Colleges Share in Blame for Decline in Education
By - Kathleen Parker
Washing Post
Jobs, jobs, jobs, we keep hearing. But for whom, whom, whom?
Americans being graduated from colleges that have prepared them inadequately for the competitive marketplace in which they find themselves. The failure of colleges and universities to teach basic skills, while coddling them with plush dorms and self-directed "study," is a dot-connecting exercise for Uncle Shoulda, who someday will say - in Chinese - "How could we have let this happen?"
We often hear lamentations about declining educational quality, but the focus is usually misplaced on SAT scores and graduation rates. Missing from the conversation is the quality of what's being taught. Meanwhile, we are mistakenly wed to the notion that more people going to college means more people will find jobs. Obviously the weak economy is a factor in the highest unemployment rate for those ages 16-29 since World War II. But there's more to the story. Fundamentally, students aren't learning what they need to compete for the jobs that do exist.
8 Ways to Negotiate for Job Perks
By: Rachel Farrell
careerbuilder.com
In the past couple of years, the economy has thrown job seekers for a loop. But in the midst of job losses, high unemployment rates and long-term unemployment for thousands of job seekers, a lucky few have held onto their jobs for dear life. Well, at least dear professional life.
Now that the economy is improving, however, companies are concerned about keeping their top performers and attracting new ones. In order to retain their star talent, companies may be sweetening the pot with non-monetary benefits, according to a new Accountemps survey.
When Chief Financial Officers were asked about the perks they plan to offer or are already offering, 29% said subsidized training and education topped the list. Twenty-four percent said flexible schedules, telecommunting and mentoring programs.
"On the heels of the recession, perks are a cost-effective way employers can reward and retain staff and attract new employees," says Max Messmer, Chairman for Accountemps and author of Human Resources Kit for Dummies. "The most popular incentives are those that aid in career development and give employees some control over their work schedules."
Social Media and Your Career: Pros and Cons
By Arthur Clyne
Social media and social networking website use has accelerated dramatically int he past decade. Networks like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and LinkedIn have millions of users submitting new content and details every day.
What does this mean in an employment context? What should job seekers and employees do to manage their online presence so that it helps, rather than hurts, their career prospects?
The major concern that social media and social networking sites present for applicants and employees is not the mere presence of their profiles or frequency of networking activity. In fact, a highly visible profile and frequent, wise use of social network sites can be a big plus for one's career.
How To Build A Sales Culture In Your Organization
By: Troy Harrison
business-ownersmagazine.com
During my time working with (and for) companies large and small, I have discovered that there is a common element to the most successful businesses. The most successful companies have a sales culture. A sales culture is a philosophy that permeates the company, from the corner office to the loading dock, saying, essentially, "We are a sales organization and everything else we are able to do is a product of our ability to sell our products or services to our customers."
This isn't a philosophical statement - it's reality. The only difference is whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. Regardless of how wonderful your products or services are, if you can't persuade someone to exchange money for them, there's no reason for those products or services to exits (hence, your business will cease to exist). An acquaintance of mine attempted to make a go of it as a financial consultant and, to be frank, he was the most brilliant financial guy I've ever met. He's now working for someone else as a CFO because, despite his brilliance, he was unable to make a single sale.
Gallup's Jim Clifton on the Coming Jobs War
By: Dan Schawbel
Forbes.com
I recently caught up with Jim Clifton, who has served as the CEO of Gallup since 1988. His most recent innovation, the Gallup World Poll, is designed to give the world's 6 billion citizens a voice in virtually all key global issues. Under Mr. Clifton's leadership, Gallup has achieved a fifteen fold increase in its billing volume and expanded Gallup from a predominantly U.S.-based company to a worldwide organization with 40 offices in 30 countries and regions. Mr. Clifton serves on several boards and is Chairman of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. His latest book is called The Coming Jobs War. In this interview, Jim talks about why jobs are so important for leaders, how leaders can create more jobs than competitors, and much more.
Common Interview Questions -- and How to Answer Them Effectively
By: Robert Half International msn.com
Every hiring manager has a different set of go-to-interview questions. In a recent survey by Robert Half International, we asked more than 650 managers in the United States and Canada to name the single question they ask that provides the most insight about a job applicant. Responses ranged from classic queries ("Where do you see yourself in five years?") to less-traditional ones ("How would you describe yourself in five words?")
While there's not always one right way to answer an interview question, some approaches are better than others. Here are some questions from the survey that you may face in your next interview, along with tips on how -- and how not -- to answer them:
How to negotiate your salary without jeopardizing your position.
By: Beau Denton
BIZ (941) July 2011
Asking for a raise or improved benefits is a daunting task for any employee, no matter how talented or productive he or she is. How do you know if your boss will respond favorably? What if your employer disagrees about how much you are worth as an employee?
"If you are a stellar performer in an organization where the results of your activity are measurable," says Joe McElmeel, CEO of Sarasota-based Executive Search Firm Brooke Chase Associates, "there's never a bad time to ask for an increase." In some industries, like advertising, marketing and IT, the results of your work are harder to quantify. That means proving your worth can be more difficult that pointing to a data report.
Why are Some Business Management Strategies Succeeding While Others are Failing?
By Joe McElmeel
When it comes to successful business management, it's so important to identify, recruit and keep the best talent available. There is no "silver bullet," which is sought after by so many Boards, CEOs, Presidents and executives with no clear and consistent direction, focus or management strategy. It's all about understanding your core competencies and building your product lines, channels of distribution and management organization to support those competencies.
"it's all about getting the right people on the bus and getting them in their right seats," said Jim Collins, a business consultant, author and lecturer on the subject of company growth.
There are three kinds of companies today:
* Those who make it happen;
* Those who watch it happen; and
* Those who wonder what happened.
