Joel's Views

OVERQUALIFIED Candidates Need Not Apply!

jawconsulting — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:29:06 +0000

I recently brought my car to a mechanic for scheduled maintenance; just an oil change is all I needed. When I arrived I noticed the metal sign, proudly hung outside the door announcing “ASE Certified – Over 30 years experience”. Obviously, he has way too much experience to do a simple oil change…..and even if I let him do it, he’d probably have a poor attitude and would jump at the chance to do a transmission service and just leave my car half-finished.

No, he doesn’t charge any more to do an oil change than the drive through oil change down the road with lesser experienced employees. And it’s probably true that he would notice that fuel filter needing service that the drive through would miss. Why not hire him? Well obviously he’s OVERQUALIFIED.

We all know that OVERQUALIFIED workers are only “settling” for that job until they can find something else; that OVERQUALIFIED workers are significantly more dissatisfied with their jobs and will foment discontent throughout the workplace; that OVERQUALIFIED employees were probably compensated at a higher level in their previous employment and want more compensation than we can afford; and that OVERQUALIFIED workers are untrainable and are too difficult to coach and would never accept our corporate philosophy.

Where do we get these facts? Why from that vast cesspool of information culled from the unsubstantiated, outdated, self-biased trash can we call common knowledge.

Where is the research to substantiate these assumptions? Where is the research to validate these claims? (That isn’t based upon pre 1980 studies).

A few years ago, prior to all the economic meltdowns and bailouts and lost retirement assets, socio-economic commentators were warning about the loss of the experienced worker pool available to employers. We heard about how Gen X and Y could never match the numbers of the Baby boomers reaching retirement age. We also heard how older workers desired to remain in the workplace longer as a matter of self worth, not just a matter of financial necessity.

‘Self worth’. Now that’s a Maslowian indicator of job dissatisfaction if I ever heard one! And having a fully qualified team member with vast experience to draw upon, cutting on boarding time and training costs is definitely an added ROI bonus.

So why this (unsubstantiated) increased use of OVERQUALIFIED in candidate screenings? Couldn’t be age discrimination, as we all know that is an illegal discriminatory practice in employment settings.

There has to be another valid business reason we’re missing. Due to the lack of hard research data, I really need your input. Let me know at joel@joelawhite.com or comments here.

Have A Nice Day!

Social Media In The Workplace – Bad Idea?

jawconsulting — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:36 +0000

Ok. Enough already. I love a good debate and I am one of the first to cite the lack of thought and foresight that organizations (public and private businesses) engage when they develop workplace rules for the use of social media by their employees. And as a Human Resources professional, I have been waving the flag as high as the rest of my colleagues about the current (and impending) deluge of workplace related “opportunities” that social media has and will continue to create in the workplace.

Yet now comes the outrageous conclusion by Stephanie A. Lloyd (RadiantVeracity) about banning social media use by employees in the workplace, “It’s STUPID.” (RadiatVeracity November 8, 2009). She further states, “They should probably also rip out all the fax machines and ban email because someone might send a personal message.”

Ms. Lloyd cites a column by Lisa Barone in Small Business Trends to bolster her argument in which she writes, “Something that also caught my eye was the division between using social media for business use vs using it for personal use. Because they’re pretty much the same thing. The goal behind social media is to make your business personal. And if you don’t understand that, you’re going about it the wrong way.”

A recent article on SocialNomics (Companies Ban Social Media = Bad Idea Oct 23, 2009) Erik Qualman states , “Banning something like social media could send the wrong message to current employees and potential recruits as a company that “doesn’t get it.” Also, how can companies learn what to do in social media if they aren’t allowing their employees to even use the tools?”

So what started all this? A recent survey conducted by Robert Half Technology of 1,499 chief information officers, found that, “More than half (54 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed recently said their firms do not allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason while at work.” (WHISTLE – BUT DON’T TWEET – WHILE YOU WORK, Oct 6, 2009, Robert Half Technology).

Well I say ‘congratulations’ to that 54 percent for exercising their right and prerogative as business owners/operators to control how and when their company owned equipment is used by employees. And further, I don’t find it outrageous or wrong for them to restrict their employees from using personal cell phones, PDA’s, fax machines or laptops WHILE THEY ARE WORKING.

Yes, from a marketing perspective, businesses need to recognize the fantastic new world of social media communications; and if they are smart, adopt it and incorporate it into their plans. And it is further true that in a workplace environment based upon respect and empowerment, employees have been found to be happier and more productive (pick your study, there are plenty).

But let’s get real for a moment. If it is their computer, PDA, cell phone or telephone they have the right to restrict their employees use of it to job related activities. And if they are paying an employee for that hour, they also have the right and business necessity to establish conditions for personal activity during that hour.

There are plenty of public relations and marketing nightmares just waiting to happen in their scenario. The employee relations minefield will also take some negotiating. More obvious, is a business’s necessity to control its image in the marketplace (not to mention any target sales campaigns they may want to integrate).

Lisa Barone is an expert in the use of social media and internet services; and her blog posts (which I do read often) are a recommended read. And Stephanie A. Lloyd is an excellent source for both human resources topics and understanding where HR meets Social Media (and a frequent voice on #HRHappyHour @SteveBoese on BlogTalk Radio http://bit.ly/3Kpc48). Erik Qualman is the Global VP of Online Marketing for EF Education.

But on this matter, they are practicing a severe case of tunnel vision.

If business owners and executives need to be ‘enlightened’ in the use of social media within their organizations, then by all means, market that expertise at them. When you do, make sure it is tied to a business case and demonstrates sound ROI, and affords a level of message and market control.

Oh, and don’t forget to include Human Resources, legal and IT security aspects while you’re at it.

Enjoy Your Day!

HR Is Obsolete! (Isn’t It?)

jawconsulting — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:08:00 +0000

I’m a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their opinion; and since I love entitlements, I have chosen to have an opinion on virtually everything. I’m not saying I know everything, or that I’m always right; just have my opinion. I also follow Will Roger’s quote, “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects”.

I mention the ignorant aspect, because every once in awhile, you come across someone who expounds an opinion that epitomizes both. No, I’m not referring to a member of Congress or anyone in our state or Federal governments. Politicians and bureaucrats are exempt from this analysis, as the concepts are requisite and are embedded within their job descriptions. No, I am referring to journalists, or more specifically, one particular journalist; who for some reason found the need to deliver his opinion of human resources, up to and including his prescription and admonishment for its swift demise.

Sathnam Sanghera, in his October 5^th column in The Times (London), “Human resources departments: I’ve never understood the point of them , (Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd), cites opinions from a variety of sources, including some from HR Professionals and asserts that HR should return to their status of over 30 years ago, when they handled payroll, benefits and disciplinary issues. Most of Mr. Sanghera’s diatribe comes from his “forcing myself to read the pile of HR trade magazines on my desk…” His concluding argument even cites an item from Human Resources magazine (September 2009) as demonstrating that HR professionals themselves “can’t see the point of most of what they do”. What he fails to mention is that particular article was an excerpt of a round table debate on future working practices as it relates to talent management.

By his own admission, Mr. Sanghera states that he has never “dealt with HR myself…”, yet from a pile of HR trade magazines, he has completed a full analysis of the Human Resources role in organizations and concluded with its obsolescence.

Wow! And this coming from a journalist; a profession going through its own self analyses as more and more readers question the veracity and skills of members of their profession.

There are many, many professional journalists who are adept and highly accomplished; and who follow high journalistic ethics. These same professionals question many examples of poor journalistic ethics and practices. And well they should and we applaud their efforts. It should be left to a profession to self evaluate, criticize and reinvent itself, if necessary.

So it is with the Human Resources profession and the HR professional. What an evolution (or better, revolution) has occurred in this profession over the last 40 years. Yet to observe this self evaluation, self criticism and evolution in progress and label it a call for functional suicide is absurd. I would no more call for the complete regulation of the “free press”, citing efforts of journalists at self policing and calls for professional development and better editorial control!

Sathnam Sanghera is an accomplished author. His book, “The Boy with the Topknot: A Memoir of Love, Secrets and Lies in Wolverhampton”, has been well received and applauded for its handling of a mental health topic. I understand that he spent over two years of research for his book.

I just wish he had spent a little more effort on this subject.

Enjoy Your Day!

Fishing for A Job With Social Media – Wrong Bait, Wrong Pond

jawconsulting — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:55:00 +0000

I love to go fishing; mostly streams and rivers, but I’ve been seen throwing my line in lakes and oceans from time to time as well. If the truth be known, (bathtubs aside) I look at most water and think of fishing.

As with selling, there’s an art and science to fishing. The parallels are fascinating. The science of selling (to be brief), says that if you ask enough people if they want to buy something, eventually some will say yes. If you throw your line into enough rivers and streams, eventually you WILL catch something.

Now the art of selling says (again, to be brief) the better you master the selling method (discovery of need, features, advantages and benefits, objections and the close) your rate of close and quality of sale will increase. In other words, the better you master the art, the more you will get from the science.

And yes, with fishing; the better you learn what equipment to use (or not use), what bait and when, and most importantly WHERE to fish, the more successful you will be at fishing (more and bigger fish).

(Now I must digress for a moment. As a professional with over 35 years selling experience and a fisherman with about the same experience, I can unequivocally tell you that it is more enjoyable fishing and not catching a thing, then selling and not selling anything. And so the parallel ends).

So what does this have to do with your job search? Well as you may know, looking for a job is more about selling (yourself) than anything else. First you work on the product (self), learn your features (skills) and benefits (expertise) develop marketing materials (resume/vitae/social media profiles) and then develop a sales/marketing plan.

Now hold that thought.

Twenty years ago you would pull out the Sunday newspaper and pour through the help wanted ads. (Could I have show of hands of those who got a ‘professional level’ job through newspaper ads, please?) Not many (I actually got one excellent position through the newspaper 16 years ago). Or maybe you called some of your friends and colleagues in the same industry to have them keep an eye out for something for you. (The influential sales approach).

Now ten years ago. Some of you may still be pulling out that Sunday newspaper, but most of you are signing up for the internet job boards. You’d go through the searches and might even go so far as creating a search agent and even posting your resume on the site. Or maybe you’d call (or email) some of your friends and colleagues in the same or similar industry to have them keep an eye out for something for you. (The influential sales approach).

Ok, get that previously held thought back. (The one about fishing and selling and job search prep).

Today. Some of you may still be pulling out that Sunday newspaper, but I sure hope not (at least be checking the online version). Most of you are signing up for the internet job boards, creating search agents and posting your resume online. You’ve received, by now, at least 500 offers to create THE resume that will get the job of your dreams. You may even be utilizing a professional resume service. You may have had a profile on LinkedIn, which you never really used; and you have a Facebook profile you use to communicate with your friends. Someone told you to try Twitter. Or maybe you’d email some of your friends and colleagues in the same or similar industry (or connect via LinkedIn, or become friends on Facebook or follow on Twitter) to let them know you’re in the job market and to keep an eye out for something for you. (The influential sales approach).

See a trend here? (Hold that thought).

When I go fishing I always notice those people who are fishing somewhere I know for a fact (through experience) that there isn’t even one fish. Or sales people who are constantly selling their products to the wrong markets and prospects. Or job seekers who are busily tweeting, emailing, and connecting with people who are not hiring or never will be hiring anyone with their expertise and experience.

Get a great resume together. As an HR professional who has recruited and hired all levels of work, from CFO’s to production workers, that resume is important. Many times I would spend no more than 20 seconds reviewing a resume (online or hard copy) to determine the first cut of candidates.

Next, treat social media as a giant electronic, lighted billboard on which you are writing a (very) short version of that resume. Anyone can see it. Let me say that again. Anyone can see it. Your goal is to make anyone who sees that billboard want to see your full resume.

Ok, now get that thought back about seeing a trend.

Most jobs are obtained through the influential sales approach. Contacting, connecting, linking, emailing, calling (yes, with a phone), tweeting and getting out and meeting with friends, colleagues in the same and similar industry, and with people who are hiring! Social media is a fantastic communication tool. Use it. But use it to communicate with the right people, the people who are buying. You need to fish in the right pond.

A final note: There are some fantastic job search experts out there on LinkedIn and Twitter. Way too many to name here. But you are welcome to look at who I follow on Twitter and who I am connected with on LinkedIn. Many of their names are there. Invite me to connect on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelawhite or follow me on Twitter @jawconsulting.

Enjoy Your Day!

There’s No ‘Why?’

jawconsulting — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:49:00 +0000

After repeatedly scolding his young son, the frustrated father asked the 7 year old boy, “Why did you do it?” Without hesitation, the young boy responded, “There’s no ‘why’.”

Recently, I found myself requesting a lower interest rate from one of my credit card companies. I always paid on time and always paid more than the minimum. After visiting with a supervisor, they agreed to the lower rate. Hey I won one! Five days later I received written confirmation in the mail for the new lower rate. The very next day I received another letter informing me that my credit limit had been lowered to one dollar about my balance! There’s no ‘why’.

Another credit card company recently informed someone else I know that, even after a long history of good payments and responsible usage, they were cutting their credit limit in half to $100 above their current balance. The reason they gave was having too many open accounts. A month later they informed that same customer they were reducing their credit limit even further. The reason? Now, their balances were too high compared to their credit limit! (Any guess how that situation happened?) There’s no ‘why’.

So there you are, let go from your job or cut off in traffic or caught speeding with 20 other cars but you were the one stopped and given a ticket or put on hold for an hour by (any) customer service rep. Normally, most of us would be angry, yell at the other car, argue with the traffic cop and hang up the phone (while muttering unrepeatable things under our breath). But really, think about it. There’s no ‘why’.

That boy took away the ‘why’; the reason. The father thought for a minute, smiled and hugged his son.

Maybe that young 7 year old had it right. Does there really have to be a ‘why’? It’s the ‘why’ something happened that makes us respond mad, angry, depressed and victimized. But if there’s no ‘why’, maybe we would smile and move on.

And you know, when you smile, things happen.

Enjoy your day!

Fly Swatters

jawconsulting — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:39:00 +0000

As I sit at my desk this afternoon, a fly has chosen to continually buzz around my head. Brushing it aside and continuing my work, it returns and proceeds, not only to buzz around my head but to take its infernal buzzing straight to my ear. As one who believes in trying to reason with unwanted behavior, I admonish the fly and warn him (or her, never could figure out the difference)to cease or I will get the fly swatter. It ignores my warning.

Let us please have a moment of silence for the fly……………………….. .

Now think about it. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a fly swatter of sorts for all those little annoyances in life? That customer service calls where, after endless button pushing and hold time, you are, without warning transferred to their call center in Kenya. Pull out the fly swatter and ‘SMACK’ – you’re immediately transferred to an apologetic supervisor who not only gives you a full refund, but lowers the interest rates on two of your credit cards!

Or here’s one of my favorites. The driver with a cell phone stuck to their ear, entering the freeway without looking, pulls out in front of you even though there isn’t a car behind you for a mile. And then, to make it worse, they slow down to 10 mph below the speed limit! Here comes the fly swatter from under your seat and ‘SMACK’ – out of nowhere a police car pulls up beside them, motions them to pull over and tickets them for inattentive driving!

And how about that annoying spouse (husband or wife, you pick it) who insists on getting in the last word long after an argument has long ended and you’re finally cooling off. Here comes that fly swatter again, and ‘SMACK’ – That last word turns into a full and unequivocal apology; and you’re taken out for a night of dinner and dancing (or a pro football game in a nearby city depending upon your position).

Folks, the reality is there does not exist a fly swatter for those annoyances in life. (And I strongly suggest that you do not attempt to use the household variety in any of the above situations for obvious, and some not so obvious reasons). But there is something we can do when in similar situations.

Get a real BIG Smile on your face and think of that fly swatter!

Caveat: For those of you who come away from this story feeling that I advocate violence in any way, shape or form; please understand that the ‘SMACK’ as used in this article is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to be a physical action. Please be assured that no call center operators, stupid drivers or loving spouses were harmed during (and hopefully after) the writing of this blog.

Enjoy the Day!

Front Yards

jawconsulting — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Driving around the neighborhood, I always notice the front yards of houses; some with great landscaping in full bloom, and others with not much appeal. Some even used as driveways over old gravel packed down over the years.

I would often wonder to myself why anyone would let their property decay so much. I would imagine in what shape were the rest of the house and yard. Then one day I had the opportunity to visit that neighbor. They had left a sign directing me to meet them in the backyard. As I maneuvered through the uneven gravel, headed round the side and opened the gate, I was met with a rich, deep green lawn, bright flowers and stepping stones to lead my way. What a stark contrast to what the world sees from the front!

My neighbors apologized for the note; and mentioned that they spend almost all of their time in the backyard and can’t always hear when someone is at the door.

We live in a world of resumes and Twitter and blogs and email and meetings and phone calls and front yards. A world where many of us were taught to always put our best foot forward. And so, we look at those front yards……and make our judgements.

Yet isn’t it more a matter of what our ‘backyards’ look like. The place we spend most of our time, our passions – the place which truly reflects who we are and what we care about?

A well written, well ‘landscaped’ resume may get a second look, or even a third; but it won’t tell you their passions, who they really are or whether they would be a good hire…..or a good friend or neighbor.

It’s time we started to look around those front yards. That’s where we’ll find the real gems.

Enjoy the day!

Optimism

jawconsulting — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:07:00 +0000

Optimism is more than a state of mind; it’s a state of mind with purpose. It has nothing to do with the “glass half full, glass half empty” concept. That’s for people who aren’t very thirsty. It has nothing to do with “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” nor how we react to everything going on around us. If it did then it would admit that we are a product of our circumstances and diminish our capacity to dream.

Optimism does not hold with the theory that “we are one, plus our circumstances” (as someone once said), nor that we are a product of our environment. In point of fact, optimism’s only relationship to our environment is by reference – optimism is positive when compared to the negatives in our perceived world.

No, optimism comes from our eternal existence, our eternal identity. Who we are, not where we are; (for we are all where we are supposed to be). It is a product of that “power… beyond measure” that Marianne Williamson describes. That “power” is that Spirit in all of us that transcends space and time; and creates that which we call ‘our Self’.

We are all ‘eternal optimists’.

Enjoy the day, Joel