I Wont be Coming in Today Because.... and other excuses

I Wont be Coming in Today Because.... and other excuses Now, most of us (cough, cough) have feigned sickness to get a day off work at least once in their life and anyone who says they havent is probably lying or a workaholic. In fact,  80 percent of UK working Brits have pulled a sickie over the last year, according to new research commissioned by Perkbox.   It found over half weren’t asked for proof of sickness (57 percent) and of those who were, consequences were as diverse as getting fired (one in 10), a formal warning (one in five) or no implications at all (one in three). But why do we do it when we could easily just book a leave day? Well,  nearly half of those polled believe the reason why employees pull sickies is because they are unhappy, depressed and overworked in their current jobs or in their private lives. Yet 12 percent say pulling sickies has resulted in a complete loss of their employer’s trust, making the situation worse. Perhaps that’s why 14 percent of those who got caught last year, decided to confess the truth. 44 per cent of those surveyed believe the ‘sickie’ culture may be heightened by employees who have a zero work ethic and are abusing the system. After all, nearly one in 10 of those who were asked for proof of sickness last year faked it and nearly a quarter believe having an awful relationship with their managers and/or colleagues may be a key reason why this behaviour arises in the first place. Hannah Sims, Product Manager at Perkbox Medical says: UK employees aren’t hard-wired to be deceptive or to skive off work. Sickies” result from a lack of engagement in the work employees do or in the business they work for and are often telling of more serious issues. Having and enforcing a clear sick leave policy not only makes legal sense and allows you and your business to track absenteeism, but it also means you can keep a pulse of your company’s health and signal to employees that you take their wellbeing seriously and are always looking for ways to proactively help them. So what are the top ten Sickie excuses? Here are some of the best and worst: I fell over in the shower and knocked myself out How this person was then able to pick themselves up to phone in sick baffles me. My partner threw the TV remote at me last night and I chipped my tooth   Ermmm no words for this one. I fell down the stairs and broke my coccyx (added implication cant sit)   Unless this person was never intending to go back to work this doesnt sound that convincing! I thought it was Saturday today   OK, hands up those of you who have ACTUALLY done this?? I accidentally ate cat food instead of tuna and fell terribly ill This person needs the help of Marie Kondo to sort out their kitchen cupboards. My doctors appointment was delayed by 2, then 4, then 8 hours. Then finally when it was my turn I was in the toilet so I kept waiting This person needs some lessons on how not to call in sick. I got lucky last night and didnt know where I was in the morning Now if this persons boss didnt applaud them then they clearly need to get a life. I needed a day to catch-up on Brexit deals and learn how to apply for permanent residency. Its for the companys sake too you know! Now, this is just pure genius! I dreamt I was at work. As I thought I was there I just stayed asleep Please tell me the boss didnt actually believe this one?? I had a bad dream and needed the day to recover related to excuse no.9 I wonder? So have you used any of these excuses or have you got any of your own? Why dont you share them with us.

Why the Recruitment Industry is Finally Getting a Promotion

Why the Recruitment Industry is Finally Getting a Promotion What are the most important developments to have impacted business strategy in the last 10 years? The influence of the Internet on business models? The rise of new and fiercely competitive emerging markets? The end of job-for-life careers? These and more, but there’s one which is only now getting the attention it deserves as business leaders realise it will fundamentally change the way they run their organisations. For decades, HR and recruitment has traditionally not had a seat at the boardroom table, too often remaining a back-office function whose resourcing and role in the company usually came as an afterthought. Times are changing, and fast. For talent leaders in organisations of all sizes across the world, there’s an opportunity there to be grasped. The increasing availability of reliable data and robust analytics has enabled recruiters to speak the same language of numbers as their counterparts in finance, IT, sales and marketing. If your business hasn’t cottoned on to this yet, let me share three  reasons why it should. Strategic talent planning â€" no surprises Recruiters are now able to plot the probability of a particular strategic decision succeeding based on the availability of talent in the market to staff it. Thanks to social media, it’s now possible to identify the right candidate for the right job at the right time from among the global professional population. A business looking to make a decision on which market to expand into can now discover in seconds whether the right skills exist in that market, and in numbers where the chances of recruiting the right talent support market entry. The power of talent branding beyond recruitment Secondly the value of a strong talent brand is immense and, by borrowing the best practices of great marketers, you can have impact beyond talent. Just as social media gives employers new insights to find the right talent, it also hands professionals the ability to find new insights about potential employers. As such, companies are realising that great candidates they don’t yet know, already know them. In this era of increasing transparency, consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on more than the quality of a companys products and services, and are now also interested in the company behind the product, e.g. the mission and vision, culture and values, the way the company sources products, how it gives back to the community. These qualities are now a key part of the companys overall brand equity, bringing the CMO into the talent branding fold, while also putting the recruiter at the centre of building a company’s brand. Competitive talent advantage Lastly, the ability to plot the probability or hiring success can become a competitive advantage in its own right. Whether recruiting for software engineers in Silicon Valley, or drilling engineers in Azerbaijan, companies often find themselves competing to win the same finite talent. This is expensive and time consuming. Access to data about the world’s workforce enables companies to identify pools of talent with the right skills which no one is competing for, simply because they’re not in the ‘right’ geography. As talent flows more easily across borders â€" particularly in markets such as Europe â€" there’s an opportunity for recruiters to focus their efforts on talent pools they can win more easily, creating a potential competitive advantage. There has never been a better time to focus on talent. And it’s not just about plugging short-term skills needs. The CEOs that prioritise their talent function are also equipping their organisation with the right information to make better strategic decisions, giving them a strong competitive advantage for the future; those that don’t, will miss out. Author: Ariel Eckstein is the Managing Director for LinkedIn in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

4 Global Organizations Using The Internet To Empower Women

4 Global Organizations Using The Internet To Empower Women Historically women have always been the gender with the least support with regards to education and empowerment, however, technological advancements and the ever improving Internet options have had a profound effect on trying to correct this. While the Broadband capabilities in almost all first world countries are immense, and most women have had access to the Internet for the last decade, the story in developing countries is a completely different story. In a UN report on Broadband in 2015, there were glaring disparities between genders when it came to connectivity. In developing countries, the report showed that 25% fewer women have Internet accessibility than men, and in some sub-Saharan this gap can rise to around 50%. This disparity means that women in developing countries across the world are missing out a lot of the benefits that come with Internet connectivity. This is especially a concern in countries where women are traditionally at a disadvantage. In many of these countries, women are second class citizens at birth and struggle to get the same access to education and skilled jobs as their male counterparts â€" cultural norms dictate that women belong working in the household or fields and they are often not afforded the opportunity to better themselves. In fact, the report stated that if that if these countries fail to address the shortcomings of Internet connectivity that there will be dire consequences. “If women and girls are unable to enjoy the same access to broadband and ICTs, including the availability of relevant content, they will find themselves at a serious disadvantage in becoming fully literate, accessing skilled jobs, learning about and exercising their rights, and participating as citizens in public and policy-making processes.” From education to training  â€" the Internet is helping women all over the world get access to opportunities to contribute and learn that were previously out of their reach and are now more affordable, such as learning how to code or learning how to gamble for free with  no deposit casinos. Those give you the possibility to grow your business online that was not possible just a decade ago. So what initiatives are in place to ensure women throughout the world are getting access to the Internet? Some local and international organizations have taken it upon themselves to improve the situation and these are some of the initiatives and programs they have put in place. 4 Global Organizations Using The Internet To Empower Women 1. Samasource This global initiative has worldwide reaches from Uganda and Kenya to Haiti and India, and many other places in between. This non-profit initiative gives data-driven projects to women in areas where there is little opportunity for them to better themselves and where they are traditionally treated as less than equal to men. Created in 2008, the project has trained and employed  around 3,000 women in programs such as Getty Images, TripAdvisor and Microsoft. The women not only get a  much-needed education and personal growth â€"but they area also paid a living wage that assists them in  improving their life and reaching their goals. 2. The Amakomaya Project This project is based in Nepal and directly translates to  mean  â€œa mother’s love”.  The point of the project is to provide much needed technological access to women in rural Nepali villages, who have not been afforded the opportunity before. Mainly a research and education based project, it provides information to pregnant women who can now research and gather information on pregnancy, prenatal care, and baby/child care. This is vastly important in these regions where infant mortality is incredibly high. The success of the project has allowed it to develop into a mobile platform too, which serves to connect rural doctors and health care workers with their urban counterparts. All the information is given to the women in their own language too. 3. W2E2 Wireless Women for Entrepreneurship Empowerment (W2E2)  is an Indian based project that provides thousands of rural Indian women with Internet connectivity, digital tools and training in an effort to help them set up their own social enterprises or digital entrepreneurship. Many of these women have used the training to benefit their entire communities by setting up internet kiosks, providing training or starting agricultural or rural health schemes. Through the training and education of a few women in each village â€" the project has had far reaching influences on women and villages throughout the whole country. 4. Afchix Afchix is a company based all over Africa and its purpose is to encourage young girls and women to strive for careers in technology. The project provides mentoring, training and Internet access to women and girls that are interested in following a career into IT based or computing fields. The company also organizes events for women throughout the continent to come together and share their skills, expertise and experiences with each other. They hope to establish a generation of African women skilled in tech-based careers to mentor and help the next generation.

The Recruiters Life in Emojis

The Recruiters Life in Emojis When the Barclay Jones team go into a recruiter’s sales floor it’s often a scene filled with faces akin to emojis â€" terror, ecstasy, disgust! The emoji came from Japan in the late 1990s and would you believe that World Emoji Day is coming up on 17 July.   Why 17 July, well it seems that the calendar empoji has that as it’s date!   There’s also a song you can sing the anthem celebrate World Emoji Day â€" and no doubt right now you’re limbering up?   No? Perhaps instead you’re scratching your heads over the existence of an entire day dedicated to emojis.   You’re concerned that you may get dragged in ton dressing up as an emoji! (People do this, honest!) We’ve spotted more of emoji-related craziness, from a firm hiring an Emoji Translator (this wasn’t an April Fool’s!) to an Emoji Film debuting at the end of July (a summer Box Office hit no doubt…).   Patrick Stewart stars! What have Emoji got to do with Recruitment? Of course, after seeing all this emoji-mania online we couldn’t resist looking at recruitment and seeing how we could make a (tenuous?) link.   I asked the rest of the team at Barclay Jones which emoji they think perfectly describes the daily trials, tribulations and successes of the average recruitment consultant. So the team put on their big smiley face emoji and up with emoji typical of the recruitment consultant and recruiting resource. The feeling when  you send two people into an interview and the client loves both of them! (Time to go home early!) The expression when  you interview a candidate and they overload you with information about their personal life… (“How do I get them to shut up?   And will they do this with the client?” Your face when your manager runs your activity report but you haven’t logged it correctly on the recruitment CRM. Now they want a meeting to discuss what you’ve been up to! (“If it isn’t on the system it doesn’t exist”) When you’re 20 calls down and still cant get to the decision maker! (“Why does no-one love me?”) Hitting your LinkedIn search limit early in the month â€" time for some detective work! (After you have  chewed a wasp, stopped frowning, time to get creative!   Perhaps, dare we suggest, source from your Recruitment CRM?) Hitting target / financials â€" ready to celebrate! (Too right recruiters!) The perfect candidate for the role accepts… then is counter offered by their current employer and pulls out (This is of  course after you calm down and stop throwing things!) Early finish  â€" off to the pub! (Let’s face it, late finish off to the pub too!) Finally nailed that promotion… Senior recruitment consultant baby! (Don’t let it go to your head… your targets just got bigger!) Finally finding the perfect candidate for that niche role (You’ve plastered that advert everywhere, accessed your network, got a tattoo of the role  â€" and finally success!) Get on the phone!! (The emoji your manager wears 24/7 â€" and rightly so!) You’ve got a new vacancy and need to advertise, source and call candidates all at the same time! (Who told you that being a recruiter was like being a clown at the circus?)

Tips For Writing Resume If You Have Been Unemployed

Tips For Writing Resume If You Have Been UnemployedTips for writing resume if you have been unemployed. The following are some basic tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed. While it is difficult to predict when a job will become available, it does not mean that there are no jobs available. Instead, keep in mind that the more knowledgeable you are about a particular job, the more likely you are to find it.Prior to writing your resume, find out what position you are applying for. Try to match your skills with the job requirements. If the employer does not mention the job description on the job posting, look for one online. Also, consider knowing more about the position you are applying for. The job requirements may change from time to time, so make sure you stay up to date. Your resume should contain a brief description of your qualifications, and how your skills can help in the new position.Next, decide how you will format your resume. In most cases, it is best to follow the structure of a document that is designed for distribution to employers. For instance, most resumes have a head section and a body section. Then, the summary is usually included in the summary or closing portion of the resume. Your resume should end with your contact information, your email address, and other contact information, like your mobile phone number, fax number, or website.One of the most important tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed is to create an eye-catching cover page. You can find many sample covers online, including samples for printing and online applications. Check to see if the resume template used by the company you are applying for requires you to include a cover page. You can usually add your own picture on the cover page.Oneof the most important tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed is to make sure that the resumes you send out are legitimate. They should be from different sources, as that would cut down on the risk of them be ing stolen. It is also best to get all of your information together before sending it to the employer. Contact your employer by telephone or by using the Internet to ask for a resume. Get a list of instructions on the type of questions you should ask during the interview process.Another of the most important tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed is to be straightforward. If the employer asks a question, answer it promptly. Do not spend more than a minute or two on the phone. The number of seconds or minutes that you spend on the phone will determine whether or not you receive a reply.One of the tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed is to be honest about any job experience that you may have had. Be sure to disclose any public and private sector jobs that you have held, including previous employer. Make sure that you do not hide any educational qualifications.You may also consider how to improve your resume. Try adding professional phrases that convey confi dence. You can improve your resume by taking an online course, or you can find out more tips for writing resume if you have been unemployed.

How to spin motherhood in an interview...plus, Good questions for you to ask your interviewer

How to spin motherhood in an interview...plus, Good questions for you to ask your interviewer How to Spin Motherhood for Careers Question 1 As I enter the interview process, I am specifically looking for ways to spin motherhood. I have the appropriate degrees, background, etc., but I am insecure about the time I took off from my career to raise a family. I am an active volunteer with my community and organizations like the Red Cross, but honestly most of my time and energy has been dedicated to raising my three children almost entirely by myself. I would appreciate any additional advice or guidance you may have for me. Advice from Dana Im so glad you asked this question. Since I had a wonderful “stay-home-dad” during my career, well expand this to “parenthood.” I have coached a number of returning parents after raising their kids, so here is my advice: Add your experience to your résumé as a job. Give yourself a title such as “Head of Household,” “Household CEO.” In your job definition section, highlight the skills that are relevant to the job type you are seeking. Be proud of your skills in project management, attention to detail, managing multiple projects simultaneously, dealing with ambiguity, high energy, and more. Read job descriptions of your target jobs and pull in key skill words that you can honestly claim. NEVER, ever, ever, ever apologize for being a stay-home parent. You are a professional. Be confident in your cover letter, phone interviews, and face-to-face interviews. Invest in one good interview outfit, a folio with paper and pen, and learn how to job search. Get current with the latest techniques. Question 2 I enjoyed reading your recent Business Journals article on what not to ask in an interview. I am currently in line to interview for a nonprofit arts job that I think is perfect for me. I would love to know what you think are the best questions to ask on an interview. Advice from Dana First, let’s quickly review the guidelines for good interviewee questions: Prepare your questions, write them down, and bring them with you to the interview. Think about the perceptions the interviewer may create in his or her mind from your questions. Put yourself in their shoes. Never ever, ever, ever ask about salary or anything financially related! There are many good questions, but here are my four favorites. I recommend you always have these on your pre-prepared list: I’m very self-motivated. How will you measure the success of the person in this position after one full year? The first 30 days is very important for me to meet as many team members as possible. How will you recommend I do that? What are the top three skills or experiences you are looking for that may not be mentioned in the job description? The position we are discussing is something I am very excited about. Can you give me feedback on how I am meeting your qualifications and if I will proceed to the next level of the hiring process? (This is called “going for the close” or “asking for the order” in sales.) For more questions, drill into the items on the job description. Ask them to elaborate on examples of skills they describe or their future goals for a certain objective. You can create so many this way! For even more questions, ask them about their professional background (nothing personal!) and how they got to the role they are in â€" how they achieved success. Congratulations that you got an interview! Remember, you are on stage from the minute you step into the door until the minute you depart. Everything you say and do can be in your favor. Or not. The more you prepare, the better you will do.

Top Career Paths in Interior Design - CareerAlley

Top Career Paths in Interior Design - CareerAlley Career Options in the Interior Design Industry We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Interior design is one of the most high-paying and in-demand jobs right now. If you want to break into the interior design industry, you have to learn a trick or two. You have to know that interior design is so much more than just thinking and planning about a homes interior space. Here are the top career paths that interior designers can make to make sure that they can rise above the competition. Career Options in the Interior Design Industry If you want to jump-start your career in interior design, you must first obtain a degree in interior design from schools such as the American International College. Then, you have to receive accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) or the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Once you have all these, you can choose from these career options: Interior design is one of the most high-paying and in-demand jobs right now. If you want to break into the interior design industry, you have to learn a trick or two. Tweet This Interior Designer As an individual with a degree in interior design, the top career option for you is to become an interior designer. Your primary role is to create beautiful interiors for houses, condominiums, offices, and commercial spaces such as restaurants, hotels, and even schools. To be successful, you have to bring in a streak of creativity. You must have a clear understanding of color theory and remain up-to-date on the latest trends in interior design. Kitchen Designer If you want to have a specific field of expertise, being a kitchen designer is an option for you. You will be primarily responsible for creating the design aesthetics of kitchens while keeping the functionality a top priority. In most cases, you will be working with architects and contractors to identify the kitchen floor plan to ensure that the design can work seamlessly with other building factors. If you want to become a kitchen designer, you have to understand how the kitchens temperatures can affect your decor. You must also factor in future maintenance needs since kitchens can often become busy, and frequent upkeep may not be a welcome idea. Furniture Designer It is pretty common nowadays to see interior designers working as furniture designers. When you become a furniture designer, you will work with either the client or suppliers. If you want to work with clients directly, you may receive offers to design and arrange furniture in their homes, offices, showrooms, and other areas to allow them to maximize the use of their space. If you, however, prefer to work with suppliers, your main task would be to come up with designs that will be sold to clients by the suppliers. Lighting Designer Do you know why they say a lighting design can change a space ambiance and overall feel? If yes, then you may have a career as a lighting designer. But before you trek this path, you have to know the fundamentals of wiring. You can also work with a qualified electrician so you can make sure that your lighting design can accommodate the needed lighting load. Your work may also involve decorating light fittings and other fixtures. If you want to be successful, you must stay on top of the latest technology in lighting. Exhibition Designer If you feel that your design aesthetics go beyond confined spaces, then you may want to try being an exhibition designer in which you will work on layouts and design schemes of exhibition halls. Since exhibition designers need to come up with a unique yet compelling design for each of their projects, you are also required to know about custom build designs and floor management. It will help if you know CAD and Adobe Suite programs. Words of Advice To be successful in interior design, you have to give value to your clients needs and wants while making sure that you are not compromising your creativity. It would also be best to train under an experienced interior designer before you start your independent journey towards interior design. 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 find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. 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