Be careful when applying online and during the preliminary stage of the interview process, there is always a chance that you will be asked how much money you're earning at your current position or how much you hope to earn in the near future. On occasions employers may want to discuss it before making you a job offer. However, you should not answer this question. By doing so you are taking the chance of disqualifying yourself before given a fair chance at interviewing because they have already decided rather they want can afford you or not. When faced with this situation, explain to the employer that you opted to discuss compensation only after receiving a job offer. Of course, only you can decide what the compensation should be, but I am assuming you have done you research and find out what the appropriate salary should be and what kind of benefit package the company is willing to offer by the time you arrive at the interview.
Good Luck!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Resume Do’s and Don’ts
Resume Do’s and Don’ts
1) Do not write an objective. Regardless of what you may have heard, do not write an objective. Employers, recruiters and human resource managers are busy people and the unemployment rate is at an all time high. There is no time for unnecessary headline. It is about what the employers need and not about what will be best for you.
2) Please do not write the space filler “Reference available upon request.” It is annoying at best and shows your unpreparedness at worst. Either have a list of reference on the resume or attach it to the resume. We do not want to see it. I assure you. It will not help you.
3) Stop listing job titles and start describing your accomplishment. Tell the employer what you can do.
4) Don’t lie. Don’t make things up. Everything is at the reach of a button. All can be researched and found out. Be honest. Do not secure a position based on a lie. You will lose the job and trust when the truth comes out and it will.
5) Do not forge references and do not include people who are hard to reach. Verify that the information is still valid before using an employer as a reference. You must do your part. Be prepared. Looking for a job is serious business. Put your best foot forward and good luck!
1) Do not write an objective. Regardless of what you may have heard, do not write an objective. Employers, recruiters and human resource managers are busy people and the unemployment rate is at an all time high. There is no time for unnecessary headline. It is about what the employers need and not about what will be best for you.
2) Please do not write the space filler “Reference available upon request.” It is annoying at best and shows your unpreparedness at worst. Either have a list of reference on the resume or attach it to the resume. We do not want to see it. I assure you. It will not help you.
3) Stop listing job titles and start describing your accomplishment. Tell the employer what you can do.
4) Don’t lie. Don’t make things up. Everything is at the reach of a button. All can be researched and found out. Be honest. Do not secure a position based on a lie. You will lose the job and trust when the truth comes out and it will.
5) Do not forge references and do not include people who are hard to reach. Verify that the information is still valid before using an employer as a reference. You must do your part. Be prepared. Looking for a job is serious business. Put your best foot forward and good luck!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Let’s talk about employment in this economy
I can’t even tell the number of calls that I receive on a regular basis about issues in the work place. People claim that employers have been taking advantage of them due to the state of the economy. They want to know what to do and are all those employment still effect.
It was reported to me by various reliable sources that employers’ favorite catch phrase is as follow “You should be happy that you have a job.” I know that I have heard it myself as early as 2007 before the recession worsen. It is quite possible that you have heard it as well. Although one should be appreciative of being employed, one should not have to suffer harassment by employers and/or managers and department directors.
I am sympathetic to employers. They have had our share of challenges during the recession and have been placed in position in which they had to make unpopular decisions to keep heads above water. Unless you live under a rock, you have heard almost consistently since early 2008 that many companies have cut down the staff since it is the biggest expense of any organization. Naturally, some employers have taken the opportunity to get rid of some trouble employees. Let’s be honest, the opportunity to do some house cleaning with minimal consequences due to the recession is too good for employers to pass on; It is an employer’s dream come true.
Still, employers have gone too far in implementing new policies and forcing employees to complete the work that three or fours individuals used to do. They are required to punch out on time; hence: punch out and come back to complete the tasks. Many employees have accepted a pay cut even though the workload increased. The take it or leave attitude has become a popular trend. A couple of weeks ago, a friend called me after an emergency meeting at his work place. He was called into the administrative offices along with a few other nurses, and they were told to BRING IN more patients into the facilities or else. Unheard of! Now nurses, who are care givers, are being asked to become recruiters. Where do employers draw the lines?
Most states have run out of unemployment benefits. Valid claims have been rejected and I have told every one of my friends who’s contacted me to do what is asked of them as long as it does not violate their religious beliefs and values for now and also to keep organized records. The recession will end and things will be back to normal. Employers should be very careful. They are losing talents and soon they are going to pay the price of getting them back. Some organizations may never recover. Most employees will not come back and they will have the last laugh.
To employees: keep on working hard. Give your 100%, acquire new skills, perfect your current skills and wait patiently for your opportunity to shy. Now is the time to be loyal and to keep on holding on to your work ethics. Now is not the time to drop the ball.
To employers: the economy sucks and revenues are low, you can navigate through the recession without having to lose talents. Move strategically by making sure you don’t spent the next twenty years dealing with litigation. Treat people with respect and they will do right by you. Good luck!
It was reported to me by various reliable sources that employers’ favorite catch phrase is as follow “You should be happy that you have a job.” I know that I have heard it myself as early as 2007 before the recession worsen. It is quite possible that you have heard it as well. Although one should be appreciative of being employed, one should not have to suffer harassment by employers and/or managers and department directors.
I am sympathetic to employers. They have had our share of challenges during the recession and have been placed in position in which they had to make unpopular decisions to keep heads above water. Unless you live under a rock, you have heard almost consistently since early 2008 that many companies have cut down the staff since it is the biggest expense of any organization. Naturally, some employers have taken the opportunity to get rid of some trouble employees. Let’s be honest, the opportunity to do some house cleaning with minimal consequences due to the recession is too good for employers to pass on; It is an employer’s dream come true.
Still, employers have gone too far in implementing new policies and forcing employees to complete the work that three or fours individuals used to do. They are required to punch out on time; hence: punch out and come back to complete the tasks. Many employees have accepted a pay cut even though the workload increased. The take it or leave attitude has become a popular trend. A couple of weeks ago, a friend called me after an emergency meeting at his work place. He was called into the administrative offices along with a few other nurses, and they were told to BRING IN more patients into the facilities or else. Unheard of! Now nurses, who are care givers, are being asked to become recruiters. Where do employers draw the lines?
Most states have run out of unemployment benefits. Valid claims have been rejected and I have told every one of my friends who’s contacted me to do what is asked of them as long as it does not violate their religious beliefs and values for now and also to keep organized records. The recession will end and things will be back to normal. Employers should be very careful. They are losing talents and soon they are going to pay the price of getting them back. Some organizations may never recover. Most employees will not come back and they will have the last laugh.
To employees: keep on working hard. Give your 100%, acquire new skills, perfect your current skills and wait patiently for your opportunity to shy. Now is the time to be loyal and to keep on holding on to your work ethics. Now is not the time to drop the ball.
To employers: the economy sucks and revenues are low, you can navigate through the recession without having to lose talents. Move strategically by making sure you don’t spent the next twenty years dealing with litigation. Treat people with respect and they will do right by you. Good luck!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Background Check
Know your Rights
Most people wonder about the reasons for a background check. Well, it is a way to confirm first of all, the dates of employments with previous employers, if the new hire gives permission to speak with previous employers. A background check is also a way to confirm education, criminal and driving record and some cases, depending on the nature of the position hired for, it is a way to confirm their credit history.
A background check must be in conjunction with the law. remember that employers should not run a check based on religious belief, origin, age and any other criteria that would indicate illegal discrimination and the law required that the person who is being investigated to be notified. If the employer’s investigators turn any confusing information, the fair or legal thing to do would be to discuss the discovery with the new hire and give him or her opportunity to shed some lights on the issues.
Applicants fail to realize that employers do thorough background check. If you are going through a job hunt, you need to get a copy of credit report and you must run a background check yourself and retain a copy. You need to know what kind of information your potential employer will see in order to make corrections in case of discrepancies. You need to be prepared.
There are a number of screening options available:
1) Employment history
2) Personality traits
3) Educational background and verification
4) Credit history
5) Criminal records check
6) Driving record
7) Social security verification
A background check is not limited to name and address. An employer may choose to use one or all screening options.
Most people wonder about the reasons for a background check. Well, it is a way to confirm first of all, the dates of employments with previous employers, if the new hire gives permission to speak with previous employers. A background check is also a way to confirm education, criminal and driving record and some cases, depending on the nature of the position hired for, it is a way to confirm their credit history.
A background check must be in conjunction with the law. remember that employers should not run a check based on religious belief, origin, age and any other criteria that would indicate illegal discrimination and the law required that the person who is being investigated to be notified. If the employer’s investigators turn any confusing information, the fair or legal thing to do would be to discuss the discovery with the new hire and give him or her opportunity to shed some lights on the issues.
Applicants fail to realize that employers do thorough background check. If you are going through a job hunt, you need to get a copy of credit report and you must run a background check yourself and retain a copy. You need to know what kind of information your potential employer will see in order to make corrections in case of discrepancies. You need to be prepared.
There are a number of screening options available:
1) Employment history
2) Personality traits
3) Educational background and verification
4) Credit history
5) Criminal records check
6) Driving record
7) Social security verification
A background check is not limited to name and address. An employer may choose to use one or all screening options.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Job Description
The job description is a written record that defines the duties of each task. It contains a description of the tasks. The descriptions should also include the various task requirements such as physical activities, working condition and safety and health. It also indicates the approximate amount of time that employees spend on each activity. The job description focuses on the “what, Why and where and how” tasks owe to be performed.
It should also specify in details the qualities, knowledge, skills and abilities and individual should posses to perform a task satisfactorily. The job description measures how well an applicant matches the job opening.
Due to its importance, the job description should be reviewed and updated periodically.
It should also specify in details the qualities, knowledge, skills and abilities and individual should posses to perform a task satisfactorily. The job description measures how well an applicant matches the job opening.
Due to its importance, the job description should be reviewed and updated periodically.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Getting the Job
Can you get a job in this economy? The unemployment numbers have been on a steady rise for the past couple of years; similarly, there have been an incredible enrollment increase in colleges and universities around the country. What are those graduates going to do? Many claim that they are preparing for the future and others are willing to move thousands of miles away in pursuit of the right opportunity.
Do you really have to move away to get a job? Even in this economy, people get hired on a daily basis. What are they doing right? What do they know that others don’t? A college degree used to offer an edge over the competition, bur nowadays, there are millions of college grads without a job, and even those with postgraduate degrees are struggling. So you have got the degree (s) and years of experience in your chosen field, what can you do to stand out in this fierce competition? Take the time to finally do so community service. Go to your local chamber or commerce and/or city Hall and offer your help. Your job search can be emotionally draining. Don’t spend all of your time looking for job when you can actually be working. Community service can be as little as one hour a day or couple of hours a week. New graduates are eager to get in the corporate world and they forget to give back to society. As a human resource manager, it baffles me when a candidate, fresh out of college, who never works a day as an adult, is trying to get a highly complex job. Education is important, but community service is impressive. When selecting those candidates worth interviewing human resource managers gravitate toward those who have taken the time to help their communities. I urge my students to spend at least one hour weekly in community service. It is just too bad that out society sees customers service as a punishment. In fact, our court system often sentenced people to community service.
When questioned about volunteering, candidates complain a bout not knowing where to go. You can go to any hospital and nursing home. There are people “dying” for companionship and or conversation. Many have not seen their family for years. You can read to them or you can do nothing. They look forward to it. You can volunteer at a children hospital. There are children who are abandoned by their parents. They are terminally ill but they need love as well. You play with then or teach them a skill for a few minutes. There is always an opportunity to help, you just have to find it. If you want to stand out in a crowd and dazzle your next interviewer, add a valid list of community service. Good luck!
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