Skills Shortages Today

Skills Shortages Today Businesses of all sizes are facing recruitment difficulties with a perceived skills shortage cited as an issue. It’s a global issue and, if not addressed, skills shortages will hamper the long-term performance of organizations and economies alike. Skill shortages are costly and can hamper growth, with the Open University estimating that they cost the UK £2 billion a year in higher salaries, recruitment costs, and temporary staffing bills. We need to understand changing trends and to equip the workforce with the skills needed for the future. We have to be alive to a possible post-Brexit skills shortage, which may impact the UK’s future pool of EU labor as well as any labor currently in employment here. We also need to consider long-term factors such as AI, automation and as disruptive technologies change the skills we need, it seems obvious that better planning of recruitment, training, and education will help organizations, workers, and students to make more informed workplace plans and career choices. Upskill and retain Addressing the issue means bringing in newly trained workers or upskilling the existing workforce, however, there is a massive shortfall in the number of apprentices in training and some enterprises are turning away work due to a shortage of skilled labor. It’s important that organizations look at their training and retention practices as retaining talent in the company will ensure continued productivity and competitiveness. Talent management, a culture of continuous learning and clear career paths for employees are critical. Not only will such measures enable them and the organization with the skills needed, but it will help to satisfy and engage employees, which in turn enhances retention. Retaining skilled workers will be vital for the future. Organizations which invest in employees and develop skills and talent in-house will be at an advantage in recruitment and retention. Offering effective training, good benefits and an open and collaborative working relationship with workers will aid retention of skilled workers. Plan ahead Plan for the future by anticipating workforce needs and priorities. It helps if an organization can attract a diverse workforce from the widest talent pool available. For many, this will mean new ways of thinking and working in the organization. Offering secondments, stretch assignments and development opportunities where possible will both encourage ambitious individuals and may help meet specific skills gaps. Research suggests that 70% of employers will offer flexible working by 2020 and some 21% of employees asked would accept lower pay if they were able to work fewer hours. Organizations can use flexible working arrangements to attract skilled employees who may otherwise be reluctant to enter the traditional working world. Building links with local schools and colleges can help attract young workers into business, affording a new pool of labor. This could mean lower recruitment costs, better retention rates and bring in new ideas and connections to younger consumers. We need a network of education providers who can work closely with employers to understand needs and train a workforce that will enable organizations and industry to compete for the future. Planned career pathways At 10Eighty, we are convinced that a provision of good career planning and counseling employees around potential career pathways are beneficial. In too many organizations the career choices of employees are ill-informed or based on partial knowledge of development and training offers and available employment opportunities. Organizations need to get better productivity from existing resources through education, training, making efficiencies and by exploiting new technologies and specialist consultancy services. To be successful we will need to embrace digital transformation with new skillsets and capabilities and an upskilled workforce. The key to long-term success will lie in providing our people with opportunities to transition into roles that are more skilled and rewarding.

How to Get a Job in Computer Science with No Experience

How to Get a Job in Computer Science with No Experience The IT job market is getting more crowded by the day. There are plenty of opportunities, that’s for sure. But, how do you land a good opportunity when most of them require applicants with experience? The companies who are ready to accept candidates with zero experience are usually not the most reliable ones.It’s a tough situation. To get experience, you need a job. To get a job, you need experience.evalIt’s a paradox, but it’s okay. Everyone else started their career this way. You just need to relax and learn some tricks that will help you get your first job in computer science. A great first job in computer science, that is.We’ll give you the tips. You’ll do the rest!1) Networking Is EverythingevalWho you know matters. Fortunately, in the Information Age, it’s easy to know more people. You just need to get connected… the right way.In computer science, networking means connecting two or more computers for sharing information in various forms. On the job marketing, net working is a process of meeting relevant people and cultivating relationships with them. Who are those relevant people? Anyone working in the industry of your interest falls in that category.How do those connections happen?One word: LinkedIn! It makes networking easier than ever. Create a killer profile that shows your professionalism and creativity in the best light.You’ll use that profile to network. Start by joining LinkedIn groups related to your interests. There are few LinkedIn groups that any IT professional can benefit from:Information Technology Jobs | Startups | FinancingInformation Security Careers NetworkGlobal Information Technology Professional AssociationDon’t limit yourself to general groups aimed at IT. If, for example, you’re great in open-source development and you want a job related to it, search for a group specifically aimed at open-source development.Once you join the right groups, start getting into discussions. Don’t be afraid to send invitations; th at’s what LinkedIn is all about.Introduce yourself. Your activity on LinkedIn should involve more than collecting connections. What will you do with them? When you connect with someone, it’s only fair to send an introduction. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be ignored. However, you might also get a personal response and use that connection to get a job.2) Focus on Your Strength: EducationYour degree counts for something. All those courses you took at college matter.evalDo you have no experience in a real job? So what? Focus on promoting your strengths, such as your education and all projects you’ve been part of.You’ll be surprised to see that many employers want to give a chance to recent graduates. You’ve been hearing this over and over again: in IT, it’s the experience, not the education that matters. That’s true to some extent.However, knowledge is still vital. It doesn’t matter whether you got it through college or through individual courses. You still have to demonstrate it.If you don’t have a degree or certificates, it’s time to do something about it.evalWhy is education important?It gives you exposure to theory and a broader set of skills.It makes you more professionally mature.It demonstrates your commitment to learning as much as possible about the career you want.It shows you’re focused on your future.Don’t be bummed for spending all that time and money on education. It makes a difference.Mention the degree and all-important 5) Build a Cool PortfolioIf you apply for a job with no experience, the potential employer will consider you only and only if you show a good portfolio. Not having experience as an employee in the IT sector doesn’t mean you don’t have experience working on projects.evalYou’ve done that throughout your studies. Whenever you were trying to learn something new, you did it through practice. Show that practice!The portfolio is great because it shows you’ve contributed to different projects, but it also shows your growth as an IT professional. You can even go back and polish up your old projects once you gain new skills.This will act like your resume and recommendation letter at the same time. You can feature your portfolio on a personal website, but you can also upload it on Behance, Carbonmade, or another portfolio hosting service.6) Build Your Online PresenceYou’re applying for jobs? It doesn’t matter whether you have or don’t have experience… the hiring manager will Google you. What they see at this point will determine your success as a candidate.These are the things you want them to see:evalYour blog. As an aspiring IT professional, it’s important to show your skills and knowledge through a blog from this specific niche. You know how successful the most popular blogs in this category are. Who wouldn’t want to hire their authors? Every single job candidate in this industry should have a great blog. Period. The sooner you start working on it, the sooner it will get you a job.Your personal portfolio. The link to your featured work should show up in Google’s results.Relevant social media activity. It’s okay to be present on social media. In fact, when you want to be part of this industry, it’s recommended to build a strong presence there. This doesn’t mean you should start posting selfies every single day. It means you should promote your blog and portfolio, get into productive discussions from your niche, and post useful links that prove you do your research and you get informed on the latest trends.7) Learn How to Handle the Job Application ProcessSo you did all this work. It will show you as a candidate with great potential for growth. Now what? You still need to start applying for those jobs.Create a great resume.Include links to your blog and portfolio. IT resumes mustn’t be boring.The standard format works when you can stand out with exceptional experience. When you’re a beginner, the standard resume format will only make you unappealing. The technical industry is constantly evolving. Your resume has to keep up.Rely on your creativity. Make it visual, but not too busy. Show the results you delivered on all projects you participated in.Emphasize your skills and certificates.Don’t use tech jargon. Make the resume as readable as possible.Accompany your resume with a cover letter that shows how inspired you are to get that specific job. Do not send a generic cover letter to all ads. Find out something about the employer and this position. Show how well you’d fit into that team.Prepare for the interview!You can’t expect things to go smoothly if you go unprepared. The first impressions are crucial for the success of the hiring process.Be ready to talk about your education and the work you’ve done so far. The hiring manager may ask something about the projects featured in your portfolio.Learn how to introduce yourself. That’s usually the first requirement of an interviewer â€" Can you please intro duce yourself?Do your research. Find out as much as possible about this company. Find out what projects they are working on. The employer will want to see how you can make specific contributions to their work.Relax! Breathe! Everything will be fine as long as you manage to stay calm. Interviews are highly stressful, so you need to learn how to cope with the anxiety. Have a healthy breakfast that morning. Leave early to get there around 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Learn some breathing techniques; they will help you control the stress.Stay Persistent. You’ll Get a Job!If you do everything right, the job opportunity will come. Great workers get their recognition in the IT sector. In this industry, the skills and intellect matter. When you show them through your portfolio, resume, and online activity, you’ll get a chance for an interview. If you go through that step successfully, you’ll get your first job.It’s a challenge, but there’s a great level of excitement in i t. Show those employers what you’ve got!

Hit the Networking Gas Pedal during the Holidays - Pathfinder Careers

Hit the Networking Gas Pedal during the Holidays - Pathfinder Careers Hit the Networking Gas Pedal during the Holidays It’s an utter misconception that things slow down during the holidays. Sure, there’s the turkey-induced food coma, and that spiked eggnog that left you a little groggy, but to assume that things are slowing down and people aren’t as focused on business is absolutely a myth. Ask any retailer as they dash between lines of shoppers during the final sales sprint of 2010! The holidays are kind of weird, in a way. It’s like everyone takes a collective breath and treads water while getting the necessary work done. But do you know what’s really going on? People are thinking. They are reviewing what happened this year, and, just like the rest of us, businesses are building their strategy on how to tackle the coming new year. Ultimately, it’s a time of reflection… which means that it is also a time ripe for opportunity. People are more receptive to new ideas that might prove to be advantageous to their business goals. Reaping those opportunities mean being at the right place at the right time… and what better place to sow those seeds than to attend holiday parties? Sure, you might not be too excited to go to Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim’s annual get-together, but think of it this way: While they might not be the ones who will connect you to your next job, but someone else at the party just might. Another odd quality about holidays is that these festive soirees can and actually put together random people who otherwise might be outside your networking universe. Parties concentrate people from a wide array of backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, industries, and interest levels. If you are looking for work, try transcending the obligatory requirements of attending yet another friend or family get-together, and make holiday parties all about networking instead. You don’t need to brush past Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim; instead, up your ante in being interested in their party by asking questions beforehand about who might be attending. Having a heads up can also help you be ready for that perfect moment of making a real connection. However, the last thing you want to do is swing in, toss a cursory howdy towards your hosts, make a swift round around room to scope out the scene, and then gaily depart… mission accomplished. There’s some propriety involved. Here are some quick holiday tips to get you develop a more robust contact list: 1) Don’t be a user. Don’t just make acquaintances long enough to see if the person you are talking to is ‘valuable’ in your job search. You know the type… it’s the person who is peering over your shoulder while they are talking to you, trying to see if someone ‘better’ has come arrived that they can go talk to. 2) Beef up on your conversational topics. Do some reading online of various news sources… not knowing who might be coming to the holiday party could make conversation difficult if you don’t know what to say. Instead, digest a variety of news stories, and you’ll be amazed at how some of those news details come in handy in either initiating a conversation with someone you don’t know by the holiday punch bowl, or building rapport with someone you met. 3) Find common ground. A good way to find out more about the person you are talking to you is to ask how they know the host. Instant rapport can be established using this tactic. 4) Ask them about their job. Not being the one who goes on and on about themselves gives you something in return: conversational leverage. You get to hear what the other person does, and gives you a chance to formulate some connections between what they do and your situation. It can also give you time to develop more specific questions that might reveal a nugget that is helpful to you and your job search. 5) Be fearless in follow-up. If the person you are talking to seems to be genuinely interested in you and engaged, don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, this is so great connecting with you. I’d love to grab a cup of coffee sometime so we can chat more!” Ask them for their card and offer yours based on their receptiveness to the idea. If they don’t have one, follow up with your host to see if they can provide the guest’s phone number. 6) If the moment is right, make your pitch. Informal settings during the holidays mean people can be more relaxed, and if it so happens that you find yourself talking to someone who could be making a hiring decision for a job for which you are qualified, step up. Make the pitch â€" bending someone’s ear during a social event can plant the seeds for future opportunities. Tell them that you are actually looking and that perhaps you could solve their staffing problem… chances are that they’ll bend forward to listen and be more receptive. Changing your perception of annual holiday gatherings is a powerful weapon in any job search arsenal. Meeting new people, finding out their challenges, and then using that information to develop your response in solving those obstacles are a great way to fuel your success in finding employment in 2011.

Best Resume Writing Service Review

Best Resume Writing Service ReviewWhen you need to update your resume, a great resume writing service can save you time and money. When you're looking for information on different resumes services, the internet is a great place to begin.A professional resume writer has a variety of talents. They may have an excellent understanding of your career goals and your strengths, but it may also mean they are familiar with a variety of areas that are important to you. All resume writing services will have their own unique backgrounds, however, you may find a few common traits.There is no doubt that any time you use a writing service to write your resume, it will be subject to errors. A good resume writer can make good tips, but there is no doubt that you will be a first timer. You may be afraid to ask a question or you may feel self-conscious.If you want to learn about various resume writing services, there are many ways to do so. One of the first things you should do is take advantage of the various forums online. There are countless threads online discussing various services, but if you start reading them and find a few positive reviews for a certain service, you can use this as your reference point.There are many ways to find out about a resume writing service. You can search online for them, or you can conduct a phone interview with several different professionals. Once you narrow down your search to a few potential services, contact them.It is worth your time to do some research, because you can find out about service reviews, some writers who they like, and where they are located. This information will be invaluable when you are choosing a service. If you do not know much about the world of resume writing, you can research this material on your own. The easiest way to determine which services offer what services is to do a web search using specific words. For example, typing 'resume' in Google will show you results regarding resumes. In this way, you can find out whether they provide templates, sample resume examples, or samples that include your basic information.Not only can you find reviews from other writers, but you can find information about how they operate. The best resume writers are likely to answer questions regarding their backgrounds, whether they have experience working with individuals in your position, and what skills they can bring to your resume. By going through a few of these reviews, you can get a feel for what makes a good resume writer.

Quality Engineer Resume Writing Service - The Reason Why Companies Want Them

Quality Engineer Resume Writing Service - The Reason Why Companies Want ThemIf you are applying for a job, and you want to appear qualified for the position, you should consider hiring a quality engineer resume writing service. These services have been provided by some companies, which offer to write resumes for any position, even that of Senior Manager.These services promise their customers that they will get the job done for a price that is within the budget of the company's reputation. It is important to find out how the resume writer's company acts, in relation to their promises. This is done by doing your own research, or checking into the company's reviews and feedback about their services.For example, many of these companies will usually do free evaluations and feedback in their reviews, and this is because of the fact that there is a lot of competition between these companies. Because of this, many companies will offer free tests to test the quality of their services. The tes ts will help you make sure that your resume has been properly written, and that it is to your advantage. If it is not up to standards, you should expect the rejection of your resume.If you want to find a quality engineer resume writing service, you should be able to find one who has reviews and feedback on their website, or find one through a company's portfolio. You can also go to Google, and search for 'engineer resume writing service'. If you use the keyword 'engineer resume writing service', you will find at least a couple hundred reviews, on which companies offer services to people who need to write a good resume.In order to get a good quality engineer resume writing service, you should be willing to pay for their services. The more money you spend, the better the service, since you are guaranteeing that you will get a quality resume.However, it is important to note that not all of these services are of equal quality. There are a few companies that is willing to spend a higher price for their services, but only if you will guarantee that you will send them your resume, and they will use their services. You can ask for more details from the company, and whether they follow up on their promises, or do not. Only then can you decide on which service to choose.Your choice of a quality engineer resume writing service is very important, as the results you will get can help you get a better offer, or better job. Look into the reviews and feedback to determine which one is best, and use them to your advantage.

The Top Secret Truth on High Tech Professional Writing Resume Linkedin Revealed

The Top Secret Truth on High Tech Professional Writing Resume Linkedin Revealed If you're a brand-new graduate seeking to produce your start on your career ladder, we can still help you distinguish yourself from the crowd. If you're a college applicant, you might need to be doubly cautious. Lots of people don't like their existing job or career. Devote time to marketing your writing solutions, so that you can take on high-paying jobs as soon as possible. When applying for work, it's wise to phone in advance and figure out if the business you're applying to scans their resume submissions. Scannable resumes need specific page designs because computer scanners can't read certain products. In virtually all instances, the reply is yes. The One Thing to Do for High Tech Professional Writing Resume Linkedin Finally, LinkedIn enables you to keep up a professional on-line presence. LinkedIn is an unbelievable asset to your professional and company development. In the digital age, it is crucial to have an expert LinkedIn profile that stands out apart from the rest and one which effectively communicates your private brand. Writing a potent LinkedIn profile also needs a deep comprehension of an individual's background and career story, their industry, their skill sets, in addition to using the platform to make the most of the person's brand. Since if you are aware that you are likely to burn the paper later, you won't fret too much about what it is you are writing on the paper. Define Your Purpose Explicitly You want to comprehend the objective of your writing. If you would like to enhance your writing skills, here are a few ideas which will help you. So if you're looking for skilled writing skills, I would advice to have a pen and a paper and begin scratching. High Tech Professional Writing Resume Linkedin: the Ultimate Convenience! LinkedIn is a distinctive social platform since it is designed especially for skilled networking. If you begin a LinkedI n profile at a comparatively young age, you'll have lots of time to accumulate endorsements and recommendations before you begin a significant job search. Pick an RSS reader to aggregate your favourite blogs and allow you to quicky scan for content you'd like to comment on and tweet out. Indeed, you do have to be cautious in regards to the varieties of things you post on social networking and on video and photo sharing sites. Facts, Fiction and High Tech Professional Writing Resume Linkedin The quickest way to construct your professional writing career is to create professional attitudes, preferably right from the beginning. The summary story offers you space to inform the story of your career and the way you got to where you are and what you've achieved or learned on the way. However polished your writing skills are, at times it's much better to seek the services of a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that permits you to command the interest of the great est companies in your industry. Your opportunities are only limited by your imagination.

How To Find The Perfect Job For You - Work It Daily

How To Find The Perfect Job For You - Work It Daily Finding a job is a difficult task on its own, but finding a career that is perfect for you is a considerable amount harder. You might find that you are unsure of what you really want to do in life. When choosing job that fits you and your lifestyle, you have to know what your main goal is and what motivates you. Are you motivated by financial gain, or do you get job satisfaction from other aspects of your working life? How To Find The Perfect Job For You Those driven by money should consider which higher paying careers would be suitable for their particular qualifications and skill sets. By asking these questions and realistically assessing your own strengths and weaknesses, you should be able to identify careers that will suit you best. Get To Know Yourself Before you do anything else, you have to monitor your own interests, hobbies and skills. It’s easy enough to put down that you enjoy reading on your resume, but in order to have the career that’s right for you, make sure you know what your actual interests are. Consider what kind of a person you are and what others say about you. Maybe you’re a bubbly person, with creative and observational skills. In that case you’d look into careers that require these things and decide whether or not you could see yourself in those roles. Write down all the things you love doing and all the skills you think you have, and then do a little bit of research into careers that you could potentially do in correspondence with them. Do Your Research Now you’ve got an idea of some jobs you could be interested in doing, look into them even further and make sure you know exactly what each one is. There will be jobs that you feel aren’t right for you or don’t suit your lifestyle, so don't be ashamed if you decide not to pursue some after your initial research is over. If you do find some, simply cross them off your list. Once your list has been narrowed down, you can find out more about the jobs you have left without wasting time on others. Make sure you know exactly what each job role consists of and the type of day-to-day demands you’d expect. Now you should have a few jobs left on your list that could be your future career. With these, look into what key skills and experience you’d need to do well in the particular role, and consider whether or not you may need extra training or qualifications. Know What You’re Looking For Before you start applying for jobs, know the exact job role you are looking for. Tailor your resume or CV and LinkedIn profile to that specific job role and make sure it’s suitable for the employer you’ll be handing it to. Consider why your applications or resumes haven’t been accepted in the past. If you understand your previous mistakes, you can get your application seen by more hiring managers. Don’t apply for things you aren’t qualified for. If you feel you want to do something which requires skills you don’t have, look for training you can do in order to gain the skills you need. If you are finding it difficult to find paid work in a job you would like to turn into career, consider applying for an unpaid internship or finding work experience in an entry-level job. Seek constructive feedback from any employer who offers you work experience and ask them for advice in how to develop as a professional that would be valuable to their organization. If you have high-quality work in a lower position, the employer may think of you when they are looking for their next great employee. Be Confident Now you know what you want in a career, you are halfway there. You can start applying for the jobs you want to do in life. Be confident that you have a clear career path ahead. Believe in yourself and in your skills, knowing that you are right for the job. All you have to do now is create your lucky break with some careful research and thorough follow-up to get the perfect job for you. Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles: 10 Tips For Finding Your Perfect Job Fast With LinkedIn 4 Ways To Make Your Resume Perfect For A Job Opening How To Prove You’re The Perfect Person For The Job Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!