A recent analysis of 30,000 face-to-face interviews for top executive positions revealed that the best candidates have consistent habits focused on human-to-human interaction, not a particular educational or socioeconomic background or physical traits, writes executive search firm owner William Vanderbloemen. Habits such as being on time, doing your homework and relating to others better can make a lasting impression and help leaders stand out in a crowded talent pool, according to Vanderbloemen's study. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (8/29)
Focus on the outcomes you want when hiring remotely When interviewing remote job candidates, focus on the outcomes you're seeking from that person, such as boosting revenue or landing new accounts by using the "deepening and narrowing" questioning method that offers candidates a chance to highlight past successes, writes David Dodson, a former CEO and a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business. "This is a more productive approach than asking a dozen superficial questions that only demonstrate the candidate's ability to serve up polished responses to predictable questions," Dodson writes. Full Story: Chief Executive (8/24)
The Landscape
Job vacancies drop to 8.8M in July The number of job vacancies in the US fell to 8.8 million in July, hitting the lowest tally since March 2021, according to the Labor Department. In addition, the number of people quitting their jobs declined to 3.5 million, the lowest figure since early 2021. Full Story: The Associated Press (8/29),Reuters (8/29)
Why employees are worried about quiet cutting Employers are increasingly reassigning workers instead of laying them off amid restructuring, but some wonder if this signifies a "quiet cutting" trend where companies are trying to push employees out while saving on severance pay. "I've seen lots of examples in my practice where employees are told they're being let go in a 'restructuring' and it turns out that they're the only one affected," says employment attorney Angela L. Walker. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (8/27)
A recent Harris Poll/Human Flourishing Lab survey of Americans' views toward technology found there really isn't much of a generational divide when it comes to new technologies, with 78% of respondents overall interested in learning how new technologies such as AI, robotics and virtual reality work. Additionally, over 80% of each generation agrees that it is important to keep an open mind about new technologies. Full Story: Fortune (tiered subscription model) (8/24)
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Luxury airport lounges elevate travel experience Airlines and credit card companies are enhancing their premium first- and business-class airport lounges, offering a range of amenities such as restaurants, exercise equipment, work spaces and more. For instance, the Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport features a wine cellar, two cigar lounges and a spa, while the United Polaris Lounge at Dulles International Airport caters to international business travelers with two luxury Quiet Suites and six shower suites. Full Story: Robb Report (8/29)
Remember how during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the biggest cities in the world became ghost towns? This story is about a man named Brent Underwood who retreated TO a ghost town to ride out the pandemic. More than three years later, Brent is still in Cerro Gordo, Calif., and he is on a mission to bring the abandoned mining town back to life. If Brent's story sounds interesting to you, check out his YouTube channel: Ghost Town Living. Full Story: Atlas Obscura (8/30)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
"Dersu Uzala" was released in 1975, a film adaptation of explorer Vladimir Arsenyev's account of a trapper with whom he explored the Russian Far East. Who directed the film?
SmartBrief's inaugural virtual AI Impact Summit, Sept. 27 to 28, will feature OpenAI's Zack Kass as the opening keynote speaker. The event will explore business, workforce, marketing, tech and other topics, such as how AI is intersecting with reinvented workforce training and a talk by Michael Schmidt, vice chair of the labor and employment department at Cozen O’Conner, on what employers need to know about AI in the workplace. Register here.Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (8/16)
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