Category: job

3 possible reasons for unsuccessful applications

There are applications where rejection is inevitable. In addition to messy application documents with stains or documents showing that some diplomas/certificates are forged, this includes applications for completely unsuitable positions in terms of qualifications.

1. Applications to unsuitable job offers

Rejections are of course inevitable when a manager with the appropriate salary suddenly applies for a job in the mail room or in the file archive or when a helper who has not completed professional training sends an application for a managerial position. While the manager who wants to work in the mailroom or archives is considered overqualified for such positions, the helper, conversely, is considered underqualified for a managerial position.

It is true that the aim of Agenda 2010 under the then Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was that the unemployed also accept jobs that are below their original qualifications. Many well-qualified unemployed people are certainly willing to take on jobs that do not require academic training, e.g. B. as a cashier in the supermarket or salesman at the furniture discounter. Nevertheless, when selecting applicants, attention is still often paid to their qualifications.

2. Why academics have relatively poor chances in some jobs

Of course, there is always the other side, i.e. the potential employer, who may appreciate the applicant’s willingness to work, but who is also aware that the employee with an academic degree will leave the company as soon as he has found a job that suits him qualification, work experience and salary requirements. For this reason, academics often receive rejection or no response at all when applying for positions for which they are demonstrably overqualified.

3. The evaluation of applications depends on the employer

Often everything seems to fit formally on the part of the applicant – i.e. training/studies, professional experience, knowledge of the industry – but of course everything also depends on what the company wants for employees. Some are happy about very motivated, dedicated employees, while others, for example, it is enough if their phone is busy, but otherwise make no further demands on their candidates. To put it bluntly, such companies would also hire a chimpanzee if it could do the job at least as well as a human being. In such cases, motivated, qualified applicants fall through the cracks despite everything.

Career jump buyer: training and further education and chances of success

Those who can think analytically and work conscientiously have the essential prerequisites for this profession. Simple tasks such as reordering raw materials and materials are essential when profits are threatened by a stagnation in production. With the help of further training in purchasing, you gain valuable know-how so that you can practice this profession with passion. With a starting salary of between 2,500 and 3,000 euros and the varied range of tasks, it is not surprising that the job attracts buyers to interested parties.

Training buyers

More and more academics enjoy working as buyers. Due to the technical know-how about terms such as profit and loss, graduates of business administration have excellent opportunities for entry.

The well-founded understanding of complicated technical relationships also offers engineers, technicians and industrial engineers an attractive field of work in order to master strategic purchasing. This background proves to be very useful when purchasing technical systems and products.

Sectors that are looking for buyers

As a buyer, there are a number of sectors in companies that are suitable. Sectors such as production and plant and mechanical engineering offer particularly good career opportunities. Logistics and the area of ​​Parma and Healthcare are considered to be interesting and challenging. Retail is a classic for buyers.

Technically experienced buyers with the appropriate educational background welcome employment in a company that works in the automotive and supplier industry, the metal industry or the electronics and high-tech industry. Even in IT production you are welcome as an experienced buyer and you will find an attractive job with a wide range of tasks.

Tasks of a buyer

Irrespective of the industry in which a buyer gains a foothold, in addition to purchasing the appropriate materials, the main concern is the correct selection and assessment of potential suppliers and freight forwarders. Therefore, business administration is certainly an asset for an easier entry into the new field of work.

Analytical thinking and high communication skills are valuable when it comes to negotiating delivery terms, prices and contracts.

Entry opportunities for buyers

The buyer is a decisive factor for the economic success of the company. Successes such as low-energy transport, alternative raw materials or a cheap service contract save money for the company. The better you learn your craft, the more successful you can start as a buyer and also look forward to financially satisfactory prospects.

Find the right accounting software for your business

Accounting software makes many of the tasks easier and convinces with other points. But which program suits the company?

Sophisticated accounting software offers an efficient and simple alternative to manual accounting. It does not generate as much paper and allows data to be stored easily. So there is important evidence ready for retrieval at any time – a row of heavy folders in the office is no longer necessary. Some providers also score with one cloud service, which preserves data even if the program is lost. In addition, the user usually has access to the tools himself from his smartphone. Receipts can also be posted quickly on a business trip.

Further advantages in the area of ​​commercial tasks are, for example:

• Overview of the business figures and their evaluation
• Integrated calculator for sales tax and input tax
• Online payments can be checked and booked
• Certain programs offer a direct interface to the tax office or financial advisor

Many companies continue to use isolated solutions. In this context, these are specific software solutions that simplify complicated processes and provide an overview of internal company processes. However, the maintenance of different programs is confusing in the long run and errors often creep in. For this reason, that rejoices Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) growing popularity. Such a system offers all the individual solutions in the form of one program.

Basically, every company can benefit from ERP software, but there is no universal solution. You should already think about which functions and properties such a program should offer so that processes can run more effectively. Because it includes all areas of the company – in addition to accounting, also sales and marketing. A comparison of the target state with the actual state provides an insight into the vulnerabilities of the companythat can be optimized by an ERP system.

Once the areas for improvement have been determined, the search for suitable software can be narrowed down. Regardless of the needs, it is beneficial to have a choose a flexible program. Perhaps the company is still growing and will require additional services at a later date. These should then simply be added to the booking instead of having to buy a new program straight away. Depending on your needs, the following aspects may prove important:

• the user friendliness is important for many. No IT expert should be needed to handle the program
• A reliable support and customer service, especially in the early stages. Employees must first familiarize themselves with the program, and the provider should be easy to reach if they have any questions.
• Similar to a dedicated accounting software, ERP systems provide services in Finance and accounting. This makes budget allocation and risk management easier.
• Offers for employees pay off for the human resource management. These usually calculate and automate salary and payroll accounting.
• One targeted data storage. On the one hand, this can boost sales, since offers can be specifically designed through the data analysis. In addition, information relating to customers and business partners is used individual design in marketing. Needs-based offerings improve customer relationships.
• Businesses can benefit greatly from the materials management benefit. Such systems clearly record the incoming and outgoing goods and enable subsequent further planning.
• Particularly important: The program must comply with data protection requirements and should also keep the collected information safe. Violations of data protection regulations can result in high fines. According to this, a manufacturer from Germany is preferable, as it has to comply directly with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• cloud solutions are particularly attractive for young companies. An on-premise solution requires constant data maintenance on a company server. An IT specialist is therefore required and the costs for this option can be higher. In comparison, a cloud solution usually requires monthly payments, but does not require constant administration because the servers are external.

In fact, the market now offers a large number of digital solutions for accounting and other internal processes. A complete package makes comparatively little sense for young companies, since it probably does not use many of the software’s services. A software-as-a-service model is therefore recommended. You only pay for what you really need and you can order additional services later.

But no matter how much work ERP systems and accounting software may take away, the processes cannot be completely automated. Regularly checking the program uncovers possible errors and also always keeps you up to date with the company.

Find craftsmen for company online

All services that are directly related to the design, renovation or optimization of the workplace can of course be paid for from the company account and claimed for tax purposes. This also applies, for example, to disinfection work by a pest controller or a similar specialist company if the employees have become infected with corona viruses and the building is to be temporarily quarantined. With the help of an expert in the field of sterilizing rooms and surfaces, further downtime can be reliably prevented, and in many cases the office space can be used again to the usual extent the day after extensive disinfection. Proof of all cleaning work must be provided to the responsible health authority so that all employees can use the office space again without being physically impaired. Any regulations on minimum distance etc. remain unaffected and must also be observed in thoroughly sterilized offices.

Laying floors in the company: fall protection or protection against too much noise

There are various options for floor design in the office. Thermally insulating plastics are often used, which help to save energy and protect the environment in the long term. If stricter fire protection measures have to be observed in a building, this can also be implemented with a suitable floor covering. In some cases, this must comply with different regulations in stairwells than in the office itself. In large office buildings, however, the company owner does not always have to be responsible for this if he has only rented individual office rooms. Especially in an open-plan office where many people communicate at the same time, good soundproofing is essential to maintain the efficiency of the employees. Carpets in the office are less suitable, as they are mainly walked on with street shoes. As a result, despite regular cleaning, large amounts of dirt and germs can become trapped in the carpet fibers.

Where can I find the right service provider for my company?

Both a reliable caretaker and a new cleaner or competent IT service provider: You can quickly find a suitable company that can take over important work in your company via this free and absolutely new agency service from the Yellow Pages. It is now also easily possible online to find a suitable substitute for illness-related absences of individual employees or entire departments. For example, if the secretary was placed in quarantine and temporarily not allowed to leave the house, there are many typing offices at the company’s location via the popular business directory, which can step in at short notice and temporarily. This also applies to bookkeeping, although this branch of the profession is currently not doing so much freelance work. However, as digitization progresses, the number of newly founded start-ups is constantly increasing, so that it is becoming faster and easier to find a suitable replacement for absent employees on the Internet, across all industries.

If the company moves to a new location, the moving company’s movers can help pack the moving boxes. Many IT items such as computers or monitors must be stowed in suitable boxes so that they are unbreakable so that they can survive the company move undamaged. Whether it is worth transporting chairs and desks depends on the age of the office furniture. In many cases, however, taking the entire office equipment with you causes such high transport costs that, from a financial point of view, it is cheaper to write off old office furniture and at least buy bulky parts of the office equipment again at the new location. However, office equipment that is no longer required cannot simply be sold, and any profits made from such sales must be added to the company budget. Since the office furniture was paid for from the company account, it can be most economical to simply write it off at the tax office.

In this article on our website you can read what you as a company owner have to consider in order to ensure that a depreciation is posted correctly. Computers, monitors, telephone systems, office chairs, desks, etc. that are no longer needed must then be completely destroyed. This can be done, for example, at the nearest recycling center, where containers can also be borrowed, which can be set up directly on the company premises.

Listen actively & take away more: two clever approaches!

Active listening is an important skill that you need in your studies, at work and ultimately in all of life. This article examines the possibilities for promoting active listening and also deals with the correct structuring of spoken content.

From passive listener to active listener

The reason that many meetings and lectures are inefficient is due to the passivity of the audience. If you are not actively involved, the brain simply runs on the back burner and can absorb less.

However, there are two different approaches to changing from a passive listener to an active listener – one is creative and the other is particularly structured:

1. Sketchnoting
2. keep record

In the following, we will take a closer look at what is behind the two ideas and for which areas of application they are suitable.

What is sketch noting?

In order to remain mentally active during a conversation or lecture, the concept of sketch notes was developed. These are small drawings and snippets of text that are written down on the side.

In a sketchnoting tutorial you can learn the most important basic forms of the technique. However, sketchnotes are a very individual thing. They should help the listener to take the key facts with them and to remember them even after weeks.

The brain is already more receptive when listening, so that significantly more is stored in the memory. At the same time, you can also look at the notes and ideally you are immediately in the picture again.

Keep a log

Creating a protocol is less creative and relatively sterile. It is very well suited for summarizing the essential content of a meeting. One speaks then of a so-called result protocol.

There is also a history log. Here, exactly what was said is written down and it is useful for anyone who wants to read everything again. However, this can be very exhausting and not necessarily effective if you want to have a quick overview.

Which procedure is better?

Whether sketchnoting or the protocol is used depends on who the notes are made for. Sketchnoting is more of an individual thing. Others will hardly be able to understand what exactly is going on based on the notes. Minutes are a great way to let others know who weren’t present at a talk or meeting.

Tip: It may be advisable to combine both methods. The sketch notes, which are freely and creatively made on the side, can ultimately be turned into a result log that is also informative for other people.

Conducting discussions: 6 steps to the optimal critical discussion

1st step: Prepare for the critical discussion

This first step is essential! It not only gives you a clarification of the point of criticism, but also helps you to “bring down” emotionally. Give yourself five to fifteen minutes to prepare for the critical discussion.

When preparing for the review, keep the following points in mind:

1. Concentrate on what exactly you want to achieve with the critique. This point is often expressed very imprecisely, as if the criticized already knew what would have to happen differently in the future. And the consequence is again a “deficiency” with the employee/colleague, so that the game begins again.
2. Your solution strategy is only as good as its implementation is realistic. So don’t forget to also ask yourself about the skills, competencies, specific strengths and weaknesses of the person being criticized.
3. With your criticism you want to steer a person in a certain direction. It is much easier for the criticized person to develop self-motivation if he understands the advantages of this step for himself.

Step 2: Make an appointment

Make an appointment for the feedback discussion. Be sure to state the reason for this so that the other person can prepare as well. Reserve enough time for the critical discussion – at least half an hour. Ultimately, the causes should be clarified and joint steps taken to completely resolve the point of criticism.

3rd step: the beginning of the conversation

State your criticism. Remain calm and matter-of-fact, show your respect for the interviewer, and at this point, refrain from making any change requests. Instead, give your employee/colleague the opportunity to explain their position after your presentation. Maybe you can help him with a question or two.

Step 4: The focus of the conversation

This step should take up most of the conversation time. Because now your conversation partner has the opportunity to present his point of view in more detail. This is the first step in making sure the critique doesn’t deadlock. Remember: The aim of the critical discussion is not to calm the sea, but to solve a problem – if necessary, including a change in the behavior of the person concerned. A “humble” counterpart is of no use to you if it burys their motivation.

Step 5: Looking to the future together

At this point, at the latest, you should inform the interviewer of the goals that you set during the preparation phase. What should change? Invite the person you are talking to to consider steps to achieve the goal – i.e. the resolution of the point of criticism. Clarify together what support your conversation partner might need or would like.

Step 6: Agree on realistic control targets

The critical discussion ends with the agreement of control dates – depending on the length of the realization process already during the implementation or only after the goal has been reached. In both cases, the time intervals should be neither too long nor too short. A follow-up appointment should take place two weeks, at the latest a month, after the critical meeting so that the goal is not forgotten. This date underscores the commitment for everyone involved.

Don’t forget to appreciate the successes – even small steps – during this “check”. Recognize the effort and the results, but also the newfound insights that will help sustain what has been achieved.

Reduce stress – you can do this

Stress is not an indicator of good work!

This guide couldn’t do without a quick look at a misconception we often fall into. Many people think that feeling stressed is a sign that they are performing well and efficiently towards their professional and personal goals. But by no means only does he work to a healthy extent who hardly ever takes a break and always seems to be energized.

On the contrary, good work can also succeed if one’s own limits do not have to be exceeded and overstretched every day. For this reason, we should abandon the idea that we can only work really intensively and successfully if we create a feeling of tension in ourselves as a result.

Spontaneous relaxation in the office

The first step to successfully coping with stress can be done right in the office. Anyone who feels overwhelmed by a task, threatens to lose track and suddenly finds it difficult to concentrate shows the typical symptoms. In this case, it is worth using active and readily available measures to get rid of this burden. On a small scale, this can already be the small walk to the copier, which brings some movement back into it. Other times, it’s better to just walk around the block and get some fresh air.

The blockages that can be associated with acute stress can also be released through mental breaks. This can be done, for example, by looking at the shopping list that still needs to be written for the delicious meal together in the evening. More and more modern offices are also thinking about a lounge for their employees, where they can do other things. This is also an excellent way to escape acute stress.

The use of appropriate tools

It is not always necessary to completely overcome the stress without tools and external support. For example, more and more people rely on the effects of CBD oil, which is extracted from the hemp plant. This does not have an intoxicating effect, but it can create a pleasant feeling of relaxation. Others instead opt for the more natural and unprocessed form of consumption. For example, cannabis seeds that offer the opportunity to take advantage of these effects can be found here.

But not only the consumption of beneficial products can be a means to get the stress under control. On the other hand, it is possible to use targeted relaxation techniques. Just think of the well-attended yoga classes offered in practically every city today. The intensive occupation with the content offers the possibility to use it at home within a few minutes to combat stress. The beneficial effect it has on body and mind has long been scientifically proven. Those who stay on the ball longer and pay particular attention to the regularity of the exercises will benefit most from the effects.

Schedule time for yourself

A newly structured way of thinking in your own weekly planner is also an important step in leaving the stress behind. We have learned to enter all professional and private things there that we still have to do. Under this impression, our private life with all the things that are important to us is often degraded to a mere filler. Since these are usually rare in a full life, we hardly have the time to deal with ourselves. This can be stopped by deliberately including time for personal activities in the planner.

Create realistic expectations

If, despite all these steps, it is not possible to get over the stress completely, other solutions must be found. Perhaps the cause lies in too large a gap between the expectations we place on ourselves and the potential that we can actually fulfill in everyday life. Anyone who always lags just one step behind the ideal state in this way will hardly ever have the opportunity to be satisfied with themselves. It is precisely in this situation that it is helpful to reflect and reconsider your own goals. It might be enough to slightly extend the time periods in which they are to be achieved. Those who free themselves from excessive pressure in this way will in many cases be able to motivate themselves to perform better.

The education voucher as an opportunity for subsidized further education

The labor market is subject to constant change. Digitization is unstoppable. The economy and the world are changing and the unforeseen occur. Sudden change not only affects companies, but also individual employees. Some are lagging behind the changes, jobs are suddenly at risk or unemployment is proving to be the new vice. In order to improve professional opportunities and one’s own importance for the employer, targeted further training can be used. This not only ensures improved suitability for the respective profession, but also strengthens the self-confidence and competence of the employee. If you do it right, you can even benefit from support from the education voucher.

The chance for a new beginning – the education voucher

With the help of the education voucher, further training and retraining are specifically promoted. This guarantees that the accruing costs will be taken over and is approved by the employment agency or the job center.

The support provided by the education voucher is characterized by the assumption of costs in the following areas:

• ride costs
• Accommodation costs if the further training takes place abroad
• Course or seminar costs
• External subsistence costs
• childcare costs

Which further training courses are supported by the education voucher

The education voucher can be used in a variety of ways and promote further training in a wide variety of areas. You can take advantage of funding for technical professions in the IT and media industry as well as in health, social and nursing professions. As an interested party, it is important to ensure that the further training serves to advance one’s career and that the chances in the respective area of ​​activity increase.

Who can benefit from the education voucher?

The employment agency and the job center offer the education voucher mainly for certain groups on the labor market.

The following are primarily funded:

• employees on short-time work
• Employees with a fixed-term contract that is about to expire
• Recipients of unemployment benefit I
• Recipients of benefits under SGB II (also known as Harzt IV)
• Unemployed with 3 years of professional experience or with completed vocational training
• employees who are threatened with dismissal
• job seekers

In principle, an education voucher is also possible for lateral entry. If you want to use an education voucher for this, you should be able to plausibly explain how the desired further training will help you in your field of activity and for lateral entry, what professional experience you already have and can bring with you and why the new field of work suits you.

The way to the education voucher

In order to receive the education voucher, an individual interview with the employment agency or the job center is necessary. To do this, go to the offices in your region and get advice on site. It is important to be well prepared for the interview, to present yourself and to explain clearly to what extent you will benefit from the respective further training and why the training voucher makes sense.

If all the requirements for funding are met, the education voucher will be issued. This guarantees that the employment agency will cover the costs of further training and you will be entitled to participate in the desired further training.

How do you convince the employment agency that the education voucher is necessary?

The delivery of the education voucher is an optional service. The application can therefore also be rejected. It is therefore important to have good arguments and appearance during the consultation. But which arguments are important? Anyone who has no concrete idea of ​​why the voucher is being applied for or which further training it should be can count on the chance of success being close to zero.

These aspects help to ensure a successful consultation:

• Good preparation and punctual appearance
• Neat attire for an interview
• Presenting current application documents to show efforts
• Information about the desired training
• Information on the relevance to the labor market and opportunities through the desired further training
• Proactive approach to applying for an education voucher
• Objective and patient demeanor

In order to give the argumentation even more depth and to deliver valid points, the following questions should also be clarified by the applicant in the preparation and ultimately in the interview:

• What professional goal do you aspire to?
• How does the further training fit with the career goal and to what extent does one’s own professional experience play a part?
• How can continuing education increase job opportunities?

Since further training is linked to a further training provider, this provider can be used to collect further data and facts that can contribute to a positive outcome of the application for an education voucher. Find out from the training provider how many participants have already found employment through this training, whether the job search is actively supported, what prospects will open up for you after completing the training, which participant requirements have already been met and whether the training is online or online is carried out in attendance.

Successfully received the education voucher – what now?

If the employment agency or the job center is convinced of the need for further training and if all other requirements are met, the training voucher will be issued. Now you have to find an educational institution for the desired further education. The training provider is not mandatory, but the course should be certified and the provider should be able to show a provider and measure approval that is based on the valid legal provisions of SGB III.

Once the training provider has been determined, they will confirm participation on the training voucher and present it to the issuing employment agency before the start of the further training.

Funded further education, funded future

The education voucher is a good opportunity to further your education and development, even in difficult times like these. Jobseekers and the unemployed in particular, as well as other groups of people in a similar situation, can benefit from this support and do not have to bear the costs themselves or not at all. The possibility of further training ensures competent staff and self-confident employees.

Important for success when applying for the voucher are the fulfillment of the requirements and a tangible argument, based on data and facts, how the additional education will help you in your professional life and how what you have learned can be integrated. A good and professional appearance also contributes to success – now and in the future.