It’s 2018… old news by now. Well, check out this news: companies today have a different set of challenges and risks, and I’m not referring to cyberattacks or industry competitors … As an experienced executive technology recruiter who specializes in placing senior and sales management, I’ve seen it ALL since 1999. Here’s my take on the top hiring issues that CEOs may be ignoring, and putting them and their companies in danger of failure.
What is a BULLY? ... When you hear the word, most likely an image pops into your mind of some troubled teen gleefully posting ugly names and encouraging others to further humiliate their target. Or perhaps a giant elementary school kid terrorizing a skinny, nerdy boy/girl by stealing their lunch money. However, in corporate America, a bully could very well be dressed in a tailored suit.
In all my years of recruiting, I can attest that many of the people calling me to find other employment are doing so because the balance of power has forced them to “deal” with a variety of bad behavior on the part of employers. While there are processes in place that are supposed to alleviate and give a voice to the abuse; these are for the most part ineffectual. Especially if the abuse can’t be linked to discrimination.
Getting customers and employees to trust you can be complicated, but it is critical for success – at times even more important than sales. If you gain people’s trust and respect, it's easier to grow and nurture your business and give everyone superior service. But trust is a very delicate thing. Tough to gain and even harder to restore.
Here are some ways to build trust, respect, all the while being yourself:
Glassdoor recently revealed five trends in the job market that will disrupt the way organizations attract, hire and retain employees in 2018, as well as the biggest job trends that impacted 2017 – from the power of whistleblowers to the demand for informed candidates. The list of major 2018 disruptions, include the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), on HR and finance; the sectors that are driving job creation; and how mobile is changing the way people find and apply for jobs.
“The U.S. economy experienced a landmark year, despite two major hurricanes and political challenges in Washington, D.C. – 1.9 million new jobs were added in 11 months and stock markets reached an all-time record high. The nation’s unemployment rate plummeted to a 17-year low, fueling a talent war in tech, healthcare, e-commerce and professional services,” said Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor’s chief economist. “Although the nation’s labor market is strong heading into 2018, average wages for many remain stubbornly flat and a stark divide remains in who benefits from continued job growth, with tech skills earning a premium and many other jobs facing significant changes with the rise of AI and automation.”
Here are the trends you should keep your eye on in 2018:
Not too long ago I was a starving college student and intern, and today I work as a Business Development professional at one of the country’s top search firms--working to align our company’s value to the needs of companies who are looking for critical talent. How did I get there? Well, let’s just say it’s been one hell of a journey and I’m only getting started. Here are five lessons I’ve learned along the way...
Ready or not, 2017 is coming to an end (wasn’t it JUST summer?!)…This is usually the time of year for reflection and planning. Did you set good goals this past year, personal and/or professional? Did you reach them?
I don’t necessarily believe that New Year resolutions are all that effective. While I do believe that the effort to adopt resolution shows positive intent, a better alternative is to develop new goals for the future. Here are some ways you can get started:
I often get the impression that the outside world doesn’t really “get” what a recruiter does in their day-to-day life. Sure, hiring managers and candidates get tons of calls from us, you hear us pitching jobs or candidates for jobs, but that’s about all the exposure you get into what we do. So, I decided to dedicate this blog installment to giving you a glimpse into how my process works when trying to fill a job, and how it’s beneficial to my clients and candidates...
Most people who know me well know this: I am a fanatical golfer, spending most of my weekends during the warmer months chasing a little white ball (generally through the woods!).
Being a lifelong resident of Connecticut, this time of year is a killer for my favorite pastime. Yet, I don’t let staying indoors keep me completely isolated from my favorite activity. I learned a while back that it makes sense to stay active, work on my short game, do core muscle exercises, etc. This way, when the snow finally melts, I’ll be ready to go- without wasting the first few weeks of the golf season shaking off the “rust”.
The job market is the hottest it’s been in over 20 years…
And the data backs it up: The Bureau of Labor recently reported the national unemployment rate at 4.1%.
That statistic certainly does not benefit companies who need to grow their teams and/or hang on to talented employees. Many skilled positions are even harder to fill than the national average--especially those in engineering, technology, education, and medical fields.
When competition for talent is fierce, bringing in a knowledgeable and specialized recruiter can be the secret weapon you’ve been needing to win against the competition. A recruiting partner can bring you value by recruiting passive candidates (those who have their heads down, not looking for a new job) and by helping share your story, such as company culture, which is essential when recruiting top professionals. The best recruiting firms also use data and analytics—to pinpoint the best way to find and recruit exactly who you need—and to reproduce those results time and time again, even when talent is hard to find.
Recruiting specialists such as Hobson Associates happen to be pioneers of recruiting data and analytics, giving you:
During a recent Monday morning meeting, our firm’s owner, Danny Cahill, brought up the idea of mindfulness. He discussed that the practice of mindfulness can help refocus your thoughts and energy on the things you can control, and let go of the things you can’t.
I couldn't help think how much this relates to the candidates I speak with about new job opportunities. One of the top reasons people are open to making a job move is that they are “in need of a change”. What does “change” really mean? Is the answer a new job, or does it go beyond that?...
If you're unsure of the answer, now might be a good time to do some reflecting on where you are, where you want to be, and the areas of your life which you can directly improve, such as: