(What questions would you like to see addressed in these Monday Morning staff meeting posts? Send us an email at: sharry@orcms.com)
Posted by Dr. Sean Harry
A reader recently sent us this question: “Any tips on recognizing job postings that are not real? Posting to make Co. look good seems to be popular these days…”
For those of you who are not familiar with this practice, sometimes companies post a position for which they already have a strong candidate “in the bag.” They are 90% certain of who they will hire, but they are under some obligation (internal or external) to post the opening to the wider public. It’s possible that some exemplary candidate will come along in the process and that they will choose to hire that person instead of the one they are leaning towards, but it’s not very likely.
We may think it’s not fair. It feels like a “bait and switch” or a waste of time, but who cares what we think? The job is the companies, not ours. They are free to hire anyone they see fit. People hire people they know and trust, so it only makes sense that they will go with their first choice most of the time.
The only way to determine if you are applying for one of these “phantom” job openings is Read the rest of this entry »
(What questions would you like to see addressed in these Monday Morning staff meeting posts? Send us an email at: sharry@orcms.com)
Posted by Dr. Sean Harry
Filling in the gaps – professional and personal development for job seekers.
At the beginning of your job search you have very likely been conducting an assessment of your skills, knowledge, and abilities. Assessment is about helping you determine what you are capable of and willing to do in your next position.
At this point you have, no doubt, found an area or two where you have some gaps. You may need an additional degree, or some specific training. Maybe a professional certification is in order. Well, before you shell out the big bucks to go back to school or enroll in a course of study, there are some important things you should know: Read the rest of this entry »
(What questions would you like to see addressed in these Monday Morning staff meeting posts? Send us an email at: sharry@orcms.com)
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Posted by Dr. Sean Harry
Who is to blame for the recession? Who will bring us out of it? Back in February Mike Neiss wrote a blog post for TomPeters.com in which he blamed my generation (the Baby Boomers) for the recession. That got me thinking…
Then there is this post about a man who turned his job loss into a new life. Very inspiring, and I must admit a bit scary for some of us!
For me, these two posts raise a deeper question about the recession, massive job losses, and the future of work in America. Every economic shift creates change in the way we live and work, but I believe this one is going to fundamentally Read the rest of this entry »
(Read more “Monday Staff Meeting” posts by Dr. Harry)
Posted by Dr. Sean Harry
The following question came from one of our readers. “Which job search engine works the best? I like indeed.com, and it looks like my monster search is not returning hardly anything. I was also wondering if ladders.com worth the fees that they charge for the job seekers.”
Great question! Here’s the truth about using Job Boards in the job search process:
First, you must remember that only about 4-6% of people find their jobs through the job boards. That’s because job boards are NOT set up for job seekers – they are set up for company recruiters. You are not the customer – the company is. They are the ones paying the bill to post a position. Job boards provide the “raw materials” to these companies – job seekers. YOU are the raw material. YOU are a commodity. YOU are the product. Job boards make their money by selling volume to companies who pay significant fees for a posting – anywhere from $400-$1,000 each. These things aren’t cheap. However, from the employer’s perspective, they are effective. Read the rest of this entry »
(Read more “Monday Staff Meeting” posts by Dr. Harry)
Posted by Dr. Sean Harry
One of our clients recently shared this networking story with us.
“Joe” found a job posting online that looked perfect for him. He checked his LinkedIn network and found that a former work colleague was working at that company so he reached out. Following good networking etiquette, Joe didn’t ask for help getting to the hiring manager or for any favors from his old friend. Joe simply called to re-ignite the relationship and to ask some questions about the company culture, how his friend liked working there, etc. Joe focused the conversation on what he could do to help his old friend. They talked for about 30 minutes. During that time Joe and his old friend caught up on work, family, their careers, and a variety of other topics. It felt good to reconnect.
After half an hour or so, Joe said, “Well, I better let you get back to work. That’s about all of the questions I have. I’d ask you more about the position I’m interested in applying for, but you probably don’t know much about it.”
Joe’s friend responded, “Actually, I know quite a lot about that position. I am the hiring manager.” Read the rest of this entry »
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