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What to do if an Employer asks you to do a “Job Audition”
A lot of companies and recruiters have become skeptical about their own abilities in talent recruitment. As a result, beyond the usual interviews and resume screening, job auditions have become the new norm. For a lot of employees, especially experienced professionals, this is not welcome as they see it as a new form of exploitation. However, since it has become a norm, so not much can be done about it except to accept it. Job auditions are alright in a few circumstances that the candidate must appreciate. First of all, it is okay when the number of hours to be devoted to such unpaid work is minimal, say two hours. Another matter to introspect is whether it is a dummy project one is working on or a real one. If it is the former, one might as well accept, but the latter needs financial reimbursement. A candidate can even negotiate to be paid for the duration of the audition. Another factor to consider is the learning part. If that is high, one might as well go along.
Source:https://hbr.org/2018/07/what-to-do-if-an-employer-asks-you-to-do-a-job-audition
Uploaded Date:13 September 2018
Why Companies should add Class to their Diversity Discussions
Talking about class is quite a social taboo in different parts of the world, but especially in the US. However, instead of avoiding these conversations, workplaces must encourage open discussions. Class must be included as one of the diversity factors during talent recruitment rounds. This is because class migrants often find themselves ill-equipped to take on others from traditionally white-collared backgrounds. Most of those who grew up in working-class backgrounds, came with little work experience. But such class migrants must be nurtured because they bring certain qualities to the table that those from more privileged backgrounds fail to. The onboarding process needs to be really looked into so that these people end up as the right culture fit despite their previous hardships. To start off, companies must consciously try to not hire only from Ivy League colleges, because inherently they are expensive and thus not inclusive to the working-classes. Culture fit must be clearly understood by the recruiters. Referral hiring must be limited as it leads to inbreeding from the familiar backgrounds. During promotions too, teamwork must be valued. Work-life balance must be kept open for all.
Uploaded Date:13 September 2018
To cope with stress, try Learning something New
Different people have different measures to cope with stress or excess anxiety. The most common ones involve either to face it through or buckle down and just bear it. Professional workers with a “bias for action” often pride themselves on being tough so simply carry on. Retreating meanwhile can help cope for a while, but none of these approaches last long. They often lead to unethical behaviour, chronic exhaustion, burnout and poor decision-making. Companies with a proactive talent management wing set out ways to tackle this through relaxation facilities like entertainment zones, workout equipment or nap zones. Instead of either retreating or trying to brave out, a third method has been identified with long-term positive health effects- focusing on learning. One can start off by picking up some new skills, learning some new language or simply studying further. To start learning at work, one must start off internally. After this, one must start learning in a group with others. Companies can even initiate such learning activities as part of their corporate training sessions within their work breaks.
Source:https://hbr.org/2018/09/to-cope-with-stress-try-learning-something-new
Uploaded Date:13 September 2018
How Word Choice can Cultivate Optimism and Improve Health
It was always well-known that the choice of words can have a strong impact on the level of optimism among people, which in turn can boost their health conditions. But now this has been clinically proven through a series of tests conducted by professors from the universities- Stanford, Sydney and Houston. This has major implications for businesses, especially their talent management teams as they can now draft policies to improve the focus and attitude of employees. Imagination is also, as was long suspected, a powerful force to cultivate optimism among patients as well as professionals. Even in physiological traits such as strength or stamina, it has had far-reaching positive effects.
Source:https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/how-word-choice-can-cultivate-optimism-improve-health
Uploaded Date:11 September 2018
Am I tool Old to switch Careers?
While age-related biases abound in today’s talent recruitment practices in the corporate world, one must be able to see beyond the usual stereotypes. There exists a vast talent gap that needs to be filled. Contrary to the popular perception of the young entrepreneur, most top entrepreneurs began at an advanced age. Colonel Sanders for example was 62 when he first franchised the KFC brand. Of course, these mature workers will need to brush up their knowledge on technology to help enable this. A career switch is possible quite late as well, due to several reasons. A study conducted recently revealed that one’s ability to transform has little bearing with age. Research by Mercer quantifies that companies are increasingly experiencing talent shortages, while at the same time, the number of older workers is also on the rise. This vast experience needs to be leveraged. Some companies like Daimler AG and IKEA are now valuing older workers more than they did earlier. In spite of what some say, companies must stick to age-friendly managers. Corporate training facilities must be provided to these older workers so they may become more tech-savvy. The older workers on their part must constantly network to solicit increasing workplace support. And finally, they must be able to express the passion and energy, so vital to any kind of work.
Source:https://knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/am-i-too-old-to-switch-careers-9441
Uploaded Date:11 September 2018
3 Kinds of Jobs that will Thrive as Automation Advances
A fear gripping employment circles is that apparently a lot of jobs will get lost due to the heavy-duty automation societies are on course to implementing. This fear is especially high among low-paying routine jobs, but also among more middle and higher positions. Technology is even reshaping markets on the demand side, as customers are loaded with product informationto aid any purchase decision-making. Certain jobs however will have the opposite impact, and will rise in significance as automation increases. There are three such groups, beginning with the creators. These people gauge business intelligence on upcoming customer requirements to create personalized offerings. The resurgence of craft businesses is an effect of their influence. Another group of people are the composers who understand the aspirations of people segments and execute businesses accordingly. The third category are the coaches. They provide corporate training to groups primarily to reskill in accordance with present work requirements.
Uploaded Date:04 September 2018
What to do when a Good Employee stops trying to Grow
Beyond a certain level, it is natural that some employees stagnate. After reaching a certain peak, tapering off is a common observation. Their motivation levels to learn further, reduce. At this juncture, the team managers may simply be content by that as that is the natural progression for most, or may persevere on to push teammates higher up. For the second category, an option is to provide those employees with stretch assignments. This will truly test their endurance, so the really good ones will emerge triumphant. Another option would be to stimulate a new learning curve. Specific management training or coaching could be needed for this. It will help those employees learn new skills and prepare for a different though related profile.
Uploaded Date:04 September 2018
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