Pain at the pump!

Add comment May 12th, 2008 07:46am Ashley Allen

The rising gas prices are now starting to change the every day routine of our lives.  We are having to change our summer vacation plans, spend less on eating out, drive only when absolutely necessary, carpool to work, buy more fuel efficient vehicles, and maybe even move closer to work.  

How are the gas prices affecting your lifestyle?

How far are you willing to travel to work?

2 comments May 9th, 2008 08:14am Brent Swanson

Employers beware! 

“How far are you willing to travel to work?”  I don’t leave an interview without asking this question.  It also happens to be a question that I already know the answer to before I ask it.  The consensus is that if an employee has a similar opportunity closer to home, the cost of gas prices is making it easier for people to shed their loyalties and jump ship for a shorter commute. 

As an employer, it is in your best interest to take a look at your staff and determine who might be a likely candidate to make such a move.  If you value that employee, it might be a good idea to sit down and discuss different options for that employee that would help offset their cost of traveling to work.  If you don’t, you may find yourself beginning a search for their replacement. 

Odds are, you’ll be asking the question, “How far are you willing to travel to work?”

The interview’s over…now what?

Add comment May 7th, 2008 08:44am Ashley Allen

Once you are past the first interview, how long do you wait before you contact the employer?  Waiting for their response is a very difficult part of the interview process.  Here are the best tips for waiting….. 

Keep in touch – Don’t call every day, but do show that you are interested and touch base to stay at the top of the employer’s list. 

Continue to Search – You want to have options, so keep looking for other positions. If you have other offers, you have room to negotiate and can decide the best option for you. 

Keep the communication open – Let the employers know if you have other offers, or if you are not really interested- you don’t want to waste your time or theirs.  Sometimes communicating your interests openly can speed up the hiring process. 

Don’t give up! – The employment world is tough, and maybe you have been counting on a position, and it falls through. The best thing to do is realize that you have created great networking through the people you interviewed with, and you have built a good relationship with that company for future opportunities.   

The biggest thing to remember is to STAY POSITIVE! It’s easier said than done, but it is the only way to stay on top.  Here is a quote to live by:  “It is not the number of times you get knocked down that make the difference, it is the number of times that you dust yourself off and get back up that really matters!”

Thanks, but no thanks

Add comment May 5th, 2008 11:26am Jeanine Randoph-Tagala

Most employers respect that making the best choice for your family and your career is a process, and they want to be as accommodating as possible. If you decide not to accept a position, do so in a professional manner and be clear as to why it is not a good fit. There might be something that is uncovered that can be resolved. If not, at least you have laid it out on the table.

Never burn a bridge. You never know how that can haunt you in your professional future. 

Job offers and salary concerns

Add comment May 2nd, 2008 09:42am Jeanine Randoph-Tagala

Are you hesitating because you have salary or benefit concerns?  Ask up front if there would be a sign on bonus or additional compensation for relocation. You won’t know unless you ask, and an employer is more likely to find a solution that would be beneficial if you inquire professionally and timely. Your employer is counting on your decision to plan their business needs.

Job Offers- How long to wait?

Add comment April 30th, 2008 12:26pm Jeanine Randoph-Tagala

If you are fortunate in this employment market to score an offer and you are not sure it is the job you want, some decisions need to be made and quickly. 

First and foremost, find out the timeline in which an offer will expire. Employers are eager to know your decision and the more time that passes the more the will questions weather you are really committed to them. Leaving them hanging or not returning calls is a sure fire way to lose the excitement and respect of a future manager.  

So what is a reasonable amount of time for a decision one may ask?  Depending on the level of the position and circumstances, a few days to a week is reasonable. If relocation is part of the equation, employers should be more patient and allow up to a week for an answer. 

Age Discrimination

Add comment April 28th, 2008 12:11pm Ashley Allen

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies to people as young as 40, and this act prohibits hiring, firing, promotions, or pay to be determined based on age.  With the current workforce living longer, there are many people who continue to work into their older years. 

Companies need to realize that no matter what age, ethnic background, or gender you may be, everyone deserves an equal opportunity for employment.  Promotions, pay, hiring, and firing should be considered based on qualifications, not age, and no one should ever feel discriminated against whether they are 18 or 65.  

On the other hand, people need to understand that companies aren’t always making decisions based on age- they often base decisions on the best interest for their company and their bottom line.  

In regards to retirement, if you have the luxury to be able to retire, why not? Life is short, and you should enjoy it.  Don’t work yourself to the grave- retire and do something you enjoy!

Age Bias

Add comment April 25th, 2008 08:32am Ashley Allen

What are you going to do when it comes to retiring?  What if you don’t want to retire?  Did you ever feel discriminated against because you were too old, or not old enough?  Is it right for a company to demand a mandatory retirement? 

These are questions that are becoming more and more relevant with people staying in the workforce longer.  Nowadays, there are numerous people working past the age of 65, which used to be the age you anxiously awaited for since the moment you started working.  With the economy in the state it is in, some people may not even have a choice, but others just don’t know what else to do with themselves.  The only thing they have ever done is work.

Pulling a job offer

Add comment April 23rd, 2008 09:33am Brent Swanson

Pulling a job offer is one of the more unprofessional moves an employer can make (job seekers pull unprofessional moves as well, but that’s a topic for another day).  Changing jobs is one of the top three most stressful events in one’s life (the others are death of a loved one and divorce).  When an employer commits to making a job offer, that offer should stand until the position is either accepted or declined, or until a deadline for an answer has come and gone. 

Too many times within staffing I have had to make a call to a candidate letting them know that the job offer has been pulled by our client.  Try making that call after the candidate has quit their job in preparation to start their alleged new job.  Not fun.  And, not right either. 

That said, I think there are circumstances where pulling a job offer is justified:  missing pre-employment appts/orientations to fill out paperwork, candidates taking too much time to make a decision, etc.  These are actions brought on by the candidate that may raise some question marks for the company.  

In general, when a job offer is made, an employer should give a deadline as to when they are looking for an answer.  If the candidate’s decision is to accept the job offer, it is important to get a signed contract stating the wage agreed upon and start date prior to giving notice to your current employer. 

How to handle constructive criticism

Add comment April 21st, 2008 10:56am Ashley Allen

When receiving constructive criticism, one must remember that the criticism is being given to help improve the situation, and it is meant to be a positive learning experience.  Sometimes criticism does not feel so positive, so here are a few ways to avoid taking criticism so personally.

First, listen to the criticism.  Don’t get defensive- realize that everyone makes mistakes and there is always room for improvement.  If you keep an open mind, you will be able take the criticism and learn from it.

Next- consider is where the criticism is coming from.  The source needs to have the authority, knowledge, and experience to be giving you feedback.  If they give you general information, ask them to be specific and give examples.  This way, you are able to understand the criticism and make improvements.

Lastly, accept the criticism with a positive attitude.  Tell the person you appreciate what they had to say, and show that you are looking forward to furthering your development with the company.  Don’t let the negative feedback bring you down, let it go, just remember to use the information to become better.