My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
May 2007 archive
One of the most popular topics we've addressed here on the Big Time is that of criminal background checks. Spurring heated debate and empathetic postings, the issue of criminal records has many people talking. And now, more data about the use of background checks is adding to the ongoing conversation.
According to a new report by Kroll, the percentage of criminal records "hits" in employment background checks rose to 9.1% in 2006 from 8.5% the previous year. The report also found that the construction industry had the highest hit ratio for criminal records at 16.1%, and education ad the highest hit ratio for drug testing at 8.8%.
According to a Kroll senior VP, employers are using background checks more often. He says "Overall, the increases we have seen over the past few years point to employers' heightened awareness of the importance a thorough background check plays in the hiring process."
To read past advice, or stories from those affected by criminal backgrounds, check out the Big Time posts on this subject.
I'm curious to hear what our readers think about this new data? In particular, does anyone find it concerning that the education sector (i.e. potentially those folks teaching the children of America) had the highest hit ratio for drug testing?
There's nothing like a long meeting to suck the creativity and enthusiasm out of your work day. You know the types ...colleagues start by talking strategy and then somewhere between the beginning and end, the group gets sidetracked and you realize that you spent an hour talking about nothing and you walk away feeling as though you wasted part of your day.
A recent Inc.com article, focuses on this very subject. Opinion Research USA also conducted a study about the most annoying aspects of a business meeting. Here are some of the results:
- Disorganized, rambling meetings (27%)
- Interrupting peers (17%)
- Peers nodding off (9%)
- Lack of bathroom breaks (8%)
- Meeting attendees checking their emails (5%)
I admit that I have been both a victim and violator of some of the annoyances listed above. The good news is that I've not only learned from mistakes, but I'm better at knowing when my participation in a meeting may be helpful in moving it along so that we accomplish our goals.
As a professional in the business world for a number of years, I've found three golden rules for conducting an effective business meeting. They are:
- Insist on having an agenda before any meeting. It doesn't have to be formal, just a short outline of we are to accomplish and expected outcomes so that I know my intended takeaways.
- Table any other subject matter, besides what we are scheduled to discuss, and schedule a second meeting. This can happen particularly during staff meetings and can take up the time of others who may not be involved in the other subject matter.
- Keep meetings to maximum 30 minutes. Obviously, some meetings warrant more time, but if I can "get in and get out" by efficiently accomplishing my goals, then everyone will feel that their time was well spent.
What are your tried and true methods to conducting effective business meetings? I'm anxious to see what works best for others. Who knows, maybe my list of three golden rules will grow ...
Feel free to admit it - it's ok, really.
Offices across the nation are abuzz with talk about the American Idol finale and according to our research, there is a good chance that many of you have been or will be talking about it tomorrow. Whether it's as good as prior years or not isn't important - it actually seems that more water cooler discussions are taking place (probably even as I write this) - and they may be getting heated as well.
I saw an amusing blog post on Time.com that covered our survey about the American Idol phenomenon in the workplace and I thought you would be interested in taking a look at the results.
The most interesting part is that 12% of women and 9% of men actually admitted to getting into a debate about American Idol contestants. And I know there are more of you out there who probably wouldn't admit to doing so. I hear it every week in our hallways.
Have you been guilty of this? Will it happen at your office tomorrow?
I can almost certainly guarantee it will here. So much for a quiet and productive morning...
In a May 10, 2007 post on Career Ramblings there was mention of how recent college graduates can have a successful first year on the job. The blogger, Jane May, notes that all young professionals go through the awkward stage of no longer being a student, neither being quite a professional yet either. Check out the post for some helpful advice to help you through your first year.
But what about your first day on the job? This is no doubt a very daunting experience. You're the new kid on the block and you may feel that all eyes are upon you. New surroundings, people, processes and unknown expectations have butterflies swimming amuck in your stomach. This is all normal, but there are things you can do to relieve some of the stress. Here are some tips I give to my candidates to ensure they have a successful first day on the job:
1. First impressions set the tone for your future workplace relationships so be aware of your actions, comments and non-verbal behavior. When in doubt, dress conservatively. Try to relax and speak confidently. Make good eye contact and smile. Avoid talking about religion, politics or sex with co-workers you just met. Be an active listener. Make an effort to remember names.
2. Your first day will be filled with the logistics of finding your office space, getting an email address and passwords, filling out forms, meeting people and maybe sitting through an orientation. People may ignore you or go out of their way to welcome you to the company - be prepared for both reactions.
3. When you ask questions, no matter how silly you may think they sound, people know you are eager to learn and understand the material. If you keep questions to yourself, you may get confused or look like you don't know what you are doing. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you don't understand everything or can't remember everyone's name.
4. Observe what is going on around you in the workplace so you have a clearer definition of the way things work.
5. Showing up early lets people know that you're excited to be there. It also tells them that you're committed to working there and doing your best. Don't rush out the door when your day is over. Wait around a little bit, and ask if there is any work that needs to be done before leaving. You'll fit in much faster if your boss and coworkers see you putting forth an effort.
Most importantly, remember that everyone you meet that day was once the "new person." You will survive.
I wanted to let you know that a new podcast featuring Spherion CEO Roy Krause is now available. In this report, Roy discusses his thoughts on the current environment for job seekers, including survey data which highlights the disconnect between workers' confidence in the economy and the health of the U.S. job market.
For a list of recent podcasts, please visit our pressroom.
I saw an interesting article on the Career Journal site yesterday that got me thinking. The article provided relevant advice for workers who wanted to change careers or fields. I am sure we have all thought about the "what ifs" when it comes to our jobs and careers.
What if I had chosen a better major or studied harder in college?
What if I went back to school?
What if I took the plunge and started my own business?
What if I pursued a contract, temporary or part-time engagement?
What if I made the switch to a career where I could work at something I'm passionate about?
The good news is that it really isn't as hard as you may think. By working for one year or 30, you have experience which can translate to other fields or professions. I always say you should never feel stuck in your current job, your industry or career path. The reality is that we will be working for a good portion of our lives and no one should have to endure '30 years to life' in something they hate doing. What a horrible prospect.
I know a lot of people who've made big changes in their lives, and for the most part, they're very happy they finally did it and wondered why they waited so long. So if you've been thinking about making a change, there's no better time to step up to the plate and do it. The job market is still hot, good talent is hard to find and I bet you'll find yourself in the driver's seat (and a lot happier too).
Stress is a hot topic. We've written about it, studied it, and its connection to job burnout. And we're obviously not the only folks delving into this issue. One of the more interesting posts I've read on this topic appeared recently on Jobacle's blog. The contributor used research from the American Institute of Stress (AIS) that "40 percent of worker turnover is the result of job stress, and some one million workers are absent each workday because of stress-related compliants."
After taking a look at the AIS study, I also found some eye-opening data from a 2000 Integra report stating:
- 12% had called in sick because of job stress
- Over half said they often spend 12-hour days on work related duties and an equal number frequently skip lunch because of the stress of job demands.
- 19% or almost one in five respondents had quit a previous position because of job stress and nearly one in four have been driven to tears because of workplace stress
Clearly, workplace stress is a problem. So the next obvious question is why? What exactly is causing all this stress in the workplace? The AIS site points to several reasons including longer hours in the office, as well as fears about job security and discord with co-workers.
According to another survey by St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, teamwork and supervision problems were the most consistently and strongly related to burnout, health problems, and performance problems.
So how should employees cope with job related stress? Fist of all, employees are given vacation time for a reason...to take a break from the office. Too many workers have the mindset that they can't take off because their managers will frown upon it, or their job will not be completed correctly without their presence. However, if you are too stressed to complete your work competently, you aren't doing yourself or your company any good.
Also, plan your weekends around doing something you enjoy instead of designated them from household chores or running errands. Weekends should best be used to read a book, go to the beach, or for pure relaxation.
Exercise is also a good stress reliever and helps not only combat stress, but keeps you healthy both physically and mentally.
Last but not least, it is important to remember that your job is just that...a job. If you feel that job stress is becoming too much, then you need to make a conscious effort to focus on relieving stress.
Graduation time is here, and after the celebrations and break from the books come to an end, recent grads are faced with having to land their first job.
According to new research from Career Builder, college graduates will be in the cat-bird seat when searching for their first job. In a recent CB Campus blog post, it was revealed that 42 percent of companies will up their starting salaries for recent grads, and 79 percent of hiring managers plan to hire recent college graduates, an increase from 70 percent just last year.
The Career Builder post points out some of the tried and true tips of job seeking preparation tips such as conducting in-depth company research, showing enthusiasm and sharing relevant and related experience outside of just internships.
But, competition will be stiff and the amount of jobs available in your field could be slight, so you will have to really stand out from the crowd. You will make headway by networking at career fairs or at industry organizations. Remember to ask those you meet questions about their company and the company's culture. Also, offer a resume to your new contact and remember to ask them for a business card. Even if they are not a hiring manager, you can at least have a point of contact inside the company for follow up.
Also, utilize some of your college friends and contacts to help identify job opportunities. Some are hired just prior to graduation, so if you know former classmates who have received job offers and were hired before you, ask them if there are other open positions that you qualify for, and see if they can help get your foot in the door. Many companies offer employees referral bonuses. So knowing a friend or classmate can not only help you find a job, it could pay off for them as well!
Congratulations class of 2007, and best of luck in career world!
Q: I've decided to move closer to my family and prefer to find a job before I do. Any tips on how to conduct a long-distance job search?
- Submitted by Faye Peppier, Beaumont, TX
A: Dear Faye,
Today's technology helps make remote job hunting easier than ever before, and so will these handy tips. Even though changing towns, homes and jobs at the same time can really tilt the stress scale, millions of people do it every year-and you can, too!
Do your homework. Do as much research about your target market as you can, including identifying major area employers, traffic and commuting patterns, mass transit options and any dominant industries in the area.
Leverage your contacts. Do you know anyone who already lives and works in your new location? If so, ask them about potential job opportunities, best places to network, top employers in the area and any useful local knowledge they may have.
Subscribe to the paper. Call the newspaper in your target market to obtain a short-term or Sunday-only subscription so that you can read the local classified ads-or try to access them online through the paper's Web site. You may even find job fairs that you might be able to attend.
Contact a staffing company. Submitting your resume and application to a recruiting and staffing company in the area can get fast results. They may offer temporary positions at some of the area's top employers, temp-to-hire positions that can lead to full-time work, or even place you in a permanent position immediately. Spherion®, for example, has more than 650 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. For an office in your target market, visit our Web site at www.spherion.com/corporate/offices.jsp or call us toll free at 866-456-4357.
Plan a premove visit. If you can, visit your new location before you move-to conduct informational or initial interviews with potential employers or attend a significant job fair. Mention the dates of your planned trip in your letters or e-mails so that, if the employer is interested, they can arrange an interview during your visit. Make sure you pack as many interviews as possible into your trip.
Most importantly, if things don't fall into place before you move-don't worry. Finding a job is usually easier once you actually live in a place. And, of course, you'll have the added advantage of having done your homework already!
Good luck to you!
Seymour
Nearly half of U.S. workers say a casual summer dress code is important to them. Thankfully, approximately the same number tells us their employers offer this summertime perk. Does your employer relax the dress code during the summer?
I remember my first management role... vividly. Because I was scared out of my mind! I had no previous experience managing people and although my boss and others obviously felt I was ready for the role, I wasn't quite as confident as they.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, here's some "hindsight is 20/20" advice I can share.
First, get to know your new peers - i.e. the people with whom you'll be working. Try scheduling informational meetings and interviews with other managers and peers. This will give you the opportunity to ask them what they think it takes to succeed within the organization. Don't forget to schedule a similar meeting with your boss to find out the departments' togals, company goals, etc. Then, set up more meetings (are you sensing a theme here?) with each of your new team members to discuss their individual goals.
Review their prior performance appraisals and make a note of their strengths and weaknesses. Discuss their career goals and let them know that you are there to help them succeed. And remember to keep goals and expectations realistic and don't make any promises you can't keep regarding future merit pay or other rewards.
Instead, make sure you provide ongoing rewards and recognition. Employees want to feel valued more than once per year. Do things like find out what your team members like to do outside of the office and provide gift cards or time off for them to pursue their hobby. Or, distribute a note to the entire team acknowledging a team member's recent success.
Delegate, delegate, delagate. Enough said.
One of the most important tips I would offer is to establish office hours. Make yourself accessible to your team as often as you can. If you are regularly unavailable due to all day meetings or business travel, set up office hours for your team members so that they know that you are available to mentor and support them in meeting their goals and objectives.
Lastly, listen and learn from your team. Although you are now serving as the teacher in many instances, don't underestimate the value of listening to different points of view to solve problems and improve processes. Your team members may have been around longer than you and could have valuable historical information to offer.
As the saying goes, first impressions mean everything. Giving a first impression to your new subordinates and co-workers that you are prepared and qualified to do the job will go a long way in building respect, loyalty and productivity from your team. Good luck!
