The Future of Tech Recruitment Sourcing, Hiring and Retaining Top Talent

The Future of Tech Recruitment Sourcing, Hiring and Retaining Top Talent This post is sponsored by Technically Compatible.   Times have changed. We humans have never been more connected, and yet, never been more closed off. The dawn of technology has opened endless avenues to reach candidates and for a time made all our lives easier. Now, however, the information age has turned into the information overload age and it means that in order to reach and keep the best candidates new strategies must be applied to stay ahead of the rest. A Computer Science degree is just not going to give you a good developer And who better to discuss tried and tested, successful methods with than our peers, expert advisors and colleagues. The tech sector especially can be particularly troublesome. Not just because there is a skills shortage but because of the massive boom it has enjoyed, the recruitment challenges have subsequently been heightened as well. The problem with CVs Tech CVs are renowned for their embellishment (57%) and lack of clarity when it comes to experience (55%) so how can you be sure that what you see is what you get? This is only one of the many issues the tech industry is currently experiencing. The massive increase in demand for tech skills has pushed IT staff into the passive candidate bracket (only 15% are actively looking for jobs) and is making recruitment that much harder. Businesses need to be going to educators and saying what skills they need A pipeline issue? The pipeline is also contributing to the skills shortage and there are questions around whether those leaving university are fit for the workplace. So, what’s the answer? Is more training needed? Are code academies better places to start or do they bring their own problems? Is diversity really an issue? How do we fix the pipeline problem and where the h*** is all the top tech talent hiding? We always ask, “what if we train people and they leave?” What we should be asking is, what if we train people and they stay. The event Technically Compatible hosted an event to bring together experts from a cross section of the industry to spark discussions and share best strategies to source, hire and retain top tech talent. Highlights from the series can be found here. The focus is on the UK and primarily the North East of England where Technically Compatible are based but the issues, challenges and strategies are the same everywhere and can be applied anywhere on the globe, which is handy! Schools are not willing to release teachers from the classroom to get them properly supported and trained in the curriculum or by industry experts The idea is to generate debate around the industry’s most pressing challenges and highlight the opportunities we can take advantage of now, to create effective solutions for the future of tech recruitment. A Snapshot of Questions What strategies should you be implementing to source, attract and keep top tech talent? Is one more important than the other? What about data protection when it comes to sourcing people? What are the best ways to attract a more diverse, better workforce? Are we doing enough in the region to attract women and minority groups to empower our workforce? Not just from our region but also from outside it. Do people just use “diversity” as a buzzword but not actually believe it? Are universities the right way forward for training entry-level candidates? Are unis too restricted in their curriculum to change with this fast-moving industry? Does the industry need some sort of formal certification? Join in the debate with Technically Compatible here, or watch at your own leisure. The series has been broken down into sections for more manageable webinar-like chunks. Sourcing, Training, Legislation or Diversity â€" take your pick or watch them all. Let’s keep the chat going. About the author: Technically Compatible is an online IT skills testing tool designed to streamline the recruitment of IT, web and software professionals. The platform, which significantly reduces screening time and promotes faster, better hiring decisions, is used by companies all over the world to hire top tech talent.

Make better decisions for yourself by watching decisions celebrities make

Make better decisions for yourself by watching decisions celebrities make This weeks poll is about celebrities because I love peeking into their lives in order to see the world in new ways. I love learning so much that I think thats even why I spent so much time with the farmer even though it was bad for a long time before I stopped dating him. I was learning so much about farming and how people make life decisions in the context of that profession. So the learning part is sort of addictive to me. And in that respect, my attraction to the farmer is similar to my attraction to Madonna, Britney, Ashton, and Brad. If you dont read about celebrities, youre missing a big learning moment. Of course, youre missing a learning moment by not dating a farmer, too. But some things are more time-consuming than others. And I have to say that flipping through People has relatively high payoff. Here are some reasons I do it: 1. Use celebrity messes to gauge how youre doing in your own failures. One of my (many) past therapists told me that you cant really tell how well youre doing until something bad happens. Most of us manage ourselves fine when everything is going well. We discover our level of resilience only when things go poorly (download movies). But how do you learn about this when most people hide themselves when things are bad? Most people hide and most people dont talk about whats truly sucking in their life, so we dont really see how their resilience is tested until their problems are so over the top that theyre uncontrollably leaking into all aspects of life. The best place to see people coping with the dark, dirty side of sunshine and roses is People magazine (or your favorite stand-in, like the Enquirer or, on an especially smutty week, New York magazine). This is where people cant hide their problems because they have made their lives public property to further their careers. We benefit because we see what people do to stay resilient. Sure, you cannot compare yourself to a celebrity when they are dressing for the Oscars and youre going to a party, too. But you can compare when they are getting dumped by their lying boyfriend and you are in love with a liar as well. 2. Dress yourself like a celebrity by picking one to mimic. When I wrote about Sarah Palin spending lots of money on clothes and Michelle Obama knowing how to work J Crew, there was a lot of hoop-la in the comments section about how you need to learn how to dress right for your body. If you live in NYC or LA, its not that hardmost women there are good at dressing themselves. Looking good is super important because theres no shortage of competition. Not so true in the Midwest. (I would knowIm there right now. ) Just as you get more happy being around happy people, you dress better being around good dressers. People magazine is a way to compensate for a lack of role models in your town. Look for someone who has the same body type as you and start watching what they wear. Itll save you a lot of time and a lot of mistakes. 3. Know the rules to follow by noting the rules celebrities ignore. The smaller our world, the more constrained we are by social norms. Sometimes thats good because being part of a community is important. But often its mentally constraining. I like reading the perspectives of celebrities because they are exposed to a wide variety of things that I am not. So they have fresh perspectives on topics I am not as smart about. Celebrities use a more diverse arsenal of tools than most of us do to manage our own brands, like marrying someone a lot older to look like a more serious actor. And celebrities feel less of a need to adhere to rules that do not help them to be their true selves, like, dont have six kids in four years or youll go crazy. I like watching people make their own rules for themselvesnot necessarily the choices I would make. But I like seeing what happens.

Four Reasons to Visit Hong Kong

Four Reasons to Visit Hong Kong China, as we speak, is a large economy in Asia and the world. One could obtain great business opportunities and other social benefits from this sizable, Asian country. A frequent destination for many people in China is Hong Kong. Commonly abbreviated as HK, the city receives the most searches on Google in terms of which city people want to visit. You would think that Hong Kong is its own country; however, the Chinese government chose it as the center of its administration. People often ask why you should invest in visiting the city. Well, today you will understand the four primary reasons Hong Kong should be in your traveling bucket list. Food culture Most travelers want to experience a city’s food before anything else. Hong Kong offers fantastic cuisines. If you love street food, you could take a stride and enjoy delicacies such as fish balls, egg waffles, and stinky tofu. One of the most popular foods you should not miss to taste is the Dim Sum. For this particular snack, ensure that you take it in a group. If you are more of the high-end type of person, you should also have a taste of the restaurant foods. By the way, it is always proper to learn to use chopsticks before you get there. Amazing scenery   Primarily, Hong Kong is an island. Any tourist would love to get pictures of the fantastic landscapes that it has to offer. Street art is also popular in here including a variety of hiking trails. Some of the famous scenery includes Victoria Harbor. It is the best place to view the city at night. You should also take yourself to the peak where you could view the city from the highest place on the island. In addition to skyscrapers, you could use all your time to take trails in the forests, mountains, and beaches present on the island. When you go, you can choose from a wide selection of lodging options.   If you will be looking for a nice place to stay, here is a detailed post on the most popular area to stay in Hong Kong. A Good Shopping destination Most people would love to leave Hong Kong with their local products. The shopping scene in the city is overwhelming. As in, there are so many things you could take back home including gadgets, antiques, Japanese gourmet snacks, and many other luxuries. Other than the malls, which offer amazing goodies, you should also try to go to one of their street markets. Most street markets offer souvenirs, paintings, and mahjong sets.  The Nightlife scenery Apart from the night scenery at Victoria Harbor, people who love partying can have their share of fun at the exciting Lan Kwai Fong.  It takes you a few minutes from the central business center to this place. The area is full of clubs and restaurants, parties, and lively people. It is not necessary that you take alcohol to find yourself here. Choose to take a nature walk down the street since it is open for all people including tourists. Conclusion Because Hong Kong was a British colony, it offers both Western and Eastern cultures. Therefore, it would be the right place for your vacation, honeymoon, and the likes. Note that the transport system within Hong Kong remains one of the best in the world. It also makes it easy to move from one place to another.

Dress Tips to Attend a Summer Wedding

Dress Tips to Attend a Summer Wedding With the sunshine, lush greenery and warm weather, it’s no surprise that many people choose to have their weddings in the summer. Most people opt for outdoor venues where the sunshine can brighten moods and the photo opportunities are endless. If you’re attending a summer wedding, there’s a lot to consider so that you can feel comfortable and confident while looking your best. Take the following summer wedding dress tips from Jessica, a designer at   JJsHouse. Make Comfort a Priority The number one most important tip when attending a summer wedding is to choose a comfortable dress. Jessica recommends an A-line cut with light, flowy fabric. There are plenty of dresses in all different lengths that are suitable for summer weddings. Just keep it loose and simple. Stay away from heavy fabrics and complicated cuts, which could leave you feeling sweaty and restricted on a beautiful summer day. Choose the Right Fabric The fabric you choose is another important aspect to consider. For summer weddings, let cotton be your best friend. Cotton is light and absorbent, so it won’t weigh you down or leave you feeling sticky. Stay away from fabrics like wool, rayon, polyester and georgette. Linen is another great option for summer. Stay Away from Dark Colors Dark colors absorb more sunlight, which can leave you feeling overheated. They’re also all wrong for summer’s light color palettes. Choose light and pale colors like yellow, lavender, peach and coral, which reflect the sunlight and suit the season much better. Leave the dark colors for autumn weddings or another occasion altogether. Keep Accessories Simple When it’s hot outside, wearing lots of bulky accessories can be really uncomfortable, not to mention that it looks out of place. Summer is a time of light and air, so choose your accessories carefully and keep the look minimal. A thin necklace, small watch, dazzling bangle, modest pair of earrings and a hairpiece are all you need to make your summer look pop in all the right ways. Wear Light Makeup The rule of avoiding dark colors in summer applies to makeup as well as dress fabric. Leave the dark colors for a different season or occasion. Timeless color palettes for summer feature light colors like peach, pale pink and lavender. Keep your makeup style light and natural. Add a touch of bronze for some shimmer in the sunlight and make sure that whatever makeup you choose is waterproof or long-lasting. You don’t want your face melting off halfway through an outdoor reception. Prepare for Air-Conditioned Buildings If part of the reception or ceremony is going to be held in an air-conditioned building and part outside in the sun and heat, simply bring along a light shawl to cover your shoulders while indoors. Once you’re outside, there are lots of different ways you can play with it so that it will look stylish without making you feel too warm. Follow these important tips from JJsHouse designer, Jessica, to ensure that you feel comfortable and look your best while attending a summer wedding.

Myth Busted Small Offices Cant Have Team Activities - CareerMetis.com

Myth Busted Small Offices Can't Have Team Activities Building a cohesive team is important for every business. While the bigger corporations hold a team building exerciseor corporate events regularly to give the employees a breather from the routine and foster communication, small businesses often overlook them on account of a low number of employees.If you have been believing this myth, you have got it all wrong. As a team leader, irrespective of your business or employee scale, you want to create an environment where the staff works in sync with each other as one unit.evalA small business thrives when the employees collaborate over activities that test their skills and initiate communication in a bid to forge a stronger work bonding.However, many team leaders make the error of making team building activities time consuming and super expensive. If you think you have to splurge and go out of the way to host a team exercise, that’s another myth we’ll bust for you.Read on to know more about how you can host a good corporate event com plete with interesting team building activities that are proven to be highly effective for a small organization.1. What’s On Your Desk?Sometimes the simplest of activities bring out the maximum creativity and fun quotient. This little activity is a classic example of that. It requires use of the participants’ imagination and creativity.Ask the employees to rush to their desks and pick out one object and present it as a new product, complete with a brand logo, name and slogan. Set the timer to 30 minutes under which the task is to be finished.Once the timer beeps, test the employees’ imagination and ask them to pitch their brief marketing plan. This could lead to a good brainstorming session and get the creative energy flowing through the office space.2. TriviaIn order for the team to get to know each other better, nothing comes to save the day as a classic game of ‘Trivia’. This fun team-building activitycan be played in many different ways with the right questions.evalIf you can get your hands on one of the trivia games online, you’re good to go. No boards or extensive objects or materials required. Just some questions and an excited crowd.Divide the employees into teams of two. Roll out a question to one team with only a minute to answer. If they fail, the other team gets bonus seconds.You can also add to the competitive spiritand make it a ‘trivia face-off’. You’ll need a buzzer or a ringing bell for this. Once the question is rolled out, the team to buzz first gets the chance to answer.This is a fun activity to test the knowledge skills and promote team unity.3. 2 Truths and A LieevalPlayed at camps and in parties, this activity is also an effective team building exercise. It encourages stronger communication at work and helps the colleagues get to know each other better.To play the game, ask the employees to jot down 3 statements about them on a piece of paper. Of these statements, two should be truthful and one a blatant lie. After this , allow them to have a 15 minute interaction with one another as a last attempt to gather as much information about one another as possible. The participants can also use this time to trick the fellows.Once the 15 minutes are over, have them each read their statements out loud, one at a time while the others guess which out of the three is a lie.4. Dinner and DrinksThe employees spend a major part of their day in the office space. To break the monotony of this routine, take them out for a round of drinks and a nice dinner or lunch.This enables them to loosen up a little and interact more freely among themselves and with the leaders, thereby eliminating the communication barrier.What makes this activity ideal for smaller businesses is that there are lesser employees. So you won’t be spending a lot of your personal money or the company’s, but forge an understanding bond with your employees. However, make sure everyone drinks responsibly and nobody is too inebriated to drive or go back home.Also try holding this activity on a Friday night. That way the employees can rest up during the weekend and come back to work on Monday without being hungover.4. Community ContributionHelping out the community is another great team building activity where you don’t only help eliminate a serious societal issue and work towards helping the less privileged, but also get the whole team to interact meaningfully outside of the workspace.Volunteering together gives the employees some common ground to talk about and takes away the sheer awkwardness of small talk.evalVolunteering is also a great way to work on personal growth by acquiring good communication and interpersonal skills and get an overall sense of purpose in life.5. Team OffsiteNo, not the off site where you discuss work and hold seminars. Plan a team offsite that focuses primarily on team building. Team outings are a great way to foster bonding within the team, reduce employee stress and give them the chance to inter act and know each other outside of the office.You can include a number of activities for the outing; anything from adventure challenges to treasure hunts and strategic games will be interesting enough to make the outing successful and help build trust and understanding among the employees.ConclusionWhile you may assume that your small office does not need or can’t have any team building corporate events, they are vital to promote a good work culture.For your employees to become more productive and have a healthy work life, it is important to host team building activities every now and then. This gives them an opportunity to take a break from their routine and interact with one another.evalThis interaction leads to an understanding of each other’s skill sets which helps them work together as an efficient unit. Now that we’ve busted the myth, start planning a team building event for your employees

Do You Make Things Happen

Do You Make Things Happen I dont think anyone could disagree that times are tough. It can be our personal traits that change how we conquer the issues. In a post from Fast Company, Six Traits that Separate the Achievers from the Wannabes. Here they are (original source Echoing Green): Core identity formation and alignment. These folks, she said, have reached a level of authenticity in life. They have found purpose and passion. They know what theyre on earth to do. Theyre in the Social Change zone. They have head/heart alignment. Focused and ability to execute with alacrity. Its not enough to have an idea. You must be able to prove your model is having an impact and build on it. Solutions oriented. Asset based thinking. Most of us deficit based thinkers, Dorsey said. But instead of seeing the world as filled with problems, they see opportunities. They see the glass as half full, and execute against all odds. Resource magnet. Theyre able to draw money, garner human capital, and attract media attention. Deep and unshakable commitment to a cause. Echoing Green calls these social entrepreneurship intelligence. It doesnt matter if you are in accounting, nursing or administrative support. These are the new norms employers will be looking for within every level of the organization. With the majority of job growth happening in small to medium sized companies, these companies needmulti-talented contributors. Be the one with a can do attitude and demonstrate your passion!

5 Best Resume Writing Tips For Resume Writing

5 Best Resume Writing Tips For Resume WritingLooking for the proper resume writing tips? It is vital to know what you can do to impress upon potential employers that you are the best candidate for a job. There are many things that you can include in your resume to make it more memorable and effective.First, you must know the skills that you have that will help you meet the individual needs of the job. You do not need to present yourself as the perfect candidate. You may be the perfect candidate if your only weakness was your interest in public speaking. Yet, this should not be used as an excuse not to be the best.Second, be sure to include all your qualifications in your resume to show how you are qualified for the right job. Include all your special skills, awards, accomplishments, or degrees that might stand out to an employer. This will be most effective if you offer the best parts of your resume. It is important to make the job recruiter see your strengths.Third, include your goa ls for the future. Be honest with yourself about what you want to accomplish in the future. Don't hide any goals you may have. The recruiter does not expect you to lie, but you will not be impressed by hiding your future goals. You want to use these points in your resume to let the recruiter know how well prepared you are to meet their needs.Fourth, presentable. Be sure to present yourself in a good light. This may include presenting the best side of you as well as your flaws. The recruiter is looking for people who can be human and be good at what they do.Your goals and accomplishments also make up a part of your resume. You do not want to include the negative aspects of your past. You want to show the recruiter why you deserve a position and what qualifications you have that qualify you for the job.These are just a few tips to help you get started with your career goals. Use these tips when writing your resume to create an impressive document that will help you land the job you ha ve been looking for.