by Beth | May 17, 2023 | Interview Process
Several weeks ago, I wrote about my daughter’s frustrating job search (read about it here). Out of 37 jobs that she applied to, she heard from about half. She received a job offer from a hospital that she didn’t even interview with (a mistake), she was offered a job on the spot and was subsequently rejected by email 3 days later, she was offered 5 jobs in departments that she didn’t want, and she broke down crying that she was going to be living in my basement for the rest of her life.
Then, she received a call from a Nursing Manager at a hospital in Dallas. They had about a 6-minute conversation, and the woman said “We are having in person interviews in Dallas next week.” Katy said “Well, I am going to school in Miami.” The woman said that they could do a zoom call.
Katy decided to fly to Dallas for that interview, because it was a job that she really wanted. The woman promised to send Katy an email with all the details. Katy never received that email. She called the woman several times and didn’t hear back. Katy finally called the HR department to get the address of where to go. She got to the right hospital, on time, and had a FANTASTIC interview. Katy was SO excited!
The following Friday, Katy received an email at 8 pm from the Nursing Manager, saying how sorry she was. The Nursing Manager had been sending emails to the wrong email address, and realized that Katy had never received any of her communication. 6 days later, Katy received her job offer. She is completely ecstatic.
The lesson here is that you can’t mess up the right thing. It is mind-boggling to think about all the ways that this could have been a disaster, and it wasn’t.
When you are tired of interviewing, keep plugging away. Your right job/employee/opportunity will present itself in time, and you can’t mess it up. Go!
POWER THOUGHT: You can’t mess up the right thing, and the wrong thing will always be a struggle.
by Beth | May 3, 2023 | Interview Process
Every day for several days in a row, at 3:02 pm, always from different numbers, I get a call from someone named Stephanie. In her sing-songy voice, she would cheerily ask me about my day. She sounds happy and content, while pitching questions about how she might be able to help me with a business loan and/or my car warranty. I finally clued in that she was a robot, but to be fair to Artificial Intelligence, it took me a while.
Artificial Intelligence is alive and well and now, with Stephanie’s help, robots will be conducting interviews on behalf of both candidates and companies. According to this article in the Denver Business Journal, (https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2023/02/chatgpt-job-interview-best-practices.html?page=all) what will become even more important will be the ability to conduct effective interviews and reference checks.
Are you curious about how Stephanie is going to affect your business? I highly recommend attending this AI conference, hosted by Sam Reeve, founder of the Comp Team. (details here: https://aicompadvantage.com/register). AI experts can help you navigate how these rapid changes will affect your business, and then you too can put Stephanie in her place.
POWER THOUGHT: Best friends should be human, not robots.
by Beth | Feb 8, 2023 | Employee Hiring
When I bought my house several years ago, I hung a Texas Longhorn flag over my garage. It has become a marker!
My friend, Meryem, came over on Sunday and said, “Your flag needs to be re-hung.”
“It tore from the wind. I need to order a new one,” I responded.
“Well, whatever you do, don’t get rid of it! That flag is how I know your house,” she exclaimed.
She isn’t the only friend to tell me this.
So, what does my Longhorn flag have to do with hiring and recruiting?
It is your job as a business leader to lead your candidates through the hiring process with signposts. Your process should be clearly marked, so your candidates know where they are and where they are headed. In other words, don’t make your candidates jump through so many hoops that they get lost. Your ad should be short, sweet and to the point. Your website should have a button that says apply here. Your applicant tracking system (ATS) shouldn’t make your candidate input all of the data that is written on their resume. It should NEVER take a candidate HOURS to apply. They will get frustrated and rightly so. Tell them in the interview when they will have answers from you and meet that deadline.
Lead your potential candidates through the process with a clearly marked trail. They will be so grateful, and you will have your pick of great staff.
POWER THOUGHT: Flag great candidates with a clearly marked hiring process.
by Beth | Dec 28, 2022 | Company Culture, Firing Employees
As we begin each New Year, many of us take the opportunity to re-group and redefine goals for our businesses. This time is often filled with renewed energy to get our lives and work in order. As a part of your New Year’s goals, it might also be time to fire that one employee that is not contributing to your company’s vision.
The impact of an unengaged employee on your business can be catastrophic. Decreased productivity, lowered company morale, and miserable working environments have been common complaints by my clients as they come to the decision to an part ways with an employee. I say start the New Year fresh!
A past client of mine had an employee who consistently gave her ultimatums. The threats were often “If you don’t do this, then I will quit.” Who wants to work with an individual who is constantly threatening you? The team was struggling to work with the individual, my client was unhappy with the performance of the individual, yet the concept of firing and replacing this person seemed daunting and ill-timed. When my client finally became fed up, they did indeed fire the employee. I won’t sugar coat the transition. It was hard, uncomfortable and came at a terrible time, but my client knew that this was the right decision for the company.
In addition, the busiest day of the year for applicants looking for a job is the second Tuesday in January. Think about this: the people who are fed up with their work environments are also looking to make a change. So, if you want to start the New Year with someone who REALLY wants to work for you, get going! Now is the time.
POWER THOUGHT: New Year, new goals, new awesome employee and new culture!
by Beth | Jul 29, 2020 | Adventures in Interviewing
This past week, I made a job offer for one of my clients. All of us on the hiring committee were all really excited about this candidate. The way he had presented himself in the interview process. his references, homework, and answers to our questions earned him a job offer. We were thrilled.
Imagine our shock when he turned us down.
“Can we ask why?” said my client.
“You know, I have the opportunity to pursue my dream job, which is in a completely different industry, and I am going to go for it. I really appreciate you, your time, and the offer. I will never have this opportunity again, and I am going all in,” said the candidate.
Wow.
There is so much uncertainly in the world right now. There is so much fear. Watching someone take a leap of faith in spite of all the gloom and doom is so damn inspiring.
While I am disappointed that I didn’t fill the job and disappointed for my clients that have to keep searching, I am so dang proud of this guy! What an act of bravery!
What brave act are you going to do this week?
Tell me all about it.
