The Human Resources' role can be a tricky one. You have an opening. The job description is created. The websites and channels are populated. And the flood of applicants come in. I've been on both sides of this cycle and it's not fun.
One trend that is almost universal is twofold; the long list of experience required and a minimum educational level. It seems more and more openings require a BA or MBA and the ability to work in a face-paced environment handing tight deadlines without sweating whilst smiling brightly. It appears the world is in search of a lot of jugglers.
Time for a new approach?
You worked hard, you earned the degree, well done! I don't have an MBA but I have consulted clients who require one to work full-time at their company. I'm not suggesting you lower any bar but keep in mind if you're a hiring agent that most aren't great at writing resumes and matching your keywords.
Perhaps if you're in HR, you've seen a candidate that would be perfect - if their resume even gets to you - yet they have to be eliminated. It's a shame. Perhaps you're looking for work, have plenty of experience, hired a resume writing expert, and are still having trouble knocking down the keyword software interface. My two cents, we are all missing out on some remarkable opportunities.
Technology is excellent but let's not forget the human in our resources.
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Showing posts with label human resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human resources. Show all posts
February 4, 2020
February 6, 2016
Human is the Critical Ingredient
Dear C-suite, V-suite, Directors, Managers, and HR Pros,
Please step away from keyword searches and software forms when looking for smart people to work at your company. It can be hard to sift through hundreds of applicants but it's part of your job.
Don't let laziness or Taleo software or someone who may not have their PhD in resume writing or two-page job description wishlists for 22-year old MBA grads who have 18 years' experience, stop you from finding great people to become part of your culture who will improve your business.
We are missing out on countless opportunities to create teams that will do remarkable work. I think education is important and should be encouraged and celebrated, but let's not lose out to those connections we can make when we step away from the forms and job boards and make a real connection.
That's why we call it human resources.
__________________________________________________________________
Please step away from keyword searches and software forms when looking for smart people to work at your company. It can be hard to sift through hundreds of applicants but it's part of your job.
Don't let laziness or Taleo software or someone who may not have their PhD in resume writing or two-page job description wishlists for 22-year old MBA grads who have 18 years' experience, stop you from finding great people to become part of your culture who will improve your business.
We are missing out on countless opportunities to create teams that will do remarkable work. I think education is important and should be encouraged and celebrated, but let's not lose out to those connections we can make when we step away from the forms and job boards and make a real connection.
That's why we call it human resources.
__________________________________________________________________
December 22, 2015
Dear HR Pros and Job Searchers
I was on a prospect call this week with a colleague who has been running her own human resources firm for 25 years. We commiserated about the fact far too often HR professionals are caught in the middle of an organization. Employees think they're in the know while senior management doesn't always consult them for strategic ideas.
As someone who is self-employed, I look for work almost every day. Whether it's corporate opportunities, consulting contracts, or new relationships, it's part of the gig. It's not always easy. It can be a grind and it takes a lot of time and effort. But how different is it for anyone in the world of full-time employment working at a company where they do a job for a paycheck every two weeks? We are all earning our compensation daily. And it seems job security isn't as secure in many places any more.
Letters and Keywords
The HR role can be a tricky one. You have an opening. The job description is created. The websites and channels are populated. And the flood of applicants come in. I've been on both sides of this cycle and it's not fun. One trend that is almost universal is twofold; the long list of experience required and a minimum educational level. It seems more and more openings require a BA or MBA and the ability to work in a face-paced environment handing tight deadlines without sweating whilst smiling brightly. It appears the world is in search of a lot of jugglers.
I've written about this in the past, an MBA should be commended. You worked hard, you earned the degree, well done! I don't have an MBA but I have consulted clients who require one to work full-time at their company. I'm not suggesting you lower any bar but keep in mind if you're a hiring agent that most of us aren't great at writing resumes and matching your keywords. Software helps sift through the hundreds, sometimes thousands of applications. I get it.
But is it time for a new idea?
I have had HR executives tell me my experience would help them but they can't hire my services because I don't have an MBA. What a bunch of crap. Their hands are tied. Three decades of corporate and consulting experience in numerous industries yet because I didn't get my masters, I'm off the list. Maybe you've experienced this in consulting or your job search.
Perhaps if you're in HR, you've seen a candidate that would be perfect - if their resume even gets to you - yet they have to be eliminated. It's a shame. Perhaps you're looking for work, have plenty of experience, hired a resume writing expert, and are still having trouble knocking down the keyword software interface. My two cents, we are all missing out on some remarkable opportunities.
Let's find a way to do this better.
__________________________________________________________________
As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience as a business advisor and project manager in numerous industries and organizations including; human resources, corporate training, financial services, media, real estate, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting leaders who want to improve their bottom line through strong culture and leadership. knealemann@gmail.com
As someone who is self-employed, I look for work almost every day. Whether it's corporate opportunities, consulting contracts, or new relationships, it's part of the gig. It's not always easy. It can be a grind and it takes a lot of time and effort. But how different is it for anyone in the world of full-time employment working at a company where they do a job for a paycheck every two weeks? We are all earning our compensation daily. And it seems job security isn't as secure in many places any more.
Letters and Keywords
The HR role can be a tricky one. You have an opening. The job description is created. The websites and channels are populated. And the flood of applicants come in. I've been on both sides of this cycle and it's not fun. One trend that is almost universal is twofold; the long list of experience required and a minimum educational level. It seems more and more openings require a BA or MBA and the ability to work in a face-paced environment handing tight deadlines without sweating whilst smiling brightly. It appears the world is in search of a lot of jugglers.
I've written about this in the past, an MBA should be commended. You worked hard, you earned the degree, well done! I don't have an MBA but I have consulted clients who require one to work full-time at their company. I'm not suggesting you lower any bar but keep in mind if you're a hiring agent that most of us aren't great at writing resumes and matching your keywords. Software helps sift through the hundreds, sometimes thousands of applications. I get it.
But is it time for a new idea?
I have had HR executives tell me my experience would help them but they can't hire my services because I don't have an MBA. What a bunch of crap. Their hands are tied. Three decades of corporate and consulting experience in numerous industries yet because I didn't get my masters, I'm off the list. Maybe you've experienced this in consulting or your job search.
Perhaps if you're in HR, you've seen a candidate that would be perfect - if their resume even gets to you - yet they have to be eliminated. It's a shame. Perhaps you're looking for work, have plenty of experience, hired a resume writing expert, and are still having trouble knocking down the keyword software interface. My two cents, we are all missing out on some remarkable opportunities.
Let's find a way to do this better.
__________________________________________________________________
As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience as a business advisor and project manager in numerous industries and organizations including; human resources, corporate training, financial services, media, real estate, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting leaders who want to improve their bottom line through strong culture and leadership. knealemann@gmail.com
May 16, 2011
Leaving Our Digital Footprint
Who's Watching Who
There is an old adage that the only person who is really concerned with you is you. The rest of us are far too busy worrying about us. But with the online world, that doesn’t stop us from being able to peer into each others’ life whenever it strikes our fancy.
Voyeurism is alive and well when we can leave our thoughts on a Facebook wall or Twitter stream and others can read a moment in time, any time they want. But I hear all too often "I just connect with my friends". That may be true, but it's often done in front of several hundred million people.
Ten to fifteen years ago, it was important for companies to have a place on the Internet where customers and potential customers could find out more about their offerings. Now it’s imperative for companies to not expect customers to come to them but rather they need to go where customers reside online. This is the difference between having a website and creating a web presence.
Watch Where You Step
With close to two billion of us surfing the web all trying to learn from each other, gain information, get each other’s attention and put our best out there, it can get distracting and overwhelming. Add to that, we are human, so we experience grumpy moments that can slip into our online activity. That flippant lash can hurt a company as evidenced by faux pas by many large respected brands in the last few years.
If you get into a heated discussion at work or with a customer, that is a one-on-one situation that can be diffused and resolved between the two of you. But when you engage in a similar discussion online you are doing it in front of anyone who cares to watch. And that makes companies nervous. Many are concerned about opening themselves up to the digital mob. After all, anyone with an Internet connect can publish anything they want.
Checking References
Human Resources managers and recruiters are using the social web more and more to find candidates for job openings and they aren’t just reading a well crafted resume or LinkedIn profile to gather information. That offhand remark you make on Quora can come back and bite you.
This is not to suggest we have to be perfect, because once you get that new gig you will need to be yourself but it does serve as a reminder that perhaps the next time we’re having a tough time or in a rough mood we may want to step away from the keyboard for a timeout.
Does that sound like a wise plan?
Kneale Mann
image credit: adrianakems
Voyeurism is alive and well when we can leave our thoughts on a Facebook wall or Twitter stream and others can read a moment in time, any time they want. But I hear all too often "I just connect with my friends". That may be true, but it's often done in front of several hundred million people.
Ten to fifteen years ago, it was important for companies to have a place on the Internet where customers and potential customers could find out more about their offerings. Now it’s imperative for companies to not expect customers to come to them but rather they need to go where customers reside online. This is the difference between having a website and creating a web presence.
Watch Where You Step
With close to two billion of us surfing the web all trying to learn from each other, gain information, get each other’s attention and put our best out there, it can get distracting and overwhelming. Add to that, we are human, so we experience grumpy moments that can slip into our online activity. That flippant lash can hurt a company as evidenced by faux pas by many large respected brands in the last few years.
If you get into a heated discussion at work or with a customer, that is a one-on-one situation that can be diffused and resolved between the two of you. But when you engage in a similar discussion online you are doing it in front of anyone who cares to watch. And that makes companies nervous. Many are concerned about opening themselves up to the digital mob. After all, anyone with an Internet connect can publish anything they want.
Checking References
Human Resources managers and recruiters are using the social web more and more to find candidates for job openings and they aren’t just reading a well crafted resume or LinkedIn profile to gather information. That offhand remark you make on Quora can come back and bite you.
This is not to suggest we have to be perfect, because once you get that new gig you will need to be yourself but it does serve as a reminder that perhaps the next time we’re having a tough time or in a rough mood we may want to step away from the keyboard for a timeout.
Does that sound like a wise plan?
Kneale Mann
image credit: adrianakems
September 14, 2010
Are You Experienced?
Hendrix wanted to know.
It's clear the legendary rocker was not speaking to HR managers, stakeholders, customers or clients.
But it's something we think about every time we meet someone in person or online.
You don’t really care how many framed documents appear on the doctor’s wall, you want her to fix your painful ankle injury.
Diplomas point to training but not everyone finished at the top of their class.
The mechanic peering under your hood better know what he’s doing because you’re paying him $110/hour to get rid of that clanging noise every time you start your car.
You expect the reputable renovation company to create your dream kitchen as they promised they could with all those pictures of previous renovations to prove it.
Whether you’re in medicine, automotive repair or restoring homes, you need to prove your experience. No matter the industry, there is usually never a shortage of people trying to sell solutions without proving their ability.
Are you asking them to prove they are experienced?
knealemann
Let's create experiences not campaigns.
image credit: soulculture
It's clear the legendary rocker was not speaking to HR managers, stakeholders, customers or clients. But it's something we think about every time we meet someone in person or online.
You don’t really care how many framed documents appear on the doctor’s wall, you want her to fix your painful ankle injury.
Diplomas point to training but not everyone finished at the top of their class.
The mechanic peering under your hood better know what he’s doing because you’re paying him $110/hour to get rid of that clanging noise every time you start your car.
You expect the reputable renovation company to create your dream kitchen as they promised they could with all those pictures of previous renovations to prove it.
Whether you’re in medicine, automotive repair or restoring homes, you need to prove your experience. No matter the industry, there is usually never a shortage of people trying to sell solutions without proving their ability.
Are you asking them to prove they are experienced?
knealemann
Let's create experiences not campaigns.
image credit: soulculture
