, check out the most recent post on GE Reports: http://www.gereports.com/ge-to-open-new-global-software-headquarters-in-bay-area-hire-400-software-engineers/

What Makes Your Nursing Resume Stand Out From the Pack?

If you’re just getting your start in nursing or are a seasoned professional looking to switch jobs for the first time in years, the idea of facing competition in your job search can be quite intimidating. Fortunately, you can use your resume as a leveraging tool to give you the advantage you need.

Nurses are undoubtedly highly sought after and valued for their expertise within the health care industry, but this doesn’t mean the field isn’t competitive. What will you need to do to ensure your resume stands out from the pack? Continue Reading

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Serve As A Good Resume Supplement?

A job search can easily move at a fast pace; so fast, in fact, that we don’t consider the importance of the steps we take in the process.  This can be true of searching for jobs, writing resumes and cover letters, and even choosing the companies to which we submit.

LinkedIn has quickly become an amazing tool, aiding job seekers in finding employment thanks to its networking facilities.  But it can serve as a great way to supplement your resume.  Do you use your profile to meet this goal? Continue Reading