Conversion Tracking

One of the most underrated aspects in the current job market is the use of analytics when it comes to online platforms. Conversion tracking is one of the new ways companies can track or determine their success online and through mobile platforms. Conversion tracking is a tool that is used to determine or "track" clicks from people visiting a certain website or page. When a consumer or customer performs a certain task, this is called a conversion. There are many types of activities that can be done in order to track conversions. Some examples are: signing up for newsletters, calling a business, purchasing a product, clicking an advertisement, or even downloading an application.

 Conversion tracking works through four different intervals: website actions, phone calls, app downloads, and imports. Website actions are the main factor in conversion tracking. Clicks and rollovers are main interactions that are used during conversion tracking. Phone calls can be anything from a mobile interaction to calling a company through an ad. App downloads are exactly as they sound. Downloading an application through a mobile interface is a way to track conversion. Importing contacts from a file into another file is another type of conversion.

Conversions are very important for a variety of reasons. They help tell companies which keywords or ads best define a page. They also help web developers better understand a return on investment, or ROI. Conversion tracking can also help you optimize your business goals through target ROAS and enhanced CPA. However, the most important aspect of conversion tracking is that it helps businesses determine if their site is effective. It gives you analytics regarding who is coming to your site and when.

WCIYP: How to Start Your Own Business

The last chapter of What Color is Your Parachute?, talks about the very last straw that a job applicant can always fall back on. There is always one available option when it comes to changing your career. That option is to start your own business. If someone cannot find a new job, or their current just is not satisfying, they can always go and start a new business. The author gives the reader three tips to help fully benefit from a new business.

The first tip is to write. The author tells the reader to jot down an ideas that they have. If an idea comes to mind, it must be jotted down or else it might be forgotten. Writing a resume is also key because it helps you put together all of your experiences and certifications. Writing down things you are good at can also help you picture what is right and what is wrong. Reading is the second tip that the author gives. Many websites like Working Solo, Small Business Administration, and A Small Business Expert are given to the reader in hope that they read the tips that are given regarding how to start a business. Exploring is the third tip that is given. This tip involves using all of the previous tips and putting them to use. Researching and exploring successful small businesses can help one picture how their business should be.

The last part of the chapter discusses an "A-B=C" method that can narrow down a business search. The "A" refers to skills and knowledges that are needed to run this kind of business. "B" refers to skills and knowledges that you have. "C" is skills and knowledges needed, which I don't have, so I am going to go out and hire someone who has them. This method helps people determine what aspects of their future business they should keep and what aspects they should throw out. 

WCIYP: The Five Ways to Choose/Change Careers

In Chapter 10 of What Color is Your Parachute?, the author discusses ways that a person can and should choose or change his or her career path. In order for someone to be successful in whatever career they pursue, they must have a love for it. There is no point in working for someone or something that you do not feel passionate about. So the five tips that are given in order to maximize the chances of you finding the best job are:

1. Internet
2. Tests
3. Using the Flower Exercise
4. Changing a Career in Two Steps
5. Finding Out What the Job-Market Will Need

The internet does not just refer to Google and all of the other links that are found online. It specifically refers to O*Net Online. This is a a digital website and online house of information with up-to-date information about careers. Further research into the website and one can find how in-depth the said information is. Suggested careers are classified by green companies, industries in great demand, interests, skill sets, and even work values. Once an occupation is found, the website has a specially developed content model which runs a twelve page print of the occupation. The website is very thorough and up-to-date, Websites like these can be key in the battle for a new job.

Tests are another tool that people can use in order to change or choose their job. These tests are more like assessments than actual tests. These tests are taken for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons are to help define your strengths and weaknesses, opening up to new ideas, and even clues into what your current job search is missing. Some websites that provide such tests are the Dewey Color System and Dr. John Holland's Self-Directed Search. Even typing "career tests" into Google can help bring up some worthy sights.

The third way that a person can attempt to change their career path is by using the flower exercise. As discussed in blog posts before, the flower exercise is a technique that helps people narrow down their potential employer. Each pedal refers to another detail that can be applied when looking for new jobs. This technique is very tedious and technical, however it can lead to many job openings due to how precise and narrow the information ends up becoming.

The fourth way to change a career path is by changing the career in two steps. A job has two parts: the title and the field. Title is the symbol of what you do, while the field is the actual blood, sweat and tears on the job. People should look at both when looking for a job. Maybe there is a title that fits with another field that the person is passionate about. No job will be perfect and some sacrifices will have to be made when determining the job title and field. Experience can come with both title and field. This will also look good to a future employer.

The last way that job searchers can choose or change their job is through finding out what the job-market will need. At this point in the job search, a person should stop focusing on what they want and look at what companies need. If a company is hiring but their job asks for something that the person does not feel comfortable with, the person has to try that company anyway. Training and knowledge of the material can and will come. At this point, all last requests are made and a person has to look at all the companies that are hiring.