How to Create a Team of Employee Advocates

How to Create a Team of Employee Advocates Employee advocacy has generally been used as a trendy buzzword in HR, marketing and sales over the past few years. Now, its value and importance to businesses all around the world is backed up by real data and numbers. This week we speak to Craig Fisher, a.k.a. Fishdogs, an Employer Branding Consultant at CA Technologies and Head of Marketing at Allegis Global Solutions RPO. We discuss his long-term engagement with CA Technologies, the strategy and tactics he applied to bring the company back into the talent spotlight. Have a listen to the interview below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Listen on  iTunes,  Stitcher Radio,  Google Play  or  SoundCloud. In this episode youll learn: About the corporate culture at CA Technologies What #LifeatCA is all about What CA Technologies 7 pillars are What their tagline Bring What You Bring is all about Why referrals  are their best source of hire, not Linkedin Why the human touch is important in your hiring process Why cost per interview is Craigs favorite ROI metric What Craigs three tips for employer branding managers are Why Otto Berkes, the creator of the XBox, inspires Craig Why a Blended Workforce is next for employer branding. Connect with Craig on LinkedIn.

8 Ways to Stay Safe on Social Media

8 Ways to Stay Safe on Social Media There may not be a burglar on every block looking to break into your home, but that still doesnt mean you shouldnt keep locks on the doors and windows. Its always better to be safe than sorry, and that old adage holds especially true when dealing with online business. For people who venture into realms like social media to brand and sell, theres always a risk that a hackers out there trying to get your information. Sometimes being hacked might only result in a troll saying stupid things through your network â€" like what happens to many celebrities whose sites are hacked. Worse on the scale, of course, is the fact that hackers can steal your personal information and even get into your finances. Even if its not a hacker and just a program designed to mess things up, it can still mess things up! Always take these steps to create a safe social media environment: 1) Pay attention to what youre posting: This tip covers your safety, but it also covers your reputation thats something that must stay safe, too. So, bottom line, always pay attention to what youre posting. Make sure that youre not giving out any essential information, even if its in a private message to someone you think you can trust. And before you post any material, give it an hour or so, re-read it, and see if its still something you think is worth posting. 2) Use the privacy settings: Whether Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or some other social networking site, there are probably all manner of privacy settings you could use to lessen your risk of being hacked. Browse around the site and become familiar with them you want to ensure some pretty strict settings in order to stay safe! 3) Keep the really personal stuff personal: Far too often people choose passwords that are simply personal things to them, and then they end up giving away that personal information incrementally. If you have seen “Now You See Me,” then you already know that the personal stuff needs to stay personal. Now, its okay to be friendly and personable, but not overly personal. People finding out your real phone number, your address, etc, can use this information nefariously. 4) Know your friends: Just because a person is a fan or follower doesnt mean theyre your friend. Yes, it sounds cruel, and you should definitely treat them as friends to an extent. But when its all said and done, youre not attending their weddings or sending airfare support for a Vegas vacation. So before you start treating anyone like a friend, find out a little more about them. RELATED:  Why Your Facebook  Friends  Matter to Employers 5) Hey, dont click that! While its true that engagement in social media cannot be a one-way street, you still have to be a willing hypocrite to an extent. What does this mean? Well, you want people to click and follow-through on the links you post, but you shouldnt be quick to do the same. You can trust you, but can you trust that the link youre clicking from a supposed “friend” doesnt contain malware or some sort of spying program? 6) Tidy up your machine: Staying safe in social media means staying safe online in general. This is where a good anti-virus program comes in handy. Regular sweeps, perhaps daily, will help to keep you a lot safer. And you should also try to keep your business machine aimed at business. For those extracurricular activities you may be a bit embarrassed about, well, just use a different machine. 7) Different e-mails and passwords: Your main email should be separate from your social media account email. For instance, when you sign up for Facebook, go ahead and create a new email to do it. It takes about three minutes, its 100% free, and you can easily keep track of one extra email. If someone gets into one of your accounts, they wont have access to more than one of your networks! Also, for passwords, as briefly mentioned above, dont use something obvious. Mix things up and create complex passwords, making sure to change them every few months. 8) Use a reputable e-commerce outlet: Oh, the money. Yes. This needs protected more than anything! If youve followed along so far, then now you have to make sure that the actual sites youre using are holding up their end. Dont use some obscure e-wallet or CC system because you can save a few bucks. Make sure youre using reputable companies for your e-wallet and cart needs. Staying safe online takes some diligence and intelligence on your part, but its all essentially common-sense stuff that you just need to pay attention to. If you can be cognizant of the atmosphere and always willing to put in a little extra effort, you can greatly reduce the risks associated with online business and social media. Author: Simon Campbell is a writer for  Qwaya. He loves to write different topics about social media and participates in some communities and forums.

How to Greet Defeat and Come Back Richer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Greet Defeat and Come Back Richer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Coke had New Coke. Tylenol had poisoned pills. General Motors has bankruptcy. What do these big brands have in common, and what can you take away from their experience? Resilience, the ability to bounce back from a significant stressor, is definitely an attribute of successful brands, personal and otherwise. We all experience loss, failure, betrayal, or a crisis that can set us so far back, we wonder if we’ve got the strength to go forward. It could be a job loss, promotion denied, a great business concept malingering at the fingertips of venture capitalists, or facing the same angry, insecure boss who tracked changes over your best work today and will do it again when you turn in the revised draft tomorrow. Before signing on with us, my creative director worked for a mean-spirited man who made bets against the success of co-workers. “You’ll never make the deadline, betcha a buck.” Then, when the blood sport was over and he’d won, a dollar bill was tacked to the guy’s corkboard with the loser’s name on it. How to bounce back from losses big and small, accidental and intentional? It is easier to make your way out of a war zone, when you’re proud of your uniform and the flag you salute. It really helps to know who you are, what you represent and see yourself as an agent of your brand no matter where you are or who’s yelling at you. Big brands endlessly hone tag lines so consumers know what these brands mean, and what promise they are purchasing along with the contents of the can. With mission statements, CEO podcasts and new initiative kickoff rallies, big brands frame the ideal mindsets for employees. Global 2000 company representatives, especially distributed employees away from HQ, constantly get messages that bolster a solid corporate backbone and crystal clear image of the firm. What do these principles look like in real life? Coke became the “pause that refreshes.” It’s the “real thing.” It’s “always.” Tylenol is “the brand most hospitals prefer.” GM appears to be the car company that will “return your money if you’re not satisfied.” (Yuck. GM has some work to do on its comeback strategy). Of course, strength without flexibility can be your undoing. Coke’s unshakable brand promise was part of the New Coke crisis. A small fraction of the market was polled in a taste test of the new formula, and this sample group liked it. However, the majority of consumers felt they owned the brand, exactly as it existed. Mayhem broke out when New Coke hit the shelves. Phone lines lit up with consumers threatening to never drink another drop. Emptying the shelves, and restocking them with what became “Classic Coke” righted what could have been a sinking ship.   Eventually the need subsided for signaling a return to the past and we’re back to Coke. Whew. In the same way, Tylenol overcame its tainted pill debacle to come back as the number one most prescribed analgesic. Tylenol became wildly successful in another market in order to return to the original one even stronger. The foundation of its comeback strategy was heavily discounted pricing to hospitals. The bargain brand overtook its competition in the institutional market, and could then tout itself to consumers as,   “the brand hospitals prefer most.” We’ll see if the new GM president hawking a 60-day return policy will raise the allure of Buick and Cadillac. I’d prefer seeing him dance in GM’s design department to Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days, but that’s just me. We know that bad happens. If you are going to succeed in your business or career, you are going to fail. You are going to try new concepts, sign on to employers, get yourself into partnerships, hire staff and kill yourself to please clients who will leave you and might seem bent on destroying you. To succeed, you need resilience in business more than you need any other single quality or skill. You need to greet defeat as a sign that you’re on your way to success. Have a cookie, a good cry, enjoy a revenge fantasy and then get on with being your brand. The comeback principles that work for big brands apply to your personal one. Here are some tips for building resilience before you need it 1.     Have a rainy day fund. Get some cash into a war chest that allows you get by in an emergency. If that’s impossible, make a deal with a friend that you’ll put each other up and buy the pizza for a while, should it come to that. 2.   Keep an eye on the prize of your future while you negotiate the stressors you face today. It is much easier to stand on a pitching ship, if you can keep your eyes on the horizon. 3.     Be the brand you want people to rely on. Every day do one thing that reflects and projects your brand promise. That might be settling on keywords and getting them into your blog, tweets, or updates. And, remember to offer a ride, hug, helpful feedback or a book to someone who could use what you’re capable of giving. Author: Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen.

How to Implement an Employee Referral Program

How to Implement an Employee Referral Program What’s the best way to recruit and later retain employees? Company career sites? Networking? Word of mouth? According to  studies, it’s actually employee referrals. These employees are also shown to stick around for extended periods of times, as opposed to those who are found through different methods. Since referrals are shown to produce better workers, it’s important to encourage your current employees and extended network to be involved in the recruitment process. This infographic, compiled by social employee referral management platform  Zao, shows you how to get started with an employee referral program in order to attract and keep great workers. Here are some key points to note: Nearly 3 in 10 employers have caught a fake reference on a job application Statistics show 1 out of every 5 referrals get hired Methods such as gamification grow employee engagement in the referral process; 55% are interested in working for a company that uses gamification to increase productivity Referrals are the highest quality hire RELATED: Why Employee Referrals are the Best Source of Hire

5 Tips For Starting A Career in Trucking CareerMetis.com

5 Tips For Starting A Career in Trucking The trucking industry is big business. A multi-billion-dollar business, in fact. With over 15.5 million trucks on US roads and over half a million businesses using trucks in their business operations, the trucking industry is booming, to say the least!In fact, 71% of all freight in the United States is moved by trucks and industry has no signs of slowing down.evalTrucking everything from milk to motor vehicles, the country not only benefits from the industry in a number of ways, but it’s also dependent on it to keep its economy thriving. It’s probably no surprise, then, that around 6% of all workers are employed in some way by this growing industry.So, with the multitude of opportunities in this industry, coupled with the high earning potential, seizing a piece of the trucking pie is a wise career move indeed.But with so much competition, how do you get your foot in the door of such a lucrative industry? Here are five of our top tips to get you started.1) Level-up your industry k nowledgeOn the surface, a career in the trucking industry may seem like the perfect option. Many truck drivers earn in excess of$100,000 per year, they have the freedom of the open road and they get to see parts of the country that others don’t.Sounds perfect, right?That said, there’s another side of trucking that you need to consider before taking the plunge; endless weeks on the road means many nights spent away from home, sleeping in the cab of your truck. While this may be fine for some, it’s something those with young families may think twice about.It’s not just the occupational hazards that you should be thinking about though. Although there are many positions for truck drivers to earn a great wage, it’s not the case for everyone.evalIn fact, in 2018, theBureau of Labour Statistics revealed that on average truck drivers earn less than the median annual wage, so if you’re looking to get into truck driving for the high earning potential, be wary that not all avenues will prove lucrative.2) Talk to Other Truck DriversBefore you get too deep into your truck driving journey, talking to those with real industry experience might be a great way to help you decide whether this is the right career for you.Truck drivers who have had industry experience can share the realities of your potential career path, warts and all.Networking with truck drivers could also potentially open doors for you later down the track. You’re sure to have heard the saying it’s not what you know, it’s who you knowand that certainly is true for this industry. Between introductions and recommendations, getting your name out there with the people who may be able to help you land a gig is something you should look at doing from the start of your journey, even before you get your commercial driver’s license There are so many different niches in the trucking industry. Although it’s not imperative for you to narrow down your choice of niche at the start of your career, it’ s wise that you understand your options and at least consider what you might like to do.Perhaps the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to work for yourself, or someone else. While the latter means that you won’t be out of pocket for your truck’s maintenance, the benefits of running your own truck cannot be denied.As with any business, being your own boss means more freedom to go in the direction you want and potentially higher earning potential. However, in spite of obvious benefits, the risks involved in running a business, potential stress and pressure of sourcing your own clients and contracts may present negatives that outweigh the positives.In reality, knowing whether you want to be employed or self-employed is the only thing you need to really nail down in the initial stages of your trucking career; everything else is surplus, but it’s still important to know the options available to you.Would you like to go short haul or long haul? What kinds of load would you like to carry, and does it matter to you? What kind of vehicle would you prefer to drive?Don’t worry too much about solid decisions made at this early stage, generally, they won’t pigeon-hole you, but they will focus you on your goals and help you get to where you want to go. You can always change your mind once you’re immersed in the industry, but the experience you gain along the way will undoubtedly help you find your next role.3) Get your Commercial Driver’s LicenceBefore you even start to look for jobs, you need to obtain your commercial driver’s license The CDL test you’ll take will be dependent on the license classification you want to obtain, in addition to the type of vehicle you’re looking to drive. In most states, you must be 21 or over to get your CDL but in some states, those aged between 18 and 20 can obtain a CDL which permits them to drive their heavy vehicle within the state they’re licensed.Photo Credit â€" Wikimedia.org4) Find your positionThen the job hunt begins! Although job hunting is never easy, the ever-expanding truck industry means more opportunities are opening for job seekers every single year.In fact, the American Trucking Association claimed, in 2018, that 900,000additional drivers are needed to meet the current demand of the industry. While that’s reassuring to know, you probably want to know where to look, right?Some driving schools actually contract drivers to a certain amount of time after they’ve qualified, so you may pass your test already having a guaranteed job lined up. If you don’t, there are a number of job websites dedicated to driving roles. It’s essential, though, that you research your potential employers before applying for a position with them.There’s a high turnover in the trucking industry; the expectations some businesses place on their employees’ amount to a huge deal of stress. Expense policies, benefit structures and the importance placed on work/life balance are also important considerations.evalConclusionTrucking may not be the most glamorous career in the world, but it certainly can be rewarding for those willing to put the time, effort and hard work into achieving their goals. There are so many options for those wanting to drive for a living that you don’t need to worry too much about how you get your start â€" you just need to get a start!Given the diversity of the industry, it’s difficult to get a true sense of what you want to do when you’re in the initial stages of exploring this as a career option. The good news is, after obtaining your license and some experience, you can begin to branch out into other areas.As a novice driver, it’s also important to understand that you may not land your dream role immediately as many top jobs go to experienced candidates. Therefore, you’d be wise to assess what the employers you’d love to be hired by are looking for so you can make the right career steps to position yourself as the ide al candidate.Good luck!

Getting a Promotion at Work

Getting a Promotion at Work When someone in your group or department leaves the company through turnover or workforce reduction, you are often times asked to step up and take on part of that persons role. For most people, this situation doesn’t seem fair to take on more work for the same pay, but it is reality. So what happens when your manager is the one to go? If you are interested in moving into that position, if you take the right steps, you could be the one to get a promotion and replace her/him. What’s your strategy? Going after a newly created or vacated position requires a few fundamental steps: Let the right people know you want the job Take on the responsibilities of the position on top of your own Get your work/initiatives in front of the decision makers Gather internal support Let the Right People Know First find out why your manager left â€" before approaching your superiors. Did your boss get a promotion? If so then see the path they took and consider how you can do the same. Indicate to your superiors that you want to fill that role and show them that you can do it. Depending on your relationship with your old manager, she/he could be an advocate for you to take on this position. What if your old boss was asked to leave? Try to find out the reasons why. Was her/his strategy not effective? Did she/he butt heads with upper management? It would be wise to show management that you don’t have those issues or that you have a different game plan. Be prepared to communicate your own strategy and show your ability to get those items done. Within the first week of the announcement that your boss is leaving (or has left), subtly but directly let the decision makers â€" typically management â€" know that you are interested in stepping in. Schedule a one-on-one with the remaining managers to find out what initiatives your old boss was working on that you can continue. At the same time, drop the fact that you are going to step and do these things and you’re hoping to step into your former boss’ old role. Don’t boast or bash your old boss or talk to much â€" short and direct! Take on the Responsibilities of Your Boss’ Job Many times you don’t receive warning that your boss is leaving. Therefore, you need to prepare for the scenario that your boss wont be in the next day. The time to prepare is when your boss is still employed. Work with your boss, push her/him to explain their strategy, ask about current conversations with upper management, and help out with areas that your boss is challenged with. A little extra work now will put you in an excellent position to step in. Regardless of why your boss is no longer employed, reach out and ask for tips and insight. Make it clear that you wish she/he was still around. Tell your former manager how you benefited from her/his leadership and express your gratitude. Maintain a positive relationship with your former manager because you may need to ask for more advice! All this work makes it possible for you to step into your boss’ shoes â€" participate in her/his meetings, drive their initiatives, provide guidance and direction for the team. If your boss was managing other people, don’t assume that you are managing them. Instead, position yourself as someone who can pursue answers to any HR questions they have or take any appropriate issues to upper management. Proactively Engage and Avoid Pitfalls Warning: your boss’ departure may have the other managers thinking in lots of directions. Are they thinking about replacing your former boss with an outside hire? Are they considering breaking up your group? Swiping your team’s funding? Your former manager may have been fighting for your groups existence. If you want that promotion you’ll need to quickly get up to speed and continue that fight. That’s also an easy way to get recognized as your former boss’ successor. Your former boss’ direct reports may be wondering why you are acting like their new boss. Be proactive and tell them why. You see the need for someone to continue working on a project or taking on a regular duty that belonged to your old boss. Nothing is stopping your fellow employees from doing the same. In fact, encourage them to help out. If another manager asked you to help out then let the others know exactly what was asked of you and what that means you will be doing. It’s okay to tell your co-workers that you want the role and you are hoping management will see you as a competent replacement. Get Recognized for the Extra Work If you are taking on the responsibilities of your former boss on top of yours, you are probably putting in a fair amount of extra time. It will all be worth it if you make sure that your initiative shows up. Here are some ways: If you are developing strategy, then schedule meetings with team members and management to get their feedback or just their opinion on your initiative. A 30-second pitch is all you need to make people aware of what you are doing. Announce in meetings that you are taking on an initiative that addresses one of the topics in the call. Tell people what you will deliver and ask them to contact you to be involved. Organize the leaders of other groups (with relevant expertise) to collaborate with you on your initiatives. Take the lead, get their buy-in and ask them for a deliverable that is in their wheelhouse or area of expertise. Re-organize your team to focus on your initiatives. Even if you only get a fraction of their time, get them to help you produce a meaningful deliverable. Give them proper credit, of course, but get their help the same way your boss did. Gather Internal Support Many times the decision to promote you will come down to one person’s opinion. The tactics above are geared towards showing that person you’re right for the job. You will also want to speak to other peers and managers of that lone decision maker â€" those who will influence his/her decision. Therefore, try to speak, one-on-one, with those who could influence the decision. Tell them about your plans and what you are doing. Mention your interest in the position and then let go. Those other managers will see the job you are doing and will mention your name when asked about it. When you shine, others will notice. Good managers will see this and act in the best interest of the company â€" push for your promotion! Don’t Wait Too Long After you have done the job of your former boss for a reasonable amount of time (1 month? 3 months?) or after you carry your company through a big initiative, you should now ask for the position. Schedule some one-on-one time with the decision makers and make your intentions clear: Tell them you would like the position Give 2 or 3 of your strongest supporting achievements Ask them if they will consider you for the job and, if so, when Maintain professionalism at all times. If some disappointing information comes your way, take it in stride and move on. Later you can process the information, calm down and prepare a response. Dont hesitate to bring in a mentor or career coach to help with brainstorming and advice.

Harvard Human Resources Resumes Writing Style

Harvard Human Resources Resumes Writing StyleMany times I get asked if it is possible to break down the Harvard Human Resources resume writing style into categories. That's a good question, and the answer is a resounding yes.First, let's look at that high percentage of people who apply for jobs and then never hear back. It is one of the most common questions I get asked. So, we'll start there.Most college students who attend a four-year school like Harvard are expected to put together a great application when they apply for jobs. Unfortunately, this means that they typically do not spend any time on their resume or cover letter. They take the words on paper and type them in by hand, as much as possible.When you consider the amount of time most people spend on resume writing, it would be easy to assume that the average human resource person is well educated on resume writing. They can get by with taking the basics in an 'advanced' reading. This is probably what most resume writers do, and what they should do. However, there is a big difference between being prepared and being proficient.If you want to excel at resume writing, then you need to learn the advanced techniques that just a few thousand years ago required months of study to be able to master. And I don't mean the theory, either. I'm talking about something more personal and psychological.One of the key lessons learned from hundreds of interviews I've conducted with Harvard applicants is that if a resume covers too many topics, it sounds too generic. While most employers expect to see professional degrees, certifications, and work experience, an abundance of information is not always a good thing.Another lesson I've learned from Harvard applicants is that you should have a very structured approach to your resume, and to the entire application process. You may want to start by writing an email cover letter, which could be used in place of an email resume. In that way, you're covering some of the things t hat will show up on your resume.Once you've applied for a job, the other step to mastering resume writing at Harvard is to keep on top of your profile and keep your background up to date. Do this, and you won't fall behind, because you'll continue to update your resume every so often. So, follow the above resume writing style for Harvard and improve your resume writing skills.