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Smart Talk
Home Archive by Category "Smart Talk"

Category: Smart Talk

April 3, 2017
Smart Talk

Do you really need a 4-year degree for an entry level job?

 

One of the ongoing themes of these weekly blogs is the fact that the current college system is broken.

This system not only limits those who chose not to attend a university, but also a significant portion of those who graduate. The fact that employers tend to favor college graduates over those who did not attend university has not only saddled a large segment of the population with debt, but has also caused businesses to overlook many skilled employees.

There have been countless case studies and surveys conducted which have shown that in many cases graduating college alone does not properly prepare an individual to complete tasks at their job. There is no significant difference between the skills of someone who graduates from a university and a high school graduate in entry level positions.

Within the Bloomberg article “Do You Really Need a College Degree for That Entry-Level Job?” Peter Coy compares the job experiences of college graduates to high school graduates.

Because employers tend to respect candidates with college degrees more, graduates have an easier time receiving a position that high school graduates. However, 49% of recent college graduates indicated that they “didn’t have to go to college to acquire the skills they needed for their current jobs.”

This data might cause one to reconsider the college process altogether. If college does not prepare a young adult for an entry level position, then why are they placed at a premium?

The article’s second case study further proves that a college diploma may be overvalued. A new research algorithm (funded by the Rockefeller Foundation which was created to test employee skills) indicated that 83% of high school graduates without college experience performed at a level comparable with the average entry level employee at various businesses.

While we can all agree that there are several benefits to attending university, perhaps it is time for us to stop placing so much importance on it.

What do you think?

Read the Article  Share Your Thoughts

 

 

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SkillSmart
March 28, 2017
Smart Talk

Empowering You to Find a Job Doesn’t Sacrifice Your Happiness

 

The Smart Talk weekly blog posts and online job seeker articles are atypical from the common job advice you might receive from your parents in the past. Perhaps this reflects the changing mindset of the modern job seeker.

In the past, jobs were seen as a career, so you have to work hard to impress future employers knowing that this business could probably be your place of employment for life. However, the combination of distrust of big business, and the importance of happiness at your workplace has led to a new modern mindset.

Twenty years ago you may have gone into a job interview looking at the experience as a one-way relationship, now the you’re more likely to observe how you are being treated within the interview process.

While bill collectors wait for no one, and some still view the job interviewer as the party with all the power, a growing segment of the younger generation looks at employment as a mutual relationship: I provide a much needed skill, you provide me with respect and happiness.

Therefore when you read our weekly blog posts, we want you to read about more than just techniques to please your interviewer, or the right words to say during an interview. Here, you’ll find employee empowerment pieces. You will read about signs you should look for during an interview process, and what you should gather from them.

The current generation changes positions at a faster rate than previous generations, and if some continue to rush into positions specifically for a paycheck this trend will only continue.

So keep following us, and stay tuned for more tips and guidance on how you can prepare for a job that meets your budgetary requirements as well as your happiness ones.

Do you have any suggestions our other readers can benefit from?

Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
March 21, 2017
Smart Talk

Don’t Discard that Liberal Arts Degree

 

Students majoring in Liberal Arts fields are often undervalued. Relatively speaking, these degrees do not carry the same weight as medical or engineering degrees.

In an uncertain job market some look at these graduates as individuals who do not possess a certain skill to do a particular task. These are not graduates who can do an open heart surgery or write code for a Fortune 500 company, therefore finding a job after graduation for these students can be rather problematic.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers “only 32.6 percent of philosophy majors in the class of 2015 secured full-time employment by January 2016, compared to 65.7 percent of business majors” within the same timeframe.

However, this mindset may be on the precipice of change. Recently, Forbes contributor Renee Morad wrote an article titled “Why Mark Cuban Believes Liberal Arts Is The Future Of Jobs” in which the Dallas Mavericks owner is quoted explaining why Liberal Arts majors may be in demand in the near future.

Cuban theorizes that as technology advances some skills may become redundant. Cuban believes that society will give machines more of the tasks which we attend college for today.

This change will cause freethinkers to play a more integral role in the workforce.

Commonly overlooked skills such as communication, foresight, and critical thinking will be needed because these are skills which machines can not possess. This information would be welcomed by colleges, who in recent times have attempted to add more skills based courses to their Liberal Arts curriculums in order to secure more job prospects for their students.

What are your thoughts? Does this make you re-think your liberal arts choice, or reinforce that you made the right one?

Read the Article Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
March 14, 2017
Smart Talk

Position Yourself for the Job You Want

As job seekers we have all experienced this feeling before, you see an attractive opportunity but your previous work experience does not match up with anything needed for the position.

So, you end up doubting yourself, and ultimately do not pursue the position of interest.

During the question answer session titled “I’m Qualified For The Job — Just Not On Paper” Forbes contributor Liz Ryan explains how to apply for a position which you not seem – to the naked eye – qualified for.

First, Ryan asks her readers to do some research. If you can figure out who’s in charge of hiring the staff, you can connect with them directly. Next, you must brainstorm challenges that the prospective employer may have and is attempting to solve by hiring new staff.

Researching these points can be done by examining the company’s LinkedIn page or latest press releases. After you identify these issues, you must use your prior working experience to show how you have experienced similar issues at your last position in order to prove your worth to the new recruiter.

The personal experience does not have to be exactly the same, but must show that you used the same skills or thought process to solve the issue as you would use to solve the new company’s problems as well.

Then create a human voiced (first-person) resume, put your thoughts and research together within the form of a pain letter and submit both the letter and resume to the employer.

While you may not receive this particular position, the research conducted and thoughts compiled will only help you draft an even better letter the next time you see a position you want to pursue.

These are all growing pains on the road to achieving a new position of interest.

Here’s to finding a job that makes you happy!

Read the Article Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
March 8, 2017
Smart Talk

Is it ever okay to leave an interview abruptly?

 

As job seekers, we are sometimes too eager to settle for any position. This mindset can be destructive to future success and happiness. Usually before we accept an opportunity there are several signs that this position might not be the right fit, but we choose to ignore it.

A huge indicator may be how the interview process goes. While a positive interview process does not guarantee a positive future work experience, a negative interview process can be a tell tale sign for a negative working environment. So the question is “Why do individuals normalize, and stick through a negative interview experience?”

During Liz Ryan’s latest article “Ten Reasons To Get Up And Leave A Job Interview,” Ryan theorizes about this question, and provides her audience with several reasons that would justify leaving an interview.

Ryan’s basic premise is that individuals simply do not know how to remove themselves from a negative interview. Therefore, Ryan informs the job seeker that it is not disrespectful to simply excuse yourself from an interview if it is not what you expect. Ryan also states that if you do not feel comfortable abruptly leaving an interview, you can call the office, or send an email shortly after declining consideration for the position.

Ryan’s article explains more than how to end a negative interview, the article is multilayered. Ryan provides job seekers with several acceptable reasons to leave an interview prematurely.

While these reasons include everything from aesthetics to safety, most of her talking points revolve around a lack of respect exhibited by some interviewers.

If an employer continuously questions the legitimacy of your resume, perhaps this is not the best working environment. This can be a sign that you are not being taken seriously, and possibly will not be treated with respect.

If your interviewer arrives late, disorganized, or ill prepared, this may not be the best place to work. This behavior may be a microcosm the company’s overall shortcomings.

Remember it is better to pass on a bad opportunity and allocate your time looking for a better fit than to settle for the position at hand then find yourself leaving it shortly after.

Here’s to finding a job that makes you happy!

Read the Article Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
February 28, 2017
Smart Talk

Choose Happiness Over Money in Your Job Search

My first full-time job during high school was interning with the USDA. Students were guaranteed a position for at least the summer, and our productivity determined whether we would be kept on any longer.

I was stationed in the IT department which luckily allowed me the privilege of not having to be stationary for 40 hours a week. However the dim lights, older coworkers, and tedious work made everyday a struggle. In fact, if I did not make friends with the other interns I probably would have quit early.

I managed to make it through the summer and work a couple extra months, but when my partner informed me that she was moving to go to college, it was all the incentive I needed to move on from that position.

Sometimes I wonder if I should have stayed in that position, especially since one of my fellow interns stayed for 7 years, and enjoyed all the benefits of working for the government. However, Jules Schroeder’s article “Millennials, Don’t Make This Mistake When Applying For A Job” helps me tolerate my decision by explaining her first experience in an office setting.

Schroeder’s first full-time job experience was very similar to mine, however without having other young people on the staff she ended up quitting within two weeks. Schroeder is essentially explaining to the reader that you must seek out a job that you can be happy at, not one that is tied to financial success.

Studies have shown that our overall happiness is tied to the happiness we have at our jobs, therefore we should look for a position that brings us the most joy possible.

Here’s to finding a job that makes you happy!

Read the Article Share Your Experience

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SkillSmart
February 21, 2017
Smart Talk

5 Signs You’re Successful

Traditionally our culture measures success by the amount of or quality of material items that we have. Essentially, in today’s culture, a big house or luxury car equates to a successful life. However, you should ask yourself if this is a true barometer of your own life success.

Within her article “Five Signs You’re Successful — Whether You Know It Or Not” Forbes contributor Liz Ryan attempts to show why the measure of your success should not be identified solely by salary but other aspects of your job, and the relationships you forge.

Ryan’s first measurement of success deals with your relationships with upper management. She encourages you to ask yourself the following. Are you in an environment where you’re comfortable telling your boss their shortcomings or are you shackled by the weight of a possible termination if you voice your concerns?

Ryan’s second idea continues the idea of telling you to have a voice by explaining that you should never be afraid to speak up, and give the department fresh ideas. How can you be successful at your job without exhibiting self-confidence?

Ryan’s third measurement of success is that you should have a clear understanding of what they contribute to the team. You should have a defined role, and should not allow a co-worker to question your subject of expertise without proper cause.

Ryan’s final two ideas transcend the workplace but can also be applicable within the office. She believes that you should not limit your dreams and possibilities. You should allow yourself to set the goal of climbing the job ladder, and truly believe that it is achievable.

Ryan’s final idea is one that we should all follow in every aspect of life. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you. Ryan’s thought process is if we put ourselves in situations where we are loved, we will build confidence which will help us find overall success.

Good luck and let us know how applying these tips work for you.

Read the Article Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
February 14, 2017
Smart Talk

7 Phrases to Eliminate at Work

Seldom does an individual truly realize the power of their words. However, because words can have a positive or negative connotation, the words one uses can affect the tone of a statement.

While there are hundreds of articles analyzing the power of words within a relationship, there are very few that analyze how important one’s word choices are within the workplace.

Within her article “7 Common Phrases That Make You Look Bad at Work” Emily Moore provides the reader with common phrases that employees regularly use, and gives the reader an alternative phrase that may sound a little more appropriate within a job setting. Moore argues that by using these phrases, not only might one respect you more but you may be able to explain your thoughts with more clarity.

Do you think you could…

The first phrase Moore analyzes is “Do you think you could…” According to Moore this statement leaves the assignment open for interpretation. When asked in this manner it almost implies that the statement is not a necessity therefore one does not need to do it within the timeframe.

No big deal

Moore’s second phrase “No big deal” could possibly be the answer commonly given in response to her first phrase. However, the problem with this statement is that it gives one the impression that you are not busy, which could create issues if one is backlogged with work.

Sorry

“Sorry” is Moore’s third word of angst. Moore argues that the word is overused, and if one were to replace the word sorry with “Thank You” it would probably even be more effective.

Like

Moore also implores the audience to stop using the word “like” as a descriptive word within a conversation. Moore argues that it is juvenile and not effective.

Kind Of

She continues her attack on high school vernacular by ridiculing the phrase “Kind of,” arguing it’s not descriptive enough and also does not exude confidence.

Actually

Moore advises the reader to not use the term “actually”. She argues that if one uses this word prior to correcting a co worker it can come off as snarky and even condescending.

I just threw this together

Lastly, Moore advises her audience to stay away from the phrase “I just threw this together.” Moore argues that this is another phrase that makes the individual seem less confident, and may work to the detriment of an individual trying to establish oneself in the workplace.

Do you have phrases that have been helpful to you at work? Let us know.

Read the Article Share Your Experience

 

 

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SkillSmart
February 7, 2017
Smart Talk

10 Great Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree

 

pexels-photo-127873A couple weeks ago I wrote a blog detailing the misinformation about the lack of opportunities available for someone who didn’t have a four-year degree. This post is meant to highlight careers that are possible without a degree.

Contrary to popular beliefs, there are some high paying career options for those who do not want to be shackled with student debt and college loans. Here we list 10 of the highest paying jobs that do not require a college degree. This list is courtesy of Susannah Snider’s article “25 Best Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree.”

Unsurprisingly, the jobs on the list are predominantly in the Medical or Technological fields. While they’re achievable without a degree, they do require specialized skills which help advance their pay scale.

Radiation Therapist $80.2K
Dental Hygienist $72.3K
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer $68.9K
Web Designer $64.9K
Computer Support Specialist $62.2K
Occupational Therapy Assistant $57.8K
Respiratory Therapist $57.7K
Physical Therapist Assistant $55.1K
Cardiovascular Technologist $54.8K
Hearing Aid Specialist $49.6K

SkillSmart is designed to help our members identify, learn and improve skills. We help create a transparent career path in various industries. Register or log in now to see our latest opportunities, and the skills needed to be qualified.

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SkillSmart
January 31, 2017
Smart Talk

The Skills Revolution will be the Great Skills Equalizer

Over the last 30 years society has become more and more reliant on technology. This over-reliance has even crossed over into the workplace, but according to research conducted by the Manpower Group, this reliance on technology is not likely to translate into less jobs in the coming years.

The article “We Are Facing a Skills Revolution and Learnability Will Be the World’s Great Equalizer in This Age of Acceleration” helps to explain that as long as employees continue to acquire new, relevant skills they will continue to be employable.

Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO explained that “the desire and ability to learn new skills (will keep potential individuals) relevant and (help employees) remain employable.”

Essentially the future will mirror the past. Those who became familiar with technology, and computers early enjoyed an advantage during the early wave of the internet, and those who were not familiar with computers were forced to learn. The report even highlights the IT and Customer Service as growing industries.

Specifically, the report projects rapid growth in data analyst positions which require (individuals) to make sense of big data, and unsurprisingly HR departments who will be given the important task of finding qualified employees to fill these positions.

However, these feelings of optimism were not mirrored around the world where employers expect to cut staff as technology improves. Employers in India, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia all expect to reduce staff size, while employers in Italy, Guatemala and Peru view the idea of robots on the workforce rather favorably.

SkillSmart is designed to help our members identify, learn and improve skills related to technology. We help create a transparent career path in IT and beyond.

Read the Article

 

 

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