Blog

Urge To Merge – Workplace Dating

Increasingly employers frown on fraternization between coworkers, and include specific references and the consequences to such behavior in their employee manuals.  More and more employers just don’t want to deal with the potential sexual harassment issues that can erupt when relationships between coworkers don’t work out. Despite the good intentions of employees, sometimes what starts…

Adventures In Hiring

The gentleman sitting next to me on a recent cross-country flight was in a talkative mood, so after learning that he was a small business owner, I got him to discuss his hiring practices. He proudly told me that in addition to recent college graduates, and experienced professionals, he regularly hires applicants from disadvantaged and…

Hurdles – Fear Of Rejection and Failure

There are an awful lot of things that get in the way of our success, whether the objective is looking for and finding work, or any other personally important endeavor.  Fear of rejection and failure in the job search are among the most cited concerns voiced by job seekers.  “What if I don’t get the…

Networking Almost Everywhere; It's Almost Never A Bad Time To Network

For many people, introducing one’s self to a complete stranger is a very painful experience.  Believe me, I know!  It’s much easier for me to address a room full of people (strangers or not), than to introduce myself to someone I don’t know!!  But to overcome my discomfort talking with strangers took commitment and determination. …

Are You Ready For Your Closeup?

Recently I met with a small business owner and we discussed recruiting for his growing business.  When I asked him if he did any of his recruiting online and if he looked at resumes posted on job search sites, he answered with a very enthusiastic “Yes!”.  He told me he has been successful in filling…

Go Your Own Way

In school, were you the one who always had a better/different way of doing things?  When the teacher was explaining that 2 + 2 = 4, were you the one who said the same result could be achieved by adding 3 +1?  Or by subtracting 1 from 5? If you’re still looking at things a…

The Object(ive) Of Your Affection

An Objective statement on your resume, and reiterated in your cover letter is a concise way for you to communicate your career goals.  Too often Objective statements are written as flowery batches of verbiage that convey little or nothing about the job seeker’s real aspirations.  Once upon a time it was OK to use a…

Employers: How Creative Are You?

So you managed to get through 2008 without laying anyone off. You’ve tightened budgets, cut back on spending, held your own against your competition, and even earned a profit. Congratulations! But 2009 looks like it will require additional belt tightening.  You recognize the loyalty of your staff, and you’ve tried to reward them, but you’re…

Moving Forward

Look, I know the economy sucks right now.  People are getting laid off in record numbers and you begin to wonder whether looking for a job is worth the effort. Your frustrations mount because there are bills to be paid, you’ve got personal and familial responsibilities, and the outlook is less than optimistic. Well, I…

Paralyzed By Choices

My conversation with a young cab driver the other day went something like this: Hank: If you weren’t driving this cab, what you rather be doing? Cabbie:  I’m not sure. I’ve thought about doing a lot of different things.  I only graduated high school last year and needed to find work, and this is what…

Don't Take It Personally!

With the unemployment rate rising, it is apparent that more people are completing for fewer jobs.  And as employers are receiving more resumes than they have positions to fill, they can’t always spend the time coding, classifying and filing all the resumes they receive – electronic or paper – for present or future consideration. Even…

Nice n Soft – Conveying Your Soft Skills

There’s no question that one’s skills, experience and qualifications should be the primary consideration by an employer when selecting a candidate for hiring.  But one of the most important skill sets any applicant can bring to a job is far less recognizable from interviewing alone.  The qualities one brings for being able to deal with…