Chances are, your employees are not dancing in the streets because of their 3% salary bumps this year. That's been the average increase for most salaried employees for the past few years after several flat or declining years during the recession. On the other hand, top employees who decide who decide to change jobs can expect a base salary increase of 10-15% from their new employer.

As technology continues to advance and employers aim to expand their job applicant pools, the virtual interview is becoming increasingly more common. Virtual interviews are quickly replacing over-the-phone or even face-to-face interviews.

Gilman Partners is constantly changing and improving, and this week we rolled out yet another example. Though our former website served us well, it was time for a fresh design that better showcased our people and our successes. The new Gilman Partners website still features information about our services and a database of open positions, but it also allows us to share more about the things that matter most.

Many organizations realize the value of having former collegiate or professional athletes on their roster or in their boardroom. An October 2014 study of female executives by Ernst & Young linked former female athletes to strong leadership potential and a high career success rate, and a Fast Company article from April 2014 noted intercollegiate athletes often demonstrate strong time management skills and work ethic early in their careers.

Though Gilman Partners focuses on hiring solutions for the some of the region's most well-known companies, we are often asked for tips designed to help candidates land their dream job. While this post is offered to support job seekers, it is important for hiring managers to remember why volunteering is important as well. Growing up in a family where both parents were avid volunteers, I inhabited a rich learning lab, and throughout my life it would have been strange not to be involved in our community.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. is dropping, but recent studies by Glassdoor and DHI Group show it's taking employers longer to fill open positions than anytime in the past 15 years. Analysts point to many reasons for the hiring slowdown including lack of skilled labor, overwhelming numbers of online applicants (who may or may not be qualified for the position), a push toward group or panel interviews, and time-intensive screening policies. But one thing is clear: A long hiring process doesn't always produce a better candidate.

I recently attended a Leadership NKY session, sponsored by the Zalla Corporation, where the speaker was Todd Henry, author of the books Louder Than Words and The Accidental Creative. Henry stressed the need to find your authentic voice - your own body of work - to achieve impact.

Gilman Partners is pleased to announce the hiring of Elizabeth "Lee" Simmons as Vice President of the firm. Lee's primary responsibilities include serving, expanding and diversifying Gilman Partners' client base. "We are very pleased to welcome Lee to Gilman Partners," said Tom Gilman, Managing Partner and CEO.

In today's active employment market, workers want more than just a job. That's why an organization's culture is such a competitive differentiator and a key part of attracting, engaging, and retaining a talented workforce. At Gilman Partners, we look at culture from two perspectives. First, how do we know we have the best candidates to fit a client's culture? And second, how do organizations build or evolve into a culture that keeps employees engaged?

We've noticed several trends that indicate now is a good time to ramp up employee retention efforts, if you haven't already. Wage increases are beginning to accelerate and seem likely to continue to do so. Many large employers like Target, Walmart and McDonald's have increased their starting hourly wage to well above the required minimum wage.