Tag Archives: employment

Bring Your Own Device [BYOD] Prepare for the New Device Game

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Highway Signpost "BYOD - Bring Your Own Device"

A game-changing growth opportunity within the IT industry is under way, requiring a host of new, and necessary skill sets. BYOD, a movement that is setting the tone for a world in which there are no more company-issued laptops/tablets/smartphones, is promising to change the cultural landscape as we now know it, and gaining momentum daily. BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, poses a unique set of issues for companies wanting to remain in the game.

The recent report from Gartner is predicting that, with 70 percent of companies adopting it by 2017, BYOD is looking all but certain. It’s true that BYOD can provide cost efficiencies for corporations, with employees paying for their own hardware, but, at the same time, the IT industry must be prepared to address the Pandora’s box that, once opened, cannot be closed.

BYOD is more than meets the IT eye. It is important for industry and IT experts to understand the full impact of this trend. There is a trade-off for both corporations and IT professionals alike. Money will be saved from purchasing hardware that becomes obsolete before the final check is sent, however, there is, and will continue to be, a direct financial impact to IT departments—increased spend for new security measures, policy making and training, as well as the costs associated with learning curves within IT departments. IT needs to be prepared for ways to manage the fleet of user-owned devices accessing corporate networks:

  • Security management
  • The balancing act between personal and professional applications
  • Data plans
  • Access rights
  • Remote access management
  • Lost and stolen devices
  • Employee exit SOP etc.
  • Disarming the “landmines”

These new opportunities will continue to catapult the industry into the next level, removing hardware, disarming bombs….stage completed.

What is Hot in BYOD News
7 Effective Habits of BYOD
London Gatwick Airport Takes Out 200 Servers, Moves to Cloud, BYOD

Monday Morning Humor

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We are back at it again, and yes it is Monday.  Coming out of the weekend mentality isn’t easy and that’s why Mondays can be dreadful.  Whatever you’re headed back to today, lighten up with some Monday Morning Humor.  Happy Monday!!

 

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

Last Step to Getting Hired…Hand Over Your Facebook Password Please

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The employment process can be the most difficult time in anyone’s life. Imagine finally getting an interview, and in order to close the deal you are asked to hand over any or all social network passwords. I know what you may be thinking; what does Facebook have to do with my interview process?  Sadly to say, this isn’t something new, it’s just an evolved version of employers creeping through the web to find your online profiles.  They’re not “creeping” anymore, but letting you know upfront what they have been doing for some time now.

In case you missed it, the people of Maryland nipped this in the bud with a bill that would block employers from asking for social network passwords.  People became more aware of this issue after Robert Collins made his story public. Collins, a correctional officer, was asked for his Facebook account information during a reinstatement interview.  He gave up the information, but having second thoughts about his rights made him bring the issue to the American Civil Liberties Union.  Needless to say, employers in the state of Maryland can no longer practice this act. So what does this mean for the rest of America?  Well it means that it’s subject to happen to you.

Before it happens, you should know that you have the right to nicely, and eloquently refuse to pass over your information. Know that you have the option of editing you online profile(s) so that employers can only see what you want them too.  Take it a step further and edit your profile so that you do not appear in a Google search engine.  You also have the option of just cleaning up your page overall of ill comments and photos for future references.

Whatever you decide to do, it is important to understand that you have options.  Take a look at Tony Morrison’s article “What to Do When a Potential Employer Asks for Your Facebook Password.” Remember that you may not need a bill, to fully take control of your privacy.

 

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

So They Called You for An Interview…

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So you just got that exciting phone call to come in for an interview after submitting endless resumes and cover letters.  You are one step closer to landing this position but this is the most critical point of the job seeking process; the climax so to say.  What you say and how you present yourself determines whether or not “you’re hired” are the next words you hear.

This may be the very things that are heavily burdening your mind right now.  As these thoughts are running wild through your head, let’s ease the stress with some of these interview tips.  Judge and see which tips are best fitting for you, and use it when the time comes. Lastly, good Luck…

  1. Dress and look sharp.  Most of the time, if not always, your wardrobe will make an impression before you get a chance to.  So take your time and prepare something that will present you as well-groomed in order to set a positive atmosphere.   Be mindful of the work environment, to prevent an overpowering appearance and vice versa.
  2. Research the company.  This is something you should be doing before you even get a call for an interview.  It is important to understand the community that you are pursuing and know where you fit in overall.  If you are granted an interview in the near future, being knowledgeable about the company demonstrates your interest.  Also, this in itself works for great dialogue during the interview.
  3. The interviewer is not your friend.  Keep that in mind so that you don’t make pointless references or give too much information on why you left your previous job. Many may think that this is the obvious, however more than often candidates jeopardize their running in a position by both ranting on about themselves and being too honest about their past positions.  Always keep it about the company and the current position.  In the end that is the employer’s top priority.
  4. Lastly, stay calm. Being calm is probably the hardest request because everything seems to be uncertain at that moment. To stay calm, remember that the employer was impressed with you prior to meeting you.  So this is the opportune time to remind them of why they called you in.  Furthermore, being calm allows you to have control over the situation.  So be confident, and ask for clarification when need be.

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

Get Through Unemployment: Resume Tips

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Recently, I went into a bakery and within seconds of scanning the display case I knew that the red velvet cupcakes were the way to go.  How did I know? Well, I looked at them more than once, and I notice something that was more desirable in it than all the other goods.  Thinking back, I realized that all the other goods did not have the proper qualities that could spark my interest.

Submitting your resume could resemble a bakery shop in so many ways.  The key is to make sure that your resume has a set of ingredients that would cause any employer to take a glance long enough to want to hire you.  Here are a few tips that will help do the trick:

  1. It does not hurt one bit to get professional advice about your resume.  The resume could lack substance and it could take more than one pair of eyes to notice issues.  Whether a college student or college graduate, professionals are surrounding you and want to help. Lucky for college students these people are readily available at your school (Career Development Department) so use them.  As for college graduates, check out various blogs that give valuable tips for resumes, go to career workshops, and speak to a career coach. All these activities will help produce a great resume.
  2. Target your resume.  Be sure that all the information in it is relevant to the position that you are seeking.  Nothing is more worse than reading a resume that does not carry any of the qualifications being sought by the employer. If the job does not fit do not waste your time or the employer’s time.
  3. Do not lie about your skill-set, qualifications, work experience, or about any set of information on your resume.  It is important that you are honest because when it comes down to it, you must prove your qualifications once the job begins.
  4.  Keep your resume as simple as possible.  Forget all the fancy fonts, papers, and creative symbols because the resume is not an art project.  These creative elements will make the resume stand out but not in a positive way.  Be sure to be simple yet original because these elements could land you an interview.
  5. Add any volunteer and internship work as long as it is relevant to the position. There is no such thing as “real” work experience.  Any experience should be labeled as such.  Nevertheless, include it and let the employer decide whether it is “real” experience.

For more tips on how to make your resume stand out check out the following links:

Back to Basics: The 15 Most Important Resume Tips for Young Professionals ,

7 Tips to Streamline Your Resume Lingo ,

Top Ten Resume Tips

Use the tips that make sense for your resume and make employers look twice and want you.

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

Technology, Education, and the Future of Employment

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Children are so easily distracted, but put something interesting in front of them and they’ll have your full attention.  I wouldn’t expect it to be any different in a classroom setting.  Thinking about it now, as a young student, my teacher would have the full attention of my class whenever it included computers.  Those lessons were most memorable and fun. So why are many people afraid of technology taking over the classroom setting?  The way I see it, this could transform the employment world.

I recently read that although IT and engineering are first to recover from unemployment, many Americans do not have the required skill sets for these positions. How do we begin to fill these positions or even make sure Americans have the appropriate skills needed? Well, the classroom is a good place to begin changing the scheme of things. It’s probably one of the best places to build interest and skills for technology.  So thank God for Mike Zamansky, a computer coding professor at Stuyvesant High School, who was behind the idea and creation of what will soon be NYC’s first software engineering specialized high school.

Most preparations are starting even with elementary students.  Is there anything wrong with the combination of an 8 year old and a tablet?  Not at all if you ask me.  Teachers are using these items, or the apps that come with them, to grasp student’s attention and create a fun, effective, and memorable learning experience. But beyond that, it’s also prepping a strong generation of technological leaders and innovators.  Why not inspire them while they’re young and help build interest, strong knowledge, and a possible career path in technology. What’s the worst that could happen, closing some gaps in employment in the near future?

Erick Schonfeld, writer for TechCrunch, says,

“I think technology can help lead the way by creating new jobs and redefining employment” Find article here

And needless to say he is absolutely right.  There are endless advantages and opportunities in technology.  So instead of fearing “gadgets” entering the classroom, we should focus on the “possibilities” that the “gadgets” can create.  So let the revolution of technology continue.

 

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

Social Media in 2012: A Promising Tool for Employment

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If all of your friends jumped off of a rocky cliff would you follow their lead? My guess is absolutely not!  But what if you’re friends jumped off a rocky cliff and landed on a sea of money (no coins; ouch!).  The point is, if there are guaranteed benefits attached to a situation, why not get involved? Social media is growing as an influential marketing tool, and it is rapidly becoming a necessity for many different markets.  The question now becomes, are you on the bandwagon?

In the job market, social media is a great necessity and is the top tool used to recruit fresh talent.  How do I know so, well recently 2 NBA fans were offered full-time jobs with the Philadelphia 76ers’, after creating Twitter accounts that displayed their passion, skills and overall abilities.  So employers are watching and taking notes on profiles, especially because it’s a working portfolio/resume.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, consider the fact that different social mediums are building apps that help employers seek candidates.  Twesume (a mix of the words Twitter and Resume) is a new way of landing yourself a job through Twitter.  Simply state important facts about yourself in 140 characters, type the hash tag #twesume, and risk being noticed by an employer.  Or how about Branchout,an app provided for Facebook that allow recruiters to post jobs and scout for candidates. No wonder why 18,400,000 Americans reported that Facebook landed them their current job. Take a look at the rest of the infographic on Mashable.

Overall, social media is a rocky cliff that you may want to jump off of especially when the aftermath is employment. Just be mindful of what/how you showcase yourself online, and avoid making common social networking mistakes. Lastly stay on top of the social media trendsin order to remain current and relevant in the eyes of future employers.  So if your friends ever do decide to jump off a rocky cliff, see if there’s a job in it for you

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com

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10 Tips for Job Seekers in a Challenging Market (Cont.)

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In our last blog, we  gave out some tips to consider in such a tough job market.  Our list continues, read on…

6.  Apply to jobs that you qualify for
Don’t submit your resume to every job posted on every job board. When recruiters and employers receive the same candidate’s resume for varying positions, it’s an instant flag and rarely results in that candidate getting the job.

7.  Stay organized and follow up
Unfortunately, employers are not in the habit of following up with candidates, so be proactive and follow up with your status as a candidate.   Be sure to identify yourself, reason for calling, and provide your contact information when leaving a message.  Try to keep a spreadsheet of every position you’ve applied to and a contact person (if applicable).  If you are working with a recruiter, don’t allow them to submit your resume without knowing which employer they are submitting it to.

8.  Be flexible, but realistic
The job seekers who are landing positions quickly are those who are willing to be flexible, so try to be bendable with requirements on compensation, shifts, or commutes.  If there’s a position that’s outside your typical commute radius or if a position offers lower compensation than what you were making, don’t rule it out.   Know yourself well enough to know what you can and cannot handle, but don’t be too rigid.

9.  Consider different work environments

Always worked in an office environment?  Consider remote work.  We live in the digital age, and in an economy that’s becoming more global than local.  Don’t rule out a position offering remote work, simply because an employer may be out of state.

10.  Smile
The job market is tough and it’s easy to get frustrated, but you cannot let your frustration show when speaking with recruiters or employers.   If you’re negative and unhappy when speaking with a recruiter, they’re not going to take the chance of introducing you to their client.  Try your best to smile and maintain a positive outlook when having a professional conversation, and if you can’t muster a positive attitude, you can’t expect positive outcomes.

 

Writer: Lara Heacock

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com


 

10 Tips For Job Seekers in a Challenging Market – Part 1

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1.  Update resume

Your resume should be a living, breathing document; hence why it is important to update it as your experience grows.  Have a core resume but don’t resist making it applicable to a specific position.  It’s impossible to summarize an entire career in 2 pages, so ensure that your relevant experience is always front and center before submitting a resume.

2.  Explain employment gaps

Recruiters and employers generally understand that candidates may have gaps in employment, but they do want brief explanations.  Did you take a few years off for family reasons?  Have you taken continuing education classes while seeking employment?  Provide some information, but be careful not to go too far because having no explanation is just as bad as having too much personal detail.

3.  Keep skills current
Read relevant professional books/articles; take online courses or classes at a community college or training center while job seeking.  When it comes to your skills, a month’s worth of rust can hinder you in an interview.  The job market is highly competitive, so you have to do everything in your power to remain a high-level candidate.

4.  Admit when you don’t have a particular skill
Very few candidates possess every skill required for a job, but every candidate needs to be honest about their skills.  If you don’t know an answer to a question, say so.  If you happen to possess most of the requirements for a position but lack a few, be open about that.  Many recruiters and employers will take a chance on someone with most of the skills and a great attitude.

5.  Network
Many job seeker are aware of job boards like Monster or CareerBuilder, but few are aware of and fully utilizing networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+.  These mediums are growing exponentially and are fantastic resources for seeking employment.  As your number of contacts increases, so do your job opportunities.  A quick internet search will likely yield some relevant, local networking groups. Use them – your competition already is!

Writer: Lara Heacock

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com


 

Land a Job with a Resume, Brand, and Online Presence

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There is so much advice out there on the best things to do to score a job in this unpromising market.  However, the list of ‘to dos’ can be so long, it becomes a job in itself.  To make it simple, focus on a small set of essentials.

There are three basic elements that one should revise, improve, and update regularly: a resume, personal brand, and an online presence.  This combination will jump start an effective and productive road to the employment world.

Resume:

A resume is the way to set apart and distinguished oneself from other applicants. Fancy fonts, headings, and layouts are catchy to the eye but do not convince an employer of one’s skills, experience, and ability to be a potential candidate. A resume should also be clear, concise, and direct; outlining one’s objective and skills in accordance to the job they’re applying for.

Personal Brand:

Personal brand is a persons trademark and essentially what makes them marketable; overall accomplishments, credentials, and certifications.  The resume should reflect all of this.

However, personal brand is a continuous growth process.   Aside from past achievements, one must also seek to remain in the loop with the desired market. Be ahead of the competing applicants through reading and staying updated on the latest news, technology, and developments in the field.

Online Presence:

As businesses are becoming more digital in their hiring process, it is important to keep up by creating an online business profile using such mediums as Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Facebook.  Employers are using these mediums to scout their employees.

By sharing professional profiles online one expands their network and the chances of connecting with several employers at once.  In the online world, it is also easier to remain in the loop with companies and employers through shared information: virtual conferences, articles, blogs and email updates within those social mediums.  An online profile allows job-seekers to be constantly available, front and center for employers to see

Writer: Judith Sully: Follow Me on Twitter @JudithSully

Follow AETEA on Twitter  @AETEA.

Visit the Company Site www.aetea.com