Another in a series of posts highlighting GreatPlaceJobs’ workplaces.

By Beth Mulhern, GreatPlaceJobs Research Assistant

NIKE, Inc. was born on the dreams of Phil Knight, a competitive runner for the University of Oregon, and his coach, Bill Bowerman. Back in the mid-1950’s, long before the famous Nike “Swoosh” came along, Coach Bowerman wanted better running shoes for his track team than were available on the market, and Phil Knight, who graduated and earned his MBA, had a vision of marketing the best running shoes in the world in a brand new way in the US. They shared their visions and Blue Ribbon Sports, later to become NIKE, Inc., came to be, and now includes the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cole Haan, Converse Inc., Hurley International LLC, NIKE Golf, and Umbro Ltd.

Nike, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, was an $18.6 billion dollar company at the end of 2008, and has plans to grow to $23 billion in revenue by the end of fiscal 2011. The company employs over 30,000 people across six continents, in more than 160 countries around the globe. They directly or indirectly employ nearly one million people through their suppliers, shippers, retailers and other service providers. Their mission statement, “to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete”, has at its core the belief of its co-founder, Bill Bowerman that “if you have a body, you are an athlete.” They state their corporate goal like this:
Our goal is to carry on his legacy of innovative thinking, whether to develop products that help athletes of every level of ability reach their potential, or to create business opportunities that set Nike apart from the competition and provide value for our shareholders.

It’s refreshing that a multi-billion dollar corporation features a strong policy on environmental responsibility, especially in regards to climate change.  They summarize it clearly:

Nike sees corporate responsibility as an integral part of how we can use the power of our brand, the energy and passion of our people, and the scale of our business to create meaningful change.
Nike, Inc. also takes great pride in an innovative and inspirational corporate culture, which embraces diversity, imagination and creativity.   For example, Nike has a very innovative marketing strategy, utilizing digital media aggressively to promote the brand.  They encourage their employees to think outside the box and “push out the edges of what can be.” Their record speaks for itself, as the company has been named three years running to Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For, and for the last two years was also named to Business Week’s Top 100 Best Places To Launch A Career lists. Further, The Ethisphere Institute named Nike as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2009.

To look for jobs with Nike, join GreatPlaceJobs.

By Miriam Salpeter, GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.com

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” – Yogi Berra

So begins John Liptak’s book, Career Quizzes.

With so many people facing transitions now (either of their own choice or as a result of a layoff) and with many studies indicating that workers are generally dissatisfied with their jobs and/or seriously thinking of making a change, it is important to point out that planning and focusing on career goals is an important piece of driving your own career bus!

Liptak reminds readers how important it is to prepare for transtions, and this book is a good first step for anyone thinking about making a move. It offers readers help in:

• Finding purpose.
• Identifying an ideal job.
• Developing a career plan.
• Taking action.

With a series of different assessments to help guide the job seeker, but a caveat that “an assessment can provide you with valuable information about yourself, but plese remember that such instruments cannot measure everything for you” (p. XV), this book provides guidance and a great starting point for anyone who needs a jump start for his or her career transition.

If you’d like to win a FREE copy, comment on this blog post to enter a random drawing! Feel free to comment on all of my blogs for a better chance to win:

• Keppie Careers
• Examiner.com
• Secrets of the Job Hunt

Is it important for you to be happy at work? ARE you happy? Or, is it time to consider a change? Award-winning employers, such as the ones who post positions on GreatPlaceJobs, are less likely to experience lay-offs during a downturn. Now you can search our database for free and download a free toolbar to help you get started: http://greatplacejobs.ourtoolbar.com/

You deserve a job with a terrific company!

By Miriam Salpeter, GreatPlaceJobs Career Expert
www.keppiecareers.com

Is it just me, or do many movies for young people tend to have a career theme? I first noticed this back when I watched the Bee Movie. (I blogged about this HERE), and then again with Bedtime Stories -  a comedy about a hotel handyman (Adam Sandler) whose life changes when the outrageous bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to actually come true. (Am I the only one who thought that movie was a career story?) Now, it’s Night At the Museum – Battle of the Smithsonian. Larry (Ben Stiller) realizes that running his own business isn’t half as much fun as hanging out with museum objects that come to life at night. Concluding that happiness is the most important thing in life, Larry makes a move.

What about you…Have you thought about the most important things in life? Given any thought to how happy (or unhappy) you are in your current job?

Alexander Kjerulf, author of Happy Hour is 9 to 5 – How to Love Your Job, Love Your Life and Kick Butt at Work, notes that studies show that people who pursue the career they like, rather than the career they think will make them rich, are more likely to become millionaires. However, when he studied U.S. workers, he found that “You get paid to do your job, not to like it,” seems to be the attitude of most US managers and workplaces. Further, he found that American employees “seem to be willing participants in this arrangement..When I ask Americans what makes them happy at work, they rarely talk about the work itself – many tend to see it as a means to an end, rather than as something to enjoy.”

He also reminds us that “happy companies make more cash.” This agrees with research that award-winning workplaces outperform and weather the recession better than their counterparts.

Alexander offers these questions to help evaluate your work happiness:

• What went really well for you at work?
• What did you do that you’re proud of?
• Who have you helped out?
• How have you grown and developed professionally?
• How have you grown and developed personally at work?
• Who has really appreciated your work?
• Who has helped you out and been there for you?
• Who have you admired at work?
• What have been some fun moments at work?
• Which 5 things from the last few months that you would you like to have more of?

Is it important for you to be happy at work? ARE you happy? Or, is it time to consider a change? Award-winning employers, such as the ones who post positions on GreatPlaceJobs, are less likely to experience lay-offs during a downturn. Now you can search our database for free and download a free toolbar to help you get started: http://greatplacejobs.ourtoolbar.com/

You deserve a job with a terrific company!

Great news for job seekers looking for opportunities with award-winning employers. GreatPlaceJobs.com now offers two search options for anyone hoping to find a great job!

Job seekers will have FREE access to all job listings that are more than 3 days old or unlimited access to all job listings as soon as they are posted for only $27.95 for a 3-month membership! (Premium members will also receive a free copy of the ebook, Dig Your Job (a $9.99 value)!  Dig Your Job includes over 200 ideas to help you find a better job or keep the one you have.)

Because there is no charge for companies to post jobs, GreatPlaceJobs is the most comprehensive source of real jobs at the nation’s best employers. Each month, GreatPlaceJobs typically features tens of thousands of new open jobs at great companies.

Why should you take some of your precious time to search on GreatPlaceJobs?

Top-ranked employers have proven themselves to be much more recession-proof than the average company. Award winning companies are much more likely to survive the current recession without suffering layoffs or a bankruptcy. A recent study found that, in 2008, companies recognized as great workplaces conducted layoffs half as often as a general sample of other companies. In addition, excellent employers had a 27.4 percent higher revenue growth rate during the third quarter of 2008.

As a member of GreatPlaceJobs, you’ll save time in your job search because you’ll see only real, open jobs at certified great companies. Never again will you find yourself trolling through endless lists of low-quality job listings on other, less-targeted job boards!

GreatPlaceJobs can help make your job search easier, faster and smarter.

• 28,340 new jobs in the last 30 days.
• Only jobs at award-winning excellent employers are featured.
• More than 1,300 companies approved as great employers. All companies are individually qualified and approved before being added to GreatPlaceJobs.

Add the GreatPlaceJobs toolbar!

You deserve a job with a terrific company! Download a free toolbar to help you get started: http://greatplacejobs.ourtoolbar.com/

Our affiliate, The People Group, shared some interesting information on their blog describing how to identify when you are being bullied. These signs are from “You know you’re being bullied when…” by Dr. Gary Namie, Workplace Doctor and Founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute:

1. You attempt the obviously impossible task of doing a new job without training or time to learn new skills but that work is never good enough for the boss.

2. Surprise meetings are called by your boss with no results other than further humiliation.

3. Everything your tormenter does to you is arbitrary and capricious, working a personal agenda that undermines the employer’s legitimate business interests.

4. Others at work have been told to stop working, talking or socializing with you.

5. You constantly feel agitated and anxious, experiencing a sense of doom, waiting for bad things to happen.

6. No matter what you do, you are never left alone to do your job without interference.

7. People feel justified screaming or yelling at you in front of others, but you are punished if you scream back.

8. HR tells you that your harassment isn’t illegal, that you have to “work it out between yourselves.”

9. You finally, firmly confront your tormentor to stop the abusive conduct, you are accused of harassment.

10. You are shocked when accused of incompetence despite a history of objective excellence, typically by someone who cannot do your job.

11. Everyone – co-workers, senior bosses, HR – agrees (in person and orally) that your tormentor is a jerk, but there is nothing they will do about it (and deny saying what they said later when asked to support you).

12. Your request to transfer to an open position under another boss is mysteriously denied.

If this describes your situation, follow THIS LINK to information that will help you deal with a workplace bully.

Is it time to look for a job in an organization that supports and appreciates its workers? Join GreatPlaceJobs to find positions with award-winning organizations! Our premium members also receive a free copy of G.L. Hoffman’s ebook, Dig Your Job (a $9.99 value)!

“So, tell me about yourself?”

Is that not the most obvious interview question? The one that every job seeker should anticipate and prepare to answer? Unfortunately, it may seem so obvious, many don’t spend the time they should focusing on how to answer it.

In fact, most aspects of the job search rely on being able to tell your own story.

• Networking (the all important elevator pitch)
• Your resume – connecting your accomplishments with the employer’s needs
• Cover letter – another opportunity to sell your skills to a targeted employer
• Portfolios – online opportunities to connect with people
• Interviews – sealing the deal
• On the job – to connect and advance

I highly recommend that job seekers take a look at Katharine Hansen’s new book, Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career.

Her book is organized into several sections:

• Part I – Career propelling story basics
• Part II – Using storytelling in your job search
• Part III – Continuous storytelling

Katharine explains how stories can help you get a job by demonstrating your personality, helping to make you memorable and establishing trust. People who know how to tell good stories can communicate their value proposition, which is key for job seekers and careerists.

This book helps you with every aspect of telling your story – from figuring out what the story should be through tips for how to recall stories stored in your brain! (For example, give your stories names.) It is full of samples of stories and many, many ideas that are critically useful for job seekers and all professionals.

If you’re engaged in a job search – or maybe you should be – don’t miss this great resource!

Would you like to win a copy of Tell Me About Yourself? Share a comment – either tell a story about how a story helped your job search or explain why you could use this resource. Or, be creative! I’ll choose a winner from the comments on all of my blogs. Feel free to enter on each one:

Keppie Careers

Examiner

Secrets of the Job Hunt

If you want to find a job, stop wasting your time, money and sanity – I can help. Contact me about revising your resume and coaching you to land your target job!

Another in a series of posts highlighting GreatPlaceJobs’ workplaces.

By Natalie Roig, GreatPlaceJobs Research Assistant

America’s number one online lender, Quicken Loans, is looking to add to their employment family. Quicken Loans believes the key to success is to always keep learning. Quicken Loans has been lending money to clients for over 24 years. They are a successful lending company because they focus on keeping their clients satisfied and try to innovate the ailing mortgage industry.

Quicken Loans is not like any other mortgage company. Quicken Loans has satisfied 94% of their customers because of their dedication to their clients. Customer service is a huge part of Quicken Loans’ success. They combine industry-leading and award-winning technology with customer service to give the best to their customers.

Quicken Loans employs over 3,000 passionate team members and wants to grow. They were named in the top 20 of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in America and named Computerworld Magazine’s number one place to work in IT. Quicken Loans works hard to maintain an anti-corporate culture environment. They believe that if you work hard, you should be the one that to reap the rewards, both personally and professionally. Quicken Loans is dedicated to honing employees’ skills, helping them grow and making sure they have fun while working. They strive to be a workplace where people can really be proud of what they do.

Quicken Loans promise to their client is, ‘With every client, every time, we deliver on the promise to make this your best mortgage experience ever.” To look for jobs with Quicken Loans, join GreatPlaceJobs.

Quicken Loans in the news

Quicken Loans and the American Red Cross joined together to collect blankets and cash donations for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donors had the chance to win tickets to a live performance by the Jonas Brothers at Joe Louis Arena. This event was to fill a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle and help provide blankets for the homeless.