Archive for April, 2008
April 30th, 2008
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.
April 28th, 2008
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!
April 25th, 2008
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.
April 23rd, 2008
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.
April 21st, 2008
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.
April 16th, 2008
Do you work in a multi-generational environment? Do you have any tips on how to make the different generations work well together?
Share your stories, both good and bad, about how you communicate with your co-workers!!
April 14th, 2008
Nowadays, the workplace is not only culturally diverse, but there is diversity according to age as well! It is amazing to think that America’s workforce is made up of a wide spectrum of many different age groups- sometimes with three generations of workers!
Being able to communicate with and motivate each generation becomes the next hurdle for companies to jump over. Sometimes having a multi-generation work environment can lead to issues with miscommunication, but it can also be a window of opportunity for positive growth.
Each generation grew up with a certain set of moral and ethical values, which are brought out during the daily grind. As long as management keeps everyone working on the same page, companies will be able create a productive work environment, and ensure that each generational group is challenged with their daily tasks.
At the end of each day, we need to keep in mind, regardless of age, we are all on the same team, and we all need to work towards the goal of optimizing the success of each individual company!
April 11th, 2008
Dating in the workplace can be a controversial topic. Should you, shouldn’t you? Some things to take into consideration are:
1) How closely do I work with this person? If things don’t work out between us, will I have to continue to work side by side this person? This can create an uncomfortable situation for both individuals. If a break-up could lead to such an uncomfortable environment where one would consider changing jobs, it probably isn’t worth the risk.
2) Is one of the individuals in a direct management role? If so, other co-workers may view this as showing favoritism. If the relationship didn’t work out in this situation, it would certainly create an uncomfortable work environment for both parties. Both instances could create an unhealthy work environment for not only the two involved in a relationship, but for everybody involved.
3) Is the relationship distracting both individuals from doing their job? Are there too many emails going back and forth? Is there too much discussion about life away from work while at work? Both need to be able to stay focused on the job they are being paid to do and leave their personal lives at the door.
I believe that dating in the workplace can be a risk. It is an individual’s choice to weigh all the pros and cons and make a decision about how to move forward from that point. While there are certainly situations where it may not be in your best interest to date a co-worker, if the situation is right, feel free to give it a shot.
Share with us your feelings about dating at the workplace!
April 9th, 2008
When going to an interview, you want to make sure you are dressed appropriately and professionally. This helps to form a good first impression.
Here are a few simple guidelines to follow when dressing for an interview:
Women
- Solid colors are best – navy, black, grey
- Conservative Suits
- Well-Groomed – professional hairstyle and clean nails
- Moderate Shoes
- Limit the Jewelry
- Less is more – make up and perfume should be light
- Neutral pantyhose if wearing a skirt
- Bring Portfolio or briefcase
Men
- Solid Colors – navy, black, grey
- Professional Suit
- Long Sleeve Shirt
- Conservative Tie
- Dark socks, professional shoes
- Well Groomed – professional hairstyle and trimmed nails
- Less is more – after shave & cologne should be light
- Bring Portfolio or briefcase
What NOT to bring
- Gum, candy, soda, etc…
- Cell Phone (or other electronic devices)
- Cover tattoos
- Remove any visible piercings
Remember to prepare your clothes the night before, polish your shoes, and be confident!
April 7th, 2008
Profanity, foul language, cursing, cussing, swearing. Whatever you call it- does it belong in the workplace?
Most, if not all would say NO WAY. Have we all made the slip during a moment of frustration during the workday? Most would say YES.
We all hope no one heard us say it, but often times it is acknowledged by a co-worker, customer, or supervisor. People have a varied tolerance for this type of behavior, but plain and simple, it can be perceived as unprofessional, vulgar, inappropriate, immoral, unacceptable, and even illegal.
Is swearing is illegal? Not in general, but the perception of whatever is said can lead to greater damage if it is not kept under control. It can lead to discrimination, perpetuate negative workplace environments, and make some people so uncomfortable that they dread being with or around the offender. How does one handle themselves with a repeat offender? When the joke of the “swear jar” has collected enough money to buy a new car, what does one do to suppress the habits of a “curser” in the workplace? Even better, when the curser is a supervisor or manager, one that should be in place to inspire, or a key customer that pays the bills- how does one stand up and let their right for clean-mouthed colleagues be heard?
Share your stories, tricks, and gimmicks to thwart this behavior. Remember, keep it clean!
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