HRCleanUp

Mike Smith's Job Hunt

I thought I might help MIke out, through my blog, and see if I get him on the road to a new job.  We all know how hard job searching is especially when we're good at a lot of things and not quite sure what we want to do next.  I'm a huge advocate of exploration--God knows I've done my fair share--but there are some methodologies that seem to work better than others.

First, our friend Mike isn't really interested in EVERY job out there.  There are bound to be some that he knows he isn't going to want to do.  Let's create this list so we don't waste any time in those areas.  Second, is relocation an option?  If not, let's not bother.  No intention of moving to Nebraska no matter how good the job is--then don't even consider Nebraska. Third, are there some general interest areas?  If so, let's start exploring them.

I worked with a job seeker who thought he wanted to do programming within the Microsoft Sharepoint platform.  He was very determined and convinced that was his future.  Then I asked two key questions:

1. Have you ever spoken to a Sharepoint developer?
2. Have you ever researched what type of education you need to be a Sharepoint developer?

The answer to both questions was "no".  And now we have a starting spot.

So, Mike, start talking to people, in person, and find out about interesting jobs at interesting companies.  You'll be buying a lot of coffee so fill up your Starbucks card.  Ask people about their jobs and let them talk.  Most people love to talk about themselves and rarely have the opportunity to tell you about their work.  When there is passion, you'll know it.  When the work, company, or the person gets you going on the inside you'll start to narrow your list even further.

Mike Smith's Job Hunt

I recently received this email:

Sent: Friday, October 2, 2009 2:52:59 PM

Subject:  Mike Smith's job hunt

Hi Everyone, Mike is looking to make a change in his career and is open to all sorts of opportunities. If you hear of or know of something that might be worth him exploring please let us know! He is currently applying for lots of different jobs and posting his resume on a number of websites. Also, he is planning on starting a part time MBA program with a concentration in Marketing this January. He is incredibly smart, personable and hardworking. He could learn to do anything very quickly. No pressure- just thought I would get the word out in case someone has an idea for him. I am attaching his resume here. Thanks in advance for any leads,

Sincerely

Mike's Wife

PS I got many of your email addresses from facebook :)

Here are my thoughts....

1. Can't Mike conduct his own job search?
2. Doesn't Mike have some idea of what he might like to do?
3. Hey, how about starting with some networking first...
4. Am I supposed to search Monster for his next position and let you know what I find?
5. How exciting about the MBA.  Will he be leaving the job I recommended him for as soon as it is done?
6. Really?

Check out my site www.CareerDoctor911.com and take control of YOUR OWN career search.

To Hyatt or Not to Hyatt

 
That is the question here in Boston.  So, let me tell you a story.  The Hyatt Hotel in its attempt to, I'm sure, save money recently outsourced all of its housekeeping staff.  But that isn't really the story here.  I am all for outsourcing when it makes sense but I'm more familiar with white collar outsourcing than I am with blue collar outsourcing.  This was downright mean outsourcing.

Click here if you want more details

In any event, the management of the hotels told the housekeepers that they were training new workers to fill in for vacations and to reduce overtime.  The staff, of course, was more than happy to train the relief workers and they understood that there would be less overtime.

Then, the hotel fired all of the housekeepers.  Some with over 22 years of tenure.  They had dutifully trained their replacements.  The Hyatt leadership team thought this was a great idea.  Well, it didn't please the Governor of Massachusetts, the Mayor of Boston, or the Cab Drivers.  Yep, all three threatened a boycott of the hotels. 

Yes!

They Hyatt responded.  They offered the housekeepers their jobs back with the new outsourcing company at their current wage and benefit level for one year.  Then, of course, their jobs would be eliminated and the new lower paid, crappy benefits team would rule the school.

And the Hyatt was surprised when many of the housekeepers didn't take the deal.  Why?  Hmmm, it is like a slow death--just waiting for the clock to count down the days until they are finished.  Many other hotels in town were more than happy to pick up the talent.  In fact, the Hyatt housekeepers, fully trained in working in a full service business class hotel were happy to put themselves to work at the Marriott, Hilton, Westin, and the new uber hip W.

I reflect on Ted Kennedy Jr.'s speech at his father's funeral mass.  When young Ted queried his father about why he left money for the maid when she already gets paid his father reflected back to him "Teddy, making beds all day long is back breaking work.  This woman has a family to feed and life isn't easy" (I'm sure I've butchered the quote but you get the idea).  If you want to hear the eulogy.

I think Ted Kennedy said all that needed to be said.

35,000 Feet

I'm experiencing Virgin America airlines for the first time.  And, I'm posting this in-flight on my way to San Francisco.  It is about time wi-fi hit the air.  Talk about a great improvement for productivity and entertainment.  My laptop is plugged into a real outlet.  I've ordered a cocktail from my in-flight monitor that is at eye level in my coach seat.  I couldn't be happier.

Here are my observations:

1. The crew actually seems to enjoy their job.  American can take a lesson from VA.
2. When we were boarding, by group number, a woman who was clearly not a frequent flier was confused and looked like she just needed to get on the plane.  So, when she asked what group she was a part of the gate agent said "why don't you board now?, sure it's ok)".
3. I can't help but think that when 40 people order drinks and snacks and pay for them that it doesn't help supplement revenue.
4. Everything is accessible--including the way the counters are set-up (low) and the technology is friendly.
5. Finally, the plane is clean.    

So, let's all hope that they keep it up.  Seems like a great airline.  I'd even put my parents on it.

And everyone else, please get wi-fi.  Thanks.

Bullies in the Workplace

I was watching the Today Show this morning and they ran a segment on the problem of bullying in the workplace.  I think all of us have dealt with a workplace bully.  In fact, the problem is so bad that one in eight of us have been bullied.  There is even an organization dedicated to bullying!

You know the person...

• The manager who berates their team or specific member of their team in public or in private
• The manager's people are afraid to approach them because they might "blow up"
• The employee who keeps secrets or "forgets" to share important information with others who need it

I'm sure that the list above is just a start.  In my experience, the bullying manager seems to win out over the bullied employee.  Most employees just quietly leave the organization...deflated, exhausted, and with a bruised ego.   In fact, many organizations actually reward bullying behavior with comments like "they get things done!", "Look at how aggressively they manage!", "I can always count on them to get the message across!".

Have you been rewarding bullying behavior?  As HR professionals, it is our job to protect the organization from itself and to prevent behaviors that prevent the successful accomplishment of the organizational mission.  When is the last time you reviewed exit data and mapped it back to the manager?  Are there things that are occurring that should't be?

Of course, the easiest way to prevent bullying is to not hire bullies in the first place.  I recommend using pre-employment assessment along along with targeted behavior based interview questions to help sift out potential bullies. 

Have you been bullied?  Would you like to share your story?  Feel free to comment!

The World is Flat & Summer Session I

After 24 days of clouds, rain, fog, and humidity, the sun is finally out.  It is about time.  I just wrapped up Summer Session 1 at Suffolk University where I teach Virtual Human Resources.  We teach it in a classroom but that is a different post altogether.  This year, instead of a final exam, they wrote a final paper...on Thomas Friedman's book The World is Flat.

The insights that many of them conveyed in their papers were excellent and I was most pleased with how they compared what went on their lives and how it has impacted them personally and how it continues to impact the Human Resources profession.

Think about it, in the same classroom, there are people who have never worked professionally without the internet while another group, like me, remembers sending that first email and thinking..."this is great...I won't have to Fax anymore".  The technology convergence that has happened over the past ten years has been nothing less than amazing.  It thrills me to see HR professionals thinking globally and acting locally. 

One interesting tid-bid...within my class I had two student's that are from India and neither of them talked about personal experience or how India has transformed in the Flat World.  They took the book and really came at it from an American perspective.  Not good or bad but interesting nonetheless.

I realize it has been a while since I've posted.  Gray skies, blah economy, etc, etc, etc.  However, the sun is out.  Things seem to be picking up.  Let's get back at this.

Client Success

I've recently had a string of client success stories and they have been in a variety of things and they are all different.  As I think about my career, one of the things that I like best is the variety of activities that take on each day.  This week, for instance, I had a client call me for advice on a possible new hire.  She wasn't a good fit and the client was struggling with exiting her from the process.  Another client had a great success using a 360 assessment to change a managers behavior.  My heart sang!  Finally, a Boston Business Journal asked me my opinion on the temporary labor pool (good news, temp requests are up--a bellwether for future employment!)

I realize it has been a while since you've heard from me.  Let me know what I've missed while I've been gone.  I'd love to hear from you.

Time to Dumb it Down?

Sunday's Boston Globe ran an article by Michelle Singletary titled "In time of record unemployment, being highly qualified may be a drawback".  Ms. Singletary, who has clearly never been un or under employed, gives desperate job seekers "advice".  Her advice, dumb it down.  You know, take that master's degree off and be "open" to a lower salary with a reduced set of responsibilities.

You know, take a position that won't keep you fully engaged.  Hide your hard-earned master's degree, and become the person you used to manage.

A recipe for disaster.  I've never met someone who took a job making less that was happy.  Even Kathy Lee Gifford complains on the Today Show that she doesn't make what she used to make on Regis and Kathy Lee.  She actually complains about it on the air.

I work in a business that strives to help organizations put people into jobs that they fit--intellectually, behavior wise, and in terms of their personal interests.  Ms. Singletary's ideas go a long way in setting unrealistic expectations.  She goes with the "tough times require you to dumb it down" and I couldn't disagree more.  Tough times require creative thinking, amazing amounts of energy, and patience.  And that doesn't mean that you need to wait forever.  Interim "dumbed down" employment can be a lifesaver--but not a life plan.

What do I recommend?  I recommend that you create a resume you are proud of.  One that makes you proud of what you've done and one that highlights what you are good at.  Never dumb it down.  You are a valuable person filled with amazing ideas, ideals, and a goal to make a difference.  And, if you are forced to take a job that you are overqualified for, think of it as "for now", do your best every single day, and continue to network and pursue the job of your dreams.

Now, that's not dumb at all, is it?

It's Tuesday

What are you going to do today, right now, that will make a difference for your company?  How can you put your personal brand to use to drive revenue and profit?  If you think your boss, or your bosses boss, aren't thinking about this...you are wrong.

As HR professionals, it is so important for all of us to have a solid handle on the business--what is going on the economy, with our competition, with our suppliers, and with our buyers.  So often we get bogged down in the day-t0-day that we forget to lift our heads and scan the horizon for the bigger picture.

If you don't know your current state of affairs, take a half hour and find out.  Have you ever read the Hoovers.com report on your own company?  If you haven't, that is a great place to start!

Friday Fun Facts

COBRA COVERAGE

Percentage of employees reporting level of difficulty paying for COBRA coverage if they lost their job 2008:

• 64%, Very difficult
• 24%, Somewhat difficult
• 6%, Not too difficult
• 4%, Not difficult
• 2%, Don't know/refused

Source:  Kaiser Family Foundation