This blog is currently undergoing a major overhaul, which I expect will be completed in the next few weeks. The overhaul should make this site much easier to use. Please pardon my dust as I work to make this blog better. The blog will continue to be updated during this time. Thanks. ... << MORE >>

Worth and value of a college degree. ROI. Education. School. Degree.<< MORE >>

This person had a novel approach to the "email snub" after having interviewed with a company, and after having completed an assignment for them as part of the interview process. It's quite novel. As an HR professional and as a coach, I find the behavior of most companies to be not up to snuff. I'm not sure going this far was such a great idea; it could backfire as this person becomes known, and it certainly burned bridges at this particular organization. What say you?

No Follow-up After the Interview?
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So, what’s important when thinking about your resume and a career change? Job Search, Resume, Coaching.<< MORE >>

This is a very interesting article about how you can be blacklisted for seemingly insignificant (or significant) slights during your job search. It's an incredible read, and worth the time.

Blacklisted During Your Job Search

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Below are selected numbers from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics for Q4 of 2009. What do you think of these numbers? Too high? Too low?

Q4 2009 Unemployment Rates for Select Administrative Positions (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Administrative services managers: 3.5%

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Microsoft has come out (with their consultants) with a study about online reputations and the behavior associated by people - users, recruiters, hiring managers, etc. It's rather insightful. What do you think of it?

Online Reputation Matters

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According to ExecuNet, executive recruiting is trending upward:

Executive Recruiting Trending Upward?

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Your job search could be the most stressful time of your life (and for many, it's not the first time, unfortunately). It's so important to keep your groove on while searching for your next opportunity. It's very easy to become discouraged, lack focus, lose passion, and to just give up. But, you don't have to. Below are actions that you can take to keep your job search in high gear:

• Get to know your buddies. Well. It's easy to commiserate and to get negative. The key to getting to know your buddies is to find buddies ...<< MORE >>

As a fairly new convert to the Twitter nation (having had an account for a really long time, but not really using it), I am convinced that using Twitter to find a job can be invaluable, free, fast, and efficient. This is borne out in this NY Times article: http://tinyurl.com/yztzbum

What do you think? How have you used Twitter to post or to find a job? What success have you had? ... << MORE >>

Today's job market is fraught with peril. Labor is generally the largest expense for any organization, so as times get though, organizations often reduce labor costs firsts. Typically, these are layoffs or allowing positions to remain unfilled. In more recent months, organizations, realizing that they could lose great talent that they will need when the economy rebounds, have offered options like furloughs or flexible (reduced hour) schedules.

When layoffs strike, fear is likely to rear its head. This is not the time to become complacent or to let the fear paralyze you; ... << MORE >>

Today there is a lot of buzz in the Southern California human resources community about Starbucks and the treatment of this 16 year old barista who was allegedly sexually harassed. The buzz comes from an ABC 20/20 program, http://abcnews.go.com/2020/ that aired last Friday, January 22, 2010, entitled "Teens Exploited at Work". Other companies are mentioned as well. What I think has the HR community in SoCal up in arms is the answers that the VP of HR gave during a deposition; those answers make all in the HR world look very bad and it's surprising that someone like ...<< MORE >>

human resources complaints off of the record ... << MORE >>

22 companies hiring<< MORE >>

What Do Career Coaches Do?

This article will link you to a brief description of what Career Coaches do. Of course, please let me know if you have any questions. ... ... << MORE >>

On Friday, January 22, 2010, the Los Angeles Times published an article that detailed the current unemployment rate in California. It's well over 12%. There are states with worse rates, but not many. Many believe that the actual unemployment rate in California, when looked at along with underemployment, and those who have given up, is more likely around 19+%. In the City of Los Angeles, I would venture, anecdotally, that the rate is around 14%. These numbers do not bode well for an economic recovery: roughly 50% of the United States' GDP is based on consumer spending; if ... ... << MORE >>

By now, we all know about the tragedy in Haiti and the hundreds of thousands of lives that will never be the same as the result of the devastating earthquake that hit just about one week ago. It's heart wrenching to see the news reports of the utter cahos, devastation, and misery that those affected are suffering. Why is this on a career and human resources oriented blog? Because there is an overriding principle that we can apply to our own searches and lives that relates: as bad as it may seem or as bad as we think ... << MORE >>

Attitude is everything in a job search, according to Gary Kaplan of Gary Kaplan & Associates. << MORE >>

This is an excellent article about major pitfalls in succession planning. What do you think? What does your organization do?

Helium ...<< MORE >>

This is an excellent article about the value on effective on boarding programs, especially with Millennial employees.

Human Resource Executive Online ... << MORE >>

This is an excellent article by the Wall Street Journal about seemingly minor mistakes that job seekers often make and that can be easily avoided. What do you think of the article?

Wall Street Journal Article ... << MORE >>

As we move into the middle of the first week back at work for most folks, let’s look at what’s necessary to land a position – the basics:

 

·       Know your target.   A scattershot approach will never work. Evaluate what ...

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 As the economy slowly begins to improve, more positions will become available.  One of the key processes in any hiring process is the reference check.   This process can make or break your candidacy for a position.   Key points to consider:

 

 

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The same set of standards apply to both groups. This is the time of year to evaluate or re-evaluate where you are and where you want to be. As the economy continues to struggle, it is especially important now to get a bearing on where you are in your career.

 

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http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2009/12/30/do-a-year-end-review-of-your-career.html ... << MORE >>

The Use of Email Address When Looking for Job

 

First off, anyone who has read my young blog for any amount of time knows that I don’t think anyone should look for a job; people should look for a career (even if it’s the second or third one!!).   A “job” is so “ho hum”.   If you have to pay bills, of course, ...

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Landing a Career in a Tough Economy

 

Today’s job market is unlike any job market since the Great Depression. With off shoring, outsourcing, economic uncertainty, the prospect of deflation in many sectors of the economy, finding a position, much less a career, is a huge challenge in today’s world.   Saying so is an understatement, to say the least.  

 

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Another great article for job searching during the holidays:  http://humanresources.about.com/cs/jobopportunities/qt/holidayjobs.htm ... << MORE >>

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2009/12/09/10-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays-jobless.html This is an excellent article and a good read for all. ... << MORE >>

Using Social Networking to Land Your Next Gig

 

Over the last several years, there has been a proliferation of social networking technologies and platforms. Some have morphed into more “social” than “networking”; however, you never know where your next lead will come from, so it pays to be open about all of the platforms.  One (of many) key rules about social networking: if you play to “get”, you ...

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Last week, some economists came out and said that in order for the US to successfully compete globally, US wages would have to stagnate, or even drop. This is not the path that most people take when
they begin a career or even change careers: people expect to earn more as they gain more experience and knowledge. Yet, these economists suggest that such a path may no longer be a feasible one. What
do you think? How might this impact our economy overall if people have become accustomed to a wage standard that may no longer exist? How ... << MORE >>

Now that it appears that Healthcare reform in some form will likley become law, how do you see this affecting corporate benefits? Individual plans? High cost, employer provided plans (given the proposed tax on high cost plans)? ...<< MORE >>

Now that we seem to be in a hard political push for nationalized health care, how do human resource professionals feel about this relative to what their own organizations currently offer and how this may change? Is private insurance a good option to keep? If so, can it compete with a national plan? Is putting everyone into Medicare the answer? ...<< MORE >>

Please visit Michael Trust & Associates and click on the "career resources" tab. Thanks. ...<< MORE >>

I primarily work in California, which is a highly regulated state when it comes to HR. I often wondered if HR professionals should be licensed  in order to practice in CA. If we think about it, people like cosmetologists, barbers, real estate professionals (of which I used to be!), etc. are all licensed, and while their roles are all important, doesn't HR at least rise to that level, if not exceed that level, of knowledge, and risk? If so, shouldn't HR people be licensed? Interested in thoughts. Thanks.
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union union avoidance EFCA employee free choice act<< MORE >>

lilly ledbetter wage hour gender discrimination<< MORE >>

Given the recent 9th Circuit ruling in Swift v. Realty Executives Nevada’s Choice, Brokers must now be more cognizant of employment laws and regulations. While this case dealt specifically with a Title VII Sexual Harassment claim, the Court found for this purpose that the independent contractor was in fact the equivalent to an employee. Employees are subject to all employment laws. In California, such laws would include disability discrimination, potential wage and hour claims, harassment claims, marital, familial, sexual orientation, and other "protected statuses or 'perceived statuses'", Injury and Illness Prevention Plans (because CA law already requires brokers ...<< MORE >>

Welcome to my new new blog about Human Resources. I'm based in California and am starting a human resources consultancy - a service provided "live" or virtually. I'm looking forward to meeting other HR professionals, as well as those who need HR assistance. Blog away!! I look forward to your posts. ...<< MORE >>