Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Steal Market Share from Your Competitors

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Steal Market Share from Your Competitors Gaining market share is the process of growing your business by winning business from your direct competitors. To make this strategy work for you, you shouldfirst understand your rivals and why customers buy from them, andcommunicate to those customers why your offerings are more desirable. Today’s small-business owners realize that to sustain momentum over time, it’s essential to be perceived as a major industry or geographical player and to have the numbers to support that status. I spoke with three ownersâ€"John Crossman, president of real estate firmCrossman Companyin Orlando, Florida; Eli Goodrich, CEO ofGame Changer Salesin New York City; and Timothy Trudeau, CEO ofSyntax Creativein San Diegoâ€"about how they approach the market share question. Timothy Trudeau:[To] be honest with people, even when our competitor had a better offer. Also, sometimes people are willing to pay a little more if they know they are working with someone they can trust. Most industries are communities. People talk. If we didn’t come through for a client, others in our field would know. So we prided ourselves on doing what we said we’d doâ€"and doing it better. Word of mouth has done more for me than anything else. Eli Goodrich:I just designed a model and launched a unique service. I established ground by defining our company strategy and outlining our delivery tactics. Our prospects hear my vision and plans and that is what they focus on, not who else is in the market. After three years, we still have not faced a competition issue. John Crossman:At first, the strategy was survival. We wanted to find a small group of clients and serve them well. We still getrepeat businessfrom that core group of clients and continue to push ourselves to provide excellent service. Have you managed to gain market share over time? Share a technique you’ve employed to make that happen. Crossman:We are very focused.We don’t try to do everything.We handle leasing, management and investment sales for shopping centers. We don’t claim to be a generalist, and this has accelerated our growth. Trudeau:I am in an extremely crowded space. Every month, the publications are talking about the flavor of the month and getting people excited about something new. But after the hype dies down, people go back to their normal lives and look for thequalityand consistency that theyve known and loved. I provide that consistency through active listening, which is simply regurgitating back to the person what they said in my own words. This makes it clear to the person that you are listening and that you understand. Goodrich:We currently generate about $5 million in revenue. Our competitors’ revenue seems smaller or in line with ours. However, defining a specific market size is difficult due to the fractured nature of our target audience, which is composed mostly of startup or early-stage international companies. Also, many companies are not broadcasting that they use external teams to drive client acquisition. What do you do on adaily basisto make sure you are the best at what you do in your industry or local area? Goodrich:A rigorous schedule of education, study and prospecting is key to our success. I divide the day into these specific functions and rarely deviate from the plan. There are limits to time, but to be the best requires a balance of continual education and revenue growth. Trudeau:I am a voracious reader. Books on business, leadership, economics, politics and history not only keep my attention, but they help me get better at my job. I’ve also assembled a team of people who are each good at something different. Id rather have our creative director be in charge of making things look pretty than trying to do that [myself] while I am working on landing a large contract. Crossman:My goal is simply to serve: serve my clients, serve my employees and serve the industry. For the rest of the piece, head over to the AMEX Open Forum.

What Does Googles Entry Into the Recruitment Space Mean for the Industry

What Does Google’s Entry Into the Recruitment Space Mean for the Industry With Google for Jobs and Google Hire, Google has  formally staked their place in the recruitment industry and it looks like theyre here to stay. Its one of the biggest bombshells to hit the recruitment space in recent times, so how big of an impact will they have? Will Google Hire revolutionize how small to medium-sized enterprises attract  talent? Will Google for Jobs completely disrupt the $200 billion recruiting industry? Lets ask our panel of experts. Jonathan Kestenbaum If I were Indeed, I would be scared. If I were an Applicant Tracking System that focuses on small to medium sized businesses, I would be scared. If I were a Talent Acquisition enthusiast, I would be excited that such a large organization is taking interest in helping innovate within the space. Jonathan Kestenbaum, Executive Director, Talent Tech Labs Cheryl Cran Google Hire is going to transform the use of algorithms in the recruitment space faster data and faster matching of talent to employer is going to make Google Hire a major competitor in the recruitment space. Cheryl Cran, CEO Future of Work Expert, Synthesis at Work Inc Nathan Perrott Whilst it’s too early to tell for sure, it’s a potential game changer. With Google for Jobs (their search engine job board-style user experience) it could have a major impact on the future of job boards and aggregators. Although, the EU’s European Commissioner for Competition may have an issue with its rollout in Europe. With the Google Jobs API (job search for career sites), the benefits are easy to see â€" better user experience, greater relevancy, happier candidates. Cost could prove a barrier to some though. And lastly, Google’s ATS offering (‘Hire’) could disrupt the SME space, but not the enterprise market just yet. Nathan Perrott, Director of Digital Marketing Strategy, AIA Worldwide Adam Glassman No doubt that it will be disruptive. I frankly don’t believe Google’s initial approach with organic searches will last, and can’t imagine that they  won’t  monetize their recruitment solutions. Think what that could mean as they charge companies directly for a suite of products, including Google ads, SEM, Google Jobs, Google Hire, etc. Imagine what that will do to the likes of Indeed, CareerBuilder, Snagajob, Monster, etc. If priced affordably, it could be a huge benefit to companies as the candidate data will be robust and coordinated (FYI â€" Google will know a hell of a lot about our candidates). But what will it cost? And who will be their new competitors? Adam Glassman, Recruitment Strategies Manager, Alorica Hung Lee It’s as big a deal as it sounds. Both of Google for Jobs and Google Hire are potentially marketing changing for the job ads and ATS space respectively. Google for Jobs is going to mean problems for Indeed, job boards and job aggregators. Anyone who sells traffic and job discovery are in line to be disintermediated. Conversely, original content makers employers with career sites stand to benefit as Google for Jobs prioritise their job content over duplicates or aggregated data. In the ATS space, Google Hire is obviously a problem for all the ATS players out there a direct competitor that can offer the unique advantage of seamless integration with GSuite, and presumably with the aforementioned Google for Jobs product in the near future. Hung Lee, CEO, WorkShape.io Chris Russell Firstly I think its a huge validation for other players in the space. It means that they see their is money to be made and problems to solve. It also means that they think the current vendors need to do a better job of creating a simplified user experience. More competition will weed out the vendors and products that fail to keep up with the new way to attract and retain talent. Chris Russell, Managing Director, RecTech Media Bryan Chaney When there are more companies trying to solve a recruiting problem, the world gets a lot smaller. Increased competition makes us all think more creatively to push limits. If you can help people get the right jobs faster and easier, then the job seeker gets a better experience and we as employers and recruiters, all win. Bryan Chaney, Director of Employer Brand, Indeed

4 Decorating Ideas for a Perfect Home Office

4 Decorating Ideas for a Perfect Home Office Most people associate home offices with dullness and routine but working from home doesn’t have to be boring nor tedious. When choosing to ditch the office life, it’s important to focus on adding a dash of inspiration and functionality your designated work corner. Regardless if we’re talking about people living in chic Miami studios or in fabulous Los Angeles apartments, anyone working from home will be able to keep their creative juices flowing with these decorating ideas. Let there be abundant light and color One of the first things to do when designing your work corner is making sure it has plenty of light and color. Place your desk near a window and get rid of the blinds. The soothing natural light will flood the room with much-needed Vitamin D and keep you on your toes throughout the day. Choose vibrant colors to add to your corner as they’re said to have a considerable influence on your productivity. Pick yellow for a boost of energy and positivity, green for balance or blue for a calming effect. No need to put your artist cap on and start painting your walls, adding a few colored items like a chair or pictures should be enough. Organize your work space Working from home also means that you get to decide how to compartmentalize your space. Use cabinets or open shelves to organize your files and other work-related necessities. Also, you can get creative by adding colored, semi-transparent matching boxes or labeled wicker baskets. This way, you will know what’s inside each container without having to go through any trouble. A visually-appealing and organized work space is known to boost your productivity and creativity levels. BeLEAF in the power of plants Bring nature inside by adding your favorite plants to the décor. Plants are not only pretty to look at, but also act like air purifiers, improving your mood, health and productivity. Just imagine how lovely will your desk look surrounded by lush ferns, ficuses, cacti, aloe plants and other succulents. You don’t even need to have a green thumb to take care of these plants as most are low-maintenance. As long as you find them a cozy spot near a window and water them once every few days, they should be fine. Add an inspiration board for inspiring ideas Don’t forget to add an inspiration board to your shopping list. Having one hanging nearby will help better visualize your goals while also keeping track of your progress. Don’t overthink it, just grab a piece of cork board and start adding things to it. They can be images that make you smile, a list of objectives or even encouraging quotes. However you decide to furnish and accessorize your home office, remember that there’s really no wrong way to go about it as long as it shows your style.

Is a Career in Healthcare Right for You

Is a Career in Healthcare Right for You If you are unsure about where to take your life career-wise, maybe you should look into a career in healthcare. Jobs in this industry are reputed to be stable and they do pay well.  But you have to ask yourself one thing before you do choose to go down this path. Is a career in this sector right for you? How do you find out if you are suited for a job in this industry? There are a number of questions you need to ask before you think about taking up courses that will lead to one of the many healthcare jobs that are out there. These questions will help you determine whether or not you are right for any of the jobs that are in this industry. Do you like helping people? You need to genuinely have the desire to help others. Going into healthcare merely due to the fact that jobs in this sector pay well can backfire on you. Yes, you may be getting paid really well.  But if you do not like what you are doing, you will find yourself with more stress than you should actually be getting from your work. Do you see yourself in a healthcare setting? Aside from wanting to help people, you need to be able to understand what comes with a job in this industry. You will find yourself  exposed to different kinds of people.  And,  the many issues that come with sick, dying, and/or disabled people. You need to be able to survive the rigors of the job as well as the stress that may come from such a setting. It is also important that you have a strong stomach.  You may find yourself dealing with things like blood, vomit, and many more. Are you into science?  For you to be able to handle your healthcare career the right way, you need to understand that what you are doing has a lot to do with science. Whether you are becoming a pharmacist, a nurse, a radiology technician, or a lab assistant, you should know that all of these have something to do with science. Chemistry, biology, and physics are just some of the sciences that come into play when you are getting into a healthcare career. Do you find continued studies a good idea? The healthcare industry is constantly evolving.  New technologies as well as discoveries are constantly changing its landscape. In order for you to be effective at what you do, you should be open to continuously learning about these developments and changes. Not being ready to learn and to update your skills as time goes by will be detrimental to your career. Do you have the personality and mindset that a career in healthcare requires? Those in healthcare have a rather unique set of skills, attitudes, and mindsets.   Aside from having the desire to help others, people in this sector also have a maturity and sense of responsibility that not that many have. These traits need to be evident in someone who is embarking on a career in healthcare.   Remember, youll be taking care of a person’s welfare and their lives. You also need to have a strong work ethic and can be relied upon when things get rough. This is because you will see yourself being asked to work long hours, going to work even when you are off, and being on-point even when you are  tired. Images: Main  Helge V. Keitel   Pharmacist  Martin Lopatka

How to Choose a Career 10-Step Guide to Make a Final Decision CareerMetis.com

How to Choose a Career 10-Step Guide to Make a Final Decision Choosing your future career in this time and day is both an exciting and challenging task. As the world we live in changes at a quick pace, opportunities for personal and professional development get better and more accessible than ever before.Having so many possibilities at your disposal surely inspires you to start searching for a career that’s just right for you. Still, you might feel a little worried at the same time. How to be sure you’ve made the right decision at the end of this journey?evalTo make a well-informed choice of your future career, make sure to go through these vital 10 steps first.Step 1: Analyze your interests and experienceevalAlthough your career doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around something you are passionate about, starting the search by listing your interests can be a very good idea. After all, you wouldn’t enjoy spending a significant portion of your time doing something that makes you miserable, and you probably wouldn’t excel at it.To mak e sure this road leads toward career options you appreciate, think about all the things you liked to do while growing up.What do you do in your spare time now? Could you develop a start-up out of a college projectyou loved working on?Considering activities and matters you are passionate about is a process that requires some flexibility, though. Not every interest is a potentially fruitful career idea, no matter how much it makes you happy. Still, each idea you put down on paper can provide direction which can develop in many different ways.A passion for computer games can lead you to becoming a game developer, beta tester, or game artist, while the appreciation of gardening can help you develop into a successful blogger on the topic. Young love runs deep, in life and in business alike â€" all you need to do is make the best out of it.Step 2: Assess your strengths and weaknessesNow that you know which activities and matters make your heart race, it’s time to assess how realistic it is to turn some of them into a career. Being honest with yourself when it comes to your strengths and weaknessesis crucial, though. A clash between reality and desires is usually not very pleasant, but choosing a career path that’s not in accordance with your abilities simply because it looks interesting is a disaster in the making.evalWe all love hearing inspiring stories about people going against the tide and making it with a bang, but that happens less often than we would like to believe. There’s a lot of hard work and dedication behind every career success story, but the road to finding your calling also depends on a realistic comprehension of your own abilities and imperfections.On the brighter side, unless you have fallen for something completely out of your reach, the truth is you can do a lot more that everyone may think. Practice doesn’t always make perfect, but it always makes progress. And sometimes, that is exactly enough.Step 3: Determine your priorities and pro fessional goalsTake the time to document all the priorities and goals that drive you.Would you rather work in an office or at home? How many working hours would you be willing to accept per week? Could you handle a career which requires being available on weekends? Are you looking to become a CEO one day, or a mid-tier position is enough for you?evalEach of these goals and values will get you a little bit further to your dream career. As you become more and more aware of what you want and don’t want, you’ll be able to discard careers which don’t fit in the picture.21st-century workplaces are, luckily, becoming more and more flexible than ever before in human history. A job that you could never do remotely 10 years ago might be quite possible to find today. And here is a little industry “secret”: If you are superb at what you do, the position of a proven professional will, more often than not, allow you to set conditions that you prefer even before setting foot on your firs t interview.If that’s how things are, why do you need to consider this step in the first place? Developing your career goes hand in hand with developing charisma and professional and personal integrity. Set your priorities straight as early as you possibly can.Step 4: Consider the financial aspectChoosing a career is not just a matter of personal preference. Your future job should help you maintain a reasonably comfortable lifestyle and a work-life balance you’d prefer.Professional content contributors often stress the importance of financial aspect when it comes to career research. A job you love that doesn’t pay well will most likely frustrate you after several years. A good measure of both preference and practical thinking is always necessary, so make sure to consider the financial aspect carefully. But what does this actually mean in practice?Money matters, whether we like it or not. You may feel inclined to think that love for what you do alone will keep you happy, but wh en bills start piling up, your outlook on the matter will change significantly. Add a family you’ll once need to support in the mix, and things get even more complex.It’s perfectly all right to give up some comfort to be able to do what you’re passionate about. Still, working on your dream job mustn’t turn you into a starving artist, or any equivalent to it.evalStep 5: Take a career aptitude testNow that you’re halfway through your career-searching process, it’s time to get professional help, and it may come in the form of one or several reliable career aptitude tests.Although you can choose to take these before even beginning to think about your interests, priorities, and goals, doing a test like this when you already have some ideas might be a great thing to do. If you were going the right way, an aptitude test will help you narrow down the search. If you’ve sailed off course, it can tell you the hard truth you need to hear.evalIf you’re still a student, you can as k your teachers about taking a test like this in your school or college. Another option is making this step on your own. You can find several professional career aptitude tests you can take for free online, and go through them anytime you’re ready.Step 6: Conduct extensive online researchOne of the best ways to get new ideas and extend your knowledge on different careers and occupations is conducting thorough online research. Even a well-targeted Google search can provide you with a lot of information about different options, and social media channels can be of help as well.Although you are still not actively looking for a job, check out the list of apps that help you get hired. It will give you valuable insights on which jobs are popular and well paid, so you can make a decision based on real-time information provided by various recruiters and organizations.When these search methods become tiring, overwhelming, and dull, it’s time to try some more creative approaches. Find out what leading professionals say about business, careers, and passion.Start reading career and business sections on high-authority websites such as Forbes, Business Insider, and Entrepreneur, and dedicate some time to watching TED and London Real Academy videos on YouTube. Get ready to be inspired by people who lend their voice in order to help us all become better versions of ourselves, professionally and personally.evalStep 7: Narrow down the listIf you’ve taken all the steps listed so far, you’re now probably looking at a document or paper sheet with a lot of information you need to sum up. Every aspect and criteria that stands out on this list should be marked, and you might have to readjust your expectations in case they haven’t been realistic.Having a career interest that only sounds great, but is hardly achievable in practice can only lead you astray. If the first steps of this journey were more on the inspirational and motivational side, now is the time to round the situ ation up with a pragmatic approach.After going through the results of your research, it’s time to narrow the career list down to the main contestants. Make sure to choose a single industry or niche and take some time to process all the hard work you’ve done. Your journey is not over yet, but you’re getting closer to your dream career than you’ve ever been before.Step 8: Discuss your choice with people you trustAlthough nobody else but you can make a decision about your career, consulting with your friends, family, and tutors can offer a look from a different perspective. The people who are close to you know you best, and therefore should be able to contribute with some useful remarks on the career ideas you’ve gathered so far.According to writers experienced in topics regarding career choice and change, opinions of those around us can sometimes reflect reality better than our own. Although you are the one who makes the final choice, make sure to consider what people close to you have to say as well.Whether your ideas meet an instant approval of your loved ones or not, it is important to have that conversation and make it count. Present the situation from your point of view, and hear out everyone who matters to you. Sometimes, convincing others you are making a good choice means convincing yourself in the process, too. This is an important step forward, so make sure to treat it as such.Step 9: Consider part-time work and internshipsNow that you have a clear picture of the career that’s your most likely choice, there’s one more thing to think about. How will you be able to grow and develop in this sphere? Will you have access to supportive mentorship, and how quickly and easily can you get the job you want?If your job research shows you will need relevant experience to be considered for a full-time position, inquire about part-time and internship options available. Getting a real hands-on experience in the industry you’ve chosen will help you sig nificantly in the long run.Of course, this isn’t the only way to learn and grow, but being close to the source of ideas and information is always a good idea. It can’t, however, replace hard work you’ll need to do on your own. Developing a career of your dreams will ask for time and commitment you can’t avoid or fake. If you are having any second thoughts about your choice, now would be a great time to consider these concerns carefully.Step 10: Stay on the lookout for new opportunitiesThe first nine steps of this professional journey were dedicated to the job you’ll one day have and be great at. The tenth step is, however, dedicated to you alone.Choosing a career is not an easy task, and even if you do it all by the book, you are still free to change your mind at any point in the future. For some people, this is a straightforward process, for others, it’s quite the contrary. Allowing yourself the freedom to stay on the lookoutfor as long as it takes will help take some p ressure off.Still, if you were an open, thorough, and honest researcher, chances are your choice of a career is going to be everything you can possibly look for.ConclusionFinding your future calling takes dedication, time and patience, so be prepared to do some thorough research before locking in your choice. Don’t get discouraged if your decision doesn’t come as quickly as it did for some people you know. Make sure to respect your own tempo, no matter how quick or time-consuming it may be.Whether you decide to become a web designer, fiction writer, construction worker, or a start-up founder, let your choice be a reflection of your interests, values, and financial and professional goals. This way, your career will never be something you regret, but a decision you are happy and proud to have made.

I Got a Job Offer, Now What How To Accept a Job Offer - CareerAlley

I Got a Job Offer, Now What How To Accept a Job Offer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Congratulations! Youve received a job offer. Now what? Hopefully, you spent the time up front to evaluate the company and the position prior to pursuing it. Sometimes things happen faster than you expect and you havent fully explored the opportunity. There are a lot of important aspects to research and consider when you are evaluating an employment opportunity. Heres how accept a job offer like a pro. Things to Consider Before You Accept the Job Offer The Company Culture The more you know before the offer, the better position youll be in. A companys values, vision, and corporate culture are going to fundamentally affect you on a daily basis. Does the company you are evaluating motivate and speak to you? Just as dating someone with a fundamentally different belief system would be a great challenge, so will working for a company where you do not buy into the mission and vision. What about the size and hierarchy of the company? Are you more apt to want to wear several hats and take broad responsibilities? Do you want a close working relationship with top management and the ability to see the impacts of your personal contribution? If so, a smaller company may offer you the best fit. Are you focused on training or mentoring programs and a clear career path? Do you have specialized skills that you want to focus on specific endeavors? If so, a larger company may be for you. Whos Who? No one is expecting you to be best friends with everyone in the new organization, but from the middle management to company directors, its good to get an overview of who you will be working with. Knowing that you will feel comfortable in the work environment is essential if you are to flourish in a new role. All jobs are challenging in their own way, so there will be times when the support of those around you will be an indispensable tool in making it through. Of course, determining whether all of the above is applicable in the short window a formal interview allows would take some pretty impressive powers of deduction. However, first impressions are important and should not be discounted when considering if the job is right for you. The Day to Day Location, hours, and flexibility are also important considerations. Work-life balance should be very important in your decision to take the job. If you have to relocate, youll want to evaluate the area, cost of living, housing options, and community amenities. Will you need to commute? If so what are the costs and time required? Is there flexibility in terms of hours worked in order to avoid traffic? Can you work remotely for some portion of the week? Will the position require travel? Great Expectations Being equipped with as many facts as you can gather about the role on offer and the responsibilities attached can really help you make an informed decision when it comes to potentially saying yes to a career change. Will you be expected to work in a primarily autonomous manner? Does the position involve supervising other staff? Are the hours suitable to your current life situation? Many candidates dread that moment towards the end of the discussion when the interviewer says, Do you have anything you want to ask? But it is a vital part of the process. After all, knowing from the start whether any extra responsibilities will slowly sneak their way into your in-tray might mean the difference between acceptance of rejecting a job offer. Company Background The companys background and tenure can be discovered via press releases, newsletters, and annual reports. Take the time to inquire about the company by tapping into professional networks, alumni career offices, current employees, and even competitors. Conduct a search on the internet or pick up the phone and ask the front desk who you might speak with. Youll want to consider the companys products services, market position, industry, age, size, employee turnover, and financial condition. You Got The Offer Negotiating a job offer can be difficult. How do you get what you are worth without killing the job offer or selling your self-short? Before thenegotiatingbegins, remember not to let the heat of the moment take over before youve had a chance to think it through. Dont feel pressured to accept the offer. What Can Be Negotiated Now back to that offer you received, is the compensation package in line with expectations? Is the salary competitive? What is the overtime or compensated time off policy? What are the benefits? What does the overall package entail? How does the compensation package compare to the industry? Again, the more research youve done upfront, the better you can evaluate the terms you are being offered. The bottom line probably does not boil down to one number. Salaries may be structured to offer an equity piece or bonuses. Flexibility, training programs, promotion opportunities, salary/performance review, vacation, insurance and other perks are an important part of the overall remuneration you will be receiving. If you choose to negotiate the pay or benefits, the more research you have done, the better you can present your case. There are many sources of salary information by industry and role such as salary surveys by professional associations, the National Association of Colleges, and websites like Indeed and Monster, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Speaking with people in your professional network within the industry, consulting employment ads, and discussions with external recruiters can give you a lot of insight into the current compensation trends. Read the Fine Print Finally, remember that a written offer letter is often regarded as a contract from a legal standpoint. It is important then that this offer covers any aspects that are important to you and reflects the conversations that lead up to it. If official company policies are codified, ask for a copy to review. Typically you only have a couple days to review and accept a job offer. Be prepared, know what is realistic as well as what you want and where you have room to negotiate. Good luck in your new job! Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. George S. Patton About the Author Anna Mathieu, Marketing Communications Manager at Redfish Technology, Inc. Annas experience as a recruiter and as a seasoned sales marketing professional give her a winning perspective on communicating Redfishs specialized recruiting services. Her evangelization and branding continue to drive bottom line results. Redfish Technology, Inc. specializes High Tech and Green Energy talent acquisition. Originating in Silicon Valley in 1996, Redfish offers nationwide coverage. We serve as an employer human capital source and candidate career management resource. Join the LinkedIn group: Redfish Technology: Jobs in High Tech Green Energy. Good luck in your search. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search I Got a Job Offer, Now What How To Accept a Job Offer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Congratulations! Youve received a job offer. Now what? Hopefully, you spent the time up front to evaluate the company and the position prior to pursuing it. Sometimes things happen faster than you expect and you havent fully explored the opportunity. There are a lot of important aspects to research and consider when you are evaluating an employment opportunity. Heres how accept a job offer like a pro. Things to Consider Before You Accept the Job Offer The Company Culture The more you know before the offer, the better position youll be in. A companys values, vision, and corporate culture are going to fundamentally affect you on a daily basis. Does the company you are evaluating motivate and speak to you? Just as dating someone with a fundamentally different belief system would be a great challenge, so will working for a company where you do not buy into the mission and vision. What about the size and hierarchy of the company? Are you more apt to want to wear several hats and take broad responsibilities? Do you want a close working relationship with top management and the ability to see the impacts of your personal contribution? If so, a smaller company may offer you the best fit. Are you focused on training or mentoring programs and a clear career path? Do you have specialized skills that you want to focus on specific endeavors? If so, a larger company may be for you. Whos Who? No one is expecting you to be best friends with everyone in the new organization, but from the middle management to company directors, its good to get an overview of who you will be working with. Knowing that you will feel comfortable in the work environment is essential if you are to flourish in a new role. All jobs are challenging in their own way, so there will be times when the support of those around you will be an indispensable tool in making it through. Of course, determining whether all of the above is applicable in the short window a formal interview allows would take some pretty impressive powers of deduction. However, first impressions are important and should not be discounted when considering if the job is right for you. The Day to Day Location, hours, and flexibility are also important considerations. Work-life balance should be very important in your decision to take the job. If you have to relocate, youll want to evaluate the area, cost of living, housing options, and community amenities. Will you need to commute? If so what are the costs and time required? Is there flexibility in terms of hours worked in order to avoid traffic? Can you work remotely for some portion of the week? Will the position require travel? Great Expectations Being equipped with as many facts as you can gather about the role on offer and the responsibilities attached can really help you make an informed decision when it comes to potentially saying yes to a career change. Will you be expected to work in a primarily autonomous manner? Does the position involve supervising other staff? Are the hours suitable to your current life situation? Many candidates dread that moment towards the end of the discussion when the interviewer says, Do you have anything you want to ask? But it is a vital part of the process. After all, knowing from the start whether any extra responsibilities will slowly sneak their way into your in-tray might mean the difference between acceptance of rejecting a job offer. Company Background The companys background and tenure can be discovered via press releases, newsletters, and annual reports. Take the time to inquire about the company by tapping into professional networks, alumni career offices, current employees, and even competitors. Conduct a search on the internet or pick up the phone and ask the front desk who you might speak with. Youll want to consider the companys products services, market position, industry, age, size, employee turnover, and financial condition. You Got The Offer Negotiating a job offer can be difficult. How do you get what you are worth without killing the job offer or selling your self-short? Before thenegotiatingbegins, remember not to let the heat of the moment take over before youve had a chance to think it through. Dont feel pressured to accept the offer. What Can Be Negotiated Now back to that offer you received, is the compensation package in line with expectations? Is the salary competitive? What is the overtime or compensated time off policy? What are the benefits? What does the overall package entail? How does the compensation package compare to the industry? Again, the more research youve done upfront, the better you can evaluate the terms you are being offered. The bottom line probably does not boil down to one number. Salaries may be structured to offer an equity piece or bonuses. Flexibility, training programs, promotion opportunities, salary/performance review, vacation, insurance and other perks are an important part of the overall remuneration you will be receiving. If you choose to negotiate the pay or benefits, the more research you have done, the better you can present your case. There are many sources of salary information by industry and role such as salary surveys by professional associations, the National Association of Colleges, and websites like Indeed and Monster, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Speaking with people in your professional network within the industry, consulting employment ads, and discussions with external recruiters can give you a lot of insight into the current compensation trends. Read the Fine Print Finally, remember that a written offer letter is often regarded as a contract from a legal standpoint. It is important then that this offer covers any aspects that are important to you and reflects the conversations that lead up to it. If official company policies are codified, ask for a copy to review. Typically you only have a couple days to review and accept a job offer. Be prepared, know what is realistic as well as what you want and where you have room to negotiate. Good luck in your new job! Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. George S. Patton About the Author Anna Mathieu, Marketing Communications Manager at Redfish Technology, Inc. Annas experience as a recruiter and as a seasoned sales marketing professional give her a winning perspective on communicating Redfishs specialized recruiting services. Her evangelization and branding continue to drive bottom line results. Redfish Technology, Inc. specializes High Tech and Green Energy talent acquisition. Originating in Silicon Valley in 1996, Redfish offers nationwide coverage. We serve as an employer human capital source and candidate career management resource. Join the LinkedIn group: Redfish Technology: Jobs in High Tech Green Energy. Good luck in your search. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. 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Learning How to Make a Resume on Word

Learning How to Make a Resume on WordLearning how to make a resume on Word is the key to getting a job. It is very important that a resume be easy to read and understand, especially for people who are new to this area of the job market.The first thing you need to know about how to make a resume on Word is that there are a few different fonts to choose from. Your resume needs to be readable to the reader and it needs to be legible. A word processing program is the best tool for making a resume on Word.Some people choose to make their resume on Word, but they will also want to learn some other things about using this particular type of document. The second thing you should know about how to make a resume on Word is that there are a number of templates available to use. These can be downloaded from Word's website or purchased separately. All you have to do is download the template and fill in all the information that is required.If you have any difficulty with writing the name of your c ompany, then you should take a look at the templates available. The majority of these templates are created for use by a company of any size. You can find templates that are designed for large corporations, medium sized companies, and small businesses.The next thing you should know about how to make a resume on Word is that there are a number of different sections to create. There are your education, work experience, skills, certifications, and other optional items. Make sure you learn what each section contains so that you know where to start. Once you know what the sections mean, you will be able to create a resume that is optimized for each section.To get the most out of your education section, you should write down your major area of study or the field of study you are familiar with. Your major section should also include a short paragraph describing the course and how it relates to your job search. In this way, the reader will know exactly what the section is about.Another thin g you should be aware of is that the Education section in the Word document you create will be ordered alphabetically by your last name. This means that if you add a new name at the end of your name, then you should either order the section by the last name or by the first initial of the new name. The former method will be used if you choose to place a new name in the beginning of your name, while the latter method will be used if you choose to place a new name in the middle of your name.For the most part, the job vacancy and education sections should be created in the same document. That way, the writer will not have to think about how to make a resume on Word.