TheHRLife

During the holidays many of us attempt to make the most of our down time - if we have any after family visits and shopping- to recharge mentally, reignite our passions, and take inventory of our accomplishments, even failures from the year. Going into something new - specifically a New Year - allows us to refocus our sights on what’s most important and lay the ground work necessary to reach those plateaus.

It’s been a while since my last post for those very reasons. Now that I’m back on the blog bandwagon, my first goal is to address topics I’m often approached about from young professionals. This year you’ll see posts on how to improve public speaking skills, networking (online and in person) do’s and don’t, HR laws and mandates, negotiating like a pro, and anything else hot in the world of human resources and professional development.

To start the week off, let’s take a look at what it is to be a desperate job seeker in an economy where the unemployment rate has dropped to a low of less than 5%. January and February just happen to be overrun with opportunities to shift gears! Many employers have their budgets in place and are salivating at the very thought of filling roles they’ve likely needed for quite some time. Fast forward to “the search.” You’ve coined this year as the year for a career transition. All of the preparation and suggestions thrown your way have been finely crafted into a top notch resume, but you're still getting the run around from potential employers and recruiters... Thankfully, Liz Ryan has a few plausible solutions. 

Read her article, Five Unmistakable Signs of a Desperate Job-Seeker, to get the low down on the types of behavior you should never settle for during your job search. 

This week’s theme: A Pill of a Protest..

Why Not Protest?

To say that protesting is an effective means of addressing ones issues in a public setting is an understatement - The University of Missouri is a prime example. So close to election time, whether working in fast food, home health, or on a farm, protesting is dang near gold if you’ve got the time and energy!

An interesting group called The Fight for $15 has been around for 3 years now and is looking to expand its cause considering cities such as New York and L.A. have agreed to increase wages to $15 - eventually. With an election year on our heels, Fight for $15 has broadened its sights from 270 cities to 500 city halls. And, if strategic enough in its end goal, 46 percent of those who earn less than $15 per hour will be all ears! Certainly the Democratic National Committee will emphasize why it chose to make this topic a part of its 2016 platform.

The Pill 

Still think talking about birth control is taboo or relegated to those of the female persuasion? Think again, cause the Affordable Care Act is back in headlines and will soon see the inside of a court -  the Supreme Court, but not for what you might assume - women’s rights (though still important). In actuality, the burden here is with not violating religious rights. 

Presently non-profit organizations are grappling with how to satisfy mandates stipulated in the ACA to cover birth control, while not minimizing their religion beliefs - the Religious Freedom Restoration Act gives them a leg up in that regard. In June 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lost its case to Hobby Lobby in a similar case. Now the Supreme Court gets to hear seven cases to determine if non-profits that to choose forego the accommodation provided by DHHS are in violation of the Affordable Care Act.

Plainly put, if a religiously affiliated organization chooses not to comply with the ACA mandate specifically requiring health care providers to offer plan participants contraception options, a 2-page form must be completed; it’s a waiver of sorts offered by DHHS. The seven non-profits associated with the cases before the high court are finding the requirement to sign the accommodation forms a tough pill to swallow. Hence the Supremes stepping in..

Didn’t cover a burning subject? Feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be sure to follow up next week on One Heck of a Week in HR..

This week I read two articles on the Cadillac Tax and still couldn’t quite grasp the hysteria since it’s not due to take effect til 2018. Being me, I decided to do a bit of research..

This is what I found:

This is not a tax on your new shiny Cadi, but a super expensive tax on health care plans

The Cadi Tax was an original part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act law, yet took a back seat to mandates imposed on individuals

Since it helped fund the ACA, 1 in 4 employers will likely be subject to the tax

Non-profits and religious organizations are hoping to be exempt from fines, and the tax itself, considering premiums are usually higher for their employees versus those in the private sector

President Obama has threatened to veto anything resembling a repeal

Alliance to Fight the 40 - labor unions, WorldatWork, Cigna, and the American Benefits Council - is pushing for the Cadi to fall off the assembly line by contributing to bipartisan support to overturn it

Career success for some appears to be a naturally orchestrated series of events, think Katia Beauchamp and Haley Barna, founders of Birchbox (who doesn’t love beauty products delivered to their front door!), Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, and Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown, all founders of Snapchat. Not to say their entrepreneurial roads to success didn’t involve a few bumps along the way, but they certainly have one thing in common - all managed to capture the essence of their dreams and visions and turned them into profitable businesses, seemingly over night! So kudos to this group and the like, but where does that leave those who can’t quite figure out how to achieve desired outcomes? It’s actually quite simple - seek out the counsel and direction of a mentor.

Mentorship is a flourishing and impressive means of capitalizing on career guidance. The fantastic part about acquiring a mentor is he/she has likely encountered your struggles and, therefore, can sympathize with your situation; this is where the transfer of knowledge will occur. 

Below are 4 key points to keep in mind when pursuing an ideal mentor and how to effectively manage the relationship :

Have your goals in order. A mentor is someone you should view as a professional development coach not a solver of all life’s issues. Always respect the ideal that time is valuable by succinctly defining goals and building in action-oriented measurables and targets. Also be prepared to have your goals challenged since a part of the process is evaluating expectations. Grasping the significance of strategically mapping out goals on the front end will spare you the embarrassment of being unprepared and possibly rejection. 

Understand the type of leader you’d like to follow. Lets face it, every person who delivers an impressionable speech, or elicits thought provoking dreams of grandeur isn’t cut out to mentor. Decide early on the characteristics you would trust as a best match for your career; this individual will teach and share, while your role is to learn and execute. If you are willing to accept both pros and cons from this individual, you’re on track. To that point, effectively managing the relationship will require you to understand his/her communication style in order to schedule meetings, agendas, and combat unforeseen stumbling blocks. 

Be flexible and built trust. Landing a mentor doesn’t mean they do what you say when. Consideration of the effort required to accomplish any number of goals should start with high regard and a clear context of priorities. Remember, mentors lend their time and efforts voluntarily! Because life in general can change in an instant, revising your action plan will likely occur at some point. By displaying that your needs take precedence, you increase the odds of burning a viable bridge. Remain positive and know you’ve built a solid foundation that can sustain a few hiccups. 

Make it a two way street and remain open. Despite the fact that you are the one in need of advice, make the association between you and your mentor a partnership. This means you should bring more than your objectives to the table. Most relationships are about give and take and a mentorship should be no different. Find out what their favorite organizations are and volunteer as proof of your abilities. If a face to face meeting has been scheduled, offer to meet near their location and also pay if applicable. This reinforces your willingness to display your mentor as a valued resource. Also, any exchange between you and your mentor should be viewed as positive. Actively listen, ask straightforward questions, and always ask for clarification. 

In my last post, “Social Media at Work, Part I,” I discussed some of the benefits technology has provided employers but also how it has contributed to the possible lack of productivity in the workplace. This article extends that discussion to the darker side of technology and social media at work.

Whistleblowing

Yet another facet of technology leering at employers is the threat of invasions and breaches. By making a conscious decision to follow the chain of command as it pertains to any behavior deemed inappropriate for a professional environment, employees potentially stave off the negativity associated with making the extreme decision to blow the whistle. To the degree there is a situation in which an employer is unwilling to address a major catastrophe impacting the business or public, agencies such as the EEOC and Department of Labor are specifically in place to handle matters conceived to be beyond your average employee complaint

With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announcing the largest award ever as a result of whistleblowing, many might consider the latter. During a 2014 SEC press release led by Sean McKessy ,Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, the public was informed that an award of more than $30 million was awarded to a whistleblower who provided key information leading to a successful SEC enforcement action. McKessy also added, “This award of more than $30 million shows the international breadth of our whistleblower program as we effectively utilize valuable tips from anyone, anywhere to bring wrongdoers to justice.” As professionals, when signing on to respective positions, we should do so with integrity and the highest ethical standards. However, that’s not to say you won’t ever find yourself in a Snowden predicament.

Social Media

With the popularity of social networking sites, employees are utilizing company equipment more often to stay connected. Unfortunately, employers are in a position where profits are lost and information is highly compromised without appropriate screening mechanisms in place. Smartphones and blog sites alone can cost U.S. companies an estimated $650 billion a year. Fifty three percent of workers agree that these distractions affect their productivity, despite an even larger number claiming having a smartphone makes them a better worker. Many employers are taking on this position regarding the matter: The only right to privacy an employee should have is to personal information such as social security number, address, date of birth, etc. which should never be provided to the general public or a third party without employee consent. Further, any information accessed by the employee is fair game to the employer while on the clock, therefore, no expectation of privacy in situations where actual work is not being performed or otherwise is granted.

Technology is a growing part of our society. It has made receiving a college education - including boot camp - more convenient. We are able to communicate with family members and friends from practically any corner of the world via tools such as Skype, Facebook, and Twitter. Even the option to purchase just about every household item we deem necessary without ever leaving the comfort of our residences is made available with advancements in technology. The steady stream of technology progress that has characterized our society in America has resulted in high productivity, elimination of many menial and dangerous jobs, higher wages and shorter hours, and a continuous flow of new products and services which have resulted in a higher standard of living (Riche, 1982). This statement from more than three decades prior proves technology is a vital part of, not only society but, our success in the workplace.

The use of technology has also advanced HR professionals in their field by allowing for more efficient and effective methods of hiring, onboarding, and employee retention. Building a friendlier culture via newsletters and informational pieces also cultivates employees who are able to relate to the goals and values of their employer. During the second week in July of 2014, Oracle released a new software called PeopleSoft People Tools 8.54 allowing for even the most non-savvy technical user to easily navigate its framework - it personalized features by rolling many previous applications into one, and the option for use on mobile phones in addition to tables and laptops makes it readily accessible outside of the office. However, the use of these platforms along with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and other search engines have become a major game changer for employers attempting to cut down on use during company time, as well as monitor the integrity of staff outside of the work arena. Although many companies make the internet available for the purpose of work associated tasks and take no issue with personal use while on breaks/lunches, many have become aware allowing access places the company in the litigation line of fire as it increases the likelihood of sensitive information being leaked and/or exposed. 

There are presently very few laws that favor the employee in a situation where they have utilized company time and equipment for personal use such as paying bills, accessing social networking sites, etc. in lieu of performing their designated duties. In several instances, overuse has led to termination with no legal leg for the employee to stand on. Employer’s can easily argue it is necessary to monitor all activity taking place within the confines of the business to ensure safety for their client base, as well as the company itself. If companies did not take the necessary measures to protect themselves by use of electronic monitoring, each would face elevated risk  of lawsuits.

hoping to transform it into a door” – Coco Chanel

I posted this quote on my FB page a few days back and thought of the many areas in my life to which it applies. As a working professional, I can’t tally the instances in which a mentor, coach, or friend suggested I orchestrate life based upon my goals versus someone else’s pre-planned route. What I enjoy best about the author – Coco Chanel – is she walked the talk! Chanel is a timeless classic, whether referring to fragrances or design and, though having faced her own set of trials as a woman and business owner, Ms. Chanel was unstoppable in the vision she had for her life and legacy. Thanks to Chanel’s captivating eye for fashion, countless women world-wide have acquired a penchant for that little black dress as a staple in their wardrobe.

What I hope to impart this week is the level of allegiance to ourselves necessary to pull off a Coco Chanel. Having a naturally altruistic spirit, it can be difficult at times for me to process the notion of investing in self in order to later benefit others. However, once I accepted this to be true, suddenly the walls began to dissipate and opportunities abound magically appeared. If you find whatever goal you’re pursuing tends to somehow be just out of reach, re-evaluate the wall. Too often, and at every stage in life, someone wonders what they’re doing wrong or questions how they could improve – in a sense, they’re stuck.

Faith in your ability is the first step. No one can excel at what you’re great at better than you. There will always be naysayers so decide you’re worth the outlay of capital. And don’t become deterred if it – whatever “it” is – has been previously attempted. Remember, the twist is as individuals, we are all unique by design and, thus, have something new to potentially offer.

Next, acquire a life coach, a mentor, even an accountability partner. These individuals are compulsory to brainstorm with and are more than equipped to reinforce your position on life and goals. Truly objective feedback is never a bad thing if it grows you.

Finally, once a definitive plan has been implemented, action is the next phase. Log an entry of goals and deadlines in a journal, calendar, or app to account for and track progress. If something in particular doesn’t pan out, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board. Everything is a process and certain items might require a do over.

Suffice it to say, with the influx of millennials in the work force and mass exodus of baby boomers, now is the time to make your mark – cliche, but true. Pick up a trade, earn a certification, become an entrepreneur. Whatever you decide, the torch deserves much more than to be stunted by antiquated philosophical concepts and systematic views. With current and future advancements too comprehensive to name, I urge again – now is the time to create your own door – don’t be the one stuck at that proverbial wall without a backup plan.

Something occurred to me during interviews after my third or fourth time inquiring about company culture - I just about always received an awkward glance or look of puzzlement.There’s nothing strange about a hiring manager or recruiter asking candidates what a “good fit” or ideal work place looks like to them, but first thing’s first - they have to know it entails more than a quick glance of the company website or LinkedIn page. 

For starters, any applicant on the prowl for a new employer should do a thorough assessment. The basics typically include the following: 

Trust - Ever had the feeling you couldn’t leave personal possessions unattended? Many offices typically ask that confidential information be secured, but in most instances, to lock the computer or turn over sensitive docs is about as stringent as it gets. A Fort Knox mentality doesn’t elicit a trust worthy company culture. These are signs you should look for when showing up on site to an interview.

Employee Engagement - This point I’ve mentioned before. Employers should view all staff as an investment - human capital. As such, ensuring an environment conducive to learning and growth is essential. Employees should continuously feel empowered to perform all tasks and responsibilities well beyond the average mark. If not, Houston, you have a problem!

Purpose - We all want to feel important, but how companies go about boosting employees egos magnifies it’s significance. Employees have to buy into the notion their contributions truly impact the bigger picture. If a company’s success can be directly attributed to employee performance and relayed in a believable fashion, you’ll have a staff full of go-getters.

Since Viola Davis accepted the first-ever Emmy awarded to an African American woman for Outstanding Lead Actress, I’ve wondered when the articles relative to diversity will die down, and if anyone else is taking notice of their significance. 

One of the first lessons I recall from grad school pertained to ethics. Not that other majors were exempt from the topic, but if I were to take my future role as an HR leader seriously, professors wanted to ensure I apprehended the depth to which it mattered. A code of ethics is necessary for every place of employment - it provides an outline of expectations each person is responsible for carrying out, outside of her/her daily job assignments and tasks. It is the assumption of many employers that staff will come on board with a core set of beliefs: show up on time, be prepared mentally and physically, complete tasks according to policy, and respect those in authority, as well as peers and the general public as a whole. Sure all the above are a given, but no one really speaks to what is often so blatantly obvious - lack of diversity. So why are diversity programs failing our work force? Because unconscious bias is real. 

With the top five reasons for EEOC complaints and lawsuits being race, sex, disability, retaliation, and age proves there is still much work to be done. Most every business structure providing a service is held to a minimum standard of practice often related to a dominant perspective called the consensus paradigm. Whether to be led by a personal moral compass or professional obligation is something every expert is their field will face at one point or another. However, being a woman in the work place often means facing acts of sexual discrimination and harassment, and also salary inequality, the glass ceiling, and other brazen signs of male privilege. Similarly, if you’re a woman of color, diversity equates to $606 a week in a pay compared to $740 paid to white women and $708 paid to black men. 

Thankfully diversity practitioners are working diligently to guarantee women and minorities receive equality by training employers to build strategies that directly tie into a healthy culture where leaders act decisively and relay in a concise manner the purpose of strong policies.

Recently I read an article on LinkedIn by Robert Williams III regarding entrepreneurship and, though it wasn’t a light bulb moment, there was a certainty that settled in about the world of business - it’s all interwoven.

One commonly known fact provided by the Small Business Association (SBA) is 65-70% of employees in this country are employed by small businesses. That’s a huge chunk of the work force bringing home a paycheck because someone decided to cut the corporate umbilical cord and venture out on their own. In order to become a successful business owner, one not only has to decide upon the concept of the business, but also brand it appropriately. 

Whether you’re seeking to be the next featured entrepreneur on Shark Tank or undergoing a career transformation, personal branding is an absolute must when it comes to your online presence. For this stage of your decision making process, decide how you’d like to be perceived by the world wide web - we all know a quick Google search is the first stop in determining if a business is legit. It doesn't have to be anything fancy - only consistent, current, and relevant to what you're attempting to accomplish. As stated in other blog posts, you don't necessarily want to mimic someone else's brand - since being original is key - but do peruse multiple profiles on sites such as LinkedIn and Levo to help formulate an image. Because LinkedIn is the number one professional networking site, I highly recommend starting there! Some are intimidated by the amount of work social media requires; however, if the end result you're seeking is a new career, job, or business it'll all be worth it in the end.

If quality leadership is a must have from your current or future employer, chances are you’ll maintain a healthier, long-term career as a result. Good leadership is the topic of many a conversation in HR but, truth be told, it should touch every business and industry across the globe. 

First-rate leadership is the direct outcome of vision which ties directly into company culture. 

The drivers almost always consist of the following: empower, believe, care, inspire, and motivate. 

The purpose is to positively impact employee performance while, ultimately, benefiting the organizations bottom line.

As with any experience, often times we stumble upon not so great leaders who take advantage of their position. They lack the drive to show up some days - mentally, I mean - let alone impel their teams. Because it’s not always apparent how to identify weaknesses in leadership, career guru, Liz Ryan has compiled a top 10 list. 

..and an even deeper commitment to grow.” – Ralph Ellison

Who isn’t familiar with American novelist, scholar, and writer, Ralph Ellison? His most famous work, Invisible Man, won a highly acclaimed National Book Award in the early 1950’s and his success continued with a stellar list of accolades through the mid 80’s. The legendary Ellison even dabbled in classical and jazz music, photography, and theater. With a career spanning several decades, it is beyond evident Ralph Ellison was well versed in the areas of commitment, change, and growth.

When thinking of one’s career, life long goals, aspirations, and dreams – commitment, change, and growth are permanent fixtures required to see any task through to fruition. Of the trifecta, change and growth carry the most significance for me. Often times we hear that change is uninvited – people tend to battle and rage against it with all their might only to succumb to the inevitable. From a worldly perspective, the communities we inhabit are fickle and varying, thus, naturally resulting in change for us as a society. Whether it’s a new Sprouts or Falcon’s stadium, without hesitation – in some instances – we promptly adapt to whatever shift necessary to get back on track. Before we realize it, it’s as though those things always existed until the next disruption, that is, welcome or not.

Last week’s quote touched on the tedious process of hiring which is majorly influenced by the initial stage - recruitment.

For many job seekers, not fully comprehending how resumes are reviewed and selected can be detrimental to the highly sought after goal - an offer of employment. Take a quick glance at the short cuts below to increase your odds of landing that ideal role..

Recreate your cover and CV to mimic the job description. 

Now, this doesn’t mean duplicate word for word, but play up your experience and skill sets to match the employer’s desired needs by using “key words.” This is how an applicant tracking system will select your CV above all others. That’s right, no human being is filtering through hundreds of resumes, there is a built in robot to handle this task and it’s good at its job! Blindly applying to the black hole with the assumption an HR Manager will magically come across your resume just won’t cut it - not with the fierce competition available on the market these days.. So get creative even if that means soliciting help from a professional.

Circumvent the system! 

This is where it gets tricky.. Most employers have an online profile outside of their company sites - think LinkedIn here. By becoming savvy enough to utilize this tool, your research will likely bring forth fruit in the form of the hiring manager’s name. Once you have the golden ticket - sell, sell, sell! Present a specially crafted cover letter with your elevator pitch where, in this instance, creativity allows for a Human Voiced Resume, even an electronic brag book. Whatever route you choose, don’t skimp on originality and drive home an eagerness to surpass all expectations of what has already been specifically outlined.

how we evade it, how we succumb to it, how we deal with it, how we transcend it."— Audre Lorde 

When reading the works of one of my favorite authors, Audre Lorde, I am often astonished at how certain ideals seemingly transcend time to remain relative on multiple fronts. Ms. Lorde, who started writing poetry in her early teens, excelled well beyond her peers in the form of self-expression. Oftentimes she is quoted as having said, “I have a duty, to speak the truth as I see it and to share not just my triumphs, not just the things that felt good, but the pain, the intense, often unmitigating pain.”

This quote struck a chord in the career transitioning phase for me. Think of the hiring process full cycle...

Complete an online application and submit a CV for the millionth time - the part we’d all like to evade

An unfamiliar, celestial voice (a recruiter) prompts a horn sounding to let the games begin! 

Sit through ten dreaded separate interviews 

Await a return call for an offer which, thankfully, finally comes

Prove yourself to a group of strangers in hopes there will be civility, tons of leadership, and ultimately, long term growth opportunity 

Nothing screams pain like coming to the realization this will be your life for the next couple of weeks or even months, depending upon the role. The real aim is to have an exact amount of foresight and eagerness to cope and come out on the other side victorious. Though the hiring process can often become painstakingly tedious, employing an ideal candidate who is diligent and enthusiastic - despite the “unmitigating pain” involved - is usually well worth it for the employer. 

As for the employee, nothing is guaranteed in this life. Thus, pain is important. How we emerge from the aftermath of uncertainty not only adds an extra layer of thickness to our skin, but positions us in a light that declares ordinary limits can be “transcended” and are no real match for sheer optimism. 

I’m not referring to the infamous publication, but the one thing there never seems to be enough of - hours in the day. A few mornings out of the week I find myself reaching for my life line (the latest droid) prior to even opening my eyes - to get a head start on work, to check world related news, tally my “to do” list. It’s sheer madness before the sun has had an opportunity to make a full entrance.

For some there’s a morning routine consisting of the coffee or smoothie maker, hygiene, family lunches, all preliminary items ahead of starting the daily grind. Others of us can’t seem to look away from our hand held devices long enough to make a slice of toast. Oh the woes of being a working professional... Depending upon one’s personal belief system, the start of your day is an indicator of overall productivity. Below I’ve compiled a simple list of how to effectively begin your day and better manage time. 

Make Your Bed

Okay, so this sounds a bit absurd but, in fact, making the bed is your first accomplished task of the day. Now there’s a feeling of empowerment to plow through the remaining items! Too, the National Sleep Foundation has indicated via survey participants, those who make their beds snooze a little better at night. That’s all the reason needed to spend a few extra minutes piling on frilly pillows! Make it a family affair and everyone’s leaving for school and work with an extra pep in their step.

Live in Real Time

Repeat after me, THE CLOCK IS NOT REAL.. Practical adults understand the concept of following a clock is irrelevant and time is more of a mental paradigm. Ever hear of the saying, “plan your work, work your plan?” Well there’s actual truth in it. Toss the to do list and get yourself an appointment book. A friend was clever enough to reward me with one as a graduate school gift and I’ve been scheduling my life ever since. If you can visually examine how your time is being managed - or lack there of - you’ll conceivably alter poor behaviors. Additionally, schedule a block of time with yourself, build in time for interruptions, as well as to amend and modify the day or week as needed.

DO NOT DISTURB

Ideally we’d like to answer every call, return every voicemail, and respond to each email immediately following the alert - this is unrealistic! The first 30 minutes of your work day should be spent covering the associated agenda without intrusion. From there, secure time for all communications to be returned with a 5 minute window (for each) to reflect on what is necessary to achieve intended results. Human response is inevitable, so don’t feel badly if the personal touch just isn’t an option to some. Ultimately, everyone will get their turn. 

Give Yourself a Break

The word impossible is an entry in Merriam-Webster for a reason, it’s a reality. And though pessimism isn't a good look, no one can do it all. With that being said, decide by lunch time  - given you allotted space in the schedule for it - when you're going to wrap up your day because nothing is more pathetic than repeatedly using work as an excuse to not give 100% in all aspects of our lives.