I need your help! QPS is looking into revamping our corporate wellness program.
Does your company have one? What are some things that have worked out well or what have been some failures? Share some examples by leaving comments.
Thanks again, my loyal blog readers!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Blame it on the traffic: 16% of workers late once per week
A new survey from CareerBuilder found that more workers are getting to work on time. The company surveyed over 5,000 employees.
16% of those surveyed responded that they are late to work at least 1 time per week, down from 20% last year.
8% said they are late at least 2 times per week, down from 12% last year.
Reasons for tardiness:
I’m willing to bet that most workers are still under the impression that they are being watched, and are getting to work early or on time as a way to show their loyalty to the job.
What are your thoughts?
16% of those surveyed responded that they are late to work at least 1 time per week, down from 20% last year.
8% said they are late at least 2 times per week, down from 12% last year.
Reasons for tardiness:
- 32% said it was traffic
- 24% said lack of sleep
- 7% said getting the kids ready
- 7% said inclement weather
Other issues were issues with public transportation, wardrobe issues or problem with pets.
I’m willing to bet that most workers are still under the impression that they are being watched, and are getting to work early or on time as a way to show their loyalty to the job.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The ABC's of Networking
I will readily admit, I am not the best networker. The feeling of standing in a crowded room, scoping out people who look the friendliest to talk to gives me a touch of anxiety. So I set out to better my skills.
After talking to the Director of Sales Development on QPS' staff, (who better to get advice from than those who network for a living!) I came up with these easy-to-remember tips.
Click here to see how networking can be as easy as A-B-C-D-E-F!
(And see my latest article for MilwaukeeJobs-- nothing like a little shameless self-promotion to entice you)
After talking to the Director of Sales Development on QPS' staff, (who better to get advice from than those who network for a living!) I came up with these easy-to-remember tips.
Click here to see how networking can be as easy as A-B-C-D-E-F!
(And see my latest article for MilwaukeeJobs-- nothing like a little shameless self-promotion to entice you)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Hope you are enjoying a day full of Irish cheer!
At QPS, we get to wear jeans and green today. Did you get to do anything fun today at work?
Also, if you are going out for green beers, remember my rules for work happy hours!
Have fun but be safe- make sure you have a designated driver!
At QPS, we get to wear jeans and green today. Did you get to do anything fun today at work?
Also, if you are going out for green beers, remember my rules for work happy hours!
Have fun but be safe- make sure you have a designated driver!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Undercover Boss
Have you seen this show?
I've only seen bits and pieces, but from what I understand, CEO's go "undercover," posing as a regular employee. They interact with the other employees (usually ones that end up teaching them life lessons) and find out what it's really like to work hard for the money.
What do you think would happen if your company's CEO went undercover and found out what it's like to "work in the trenches?"
I've only seen bits and pieces, but from what I understand, CEO's go "undercover," posing as a regular employee. They interact with the other employees (usually ones that end up teaching them life lessons) and find out what it's really like to work hard for the money.
What do you think would happen if your company's CEO went undercover and found out what it's like to "work in the trenches?"
Friday, March 12, 2010
Job hunting tips I wish I knew when I was in college
Recent college graduates are coming into one of the worst job markets in history. I graduated college in May of 2006 and thought I was well prepared for my job search. I started looking in February, submitting one or two resumes a week. “Piece of cake,” I thought. “I’ll have a job by May.”
I soon found out that job hunting was, in fact, a job in itself. And that was in a much better economy. I’d like to share some tips that I’ve learned over the past 4 years since graduating. I hope they can help you avoid some of the mistakes that I made in my post-college job hunt.
Do your research. At the very least, you should visit potential employers’ Web sites and learn what they do. Check out the company’s history and learn as much as you can so you can be prepared to explain why you want to work there.
Tailor each cover letter and resume to each individual job you apply for. Be specific—let the hiring manager know exactly what you bring to the table for the open position. Include information that you’ve learned in your research as to why you would be a solid fit.
Never use this objective statement: “To obtain a position that utilizes my skills and ability.” Looking back, I cringe at what I thought would land me a job. Don’t tell the hiring manager how you would benefit from the position; tell them how the company would benefit from you!
Take an internship if you can. One of my biggest regrets from college is that I wasn’t able to take an internship because I worked during the school year and the summer. If your financial situation allows it, sign up for an internship. Even if it is unpaid, the experience you will get will set you apart from those who have none.
Join a student organization. Take advantage of student organizations that bring in real world speakers. Listen and apply their advice in any way you can.
Get your foot in the door. If you find a great company that you would love to work for, see what open positions they have. Many companies promote from within; there is nothing shameful about working your way up.
Practice networking. Think networking is scary when everyone is the same age? Wait to you attend your first business event and realize that you are the youngest person in the room. Practice your networking skills; you never know who will help you earn a job.
As for me, I found my first full-time job in September. A girl I worked with during summers, when I mowed grass for the City, had an internship at QPS and told me they needed another marketing assistant. I applied, interviewed and am still here, three and a half years later.
Let my story be an example for you. Learn from my mistakes and be well on your way to securing a post-college position!
I soon found out that job hunting was, in fact, a job in itself. And that was in a much better economy. I’d like to share some tips that I’ve learned over the past 4 years since graduating. I hope they can help you avoid some of the mistakes that I made in my post-college job hunt.
Do your research. At the very least, you should visit potential employers’ Web sites and learn what they do. Check out the company’s history and learn as much as you can so you can be prepared to explain why you want to work there.
Tailor each cover letter and resume to each individual job you apply for. Be specific—let the hiring manager know exactly what you bring to the table for the open position. Include information that you’ve learned in your research as to why you would be a solid fit.
Never use this objective statement: “To obtain a position that utilizes my skills and ability.” Looking back, I cringe at what I thought would land me a job. Don’t tell the hiring manager how you would benefit from the position; tell them how the company would benefit from you!
Take an internship if you can. One of my biggest regrets from college is that I wasn’t able to take an internship because I worked during the school year and the summer. If your financial situation allows it, sign up for an internship. Even if it is unpaid, the experience you will get will set you apart from those who have none.
Join a student organization. Take advantage of student organizations that bring in real world speakers. Listen and apply their advice in any way you can.
Get your foot in the door. If you find a great company that you would love to work for, see what open positions they have. Many companies promote from within; there is nothing shameful about working your way up.
Practice networking. Think networking is scary when everyone is the same age? Wait to you attend your first business event and realize that you are the youngest person in the room. Practice your networking skills; you never know who will help you earn a job.
As for me, I found my first full-time job in September. A girl I worked with during summers, when I mowed grass for the City, had an internship at QPS and told me they needed another marketing assistant. I applied, interviewed and am still here, three and a half years later.
Let my story be an example for you. Learn from my mistakes and be well on your way to securing a post-college position!
Top 10 Facebook Privacy Settings
Happy Friday!
Just wanted to share these tips with you about ten privacy settings that Facebook offers. I got them off of PR Junkie, which you can find here.
Scott Meis, the senior project and social media director at Carolyn Grisko & Associates, a Chicago strategic communications firm, presented a PR Daily webinar all about how to use Facebook for PR. Here are his suggestions for Facebook privacy:
1. Use your friend lists. That way, you can group your networks together and create customized lists.
2. Remove yourself—if you want—from Facebook search results.
3. Remove yourself—if you want—from Google search.
4. Avoid the photo/video tag mistake. If you’re out on a weekend night and someone snaps photographs of you (doing something embarrassing, maybe), make sure you remove any tags on the pictures that will then show up on your wall.
5. Protect your own photo albums, that is, keep them private from certain members of your network if you like.
6. Customize your newsfeed. This way, you can prevent certain items from posting on your newsfeed.
7. Protect yourself from applications: Be careful which ones you try out on Facebook. The goofy ones may be too racy for certain members of your network.
8. Common sense: Avoid embarrassing wall posts.
9. Keep friendships private. Are you friends with someone and don’t want other members of your network to know about it? Go ahead and mark a friendship as private.
10. Make your contact information private. Of course, if you’re using Facebook for business only, then this might be a bad idea.
Just wanted to share these tips with you about ten privacy settings that Facebook offers. I got them off of PR Junkie, which you can find here.
Scott Meis, the senior project and social media director at Carolyn Grisko & Associates, a Chicago strategic communications firm, presented a PR Daily webinar all about how to use Facebook for PR. Here are his suggestions for Facebook privacy:
1. Use your friend lists. That way, you can group your networks together and create customized lists.
2. Remove yourself—if you want—from Facebook search results.
3. Remove yourself—if you want—from Google search.
4. Avoid the photo/video tag mistake. If you’re out on a weekend night and someone snaps photographs of you (doing something embarrassing, maybe), make sure you remove any tags on the pictures that will then show up on your wall.
5. Protect your own photo albums, that is, keep them private from certain members of your network if you like.
6. Customize your newsfeed. This way, you can prevent certain items from posting on your newsfeed.
7. Protect yourself from applications: Be careful which ones you try out on Facebook. The goofy ones may be too racy for certain members of your network.
8. Common sense: Avoid embarrassing wall posts.
9. Keep friendships private. Are you friends with someone and don’t want other members of your network to know about it? Go ahead and mark a friendship as private.
10. Make your contact information private. Of course, if you’re using Facebook for business only, then this might be a bad idea.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Do you listen to music at work?
It seems like this week more than ever, I am working in Excel spreadsheets. Sometimes I think the only thing that keeps me sane when I work on entering data is music.
Can you listen to music at work? Does your company have a policy about it?
Can you listen to music at work? Does your company have a policy about it?
Recruiting trends so far in 2010
My friend and co-worker Dave is a direct hire recruiter who write his own blog about recruiting in Milwaukee.
He recently wrote about some trends he is seeing in 2010. Check it out at: http://davesummerfield.blogspot.com/2010/03/trends-already-in-2010.html
He recently wrote about some trends he is seeing in 2010. Check it out at: http://davesummerfield.blogspot.com/2010/03/trends-already-in-2010.html
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
34% of Local Companies to Increase Hiring
In the latest survey by QPS Employment Group, 34% of companies in Wisconsin and Illinois will be adding staff in the 2nd quarter of 2010 (April-June).
20% also said that their biggest issue is finding skilled/qualified workers.
This is great news for job seekers, as companies are starting to ramp up hiring.
Take the time to network and get yourself out there!
20% also said that their biggest issue is finding skilled/qualified workers.
This is great news for job seekers, as companies are starting to ramp up hiring.
Take the time to network and get yourself out there!
Monday, March 1, 2010
I've got a case of the Mondays!!
Can you believe it is already March 1st?
Sorry for my lack of posts last week. I had a conference on Thursday and a vacation day on Friday, so I was hustlin' to get stuff done before I left for the week.
Now today, coming back to 70+ emails makes me wish I hadn't taken a day off :(
Do you sometimes regret taking time off of work? I have built up over 100 hours of vacation time, but feel a little guilty whenever I try to just take a day off for "me time."
Anyone else out there like me?
Sorry for my lack of posts last week. I had a conference on Thursday and a vacation day on Friday, so I was hustlin' to get stuff done before I left for the week.
Now today, coming back to 70+ emails makes me wish I hadn't taken a day off :(
Do you sometimes regret taking time off of work? I have built up over 100 hours of vacation time, but feel a little guilty whenever I try to just take a day off for "me time."
Anyone else out there like me?
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