How to Cut out the HR Middle Man

How to Cut out the HR Middle ManHow to Cut out the HR Middle ManHow to Cut out the HR Middle ManThe Internet has certainly made life and work easier for job seekers and HR companies. You no longer have to pound the pavement submitting your resume door- to- door or send them via regular mail which would take time to get to the Hiring Managers desk.courtesy of D.Ratushny unsplash.comToday you can take advantage of social media and online job communities to help you find a job. All you need to do is sign up for these services, open an online profile and wait.Within a few weeks, you might receive an e-mail from a recruiter which indicates that YYZ Company is interested in hiring you based on the skills listed in your online profile.What you should know is that the recruiter who contacted you does notlage work for YYZ Company. He or she works for a recruitment agency which functions as the middleman it matches companies with potential candidates for a commission.Recruitment agencies are c onsultants hired by various companies to help them find talent. Companies outsource recruitment work to these agencies because they do not have the expertise or the time to qualify the best people for their job openings.This is not the same as an employment agency. A recruitment agency connects you with a companies one of which could be your employer. But with an employment agency, the agency hires you on behalf of the company.You may not have known it back then, but when you clicked Send in your targeted companys website, your resume could have gone to the inbox of an agency.For companies, outsourcing to a recruitment agency is a more efficient way of getting things done. The company gets to save costs and focus on the core functions of the business.In the meantime, an experienced recruiter attends to its manpower requirement. For the job seeker, it widens the scope of the search. You can be matched with several potential employers.But does efficient recruitment translate to effect ive recruitment?Here are a few pitfalls of working through an agencyRecruiters are experts in the recruitment process but they are not experts or knowledgeable in the job offered by the employer.For example, if the job opening is for a developer with experience in Adobe Dreamweaver, the recruiter may not be familiar with this program. So how would he or she qualify your technical expertise?They are expensive if you are hired for $35 per hour, the recruiter is probably getting paid $70 for getting you that job. The $70 will be used to titelblatt commissions, profits, insurance and taxes.They could be shady wherever there are opportunities, scammers abound. At a time where unemployment levels are high and the job market is competitive, be wary of personalities who will take advantage of your situation. These scammers are out for the money. They will ask you for placement fees or upfront fees and you will never hear from them again.In the overall context of the recruitment process, goi ng through an agency may not entirely be efficient. Why? Because your resume is not delivered to the person who can decide on your employment The Hiring Manager.Thus, if you want to improve your chances of getting hired, cut out the HR middle man or the agency and find ways to send your resume directly to the Hiring Manager.Here are 2 ways you can eliminate the recruitment agencyUse LinkedInLinkedIn is the preferred social network of professionals. Even recruitment agencies use LinkedIn to search for talent. You may even have received invitations to connect from agency personnel.Heres a step- by- step process on how to use LinkedIn and get your resume directly to the right personIdentify the company that you want to work for.Visit their website and find the name of the Hiring Manager.LinkedIn will require an e-mail address for you to connect. If its not on the website, use an app called Hunter. All you need to do is find the LinkedIn profile of the Hiring Manager and Hunter will pro vide an e-mail for you.Send a customized invitation to connect. Never use the default setting of LinkedIn Your recipient will appreciate personalized messages.If your invitation to connect is accepted, he or she will expect to receive communication from you.Create a customized titelblatt letter with a compelling subject title such as Award Winning Web Designer Wants to Work for YYZ CompanyAttach your resume plus other relevant documents that will validate your qualifications.Hiring Managers know this is the reason they signed up for LinkedIn. They probably receive hundreds of invitations to connect and resumes delivered in this manner.It may take some time to get a response but at the very least you are assured your resume is in the right hands.NetworkSometimes you just need to roll up your sleeves and do old school networking.Identify the type of job you want and the companies you want to work for.Review your contacts list and identify connections who work in these companies or in the same industry.If you know them quite well, give them a call and invite them for coffee. If they are an acquaintance, send them an e-mail indicating your interest to find a job in their company or industry. Respectfully request if they could connect you with someone who can assist you.Attend job conventions, trade fairs and networking events. Human Resources people frequently attend these activities to source for talent. Make sure you have calling cards and your portfolio of work.Companies are also using technology to find talent. Programs such as Scaled Network match employers with candidates who fit their qualification guidelines.Theoretically, these automated recruiting programs are totenstill middle men in the sense that a fee or subscription is paid for the service and it does not assure your resume will go directly to the main decision- maker.The bottom-line is if you want to improve your chances of getting hired, bypass the recruitment agency and bring your resume straight to the Hiring Manager.Submitting resumes is not just about efficiency its about finding ways to get the job done.Author BioFelix Tarcomnicu is the founder of ResumeOK.com, a website that helps job seekers find better jobs by writing professional resumes. You can get in touch with him on Twitter.

Why You Should Look for a New Job Around the Holidays

Why You Should Look for a New Job Around the HolidaysWhy You Should Look for a New Job Around the Holidays If youre in the market for a new job , youre no doubt aware that the process of reading through listings, sending out resumes, and going on interviews can be time-consuming. As such, you may be thinking of taking a break as the holiday season approaches.In fact, some will tell you that the holidays arent an ideal time to look for a job. The reason? Many offices are understaffed and grappling with year-end deadlines at that point, so hiring often isnt a high priority. Furthermore, since many companies work with annual budgets, a large number of businesses might run out of funds for new hires by the time December rolls around.Still, that doesnt mean you should write off your job search entirely during the holidays. Keeping at it, in fact, might work to your advantage.Looking for work during the holidays might seem like an exercise in futility, but in some cases, it can work out really well. First of all, just because many companies put hiring activities on hold toward the end of the year doesnt mean that all companies uphold this practice. If a given business is eager to fill a role, it might continue vetting candidates and holding interviews even while its busy wrapping up year-end priorities. In fact, filling open positions might actually be a companys priority, so if you keep up your job search efforts during the holidays, you might find an opening and an employer thats willing to fast-track the hiring and onboarding process.Another thing to keep in mind is that you, as a job candidate, might have less competition during the holidays compared to other parts of the year. Many job seekers get busy with personal and family obligations during the holiday season, leaving them less vigilant on the job-search front and less available to attend interviews. Therefore, if you keep up your efforts at a time when others are scaling back, it migh t help get your resume noticed more quickly.Finally, while you might have some difficulty finding lots of open full-time positions during the holidays, because workers tend to take a lot of time off during that period, many businesses inevitably find themselves in need of temporary help . Therefore, if you see an interesting temp position become available, dont write it off, because if you do it well, it could end up evolving into a more long-term role.Though the holiday season certainly isnt the most popular time to look for a job, think twice before you put your search on an extended pause. You never know when a given company might be pushing to fill a role in time for the new year, and if you continue putting yourself out there, you could be the person who not only gets noticed for that job , but also gets hired for it.

How CFOs Reduce Stress in the Workplace

How CFOs Reduce Stress in the WorkplaceHow CFOs Reduce Stress in the WorkplaceStress in the workplace is an ongoing issue for everyone, but the top of the corporate ladder is no safe harbor from work worries. CFOs have challenges that go beyond managing their company financials, whether theyre dealing with critical deadlines, conflicts with coworkers, or finding the right people for their finance and accounting teams.The daily stressors CFOs face at the office often follow them home, said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. Most employees have lost sleep over work worries, but financial executives have the added responsibility of making aya everyone - including themselves - is performing up to par.Discover new research from Robert Half Financial Accounting that shows just what pressures are showing up in the C-suite. Here are eight actions CFOs can take now to help reduce job stress later, both for themselves and for their employees1. Recruit the right people for the job All managers can decrease stress in the workplace by hiring and building capable teams. Whether youre looking for a financial analyst, staff accountant or any other finance and accounting employee, you know about this industrys demand for top talent and the struggle to land new hires.Our specialized recruiting firm can help you assess your staffing needs and streamline the hiring process.2. Motivate and recognize your teamOnce you have your team in place, make sure to engage your team and reward job performance. Each employee will respond to different motivational techniques at work, but everyone likes to hear when theyre doing a good job. Dont hold back on genuine praise, which can go a long way to lowering stress levels. Consider low-cost ways to offer employee recognition.3. C onduct effective meetingsHold a team meeting immediately upon completing a deadline for all major efforts, including year-end, so everyone can celebrate what worked and vent about what didnt work. By hearing what employees have to say and documenting all the issues raised, you not only help to alleviate your teams stress, you also create a foundation for action plans to make important process improvements. 4. Address issues while theyre freshWorkplace conflicts rarely go away on their own, and fruchtwein will fester over time. If you feel tension with colleagues, reach out to them and work through whatever is causing their stress. Prioritize relationship-building. Invite coworkers to coffee or lunch and learn about their job challenges and areas of expertise.5. Be more proactive with planningBy mapping out your day-to-day operations along with new initiatives a bit further in advance for each upcoming quarter, your team has a better chance of anticipating challenges and setting rea listic goals for their workflow. Then when year-end rolls around, everyone will be better-equipped with the resources and energy needed to manage the additional workload and meet the deadlines without all the stress.6. Assess your training and technology needsNow is the time to analyze the effectiveness of your finance and accounting operations - from each team members skill sets to the software and technology you depend upon. Look for changes that could have a positive impact on the year-end process overall, such as automating a manual procedure, upgrading computers, evaluating workloads, or sending your staff to a professional development conference.7. Revisit your corporate cultureAre you cultivating a positive environment where employees feel respected and rewarded for their hard work? Are they fully aware of the companys big picture and what part their role plays in your business strategies? When people feel truly connected to the company, they will give a little more when you need it. A strong corporate culture means everyone is committed to achieving the benefits of success, and they also fully understand the consequences of failure.Taking time off from the job can help you recharge, and lunches and quick walks outside can refresh you for the rest of your day. Consider thanking your team with a few stress-reducing perks, like a professional neck and shoulder krpermassage at the desk or an extra day of comp time. Adding to your work-life balance can do wonders to setting a good example for lowering stress levels.Every step you take now can go miles toward making for a much smoother journey for your entire organization. You can ease the workplace stress - and get some sleep at the same timeThis post was updated recently to reflect new information.

We all have a little Elsa in us at work, says co-author of Frozen

We all have a little Elsa in us at work, says co-author of FrozenWe all have a little Elsa in us at work, says co-author of FrozenAt the age of 42, Robert Lopez is the youngest of only 12 people in history to earn entertainments grand-slam victory ofEGOT anEmmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award.Roberts career spans two decades of some of the best and most iconic songwriting out there. He is responsible for creating the scores and books of the Tony award winning musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon, as well as the songLet it Gofrom Frozen, which netted him and his equally talented wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez their first Academy Award for Best Original Song.Our question when we see someone so relentlessly successful and talented is how did he or she get to this point? What secrets did Lopez learn in the making of Frozen that relates to how you can be successful in a project? Robert talked to us about all of this before he welches being honored at the City University of New YorkInvest i n a Future Gala.Ladders You won the Oscar for Let it Go from Frozen, and its such an iconic and timeless song. What kind of secrets did you learn from the making of that when it comes to how to successfully work in your career?Robert Lopez We really had to lean in, writing that score, because the story was very different when we came inElsa was the villain and it wasnt right to be a musical. It just didnt feel like it would sing, and if we tried to be good and work within the bounds of what we were supposed to say, what we were supposed to do and who we were supposed to be please, it wouldve been harder for everyone to find the movie where we wanted it to be.One of the things that we learned is that it is good to lean in and disagree, and it makes you a motor in the process when you are able to bring a different point of view - and you know when to have that point of view and leid always stop everything. I think part of it was my wife Kristen being the braver one of the two of us, leaning into what it should be about and the two sisters and what its like to be a woman growing up. She drew from her identity.Honestly, do you think we are all a little Elsa at our job?(Laughs). You know, I think there is a little bit of her in all of us. I was always a perfectionist as a kid, and had my share of freakouts and that is how I found my way into her character. Outside of Frozen, you have done some amazing theater work including Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. Has there been anyone you have worked with that has left a lasting impression? Well, lets see. Ive been lucky enough to work with a lot of heroes, like Matt Stone and Trey Parker from South Park, who were my idols in college. I got to work with John Lasseter and the people at Pixar and Scott Rudin, these are just greats in the industry. Jeffrey Seller as well, who produced Avenue Q as well as Hamilton and Rent. I dont know, I wouldnt say anybody I wouldnt want to work with, but I wouldnt want to work on somethin g just for the money that I didnt like. Thats another lesson that you learn if you take a project for the money, just for the money in a creative setting, it is hard to fly. Because you have to make yourself happy as well as the audience.Youve had so much success in many arenas, how do you handle success as it comes?It is tricky, it is hard and can really come between you and what makes you an artist. Its a constant process of therapy. Its nice to win awards - but it is nice to put them in context and not buy your own hype. It is hard to not start thinking of yourself as a thing, you are still yourself.We all have the naysayers in our life, whether they are coming from a place of love or the other way around. How do you handle these sorts of people?I tune them out. There were a couple of toxic relationships when I started working and it was hard to let them go because you feel like you needed them. You feel, at least I felt, scared that I would fail without the person. Letting go o f those toxic relationships, as scary as it is, it leads to a better life and even though its painful, because we all have them, but if you can and find the courage to do it, it pays off.And finally, for success in any sort of career that includes a great deal of longevity and prosperity, what is your best advice?Some of it is just being there. Being in the right place at the right time which you cant control that, but you can control how you put yourself out there. So, they say never say no to going out somewhere with people,or never say no to going to some industry thing,and if you are like me, a little bit shy and a bit of an introvert, it is good to find a partner who brings that out in you, which in my case is Kristen.

Notes on Career Generator in Simple Step by Step Order

Notes on Career Generator in Simple Step by Step Order Personal qualities, experience and interests associated with the career field ought to be detailed too. A career aspiration statement may also include interests and techniques associated with the desired career field. If you get a particular career in mind, check to determine if you are going to need specific A Level subjects. Your career or degree ideas may change so make certain you choose subjects which you enjoy and can succeed in. What a business school gives is a means to manage risk, a way to construct your network, Davis said, a means to get mentoring that you cant receive any other way. Think About What Kind of Lifestyle You Want Ultimately, if you want to establish a career which will allow you to live the lifestyle youve always wanted, then youll want to be selective and pick a path thats conducive to that type of reality. The important thing, if you do make the decision to do a gemeinsame agrarpolitik year, is to make certain to do something worthwhile. Try and imagine where you wish to be in five or ten decades, and find out the very best approach to receive there. When you come to us, you find the best prices on the summary you require, and thats truly how we get the business done for you. You would like to land a great job which pays well. Wind technicians are also accountable for administration of the website. If a challenge is detected, wind technicians must go to the worksite and carry out as-needed troubleshooting, repair and assistance. Working at Vestas you will meet people who have a broad selection of skills, from a selection of cultures and we are always on the watch for more talented individuals. Research has indicated that a lot of the different Personality Types generally have distinct preferences in their selection of careers. When it has to do with stumbling on career paths which you would normally never think of, few methods are somewhat more effective than simply spending a whole day reading career blogs. If consistent employment is among your top priorities, attempt to find occupations that have an extremely low rate of employment. Top Choices of Career Generator 1 big indication that Generators should keep an eye out for as an indication which they are responding and operating correctly is synchronicity. All you need to do is visit a site or app and finish a set of tasks. You might think of new suggestions to address your new issue. In case you have any tips on how we might improve it, please dont hesitate to get in touch with us with your input as we always strive to give the best generators possible. Chancing upon a business in the Greater Houston area at which you can buy a generator or tankless water heater may not be excessively hard. A list are available here below. Such information is just collected from you whenever you voluntarily submit it to us. This information will allow you to begin on the perfect path. The Advantages of Career Generator Learn about a few easy team mottos and the way it is possible to create an amazing team motto for your team. You wouldnt need to choose one that doesnt signify or reflect the essence of the team. NEWOLDSTAMP team is prepared to help you produce custom-made email signature with the assistance of which you will readily differentiate yourself from others. Whether you need assistance finding the proper path for you or wish to learn a little bit more about your working style that will help you enhance the job you presently have, theres guaranteed to be a career quiz for you. The Advantages of Career Generator Entrepreneurial spirit is just one of four pillars of the Huntsman School, or so the creation of the center is only going to add to achieving that goal, Glauser stated. Choosing a long-term career path can be a difficult choice to make because it is going to determine what youre likely to be doing for the near future. When you are in possession of a simple career path chosen, you may add specifics to it. To begin with, you have to look within yourself at your present pathway and your proposed destination. The Chronicles of Career Generator Concentrate on the tools you need You could have a list of organizations you wish to work for or titles you want during your career. Performance counseling (also referred to as developmental counseling) is the sort of routine, periodic counseling given by the supervisor to his Soldiers. Liberate your thinking you are going to be in terrific business. There are just a few companies which produce wood gasifier systems commercially.

Swing for the Fences Mentorship Matters in Your Sales Career

Swing for the Fences Mentorship Matters in Your Sales Career Bottom of the ninth inning. Two outs. Full count. Score tied. Runner on third base.I stepped up to the plate, planting my cleats into the clay. Getting into my batting stance, I faced the pitcher glaring at his eyes as I loosely gripped the wooden bat and anticipated the pitch. Would it be a fastball, careening down the middle, or would it be a curveball, spinning toward home plate? Whatever type of pitch, I needed to be ready for anything.The game is on the line, I reminded myself in my head as beads of sweat trickled down my forehead. Lets bring one of the boys home and get the win.The pitcher wound up and threw a stinging, 90-mile-per-hour fastball. My favorite kind of pitch. Taking one step forward with my left leg, I forced my bodys entire strength into slugging the ball airborne toward the wall. The wooden bat cracked like a splitting timber, and, upon contact, my kollektivmate lunged off third base like a sprinter.Go, go, go, I yelled in my head to the ball as it beautifully spun against the dark summer sky. Go, go, go.The fans quickly rose from their seats and cheered as they saw the ball sail over the fences. Home run. Game won.Im a former professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, having played with the organization as an infielder from 1978-1980. There welches nothing better than playing for my hometown kollektiv and learning from some of the Soxs greatest players, such as Ted Williams and Carl Yaz Yastrzemski legends I grew up watching as a kid.My love for baseball began when I was a little kid. I loved being outside and playing catch with anyone who would toss a ball with me. If I could field a few grounders from someone, even better. My Little League years in Westwood, Massachusetts, turned into collegiate years at the University of Maine in Orono, playing the infield.I was drafted by the Red Sox in June 1978. Ill never forget that moment, sit ting around the kitchen table with the Red Sox scout and my entire family, including my grandfather a huge Sox fanatic as I signed my contract with the team. It was an unbelievable feeling of elation as I began turning a passion into a career.Playing professional baseball created mora memories than I couldve imagined. Ill never forget when Ted Williams helped me improve my swing (Keep your head still, use your hips, and swing with a slight uppercut, he said to me), or when I watched Yaz take batting practice in the cages at 8 a.m. at spring training after more than 20 years in the big leagues. These experiences helped me learn a lot about teamwork, dedication to your job, practice, and not taking anything for granted. At the end of the day, it took the whole team to secure the victory and thats true in my career today.When it came time for me to hang up my jersey, I naturally gravitated toward working in sales. Sales is just like baseball it takes an entire team to nurture prosp ects or strengthen client relationships, it mandates hard work to achieve the required results, and it creates a journey thats thrilling to pursue.Over the course of my 25+ years in sales, Ive found that success lies in drafting the best team. For me, its all about finding the right players who understand what their job entails and what it takes to achieve goals. When I recruit players for my team, I make sure theyre coachable. Will they put in a lot of preparation? Will they be organized in their work? Will they have the energy and the passion for their prospects, their customers, and their company? Are they open to feedback to help improve their performance?Most importantly, they need to be a team player. They must be willing to help other members of the team improve their skills and undertake any tasks asked of them, no matter if those initiatives seem too small or outside their job description. My team is only as good as the people on it. Theyll have opportunities to thrive an d take on more challenging initiatives, and theyll have opportunities to learn from their mistakes. Thats the thrill of the chase.In baseball, striking out is part of the game. In fact, Ive struck out more times than Ive gotten on base. Thats life. What makes the biggest difference is a positive attitude. After all, a batting average in the 300s is considered excellent in baseball and that equals hitting the ball roughly 30 percent of the time when at bat.To attain the highest possible batting average, sales teams always need to prepare as much as possible. Theyll need to study everything about prospects or customers to understand their business models, their company objectives, their competitive stances, and their market strategies. Ive found that the more you can anticipate in advance, the more youll connect when entering the batters box meaning, the more youll get on base and the more of a successful youll become. In todays highly competitive environment, its crucial to gather as much information as possible to perform at the best possible level and deliver to prospects and customers.I cant even begin to count how many times I relied on leaders to help me improve my game like that time Ted Williams taught me to improve my swing, or seeing Yazs dedication to his craft in the cages after all those years. Its players like Williams and Yaz who can help turn good players into great players by sharing what theyve learned about the game. While practice is an essential element of success, mentorship is an even more important component.When were faced with high-pressure situations like stepping up to the plate with the game on the line, pitching a marquee prospect, or leading an important client meeting I tell my team to practice every part of the game, including the areas that dont naturally come easily. One simple way to do this is by finding a mentor someone whose business and leadership skills you admire. Proactively seek them out and let them know that yo u want to become better at prospecting, account management, or client relations whichever skill you want to hone. Dont think that you have to do it all yourself. Mentors and leaders are here to help. Theyre here to coach you to victory.Whenever someone asks me for advice about how to succeed in sales, I tell them a story I heard when one Red Sox pitcher arrived in Boston for the first time. He stepped off the bus and asked someone on the street for the best way to get to Fenway Park. That persons reply? Practice, man, practice.If youre willing to practice and rely on the wisdom of the leaders you aim to follow youll be able to hit home runs and develop an all-star sales career. Step up to the plate, face the pitcher, and swing for the fences.Jimmy Fabiano is a managing director, enterprise solutions, for Bullhorn.

What it Takes to Become a Victims Advocate

What it Takes to Become a Victims AdvocateWhat it Takes to Become a Victims AdvocateMost people who choose careers in criminal justice or criminology do so because they want to make a difference and to help other people. Some of the most vulnerable people and those most in need of help are victims of crimes. For criminal justice job seekers who have a passion for assisting those most in need, a career as a victim advocate may be exactly what youre looking for. Short History of Victim Advocacy Until recently, nearly the entire history of criminology was focused on studying the criminal why he commits crime, where he does it, who he does it with, and how to catch him, punish him and stop him from doing it again. Though certainly law enforcement officers and prosecutors were sympathetic to crime victims, the focus of their energies most often went toward the prevention and prosecution of crime, with little concern or understanding of what the actual victims felt or needed. This bega n to change after World War II when victimology emerged as an area of interest and study for sociologists. A subset of criminology, which studies crime and its causes, victimology advanced the study of crimes effects on victims. Over time, researchers began to uncover relationships between successful - or unsuccessful - prosecutions, and the level of trust victims and witnesses had in their law enforcement and judicial systems. Crimes were going unreported, and witnesses were failing to cooperate when they felt as though their needs werent being met or even considered. At the same time, crime was beginning to be viewed partially a result of the failure of the state to properly address issues that lead to it. It helped advance the notion that victims were deserving of compensation for their physical and emotional losses. The 1970s and 80s saw the development of advocacy programs, helping to place the emphasis of criminal prosecution on the victims. These programs served to help victi ms get compensation and closureand lead to the rise of victim advocacy as a vital career field within the criminal justice system. Job Functions and Work Environment Victim advocates work within nearly every component of the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies employ them to serve as liaisons to investigators as they work cases. Prosecutors and district attorneys maintain victim advocacy offices to help victims and witnesses navigate their way through the legal process. The courts use victim advocates to help determine issues regarding restitution and sentencing. Perhaps the most important function victim advocates serve isthat of providing support and guidance to victims of crimes. The investigative and legal process can be very confusing and hard to understand for those outside of the industry. Moreover, for police officers, detectives, and attorneys, investigation, and prosecution of crime is an everyday occurrence, whereas for victims it is often their only int eraction with the criminal justice process. This disconnect can sometimes foster poor communication and misunderstandings that victims advocates can bridge and mend. They provide sensitivity to the process that may otherwise not exist. This can be evidenced in their careful handling of delicate situations such as orchestrating court hearings to minimize a victims contact with a suspect or in their caring counsel. Victim advocates may offer counseling services, make arrangements and accommodations for court proceedings and give advice and support throughout the entire process. They assist victims and witnesses in receiving compensation and help them better understand what to expect during the investigation and prosecution of crimes. Victim advocates also provide training and advice to law enforcement agencies and officers on how to provide better services, communications and assistance to victims. The job of a victim advocate often includes Counseling victims and witnesses.Case manag ement assistance for victims and witnesses.Arranging accommodations for meetings and court hearings.Serving as the point of contact between victims and criminal justice entities.Fostering cooperation between law enforcement, prosecution, victims, and witnesses. Victim advocates work very closely with law enforcement officials, as well as attorneys, judges, and other criminal justice professionals. They may be called to give talks and to work closely with other groups and organizations, such as domestic violence shelters or child advocacy groups. Advocates may work with both children and adults. They are often called upon to respond to scenes of crimes to provide counseling services and advice immediately. Many states require that victims and witnesses are provided information about their local victim advocate offices in the event of a crime. Education And Skill Requirements Education requirements may vary from state to state or even district to district. Generally, however, aspi ring victim advocates should hold a minimum of a bachelors degree in criminal justice or a four-year criminology degree, as well as some training in counseling and psychology. A masters degree is often preferred. They need to be knowledgeable of the criminal justice system and of the legal process, and especially of the processes within their district or circuit. Victim advocates need to have strong interpersonal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with people of all levels of education and background. They must be sympathetic, understanding and patient. Many employers require prior experience in a counseling or advocacy role. It can be accomplished through volunteer work at a shelter or other service organization or through past employment in social work, education or even law enforcement. Job Growth and Salary Outlook While victim advocacy is still in its relative infancy as a profession, opportunities may become more available as offices expand and evo lve their roles. Aspiring advocates may need to be willing to move to find work, but nationwide, there remains solid potential for employment. According to data from Indeed.com, victim advocates can earn between $24,000 and $70,000 per year. On average, advocates earn around $53,000 annually. Is a Career Right for You? Patience and compassion are the anthroponym of the game in victim advocacy. Often, advocates must deal with people at the worst and hardest times of their lives. It takes sympathy and empathy and a very caring heart. It is not a job for everyone it takes a very special person to take on the role. However, if your goal is to help others and provide the compassion, the assistance, and advice they need to move forward, then a job as a victim advocate may just be the perfect criminology career for you.

Reduce Stress for Nurses with a Healthy Workplace Culture

Reduce Stress for Nurses with a Healthy Workplace CultureReduce Stress for Nurses with a Healthy Workplace CultureReduce Stress for Nurses with a Healthy Workplace Culture ConlanNurseshave a tough job, no matter where they work. Yet a toxic workplace culture can make it especially difficult for nurses to provide top-level care.A recent survey from the American Nurses Association found that up to half of nurses said they had been bullied in some manner, either by a peer (50 percent) or a person in a higher level of authority (42 percent).The issue is so important that the ANA included workplace bullying in its 2015 position statement, says Holly Carpenter, a policy associate for nursing practice and work environment at the ANA. As the position statement says, the nursing profession will no longer tolerate violence of any kind from any source.unterstellung expert tips can help you create a better workplace culture for every nurse at your health care organization.Get Buy-In from All Lea dersChange starts at the top, so make the case to department and organizational leaders about the importance of a more supportive work culture. Enlist respected nurses who might be willing to share their stories about what theyve experienced in the workplace.Leaders must communicate, model and enforce desired behaviors, says Addam Marcotte, vice president of organization development for San Diego-based FMG Leading, a consulting company. That includes everyone from the chief medical officer to physicians to charge nurses, Marcotte says. People must see that those with supportive behavior are the ones who get promoted, and those who poison the well get let go, he says.Create and Communicate PoliciesNursing is a high-stress profession where workplace violence, inadequate staffing levels, fatigue, heavy workload and other unhealthy risk factors are not uncommon, Carpenter says.These issues can lead to abusive behavior, nepotism and opportunism. To avoid these issues employers and nurses must work together to develop appropriate bullying-prevention policies and programs.Even if an organization has policies in place to prevent workplace bullying, they may not be clear or enforced, Carpenter says. Make sure you communicate your anti-bullying policies clearly, consistently and frequently.Employers must create and enforce a zero-tolerance policy and program regarding bullying that is transparent, applicable to all cases of bullying and allows for corrective actions, she says.Include Staff in DecisionsPeople who feel like they arent heard may act out in an effort to gain some control over their work. On the other hand, staff who are heard and included in decisions about their work and patient care are less likely to be bullies, says Marilyn Stoner, professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino. In addition, they are likely to have happier patients and fewer occupational issues such as compassion fatigue.One way to combat this is to create teams or pa nels. Include rank-and-file nurses to address workplace issues and find solutions, says Stoner. While youre not obliged to adopt every suggestion, try to find ways to make changes that help everyone.The most important aspect of building a healthy workplace culture is the inclusion of staff in organizational decisions, Stoner says.Instill Core Values during OnboardingMarcotte points out that the tone of your workplace culture is often established during orientation and onboarding. Remember that each new hire is an opportunity to shape the desired culture.The way new nurses are brought into a healthcare system will greatly influence the way they show up and treat other staff, Marcotte says. Messaging about core values and how we work around here are vital at the very beginning.Throughout the application and onboardingprocess, be sure to highlight information about your companys core values be sure that current employees are able to articulate and display them as well. Include informat ion about your workplace bullying policies during orientationand during thetraining process, Carpenter says.Neutralize SchedulingThe work schedule is a significant symbol of power in nursing culture and should not be underestimated, Marcotte says. When done poorly, it can become a tool to punish or bully outsiders or reward those who are in favor, leading to factions and resentment. He recommends that the person responsible for the monthly schedule be someone who is seen as neutral in the department, with no allegiances, preferential treatment or agendas.Mentor Young NursesMentoring new nurses is a great way to ensure your workplace culture for nurses is passed on to new employees. An ideal mentor will instill confidence and respect in and for the new nurse, providing all relevant information on bullying-prevention policies, programs, training and reporting processes, Carpenter says.Sharing stories about workplace bullying and how it was resolved can be particularly helpful for new nurses. Train mentors to be aware of their interactions and communications with others, recommends Carpenter, particularly when mentoring new nurses, so they can serve as effective leaders who model the organizations culture.

Frequently Used Training and E-Learning Not Effective, Reports Survey

Frequently Used Training and E-Learning Not Effective, Reports Survey Frequently Used Training and E-Learning Not Effective, Reports Survey The use of traditional training courses dropped 9 percent between 2011 (87 percent using the method) and 2013 (78 percent). Use of E-Learning increased by 2 percent over that two year period, from 68 percent in 2011 to 70 percent in 2013. Traditional training failed to ascend to the top-five list of fruchtwein effective career development methods for employees at the level of director or above for 2011 and 2013. Traditional training has fallen from the most effective to the second most effective for all other employees (50 percent voted it most effective in 2011 compared to 31 percent in 2013). E-Learning is also not ranked in the top-five most effective methods for any level of employer for 2011 or 2013.The survey included 202 valid responses and full findings will be released in early 2014 at www.insala.com.