Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.

Posts by Kristin Kizer:

Zippia Advice

Job Posting Template [How To Write A Job Advertisement]

A job posting should describe the job in a more engaging and enticing way than the job description.

A Guide To The Critical Path Method

Summary: The Critical Path Method, or CPM, is a project management technique that’s used to determine the duration and resources necessary for successful completion more accurately. This method looks at the whole picture and then identifies the path that will define the project timeline. Read on to learn more. One of the most popular methods […]

25 Take Your Child To Work Day Ideas (Office + Virtual)

Summary: Take Your Child to Work Day is a national day held on the fourth Thursday in April. It’s meant to be a learning experience that introduces children to different career possibilities. The following ideas can make it more educational, fun, and successful. The fourth Thursday in April is often set aside as Take Your […]

Employer’s Guide To Employee Monitoring Software

Summary. Employee monitoring software gets a bad rap and has earned the nickname bossware, but it’s not just about spying on employees to get them in trouble. Employee monitoring software is a useful tool for businesses that can help them stay competitive and productive and get a greater ROI. Read on to learn more. Are […]

Administrative Professionals Day: Ideas To Celebrate

Summary. Administrative Professionals Day is held on the Wednesday of the last full week in April each year. This holiday is set aside as a way for businesses to recognize the people that perform administrative duties in their offices. Learn more about what ties Professional Administration Day to Secretaries Day and discover some ways to […]

What Is A Protected Veteran?

Summary. In the United States, some veterans have a protected status and cannot be discriminated against in the workplace. These rights are not universal for all veterans but for only protected veterans and those working for qualifying companies. Read on to learn more. Hiring a veteran is a great way to show support for your […]

What Is Pay Transparency?

Summary: Pay transparency is being open and honest about what people are paid for their positions at your organization. Full transparency is making workers’ salaries public across the company – and even to the public at large. But you can also have partial transparency, which gives a salary range or the salaries for a department. […]

How To Handle Proprietary Information In The Workplace

Summary. Proprietary information in the workplace is often referred to as trade secrets. Your way of operating and your product or service is yours alone, and you need to protect your process so your business can remain a standout and a success. Learn more here. Protecting your company’s data, intellectual property, trade secrets, technology and […]

How To Make A Performance Improvement Plan For An Employee

Summary. Some employees have great potential, but they’re not quite hitting performance expectations. A performance improvement plan can help them get the boost they need to hit their goals and be one of your top performers. Read on to learn more. A Performance Improvement Plan is a way to help an underperforming employee catch up […]

Virtual Team Games For Employees

Summary. Team virtual games have been developed as a way to encourage groups of people to connect remotely. Using those games in a remote work environment gives employees a chance to connect with people they don’t normally see in a social and entertaining way. This strengthens bonds and facilitates communication, which can boost productivity. Team […]

The 4 Ps Of The Marketing Mix

Summary. A marketing mix is a broad and comprehensive marketing plan that looks at multiple areas within the sales cycle. Most marketing mixes focus on the four Ps; product, price, placement, and promotion. If you’re in the service industry, adding three more Ps may give you a more well-rounded approach and lead your company to […]

Promoting Internally (How To Do It, Benefits, Drawbacks)

Summary. Finding the right person to do a job in your company is a difficult task. It takes time, the ability to read someone, and diligence, and it can be expensive. Once they’re hired, you’re not done with the work yet. Training employees is also a commitment of time and money. Sometimes, promoting internally can […]

FMLA Parental Leave: What Employers Need To Know

Summary. The Family and Medical Leave Act or FMLA offers some protections to employees if they need to be away from work to care for a family member or if they themselves have a medical condition that temporarily makes them unable to work. Read on to learn what this means for employers. What do you […]

How To Interview Potential Managers & Questions To Ask Them

Summary: Managers are a critical part of your team and can help your small business be even more successful. One wrong manager can spoil the whole operation, which is why hiring the right manager is so important. Learn how to confidently interview a manager and find questions you should definitely ask. Hiring a manager can […]

How To Downsize A Small Business

Summary. Downsizing a small business is difficult, but it might be a necessary step to keep the company solvent and relevant in your industry. Learn what downsizing is and why a company would want to downsize. We also have some tips to make downsizing easier. If you’re considering downsizing your small business, you’ve probably considered […]

What Is A Probationary Period At Work?

Summary. Employee probationary periods give the employer and the new hire time to get to know each other better. It’s a time when the employer can assess the employee’s ability to do the job. It’s also the employee’s time to learn how to do the job and ask questions as they acclimate. This time can […]

How To Calculate And Improve Employee Retention Rate

Summary: Understanding your company’s retention rate can lead to a better work environment for the employees and higher profits for the business. Your company’s ability to hold onto great employees is important for everyone involved, from your newest hire to your customers to the owner of the business. It’s a big step toward running a […]

FICA Tax Employer Responsibilities

Summary. As an employer, there are many responsibilities you have that are determined by the government. Federal payroll tax withholdings are one of those responsibilities, and it’s a great place to start when you’re establishing your payroll system. Once you’ve nailed FICA taxes, it’s time to move on to other aspects of payroll, so you’re […]

How To Make And Manage A Sabbatical Leave Policy For A Business

Summary. A sabbatical leave policy looks at all aspects of an extended absence for an employee to help the company function without them. It outlines the steps required for an employee to take a sabbatical and also looks at the timing of sabbaticals and how the team will function during the absence. If you’ve decided […]

Preparing Equipment And Making An Equipment Policy

Summary. Ensuring the safety of your employees and protecting your company equipment is of top-level importance in any company. Preparing equipment for safe use and creating equipment policies are key steps in this process. Learn what two types of equipment policies you might need and how to create them. One equipment policy will relate to […]

How To Make And Present A “What The Company Does” Presentation

Summary. There are many different occasions that may require your company to have a presentation on what your company does. Creating this presentation doesn’t need to be difficult or incredibly time-consuming. Keep reading because we’ve got the tips and information you need to make your company presentation successful. Once you’ve nailed your presentation, it’s time […]

Zippia Advice

Employee Information Form (With Template)

Employee information forms is a form that includes all the important information about a new employee for human resources to have.

How To Write A Job Offer (And What Needs To Be On It)

Summary. Job offers tell an individual that you’re willing to hire them. They also detail what the job will entail and what their compensation will include. There are some key pieces of information that need to be in a job offer, and there are some statements that should be avoided to prevent future confusion, conflict, […]

16 Things To Include In A Job Offer (And Conditions To Place On It)

Summary. The conditions you should place on a job offer are ones that you require of your employees prior to hiring them. Not all jobs have the same requirements, so these will vary based on the job, the business, the location, and other key information. In most situations, a conditional job requirement is something that […]

How To Write A Company Description

Summary. Writing a company description for a job posting requires a sales-minded approach. You want to briefly let the reader know what you do, why it’s important, and what makes your company special. These are key determining factors for job seekers, and they mean almost as much to them as what the job is. Once […]

How To Post A Job

Summary. To post a job, you need to take time to really understand what that new employee will do for your company and what skills and personality traits you’d like them to have. Once you have an idea of the best person for the job, it’s easier to write your post. When you have your […]

Termination Letter (With Examples)

A termination letter is not legally require but it is an important part of an employee file.

Employment Contract Sample

An employment contract is a signed agreement between an employer and employee that defines the obligations of both parties.

How To Hire A Sales Representative

Your business is doing well, and it’s time for growth. Hiring a sales representative can help your business explode and give you an edge over the competition. If you don’t already have a sales team, this first hire is critical, and it can be a little intimidating. The following information will help you hire a […]

How To Hire A Software Developer

If your company is at a point where you’re thinking hiring a software developer might be your next big move, this is the place to learn all about making that big hire. Whether you’ve never hired one before or you’re adding a new one to your team, we’ve got tips to help you hire a […]

Top 8 Interview Questions To Ask Job Candidates [Employer Guide]

Interview Checklist for Employers Download Free Interview Checklist By clicking Download, you agree to Zippia’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If you’re thinking about hiring someone for your company and it’s not a task you perform regularly, it can be a bit daunting. Not only do you worry about asking questions that will give […]

How To Hire Employees For A Small Business [Employer Guide]

When hiring employees is not something you do regularly, it can be intimidating. It’s quite a process with some legal implications, and you want to make the right decision, so you don’t have to do it again in the near future. Keep reading to learn more about how to hire employees for your small business. […]

How To Hire A Truck Driver

Hiring a truck driver can be a smart move that adds to your small to medium business offering and gives you an edge over the competition. Having your own trucking team, or even just one person, can make a big difference in your company’s responsiveness and customer service. The following article will help you learn […]

Free Business Advertising Online [14 Best Ideas To Get Started]

Advertising is important to most businesses; it’s the way you let people know about you and promotes your brand. Unfortunately, advertising can be very expensive. The good news is that there are some ways you can advertise online for free. Read on to learn more. Key Takeaways Advertising is essential for most businesses and brings […]

What Is A Reference Check? [And How To Conduct One]

Hiring an employee takes a lot of work before and after you’ve found a candidate. One of the steps in the hiring process is checking references. This is oddly one step that some companies skip, but they never should. Checking references can be very informative when hiring a new employee. Read on to learn more. […]

How To Hire Veterans [Veteran Hiring Programs + Benefits]

If you’re looking to hire, it might be in your best interest to actively investigate hiring a veteran. Veterans come into the workplace with skills and work incredibly valuable ethics. There can also be some financial subsidies for hiring veterans. Read on to learn more. Key Takeaways Hiring a veteran is a great opportunity for […]

What Is A Stay Interview?

It’s becoming more and more evident that holding onto your top performers is key to continued success in business. You’ve gone through all of the appropriate steps and taken the time to ensure you have the right person in that seat; now, how do you keep them there? A stay interview might just be your […]

Zippia Advice

What Are Applicant Tracking Systems?

Consider this statistic from Glassdoor, on average; each corporate job opening gets 250 resumes. That’s for one job. Can you imagine the amount of work you’re tasking your HR department with as they wade through the resumes and select candidates to interview? There’s an easier way, and it’s done through Applicant tracking systems. Read on […]

What Is Guru?

If you’re looking to hire a freelancer for a short-term, one-off, or longer-term project, Guru is a great place to find talented individuals. Guru is a freelance job board where companies can find help and freelancers can find work. Key Takeaways Guru is a freelance job board for employers to find help and freelancers to […]

Zippia Advice

What Is Instant Checkmate?

If you think someone in your life needs to be researched, you might find Instant Checkmate useful. It’s a platform that helps you look into the public records of people in the United States. Key Takeaways Instant Checkmate is a service platform that helps you do background checks on people. Instant Checkmate cannot be used […]

Zippia Advice

How To Hire An Independent Contractor

You’ve reached a point with your business where you might be set to expand, or you might need help through a busy season. Maybe you’re looking for an expert in some area to step in and train others or give you professional advice. What do you do? You hire an independent contractor. Key Takeaways Independent […]

Zippia Advice

What Is Gumtree?

Gumtree is the UK’s largest website for online classified ads, but it’s also more than that: it offers a place for people from other countries to connect. It can be used as a place to post job listings and for hiring. Read on to learn more about Gumtree. Key Takeaways Gumtree was created in London […]

What Is A Federal Civilian Employee?

Classifying someone as a federal civilian employee isn’t as complicated as it seems. If it’s broken down by terms, anyone who works for the federal government is a federal employee. A civilian is someone who is not a member of the armed forces. Key Takeaways Federal civilian employees are employed by the federal government and […]

Zippia Advice

What Is Employee Relations?

Employee relations is a term that’s used to explain what a company does to maintain a good relationship with employees. Many people falsely assume that employee relations and human resources are the same things. It is true that many companies do task their human resources department with employee relations, but some have an individual or […]

What Is A W2 Employee?

Understanding what a W2 employee is is important to employees and employers. The different classifications of employees ensure that they are paid correctly and that they file taxes in the right way. Key Takeaways A W2 form is a tax form used by the IRS to discover how much people were paid, what taxes they […]

Zippia Advice

What Is A Statutory Employee?

Including statutory employees in your roster can be a benefit for both the employee and the employer. Statutory employees are a category of employee that fits an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Classification. This classification determines how the employee’s taxes are withheld. Including statutory employees in your roster can be a benefit for both the employee […]

Zippia Advice

What Happens If An Employee Is Not Eligible For FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is designed to give employees unpaid time off with the comfort of knowing their job is protected for certain qualifying situations. This only applies to eligible employees and to certain defined medical situations. What if your employee is not eligible for FMLA? Read on to learn how to […]

What Is Back Pay? [HR Definition]

Back pay is the amount of money from salary or other benefits that an employer owes an employee. For instance, if an employee is terminated but hasn’t received their last paycheck months later, that can be termed back pay. Or if someone was contracted to do work and they did it but were only paid […]

Zippia Advice

How To Conduct A Group Interview

A group interview is when more than one person is being interviewed for a job, or several open positions, at the same time. They can be very tricky because the interviewees are together, and the group dynamic can be off-putting. The interviewees can be nervous and not put their best foot forward, and the interviewer […]

Zippia Advice

What Is Incentive Pay (And How To Implement It)

Incentive pay is usually tied to performance or achieving pre-defined objectives and is a way for employees to make additional income or get a bonus. It’s designed to provide motivation or incentive for employees to work harder, which is why it’s called incentive pay. It can be a great way to boost morale and sales, […]

How To Do A Background Check

Doing a background check can save a lot of headaches and hassle in the long run, especially if you’re looking to hire a new employee. Looking into the past of a prospective employee has become a standard part of modern employment screening, but what are you looking for, and how do you do it? More […]

Zippia Advice

How to Increase Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is a buzzword in business today, but what is it really, and how do you get it? Read further to understand why engagement is important and discover some tips on how to boost employee engagement in your company. Key Takeaways Employee engagement is not the same as job satisfaction or retention. There are […]

Zippia Advice

Generation Z Characteristics In The Workplace

Generation Z refers to people who were born between 1995 and 2015. If you’re doing the math, you’ve figured that some of them have already entered the workplace. This might leave you wondering what to expect from Gen Z and what their workplace habits are and will be. Key Takeaways: Generation Z refers to people […]

Business Process Management (Definition + Steps To BPM)

Business process management (BPM) is a structured and organized way to manage the process of doing things in a company. It’s become a very hot-button topic as companies look to expand profits and cut back on expenses. In theory, a company’s BPM is continually changing to adapt to any shifts along the way and bring […]

Zippia Advice

What Is Employee Turnover, Why It Matters, And How To Reduce It

Employee turnover rates have become a hot topic in business. The rate at which employees leave a company can tell you a lot about a company and that company’s culture. It also opens the door for that company to improvements and cost-saving measures. Key Takeaways Employee turnover is a financial problem for many companies, negatively […]

Zippia Advice

Employee Appreciation Quotes

Appreciation and recognizing your employees can do more for employee engagement and retention than you imagine. When your staff feels appreciated, they work harder, turnover rates are reduced, they’re more engaged, and it prompts others to perform better. Let’s face it; some people find it difficult to dole out praise or even mutter a simple […]

Absenteeism In The Workplace

Employee absenteeism can be a significant problem for any workplace, especially when there’s a team dynamic and each person relies on others. The Department of Labor defines absenteeism in the workforce as people who are not at work. Some situations of absenteeism can be planned for and are, in fact, part of the accepted ebb […]

Zippia Advice

How To Be A Good Interviewer

In business, it’s not just about nailing the interview for the interviewee; the interviewer also needs to put forth a great performance. Being good at conducting job interviews is difficult because it doesn’t just take knowledge or the right questions; it requires confidence, comfort, and listening. A healthy dose of practice can go a long […]

Zippia Advice

How To Fire An Employee

Letting go of an employee is never an easy task. It’s a stressful situation for everyone involved, no matter what the reason for termination is. There are also legal considerations that come into play which can further complicate the process. These tips and instructions for firing an employee can help your business get through this […]

Disciplinary Action In The Workplace

Hiring people can be an expensive and lengthy process. Most companies want to keep employees once they’ve found them, but sometimes problems arise. If an employee is behaving in a way that goes against company policies and procedures, it might be time for disciplinary action. Key Takeaways: Workplace Disciplinary Action policies are designed to protect […]