Employment and Career Resource Blog

* what are the changes in the workforce

* what they can do about it when implementing changes in their policies

* how to attract and retain talented employees

As an employee you want to select those companies that have taken an initiative to amend their programs regarding working environments, educational incentives, and diversified retention programs.

* In many of the urban communities, two thirds of the population are considered to be minorities.

So, what are employers doing to recruit, retain, educate and change the work environment to attract this workforce? Here’s what some of the best companies in America are doing.

• Care for an ailing family member
• To care for a new-born child
• For general medical leave from the jobMany employers have in the same vein provided for this law by doing the following:
• Extending longer family leave time, than mandated by federal law
• Providing for onsite or backup childcare
• Job sharing programs to permit family members to take extended days off
• Flexible time to start at varied hours or four day work weeks
• Enhanced productivity incentive awards, whereby reduced hours resulted in improved efficiencies
• Provide support and Employee Assistance Services to deal with personal issues and problems that arise out of taking care of a newborn or an aging family member.

• Companies are creating training programs that improve upon management’s ability to deal with workforce directional changes, and are enhancing managerial training in sexual harassment and diversity training. In addition they are investing significantly in employee training and in some cases providing over one full week of training for each employee regardless of level.
• Companies are instituting project teams designed to recommend/implement improved working conditions, which result in improved efficiencies.
• With unemployment hovering at a 30-year low, companies are attempting to also keep good workers at all levels. A very popular way is in providing options to ensure stock option exercise periods over time. Some are even going so far as to ensure job security.
• But more practical approaches are recognition programs and as noted above, improved working conditions and respect for family issues.
• Benefits programs are on the top of the scale, including significant matches in deferred compensation programs.
• On site day care, beauty care, dry cleaning, shoe repair

• The Internet — you can define your search via associations, work groups, web sites that address a certain business or background.
• Job fairs are being conducted in various cities, so as to attract aging or minority candidates.
• Certain educational institutions (due to the attraction to various segments in the workforce), are being targeted for on-site recruitment. In addition, such institutions host and have a following via alumni associations.

• Reductions in turnover
• Improved productivity measured by cost-effective programs, which resulted from continuity in employment and a more matured workforce
• Reductions in hiring costs
• Measured by performance rating averages generally going up
• Reduced safety issues
• Less incidence of absences due to work/family stressSo if you have not already done so, as an employer, look at the demographics of your employees and determine if you have sufficiently prepared yourself for the changing environment and have provided changes in your policies and practices that encourage the changing workforce to stay with you.

  Look for our next article on how as an employer you can design an effective internal job posting system to support internal mobility and to how you as an employee should pursue internal job opportunities.

You are now in business for YOU. The business is to find a job!

• Globalization-As a result, there are significant changes due to world impact, such as far reaching technology, computers, changes in economic currencies, and time management across foreign regions. In the gaming industry, Casinos are in locations all over the world, but they are faced with the impact of ensuring that the people they recruit in one country are versatile. Therefore, if you have the following characteristics in your background, make sure you include this information visibly in your resume and discuss them in the interview:Think About It: You are ready for the Casino that is expanding in other countries provided you are:

  -Mobile

  -Multilingual

  -Sensitive to cultural differences

  -Traveled or Lived Abroad

  -Can easily convert currencies

• Operational Cost Reductions: Continuous downsizing, Best Practice Applications, and continuous streamlining, are trends in business today. This includes the use of many outside vendors and streamlining of internal activities. Only the major functions are internal. How can you capitalize on this? Ensure that your resume highlights your accomplishments or contributions to improve a company’s productivity.Think About It: For example as a Pit Manager, make sure you review or think of the times you improved the activities of the Pit, either through a training program aimed at reducing dealer errors, enhancing the number of hands dealt, or improved accuracy/efficiency in changing chips. Consider also the cost reduction could be reduced turnover and higher employee satisfaction; these are all elements to consider when enumerating your contributions the organization.
• Creativity Rewarded: The more creative you are and cost sensitive, the more value you are to the organization. Ingenuity is key to your success.
• Think About It: At some point during your tenure, there may be several ideas or programs that you suggested, which were implemented and resulted in improved efficiency, productivity, profitability, etc. These are all noteworthy comments on a resume or in your interview discussion.
• Company Restructuring: A tremendous amount of emphasis on the stockholders and on the customers is underway. If you can improve upon marketing the company, or enhancing customer service, you will add significant value to the organization.If you can reflect on your career, perhaps you can recall when a company reorganized and you were retained over others with more tenure. Reflect on what was notable in your performance, which resulted in you being retained. If you were not retained, be prepared to review why not. Perhaps there were too many employees with similar skills, or that you were part or changing how things worked and did it so efficiently that you put yourself out of a job.

• Targeted Search: Determine specifically which companies you would entertain employment offers.
• Qualify the Discussion: You want to make sure that you are seeking those institutions that are of ultimate interest. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to determine everything you need to know about the firm, which enhances your decision. But during the interview come prepared to ask the innovative and introspective questions that demonstrate your understanding of the firm.
• Making a Decision: Make sure that when an offer is made, that on the spot you are ready to respond to the offer. Make sure you are ready to tell them that you need to think it through, or to further engage in discussing the details of the offer.

• Can you move? Where, domestically, internationally? These are family made decisions.
• Can you afford to go for education to enhance your abilities? Many times during unemployment you are entitled to benefits while attending educational programs that assist you to make a career change. Study the education programs and ensure the program if offered by a professional institution and is reputable.
• Are your skills usable elsewhere? If you were an accountant could you adjust and attempt for positions in inventory control or internal audit? Be creative on the jobs you can do by evaluating your skill sets.
• For what amount of time can you afford to be out of work, to enhance your chances of deciding on the right job? What savings do you have, can you live well enough so as to make the right decision?
• Can you afford to take a cut in pay? Often starting over, or a new career, may result in salary reduction. Consider what you can afford to take as a basic minimum.If you have indicated “yes” to many of the above questions, you will have more chances of enhancing your career decision.