Enticing New Employees With Corporate Stability
by: Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC
Employment is on the rise and with it, the return to attractive compensation packages and salary levels. After several down years in the employment market that was the result of the normalization of an inflated stock market and the beginning of the War on Terror, employers are constructing compensation packages with an eye to drawing dedicated employees.
During the economic bubble of the late nineties, employers were in head-to-head competition with each other to offer benefits and salaries that would draw the best employees. For job seekers, that environment was almost a pick and choose situation in which they could nearly name their salary and benefits package. Many of the dot coms, flush with venture capital, were offering performance incentives that included sports cars, trips around the world, in-office massages, and ping pong tables in the employee lounge. The goal was to attract and retain quality employees.
Employees are looking for something other than Aeron chairs and Hermann Miller office accoutrements in today?s job market. Workers who were bitten hard by the post-9/11 reduction in force and layoff epidemic are looking more toward corporate stability as an attraction in a new employer.
?I was laid off three times in the twelve months after 9/11. Each time, the company had lost funding and run out of cash,? states Randy McEwen, a sales executive, ?Now I am just looking for a company that has a stable record of growth and a good future. Latte machines in the lounge are nice but I?d prefer a group insurance plan that includes dental.?
McEwen?s concern about stability and traditional benefits is not unusual among job seekers. With the rising cost of health care, insurance coverage tops the list of desired benefits. Corporate soundness is also a high priority as employees recover from the layoffs of the first half of this decade. Employees are less likely to apply to a company that offers stock options as an incentive since so many still hold worthless stock options from previous employers. The term ?pre-IPO? no longer holds pull with job seekers.
?Pre-IPO just means they throw lots of promises at you but no real benefits,? states McEwen, ?Give me a good 401K match instead.? Such cynicism is fairly common among professionals who were burned by start-ups. Caution is being exercised by job seekers as they seek to make a career step or change.
As a job seeker, what can you do to weed out the stable companies from the ones on wobbly legs? Here are a few tips:
Examine the company record. You should find out about the company before you go on the first interview. Is it public or private? If it is public, what is the stock trading at and what has been the performance record for the past 18 months? If it is private, how long has it been in business and how large is its market? This information will give you a starting point on gaining perspective and will also provide you with fodder for the interview.
Look at the market. Is the market the company services growing or shrinking? Is it a niche market with one large customer or is it broad and ripe with competition? Who is the competition?
Think like an investor. As an employee, you will be investing a majority of your life in this company; therefore, you need to think like an investor. Is this a company you feel is on the right path to success? Is the leadership sound? Are the numbers in the financials good? Do they have a high employee turnover rate?
What is in the benefit package? Benefits like 401K matching, profit sharing, and good health plans show a company cares about investing in its employees. These are the benefits that show the degree of value a company places in its employees.
Evaluating a company before entering into the dance of interviewing can save both parties a great deal of time and effort. Companies do not want to make a bad hire and job seekers do not want to sign on with a company only to have to start looking for a job again in six months. Doing a little homework ahead of time will serve you well.
About The Author
Alesia Benedict, CPRW, JCTC Published in 25 career books, Alesia has been cited by Jist Publications as one of the "best resume writers in North America" and quoted as a Career Expert in the Wall Street Journal. Serving as the Resume Expert for over 50+ organizations, she has numerous media appearances to her credit and is a frequent keynote speaker. http://getinterviews.com.
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7 Things to Know when Renting a Car
7 Things to Know when Renting a Car
by: John Mancini
In today's society, there are a number of reasons why people rent a car. Some of the top reasons are vacations, a car they own is in the shop and renting a nicer car for a special occasion. Whatever the reason that you are considering renting a car; there are some things that you should know first.
1- It is wise to shop around when looking for to rent a car. Always find at least three rental car companies to compare, although more will be better. Be sure to ask all the companies the same questions to get the most accurate answers. Most rental car companies will have websites online to find basic information, but it is best to call as local branches may have deals that are not advertised online.
2- When you call, be sure to ask about price, vehicle availability, as well as any specials that the branch has to offer. It is worth noting here, that many of these companies will have special...
7 Things to Know when Renting a Car
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Getting Discounts From Your Auto Insurance Company
Getting Discounts From Your Auto Insurance Company
by: Stu Pearson
Let?s face it an auto insurance company is a business that is created to make a profit and if we are not careful we might end up paying super high premium rates when we could have paid much lower premiums if we only did some research.
Here is a list that I hope will help car owners in lowering their premium rates:
? Safety devices against car thieves
Who would ever think that theft devices are valuable not only in guarding your car against thieves, but also in lowering your premium? Theft devices come in various types. Some are automatic while some need to be manually operated. All these theft devices provide extra premium discounts. In some states window sketching may also be a source of additional premium discounts.
? Multiple car discount
Let us say that you have two cars (for the sake of the illustration) that you want to insure with an auto insurance...
Getting Discounts From Your Auto Insurance Company
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5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money
5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money
by: Jeanette Joy Fisher
Most of us want a good credit report to obtain automobile financing, credit cards, and to purchase a home. But, beyond these consumer loans, your credit report can cost you in everyday living expenses. What you don't know about your credit could be costing you money.
Having a credit card means that you can order tickets, rent a car, and reserve hotel rooms. Besides these conveniences, your credit report can mean that you must pay higher deposits and fees for everyday services.
Did you know that your credit history can keep you from getting utility connections, good telephone rates, the best auto insurance, home owner's insurance, or even keep you from getting hired?
1. Some utility companies set minimum standards for service connections. If your report shows collection accounts for prior utility bills, you may not be eligible for service at all. And if utility...
5 Ways Poor Credit Scores Costs You Extra Money
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Online Health Insurance: The Truth About Cheap Quotes
Online Health Insurance:
The Truth About Cheap Quotes
by: Evan Davis
Looking for low cost health insurance quotes? Good. You are taking that most important step of shopping around for the best price. But more importantly, you undstand that it is important to have health insurance, and perhaps, even more importantly, understand that the real purpose of health insurance, as for any insurance, is protection. That is, you do not get health insurance to act as a sort of discount off the price of doctor and hospital services. The point of insurance is protection in the event of catastrophe. Yes, health insurance costs are high and continue to rise, but do not forget that the reason you are seeking health insurance quotes online--and even offline--is to insure you get the most protection (not discount) for the best (lowest) rate.
Getting health insurance quotes is now extremely easy with the use of the Internet. Take advantage of online insurance...
Online Health Insurance: The Truth About Cheap Quotes
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Journaling Your Work
Journaling Your Work
by: Doreene Clement
Keeping a journal is a proven, powerful tool to enhance and benefit not only your personal life and well being.
Journaling can also do the same for your work life. It is a way to record and track daily activities and thoughts, which can help with long term projects and goals.
You can record the what, when, where, and why of what is important for you, your career, and your company.
You can journal in a blank book, in your daily planner, on your computer, on cassette, or even on video.
Use the system that most fits and supports your routine.
Some Benefits of Keeping a Journal
- Set goals and resolutions
- Solve problems, revealing solutions
- See what you are thinking
- Understand habits and patterns
- Process and explore
- Reduces stress, helps focus, and organizes
- Can improve well-being, and makes time for you
- Creates...
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What To Know If You Are In The Market For A New Car
What To Know If You Are In The Market For A New Car
by: John Rivers
If you are in the midst of shopping for a new car then you need to know what you are doing. If you don?t take the time to learn the ins and outs of buying a new car you are going to get taken for a ride, an expensive one.
Here are the top tips to make sure that you get a deal on your new car:
Find out what kind of car you are looking for
If you walk onto the lots with a clear...
car insurance
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