Writing The Dreaded Job Description……….is it more than just that?

Using job descriptions will help an organization better understand the experience and skill base needed to enhance the success of the company. They help in the hiring, evaluation and potentially terminating of employees. All too often, there is a misunderstanding of what a position entails and a well-prepared job description can help both sides share a common understanding.

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Job descriptions should be updated on a regular basis. The Company changes, the culture changes. Not to mention the job descriptions I have seen that have outdated tech terms on them. Good Lord, how do you expect to attract top notch talent when your job descriptions are 10 years old?

If the description isn’t as well put together and attractive as the opportunity itself, then you are not going to lure in the candidates that you need. Boring, vague job descriptions that offer little-to-no detail on what the job is are sure to bring down your response numbers.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if your descriptions are too detailed candidate are overwhelmed and don’t really have a clear idea as to who you are looking for. Postings that want “5-10 years of this” and “15+ years of that” #EpicFail.

What do YOUR Job Descriptions look like?

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Are we too old to set goals?

So I recently started volunteering at an Emergency Foster Care Shelter near my home and wow has that opened my eyes to ALOT of things. I work with teenage girls and we do a variety of arts and crafts and discuss many topics. One of our recent topics was goals. These girls have some of the most amazing life goals. Even more impressive is that they are taking steps everyday towards achieving those goals. This really started me thinking………so I have business goals and financial goals but what are my life goals? More importantly, am I taking steps towards those goals everyday as these girls are?
I was so inspired by these girls and their positive attitudes despite everything they have been through living in a shelter and waiting to find out if they go back home, move in with a family member or go into the Foster Care system and they have not lost sight of their goals!

So I challenge all of you do write down one of your life goals, frame it and then put it somewhere you can read it everyday. What steps are you taking to achieve that goal?

See you on the goal line…….Image

What is Your Favorite Interview Question & What Does it Reveal?

My favorite interview question is:

Tell me about your first job.
Often this reveals an entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic. Some candidates start working in their teens and have run their own businesses well into college. These are candidates that get excited about start-up opportunities.

 

You’ve accepted an offer……..now for the resignation

Although this is how we sometimes want to resign…
we shouldn’t be burning any bridges when we resign from our current roles to move on to others……Here is what I would suggest:
  1. Set up a meeting with your boss to resign.
  2. Tell him/her you have something to discuss and would appreciate being able to get all the way through it before he/she responds.
  3. Hand in a written resignation letter. Tell him/her that you are giving your notice (2 weeks is appropriate, if possible).
  4. Tell him/her that you have reached an irrevocable decision and that you would like his/her respect and support of that decision.
  5. Tell him/her that you have an incredible opportunity that will allow you to accomplish things in your career that you can not accomplish here.
  6. Tell him/her that you are not here to “hold him/her up for money” and that you are not interested in a counter offer.
  7. Ask him/her what (if anything) you should tell your co-workers.
  8. Thank him/her for the opportunity and the experience.
Good Luck on your resignation and your new career opportunity!!

You should probably wait until you get the offer before you say that…..

  1.  So what exactly is it you guys do? If you are walking into an interview and you don’t know what the company does……you don’t deserve the job. Do your research before walking into the interview.
  2. Will I have to travel and/or relocate? This is a legitimate question but wait for the interviewer to bring up the topic.  If you bring it up first it may make you sound like you are not flexible and being flexible is very important in today’s job search.
  3. Will I have to work over time? How about…”What does the typical day/week look like?”  
  4. What is your vacation policy? Really? You’re trying to get a job and the first thing on your mind is how much time you can take off? Benefits discussion starts once you get to the offer stage of the interview process…you must chill!
  5. So what does this position pay? NEVER ask this in a first interview. Wait for the interviewer to ask you about your salary requirements.  We all need to pay our bills but there is more to the job than money. If you are focused on what the position pays you may make the interviewer think that all you care about is money and will be considered at risk to leave for the next higher paying job.
  6. How long do you think this interview will take? I have to be somewhere else afterward.  Oh for  God’s sake, if I have to explain what’s wrong with this question you’re really in trouble!
  7. How long is it before I can apply for other positions internally? Again, you are making your interviewer question your intentions. Ask this after you have been hired.
  8. Do not end the interview with “No, I don’t have any questions. ” Do not show up to the interview without a list of questions to ask. Take the time and do research on the company. Don’t you want to know more about who you will be working for?