Dave Thomas's Posts - RecruitingBlogs2024-03-28T10:16:11ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomashttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1526981900?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=0trdtz806se38&xn_auth=noSexual Harassment on the Interview or at the Jobtag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-06-15:502551:BlogPost:15707922012-06-15T17:05:11.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501517?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501517?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="260"></img></a> You go on the interview and the person asking you questions about your job skills suddenly turns things up a notch. Or, you are at work and one of your co-workers, perhaps your boss, begins showing you unwanted attention. In either scenario, what do you do?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, countless individuals have had to endure both situations, and even worse ones over the…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501517?profile=original"><img width="260" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501517?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="260"/></a>You go on the interview and the person asking you questions about your job skills suddenly turns things up a notch. Or, you are at work and one of your co-workers, perhaps your boss, begins showing you unwanted attention. In either scenario, what do you do?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, countless individuals have had to endure both situations, and even worse ones over the years.</p>
<p>While men tend to be the ones initiating sexual harassment, don’t for one second think that such actions are those of a male-only club. There are also those women that will turn the heat up on a male interviewing for a job or working in their office.</p>
<p>According to data for the year 2010 from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers who failed to protect their businesses from sexual harassment claims placed with the agency recovered damages with settlements in total surpassing $48.4 million.</p>
<p>So whether the harassment takes place as one has an interview for a position or while on the clock at their place of employment, there are signs to look for and steps to be taken in order to battle the problem.</p>
<p>Among the things to keep an eye out for:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Sexual harassment comes in many different forms</i> – Sexual harassment can be happening right before your eyes when belittling comments are directed toward a person regarding their appearance, clothing, jewelry and more;</li>
<li><i>Pictures tell the story</i> – Having provocative images of people on one’s walls, desk etc. are offensive and are another form of sexual harassment. Whether it is during the interview process or while working, you have every right to call such displays into question;</li>
<li><i>Direct hostility from an individual</i> – If your gender is singling you out for persecution, this is another means of sexual harassment. Such forms include direct hostility, being overlooked for a promotion due to gender, etc;</li>
<li><i>Inappropriate touching</i> – Although it seems rather obvious, a co-worker inappropriately touching you, invading your space and making you feel altogether uncomfortable can easily be viewed as sexual harassment.</li>
</ul>
<p>In the event you feel you have been the victim of sexual harassment either on a job interview or while under someone’s employment, there are steps that can be taken to solve the problem.</p>
<p>Among them:</p>
<ul>
<li>Dealing directly with the abuser, informing them that their actions are offensive and must cease. If they do not stop, you will pursue the matter with the individual’s supervisor;</li>
<li>Getting in touch with a supervisor and reporting the situation, providing as much detail as possible to support the claim/s. If you do this, provide any evidence like statements, written documents, photos etc. Make sure you have solid notes in writing in the event you are questioned on the claims down the road;</li>
<li>In the event a supervisor is not of assistance, go to their superior and broach the subject with them. Don’t become discouraged if one person shows little interest in pursuing the matter, keep fighting;</li>
<li>If those highest up in the company decide not to deal with the matter, seek outside help from an agency in place to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace, even if you were just interviewing for a job. Choosing to do nothing about it lets the perpetrator/s get away with it, leading them to likely continue such actions.</li>
</ul>
<p>While it can be intimidating at times to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace or when seeking work, letting sexual harassment actions go unpunished is not only a crime, but a knock against the many hard-working women (and men in some cases) that decide to take a stand.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr">abovethelaw.com</span></span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as</i> <i><a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/hr-outsourcing/">HR outsourcing services</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/payroll-services/">payroll processing services</a></i>, <i>writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</i></p>Is It Criminal to Help or Hire Someone with a Record?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-06-05:502551:BlogPost:15670292012-06-05T21:05:29.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557499576?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557499576?profile=original" width="275"></img></a> In the event you have a criminal record that continues to follow you around, what are your chances of being gainfully employed in today’s day and age?</p>
<p>While a criminal record is nothing to brag about, there are cases where you can still find work despite having run afoul of the law at one time or another. Remember, we are talking about more notable run-ins with the…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557499576?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557499576?profile=original" width="275"/></a>In the event you have a criminal record that continues to follow you around, what are your chances of being gainfully employed in today’s day and age?</p>
<p>While a criminal record is nothing to brag about, there are cases where you can still find work despite having run afoul of the law at one time or another. Remember, we are talking about more notable run-ins with the law, not the parking ticket or stop sign violation that you may have gotten while out and about.</p>
<p>Whether you are doing the job search entirely on your own or working through an HR recruiter, there are some steps you should take in your job search. They include:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Understanding your rights</i> – Just because you have a criminal record does not mean you are destined to never work. Many individuals have been saddled with a criminal past and gone on to productive lives in the working world. In a large portion of the country, you do not have to note arrests that did not result in convictions or presently are not pending when applying for work. Make sure you understand the law in your area as it relates to your job search and criminal past;</li>
<li><i>Don’t lie and make things worse</i> – While a criminal record doesn’t help you, do not make things worse by lying about it. Especially in today’s security conscious world, the majority of employers due background checks before offering someone a position. Lying about your past will serve as a major red flag to an employer (data indicates that some 80 percent of companies do some form of background check on applicants) that may have initially liked what they read about you on your resume;</li>
<li><i>Point out the positives</i> – Although a criminal past or recent run-in with the law will obviously get its attention, there is a decent chance you have done some positive things over your life when it comes to employment. Make sure you highlight such periods in your life, both in the application process and should you receive an interview, so that employers have some good to work with in considering you for employment;</li>
<li><i>Know where to find work</i> – It is safe to assume that someone with a criminal record is not going to be in line for a job as a police officer or to work with children. That being said you need to know where to spend your time and resources in the job hunt. Going after jobs that you have little to no chance of getting will only lead to wasted time and frustration;</li>
<li><i>Look for organizational help</i> – There are a number of groups and/or individuals that assist those with a criminal past in finding employment. Do an online search to see if such assistance is available in your area. In the event you are on parole, you can check with your parole officer, as they obviously would rather have you working;</li>
<li><i>Don’t throw in the towel</i> – It can be very discouraging to be looking for work when you have a criminal past. It is important to keep your head up and remind yourself that someone will hire you at some point.</li>
</ul>
<p>Given this is a country that oftentimes extends second chances to individuals, it is certainly not unheard of for employers to offer those with a criminal past a job opportunity.</p>
<p>The main thing is to be upfront with your past and learn not to make the same mistake or mistakes again.</p>
<p><i>Photo credit:</i> <i>valawyersweekly.com</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/hr-outsourcing/">HR outsourcing services</a></i> and <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/payroll-services/">small business payroll services</a>, <i>writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</i></p>Know Potential Employees before You Sign the Paperworktag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-05-25:502551:BlogPost:15644082012-05-25T22:38:30.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500643?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500643?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"></img></a> We all know that employers and those that recruit for them when outside services are involved make mistakes from time to time.</p>
<p>Despite one or more interviews, despite thorough questioning and background checks, some soon-to-be bad employees slip through the cracks, leading both the employer and those that recommended the employee with egg on their face.</p>
<p>Given…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500643?profile=original"><img width="400" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500643?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"/></a>We all know that employers and those that recruit for them when outside services are involved make mistakes from time to time.</p>
<p>Despite one or more interviews, despite thorough questioning and background checks, some soon-to-be bad employees slip through the cracks, leading both the employer and those that recommended the employee with egg on their face.</p>
<p>Given that many businesses and individuals for that matter continue to deal with a struggling economy, it is all the more important that employers and recruiting services practice due diligence when interviewing candidates.</p>
<p>The best way for interviewers to lessen the chances of bringing on the wrong employees is by conducting a background check on each and every person that sets foot in the door for an interview.</p>
<p>While background checks are perfectly legal, they do need to be done within the parameters of the law, i.e. some questions may not be asked etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Weeding Out Troubled Applicants</b></p>
<p>According to information from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, false or misleading details given by job applicants, is estimated by some experts to be at 30 to 40 percent of all information provided on both job applications and resumes.</p>
<p>The typical fields of work that draw background checks include positions involving interaction with children, jobs where employees are in contact with senior citizens, positions involving daily interaction with major funds and/or company expenses, and positions like police, doctors, nurses etc.</p>
<p>Among the things to look at when screening applicants:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Don’t cross boundaries</i> – Certain guidelines are in place to protect applicants as they search for jobs. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers need the permission of the applicant prior to obtaining the report. Make sure you get all the pertinent information in order to assist you with your hiring choices, but do it in a means that does not potentially open you up to a lawsuit;</li>
<li><i>Look for past issues</i> – As we all know, certain positions require that workers have not had issues in their past. As an example, if you run a business where employees handle money during the day, you do not want to hire someone who was fired from a previous position where their trustworthiness with funds was called into question;</li>
<li><i>Key reasons for screening individuals</i> – While background checks have been around for some time now, more recent trends over the last decade-plus have led to them becoming more in vogue. Two popular trends have been protecting a company given the wave of terrorism and more incidents of workplace violence, and an increase in “negligent hiring” lawsuits. If someone poses a security risk, such information should come out during a background check;</li>
<li><i>Things included in a background check</i> – Among the things an employer can learn about a prospective candidate are their driving records, credit reports, criminal records, any bankruptcy filings, drug test records and sex offender lists. As an employer, make sure the information is confined to your office so that someone cannot later claim the information got out and damaged their character, leading to a potential lawsuit against you;</li>
<li><i>Find out if there are inconsistencies</i> – Another plus by doing background checks is that you can compare and contrast what an applicant provides you. If you have the applicant in for an interview and they say one thing, then a background check contradicts that, you have reason to be hesitant about hiring the individual. One of the most important traits an employer wants in an employee is trust. Use the background check to make sure the candidate says what they mean and means what they say.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>In the majority of instances, background checks will require three days to a week to be finalized.</p>
<p>If you’re looking at instant background checks, keep in mind that the majority of them rely on databases that can be incomplete or incorrect.</p>
<p>Lastly, the best means by which to speed up a background check and still get worthwhile information is to provide the agency conducting the check with complete information and documentation. By using an agency that has the information available online, you can also move up the process.</p>
<p>By using background checks in your line of work, you increase the chances of hiring the right personnel, decrease the chances of issues and potential lawsuits at work, and give yourself some piece of mind.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: getweave.com</em></p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as</i> <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/hr-outsourcing/">HR Outsourcing Companies</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/payroll-services/">small business payroll services</a>, <i>writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</i></p>Is Your Plan to Start a Home Business?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-05-17:502551:BlogPost:15613182012-05-17T16:37:35.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501614?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501614?profile=original" width="332"></img></a></span></span></p>
<p>If you are finding the job search to be rather fruitless or have been thinking about leaving the corporate workforce for a personal venture, do you have a good plan in place to start a home business?</p>
<p>As more Americans find themselves out of the workforce, seeking ways to make money and keep themselves afloat,…</p>
<p><span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501614?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557501614?profile=original" width="332"/></a></span></span></p>
<p>If you are finding the job search to be rather fruitless or have been thinking about leaving the corporate workforce for a personal venture, do you have a good plan in place to start a home business?</p>
<p>As more Americans find themselves out of the workforce, seeking ways to make money and keep themselves afloat, it should not come as a surprise that many are considering starting a business out of their home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Where to Begin?</b></p>
<p>First and foremost, you should have a solid business plan in place (even if you do not need major funding through banks and/or investors) so that you put yourself in the best possible situation to succeed. Starting a home business can cost one anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, so be prepared for some start-up expenses.</p>
<p>Speaking of finances, in the event you will be seeking financial support to get things off the ground, a small business plan is by all means the route to go, especially if you need to work through an approved lender.</p>
<p>A brief synopsis of what your business plan should address includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Talking to your reasoning for beginning the business in the first place, how your business will meet the needs of clients, and what product and/or service you will offer;</li>
<li>Doing a detailed market analysis in order to determine who will be purchasing your product or service, including the gender and age of those you are targeting for business;</li>
<li>Getting a good idea of who your competition will be in the market so that you know what you will be facing. How will you outdo your new competitors in order to keep your business afloat and growing? Remember, you need to be thinking about how you can set yourself apart from the competition;</li>
<li>Knowing what your operational structure will be, including what your building needs will be, potential number of employees, necessary office equipment, along with start-up inventory requirements;</li>
<li>Covering any legal needs so that you are not left with some nasty surprises. Even the smallest of home businesses must make sure they are legally in line with local zoning ordinances. Make sure you know what if any licenses you require to do business, acquire a state sales tax certificate in order to collect and pay state sales tax in the event you are selling goods. Also make sure you have the proper business and liability insurance in place in the event customers will be coming to your residence.</li>
</ul>
<p>Lastly, your home business plan should include your thoughts on growth, so that you hopefully increase the size and scope of your business over time.</p>
<p>Home business plans will range in size and needs, but having one makes it easier to plan for success.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr">managementhelp.org</span></span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/business-planning/">sample business plans</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/telecommunications/phone-services/">business phone services</a>, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</i></p>Should You Be Hiring an HR Manager or Outsourcing Such Needs?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-05-08:502551:BlogPost:15568162012-05-08T22:30:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500613?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500613?profile=original" width="275"></img></a> Many small businesses have an in-house human resources manager that will handle the nuts and bolts of interviewing prospective employees, overseeing payroll, dealing directly with any employee issues and/or questions, and making sure the office keeps rolling along smoothly.</p>
<p>Other companies, however, either outsource such needs or even try and do things if you will on…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500613?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557500613?profile=original" width="275"/></a>Many small businesses have an in-house human resources manager that will handle the nuts and bolts of interviewing prospective employees, overseeing payroll, dealing directly with any employee issues and/or questions, and making sure the office keeps rolling along smoothly.</p>
<p>Other companies, however, either outsource such needs or even try and do things if you will on the fly. Without a person on the scene to handle HR needs, things can get dicey at times.</p>
<p>So, which route is best for your small business to take? Should you hire someone full-time in-house to oversee the HR needs of the company or should you outsource such responsibilities?</p>
<p>In many cases, companies sporting 50 or fewer employees will not include a formal HR department. Oftentimes, the responsibilities that typically are directed to the person in charge of human resources will be moved along on to various heads of departments, i.e. finance team gets to handle payroll, department heads would oversee any internal issues related to their employees such as complaints, questions regarding health insurance coverage and the like.</p>
<p>As many companies discover over time, however, shuffling those responsibilities along to different managers can become a problem.</p>
<p>Among the potential problem spots:</p>
<ul>
<li>There is uncertainty at times among department managers if they are passing along the right information and resources to employees;</li>
<li>Employees could find themselves questioning management if they are receiving the right information;</li>
<li>Departmental managers, who oftentimes are saddled with enough tasks, begin to tune out the HR issues, therefore leaving many unanswered questions or problems;</li>
<li>The potential for lawsuits increases in the event someone who is not properly trained and informed on HR matters passes along bad information. That information an employee relied on to make an important decision in the workplace ends up harming the individual financially, leading them to in turn come back at the company from a financial stand point.</li>
</ul>
<p>In the event your small business is looking to hire someone to head up an HR department, what are the qualifications you should be seeking?</p>
<p>First and foremost, compile a mission statement as it relates to the individual that will oversee your HR department:</p>
<ul>
<li>What do you want from them and the role?</li>
<li>What are the assets and any liabilities that having an in-house HR manager will bring your company?</li>
<li>Will it be cost-effective to have your HR on site or will it be better to outsource the role?</li>
</ul>
<p>The key factor is finding an individual who is comfortable with an entire plate of responsibilities. This is important given that you have doers and followers. If someone is not in tune with overseeing an important department like this, pass on them. You need an individual that is not only well-versed in HR practices from a legal point of view, but is not afraid to hire and fire as needed</p>
<p>Finally, be sure you clearly get the pros and cons of the hiring in-house or going the outsource route.</p>
<p>Your human resources individual or team will be one of the most important facets of your small business.</p>
<p>Make sure you are resourceful in making the right decisions so that your business is the better for it.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr">blog.ivci.com</span></span></em></p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/hr-outsourcing/" target="_blank">HR Outsourcing</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/payroll-services/" target="_blank">payroll services</a>,</i> <i>writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</i></p>Is It Smart to Look for Another Job While Employed?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-05-01:502551:BlogPost:15529672012-05-01T22:25:56.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557502483?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557502483?profile=original" width="184"></img></a> Even though a number of people when asked would say they are content with their jobs, there are those that have a foot in one office door and the other in the help wanted pages.</p>
<p>For those individuals, trying to balance a full-time job while looking for another job can be a very delicate proposition. In fact, one of their fears is that they will lose the current job…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557502483?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557502483?profile=original" width="184"/></a>Even though a number of people when asked would say they are content with their jobs, there are those that have a foot in one office door and the other in the help wanted pages.</p>
<p>For those individuals, trying to balance a full-time job while looking for another job can be a very delicate proposition. In fact, one of their fears is that they will lose the current job because they were found to be looking elsewhere for work. In the event you find yourself employed but looking for another job, tread lightly so as not to trip yourself up.</p>
<p>Ways to do that include:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Careful who you talk to</i> – While your co-worker may be one of your best friends, they could accidentally spill the beans that you are job hunting, even maybe so while on company time. The boss finds out about this, calls you into their office, then proceeds to give you a pink slip. What you are left with is no job, unemployment if you are fortunate enough to get it, and the real pressure of now <i>having</i> to find a job as opposed to <i>wanting</i> to find a new job;</li>
<li><i>Don’t change your schedule or look</i> – If you eat lunch at your desk five days a week and where casual clothing to your job, what do you think your co-workers and/or boss will be thinking if you show up in a suit or real nice dress one day and go “out” for lunch? It may seem innocent enough, but don’t tip your hand that you are en route to a job interview on company time. The best advice is taking a change of clothing with you and leaving it in the car. If you can schedule your interview before or after work, all the better. Most folks advertising for help will be understanding if you’re in a current job and need a little wiggle room to come in for an interview;</li>
<li><i>Don’t leave behind a paper trail</i> – The ideal situation is to look for a job aside from company hours, but sometimes it cannot be helped. If you find yourself needing some time during the day to search for another position, do it discreetly. Do not leave phone or fax numbers, copies of your cover letters and resume sitting around for all to see;</li>
<li><i>Make sure the offer is in writing before giving notice</i> – While it sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised how many people sometimes fall short of such a thing. If you want to leave your present job for another one, make sure the new job gives you an offer in writing before you tell the present employer bye-bye. You wouldn’t be the first and probably not the last person who told an employer they were leaving, only to find out the job they thought they had lined up wasn’t 100 percent secure after all.</li>
</ul>
<p><br/> Unlike earlier generations who oftentimes stayed at the same job for decades or even a lifetime, today’s economic world in many cases dictates constant change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.</p>
<p>If you are contemplating making such a change while still gainfully employed, don’t slip up to the point you <i>have</i> to find another job.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr">libertiny.com</span></span></em></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/"><em>starting a small business</em></a> <em>and</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/credit-card-processing/"><em>credit card processing,</em></a> <em>writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</em></p>Do You Know the Signs of Age Discrimination at Work?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-04-23:502551:BlogPost:15485922012-04-23T22:19:17.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>While there are laws in place to protect individuals’ 40-and-over in the workplace, it doesn’t always mean they are upheld.</p>
<p>According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there was a steep increase just as recently as 2009 in the number of age-related discrimination claims. In that year, the EEOC noted 22,778 age discrimination claims, close to a 38 percent uptick from only 16,548 three years earlier.</p>
<p>For those that do not know, the Age Discrimination in…</p>
<p>While there are laws in place to protect individuals’ 40-and-over in the workplace, it doesn’t always mean they are upheld.</p>
<p>According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there was a steep increase just as recently as 2009 in the number of age-related discrimination claims. In that year, the EEOC noted 22,778 age discrimination claims, close to a 38 percent uptick from only 16,548 three years earlier.</p>
<p>For those that do not know, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, passed in 1967, makes it against the law for businesses to discriminate against workers age 40 and older, whether they are seeking a new job or working in one they have been at for years.</p>
<p>When it comes to those older workers that have been at a company for a number of years, job security should not be taken for granted. According to a spokesperson for the AARP, “It would be nice to say age discrimination is a thing of the past, but it isn’t.” For those older employees with a steady position, they have good reasons for fearing the possibility of being replaced by a 20- or 30-year-old that is willing to work more hours for lower wages. In some cases, reports indicate that age discrimination is beginning even earlier than in the past, hitting some in their 40s or even their 30s.</p>
<p>So, how can you either as an older individual presently working or one that is out of work and searching for a job, better compete with the younger individuals that are more apt to work for less pay?</p>
<p>Among the ways to do this:</p>
<p>1. Keep your skills updated: As the Internet age continues to grow and encompass more jobs, it is important for older workers to stay up to speed on today’s technology. In those cases where an employer wants to pay you to take courses to enhance your skills, by all means take him or her up on their offer;</p>
<p></p>
<p>2. Don’t forget to network: This is especially important for those older individuals that find themselves out of work. Make sure you reach out to both friends and former employers you are on good terms with in order to see if they know of any job openings;</p>
<p></p>
<p>3. Document any discriminatory practices – It is important to keep a record of any matters you feel were discriminatory, either while working or doing your job search. This is important in order to prepare yourself for any potential legal case that may be pending. Make sure to include as much information as possible, talk to others that feel they too were discriminated against, and reach out to an attorney when you feel the time is right;</p>
<p></p>
<p>4. Document your work record – In the event an employer terminates and older worker, there should be solid reasoning behind the dismissal. If the worker has a good work performance, good attendance record, and is what would be considered “low-maintenance” around the office, it makes it more difficult for the employer to say they had a valid reason for the dismissal other than age;</p>
<p></p>
<p>5. Look for any surprising evaluations – If you have what could be considered a rather stellar record with your company, then suddenly start getting written up for minor infractions that younger workers are not, it can be a sign that the company is setting you up for a unwarranted dismissal or dip in salary in order to bring in younger workers;</p>
<p></p>
<p>6. Passed over and over again for promotions – Should you see cases where you are getting overlooked for justified promotions and pay raises while younger employees are moving up the corporate ladder, consider that a red flag. Find out why your experience and value to the company is being overlooked;</p>
<p></p>
<p>7. Are you training your successor? – It is not uncommon for companies to have there more experienced employees train the new arrivals. While that is fine and makes sense, keep an eye out if you are being set up for training your replacement. If that is the case, make sure to document the information so that you can show an attorney if necessary that you followed your employer’s instructions, yet were then essentially kicked out the door;</p>
<p></p>
<p>8. Read the want ads closely – If you are an older worker seeking work, be sure to read the help wanted ads carefully. Make sure the ads to not use language such as seeking “young” or “youthful.” If a prospective employer interviews you, listen closely to see if they ask any age-related questions.</p>
<p></p>
<p>While one would like to think that age discrimination does not truly exist in the workplace, there are too many examples of it being alive and well.</p>
<p>When all is said and done, both employer and employee need to work together to make sure that business both reward and respect those older workers who are true assets to their companies.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who writes on items</em> <i>such as</i> <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/">starting a small business</a> <em>and obtaining</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/insurance/workers-compensation-insurance/">workers compensation insurance</a><em>, writes extensively for online resource destination</em> <i>Business.com</i>. <i>He is also a freelance sportswriter in his spare time.</i></p>Is Now the Time to Go Into Business for Myself?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-04-12:502551:BlogPost:15430262012-04-12T18:15:10.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>After several years of layoffs, many companies are either standing pat with their current workforce sizes or even adding employees here and there.</p>
<p>Others, however, continue to make cuts where needed in order to stabilize their losses and try and position themselves for a positive 2012 as we sit a quarter of the way into the year.</p>
<p>In the event you have found yourself the victim of a job layoff recently or just do not look forward to going to work each and every day, could your…</p>
<p>After several years of layoffs, many companies are either standing pat with their current workforce sizes or even adding employees here and there.</p>
<p>Others, however, continue to make cuts where needed in order to stabilize their losses and try and position themselves for a positive 2012 as we sit a quarter of the way into the year.</p>
<p>In the event you have found yourself the victim of a job layoff recently or just do not look forward to going to work each and every day, could your own business venture be in the cards?</p>
<p>According to various data, anywhere between 1.5 and 2 million people leave a steady employment situation monthly, whether it is to open up their own company or take care of a family member. In doing so, individuals can find themselves besieged with a number of questions, especially when putting an ‘open for business’ sign out there:</p>
<ul>
<li>Do I have the proper business plan in place?</li>
<li>How will I meet my monthly bills?</li>
<li>Do I have emergency funds in place if the start-up business needs a quick infusion of cash?</li>
<li>What forms of insurance will I need to operate the business and are there any local zoning requirements I will need to meet?</li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see, there are a plethora of questions that the first-time business owner must be able to answer without a great degree of difficulty.</p>
<p>The best way to go about managing such a decision is looking at the pros and cons of starting your own company. If the cons outweigh the pros, then by all means give pause to such a move.</p>
<p>Take the time to zero in on such factors as:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Reliable paycheck every two weeks or roll the dice</i>? – The toughest question to answer is whether or not to pass on a steady paycheck. Should you have some funds set aside for a rainy day and they are not going towards your new business, then you may find yourself more at ease in pulling the trigger on going from the employee to the employer;</li>
<li><i>Can you do two things at one time?</i> – In a perfect world, you would be able to ease into your own business while still collecting a paycheck from someone else. While that is not always reality, it is oftentimes viewed as the safest way to go about things. Try and ease into your new business in the evening or weekend hours apart from your full-time job. Do a little more towards the business each week and in the meantime keep collecting your employers’ check;</li>
<li><i>Do it on my own or bring in help? - One of the biggest challenges for those wanting to start a business is whether or not to hire others to assist them. While doing it all yourself allows you to not have to watch after others, worry about salaries, insurance, etc. it also means a lot of work on your plate. Many people that start a business will go slowly at first and either does it themselves or hire very lightly, including volunteers and/or family.</i></li>
</ul>
<p>Starting your own business can be fraught with concerns and sleepless nights, but it can also lead to some of the best and most purposeful years of your life.</p>
<p>Are you ready to take the plunge?</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as <a href="http://www.business.com/telecommunications/voip-phone-service/" target="_blank">VoIP phone service</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/credit-card-processing/" target="_blank">credit card processing,</a> writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.</em></p>How Do You Advise Friends That Are Out of Work?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-04-06:502551:BlogPost:15409052012-04-06T17:47:47.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>I have a friend that was laid off at his job a while back and continues to look for work.</p>
<p>After getting caught up with him about a month or so ago, I must admit I left our time together shaking my head a bit.</p>
<p>First off, it is not up to me to judge him and/or his approach to finding another job. He’s old enough to make decisions on his own; I can only offer him advice from when I got laid off last decade and what I experienced.</p>
<p>So when I asked him how the job search was…</p>
<p>I have a friend that was laid off at his job a while back and continues to look for work.</p>
<p>After getting caught up with him about a month or so ago, I must admit I left our time together shaking my head a bit.</p>
<p>First off, it is not up to me to judge him and/or his approach to finding another job. He’s old enough to make decisions on his own; I can only offer him advice from when I got laid off last decade and what I experienced.</p>
<p>So when I asked him how the job search was going, he said he’d essentially stopped looking and was just going to file for another unemployment extension. While he indicated he was tinkering with some business ideas of his own, he also noted that he was fine with just sitting back and collecting his check from the state.</p>
<p>When I got laid off back in 2006, the initial shock of it soon turned to frustration, disappointment, anger and anxiety. What had I done to warrant this? Could I have done anything differently to prevent it? Better yet, what could be learned from it?</p>
<p>I did learn some things from that negative experience in my life, most notably that to throw in the towel was not an option.</p>
<p>Yes, I went through a period where it seemed like my world was spiraling out of control; however I also knew that retreating was not an option. Everything happens for a reason, so I had to make the best of the situation and learn from it.</p>
<p>Flash forward years later and I feel like I have learned things from that period of my life, some of which I would like to gently share with my friend that is going through a similar situation.</p>
<p>Those thoughts include:</p>
<p>1. Handle looking for a job like a job – To anyone that says looking for work is not a full-time job in itself; they’ve never been through the experience. The first thing I made sure I did while out of work was keep a normal schedule. I’d get up each weekday morning as if I were going to work, would dress as if I were headed out to the office and so on. Even though I was getting ready to either job hunt online or in person, I kept a similar routine to that of having a FT job. It would have been very easy to stay in bed half the day, etc. but that should not ever be an option;</p>
<p>2. Reach out for help – Being out of work not by one’s choice is not something you want to discuss with the whole world. Yes, you can and most likely will have feelings of depression and anxiety regarding how you will survive financially for starters. When I was laid off, I reached out through networking to people I had done some work for before, friends, etc. The networking in many cases did not lead to any work, but at least I felt it was something I had to do;</p>
<p>3. Don’t let the job search consume you – It is real easy to get frustrated and even burned out at times with the job search. If you feel yourself falling into that trap, take a little break and walk away from it. Resort to an activity that relaxes you and go do it so that you’re not burned out sooner rather than later;</p>
<p>4. Reassess your career goals – When you’re out of work, what better time is there than to reassess where you need to go with your career? If your most recent job was a filler job, then you are more likely to already being reviewing your career. If the position was something that truly was part of your long-term career goals, then take the time to see if you need to get some more education to be more successful at it or if you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.</p>
<p>So, what have you done when you were out of work that may be a good game plan for others going through the same thing right now?</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who writes on items such as <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/" target="_blank">starting a small business</a> and obtaining <a href="http://www.business.com/insurance/workers-compensation-insurance/" target="_blank">workers compensation insurance</a>, writes extensively for online resource destination Business.com.</em></p>Can You Sell Yourself On a Job Interview?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-03-29:502551:BlogPost:15367162012-03-29T16:24:34.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>Whether you are applying for a job at the local mini-mart or as a top executive for a small or large business, being able to sell yourself is critically important.</p>
<p>So, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great), how would you consider your selling skills when it comes to the job hunt?</p>
<p>While some job applicants find the interviewing process a piece of cake, others sweat their way through it, oftentimes doing something along the way that eliminates them from the…</p>
<p>Whether you are applying for a job at the local mini-mart or as a top executive for a small or large business, being able to sell yourself is critically important.</p>
<p>So, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great), how would you consider your selling skills when it comes to the job hunt?</p>
<p>While some job applicants find the interviewing process a piece of cake, others sweat their way through it, oftentimes doing something along the way that eliminates them from the competition.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Appearance and Communication Top the List</strong></p>
<p>When going for an interview, your appearance and means of communication with your interviewer are just as important if not more so as what your resume says about you. It is important for those interviewing to concentrate on their non-verbal means of communication so they make a mistake or mistakes. Remember, your non-verbal communications can actually make or break the results you want.</p>
<p>When you first meet and greet your interviewer, do you make good eye contact and deliver a firm handshake? If not, you could lose points right off the bat, leaving you to have to play catch up over the course of the interview.</p>
<p>Some other missteps that can doom an interview include not smiling, appearing unusually nervous, demonstrating bad posture, bad wardrobe or grooming and being animated when asked simple questions. Oh, this seems like a no-brainer, but don’t be late to your interview; you’d be amazed what message a little tardiness (non-emergency) can mean to an employer before you even sit down for a one-on-one chat.</p>
<p>A good way to avoid many if not all of these mistakes is by doing a practice interview the night before in front of family, friends and/or a mirror. While you don’t want to come across as too rehearsed, a little practice never hurt anyone. This also holds true with getting to your interview on time. It never hurts to do a practice run so you know the exact location of the interview and about how long it will take to get there.</p>
<p>When it comes to actually starting the meeting, be sure to maintain good eye contact with the person interviewing you. By being focused in on your interviewer, you’re engaged in the discussion and interested in what the company may be able to offer you; staring past the interviewer is surely not sending a good signal.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Know the Right Questions to Ask?</strong></p>
<p>While not talking over or continuously interrupting your interviewer, it is to be expected that you will have some questions regarding the company, so prepare them ahead of time. This allows you to come ready to learn about the position you’re applying for, how your role will impact the employer and what the company can do for you.</p>
<p>One question that should not be at the forefront of your list is how much money the job will pay, as nothing looks worse than if you’re only interested in the salary. While it is only natural to want to know what your income will be with your new employer, don’t be overly aggressive in getting to that issue.</p>
<p>Finally, the reason you’re on an interview in the first place is that you either lost your last job or are looking to switch jobs. With either being the case, do not talk bad about your former or present employer. The last thing an individual should do is burn bridges with a former or present boss. Doing so can have a negative impact going forward on your career, not to mention come across to a potential employer as negative and one reason not to hire you.</p>
<p>When you land a job interview - the bottom line is simple - Sell, sell and sell yourself.</p>
<p></p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as</i> <a href="http://www.business.com/telecommunications/voip-phone-service/" target="_blank"><i>VoIP phone service</i></a> <i>and</i> <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/credit-card-processing/" target="_blank"><i>credit card processing</i></a> <i>writes extensively for SanDiego-based Business.com.</i></p>Can You Stand Out from the Crowd at Work?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-03-19:502551:BlogPost:15321152012-03-19T18:11:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>Whether working for a small, mid-size or large business, you know like everyone else at the office that you need to stand out from the rest and not in a negative manner.<br></br><br></br>Each and every day you set foot in the office or telecommute from your residence, be it a small business start-up or a company that has been around for some time, how do you go about making sure that the boss notices you?<br></br><br></br>Having worked for several companies now over a 23-year span, I have always gone into a…</p>
<p>Whether working for a small, mid-size or large business, you know like everyone else at the office that you need to stand out from the rest and not in a negative manner.<br/><br/>Each and every day you set foot in the office or telecommute from your residence, be it a small business start-up or a company that has been around for some time, how do you go about making sure that the boss notices you?<br/><br/>Having worked for several companies now over a 23-year span, I have always gone into a job with the idea that I give 100 percent when I am on the clock. If I was paying someone to work for me, I would expect no less, so it is only natural that the person signing my paycheck every two weeks gets the best I can give them.<br/><br/>That being said, some employees go to work each day with the thought that they will give their employer the least effort possible and still get by in order to collect a regular paycheck.<br/><br/>So, is that a good idea? Quite frankly, that is a really dumb idea to say the least.<br/><br/><strong>Changing Times and Changing Careers</strong></p>
<p>Unlike many of our parents that worked for the same employer or maybe two at the most in their lifetimes, many of us today will find ourselves working for half-dozen or more companies before all is said and done.</p>
<p><br/>The bottom line is that today’s economy dictates that people move around much more than they did even a few decades ago. Translation is you’re more than likely going to find yourself working at different jobs for different reasons over time.</p>
<p><br/>So, with that being the case for millions of workers, what should go into your performance at each stop along the way in order for you to stand out?</p>
<p><br/>Among the things to make sure you are giving each and every day are:</p>
<p><br/>1. Positive attitude – We all have days where it is struggle to feel totally motivated and energetic about the workday. When those days hit, take a look at how you can still contribute and leave your mark for the day. The last thing an employer or your co-workers for that matter need is a negative attitude in the office. If you plan on coming to work with one of those attitudes, call in sick and spare your boss and co-workers the suffering;</p>
<p><br/>2. Extra credit – Remember back in school when teachers would give you extra credit on certain assignments? The same can hold true at work, although now you may get a gift card or some other small show of appreciation as opposed to being able to get out of class a few minutes early. Look for ways in your department at work on how you can go beyond your daily responsibilities and have an impact;</p>
<p><br/>3. Ask questions – While no boss or co-worker/s wants an employee interrupting others every five minutes with questions, don’t be afraid to ask them if it makes doing your job easier or more productively. Asking questions about your job also shows you are interested in getting it right the first time around. It can be scary, especially in a new position to speak up and ask questions, but your co-workers and boss will be more appreciative of you doing that as opposed to having to clean up your mess;</p>
<p><br/>4. Promote your company – With the age of social media here to stay for the foreseeable future, don’t be afraid to promote your company to those on the outside. With hitting a few keystrokes, you can promote all the good things that your company is doing on different social media sites for the entire world to know. This will also help in attracting new talent to the company, bringing the company potential business proposals, and allowing everyone to prosper as the business grows;</p>
<p><br/>5. Look at the bigger picture – Probably the most annoying question one ever gets asked during a job interview is where do you see yourself in five years? Well, if you knew the answer to that question, you’d also probably be playing the lottery on a regular basis. With that being said, do not view your job as just a temporary stop along the roadside. View it more as an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to an employer. If you are just there to pick up a paycheck for a few months or a year or two, it will quickly become evident to others.<br/><br/>There are many ways to get attention at your job; make sure they are positive and not negative means by which you stand out at the end of the day.<br/><br/></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who covers among other topics</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/insurance/workers-compensation-insurance/">workers compensation</a> <em>and</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/credit-card-processing/">credit card processing</a><em>, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource</em> <i>destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</i></p>
<p><em><br/></em></p>Can You Quiet the Difficult Co-Worker and Not Lose Your Job?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-03-12:502551:BlogPost:15289722012-03-12T22:07:21.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>Almost all of us at one time or another has had to deal with that one co-worker you just wanted to give a little smack upside the head.</p>
<p>Be it their attitude, a habit that just got under your skin or constantly listening to them moan and complain about the professional and personal lives, it is safe to say that you likely have contemplated if time in jail was worth relieving this individual of their suffering..... or your suffering as it may be.</p>
<p>That being said, how can you go…</p>
<p>Almost all of us at one time or another has had to deal with that one co-worker you just wanted to give a little smack upside the head.</p>
<p>Be it their attitude, a habit that just got under your skin or constantly listening to them moan and complain about the professional and personal lives, it is safe to say that you likely have contemplated if time in jail was worth relieving this individual of their suffering..... or your suffering as it may be.</p>
<p>That being said, how can you go about silencing this individual without putting your job at risk?</p>
<p>Among ways are:</p>
<ul>
<li><i>Win the war and not all the battles</i> – Too often, you will find yourself trying to deal with every little thing the difficult co-worker does, reaching the point where you become less than effective in your job. Look at the big picture here and determine what is worth contesting and what isn’t. Saving your time and energy on those things that really do matter is much better than fighting everything from A to Z;</li>
<li><i>Meet the other individual halfway</i> – No one truly ever loses when two people compromise. If your co-workers habits are eating away at you and impacting your ability to get work done, take them aside. Search for a common ground where the two of you can agree and still both save face;</li>
<li><i>Turn the other cheek</i> – This may be the hardest thing you have to do, but don’t get embroiled in a battle with a problem co-worker in the first place. Oftentimes, your co-worker will see how far they can push the envelope. Instead of falling into the trap, remind yourself of why you are at work in the first place;</li>
<li><i>Seek management help</i> – This is oftentimes the last thing an employee wants to do, mostly because it singles them out not only to the disgruntled co-worker but to others in the office that learn the details. Think twice before getting a manager or human resources department head involved in the matter. If you go running for help more than once, you could actually be viewed as the problem at work and not the instigator. On the other side, management can view you as someone concerned about the health of the company, someone who comes to work looking to meet their responsibilities and avoid drama, and as someone who puts the company first, not themselves;</li>
<li><i>Stay calm</i> – The worst thing you can do is turn a problem with a co-worker into an office soap opera. Not only are you playing into your co-worker’s hands, but your putting yourself out there is someone who may not be the best fit for the company over time. Parents oftentimes send their kids to another room for a ‘timeout’ when needed, so consider doing that yourself if your co-worker is getting to you;</li>
<li><i>Document the matter</i> – For your protection, be sure to document significant issues with a problem co-worker. In the event you do have to go to a manager to intercede, it is important that you have your facts straight, something that is easier to do when you’ve compiled them;</li>
<li><i>Don’t become the office gossiper</i> – One of the hardest things to do when dealing with a troubling co-worker is trying to keep your mouth shut to the rest of the office. Remember, it doesn’t take long for gossip to spread around an office. If the individual you are having issues with finds out it is you talking about them to other co-workers, you will have more problems on your hands than just a difficult co-worker.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>Remember, in a 168-hour week, 40 or more of those hours (if you’re a FT employee) are spent with co-workers in many cases. If you do the math, that is give or take approximately one-fourth of your routine week.</p>
<p>With that being the case, make sure you work on the issue or issues with your problem co-worker so that your job doesn’t turn into your former job. Better yet, they're not worth going to jail over too.</p>
<p>So, how do you or have you handled difficult co-workers in your lifetime?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who covers among other items</em> <a href="http://www.business.com/insurance/workers-compensation-insurance/">workers compensation</a> and <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/small-business-loans/">small business loans</a> <i><em>writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource</em> destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</i></p>Is It Time to Go Home for Your Next Paycheck?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-03-08:502551:BlogPost:15269122012-03-08T23:14:11.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>With millions of Americans still out of work and the jobs report improving but far from healthy, many individuals have either done so or considered going into business for themselves.</p>
<p>In the event you are considering <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/">starting a small business</a> at home, is now the time to pull the trigger on it?</p>
<p>Home-based businesses do present both challenges and opportunities, so list both when considering if you’re in…</p>
<p>With millions of Americans still out of work and the jobs report improving but far from healthy, many individuals have either done so or considered going into business for themselves.</p>
<p>In the event you are considering <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/">starting a small business</a> at home, is now the time to pull the trigger on it?</p>
<p>Home-based businesses do present both challenges and opportunities, so list both when considering if you’re in position to call your home and business one in the same.</p>
<p>The first and most important factor in opening a home-based business is making sure you have the proper financial capital in place.</p>
<p>If you were laid off at a regular job and have been collecting unemployment, is opening your own business going to prove a financial gain or loss? Keep in mind that you will need finances to get the business up and running, perhaps a <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/small-business-loans/">small business loan</a>, before the first customer ever appears, so think long and hard about how your finances will be impacted with such a move.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Do Your Homework Before You Put a Shingle Out at Home</b></p>
<p>Secondly, make sure you do the research and know all the licensing and insurance needs required for a home-based business.</p>
<p>Along with any city and state ordinances, insurance is important in the event customers will be coming to your home.</p>
<p>If someone is injured on your property while conducting business with you, they could turn around and sue you. Be sure your insurance policy takes this into account, as a homeowners’ policy does not automatically cover you when having visitors to your home as part of business dealings. Speak to your agent and inform them of your new business venture so it can be accounted for on your policy.</p>
<p>Another important item for consideration is your taxes.</p>
<p>There will be some expenses you can deduct when operating a home-based business, but speak to your tax professional so you know ahead of time what is and isn’t accepted. Record keeping will also be important, so take the time needed to compile all receipts of purchases for equipment such as office furniture, a computer, printer, fax machine and so on.</p>
<p>While it would be nice to have some employees along to help you shoulder the load, the reality is your expenses are likely going to be very tight at first.</p>
<p>Hiring an employee or employees means salaries and other responsibilities. Invest in the fact that it may mean a few more hours out of your day, but doing the work yourself will save you some money over time.</p>
<p>Lastly, in the event you have family at home, be sure they know the dos and don’ts regarding your new business venture.</p>
<p>Your business time at home is just that, work time.</p>
<p>While you may feel like you’re neglecting your significant other or children, make it clear that you need to be working when you say your business is open.</p>
<p>Working from home can open a whole new door of possibilities, many of which can work to your benefit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>Would You Risk Leaving Your Job?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-03-02:502551:BlogPost:15237612012-03-02T16:30:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>In a day and age where the economy seems to go up one minute and then head south the next, why on earth would you want to quit your job to <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/" target="_blank">start a small business</a>?</p>
<p>For some folks, the answer to that question is the desire to become their own boss. But becoming your own boss in 2012 is a risky proposition, especially given how fragile the economy has been. Just when the job market was starting to…</p>
<p>In a day and age where the economy seems to go up one minute and then head south the next, why on earth would you want to quit your job to <a href="http://www.business.com/startup/starting-a-small-business/" target="_blank">start a small business</a>?</p>
<p>For some folks, the answer to that question is the desire to become their own boss. But becoming your own boss in 2012 is a risky proposition, especially given how fragile the economy has been. Just when the job market was starting to pick up and unemployment was slowly falling, a spike in gas prices has tempered that good feeling for many.</p>
<p>If you find yourself with the desire to forgo your given salary at work and strike out on your own, weigh the pros and cons of such a move.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On the positive side:</p>
<p>• You have freedom to make decisions and do not have to answer to anyone other than yourself;</p>
<p>• You set your own hours, although expect in most cases to work more hours now than you did under someone else;</p>
<p>• You have the ability to have an unlimited income as opposed to having a set salary under someone else.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On the challenging side:</p>
<p>• You are making all the decisions and the ability to consult with co-workers and get their advice is removed;</p>
<p>• If you are not disciplined, you could find it hard to put in the necessary time commitment for the job, especially with a family involved;</p>
<p>• In the event your business takes a while to get going, what are you going to do for a regular source of income? If the decision is to start a new business, do you have the business plan up and running? If the answer is no, this can be your first and biggest hurdle to climb.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Putting a Business Plan in Place</strong></p>
<p>One of the biggest mistakes start-ups make is not having a well thought out business plan in place. Remember, starting your own business is not something you just dive into.</p>
<p>Prior to writing a business plan, be sure to research your market and compile up to date industry data. If you’re unsure about how to write the business plan, take note that there are a variety of business plan software packages available to new entrepreneurs. Many of the packages offer document templates, sample plans at no charge, along with advice on conceiving a plan.</p>
<p>As you put your business plan together, don’t be afraid to ask for advice from family or friends who run their own companies.</p>
<p>Once the plan is completed, make sure that a friend or family member/s reviews it to look for any holes or unanswered questions. In the event you are going to require a <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/small-business-loans/" target="_blank">small business loan</a> to get things up and running, you will likely be required to produce a formal business plan that speaks to your needs.</p>
<p>Finally, determine if your writing skills are up to the challenge, as the last thing you want is turning in a plan that is riddled with grammar issues, etc. If you will require financial information that is either above your abilities or unavailable to you, consider working with a certified public accountant.</p>
<p>With a business plan in tow, the necessary funding (if required), and support from your loved ones, you could very easily make your own business the centerpiece of your life.</p>
<p>Remember, your dreams and hopes that may not have been achieved under someone else could now be for the taking.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>Women Dressing for Success in the Workplacetag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-24:502551:BlogPost:15206212012-02-24T21:50:25.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>As a woman in today’s workplace, do you feel like you are a little more scrutinized in what you wear than your male counterparts?</p>
<p>While women would like to think they are judged for their brains and skills and not their appearance, there is little doubt there are still some offices where what female employees wear to work is given greater scrutiny than men.</p>
<p>In a setting where standard company <a href="http://www.business.com/operations/uniforms/" target="_blank">uniforms…</a></p>
<p>As a woman in today’s workplace, do you feel like you are a little more scrutinized in what you wear than your male counterparts?</p>
<p>While women would like to think they are judged for their brains and skills and not their appearance, there is little doubt there are still some offices where what female employees wear to work is given greater scrutiny than men.</p>
<p>In a setting where standard company <a href="http://www.business.com/operations/uniforms/" target="_blank">uniforms</a> like a hospital or eatery usually means no big deal, other venues can lead to an array of options for dressing up or dressing down.</p>
<p>For women dressing for the office or to attend a work-related business function, it is important to dress the role without pushing the envelope.</p>
<p>While a number of women no doubt enjoy the attention they get in the office or at a business function, drawing too much negative attention is not a good routine to get into.</p>
<p>When females are dressing for the office, the most important thing to remember is who your audience is, especially if you are in sales and will be having contact with current and prospective clients.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Don’t Be Tempted for the Model Look</b></p>
<p>If you work in a setting where you will be coming in contact with clients on a regular basis, do not dress like a model.</p>
<p>Yes, it is okay to be attractive in your presentation, but be sure you’re not flaunting too much so that the client is more interested in your wardrobe than what you and your company have to offer. Not being taken seriously can kill that opportunity to pitch a product and/or make a sale.</p>
<p>Next it is a good idea if there are other females in the office to pattern your clothing appearances after them. That holds true assuming they dress in a professional manner and not something deemed too risky. The last thing you want is for a client to disregard your intelligence and think that you’re the next pinup model.</p>
<p>Another no-no is showing up on a regular basis in clothing that is too loud. While a purple fluorescent outfit may work well for a night out on the town, you are showing up for work, not a movie premiere. On the flip side, it is not advisable to show up for work wearing bland colors that make you appear drab and unwelcoming.</p>
<p></p>
<p><b>Does Age Factor into What to Wear?</b></p>
<p>Age also plays a role in how women should dress for their 9 to 5 routine.</p>
<p>If you are in your 40s, 50s or older, do not try and dress like a woman just out of college. If you want to be taken seriously don’t try and live your past in front of your co-workers and/or clients.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, common sense plays the most pivotal role in how your dress for <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/jobs/" target="_blank">jobs</a>.</p>
<p>Remember, if you think something you’re going to wear will by any means call too much attention to you, keep it in the closet.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas</em> <em>writes extensively for</em> <a href="http://www.business.com" target="_blank">Business.com</a>, <em>an online resource</em> <i>destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</i></p>Intricacies of Using Social Media to Hiretag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-21:502551:BlogPost:15179472012-02-21T19:36:39.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>With the age of social media having long ago arrived and planning a lengthy stay, more and more employers are using the platform to screen potential hires. As a result, are there any legal ramifications to doing such?</p>
<p>It is a given in today’s technologically driven world that people are going to place comments and photos on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. without always thinking before they post. In turn, employers are turning more to social networking…</p>
<p>With the age of social media having long ago arrived and planning a lengthy stay, more and more employers are using the platform to screen potential hires. As a result, are there any legal ramifications to doing such?</p>
<p>It is a given in today’s technologically driven world that people are going to place comments and photos on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. without always thinking before they post. In turn, employers are turning more to social networking sites to <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/recruiting/" target="_blank">recruit</a>, scouring through online resumes and other information in hopes of finding the right employee/s.</p>
<p>So, are there legal land mines awaiting employers by using such sites?</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Social Media and Legalities</strong></p>
<p>As most employers know (for those who don’t, listen up), the Federal Equal Employment Laws ban employment discrimination against those qualified candidates with disabilities. It is also against the law to discriminate against individuals due to their age, sex, race, national origin and religion.</p>
<p>While employers cannot discriminate against potential hires in the above-mentioned areas, they can compile quite a resume of their own just by gathering social media information that an individual has posted. This can include Bob’s drunken foray at a bachelor party or Jill’s racy expose shoot with a local photographer that found its way onto the Internet. The question then becomes, is it legal for employers to take social media information about a potential candidate and bring it into the decision making process on whether or not they get the <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/jobs/" target="_blank">job</a>?</p>
<p>For example, a very qualified woman applies for a reporter position with your television station. You like what you see in her resume, and then discover on her Facebook profile that she is 45 years old. As many of us know, many of the reporters and anchors seen on television are hired in their 20s and even early 30s, due to how they come across on the screen. This 45-year-old likely has a wealth of experience, but you feel she won’t connect with younger viewers due to her age. Do you automatically skip her in the resume pile and look for someone younger?</p>
<p>The bottom line is you could be sued for age discrimination if word gets out you didn’t hire her after learning of her age, leaving you to come up with a better reason as to why a woman with such qualifications was passed over for a much younger woman recently out of college.</p>
<p>While you shouldn’t discount social media as a tool to assist you in the hiring process, be sure that an image or a comment by a prospective employee does not sway you one way or the other.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Employers Turning to Social Media in Hiring Search</strong></p>
<p>While the above-mentioned scenario may come up as you look to hire, it is important to get as much information on a potential hire as possible, provided it is used in a fair manner.</p>
<p>With millions and millions of people using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media tools to be engaged online, it behooves employers to see if any actions on such sites by potential hires would dissuade you from hiring them in the first place.</p>
<p>If you use one or more of the social media sites to gather information on a prospect, be sure to keep the information in context. Someone responsibly holding a beer in a photo at a party is not against the law, but someone baring their breasts in such a manner may leave you with some questions, especially as to what kind of employee they might be when it comes to decision making issues.</p>
<p>The bottom line is social media can assist both the recruiter and the employer in your decision making process, but by no means make it the predominant one.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>The Role of Social Media in Recruiting Employeestag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-15:502551:BlogPost:15142092012-02-15T22:40:10.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>With the age of social media having arrived and planning a lengthy stay, more and more employers are using the platform to screen potential hires. As a result, are there any legal ramifications to doing such?</p>
<p>It is a given in today’s technologically driven world that people are going to place comments and photos on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. without always thinking before they post.</p>
<p>In turn, employers are turning more to social networking…</p>
<p>With the age of social media having arrived and planning a lengthy stay, more and more employers are using the platform to screen potential hires. As a result, are there any legal ramifications to doing such?</p>
<p>It is a given in today’s technologically driven world that people are going to place comments and photos on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. without always thinking before they post.</p>
<p>In turn, employers are turning more to social networking sites to <a href="http://www.business.com/software/recruitment-software/" target="_blank">recruit</a>, scouring through online resumes and other information in hopes of finding the right employee/s. So, are there legal land mines awaiting employers by using such sites?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Social Media and Legalities</b></p>
<p>As most employers know (for those who don’t, listen up), the Federal Equal Employment Laws ban employment discrimination against those qualified candidates with disabilities. It is also against the law to discriminate against individuals due to their age, sex, race, national origin and religion.</p>
<p>While employers cannot discriminate against potential hires in the above-mentioned areas, they can compile quite a resume of their own just by gathering social media information that an individual has posted. This can include Bob’s drunken foray at a bachelor party or Jill’s racy expose shoot with a local photographer that found its way onto the Internet.</p>
<p>The question then becomes, is it legal for employers to take social media information about a potential candidate and bring it into the decision making process?</p>
<p>For example, a very qualified woman applies for a reporter position with your television station. You like what you see in her resume, and then discover on her Facebook profile that she is 45 years old.</p>
<p>As many of us know, many of the reporters and anchors seen on television are hired in their 20s and even early 30s, due to how they come across on the screen. This 45-year-old likely has a wealth of experience, but you feel she won’t connect with younger viewers due to her age. Do you automatically skip her in the resume pile and look for someone younger?</p>
<p>The bottom line is you could be sued for age discrimination if word gets out you didn’t hire her after learning of her age, leaving you to come up with a better reason as to why a woman with such qualifications was passed over for a much younger woman recently out of college.</p>
<p>While you shouldn’t discount social media as a tool to assist you in the hiring process, be sure that an image or a comment by a prospective employee does not sway you one way or the other.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Social Media Needs to be Kept in Context<br/></b></p>
<p>While the above-mentioned scenario may come up as you look to hire, it is important to get as much information on a potential hire as possible, provided it is used in a fair manner.</p>
<p>With millions and millions of people using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other <a href="http://www.business.com/general/social-media/" target="_blank">social media</a> tools to be engaged online, it behooves employers to see if any actions on such sites by potential hires would dissuade you from hiring them in the first place.</p>
<p>If you use one or more of the social media sites to gather information on a prospect, be sure to keep the information in context. Someone holding a beer in a photo at a party is not against the law, but someone baring their breasts in such a manner may leave you with some questions, especially as to what kind of employee they might be when it comes to decision making issues.</p>
<p>The bottom line is social media can assist the employer in their decision making process, but by no means should it be made the predominant one.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>Do We Really Know What Employers Want?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-13:502551:BlogPost:15124182012-02-13T22:00:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>In a day and age when the national unemployment rate still remains more than 8 percent, it is safe to say that it remains an employer’s market.</p>
<p>That being said, we know or should know what most employers are looking for when it comes to hiring new workers.</p>
<p>Among the things traditionally sought are:</p>
<p>• Dependability;</p>
<p>• Trustworthiness;</p>
<p>• Attention to detail;</p>
<p>• Ability and desire to pitch in where needed.</p>
<p>While those may be common sense things on…</p>
<p>In a day and age when the national unemployment rate still remains more than 8 percent, it is safe to say that it remains an employer’s market.</p>
<p>That being said, we know or should know what most employers are looking for when it comes to hiring new workers.</p>
<p>Among the things traditionally sought are:</p>
<p>• Dependability;</p>
<p>• Trustworthiness;</p>
<p>• Attention to detail;</p>
<p>• Ability and desire to pitch in where needed.</p>
<p>While those may be common sense things on the employer end, what exactly are employees looking for in today’s workplace?</p>
<p>For many workers, the idea of working for one employer their entire lives like many of their parents did decades back is pretty much out of reach. Just as many of today’s workers cannot afford their own homes, they too cannot expect to be with one employer for several decades.</p>
<p>So, what is today’s employee looking for when it comes to finding a suitable position, a position that will provide them with both enjoyment and stability?</p>
<p>Although a number of things come to mind for both myself and friends and family members who I talked to regarding their jobs, these following items clearly stood out:</p>
<p>• Security in the workplace. While none of us have 100 percent security given today’s economic climate, you also don’t want to go to work each day wondering if it will be your last. Employers can ease that concern by putting you in the best possible situation to succeed;</p>
<p>• The ability to succeed. As mentioned a moment ago, the ability to succeed is a two-way street. While one expects their employer to place them in a position to be successful and contribute to the company, it is important that the employee seize such opportunities. Too many employees don’t always rise up to the occasion when success is knocking at the doorstep;</p>
<p>• Did you hire adults or children? One of the worst things a company can do is babysit its employees. I have seen this personally over my 23 years of employment, not to mention heard it from family and friends in the workplace. When you hire someone for a job, you train them, then give them the car keys and let them take it for a spin. To constantly be on top of them not only creates friction in the office, it also makes for less productive workers. Trust me; you’d know if they’re not getting their work done. You either trust the employees you hire to do a good job or you don’t at the end of the day. Doing the former in more cases than not will produce winning results for both employer and employee;</p>
<p>• An understanding that we’re all here for a reason. One thing I have witnessed in two-plus decades of employment is that being an employer almost requires having a PhD in psychology. You have your quiet employees, your boisterous workers and those in between. You have your driven employees; workers that are average but do not stand out and your workers who you wonder why you hired in the first place. At the end of the day, fitting those pieces of the puzzle together is your first and foremost goal to having a happy, productive team.</p>
<p>While I could list literally dozens of more factors that employees want, I would say those mentioned are a good start.</p>
<p>When you’re out recruiting employees for your company or as a <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/temporary-staffing/" target="_blank">temporary staffing</a> agency, ask each and every employee what they are looking for beyond the standard and boring where they see themselves five years from now.</p>
<p>In the end, hiring the right employees the first time around is a win-win for both employer and employee.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who covers among other items obtaining <a href="http://www.business.com/finance/small-business-loans/" target="_blank">small business loans</a>, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>Do You Know How to Look Talent in the Eye?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-09:502551:BlogPost:15104582012-02-09T18:00:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>As the job market has shown signs in recent months of improving, the chore of finding the right talent for one’s company becomes even more of a task.</p>
<p>Ask any recruiter or employer and they will tell you that getting the right person in from the first interview, to the <a href="http://www.resourcenation.com/business/background-checks" target="_blank">background check</a>, to the decision to hire or not can be challenging.</p>
<p>As we all know, having the right employee in place not…</p>
<p>As the job market has shown signs in recent months of improving, the chore of finding the right talent for one’s company becomes even more of a task.</p>
<p>Ask any recruiter or employer and they will tell you that getting the right person in from the first interview, to the <a href="http://www.resourcenation.com/business/background-checks" target="_blank">background check</a>, to the decision to hire or not can be challenging.</p>
<p>As we all know, having the right employee in place not only helps the employer strive for a better return on investment (ROI), it also saves the company money in having to keep training new employees like a revolving door. In the event your recruiting efforts have not always been up to par, there are some things to consider the next time you pour through a batch of resumes, considering who does and doesn’t walk through that door for an interview.</p>
<p>The key factor is determining if this employee is really necessary in the first place. Will the job and the responsibility that goes with it in actuality end up being something that the company really needs; does the company currently have the resources needed to handle the work?</p>
<p>Among the factors to keep in mind when considering interviewing applicants would be:</p>
<p>• Do we know what we need? In many instances, companies will specify in their advertisement exactly what they are looking for. Other times, the ads will be more general in terms, leaving both employer and potential employee with some questions. Make sure that the advertisement is clear, meaning both you and the potential employee know what is being sought;</p>
<p>• What makes this person stand out? While each individual who comes into your office for an interview has some unique qualities, you’re looking for that one factor or factors that make them head and shoulders above the rest. Anyone can fill an office cubicle during the day, but you want the individual who will best assist your company;</p>
<p>• Will we overlook some issues with this or that person? When someone comes into your office for an interview, it is assumed that you or someone on your team has given their resume the once-over. What happens, however, if there are some issues with the resume but you still think this individual could be a good fit for your company? When having questions on someone’s resume, go straight to them for the answers. If there is a gap of a year or two from working, ask the individual why that is the case should they not divulge the details ahead of time. Many gaps in resumes can easily be explained, make sure you get the explanation you want;</p>
<p>• How will this individual potentially fit in with the other workers? This is often the million dollar question for many employers. Until an individual is in place and working with other staff, it can be hard to say how they will interact as part of the team. As any company owner knows, finding employees that mesh well together is extremely important to a company’s success. While employees do not have to be best friends on the job or outside of work for that matter, they do need to function in a cohesive manner in the office to produce results;</p>
<p>• Put those references to good use – While many employers seek references, they are not always adept at properly using them when it comes time to hire a new employee. Make sure you follow through with an individual’s references and contact them. More importantly, take a closer view of the people you are calling and the relationship they have to the candidate. Or they all friends of the candidate? Has he or she not listed any recent employers? Has the candidate flat out said they have no references to provide you? References are supposed to provide honest answers when called on an employee, not be their cheerleading squad;</p>
<p>• What have we learned from past hires? Given that life is always providing us lessons, what have you learned from previous hires? Do you have a large rate of retaining employees or do you continuously have to hire new people? While employees will obviously come and go for a variety of reasons, having a high turnover rate means a number of things, including you are not hiring the right people in the first place;</p>
<p>• Lastly, grade yourself on how the process went – Employers oftentimes do not give themselves a grade on how they or appointed staff go about interviewing candidates, but they should. Grading the job you’ve done when it comes to interviewing candidates for work can help you down the road when someone comes to your office or does a phone interview with you. Live and learn just as the candidates do.</p>
<p>Interviewing and hiring new employees whether in-house or through a recruiting agency is not rocket science, but it does mean reviewing your techniques on a regular basis.</p>
<p>In the end, finding the right employee for the right job is better return on investment for everyone involved.</p>
<p></p>
<p><i>Dave Thomas is an expert writer on items like <a href="http://www.resourcenation.com/business/telemarketing" target="_blank">telemarketing</a> and is based in San Diego, California. He writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs at Resource Nation.<br/></i></p>The Ballots Are in, Did You Hire Yourself?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-02-07:502551:BlogPost:15094012012-02-07T22:30:00.000ZDave Thomashttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/DaveThomas
<p>Going on job interviews typically ranks right up there with going to the dentist, doing your income taxes and spending time with the in-laws.</p>
<p>You get the message; interviews can be very taxing to say the least. That being said, there are millions of Americans out there right now who are waiting for the interview call, passing their resume around here, there and everywhere, and going on interviews.</p>
<p>The big question at the end of the day following your interview is would you hire…</p>
<p>Going on job interviews typically ranks right up there with going to the dentist, doing your income taxes and spending time with the in-laws.</p>
<p>You get the message; interviews can be very taxing to say the least. That being said, there are millions of Americans out there right now who are waiting for the interview call, passing their resume around here, there and everywhere, and going on interviews.</p>
<p>The big question at the end of the day following your interview is would you hire yourself?</p>
<p>While the answer nine times out of 10 is probably yes, step back for a moment and look at it from an unbiased point of view:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>• Did you deliver the goods when you were being interviewed?</p>
<p>• Did you bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview or were you just kind of going through the motions?</p>
<p>• What do you feel are your best interview qualities?</p>
<p>• Was the interview all you expected it to be?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With a national unemployment rate still hovering around 8.5 percent, it is no big surprise that there are millions and millions of people nationwide still on the job search.</p>
<p>While sometimes luck plays a part in it, what can you do when meeting with a job recruiter, be it an in-house employee in <a href="http://www.business.com/human-resources/human-resources/" target="_blank">human resources</a> or a potential boss, or a staffing agency to better your odds of getting the job?</p>
<p>Among the factors to keep in mind are:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>• What distances you from other applicants and how did you make that message stand out during the interview?</p>
<p>• Are you prepared to accept and handle this job in the event you are hired?</p>
<p>• From your past experiences, what can you do the next time around in the event you don't get the position? As part of the pre- interview process, look at things from an employer’s side of things:</p>
<p>• What would you be looking for from this applicant?</p>
<p>• Would the applicant’s education and job history play equal roles or would one outdo the other?</p>
<p>• How much credence would you place in what the candidate does outside their work responsibilities? If an applicant informed you they were essentially a couch potato outside of the job, would that lessen your interest in them coming to work for you?</p>
<p>• Would how a job candidate dresses, talks, etc. be important to you or are results the only thing guiding you in your decision?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As part of the post-interview process, look at the following from a candidate’s point of view:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>• What did you want to accomplish in this interview and were your goals met?</p>
<p>• If there is one thing you would have liked to be able to do over again from the interview, what would it be?</p>
<p>• What did you learn from this interview that will influence you on your next one? • Was I more substance or more flash?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>At the end of the day, what you seek most from an interview is the ability to sell yourself, plain and simple.</p>
<p>If you do that, there’s a good chance you would in the end hire yourself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Dave Thomas, who covers among other items obtaining <a href="http://www.business.com/telecommunications/business-phone-systems/" target="_blank">phone systems</a>, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.</em></p>