Even the most scientific methodology, a long drawn out search for the best talent or a huge pile of resumes, wouldn’t ensure the right hiring decision. Recruiters juggle between editing job descriptions, posting jobs, scheduling interviews, and a lot more. It, therefore, becomes a challenge to focus on hiring the right talent in the long run.

Following are few points that can be focused upon while hiring, in order to simplify the whole process and getting the best talent on board:

1. Top desirable skills in a candidate. When a job description is drafted, focusing on the top 3 critical areas is advisable rather than concentrating on all of them. This will help narrow down on a few number of candidates, those who deserve to get shortlisted.

2. Top reasons why someone would want to be hired to the position. The motivation that lasts more is position specific rather than company specific. As a result, before advertising the company, it is important to advertise the nature of job opening being offered and accordingly shortlist candidates who are fine with the profile.

3. Top reasons why someone would want to join the organization. The only way to have an employer brand is indeed by being a great place to work! Some companies need not look beyond their logo. Google is one such company and this happens because Google has been one of the top innovators and also one of the key trendsetters, enhancing their brand, visibility and demand among candidates. No wonder they get the best talent from all over the world.

Focusing on these three areas when making any decisions involving talent acquisition will result in improvements in the quality of shortlisted resumes. Go ahead and make a wiser decision!

Given a choice, which one would you select? EQ or IQ?

For several years (and probably more to come), Intelligence quotient or IQ, which is a measure of one’s mental abilities, has been almost the sole determiner of one’s output at school, college and especially workplace.

Having said that, this is what most of the job posts on any job portals nowadays demand:

That’s right. All of the aforementioned skills that have been highlighted are some emotional skills that recruiters would typically want from any candidate.

Does that mean IQ is not important?

Research suggests that once a person reaches his/her normal IQ threshold, it only remains 4 to 25% important in determining success in one’s career, while EQ takes over as the main factor.

Emotional intelligence quotient, better known as EQ, can be defined as the ability of a person to understand others’ and one’s own emotions and respond to it with validity and reliability. For example, we can imagine those people at workplace, who are simply used to working under a lot of stress and a different segment of people out there who succumb to even under low stress levels  altogether.

The difference lies in the emotional intelligence of people. All individuals have separate levels of threshold, and their behavior depends a lot on their emotional intelligence. Probably it will be safe to comment that in any companies, people who possess the talked about attribute are preferred compared to others who do not.

Doubtful? We have results to back ourselves up.

Evidently, a combination of average intelligence is still preferred over Superior intelligence with low people skills.

Therefore, being a candidate, how can you enhance your people skills?

Let’s make it brief and simple:-

1. Interact with coworkers and build relationships with them
2. Try having a positive attitude at work
3. Think over any problem that seems to bother you. It’s perhaps amazing how you can easily detach yourself from an issue that has been bothering your work life, just by taking some time off and pondering over it.
4. Have an internal focus of control and try finding out your shortcomings instead of blaming the rest for mistakes.
5. Going to a trip alone helps!

Last but not the least; did you know that happy workers are productive workers?

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.

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.

In this fiercely competitive business environment you need proactive employees who can boost your organization’s performance and productivity. And this criterion is even more critical when you are to hire a candidate for a managerial role. Here are few essential skills to look for while hiring a managerial candidate:

Communication

Effective communication is one of the key deciding factors for many companies while hiring a manager. A team’s performance & success depends on how well a manager put across important business messages and information to concerned parties. When the line of communication is clear, concise and straightforward, it saves from creating roadblocks within a team and worst with clients. Hiring a manager who conveys his thoughts effectively across team & clients (both in oral and written form), increase chances of a team to be successful.

Critical Thinking

Managers who will be placed in a change creating position must be critical thinkers. Why? Because decision making in today’s world of conflicting ideas & opinions, uncertainties and tremendous pressures need managers who thinks clearly to face challenges efficiently. Managers who are good at critical thinking often identify risks, learn to address the right problems and make better decisions.

Management

Management plays a critical role in the achievement of a company’s goals which requires planning, identifying obstacles, strategies to overcome the problems and utilizing the abilities of each team member to bring the best result. Another important role of a manager is to smoothly manage, bond and inspire his team members, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Problem Solver

It is one of the key skills that can make a much difference in terms of team/organization performance. Problem solving is a must-have skill to look for while hiring a manager. It is common scenario at work when every employee needs to solve internal or external work related issues. And a manager needs to be excellent at solving problems that he and his faces. If you fail to hire a good problem solver as a manager your business processes or development will stay stagnant instead of moving ahead.

Leadership

A magnetic manager who has impeccable leadership skills has the power to influence, inspire, and take his team in the right direction strategically, to deliver best results. And it is this skill in a manager that can transform a business performance of his team by persuading his sub-ordinates willingly work, as per planned strategies.

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.

A company’s biggest asset is its ’employees’. Without them, a company cannot grow, thrive and expand in new frontiers. Employees with intelligence, confidence, drive and integrity can take a company to new heights and help garner greater business success. Smart employees are generally driven by innovative thinking and result-oriented actions that creates business values for an organization. Here are few benefits of hiring smart people:

Delivers more than their job descriptions:

Smart employees seldom limit themselves within the boundaries of their job descriptions. They believe in performing additional tasks to their current role and are always ready to take up new responsibilities. They realize their most important job is to contribute towards the expansion of the organization.

Requires little supervision:

Smart people often needs very little supervision and tend to learn new ideas and concepts quickly. This helps managers to train them about the project and workflow processes, in less time. They understand their role in the project well and do their work efficiently, helping managers to check their work in no time.

Efficient & proactive – Creates business values:

Smart people often prove to be self-driven, efficient and proactive employees in their work environment. They actively find solutions or innovate ways to deal with workflow processes and challenges. They plan & work strategically and achieve more in less time, creating business values.

Aligned with the company’s overall goals & visions:

An organization thrives on the path of success when its employees are well aligned with the company’s goals and visions. Employees who are a perfect ‘cultural fit’ for an organization, helps to boost work by creating positive team environment hence delivering business excellence.

Challenges existing rules and drives excellence:

When an employee questions the way something is done and offers better recommendations, the company benefits. Employees with problem solving and analytical bent of mind, often encourage people around them to perform better which drives excellence and brings enhanced results.

Hiring smart intelligent people strengthen an organization’s business values and performance. Do you want to see your organization joining the big league? Then hire self-driven, innovative and result-oriented candidates.

Today employers face multiple challenges with traditional online hiring portals such as:

ü  Escalating cost of accessing candidates database which is largely unused

ü  Time-consuming candidate search and review process

ü  Hard to zero-in on the right resource

ü  Limited branding options

Needless to say, all the above factors slow hiring online which delays bringing candidates on-board. To help employers tackle these online recruitment problems, Pinhopes – a new-age online hiring destination, has introduced innovative profile filtering features, video based online hiring process, multiple branding avenues combined with cost-effective payment option. Here are the key differentiators which help employers hire 3x faster:

Get relevant applications from interested candidates – Every time

Unlike existing online recruitment portals Pinhopes doesn’t deal in database business which means employers are not required to search for right candidates, in a database which is largely unused. Instead employers get relevant applications directly from active job seekers for a job opening, without putting much effort.

No tedious candidate search process – Advanced built-in search bubbles best talents at top

On Pinhopes, employers are no longer required to go through time-consuming candidate search process rather they are approached by interested candidates. Pinhopes’ advanced built-in search throws the best profiles based on multiple parameters at top listing, which makes finding suitable candidate a lot more easier and quicker.

Video based online screening & interview – Enables you to zero-in on best talent quickly

Searching for the right talent requires employers to sort CVs, conduct telephonic rounds and schedule face-to-face interview. Even after going through all these filtering steps, they end up meeting a candidate who doesn’t exactly fit the specific role. To enable employers zero-in on the right talent in reduced time, Pinhopes has introduced 1 min USP video profile and video interview feature. The 1-min video profile gives employers the opportunity to gauge a candidate’s personality and soft skills match for a role. And the video interview feature helps employers to check a candidate’s skill set suitability for a job profile.

Promote your brand via multiple avenues and increase visibility

Employer branding is the crux of successful online hiring strategies. In a world where there is dearth and intense competition for highly-skilled candidates, companies need to stay visible to bring on-board the best candidates, before their competitors. With Pinhopes branding services, employers get multiple branding avenues – Brochures, Corporate Video, Presentations, Links, Press Releases, which help them to stay visible to a host of potential job seekers. One of our clients ‘Happiest Minds’ has utilized Pinhopes multi-branding services successfully and draws thousands of job seekers’ attention every day.

Pay Per Post Model – Cost-Effective & Flexible

Pinhopes believes in making online hiring cost-effective. With our tailor-made recruitment packages based on flexible pay per post model, organizations can bring down and manage recruitment costs.

If your organization is looking to hire top talent in 3 times faster with a host of other benefits and get real online hiring results, then look no further than www.pinhopes.com. Contact us at: +91 – 9243777966 or email at: sales@pinhopes.com.