Top 10 Cities for Employees Swearing in the Office

Among top markets in the U.S., workers in the nation’s capital were the most likely to report that they swear at work, with Denver and Chicago rounding out the top three. Continue Reading

How to Land Your Dream Job in Public Administration

Your public administration degree has prepared you for a variety of occupations you probably never dreamed possible. From your state’s supreme court and various charitable organizations to nursing homes and the Nuclear Regulatory commission; all of these career paths are possible with a degree in Public Administration, and plenty of hard work. If you’re a recent graduate, or interested in this highly-lucrative and rewarding field, here are a few ways to get a leg up on the competition, and maybe even land a job beyond your wildest dreams. Continue Reading

The Coolest Course Requirements of an IT Security Degree

Every company and organization has a need for IT security:  unless they are somehow still in the Jurassic Age and not using computerized systems. This field deals with securing networks and protecting data from intrusive attacks. Those who pursue an Information Security Master’s Degree will be prepared to head a security team of technologists who create systems to ensure the security of all things IT-related. This field goes beyond a standard Information Technology degree and specifically focuses on security. The course load for this degree has some unique and interesting classes. Continue Reading

Highest paying Master’s Programs of 2012

If you are considering an advanced master of business administration degree, or an MPH (master in public health) degree, it is a safe guess that topmost in your mind, alongside choosing your field of study, is figuring out if your starting salary will enable you to pay back your student loans in full and on time. This is a growing concern amongst a graduating body of highly trained and prepared advanced degree candidates. Entities both public and private that are charged with evaluating the “best” and “worst” advanced degrees have delivered clear proof that earning potential is not equal amongst differently degreed professionals who hold a master’s degree or higher. The truth is, if you are investing money into your advanced degree program, you most likely want to know you will earn that money back and then some. Learn what the highest master’s programs are—in terms of income earning potential and advancement in the field—as you decide what your own next steps for an advanced degree may be. Continue Reading

Candidate Experience – How Candidates Want to Learn About Job Content, Part 5 of 6

Joe Murphy of Shaker Consulting Group

This is part of a series connected to the Candidate Experience Monograph.

We asked job seekers to rate the relative value of various forms of interaction for learning about the job. Specifically we wanted to have candidates direct us to formats for communicating job requirements that aligned with their learning preferences. Job seekers are decision makers in the process too. Creating a candidate experience that helps applicants learn about the job and prepare them to make a well informed career decision can differentiate your company in a positive way from other companies where the candidate may be applying. Continue Reading

Want to Get a Promotion? Don’t Swear in the Office.

Employees who make frequent contributions to the swear jar may lose more than loose change; they may lose out on a promotion. Sixty-four percent of employers said that they’d think less of an employee who repeatedly uses curse words, and 57 percent said they’d be less likely to promote someone who swears in the office. The nationwide survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive© from May 14, 2012 to June 4, 2012, included more than 2,000 hiring managers and 3,800 workers across industries and company sizes.

Half (51 percent) of workers reported that they swear in the office. The majority of those (95 percent) said they do so in front of their co-workers, while 51 percent cuss in front of the boss. Workers were the least likely to use expletives in front of senior leaders (13 percent) and their clients (7 percent).

Comparing genders, men are more likely to report swearing at work – 54 percent compared to 47 percent of women. Continue Reading

Ways To Help Get Out Of Student Loan Debt

College can be a wonderful experience for American students but it can also be one that leads to a lifetime of debt. Over $100 billion worth of student loans were taken out in 2011. The total level of outstanding debt also crossed the $1 trillion mark recently for the first time ever. The level of student debt in the nation is now officially greater than credit card debt according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In the last 35 years, the cost of college tuition has increased by over 900% and in 2010; the average student had collected $25,000 worth of debt by the time they graduated. It seems as if student debt is inevitable so how do you cope with it? Continue Reading

Candidate Experience – Negative Impact of Technical Issues, Part 4 of 6

Joe Murphy of Shaker Consulting Group

This is part four of a series connected to the Candidate Experience Monograph.

We asked job seekers about the impact of career page technical difficulties. Specifically we wanted to know about the propensity to leave the application process, how much effort and time might be invested in resolving an issue and if the occurrence of technical difficulties created a negative brand impression.

Likelihood to Exit

Candidates want an easy to use experience.  And the data suggest there is limited tolerance for poorly functioning features.  They want simple and effective resume uploads, and links that work and are easy to understand.  59% of candidates are very likely or somewhat likely to exit before completing an application process if the encounter a page or process with frustrating or challenging functionality. Continue Reading

Managers Say Employees More Competitive than the Last Decade

Do your co-workers often seem competitive on the job?  Managers are noticing this behavior according to a recent study.

As athletes from around the world prepare to compete in London, workplaces in the U.S. appear to be hosting competitions of their own, a new OfficeTeam survey suggests. Nearly half (49 percent) of senior managers interviewed said they believe employees are more competitive with each other today than they were 10 years ago. These results mirror those from a similar survey of senior executives conducted in 2008.

Managers were asked, “In your opinion, are employees more or less competitive with their coworkers than they were 10 years ago?” Their responses: Continue Reading

Is Online Tutoring Any Good?

Given the problems facing the education system, it’s no surprise to learn that the online tutoring market is expanding rapidly. According to a recent survey of 500,000 students in 41 countries, the United States’ educational standards are falling. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that students in American schools start struggling as early as the fourth grade. Performance deteriorates in middle school and by high school; American students seem to lag far behind their international counterparts.

One of the issues is the standard of teaching according to the report. 55% of physical science teachers in US high schools don’t have a minor in any of the physical sciences. Although online tutoring is said to be the best solution, there are disadvantages that need to be addressed. We look at the pros and cons below. Continue Reading