Improving Applicant Conversion Rates

We recently switched dentist offices. With three boys I always try to schedule their appointments at the same time and that normally means being handed a clipboard loaded with forms; one set for each child. To my surprise, when I walked up to the receptionist to sign in, she asked me to look at a computer screen on the counter and “fill out” their paperwork. On each screen, the information was pre-filled. All I had to do was make sure it was correct and click through the screens, then use an electronic signature pad to sign a few pages. It

Take a Lunch Break

“You want me to pick you up a biscuit for breakfast?”  One colleague asked another on his way into the office one morning. “No, Mary Ila is coming today.” “Gotcha.” he replied back. The HR Manager I work with regularly was the one refusing the biscuit because she knew if I’m there for the day, I am going to take her (make her go) to lunch.   This is such a given that now her collogues know when I’m there not to count on her to be there at lunch time.  Her friend/co-worker with the biscuit didn’t need any further explanation

3 Things to Do When You’re NOT Looking to Make a Career Move

HR professionals know the War for Talent is real. So, what does that mean for individuals who are comfortable in their current jobs? It’s simple; don’t get too comfortable. I received a call from a colleague once who said a hiring manager had reached out to her about me. Apparently, she had seen our connection on LinkedIn and asked if she thought I might be interested in a job. I wasn’t even looking, but was offered an opportunity that turned out to be enjoyable contract work and nice supplemental income. Now more than ever, recruiters and hiring managers are seeking

4 Ways to Increase Your Candidate Pool

My LinkedIn Daily Rundown feed started out today with “Jobs are cutting experience requirements….” Reporting that, “an extra 1 million jobs were opened up to candidates last year with “no experience necessary.’” There is a lot of buzz about the hot job market now with the unemployment rate at a pre-recession low. But what do you do to fill jobs in this economy? As the Daily Rundown suggests you can: Lower requirements.Whether it be experience, education or skill requirements, lowering them can increase candidate pools. I often find that job descriptions have qualifications in them that really aren’t “required” to be successful

Leaders Should Be Learners

Guest blog written by: Steve Graham The Commitment: Leaders set the tone for an organization.  They must be agile in their responses to the ever-changing marketplace and business climate.  Leaders are charged with growing organizations, and learning is a part of the growth process. Learning can take various shapes within an organization.  It can be organic, formalized, personalized, or on-demand.  Whatever the shape, learning needs to be part of a leader’s commitment to improve both personally and professionally.   One big lesson of learning is how to use failure.  The old saying, “Failure is not an option”, is not realistic.  Even