August 2008 - Posts

• Recruitment Spotlight: 5 Tips for Deciding What to Pay Someone

  For many organizations, determining a set compensation package for each job title is a significant and time-intensive role of the HR department. Assuming that you don’t have this set package to work from, however, how might you go about deciding how much Read More... Posted Friday, August 29, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Compensation, Employment Trends, HR Issues

• TV for Job Hunters

  Over at Cheezhead , Vanessa Dennis writes about the new Chicago-based Job Search Television Network (JSTN) . The multimedia job search network is looking to expand its daily two-hour broadcast powered by Comcast into a 24-hour job ops channel. Currently Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Job Hunting, Technology

• A Lesson in Good Sportsmanship

  Well, the gymnastics competitions that are my favorite part of the Olympic Games are over. As usual, the events were dogged with controversy. This year, it had mainly to do with the ages and scores of the Chinese gymnasts. In 1997, to counter the increasing Read More... Posted Monday, August 25, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Current Affairs, People Skills, Professionalism, News and Politics

• Recruitment Spotlight: Don’t Hire Anyone without Doing This First

  Continuing our summer focus on recruitment and HR issues , how many times has your group tried to hire someone, only to end up arguing over candidates because you don’t all agree about what the new person is there to do? Hiring smart means doing some Read More... Posted Friday, August 22, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Communication, HR Issues, Ownership & Initiative, People Skills

• Is Luck a Reality That Should Be Acknowledged?

  On his blog, Seth Godin responded to a reader who believes luck and randomness is just as critical to success as hard work and effort. Seth says: “Without a doubt, luck is involved. I don't think anyone would tell you otherwise. The choice one needs to Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Attitude & Motivation, Emotional Intelligence, Ownership & Initiative, Plans, Hopes, Goals

• How to Apply for a Federal Job

  You’ve heard me mention Steven Rothberg and his incredibly useful employment information website at CollegeRecruiter.com before, and this week Heather Eager wrote a terrific post on a topic I never considered – how to get a federal job. I never realized Read More... Posted Monday, August 18, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Best Practices, Handy Resources, Job Hunting

• Recruitment Spotlight: How to Check References

  Most people have to check references in some shape or form, whether it’s for a candidate or a babysitter. I don’t know about you, but until I wrote Success for Hire I never really knew how to do it. Here's what I learned: While you can e-mail a reference Read More... Posted Friday, August 15, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Best Practices, HR Issues, People Skills, Professionalism

• Increase Your Productivity With Custom Search Engines

  I knew something like this was coming, and leave it to Google to be the pioneers. It’s Custom Search – the ability to create a personalized search engine tailored to your needs. Using Google, you can now create a tool that will allow you to search a specific Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 13, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Handy Resources, Productivity, Technology, Blogging

• Don’t Quit Your Day Job: Juggle and Be Merry

  Juggling multiple jobs is becoming more and more common, as people seek work that will provide an additional paycheck or personal satisfaction that is lacking in Job #1. Over at Stepcase Lifehack , Thursday Bram, a writer who has done this herself, has Read More... Posted Monday, August 11, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Best Practices, Employment Trends, Life Balance, Productivity, Daily Life, Blogging, Work

• Recruitment Spotlight: 7 Things Not to Do When Conducting a Job Interview

  Following up on last week’s interview post based on my new book Success for Hire , here’s what not to do if you want your interviewing exercises to result in strong and lasting hires! DON’T let first impressions get the better of you. Sometimes, you might Read More... Posted Friday, August 08, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Management, People Skills, Productivity, Professionalism

• Free eBook: Gradspot Guide to Life After College

  I recently had the chance to chat with Chris and Stuart, two enterprising twenty-somethings who founded Gradspot , which they hope will become the premiere online destination for life after college. They are super-impressive young professionals, having Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 06, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 0 Comments Filed under: Entry Level, Handy Resources, Personal Development, Work, School

• New Online Advocacy Org Provides Relief for Strapped Young Professionals

  I’m pleased to share with you the formation of a new online advocacy organization called Qvisory that is dedicated to helping young adults with their money, work, and health concerns . Qvisory was the brainchild of Andy Stern at the Service Employees’ Read More... Posted Monday, August 04, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Entry Level, Compensation, Current Affairs, Employment Trends, Handy Resources, Personal Development

• Recruitment Spotlight: 8 Musts for Conducting a Job Interview

  My new book, Success for Hire (ASTD Press) features employee recruitment and retention practices that a lot of people think they know but in reality, don’t put into practice. One of those practices is effective in-person interviewing, which can ensure Read More... Posted Friday, August 01, 2008 7:00 AM by AlexandraLevit | 1 Comments Filed under: Best Practices, Communication, HR Issues, Management, Professionalism, Work