These are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in common

These are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in commonThese are the knowledge, skills and personality traits that successful entrepreneurs have in commonThe traits that drive startup founders forward are sometimes seen in a negative light.Entrepreneurs can be seen as aggressive, impatient, hard-headed. And yes, there are plenty of founders who fit that description.But thats only because entrepreneurs usually have a strong instinct around what products will work for people. They push ahead even when others cant see what theyre after.And notlage all of the traits that lead to entrepreneurial success are viewed so negatively. In fact, many of the attributes founders tend to share are essential to their success in relating to others and figuring out what people need.Heres what Ive noticed while collaborating with entrepreneurs at Y Combinator and working on several startups1. CuriosityTechnology develops at different rates and in different way s around the world. Curiosity about those differences is an important attribute for any entrepreneur.Each country has their own interesting, unique economy. And although people in China, the U.S., Japan, or Korea have a common set of desires, they also have different business and social climates. So, people in each place tend to come up with solutions that are distinct from other parts of the world.Id encourage any budding entrepreneur to take a trip to China and witness how technology is developing there. Absorbing differing ideas and concepts is a valuable experience for a founder.2. A Sense of ImpatienceEntrepreneurs need impatience in order to recognize inefficiencies and capitalize on them.People often think of impatience as an unsavory personality trait. But it can actually be very beneficial for an entrepreneur whos trying to create a product that solves an inefficient situation.Part of the reason I started Spin was because I was constantly waiting on Ubers to pick me up and work their way through the traffic around my office. I was impatient, and I decided to craft a solution for my problem rather than waiting around for someone else to solve it.On some level, most people understand theres a better way to do things. And theyd choose that better way if it were available. Taking action and pursuing that solution is what sets entrepreneurs apart.3. SociabilityIts important for any entrepreneur to have a good network of like-minded people to engage with and use for support. It helps tremendously to have people around you who are constantly looking for and solving problems.Ive noticed that great ideas often come from casual meetings and brainstorming sessions. Its not necessarily one person in a garage coming up with a world-changing idea and then championing it all the way to a multi-million dollar exit.Being social and developing that group gives you an opportunity to brainstorm and confirm your ideas and concepts with other people.4. Attention To Basic m enschlich NeedsThe basic necessities of a happy life should always be on an entrepreneurs mind. Food, shelter, companionship, entertainment, simplicity- these are all things that people either need or have a strong desire to obtain.And entrepreneurs have to learn to be perceptive about the problems and inefficiencies around them that relate to human needs.If youre paying attention to what people require, you can find opportunities to improve their experience and help in their pursuits of those needs. Those are the ideas that people will engage with and come to rely on- the ones that help them obtain the essential things in life.5. ReasoningThere are plenty of ways to solve a puzzle. For instance, some people just start picking up pieces and seeing what fits. And that can work, but the task becomes much easier when you begin to think about why each piece fits where it does.For example, bikeshare companies in China are virtually free because they are largely subsidized by two internet giants- Alibaba and Tencent. But in the U.S., Facebook and Google arent in the business of funding bikeshare companies.So, while the general idea of sharing bikes could be transplanted, we knew we had to think about what reasoning would actually make sense in the US. And we eventually had to change the business model to rely more on per-ride revenue.6. FlexibilityEvery entrepreneur has to find the balance between stubbornness and flexibility.You have to be stubborn enough to keep persevering and working on your idea, even when people tell you its silly or you begin to doubt yourself. But you also need to have the flexibility to recognize your first attempt may have been off the mark.Thats happening right now at Spin. We began with bike sharing, but eventually we realized scooters are the better product for American cities. At the outset, we understood the problem, but we didnt have the exact solution nailed down. Were staying flexible enough to recognize a better solution when we s ee it.Theres nothing wrong with tweaking your idea or pivoting to respond to consumer demands. Its just one of several qualities an entrepreneur can benefit from.Euwyn Poon is theCo-Founder and President of Spin.This post was originally published on Quora.com.

Update Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance Find Your Dream Job

Update Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance Find Your Dream JobUpdate Your Profile Picture to Connect You at a Glance - Find Your Dream JobIn Day 5, you updated your professional online profile. Today, you want to make sure that your online profile pictures are just as up-to-date and professional as those profiles. Update Your Profile Picture Your profile picture is an extremely important part of your online presence, as it helps people to connect with you at a glance. You do leid need to hire a professional photographer to take your profile photo, but there are certain things you should take into consideration when taking and selecting your photo. Below are a few tips on how to take and choose an ideal photo for your online profiles. Find a Friend to Help Ask a friend or family member (who is comfortable using a camera) to take your profile picture. If someone else is not available to take the photo, you can take a webshot on your computers camera (if your compu ter has that capability), or take a photo of yourself using the self-timer on your camera. However, do not take the photo using a handheld camera self-photos or selfies appear unprofessional. Smile Select a photo in which you appear to smile in a natural way. A smile will make you appear friendly and approachable to those looking at your profile. Having a friend or family member take your photo will hopefully put you at ease and make your smile look more authentic. If you are deciding between a couple of photos, ask some friends or family members which photo makes you look the most approachable. Pick a Head Shot Because profile pictures often appear as small thumbnails, pick a photo that shows only your head, neck, and a bit of your shoulders. If the photo shows your entire body, viewers may not be able to see your face well, and may not be able to recognize you in person. Dress Professionally Dress in a manner that is appropriate for your career field. In other words, dress as you would for an interview at your ideal company. Typically this means a dress shirt or blouse, a shirt and tie, or even a suit. Choose solid dark colors like blue or black. Avoid wearing a strapless dress or top, because a photo that only shows your head and shoulders will make you appear naked (and definitely unprofessional). Avoid wearing large jewelry or too trendy hairstyles that will distract from your face. Keep It Simple Do not include distracting props, backgrounds, or people in the photo. Your profile pictures should be of you, and only you. Stand against a solid-colored background that provides enough contrast against you and your outfit (for example, if you are wearing navy, do not stand against a navy wall, because you will blend into the background). Keep It Up-to-Date Make sure you choose a recent photo of you, so that people will be able to recognize you in person. No baby pictures Be Consistent A great way to develop your professional brand is t o use the same photo in all of your online profiles, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and even your Gmail Profile.

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobs

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsSurvey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsWhat really makes employees happy and how can you tell if they are?Wrike, the collaborative work management platform, released the first findings from the companys inaugural Happiness Index, carried out by Atomik Research. The survey asked what made workers happy in the U.S., Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, with at least 1,000 respondents in each country.While Americans were found to be generally happy in their jobs a full 88% Millennials were the least happy group, with 17% responding to be mostly unhappy or miserable.Positive relationships with managers are critical to happiness. Employees with negative relationships with their managers were more likely to report unhappiness.Having a connection to their companys mission is also a key to happiness 70% of happy workers feel a strong connection, while 32% of less happy workers dont know what their companys mission i s, or feel any connection to it.Happiness can influence perception. Cheerful employees are 55% more likely to say their workplace is above average in diversity, but 440% of unhappy workers are more likely to say that their jobs are below average in diversity.You can spot the happy vs. the disconnected workers by observing office social gatherings Happier employees are 70% more likely to take at least a half-hour lunch break or eat lunch with friends, while less happy workers are 57% more likely to spend their lunch breaks on social media. Unhappy workers are less likely to take part in organized gatherings outside work (15%, compared to over 40% for happier workers).Fostering workplace happiness and understanding what really drives employee engagement is evolving its not just about paying the highest salary and providing lunch, says Wrike Vice President of People Operations Megan Barbier in a release. In todays competitive talent market, it is important that companies consider emer ging factors, like diversity and technology, that are playing an increasingly important role in employee happiness.Relatedly, Harvard Business School recently published a story that perks (flexible time, anything contributing to work-life balance) and recognition (like peer-to-peer recognition programs) can be more meaningful long-term than financial rewards.

How to create a personal brand to enhance your job search

How to create a personal brand to enhance your job searchHow to create a personal brand to enhance your job searchThese days the term branding means so much more than what comes to mind when you think of a particular company or product. Brands, in the traditional sense, of course still exist, but in this day and age of social media importance, its more critical than ever for individuals to brand themselves, as well. Developing your own personal brand doesnt have to be intimidating, though. Just a few simple steps can help you narrow down the best approach, which will hopefully help you land your dream job.Heres how to create a personal brand that willenhance your job searchDefine your brandYou might think that writer, illustrator, or content creator is enough of a personal brand, but really, those are just job titles. To develop your actual brand, youll need to put a little more thought into what it is that you actually create (or hope to create) on a daily basis with your work.For e xample, perhaps as an illustrator youre well known for your quirky caricatures, or as a writer youve really cornered the market on crypto-currency, international travel, or single parenting. Whatever it is youre best at in your particular job, own it and flaunt it in every way possible. This could mean developing a brand statement, getting new headshots that drive home your specialty, re-writing your resume to really showcase those particular talents, or, likely, all of the above.Do a social media overhaulEveryone has embarrassing photos from back in the day when they first joined Facebook, but since Facebook is about so much more than just connecting with old friends these days, its time todo an overhaul of your profile to ensure its professionaland on-brand. Its not just Facebook that needs updating, though- be sure to check in across all of your social media sites (Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) to ensure there isnt anything embarrassing that you wouldnt want potential futu re employers to see.After thats done, consider updating your sites so that its clear what your new brand is across all platforms. This could mean uploading your new headshots, adding your brand tagline, sharing your new work, or starting conversations with others in the same field. A good rule of thumb is to do a Google search for yourself, and whatever comes up that you have access to, change it so that your brand is front and center.Fill in any holesIts not enough to just have a LinkedIn profile that showcases your professional brand these days, you should really consider having multiple online places for people to find you.If you dont already have a professional website, create one.If you arent on Facebook, great Start a new page with only your professional brand and goals in mind. Also consider checking on other networking platforms or job forums where you can upload your new resume and share your new brand-oriented social media sites for potential new projects and jobs.Check ba ck in, frequentlyDeveloping a personal brandisnt a one-and-done process, itll require constant upkeep and checking in. The more you interact on your new brand-conscious social media sites, the more likely you will be to cash in on new opportunities.That means you should try to post to your Twitter and Facebook feeds at least daily (multiple times a day is even better), and always share your own work, as well as the work of others that you find interesting or that is in line with your own brand objectives and goals.This article first appeared on FlexJobs.

The CFO Path Includes Diverse Career Steps

The CFO Path Includes Diverse Career StepsThe CFO Path Includes Diverse Career StepsMany chief financial officers have seen their influence expand beyond the traditional finance function, as they help to drive geschftlicher umgang and technology transformations at their company. To meet these expectations, and be an effective partner to the geschftsleben, todays CFOs need to have a depth of experience - and not necessarily just in finance.New research from Management Resources finds that 36% of financial leaders worked in business development before becoming a CFO. Many also have held administrative (35%), human resources (35%) and technology roles (33%). Only 14 percent of survey respondents reported that they have worked exclusively in accounting and finance during their career.See mora survey results in our infographic, The Road to CFO.Setting course Preparing for the role of an influencerThe financial executives interviewed in our survey also said they earned, on average, nine y ears of accounting and finance experience before earning the CFO seat. They also worked at three different companies, on average. So, the path to CFO can be long and may include a number of diverse career steps. But professionals aspiring for this role can set the right course with the following six strategies1. Master the fundamentals - technical and notNo matter how talented you are in business development or technology - or whatever other areas of the business youve worked in - youre not likely to realize your goal of becoming a CFO if you dont master the fundamental skills that the job requires. CFOs are expected to have broad knowledge in a wide range of technical areas, from budgeting and analysis to compliance and risk management.Nontechnical abilities, like active listening and diplomacy, are also essential for CFOs to be effective leaders. Other traits, like integrity and empathy, are also highly valued by employers. So, look for professional development opportunities th at will allow you to refine these vital skills and attributes.2. Earn an in-demand certification or advanced degreeIt can also be valuable for professionals aiming to become a CFO to earn certain certifications and advanced degrees. Many businesses prefer to hire candidates who have a masters degree in business administration (MBA) and/or an in-demand designation, such as certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA).For more details on the types of skills and certifications todays employers seek, see our latest Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals.3. Be a proactive collaborator in your organizationfaulen CFOs are business problem-solvers and cross-departmental collaborators. So, consider reaching out proactively to peers in other departments to learn about their priorities and challenges, and identify ways to help them. Be first in line to sign up for relevant cross-training and job rotation opportunities, as well, if your employer offe rs them. These efforts will help you gain a better understanding of how the company operates and how different departments interact.4. Seek to grow your technology expertiseTechnology, from cloud computing to big data analysis to robotic process automation, is becoming increasingly important to the everyday operations of accounting and finance functions. CFOs need to understand the benefits and risks of implementing financial systems and other technologies. CFOs are also often seated at the strategic decision-making table when the business itself is considering new IT investments.Growing your technology expertise doesnt mean becoming an IT expert. But if you do become a CFO, youll likely need to collaborate frequently with one such expert - namely, the chief information officer (CIO). So, pay close attention to what is happening technologically in your organization and industry, and why, and become digitally fluent at least from a business and finance perspective.Read about current technology trends affecting accounting and finance functions in this report.5. Understand the new labor modelCFOs at many leading firms are now embracing a new labor model for finance that is designed to meet the needs of businesses in the digital age. They are relying more on a flexible labor force that includes full-time employees who are focused on critical initiatives interim and project-based professionals who help to support them, usually for a finite period and other specialized resources that can provide additional capabilities and perform high-value work on an as-needed basis.The upshot for you as a potential CFO of the future is to understand this growing trend, and to know when, why and how you might apply this staffing strategy in your organization one day.Learn more about the new labor model for finance in this post.6. Work as a consultantFor many experienced financial professionals, consulting is an important step toward earning the kind of experience and expertise th at can help position them for a senior leadership role in the field. As consultants, they can work on diverse assignments, learn best practices, gain exposure to different industries, and maintain a flexible schedule - and accelerate their career progression.Businesses today rely on senior-level consultants to provide specialized expertise to key projects or business initiatives that can last weeks, months or even longer. See this post to find out more.Tap your professional network for guidanceThe six strategies outlined above are just some ways to build the foundational skills and knowledge that can help you to succeed as a future CFO. And remember, you dont need to go it alone Your professional network can offer valuable support and help you identify relevant professional development opportunities along the way.You might even want to explore setting up a mentoring relationship with a financial leader you know and admire. That way, youll get more direct guidance and feedback that can help you be more strategic in the steps you take to become a CFO.

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Office Assistant Resume Skills

Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Office Assistant Resume Skills Choosing Good Office Assistant Resume Skills Our resume builder gives you tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary. If this Office Assistant resume example was bedrngnis sufficient for you, youre totally free to review several other samples and templates from our website. The objective statement of your resume should highlight your capacity to do all these tasks. Fill the info in Administrative assistant resume skills sample document since it is simple to understand and covers all facets of the skilled and individual data. Furthermore, you can find out more about healthcare careers on Monster. Although its important to understand what the organization youre applying to is seeking, its also important to learn your own strengths so you can adapt them to suit the corporation. Companies are somewhat more comfortable hiring candidates that are part of a self-regulating organization. A professional applying for administrative jobs want to incorporate the skills in individual subheads. Since there isnt any formal training is necessary for this position, its all up to the candidate to make sure that they know what employer is expecting although employers prefer those who have a degree in geschftliches miteinander or related field. As stated in the former section, hiring managers are seeking candidates with a varied skill collection. Outside of experience in the field, it may be looking for bright candidates with at least a high school diploma or even some type of business degree. Using Office Assistant Resume Skills Before getting into the core of a work hunt, its wise to assemble a detailed plan, along the lines of a company program. It is possible to avoid my mistakes. The secret to successfully landing a job which you love is to produce a compelling resume that can help you stick out from the crowd. Great luck and receive the ideal job soon. Try out excellence in ev ery part that you do. The best sekretariat assistant resume will exhibit quite a few talents, such as managerial abilities, organizational abilities and data analysis and processing abilities. Do include main accomplishments if theyre regarding the place, and quantifiable. There are classes offered for dozens of Degrees within this area either partly or fully online, based on the program. The major distinction is the accomplishments. You will have to possess creative thinking ability to have the ability to resolve issues until they become full-blown issues. At precisely the same time, there are different people with the very same skills. Excellent ability to fix problems. Most Noticeable Office Assistant Resume Skills You dont require a college degree to engage in a job as an Office Assistant. An Office Assistant is a superb entry-level job opportunity for everyone who wishes to grow into the corporate way of life. Senior administrative assistant resume has professional ex perience category to supply thorough information regarding the job profiles previously. An attractive Administrative assistant resume summary is an ideal beginning to the vorstellungsgesprch session. Beyond a sheet of paper, you would like the manager to view how valuable youre. Do you understand what to have in your general office clerk resume. There are lots of ways in which you could change our office assistant job description example to fulfill your requirements. A straightforward and beneficial approach to present your abilities and qualifications for the office assistant job. The Nuiances of Office Assistant Resume Skills In the end, the volunteer work indicates a service mindset. The chief reason is that office assistants are the people who make sure the whole operational process in a provider runs as smoothly as possible. You are just about to compose the ideal office assistant resume For the very first time in your life, you will have complete well-being, dental, an d vision insurance. Youre searching for an office assistant who will be a very good fit for your organization, so dont hesitate to expand on the abilities and traits youd love to have in your office assistant description. An office assistant resume needs to demonstrate a broad range of skills. In reality, an amazing office assistant has to be a mixture of just about everything thats needed in a workplace. Administrative assistants should be skilled in the field that theyre working in. Based on the size of the business, a construction administrative assistant might be responsible for training and supervising other clerical staff. Be active in select social networking platforms like LinkedIn that is the professionals choice for networking activities. Attempt to do a little bit of research on the business youre applying to since the majority of the companies have various values. The online is similar to a big carnival. Add to and keep the customer databases.

3 Ways Hiring Will Change in 2016 - Spark Hire

3 Ways Hiring Will Change in 2016 - Spark HireHiring trends evolve constantly, especially as HR technology changes. Those who are involved in their companys hiring need to remain aware of these developments in order to ensure that their business remains competitive and continues to recruit the fruchtwein talented employees that their industry has to offer. With 2015 coming to a close, here are some hiring trends to watch out for in the new year Quality of hire length of time it takes to fill the position.In years past, hiring managers felt a lot of pressure to fill a role as quickly as possible. While this is still important, business owners are realizing that the quality of the hire far outweighs the length of time it takes to fill a position. With an increasing awareness about disruptive, constant turnover, hiring managers and CEOs are looking for employees to stay put for the long haul.However, despite this realization, businesses know that when positions are open for too long, i t puts a strain on the rest of the team. As a result, they will continue to turn to social media and other platforms in order to spread the word quickly about available jobs in hopes of cutting down the length of time involved in the hiring process.There will be an increased focus on developing talent internally.Promoting from within will become even mora important in 2016, as businesses begin to shift the focus even more heavily toward developing existing internal talent. While finding high performing individuals working in other businesses is great, its often easier to recognize the strengths of those already working in the company, as they are more familiar with company policy and protocol. This cuts down on training time and increases productivity.Company branding will become even more important.Businesses are realizing that in order to recruit effectively, they need to put a focus on their companys recruitment brand. How are they presenting the business to current and potential employees? What do people see when they research the brand online? What are the companys values and areas of focus?Many of the trends that will become dominant in 2016 have already started to emerge in 2015, yet theyll only become more important in the new year. Because of this, its important for recruiters to take note now and use these trends to shape their 2016 hiring strategies.If youre a hiring manager, how do you think recruiting and hiring will change in 2016? Share with us in the comments

The employees at this company arent allowed to wear shoes

The employees at this company arent allowed to wear shoesThe employees at this company arent allowed to wear shoesHow comfortable are you with seeing the hairy toes of your coworkers?This is the question being posed by Gusto, a San Francisco-based startup. What the startup actually does - helping businesses with human resource management tools - is less interesting than its unusual office policy, which may be a perk or a nightmare, depending on your stance on sweaty bare feet. According to the San Francisco Chronicles profile on the company, the company has a no-shoes policy.When you visit Gusto, you are asked to take off your shoes. To ease their transition into a shoeless world, guests are given disposable paper slippers. You will see Gustos 275 employees padding around their Pier 70 headquarters in slippers, socks or in the all-natural choice of bare feet.At Gusto, you need to take off your shoesHow did this policy get started? At the request of its CEO, who grew up in a shoes-o ff home.We want our office to feel like a home, to be comfortable and authentic, Josh Reeves, CEO and cofounder of Gusto, told the Chronicle. We started Gusto in a house in Palo Alto and had a no-shoe policy there, and we all grew up in shoeless houses.For some of us, the thought of showing off our feet off in all their sweaty, odorous glory would be too intimate. But for these employees, thats exactly the kind of informal, familial vibe the policy is supposed to inspire.Taking off my shoes makes me feel like Im at home, an unnamed Gusto employee told geschftlicher umgang Insider. It creates more of a family dynamic, which helps us do collaborative work as a team every day.If the thought of seeing your boss feet grosses you out, then maybe being a Gustie, as the employees call themselves, isnt for you.

Employee Benefits Can Strengthen Compensation Packages

Employee Benefits Can Strengthen Compensation PackagesEmployee Benefits Can Strengthen Compensation PackagesIn any industry, a solid practice for attracting the most skilled employees comes down to leveraging employee benefits to strengthen the compensation package. Building an appealing comp plan that offers leid only fairpay,but also a variety of benefits, can help any organization to beat out the competition. Comprehensive employeebenefit packages often include generous paid time off from work, dental, vision, healthcare, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, retirement savings plans and flexible spending accounts. According toPayScales 2017 Compensation Best Practicesreport, 44 percent of employers think they are doing a good job of paying their employees, but only 20 percent of employees feel the saatkorn. Many employers have plans to improve their compensation strategy, but it can be costly to do this for everyone. Creating an employee benefit program that includes multiple layers of affordable and flexible benefit options can offset ansicht costs, while still appealing to talent. Here are some steps your organization can take to improve the structure and sustainability of your compensation plan and benefits for employees. How to Put Together an Attractive Employee Benefits Package Creating an attractiveemployee benefits packagecan take a lot of research on the part of the company, but it pays off in the end. The keys are to find out what benefits are available today and what employees need or want the most from their employer. In this article, you will learn how to put theory to work with actionable steps. Learn the Industry Standards The first thing you must do is learn the standards of the industry in which your company operates. This means that you should find out what your competitors are offering their employees in their benefits package. This can be accomplished by speaking with employees at your company who came t o you from a competitor or by speaking with colleagues you know from other companies. Use data from several current salary surveys to investigate what related assignment rates and benefits look like in your market. Review your benefits offerings with a benefits agent knowledgeable about your field. Seek Feedback From Current Employees It is also important that you seek feedback from your current employees. This can be done by sending out brief email surveys asking what they like most about the companys benefits program and what is lacking. Another method is by using an internal employee engagement system that measures employee interest in benefits. Biometric information can also help you to see what benefits are being used and whats not getting much use. You should also talk to all of the employees who are leaving your company, whether for retirement or to work for someone else. This topic should be broached during theexit interviewso you can gauge why they are leaving and if i t is due to the benefits package you currently offer employees. Work With a Benefits Consultant Companies are becoming more inclined to work with a benefits consultant these days in order to put together an effective package. A benefits consultant will point you in the right direction, answer all of your questions, and even put together a package that meets the needs of your employees. Since they are considered an expert and they work with many of your competitors, they have an added layer of insight that you dont have. Ask for at least two options in benefit packages that can be voted on by a committee of your employees. Make Sure Legal Requirements Are Met for Essential Employee Benefits Privatehealth insurance plansfound in the marketplace must offer the same set of essential employee benefits to everyone at your company. These plans must cover emergency care, hospitalization, outpatient care, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse care, prescripti ons, rehabilitation, lab services, pediatric care and wellness services. This may change somewhat as health care reform continues in the USA, so be sure to have some flexibility in plans being offered. Defined contributions and bonuses can be attractive for employees trying to afford healthcare insurance. Communicate Employee Benefits in Compensation Offerings The next step in strengthening your compensation packages for candidates is to communicate this package when discussing compensation at the time you extend a job offer. Have this in writing and provide information on your employee benefits website and printed brochures. Design an Attractive Employee Benefits Package The benefits package must be attractive to look at for the candidate, not just a piece of paper with words written on it. Instead, make sure the document has pictures, graphs, and tables in it to provide the candidate with a plethora of information about all the benefits offered by the company. Include Benefits Overview in Job Descriptions and Advertisements Whenever your company posts a new job opening to a job board or to its careers page, be sure that the job description includes an overview of the benefits package available for that standort. It does not have to be an in-depth description, but it should convey what will be available in a way that will appeal to your targeted talent. How to Discuss Benefits in an Interview When you interview a candidate, make sure that the benefits package is part of the discussion. This will help the candidate know more about your company, the position and what you have to offer them. The benefits should be discussed in the firstinterviewwhen your interviewer gives the candidate the overview of the company and the job available. You can actually get away with discussing the benefits package and not the salary at this time. Retain Employees With Benefits If any of your employees are considering leaving the company for positions elsewhe re, you need to communicate to them that the benefits they receive are second-to-none. According to Colonial Life, 73 percent of employees say that understanding the benefits they have is very important. In the same survey, 37 percent of employees want information on their benefits that they can understand. As a company, you need to communicate as effectively as possible about the available benefits. Whether this includes creating a newsletter or informational pamphlet or holding a seminar for employees make sure your employees know what they have. In short, companies can attract some of the toptalentin their industry by offering a strong compensation package that includes various forms of benefits. When you perform a review of your benefits and find that they need to be updated, make sure it is a quick process that encompasses your current and future employees. Updated on March 31,2017,by Tess C Taylor

These are the Top 10 happiest cities in America for 2018

These are the Top 10 happiest cities in America for 2018These are the Top 10 happiest cities in America for 2018Do you have a good career going, but find that you are still unhappy? welches that jump from your collegeinternshippaying $8/hr to a full-time job at the same company really what made it for you in terms of happiness?Studies from Purdue have shown that money can help people become happier, but only to a certain extent. In fact, the happiest people in America, in terms of income, are actually those in middle and upper-middle class not the millionaires living in Silicon Valley.So what is the magical combination of life experiences and assets that make people the happiest and more importantly, where do they live?Here is a brief glimpse of the Top 10 happiest cities in AmericaSioux Falls, SDLincoln, NEOlathe, KSOverland Park, KSOmaha, NEBoise City, IDLexington, KYCary, NCMadison, WIWichita, KSObviously, there must be something more to Kansas andNebraskathan meets the eye. In f act, none of the Top 10 happiest cities are very large metropolitan areas like D.C.,New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.Curious about how the top 10 made the list? Wondering how you can capitalize on the factors that make those cities so happy? Read on for a more detailed look at the cities that made our list.How we came up with this listWe didnt just pull this list of happy cities out of our hats - we looked at the following criteria to determine where people are the happiestBeing well educated (Population with at least a bachelors degree)Having a job (As meaayad by the unemployment rate)A short commute to work (God do people hate traffic)Low cost of livingHaving a family (Getting, and staying married, has a ton of happiness benefits, on average)Thats a ton of fun - and happiness - for the whole family, backed by science. The data all comes from the most recent 2012-2016 American Community Survey.After we decided on the criteria, we gathered the data for the 200 largest cit ies in the country.We then ranked each place from one to 200 for each of the seven criteria with a score of one being the happiest. (Any ties were given to the larger place)Next, we averaged the seven rankings into a Happiness datenbankindex for each place, with the lowest overall Index winning the title Happiest Big City in America.Keep reading for more on why each of these 10 places made the cut - or just hop to the bottom for a more detailed look at these happy cities.1. SIOUX FALLS, SDPopulation167,884Sioux Falls, the largest city inSouth Dakotacomes in at number 1 in our ranking. So what makes this city burst with happiness?A very short commute and the extremely low unemployment rate would make anyone sing with joy. In addition, their incredible arts and culture atmosphere and beautiful parks make this city one of the best.2. LINCOLN, NEPopulation273,018People often wonder if anything really happens in the Midwest other than farming. Obviously, something good, because Nebraska and Kansas offer some of the happiest cities in AmericaLincoln is the capital of Nebraska and is known for their Sunken Gardens. Lincoln also offers cheap rent, lots of jobs, and short commutes what more could you ask for?3. OLATHE, KSPopulation132,787Olathe coming in at number three in our top 10 list was actually first in last years ranking. This sunflower state city is bustling with job opportunity.Olathe is also a married-couples center, with over 60% of the residents in this city are married. So if you are serious about getting hitched, perhaps checking out Olathe will bring you some happiness.4. OVERLAND PARK, KSPopulation183,775Moving back to Nebraska comes another go-happy city, Omaha. Omaha and Overland Park actually tie for fourth and fifth on our ranking, but what about these cities makes them so happy?Omahas great zoo, parks, and museums are not the only things that make residents happy. Omahas short commute and low unemployment rate also help make this city full of s miles.5. OMAHA, NEPopulation443,072Like Omaha, Overland Park is yet another Midwestern city that makes it to the top of our lists. It ranks 6th in unemployment and 10th in higher education for residents.Overland Park is the second largest city in Kansas and is full of great things to do, like heritage centers and Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.6. BOISE CITY, IDPopulation218,677Next in our ranking, we move to Boise City,Idaho, a city in a state known for their potatoes. Who wouldnt love being surrounded by an agricultural industry that can surround you with fries, hash browns, and mashed potatoes?In addition to the delicious tubers, Boise City ranks 8th for the commute. Idaho is also known for its ranching and connection to the infamous historicalOregonTrail.7. LEXINGTON, KYPopulation311,529Lexington comes next in our top 10 with over 41% of the residents having degrees. The average rent here is less than $800/month who wouldnt jump with joy at those rates?Lexington i s the second largest city inKentuckyand is known as the horse capital of the world. So if you are a horse lover looking for a happy place to live, check out Lexington.8. CARY, NCPopulation155,822Cary is known for their low crime rates, low unemployment, and diverse suburbs. It is also located in the Research Triangle Park area, meaning residents of Cary are close to a cornucopia of healthcare and tech jobs.Cary ranks high on many of our criteria 4th in higher education, 6th in unemployment, and 7th in married households. While Cary is one large suburbia, there is much nightlife and things to do in the surrounding areas including Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill.9. MADISON, WIPopulation246,034While Madison comes in 9th on our top 10 list, dont think its residents are unhappy. Like Cary, Madison has low unemployment and a high percentage of residents with higher education degrees, thanks to the University of Wisconsin.Madison is known for their vibrantmusicand culture scene. From musi c festivals to performing arts, you will be sure to find something thatll make you happy here.10. WICHITA, KSPopulation388,033Last but not least comes Wichita another Kansas city Wichita ranks 9th for commute and 12th for rent costs, making this a convenient and affordable city for anyone.Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and is the cultural center for Kansas. The city boasts the Wichita Art Museum, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and the Wichita River Festival, which brings over 370k visitors every year to the city.Happy readingFeeling happy that your city made it on our Top 10 ranking? If you dont see your city on the list, but live in a large U.S. city? Check out our full list below to see where you stack up. Perhaps all we need to do is move to Kansas. Who would have known the Midwest is a happiness hub?If you are looking to improve your own happiness, check out how you can help improve your personal factors housing costs, job satisfaction, income, and education.Zippiacan h elp you find a career that will help optimize all those factors in your life.Detailed list of the happiest cities in America for 2018RankCity1Sioux Falls, SD2Lincoln, NE3Olathe, KS4Overland Park, KS5Omaha, NE6Boise City, ID7Lexington, KY8Cary, NC9Madison, WI10Wichita, KS11Des Moines, IA12Little Rock, AR13Huntsville, AL14Lubbock, TX15Amarillo, TX16Spokane, WA17Fort Wayne, IN18Fort Collins, CO19Grand Rapids, MI20Pittsburgh, PA21Chandler, AZ22Scottsdale, AZ23Louisville, KY24Oklahoma City, OK25Colorado Springs, CO26Mcallen, TX27Columbus, OH28Greensboro, NC29Tulsa, OK30Frisco, TX31Knoxville, TN32Springfield, MO33Albuquerque, NM34Bellevue, WA35Gilbert, AZ36Laredo, TX37Syracuse, NY38Montgomery, AL39Plano, TX40Salt Lake City, UT41Mckinney, TX42KansasCity, MO43Columbia, SC44Metairie, LA45Eugene, OR46Buffalo, NY47St. Paul, MN48Raleigh, NC49Minneapolis, MN50Naperville, IL51Sunnyvale, CA52Corpus Christi, TX53Chattanooga, TN54Durham, NC55Winston-Salem, NC56Rockford, IL57Clarksville, TN58Virginia Beach, VA59Salem, OR60Irvine, CA61Brownsville, TX62Chesapeake, VA63Shreveport, LA64Peoria, AZ65Urban Honolulu, HI66Toledo, OH67Anchorage, AK68Tempe, AZ69Tallahassee, FL70Irving, TX71Nashville, TN72El Paso, TX73Cincinnati, OH74Fremont, CA75Rochester, NY76Lakewood, CO77Killeen, TX78Mobile, AL79Fayetteville, NC80Arlington, TX81Torrance, CA82Indianapolis, IN83Mesa, AZ84Akron, OH85Seattle, WA86San Antonio, TX87Reno, NV88Baton Rouge, LA89Columbus, GA90Aurora, IL91Henderson, NV92Warren, MI93Portland, OR94Fort Worth, TX95Joliet, IL96Arlington, VA97Austin, TX98Denver, CO99Dayton, OH100St. Petersburg, FLThis article first appeared on Zippia.