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You want to work in HR, but do you know why?

When I posted a new position this week called "Human Resources Administrative Assistant" I received an enormous amount of resumes applying to that single job. Why do so many people want to work in Human Resources? A large amount of recent grads that I know say that's what they want and they are pretty stubborn about it. They are holding out all summer and/or all year until they find that glorified "HR" position. I have the pleasure of working at a recruiting firm and seeing what employers offer to pay for a variety of positions. It's not like HR pays more than any other entry-level position, so why is it so popular? 
Maybe the better question is what do they actually do? Or even better: What do fresh grads think they do? I’d like to make this a learning experience so that when you say you only want to work in HR, you know exactly what that means. These are objectives and responsibilities for an HR position we are currently hiring for.

 

Primary Objectives:

• Safety of the workforce.
• Development of a superior workforce.
• Development of the Human Resources department.
• Development of an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Personal ongoing development.

Requirements for Human Resources Assistant

• Excellent computer skills, including Word and Excel in a Microsoft Windows environment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• General knowledge of various employment laws and practices.
• Experience in administration of benefits and other HR programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Skills in database management and record keeping.
• Able to exhibit a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Must be able to gather and analyze information skillfully.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and schedule team events, travel, appointments, meetings, conference calls, video conferences and training sessions.
• Coordinate meeting set-up, including ordering food/beverages, making copies, preparing agendas and other materials as requested.
• Assist Generalists with staffing initiatives.
• Process and track background checks.
• Maintain HR out-of-office calendar and meeting room schedules.
• Receive, code and forward HR department invoices with requests for payment to Accounting.
• Complete, file, and track various surveys, and corporate compliance reports.
• Respond to employment verification requests in a timely manner.
• Reconcile business credit card accounts for department and complete and process expense reports as requested.
• Maintain independent contractor files and tracking log.
• Assist HRIS Representative with employee change requests, filing and auditing.
• Assist Benefits team with projects and scheduling.
• Coordinate couriers and FedEx shipments. Receive and organize mail from all other offices and outside sources for the team.
• Organize files, filing systems, and file storage.
• Assist with special projects (e.g. market pricing, staffing initiatives, budget, etc.).
• Assist Group Coordinator and Group Leaders with coordination and administration of semi-annual performance review process
• Answer a variety of questions from employees and Office Managers regarding policies, benefits, and less complex HR issues.
• Identify process improvements for systems and procedures.

 

I actually learned a lot from doing a little research on the HR field! This is a great example of why colleges should require internships in order to graduate. You can do all the studying and testing and at the end of 4 years still be clueless to what your desired profession actually does in day-to-day work. When you begin your search for a specific type of job be ready to explain why you want it and why you'd be good at it. Try to keep your expectations realistic, do your research and remember every profession has its starting point!

 

 

 

Why did I pay so much for college?

I ask myself this question quite often. "Why the heck do I have so much debt just from going to school?" It always comes up when I think about all the wonderful things I could be spending my student loan payments on. Then comes a long list of "what ifs" and to keep my sanity I always must conclude, "I guess it was worth it." As I slowly climb the corporate ladder I'm hoping it will get less difficult to convince myself of that.

Today I found an article titled The Lowest Earning Majors of 2011. So crossing my fingers that mine was not on the list, I checked it out. I wasn't surprised by what made the list, but I was surprised by the how high the average salaries were for these majors. Perhaps my major should be on this list...

  The Not-on-Tops
Counseling/Psychology………………………………………..$29,000
Early Childhood Education…………………………………….$36,000
Theology and Religious Vocations………………………….$38,000
Human Services and Community Organizations………..$38,000
Social Work…………………………………………………………$39,000
Drama and Theater Arts ……………………………….……..$40,000
Studio Arts………………………………………………………….$40,000
Communication Disorders Services………..……………….$40,000
Visual and Performing Arts……………………….…………..$40,000

 

"Recently, the Pew Research Center and The Chronicle of Higher Education asked Americans whether college is worth its increasingly outrageous (and outrageously increasing) price. After years of religiously swallowing the notion that a four-year degree is a good value, the majority, according to my colleague Lynn O’Shaughnessy, no longer believe. Some 57 percent say that college fails to provide students with a good return on investment." -SO I'm not crazy, I'm just part of that 57 percent!


"Watching my kids struggle with student loan debts and jobs that don’t pay a ton of dough, I’ve had my own doubts. Maybe all that money that they, my husband and I poured into higher education would have been better spent setting them up in businesses that couldn’t be outsourced to Bangladesh, like say, plumbing or time-share sales."

The only question to ask now is WHY is the cost of college "outrageously increasing"???  I'll have to get back to you on that.

New Grads, New Jobs!

Being a recent college graduate myself I understand the stress and frustration of graduating college without that "dream job." We all graduated from high school, getting accepted into our dream college and the economy was great! We were told that a college degree was necessary to find a job, and that student loans would be able to be paid off. Well then reality set in a few years into school and we all ran into a brick wall full force! Where are all these jobs we were promised? Where is all this income I am supposed to be earning? Why is this not all working out?

Though there is all this doubt in the back of our minds there seems to be some hope in the horizon for us recent grads, jobs!  According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers there is an increase in plans to hire new grads of about 19%. Of course a lot of the growth is in finance, accounting, and IT, but its a step in the right direction!

In the article, Job Outlook Looking Up for College Graduates at myfoxtwincities.com there was a quote that really stood out in my head, its a quote from Charles Purdy, a Monster.com career expert; "You are the leaders of tomorrow - but right now, the leaders of today are still in charge. (And they have things to teach you.) Generally speaking, this means approaching your career (and your new job) with a sense of humility and a willingness to learn. Specifically, it means that the traditional rules of job searching still apply: you still need a great resume, you still need to dress professionally for job interviews, and so on."

Steve Saah, Director of Permanent Placement for recruiter Robert Half International is also quoted in the article stating," Though they lack experience...new grads have qualities employers love...It's all about a good head on your shoulders, are you going to take the initiative, are you well spoken? Do you want to be there and contribute to the organization? "

Both Saah and Purdy have excellent advice to give to us inexperienced folk that should be taken to heart. We are not in control of our country, we don't have all the experience in the world, and we don't know it all.... yet.

Job Outlook Looking Up for College Graduates: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Social Media and Crazy Networking

I am a social media fanatic because I talk about it everyday, I use it everyday and I learn something new about it everyday. It's one of my few obsessions at work and at home. I think it has become so popular because people love the idea of "branding" themselves. Through whatever type of social media you use, you determine how you are portrayed to your peers. You can share a lot or a little about yourself, and you will most likely only highlight the best parts of you and your life. The biggest advantage of this "brand" you create for yourself is being able to connect with others who are interesting to you and build a network of people you know.

I was reminded of the importance of your network when I read a recent article from CareerBuilder.com . It was called "Stay connected to your network without being a pest". When I read this title I got a little sinking feeling and thought, "Do I annoy the people I'm connected to online?" I immediately answered myself, "Probably."

I think there is a very fine line between networking and crazy networking. I don't know for sure if I've crossed it yet, but I don't think it's a tough thing to do. One of the tips this article shared was, "Figure out how each person uses social media and stay in contact that way. Occasionally commenting on a status, saying "Hi!" on their wall, or thanking them for posting an informative article are simple ways to stay in front of them without being obnoxious." That sounds simple enough.

My least favorite tip for not being a pest, "Don't network with enemies," is just a little too obvious. My favorite tip is- "Meet them for drinks or lunch"! How many friends or connections do you have that you have never actually met or even messaged? Would you say hi to them and have a conversation if you saw them out in public? If not I would get rid of that connection. For your network to be a real network you have to be ready and willing to reach out to them when the time comes. That's my personal tip.

Do You Work for a Meanie?

This morning I read a CareerBuilder article called "7 Tips for Handling a Mean Manager." This article caught my eye because I personally have worked for a big meanie, and thankfully for only a short time. This manager was called mean not because she was a tough manager, but because she was a real bully. She made fun of her employees in front of others, talked to them like they were children, and when they tried to switch departments she gave them bad reviews so they couldn't leave. I'll list the 7 tips from CareerBuilder so you can decide if they'd be helpful to your tough situation. In my case, I think only one of these would have worked and that's my favorite tip; #7.

 1. Make the distinction.
"Make sure you have not confused 'demanding" with 'mean.' There are lots of demanding bosses out there, who demand you do the job you are paid to do. If you are not qualified to do that job or cannot do the job for some reason, the problem is actually yours. What might sound mean to you is probably just the facts being placed before you. Suspect yourself and do all you can to deliver as required on your job," Hurzeler says. "If you have delivered on time and as promised, and the boss is still mean to you, sit down and talk to the boss. Maybe you have missed the point of his or her ineffective behavior, or maybe you do have room for improvement. The boss will learn of the negative effect that they are having on you and may work to change his or her ways. If you don't bring up your grievances in a clear and constructive way, nothing will ever change."

2. Take a break.
"Working for a mean or bully boss can be one of the top stressors in the workplace and can cause severe stress-related health problems. In view of this, it is essential for employees to take a stress break when they are confronted with a mean or bully boss. Take time off from work for at least a week and be sure to visit your doctor during this time," Branch says.

3. Don't shut down.
"If you fold up under the pressure of a mean boss, the boss is then given the sword to take you out of the game. The mean boss wins and you lose," Hurzeler says. "Bring your best game to work every single day and you will outlast or win over the mean boss. You win. Mean loses."

4. Document
"Employees should begin to document the mean boss's behavior. Make note of negative actions taken by the boss and how they are impacting employee productivity. Include details such as dates, times, specifics of the mean boss behavior and employees targeted. Include what attempts, if any, were made by you or other employees to address the situation and the outcome of such interventions," Branch says.

5. Constructively confront
"Meet with the mean boss to address your concerns. Keep your emotions intact. Do not scream, yell or become aggressive. Keep your tone calm and even. Be careful not to point the finger or focus on the individual, but rather seek to understand and resolve any concerns the boss may have which lead to the mean behavior. Ask open-ended questions. Ask how you can better support the boss," Branch says.

6. Report the boss
"Make your human resources department aware of the situation, especially if the situation escalates following your discussion with the boss. Be sure to present your documentation. In addition, you may want to contact an attorney as some of the boss's actions may violate laws regarding hostile work environments and may be eligible for legal action," Branch says.

7. Plan your exit
"The negative impact of working with a mean boss is too great. If you are in a situation where you work for a mean or spiteful boss, plan your exit. Update your résumé and begin circulating it internally and externally," Branch says. "Work your network to learn about unadvertised opportunities in other areas of the company or at another company. No employee should have to work in a mentally, emotionally and, in some instances, physically debilitating environment."

After only a couple months of my new manager starting I started looking. It felt so good to tell her I was putting in my 2 weeks notice! I like that this article presented the "Mean Manager" issue as a serious one because it definitely affects your stress level and your overall happiness. The best advice in general is to take some sort of major action so you don't dread going to work everyday. Eventually those mean managers will have to change their methods as they continue to lose their employees to better-managed companies.
You can read the entire article here.

QR Codes- Are They As Great As They Seem?

QR codes are the next big thing to hit the marketing world, which seems to be including when you are marketing yourself. These codes, which stand for Quick Reference, give your audience a quick peek at whichever detail you are trying to provide, be it your website, blog or Linkedin page. I have done some research on these codes and I am trying to find a downfall and a reason not to create one and post it on everything, but I have only found a few. There are many places also that you can put your QR code that you may not have though of; email signatures, cover letters or business or networking cards. All of these are a great way to market yourself and can be used at a career fair, happy hour,dinner meeting or just to hand out to friends that may have contacts to help in your job search.

One downfall to these QR codes is that some analysts feel that human resource departments or hiring managers are not yet familiar with these codes and will be turned off immediately. Some thing that these codes could take longer than a year to actually catch on or even longer. Another worry with the QR code is that it takes more time and energy to crack the code than the meaning of the material. HR departments are always strapped with time and the number of resumes they can receive for one position can be overwhelming, taking a picture of a coded box and waiting for the material to upload may not be on the top of their list.
Moral of the story? Though it is obvious that these little hidden boxes are becoming huge in the US they may not be suited for everything. Sure they work in marketing ads and posters where we cant wait to decode them but when it comes to your resume maybe you should wait for the HR department to figure out what one is first. For now its not a "don't", its just a "think before you act".

OK so have you ever wondered if you did an ok job in an interview or if your etiquette was top notch? Here are some clips of things you probably SHOULDN'T do during an interview, but all put together are hilarious!

If you were asked to describe your job in one sentence what would you say?

The Top 10

1.Help people hate each other: Divorce Lawyer

2.Stand on a field and get yelled at for hours: Baseball Umpire

3.Talk in other people’s sleep: College Professor

4.Call people who know what they’re doing and ask them what they’re doing: Incident Manager

5.Show people how beautiful the Earth would be without them: Mountain Landscape Photographer

6.Make people feel bad about their work: Quality Assurance Tester

7.Repeatedly fix what you repeatedly break: IT Director

8.Clean up an animal that makes more money than me in a year: Assistant Horse Trainer

9.Write words that no one wants to read: Technical Writer

10.Make food that is as healthy before it goes in your body as when it comes back out: Fast Food Employee

This explains so much...

Video Resumes

There is a new fad that seems to be getting around; Video Resumes. There are both benefits and downfalls to creating this type of resume. I hope provide some hints to both sides of the spectrum that will help you decide for yourself!

Benefits:
1. You are able to see the real you, the stuff you cant show on paper
2.  Save a tree!
3. Puts you a step above the rest and its WAY more interesting than reading a piece of paper

Downfalls:
1. Hiring managers that are pressed for time are unable to skim through the parts of your resume that they want to actually look at
2. If you dont have the "exact" personality that managers are looking for you may be hurting yourself more than you are helping yourself
3. If you arent dressed to impress, they wont be impressed!

Here is a GREAT video resume of a candidate from our office:

What Do the CEO's Think?

Wondering what the "experts" are actually thinking about the economy and the unemployment rate? Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder appeared on CNBC Power Lunch to discuss the findings of how CEO's across the country feel about how our economy is doing and if we are actually in a recovery. 2,256 CEOs across the world representing companies of all sizes were surveyed and here are their findings...

2011 Job Summit: My Adventure to the MOA

Yes, that is yours truly in the photo above enjoying an intense conversation with one of the job seekers at Thursday's Job Summit.The Job Summit at the Mall of America was busier than I expected it would be. In fact, it was pretty crazy. There was a constant line at most recruiters' booths for the entire length of the Summit, and many of these job seekers were in the same boat. Most were very frustrated with their job search and had a lot of questions about "getting your foot in the door."   I could definitely understand their frustration as the job market seems to be improving, but it's not there yet. Also, the process of applying for a job is a lot different than it used to be. It can feel almost impossible to get in touch with a decision maker or hiring manager at any company. I was laid off about 8 months ago and the only reason I was able to find another position in just 2 months is that I was contacted by a recruiter from Career Professionals, Inc. who was able to help me in my search. I hope I was able to encourage the job seekers I met on Thursday to continue to stay positive. While some were hard to hear, it was nice to hear people's stories and network with other Recruiting Companies in the Twin Cities.

2011 MNRSA Job Summit- See you at the MOA!!

Career Professionals will be hosting a booth at the 2011 MNRSA Job Summit at the Mall of America this Thursday, March 24th from 8am to 1pm. We will be on the 4th floor in the Executive Center & Exhibit Hall. A couple Career Professionals Recruiters will be doing Resume Reviews during the day. The MNRSA is expecting up to 1000 job seekers and recruiters to attend the exciting event. This is a great event for networking and learning new tips for your job search!

2010 Job Fairs

Career Professionals, Inc. will be attending the Spring job fairs held annually at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Below are the scheduled dates and times.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Minnesota's Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday, February 19th, 2010
Minnesota State Universities Job and Internship Fair
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, February 22nd, 2010
University of Minnesota Job and Internship Fair
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Waiting Game

A recent article posted on CareerBuilder explains why it can take so long to hear from an employer in the initial steps of the job application/interview process (http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1336-Job-Search-Why-Dont-Employers-Call-Me-Back/). It is true that some job postings have such a high response rate that it is nearly impossible for employers to respond to each candidate individually. This comes to the point that working with a staffing agency can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with waiting and wondering.

The first step would be to make sure you are working with the appropriate staffing agency. Each company has a specific market of individuals they specialize in assisting. Whether it's a career focus or your experience level, each characteristic should be considered when choosing an agency that is right for you.

Once you have chosen an agency that fits your needs, you will increase your odds of starting the interviewing process with that company. With staffing executives on your side you will never have to go to an interview wondering when you will hear back from an employer. This work is done by your recruiter, who in turn, will be in contact with you with any feedback.

If you are in search of a business related career and have 0-5 years of post-college work experience, Career Professionals could be the right agency for you. Submit your resume to http://www.gocpi.com/jobs/apply.php to find out.

CPI's 20th Anniversary

This October, Career Professionals, Inc. is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The doors opened at CPI on October 16th, 1989. Twenty years later, the doors are still open to job seekers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Despite economic uncertainties and struggles, Career Professionals will continue to grow and prosper in the transforming economy.

Online Resume Posting

Today on the Internet, there is a very large selection of websites for individuals to post their resume in hopes to landing a job interview. A few that come to mind are the popular sites such as Monster, Careerbuilder, and Yahoo! HotJobs. One site that may not sound familiar is CBCampus or CareerRookie. This site is actually aimed towards entry-level college graduates and is a division of CareerBuilder. With sites such as this one being more specialized and focused reassures young job seekers that the positions they are applying to require their entry-level skills.

LinkedIn

Are you linked to the professional world with LinkedIn? Career Professionals recently attended a presentation on the different options provided by LinkedIn. If you're part of the business world and know that connections are the way to keep up to speed, you probably already have a profile. 43 million professionals from 244 countries are connected to key decision makers, current and past coworkers, and potential clients on LinkedIn. If there's someone you are looking to set up a meeting with or want to introduce them to a potential new business venture and you aren't linked to that individual, odds are that you have a primary contact that already is! According to Rick Kaufman, it's no longer who you know, but who everyone else knows as well.

You can find the majority of the Career Professionals staff on LinkedIn. If you have a question or comment, please e-mail us at info@gocpi.com.

Ahead of the Game

Many industries see a slow down in the summer months, both on the job seeker and hiring fronts. If you're a job seeker, take advantage of this time! If you aren't part of the high percentage of individuals that decides to take their vacation in July, scope out your opportunities. Stay on top of new openings and be one of the first to submit your resume to fresh postings.

Submit your resume to resumes@gocpi.com today if you're looking for an entry-level business position to start off the Fall season!