Human Resources – Management Library

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023

10 Best Resume Builders for Your Dream Job | Best Picks 2023

If you’re looking for work or want to update your resume, you want to get it done as soon as possible while maintaining high quality. One of the quickest ways is to use an online builder with templates for each section of your resume.

There are, however, thousands of resume builders available online. We wanted to keep it to ten to make it easier for you to choose. But what exactly is a resume builder? In the following section, we will go over this in greater depth.

Just what is a Resume Builder?

Resume builders are online tools that give all the necessary building blocks: different designed templates, profile styles, experience, education sections, and more to update your resume. In addition, templates, colors, fonts, layout, and sizes are all customizable.

All you need to do is fill in your contact and background information and add bullets to different resume sections. Before you know it, your resume will be ready to go.

However, each resume builder has its strengths and weaknesses. Some are easier to use or more expensive. Others have more custom features and leave greater scope for creativity.

The process is pretty similar. It will involve selecting one or more professional templates and adding section by section to your resume. From your name and contact details to your education and professional achievements.

5 Benefits of a Professional Resume Builder?

1. Produce Multiple Types of Resume in One Day

Resume builders enable you to create multiple styles and types of resumes. They help job seekers to cast their nets much wider. You can create several resumes quickly rather than spending hours on one. You also have the option of tailoring your resume to several applications.

2. They Save Time

Writing a great resume can take several drafts which can mean hours of work. Resume builders save a lot of time. They typically come with a selection of templates, styles, and other customizable features. They will also guide you through each step of putting your resume together.

3. Some Come Free and Are Affordable

There are many available options when it comes to selecting a resume builder. Some are free and allow you to select an eye-catching template and tailor your resume. Other resume builders offer tiered packages that are generally affordable.

4. Produce a Better Organized Resume

Hiring managers typically select the most organized, concise, and well-presented resumes. Resume builders help methodically organize your resume. Templates also help you not to omit important information.

5. Are Easy to Use and Don’t Require Experience

Because most resume builders are easy to use and don’t require much technical knowledge, you can pick it up quickly even if you are a complete newbie.

What Is the Difference Between Executive Resume Writing Services and Resume Builders?

Professional resume writing services have several advantages over resume builders. A professional writing service ensures that resumes are proofread, edited, expertly written, and tailored to include best resume practices and current industry trends. The result is a high-end product that will support you in your job search. Let’s explore these a little more in detail.

1. Add a Personalized Touch

We often struggle to write about our personal and professional achievements. These are critical when you want to make your resume stand out. A professional resume writer can do this all for you. They will ensure that your resume represents the best you can be. They will also produce a well organized, personable, and relevant resume which is tailored to your desired role(s).

2. Expertise in Best Practices and the Latest Industry Trends

A professional resume writing service will be well-versed in best industry practices and trends, such as Applicant Tracking Systems. Having them in your corner will allow you to bypass the first vetting stage by including critical keywords that these systems detect. It is important to note that almost every application process includes ATS.

3. Expertise Equates to a Highly Polished Product

Resume writers are resume specialists. Hiring a resume writer will almost always ensure that you receive a clean, professional, proofread, and error-free document to submit with your job applications.

A professionally written resume increases your chances of landing a job faster and at a higher salary. According to the TopResume survey, job seekers who use a professional resume writer have a 32% higher chance of landing a job than job seekers who write their resume themselves. Those who hired a professional resume writer were also valued 7% higher than those who did it themselves.

Our Top 10 Resume Builders

We wanted to make it simple for you to find the resume builder that suited your specific requirements out of the nearly infinite number available.

We have a slightly different list for a number of reasons. We’ve chosen ten resume builders, and for each of them, we’ve determined the one thing they do better than anyone else. Consider it the resume-builder Academy Awards. We have chosen the top entry in each of the ten categories.

The Most User Friendly: ResumeGenius

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The genius part of ResumeGenius is it is one of the most user-friendly resume builders. It features an intuitive user interface that ‘takes you by the hand’ while it walks you through each resume section. There is also a fantastic variation of templates from the Taj Mahal to the Classic. Each resume section is easy to fill. And before you know it, you’ll have a comprehensive, smart-looking resume that will send hiring managers looking in your direction.

Best For User-Friendliness

For those new to the world of resume building, ResumeBuilder is ideal. It carefully guides you through each phase of creating your resume with professional pointers. Resume Genius also has search options to help optimize your resume for ATS.

Intuitive Interface
URL to share and track performance
Selection of 50,000+ job descriptions from different industries to help finely tune your resume application

Downloadable for free as a Text File. You will need to pay extra for a PDF version.
There is no option to download your existing resume. This means starting from scratch each time and makes updates difficult.

Pricing

14-day Trial Plan*

$2.95

Monthly Plan

$7.95

Pro Subscription — Annual

$95.40

Best Expert Pointers: Zety

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Zety has some of the widest selections of templates available. However, it is best for its detailed and helpful expert pointers. It is also easy to start from scratch quickly. Similar to ResumeGenius it guides you through the process of creating a new resume with ease. The tool is free, but you will need to create an online account.

Once you have finished building your resume and are ready to use Zety, simply choose “Download” from the left toolbar instead of “Save” and “Next.” After that, select “Plain Text, (.txt)” to download your resume for free.

Zety provides the best expert advice on creating the best content at each stage of the resume-building process. Additionally, there are several ways to customize your resume to your needs. You can download your resume for free as a text file.

To download it in PDF or another format, you need to pay $2.70, though. Some resume templates employ eye-catching graphics, which makes them less ATS-friendly.

Guides you through each stage of building your resume with helpful pointers and prompts
A wide array of customization options
Auto-suggestion feature offers optimized ATS summaries of job experience and skills

Free to download a text file. However you will need to pay $2.70 for any other format.
Some templates aren’t ATS optimized

Pricing

Zety’s career resources are free

14 day pass to download your resume or cover letter

$2.70

Pro Subscription — Annual

$71.40

Best for Tailoring Premade Resumes: Wepik

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A lack of graphic design skills is no longer a barrier to creating an attractive resume with Wepik. This tool is easy to use and great for creating a stand-out resume. Once you have selected your favored template, you can import your academic credentials and experience. You can also add a picture of yourself. One more click to download your document, and it is ready to share.

Wepik has a copious library of templates and is an excellent tool for quickly creating a professional resume. There is also free access to premium features within the online editor, such as a large selection of images, fonts, and graphic elements.

Free first class level features
Quick and seamless editing

There are less customization options for existing designs
You need to start from scratch or select a template

Pricing

Unlimited Plan

$39 per month

Annual Subscription

$390 ($78 savings per year)

Best for LinkedIn Users: Standard Resume

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If you are an active LinkedIn user but don’t have a resume, that’s not an issue as long as you use Standard Resume. The precursor to that is to ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated beforehand.

The white, minimalist background allows you to write without interruption. You can also switch between Write and Design, allowing you to see how your resume looks as you go and download it as a PDF once you’re satisfied with the final product. Standard Resume also ensures your resume is mobile responsive, allowing you to view it on your smartphone.

This tool is ideal if you are a LinkedIn user and want to create an ATS-optimized resume. It uses your LinkedIn profile to generate your resume and offers professional tips.

Free.
Simple to import information from your LinkedIn profile.
Minimalist interface allows you to get on writing your resume without distractions.

Very few options for customization or design tools

Best Tips for Different Experience Levels: My Perfect Resume

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My Perfect Resume enables you to add your details into a blank template or upload an existing resume. As you go through the process, the tool provides expert suggestions including suggested rephrasing for specific roles.

There are also optional sections such as accomplishments, certifications, or affiliations to add. This is crucial if you want to change industries or are pursuing your first job. If you want to apply for a position in the creative sector and want to add color or a distinctive design, this tool is superb.

To use My Perfect Resume for free, instead of selecting “Save and Next,” click “Download” on the left toolbar once you reach the last step of the builder. Then select Plain Text (.text) to download your resume without a fee.

This tool recommends templates based on your experience level and offers expert tips of what skills to select based on your previous roles. However, there are fewer customization options and just nine templates to choose from.

Suggests templates based on your experience level
Provides expert guidance based on skills and job responsibilities

Fewer options for customization and only nine templates
Some templates aren’t ATS optimized
Free to download a text file. However, you will need to pay $2.95 for a 14-day trial to download your document as a PDF

Pricing

Basic Plan is Free includes:

LinkedIn import
Resume editing and PDF preview
Web resume sharing
PDF resume downloads

Pro Subscription

AI resume review
PDF resume downloads
Web resume view tracking
Remove Standard Resume Branding
Customer web resume URL
Hide resume from search engines

50% off “The Tech Resume Inside Out” ($19 value)

$19 per month

Best for Ingenuity and Self Expression: Canva

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There are corporate graphic design and creative templates to help you find your ideal resume style. If you want to add personality and self-expression to your resume, Canva is a good choice. There are several templates, layouts, and designs available.

If you work in the creative industry or want a resume that stands out ‘from the crowd,’ Canva is one of the best options. There are thousands of designer templates available. It is also simple to copy and paste resume sections.

User-friendly Interface
Dozens of templates
Templates are broken down into categories
Create resumes, social media ads, LinkedIn backdrops, flyers, infographics, and more

You can’t download an existing resume.
Awkward to change design elements
Canva’s PDF formatting is not the best for ATS

Pricing

Canva Free

For teams and individuals
Drag and Drop Editor
250,000 free templates (including resumes)
1+ million free photos and graphics
Collaborative: Team up with others
5GB of cloud storage

Canva Pro Subscription

For one person only
100+ million stock photos, graphics, videos
Unlimited features, folders, and premium content
610,000 premium and free templates
100 brand kits
Ability to schedule content for 4 platforms
Background Remover
Cloud Storage 1 TB
24/7 customer support

$119 for one person

Best for In-Platform Job Seekers: Indeed

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It is simple to create an Indeed resume. You can also use the platform to showcase your resume to potential employers. Upload your completed resume to Indeed to increase the likelihood that a hiring manager will see it. While there may not be as many creative options, Indeed is still a great place to create and share a traditional resume.

Indeed is ideal for people who want to create a resume and get started searching for work quickly. It guides you through the process of creating your resume with helpful tips. Resumes designed with Indeed’s Resume Builder are ATS primed.

Free
Offers expert advice and professional tips
ATS compatible templates
Immediately share your finished resume with in-platform employers

Limited choice to 8 templates
Few design and customization choices
You can’t import your LinkedIn profile or upload your existing resume

Pricing

The Indeed Resume Builder is entirely free

Best Minimalist Option: Resume.com

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Resume.com will assist you in quickly creating a resume. If you’re not sure what to put in each section, this tool can help. There are also appealing templates for a variety of job categories.

When you get close to the end, you’ll see a prompt to create an account by clicking here. Select “Skip for Now” to use this tool for free. Then, in the upper right corner, press the download button. Resume.com is ideal for job seekers who need to quickly create a resume. It is completely free and also contains helpful hints.

Totally free
Import your LinkedIn
Share, print, and download in various formats

Restricted options for customization and designs
No pre-written content
Little guidance for resume creation

Pricing

Resume.com’s resume builder is entirely free to use

Best Features: Resume.io

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Resume.io has the best features. Not only does it have pre-written phrases to overcome any writer’s block obstacles, but there is also an automatic spell checker, and you can download it in any format. There is even an application tracking feature. This helps you to monitor the employers and roles that you have applied for.

Its user interface is very intuitive. It takes three simple steps to create a resume. The first is to follow the on-screen prompts to add content. Second: This involves choosing colors and a template style. The final third step is the downloading stage. You can export your resume to any format of your choice. One of its only downsides is that there are only twelve templates to select from.

Packed with great features such as:
Pre-written phrases
Automatic spell checker
Export into any format
Intuitive: Simple three step process

Limited selection of templates: Only twelve templates to choose from.

Pricing

Has a Free Plan

7 day subscribtion:

Unlimited resumes and cover letters
All premium templates and colors
Unlimited PDF downloads
After 7 days, auto-renews to $24.95 billed every 4 weeks
7-day money back guarantee

$4.70

6 months subscription

Unlimited resumes and cover letters
All premium templates and colors
Unlimited PDF downloads
One-time payment, no need to cancel
7-day money back guarantee

$44.95

12 months subscription

Unlimited resumes and cover letters
All premium templates and colors
Unlimited PDF downloads
One-time payment, no need to cancel
7-day money back guarantee

$74.95

Best ATS Optimized Option: Jobscan

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Jobscan ensures your resume will pass Applicant Tracking Scans without any issues. ATS technology assesses the match between the keywords on your resume and the job description. You should pass this stage If your resume has all the relevant keywords.

This means that your resume is ATS optimized. Different companies use different ATS solutions. Jobscan stays abreast of the latest trends and practices in the industry and provides you with ATS tips as you create your resume.

Jobscan’s site will guide you through from start to completing your resume with ease.

There is also a keyword comparison tool. This evaluates the hard and soft skills that appear most frequently in job descriptions and see how your resume matches up. You can also keep track of jobs you’ve applied for, different versions of your resume, and interviews you’ve landed.

If you already have a decent resume then Jobscan is a great choice. While the platform is helpful with keyword, ATS tips, and skills, it doesn’t offer customized templates.

For premium members, however, there is more formatting help with the Power Edit tool. This feature allows you to upload an existing resume and make edits. It offers intelligent keyword tips and formatting suggestions to guide you. You will see your score rise as you make changes, then export your resume.

Pricing

Basic

2 Match Rate calculations per month
2 Keyword Comparisons every month
Limited Scan History (2 scans)
Resume Manager
Jobscan Learning Center

Free

2-week free trial

Unlimited Match Rate calculations
Unlimited Keyword Comparisons
Unlimited Scan History
LinkedIn Optimization (after trial)
Cover Letter Optimization
Resume Power Edit
Job Tracker
Predicted Skills
Resume Manager
Jobscan Learning Center
Jobs Matcher
Premium ATS & Recruiter Findings
ATS Revealed eBook
ATS Friendly Resume Templates
Premium Cover Letter Template

$89.95 every 3 months after free trial

Monthly subscription

Unlimited Match Rate calculations
Unlimited Keyword Comparisons
Unlimited Scan History
LinkedIn Optimization
Cover Letter Optimization
Resume Power Edit
Job Tracker
Predicted Skills
Resume Manager
Jobscan Learning Center
Jobs Matcher
Premium ATS & Recruiter Findings
ATS Revealed eBook
ATS Friendly Resume Templates
Premium Cover Letter Template

$49.95

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Best Resume Builders

What Is the Best Resume Builder?

It depends on your needs. Our recommendation is to choose one that allows you to create ATS-optimized resumes. ATS refers to bots or systems that crawl your resume for specific keywords mentioned in the job description. You want to make sure your resume passes this first phase. Attractive templates are great, but you need to prioritize functionality.

Are Resume Builders Better Than Resume Writers?

Both will potentially produce a high-quality resume. Some resume builders offer great tips. However, an expert resume writer will know the latest recruitment and hiring trends. They will also personally guide you if you are unsure of what specific accomplishments to highlight and what to avoid.

How Much Do Online Resume Builders Cost?

Of course, this varies. You can use some for free without premium features. However, others offer first-class features at no extra charge. You should expect to pay about $40 per month for a resume builder. The price often depends on a resume builder’s functionalities, designs, and templates.

Is It Worth Paying for an Online Resume Builder?

Most resume builders will guide you in creating a great resume. So for that reason, they are worth paying for. However, a professional resume writer will give you more personal attention and hands-on help. You can schedule calls to speak to them at a mutually available time. They will tailor your resume to a niche role or help embellish your transferable skills.

What Is Better: An ATS Optimized Resume Builder or a Resume With a Better Selection of Templates?

While a tool like Canva offers plenty of scope for your creativity and imagination, it is not the best for ATS. In short, it depends on who the user is. If you are in the design industry and want to create an eye-catching resume, Canva may be ideal.

Using a tool such as Jobscan may be a better choice. The only thing with this tool is its limited designs and customization options. At the same time, your resume is almost 95% sure to pass ATS scanning systems.

Our recommendation is to use a tool that offers both ATS and customizable options such as Perfect Resume, Resume.oi, or others on this list. Tools like these will help you combine style with functionality and practicality.

What Are the Most Important Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Resume Builder?

Before selecting your ideal resume builder, there are several things to consider. You’ll need to think about its affordability, intuitiveness, accessibility, and the resume-building company’s privacy policy. An easy-to-use interface and whether you can export your resume are factors included in the above.

Free resumes may save you money, but you may not have the formatting and customization options you need. Consider doing a broad overview and checking out reviews of existing users. This will help guide you when choosing the ideal tool for your requirements.

Is It True That Using a Resume Builder Makes Your Resume ATS-Compliant?

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are software programs that enable employers to sift through resumes. They scan applicants’ resumes for relevant keywords such as skills, experience, job titles, and educational background, reducing time and resource expenditure. Companies use ATS software solutions during the initial application phase.

It is best to choose a resume-building platform that is ATS-friendly. When you apply for jobs, this will help you to move to the interview stage easier. These solutions crawl your resume document and assess it based on the keywords mentioned in the job description. There are several ATS-compliant resume builders online.

What Are the Limitations of Using a Resume Builder?

Many online resume builders prevent you from downloading your resume as a word processor document. You may be able to print online documentation, but making changes may be more challenging.

There are often challenges when applying for a role that requires a resume submission in PDF format. Some resumes built online look good but are not ATS optimized because of complex formatting.

The flip side is that there are resume builders that enable you to download your resume in the format of your choice for a minimal charge or for free. Because of the importance of ATS, some resume builders ensure your resume is optimized and offer helpful tips.

Are Resume Builders Free or Paid?

There are both free and paid resume builders available. Free resume builders allow you to create a resume without paying a fee to save, download, or use it. These resume builders may have fewer templates and customization options because they are free. A resume builder with an associated fee will typically charge you to download it in MS word or PDF and even to use or share it.

The amount charged depends on a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription. Paid platforms typically provide more templates and customization options. They may include features like linking your social media pages, using analytics for resume tracking, and creating a cover letter.

Why Should You Use a Resume Builder?

Resume builders typically assist you in creating your resume quickly. Some platforms provide several bullet points across various industries where you can enter your responsibilities for your professional experience section. This allows you to select the ones that apply the most without spending time writing relevant bullets.

Although resume builders are useful tools, you need to monitor and understand what final product you will get. Ask yourself the following questions: Will your resume be ATS optimized? Easy to change? Attractive or functional?

You will also want to be able to tailor your resume for different roles. Before submitting any application, you should ask a resume-writing professional to review your resume. Their insight and knowledge will increase your chances of success. Here are some of the best resume writing services.

Which Resume Builder Is the Best in Each of the Ten Categories?

#1 ResumeGenius: If you are not used to Resume Builders, or aren’t the most technically minded, ResumeGenius will seamlessly guide you through creating an updated resume with helpful tips.
#2 Best Expert Pointers: Zety: Zety shines in a few templates. It has a wide array of templates, but where it scores highly is its expert tips.
#3 Best for Tailoring Premade Resumes: Wepik: With an array of design options, Wepik is great for upgrading your existing resume in a timely manner.
#4 Best for LinkedIn Users: Standard Resume: If you are an active LinkedIn user, Stand Resume will enable you to import your profile onto a resume before you know it.
#5 Best Tips for Different Experience Levels: My Perfect Resume: Perfect Resume gives different experienced level professionals the best template and design for their needs.
#6 Best for Ingenuity and Self Expression: Canva: With thousands of templates and categorized designs according to profession, Canva leaves plenty of scope for creativity.
#7 Best for In-Platform Job Seekers: Indeed: For job seekers Indeed is a great option for creating a resume, then showcasing it on the platform with plenty of interested hiring managers.
#8 Best Minimalist Option: Resume.com: If you are looking for a traditional resume with no bells and whistles, Resume.com is ideal.
#9 Best Features: Resume.io: This tool is also easy to use. However, where it really shines is its features. It has an awesome editing tool that offers prewritten text, automatic spelling correction, and exploring your resume onto a format of your choice. You can also keep tabs on the jobs that you have applied for.
#10: Best ATS Optimized Tool: Jobscan: With applicant tracking systems growing in importance, Jobscan provides optimization tips you need to ensure your resume passes organization ATS systems. The Power Edit feature (available to premium subscribers only) calculates your optimization score based on the template, keywords, and soft and hard skills mentioned in your resume.

Bottomline

Resume builders meet multiple needs of different job seekers. There are resume builders that are perfect for traditional resumes. However, there are plenty of choices if you want inspiration and to delve into your more creative side. Some resume builders come with premium features, and others with expert tips. Whatever your needs are, there is a resume builder that is best for you.

Our 6 Best Practices for Choosing a Resume Builder Are:

Ensure that it is ATS optimized.
While eye-catching resumes engage, they may not be too functional.
Make sure that you can download your resume in more than one format.
Many customization and design options are great, but only if and when necessary.
Take careful note of online reviews.
Ask a professional in your industry or an expert resume writer to review your finished resume before you go ahead and apply for jobs.

March 3, 2023March 6, 2023

5 Best Bio Writing Services for 2023

Young business professional trying to draft an executive bio for themselves

There’s a lot that goes into job hunting these days. It can often feel overwhelming – among other things, you’ll need a pristine resume that showcases your skills and accomplishments, a cover letter that describes your interest in a specific position, and an updated LinkedIn profile. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll need to think about the best way to quickly present yourself with an engaging professional bio.

A professional bio is typically a quick summary about you: your professional accomplishments, education, and business achievements. It might seem simple, but writing a professional bio for yourself is deceptively difficult. You want to accomplish a few things, and you want to strike a good balance between appearing confident but still humble, which can be tricky to do well. That’s why many people consider hiring a professional bio writing service to help them market themselves to potential employers.

Read through to learn more about professional bio writing companies, what they can do for you, and which services are ranked the best among consumers.

What Purpose Does a Bio Serve?

First and foremost, a bio should quickly paint a picture of you to potential employers and business partners. This picture needs to be flattering but still accurately reflect who you are and what you can accomplish. It can be tempting to include tons of details in your professional bio, but it really needs to be concise. That’s where a bio writing service comes in handy.

Different services can offer multiple lengths for your bio, depending on where you’ll use it. For a professional website, you might use a longer bio – this could be up to a page. Most people use short bios for their networking profiles, which are around 100 words. Depending on what your goals are, a professional bio writing company will work with you to determine the best length.

What to Look for in a Bio Writing Service?

When seeking out the best bio writer, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, cost will be a significant factor in any service you seek out. Be sure to research what the cost of the service includes – will you be able to send your bio back for revisions? Will you receive multiple bios for different websites and social channels?

Turnaround time is another important consideration. Are you on a time crunch, or are you happy to wait while writers craft a great professional bio for you? You should also look into the service’s credentials before you decide. How long have they been writing bios? Do their writers hold any certifications or awards?

Lastly, ask to see templates to get a general idea of their writing style. You should also check to see if the design and overall look of their bios agrees with your preferences.

Here are a few popular bio writing services to get you started in your search:

Super Star Resume

★★★★★

Career Steering

★★★★★

We Write Bios

★★★★★

Resume Pilots

★★★★★

Career Thinker

★★★★★

How Do You Determine the Best Customer Service?

Customer service is a subjective measure of a company’s ability to satisfy their clientele. When it comes to bio writing, resume writing, and job coaching, there are a few services a company should provide. We believe a bio writing service should allow for free revisions, included in the overall fee of the service. Some will offer unlimited revisions, meaning that they will ensure your complete satisfaction with the end product.

Some companies will also allow you to select rush shipping or rush orders when checking out. This means that you can request a quick turnaround time of about 2 business days, for a fee.

You should also consider looking at a company’s website and see if they provide testimonials. Any company that provides great customer service will be proud to showcase their happy and satisfied clientele. If a website doesn’t show a few testimonials, consider looking elsewhere for the best bio writer.

Our Top 5 Bio Writing Services

Researching the bio writing company that’s right for you can take time. When you’re hunting for a job and need to see results quickly, that’s time that shouldn’t be wasted. Luckily, we’ve compiled 5 different bio writing services that shine in specific areas.

Here, you’ll find the best executive bio writing service, the writing service with the best price, the service with the quickest turnaround time, the bio writing service that’s best for people looking to switch careers, and the best writing service overall. We’ll provide our reasoning for giving the distinction, and walk you through some of the pros and cons for each.

The Best Overall: Super Star Resume

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While it’s difficult to select the best overall bio writing service, we decided to select Super Star Resume as the bio writing company that stands apart from the rest. This company has over 20 years of experience working with job seekers who have been hired by Amazon, Disney, Microsoft, and more. They provide a customized approach for each client they work with, and they use keyword optimization to help you get noticed by hiring managers.

What distinguishes Super Star Resume is their commitment to customer service. Their bio writers offer unlimited rewrites, which is included in any package you purchase from them. There are reviews and testimonials easily accessible and ready to view on their website, and they also offer a free consultation before you purchase with them. We also like that Super Star Resume offers resources on their site, including writing guides, resume tips, and more. They promise a 72-hour turnaround time, which is fast when compared to most other resume and bio services.

You can additionally request up to 20 resume samples via email. Their prices are reasonable, with an all-inclusive resume and cover letter package totaling $199. For these reasons, Super Star Resume gets our top spot for bio writing services.

The Best for Executives: Career Steering

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Career Steering specializes in executive bio writing services, resume writing, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and more. They focus on global members of the C-suite and have helped CEOs, CFOs, and COOs achieve their employment and job search goals. Their resume writers are certified and have won awards. This is a bio writing company that will deliver results for executives that want a new leadership position. The most popular package for their bio writing starts at $695.

The pros for this bio writing service are that they have testimonials and reviews on their website. Their writers are also certified and they provide transparent pricing. The cons are that they do not offer unlimited revisions – they offer two rounds of editing included in the service’s fee. This is also a popular company, and they likely do not have wide availability without paying extra for rush orders.

The Best Price: We Write Bios

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There are tons of different pricing options available when it comes to bio writing, and most must be included in a larger resume writing package. We chose We Write Bios for the low price they offer from their bio writers, and the fact that you can purchase bios separately. We Write Bios is a full service bio writing company, so you are able to order a company profile, a LinkedIn profile, a social media blurb, an executive bio, and more from this company.

We Write Bios boasts of engaging and compelling content that will make you stand out from the pack in your job search. They write that they have bio writers for real estate agents, CEOs, IT specialists, actors, and more. They consult with clients individually as a way to write unique content for each person who seeks out their services.

The pros of We Write Bios include their reasonable pricing. For a short form bio (150-200 words), they charge $99. This number will go up depending on how many bios and which specific services you need, but this is a very reasonable price for a bio writing service. They also provide testimonials and write that revisions are included in the original price.

The Quickest Turnaround Time: Resume Pilots

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If you’re in need of a quick turnaround time, Resume Pilots should do the trick. On their website, Resume Pilots describes themselves as a resume writing company that specializes in executive writing services and superior customer service. Their Founder has an Ivy League education and global experience in resume package writing, so you’re in good hands with this bio writing company.

Their website states that they have rush services available, with the next day as an option. Their next day rush service is $250, while their two-day service is $150. This is a major “pro” for this company.

While you may need to contact them to confirm their availability, this is a great option for anyone in need of an executive bio on short notice. While they do not list testimonials or reviews directly on their website, there are customer reviews available on TrustPilot, which is linked on Resume Pilot’s page.

The Best for People Seeking a Career Change: Career Thinker

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For those who are looking to switch careers or gain experience in a different field, the job market can be daunting. A bio writing service can help you gain more confidence, and a one-on-one conversation with professional bio writers can help you learn how to better market yourself for a career change. For this category, we chose Career Thinker. We chose this company because they take a holistic approach to job searching and help you craft a brand around yourself that will be appealing to hiring managers.

We didn’t see any mention of multiple revisions on Career Thinker’s website. It appears that they provide a draft to their customers, which you can send back for revisions. Their turnaround time is between 5 and 7 business days, so plan ahead before you decide to contact this service. We didn’t see samples or testimonials available on their site, but there are Google and Facebook reviews you can read before you contact them.

How Do I Ultimately Choose my Bio Writing Service?

With quite a few options available to you, it’s difficult to make a decision when it comes to the best bio-writing company that works for you and your specific situation. There’s no one size fits all answer, and the company you decide to work with should suit you and your requirements.

This decision is completely based on your own needs and priorities. We all have different reasons for job hunting – whether you’re looking to make a career change, trying to negotiate a better salary and benefits package, or simply want to grow in your skills, a great bio writing service will be able to translate your wants and needs into an effective and engaging bio.

If you have a specific goal in mind, or if you’re hoping to break into a certain industry, scour different bio writing companies’ websites and find the service that works with people in your field. Different companies have different specialties, and you want to be sure that the service you choose has experience helping people in your chosen field.

Do your research, look through various websites, and read reviews. The best companies will have their reviews readily posted on their website, or they’ll provide links to reviews posted on Google or their Facebook page. We also think the sign of a great company is if they provide samples and resources. If the company you’re researching refuses to give you examples of their past work, don’t be afraid to walk away.

What Should Be Included in a Good Bio or Bio Service?

First, let’s discuss what goes into a good bio. Things might appear simple for this short-form piece of writing, but there’s a lot that goes into a great professional bio. A professional bio is about 5-10 sentences long and quickly gives people a good sense about your employment history and accomplishments. It’s best to think about your bio as an advertisement for yourself and what you can do for a company.

A good bio writing company should first and foremost seek to get to know you and understand how to present your job history to potential employers. Many companies will want to have a Zoom call, a face-to-face meeting, or a phone call to get to know you. This will enable them to craft the best professional bio for different websites and channels. Beyond this, we think bio writers should offer free revisions, samples upon request, and a range of testimonials. You should also ensure that the company provides transparent pricing options.

We also think you should consider a resume, cover letter, and executive bio package when you’re on the job hunt. Many of the best bio writing services take a holistic approach and will consult with you through a 30-minute phone conversation. Here, they’ll get to know you, your job history, your education, and what you’ve accomplished in your career. This will allow them to create an entire suite of materials that will make you stand out on the job market. While a bio is an important part of your career portfolio, a pristine resume and cover letter gives you an even greater chance of being noticed by hiring managers.

The Bottom Line: Why Super Star Resume is the Best Service

Out of all the different bio writing services we found, Super Star Resume stands out as the best. While some bio writing companies might specialize in executive writing services, real estate, IT, or other industries, Super Star Resume has a great command of different fields and showed a global reach across different cities and countries.

The services this company offers are comprehensive, ranging from an executive bio, to a resume, a cover letter, optimization for your LinkedIn profile, and 6 months of support. Many different companies will charge for every service they offer, but Super Star Resume offers comprehensive packages in addition to editing and coaching.

This company employs professional editors and writers and many of the materials are written by their lead resume writer, Steven Mostyn. Additionally, the different resources they offer on their website are free and valuable for anyone who wants to spruce up their bios, resumes, or cover letters. Most bio writing services will not offer free resources on their website or to potential clients, but Super Star Resume makes these articles available at no charge.

No matter where you decide to find your executive writing services, be sure to take your time and find the bio writing company that is best for you. A professional bio is a deceptively involved and important part of marketing yourself to potential employers, and it’s not to be dismissed. Many people read the bios you post on your LinkedIn, portfolio website, or other professional social media channels. Give them the best impression of yourself with an effective, concise, and comprehensive professional bio. You’ll be happy you did, and you’ll see the results quicker than you realize.

February 14, 2023February 21, 2023

5 Best Executive Resume Writing Services in 2023

Pen and name tag written with resume over wooden background

Executive resume writing businesses pride themselves on ensuring maximum customer satisfaction. A well written resume should increase the volume of interested calls from hiring managers. This equates to more interviews and ultimately improves the possibility of landing desired roles.

Most businesses provide more than one service. They’ll have specialist writer(s) who will create an engaging cover letter, an optimized LinkedIn profile, or an enthralling executive bio. Clients can decide whether to order one product or more.

In the table below are our top 5. We have assessed them on Process Efficiency, Ratings/ Reviews, Turnaround Time, and Good Value.

Super Star Resume

★★★★★

The Writing Guru

★★★★★

Career Steering

★★★★★

TopResume

★★★★★

Briefcase Coach

★★★★★

Why Do You Need an Executive Resume Writing Service?

1. Avoid Mistakes in your Job Search

An executive resume writer knows what will attract a hiring manager or what will cause them to call out “next!” They’ll also help their clients bypass the tripwire that causes most job seekers to stumble.

If you are unsure about your career direction, or whether you’ll want full time work, a resume writer will guide you.

2. Make ATS Robots Give the Green Light

Many hiring managers screen resumes using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems compare keywords in your resume to those in the job description. If your resume lacks the necessary keywords, you will be omitted from the hiring process before a human even sees your application. A professional resume writer can help pinpoint appropriate keywords for your resume.

3. Spend More Valuable Time on Your Job Search

It can take days to create an eye-catching resume. It may take longer if your work history is complicated or you do not have strong writing skills. Hiring an executive resume writer will give you more time to network and prepare for interviews.

4. Get an Objective Viewpoint

It can be difficult to objectively assess your skills and experience. Having another set of eyes to look over your abilities and accomplishments gives you a more objective perspective. A resume writer can help you decide which of your strengths and skills should be highlighted and which should not.

5. Get a Matching Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile

Many applications require cover letters and LinkedIn profiles. It can take time to create a well-written document that is tailored to each job you apply for. Both of these should be available from a resume writing service.

How Do You Find The Executive Writing Firm For You?

The answer may seem fairly straightforward. Surely it’s how you find any other service. All you have to do is type in your request into a search engine. And in just a few seconds it will come up with a slew of results. Just select the firm at the top of the search results.

If only things were that simple. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work every time. When choosing the firm for you, there are various aspects that you need to consider. Here are some points to think about:

What are the Company’s or Individual’s Credentials?
Do they have special HR or Resume Writing Accreditation?
What is their process? Will you be speaking to a human being over a video call, a freelance platform, a social networking site, or a chatbot over a website?
What is their Turnaround time?
What are their Reviews like?
Pricing: Can they fit your budget?

Here are our leading resume writing services:

Super Star Resume: Best Overall

5.0

★★★★★

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Super Star Resume is an Executive Writing Services company with offices all over the world. Its reputation has grown as a result of many satisfied clients landing jobs at Amazon, Google, Marriott, Bank of America, Oracle, Disney, and other companies. It also serves a diverse clientele, including graduates, entrepreneurs, IT, HR, education, marketing professionals, and more.

They are committed to exceeding their clients’ expectations by providing unlimited rewrites and ensuring 100% customer satisfaction. It has a dedicated team of HR experts, resume writers, and customer service professionals, and it is headed by CEO Steven Mostyn.

Steven and his team have earned a reputation as expert resume writers and world leaders in job-hunting strategies over the last 20 years.

More about Steven

Steven has an MBA in Human Resource Management from Centenary University. He is a LinkedIn Recruiter Recognized Expert and the author of three Amazon best-sellers on job search and recruitment tactics. Steven also owns a recruiting firm called Alpha IT Recruitment.

Process

Among the best features of Super Star Resume is that it is dedicated to meeting the needs of each client. It also has a highly personalized approach to customer service offering a free 1-on-1 in-take consultation.

Clients can choose to do an intake call or send their documentation directly including resume, a hyperlink to their LinkedIn, cover letter, or notes for an executive bio. In addition, they need to fill out a client assessment form. Clients are free to make any additional calls for no extra charge. Super Star Resume works with clients until they are satisfied with their work.

This enables it to truly understand the needs of its clients while tailoring and customizing resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and Executive Bios. They offer unlimited rewrites with each order and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Ratings

Over the years, the majority of reviews on sites and platforms have consistently ranked Super Star Resume as one of the best in its industry. Clients often comment on Super Star Resume’s rapid turnaround times, high quality of work, as well as personal and attentive customer service.

Super Star Resume offers superb value. There are no limitations on emails or intake calls. They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and all pricing is relatively affordable in comparison to its competitors. The turnaround time is also very quick. All this results in exceptional customer satisfaction.

Turnaround Time

The turnaround time ranges between 24 and 75 hours, depending on whether the client orders a single or combination package.

Pricing

Prices range from $5 for a quick resume review to $750 dollars for a full combination package. All orders (other than the quick resume review) include:

A 1-1 exploratory intake call with a leading resume writing expert
Keyword Optimized Resume, LinkedIn, or both
A Cover Letter, Thank You Letter, or Executive Bio, or all three
All documents are edited by an experienced professional editor
Unlimited Rewrites on all documents

Executive Resume

Secured Payment
$799.99
1-on-1 Intake session with leading resume expert to customize your resume
Keyword optimized resumes designed to get interest from hiring managers and recruiters
All resumes are edited by a professional editor
Unlimited rewrites allowed, ensuring 100% customer satisfaction

Executive Resume + Cover Letter

Secured Payment
$899.99
Everything that is included in the “Executive Resume package”
Custom cover letter to help you get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters.
Engaging Cover letters that will get you the right attention
Unlimited rewrites allowed, ensuring 100% customer satisfaction

The Writing Guru

4.0

★★★★★

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Wendi Weiner, a professional writer with a background as a university professor and lawyer, founded The Writing Guru in 2010. Wendi has been recognized as a top executive resume writer and has been featured in publications such as HuffPost, Forbes, and Thrive Global.

The Writing Guru specializes in the creation of resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters for senior attorneys, seasoned executives, and C-suite and board members. Wendi oversees each project from start to finish and does not delegate work to other writers.

Process

Wendi reviews clients’ existing resume, a personalized questionnaire, and provides a one-hour meeting. She carefully crafts a resume which is tailored to clients goals and experience.

Wendi also creates a detailed cover letter that highlights their experience and achievements. She keeps each client updated throughout the process, and if necessary will request additional information over email or follow up calls.

Rating

The Writing Guru has received a 90/100 rating from https://www.findmyprofession.com. Besides that, The Writing Guru has attained 5/5 ratings from customers on Yelp. We have chosen the Writing Guru as our number two pick because of the attention given to clients and quality of work. However, turnaround time can be quite slow.

Turnaround Time

Projects are typically 15 to 20 hours in length and include more than three hours of coaching and counseling. The Writing Guru provides different tiered packages tailored to the type of client served. Because Wendi gives careful attention to her clients. This means that the turnaround time for a resume and cover letter package is between 14 to 21 days.

Pricing

The Resume Writing Guru offers two main packages described below:

C-Suite, General Counsel, BOD, International Execs

Standard Resume Package

$2,695

Executive resume which is inclusive of includes two rounds of revision
Unlimited email support is provided after the project is approved
A Master cover letter
Pre- and post-strategy calls

Premium Branding

$3,595

All Standard Resume Package features, a
Full LinkedIn profile optimization and a strategy call

Premium Branding Plus Bio

$4,995

All Premium Resume Package features,
C-Suite/Board Bio

Ultimate Branding

$8,495

All Premium Branding Package features includes:

Thank you letter,
Networking e-note letters,
One-page networking resume
Interview coaching call

Senior Executives, Executive Managers, Business Leaders

Standard Resume

$2,395

Executive resume
Two rounds of revisions
Unlimited email support (after the project is approved)
A master cover letter,
Pre- and post-strategy calls

Premium Branding

$3,095

All Standard Resume Package includes:

Full LinkedIn profile optimization
Strategy call

Premium Branding Plus Bio

$4,195

All Premium Resume Package includes:

C-Suite/Board Bio

Ultimate VIP Branding

$7,895

All Premium Branding Package includes

Thank you letter,
Networking e-note letters
One-page networking resume
Interview training call

Career Steering

4.0

★★★★★

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Rosa Elizabeth Vargas founded Career Steering in the early 2000s as a certified resume writer and career coach with a background as a senior level executive.

For the past ten years, the company has provided premium resume writing services to C-suite executives, general managers, and board-level leaders. It not only provides personalized, one-on-one resume consulting and writing, in addition to career branding services.

Process

Rosa creates all of her own resumes. One of her certified executive writing assistants handles the research, editing, and provisional preparation.

Rating

According to https://www.findmyprofession.com’s Career Steering Review, which took into account price and customer satisfaction, Career Steering received a 75/100 rating. Additionally, Google users have given Career Steering 4.8/5 ratings, which means It’s far better than average. We chose Career Steering because of its dedication to client experience.

Turnaround Time

The turnaround time for a finished resume is four plus weeks with back-and-forth consultation as necessary because clients work directly with Rosa. The introductory Career Steering package comes with a resume, cover letter, and a LinkedIn profile that is search optimized.

Pricing

Career Steering also offers a premium resume writing service for $1,695 that includes a one-hour resume branding and value proposition session, a career assessment personal branding questionnaire, two rounds of edits, and edit phone calls.

180° Career Acceleration Executive Branding

$2,295

Branded executive resume with tailored graphics comes in three formats: Word, PDF, and ASCII, LinkedIn profile and SEO optimization,
Position-customized cover letter comes in2 formats Word and ASCII
Job search handouts

270° Brand Reputation Executive Branding

$2,795

All 180° Career Acceleration Executive Branding Package includes:

Modern-looking bio with tailored graphics.
These come in three formats: Word, PDF, and ASCII

360° Career Steering Executive Branding

$3,995

All 270° Brand Reputation Executive Branding Package includes:

LinkedIn development and SEO optimization
Customized LinkedIn background
Sending out to a wide network of recruiters and venture capital firms
Personal branding networking resume or personal branding video
Thank-you letter
Unlimited email communications

TopResume

4.0

★★★★★

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TopResume was founded in 2014 and now employs over 1,200 writers, certified career coaches, recruiters, and seasoned human resource professionals with experience in over 65 industries.

Process

TopResume combines resume writers’ expertise with detailed feedback from resume-scanning technology, which screens applications based on keyword strength. This one-of-a-kind approach meets the satisfaction of hiring managers and ATS machines.

TopResume allows clients to submit a copy of their resume for a free review, which includes feedback on the layout, and how effectively it conveys their skills and expertise.

Rating

When compared to other resume writing services, TopResume’s average rating on Trustpilot is reasonable. Based on 9,951 reviews, they have a rating of 4.4 out of 5. A significant 11% of the reviews, however, are below average. Many reviewers comment on their resume’s poor quality. We chose TopResume as our number four pick because of its wide client base and its quicker than most turn around time.

Turnaround Time

The company’s writing team collaborates with each client to produce the first draft of a resume in about a week. Clients have another seven days to provide feedback and up to two rounds of revisions. This means that the process takes between one and two weeks to complete.

One of the TopResume team members then makes personalized recommendations for improvement. The company will rewrite a client’s resume if it is not rewritten within 60 days. Compared to other executive writing services, the process is relatively quick, lasting between one and two weeks.

Professional Growth

$149

Professionally written resume

Career Evolution

$219

Professionally written resume,
Tailored cover letter
Sixty-day interview guarantee

Executive Priority

$349

All Career Evolution Package features a LinkedIn optimization

Briefcase Coach

4.0

★★★★★

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Sarah Johnson is the CEO of Briefcase Coach and a former corporate recruiter and development professional. She assists executives in achieving their career objectives through creating professional resumes and offering career coaching.

It also serves graduates and non-executives. However, Briefcase Coach‘s main expertise is in current recruitment process trends and ATS software, with a focus on executives. It assists them with career branding, networking, interviewing training, and resume writing.

Process

Sarah will conduct a 60-90 minute intake and strategy call to start off the process. The goal of this session is to assist her in understanding each client’s strengths, objectives, and accomplishments. Sarah then spends 12 to 20 hours per resume creating a customized resume from scratch.

Rating

Briefcase Coach received an 85/100 rating. It also has attained a 4.9/5 rating on Google customer reviews. This is considered above average for the industry. Although this looks quite impressive, because of Briefcase Coaches narrow focus, we have selected them as our number five pick.

Turnaround Time

From consultation to the final draft, it can take up to seven business days. She also helps executives with cover letters and helps them to improve their networking, LinkedIn, personal outreach, and job search and interview skills.

Compact Briefcase

$1,500+

60-90 minute consultation,
Customized resume,
Tailored cover letter

Portfolio Briefcase

$2,000+

Two 30-minute job search coaching calls,
One-hour interview coaching call,
Executive bio,
Email and text assistance

Attache

$2,799+

LinkedIn profile branding,
One-hour mock interview (recorded),
Thirty minutes of LinkedIn skills consulting,
Email and text support

The Bottom Line

With so many executive writing services to choose from, you may find yourself scratching your head. Many businesses provide similar services. After all, their primary goal is to increase their client’s chances of success in the job market.

Executive resume writing services have never been more in demand. The world is still recovering from being rocked by COVID and economic events that have resulted in higher unemployment.

Our top five firms are those who we believe provide the best value, quality, and customer service. We chose Super Star Resume because of its commitment to achieving customer satisfaction, value for money, and personal attention to their clients’ needs. They also have a more diverse set of clients than many of their competitors.

September 16, 2022November 23, 2022

The Ultimate Guide to People Operations

People operations empower your employees to become productive and fulfilled in the workplace. It’s essential for you to invest time and effort in people ops because your workforce is the backbone of your business. Although the term “people operations” is relatively new, it’s a traditional concept that is closely related to human resources (HR).

What Is People Operations?

People operations is a business function that humanizes business operations to improve employee experience. This people management model boosts the work efficiency and job satisfaction of your staff members through training, engagement, and retention. In practical ways, it highlights the importance of your manpower, not merely as people who are paid to do tasks, but as valuable members of your organization.

The term “people operations” was coined by Laszlo Bock, formerly the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Google’s People Operations department from 2006 to 2016. Through his book Work Rules!, Bock popularized the concept of people ops in the tech industry and beyond. He motivated employers, not just to protect the self-serving interests of the company, but the best interests of the employees as well.

People Operations vs HR: What’s the Difference?

People operations and human resources (HR) are similar in some ways but are also different in crucial ways. Both people ops and HR are people management models. However, conventional HR departments focus on the welfare of the company as an organization, while people operations teams concentrate on the professional and personal well-being of individual employees.

Check out the chart below for an overview of the main differences between people ops and HR:

Purpose

Employee value enhancement

Compliance enforcement

Priority

Supporting existing manpower

Hiring new staff members

Employee Participation

Active

Passive

Company Coordination

Collaborative

Mostly independent

Problem-Solving

Proactive

Responsive

System

Employee database + Rewards system

Employee database

Style

Holistic

Limited

Purpose

The main purpose of a conventional HR department is to enforce compliance with company policies and minimize the liability of the organization. In contrast, the goal of the people operations team is to maximize the value of the staff members in a systematic way.

Priority

On one hand, the top priority of an HR team is to interview and hire new additions to the company to fill up job openings. On the other hand, the people ops department gives importance to providing professional support to current employees to reduce turnover rates within the organization.

Employee Participation

An HR department usually shares information with the staff members about the latest decisions made by the management which affect the whole company. However, the people operations team gives rank-and-file workers the chance to actively participate in decision-making processes through open discussions.

Company Coordination

In general, the HR team works independently on its tasks, only consulting with other departments whenever necessary. In comparison, the people ops department makes it a habit to collaborate with other teams within the company to keep tabs on the workers’ situation.

Problem-Solving

The HR department typically solves problems as they arise on a case-to-case basis. In contrast, the people operations team proactively implements innovations to improve operations and prevent work issues.

System

The HR team maintains an employee database by inputting the latest payroll data and professional information. In addition to this, the people ops department also builds a rewards system to inspire staff members to work hard and stay loyal to the company.

Style

Overall, an HR department follows traditional, limited protocols in supervising the manpower of a business. Even better, the people operations team employs a holistic, flexible style to enhance the work experience of all the employees.

If you are currently practicing the old-school HR approach in your business, you may consider transitioning to the modern people ops approach to make your business more staff-friendly and well-rounded.

What Do People Ops Workers Do?

The people operations department plays a pivotal role in helping employees reach their full potential within the company. Let’s discover what the duties of the team are and who leads the people ops workers.

What Is the Role of the People Ops Team?

The people operations department assists employees beginning from their hiring and onboarding, continuing throughout their stay with the company, and ending with their exit from the organization.

Here are some examples of the common responsibilities of people ops workers:

Facilitating the interview and onboarding procedures of new hires for a smooth transition
Granting all employees access to the tools and technology they need to be productive at their jobs
Ensuring that staff members receive health benefits and employment perks
Providing venues for career development and educational training to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees
Answering the questions of workers related to company policies and employment terms
Listening to suggestions and feedback of staff members and taking the necessary actions
Creating a rewards system to acknowledge employees with stellar work performance, commendable work ethics, and company loyalty
Promoting a sense of belonging for all staff members within the corporate community
Organizing events to engage employees and spark team spirit
Streamlining outmoded HR systems to enhance efficiency
Selecting the right payroll software that suits the requirements of the business
Monitoring HR metrics like hiring periods and turnover rates
Handling offboarding processes for exiting staff members
Increasing overall job satisfaction of current employees by considering them as internal customers

Who Leads the People Operations Department?

The people ops team is typically supervised by two key leaders within the department:

People Operations Director

The people operations director is the head of the people ops department. He or she creates or improves the people ops strategy while aligning it with the mission and values of the organization. The director collaborates with the managers of other departments to boost interoffice relations and resolve employee issues.

People Operations Manager

The people operations manager oversees the day-to-day work activities of the team. He or she makes sure that the department reaches its goal of supporting the employees of the company through onboarding, offboarding, compensation disbursement, benefits administration, time-off approval, event planning, and system improvements. Also, the manager serves as a bridge between the people ops workers and the executive management.

Under the leadership of the people ops director and manager, all the people ops workers in the department fulfill their individual tasks.

What Types of Organizations Need People Ops?

Most organizations can benefit from people operations, whether they are big or small, private or public. These are the various types of organizations that can create a people ops team or perform related practices:

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship, which is owned by a single individual, is one of the most basic forms of business. Due to its small size and budget, it typically doesn’t have a separate people ops department or a dedicated employee to handle this function. However, sole proprietors can still apply people ops principles on a small-scale level to motivate their employees.

Partnership

A partnership is formed by two or more owners who agree to run the business together. It may have a people ops team or not, depending on the size and resources of the organization. Either way, all the active partners should coordinate on how to implement people ops practices for the sake of the workforce.

Corporation

A corporation is a company that exists as a separate entity from its shareholders. It’s generally bigger and more complex than small businesses. Due to the sheer number of staff members, it can be challenging to nurture everyone who works in the different divisions of the corporation.

For instance, the leading 500 Fortune companies boasted from 302,394 up to 2.2 million employees in 2019. Nevertheless, corporations usually have enough resources and manpower to establish and run a full-scale people operations department.

Limited Liability Company

A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that provides personal liability protection to its owners from business debts and claims. It may have a people ops team or not, based on the size and budget of the LLC. Like other businesses, it can take advantage of the people ops approach for the sake of the workers.

Non-Profit Organization

A non-profit organization, or 501c3 non-profit, operates for the sake of a social cause or public good. Unlike for-profit businesses, its main purpose isn’t to generate income for the owners. Since the compensation is usually lower or non-existent compared to regular businesses, the leaders should make an extra effort to inspire paid employees and unpaid volunteers via people operations practices.

Government Agency

Government agencies are directly part of the federal, state, or local government of the U.S. These public organizations typically prioritize the well-being of their staff members through people ops. For example, the Office of Personnel Management oversees the civil service of the federal government. It’s responsible for coordinating the recruitment of new hires. Plus, it handles the health insurance and retirement benefits programs of existing employees.

How Can You Practice People Operations in Your Business?

No matter what size or type of business you have, you can carry out people operations practices in your organization. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Make a Strategic Plan

First of all, create a plan on how to apply people ops principles to your business. If your organization is big enough, you may conceptualize how to establish a people ops team. If your business is fairly small, you can strategize how to apply people ops practices in small-scale ways. Either way, make sure that your plan is in sync with the vision and mission of the company.

Step 2: Form a People Operations Department

If your company is new, you can build a people ops team from scratch. In case your organization already has an existing HR department, you may gradually convert the team into a people ops department. Based on your requirements, you can hire new people as people ops workers or assign some of your current employees to fill certain roles in the department.

It’s a good idea to handpick professionals with diverse backgrounds for your people ops team. After all, you can benefit from their different skills, including people relations, problem-solving, and data analytics. Plus, they can connect with a wider range of employees because of their varied work experience.

Step 3: Develop a People Ops System

There’s no strict formula on how to create a people ops system so you can develop one that works well for your business. In general, you can begin by setting up an employee database and payroll system or improving the existing one of your HR team.

Even more importantly, you should establish a rewards system so that the workforce will have attractive incentives to level up their work performance. Finally, confirm that your system allows you to effectively monitor and analyze data so you can make future company decisions based on these statistics.

Step 4: Implement Positive Changes

Make a difference in the professional lives of your employees by gradually applying changes for the better. Ensure that your staff members have health benefits and employment perks. Plus, be generous in offering career training and educational opportunities to everyone in the company.

Provide real-life and online venues to promote open discussions and honest conversations among the employees and the management. Overall, take practical measures to turn your office into a physically and mentally conducive place to work.

What Can People Ops Teams Do to Create a Positive Employee Experience?

The people ops department can take active steps to improve the overall experience of employees in the workplace. Here are some ideas which you can carry out in your organization:

Hire staff members with different nationalities, cultural backgrounds, and employment specializations to promote diversity in the office.
Build online group forums where members can share work ideas and discuss hot topics that can make an impact on company decision-making.
Encourage employees to reach sales or productivity quotas through financial rewards.
Invite staff members to attend face-to-face or virtual classes to sharpen their leadership skills and knowledge.
Acknowledge the strengths of staff members through awards with matching prizes like gift cards and travel packages.
Host real-life and online community events to help employees get to know each other and interact with one another.
Give current staff members priority when job openings become available within the organization so they can have the opportunity to move up in their present department or transfer to another one for the sake of professional growth.
Organize team-building activities to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and collaboration within the company.

Aside from these ideas, the people ops leaders and workers can also brainstorm together to create unique incentives to make the organization a better place to work for employees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for People Operations

People operations is a relatively new people management model compared to the conventional HR model. That’s why we have compiled the answers to basic questions on people ops so you can understand this concept better.

What’s the Difference Between People Operations and Operations Management?

People operations is a business function that’s designed to boost the value of the manpower of an organization. Operations management aims to supervise the production and distribution of the products and services of the business. In short, people operations focuses on the workforce, while operations management concentrates on the commodities offered by the company.

What Is People Operations vs HR?

The people operations team works towards the professional growth and satisfaction of the employees of the business. The HR department safeguards the welfare of the organization by making sure that staff members follow company rules. While both people ops and HR oversee the manpower of a business, they differ from each other in terms of purpose, priority, employee participation, company coordination, problem-solving methods, management systems, and working styles.

What’s a Good Crisis Management Strategy for the People Ops Department?

The people ops department should develop a crisis management plan for continuing operations in a crisis. On one hand, expect to divert a major portion of your manpower and resources in case your company encounters financial troubles, legal issues, or natural disasters. On the other hand, assign key persons, utilize modern technology, and allot funds beforehand so that the people ops processes can be carried out in a minimal way even in the middle of challenging times.

Bottom Line on People Operations

People operations encourage your employees to become the best they can be so they can give their best for your business. It’s definitely worth making an effort to switch from a traditional HR style to a revolutionary people ops approach for the sake of your workforce and your organization. Now that you’ve read our ultimate guide, we hope you’re now ready to start transforming your business through the best people ops practices.

June 22, 2022November 23, 2022

The Ultimate Guide to State Corporate Tax Rate

Businessman calculating state corporate tax rate

Corporations are responsible for a bevy of taxes on the state level across different mediums. Above that, each state sets its own rates for corporate entities to contend with. State corporate tax rate varies depending on which state from which you operate your business.

Corporate State Tax Rates Explained

Corporations are a type of business that stands separate from its owners. Owners are shareholders that drive the direction of the business, but are not held personally responsible for the corporation’s debts. The corporation itself is a legal entity that can own assets, bring employees on board, and pay taxes.

Every business has to pay taxes, though. And if you have employees, you’ll need to learn how to calculate payroll taxes. These are in addition to state corporate taxes, though.

Corporate State Income Tax Rates

If you have (or plan to have) a corporation in one of the 50 states, be prepared to pay money back to the state based on how much you make. The government imposes taxes on a corporation’s profits, including most income. As a corporation, you can first deduct expenses for things like development, research, and marketing.

Each state sets its own tax rates a corporation must pay on a yearly rate. Several states have a flat income tax rate, remaining the same no matter what your corporation’s income bracket is. Those remaining have a fee schedule that grows depending on the amount of profit your company brings in.

State Corporate Tax Rate

State Gross Receipts Tax

Some states choose to charge a gross receipts tax either in place of or in addition to a corporate income tax. As the name implies, the government applies the gross receipts tax to a corporation’s gross sales, before any deductions have been made.

Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Washington do not have state income tax rates but do have a gross receipts tax. Delaware, Oregon, and Tennessee levy both types of taxes on corporation owners.

Delaware

0.09% – .75%

Nevada

0.05% – 0.3%

Ohio

0.26% on sales over $1 million

Oregon

0.57% on sales over $1 million

Tennessee

0.02% – 0.3%

Texas

0.58% – 2%

Washington

0.48%

Corporate State Unemployment Tax Rates

Alongside income taxes, corporations are responsible for unemployment pay as part of the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA). The state government calculates these rates based on your account balance and average taxable payroll over a certain period. Each state has a minimum and maximum range the rate must fall into.

Corporate State Unemployment Tax Rates

The Best States to Start a Business in for Tax Purposes

Because tax rates vary from state to state, there are benefits to incorporating in certain ones over the other. If you have any flexibility with where to start your corporation, consider the following states:

Wyoming

Wyoming doesn’t require a penny for state corporate taxes or any income on the individual level. Sales tax is only 4%, one of the lowest in the nation. It ranks number one even though unemployment insurance and property taxes can be on the higher side.

South Dakota

South Dakota follows in Wyoming’s footsteps as one of the few states without income taxes for individuals or corporations. It doesn’t fare as well with sales tax or rates for unemployment insurance.

Alaska

Alaska may seem like a strange choice with a significant corporate income tax rate, but the state makes up for it with zero individual income taxes and no sales tax. Property taxes are also lower than most for setting up corporate offices.

Florida

Florida’s corporate income tax is lower than most, and the state doesn’t collect any individual income taxes from business owners. Furthermore, sales and unemployment taxes are some of the lowest in the country. Florida also makes the list of one of the best states to buy investment property.

Montana

Montana has middling corporate and individual income tax rates. However, the state sits well with sales, property, and unemployment taxes, making it an enticing choice to set up shop.

Recent State Corporate Income Tax Rate Changes

Tax rates don’t always stay the same. Check out the rate changes that have already taken place this year:

Arkansas: Lowered its tax rate from 6.2% to 5.9%
Florida: Raised its tax rate from 3.35% to 5.5%
Louisiana: The state’s top tax rate dropped from 8% to 7.5%
Nebraska: Lowered its top tax rate from 7.81% to 7.5%
New York: Added a second tax bracket at 7.25%
Oklahoma: Reduced its tax rate from 6% to 4%

Federal and Local Tax Rates

Corporate taxes don’t start and end at the state level. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 set the current federal corporate tax rate at a flat 21%, where it remains today.

Local taxes may pop up in certain locations around a state, especially in larger cities. Corporations headquartered where local taxes abound will have to pay those fees as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for State Corporate Tax Rate

Trying to understand how state corporate tax rates can be overwhelming. This FAQ answers some of the most common questions surrounding them.

Which State Has the Lowest Corporate Tax Rate?

Five states do not tax corporate income. Those states are Wyoming, Washington, Texas, South Dakota, Ohio, and Nevada.

Which State Has the Highest Corporate Tax Rate?

New Jersey currently takes top honors for having the highest corporate tax rate. Thanks to a surcharge currently in effect, corporations with income over $1 million see a rate of 11.5%.

Why is Delaware a Tax Haven?

Delaware is one of the few states without a corporate income tax. It also offers several entrepreneurial incentives to businesses looking to put down roots there. Delaware also offers a lot of privacy, which is why it’s one of the best states for starting a business.

Do Corporations Pay State and Local Taxes?

Like individuals, the government requires corporations to pay federal, state, and local taxes. Some states and cities do not tax income, but all corporations must pay at the federal level.

Bottom Line on State Corporate Tax Rates

Corporations can’t avoid having to pay taxes to the government on the federal level, but the state level isn’t so black and white. There are several tax factors to consider when choosing a location to incorporate, such as income and employment. With planning and research, a corporation can lessen the blow each year by setting up shop in a state with little to no corporate taxes.

June 10, 2022November 23, 2022

ADP Review: Pros & Cons of the Payroll Software for Your Small Business

In this ADP payroll review, you’ll see it’s one of the best on the market, with multiple plans, so you can upgrade as you grow. The company offers plans for organizations with less than 50 employees, but it may be a bit complex, so we recommend it for businesses expecting rapid growth.

We’ve narrowed down the benefits and downsides of the software and you’ll see why it gets such high marks for ease of use, payroll reporting tools, and its employee portal. Plus, if you need HR tools, ADP payroll might replace what you’re using now.

Screenshot of ADP payroll dashboard — *Source: ADP*

Our Verdict

ADP Payroll

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ADP is a comprehensive payroll solution that helps companies automate and manage regular employee payments. ADP offers tax services, including automatic payroll tax filing and ensures you stay compliant. There’s also an employee self-service portal, payroll reporting tools, and standard payroll features.

Besides the traditional payroll resources, ADP comes with helpful additional features, such as expanded human resources functions and software integrations. This makes ADP a more robust solution when compared to its competitors—meaning it should continue to meet businesses’ needs as they grow.

While these exclusive features are what make ADP stand out from other payroll software, it adds extra costs to the solution, which can become pricey for a small business looking for simpler and more affordable solutions.

ADP is great for companies that require a broader set of resources beyond payroll. In addition to basic HR features, ADP also includes add-ons that take payroll to the next level, such as time and attendance, retirement, workers’ compensation, and health insurance resources.

However, its broad set of features makes ADP an improper fit for small businesses. Companies with fewer than 50 employees might find such features unnecessary, disrupting the cost-benefit scale. On the other hand, businesses quickly scaling up might want to choose ADP at their early stages to adjust their needs as they grow.

Automated tax filing
HR features, including employee access, new hire onboarding, and employee discounts
50+ integrations are available (ERPs, accounting, time and attendance)

Extra payroll run costs extra
Some users have reported that customer support isn’t responsive at times
Feature-heavy for small businesses looking for more straightforward solutions

ADP Payroll at a Glance

ADP has a variety of resources and features. In addition, its many available integrations make the software an even more robust solution. Companies can integrate ADP with multiple apps, including QuickBooks, Oracle, ClockShark, ZipRecruiter, and Slack.

With ADP, payroll can be set to autopilot, and payroll taxes are calculated, deducted, and automatically paid. Furthermore, all packages include customizable reports. But HR features set ADP apart from completion—all packages include employee access, new hire onboarding, and employee discounts.

When it comes to costs, ADP does not disclose its pricing upfront—businesses should request a quote at the ADP website. The only pricing available is the Essential Payroll package, starting at $59 monthly plus $4 per employee per month.

However, many users have stressed that some features available on the payroll software are charged extra, which can be a significant hurdle for small businesses on a budget.

Who ADP is Best For

Although ADP is available for companies with as few as one employee, extra charges are what set back small companies from choosing this payroll software. This ADP Payroll review will show you why it’s best for established or fast-growing companies rapidly expanding their headcount.

Pricing

For companies with less than 50 employees, ADP offers four different plans that vary in terms of pricing and features. All price tiers include payroll and tax, HR, marketing and consulting and services modules.

Price

$59/monthly + $4 per employee/month

Pricing available upon request

Payroll: Computer, Mobile App, Phone Call

Direct Deposit

Reporting

General Ledger Interface

New-Hire Reporting

W-2s and 1099s

Tax Filing

Payroll Delivery

Multi-jurisdiction Payroll

Wisely Direct Debit Card

Check Signing: Security

State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) Management

Labor Law Poster Compliance

ADP Payroll Features

We’ve analyzed and detailed the main features in the Essential package that stand out for this ADP Payroll review:

Payroll accessibility
Tax filing
Employee access
Google Ads setup and management
Time and attendance

Payroll Accessibility

ADP is a cloud-based service, so both employees and employers can access it from mobile devices or desktops. The company also allows you to run payroll via its mobile app (available for iOS or Android). Alternatively, companies can also run payroll by phone.

Tax Filing

ADP automates tax filing for companies by calculating, filing, depositing, and reconciling payroll taxes. ADP also responds to inquiries from taxing agencies regarding deposits and returns.

It is worth mentioning that a few users have reported issues with ADP’s tax filing. However, if there are any tax filing errors, ADP will pay the resulting fines or penalties imposed by taxing authorities.

Employee Access

HR features make ADP a more comprehensive tool compared to other payroll software. One of the leading resources available in this module is employee access. Employees can manage ADP retirement accounts, check payment history, and enroll in pay statements.

Google Ads Setup & Management

Aside from payroll and HR features, ADP plans come with marketing resources. All small business plan tiers offer Google Ads setup and management, allowing companies to launch a campaign and reach more customers. This benefit is a helpful addition for businesses aiming to reach more customers through a Google Ads campaign.

Time and Attendance

With the time and attendance add-on, companies can run payroll accurately, include and manage schedules, hours worked, vacations, and sick time for employees.

Alternatives to ADP

For small businesses that don’t need such robust payroll software, there are a few alternatives in the market. Here are a few we find might be a better fit.

Gusto

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Gusto’s starting package includes full-service payroll, employee profiles and self-service, Gusto-broked health insurance administration, employee health and financial benefits, and several integrations. Gusto might be a better fit for small companies as it offers a complete set of payroll features, with pricing more affordable than ADP. Pricing starts at $39 per month, plus $6 per person per month for the Core plan, and $12 per person for the Complete plan.

Compared to Gusto, ADP offers more features in its basic package, especially in the HR module. But as far as payroll goes, ADP isn’t different from Gusto when comparing pricing and main payroll features in its basic plans. Go beyond our comparison of Gusto to ADP in this ADP Payroll review—read the Gusto vs ADP article to learn more about which is right for your business.

Affordable package for comprehensive payroll software
Easy-to-use platform and beginner-friendly
A broad set of integrations
Unlimited payroll runs

Limited customer support hours

QuickBooks

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QuickBooks is another alternative for ADP that covers all payroll services a small business may need. Pricing starts at $35 for the Payroll Core + QuickBooks Simple Start, with a $4 extra charge per employee, per month.

When compared to ADP, QuickBooks offers fewer HR features and employee benefits. There are also few integrations without QuickBooks Online. Payroll is also limited to the US and Canada. However, for businesses looking for more cost-effective solutions, QuickBooks might be a better fit as it’s more affordable than ADP.

Unlimited payroll runs
Next-day direct deposit
Affordable pricing

Limited customer support hours

Paychex Flex

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Paychex Flex is one of the best-known payroll and HR software for small-to-medium-sized businesses. Pricing starts at $39 monthly with a $5 charge per employee per month.

Similar to ADP, Paychex Flex offers 24/7 customer support and automatic tax payroll administration, including calculation, filing, and payment of payroll taxes. Paychex also comes with HR analytics, a free mobile app, and custom reports. Read the Paychex Flex review to learn more.

Unlimited payroll runs
Pay any kind of worker (full-time, hourly, or contract) via direct deposit, paper checks, or payment cards
24/7 customer support

Some users have reported poor user interface

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for ADP Payroll Review

ADP Payroll software can streamline the way you run payroll in your company. We’ve listed the most asked questions about ADP Payroll to determine whether this software solution is a good match for you.

How much does ADP charge for one employee?

ADP does not disclose pricing upfront on their website—you will have to request a quote for the Essential package for 1 to 49 employees. The basic package starts at $59 per month, plus $4 per employee per month. Pricing beyond that is not disclosed, so you’ll have to request a quote from ADP.

Is ADP best for payroll?

ADP is one of the leading payroll software and is ideal for established companies and fast-growing businesses. However, for companies looking for more cost-effective payroll solutions, ADP may not be the best fit as it comes with additional features beyond payroll, which small businesses might find unnecessary.

Does ADP make tax mistakes?

Some ADP users have reported tax filing errors. However, ADP pays for any files or penalties that can incur if there is an error. This benefit comes in all ADP packages.

What are the disadvantages of ADP?

ADP offers a broad set of features and has an overall positive reputation among its users. However, many of the features available are additional, which makes the solution pricier than other alternatives in the market. Another disadvantage worth mentioning is limited payroll runs.

Bottom Line on ADP Payroll Review

ADP is one of the most comprehensive payroll software out there. It comes with full payroll and tax features that help take off the stress from carrying out employee payments. Additional HR features are what make ADP stand out, along with seamless integration with over 50 platforms that expand the software’s functionalities and benefits.

However, many of the features available in ADP cost extra. Plus, none of the costs are disclosed by ADP—not even the basic package plans are available on ADP’s website, meaning you should request a quote to make sure about pricing.

Bottom line, ADP is a robust payroll solution fit for established companies and fast-growing businesses. If your company expects rapid change and quick scaling, we’ve established in this ADP Payroll review that it’s a fine software to meet your needs. However, if you are a small business on a budget, looking solely for payroll solutions, simpler software such as Gusto can perfectly cater to your needs.

May 31, 2022November 23, 2022

The Ultimate Guide to Income Tax by State

Different tax (and income tax by state) concepts

It’s your responsibility to pay income tax by state if you earn a salary as an employee or profits through your own business. However, it can be challenging to compute your total state income tax because each state in the U.S. has its own taxation guidelines.

No matter which state you live in, read our ultimate guide to discover the tax rate ranges and brackets for 2022. Learn the basics of state income tax so you can pay the right employment or business taxes to your state government.

What Are the State Income Tax Requirements?

Every state in the U.S. has different requirements when it comes to state income tax. Study the chart below to find out the 2022 tax rate ranges and income brackets for individual taxpayers.

State Individual Income Tax Rates & Brackets 2022

While these are the general tax rates and income brackets per state, other computation aspects also affect the total amount of your state income tax. These factors include personal exemptions, standard deductions, and federal income tax deductibles. Keep these elements in mind as you compute state income tax.

What the Difference Is Between Federal Tax and State Tax

Both federal and state taxes are legitimate types of taxation in the U.S, but there are crucial distinctions between the two. Check out the table below for an overview of the differences between federal and state taxes:

Government Type

Tax System

Tax Rates

Federal Tax

Paid to federal government

Progressive tax system

10% – 37%

State Tax

Remitted to state government

Graduated or flat rate system, depending on state

0% – 12.3%

The main difference between federal and state taxes is the type of government which requires them. Federal income tax is imposed by the federal government, while state income tax is levied by state governments.

Another dissimilarity between them is that federal taxes generally involve a progressive tax system, where higher tax rates are required for higher income brackets. In contrast, state taxes can have either graduated rates or flat rates, depending on the specific regulations of each state.

Last but not least, federal tax rates are usually higher compared to state tax rates. On one hand, federal tax rates typically range from 10% to 37%. On the other hand, state tax rates can be as little as 0% or as much as 12.3%.

What Else You Need to Know About Income Tax by State

Gaining foundational knowledge on income tax will make it easier for you to make tax filing preparations. Find out more vital information about income tax and state income tax to familiarize yourself with these matters.

What Is Income Tax?

Income tax is a form of taxation that is paid by individuals, for-profit businesses, and corporations who earn income in the U.S. The tax amount is calculated by applying a tax rate to the income amount of each taxpayer. Plus, the taxes must be filed and paid every year before the April 15 deadline arrives.

Together with your payment, you must also submit tax forms and other federal, state, and local tax requirements by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). State income tax is one of the major types of income taxes in the country.

What Are the Basic Approaches to State Income Tax?

Different states have various approaches when it comes to imposing state income tax on resident and nonresident workers. First, most states utilize a progressive tax approach, which means that the higher taxpayers earn, the higher the tax amount that they’re required to pay. Next, some states use the flat rate system, where the same rate applies to all income amounts. Finally, certain states don’t require residents and workers to pay any income tax at all.

What Are the Marginal Rates for Tax Year 2022?

There are different marginal rates for the tax year 2022 in terms of federal tax and state tax. Based on IRS tax inflation adjustments for 2022, the highest federal tax rate is 37% for individual single taxpayers who earn more than $539,900 each year. In contrast, the lowest tax rate is 10% for single individual taxpayers with an annual income of $10,275 or less.

For state income taxes, the highest rate is 12.3% for individual single taxpayers who earn approximately $625,369 every year. On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest tax rate is 0% for single individual taxpayers with $25,000 and below annual income.

How Can I Compute State Income Tax?

There are different methods you can use to calculate the total amount of your state and federal income taxes:

Manual Computation

You can manually compute your taxes using a calculator or spreadsheet program. Just multiply your income by the tax rates, then subtract the personal exemptions, standard deductions, and federal income tax deductibles. Just be aware that tax computation can be a complex process, which is why it’s a good idea for you to read how to payroll calculation guides and similar instructional articles to reduce the risk of calculation errors.

IRS Free File

The IRS provides a free online tool called IRS Free File for taxpayers like you. It simplifies the way that you prepare and file your federal tax income through guided tax preparation at the IRS partner site, as well as free fillable forms. Take note that this solution is only available for federal tax planning so you have to find another alternative for state tax computation.

Tax Software

You have the option of using tax software to streamline the way that you calculate your taxes and fill up tax forms. There are free and paid tax programs that you can choose from, according to your tax needs and budget. You can go for basic software if you are an individual taxpayer, but you can go for more advanced solutions if you have corporate requirements.

Tax Professional Services

If you can afford it, you can hire a tax professional or agency to complete your tax computations, forms, and filing for you. While it’s a smart option for you if you are an employee, it’s an even more important investment for you if you own a business. Tax experts specialize in tax services so they can ensure that you promptly and properly meet all the tax requirements of the federal and state government so that you can continue to operate your for-profit organization.

Do Small Businesses Pay State Income Taxes?

Yes. Small businesses in the U.S. are required to pay state corporate taxes. Take note that the corporate tax rates by state 2022 are different from the state income tax rates for individual employees which we discussed in this guide. Keep this in mind if you are planning to compute DIY payroll taxes for your own business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Income Tax by State

State income tax is one of your essential obligations if you have a paying job or own a for-profit business. Learn the answers to basic questions about income tax by state to get ready for the filing and payment process.

What Is Income Tax by State?

State income tax is a type of income tax that is collected by the state government of the U.S. While tax regulations vary from state to state, these state taxes are typically applicable to residents and nonresidents who earn state-sourced income. At present, 42 states plus Washington, D.C. impose income tax by state. Take note that New Hampshire only levies state tax on dividends and interest income.

Am I Required to Pay Income Tax by State?

You are required to pay state income tax if you are earning income in the U.S, unless you live in a state that doesn’t impose this kind of tax. For example, income tax by state may be deducted from your salary if you are a full-time or part-time worker. Aside from this, you need to remit for-profit business taxes if you are gaining income as an entrepreneur. The exact tax filing procedure may differ based on whether you are an employee or employer.

What Factors Affect the Amount of Income Tax by State?

There are three major factors which have an impact on the total amount of your state income tax. The first component is how much you are earning from your job or business because it determines which tax bracket you belong to. Next, the second aspect is the state where you currently live and work. After all, each state has its own tax rate range. Finally, the third factor is a combination of standard deductions, personal exemptions, and federal income tax deductibles.

What Are Tax Brackets?

Tax brackets are categories based on a range of incomes which assign the state or federal tax rate that is applicable to you. Your tax bracket will be determined by how much your taxable income is. It will also be influenced by what your marital and filing statuses are, if you are single, married filing separately or jointly, or head of your household. Tax brackets are part of the progressive tax system, which means the higher the income, the higher the tax rates.

Which States Don’t Impose State Income Tax?

There are eight states which don’t levy state income taxes on resident and nonresident income earners. These states include Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Aside from this, New Hampshire doesn’t impose income tax by state on regular income, although it does so on dividends and interest income.

Bottom Line on Income Tax by State

You must pay state income tax on a regular basis as long as you are earning income in the U.S., whether you are an employee working for a company or an entrepreneur operating your own business. Nevertheless, computing your annual income tax by state can be a daunting process, especially since different states have varying tax requirements.

May 30, 2022November 23, 2022

The Best 7 Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Project management software with time tracking illustration

In businesses large or small, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything that’s going on. Having a firm understanding of productivity and budgeting can spell the difference between success and failure. The best project management software with time tracking offers more than just time tracking in real time.

Automating time tracking can help reduce lost productivity and save a company more than $600,000 per year, according to a recent Journeyx study. It also helps speed up time card calculations (and reduce errors, compared to a paper-and-pen method).

Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Teamwork – Best Overall
Wrike – Best for Consultants
Celoxis – Best for Customization
Zoho Projects – Best for Small Budgets
LiquidPlanner – Best for Plan Options
ProofHub – Best for Flat Rates
GanttPro – Best for Gantt Charts

Teamwork

Free to $22.50 per user per month with custom options

Reports on billable hours, overall time

Built-in online time tracking tool

Team members can log hours manually or use an automated timer

Simple, with a long list of apps to integrate with

Wrike

Free to $24.80 per user per month, custom plans available

Timelog reports by user, date, task, and more

Task timers keep tabs on hours logged while working

Can modify time in a task’s description field

Compatible with most apps, including Github for bug tracking

Celoxis

$22.50 per user monthly for the cloud or a one-time fee of $450 for on-premise setup

Several dashboards for time reporting

Every task has a built-in timer

Timesheets available for entering time manually

Integrates well with popular apps like Google Calendar and features a powerful API

Zoho Projects

Free to $10 per user per month

Timesheet reports and Gantt charts

Enables manual and automatic tracking

Any time not automatically captured can be recorded later

An abundance of proprietary apps and third-party integrations

LiquidPlanner

Free to $35 with options for high-volume pricing

Timesheets with cost codes for billable work can be exported

Built-in module for tracking time on different projects

Time not tracked in the module can be entered manually

Can use third-party app Zapier for integrations

ProofHub

Flat rate of $50 or $99 per month

Custom time reports of people and projects

Multiple timers available within Timesheets

Track time manually or using timers

Limited integration with Google, Microsoft, and other tools

GanttPro

$8.90 to $15 per user per month, custom options available

Time log reports with several variables

Real-time timers for keeping tabs on hours

Automatically track with timers or enter data later

Limited to Slack, API, Google Drive, and Jira Cloud

Teamwork: Best Overall Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Pricing: Free to $22.50 per user per month with custom options

4.8

★★★★★

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Teamwork’s time tracking software makes it easy to decipher where project hours are being spent through a plethora of reporting tools. This software is uncomplicated and features an extensive range of project management and human resources tools. Teamwork is ideal for teams that handle billable client work because of its billing and invoicing capabilities.

Why we chose it: Teamwork is the best overall PM software with time tracking because it’s easy to use, has a beautiful design interface, and offers a comprehensive set of features. You can effortlessly track all time spent on a project across multiple tasks and members with Teamwork’s built-in online time tracker.

Allows for time tracking in real-time
Can set up multiple timers
Integrates with many apps
Several reporting capabilities

No time tracking software available with the free plan
Can’t make changes in offline mode
Higher learning curve because of all the options available

Pricing:

Teamwork offers four pricing plans and a 30-day free trial for each plan:

Free Forever: $0
Deliver: $10/user per month (billed annually) or $12.50/user per month (billed monthly)
Grow: $18/user per month (billed annually) or $22.50/user per month (billed monthly)
Scale: Inquire for pricing

Teamwork’s time tracking software is second to none, allowing team members to track hours right within the tasks they are working on. Each user can have multiple active timers open for keeping tabs on hour tracking on several projects simultaneously. Several reporting tools quickly reveal hours spent on individual tasks to help with resource management.

Time management is not available with the free version, requiring you, as a project manager, to spend at least $10 per user per month to access these features. The entire gamut of project management tools only becomes available by paying $22.50 per user, or $18 when billed annually.

With a minimum requirement of three users to use paid versions of the project management software, it may not be cost-effective for startups to use Teamwork. That being said, Teamwork offers a lot of features for small businesses and scales well into medium-sized enterprises and beyond.

Teamwork allows you to create a more transparent process for your clients. Since Teamwork offers you a clear breakdown of how time is spent across client projects, you can provide your clients with better estimates, more accurate billing, and detailed task records.

You’ll also be able to optimize your time management with Teamwork’s insights and reporting. This gives you a better understanding of how long work really takes so you can better manage your organization’s resources.

In addition to Teamwork’s comprehensive time tracking software, it also offers Gantt charts, resource management, automations, and invoicing for client work. Teamwork is the best project management software with time tracking to use as a collaboration tool for your team. If you want to team up productively and optimize your projects, this software is an excellent solution.

Wrike: Best Time-Tracking PM Software for Consultants

Pricing: Free to $24.80 per user per month, custom plans available

4.4

★★★★★

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Wrike is an industry-leading enterprise-level project management software that helps businesses accomplish their goals. Doubling as a collaboration platform, Wrike is a flexible hub that allows your team to work together seamlessly. This software offers many advanced features such as Project Risk Prediction, Document Processing, and Smart Replies.

Why we chose it: Wrike’s user roles allow you to limit what outside parties can see, making it a potent tool for consultants. Your agency teams will still benefit from time features if you can shell out for the Business Plan. Read the ultimate Wrike review here.

Great for consulting
Timers built into tasks
Detailed time reporting
Multiple integration options

Steeper learning curve
Options for time tracking are only available at the top tier
Automation features difficult to implement

Pricing:

Wrike offers one free plan and three paid plans:

Free: $0/user per month
Professional: $9.80/user per month
Business: $24.80/user per month
Enterprise: Inquire for pricing

Wrike’s plans are well designed to scale with your business from the ground level with a free version for unlimited users. Unfortunately, Wrike doesn’t offer any free time tracking software and requires its Business Plan at $24.80 per user per month to obtain these features. With a minimum requirement of five users, Write isn’t friendly to startups.

At the Business level, Wrike offers a timer for all users except collaborators. Keeping outsiders away from your time management tools makes the platform a candidate for the best PM software for consultants.

Options for keeping track of time are located right within each task. Wrike’s iOS and Android apps share this functionality, making it stand out among in-house and remote teams alike. The Timelog section is set up for running reports based on the criteria you need.

Wrike allows you to showcase your team’s true value with its online employee time tracking software. With the software, your team can automatically log worked hours, create and lock timesheets, and focus on billable hours. This advanced software improves your task visibility and project processes to avoid delays and maximize productivity.

Celoxis: Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking for Customization

Pricing: $22.50 per user monthly for the cloud or a one-time fee of $450 for on-premise setup

4.35

★★★★★

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Celoxis is a strong contender for the best project management software with time tracking because of the value it provides. This software is ideal for medium and large businesses that benefit from customizing their project management tools for optimal team collaboration and productivity.

Why we chose it: Celoxis features nearly unlimited customization opportunities for project managers to track time across ongoing work.

A majority of the site can be customized
Features a powerful API tool for custom apps
Can invoice based on user or time code
Robust resource management

No free version
Task analysis is limited to Gantt charts
Interface can be heavy for smaller teams

Pricing:

Celoxis offers a cloud plan and an on premise plan that includes a physical server:

Cloud: $25/user per month (billed monthly) or $22.50/user per month (billed annually)
On Premise: $450/user billed once

Celoxis is somewhat unique in that it does not have a free plan. Instead, the project management software offers a $22.50 per user per month plan if you want to work off the cloud or a one-time $450 fee for setting up a physical server. Neither option speaks well to startups or some smaller businesses.

Looking beyond pricing, Celoxis has reliable time tracking software that gives others a run for their money. With a few clicks, you can add project budgets right alongside time tracking features for easy expense tracking.

Celoxis allows you to easily track time, costs, and billing with its integrated timesheets and expense module. The software features built-in timers, automatic reminders, multi-level approvals, and customizable policies.

Almost every facet of Celoxis is customizable, allowing you the opportunity to construct time management tools as you see fit. If you’re knowledgeable enough, you can build custom apps with the included API to get the most out of your project planning.

Zoho Projects: Best Time-Tracking PM Software for Small Budgets

Pricing: Free to $10 per user per month

4.25

★★★★★

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Zoho Projects is balanced PM management software with time tracking that’s exceedingly useful for small and growing businesses that don’t have massive budgets. This software features all the crucial tools needed to effectively manage projects. These include timesheets, Gantt charts, and basic resource management tools.

Why we chose it: Zoho Project’s budget price point makes it easy to hit the ground running. Its clean user interface provides the means to manage projects and other tasks from one convenient location.

Budget-friendly price points
Clean and intuitive user interface
Timesheets for locating bottlenecks

Lacks depth of features
Weak free plan
Unreliable search function

Pricing:

Zoho Project offers one free plan two paid plans that come with a 10-day free trial:

Free: $0 (up to three users)
Premium: $5/user per month (up to 50 users)
Enterprise: $10/user per month (no user limit)

While Zoho Projects doesn’t have free time tracking software, it offers the next best thing. Its large number of time management tools become available for just $5 per user per month. With all features unlocked at the $10 per user price point, Zoho Projects is one of the best cheap project management software options out there.

Zoho Projects lays project time tracking out in an intuitive interface that helps project managers see what they need at a glance. This timesheet is perfect for keeping track of potential bottlenecks that may slow things down in the future.

The employee time tracking software allows you to record every minute spent working on a task. This hassle-free time tracking is accomplished with timesheets and task timers. Each project is equipped with a timesheet where team members can log their task hours.

Employees can start task timers to log automatically, pause timers when they take breaks, and end the timer to create a new timesheet entry. Afterward, managers can review each timesheet entry and decide to approve or reject them.

Furthermore, you can integrate Zoho Books or Zoho Invoice to record your expenses, create a budget for your project, or turn your timesheets into invoices for payroll purposes and client billing.

Zoho Projects also offers comprehensive timesheet reports that display the exact time spent on each project and the time spent by each team member. Then, you can optimize your resources and improve productivity by comparing planned task hours with actual task hours. Overall, Zoho Projects provides transparency for you and your clients.

Although the free version is lackluster, it’s a great PM software for startups at its low price point. Larger companies may require additional features that other project management solutions have.

LiquidPlanner: Best PM Software With Time Tracking for Plan Options

Pricing: Free to $35 with options for high-volume pricing

4.0

★★★★★

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LiquidPlanner is a powerful PM management software with time tracking that offers advanced and innovative features. Its predictive scheduling allows a project manager to save time on task management while providing options for task and employee time tracking.

Why we chose it: LiquidPlanner is the best project management software for plan options because it offers three distinct pricing plans for every type of enterprise.

Predictive scheduling
Timesheets with budget tools
Wide range of plans available
Automated module to track time

Not a lot of integration tools
Challenging to learn how to use
The “search” function needs improvement

Pricing:

LiquidPlanner offers three pricing plans with a 14-day free trial:

Essentials: $15/user per month (billed annually)
Professional: $25/user per month (billed annually)
Ultimate: $35/user per month (billed annually)

LiquidPlanner has several plans available, and even the free plan contains integrated time tracking capability. Project management features only grow as your company moves to the $15, $25, or $35 per user per month plans.

Predictive scheduling estimates when project work will finish based on a number of factors. Dates update automatically as those factors change, taking a lot of guesswork out of managing projects. The rest of LiquidPlanner is not simple PM software and can take a considerable amount of time to learn.

The free project management software version is nothing to scoff at, allowing for only three users, but perhaps a great entry point for startups. Each other plan allows for unlimited users, and LiquidPlanner even offers volume pricing for larger firms.

With a built-in project time tracker, project managers and users can see how long tasks are taking and adjust team members accordingly. Timesheet reports are available with included budget tracking software, but only at the higher-tier plans.

The time tracking tool is useful to figure out how long each task takes to complete and how much to bill your clients. Your clients and employees can turn on a time-tracking module and run it in their browser as they work. The recorded time is then attached to the task in the project and on a timesheet.

However, you will have to export the timesheet to a separate billing or invoice system since LiquidPlanner doesn’t include them.

ProofHub: Best PM Software with Time Tracking for Flat Rates

Pricing: Flat rate of $45 or $99 per month

4.0

★★★★★

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ProofHub is a straightforward and reliable PM solution that charges a fixed price depending on how many members you have in your organization. This software enables enhanced team collaboration, organization, and project delivery. Along with its time tracking tools, it also offers discussion boards to bring all team and client communication to one central location.

Why we chose it: ProofHub’s monthly flat rate can put time tracking software into the hands of any size enterprise. The project management tools within allow for fast analysis across many projects.

Unlimited projects and users for one flat rate
Timesheets can be made private
Custom time reporting
Time estimates for project work

Notifications can be overwhelming
Limited customization options
Calendar feature needs improvement

Pricing:

ProofHub offers flat-rate pricing depending on how many users you have:

1-5 users: $50/month (billed monthly) or $45/month (billed annually)
6-10 users: $100/month (billed monthly) or $90/month (billed annually)
11-50 users: $150/month (billed monthly) or $135/month (billed annually)
51+ users: Inquire for pricing

ProofHub brings time tracking software to businesses with one flat monthly rate. Limited features with employee time tracking are included in the base package of $50 per month. Upgrading to the Ultimate Plan at $99 per month includes several other tools such as advanced reporting and further customization.

This project management software allows you to build reports on billable and non-billable time by team members. Your team can develop their own timesheets each week or switch between automated timers to track hours spent across different tasks.

There’s also a bird’s eye view for time data that allows for quick employee time tracking on one screen. Time estimates for projects help staff have a better understanding of how long projects should take to help deliver work in a timely fashion.

With ProofHub, you can bring all your time tracking data to one central location using its time management software. You can also export your timesheets and use them for payroll, estimation, time optimization, and client invoicing.

Like all PM software, ProofHub helps you organize your team and track the status of projects. It enables team collaboration and excels at optimizing projects that include visual materials. However, it doesn’t offer invoicing, budgeting, or resource management tools.

GanttPro: Best Time Tracking PM Software for Gantt Charts

Pricing: $8.90 to $15 per user per month, custom options available

3.9

★★★★★

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If your organization utilizes Gantt charts and needs time tracking, GanttPro offers the perfect solution. GanttPro continues to add features and has been gradually improving since its release in 2015. This software offers seamless communication between your team members and is suited for organizations working on complex projects.

Why we chose it: GanttPro may be named for its Gantt charting capabilities but includes the ability for users to track time with a click.

Timers are located within each task
Excellent Gantt charts
Priced well for companies of any size
Can customize and export time reports

Must buy licenses in increments of five
Limited integrations
Need to manually change task end dates

Pricing:

GanttPro offers three paid plans and no free plans:

Individual: $15/user per month (billed annually)
Team: $8.90/user per month (billed annually)
Enterprise: Inquire for pricing

Gantt charting is GanttPro’s star player and incorporates the tools you’ll need to succeed. The project management software does not limit itself, providing other views for project managers who don’t want to see boxes all day.

In GanttPro, each task has a time tracking tool contained within. Multiple users can record hours logged, and a time log report allows you to gather this information together. You can further add dates and comments and export the data to your hard drive.

GanttPro’s time log report allows you to view all of your time tracking information from one convenient location. You can then customize the data with help of intuitive filters and grouping options.

The time tracking app offers a solo plan for $15 monthly if you’re a lone wolf. Otherwise, you’ll want to grab the team plan at $8.90 per person monthly. It’s worth noting that GanttPro requires you to buy licenses in multiples of five. There are no free versions available. This should scale well with most businesses, but you’ll be paying more than necessary unless your team size is a factor of five.

GanttPro is ideal for smaller teams looking for low-cost project management software with time tracking and comprehensive Gantt charts.

Methodology for the Best Project Management Software With Time Tracking

We considered a variety of factors to choose the best PM software with time tracking. Obviously, we focused on time tracking features, but there’s more to project management software than time tracking capability.

Time tracking software brings a lot to the table, so consider the features most valuable to your team. Look into a time tracking device, timesheets, integrations, reports, and billing. You should also consider how easy the software is to use and how much it costs, either monthly or annually.

User-Friendliness

Your users won’t be inclined to use clunky software that’s too much of a challenge to figure out. No one wants to spend non-billable time trying to turn on a timer or pull up a report. Easy-to-use software allows your team to continue being efficient and get back to the task at hand.

Costs and Fees

We’d be lying if we said costs and fees aren’t important when picking out project management software. Most software platforms charge per user, so prices can escalate quickly. They also tend to have different tiers that increase in features as your business grows. Ensure the plan you’re looking at meets your budget needs and has the time tracking software you’re looking for.

Will It Suit Your Team Size?

Some project management software requires a minimum amount of users and may not jive with startups. On the flip side, certain plans have a user cap, so plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Below are some of the most popular questions surrounding time management software.

How Do I Track Time Spent on Projects?

Depending on the software, you or your team members may have access to a timer that logs hours spent on a project. Whether or not a timer is available, you’ll be able to log time manually from a dashboard or timesheet.

Does Microsoft Project Have Time Tracking?

Yes, the Microsoft Project web app has the ability to track the time you spend on project tasks.

Does Google Have a Time Tracker?

Yes, Google Tasks has a TrackingTime extension that you can track time from.

Bottom Line on Project Management Software With Time Tracking

Time tracking software is an essential piece of project management if you’re looking to maximize your efficiency and your team’s. You’ll be able to monitor which projects your users are working on and see which areas are falling behind.

May 23, 2022February 2, 2023

How to Interview Someone for a Job – Step-by-step Guide

In the recruitment lifecycle knowing how to interview potential candidates is a fundamental skill to learn. The interview process takes place after you have either shortlisted qualifying candidates who have applied to your applicant tracking system for your roles. Or you have sourced candidates that meet the criteria of the job you are looking to fill.

The objective of the Interview is to determine if the candidate being interviewed meets the specific criteria that the hiring manager is looking for from a technical perspective. As well, the candidate must have the right soft skills for that hiring manager and organization. From an analytics perspective, the difference between average recruiters and advanced experts is their ability to choose the right interviewed candidates.

The average interview lasts 45 minutes. This seems like a short window to really get to know each candidate and decide whether they’re a good fit for the position. But if you’re a skilled interviewer who knows what questions to ask and how to ask them, even 20 minutes are more than enough. Continue reading to find out more about the best practices to follow during the interview process.

How to Interview Someone in 8 Steps

We’ve divided this step-by-step guide into two parts: preparing for the interview and conducting it. The following section gives you an overview of the entire interview process from start to finish.

Prepare to Interview

Step 1: Know What You’re Looking for

Understanding what you’re looking for in a potential candidate is an essential, but often overlooked, aspect of interviewing someone for a job. It’s true that the best applicant tracking systems only shortlist the best matches for the job position. However, as an interviewer, you need to know the requirements the hiring manager you are finding candidates for is looking for in a candidate.

For this step, it is highly recommended that you do a deep intake session with your hiring manager. During the intake session, you need to ask questions about the job, and department and understand what kind of candidate the hiring manager is interested in hiring.

10 common questions to ask the hiring manager during the intake session include:

What are the important skills a candidate needs for the job?
What kind of personality would fit best into the department?
What is the minimum level of years of experience needed for the job?
What kind of education does the candidate need?
What is the salary of the job?
Selling feature of the job/department or company?
Why is the job open?
Are there examples of past candidates who were successful in the role?
Where is the location of the job and can the job be remote?
What is your hiring process?

Step 2: Know Your Candidate

Do your research on each candidate before the interview begins. You want to know as much as there is to know about them beforehand to conduct an engaging and fruitful interview.

Skimming through the resume right before starting or during the interview doesn’t give you the time to reflect and come up with good questions. We recommend that you study the candidate’s resume, cover letter, and all other supporting documents in detail.

Some of the best recruitment sites like Indeed help you find qualified applicants and verify their abilities easily. Use all this information to take notes to identify interesting points to ask questions. But do not rely on these tools to guarantee a candidate’s skill level.

Additionally, keep all the information you have on the candidate on hand before you go into the interview. This will help you refer to important information in case you miss anything.

Step 3: Decide Interview Structure and Type

Using a consistent interview structure for all candidates helps you level the playing field and run each interview smoothly. In addition, from a compliance perspective ensures all candidates are treated the same way. The typical interview format looks something like this:

Introduction: Greet and introduce yourself to the candidate. Get to know them.
Explain the purpose of the interview: You can explain the job and why the candidate was shortlisted.
Interview questions: This is the main part of the interview where you ask the candidate questions you’ve prepared.
Candidate’s questions: Ask the candidate if they have any questions about the job position or hiring process
Thank the candidate and wrap up: Thank the candidate for their time and let them know the next steps and when should they expect to hear back from you.

Apart from the structure, you might also want to choose what type of interview is best for the position you want to fill. While there’s the traditional one-on-one interview, you can also go for a panel interview, presentation interview, or group interview, where you evaluate multiple candidates simultaneously.

Step 4: Prepare Interview Questionnaire

As one of the last steps before you actually start the interview, use your research on the candidate to create an interview questionnaire. Doing this enables you to ask the right questions to make the most of your time with the candidate, and avoid awkward moments in the interview. We’ll discuss the types of questions you can ask in greater depth later.

Once you’ve listed the questions you want to ask the candidate, you’re now ready to conduct the interview. Use a scheduling app to help you organize and let candidates know the date, time, and venue.

Conduct the Interview

With all the homework done, you’re finally ready for action.

Step 5: Choose a Distraction-free Environment

You’re all set and ready to welcome your first interviewee for some questions and answers. But you can’t just call them over if you don’t have a separate office space or interview room. A quiet and distraction-free environment is key to putting your candidates at ease, so both of you can focus on each other.

You may not always have a free room at your disposal to conduct interviews. In that case, consider going virtual. Conducting interviews virtually is a fast and easy way to evaluate candidates without putting extra time and energy into setting up an interview environment. Plus, candidates interviewing from home or current workplace will find it easier to answer your questions confidently.

There’s no dismissing the fact that going virtual can’t match in-person interaction. However, you can maximize communication efficiency with the best video conferencing software. Options like RingCentral and Zoom give you HD voice and video calling functionality so you can conduct professional interviews wherever you are.

Step 6: Put the Interviewee at Ease

This step is as important for you as it is for the interviewee. Going into an interview can be stressful for a candidate if they’re not sure what they’re going to be asked or how they’re going to be evaluated. You can help reduce their stress levels and get the conversation going by explaining the purpose of the interview.

Avoiding hopping into the hard questions straight away. Start off with small talk. Ask them how their trip to the venue was if you’re meeting in person. You could tell them about yourself, your role at the company, and how you’d be moving forward with the interview.

Step 7: Ask Your Questions

Once the prospect is comfortable, you can begin asking them the questions you’ve enlisted. You should provide some context for each question before you ask it. This helps get the candidate’s train of thought going and can elicit better responses.

Don’t just shoot out a question like, “Why do you think you’re a good fit for the job?” To begin with, this isn’t the best question to ask, and if you ask so promptly, you’re likely to unsettle the interviewee. Be subtle about taking notes. You shouldn’t appear as jumping to take a note if you notice something.

Focus on what they’re saying, how well they’re able to communicate, and whether they’re trying to avoid a question. You should be able to recognize their competency for the position from the level of confidence and knowledge in their answers.

Step 8: Conclude the Interview

Once you’ve asked all your questions and have all the important information you need, you can start wrapping up. Remember to ask the candidate if they have any questions. If you feel you left something hanging, now is a good time to address it.

Don’t forget to sell the job before you end. You want to be sure that your ideal candidate looks forward to working with you. Telling them about the perks and opportunities that the position has to offer keeps them interested.

Wrap up the meeting by thanking them for their time. Let them know what they should expect next, and end the interview on a positive note. How your prospective employees feel at the end of the interview speaks a lot about your company’s values and interviewing skills.

The people you interview should ideally have a positive impression of your company and should feel encouraged. Make sure they don’t leave feeling drained and awkward. This can impact your employment brand adversely.

What Questions Should You Ask When Interviewing Someone for a Job?

Asking the right questions lies at the core of a successful recruitment interview process. Rather than asking closed-ended questions, focus on asking open-ended ones to get your interviewee to speak more. Let’s discover the different types of interview questions.

Types of Interview Questions

There are a few different types of questions you can ask. These include:

Behavioral questions: This is a broad question topic that helps you gauge how the candidate would behave in different situations. You can ask the interviewee almost anything about their behavior in professional settings in the past. You can present them with specific situations and ask what they’d do.

Situational questions: Also known as hypothetical questions, these are a lot like behavioral questions. Just that you come up with unique scenarios and ask the prospect what they’d do if they were in it.

Fact-based questions: These questions are aimed at checking the prospect’s knowledge on a particular topic. Be sure to ask fact-based questions.
Skill-based questions: Skill-based questions focus more on the candidate’s job performance rather than their behavior. These questions let you determine whether an applicant has the technical and problem-solving skills for the position.
Opinion questions: There’s no right or wrong answer to these questions. Interviewers usually ask these questions to gain insight into the applicant’s thought process and decision-making ability.
General questions: General questions are aimed at getting to know the applicant. You can ask applicants about their hobbies, goals, where they see themselves a few years from now, what kind of management style works best for them, and so on.

While all these are types of questions you can ask, interviewers need to stay well clear of some types of questions that you’re not allowed to ask.

How to Interview Someone – Questions You’re Not Allowed to Ask

Here are the topics you should avoid during an interview. Asking about these can damage your company’s image and land you in legal trouble.

Applicant’s age or genetic information
Birthplace, country of origin, or citizenship
Disabilities
Gender, sexual orientation
Religion
Marital status, family, or pregnancy
Race, color, or ethnicity

How to Interview Someone – Do’s and Don’ts

Learning how to interview someone professionally takes time and practice. However, you can use this simple do and don’t list to make sure you’re doing everything right and staying clear of the no-go areas.

Prepare before the interview starts. Do your research on the candidate and have your questions ready

Display bias of any kind

Put the candidate at ease. Ask them if they’re comfortable. Initiate small talk to get them settled in

Unsettle the candidate with difficult questions

Listen more, talk less

Talk about controversial or sensitive topics

Ask open-ended questions

Ask close-ended questions

Take notes subtly

Distract candidates with your typing or note-taking

Sell the job

Give the candidates reasons not to be interested in the job

Let the candidate ask you questions at the end of the interview

Give no time for the candidates to ask questions

Thank the applicant for their time

Be unpersonal and abrupt at the end of the interview

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for How to Interview Someone

Here are some common questions new employers ask about interviewing applicants for a job.

What is the best way to conduct virtual interviews?

To conduct a virtual interview, you need quality video conferencing software or VoIP software. These tools give you HD voice and video quality to conduct smooth and effective virtual interviews. Remember to schedule interviews a few days before with a scheduling app like Google Calendar.

How to find qualified candidates for a job position?

Recruitment sites like Indeed are a great solution for employers looking for quality candidates. You can receive a considerable number of job applications on a job post on Indeed and can verify a candidate’s abilities with ease.

How to screen job applicants?

An applicant tracking system can help you screen job applications with ease. These are software programs that review resumes automatically and select the best candidates. This means you don’t have to review each resume separately.

Bottom Line on How to Interview Someone

The interview process is an important part of recruitment, and it is as technical as it is important. As an interviewer, you must do your fair share of homework to evaluate applicants accurately. Remember to keep things easy and relaxed and ask the right questions for the best results.

May 20, 2022November 23, 2022

What Is Hybrid Work & How to Make It Work in 7 Steps

Businesswoman working remotely with laptop

Hybrid work combines the best of both worlds: the convenience of remote work and the collaborative ease of on-site work. Nevertheless, this modern work setup comes with its own set of challenges. That’s why you should exert extra effort to ensure that it’s effective for your business.

Keep reading this how-to guide to discover what hybrid work is. Find out how you and your team can make it work in seven steps.

How to Establish an Effective Hybrid Work Setup in 7 Steps

Hybrid work is a futuristic work arrangement that fuses together elements of remote work and office-based work. Follow these steps to boost the productivity of your organization as you and your team switch to a hybrid work setup:

Step 1: Check if Hybrid Work Is Suitable for You

Learn if it’s a practical option for you based on employee preference, location & budget

Step 2: Choose a Hybrid Work Model

Select from remote-first, office-first, flexible, or fixed hybrid work models

Step 3: Set up Hybrid Work Schedules and Assignments

Create work timetables & task lists for employees & contractors

Step 4: Provide Work Equipment to Team Members

Equip staff members w/ company-issued laptops & other gadgets for work purposes (if applicable)

Step 5: Install Business Productivity Software

Use communication tools & project management software to enhance workflows

Step 6: Manage On-Site and Remote Teams

Supervise office-based and home-based workers on a regular basis

Step 7: Schedule Regular Meetings

Host face-to-face and virtual meetings periodically to keep your team connected

Step 1: Check if Hybrid Work Is Suitable for You

First of all, evaluate if the hybrid work arrangement is ideal for your business. There are several reasons why it could be a practical option for you. For instance, some of your employees may now prefer to work online on a part-time basis since the pandemic started.

Aside from this, you may have hired many team members who live in faraway cities, states, or countries so it’s not possible for them to physically go to your office. Last but not least, perhaps you want to cut down on office rental or maintenance expenses brought about by an on-site work setup.

Step 2: Choose a Hybrid Work Model

Next, select a hybrid work model that’s a good match for your organization. Check out the table below to discover the different kinds of models which vary in terms of ratio of remote and on-site work:

Models

Remote-First

Office-First

Flexible

Fixed

Work Location Ratio

Mostly home-based work w/ occasional on-site work

Mostly on-site work w/ occasional home-based work

Depends on the preference of staff members

Depends on the preference of the company

Work Schedule Decision-Maker

Depends on company policy

Employees & contractors

Employer & management

We will discuss the details of each hybrid work model in another section of this guide.

Step 3: Set up Hybrid Work Schedules and Assignments

No matter which hybrid work model you pick, you must establish a solid routine by creating work timetables for your employees and freelancers. Be clear about when each person is approximately scheduled to work on-site or remotely so that the entire team will be aware of their physical or virtual availability.

In addition to this, make a list of work assignments for each department and individual. This will make it easier for everyone to figure out which tasks should be tackled in the office or at home. To be realistic, the level of details for the schedules and assignment lists will vary depending on the model you follow. Still, it’s a good idea for you to make strategic plans regardless of your exact work setup.

Step 4: Provide Work Equipment to Team Members

After you’ve arranged the work schedules, it’s time to equip your staff members with the necessary tools that will enable them to fulfill their tasks inside or outside the office. After all, the hybrid setup doesn’t automatically grant workers regular access to office equipment and supplies unlike the traditional on-site arrangement.

To make up for this drawback, you may lend your employees laptops which they can use at home for regular office tasks, such as accounting, data entry, writing, coding, or web development. You may also supply them with other relevant gadgets based on their job, such as digital drawing tablets for graphic artists or VoIP devices for call center agents.

While it’s common for freelancers to rely on their own tools, your business could be expected to provide company-issued computers and smartphones to full-time staff.

Step 5: Install Business Productivity Software

Once you’ve equipped your employees with essential hardware, your next step is to implement the use of vital business software across your organization. For example, messaging tools make communicating remotely easier for you and your team. Aside from this, project management software empowers you to competently supervise work projects. Plus, they enable your staff members to efficiently collaborate with one another.

Business software usually comes in the form of desktop programs or mobile apps. Some tech providers offer free plans, while others showcase paid packages. We included a handy list of productivity programs in a later section of this review. Feel free to select the apps that fit your hybrid work needs and budget.

Step 6: Manage On-Site and Remote Teams

Even after you establish your hybrid arrangement, you need to properly manage your remote and on-site teams on a regular basis to keep workflows running smoothly. Ensure that all employees and contractors are meeting deadlines by keeping track of their progress via online tools.

Even more importantly, make an effort to periodically check individually on your team members to confirm that they’re doing okay on a professional and personal level. After all, the overall well-being of your staff will have an impact on the quality of their work.

Step 7: Schedule Regular Meetings

It’s possible for your employees and freelancers to occasionally feel like they’re each working inside a bubble with the hybrid work setup. After all, they don’t get to see each other on a daily basis like staff members in a conventional office arrangement normally do. That’s why it’s important for you to schedule meetings that are spaced out in regular intervals.

Face-to-face meetings in the office can help you and your team to feel connected with each other, both on a personal and professional level. Real-life interactions are valuable because they enable you to establish a rapport with each other.

To be realistic though, not everyone can attend meetings in person because of geographical limits or health reasons. That’s why you should also arrange virtual meetings to gather the whole team together from time to time.

While online meetings are not as interactive as face-to-face meetings, they can still help your freelancers and employees feel like they’re part of the organization. On one hand, it keeps them updated on the latest developments within the company and the industry. On the other hand, they will have the chance to share their feedback and ideas to the rest of the team for better engagement.

What Else You Need to Know About Hybrid Work

What Is Hybrid Work?

Hybrid work merges together components of remote work and on-site work. It allows employees and contractors to complete their office tasks both at home and in the office. As a result, it gives them the flexibility to work in locations which promote their productivity, while switching between locations as needed.

What Is a Hybrid Work Model?

A hybrid work model is a form of work arrangement which regulates the balance of remote and on-site work involved for the employees and contractors. Plus, it determines who’s responsible for assigning the work schedule of staff members. In general, the management and staff members agree on which hybrid model mutually works for them.

What Are the Different Types of Hybrid Work Models?

The four main kinds of hybrid work arrangements are the remote-first, office-first, flexible, and fixed hybrid models.

Remote-First Model

Employees and freelancers work online through a virtual office setup majority of the time if the company goes for a remote-first hybrid work model. Nevertheless, they are occasionally requested to visit the physical office or coworking space to attend face-to-face meetings or consultations.

Office-First Model

With the office-first hybrid work model, staff members are required to go to work in the physical office most of the time. However, they do have the option of working remotely a few days a week or month.

Flexible Model

Employees and contractors can adjust their working arrangement and location based on their professional needs and preferences, in case the company picks the flexible hybrid working model. While they can stay in the office if they need to personally meet co-workers for collaboration purposes, they can also work at home if they need to concentrate on conceptualizing or completing work projects.

Fixed Model

If they choose the fixed hybrid working model, the company determines the days and hours that staff members will spend working on a remote or on-site basis. Some organizations alternate which employees work at home or in the office on particular dates, while others allow all workers to work remotely on certain days.

What Factors Can Help You Choose a Hybrid Model That Works for Your Business?

You can select a hybrid work model according to the needs and budget of your business. For instance, you must figure out which ratio of home-based and office-based work enables your staff members to boost their work performance.

Aside from this, you should take into account how near or how far your office is from where your employees live, as well as how easy or hard it is for them to travel to the office. Last but not least, you ought to compute how much resources you can afford to invest in office maintenance for the on-site aspect of hybrid work, plus hardware and software for its remote work aspect.

What Are the Advantages of Hybrid Work?

There are various benefits to adopting the hybrid work system for your business. First, your team will have the convenience of working anytime, anywhere if you go for a hybrid setup. Next, you and your employees can increase your productivity if you have conducive working locations and hours. Plus, you’re free to hire professionals who are based in other countries, states, and cities, instead of being limited to your local talent pool.

On top of this, you can stay constantly connected to your staff members with the help of modern technology. In addition to this, you will have less physical exposure to large groups of people, which can be a vital advantage during this pandemic. Finally, you can reduce your expenses related to office or co-working space rental or maintenance.

What Are the Disadvantages of Hybrid Work?

Hybrid work is a useful work arrangement, but it has certain drawbacks too. For example, it can possibly make your employees feel disconnected from each other because they don’t have real-life interactions on a daily basis. Aside from this, one of the effects of remote work is it’s more challenging to collaborate with co-workers, although you can reduce this effect with the help of online productivity tools.

Another limitation of hybrid work is the potential for external distractions at home or in public places when your staff is working remotely. On top of this, it may take time for you and your colleagues to make major decisions about the company if you discuss matters online, instead of during real-life meetings. Last but not least, there may be a risk of data leaks since a lot of your company information is in the cloud, though you can minimize this risk by protecting your data via security solutions.

How Can I Implement Hybrid Work Effectively?

There are practical steps which you can take to ensure that your hybrid setup works efficiently. To start with, you must assess if the hybrid work arrangement is appropriate for your organization, depending on your team’s preferences, location basis, and budget. Next, pick a hybrid model based on your business requirements, such as remote-first, office-first, flexible, or fixed hybrid work models.

Afterwards, create work schedules and assignment lists for all your employees and freelancers so it’s clear to them when they will be working in the office or at home. In addition to this, provide company-issued laptops and electronic devices to your remote workers, if necessary. Aside from this, implement the use of productivity solutions like communication tools and project management software across your organization for better rapport and collaboration.

Once you’ve established a work routine, continue to supervise your on-site and remote team members in a consistent manner. To maintain your connection with each other, hold real-life and online meetings to motivate everyone to coordinate and collaborate with each other. Hybrid work isn’t a perfect solution, but it can make your workflows more effective if you apply the right techniques.

Which Software Apps to Use for Hybrid Work

Business software can improve your hybrid setup, no matter which work model you adopt for your organization. Here are some communication tools and project management software that you can use to streamline the way that you connect with your team and manage your projects whether you’re working at home or in the office:

Communication Tools

Slack

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Slack is a popular messaging platform for businesses of all sizes. It showcases customizable channels where you can participate in online chats with big or small groups. Plus, it allows you to directly message people who are members of the workspace. On top of this, it gives you the chance to share files and conduct surveys among your co-workers.

Slack can be the ideal communication tool for you in case you want to organize your internal business messages using one centralized program. After all, the user interface (UI) is easy to navigate so you can smoothly switch from channel to channel based on the topic you wish to discuss and the particular team you need to reach out to. In addition to this, you can make voice and video calls to your colleagues if you need a higher level of interactivity. Finally, you can integrate Slack with other apps that you regularly use for work.

Although Slack has its benefits as a messaging software, it has certain drawbacks as well. For example, the free plan lets you read only a limited number of recent messages so you must subscribe to a paid plan to unlock older messages. Aside from this, you will just get a single workspace for the basic plans. Last but not least, the pricing of the paid plans can be costly.

Intuitive UI
Voice and video calls for all plans
Strong third-party integrations

Free version only allows access to 10,000 most recent messages
One workspace for low-tier plans
Expensive plan rates

Pricing:

Free: Free
Pro: $6.67/user/month
Business+: $12.50/user/month
Enterprise Grid: Contact Slack to get a quote

Microsoft Teams

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Microsoft Teams is a communication software that is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It lets you chat with your co-workers and connect with them via audio and video calls. In addition to this, it enables you to share files and documents with your team members so you can brainstorm together.

Microsoft Teams is suitable for you if you mainly use Microsoft solutions for business tasks. After all, it smoothly integrates with Windows OS and various Microsoft products. Plus, the video conferencing tool has a wide range of features, such as live captions, customized background, recordings, and speaker coach. On top of this, the rates are relatively economical so you won’t break the bank even if you sign up for the paid plans.

While Microsoft Teams has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages. For example, your group meetings will be capped to one hour for the free plan and 30 hours for the lowest paid plan. Aside from this, you’ll be stuck with just 5 GB or 10 GB if you go for the basic plans. Finally, you won’t be able to host webinars unless you subscribe to the top-tier package.

Seamless integration
Feature-packed video conferencing tool
Fairly affordable pricing

Group meetings have time limits for low-tier plans
Small storage for basic plans
Webinar hosting available only for premium plan

Pricing:

Microsoft Teams (Free): Free
Microsoft Teams Essentials: $2/user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $3/user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $10/user/month

Project Management Software

Trello

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Trello is a project management solution that’s based on the Kanban workflow management style. It allows you to supervise business projects and collaborate with colleagues in a graphic way. Plus, it equips you to keep track of the progress of your team members in a step-by-step manner.

Trello is appropriate for you if you work best with visual methods of project management. That’s because Trello reviews commend it for its UI that’s easy on the eyes. The boards, cards, and lists give you a quick overview of project statuses with just a simple glance. Aside from this, all the plans provide you with unlimited storage in terms of number of files, although there’s a 10 MB and 250 MB cap for each file for the low-tier plans. To top things off, it keeps a record log of all your activities, regardless of which plan you pick.

Although Trello has its strengths, it admittedly has weaknesses too. For instance, it’s more suitable for simple projects than complex ones because it’s more basic compared to other project management programs. Next, you only have a few project view options, which could be a deal-breaker if you want to switch between many types of views. Last but not least, the high rates of the paid plans can be intimidating.

Visually-friendly cards and board
Unlimited storage
Unlimited activity log

Not ideal for complicated projects
Limited project views
Very steep pricing

Pricing:

Free: Free
Standard: $5/user/month
Premium: $10/user/month
Enterprise: $17.50/user/month

monday.com

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monday.com is a cloud-based work OS which is designed for project management. It enables you to oversee your projects using customizable work templates. The joint workspace serves as a venue where you can coordinate with your colleagues. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to create workflow apps without using coding.

monday.com is appropriate for you if you want to manage both complex and simple projects. That’s because you can scale it based on the size and type of project that you wish to plan and execute. In addition to this, it has various hubs that focus on several business aspects, such as HR, sales & CRM, marketing, creative & design, task management, and operations. On top of this, monday.com reviews acknowledge the convenience of its customizable dashboards, which let you monitor the progress of your team.

While monday.com has its pluses as a project management tool, it has its own minuses too. One disadvantage is that the project views are limited if you opt for the basic plans, unlike the premium plans which have varied project views. Aside from this, you can only benefit from automations and integrations if you sign up for one of the pricier plans. Finally, you need to pay for at least three users to subscribe to any of the paid plans.

Ability to manage different levels of projects
Multiple hubs
Personalized dashboards

Limited project views for low-tier plans
Automations & integrations available only for high-tier plans
Minimum of 3 users for paid plans

Pricing:

Free: Free
Basic: $8/seat/month
Standard: $10/seat/month
Pro: $16/seat/month
Enterprise: Contact monday.com to get a quote

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Hybrid Work

Hybrid work is a viable work setup for you in case you want to make the most out of the fusion of on-site work and remote work. Find out the answers to basic questions about hybrid work.

What Types of Jobs Are Ideal for Hybrid Work?

There are certain kinds of jobs that can be performed through a hybrid work arrangement. For example, creative professionals like writers, graphic designers, and video editors can complete most tasks independently on a computer.

Plus, lawyers can prepare legal documents at home, although they need to be physically present for client consultations and court trials. Aside from this, some call center agents can take customer calls remotely, as long as they have the proper VOIP equipment.

Which Kinds of Jobs Aren’t Suitable for Hybrid Work?

There are specific types of jobs that won’t work with a hybrid setup because they need to be accomplished on-site. For instance, maintenance staff have to clean and tidy up facilities in person.

In addition to this, fast food crews have to prepare and serve meals to customers in the actual venue. On top of this, home repair teams need to personally visit the residences of clients to make the necessary repairs and upgrades.

Who Can Approve Hybrid Work Arrangements?

It depends on the hybrid work model that your organization has adopted. If you choose the fixed model, the business owner, managers, and supervisors have the authority to approve hybrid work arrangements. In case you select the flexible model, each team member is granted full or partial freedom by the management to adjust their working locations and hours as needed.

Bottom Line on Hybrid Work

Hybrid work is growing popular as a contemporary work setup because it offers dual benefits: the freedom of remote work and the productivity of office-based work. After reading this how-to guide, we trust that you can easily figure out which hybrid work model is a good match for your business. Even more importantly, we hope that we helped you understand how you can successfully maximize the potential of the hybrid work arrangement in seven simple steps.