Martin Luther King Jr. Day Report: North Carolina Ranks 8th in U.S. Racial Progress

Steve
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Report: North Carolina Ranks 8th in U.S. Racial Progress
Black Lives Matter billboard erected next to large Confederate flag in North Carolina

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day around the corner and about half of Americans saying the U.S. hasn’t done enough to give black people equal rights to white people, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s States with the Most Racial Progress.

To measure America’s progress in harmonizing racial groups, the site measured the gaps between black people and white people across 21 key indicators of equality and integration in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data set ranges from median annual household income to standardized-test scores to voter turnout.

This report examines the differences between only black people and white people in light of the high-profile police-brutality incidents that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. We released this report ahead of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement to end segregation and discrimination against black people.

States with the Most Racial Progress

Overall Rank  State Total Score  ‘Employment & Wealth’  ‘Education’  ‘Social & Civic Engagement’  ‘Health’ 
1 Wyoming 73.23 6 1 2 N/A
2 Texas 67.93 15 4 7 2
3 Mississippi 65.38 1 12 28 8
4 Georgia 64.15 2 19 8 29
5 New Jersey 63.68 8 9 15 9
6 Idaho 62.59 25 5 1 4
7 Florida 62.52 14 2 23 16
8 North Carolina 61.93 5 17 21 11
9 New Mexico 61.79 17 6 6 46
10 South Carolina 61.08 3 32 16 23
11 Maryland 60.49 13 25 11 19
12 Connecticut 59.80 7 29 26 15
13 Alabama 59.52 4 35 20 21
14 California 59.18 23 3 43 6
15 Massachusetts 58.97 16 42 5 26
16 Louisiana 58.92 10 36 27 7
17 Delaware 58.89 12 16 17 35
18 Arkansas 58.27 9 31 22 24
19 Rhode Island 58.03 19 26 29 13
20 Oregon 57.14 36 7 3 27
21 Arizona 56.89 24 14 25 22
22 Virginia 56.66 20 30 19 32
23 Montana 55.87 28 20 9 N/A
24 Tennessee 55.15 18 34 38 20
25 Oklahoma 54.43 30 18 14 33
26 New York 54.11 22 41 12 34
27 Utah 53.51 38 10 4 45
28 Illinois 53.50 29 33 32 12
29 Kentucky 53.45 32 38 13 17
30 Alaska 52.94 26 15 41 30
31 Washington 52.45 34 11 31 18
32 Kansas 51.27 35 22 18 40
33 Hawaii 51.27 21 43 24 43
34 Missouri 51.20 27 28 33 36
35 Pennsylvania 50.12 37 24 48 14
36 Colorado 49.95 33 40 35 5
37 Michigan 49.65 43 8 37 25
38 Nevada 48.67 44 13 10 39
39 North Dakota 47.71 11 50 51 1
40 Indiana 46.58 46 27 39 28
41 Ohio 46.54 42 37 42 31
42 New Hampshire 46.23 39 49 34 3
43 Nebraska 43.10 40 39 40 44
44 District of Columbia 42.73 51 23 30 10
45 Minnesota 42.70 49 21 44 37
46 Maine 41.98 45 45 47 N/A
47 West Virginia 40.82 41 46 46 42
48 Wisconsin 40.57 47 47 36 41
49 South Dakota 40.01 31 51 50 47
50 Vermont 39.42 48 44 45 N/A
51 Iowa 33.38 50 48 49 38

First COVID Field Hospital in North Carolina Erected In Lenoir As Cases Surge

Charlotte Stories
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First COVID Field Hospital in North Carolina Erected In Lenoir As Cases Surge

North Carolina-based Samaritan Purse has just erected our state’s first Covid-19 field hospital in Caldwell County.

The organization was contacted by 5 area community hospitals who’ve been experiencing a significant strain on their facilities due to a recent surge in cases.

The city of Lenoir was selected as a central location for the emergency 30-bed tent facility, which is now the second Covid-19 field hospital Samaritan’s Purse has set up in the U.S.

The first patient was admitted last Thursday, and by Friday, a total of 13 patients were being treated in the tents.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Breaks Record – Checking Out 1 Million Digital Books in 2020

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Breaks Record – Checking Out 1 Million Digital Books in 2020

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library announced today that it reached a record-breaking one million digital book checkouts in 2020. This accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of library digital lending of e-books and audiobooks, especially in a year with building closures due to the global pandemic. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of 102 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million checkouts (complete list here).

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has been providing readers 24/7 access to e-books and audiobooks for several years through OverDrive and its award-winning Libby reading app. Reader interest and usage has grown every year.

“The Library is committed to keeping our community engaged and educated by providing equitable and free access to both physical and digital materials,” said Caitlin Moen, Chief Customer Officer and Library Director at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “We’re proud to be a part of the million digital downloads, and prouder that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community sees the value in their Library and uses our free resources to such a great extent.”

The highest-circulating title Charlotte Mecklenburg Library readers borrowed through OverDrive in 2020 was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The top-circulating genre, thrillers, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes biographies, romance and children/young adult.

The top 5 e-book titles borrowed through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s digital collection in 2020:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
3. Educated by Tara Westover
4. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
5. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s digital collection in 2020:
1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
2. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
3. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
4. Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Readers in Mecklenburg County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s OverDrive-powered digital collection.

If you don’t have a library card, you can sign up for one here.

8 Symptoms You Should Keep an Eye Out for and Discuss with Your Doctor

Sheep Bell
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8 Symptoms You Should Keep an Eye Out for and Discuss with Your Doctor

Many people avoid visiting their doctors. Whether it’s due to a fear of hospitals or clinics, a busy schedule, or simply the confidence that you are in perfect health, chances are good that you haven’t seen your doctor recently. Unfortunately, while you may think this is okay, you might want to reconsider visiting your doctor, especially if you’re experiencing some symptoms.

There are various symptoms you must keep an eye out for. While a usual cold may only need fluids and rest, there could be more underlying symptoms, which may require you to see a doctor.

Whether or not you’re a fan of doctors, regular health risk assessment is crucial, and keeping an eye out on the following symptoms can make a huge difference to your overall health condition.

  • Difficulty Breathing or Shortness of Breath
Male patient at urologist’s office

It can be a sign of an allergic reaction, asthma, or bronchitis. While it’s okay to breathe heavily during a hard workout, right after getting exciting news, or in the middle of a high-stress situation, regular difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can be a symptom that you should take seriously.

Your breathing rate controls the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your body. You may breathe slower or faster in response to your oxygen requirements. Particular lung conditions could make it more difficult for your body to release carbon dioxide and take in oxygen. This may result in shallow, fast breaths.

Allergic reactions that cause the throat to swell can also lead to shortness of breath or trouble breathing. When it happens, make sure to immediately seek medical help and tell your doctor about what you’ve experienced.

  • Chest Pain

It might be a sign of digestive conditions, lung conditions, heart attack, or chest inflammation. While only some people who go to the ER for chest pain are having a heart attack or cardiac arrest, you should never take this symptom lightly.

Chest pain can be caused by a tear in the aorta, which is the heart’s big artery, or because of a blood clot in the lungs.

If you’ve experienced chest pain along with back pain, jaw pain, vomiting, nausea, chest pressure, or fatigue, consult your primary physician immediately. 

  • Changes in Mood or Sudden Confusion

Sudden confusion and changes in mood can happen with mental health problems and physical conditions like drug interaction or an infection. Watch out for irregular sleeping patterns, trouble focusing or thinking, and feelings of depression or anxiety. If things get worse, call your doctor quickly.

  • Unexplained Weight Loss

If you’re not trying to lose weight but you experience an unexplained weight loss, it’s a sign that you should discuss with your doctor.

Unexplained weight loss is common in older adults and those with particular conditions such as cancer and digestive disorders. Mouth and throat conditions can also result in weight loss if they interfere with the types or amount of food somebody can eat.

Your weight naturally increases and decreases throughout the year. However, dropping several pounds without even trying is a red flag and requires medical help to understand your condition.

  • Cold Symptoms

During your childhood days, having a cold can be treated by eating a warm bowl of chicken soup, staying at home, and resting all day while watching your favorite TV shows. However, now that you’re an adult, a cold is just an inconvenience that lasts for days. But what happens when your cold doesn’t go away?

Well, if you won’t let your body rest to fight off the infection that caused your cold, it’ll take longer to heal. Your cold may also turn into a sinus or an ear infection. In other cases, what you think is a severe cold is actually the flu. If you don’t know the difference, make sure to get tested.

To treat a cold, spend some time recovering so it won’t turn into a severe condition. If you think it’s due to an infection, visit your doctor to get the right medications and combine them with plenty of rest.

  • Sudden Changes in Your Bowel Habits

Your stool can tell you a lot about your health. Changes in the consistency or frequency of your bowel movements can signal a stomach problem. It can also be a sign of bowel cancer, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Watery stool or diarrhea can be a symptom of a digestive condition or infection. Constipation can be a sign of a potential blockage or a digestive condition. If there’s blood on your stool, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Everybody experiences digestive discomfort at some point in time, but severe and chronic symptoms are a cause for concern. You might be ashamed of discussing your bowel habits with your doctor, but it’s vital for them to understand your current health condition. Your doctor has seen worse before, so don’t feel any shame or worry when consulting with your physician.

  • Prolonged or High Fever

It may be a sign of inflammatory conditions, an infection, or side effects of some medications, but the most common cause of fever is actually an infection like a stomach bug or cold. 

Unless you’re a toddler or an infant, a slight fever is nothing to worry about. However, if you have had a fever for several days already, get yourself to a doctor immediately. If you’re not sure if you have a fever, use a thermometer to track your body temperature.

  • Abdominal Pain

Healthcare professionals break down abdominal pain into two primary types: chronic and acute. Acute abdominal pain is the pain that’s severe and comes on suddenly, while chronic abdominal pain is longer-lasting but less intense.

More often than not, many people are forced to seek help because of severe abdominal pain. On the contrary, chronic pain is often ignored, but you should note that it’s as serious as severe abdominal pain.

The pain’s location can help tell your doctor what the problem is and would give them a clue of what tests should be performed. So, if you experience abdominal pain and it has been going on for a while, or it’s severe, consult your doctor immediately.

Bottom Line

While the above symptoms aren’t always an indicator of serious conditions, long-lasting or severe symptoms can be a warning sign. If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, set an appointment and talk to your doctor as soon as you can.

 

Best Canadian Online Casinos And How To Make That Determination

Scott Browder
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Best Canadian Online Casinos And How To Make That Determination

Asking a group of people to select from the best of anything will result in quite a subjective result. Each person will like a different option for a unique reason; the same is true for online Canadian casinos. 

Which is best will most certainly depend on which person you ask on any given day, albeit there are a few common factors that create some of the tops in the industry, including fair terms and conditions, large game choice, good bonuses, free slots. But what makes a casino stand out from another is based on an individual’s preference. 

Ideally, what should be the primary consideration is safety. There boast approximately (close to) thousands of online casinos in Canada. Not all of these are as willing to pay out when you win the jackpot as others. It’s critical to find those that are trusted, honest, and fair, above all else. 

Once you find casinos with these traits, you can choose which have better benefits among those. Because if you want to be technical, the best online casino in Canada is the one that offers the optimum in safety and security. Everything over and above that is a perk.

Canadian Online Casinos

Choosing an online casino game in Canada will depend on what you prefer. Some people enjoy playing free slots while others want to play real-money games. Each person is different and will find a unique niche. The idea is to test a few different options until you find one that suits you.

Unfortunately, if you try to find a favorite land-based game online where you can hop and attempt to earn similar rewards, that’s unlikely to happen. With some sites, though, the real-world experience is mimicked to a degree. There are even those that allow streaming with live dealers. The casinos that offer free games are worth considering because you get to test your skill before you go into a real-time mode – if you choose to play for real. Some don’t.

What’s ideal in Canada is any winnings deem a windfall and are not subject to tax. That means players can keep all of what they win with no requirement for even reporting it to your income tax, according to the “Canada Revenue Agency” or CRA.

There is a requirement to report interest earned on the winnings. And if you play poker as a full-time job, your money is income. For anyone who isn’t sure, contact a tax attorney.

Canadian citizens are free to participate in online gambling at will, with there being no legislation against playing and no restrictions for the games. Provincial lotteries operate gambling sites of their own in competition with offshore carriers. These carriers can’t run legally within the borders, but they can market to the citizens. Read this for ideas on real-time gambling etiquette if you plan to visit Canada.

How To Choose An Online Casino In Canada

Aside from ensuring safety guidelines are in place for your privacy and security, check out the tax laws and follow the local legislation as it applies to your area. Make sure that the casino you choose offers perks so that your experience is enjoyable and worthwhile. Here are some things to look for in choosing an online casino:

  • Rapid payout. No one wants a delay in receiving funds.
  • A competitive welcome bonus.
  • Rewards for those that often play in the way of a loyalty program.
  • Ease of deposits and security prevents difficulty with play.
  • A broad variety of game choices enticing play.
  • Regular updates.
  • Free and real-money games.
  • Knowledgeable, reliable, and available customer support.

Each player will come with a different set of circumstances. A casino needs set up in a manner that can accommodate the most common methods. Payment preferences are merely one aspect when you need to ensure your casino of choice can support you. 

As a rule, many sites are automatically accepting Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal. Even if you decide you want to play free games, check it out because you might change your mind at some point.

Withdrawing should be easy, as well. You don’t want to have to go through a lot of red tape to receive your funds. Casinos that offer a few different withdrawal methods are the best option, but you don’t want charges attached to those methods. If a casino will cut you a check but wants a considerable fee to do so, you should move on.

You might not think of it, but you also want to consider your currency. The exchange rate could be considerable, depending on which currency. Choosing a casino that’s strictly using Canadian currency may be a priority for you. Some casinos use both USD and Canadian. It could be beneficial to play with a site that does each. 

Final Thought

Game offerings are among the primary considerations when looking for the ideal casino in Canada. There are hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from, with a single site offering hundreds, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best one. It could be an option with hundreds of slots and merely one or two table games. That would be unfortunate.

The idea is to research, use review sites, and read what other people have to say about casino choices before committing to one. If you can’t find the platform you’re interested in on a review board, it wasn’t worth the assessment, and you should move on.

With so many sites on the market, it can genuinely become overwhelming to determine which will give you the best experience while providing the most security and safety, but there are good ones out there. 

Primarily, make sure the site has a license through a reputable iGaming agency that is legitimate. eCogra or another independent authority should regulate the casino. Your funds should be kept safe with encryption at a bank-level. Ultimately, safety is the priority in determining the best casino.

Charlotte Hornet’s LaMelo Ball Becomes Youngest in NBA History To Record A “Triple-Double”

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Hornet’s LaMelo Ball Becomes Youngest in NBA History To Record A “Triple-Double”

Charlotte Hornets newcomer LaMelo Ball broke an NBA record this past weekend during our win over the Atlanta Hawks.

19-year-old Ball is now the 5th rookie and the youngest player in NBA history to record a “triple-double”, amassing 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in Saturday night’s game.

Since Ball replaced Markelle Fultz after the game started, he also became the first Hornet in history to achieve a triple-double coming off the bench.

What do you think about Saturday night’s game?

The Carolinas Rank Among The Worst States to Raise a Family

Steve
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The Carolinas Rank Among The Worst States to Raise a Family

With families looking for a fresh start once the COVID-19 pandemic dies down and moving becomes practical, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Best & Worst States to Raise a Family.

To determine the best states in which to put down family roots, the site compared the 50 states across 52 key indicators of family-friendliness. The data set ranges from the median annual family income to housing affordability to the unemployment rate.

The Carolinas were ranked among the worst in the nation, with North Carolina coming in at #38 and South Carolina ranking among the bottom 10 at #43.

Best States for Families

Overall Rank  State Total Score  ‘Family Fun’  ‘Health & Safety’  ‘Education & Child Care’  ‘Affordability’  ‘Socio-economics’ 
1 Massachusetts 60.88 9 10 3 6 21
2 Minnesota 60.57 14 5 8 11 5
3 North Dakota 60.10 33 7 2 14 1
4 New York 59.80 2 21 6 5 47
5 Vermont 59.16 40 1 5 27 4
6 New Hampshire 58.85 31 3 12 10 3
7 New Jersey 58.76 18 26 1 1 19
8 Washington 58.46 8 11 23 4 16
9 Connecticut 55.86 29 18 4 2 28
10 Utah 55.48 13 20 16 34 2
11 Nebraska 55.47 21 9 14 23 10
12 Iowa 55.37 34 8 11 15 8
13 South Dakota 55.17 30 16 10 20 7
14 Wisconsin 54.44 20 15 15 18 14
15 Colorado 53.41 7 24 27 29 12
16 Illinois 53.13 3 31 18 24 45
17 Virginia 51.75 28 13 17 19 18
18 Maine 51.72 46 4 9 31 15
19 Montana 51.61 39 14 7 46 6
20 Hawaii 51.37 16 2 26 33 36
21 Oregon 51.12 10 6 37 22 22
22 Maryland 50.36 23 23 13 12 31
23 Pennsylvania 49.94 11 32 28 7 24
24 Rhode Island 49.78 27 25 21 3 43
25 California 49.57 1 40 43 17 42
26 Wyoming 49.08 32 17 19 43 13
27 Missouri 48.86 22 30 24 21 17
28 Texas 46.91 5 37 33 41 38
29 Kansas 46.43 37 42 25 16 11
30 Ohio 45.71 15 29 35 13 41
31 Michigan 45.23 42 22 36 8 25
32 Delaware 45.17 44 27 20 26 32
33 Alaska 44.86 17 19 42 28 34
34 Idaho 44.53 36 12 46 47 9
35 Indiana 44.23 35 41 30 9 23
36 Florida 43.33 6 35 32 49 44
37 Kentucky 43.17 45 28 22 30 35
38 North Carolina 42.69 25 34 29 39 30
39 Tennessee 41.05 24 47 31 42 20
40 Georgia 39.90 26 33 40 38 40
41 Nevada 38.52 4 46 49 50 46
42 Arizona 38.22 12 44 48 48 26
43 South Carolina 37.97 41 38 38 44 27
44 Alabama 36.33 47 36 44 25 39
45 Arkansas 34.83 48 49 34 36 33
46 Oklahoma 34.49 43 48 45 40 37
47 Louisiana 33.83 19 43 47 32 50
48 West Virginia 33.83 50 39 41 37 29
49 Mississippi 29.70 49 50 39 35 48
50 New Mexico 28.95 38 45 50 45 49

Do you agree with the rankings?

What do you think should be done to improve our scores?

7 Tricks to Make Your Job Posting Pop!

Steve
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7 Tricks to Make Your Job Posting Pop!

Image Credit: Imagesource.io

Experts say do these 7 things to make a job post stick.

Nobody wants to find themselves without work in this economy. No matter how unforgiving the modern job market, however, there is still enough work for everyone. If you want to make your firm’s job posts pop off the page, there are a few tricks the experts use to make the impact last for as long as possible… and we stole them!

7 Tips that Experts use to Keep Job Postings in the Headlines

Let’s talk tactics. How do you make your job posting stand out in a flooded market?

1 – Use Free Job Posting Sites

Free job posting sites are the ultimate in largely untapped resources that your firm ought to be taking advantage of. They bring you free publicity in much the same way as a social media account does, so find one, research it, and start putting together an ad.

2 – Get Specific.

Using defined features and less generic descriptions should pay off. The more personal you can be, the more someone feels like your ad is speaking to them. If you want to create a job posting that stays in the top spot for more than a few hours, make sure you get specific. 

3 – Make the Most of it…

If you aren’t accenting the highlights of working for you, then you aren’t doing it right. Any and all benefits, right down to a free pizza if you stock take, should be listed. These make your job posting pop out by portraying your place as a great location to work at. Make the most of it…

4 – List Individuals

We don’t mean that you should list the names of employees, we mean that you should list skills as individual actions. This helps a reader and potential candidate to visualise the role, as well as allowing them to know for certain whether or not they can do the job.

5 – Shareability is Important.

In the modern job market, if the candidate can’t share a link to your page with their friends, you aren’t going to get as many applicants. The modern job market is a shareable one, ensure you are up to speed or get left in the digital dust.

6 – WFH

These three little letters are becoming the number 1 sales point of any role. If your employee can work from home, Covid-19 says they are much more likely to apply for your position. This is due to restrictions, employee freedom, and the evolution of the working world.

7 – Link it In

LinkedIn is one of your key social media tools to help you get ahead. Fill in a profile for yourself and your business, then pin your job posting to your timeline. This is a really easy way to boost HR visibility and get those positions filled by worthwhile candidates.

The Bonus Round

The majority of job postings are words only. Some include corporate logos, but that’s about as creative as it gets. Small animations, artwork, or even just creative wording can help to make your listing pop.

Whatever you try, being active, keeping it updated, and sharing it as much as possible, should all come together to make your jobs as visible as possible. All you need to do from then on is to keep it up to date.

How to Improve Your Hiring Process in 5 Easy Steps

Sharon Anderson
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How to Improve Your Hiring Process in 5 Easy Steps

There’s no way around it: hiring is tough work! Hiring new talent is a crucial part of your duties as a business owner, but finding the right fit can be easier said than done. According to a 2016 study, it takes an average of 42 days and costs an average of $4,000 to hire a new employee. That’s a lot of time and effort! 

If you’re looking to streamline your hiring process in 2021, we’re here to help. Read on to learn how to improve your hiring process in 5 easy steps! 

Step 1: Write a Better Job Listing 

If you’ve spent any time on a job search website, you’ve probably noticed that, after a while, a lot of the job listings start to sound the same. They’re chock full of buzzwords like “dynamic” and “high-energy” and promise a “work hard, play hard” atmosphere. After the tenth job listing that promises cold brew on tap and a dog-friendly environment, the perks start to lose their meaning. 

Stand out by writing a better job listing. To find the right talent, you’ve got to find people who are interested in the job, and not just in it for the unlimited PTO. Focus on the role itself first, and the perks like a retirement portfolio and bonuses second. Highlight the various duties of the job and how they fit into the larger picture of the company’s mission. 

If you have any prerequisites for the role, be sure to include them. Otherwise, you’ll waste your time weeding out under qualified candidates. 

Step 2: Ask for a Cover Letter 

Not everyone’s a huge fan of the cover letter, but they’re an important part of your hiring process for a few different reasons. 

For one, they prevent job-seekers who are simply spamming job boards with resumes from applying for your position. In addition, they’re an effective pre qualifier. A cover letter shows that the applicant is willing to do a bit of extra work into applying for your position. 

A cover letter also gives you a taste of the applicant’s personality and professional skills upfront. That way, you won’t find yourself bringing in an applicant who looks great on paper, only to find them underwhelming in person. 

Step 3: Include More People in Interviews 

Traditionally, job interviews take place with just a few people. Prospective applicants expect to meet with the hiring manager and perhaps the CEO if the company is small. While this can be a fine way to hire, it’s not our favorite. 

If you really want to find a strong candidate, it’s important to get many more people in on the hiring process. For one, more eyes are almost always a better thing. Fellow team members can interview more precisely for job skills, as they’ll know the ins and outs of the job the best. 

More importantly than that, though, is that a strong new hire needs to really fit in your company. It’s great to find someone who is extremely skilled and experienced, but if they don’t fit in with your company, chances are they won’t last, and they may create friction while they’re there. 

Ensure that your new hire will be a good fit for your team but having them interview with the team, too. Afterward, as for opinions and first impressions before providing your own for an unbiased response. Finally, take those responses to heart and weigh them heavily in your hiring decisions. 

Step 4: Thoroughly Screen 

No matter who piques your interest and how trustworthy they seem, it’s imperative that you thoroughly screen every prospective employee prior to sending out an offer. 

Ask for a minimum of 3 professional references and be sure to contact each one. Verify their job titles and responsibilities. Ask questions about their experiences with the candidate, including their strengths and weaknesses. Watch for red flags or any conflicting information. 

Next, perform a thorough background check on your candidate to find any red flags in their personal history. A background check, like the one from ShareAble for Hires, can tell you things like legal history and any potential fraud. It will also tell you their current and prior addresses. Cross-reference these with their employment history to make sure everything checks out. 

Step 5: Hire! 

If you’ve followed these steps, you’ve found a candidate who you can feel good about bringing onto your team. Congratulations! Time to send out that offer.

5 Creative Content Ideas for a Successful Instagram Account

Scott Peg
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5 Creative Content Ideas for a Successful Instagram Account

Creating good compelling content for Instagram is a pressure on every brand or individual who wants to excel on Instagram. Every time, the creative juices won’t flow. Moreover, coming up with new concepts and actually finding the right aesthetics for Instagram is easier said than done. Posting just photos or videos in the name of content is not going to help the brand to grow. 

One has to create content which sets it apart from other competitors and helps to gain followers and engagement. 

Each day almost 95 million photos and videos get posted on the app and posting different kinds of content might become difficult so we have compiled a list of 5 things which a business can do that sets it apart from other companies operating on Instagram. The list provided below is not exhaustive and one might not feel pressurized that he has to post accordingly only. 

Creating own Instagram content using templates

There are loads of free websites available on the net that offer pre designed templates which can be used to create content with minimal effort. Whatever message the business wants to convey, one can use templates to convey it. There may be a post to promote a special offer or a post announcing something new offered by the brand or a post sharing a client’s experience or story. 

Once you have selected an Instagram template, you can edit it as per your choice and change font and style. After that, you can just download the template, upload it on Instagram with an attractive caption. 

Finding high quality stock images

Stock images have recently been less popular but that totally doesn’t mean that these cannot be used to gain real likes and increase engagement. These images can help in contrasting the feed as it gives a varied angle to Instagram feed when mixed with templates. 

To find high quality stock images, one can check out sites Unsplash and Stocksnap.io. These sites are free and offer something which you will definitely find intriguing according to your niche. 

Another site to look out for is Stocksy which provides paid services and as you would expect, paid images will have a better quality and quantity. The ideal size for any Instagram image is 1080p *1080p so keep in mind these dimensions while selecting the pictures. The images can also be customized as per your choice through the addition of text layers, filters, borders, etc. 

Reposting Instagram content from brands within the business’ niche

It’s not always necessary to post everything unique. Our brain sometimes does not understand as to what to post. In such cases, the businesses should play a smart move by reposting content from other brands which are similar to their niche. 

There is nothing wrong in reposting content from other brands until and unless the brand has taken permissions and is giving proper credits to the brand. 

In order to repost content from similar brands one must follow the given steps – 

  • Following different accounts and hashtags belonging to the niche – Following other brands helps to get ideas about what they are posting. You can save such posts which you might think are worthy and share later. You can also make a list of hashtags that are relevant to the brand and search associated content. 
  • Reaching out to users to seek permission to post – if one finds something good on other’s feed and wants to repost it, he should first DM the person, seek permission and repost the content. 

Running User Generated Content (UGC) campaign

Brands and businesses can also encourage their existing followers to create content around the given ideas which can be posted by the business on their feed. This is what we call by the name User generated content. This term might not be restricted to brands encouraging followers; it can be anything posted by users on their feed whether done by brands or not. 

They can organize competitions or campaigns where they can host major giveaways for people who come up with the best content ideas. The brands should not be too bothered about the content that their users generate. But you should be careful that you are not posting too much UG content otherwise followers may feel that they are getting exploited and the feed might lose its aesthetics. 

Collaborating with influencers

Content influencers have been a major trend nowadays. People are taking up influencing as a career option. Buy collaborating with influencers which have a huge fan base, the business can expose themselves to a large audience and get more real followers. 

Small businesses can go for micro influencers if their budget is not much as the micro influencers would agree to do so at a minimized rate. 

We hope that you might find these tips useful to amp up your content strategy and plan content accordingly which users will love and engage with. Happy Instagramming to you!!

 

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