How Tech Companies Can Attract Talent with Culture

How Tech Companies Can Attract Talent with Culture How do you build an authentic employer brand? Its all about getting a genuine understanding of what makes your business attractive, what roles are most critical to your success and truly examining the  perceptions, characteristics, and attributes of current and potential employees. We speak to Ana Harris Padley, the International People Services Lead at Houzz where she looks after all things people-related outside the US, to find out what the building blocks for employer brand are and how she activates a family and home feel at the company. Have a listen to the interview below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. In this episode youll learn: About the worlds biggest online home  design platform What sort of talent challenges Ana is faced with Why a family feel is an important factor of Houzzs employer brand Why the best sources of hire are a balance  between passive and active candidates Why referrals  dont necessarily have to be financial incentives How to communicate and active messages to prospective talent What makes their Open Houzz initiative so appealing The mistakes Ana has learned along the way with Houzz Why ROI is all about the increase of employer brand awareness Anas top 3 tips for employer branding managers Why Change.org inspires Ana and Houzz Connect with Ana on LinkedIn and check out InsideHouzz to get an inside look at the company.

11 Reasons to Be a Lifetime Learner - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

11 Reasons to Be a Lifetime Learner - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career After more than a dozen years in school, it can be tempting to take a break from learning. Of course, you can’t completely avoid picking up new skills or tidbits of knowledge as time progresses. But you should actually make a point to do so for several reasons â€"  here are 11 of them. Fight Boredom For starters, stagnation is pretty boring. You might find that your day-to-day tasks no longer challenge you â€"  learning can help push you forward. Even if you’re not studying a new subject or hopping into a new career, watching TED talks online or taking a free internet seminar can give you a fresh perspective. Or you might learn new skills to switch up your routine. Feel Happier Not all tasks are breezy. In other words, learning can be a frustrating process, but the result is so rewarding. When you reach your accomplishment â€"  say mastery of a tough new skill â€"  you’ll undoubtedly feel happy looking back on the road you’ve traversed to get where you are. The more ambitious you are, the more content you’re sure to be. Be a Great Example Imagine your kids don’t feel like doing their homework, or they’re feeling defeated by a tough school project. Knowing their parent is also in the midst of learning â€"  and they’re not giving up â€"  is so inspiring for children. Plus, if you laud the merits of ongoing education, your brood will look at school the same way, learning longer and reaching for better, higher-paying jobs when theyre adults. Keep up With Technology Technology is always evolving, and continuing education provides us with the tools to keep up. If you’re feeling behind the times at work, enrolling in a course can help you in the long term. After you’ve mastered today’s technology, look toward tomorrow and pick those skills up too. It will help you feel more confident in the workplace and in your day-to-day life, where it seems as though everyone’s a tech pro. Become Indispensable at Work Because you’re always learning, you’re more able to roll with the punches. Your adaptability will only increase your value to those on your team. Your bosses will take note of your ability to pick up new skills and put them to work too, and that could put you in good stead for promotions and other opportunities. Get Better at Problem Solving Constantly learning puts more tools in your arsenal. When you face a problem in the future, then, you don’t have to approach it in the same old way you always have. Instead, you can try a new solution based on all that you’ve learned. Your ingenuity could help you move on from an issue with a new way to fix a similar conundrum down the line. Pick up New Hobbies There are so many benefits to having a solid work-life balance. You’ll be more productive, and you’ll be more engaged on the job too. While it’s partly your employer’s responsibility to give you reasonable working hours, vacation time and similar benefits, you can cultivate your own personal life by picking up hobbies. The ones you take time to learn â€"  think cooking, sailing, martial arts, knitting â€"  will challenge you and help you feel fulfilled in your home life. Help Others More Effectively Even if you’re not a teacher, learning sets you up to be one. In fact, when you’re able to teach skills to others, you’ll know you’re a master in whatever area you’ve been studying. And your good deed is sure to beget other do-gooding â€"  your students will eventually become teachers too. Feel More Modern We’ve already touched on the prevalence of technology and the value of learning those ropes. In addition, keeping tabs on everything from the news to pop culture to comedy and art will help you feel in touch with the times. Learning doesn’t have to involve a skill â€"  reading, observing and experiencing culture counts too. So take note of trends or areas you don’t quite understand, and make it your mission to brush up. Keep Your Brain Active It’s not technically a muscle, but you should train your brain like one. Opening your mind to new ideas and honing your arsenal of skills will keep your mind fresh. In fact, a study by the University of California at Irvine found that learning can fend off memory loss and other age-related decline. Exude Confidence It’s one thing to feel temporarily shy, but a day-to-day lack of confidence is an issue that should be remedied ASAP. Continuing to learn and hone your skills is a surefire way to boost your self-esteem. Even when you put yourself out there, try something new and fail at it, you’ll improve your confidence because you’ll realize how easy it is to bounce back in another, better way. Keep It Going These are just 11 of the many reasons that continuing your education is worth it, no matter how you do it. So get to class, crack a book or get your hands dirty â€"  it’s time to learn.

How to ask good questions in an interview

How to ask good questions in an interview Heres the structure of an interview: The interviewer asks you a lot of questions about you, figures out what you like, what youre good at, and customizes as he pitches the company and the job to you. This structure works fine if you are not all that interested in the job. But if you go into the interview knowing that you want the job, this structure will not benefit you. This is because if you really want the job, you will be trying very hard during the interview to convince the person that youre a good match. But the structure of the interview doesnt give you the chance to find out a lot about what theyre looking for in a match, until the very end. You will get to the end of the interview, and the person will say, Do you have any questions for me? The questions that everyone recommends you ask are questions that would help you know what the company is looking for in a new hire: Questions about the goals and philosophies of the company, about the parameters of the position youre interviewing for, about the expectations for the person they hire. The answers to these questions would help you to explain why you are the ideal candidate for the job. So why ask these questions at the end? Ask them as close to the beginning as you can. The first time I saw this in action was when I was interviewing a candidate. I started with, So, why dont you tell me a bit about yourself. She said, Well, first why dont you tell me a bit about the job so that I can tailor my answer to your particular needs right now? I was surprised, but it made a lot of sense to me. I told her about the job. And I ended up making her an offer. So dont hijack the interview, but try to ask a bit about the position at the begining of the inteview and then you, too, can tailor your answers to the requirements of the job. With this strategy, coming up with questions will be easy because you will naturally want to know what the hiring manager is looking for so you can be that person: What would the first three goals be for the person who takes this job? What are the biggest hurdles to overcome in this position? What type of person do you think will be most successful in this position? If you ask a variation of these questions toward the beginning of the interview even if you ask only one or two youll be in a much better position to ace the rest of the interview. While it is bucking convention to ask questions toward the beginning and not the end, consider that you will look more authentic doing this. After spending the whole interview convincing the person that you are a good fit for the job, why would you ask questions about the job at the end? Presumably, you already talked about why you are a good fit. So when you get to the end of the interview, and the person says, Do you have an questions for me? You can feel free to say, No, I think I asked enough questions at the beginning of the interview to understand how I will fit in well in this position. Im very excited about working with you. I think were a good match. Do you have any reservations?

Dating In 2015 Is It Time To Raise The Bar

Dating In 2015 Is It Time To Raise The Bar I learned how to high to raise the bar by lowering it. I learned how to high to raise the bar by lowering it. I never knew how low I lowered the bar until several years later. In the beginning of my relationship, there was much uncertainty. I felt kindness and respect the majority of the time. Yet sometimes there were inconsistencies, communication fails, which I confronted. As time passed, lack of awareness of what to expect eventually became my new operating system. It became a new normal, one where my expectations, my bar, had been lowered. I censored my words and behaviors to adapt, to try and prevent conflict, to keep myself safe from harm. For example, normally I would be excited about going to a party. But I learned that this meant my partner would hit on other women and drink to excess. This made me feel upset and fearful for my safety getting home. My confrontations were met with lack of understanding and the disrespectful behaviors were repeated. My problem solving tactics were not working to resolve the conflicts and dysfunction so I changed my mind; I excused myself from the partnership. Because of this experience, I have fantastically shrewd observation skills, affording me the ability to make assessments and decisions quickly. I possess an innately heightened sense of urgency. In a crisis, where pieces of information are still unfolding and there is ambiguity, I can extract what we DO know and what we CAN do and get it done right NOW. I remembered what I learned. But did I forget to raise the bar back up? And if yes, then how high does it need to be? What does it need to clear for a healthy partnership? If you are dating in 2015, here are some points for you and Prince Charming below. Level 1: Confidence. You: In a previous post I offered 5 ways to bring out the sexy in you. When you are feeling and acting self-assured, you automatically raise the bar for those around you. Confidence also can mean getting as  close as  you can to mastering a skill. If someone told me to go run sprints or a tempo run or a fartlek or complete dynamic warm-up moves or ensure I have negative splits on race day, it would be simps â€" this is second nature to me after years of middle school and high school cross country and track, not to mention several other races as an adult. Find out what you are awesome at and keep doing it! Prince Charming: Look for parallel conviction and mastery of something in the company you keep. Level 2: Health. You: Take pride in your vocational, physical, residential, and mental health. Shine up your resume. Tidy up your home. Read a book and discuss it with friends (aka Boost Your Life With Book Club). If you don’t already, you will start feeling (humbly) proud of your job, your body, your space, your possessions, and your thoughts. Here are 7 ways to help you get back on track if you are feeling “off” or would like some ideas to help you get started. Prince Charming: Gauge your new partner’s overall “life” healthiness. Does it align with yours? Do you practice similar habits? Level 3: Trust. If you are in denial and ignoring “red flags” then you are not trustworthy yourself. Trust yourself, then trust others until you are given a reason not to. It sounds simple. It sounds cliché. But trustworthiness either runs like a gushing current through your relationship or it does not. Unfortunately for Jamie Dornan fans, there aren’t shades of grey here. Prince Charming: If he is asking you to forgive him, does that make him trustworthy? Are jewelry and flowers attempts to mask unacceptable circumstances or behavior? Level 4: Alignment. You and Prince Charming: Congratulations, you have reached level 4! Time to compare values, aspirations, dreams, life plans with each other. The stronger the alignment, the better the bond. How do you raise the bar? Tell us! @mscareergirl Columnist Archive Image

Accidently Writing Wrong on Resume - Avoid Making These Mistakes

Accidently Writing Wrong on Resume - Avoid Making These MistakesHave you been accidently writing wrong on resume? Do you think that the mistakes that you have made is so numerous that it is making your dream job a ridiculous thing to have? Well, then you should know that this is just an issue that can be corrected with the help of a qualified professional. You don't have to waste your precious time trying to fix the errors in your resume; you can also avoid the mistakes that are written on resumes from hiring companies and staff, even if you are a newbie and have not undertaken the responsibilities associated with the position.The first step in avoiding all the mistakes that are on your resume and in fact any process of the hiring process is that you must have done the homework. You need to remember that there are a lot of mistakes that can be created when the process starts and how they can be avoided. If you have not even taken the time to check the processes out, you must avoid ge tting into all the mistakes.The best way to go about this is to consult a professional. This professional can be your boss or an official of the organization and he can show you how he is able to avoid errors in the resume that are written by many other people as well. You can also have them help you get your job done without hiring an employee that might create a mistake that could take away your job.Before you take this path, you must be aware of what you can do when you make mistakes. You need to look into the things that you can do to not make mistakes and be safe in your endeavors. In the following paragraphs, you will see how you can avoid mistakes that are included in resumes.First off, you must know that all the mistakes that you are going to encounter are created in a different way. Some of them are actually accidental while others are the result of careless mistakes. Youneed to know the difference because it is possible that you can not find it out yourself.Second, when yo u find out that the mistakes are the result of careless mistakes, then you should seek the help of a professional. This is especially if the mistake has been created by you. This professional can look at the resume and look for mistakes and give you recommendations on how to avoid these mistakes.Accidentally writing wrong on resume does not have to be the end of your career. You can actually minimize its effects by employing a professional to help you. You can prevent the mistakes that are on your resume by consulting the professional that can aid you in overcoming the errors. You can avoid accidents that are not the result of mistake but are accidental and made in other ways.Remember that all mistakes in your resume are the result of mistakes that are made by other people and you can eliminate these by using the services of a professional. It is not easy to be an accidently writing wrong on resume. By hiring the help of a professional, you can be sure that you will never make the s ame mistake again and you can have a chance to go about the world with your dream job and not have to worry about accidents that can be created by careless mistakes.

5 ways to build a breakthrough personal brand

?5 ways to build a breakthrough personal brand Whether you’re just stepping into the job market or have 15 years under your belt, you’ve probably noticed the stifling environment of competition. It starts with our college applications and follows us to the boardroom. There are jobs we get, jobs we want, and promotions we’re ready to tackle. How do you avoid getting lost in a sea of competitors? According to BrandTwist CEO Julie Cottineau, former vice president of brand at the Virgin Group and creator of Brand School Online, it’s all about finding your “twist” â€" the special sauce that allows you find your personal story and unlock new perspectives and ideas that will move you forward in the marketplace. There’s been a lot of talk about brand over the years. Cottineau was one of those voices. But one afternoon, while walking through the Newark airport, she saw the McDonald’s golden arches reflected on the wings of an aircraft and she realized something â€" for too long, companies have observed their competitors to find out how to tweak their marketing and branding, which has only resulted in a group of brands that all look alike. “Me-too marketing” at its best. If you want to truly embrace your personal story â€" the one that will get you ahead â€" you have to step outside of the obvious and learn to open the door to new perspectives. Cottineau, author of Twist: How Fresh Perspectives Build Breakthrough Brands, tells us how. 1. Examine the gaps Before she founded her company, Cottineau first examined the gaps in the branding marketplace to ensure that she could offer something new and different. If you want to get ahead â€" either at your current job, in a bigger company, or for your own start-up â€" you need to find the gaps. Where are they? Why do they exist? And how can you help fill them? Don’t just think about how you can do something better. Think about how you do something that isn’t being done now. 2. Get comfortable Get comfortable with the idea that you need a brand, whether you’re a company or an individual. What is your personal story? What are your beliefs and ideals? How do they make you differentâ€" and how can you use them to get ahead? Your brand doesn’t encapsulate you as a whole. It encapsulates the best of you â€" the highlights that set you apart from the pack. 3. Write your story Write down your personal brand story. Think of it as a memoir, not an autobiography. Focus on what makes you different. You might have 20 years of experience in software development â€" but so does someone else. What sets you apart? Step away from the obvious. Think bigger. Cottineau once worked with a graphic designer who was also an amateur trapeze artist. On the surface, they don’t seem related. But by delving into her personal brand, the trapeze artist realized these two sides of herself were equally fundamental. She rebranded her graphic design services using her love of trapeze, including changing her logo and offering Big Top Services. She also incorporated the traits necessary for trapeze â€" fearlessness, creativity, and adventureâ€" to sell herself as a talented artist. 4. Find your twist Sometimes your “twist” is something that is so fundamental to your personality you actually overlook it. This is why its a good idea to write your brand story and then have someone else review it. Often other people have the required distance to see important elements that you overlook. 5. Own your brand Don’t be shy or feel like you’re bragging â€" there’s a difference between being proud of who you are and being a braggart. You need to be passionate about your brand twist â€" if not, how do you expect others to get excited about it? Personal branding is the process by which individuals and entrepreneurs stand out from the crowd. It’s your personal twist that adds credibility to yourself and your business. But it doesn’t just develop organically as part of your personality. You need to pay attention to your personal brand. It requires time, attention, and often adjustments and updating. When nurtured properly, it can be a key element in telling an engaging brand story, and a powerful personal driver. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!

PARADE Update You Got The Interview! Now What

PARADE Update You Got The Interview! Now What PARADE Update: You Got The Interview! Now What? PARADE Update: You Got The Interview! Now What? July 13, 2010 by Career Coach Sherri Thomas Leave a Comment PARADE Update: You Got The Interview! Now What? One hour after Meghan sent her hot-off-the-press professionally updated resume to a hiring manager, he called to see if she could come in for an interview the next day! Interviewing is intimidating, nerve wracking, and can make you feel like youre two beats away from a heart attack. But preparing for the interview is much simpler when you realize that there are just five key questions going through your interviewers mind. Here are three of them: Can you do the job? You need to be able to talk about the skills, knowledge, and training you have that will help you perform the job successfully. My recommendation is that you walk into your next interview with 3-4 personal career stories that showcase a career success. Your stories should include: what the goal was, what the challenge was, and what the result was. What extras do you bring? For most job openings, about 90% of the work has been defined but not the remaining 10%. This means you have a terrific opportunity to flaunt any bonus talents that may be of value. For example, if youre going for a job as a Pubic Relations manager, you may have some experience in marketing or desktop publishing that is not required for the job, but might be valuable to the company. Where are you a risk? Every new employee is a risk to a company, whether its a job requirement that you dont meet or a skill you dont have, or the potential that youre overqualified for the position. I recommend that you beat the interviewer to the punch by stating where you a risk and then reassuring him why it wont be a problem. If youre asked what weaknesses you have, respond by bringing up an area that could improvement but quickly add what you are already doing to strengthen that area. For a complete discussion of all five question, see my best-selling eBook, Interviewing Smart: Insider Secrets to Getting the Job