How School Districts Can Use Video Interviewing to Recruit Outstanding Teachers - Spark Hire

How School Districts Can Use Video Interviewing to Recruit Outstanding Teachers - Spark HireThough video interviewing was first associated with high-tech businesses, its actually becoming a widely accepted way to recruit new talent, while saving money and time. For school districts, its an especially useful method for finding new teachers. Here are some reasons why school districts can benefit from utilizing video interviewing technology in their hiring processIt prevents teachers who are currently employed from having to take time off during the year to come interview A teacher whos currently employed but looking to move to a new district in another city or state no longer has to request time off and find a substitute in order to travel for an interview. They can now do a video interview at their convenience. It allows them to apply for the desired job, without inconveniencing their current district or students.It saves the district money Instead of having to pay to fly teachers in from all over for a short conversation, the district can simply conduct a video interview. Over time, this can save them a tremendous amount of money.It allows those who are still in school to interview Young teachers who are still in school often have a hard time because theyre juggling class and student teaching as they travel for interviews. This allows them to do the necessary interviews without disrupting work or their studies.It prevents administrators from having to stay late In many instances, teacher interviews have to take place after hours, as those who need to sit in on these interviews are working with students during the day. This can become a major scheduling inconvenience and can delay the hiring process. Video interviews (particularly one-ways) dont require both parties to be present at the saatkorn time, so juggling of schedules is no longer an issue. If the candidate records their answers to interview questions in the afternoon, an administrator can review their o ne-way video interview later in the day when its convenient for them.In some cases, a school district may opt to do phone interviews to save resources. While effective, phone interviews dont give as accurate a picture into who the candidate really is. With a video interview, you can see a candidates face and body language as they talk. Opting to use this software gives those involved with hiring a more three-dimensional look at the potential hire before they make a final decision.Image Wavebreak Media Ltd/BigStock.com

How to Handle Being More Ambitious Than Everyone Else - The Muse

How to Handle Being More Ambitious Than Everyone Else - The MuseHow to Handle Being More Ambitious Than Everyone Else Dont you think youre taking on way too much? Its a question that Ive heard often over the brde few years- and it only gets increasingly aggravating each time its asked. Whats wrong with being ambitious and wanting more? Doesnt anyone else feel the way I do?Luckily, yes. Marie Forleo, a life coach and generally awesome person, recently published a great article (and subsequent video) about why people say that youre taking on too much. Her reasons were straightforward Theyre either elend as motivated as you are, or theyre trying to show concern for your well-being. If the problem isnt the latter, whats an ambitious professional to do? Unfortunately, the answer is not to magically transform the people around you and turn them all into go-getters. Instead, its to find a new tribe of people who are just like you. 1. Find a (Small) Networking GroupTheres a trick to finding a useful networking group that many people dont know- the more specific it is, the better. For example, when I first started looking into networking groups geared toward entrepreneurship, it was really intimidating- the sheer number of people at these shindigs overwhelmed me. I went to one event with well over 100 people, and I walked away with a stack of business cards, but approximately zero promising connections.Once I gave more thought to what I was really looking for, I hit two jackpots The Lady Project and bSmart Guide. Both connected me to (a much smaller group of) smart, driven, and successful women who are just as motivated as I am. Theyve given me a lot enthusiastic peers, amazing mentors, and a number of awesome experiences- like getting to speak at The Lady Projects summit last year Its an ambitious professionals dream.2. Get Active on Social MediaIntimidated by in-person networking? Thats OK. Social media is a great go-to if youre looking for people who share your passi on and excitement. Like finding a networking group, the trick is to get specific. After all, there are over 360 million users on LinkedIn and over 230 million people on Twitter, so the more youre able to whittle those numbers down, the easier it gets.Need a little help finding your perfect online networking spot? There are plenty of places to get started. On Twitter, this detailed chat list is your best friend. Oh, and this post from Sprout Social can help you narrow down your hashtag choices. For LinkedIn, two great places to begin are industry and alumni groups (Lily Zhang has a helpful post about finding LinkedIn communities worth your time here).A note to keep in mind Some of the best social media networking opportunities are those that are a little exclusive (i.e., not letting in every single person who requests to join). So, dont be discouraged if youre not invited in- instead, take it as a sign that you need to get more niche. 3. Be Open to Helping OthersAmbitious people ofte n get so wrapped up in their own goals that they forget that others are also trying to accomplish big things. In doing so, they miss important opportunities to connect with like-minded people. Which is a shame, because people will always want to help people who helped them. Its a clich, but its also true. Regardless of the industry someone is working in, if you find a fellow ambitious professional who wants to do things, offer to help that person. Never underestimate the power of small favors when building relationships, especially with motivated and enthusiastic people. For example, I once helped a PR contact get in touch with a magazine editor for her client, and several days later, she offered to help with my websites PR for free. Pretty sweet deal, right?Being ambitious and motivated is an awesome thing, so dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Instead, find the people who are going to inspire you to do even more.Photo of hiker courtesy of Shutterstock.

Dropping Names During a Job Interview

Dropping Names During a Job InterviewDropping Names During a Job InterviewHere are tips for dropping personennames during a job interviewBe formal.When the hiring manager introduces herself to you as Lucy Smith, be sure to address her as Ms. Smith. If she says for you to call her by her first name, only then should you do so.Do your research.Find out ahead of time the people whom youll be meeting with and practice saying their names. As a cheat, you can always have their names written down on a piece of paper in your folder that you can refer to.Remember the name.You might be nervous when you first step into the arbeitszimmer and not hear the persons name correctly. So its okay to ask for clarification to ensure that you heard their name correctly- and are pronouncing it properly. After all, theres nothing worse than calling someone- especially a person who has the power to hire you- by the wrong name.Say her name.As you point out your personality traits that make you perfect for the position, be sure to also mention the persons name again. For example, you can say, Ms. Smith, I believe my 10+ years in IT will be an asset to this position and your organization.Personalize your goodbye.When exiting the interview, offer your thanks by shaking hands and saying, It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Smith. Thank you for your time. By mentioning her name, you can help establish a more personalized connection between yourself and the person interviewing you, which can help when you follow up post-interview.Referring to your interviewer by her name in a formal yet friendly way can definitely help you stand out from the other applicants. It shows that you are truly invested in the position.Readers, do you mention the interviewers name during the job application process? Whats your strategy for dropping names during an interview?

How Trusting Yourself Can Benefit Your Career -The Muse

How Trusting Yourself Can Benefit Your Career -The Muse How Trusting Yourself Can Benefit Your Career Nine years ago, I made a stupid decision. I left a great job at an extraordinary company, Capital One. But, I’d been there for a decade and felt worn out at the ripe old age of 35. With responsibilities, a family at home, and plenty of stock options waiting to vest, I should have asked for a six-month sabbatical, but instead I resigned. What would I do during that time? I would take a step back from the daily grind to figure out what I should do next and how could I make my career meaningful again. Rather than sitting in a cubicle hoping the answer would come to me in between answering emails and meetings, I would get away from it all and listen to the Universe. Turns out, it was the best decision of my career. I know not everyone has the option to walk away from a salary. But everyone does have the option to listen to the Universe even if it seems a little crazy at the time. Here’s what I learned in the process. Even if You Do Not Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice I gave my notice on a typical grey January day. Yet as I left my boss’ office, the sky looked bluer. The grass was greener. Food tasted better. Only after breaking free did I realize how strongly inertia had locked me in. The thing is, few white collar roles are insufferable- and that makes it all too easy to suffer through a job simply because nothing’s wrong. However, as my senses sharpened in my first few days off the job, I realized “nothing wrong” should not be confused with “something right.” Here’s a litmus test: What’s your outlook heading into work each morning? Be honest with yourself. In the right job, it’s fair to expect you’ll look forward to going into work most of the week, be ambivalent at least once, and mildly dread one day. (Usually Monday.) Of course, even a job you love will have its bad days. But there should be more good than bad. More days you look forward to than days you dread. By accepting that you’re unhappy at your job, you’re making a choice to feel that way. So don’t- decide to be happy, decide to take control of your own career. Your Career Depends on You Seeing the Right Questions, Rather Than the Right Answers One month into my experiment, I could sense my batteries recharging. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend most days taking care of my family as well as myself. My sons got to go to the park each day, my wife got to eat a home-cooked meal, and I got to spend time doing the simple things- exercising and reading. Now that my regimen included time to simply think, I started having ideas again. It was novel and luxurious. And it was the natural consequence of fencing off this time and granting myself permission to explore my own thoughts. Some days I had brilliant thoughts, other days not so much. Liberating myself from a cubicle and the day-to-day pressure to deliver unleashed my creativity. This period in my career taught me to accept that it’s OK to have a lot of ideas, even half-baked ideas. While working backwards from a clear goal can be very important, I learned that sometimes the best ideas arise just from going on an open-ended journey. You don’t always need to have the strategy and the answers and the plan. The Universe Will Speak if You Commit to Listening OK, I know what you’re thinking- and yes, I just about ran out of money. Having time to think is wonderful, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Let me come clean. I’m not proud. Even though I felt that my career goal was to be part of the startup community, I considered I might have to return to Corporate America, and I interviewed at a Fortune 500 company. A little voice in my head said, “Dad was right; you should have done the smart thing and just taken a sabbatical. What’s this nonsense about listening to the Universe?” But, just as my anxiety was peaking, the Universe spoke to me. And it came in the form of an email from a former Capital One senior executive. He heard I might be on the market- and he just happened to know a great opportunity. As it turns out, he was subject to a non-solicit and was prohibited from contacting current employees about job opportunities. If I had taken a sabbatical- “the smart approach”- I would have been an employee and still off limits. Finally, I got official word from the Universe that I’d made the right decision. Everything in the past year had led to this moment, this email. Long story short: The email turned into freelance consulting for a year, which in turn led to my co-founding a venture capital firm, QED Investors. I love my job, to the point that my wife comments that I “bleed QED.” And it’s only because I made the nominally stupid decision to commit- truly commit- to listen to the Universe. My advice: don’t let yourself be a victim of inertia. You deserve a satisfying career. Find a way to explore, listen, and meet the Universe when it speaks. Photo of man in winter courtesy of Shutterstock.

NYC Job Fairs and Events -- Mar 8 - 14, 2010

NYC Job Fairs and Events -- Mar 8 - 14, 2010 NYC Job Fairs and Events Mar 8 - 14, 2010 Here is this week's roundup of job fairs and events in the New York City area. All, of course, come via amNewYork, but if you happen to know of any otherseither in NYC or elsewheredrop us a line at pinkslipped@vault.com or on Twitter. Friday, March 12: Big East Job FairLocation: Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plaza. Time: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.To register and learn more, go to eventemanagement.com/~bigeast.Saturday, March 13: National Minority Careers in Education Job FairLocation: New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 33 Adams St. Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.TRegistration starts at 8:30 a.m. Fee is $20.

5 things you need to delete from your life right this second

5 things you need to delete from your life right this second 5 things you need to delete from your life right this second A few months back, an app developer friend asked me to beta test his new friend-management tool for Facebook … I think you can guess where this is going.Overnight I noticed about 90 friends had vanished. By the time the weekend hit, I’d unintentionally divested myself of about another 200 online friends. By the time I figured out how to safely delete the program, I was down about 550 friends.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!It was weird, but who are we kidding, how many genuine friends do you really have on social media? Weirder yet was the fact that I didn’t notice who was missing for quite a while. By then, I realized it was more of a relief not to have to keep track of people I didn’t much care about.All this got me thinking about what’s important in life, and what we should delete without looking back.Even if you’re not a hoarder by nature, these are some thi ngs it’s time to let go of:1. Does it spark misery?In her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo advises readers to rid themselves of objects that no longer spark joy in their lives. Many argue that she’s taken it too far, in basically advising people to get rid of any clutter, knickknacks, or clothing to the point of being a total ascetic.Let’s flip that notion on its ear for a moment and find a way to rid ourselves of things that make us gnash our teeth or remember awful things.Do you have a pen that your former boss gave you … right before she fired you? What about your resume that still lists that job that destroyed your career or email signature that has your ex’s last name instead of the one you use now?Just hit delete, take it to the trash, reset or otherwise allow yourself to eliminate the reminders of moments or people you’d prefer to forget.2. Manage your messIt’s a little bit weird that most of us brag about how ma ny unanswered emails we have in our inbox at any given time; so, what about trying to make your inbox work for you instead of finding workarounds to that overcrowded space?Nicholas Reichenbach, Founder, and CEO of Flow Water, said that instead of worrying about what to hold onto, perhaps it’s better to rethink the way you use your email. “The key is to use your inbox as a ‘to do’ list with all current emails representing an action required by me or others. The rest of the emails are immediately filed under key business activities (such as accounting, sales, marketing, etc.) or deleted,”  Reichenbach said.“I never go one night with my inbox not up to date; and all messaging have been read, filed or deleted,”  Reichenbach added. He says his method is highly effective for managing 150-200 emails and never missing a beat on important and rapid communication.3. Don’t be on fleekWhile there are some catchphrases and expressions that are instant classics, others can make yo u seem like you’re trying way too hard. Just because you read it in Teen Vogue or The New Yorker, doesn’t mean that the latest cool expression belongs in your updated vernacular.Pay close attention to the way your colleagues or boss react when you slip a word into the conversation. Are you faced with blank stares or sneers? It’s time to cut back on the hipsterisms and pay closer attention to the way people at your age or stage actually speak.4. Fly guys or girlsIn a recent Women in the Workplace video on WSJ.com, a linguist tackled the issue of Creaky Phonation, AKA Vocal Fry, the style of talking in which you sort of crunch or sound creaky at the end of sentences. And while people can identify the trend in both men or women’s voices, it was perceived more negatively in women’s voices, especially in the workplace.It’s one thing to try to affect more of a regional sound or dialect, quite another to take on a manner of speaking that mimics Kardashians and irritates potenti al employers.So, if frying is your affectation of choice, perhaps it’s time to let it go the way of uptalking. Away. Far, far away.5. EmojeverythingSome years back I felt extremely adored when a British colleague ended his email with his initial followed closely by an ‘x.’ A bit later I realized that I probably should have been insulted that there was only one; and for the few months we worked together I started counting email kisses. These days, x’s and o’s are pretty much every day sign-offs in some industries.Others consider including smileys, or other emoji to be just fine on all manner of correspondence, but before you assume that it’s okay to send your boss a happy face, take a moment to think about whether it diminishes your message or overall professionalism.While it might be entirely acceptable to start an email to a stranger with “Hi, love” if you work in beauty PR, it could come across as a form of harassment in a more buttoned-down industry.This article w as originally published on November 7, 2017.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Workers Should Want to Do Well in an Internal Interview

Workers Should Want to Do Well in an Internal Interview Workers Should Want to Do Well in an Internal Interview The internal job interview serves many purposes. The employer holds these interviews to assess the skills and experience of a current employee. It can be so much more than just a job interview, though. It is your opportunity to focus a bright light on your talents, skills, and experience. Rarely will you have such a ready-made opportunity for your organization to notice you. So you are urged to make the best of your internal job interview; how you perform really matters. Reasons to Participate Enthusiastically As a matter of fact, internal interviews are so important that you might want to solicit and seek out opportunities to participate in an internal interview. Heres the most important factor that you need to remember about an internal job interview: Even if the position has someone elses name written all over it, organizations use these interviews in multiple ways, which you can take advantage of to further your career aspirations. You can use an internal job interview for career development. Organizations interview current employees to become familiar with a range of employee skills and interests, in addition to selecting an employee for the current opening. Thus, the internal job interview is your opportunity to have an interested audience that wants to get to know you and potentially appreciate what you have to offer. Even if you believe that you are not seriously being considered for the current job, the interview is your opportunity to shine for all of your future opportunities within your organization. It is short-sighted to think in terms of just the current job opening. Your organization is committed to knowing about and understanding the talents of their current employees so they can make succession plans for internal jobs. Without internal job interviews, it is difficult to make a large number of coworkers and managers aware of your potential to contribute at the next level. So, the internal interview is a terrific opportunity to display your talents, skills, interests, and potential to make contributions. Dont blow a wonderful opportunity to impress the interview team with your interest, talents, skills, passion, potential to contribute, and regard for your organization. Dont Be Short Sighted You shouldnt think of the interview as your opportunity to obtain a position that you believe has already been tagged for another employee. Think of the interview as an opportunity to stand out in your company and in your career. More opportunities will appear, and you want your name to be front and center in the minds of your organizations hiring managers when the next opportunity comes along. If not, you can always target another employer; the job interviews you experience with your current employer will prepare you to shine for a potential new employer. Practice does make job interview comfort and efficacy improve. And, just in case youre wrong about the employee who you think will receive the promotion, use the job interview as an opportunity to learn more about your organization and the interview team members, your colleagues. You can put your very best foot forward for your future in the internal job interview.