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Any new phone almost certainly comes with a handful of preinstalled apps you'll never use, regardless of which manufacturer you buy from or which operating system you're on. Some devices are more bloated than others: Google Pixels have a relatively "clean" build compared to Samsung phones, for example, and don't typically come with third-party apps and games. But you may still want to eliminate apps and features that clutter your home screen, take up valuable space, and create a drag on performance, especially if you have alternatives you like more. On Android, that likely means uninstalling what you easily can and disabling everything else. What you can (and can't) uninstall on AndroidUnfortunately, many preinstalled first-party apps can't be easily removed. This varies by manufacturer and device—for example, Pixel users can uninstall Google Play Games and Books but are stuck with Chrome, Drive, Maps, and Calculator. As HowToGeek points out, you can delete other pre-selected Google apps added during initial setup, such as the Pixel Watch app and NotebookLM. On Samsung Galaxy phones, again, some preinstalled bloatware is locked in, but ZDNET calls out five native apps that most users should delete right away: Global Goals, Samsung Free, Samsung TV Plus, Samsung Shop, and Samsung Kids. To uninstall an app on your Pixel, go to the Google Play Store and tap the Profile icon. Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage, select the app you want to remove, and tap Uninstall. On Samsung, go to Settings > Apps, tap the app name, and tap Uninstall > OK. You can also touch and hold the app icon on your home screen and tap or drag to uninstall. If you're absolutely set on removing preinstalled apps that can't be deleted using the above steps, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), but these methods are more advanced. How to disable preinstalled appsBuilt-in apps that aren't in use can be disabled, which hides the icon from your app drawer. They'll still take up space, but at least they'll be out of sight. Most preinstalled apps can be disabled if you don't need them, with the exception of critical system apps. On your Pixel, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps to select individual apps, and tap Disable at the top of the screen. You can hide preinstalled Samsung apps from your home screen settings: tap Hide apps and tap the icon of the apps you want to disable, the press Done. View the full article

Sluggish December hiring concluded a year of weak employment gains that have frustrated job seekers even though layoffs and unemployment remained low. Employers added just 50,000 jobs last month, nearly unchanged from a downwardly revised figure of 56,000 in November, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.4%, its first decline since June, from 4.5% in November, a figure also revised lower. The data suggests a reluctance by businesses to add workers even as economic growth has picked up. Many companies hired aggressively after the pandemic and no longer need to fill more jobs. Others have held back due to widespread uncertainty caused by President Donald The President’s shifting tariff policies, elevated inflation, and the spread of artificial intelligence, which could alter or even replace some jobs. Still, economists were encouraged by the lower unemployment rate, which had risen in the previous four straight reports. Weakening employment raised alarms at the Federal Reserve, which cut its key interest rate three times last year. “The labor market looks to have stabilized, but at a slower pace of employment growth,” Blerina Uruci, chief economist at T. Rowe Price, said. “There is no urgency for the Fed to cut rates further, for now.” Some Federal Reserve officials are concerned that inflation hasn’t improved since 2024 and remains above their target of 2% annual growth. They support keeping rates where they are to combat inflation. Others, however, have grown worried that hiring has nearly ground to a halt and have supported lowering borrowing costs to spur spending and growth. November’s job gain was revised slightly lower, from 64,000 to 56,000, while October’s now shows a much steeper drop, with a loss of 173,000 positions, down from previous estimates of a 105,000 decline. The government revises the jobs figures as it receives more survey responses from businesses. Nearly all the jobs added in December were in the health care and restaurant and hotel industries. Health care added 38,500 jobs, while restaurants and hotels gained 47,000. Governments — mostly at the state and local level — added 13,000. Manufacturing, construction and retail companies all shed jobs. Retailers cut 25,000 positions, a sign that holiday hiring has been weaker than previous years. Manufacturers have shed jobs every month since April, when The President announced sweeping tariffs intended to boost manufacturing. Wall Street and Washington are looking closely at Friday’s report as it’s the first clean reading on the labor market in three months. The government didn’t issue a report in October because of the six-week government shutdown, and November’s data was distorted by the closure, which lasted until Nov. 12. Job gains have been subdued all year, particularly after April’s “liberation day” tariff announcement by The President. The economy gained just 584,000 jobs in 2025, sharply lower than that more than 2 million added in 2024. It’s the smallest annual gain since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the job market in 2020. Outside of recessions, it’s the smallest annual increase since 2003. Still, The President boasted on social media late Thursday that since January, all the new jobs have been in the private sector, while government jobs have declined. Yet his figures included December’s jobs numbers as well as revisions to previous months, which the White House receives Thursday afternoon, before the figures are publicly released. The President’s post on Truth Social said that 654,000 jobs were added by businesses since January, while government jobs declined 181,000, so it wouldn’t have been immediately clear that the post had new information from December. But new jobs data are generally closely guarded since they can move financial markets. The hiring slowdown reflects more than just a reluctance by companies to add jobs. With an aging population and a sharp drop in immigration, the economy doesn’t need to create as many jobs as it has in the past to keep the unemployment rate steady. As a result, a gain of 50,000 jobs is not as clear a sign of weakness as it would have been in previous years. And layoffs are still low, a sign firms aren’t rapidly cutting jobs, as typically happens in a recession. The “low-hire, low-fire” job market does mean workers have some job security, though it’s become harder to find new work. Ernesto Castro, 44, has applied for hundreds of jobs since leaving his last in May. Yet the Los Angeles resident has had just three initial interviews, and only one follow-up, after which he heard nothing. With nearly a decade of experience providing customer support for software companies, Castro expected to find a new job pretty quickly as in the past. “It’s been awful,” he said. He worries that more companies are turning to artificial intelligence to help clients learn to use new software. He hears ads from tech companies that urge companies to slash workers like him in favor of AI. His contacts in the industry say that employees are increasingly reluctant to switch jobs amid all the uncertainty, which means fewer open jobs for others. He is now looking into starting his own software company, and is also exploring project management roles. Subdued hiring underscores a key conundrum surrounding the economy as it enters 2026: Growth has picked up to healthy levels, yet hiring has weakened noticeably. Most economists expect hiring will accelerate this year amid solid growth, and The President’s tax cut legislation is expected to produce large tax refunds this spring. Yet economists acknowledge there are other possibilities: Weak job gains could drag down future growth. Or the economy could keep expanding at a healthy clip, while automation and the spread of artificial intelligence reduces the need for more jobs. Productivity, or output per hour worked, a measure of worker efficiency, has improved in the past three years and jumped nearly 5% in the July-September quarter. That means companies can produce more without adding jobs. Over time, it should also boost worker pay. Even with such sluggish job gains, the economy has continued to expand, with growth reaching a 4.3% annual rate in last year’s July-September quarter, the best in two years. Strong consumer spending helped drive the gain. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta forecasts that growth could slow to a still-solid 2.7% in the final three months of last year. —Christopher Rugaber, AP economics writer View the full article

Google shows AI Overviews in Search largely based on whether users engage with them — and removes them when they don’t. That’s according to Robby Stein, Google’s VP of product for Search. In a CNN interview, Stein explained how Google tunes AI-driven results as it expands ads, personalization, and visual search across its experiences. Engagement drives AI Overviews. Google tests AI Overviews on specific query types and keeps them only if users find them useful. If users don’t click, interact, or show value, the overview disappears. The system then applies that learning to similar queries, Stein said: “The system will learn — so it’ll try it — and then see if people engage with it for certain kinds of questions… “What happens is the system will learn that if it tried to do an AI Overview, no one really clicked on it or engaged with it or valued it. We have lots of metrics. We look at that. And then it won’t show up. And then the system kind of generalizes that over time. And what you see at Google is a reflection of our best understanding of what’s most helpful for a user for a given question.” Why we care. Much of the SEO conversation focuses on appearing in AI Overviews. Google is making it clear that those placements depend on user engagement. If searchers don’t interact with AI Overviews for certain query types, Google may stop showing them altogether. That could reduce AI visibility for brands and publishers. AI and personalization. Google personalizes some aspects of AI search, but Stein described it as a “smaller adjustment” rather than a major reshaping of results: “So if you’re the kind of person that would always click a video, you might see video results higher. “But right now that’s … a smaller adjustment … to the experience because we want to keep it as consistent as possible overall. But I think over time our goal is to create something that’s great for you.” Ads and monetization in AI search. Google is actively testing ads inside AI-powered search experiences, including AI Overviews and AI Mode. Google is actively experimenting with ads inside AI-powered search experiences — including AI Overviews and AI Mode. Ads will appear “when helpful,” Stein said, following Google’s long-standing Search ad philosophy. He added that “the vast majority of Google searches do not have ads.” AI-driven shopping, comparisons, and product research are key use cases. “Transparency and clarity that this is a sponsored item is really an important principle,” Stein said. Visual search growth. Visual search is one of Google’s fastest-growing behaviors, according to Stein. Usage is up 70% year over year. About 1 billion users use visual search tools like Google Lens. Circle to Search on Android is being used product discovery, outfit matching, and real-world queries. The CNN interview. The best way to search for info online in the AI era | Terms of Service View the full article

Ahead of a slate of announcements coming next week, Microsoft Advertising says advertisers can now add up to 50 search themes to Performance Max campaigns — a significant increase from previous limits. Why we care. Search themes act as strategic signals that guide Performance Max toward the queries and intent patterns advertisers care most about. Increasing the cap gives marketers far more room to shape how automation interprets demand, especially for complex or multi-category businesses. Advertisers will also no longer have to collapse intent into a handful of themes or spin up multiple campaigns just to reflect different product lines or use cases. The big picture. Microsoft is leaning into signal-based control rather than rigid keyword targeting. Advertisers can pair search themes with LinkedIn profile targeting and other audience signals, including impression-based remarketing, to help Performance Max focus on high-value customers instead of broad, generic demand. What to watch. Microsoft says additional updates are coming in its Advertising blog next week, suggesting this expansion is part of a broader push to make Performance Max more flexible — and more advertiser-guided — without walking back automation. First seen. Microsoft Product Liaison Navah Hopkins shared this news on LinkedIn as well as teasing some updates coming next week Wednesday (Jan 14th). The bottom line. By allowing up to 50 search themes, Microsoft is giving advertisers a stronger steering wheel for Performance Max, not by adding complexity, but by expanding the signals that matter most. View the full article

The proposed levy on people worth 10 figures and above has rattled Silicon Valley and split Democratic leadersView the full article

Advertisers are spotting signs that Google is increasing the number of video assets allowed per Asset Group in Performance Max campaigns — from 5 videos to as many as 15. Why we care. Video is increasingly central to Performance Max performance, but the current five-video cap forces trade-offs. Advertisers often have to choose between formats or ratios, limiting coverage across YouTube, Discover and other placements. What’s changing. With up to 15 videos per Asset Group, advertisers would be able to include multiple creatives while still covering all three major video ratios. That means less need to fragment campaigns or duplicate Asset Groups just to accommodate different video formats. Between the lines. This change would make consolidation easier for brands running multiple video variations, improving creative testing without sacrificing reach or structural simplicity. What to watch. Google hasn’t formally announced the update, suggesting it’s either in testing or rolling out gradually. First seen. This update was spotted by Growth Marketing Manager Molly Pritchard showing the new option on LinkedIn. The bottom line. A higher video cap may sound minor, but for Performance Max advertisers, it could unlock better creative coverage with fewer compromises. View the full article

Salesforce recently unveiled its innovative Agentforce Sales app during Dreamforce, aimed at transforming the user experience for small businesses relying on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools. This new feature integrates the capabilities of ChatGPT, allowing sales teams to navigate the complexities of customer relationships with enhanced efficiency and intelligence. Imagine a sales environment where your CRM is no longer just a database, but a dynamic conversational partner. The Agentforce Sales app leverages the powerful AI capabilities of ChatGPT to streamline tasks and improve productivity, especially for small business owners who often juggle multiple roles. “With the Agentforce Sales app in ChatGPT, our reps can prioritize deals, plan accounts, and update Salesforce directly from the conversation. It will change how our sales team works and boost productivity,” stated Brandon Metcalf, CEO and Founder of Asymbl. One of the most significant challenges small businesses face is the “Toggle Tax”: the friction caused by constantly switching between various platforms for research, updates, and communications. The Agentforce Sales app operates within ChatGPT, allowing users to access and utilize Salesforce data in a seamless manner. Instead of copying and pasting information to feed into AI tools, users can directly interact with their Salesforce data. For example, if a sales representative asks for new uncontacted leads, the app instantly pulls a live, interactive list from Salesforce, eliminating the cumbersome manual work typically involved. Small business owners can also benefit from superhuman prioritization. The app doesn’t only evaluate leads based on internal metrics but uses external market insights to surface the most critical leads at any moment. This combination of cross-data analysis allows for more informed decision-making than traditional systems alone could provide. In practical terms, the app enhances the sales workflow significantly. Users can delegate tasks by simply instructing ChatGPT to assign leads to particular agents, update records in a single command, or even generate strategic plans for accounts. For instance, after a successful meeting, a user can promptly update the opportunity status to “Closed Won” with just a few keystrokes. This efficiency can lead to faster closing times and, ultimately, increased sales. However, adopting technology always comes with challenges. Small business owners should consider the potential learning curve associated with utilizing advanced AI features. While the integration is designed to simplify processes, it may initially require time and training to maximize its benefits. Additionally, ensuring data security remains a priority; Salesforce’s Agentforce Trust Layer reportedly safeguards business data, adhering to strict security measures and respecting existing permissions. “Now conversations with the Agentforce Sales app in ChatGPT understand your customers, move deals forward, and get real sales work done,” said Kris Billmaier, GM and EVP of Agentforce Sales at Salesforce. This statement underscores the app’s potential not only to facilitate conversations but also to drive real outcomes in sales processes. For small business owners seeking to improve their sales operations, integrating tools like the Agentforce Sales app offers a way to work smarter, not harder. With its ability to pull data directly from Salesforce, and its potential to enhance strategic planning, this new solution aims to reduce busywork and allow teams to focus on closing deals. The Open Beta for the Agentforce Sales app is now available, providing an opportunity for eligible customers to explore its capabilities. Owners interested in enhancing their sales processes can find more information in the ChatGPT app directory. As the operating landscape becomes increasingly competitive, tools that streamline workflows and harness the power of AI are likely to be game-changers for small businesses. For further details on this innovative integration, visit Salesforce’s official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Salesforce Unveils Agentforce Sales App, Revolutionizing CRM with AI Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Salesforce recently unveiled its innovative Agentforce Sales app during Dreamforce, aimed at transforming the user experience for small businesses relying on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools. This new feature integrates the capabilities of ChatGPT, allowing sales teams to navigate the complexities of customer relationships with enhanced efficiency and intelligence. Imagine a sales environment where your CRM is no longer just a database, but a dynamic conversational partner. The Agentforce Sales app leverages the powerful AI capabilities of ChatGPT to streamline tasks and improve productivity, especially for small business owners who often juggle multiple roles. “With the Agentforce Sales app in ChatGPT, our reps can prioritize deals, plan accounts, and update Salesforce directly from the conversation. It will change how our sales team works and boost productivity,” stated Brandon Metcalf, CEO and Founder of Asymbl. One of the most significant challenges small businesses face is the “Toggle Tax”: the friction caused by constantly switching between various platforms for research, updates, and communications. The Agentforce Sales app operates within ChatGPT, allowing users to access and utilize Salesforce data in a seamless manner. Instead of copying and pasting information to feed into AI tools, users can directly interact with their Salesforce data. For example, if a sales representative asks for new uncontacted leads, the app instantly pulls a live, interactive list from Salesforce, eliminating the cumbersome manual work typically involved. Small business owners can also benefit from superhuman prioritization. The app doesn’t only evaluate leads based on internal metrics but uses external market insights to surface the most critical leads at any moment. This combination of cross-data analysis allows for more informed decision-making than traditional systems alone could provide. In practical terms, the app enhances the sales workflow significantly. Users can delegate tasks by simply instructing ChatGPT to assign leads to particular agents, update records in a single command, or even generate strategic plans for accounts. For instance, after a successful meeting, a user can promptly update the opportunity status to “Closed Won” with just a few keystrokes. This efficiency can lead to faster closing times and, ultimately, increased sales. However, adopting technology always comes with challenges. Small business owners should consider the potential learning curve associated with utilizing advanced AI features. While the integration is designed to simplify processes, it may initially require time and training to maximize its benefits. Additionally, ensuring data security remains a priority; Salesforce’s Agentforce Trust Layer reportedly safeguards business data, adhering to strict security measures and respecting existing permissions. “Now conversations with the Agentforce Sales app in ChatGPT understand your customers, move deals forward, and get real sales work done,” said Kris Billmaier, GM and EVP of Agentforce Sales at Salesforce. This statement underscores the app’s potential not only to facilitate conversations but also to drive real outcomes in sales processes. For small business owners seeking to improve their sales operations, integrating tools like the Agentforce Sales app offers a way to work smarter, not harder. With its ability to pull data directly from Salesforce, and its potential to enhance strategic planning, this new solution aims to reduce busywork and allow teams to focus on closing deals. The Open Beta for the Agentforce Sales app is now available, providing an opportunity for eligible customers to explore its capabilities. Owners interested in enhancing their sales processes can find more information in the ChatGPT app directory. As the operating landscape becomes increasingly competitive, tools that streamline workflows and harness the power of AI are likely to be game-changers for small businesses. For further details on this innovative integration, visit Salesforce’s official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Salesforce Unveils Agentforce Sales App, Revolutionizing CRM with AI Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

US President seeks to win commitments to invest up to $100bnView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple's flagship products rarely get substantial discounts—but if you wait for the right moment, you can grab a great deal. If you've been eyeing Apple's top-of-the-line smartwatch, that moment is now: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has dropped to $549.99 on Amazon, saving you $250 off the retail price. This matches the lowest price it has yet reached, according to price tracking tools. Apple Watch Ultra 2 $549.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $549.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $250.00 The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was released in September 2023, and after the Ultra 3 dropped last two years later. it was inevitable that the Ultra 2 would see a price reduction. The cool thing is you don't need the latest model to receive the latest WatchOS features, since Apple has a good record of updating their flagship products for many years to come. The Ultra is the premium Apple Watch model, with the biggest case size, brightest screen (3,000 nits), deepest water resistance (100 meters), and longest battery life (up to 36 hours). The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is packed with fitness-focused features, but even if you aren’t a health nut, it also has a lot of great features for casual users. People who want a reliable sleep tracker can learn a lot about their sleep habits with the Ultra 2 as long as they keep it well-charged. Currently, all sizes are available for $549.99, but not all colors are available. You can read more about this watch on PCMag's "excellent" review. The Ultra 2 is different than the previous first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, which you can find for $319 refurbished at Amazon. It’s also different from the Apple Watch Series 11, which you can get for $329 on Amazon right now. If you're looking for the latest budget-friendly Apple Watch, consider the third-generation Apple Watch SE available for $269 (originally $299). View the full article

U.S. stocks are rising toward records Friday following a mixed report on the U.S. job market, one that may delay another cut to interest rates by the Federal Reserve but does not slam the door on it. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% in midday trading and was on track to top its all-time high set earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 237 points, or 0.5% and was also heading toward a record. The Nasdaq composite was 0.7% higher, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time. The gains came after the U.S. Labor Department said employers hired fewer workers in total during December than economists expected, though the unemployment rate improved and was better than expected. It reinforced how the U.S. job market may be in a “ low-hire, low-fire” state. On Wall Street, power company Vistra soared 11.9% to lead the market after signing a 20-year deal to provide electricity to Meta Platforms from three of its nuclear plants. Big Tech companies have been signing a string of such deals to electrify the data centers powering their moves into artificial-intelligence technology. Oklo jumped 12.3% after saying it also signed a deal with Meta Platforms that will help it secure nuclear fuel and advance its project to build a facility in Pike County, Ohio. Homebuilders and other companies involved in the housing market were also strong in their first trading after President Donald The President announced a plan to lower mortgage rates. The President on late Thursday called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates. Builders FirstSource, a supplier of building products, jumped 8.5% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after Vistra. Among homebuilders, Lennar rose 5.1%, PulteGroup rose 4.9% and D.R. Horton climbed 4.8%. They helped offset a 3.3% drop for General Motors. The auto giant said it will take a $6 billion hit to its results for the last three months of 2025 related to its pullback from electric vehicles. That’s on top of the $1.6 billion in charges GM took in the prior quarter. Fewer tax incentives and easier fuel-emission regulations have been eating into demand for EVs. WD-40 tumbled 5% after reporting a weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Chief Financial Officer Sara Hyzer said the soft numbers were primarily because of timing issues, not weaker demand from end customers, and the company stood by its financial forecasts for the upcoming year. In the bond market, Treasury yields were mixed following the mixed jobs report. The improvement in the unemployment rate was enough to get traders to ratchet back expectations for a cut to interest rates at the Fed’s next meeting, which is scheduled for later this month. Traders are now forecasting just a 5% chance of that, down from 11% a day before, according to data from CME Group. But traders nevertheless still largely expect the Fed to cut rates at least twice this upcoming year. Whether they’re correct carries high stakes for financial markets. Lower interest rates can goose the economy and push up prices for investments, though they can also worsen inflation at the same time. And inflation has stubbornly remained above the Fed’s 2% target. “Until the data provide a clearer direction, a divided Fed is likely to stay that way,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. “Lower rates are likely coming this year, but the markets may have to be patient.” The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.17% from 4.19% late Thursday. It tends to track expectations for longer-term economic growth and inflation. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks forecasts for what the Fed will do with short-term interest rates in the near term, rose to 3.52% from 3.49%. A separate report released Friday morning suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is strengthening, particularly among lower-income households. Perhaps more importantly for the Fed, the preliminary report from the University of Michigan also said expectations for inflation in the coming 12 months may be at their lowest level in a year. That could prevent a vicious cycle where worsening expectations lead to behaviors that accelerate inflation further. In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia. The French CAC 40 rose 1.3%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6% for two of the world’s bigger gains. In Tokyo, Fast Retailing, the fashion company behind Uniqlo, jumped 10.7% after its quarterly operating profit surged about 34% year-on-year. It revised its full-year forecasts upward. —Stan Choe, AP business writer AP Business Writers Chan Ho-him and Matt Ott contributed. View the full article

The Senate allowed the nomination of a permanent director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to lapse, giving acting Director Russell Vought more time to lead the agency on a temporary basis. View the full article

If you’re starting out in video editing, selecting the right software is essential for your learning experience. Several free video editors offer user-friendly interfaces and robust features that cater to beginners. ACDSee Luxea, iMovie, and Clipchamp are excellent choices for ease of use, whereas Kdenlive and DaVinci Resolve provide advanced capabilities. With so many options available, you can create impressive videos without spending a dime. Let’s explore the top tools that can help you get started effectively. Key Takeaways ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a user-friendly interface and essential features like keyframing and screen recording for beginners. Clipchamp provides an intuitive web-based platform with multi-track editing and free templates, accessible from any device. iMovie is ideal for Apple users, featuring advanced tools like color correction and 4K export, while remaining easy to navigate. Kdenlive combines a user-friendly interface with advanced editing capabilities, supported by online tutorials for skill enhancement. DaVinci Resolve delivers professional-grade tools and customizable interfaces, making it suitable for beginners aiming for high-quality edits. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor ACDSee Luxea Video Editor stands out as a solid choice for serious beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their video editing skills. This free video editor offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the editing process, making it accessible to those new to video creation. You’ll appreciate its keyframing capabilities, which allow for precise control over animations and transitions. In addition, it supports 4K video editing, ideal for crafting high-quality content suitable for platforms like YouTube. The built-in screen and webcam recording functions make it perfect for creating tutorial and gaming videos. Even though the free version includes an intro and outro and isn’t for commercial use, it provides a robust foundation for enhancing your editing skills. Clipchamp If you’re looking for a versatile video editing solution that doesn’t require any software installation, Clipchamp is a strong candidate worth considering. This web-based tool operates directly in your browser, making it easy to access from anywhere. Here are some notable features: Multi-track editing allows you to layer videos, audio, and images. A variety of free templates helps streamline your projects. Stock assets and resizing tools are perfect for social media content. The free version permits exports at 1080p resolution, ideal for high-quality videos. Compared to video editing apps like CapCut, Clipchamp’s user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for beginners wanting to create polished videos with ease. Imovie iMovie stands out as a potent free video editing software designed particularly for Apple users, including those on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to quickly learn how to trim clips, add changes, and incorporate music and sound effects. You can export videos in 4K resolution, ensuring high-quality output for platforms like YouTube and social media. Advanced features, such as color correction, audio improvement, and video stabilization, help elevate your project’s overall quality without the need for expensive software. Plus, with iCloud integration, you can access your projects seamlessly across devices, allowing you to edit on the go. This makes iMovie a reliable alternative to apps like the CapCut application. Kdenlive Kdenlive offers a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for both beginners and those with more experience in video editing. You’ll find advanced editing features, like multi-track editing and customizable effects, which allow you to create polished projects easily. With its ongoing updates and community support, Kdenlive guarantees you have the tools you need to improve your video editing skills effectively. User-Friendly Interface One of the standout features of Kdenlive is its user-friendly interface, designed to accommodate both beginners and more experienced editors. This software simplifies the editing process, making it a great alternative to other free editing apps like CapCut. Here are some key aspects that improve its usability: Modular interface allows you to customize your workspace by adding or removing panels. Drag-and-drop functionality makes importing media a breeze. An extensive library of built-in effects and transitions lets you improve videos without advanced skills. An intuitive timeline helps you easily arrange clips, add audio tracks, and implement keyframes. With thorough online tutorials and community forums, you’ll quickly learn and overcome any challenges as you use Kdenlive. Advanced Editing Features During exploring advanced editing features, you’ll find that Kdenlive provides an impressive array of tools that can improve your video projects. This open-source software supports multi-track editing, allowing you to layer multiple video and audio tracks seamlessly. You can work with various video formats and utilize robust tools for color correction, keyframe animations, and audio mixing, all of which raise your editing experience. Kdenlive additionally boasts strong effects and transitions, along with a thorough set of filters, enabling detailed manipulation of video clips for professional-grade results. Its customizable interface lets you arrange panels and workflows to suit your preferences, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors. Regular updates guarantee you access the latest improvements. DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve stands out as a robust video editing solution that caters to both novice and seasoned editors. This professional-grade software is a fantastic CapCut alternative free, offering a thorough set of tools for editing, color correction, and audio post-production. Here are some key features: A dedicated Cut page for quick editing tasks An advanced color grading panel for detailed adjustments Multi-user collaboration for team projects Availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux without watermarks While its extensive features can present a steep learning curve, numerous tutorials and community resources are readily available to help you navigate the software. With DaVinci Resolve, you’ll find a strong editing tool that meets the demands of various projects. CapCut CapCut stands out with its user-friendly interface, making video editing accessible for everyone, even beginners. It offers strong editing features like trimming, cutting, and merging, along with a wide selection of creative effects and music options to improve your projects. Plus, you can export high-definition videos without any watermarks, ensuring your content looks professional for platforms sucha as TikTok and YouTube. User-Friendly Interface How can a user-friendly interface improve your video editing experience? With CapCut, you’ll discover an intuitive design that simplifies video editing, making it accessible regardless of whether you’re a beginner. Here’s what you can expect: A drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to navigate. Pre-made templates and effects for quick, professional-looking videos. A wide range of editing tools, like text overlays and transitions, all clearly organized. Mobile-friendly design for seamless editing on-the-go. Plus, CapCut is free, allowing you to explore its features without any cost. Built-in tutorials and tips guide you through the editing process, enhancing your learning curve. This user-friendly approach guarantees you can focus on creativity rather than struggling with complicated software. Powerful Editing Features In the domain of video editing, having access to robust features can greatly improve your creative output. CapCut simplifies how to edit in CapCut with its intuitive tools designed for beginners. You’ll find advanced text overlays, seamless shifts, and impressive effects that boost your video quality. Multi-track editing and audio mixing capabilities allow you to produce professional-looking projects during the workflow being straightforward. The app supports various video formats and resolutions, ensuring your edits are compatible across multiple platforms and devices. Moreover, CapCut provides an extensive library of royalty-free music and sound effects, making it easy to improve your videos with dynamic audio elements. With these influential features, you can confidently explore your creativity. Adobe Premiere Rush Adobe Premiere Rush stands out as a potent video editing tool, particularly for those seeking quick and efficient production methods. Designed for beginners, it allows you to select clips and automatically assemble them, making video editing straightforward. Here are some key features: User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality Supports 1080p exports for free users, with a subscription needed for 4K Direct upload options to YouTube for hassle-free sharing Available on multiple platforms, including Windows and Mac If you’re looking for editing software like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush offers a comparable experience. This app is perfect for content creators who need to produce and share videos swiftly without sacrificing quality. Lightworks Lightworks is a potent video editing software that offers a free version, making it accessible for users at various skill levels. As a lightweight video editor, it supports various video formats and includes advanced trimming tools and real-time effects, enhancing your editing experience. You can export videos in 720p resolution, perfect for basic projects and online content. Although the free version has limitations compared to the paid subscription, it still provides crucial editing features and a customizable workspace. Furthermore, Lightworks has a supportive community and numerous online tutorials, which can help you learn to use the software effectively. Feature Description Export Resolution 720p for basic projects Editing Interface Non-linear, flexible for various tasks Community Support Tutorials and forums for beginners Shotcut Shotcut stands out as a versatile open-source video editing software, designed to cater to both beginners and experienced editors. As a best alternative to CapCut, it offers a robust set of features that empower users in their creative pursuits. Here are some highlights of Shotcut: Supports a wide range of audio and video formats. Provides advanced features like video filters and color grading tools. Allows unlimited layers and tracks for complex editing projects. Offers a customizable interface to improve your editing experience. With regular updates and an active community, you’ll find plenty of resources and tutorials to enhance your skills. Shotcut makes video editing accessible and enjoyable, ensuring you have everything you need to create polished videos. Adobe Express Video Editor Adobe Express Video Editor stands out with its user-friendly interface, making it easy for you to create videos regardless of whether you’re a beginner. With a variety of customizable templates and stock assets, you can jumpstart your projects without needing extensive design skills. Although it offers basic editing features ideal for social media, keep in mind that it lacks some advanced functionalities found in more professional editing software. User-Friendly Interface In regards to video editing, a user-friendly interface can make all the difference, especially for beginners. Adobe Express Video Editor stands out in this area with its intuitive design and practical features. Here’s what you’ll appreciate: Simple drag-and-drop functionality for easy navigation A diverse library of templates and stock videos to spark creativity Quick uploads and straightforward tools for adding text, music, and effects A supportive community and tutorial system for real-time learning With Adobe Express, you won’t have to struggle with how to edit videos on CapCut. The free version even allows for 4K video downloads without watermarks, enabling you to create high-quality content without any financial commitment. Features and Functionality In relation to features and functionality, Adobe Express Video Editor offers a robust set of tools that cater to both beginners and more experienced users. With a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, you can create videos quickly. The software provides various templates and stock video assets, improving your creativity. Basic editing features like trimming, text overlay, and simple transitions make quick edits easy, even though you lack technical knowledge. Plus, Adobe Express supports 4K video exports in its free plan, allowing you to produce high-quality content without watermarks. Being web-based means you can edit from any device with internet access. Feature Description Benefit User-friendly Interface Drag-and-drop functionality Quick video creation Templates & Assets Pre-designed elements Improved creativity 4K Video Exports High-quality output without watermarks Professional results Frequently Asked Questions Which Free Video Editor Is Best for Beginners? When choosing a free video editor, consider your needs and operating system. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features but has a steeper learning curve. If you’re on a Mac, iMovie provides a user-friendly experience with crucial tools. For those seeking non-linear editing, Lightworks is an option, whereas OpenShot is great for beginners who want simplicity. Kdenlive combines a thorough interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it versatile across different platforms. Which Course Is Best for Video Editing for Beginners? When choosing a video editing course for beginners, consider platforms like Udemy or Coursera, which offer structured learning with hands-on projects. YouTube is additionally an excellent resource, providing free tutorials that allow you to learn at your own pace. Skillshare offers niche courses focused on specific software techniques, whereas community colleges often have in-person classes for personalized instruction. Assess your learning style and choose a course that aligns with your goals and interests. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often choose free editing software to improve their videos effectively. Popular options include DaVinci Resolve, which offers advanced tools without watermarks, making it suitable for serious editing. Lightworks simplifies exporting to YouTube, whereas HitFilm Express provides visual effects alongside editing capabilities. Adobe Premiere Rush caters to those needing quick edits with an easy interface. Kdenlive appeals to users seeking robust features in an open-source format, allowing flexibility without financial commitment. Which Video Editing Software Is Totally Free? When searching for totally free video editing software, several options stand out. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features like color correction and audio tools without watermarks. OpenShot and Shotcut provide basic editing capabilities and support various formats, making them user-friendly. Lightworks has a free version but limits exports to 720p. Kdenlive is another great choice, offering a flexible interface and extensive features. All these options cater to different editing needs without any cost. Conclusion To conclude, selecting the right free video editor can greatly improve your editing experience as a beginner. ACDSee Luxea, Clipchamp, iMovie, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Rush, Lightworks, Shotcut, and Adobe Express Video Editor each offer unique features that cater to different needs. By exploring these options, you can find the tool that best fits your style and requirements, enabling you to create professional-quality videos without any financial commitment. Start editing today! Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 10 Free Video Editors for Beginners" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re starting out in video editing, selecting the right software is essential for your learning experience. Several free video editors offer user-friendly interfaces and robust features that cater to beginners. ACDSee Luxea, iMovie, and Clipchamp are excellent choices for ease of use, whereas Kdenlive and DaVinci Resolve provide advanced capabilities. With so many options available, you can create impressive videos without spending a dime. Let’s explore the top tools that can help you get started effectively. Key Takeaways ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a user-friendly interface and essential features like keyframing and screen recording for beginners. Clipchamp provides an intuitive web-based platform with multi-track editing and free templates, accessible from any device. iMovie is ideal for Apple users, featuring advanced tools like color correction and 4K export, while remaining easy to navigate. Kdenlive combines a user-friendly interface with advanced editing capabilities, supported by online tutorials for skill enhancement. DaVinci Resolve delivers professional-grade tools and customizable interfaces, making it suitable for beginners aiming for high-quality edits. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor ACDSee Luxea Video Editor stands out as a solid choice for serious beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their video editing skills. This free video editor offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the editing process, making it accessible to those new to video creation. You’ll appreciate its keyframing capabilities, which allow for precise control over animations and transitions. In addition, it supports 4K video editing, ideal for crafting high-quality content suitable for platforms like YouTube. The built-in screen and webcam recording functions make it perfect for creating tutorial and gaming videos. Even though the free version includes an intro and outro and isn’t for commercial use, it provides a robust foundation for enhancing your editing skills. Clipchamp If you’re looking for a versatile video editing solution that doesn’t require any software installation, Clipchamp is a strong candidate worth considering. This web-based tool operates directly in your browser, making it easy to access from anywhere. Here are some notable features: Multi-track editing allows you to layer videos, audio, and images. A variety of free templates helps streamline your projects. Stock assets and resizing tools are perfect for social media content. The free version permits exports at 1080p resolution, ideal for high-quality videos. Compared to video editing apps like CapCut, Clipchamp’s user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for beginners wanting to create polished videos with ease. Imovie iMovie stands out as a potent free video editing software designed particularly for Apple users, including those on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to quickly learn how to trim clips, add changes, and incorporate music and sound effects. You can export videos in 4K resolution, ensuring high-quality output for platforms like YouTube and social media. Advanced features, such as color correction, audio improvement, and video stabilization, help elevate your project’s overall quality without the need for expensive software. Plus, with iCloud integration, you can access your projects seamlessly across devices, allowing you to edit on the go. This makes iMovie a reliable alternative to apps like the CapCut application. Kdenlive Kdenlive offers a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for both beginners and those with more experience in video editing. You’ll find advanced editing features, like multi-track editing and customizable effects, which allow you to create polished projects easily. With its ongoing updates and community support, Kdenlive guarantees you have the tools you need to improve your video editing skills effectively. User-Friendly Interface One of the standout features of Kdenlive is its user-friendly interface, designed to accommodate both beginners and more experienced editors. This software simplifies the editing process, making it a great alternative to other free editing apps like CapCut. Here are some key aspects that improve its usability: Modular interface allows you to customize your workspace by adding or removing panels. Drag-and-drop functionality makes importing media a breeze. An extensive library of built-in effects and transitions lets you improve videos without advanced skills. An intuitive timeline helps you easily arrange clips, add audio tracks, and implement keyframes. With thorough online tutorials and community forums, you’ll quickly learn and overcome any challenges as you use Kdenlive. Advanced Editing Features During exploring advanced editing features, you’ll find that Kdenlive provides an impressive array of tools that can improve your video projects. This open-source software supports multi-track editing, allowing you to layer multiple video and audio tracks seamlessly. You can work with various video formats and utilize robust tools for color correction, keyframe animations, and audio mixing, all of which raise your editing experience. Kdenlive additionally boasts strong effects and transitions, along with a thorough set of filters, enabling detailed manipulation of video clips for professional-grade results. Its customizable interface lets you arrange panels and workflows to suit your preferences, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors. Regular updates guarantee you access the latest improvements. DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve stands out as a robust video editing solution that caters to both novice and seasoned editors. This professional-grade software is a fantastic CapCut alternative free, offering a thorough set of tools for editing, color correction, and audio post-production. Here are some key features: A dedicated Cut page for quick editing tasks An advanced color grading panel for detailed adjustments Multi-user collaboration for team projects Availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux without watermarks While its extensive features can present a steep learning curve, numerous tutorials and community resources are readily available to help you navigate the software. With DaVinci Resolve, you’ll find a strong editing tool that meets the demands of various projects. CapCut CapCut stands out with its user-friendly interface, making video editing accessible for everyone, even beginners. It offers strong editing features like trimming, cutting, and merging, along with a wide selection of creative effects and music options to improve your projects. Plus, you can export high-definition videos without any watermarks, ensuring your content looks professional for platforms sucha as TikTok and YouTube. User-Friendly Interface How can a user-friendly interface improve your video editing experience? With CapCut, you’ll discover an intuitive design that simplifies video editing, making it accessible regardless of whether you’re a beginner. Here’s what you can expect: A drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to navigate. Pre-made templates and effects for quick, professional-looking videos. A wide range of editing tools, like text overlays and transitions, all clearly organized. Mobile-friendly design for seamless editing on-the-go. Plus, CapCut is free, allowing you to explore its features without any cost. Built-in tutorials and tips guide you through the editing process, enhancing your learning curve. This user-friendly approach guarantees you can focus on creativity rather than struggling with complicated software. Powerful Editing Features In the domain of video editing, having access to robust features can greatly improve your creative output. CapCut simplifies how to edit in CapCut with its intuitive tools designed for beginners. You’ll find advanced text overlays, seamless shifts, and impressive effects that boost your video quality. Multi-track editing and audio mixing capabilities allow you to produce professional-looking projects during the workflow being straightforward. The app supports various video formats and resolutions, ensuring your edits are compatible across multiple platforms and devices. Moreover, CapCut provides an extensive library of royalty-free music and sound effects, making it easy to improve your videos with dynamic audio elements. With these influential features, you can confidently explore your creativity. Adobe Premiere Rush Adobe Premiere Rush stands out as a potent video editing tool, particularly for those seeking quick and efficient production methods. Designed for beginners, it allows you to select clips and automatically assemble them, making video editing straightforward. Here are some key features: User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality Supports 1080p exports for free users, with a subscription needed for 4K Direct upload options to YouTube for hassle-free sharing Available on multiple platforms, including Windows and Mac If you’re looking for editing software like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush offers a comparable experience. This app is perfect for content creators who need to produce and share videos swiftly without sacrificing quality. Lightworks Lightworks is a potent video editing software that offers a free version, making it accessible for users at various skill levels. As a lightweight video editor, it supports various video formats and includes advanced trimming tools and real-time effects, enhancing your editing experience. You can export videos in 720p resolution, perfect for basic projects and online content. Although the free version has limitations compared to the paid subscription, it still provides crucial editing features and a customizable workspace. Furthermore, Lightworks has a supportive community and numerous online tutorials, which can help you learn to use the software effectively. Feature Description Export Resolution 720p for basic projects Editing Interface Non-linear, flexible for various tasks Community Support Tutorials and forums for beginners Shotcut Shotcut stands out as a versatile open-source video editing software, designed to cater to both beginners and experienced editors. As a best alternative to CapCut, it offers a robust set of features that empower users in their creative pursuits. Here are some highlights of Shotcut: Supports a wide range of audio and video formats. Provides advanced features like video filters and color grading tools. Allows unlimited layers and tracks for complex editing projects. Offers a customizable interface to improve your editing experience. With regular updates and an active community, you’ll find plenty of resources and tutorials to enhance your skills. Shotcut makes video editing accessible and enjoyable, ensuring you have everything you need to create polished videos. Adobe Express Video Editor Adobe Express Video Editor stands out with its user-friendly interface, making it easy for you to create videos regardless of whether you’re a beginner. With a variety of customizable templates and stock assets, you can jumpstart your projects without needing extensive design skills. Although it offers basic editing features ideal for social media, keep in mind that it lacks some advanced functionalities found in more professional editing software. User-Friendly Interface In regards to video editing, a user-friendly interface can make all the difference, especially for beginners. Adobe Express Video Editor stands out in this area with its intuitive design and practical features. Here’s what you’ll appreciate: Simple drag-and-drop functionality for easy navigation A diverse library of templates and stock videos to spark creativity Quick uploads and straightforward tools for adding text, music, and effects A supportive community and tutorial system for real-time learning With Adobe Express, you won’t have to struggle with how to edit videos on CapCut. The free version even allows for 4K video downloads without watermarks, enabling you to create high-quality content without any financial commitment. Features and Functionality In relation to features and functionality, Adobe Express Video Editor offers a robust set of tools that cater to both beginners and more experienced users. With a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, you can create videos quickly. The software provides various templates and stock video assets, improving your creativity. Basic editing features like trimming, text overlay, and simple transitions make quick edits easy, even though you lack technical knowledge. Plus, Adobe Express supports 4K video exports in its free plan, allowing you to produce high-quality content without watermarks. Being web-based means you can edit from any device with internet access. Feature Description Benefit User-friendly Interface Drag-and-drop functionality Quick video creation Templates & Assets Pre-designed elements Improved creativity 4K Video Exports High-quality output without watermarks Professional results Frequently Asked Questions Which Free Video Editor Is Best for Beginners? When choosing a free video editor, consider your needs and operating system. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features but has a steeper learning curve. If you’re on a Mac, iMovie provides a user-friendly experience with crucial tools. For those seeking non-linear editing, Lightworks is an option, whereas OpenShot is great for beginners who want simplicity. Kdenlive combines a thorough interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it versatile across different platforms. Which Course Is Best for Video Editing for Beginners? When choosing a video editing course for beginners, consider platforms like Udemy or Coursera, which offer structured learning with hands-on projects. YouTube is additionally an excellent resource, providing free tutorials that allow you to learn at your own pace. Skillshare offers niche courses focused on specific software techniques, whereas community colleges often have in-person classes for personalized instruction. Assess your learning style and choose a course that aligns with your goals and interests. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often choose free editing software to improve their videos effectively. Popular options include DaVinci Resolve, which offers advanced tools without watermarks, making it suitable for serious editing. Lightworks simplifies exporting to YouTube, whereas HitFilm Express provides visual effects alongside editing capabilities. Adobe Premiere Rush caters to those needing quick edits with an easy interface. Kdenlive appeals to users seeking robust features in an open-source format, allowing flexibility without financial commitment. Which Video Editing Software Is Totally Free? When searching for totally free video editing software, several options stand out. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features like color correction and audio tools without watermarks. OpenShot and Shotcut provide basic editing capabilities and support various formats, making them user-friendly. Lightworks has a free version but limits exports to 720p. Kdenlive is another great choice, offering a flexible interface and extensive features. All these options cater to different editing needs without any cost. Conclusion To conclude, selecting the right free video editor can greatly improve your editing experience as a beginner. ACDSee Luxea, Clipchamp, iMovie, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Rush, Lightworks, Shotcut, and Adobe Express Video Editor each offer unique features that cater to different needs. By exploring these options, you can find the tool that best fits your style and requirements, enabling you to create professional-quality videos without any financial commitment. Start editing today! Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 10 Free Video Editors for Beginners" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Internet videos have always been addicting, but short-form content is a whole other beast. Whatever platform you watch them on, these brief clips pull you in and don't let go, and, before you know it, you've mindlessly scrolled through hours of videos, most of which you'll never remember watching. YouTube Shorts are no exception. But unlike TikTok or Instagram, short-form content is not the main source of videos on the platform. YouTube, of course, hosts long-form videos first and foremost, and is the sole reason why many of us visit the site or app. Shorts are just an afterthought, but an afterthought that YouTube pushes hard. You might hop on to watch a specific video, or check out new content from your subscriptions, but to do so, you'll have to push past rows of "Shorts" all vying for your attention. God help your afternoon if you accidentally click on one. If you like YouTube Shorts, please disregard. But for the rest of us that just want to find and watch standard videos on YouTube, there's now some respite: As part of a larger update to search filters and content discovery, YouTube is now allowing users to filter out Shorts in searches. The company is pitching this as a way to separate searches between either Shorts or traditional videos, but you'll never catch me searching specifically for Shorts. What YouTube has done here, at least for users like myself, is to create a way to exclude Shorts from any particular search. How to remove YouTube Shorts from searchTo start, open YouTube and search for something. You should now see a series of options along the top of the display, one of which is "Videos." Choose it, and you'll reload the search with only long-form videos. Huzzah. You can also do the same from the greater search filters settings: On desktop, when the results appear, select "Filters" in the top right then look for "Type" on the left of the "Search filters" pop-up window. On mobile, tap the three dots icon, then choose "Search filters." On both platforms, you'll find the "Videos" option here. Unfortunately, this isn't something you can set and forget: You'll need to choose this option every time you search for something, which is definitely a bummer. That said, at least there's some way to filter Shorts out of a search—especially if those Shorts were impacting your ability to find what you were looking for in the first place. YouTube might not ever let us disable Shorts completely, but there are tools to get around them. You can choose to limit how many Shorts you watch in any given day—though the guardrails aren't necessarily strict. The company also lets you tell them to show you fewer Shorts on the home page, but if that's not enough, you can also install an extension to block Shorts from your feeds. Other changes to YouTube filtersIn addition to this new Shorts filter, YouTube made some adjustments to filters and sorting options. "Sort By" is now known as "Prioritize," and while YouTube doesn't say whether it changed the function, it does say the menu "aims to maximize utility." The company also changed the "View count" sort option to "Popularity." The menu still takes view count into consideration, but also watch time, to sort videos in a search by the algorithms' assumed popularity. Finally, YouTube is removing the "Upload Date - Last Hour" and "Sort by Rating" options from search. The company says you can still find videos uploaded most recently from the "Upload Date" filters. View the full article

Some words are far too mild for the violence of what they describe. Migraine is one of them. For many people, it evokes a simple headache—an inconvenience solved with an aspirin (or Tylenol) and a glass of water. For those who’ve never experienced it, migraine is almost a cliché: a lame excuse to stay in bed or avoid a meeting. But for millions of people—and I’m one of them—migraine is anything but benign. It is a debilitating neurological disease that can force life to grind to a halt for days at a time. It is an invisible disability that millions are expected to simply “push through.” The Mild Version Everyone Sees—and the Severe One No One Understands I often compare migraine to carrying a 60-pound bag everywhere you go. On “mild” days, you still walk, work, answer emails—but you do it while pushing through a fog of pain that absorbs all your energy. Many migraine sufferers perform normal life while their brain fights a private war. Ironically, this “functional” version of migraine contributes to the disbelief faced by people who cannot work during severe attacks. They hear, “But I know someone with migraines and she still works—why can’t you?” Because not all migraines are the same. Some are annoying. Some are so ferocious you can’t imagine enduring another minute of it. A Neurological Reality That Hijacks the Entire Body When a severe migraine hits, everything stops. I find myself in bed, motionless, in the dark. I shuttle back and forth to the bathroom to vomit. I can’t read. I can’t watch a show. I can’t think clearly. My brain is overwhelmed by pain and sensory overload. The outside world simply disappears. More than one billion people worldwide experience migraines. One in seven adults. And yet . . . it remains an astonishingly misunderstood disease. It disproportionately affects women—roughly 80% of migraine sufferers—largely because of hormonal fluctuations that influence the sensitivity of the nervous system. It’s driven by an abnormal excitability of brainstem neurons that triggers a cascade: CGRP molecules flood the system, blood vessels dilate, nerves ignite with pain signals, and the body spirals into nausea, hypersensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, word-finding difficulties, and exhaustion. Some people experience visual disturbances—“aura”—before the pain even hits. But whether with or without aura, the result can be incapacitating. The Monastic Life Migraine Demands Migraine forces me into a kind of monastic discipline. I don’t drink alcohol anymore—it’s an instant trigger. I’ve cut out lactose completely, because even a small amount can set off a crisis. I follow a tightly controlled diet. I guard my sleep like it’s sacred, because one night that’s too short or too long can derail an entire day. I limit screen time as much as I can. I monitor my stress levels (not easy in the world we live in). I avoid harsh light, loud spaces, sensory overload. And even with all that, I still can’t fully prevent the attacks. For some, it’s chronic. A migraine that never really leaves, a pain that becomes the background noise of existence. I honestly cannot imagine living like that. I don’t know how people with chronic migraine keep going—their resilience is extraordinary. A Workplace Blind Spot With Enormous Costs The gap between lived experience and workplace perception is enormous. Migraine is still not widely recognized as a disabling condition at work. Many employees fear being judged as unreliable or weak. And too many managers still respond with skepticism or impatience. Yet migraine is one of the world’s leading causes of productivity loss. The economic cost—through absenteeism, presenteeism, and cognitive impairment—runs into the hundreds of billions globally each year. And behind those numbers are real people who spend days each month barely able to function. Treatment Exists—But Access, Awareness, and Understanding Lag Behind Traditional preventive medications (like beta blockers) help some patients, but only a fraction of them. Acute treatments like triptans can work—until they trigger rebound headaches that are worse than the original pain. Many of us know that spiral all too well. Newer therapies, especially those targeting CGRP, are genuinely promising. Some patients describe them as life-changing. But they remain expensive, inaccessible for many, and often unknown. And because migraine is still not taken seriously, an astonishing number of people never even seek medical help. They just live with it. They sometimes mention it in passing—“oh, and I get migraines”—if they mention it at all. For a condition that can derail entire lives, the gap between the severity of the disease and the lack of treatment is staggering. Despite how common migraine is, very few workplaces have policies that address it. The Question We Avoid: What If Migraine Affected Mostly Men? History gives us a pretty clear answer. Across medicine, conditions that disproportionately affect women—migraine, endometriosis, autoimmune diseases—have been minimized, dismissed, or psychologized for decades. When women describe pain, it is more likely to be labeled as stress, anxiety, “sensitivity,” or “overreaction.” When men describe pain, it is more likely to be investigated. Migraine sits squarely in this long lineage of medical bias. For generations, it has been seen as a women’s complaint, something vaguely emotional rather than neurological. In the mid-20th century, many doctors literally described migraine as a manifestation of female hysteria. The stereotype still lingers today: the fragile woman with “her headaches.” If a condition that disables one in seven adults were perceived as a “men’s disease,” it would almost certainly have received more research funding, more public awareness, more employer adaptations, and far earlier recognition as a legitimate disability. Instead, millions of women have been told for decades to “push through it,” “take something,” or “manage stress,” as if willpower could override a neurological storm. What Can Employers Actually Do? More Than They Think. Migraine shouldn’t be a private burden. Workplaces can make a profound difference by recognizing it, adapting to it, and supporting those who live with it. 1. Give people autonomy over how they work: Flexibility in location and schedule is the single most important accommodation. Many of us can avert a severe attack if we rest at the earliest warning signs—but only if work allows it. 2. Accept sick leave for migraines without suspicion: No eye-rolling. No raised eyebrows. No unspoken judgment. If someone says, “I can’t work today,” believe them. Trust goes a long way toward reducing stigma. 3. Reduce sensory triggers in workplaces: reduce harsh lighting, limit strong fragrances, manage noise levels, provide quiet rooms when possible. These changes don’t just help migraine sufferers—they benefit everyone! 4. Train managers and HR teams: A simple awareness session can avoid years of misunderstanding. Managers need to know what migraine is (and isn’t), how it affects cognition, and why flexibility is not indulgence. 5. Normalize disclosure without forcing it: People should feel safe sharing information about their condition without fear of bias. A culture of psychological safety helps enormously. 6. Support access to treatment: Health insurance plans should cover modern migraine treatments, including newly approved CGRP-targeting medications. These therapies can prevent attacks entirely or significantly reduce their severity. Supporting access is cost-effective compared to the productivity losses of unmanaged migraine. We Are Many—and We Deserve to Be Believed Millions of people navigate migraines in silence. We endure the pain itself, and then the second burden: the disbelief, the minimization, the cultural shrug. Migraine is not an excuse to avoid work. It is a neurological disease that destroys days and derails careers. We deserve to be heard and supported. We deserve autonomy, flexibility, empathy, and access to effective treatment. And above all, we deserve to be believed. View the full article

The deal which brings hundreds of thousands of agents under one roof also combines retail lender Guaranteed Rate's separate joint ventures with each brokerage. View the full article

Lenders shouldn't expect the latest jobs numbers to yield major monetary policy moves after the unemployment rate came in mostly flat last month, experts say. View the full article

Less than three months ago, the world watched the The President administration reduce the White House’s historic East Wing to a pile of rubble to begin construction on a massive new ballroom. But it looks like the dust from that demolition will have barely settled before The President starts another project to turn the presidential residence into his own personal real estate development endeavor. This week, The President and the head architect behind the ballroom construction, Shalom Baranes, revealed several heretofore unknown plans for the nation’s most symbolic building. They include multiple proposals that would add considerable architectural bulk to a White House that’s already set to be burdened by a 90,000-square-foot East Wing (for context, that’s nearly double the square footage of the White House’s main residence). The President’s ostentatious vision for the White House feels alarmingly similar to the ethos behind America’s suburban monstrosity, the McMansion: Maximizing for square footage by adding a hodgepodge of extensions, additions, and flourishes, with no actual regard for architectural sensibility. Here’s everything we know so far about his latest plans. A new ‘Upper West Wing’ The most eyebrow-raising aspect of The President’s latest scheme is to construct what he calls an “Upper West Wing”: an entire additional level on top of the existing colonnade that connects the West Wing to the White House residence. In an interview with The New York Times on January 7, The President said this concept was currently in design phases, and proposed that it could serve as “first ladies’ offices for future first ladies”—an ironic proposition, given that he just destroyed the East Wing, which historically served that very purpose. Baranes added a bit more context to this proposal at a public meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission on January 8. He told attendees that the West Wing addition will “serve to restore a sense of symmetry” to the White House after the East Wing renovation is complete by ensuring that both wings of the building stand at the same height. He did not provide any specific timetable for this new project. Many experts have pointed out that the 90,000-square-foot East Wing addition will dwarf the rest of the White House by comparison—in fact, that concern is reportedly one main reason that The President cut ties with the ballroom’s original architect, McCrery Architects, back in December. It seems unlikely that simply slapping more architectural mass onto the White House will offer an elegant solution to this problem. New details about the East Wing ballroom At the commission meeting, Baranes also offered a bit more insight into the future of the new East Wing—an addition that The President has repeatedly demanded be made both bigger and more costly, according to multiple reports. Shalom Baranes Baranes told commissioners that the entire East Wing project will encompass 90,000 total square feet, 22,000 of which will be taken up by the ballroom. The ballroom is set to feature towering, 40-foot ceilings, with enough seating to accommodate up to 1,000 seated guests. He added that it will be attached to the White House’s East Room via a two-story colonnade, hence the idea that an added story to the West Wing’s colonnade might help to even things out. In his interview with The New York Times, The President also added a bit more color to his ballroom concept, explaining that he sees the space as a secure site to hold a future inauguration, complete with four-to-five-inch-thick bulletproof glass. “It’s being designed very much with the inauguration in mind,” he said. “It’ll be able to hold six times what the Capitol can hold, and it’s all bulletproof glass, drone-proof roof, yeah, serious. The biggest drone could crash into it—you’d hear a noise up there. It wouldn’t be bad.” Other plans The President’s apparent concern with the White House’s security from outside threats was echoed in his plans for Lafayette Park, located just north of the White House. He told The New York Times that he plans to tear up the park’s brick walkways and replace them with granite, in part due to fears that protesters could use the path’s bricks as weapons. Unlike the ballroom, whose current estimated cost of $400 million is being bankrolled by a hefty list of corporate donors, The President claimed the park renovation would be self-funded. “I’m spending my own money and I’m going to redo it,” he said of the project’s estimated $10 million price tag. View the full article

Action against Venezuela and sabre-rattling towards Greenland point to risks in US president’s approach to the FedView the full article

Number of private wealth-management companies for rich individuals has grown in the US over the past decadeView the full article

The Kindle has become the default e-reader for many bookworms, and I get it. I've used Kindles for well over a decade, and I've enjoyed using my latest Paperwhite quite a bit. It helped me read more than 30 books last year, so I'm not complaining. The basic Kindle setup is okay, but if you learn your way around the device's gestures, hidden features, and additional services, you can really get a lot out of this unassuming reading device. Kindle Gestures that you really should knowThere’s only one button on the Kindle. Everything else happens using touch. And like every touchscreen device, there are countless gestures you need to know to use the device. The most obvious ones are for the page turns. You can swipe or tap right to go to the next page and swipe or tap left for the previous one. If you have a Paperwhite Signature Edition, you can also double tap on the back or sides of the device to move to the next page. Tap on the top of the Kindle to bring up the toolbar, where you can go back to the Home screen, change the settings, view the table of contents, and more. If you tap the bottom left corner, you can cycle between different stats like reading progress, page number, time left in chapter, and more. Oh, and if you want to quickly change the font size, just pinch in or out to zoom in on the text (like you would zoom into images on your phone). Want to take a screenshot of what’s on your Kindle screen? Tap any two opposite corners of the screen together (top-right and bottom-left or top-left and bottom-right). The screen will flash for a second, and the image will be saved as a PNG in the root directory. Connect your Kindle to your Mac or PC to retrieve the image file. Easily navigate between chapters Credit: Khamosh Pathak The Kindle isn’t the easiest device to navigate, especially when you’re reading a book where you need to jump between different chapters. Here, again, a hidden gesture can help. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up a new Page Flip mode. You’ll see a slider at the bottom, which you can use to move forward and back. There are buttons to jump to the next chapter as well (I use this all the time). Switch to dark mode and schedule warm light Credit: Khamosh Pathak If you love reading in bed, you’ll want to enable dark mode. Pull down from the top edge to bring up the quick settings panel. Here, tap the Dark Mode button to quickly invert the colors. You’ll now read white text on a black background. While you’re here, also check out the Warm Light settings (if you have a Kindle Paperwhite, Oasis, or Scribe). Use the slider to increase the warmth of the screen, making it more amber-toned. Credit: Khamosh Pathak This is especially useful for reading in the evenings or at night, but I like it so much I keep it enabled at all times. You can also set your color temperature to change on a schedule, so that the display slowly warms up in the evening hours. Do this under Settings > Device Options > Display Settings > Schedule. Lock your Kindle Credit: Khamosh Pathak Not everyone needs to know what’s on your Kindle, right? If you read a lot in school, or public areas, you can lock down your Kindle using an optional setting. Go to Settings > Device Options > Security and Privacy > Device PIN. You can then set a numeric unlock code up to 12 digits long, but it might be easier to stick to a four or six-digit code. Send documents and books to Kindle wirelessly Credit: Khamosh Pathak Reading on your Kindle doesn’t need to be limited to books you buy from the Kindle store. In fact, you can send any PDF or DRM-free ebook to your Kindle, and wirelessly. I have previously outlined multiple methods for doing this, ranging from using an email address, to using the Kindle app. But the one I keep coming back to is Amazon’s own Send to Kindle website. Open it on any browser, sign in with your account, drag and drop a document in a supported format (.DOC, .DOCX, .HTML, .TXT, .PDF and .EPUB), and send it off. Once you sync your Kindle using Wi-Fi, these documents will be available to read on it, just like that. Show your book covers as screensavers Credit: Amazon Every time I set up a new Kindle, I’m surprised that this is a feature that I still need to enable manually. By default, Kindles shows a couple of images as screensavers when turned off. That's because of the e-ink display, which lets them show a static image without using power. These default screensavers, though, are boring. You can make this feature much more interesting (and useful) by showing the cover of the book you were last reading as the screensaver instead. Go to Settings > Device Options and enable the Display Cover feature. Read long articles on Kindle Credit: Khamosh Pathak Kindle’s built-in browser is pretty barebones and laggy, but you can still read long articles on it. For a smoother experience, though, you can wirelessly send articles to your Kindle, where they’ll show up in form of books, devoid of ads, formatting, and images. The simplest way to do this is by using Amazon’s Send to Kindle Chrome extension. Visit a page, trigger the extension, and send it off to your e-reader. If you don’t use Chrome, you can also use a dedicated service like Push to Kindle to send articles to your Kindle. You can send up to 10 articles a month for free, and a $2.99/month plan unlocks all limits. Export your highlights and notes Credit: Khamosh Pathak If you’re using your Kindle to research or read non-fiction books for school or work, you’ll end up with a lot of highlights. Those highlights, just sitting in your Kindle, aren’t that useful. Amazon has a dedicated website that lists all the highlights from all the books you’ve purchased via the Kindle Store, but it's not your only option. Personally, I prefer Clippings, which also works for content not bought from the Kindle Store. With it, you can import all the highlights and notes from your Kindle books and personal documents using a browser extension. You can view and organize all your notes from your browser, too, but if you want to export them to a document, you’ll need to pay for a $1.99/month Professional plan. Borrow books to read from your local library, for freeThere are many places where you can rent and borrow books to read legally and for free. The most popular option is using the Libby app from Overdrive, which loans you books via your library card or student ID. In the Libby app, go to Shelf > Loans > Read With... > Kindle. Here, sign in with your Amazon account and verify your Kindle device. Then, tap Get Library Book. Voila, an ebook from your local library will instantly show up on your Kindle device. De-Amazon your KindleLastly, you can take inspiration from my colleague Pranay, who uses his Kindle without any Amazon services. You can set up a Kindle without an Amazon account and use it as a perfectly good e-reader. You can buy DRM-free books online from various sources and transfer them to your Kindle simply by transferring the ebook files to your Kindle storage or using the Send to Kindle feature I talked about above. View the full article

Regarding the recruitment process for HRM, several key steps are important for success. First, you need to define hiring needs through job analysis, followed by creating and updating detailed job descriptions. Next, establishing a recruitment budget and timeline is necessary. After that, you’ll source and screen candidates, then conduct interviews. Each step plays a significant role in ensuring you attract the right talent to meet organizational goals, but how do you effectively implement these steps? Key Takeaways Analyze organizational goals to identify skill gaps and align hiring needs with growth potential. Create and regularly update detailed job descriptions based on input from top performers and managers. Establish a recruitment budget and timeline that reflects position complexity and organizational growth goals. Utilize diverse sourcing methods and implement standardized criteria for effective candidate screening. Conduct structured interviews, involve multiple interviewers, and prepare competitive job offers to attract top talent. Defining Hiring Needs and Job Analysis Defining hiring needs and conducting a thorough job analysis are vital steps in the recruitment process, as they help guarantee you attract the right candidates for your organization. When you define hiring needs, you analyze your organizational goals and collaborate with department heads to identify skill gaps. This alignment guarantees that your future hiring supports growth potential. Conversely, job analysis is a formal process that determines job responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. It provides a clear comprehension of job expectations, which is fundamental for finding the right employee fit. Accurate job analysis leads to detailed job descriptions that include specific responsibilities and measurable performance metrics. By regularly updating these descriptions based on input from top performers and managers, you maintain clarity and relevance in your hiring process. In the end, effective job analysis and clear definitions of hiring needs can reduce turnover and improve employee satisfaction. Creating and Updating Job Descriptions Once you’ve established your hiring needs and conducted a job analysis, the next step is creating and updating job descriptions. This process is vital in recruitment in HRM as clear job descriptions attract suitable candidates. Use data from top performers and managers to define responsibilities, qualifications, and success metrics that align with organizational goals. Craft descriptions with active language and incorporate measurable performance goals or key performance indicators (KPIs), enhancing clarity. Regularly updating job descriptions is important, as business needs and market conditions change over time. Engaging stakeholders, including department heads and current employees, can help accurately define roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, optimizing job descriptions for search engine visibility improves your chances of attracting qualified candidates, highlighting the significance of recruitment. Comprehending why the recruitment process is important allows you to focus on creating effective job descriptions that meet both current and future organizational needs. Establishing Recruitment Budget and Timeline Establishing a recruitment budget and timeline is vital for guaranteeing your hiring process aligns with organizational goals during remaining financially viable. Start by calculating both direct costs, like job advertisements and agency fees, and indirect costs, such as employee time and resources spent on recruitment. This thorough financial planning aids in tracking costs per hire, providing insights into your recruitment efficiency. Next, create a realistic hiring timeline that considers the complexity of the position and average time-to-fill metrics in your industry. This approach helps manage stakeholder expectations effectively. Aligning your budget and timeline with organizational growth goals and market conditions guarantees your recruitment efforts remain strategic and responsive to changing needs. Finally, regularly review and update your budget and timeline to maintain flexibility and adapt to the dynamic job market, which is vital for successful hiring outcomes. Sourcing and Screening Candidates After establishing a recruitment budget and timeline, the next step involves sourcing and screening candidates effectively. You’ll want to utilize various methods like job boards, social media, employee referrals, and networking events to attract a diverse pool of applicants. Once you have a pool, screening resumes is essential; assess qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Using pre-screening questionnaires can help filter out unqualified candidates efficiently. Effective candidate screening prioritizes promising applicants based on specific keywords, education, and job performance. You might conduct initial interviews via phone, video, or in-person to evaluate both technical skills and cultural fit. Implementing standardized evaluation criteria during this process guarantees fairness and objectivity, leading to better hiring decisions. By carefully sourcing and screening candidates, you can save time and resources as you increase the likelihood of finding the right fit for your organization. Conducting Interviews and Making Offers Conducting interviews and making offers are vital steps in the recruitment process that can greatly impact your hiring success. Start by conducting structured interviews using standardized questions that align with the job requirements. This approach guarantees consistency and fairness in evaluating candidates. Incorporate behavioral interview techniques to assess past performance and cultural fit, as this can reveal how candidates might perform in your organization. It’s beneficial to involve multiple interviewers to gather diverse perspectives, leading to more informed hiring decisions. Once you’ve identified a suitable candidate, prepare a competitive job offer that clearly outlines compensation, benefits, and job responsibilities. This clarity entices candidates to accept the position. After extending the offer, maintain timely communication and follow up to address any concerns they may have. This step is significant in keeping their interest alive and guaranteeing a smooth shift to joining your team. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Key Steps in the Recruitment Process? To effectively navigate the recruitment process, you should start by identifying your hiring needs and developing clear job descriptions. Next, source candidates through various channels like job boards and social media. After that, screen applications and shortlist potential hires. Conduct structured interviews and assessments to evaluate candidates’ skills and fit. Finally, make a job offer and guarantee a smooth onboarding experience to integrate the new employee into your organization successfully. What Is the Recruiting Process in Human Resource Management? The recruiting process in human resource management starts with identifying the skills and qualifications needed for a position. You’ll source candidates through various channels, like job ads and referrals. Next, you screen applicants to narrow the field, followed by structured interviews to evaluate their fit for the role. Finally, onboarding integrates new hires into the organization, providing the necessary training and resources to guarantee they succeed and remain engaged in their work. What Are the 5 C’s of Recruitment? The 5 C’s of recruitment are Clarity, Candidate Experience, Cost, Communication, and Culture. Clarity means you define job roles clearly to attract suitable candidates. Candidate Experience focuses on creating a positive application process, enhancing engagement. Cost involves managing recruitment expenses effectively to stay within budget. Communication guarantees you maintain timely updates and feedback with candidates, nurturing transparency. Ultimately, Culture aligns the organization’s values with those of potential hires, promoting a cohesive work environment. What Are the 7 Steps of the Hiring Process? The seven steps of the hiring process start with identifying needs, where you analyze vacancies and required skills. Next, you craft a job description that outlines responsibilities and qualifications. Then, you begin the search for candidates. After that, you screen and shortlist applicants based on skills and experience. Following this, you conduct interviews and assessments. Once you’ve found the right candidate, you make a job offer and facilitate onboarding to guarantee effective integration into the organization. Conclusion In conclusion, effective recruitment in HRM involves several key steps, including defining hiring needs through job analysis, creating detailed job descriptions, and establishing a recruitment budget. By sourcing and screening candidates systematically and conducting structured interviews, organizations can make informed hiring decisions. Collaborating with department heads helps align recruitment with organizational goals, ensuring that you fill skill gaps efficiently. By following these steps, you improve your chances of attracting and securing the best talent for your organization. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Are the Key Steps in the Recruitment Process for HRM?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Regarding the recruitment process for HRM, several key steps are important for success. First, you need to define hiring needs through job analysis, followed by creating and updating detailed job descriptions. Next, establishing a recruitment budget and timeline is necessary. After that, you’ll source and screen candidates, then conduct interviews. Each step plays a significant role in ensuring you attract the right talent to meet organizational goals, but how do you effectively implement these steps? Key Takeaways Analyze organizational goals to identify skill gaps and align hiring needs with growth potential. Create and regularly update detailed job descriptions based on input from top performers and managers. Establish a recruitment budget and timeline that reflects position complexity and organizational growth goals. Utilize diverse sourcing methods and implement standardized criteria for effective candidate screening. Conduct structured interviews, involve multiple interviewers, and prepare competitive job offers to attract top talent. Defining Hiring Needs and Job Analysis Defining hiring needs and conducting a thorough job analysis are vital steps in the recruitment process, as they help guarantee you attract the right candidates for your organization. When you define hiring needs, you analyze your organizational goals and collaborate with department heads to identify skill gaps. This alignment guarantees that your future hiring supports growth potential. Conversely, job analysis is a formal process that determines job responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. It provides a clear comprehension of job expectations, which is fundamental for finding the right employee fit. Accurate job analysis leads to detailed job descriptions that include specific responsibilities and measurable performance metrics. By regularly updating these descriptions based on input from top performers and managers, you maintain clarity and relevance in your hiring process. In the end, effective job analysis and clear definitions of hiring needs can reduce turnover and improve employee satisfaction. Creating and Updating Job Descriptions Once you’ve established your hiring needs and conducted a job analysis, the next step is creating and updating job descriptions. This process is vital in recruitment in HRM as clear job descriptions attract suitable candidates. Use data from top performers and managers to define responsibilities, qualifications, and success metrics that align with organizational goals. Craft descriptions with active language and incorporate measurable performance goals or key performance indicators (KPIs), enhancing clarity. Regularly updating job descriptions is important, as business needs and market conditions change over time. Engaging stakeholders, including department heads and current employees, can help accurately define roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, optimizing job descriptions for search engine visibility improves your chances of attracting qualified candidates, highlighting the significance of recruitment. Comprehending why the recruitment process is important allows you to focus on creating effective job descriptions that meet both current and future organizational needs. Establishing Recruitment Budget and Timeline Establishing a recruitment budget and timeline is vital for guaranteeing your hiring process aligns with organizational goals during remaining financially viable. Start by calculating both direct costs, like job advertisements and agency fees, and indirect costs, such as employee time and resources spent on recruitment. This thorough financial planning aids in tracking costs per hire, providing insights into your recruitment efficiency. Next, create a realistic hiring timeline that considers the complexity of the position and average time-to-fill metrics in your industry. This approach helps manage stakeholder expectations effectively. Aligning your budget and timeline with organizational growth goals and market conditions guarantees your recruitment efforts remain strategic and responsive to changing needs. Finally, regularly review and update your budget and timeline to maintain flexibility and adapt to the dynamic job market, which is vital for successful hiring outcomes. Sourcing and Screening Candidates After establishing a recruitment budget and timeline, the next step involves sourcing and screening candidates effectively. You’ll want to utilize various methods like job boards, social media, employee referrals, and networking events to attract a diverse pool of applicants. Once you have a pool, screening resumes is essential; assess qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Using pre-screening questionnaires can help filter out unqualified candidates efficiently. Effective candidate screening prioritizes promising applicants based on specific keywords, education, and job performance. You might conduct initial interviews via phone, video, or in-person to evaluate both technical skills and cultural fit. Implementing standardized evaluation criteria during this process guarantees fairness and objectivity, leading to better hiring decisions. By carefully sourcing and screening candidates, you can save time and resources as you increase the likelihood of finding the right fit for your organization. Conducting Interviews and Making Offers Conducting interviews and making offers are vital steps in the recruitment process that can greatly impact your hiring success. Start by conducting structured interviews using standardized questions that align with the job requirements. This approach guarantees consistency and fairness in evaluating candidates. Incorporate behavioral interview techniques to assess past performance and cultural fit, as this can reveal how candidates might perform in your organization. It’s beneficial to involve multiple interviewers to gather diverse perspectives, leading to more informed hiring decisions. Once you’ve identified a suitable candidate, prepare a competitive job offer that clearly outlines compensation, benefits, and job responsibilities. This clarity entices candidates to accept the position. After extending the offer, maintain timely communication and follow up to address any concerns they may have. This step is significant in keeping their interest alive and guaranteeing a smooth shift to joining your team. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Key Steps in the Recruitment Process? To effectively navigate the recruitment process, you should start by identifying your hiring needs and developing clear job descriptions. Next, source candidates through various channels like job boards and social media. After that, screen applications and shortlist potential hires. Conduct structured interviews and assessments to evaluate candidates’ skills and fit. Finally, make a job offer and guarantee a smooth onboarding experience to integrate the new employee into your organization successfully. What Is the Recruiting Process in Human Resource Management? The recruiting process in human resource management starts with identifying the skills and qualifications needed for a position. You’ll source candidates through various channels, like job ads and referrals. Next, you screen applicants to narrow the field, followed by structured interviews to evaluate their fit for the role. Finally, onboarding integrates new hires into the organization, providing the necessary training and resources to guarantee they succeed and remain engaged in their work. What Are the 5 C’s of Recruitment? The 5 C’s of recruitment are Clarity, Candidate Experience, Cost, Communication, and Culture. Clarity means you define job roles clearly to attract suitable candidates. Candidate Experience focuses on creating a positive application process, enhancing engagement. Cost involves managing recruitment expenses effectively to stay within budget. Communication guarantees you maintain timely updates and feedback with candidates, nurturing transparency. Ultimately, Culture aligns the organization’s values with those of potential hires, promoting a cohesive work environment. What Are the 7 Steps of the Hiring Process? The seven steps of the hiring process start with identifying needs, where you analyze vacancies and required skills. Next, you craft a job description that outlines responsibilities and qualifications. Then, you begin the search for candidates. After that, you screen and shortlist applicants based on skills and experience. Following this, you conduct interviews and assessments. Once you’ve found the right candidate, you make a job offer and facilitate onboarding to guarantee effective integration into the organization. Conclusion In conclusion, effective recruitment in HRM involves several key steps, including defining hiring needs through job analysis, creating detailed job descriptions, and establishing a recruitment budget. By sourcing and screening candidates systematically and conducting structured interviews, organizations can make informed hiring decisions. Collaborating with department heads helps align recruitment with organizational goals, ensuring that you fill skill gaps efficiently. By following these steps, you improve your chances of attracting and securing the best talent for your organization. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Are the Key Steps in the Recruitment Process for HRM?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Premium noise-canceling wireless earbuds don’t come cheap, and Bowers & Wilkins earbuds (a brand owned by Samsung) are definitely at the top end of that category. But in a market crowded with ANC earbuds that do little more than meet the bare minimum, these justify their price tag by leaning into thoughtful features, sound quality, and build that go beyond the basics. Right now, a brand-new pair of Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds are going for $279.99 (originally $399) on Woot, their lowest price ever. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ANC Earbuds $279.99 at Woot $399.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal Get Deal $279.99 at Woot $399.00 Save $119.01 Compared to the Pi7, the Pi8 has improved noise cancellation, higher-grade 12mm drivers with Carbon Cone technology, and an upgraded digital-to-analog converter alongside an updated digital signal processor. Its charging case also functions as a Bluetooth transceiver, making it seamlessly functional with in-flight entertainment when you’re on the go. CNET, in a glowing review, dubbed them “easily among the best-sounding earbuds out there,” and they also have a more secure and comfortable fit than their predecessors, making them more ergonomic. The review does note that they don’t have a 3.5mm headphone port but do include a USB-C to 3.5mm cable adaptor. The Pi8 earbuds have the latest Bluetooth 5.4 with support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless for top-quality wireless streaming, as well as an IP54 dust and sweat rating. The case offers around 6.5 hours per charge with ANC on, going up to 13.5 hours with the charging case and a 15-minute quick charge that gives you 2 hours of playback. While 6.5 hours is decent, it’s not best-in-class compared to competitors that reach the eight to 10 hour mark. And although it has three built-in mics for calls, users also note that background noise can occasionally leak through. Ultimately, if premium sound quality, music fidelity, and rare features like wired retransmission are at the top of your priority list, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds are a comfy and travel-friendly option with competitive ANC. However, if your top priorities are maximum noise cancellation and battery life, you may want to consider the (lower-priced) Bose QuietComfort earbuds instead. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Dell 15 DC15255 (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM) — $739.99 (List Price $908.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Silver) — $159.99 (List Price $219.99) Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $279.99 (List Price $349.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article