Wednesday, November 27, 2019

What You Need to Know About a Career in Digital Marketing

What You Need to Know About a Career in Digital MarketingWhat You Need to Know About a Career in Digital MarketingIts an undeniable fact that in we live in an increasingly digital world. From smartphones to paperless offices to cloud based data to social media, paper is increasingly a thing of the past. With consumers flocking to the internet for everything from recipes to coordinating events with friends, it only makes sense that advertisers would follow suit, taking their absatzwirtschaft efforts to where their customers virtually reside. To put those anecdotal observations into cold hard numbers, experts estimate that the total spent on digital absatzwirtschaft and advertising efforts will total $118 billion by 2021. In 2016, revenues from digital advertising clocked in at $59.6 billion. In case all those extra zeros didnt clue you in, now is a great time to make your mark in the digital absatzwirtschaft world.As a job seeker, this means that careers in the digital marketing field are booming. The fast-growing business is in need of motivated, creative and tech-savvy employees to keep up with the seemingly ever-increasing demand. Job listings in the digital marketing sphere continue to grow, and the smart money for folks new to the labor force would be on staking a claim while the time is right. Interested in a career in digital marketing? There are a few things you should knowStreet Smarts vs. Book SmartsWhether in the job market or world in general, we all know that a solid education is a great thing to have. When it comes to a career in digital marketing, however, dont discount the value of a solid dose of industry savvy to complement that fancy degree. Having an ear on the ground is not only beneficial once you break in, but can also help you score a digital marketing gig in the first place. Network with those in the know regarding best practices and advertising approaches that work best in different industries. If you can, find a mentor already ensconce d in the digital marketing field to hold your hand along the way. Knowledge is power but remember that there are multiple ways to acquire all those facts and figures.Practice Makes PerfectTheres a reason old sayings stand the test of time. Experience in the digital marketing field will get you far in landing that career at a respected firm. Consider offering your services freelance to build a solid portfolio and encourage your friends and clients to spread your name far and wide. Taking on a variety of industries will also help make you appear well rounded and highly employable in this competitive field.Become a Shoestring Thought-LeaderIn todays career day and age, it isnt enough to clock in and out of the daily grind. Getting yourself published through articles and opinion pieces and participating in industry events and panels is a sure fire way to make your CV stand out from the crowd. naturalrabatt points in that these kinds of activities also build up your personal brand and re cognition, prepping for the eventuality that youd like to set up your own digital marketing shop one day.Passion PrevailsOne of employers major sticking points in todays hiring market is finding a candidate with staying power. This means someone who has a true passion for the advertising and digital marketing field, rather than an employee looking to score a monthly paycheck. To show an agency youre serious about digitization, consider obtaining outside certifications or attending conferences on your own time. If you are applying for an entry level position, be prepared during the interview process to explain why digital marketing is your passion.Pick a SpecialtyWhile general ed in broad market and application concepts will be helpful in a career in digital marketing, employers in this and other fields are increasingly on the hunt for candidates with specialized knowledge. Consider picking one or two main areas to focus on when it comes to your digital marketing field. If you can sh ow off your expertise in a specific arena youve got a better shot of landing a lucrative position with a higher salary cap. In need of a starting spot for your specialty? Here are a few of the most popular sub-genres within the world of digital marketing today.AnalyticsAffiliate marketingCRM and emailContent strategyContent marketingCommunity managerCopywritingDigital account managerDigital advertising saleseCommerceInbound marketingOnline public relationsPPCSEOSocial MediaWeb or mobile developmentWeb designUser experienceIn House or Agency?Before you start sending out that resume or nailing down certifications or specialties, consider whether you aim to work in house for a brand in their marketing department or if calling an advertising agency home is mora your speed. With an agency approach youll often be representing multiple brands and clients across a broad swath of product lines. In house position focus more on a single product and may ask for extensive knowledge in their part icular arena. Both choices have their plusses and minuses and candidates should thoroughly investigate any potential employer on their merits before sending off that initial resume or interview request. The Strength of DigitalWhile we opened with flashy stats and a cheerleader like approach to a career in digital marketing, the truth is the field has much to offer for the right kind of candidate. Combining artistic and design elements with attention to detail and innovative thinking, digital marketing is a career that allows employees to flex both their creative and thinking sides of the brain. Successes can be readily measured by individual campaign analytics and feedback from supervisors and clients is often instantaneous.When it comes to job stability and security, few fields are projected to outpace digital marketing over the coming years. Its expected that job growth in digital marketing jobs will surpass all other career fields by 2020. Thats a pretty decent trend for someone looking to cash in on the next big career boom. If youre looking for a field that has plenty of room for growth long term with lucrative immediate pay offs as well, try exploring the world of digital marketing. If the number of people we see with heads buried in their phones are any indication, the trend of growth doesnt look to be slowing down any time soon.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Companies Known for Their Great Work-life Balance

Companies Known for Their Great Work-life BalanceCompanies Known for Their Great Work-life BalanceWhen it comes to your career and your life, finding a company with great work-life balance is essential.Work-life balance is all about finding the balance between your work and the other aspects of your daily life.You want to find a job that challenges you to grow professionally but doesnt leave you without time or energy for other activities and fun.Finding a company that understands the importance of work-life balance is critical for your career and your life.Here are some companies who are known for their great work-life balance.American ExpressAmerican Express offers excellent benefits for their employees that support a healthy work-life balance.They promote healthy employees through comprehensive health plans and onsite wellness services.Some of their roles offer flexible work arrangements and hours so employees can work schedules that fit their lives.American Express also provides a generous parental leave that offers five months of paid leave to both mothers and fathers.TransUnionTransUnion understands that work is only one part of an employees life and recognizes the importance of creating a great work-life balance.They offer a flexible time off program to its employees and offer paid volunteer time off so their employees can take the time they need as well as give back.They also support employee health through wellness programs, health insurance with free generic prescriptions, and generous flexible spending accounts.Additionally, they offer fun workspaces with collaborative workspaces, game rooms, and onsite cafes.WeWorkWeWork prides themselves on offering beautiful workspaces along with great benefits and programs to support their employees.They are known to provide excellent insurance covering health, dental, vision, life, and disability.Many offices offer wellness programs such as yoga, running clubs, sound baths, and more.They provide some discounts o n lifestyle perks like gym memberships, travel, and cell phone plans.Offices are stocked with free coffee, fruit water, beer on tap, and some offer free breakfasts and weekly dinners.They encourage employee growth through company events and retreats like WeWork Summer Camp and the Summit.HR fraktionHR Block offers a variety of ways for both corporate and tax office employees to have a great work-life balance.For their tax office employees, they offer flexible hours and schedules to fit their lives and needs.For their corporate offices, they offer open offices with a professional yet casual atmosphere.Full-time tax office and corporate employees have access to pre-paid legal services, tuition assistance programs, and tax preparation services.Activision BlizzardGaming giant, Activision Blizzard, understands the role company culture plays into work-life balance.Thats why they focus on creating a culture of fun and growth to foster a healthy environment for their employees.Employees are encouraged to spend time in the company Gaming Zones to have fun and build office camaraderie.Blizzard offers employees opportunities to level up their career skills through their MBA program and other career development programs.They believe in promoting the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of their employees through comprehensive benefit and health incentive programs.Cash incentives and equity programs are also available to their employees.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Offering Part Time Employee Benefits

Offering Part Time Employee BenefitsOffering Part Time Employee BenefitsA frequent question that both employees and employers have is about the legal requirements surrounding part-time employee benefits. While it may seem as simple as determining the number of hours worked or the type of job held, the determination of eligibility for part-time benefits is a very complex matter. What the Affordable Care Act Says The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) mandates that employers offer group health insurance benefits to full time or the equivalent employees, and at least 95% of their workers, so this leaves things to their discretion for the remaining percentage. Additionally, state laws, eligibility for other types of benefits, industry norms, and even the salary paid to employees can have an impact on the degree to which employers are required to cover their employees health and wellness needs. Full Time vs. Part-Time Employee Definitions The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which dictates federal wage-and-hour laws around the nation,does leidlage define part-time or full-time hours, but it does define overtime hours as being over 40 hours per pay period (on a weekly pay schedule). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics defines part-time employees as people who work 1 to 34 hours each week. Anything over 34 hours would then be considered full-time. Current APA guidelines dictate that employers who have 50 or mora full-time or the equivalent employees must provide Affordable Health Care coverage to meet the minimum guidelines. The ACA does define employees who are working at least 30 hours each week or 130 hours per month to be considered full-time. Employees who work fewer hours are considered part-time under ACA laws. Safe Harbor Laws To avoid paying for health insurance, some larger employers try to maintain their part-time workforce under 27 hours per week also known as a safe harbor. It reduced the risk of having to pay for health insurance benefits and o r overtime payment. However, the law is continually changing, so this practice may be eliminated in the near future. Employer Responsibility Under Obamacare, covered employers must report all of their part-time and full-time workers to determine if any of the part-time employees also qualify for benefits. It can be based on the average hours they work each year. Keep in mind that part-time employees are often asked to work more hours during peak production cycles and busy seasons, and this can put them just over the limits for the year. Its also important to understand that while an employer may decide whether or not to offer group health benefits to part-time employees, many plan administrators have health care options for employees who work as few as 20 hours in a pay period. It can be beneficial to offer them low-cost benefits under group rates. Requirements for Part-Time Employee Benefits Now for the legal part. While standard health care insurance and supplemental bene fits may be at the sole discretion of company HR directors, some employee benefits are mandatory for all employees regardless of the number of hours worked. Under the Employee Retirement Security Act (ERISA), any employer that offers a qualified retirement savings plan to employees has to also offer them to full-time and part-time employees. The Federal Labor Standards Act also requires the payment of overtime at the same rate that full-time workers earn it. Unemployment benefits are available to both full-time and part-time employees when they separate from employment. Workers compensation benefits and injury claims must be handled in the same for part-time and full-time employees. There are also a number of other benefits that are widely offered to part-time and full-time employees such as on-the-job training, paid time off, and corporate wellness services that all employees can benefit from. Why Offer Benefits While it may not be legally required to offer all benefits to part -time employees, unless they fall under the above rules it can be a positive business practice to offer benefits to part-time employees. It can be a great way to boost recruitment effortswhen other employers are not offering benefits to part-timers. It can also support employee productivity and retention because employees will remain loyal to an employer offering benefits and protecting their health. Employers can still maintain some control over the types of group health plans they offer, including supplemental insurance like dental, life, and disability benefits. However, when a company offers an affordable benefit package for part-time employees, it sends the message that the health and well-being of all employees is a number one priority. How Part-Time Employees View Benefits Part-time employees most often view benefits as valuable perks, especially if they are working other jobs and cannot afford to purchase insurance through other means. They have the same, if not more re sponsibilities than full-time employees, often juggling raising a family or going to school with that of a job. Its beneficial for the business too. Consider if a part-time employee has access to paid time off vs. calling out sick to deal with a personal matter, the workplace is not impacted if the employee can schedule time off in advance. Part-time benefits are flexible and can be offered to employees who complete a certain amount of time on the job, so long as this is managed fairly across the entire employee population. Managing Benefits Costs The cost factor of offering part-time employee benefits must be determined when choosing group plans, but most plan administrators have reasonable options. Many of the benefits, such as voluntary plans and supplemental insurance, can be offered as full employee-paid or at a half rate of full-time employee plans. Using a combination of a high deductible health care plan with a flexible spending account or health savings account can hel p part-time employees put more pre-tax dollars away for paying off larger medical bills and paying for prescriptions and other things not covered. Employers can also get creative and reach out to local health and wellness vendors to arrange for corporate discounts on food, medicine, and wellness services that help all employees stretch their dollars even further. As mentioned previously, delaying the eligibility of benefits to the first 30 days on the job can also reduce costs for employers, and give employees a chance to prove their worth before the investment is made. Before the organization decides against offering part-time employee benefits, consider the impact of not offering them. Employee retention, productivity, and a more engaged workforce are all win-win situations for your company.