Employment Digest

Keep up to date on articles and news and subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Secretive Searching

Recruiter calls at work create a new dilemma for targeted employees. Do you talk or not? Oh, to be among the wanted. That’s what many workers out there say when they hear friends or colleagues moaning that they don’t know what to do when a recruiter — or headhunter — calls them at work to tell them about an exciting new job.
But to be among the wanted: It can be a tricky balance of checking out an opportunity yet remaining loyal to an employer. And it’s particularly difficult when one is sitting at that employer’s desk, talking to a recruiter on the telephone. So sneaky. So underhanded.
So common and so necessary.

Recruiters often happen upon workers in one of three ways:
Read the rest of this entry »

Strategy for mature employees

Why is it so difficult in some professions to find a job when you have 10, 15 or 20 years of experience? Sometimes it is because employers discriminate and other times it is because hiring managers make assumptions about middle-aged or older employees.

If you are discriminated against because of your age, there are legal remedies available. And unfortunately, the litigation route is not always possible or feasible.

However, if the reason is because of a hiring manager’s misperception, there are things your can do.
Read the rest of this entry »

Companies prepare for baby boomer exodus

Bill Copeland of Annandale, Va., who retired recently from the real estate business, right, works with customer Gary Petrosian at a Home Depot in Falls Church, Va., in March. When executives at Platte River Power Authority, an electric company in Fort Collins, Colo., surveyed its employees 18 months ago, they were stunned by a particular finding: 40 percent of the company’s 200 workers said they intended to retire over the next five years.With little chance of hiring from other stretched power plants - and apprenticeships for technicians typically taking at least four years - executives faced a stark reality. “We’ve got to be moving right now,” says Dave Green, human-resource manager. He is scrambling to hire trainees and recently created a new job - plant assistant - to fill apprenticeships as soon as they open up.
Read the rest of this entry »

Recruiters say lack of grades not an issue for MBAs

Since employer-information sessions for second-year MBAs began last week, students and recruiters have converged on cafes and hotels across town to discuss past experience and future opportunities.

But they haven’t been talking about grades.

At these sessions, recruiters say, the previous work experience and practical knowledge MBAs bring to the table may be just as important as what is — or, in the case of grades is not — on their transcripts.

Wharton MBA students voted to not disclose grades to employers in January of 1994, with the intention of fostering academic exploration and collaboration.
Read the rest of this entry »

Jazz up an ho-hum resume

Innovative keywords can rev your resume and create hype about your candidature. Most candidates however kill their resumes with an overdose of worn-out staple, cliched and trite phrases. For example, every candidate prefaces the resume with the word hard hardworking, without work hard to make it a believable attribute. Examples of industriousness and an energetic work ethic are sketchy or largely missing and are rarely accompanied by words such as motivated, results oriented, driven, goal oriented, achievement oriented, constant follow-through, dedicated, energetic, hard charging etc. Similarly, all candidates seek a challenging position rather than demanding position, rigorous opportunity, or ambitious responsibilities making it the most ho-hum and devalued phrase among hiring managers

AssureConsulting.com helps you refresh your resume vocabulary with words that better describe your work ethic, such as committed to achieving financial goals, budget-driven, focus all and pursue budget efficiency. Here’ a list from which you can chose your pick.
Read the rest of this entry »

Notable Thank-You Notes

Right after your interview, it’s always a good idea to write a note, but it better say much more than thank you. This is a perfect opportunity to score some additional points and improve your chances for a job offer by including some of the following:

Remind them what they liked about you. For example, “I’m glad you were impressed that I . . . ”
Fix a blunder. For example, “You asked how consumer confidence might affect the company. On reflection, (insert thoughtful answer).”
Propose a specific project you could do for the employer.

Be sure to express enthusiasm. For example, “I want to reiterate how much I enjoyed meeting you. I’m very excited that I might get a chance to join your team.”

Stay busy, motivated during your job search

Recently I was at a party enjoying myself when someone asked a question, “So what do you do?”Once she got hold of the fact that I am a motivational speaker and consultant, she asked me this question: “How do I stay motivated while looking for a job?”Turns out she has been unemployed for almost a year and has tried everything and nothing is working. Her discouragement was palpable. She is not alone: Many people are challenged to find jobs in today’s market.

So how do you stay motivated? Here are a few Read the rest of this entry »

Are you facing that career change plunge? Do you wish you were? Take it slowly and make sure what you really want to do is change careers. Then use this 10-step plan, and you will be on much more sure footing — and on a path toward career change success. Finally, remember that career change is a natural life progression; most studies show that the average job-seeker will change careers (not jobs) several times over the course of his or her lifetime.
Read the rest of this entry »

America’s Aging Workforce Posing New Opportunities and Challenges

The rapidly aging global workforce — caused mainly by the number of retirement-eligible employees continuing to work — is both a challenge and major opportunity for corporations, according to a report released today by The Conference Board. The report is based on a “managing mature workers” working group comprising executives from a cross-section of industries, staff and line functions, and job titles. It includes such major companies as BP America, Ernst & Young LLP, Ford Motor Company, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, and Shell International. It’s one of 10 current Research Working Groups designed by The Conference Board to examine major issues facing business.
Read the rest of this entry »

Fast track yourself

Many big organizations have “fast track” programs. When someone is selected to be a fast tracker, it usually means that the person is recognized as being a “high potential” person within the organization. With fast track/HiPo designation comes a variety of positions, often spanning the scope of the business, within a relatively short period of time. Relatively short means a few years rather than a few decades. Being a fast tracker isn’t a cake walk. Candidates are often given serious challenges within the organization, to see how they can perform. The payoff, of course, is increased responsibility and increased compensation.

However, most organizations don’t have formalized fast track programs. Sure, you may stumble upon a gracious mentor who can give you a leg up now and then but, on the whole, you’re on your own. No fear, though. There are plenty of opportunities to fast track yourself. No need to talk about it–in fact, it’s better that you don’t talk about your plans until you’ve racked up at least a couple of successes. Until then, talk like that just makes other people nervous and more likely to try and subvert your plans. So mum’s the word for now.
Read the rest of this entry »