On buying my first iPod…
I am sure this sounds comical, but I bought my first iPod this week.
This is from someone who is technically part of Generation Y. An iPod is supposed to be standard issue along with an inflated sense of entitlement.
This is from someone who has been blogging well before the term was invented and before software was widely available.
I honestly don’t know what took me so long. And it isn’t even that I am ashamed of it. I really appreciate all of the things you can do with the iPod right now. Between the podcasts, audiobooks, video, picture and presentation capability (I keep think I am forgetting something…), I have a nice setup for a small dollar amount.
This is a lesson to me that being a late adopter isn’t always bad. Sure, it isn’t sexy. And yes, friends laughed at me. But I have a great system that has been tested over six product life cycles. That’s why copy cats are successful.
Being on the cutting edge of (job seeking, recruiting, HR theory, leadership, management) can be rewarding and can give you a competitive advantage when you need it. And if that’s what you need, that’s what you do. But for those who need tried and true, there is no hating for copying techniques (or using products) that have been vetted.
Happy Holidays, I got you spam
While it is the thought that counts, spamming me with your resume is not going to get you a job.
Not now.
Not tomorrow.
Not ever.
I hate spam. I hate the mentality behind spam (repeat it over and over until you get a response because spam is virtually cost free).
I also hate e-mail in general but that is for another post altogether.
Back in the “good old days,” it took a lot more time and effort to apply for jobs so spamming was less of an issue. Now since fax machines and then electronic applications have taken over…well, it has become more of an issue.
Here’s a clue: you aren’t going to annoy yourself into a job. I am not going to relent because you’re a pain in the ass.
I’ve had a rec up for two weeks and will often see multiple apps. I have had people that applied every single day for the same job.
How much will do they think I have? I am in the business of telling people “no” all day. What makes them think I am actually going to not say “no” to a person that gives me a good reason to do so?
All of this ties back to the holidays because consumerism is all the rage and spending truck loads of money is cool instead of figuring out what I “really” want, you’re just going to throw whatever at me. I am flattered. You should go for quality, not quantity though. It only take one right resume to get a job but a hundred bad ones won’t get it done. Ever.
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Don’t checkout for vacation until you leave the office
I have found that there are roughly two types of bosses in the world:
- This boss is totally cool with you mentally checking out of work on Fridays and before major holidays. Heck, he or she may be doing the same.
- This boss is not pleased with people slacking off before the weekend and/or holidays.
Guess which one is more common?
I know, I can’t believe that bosses could be so mean as to require employees to work steadily the entire week and not change expectations simply because of a particular holiday. Here’s the deal though: it is tough enough to get work done during this time of year. It is frustrating trying to get a hold of people and to get business transactions completed that would normally not be an issue were it not for the holidays. The problem is compounded when your own employees fall into this trap.
Some people will say these bosses need to lighten up. After all, it is the holidays, things are slower so just ease up a bit.
Unless you’re working on the holiday though, I don’t think you have a cause to complain.
That’s what your company is more than likely paying you for on December 25th. Remember paid holidays? Yeah, those cost money too. And if you need a few extra days off, then request time off from work.
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Follow up on your first kiss or don’t even bother
So you finally get the courage to ask the guy or gal of your dreams out. It is a fantastic day because the stars have aligned and they have accepted your invitation. You make all the plans as to what you are going to do, what it is all going to involve, times and dates. On the date, everything is going good. You both love sushi and are die hard Patriots fans. You complete each others sentences. It is a match made in heaven. As you take him or her to their doorway, you make plans to go out in two week (when you’ll both be available). They give you a goodbye kiss and your heart is racing. This is an awesome thing.
If everything was going great on a date and you had to commit at a later date, wouldn’t you follow up in a couple days and say that you had a great time? Just to emphasize everything that happened on your first date. Even if it is only five minutes.
If you are going to bother to go on another date more than a week out, you should probably just call to say that you had a great time and to confirm plans for the next week. That may seem like common sense to a guy that has already sort of wrapped things up in the dating department but come on.
So why do you think that the amazing employee you just hired isn’t worth the same effort? HR capitalist is right in pointing this out: you can’t teach some people to date and sometimes, you can’t teach them to be effective in ever step of the onboarding process.
Employees get counter-offered all the time. I hate them if I am the recruiter. I hate it so much, I could scream. But I love it if I am the HR guy trying to retain the person so that my bonus stays healthy. And I can play any game in the book if you like (used car salesmen beware). Obviously these sorts of things backfire. If someone was looking for a job before, you have to get to the root cause of that. But yes, I can go from hating counter-offers one minute to loving them the next. It is a bit conflicting but it can be handled.
I am going off on a tangent though. If you have a great person in line for a job, you have to assume they will be counter-offered at their current job. You need to do your best to talk to them before they start and say “Hey, we’re looking forward to seeing you. Here are some of the things we want you to get started on as soon as you get here.” You have to prepare yourself for what you will do in the case of a counter-offer.
These things aren’t difficult if you think about them but they are easily lost in everything else we have to do.
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About
Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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