PRI Business Services, Inc. ~ Your Take, My Take...

Why Employers Use Social Media

suec — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:56:29 +0000

With all the buzz in the media recently about employers asking potential candidates for passwords to their personal social media sites, I had several candidates question why what they had posted on their personal space had to do with whether or not they should be hired or if they can do the job. I came across a recent CareerBuilder Survey that I thought provided some great insight as to why employers today are using social media sites in their hiring decisions.

With HR being overwhelmed with candidates seeking employment today, social media is just one more tool they use to qualify candidates to see if they are a good fit for not only the job but also the company culture. According to CareerBuilder, nearly 37% of companies today use social networking sites to research job candidates and 11% reported that while they do not currently use social media to screen but plan to start. Employers are primarily using Facebook (65%) and LinkedIn (63%) with 16% using Twitter.

What are the hiring managers looking for on social media?

When asked why they use social networks to conduct background research, hiring managers stated the following:

• To see if a candidate presents himself/herself professionally – 65%

• To see if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture – 51%

• To learn more about the candidate’s qualifications – 45%

• To see if the candidate is well rounded – 35%

• To look for reasons not to hire the candidate – 12%

Is social media helping or hurting job candidates?

According to the survey, one third of hiring managers said they found information that caused them not to hire a candidate everything from evidence of inappropriate behavior to information that contradicted their listed qualifications:

• Candidate posted provocative/inappropriate photos/info – 49%

• There was info about candidate drinking or using drugs – 45%

• Candidate had poor communication skills – 35%

• Candidate bad mouthed a previous employer – 33%

• Candidate made discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion, etc. – 28%

• Candidate lied about qualifications – 22%

While most employers use social media to screen for red flags, they also look for information that could give a job seeker an advantage. Three in ten hiring managers (29%) said they found something that caused them to hiring the candidate:

• Good feel for candidate’s personality – 58%

• Conveyed a professional image – 55%

• Background information supported professional qualifications – 54%

• Well rounded, showed a wide range of interests – 51%

• Great communication skills – 49%

• Candidate was creative – 44%

• Other people posted great references about the candidate – 34%

It is important then today to always be aware of what employers can learn about you online. Does your online profile present a professional image? Does it accurately verify information that you have listed on your resume/application? Do the posted communications and photos reflect what you would want a potential employer to know about you?

To read the full CareerBuilder article, visit: www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=pr691&sd=4%2F18%2F2012&ed=4%2F18%2F2099

Reference Checks – Part 2

suec — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:48:04 +0000

Last month I wrote about a candidate who had an Offer of Employment withdrawn due to a background check which to him came as a complete surprise. The position had financial management responsibilities and his own credit report showed that he had a difficult time managing his own money.

Background checks vary by company and the level of responsibility with the position. Some employers might only verify dates of employment. Others may not only check with former employers, but they may also check criminal records. Yet others may even go much further doing personal interviews with acquaintances and co-workers.

The internet also makes it easier for employers today to search databases containing millions of records of personal data. In the news this week we see there are employers requiring employees to give up their FaceBook accounts and passwords.

The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets national standards for reemployment screening, however, the law only applies to background checks performed by an outside company. The law does not apply in situations where the employer conducts background checks inhouse. State laws on background checks also vary. You may want to know your rights under your own state laws on background checks.

What kinds of records can be checked? Here are some pieces that could be included in the background check:

Education records verifying that you attended the school and if you graduated
Current and past employers
Driving records
Vehicle registration
Credit records
Criminal records
Workers compensation and some medical records
Bankruptcy
Military records
Property Ownership
Sex Offender lists

Before starting your job search, you may want to take the following steps to reduce your chances that you or your potential employer will be surprised by information found in your background check:

Order a copy of your credit report – if there is something you disagree with, dispute the information before you explain it in an interview
Check your court records – make sure the information is correct and up to date.
Check your DMV record, especially if your job involves traveling for your employer or driving.
Ask to see your personnel file from your current and any former employers
Google yourself – - check out what potential employers might see about you online.
Read the fine print carefully. Most employer’s job applications have a consent form if a background check will be conducted. Make sure you understand what you are consenting to if it is not clear.

Unfortunately, job seekers are in an awkward position since refusing to authorize a background check may jeopardize the chances of getting the job. The best way to avoid being put in this position is to take action before the reference is done and to discuss any issues with a potential employer in the interview process. Being honest and upfront is much better than having an employer catch you.

What will that next employer learn about you?

suec — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:08:12 +0000

I was working with a candidate who was telling me about this great opportunity that he was offered. He had been out of work for some time and was really looking forward to the chance to get back to work. Of course the offer was contingent upon both a drug screen and background check. The candidate waited anxiously for the company to call him with a start date. Needless to say he was shocked to get a letter in the mail from the company rescinding the offer due to the background check.

The candidate didn’t understand why until we dug into the situation further. As it turns out, the position had financial management responsibilities. In the past 10 years, this candidate had been taken to small claims court on numerous occasions for non-payment of bills and had filed for bankruptcy a number of years ago. While he claimed to have valid reasons, to the client it showed poor judgment, a lack of ethics and if the candidate could not manage his own money, how could he manage the company’s money properly? He also had lied on his application not admitting to the bankruptcy when asked.

Employers are more cautious today than ever when it comes to hiring a new employee. Negligent hiring lawsuits are on the rise. If an employee’s actions hurt someone, the employer may be liable. The threat of liability gives employers reason to be cautious in checking an applicant’s past. A bad hiring decision can also wreck havoc on a company’s budget and reputation as well as ruin the career of the hiring official.

Other current events have also increased employment screening. Child abuse or abductions have resulted in new laws in almost every state that require criminal background checks for anyone who works with children. This also includes volunteers who serve as coaches for youth sports and scout troop leaders. Some schools even require background checks on parents who volunteer at school or chaperone class trips. Criminal background checks might also be required for anyone who works with the elderly or disabled. Following 9/11, heightened security and identity verification have also increased employer screening activities.

Another reason is the false or inflated information supplied by job applicants. Some estimates show that 40+% of all job applications and resumes include some false or inflated facts. Such reports make employers wary of accepting anyone’s word at face values.

So what kinds of records are included in a background check? Stay turned for Part Two next month

Lost your job? Now what?

suec — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:28:38 +0000

We hear conflicting news stories about the current job market every day. Some reporters feel the economy is getting better and we see many clients that are hiring and yet in the past 24 hours, I have had two candidates reach out to me because they were given plant closing notices.

Losing your job is one of the most stressful events a person can face. Unemployment can mean dramatic changes for not only you but also for your entire family. So how do you get by between jobs? Well, here are a few tips:

Employment changes require immediate spending changes. Make a spending plan so you can pay bills when they are due to avoid late fees.
Talk openly with your entire family about your financial situation – - including children. Be optimistic but honest about money.
Reduce expenses – consider your “needs” verses “wants” - that might mean brown bagging it for lunches or eating out less. Even fast food or that specialty coffee drink can add up quickly
Consider ways to increase your income – take a part-time or temporary job outside of your field. Even low wage jobs can help tide you over. Consider working an off shift which will still allow you to search for a job full time.
Restrict using credit to emergencies only such as a car repair or a medical emergency
Make sure you have health care coverage, especially if you have children. A medical emergency can be devastating to your long-term financial picture. While COBRA might be too expensive, contact insurance agencies for low-cost options to cover major medical expenses.
If you think you may not be able to make payments to creditors, call and talk to them. You should be having these conversations before you fall behind. They would much rather set up a payment plan that you can follow than to not receive any payment.
Consider selling any assets you may have, especially if you can pay off debt or reduce expenses.
Find out what community resources are available in your area to help you through these difficult times.

It can be very stressful, especially if you are unemployed longer than you anticipated. You want to make sure that when interviewing with that next employer, you do not bring your financial desperation with you.

Thinking of Others

suec — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:37:57 +0000

I was thinking about what to write in my blog this month. Do I write about the Office Holiday party? What are appropriate gifts for the boss? Not giving up your job search during the holidays? And then this story came into my email box this morning and it seemed right to share. I am not sure if the story is true or not but it does make one think about what truly matters at this time of year.

I do want to wish all of my followers a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!

Sometimes we need a story like this to understand why some experience a silent joy at Christmas.

“Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn’t been enough money to buy me the rifle that I’d wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn’t in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn’t get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn’t figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn’t worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. “Come on, Matt,” he said. “Bundle up good, it’s cold out tonight.” I was really upset then. Not only wasn’t I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We’d already done all the chores, and I couldn’t think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one’s feet when he’d told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn’t know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn’t going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn’t happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. “I think we’ll put on the high sideboards,” he said. “Here, help me.” The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood – the wood I’d spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. “Pa,” I asked, “what are you doing?”

“You been by the Widow Jensen’s lately?” he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I’d been by, but so what?

Yeah,” I said, “Why?”

“I rode by just today,” Pa said. “Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They’re out of wood, Matt.”

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

“What’s in the little sack?” I asked.

“Shoes, they’re out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a little candy.”

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen’s pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn’t have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn’t have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn’t have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, “Who is it?”

“Lucas Miles, Ma’am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?”
Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

“We brought you a few things, Ma’am,” Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children – sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn’t come out.

“We brought a load of wood too, Ma’am,” Pa said. He turned to me and said, “Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let’s get that fire up to size and heat this place up.”

I wasn’t the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn’t speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I’d never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone’s spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn’t crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. “God bless you,” she said. “I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us.”

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I’d never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen’s face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn’t want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, “The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We’ll be by to get you about eleven. It’ll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn’t been little for quite a spell.” I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, “Thank you, Brother Miles. I don’t have to say, may the Lord bless you; I know for certain that He will.”

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn’t even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, “Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn’t have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand.”

I understood and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen’s face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.”

Don’t be too busy today. Share this country Christmas message with someone. God loves you! Have a Merry Christmas

Overqualified????

suec — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:44:05 +0000

I read hundreds of resumes every week and it’s sad that with all the resources available – - both online and with professional outplacement firms, that most candidates do not put their best foot forward. Therefore, I thought I would address this again.

With today’s blog, I want to address a more seasoned employee who is seeking a new job in today’s market. I am sure you know someone who gave their entire work career to that one employer and then found themselves caught up when their employer decided to reduce their workforce in the recession. They are sending out hundreds of resumes and if by chance they do get an interview, they get the “you are overqualified” excuse. So what is someone to do?

Well, let’s first take a look at your resume. Just because you have enough work experience to cover 3 or 4 pages, that doesn’t mean that you need to include it all on your resume. Again, your resume is a teaser to get your foot in the door so you can sell yourself in an interview. Therefore, it is vital to trim your resume to create a targeted message with relevant information at the forefront and easily viewed by the reader.

So how do we do that? First, let’s eliminate decades-old experience. Most human resource managers don’t care what you did 20 years ago. Therefore, try to focus your resume on your last 10 years of experience unless the position you held 20 years ago significantly relates to the position you are applying for.

Don’t jam-pack your resume with too much experience. Therefore, as a general rule, base your experience on the number of years of experience that is required for the job. If the ad states 5-7 years, then list your last 10 years but not much more. If the ad states 10-15 years, then you might want to include the past 20 years and trim off the rest.

Once you have enough work experience, it’s not necessary to have unrelated industry jobs, temporary positions, or college internships cluttering your resume, unless it is the only industry-related experience for that position.

Target your bullet points to the position you are applying for based on your relevant experience. Your most current positions should contain the most bullets. As that experience gets older, the less bullets or information you need to include for those positions.

Again, your resume should be no more than 1-2 pages in length but make those pages count. If you have a 20-30 year employment history, this can be difficult but often it is the only way to get hired.

Next blog – - resumes for that early career candidate.

Happy Labor Day

suec — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:28:26 +0000

This Monday, September 5^th we will be celebrating Labor Day. For some, it is a celebration of the end of summer, to others it is a paid holiday and 3-day weekend. But the true meaning of Labor Day is to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers.

A few fun facts about Labor Day – -

The first actual Labor Day originated in Canada out of a labor dispute in the 1870’s which resulted in legalization and protection of union activity in 1872. Parades held in support of a printers strike led to an annual celebration of labor in Canada.

American labor leader Peter J. McGuire, who was part of the Carpenters and Joiners Union, witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto in 1882 and brought the idea back to America. The first American Labor Day was held in New York City on September 5, 1872.

A bill to establish a federal holiday was passed by Congress in 1894 and was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

While the unemployment rate in our nation remains high, today nearly 150 million people are in our nation’s labor force. Of that number nearly 10.5 million are self-employed workers, and nearly 5 million work from their homes.

So as you light the barbeque this weekend or put out your chair at your local Labor Day parade, remember to pay tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country.

Happy Labor Day!

Resources for Seniors on a job hunt

suec — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:51:15 +0000

Last weekend I was reading our local newspaper and came across an article written by Savvy Senior Jim Miller which really hit home. Since 2008, we have seen a larger number of job seekers over the age of 55 that find themselves out of work for the first time in many years and they don’t know what to do. These individuals have a wealth of knowledge but they are having a tough time getting companies to recognize this talent.

I contacted Jim and asked him if I could include his article in my blog this month. He graciously agreed and you will find his article below. If I can help just one reader of my blog this month, then the space was worth it. Thanks Jim.

Savvy Senior

Resources for Job-Hunting Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good resources to help job hunting seniors? I’m 60 years old and have been out of work for nearly six months now and need some help. What can you tell me?

Seeking Employment

Dear Seeking,

The tough employment market over the past few years has been particularly hard on people over the age of 55. Fortunately, there are a number of online tools and in-person training centers scattered across the country today that can help. Here’s what you should know.

In-Person Help

A good first step to get help finding a job is at a Career One-Stop center. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, these are free job resource centers that can help you explore career options, search for jobs, find training, write a resume, prepare for an interview and much more. There are around 3,000 of these centers located throughout the country. To find one near you, call 877-348-0502 or go to careeronestop.org.

Depending on your financial situation, another program that may help is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Also sponsored by the Department of Labor, SCSEP offers access to training and part time job placements in a wide variety of community service positions such as day care centers, senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, libraries and landscaping centers. To qualify, participants must be over 55, unemployed and earning less than 125 percent of the federal poverty level – $13,600 a year. Unfortunately, 2011 federal budget cuts have significantly reduced this program funding, but it’s still a viable option. To learn more or locate a program in your area visit www.doleta.gov/seniors or call 877-872-5627.

In addition to the national resources, some states, communities and local nonprofit organizations may offer their own senior employment programs. For example, in certain areas in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Washington state and Wisconsin there are Aging Worker Initiative programs to help local job seekers 55 and older. To find out if your community offers any locally-based senior employment programs, contact the Area Agency on Aging – call 800-677-1116 or see www.eldercare.gov to get your local number.

AARP WorkSearch

Another resource that offers free job help is the AARP Foundation WorkSearch Virtual Job Coach program. This is a volunteer-run program that helps any job-seeker (you don’t need to be an AARP member), age 40 and older, by connecting you with a trained volunteer to help you search for jobs and get training. The coaching is typically done via e-mail or over the phone. Call 877-659-0969 or visit aarpworksearch.org to find help.

In addition, AARP also offers a jobs search engine that you can access at jobs.aarp.org. Or, if you want in-person assistance, AARP has 23 WorkSearch facilities around the country that provide free face-to-face help. To search for a facility, contact your state AARP office. See aarp.org/states or call 888-687-2277 for contact information.

Online Resources

There’s also a wide array of online employment networks that can help you connect with companies that are interested in hiring older workers. One of the best is retirementjobs.com, which offers a job search engine that lists more than 30,000 jobs nationwide from companies that are actively seeking workers over the age of 50. It also provides job-seeking tips and advice, helps with resume writing and allows you to post your resume online for companies to find you.

Some other 50-plus job seeking sites worth a look are seniors4hire.com, workforce50.com, retiredbrains.com, retireeworkforce.com, wiserworker.com, seniorjobbank.com, enrge.us (a site devoted to retired government employees) and yourencore.com (an online recruitment firm that connects retired scientists, developers and engineers with companies that offer consulting assignments).

Start a Business

If you’re interested in starting a small business but could use some help getting started, turn to the U.S. Small Business Administration which offers tips, tools and free online courses that you can access at sba.gov. Also see score.org a nonprofit association that provides free business advice for entrepreneurs.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Why Don’t They Call Me Back?

suec — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:04:40 +0000

It’s one complaint I hear all the time – - “I applied for a job with . . . but I never hear anything back from them on my application”. It’s true. Unfortunately employers today, especially in times of high unemployment, get inundated with candidates applying for opportunities whether they are qualified or not. One survey I heard of recently said out of all the applications received by employers today, only 1-2% of the applicants are actually qualified with maybe 5% being close. That means Hiring Managers spend a great deal of time on irrelevant applications that don’t help them find the qualified candidates they need – - time they can’t use to call back candidates. Each of these job seekers are expecting a return call and Hiring Managers simply do not have the time to respond to every applicant, only those who are close.

Employers today can tell if a candidate is not reading the job descriptions posted and applying for every opportunity out there whether they are qualified or not.

So how can you increase your odds of being contact?

1. Read the job description and requirements carefully. If you do not meet at least 80-90% of the skills, education and experience necessary for this job, don’t apply.

2. Be sure to have a clear, concise resume which includes how you meet those job requirements. Remember many larger employers today scan resumes and search for key words.

3. If you are truly qualified for the position, after a week or two you can always call the employer to follow up on the status of your application or to see if the position has been filled. Remember to be courteous and not be a pest. Calling too soon or too often will make you sound desperate and will turn off the Hiring Authority.

The Internet is Forever

suec — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:11:12 +0000

If you pay any attention to the news, I am sure you have heard about the issues concerning the Governor of Wisconsin trying to limit collective bargaining rights of public employees in the state. My blog today isn’t about whether you are on the side of the taxpayers or on the side of the workers but something that took place during the protests.

Several weeks ago a college student sent an email using his student account sent a letter using extremely inappropriate language to a conservative woman State Senator. The student even signed his name and gave his own phone number. While I understand that the issues involved in this debate has caused many heated, passionate exchanges, no one should ever speak of another individual in this manner and use the kind of vulgar language he used in his email.

What Christopher does not realize that the Internet is forever. In learning more about this individual, I understand that he is currently in nursing school. Aren’t most nurses suppose to be “compassionate” and “caring”? As a woman, I certainly would not want someone who feels this way about women caring for me in any setting.

Most HR Professionals today Google perspective employees. When I Googled this individual, I found much more than just the email post that he probably should not have sent. I found various posts and websites that he is affiliated with that show his true colors. The sad part is he will probably get out of school with a degree and wonder why he no one will hire him.

So before you join that group, before you post comments, before you hit “send” for that email, remember, the Internet is Forever!