Its a zoo out there!

Its a zoo out thereIts a zoo out thereOK, weve all read the headlines over the past few months. Weve seen job losses left and right, leaving individuals scrambling for scraps, in the form of whatever few jobs are still available. Manhattan, the city hit worst by the credit crisis, has become a veritable jungle of sorts, with laid-off bankers, lawyers and hedge fund managers (but why stop there?) baring their teeth, clawing at each other and trampling their kin to get first dibs at the bloodied carcass. Its all very Darwinian Those with the most professional experience and extensive networks (and charisma never hurt anyone) will be rewarded with staying power, and will almost certainly be at the head of the pack in their quest for survival. Of course (and thankfully), society has put up barriers that prevent humans from sinking to the level of jungle animals, but at times like these, our animalistic tendencies do tend to come out. Id say its more like a zoo, with animal instincts comi ng into play, but with bars and limitations preventing all-out chaos (though Bernie Madoff seems to have evaded such bars for now, at least). And what of our zoos? We learned this week that even they are not in the clear these days, as states are considering cutting funding for zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums. For example, to address a $15.4 billion budget shortfall in New York, Governor Patterson has proposed cutting funding for the above from $9 million to $4 million in 2009, and eliminating funding completely in 2010. Similar efforts are under way in California, Kansas, Florida and Maryland. The Wildlife Conservation Society hasnt wasted any time in producing viral videos to unite supporters against the proposed cuts, which would eliminate educational and outreach programs, cut back on free and reduced-admission hours and close exhibits. If these cuts do come to fruition, Id put big money on increased circulation of cute animal videos on YouTube and cheesy websites devoted to the cuteness cause. This news only makes the zoo analogy that much stronger to the current state of the job market. Perhaps its fairer to say that zoos are now like investment banks? Posted by Naomi Newman, Vault Global Consulting Editor

These are the countries where robots have the most jobs

These are the countries where robots have the most jobsThese are the countries where robots have the most jobsWe know the robots are coming for our jobs, but depending on where you live this may happen in a shorter amount of time.According to online statistics, market research and business intelligence portalStatista, there are already a number of countries where the rise of the machines is very much in play. In a new chart using data from theInternational Federation of RoboticsStatista looks at the countries where you will find the highest density of robot workers.South Korea took top prize with 631 robots per 10,000 human workers. According to theIFR, this is due to that countrys installation of a high volume of robots specifically in the electrical/electronics and automotive industries.Singapore wasnt too far behind with 488 installed robots per 10,000 people and Germany came in strong for third with 309 robots for every 10,000 people. The U.S. took the seventh spot just ahead of Italy with 189 robots. Take a look at the chart below for the rest of the rankings.The most important thing to take away from this data is that there is no slow down in sight when it comes to robots coming for jobs.

How to Become an Extra in Movies and Television

How to Become an Extra in Movies and TelevisionHow to Become an Extra in Movies and TelevisionAll of those people you binnensee wandering around the background of your favorite movies and television shows are called extras. Extras are actors and actresses who serve as dressed background. They help to sell the idea that a scene is filled with real people just going about their daily business. Extras arent always professional actors. In fact, most extras are just regular folk who wanted to be a parte of the film and television industry. Extras are paid a fairly small wage for their participation and they are usually expected to stay on set from the beginning of production until wrap (the end of production). Depending on the type, size and budget of the production, the extras may or may not take part in makeup, wardrobe, hair, etc. Often many period pieces will entail that the extras are fully dressed and fitted which means that they are provided with costuming by the wardrobe departmen t. But more often than not, extras are simply informed beforehand of the type of clothing they will need to bring and asked to furnish it themselves. So, none of this seems all that glamorous, right? Well, the fact is that being an extra really isnt all that glamorous. In fact, its probably one of the least glamorous positions on a set. That said, why would anyone in their right mind want to do such a job? Networking Probably the best reason to take a job working as an extra is it gives you the ability to network with dozens of fellow people who are all trying to break into the industry in one capacity or another. The contacts you make here might lead to a number of other opportunities down the line as many of the people you come across could perhaps find success in their niche and thus be able to help you in your own career endeavors. Understanding the Industry If youre new to the industry, no matter how many books you read or classes you take, you can never fully understan d the inner workings of a film or television set unless you spend a great deal of time on one. There is a reason Hollywood is called a factory. The main reason is because much of the work that is done on a set is manual labor. From lugging cable and camera dollies to adjusting lights, props, etc., a movie set is a factory churning out film and television as its product. Being an extra on a set will expose you to this reality, as well as let you see first hand what these people do. You might find that there are particular jobs you never even thought of that are appealing to you. Opportunity Its not likely, but it has certainly been known to happen that someone may spot you and realize that you are meant for much more than just background. From casting directors to writers to agents wandering the set, you never know who has their eyes on you. So, being on a set in this capacity might just open up a few doors you never thought possible. How to Get the Job Extras are hired eith er as individuals for a particular scene or in groups for a series of shots. There are Extras Wrangling companies which are those companies that specialize in finding extras of a particular age, appearance or ethnic background. By registering with these companies, they simply contact you when an opportunity with criteria that matches your particular physical description comes up. You are then given a call sheet by the production office and told when to report to work. On most sets, your boss will either be the Second Assistant Director or Extras Captain (or Wrangler- or it could even be under a different name- it depends on the production company). Make things easy on yourself and on them by doing exactly as youre told. They will be very specific about things like when to come out, where to go and whom you should and should not speak to on a set. This directive will be made very clear to you by the way as its distinctly possible you could be made an extra on a production that has a major star roaming around and the last thing they want you doing is approaching them uninvited. mora often than not, youll simply be replaced if you ignore this directive. That said, its an easy, yet tiring and thankless job. However, if youre simply looking for any way to be a part of a Hollywood movie or television set than becoming an extra might just be your ticket in.

How to Move Down the Career Ladder

How to Move Down the Career LadderHow to Move Down the Career LadderSometimes, moving down the career ladder, instead of up, can make sense. It could be by choice if you want to opt out of a fast-track career for a job thats less stressful or for a job thats more fun. In other cases, especially in a down job market or an industry thats not doing well, it can make sense to look at alternative job options and downsize your career. How do you move down the career ladder instead of up it? First, you need to consider the fact that you may earn less money, but you may also have more flexibility, less stress, and more employment options. Then, you need to consider what alternatives are available and how to find and apply for them. Tips For Moving Down the Career Ladder Make a decision. Decide if you can get by on a lower salary. If so, how much less? Are the benefits a lower level job may have worth what you are potentially giving up in a more lucrative position? Use a salary calculator to see what you could earn in a different job. Consider some of the ways you can change careers without having to go back to school.Consider job options. What are you interested in? What would you like to do? Do you want to leave yourjob as a college administrator to work in a bookstore? Or maybe you would like to leave a financial services position to sell real estate, to work at home, in a seasonal jobor at a couple of part-time positions. Review career and job options to get ideas, consider how you could makeover your career, then spend some time decidingwhat your ideal employer would be like. Tap your connections.Your online connections and personal contacts are resources you can use to get information on career optionsand to help with a job search. See if you can set up some informational interviewsto find out more about jobs of interest.Give it a try. When youre not sure what you want to do, try it out. Consider a part-time job or volunteer to make sure that it is really some thing you want to do. Before you give up a high-paying job, it makes sense to test the waters, if you can. There are many opportunities for gig jobsyou can explore while you still have your day job. Revamp your resume. Resume experts usually tell you that you should highlight your skills and experiences to enhance your employment prospects. In this case, you will want to edit your resume, focusing on what you want to do (rather than what you are doing). Tone it downso you dont come across as high-powered as you really are. Here are tips for writing a resume when youre overqualified.Use your titel letters. When writing cover letters, focus on your transferable skills that are relevant to the new job. You can use those skills to help explain your transition. Heres an example of a career change cover letterand tips for writing a cover letter when youre overqualified for a job. Get to know job applications. You may never have had to fill out a job application, so its a good idea to get to know them. You may need to fill out an online job application, a paper job applicationor apply in person. Heres what you need to know about job applications and how to complete them.Start a job search. This part is one of the simpler steps in the process of downsizing your career. The higher the levelof the position, the fewer jobs are available and the more competition there is. The opposite holds true, so you will have more choices and more job listings to consider when youre looking for lower-level jobs. Start with the job search engines, then use niche sites to find job postings in the geographic schauplatz and industry in which you would like to work. Consider it a transition. Instead of considering your new job a step-down, consider that youre doing something different. Every job is of value, regardless of what were doing. Its what you give and what you get out of your work thats important.Be brave.Change is scary for most people. It can be even scarier if youre looking f or a mid-career changeand starting over. The alternative is worse though. It can be better to take the leap and try something new than it would be to stay stuck in a job you hate. Be humble. This is probably the most important advice there is. When you are moving down the career ladder, by choice or not, you may not be considered as the important person you once thought you were. Be humble, be flexibleand be willing to do what your bosses need you to do.

The Most Popular How to Write a Resume for a Job with No Experience

The Most Popular How to Write a Resume for a Job with No Experience Job seekers do not know about the unpredictable changes in the work industry. Despite no work experience, you still must find out how to compose a resume that includes your educational qualifications, other beneficial skills that you can have, student posts that you might have held, summer jobs which you could be been in etc.. If you wish to get hired for the job, you must make certain your resume will get observed. For this reason, you must provide a great impression of yourself to the einstellungsgesprch. Purchasing a resume writing book may be recommended, especially if it gives online updates and further advice. Its possible for you to ask about the salary only once you get the work offer. Job profile on the site must be quite informative about you and all the info given by you ought to be genuine. You have to practice interviewing. The skills a chronological resume may be unable to to highlight are in a position to be emphasized in a functional resume. Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About How to Write a Resume for a Job with No Experience Is Wrong It is possible to also provide the details about your present-day designation in your existing company if youre working somewhere. Always match your skills to the requirements of the job youre applying for. It is recommended to overview the businesss requirement before writing an effective resume. To begin with, you should research about the business you are applying for. Resume writing Objective is an integral section in any type of resume. Writing about personal objectives and aspirations ought to be kept to a minimum and is frequently unnecessary. Have as much background and make fantastic reasons about why youre applying for that firm. In fact, job seekers are benefitted in a number of ways by a trusted job providing agency. Its good if youre able to describe the experience that is more relevant for the job youre applyin g. Although applying for new positions can be quite stressful, attempt to remain relaxed. Yes, its almost always a very good idea to decide on a voreingestellt and a universal font which works on any windows. A free resume template is a kind of basic sample for a resume that a man or woman might want to develop. You keep yourself in the area of recruiter and make the ideal choice of font. You should have a very clear picture in your mind of what you could be doing in the event you get the job. You never wait to recommend your work and company to your jobless friends and family since you believe its the best option in their opinion. Allow a great deal of time if youre likely to drive. When you get to your house, send another thank you e-mail. A number of interview tips may make all of the difference to your likelihood of achieving your fantasy occupation with a new business. A superb video resume maker will enable you to create a video resume. Utilizing the most suitable vi deo resume maker site can provide you the edge you must stand out when looking for employment. Making a video resume is a significant step to stay informed about todays fast paced, digital job marketplace. All About How to Write a Resume for a Job with No Experience Consider the cover letter as the very first shot youve got at getting the employer to check at your resume. Dress up like youre already working for a professional firm. Show the interviewer that youre perfect for the job with that exact first glance. If you are offered an interview with a new company, youre in an excellent place to further your career.

How to Build a Successful Corporate Learning Culture - Spark Hire

How to Build a Successful Corporate Learning Culture - Spark HireGiving your employees the opportunity to learn at work has several benefits. Not only does it sharpen their skills for their current role, but it also gives them the opportunity to develop professionally for the future. A company that cares about its employees by giving them multiple opportunities to expand their skill sets is one that theyll want to work for long-term.If you dont yet have an established corporate learning culture, heres how to create one.For the Onboarding ProcessWhile there are multiple opportunities to incorporate learning within your company, the first place to start is with new hires. Not only will proper training ensure that theyre equipped to handle their new roles, but it could mean mora success for your company as a whole companies that spend the most per employee on training have 24% higher profit margins and 218% higher income per employee than those who spend the least on training.When it co mes to new hire training, variety makes for better retainment. Start with a learning management system that allows new employees to access cloud-based training materials online at their leisure. Include quizzes to test their knowledge. Additionally, pair each hire with an established employee who can demonstrate how to perform certain tasks, then observe as the new employee tries them out.Give new hires plenty of resources to succeed, and be there to answer questions that they may have. Consider the first 90 days an adjustment period and check in frequently to ensure that each new hire feels adequately prepared for their role.To Promote Internal MobilityNew hires arent the only ones who need to learn. Creating an ongoing corporate learning program not only keeps existing employees engaged and challenged by giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, but it also provides them with the chance to position themselves for internal promotions and different roles.Its easy for daily ta sks to feel rote after a while, and thats where complacency sinks in for many employees. If theyre not being challenged at work, they may look for new jobs elsewhere. A better strategy is to keep them engaged by providing a robust learning environment that allows staff to pick and choose what they want to learn. Maybe a social media manager wants to learn about content management systems so they can start blogging for the company. Or an accountant is curious about a new software tool the department is considering. If you provide learning opportunities for these employees, theyll feel your company is invested in their success, and theyll work harder.For employees who outgrow their roles, they need to understand that internal mobility is encouraged at your company. Certainly, you have self-serving reasons for wanting to keep employees working for you for years, but it also benefits the employee who can take it upon themselves to learn new skills to add to their resume or apply towards a promotion or different role.Online courses come in handy in this case, too. Create learning modules that employees can choose from and take at their convenience. Align the modules you create with specific roles so that if an employee wants to apply for a position, they are already armed with the knowledge needed to qualify through the training you provide.So how much should you spend on training an employee? It may depend on your resources and budget, but companies that spend $1,500 per employee have been shown to see 24% more profit. Its less important how much you spend than how strategic your efforts are to retain and engage employees. Even a 10% increase in educational development can produce an 8.6% gain in productivity.To Attract Quality CandidatesEverything comes full circle. While you now incorporate strategic learning and training tools in the onboarding process and provide established employees the ability to grow through learning, you can also attract better candidates when youre hiring by promoting the fact that you encourage professional development and internal mobility.Just like great health insurance coverage and work-from-home Fridays appeal to a job candidate, so too is having the ability to get additional skills training without paying to do so or having to attend courses outside of work. You can leverage this benefit to attract the best talent.Wrap-UpEmployees want to learn, whether theyre joining your company or have worked for you for years. Companies that understand this fact and value a corporate learning culture see increased productivity, higher employee morale, and less turnover. Talk to your employees about what they want in terms of learning opportunities, and provide it. After all, arent your best assets worth the investment?About the AuthorChristine Soeun Choi is a digital marketing associate at Fit Small Business. Currently based in NYC, she has a background in business studies and math with a passion for business development . Outside of work, Christine enjoys taking photos, exploring artwork, and traveling.