How Sunny Ackerman Reached the Peak of the Staffing Industry

How Sunny Ackerman Reached the Peak of the Staffing Industry Recruitment has never been a gender-specific industry. Its not an industry you would say ranks low in terms of equal opportunities for women. Or does it? Yes, we might see a lot of women within recruitment, but are a lot of them taking up leadership roles? We sit down with Sunny Ackerman, a woman who is often found pioneering the discussion and promotion of women in the workplace. With more than 20 years of staffing experience, she is recognized by the Global Power 100 as one of the most influential women in staffing. Who are you and what do you do?   My name is Sunny Ackerman, and I’m President of Americas at niche technology recruitment firm Frank Recruitment Group. I’m responsible for overseeing the company’s presence across the Americas; at the moment, we have four offices in North America, and I’ll be working to expand our reach, and increase our headcount across the country. Why does it matter that things like the Global Power 100 exist? The majority of HR professionals are women, but when it comes to leadership, we’re enormously outnumbered. The Global Power 100 works towards leveling the playing field, by offering a platform from which the women leading the way in our industry can share their stories. Visibility is essential; there are so many women doing amazing things in staffing, and the more we shout about them, the more women will be able to picture themselves doing similar things. The Global Power 100 offers that visibility. It’s not a competition; it’s a celebration. What are the most common mistakes you see recruiters make?   Tunnel vision can certainly be an issue for some recruiters. New developments are causing previously non-existent skill sets to emerge all the time, and often, those skills sets come into demand by clients before the market has had a chance to produce enough candidates. In order to bridge some of these gaps, recruiters need to expand their focus. Thinking about a candidate’s transferable skills, and future potential can be just as significant as hard skills when it comes to filling challenging roles. Are they passionate? Are they willing to learn? Are they flexible? These are questions that more recruiters need to ask themselves to keep up with demand in an ever-changing market. What hard lessons can you share with us? Recruiters face a lot of rejection. Working in staffing, you’re essentially doing a sales-lead job, but with an especially high number of variables, and no matter what you do, there are going to be times when things don’t go your way. Setbacks aren’t always easy to swallow, but you can’t afford to take knocks to heart. Recruitment is full of ups and downs, but the only way you’re going to be successful is to remain consistent in the face of challenges. That takes a lot of grit and determination, but if you want to succeed in the staffing industry, you need to get back on the horse quickly, every time. What are your top 3 tips to recruiters? Think outside the box. It’s not always about finding a candidate identical to the profile the client has generated; that person might not even exist. Solving hiring problems, especially in the face of talent shortages, takes a little bit of creativity. Follow through. Never make promises that you can’t keep; integrity is paramount in the recruiting business, and if you want to forge lucrative, long-lasting relationships with your clients and candidates, you need to reinforce your reliability at every stage. Listen more than you talk. You won’t get anywhere by putting words in mouths. Finding out as much information as you can about the role and your potential candidates will put you in the best position to make a great match. Who inspires you and why?   I’m inspired by people who are actively working to create a better, more inclusive workplace for their industries; people like Trish Barber, who founded Women in Technology. Trish has been a leading force in digital media and technology for years and is just one of the many amazing women who are using their success to give the next generation of female professionals in fields such as IT and tech a hand up. What’s up next for recruiting?   In the digital age, it’s easier than ever for clients to find candidates themselves, but much more difficult for them to qualify them. The skill sets in demand by clients are changing so rapidly, especially in the tech industry, that clients don’t always know what they’re looking for. That digitization of hiring is only going to continue, so if recruiters want to remain relevant to their clients, they need to be offering real value; being experts in their field, knowing where to find candidates that clients can’t reach on their own, and having an eye for potential that will help bridge skills gaps. Connect with Sunny on LinkedIn

Public Relations Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co

Public Relations Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co Public Relations Cover Letter Template Download our cover letter template in Word format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Related Hiring Resources 5+ Best Public Relations Interview Questions Answers Public Relations Job Description Sample

10 Typical Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid

10 Typical Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid With the following tips provided by professional writers from Write My Paper Hub, you will stay on the safe side and   avoid typical cover letter mistakes.   Follow them and enjoy writing! Excessive Formality / Inadequate Formality The tone of your appeal to the employer should depend on many factors, including the status of the company, its reputation, aesthetic preferences and the approximate average age of its employees. If you write a letter for a fashion startup in which people work just older than you, then an overly formal tone will make your application boring and mundane. If, on the contrary, you get a job in a conservative institution with a long history, familiarity can reveal bad manners and the incompatibility of your style with the reputation of the company. Using   Standard Cover Letter Templates On the Internet you will find many ready-made texts for cover letters.   However, remember that the personnel departments of any company have read such samples hundreds of times.   One of the most common cover letter mistakes is using boiler plate templates.   Using similar letters of ‘instant cooking’, you only show the employer that you were too lazy to write even a small text. There is nothing wrong with relying on the sample form that experts recommend following, but you must fill it with original content. Boasting too Much One of the main difficulties of motivational writing is to show oneself from the best side, but at the same time not to appear to the HR manager as a narcissistic bouncer. The solution to this problem is quite simple: rely on the facts. If you are well versed in HTML, do not write in the letter that you are the king of web design, describe your specific skills and specific work achievements that these skills helped you achieve. Less loud epithets and more facts if you, of course, do not get a job as an epic poet. Talking Only About Yourself Lets be honest the company you want to get a job in is likely to have at least a few dozen candidates for the same position, who will also tell you in their letters of motivation how good they are. However, the company really wants to know what you can do for it. Compare your skills with the job requirements that will be given in the job announcement, and the general goals and ideals of the company. Think about how your skills will work for the benefit of the company and devote most of the letter to this topic. Bad design/Bad style When hiring employees, companies usually look at dozens, or even hundreds, of resumes and cover letters for each position. The easiest way to filter your letter from this stream is to make mistakes in style or design. If the HR manager sees that you were so superficial about the device for work that you didnt even bother to read your motivation letter and make it easy to read, then it will quickly send your documents to the trash. For visual design, rely on examples from the Internet: it makes no sense to stand out in this regard, the manager just wants to be able to get acquainted with all the data that you provide quickly. Too Complex Style It is a mistake to write in a complex and ornate style using abstruse words and phrases. The content of your letter may suffer from the fact that you use words and phrases that you have found in the dictionary specifically about this and whose meaning you do not fully understand. Including Insignificant Information. If it seems to you that you have begun to delve into unnecessary details, take a break, and then take up the letter with renewed vigor and a fresh head. Telling Lies Exaggerating and coming up with non-existent facts. At the interview, you may be asked in detail about an unlikely achievement. Not Using Proper Proofreaders Don’t trust entirely the function Spell Check of your computer. Print the letter and read it carefully several times, trying to detect errors or typos. Use online proofreaders, preferably paid ones. Procrastination Don’t postpone writing a cover letter until the last minute. The selection committee will immediately notice that the letter was written on the run. In addition, you risk missing out on some important information. How to Avoid Cover Letter Mistakes Summary If getting this job offer means a lot address a professional cover letter writing service. You will receive a high-quality letter based on your requirements.   And will be able to adjust it to the variety of applications. Sketch a draft (or better yet, several draft options), where for yourself, outline all the main points. Make sure that you are absolutely satisfied with your final draft version before writing the final version of the motivation letter. Allow reading your letter to people whose opinion you trust. Make sure the text of your letter is clear to readers. Make sure that your letter doesn’t have spelling or grammar mistakes. Be enthusiastic! By showing interest in the chosen offer, you increase your chances of getting a job. Get off the Internet and turn off the TV. Focus entirely on writing, because now you are creating your future with your own hands. Try your best!

How To Create A Better Office Environment

How To Create A Better Office Environment There are a lot of studies into business and into productivity and office environment, and there are a lot of studies that talk about the most successful companies, and how they tend to be the ones that have the happiest employees. And why do we think that this is? It does make sense that if you have employees who are happy, then it will make sense that they are more motivated, productive, and creative. If they will be at work and are happy to be there and enjoy what they do, then are often more likely to go the extra mile, simply because they are passionate about what they do and not just because it is expected. Unhappy employees have been found to be more likely to stay with a company, which can help to keep costs down. And on the flip side, those employees that don’t enjoy their job, and aren’t happy at work, are going to cost more to your business because of sick days, taking time off, being late, and making mistakes on the job. A happy workplace is something that doesn’t just happen by accident, though. It is the product of some physical and intangible changes, that will make a much more happy and harmonious workplace. So here are some of the things that you can do as a leader, to create a much better office environment. A clean and comfortable space It doesn’t take a scientist to work out that when you work in an area that is clean, attractive, comfortable, and just overall pleasant, then you do tend to feel much better. This works at home, as well as at work. So making sure that you can create a clean and comfortable environment is such an easy win. Make sure that you mend broken equipment, flickering lights, and a broken air conditioner. Getting something like Steamaster equipment for the office, as well as regular maintenance checks, is really important. Small things can make such a difference, with things like ergonomic furniture, plants, modern equipment, and giving drinks and snacks. Small changes make a positive difference. Natural lighting As any photographer will tell you, natural light is what you want. Not only does it help the room to look much better, but there is a really big connection between natural light at work, and how much sleep employees get, as well as their energy levels. So it shows that you will want to increase the natural light, in order to help your employees to have a better work and life balance, with more energy and more money. When your team are better rested, they are going to be more focused, call in sick less, and be more motivated to work. An open-door policy If you want to improve the mood with your employees, as well as their overall satisfaction in their job, then it is a good idea, as it will mean that they are much more likely to stay at a job where they feel appreciated and listened to. A simple way to do this, as a manager, is to have transparency between yourself and your team in the office. If your team feel like they are out of the loop with things, or don’t get to know you well, then it can be hard for them to feel motivated to work hard. So having an open door policy can help them to feel comfortable as they know they can ask you questions, are available for comments or feedback, as well as keeping communication open and friendly. Unique benefits There are many companies, from Google, Unilever, and Netflix, that have started to give some pretty unique and even considered unusual benefits. Some are even choosing things like unlimited time off, as well as fun break-out areas at work, or free food and on-site gyms. If the former sounds like a bit of a scary thought, then there is actually research behind it. The research has shown that people who have access to unlimited time off do in fact spend more days at work than those with planned and specific vacation policies. It could be because of the idea around creating your own value system, but people do tend to not take advantage when they are taken care of by their employer; people do step up to the plate. And when you break it down, the way to being productive is getting the work done in a timely fashion, not whether people are in the office or not.

Boost Your Resume Through Using A Bullet Point

Boost Your Resume Through Using A Bullet PointPeople in the field of grant writing know how important a resume bullet point is. The bullet point has become the standard way to highlight your job search achievements and accomplishments. With such a unique and exciting job, people should be able to express themselves with more ease. If you are a newbie and haven't learned how to do this properly, here are a few tips to help get your job done:The first tip is to remember that the importance of your resume does not lie in its length, but in its use of bullets. Having a narrow focus will help you accomplish the task of presenting your career and experience. By using specific details of your work history, you can include information on the results of each job that is relevant to the position that you are applying for. This helps improve your chances of getting hired.The second tip is to create a list of the tasks that are important to you and then list your experiences and skills that rela te to these tasks. Having a strong focus in one area will help you focus your resume bullet point on the particular skills that are needed for the job you are seeking. This makes your list a lot shorter, and you can easily be focused on a specific objective.The third tip is to break up your bullet point into paragraphs. Include all of the necessary information you want to highlight in one paragraph. While this may seem like a difficult task, it will definitely make your presentation look better. It is much easier to remember a single bullet point when it is broken down in this manner.The fourth tip is to include the name of the person who hired you at the end of your bullet point. By doing this, it shows that the person really did hire you. As you begin to communicate this information with the person you are interviewing, they will understand why you were hired. The fifth tip is to consider including another cover letter as a thank you in your resume bullet point. This will also be a great opportunity to let the person you are interviewing know what you have accomplished since the time you began your search. People read resumes all the time, and they will be interested in what you have done. This can be a great tool to use in your professional career.The sixth tip is to be consistent when using the same bullet point. One of the best things you can do when applying for a job is to be consistent. You will be able to communicate a message that you want to relay without having to think too much about it. By simply making sure that your bullet points are consistent, you will be able to avoid falling into the pitfall of plagiarism.There are several other tips that you can include on your resume bullet point. By using these simple tips, you will be able to send a clear message to the hiring manager. Remember, the bullet point is one of the most important components of your resume.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Selection Process

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Selection Process The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is the fourth largest fire and rescue service in the world, and one of the most esteemed and highly-regarded organisations in Scotland. They are a national entity, and deliver their services from three specific hubs within the country.In order to work for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, you’ll need to go through a difficult selection process, and match all of the criteria that the recruiting team is looking for. Naturally, it is not easy to become a firefighter, either in Scotland or anywhere else in the world. Only a certain type of person is right for this role, and that is why it’s imperative that the selection process identifies the strongest possible candidates.In this blog, we’ll look at what it takes to join the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and give you an overview of the selection tests you’ll face.#section_1339800441{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}Where Does The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Operate?Ther e are three primary areas in which the Scottish Fire and Rescue service operates. These are:The North of Scotland â€" There are 1.2 million people living in the North, and this includes cities such as Aberdeen and Dundee. The Scottish Fire and Rescue service has a total of 164 stations within the North, with 12 wholetime stations.The West of Scotland â€" There are 2.4 million people living in the West, and this includes cities such as Glasgow. The Scottish Fire and Rescue service has a total of 127 stations within the West, with 39 wholetime stations.The East of Scotland â€" There are 1.6 million people living in the East, and this includes cities such as Edinburgh â€" Scotland’s capital. The Scottish Fire and Rescue service has a total of 65 stations within the East, and this includes 23 wholetime stations.#section_1244032484{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px} #image_1666486526{width:100%}Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: ValuesAs mentioned, it’s extremely important that the SFRS employs the right type of people. This is extremely dangerous role â€" it requires a person with courage and dedication â€" and this means that not just anyone can work as a firefighter. With this in mind, during the recruitment process, the SFRS has a set of select personal criteria that you will need to meet. These are as follows:Safety. You won’t be surprised to learn that safety is absolutely paramount to this role. The SRFS wants people who are committed to the idea of safety, and who can adhere to the correct protocols and standards. This job involves saving lives â€" and this means that if you are ignoring safety rules then you are endangering not just yourself, but others too. It’s incredibly important that you have a working knowledge of safety before you apply to join the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.Teamwork. Teamwork is a fundamental element of working as a firefighter. This is certainly not a one person job, and you will be reliant on your teammates, just as they will rely on you, at all times. With this in mind, it’s vital that you have exude and demonstrate the fundamental qualities that make a good teammate. These include: communication, empathy, an ability to get along with others, leadership, and enthusiasm.Respect. The word ‘respect’ has many different connotations, but in the context of the SFRS it means showing respect and understanding for every single person that you meet. Scotland is a diverse country, with people from many different backgrounds and cultures. As a firefighter, you will need to deal directly with many of these people, and therefore it’s imperative that you can show respect for diversity. Not only that, but you also need to display respect for your colleagues and your superiors too. It’s important for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to see that you have respect for authority and that you are someone who is happy to follow orders/instructions.Innovation. The mark of any successful organisation is that they do not rest on their laurels and let themselves fall behind. This is especially important for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who simply cannot afford to sit back and be satisfied with the work they’re doing â€" there will always be fires and there will always be lives that need saving, and this means that the SFRS are constantly adapting, and seeking ways to move forward and improve the service. This is the reason why they need innovative employees. The service is looking for forward thinkers â€" people who can offer creative solutions to problems and have an impact on the long-term future of the organisation. The employees of any company need to reflect the company’s values and mission statement, and therefore it’s essential for employees of the SFRS to be innovative and forward-thinking.#section_240386270{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}The SFRS Selection ProcessThe selection process for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is extremely comprehensive , and candidates will have to sit an enormous variety of tests, a fitness assessment, and an interview. Below we have provided you with a breakdown of all the different stages, and what you’ll have to go through:Stage 1 â€" Online Application. Here, you will need to fill in an online application form, downloaded directly from the SFRS website.  Along with asking you basic eligibility-style questions, you can also expect to answer a series of competency-based questions too. For example, you might be asked to explain, in 200 words or less, why safety is essential for firefighters. Once you’ve submitted the form, you will need to wait for the application period to close, before the SFRS reviews your submission.Stage 2 â€" Online Psychometric Testing. If you successfully pass the application stage, then you’ll be invited to complete an online psychometric test. There are a potential of two tests here:A Situational Judgement Test. In this test, you’ll be given a series of passage s, and then asked to select the best answer from a range of choices. This test is designed to assess your decision making, logical thinking skills, and how well you would react when placed in everyday firefighter-related situations. Every person applying will need to sit this test.A Calculation Test. Not all candidates have to take this test. If you can demonstrate that you have a National Grade 4 or 5 in Mathematics, a Standard Grade General, an Ordinary Grade, Intermediate 1 or 2, or a Higher or Advanced Higher in Mathematics, then you won’t need to take this. If not, you’ll be asked to answer a series of calculation-based/numerical questions. This is important for the SRFS, as there is a numerical element to the role, and it’s essential that you are able to perform quick maths under pressure â€" for example if you were calculating how much air you had left whilst out at the scene of a fire.Stage 3 â€" Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assessment Centre. The third stage in th e selection process in an assessment day, where you will sit a variety of tests. The tests that you’ll sit are as follows:The Fitness Test. During this assessment, you’ll need to take the bleep test. This involves running between two points in time to a series of bleeps, which will increase in speed as the test goes on. Candidates are required to achieve a level of 8.8 in this assessment â€" which is fairly challenging!The Practical Selection Tests. This is a challenging series of assessments, which is designed to determine whether candidates for the SRFS have the capability of performing physical tasks commonly associated with firefighting. The tests include the following:A ladder extension test.A casualty evacuation exercise.A test which involves working in confined spacesAn equipment assembly testThere are also several other elements to this test, all of them practical. In our blog next week, we’ll be covering this exact subject in more depth â€" so stay tuned!#section_5740 96101{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}Stage 4 â€" Competency Based InterviewThis will normally happen on the same day as the assessment centre. A competency-based interview is an interview where you will be asked questions based on the competencies/values expected of a Scottish Firefighter. So, the assessors will focus their questions around the values mentioned previously: Safety, Teamwork, Respect, and Innovation. More often than not, they’ll ask you to demonstrate when you have used these competencies in the past, and give an example of how you utilised them.When answering competency-based interview questions, it’s essential to focus on the following points:Make sure you keep your answer structured and relevant. You don’t want the interviewers to lose track of what you are saying.Focus on the competency they are asking for. Don’t get sidetracked, or you’ll lose marks.Try to demonstrate that the outcome of the situation you are describing was positive, as a result o f your actions.If you are successful at the assessment centre, then you’ll be subject to medical and background checking. Once that’s out the way, you can start your career as a Scottish Firefighter!#section_1550216751{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}Practice For Your Scottish Psychometric TestsIf you’re looking to gain an edge in the psychometric tests, then look no further than our fantastic practice resource. Our testing suite is packed with incredible practice questions and detailed explanations, to put you one step ahead of the curve. Simply click the link below for more informationhttps://www.how2become.com/free-psychometric-tests FREE PRACTICE TESTS #section_996062519{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px} #image_1612795424{width:100%}#section_580403445{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px} This entry was posted in Firefighter, Assessment Centres, 'How To' Help. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke Ex-Thomas Cook Employees: What Happens Next?Civil Service Administ rator Jobs: How To Work For The Civil Service

Startup vs. corporate - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Startup vs. corporate - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Kathy Sierra nails it yet again with a laugh-out-loud funny list of differences between the startup and the corporate mindset. I added a few examples of my own in the comments: Startup Corporate When we screw up Admit it, apologize, fix it, compensate customers, move on. Hide it. When that fails, blame the customers. Meetings Fun, chaotic, everyone is heard. The boss talks, you listen. When you disagree with management Youre valued. Youre fired. Work-time Whatever works for you 9-5. On paper. In reality: 9-9. Having children Congratulations! Come back in 6 months. Or when youre ready. Are you sure you want to jeopardize your career? When you succeed The whole company celebrates with you. Employee of the month certificate. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related