Running an organization successfully depends a lot on how happy and connected your employees are with your organization. Motivating your employees may look like a challenge at first but it is simple. To make your company a success, you need to make your employees feel spirited to come to work every day. Here are few tips that can help motivate your employees:

Great work environment

Try and create a great work environment that is fun, interesting, open, trusting and encourages a lot of innovative ideas and discussions among your employees.

Acknowledge good work in public

Acknowledge your employees’ good work or any major achievement in public e.g. monthly/quarterly meetings or staff meetings. This gives employees the feeling of being recognized for their hard work and motivates others in the team, to put in more efforts.

Say ‘Thank You’

When one of your employees does great work recognize their work by saying ‘Thank You’. Recognizing your employees’ hard work timely and with sincerity motivate employees morale in the workplace.

Involve employees

Make your employees, a part of decision making process e.g. when introducing a new employee related HR rules or ask for project related inputs. These help employees get involved and feel more connected with your organization.

Employee development program

Giving your employees the opportunity to learn new skills through training programs is a great way to help them climb up the corporate ladder. When your organization opens the door of learning that helps employees build their skill sets and increase their opportunities, they become far more loyal to your organization.

Communicate clearly

Communicating clearly with your employees is the key to build cohesion and long-term relationships in your organization. When you assign a task, make sure you communicate clearly what exactly you expect from your employee. Maintaining an open-door policy help employees communicate frankly with you. When employees are comfortable communicating with you, they tend to work better.

Reward your employees

Recognize your employees’ hard work with rewards in the form of small personalized gifts e.g. mug with the employee’s name and a short message, a bouquet with a personal note etc. When you recognize your employees’ hard work you inspire them and others to work better.

The journey from college to office environment is not easy for fresh graduates. Every year Indian colleges and universities churns out millions of graduates who joins the job market. To stand out from the crowd as a potential employee, it is desirable to pep up your skills, aptitudes and attributes in the right way to land your dream job. Here are a few tips that can help you to get job ready:

Develop soft skills

When employers are looking to add freshers in their organizations they generally prefer candidates with better soft skills. Because they know technical skills can be taught and excelled through experience but soft skills on the contrary are tied to an individual’s personality which takes longer time to learn and inculcate. Now you must be wondering what exactly are soft skills? Soft skills are more of personal attributes that describes a person’s ability to interact with people, communicate thoughts & ideas clearly, people skills, ability to stay calm and positive even in difficult situations. Evaluate yourself in the soft skills area by putting yourself in situations where you need to communicate and interact with others effectively on important topics or any project related task, to get things done or put a message across well.

Be present at different popular platforms

Social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, among others are great way to find a suitable job. But there are other platforms and events such as job boards, career fairs, your professional and personal networks which can be utilized to land a job.

Apply for jobs you would love

When you choose to apply for a job always pick a field or domain which you are truly interested in. Often interviewers are turned off by lack of seriousness on the part of the candidates about the job profile or company. When you are passionate about something it shows in the interview and companies are looking for people who are passionate and willing to go that extra mile, to add more value to the role.

Think out of the box

If given a choice, companies generally choose candidates who think outside the box to solve problems or tasks at hand. Job seekers with entrepreneurial skills, excellent interpersonal skills and great problem-solving qualities weigh higher in comparison to other candidates in an interview.

Highlight your internship experience

Even though you are new to the job market do your best to highlight your bits of experience as an intern at different organizations. And if you don’t have any internship under your name then showcase your unique abilities e.g. grasping new concepts quickly, technology savvy, promoting a cause at social media channels etc. can help you get noticed by employers and increase your chances of hiring immensely.

Prepare for your interview

Attending an interview doesn’t guarantee you a job. It is important that you prepare well ahead of the interview to be able to hold intelligent discussions with the interviewer. Do your homework by visiting the company website, learning about its products/services and its involvement in social causes to know about the company.

Hiring the right employee is the key to business success. Organizations spend huge amount of time in looking, connecting and bringing on-board the right kind of talent. Losing and replacing an existing employee may cost companies both time and money. It is better that you identify these few early warning signs of an employee planning to quit.

Lack of enthusiasm

Soon to become ex-employees stop suggesting innovative ideas and make constructive contributions toward any projects. They become disinterested about any new project or work improvement plans.

Non-participatory stance

Employees who are about to quit often become less interested in what is happening around him at workplace. If he takes non-participatory stance in team activities, short and long-term team improvement plans, it’s a warning sign that he is planning to quit.

Frequent leaves

Job hunting requires going for interviews. If an employee starts frequently staying away from work on personal account or sickness, then this could be another important sign that he is looking to exit.

Dressing well

Employees generally dress well at workplace but if you notice a marked shift in their dressing style. This can be another huge indication that the employee is trying to impress new bosses.

Stopped complaining

When a team member who was always complaining about one or the other thing e.g. salary, marketing strategies etc. suddenly stops complaining, be prepared to take the upcoming news of his plan to quit.

Always on the phone

Scheduling or discussion for an interview requires some private space and if an employee starts walking out of the workstation to attend phone calls. Chances are that the employee is looking out for a job.

Staying aware of early warning signs of employees about to quit, helps managers to address retention issues or start looking for a replacement. If you notice any five of the above traits in your current employees, you can have a frank discussion to address their concerns at work.

An interview can be your game-changing opportunity where you can sell yourself effectively to hiring managers and land your dream job. But interviews are nerve-racking experiences even for experienced candidates. And if you are on your way looking out for a new position, it’s important that you avoid common interview mistakes that job seekers often commit:

Inappropriate attire

Your dressing sense says a lot about your personality. And when you go for an interview, it is imperative that you look polished and professional. Formal attire suits best for an occasion like interview – it gives you a cool and collected look.

Not doing research on the company

When you go for an interview without doing proper research on the company, you lose the chance to have a well-informed discussion with the interviewer. Knowing your potential employer’s domain, products and services, will help you to get better understanding of the company and the job role.

Unprepared answers & questions

No two job interviews are the same but you must prepare yourself for few most frequently asked questions like ‘Tell me something about yourself?’ ‘What are your strengths and weakness?’, ‘Why should we hire you?’ and more. Often candidates babble while answering these common questions. Answering to the interviewer’s questions is not enough, you should also ask few important questions about the company e.g. market position, company culture and management style. This shows your level of interest in the company.

Lying

Hiring managers are experts in understanding human behaviors and they are most likely to catch you, if you are lying about something. In an interview, if you happen to drift to a topic which you are clueless about, it’s always better to acknowledge your lack of knowledge rather than babbling something incorrect. Remember, covering anything with lie will not help you in the long run.

Saying too much/little

Saying too much or too little can have negative impact on your interview. If you give too many details, the interviewer may lose the string of discussion and interest. On the other hand, if you give brief information, he may become suspicious that you are hiding something.

Asking about wages too early

Well, wages is one of the few important factors that led job seekers search for a new position. However, it doesn’t mean that you should be asking about salary when the time isn’t right. Bring up your salary concerns only when the interviewer asks you about your expected wages.

Failing to listen to the interviewer

Succeeding in an interview depends a lot on your ability to listen, understand and respond appropriately to what the interviewer is saying. If you are too busy forming your responses then you may miss out critical information given by the interviewer, regarding the opening or company.

Landing to the next role is not always easy. Follow the above tips and practice your interview in advance, you will definitely increase your chances of landing your next job sooner than you thought of.

Choosing a career is easy but to be sure of its existence in future is pretty difficult. If you look decades back from now, you must have noticed a number of careers that existed but have become obsolete now. However, there are certain careers that are likely to exist in coming years regardless of economic situation or changing business requirements. If you are cautious and would like to play safe on the career front, choose a path that has a higher chance of being around in future. Here are few evergreen career options for you:

Healthcare

No matter where you live, what you eat and follow, you will need healthcare services. With increasing environmental pollution, a number of new and critical diseases have come into existence. At present, the doctor and patients ratio is 1:1,700 which will definitely be higher in future. Chances are there will be no shortage of jobs in this sector. These are few of the jobs in the healthcare sector: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, nutritionists, among others.

Education

Whether you are a college student, a professional or even an expert in any field, you will need to continue learning every day. Gathering knowledge is a life-long process, and it doesn’t have an end point. With changing times, modes of educational institutions have evolved and became popular e.g. online universities, real-time classes etc. And over the years, need for specialized education has increased. Specialized education helps students to land a job faster. Career in the educational field is one of the most demanded careers that have never ceased to exist and flourish. If you choose your career in the educational field, you could be a teacher, professor, consultant, university instructor, video lecturer etc.

Law Enforcement

With growing security threats from extremists, criminals and anti-social groups, people from all walks of life need protection. Every nation, city, town, village and places of importance, requires security personnel to maintain law and order. Jobs under the law enforcement sector include – police, surveillance officer, security officer, army etc.

Food Industry

We need food to stay alive and in no period in the history of mankind could this industry become a thing of the past. Whatever maybe the economic situation of a nation, this industry is not likely to be shut down. Jobs in this industry include chefs, waiters, butlers etc.

Advertising, Marketing & Sales

Advertising, Marketing & Sales plays a critical role in the success of any business. And as long as businesses exist, the requirement for such services will always be there. If you happen to be in any of these sectors, you are less likely to be without work even in the future.

Computer

Computers are an indispensable part of any organization. One cannot imagine of running an organization without a computer. Almost all the works are now done in computers hence there will be huge opportunities in future for computer professionals such as administrator, networking, operator and IT security analyst.

It’s true that no one can predict what would be trending careers in future. But if you want to remain sure of your career even in the coming years, you could opt for any of the suggested above.

Employees are the backbone of any organization. Hiring right talent is the key to grow and expand your business. But often companies find it hard to lure talented candidates due to poor brand image, unattractive employee value proposition (EVP), lack of magnetic leadership etc. Here are few tips that may help companies to attract best talents.

Create an impressive brand image

Generally, organizations spend a lot of time and effort, searching and connecting with top talents. Imagine if your organization has an impeccable brand image, it would attract the best candidate without putting much effort. So creating an enticing employer brand is the key to attract top talents to your company, but the million dollar question is how? Create a flexible work environment in terms of office timings and work-from-home options which can help employees maintain healthy work/life balance. Also involving employees in decision making empowers and bond them better with the organization. So when your employees are happy, your organization automatically creates an impressive and magnetic brand image.

Attractive employee value proposition                 

Performers in any industry will not settle for anything less than their expectations from a company. They don’t choose an employer based only on higher pay packages. Rather they look for a work environment where they get ample space to explore their creativity and get opportunity to implement innovative ideas to find better solution for an issue at work.

Growth opportunities

High-performers don’t prefer working in an organization with limited learning opportunities. They are more inclined to invest their skills in an organization that can help them expand their career horizons. Providing ample learning opportunities like training on ‘Leadership Skills’, ‘Team Management’, ‘Client Interfacing’ etc. for your existing employees can enhance your brand reputation as an employer.

State your company values

Highly qualified candidates look for an organization whose values are aligned with theirs. Most of the talented candidates look for values like openness, fair play, transparency and collaboration, in their workplace. It is imperative that you promote your brand based on the values it is built which will help attract right like-minded talents.

Have magnetic leaders on board

Magnetic leaders have the power to influence and attract high caliber candidates. They present their company brand in a positive and interesting light that builds trust and attracts prospective employees. If your organization lacks magnetic people at the helm of affairs, then it’s high time you bring them on-board.

As an organization, you cannot win the war for talent by being passive in your approach to attract best talents. Showcase a work environment, where your employees are involved and are being a part of the great company in making. Remember, the most talented job seekers are spoilt for choices and if you really want them to work for your organization, you better find ways to fulfill their work aspirations. Visit http://bit.ly/1lkoZFn at Great Place to Work and find how companies have implemented similar tips mentioned above and became India’s best companies to work for. Follow the tips and your organization could be one among the most desirable companies to work for in India.

Sometimes writing one’s own resume can be tedious and frustrating. Oftentimes, to create professional resume job seekers follow common formats & styles and end up with a boring resume. Undoubtedly, your resume plays a critical role in grabbing potential employers’ attention. Employers on an average get 72 resumes for a single job post and spend approximately 6 seconds on each resume. Your task is to make your profile interesting enough to hold employers’ attention. Here are few tips that can help you stand out above the rest by creating an interesting resume:

Ditch your outdated career objective

Your career objective is one of the most important information in your resume that can make right impressions on potential employers. To enhance your chances as a potential candidate, avoid committing common mistake like using adjectives such as ‘dynamic’, ’unique’, ‘passionate’ and ‘innovative’. Rather your objective should be more aligned with the job opening’s skill requirements, the organization’s overall goals and reason why you consider yourself a perfect match for the role.

Show rather than telling your professional story

Instead of giving detailed career information like what were your job descriptions, what you did on a daily basis, in your resume. It’s better to show potential employers what challenges you faced at work and how you tackled them? Giving real work situations and specifically how you had resolved work-related issues, give employers the ability to gauge how efficient you are at dealing and solving critical problems at work.

Don’t miss out on important keywords

Including right keywords is the key to be considered for a job opening by potential employers. Use relevant domain and profile related keywords and get noticed by prospective employers quickly.

Your resume is the first gateway through which you can stand out from the crowd. Ensure to make your resume interesting, to get an edge over other applicants and attract employers’ attention successfully.

Going for an interview is like going for a first date. You want to look and behave your best at your first date/interview, to grab your potential date/employer’s attention. Like in a date so in an interview, you get only one chance to create an impeccable first impression, to prove why you are the perfect match for the job. Interestingly, tips that work successfully in the dating world can be applied in an interview, to get great results.Here are few tips from the dating world which can improve your chances of qualifying for the next round of interview and hopefully help you land your dream job:

Do research – Show interest in your date

Be prepared before you land up for the interview like you would do before going out on a date. Learn about the company, industry it deals in, products or services, missions, goals and competitors, to show you are interested in working with them. When you show interest in the company’s values, missions, and goals genuinely, your chances of being considered as a potential candidate become higher.

Pay attention to your personal grooming

You definitely would like to look great on your first date, without trying to look too flashy. Same for an interview, you need to take care of your personal hygiene to look well-groomed and decent. Wear formal clothing and accessories, which are appropriate for work environment.

Be on time – Respect your date’s time

As on a first date, reaching on time is important while attending an interview as well. An interview is your first opportunity, to make a good impression before  your potential employer. So better be on time. If necessary, plan well ahead to reach on time and if you need to cancel or reschedule an interview, inform the employer at least a day in advance.

Think positive and be confident – Impress your date

Like your date, a company too loves a person with positive attitude and great confidence. The key to winning your potential employer’s attention is through your confidence and can-do positive attitude.

Avoid saying anything negative about your Ex

When asked about your past experiences in previous company, you may be tempted to criticize your ex-employer or colleagues. But it’s always better to refrain from saying anything unimpressive about your former employer or others. If you vent out negative comments about your previous employer, the interviewer may view you as unfit for the job.

Don’t pressurize yourself – This is not the end of the world

Even if you like the job profile or think the company is amazing, don’t pressurize yourself too much. As it can make you more nervous and affect your performance at the interview. Remember, this is not your only or last chance to land a job; there are hundreds of companies and job openings out there.

Like in dating, when you are serious about your date and willing to take the relationship forward, you want to show your best self. Similarly, if you are serious about landing your dream job, you need to create an impressive first impression of yourself before the potential employer, to go to the next round of interview.

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated worldwide on 5^th of June every year. Run by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the celebration raises awareness on the importance of taking positive environmental measures to save our ‘Mother Earth’. The United Nations General Assembly has declared the theme of WED 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), raising awareness of their unique development challenges and successes. We believe in doing our bit and contributing positively towards the common cause of saving the environment.

Saves Trees – Reduce Paper Waste

Hiring in the traditional method involves a lot of paper work such as printing question papers, resume, HR form and others. Pinhopes’ online recruitment process hardly requires candidates to print a call letter, his/her resume, fill long forms and others, thus saving trees by reducing paper waste.

Green Approach – Reduces Carbon Footprint

Generally interviews require shortlisted candidates or employers and sometimes both to travel increasing carbon footprint. With Pinhopes, employers can screen a candidate’s 1-min USP video profile online and conduct a video interview to judge his/her suitability for a job anytime, without travelling anywhere. This helps save time, travel expenses and reduce harmful carbon emissions.

Lower Logistics Requirements

Organizing an interview requires employers to take care of the candidates’ stay and transport facilities, booking a conference room in advance, scheduling an interview with hiring manager and senior management, depending on the role. With Pinhopes’ video based online hiring process, companies can screen candidates online, request a video interview, check skills and personality match for a job and almost meet the candidate in person virtually. This gives employers all the benefits of traditional hiring method along with the additional advantage of minimizing logistics costs.

With Pinhopes whether you look for a job or for the right talent, you can always contribute towards saving the environment with our go green approach.

Multitasking often gives us the feeling of being productive, doing numerous things at once. But does it really works? Studies revealed multitasking can actually result in losing 20-30% of your productive time. The simple reason, why multitasking doesn’t work? Because our brain cannot focus on multiple things at one time. Given below are a few negative effects of multitasking:

Slows you down:

Contrary to popular belief, switching between tasks doesn’t save time rather it slows you down. Different task requires different mindsets and when you jump from one task to another, you fail to give 100% focus on any of the tasks. As a result, you complete lesser amount of work.

You make more mistakes:

When you work on different tasks at the same time, you tend to err more which reduces your productivity by up to 40%. The human brain is likely to deliver best when it works on a single task. To a certain extent, it can deliver decent performance up to two tasks. However, if the number of task exceeds more than two, chances of committing mistakes increase by three times.

Stresses you out:

Working on a number of critical tasks simultaneously demands greater efficiency failing which can stress you out. It is not the physical efforts you are pumping in to complete multiple tasks that put high level of stress on you but the end results if not good enough. In the long run, piling up of stress can affect your health adversely.

Affects your memory:

When you keep switching between tasks, you can suffer from short term memory loss. A study found as we grow older our memory becomes weak and jumping from one task to another makes it hard to remember things clearly.

If you want to increase your productivity at work, try working in batches rather than multitasking. It can help you to work more efficiently, do fewer mistakes and achieve more.