The Day Has Come, Companies are Finally Giving Something Back to Employees

For the last three years during the 'Great Recession' employees have felt nervous to ask for more from their employers, worrying that their jobs were at stake. But, the day has finally arrived that companies are giving back to hard workers.

Economic analysts say that often when the market resets, some companies' high-potential employees will start looking or new opportunities because they hung in their during tough times and want a fresh start. In order to survive, many companies have cut all of the perks they used to give - pay raises, flexible hours, even free coffee - but more businesses are realizing that if they want to hold on to their best employees they need to give them back the things they enjoy.

FedEx, the St. Paul Hotel, Ford Motor Co., Winnebago and the McKnight Foundation are among many of the companies starting to restore their perks. This is because many of their competitors are sniffing for talent. Another main reason companies are bringing back lost perks is because it's expensive to replace works and in the next decade many of the baby boomer generation will be retiring already.

As the economy recovers, employers are bringing back the goodies. Some are conducting employee surveys, hiring humorists or just bringing back the coffee and cookies that have disappeared. Here are other examples:

Aveda is lifting its ban on employee travel

FedEx and MPR are reinstating 401(K) and 403 (b) matches.

Ford Motor Co., which was thought to be closing soon, actually saw a raise in sales this last year and plans to hire 7,000 U.S. employees

The St. Paul Hotel has said that business has picked back up and they are restoring most of its 275 hourly works to full-time status. Also, they are breaking out the brownies, cookies and popcorn to revive its all-employee meetings

3M Co. froze wages in 2009, but now has reinstated merit pay last year.

Cambria Inc. rehired about 70 laid-off factory workers last year.

The Marsh fitness club in Minnetonka held its first staff party January 7th after a three-year hiatus.

Besides the fun job perks bring, they provide a lot more - employee satisfaction, and when you happy employees they are going to want to stay and create a happy company.

More optimism is buzzing than ever since 2007 and companies see that now that they can afford some perks, they need to give them, especially since turnover costs a lot more. I think is only going to get better from here.

Hazardous Resumes

The job market is still rough and there are many out there still struggling to find work; since it has been reported that there are more inaccuracies in resumes. It has long been the case that job seekers buffer their resumes to make themselves look like a stronger, but recently more candidates are downplaying their work histories instead of exaggerating so that they won't appear overqualified for a job.

You may think that the highest group of unemployed people are young professionals and recent college grads. However, it's been said that the greatest number of those looking for work are those who are middle age and have been laid off. This is why some experts say 'dis-embellishment' is happening. This group of individuals have the experience, but can't find jobs to meet their years of work. Typically, this group needs a steady income somehow to pay for things such as their houses, kids, food, etc, so they are willing to take almost any job that, even one that requires much less experience.

Advice: Bottom line is tell the truth. Any work of fiction on either end poses for risk. Further, if any hirer does some research, they can find out the truth themselves.

Tips to Help You Make a Great Impression on Your First Day at a New Job

I'm starting a new job on Monday and I'm very excited. However, with every new beginning, you need to leave your comfort zone and be prepared to be the new kid on the block for awhile. Here are some tips I recommend to anyone starting a new opportunity.

• Ask questions. You're new and it's better to do something right the first time around than have to do it over.
• Take notes. Unless you have a photographic memory, take notes. You'll want to all the systems rules and organization policies.
• Discover everything you can about your new employer. In theory, you should have already done your homework during the interviewing process, but there is always more to learn now that your are going to be on the inside.
• Listen more than talk. Don't always act like a know-it-all right off the bat. The idea is to communicate that you have some very marketable skills and you are here to learn and apply your skills to help the organization achieve success.
• Smile a lot and be friendly. Get to know your co-workers and what their interests are.
• Dress professional/blend in and blend in with your co-workers. You should never underestimate the importance of dressing professionally in your new job, and in the beginning, even if your department has casual days, you should dress professionally because you never known when you'll be called out to meet a top manager or key client.
• Learn about your co-workers. No one expects you to have every one's name down pat by the end of the first day or week, but if you are bad with names, now is the time to research some of the neat memory-aid tricks you can try to use. Also, use your lunch hours to get together with your current co-workers.
• Show your team spirit. You are now part of a work team, and teams work together to solve problems and get the job done. Show loyalty to your co-workers and focus more, initially at least, on sharing any recognition you get with the team. Always give credit to the team.
• Show appreciation. Nothing works like kindness and genuine appreciation. So, show your appreciation to everyone who helps you learn the ropes during the first days on the job.
• Figure out who has the authority to give you work to do and who is just trying to have you do theirs.
• Pay attention to the 'grapevine,' but don't contribute to it. You don't want to gain a reputation as a gossip monger.
• Don't complain about your boss, your office mate, any co-workers, or your previous job.
• Keep personal business on company time to a minimum. Studies show that just about everyone conducts some amount of personal business on company time, checking email, making dinner reservations, buying stuff online. Try your best to just focus on work.
• Continue to arrive early and don't rush out the door at the end of the day.
• Volunteer for projects that will help you get noticed, but don't neglect any assigned work.
• Track accomplishments. No one else will do it for you. Track them for if nothing else but your personal satisfaction, for raise and promotion meetings, and for future job-hunting.
• Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. Your life has changed and it will take getting used to.

Being the newest member of the organization, the rookie, is both challenging and exciting. You'll be faced with both difficulties and opportunities, and your goal should be to make the most of all situations. These tips should help provide you with some insights and direction as you approach that new job, but don't worry if you don't make a perfect impression in those early days on the job. Few of us ever do. Remember to relax, keep your mind open, get to know your team members, be yourself and do your work, and you should go far in making a lasting impression and reputation.