Published on: 09 July 2018
Last Updated on: 13 September 2024
A majority of companies use traditional job interviews when hiring. This involves having the interviewee coming in and meeting the interviewers face-to-face. This method doesn’t work, according to Simply, author of “10 Interview Questions To Ask To Find Your Next Retail Super Employee.”
To begin with, most people actually lie during interviews. They do it because, given the kind of environment created by traditional interviews, candidates are willing to do anything to get through.
Take candidates during an interview for a position in your company, for example. You ask them if they have a certain skill that you probably deem important to the job they are interviewing for. The candidates obviously know that if they admit to not having that skill, they will not get the job. So, they will most likely skirt around the topic and give you the impression that they are more than qualified for the job. As an employer, many of your candidates are spoon-feeding you these dishonest answers and, if modern data is anything to go by, many employees are eating this misinformation up.
We Have Too Many Biases :
It’s not just about the lies that interviewees tell you during interviewers. It’s also about the inherent psychological biases you have that make you more likely to favor certain types of candidates over others.
For starters, we tend to evaluate attractive people more favorably than others. We see them as being more intelligent than their less attractive peers, more competent and more qualified. The truth, however, is that this isn’t objectively true.
We also evaluate taller people in a different way that we evaluate shorter ones. Height is associated with leadership skills, and so taller people are evaluated as having greater leadership skills. Just look at the presidents we’ve had for most of our history and a majority of the CEOs at large Fortune 500 companies. Taller people also seem to command higher salaries than their shorter counterparts.
We tend to think of people with lower-pitched voices as more trustworthy and consider them to have more integrity and fortitude.
None of the biases above are objectively true. Short people can be leaders just as great as tall people, unattractive people have often proven more intelligent and competent than their attractive counterparts and people with higher pitches can be just as trustworthy as those with lower pitches. It doesn’t help, however, because these biases are ingrained in most of us.
If you somehow arrive at the conclusion that a candidate is an introvert, you will automatically assume they are incapable of leading teams, even though that isn’t necessarily so. Our inherent assumptions affect how we even question candidates.
The Future of Job Interviews :
This is why the future will contain very few traditional interviews. Instead, we will do more job auditions, where the candidates will be required to perform tasks related to the jobs they are applying for, much like the auditions musicians attend.
You can get a sales representative to sell you a product or a software engineer to build you a simple product. These will prove much more effective going forward, especially for jobs where performance and hard skills matter the most.
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Virtual assistant jobs are becoming common among professionals who want flexibility and independence.
If you want job flexibility but want to showcase your organizational skills, you can apply for a virtual assistant role. Generally, most virtual assistant positions give you the chance to have an excellent work-life balance.
In this article, you will learn general details about the virtual assistant job role. Apart from that, this article also consists of some popular virtual assistant jobs in the market.
Additionally, you will learn about the eligibility and qualifications for virtual assistant jobs. Finally, you will learn how to apply for such a job role.
Virtual Assistant Jobs: A General Overview
A virtual assistant provides administrative services to companies or clients. Basically, they operate away from the company’s office premises.
Generally, a virtual assistant can be a professional or an independent contractor. They operate from their home office. However, they can access all the important aspects of the company.
In general, people who work as virtual assistants have several years of experience as an administrative assistant or office manager.
Moreover, new opportunities for virtual assistants with social media and content management skills are coming up. Furthermore, companies seek virtual assistants with skills like blog writing, graphic designing, and internet marketing.
Nowadays, working from home has become a norm for employers and workers. Hence, the demand for virtual assistants is increasing day by day.
Top Virtual Assistant Jobs To Look Out For
Many companies are offering virtual executive assistant jobs and online assistant jobs to experienced individuals who can work remotely.
The following are some virtual assistant jobs you can apply for:
Virtual Assistant - Social Media Company: Live It UpJob Type: Part Time (25 hours per week) Salary: $5/hour USD Finance Assistant - Virtual R&P OfficeCompany: World ReliefJob Type: Full-Time Salary: $45T - $50T (Employer Est.) Virtual AssistantCompany: Travel To Freedom Job Type: Part Time (20 hours per week) Salary: Up to $17.28-$25 per hour Virtual Assistant Company: SF Global Consultancy Ltd. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $29,000.00 - $32,000.00 per year Mandarin Interpreter/ Virtual Assistant Company: Charter Group of Companies Job Type: Part Time (1-10 hours per week) Salary: $12.00 - $17.00 per hour Virtual Banking Assistant III - Plano, TX Company: JPMorganChase Job Type: Full Time Salary: Not Available Virtual Administrative Assistant - PT Flex ScheduleCompany: Melville Management Corp Job Type: Part Time Salary: $40/hour USD Purchasing Assistant (Remote - MI) Company: Otto Bock Patient Care, LLC Job Type: Full Time (at least 40 hours per week) Salary: $18.00 per hour
How Do Virtual Assistants Work?
Generally, nowadays, startups rely more on virtual offices to keep the costs down for their businesses. However, the use of the internet increases in such cases. Hence, there has been an increase in the rise of virtual assistants for businesses.
Basically, a virtual assistant is an independent contractor. Hence, when a business hires a virtual assistant, it does not have to provide the same benefits or pay the same taxes that they do for a full-time employee.
On the other hand, a virtual assistant is also different from a normal administrator who works from home. The latter is just another employee with the same compensation and tax structure for the company.
Moreover, a virtual assistant does not work onsite. Hence, the company does not need a desk or a workspace. Rather, the virtual assistant has their own computer equipment, workspace, software programs, and high-speed internet.
Essential Requirements Of Virtual Assistant Jobs
Generally, the duties of a virtual assistant vary according to the needs and demands of the company or the client. Apart from that, it can change as per the contract terms.
The following are some of the major requirements of virtual assistant jobs:
👨🏻💻Duties Of A Virtual Assistant
If you want to be a virtual assistant, you must learn about the duties of the job role. However, you must understand that a virtual assistant has no common duties. Generally, your duties can change depending on the needs and requirements of your client and the terms of the contract.
In terms of tasks, some virtual assistants handle clerical or bookkeeping tasks. On the other hand, other virtual assistants post updates on social media or write blogs for the company.
Apart from that, the company can also hire an individual who is well-rounded and can handle other tasks like travel arrangements, data entry, scheduling, file storage, etc.
👨🏻💻Qualification Of Virtual Assistants
To become a virtual assistant, there are no proper educational requirements. However, most companies prefer those individuals who have a higher level of education. Moreover, getting special administration and virtual assistance training helps a lot in this regard.
Apart from that, some online companies and community colleges offer certifications and courses on virtual assistance. Hence, if you are unsure where to start, you can look for various virtual assistant courses on top platforms offering professional skills.
Generally, a virtual assistant must be tech-savvy and have enough skills to understand various computer software and business platforms.
For instance, if you are good at bookkeeping as a virtual assistant, you must also be able to perform basic accounting tasks. These include account reconciliations and double-entry bookkeeping.
Virtual Assistant Jobs: How To Get One?
The following are the major steps you must take if you want to get a virtual assistant job for yourself:
1. Develop The Skills
Before searching for virtual assistant jobs, you must assess your current skills. For instance, it is really important to have skills like communication and time management. However, you also need technical skills like MS Excel, Content Management System, HR systems, and more.
Moreover, you must be willing to conduct research and know how to deal with clients. Also, check job descriptions to learn about specific software or processes you need to learn. If possible, get the necessary training for the skill you need to learn.
2. Create A Business Plan
If you want to work as a freelance virtual assistant, you first need to create a business plan. Once you write a business plan, it will help bring structure to your career plans. Hence, you can define your target market, services, financial goals, and more.
Also, you can include information about how to handle your clients. Moreover, you can focus on the pricing structure of your business. Apart from that, you also need to handle invoices and payments for your virtual assistance business.
3. Create A Home Office Space
You need a dedicated home office space to work as a virtual assistant for your business. However, you do not need an entire room for it. All you need is an organized and quiet space to work from.
Apart from that, you must also set up a phone line using a virtual phone system. This will help you take business calls.
4. Create A Professional Portfolio
As you grow as a virtual assistant, you must consider showcasing your skills and experience to potential clients. Also, make sure to get resume tips to build a professional resume for your job role.
Additionally, you can include client testimonials, past projects, and relevant certifications. Moreover, you can create work samples if you want to get client work at the start.
5. Develop A Strong Online Presence
Apart from having a portfolio of your projects and achievements, you must also have a strong online presence. This will increase your credibility as a virtual assistant. Apart from that, you also need to have active social media accounts and listings in business directories.
Moreover, you can build your online presence faster if you respond to potential clients. Furthermore, you can use online platforms like LinkedIn to network with other professionals.
6. Start Networking On Various Platforms
One of the most effective growth strategies is word-of-mouth advertising. This can help you grow your virtual assistance business faster. Here, you can contact your friends, alumni, and family and tell them about your services.
Apart from that, you must develop new connections. To do this, you can attend networking events, conferences, and seminars to help you network with other virtual assistants.
7. Start Looking For Jobs And Client
As you continue your interview prep, you must research quality clients. One of the best ways to get quality clients is to stick to top platforms. However, you must be proactive with your follow-ups and communicate professionally.
How To Get A Virtual Assistant Job Without Any Experience?
To get a virtual assistant job without any experience, you will need to do the following:
Start developing your software skills by learning about different software systems that virtual assistants use.
Learn how to create a business plan.
Create your own portfolio by working on internships and projects.
Build your network on top professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Basically, you must understand that most employers look for experienced managers when they want virtual assistants. Hence, it is better for a beginner (with no experience) to start as an intern.
Getting Your Virtual Assistant Job
If you are looking for a virtual assistant job, you do not need previous experience. However, it always helps if someone knows how to work remotely. Moreover, you can take courses to learn communication and administrative software to enhance your virtual assistance skills.
Do you have more suggestions on how to get a virtual assistant job? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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Is consumer durables a good career path in 2021? How many jobs are available in consumer durables? If you are searching for these queries, you are reading the correct blog!
Choosing your career path in consumer durables can be your best decision because it is highly rewarding, and the future is truly bright.
Consumers take irregular career paths, and they regret the same in the long run. This is the reason why you need to be very focused and alert while choosing any career path. Some of the other top career paths can be precious metals, basic industries, energy utilities, public utilities, hotels/resorts, etc.
Consumer Durables - What You Need To Know?
Consumer durables are also known as durable goods or just durables, are a category of consumer goods that do not wear out instantly and thus, do not have to be bought frequently. These are known as “durable goods” as they tend to last for more than three years and are the opposite of consumer non-durables goods.
Hence, in a more simple term, commodities that are purchased repeatedly over a prolonged period are known as consumer durables.
Examples of consumer durable are toys, medical equipment, jewelry, sports equipment, furniture tools, consumer electronics, books, automobiles, and much more. Shoes and clothing are examples of semi-durable goods.
Is Consumer Durables A Good Career Path In 2021?
The answer to this question is Yes. Consumer durables are a good career path in 2021. Most of the durable consumer companies are operating at 100% production capacity.
Actually, consumer durables consist of particular features that set them apart from other consumption expenditure items. Besides, in the European System of Accounts, consumer durables are defined as durable goods utilized by many households.
This sector is in huge demand at present, and even non-consumer durables are a good career path and you should know this at the earliest.
How Many Jobs Are Available In Consumer Durables?
There are many jobs available in consumer durables, and you must be aware of the same if you are willing to grow your career in this field.
Now, let’s have a look at the best-paying jobs in consumer durables. The following data is derived from LinkedIn.
i). Category Manager
The Category Manager is responsible for determining the positioning of a product category.
Here, you need to increase visibility, partner with Supply Chain to place appropriate orders, build relationships with vendors, develop exit strategies, devise long-term development strategies, analyze data to consumer trends and the industry.
ii). Sales Operations Specialists
Sales Operations Specialists is one of the top jobs available in consumer durables. Here, you need to support all the stages of the sales cycle and provide high-quality support as a part of consumer services.
You need to maintain a clear process for the sales team, accurate data reporting dashboards, prepare sales documents, and also handle all CRM records, deals, and contacts with input from the sales team.
iii). Product Development Manager
To get the role of Product Manager, you must have a bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing. At the same time, you must possess good communication and writing skills.
Besides, your main role will be managing pricing and promotions, utilize strong financial acumen, implement several activities and strategies, and build relationships with customers.
iv). Events Manager
The Events Manager works closely with corporate communications teams on activation opportunities and related events. You need to manage budgets and track all consumers.
Moreover, you need to identify opportunities for participation in key consumer events that will increase your exposure. At the same time, you need to build marketing initiatives via consumer-facing marketing activations.
v). Ecommerce Analysts
The Ecommerce Analysts are responsible for creating pathways to deliver profitable growth and annual revenue. You need to facilitate alignment across all eCommerce customers.
You need to manage all the eCommerce content testing roadmap for businesses, collaborate with marketing and product development, monitor trends in user behavior, and maintain a consistent flow of the work.
The Final Thoughts
Is consumer durables a good career path in 2021? Now, you know why it is regarded as a good career path among millennials in the USA and also other countries. You can grow your career in this particular field and acquired the skills that can be useful in other sectors as well.
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Is Major Banks A Good Career Path In 2021?
Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path
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It’s frustrating when your employees don’t perform as well as you hoped they would. If they’re productive, it helps in boosting the company. Their poor performance could pull the team down. Therefore, if you have an employee or several employees who are no longer productive, it should ring an alarm. These are some possible reasons and the things you need to do to solve the problem.
Concrete company culture also boosts your employees to feel more involved with their co-workers and more related to the company and their job. Building core values and having care for them is the support of an involved, productive workforce. Assessments help you decide who you’ll pick, and how and why you’ll do business – and with whom. It also gives the world what it can require from your business.
Even the most dedicated workers can be unproductive, but difficulties arise when productivity decreases across an entire department or workplace. Lack of potency can decrease output, performance, and value, and can also affect confidence and cause the work environment to become deadly. If you’re a company owner or executive who hopes to excite your employees and boost fertility, you must first know the underlying cause of your workers’ behavior.
Too many tasks
When someone in your team is doing a great job, you can’t help it but rely on that person to do almost everything. The problem is that you could end up forcing that person to accept extra tasks, and sacrifice the quality of results. Therefore, even if you trust an employee to excel and come up with a satisfying result, you can’t assign everything to one person only. Otherwise, that person could fail to deliver or have poor quality results in the end.
The company is not doing well
When the company is in terrible shape, it adversely affects the morale of the team. Some of the team members might even feel that the company might close any time soon. As a result, they don't feel the urge to do well. They think that their efforts will go to waste. It's important to remind them that it’s only hearsay. Tell them about the reality regarding the financial status of the company. You don't need to sugar-coat reality, but you have to give them hope.
If an employee is experienced enough but isn’t given the means or support she wants to do her work, the issue is going to be a bad product. Similarly, having a director who displeases to be a great leader or treat his companions with honor and class is going to shoo the most qualified people away. Workers will work actively simply when they seem like they mean.
The workplace is too stressful
The workplace is already stressful for a lot of people. They view it as a place where they have to do a lot of things and sometimes even take work home with them if they can't finish everything on time. It's even worse when you create a toxic work culture. Therefore, you need to make sure that you understand what each employee feels and follow suggestions on how to create a more relaxing space for them.
Employees aren’t robots and understanding that is key to optimizing potency. If you want to be sure your workers deliver their own most valuable, take a solid look at your organization’s environment and mark out these potency destroyers.
There have been several days of working overtime
When you have to meet a deadline, or there's a big evaluation coming up, the employees have no choice but to work late. Even if you don't want them to do so, you have no choice because the success of the business is on the line. You can make it up to them by organizing an event to celebrate the milestone. For large businesses, you can host a funfair. Everyone will forget about work and have fun with their family members and other employees for a day. Since it's difficult to organize, you can partner with a fairground hire specialist. If it’s too much for you, another option is to treat your employees to dinner. You can decide how to make them feel like you care about them, and you appreciate their efforts.
Employees who are happier and more satisfied with the task are more productive and more involved in the purpose of the company. Lack of the required capabilities and motivation also makes the employees unproductive.
Hopefully, these tips will transform the atmosphere in the office and encourage your employees to be productive again.
Read Also:
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Victor Mitchell, Serial Entrepreneur On How To Retain Your Top Employees While Growing Your Business
