HR News » George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

« Expand/Collapse

George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace (10 unread)

August 31, 2010
21:04
Five Big Career Trends for Job Seekers
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

This post by David Couper — author of Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career…Even When You Don’t Fit In! — identifies and briefly describes five major trends impacting where jobs may be found in this challenging — and changing — economy.
Benefiting from this information does not necessarily require retooling, retraining, and drastically changing career paths — though it might. In some instances, taking advantage of these trends to help find a job simply involves using existing skills and qualifications in a different arena and/or job classification.
1. Green is this Decade’s Color.
Green jobs can be found in a very wide range of industries and occupational classifications. For example, a variety of construction trades will be involved in efforts to improve the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings and in installing alternative energy facilities. Solar energy, alternative fuels, and energy conservation are all hot! Social awareness and socially and environmentally conscious investing are also growing.

An example of the impact of green jobs growth is that a client of mine was offered a job in the solar panel industry making 30% more than he was earning in his previous job.

For more information, see Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade.
2. Aging Baby Boomers Will Create Demand for a Wide Range of Products and Services.
Baby boomers have taken some hits in the recession. Their retirement funds and homes are worth less. But they will still have huge needs as they retire.

Meeting their needs will bring jobs in areas as diverse as assisted living for active seniors, travel, career planning (lots of boomers will work after they retire) and even dating services!

A friend of mine who was laid off from a broadcast journalism position found a new job as a consultant for a not-for-profit working with seniors on how to present themselves positively in their job search.

For details, see The Baby Boom and the Future of the Economy.
3. All That Government Spending Doesn’t Seem So Bad When It’s Paying Your Paycheck!
Despite current budget crunches, plenty of money is being invested in and by federal, state, and local governments. Stimulus (Recovery) Act money is still being spent. Whether it’s new roads or electronic medical records or overseeing bank bailouts, this spending provides lots of opportunities.

See the official federal website that tracks Recovery Act spending for lots of ways to access information about this spending, and this page for job-specific Recovery Act information.

There is considerable demand for project managers who have government experience. And on recovery.gov there are stories featuring examples of Recovery Act projects from expanding broadband coverage to community-based health and wellness programs to mass transit and road building projects.
4. Healthcare Means More Than Nursing and Medicine Careers.
Healthcare jobs are expected to grow faster than any other industry — roughly 22%, or 3.2 million new jobs, by 2018.

Healthcare includes all kinds of professional jobs directly relating to patient care that do not require a medical or nursing degree — such as social work and physical and occupational therapy — and even more that support them — from patient check-in to HR.  
 
While the number one healthcare occupation will be nursing, there will be a demand for lab and technical jobs, as well as a wide variety of administrative and support positions such as project managers and medical coders.

See this article on the Top 10 In-Demand Healthcare Occupations.
5. Alternative Work is Becoming Mainstream.
Yoga is taught in law offices, poetry is shared at corporate retreats and meditation is a recognized part of some treatment programs at traditional hospitals. Self-help, consciousness raising, and spirituality are all expanding, and related jobs or business opportunities are growing.

At a major TV network, female executives meet regularly with a yoga mistress! Kids are being taught meditation as part of a youth intervention program. And at one of the most respected universities in the country, UCLA, there is a center that combines East and West medical theories in one holistic discipline.
Now is the time to take advantage of such alternative interests and expertise and find a unique job or career. Good luck and be different! Post courtesy of David Couper, author of Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career…Even When You Don’t Fit In!
14:16
Difficulty Finding a Job Varies Widely Among US States
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

One of many factors that may be hindering jobs recovery in the current economy is diminished mobility. The real estate market situation, as well as difficulties posed by relocating multi-earner households, have likely made many more reluctant to consider a major cross-country move than in the past.
Yet, employment data suggest that those who can consider such a move might do well to do so, as there is a significant disparity in the level of employment opportunities between different states and regions. Fishing in a bigger pond in another state might make all the difference in a tough job search!
The US States Job Search Difficulty Index
This index measures the difficulty of finding employment in each state around the country (and D.C.). It is expressed in terms of unemployed individuals per advertised job. This figure ranges from a low of 0.82 in D.C. to a high of 8.24 in Michigan.

This measure was calculated by dividing the number of unemployed workers in each state, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), by the number of jobs in the Juju.com comprehensive index of millions of online jobs in the United States, which is compiled and updated continuously from thousands of employer career portals, recruiter websites, and job boards all over the Internet.
Here’s the ranking for August 2010:
11:22
“The Company You Keep”: Association Discrimination under the ADA
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace
Avoiding Discrimination against Employees Who Care for Disabled Family Members Most employers and HR managers understand the discrimination laws in terms of protecting people based on “protected characteristics,” such as race, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability.
A protected characteristic that is often overlooked is association with an individual with a disability. This protection is provided by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and many similar state and local laws. Employers rarely recognize this characteristic as involving a risk of discrimination liability until it is too late.
What Is Association Discrimination?
Association discrimination is discrimination based on an applicant’s or employee’s relationship or association with an individual who has a disability.

A claim for association discrimination does not require that the claimant have a disability of his or her own. The ADA also does not require that the claimant have a family relationship with the individual with a disability.

The following are some examples of situations that may constitute association discrimination under the ADA:
- A full time employee’s young daughter is diagnosed with autism, and he needs to be involved in several therapies with her. The employer has a flex-time policy, and the employee has worked part-time in the past under this policy. When the employee makes a request to return to part-time due to his daughter’s needs, his supervisor refuses the request without giving the employee any reason.
- A ten-year employee with good reviews goes home for lunch every day to help her husband, who has a debilitating illness. A new supervisor is hired, who adopts a rule that bars employees from leaving the workplace during lunch breaks.
- A full-time teacher gives birth to a son with a disability. The school unilaterally reassigns her to a new position, which has substantially less authority and job responsibility.
EEOC Guidelines on the Association Provision of the ADA
The EEOC has published Questions and Answers about the Association Provision of the ADA, which provide guidance on the purpose and application of the ADA’s prohibition of association discrimination in employment.

According to the EEOC, the purpose of the association provision is to prevent employers from taking adverse actions based on unfounded stereotypes and assumptions about individuals who associate with people who have disabilities.
Association Discrimination and Family Responsibilities Discrimination (FRD)
Family responsibilities discrimination is not prohibited by a new, separate law, at least not yet. Rather, it involves a variety of factual scenarios that can give rise to legal claims under a number of different existing employment laws.

The ADA is one of those laws. Where the nature of an employee or applicant’s family responsibilities can be characterized as involving association with a family member with a disability, the ADA’s association discrimination provision can be an important part of the legal arsenal used by lawyers bringing family responsibilities claims.
Three Key Points on Association Discrimination Claims
1. The ADA does not require an employer to provide reasonable accommodation for a person without a disability, even if that person is a caregiver for a person with a disability.
2. The ADA does require that employers treat employee who have disabled family members like other employees. Employers should make sure that these employees are not being harassed or singled out for unwarranted warnings to make them quit.
3. The ADA requires employers to provide employees with dependents who have disabilities equal access to whatever health insurance coverage is offered to other employees. Employers are not required to provide additional health insurance coverage to such employees under the ADA.
Lessons For Employers From Association Discrimination Claims Brought by Caregivers of Disabled Family Members The following judicial decisions involved adverse actions based on the employer’s assumptions about an employee’s family responsibilities involving a family member with a disability:
- Francin v. Mosby, Inc. (2008): The Court allowed an ADA association discrimination claim to proceed where an employee’s supervisor discussed the employee’s wife’s illness and its effect on his performance, then later terminated him.
  Lesson –- Supervisors should focus on performance only, not on the personal circumstances that they believe may affect performance (e.g. spouse’s illness).
- Lucke v. Multnomah County (2008): The court allowed an ADA association discrimination claim to proceed where an employee who cared for her disabled father was reassigned to menial tasks by her supervisor, because the supervisor reasoned that in the menial job, the employee could “take care of her family.”
  Lesson -– Supervisors should focus on performance only, not on the personal circumstances that they believe may affect performance (e.g. spouse’s illness). Employers should carefully review adverse employment actions such as demotions or terminations to make sure that they are not based on conscious or unconscious bias toward people with care-giving responsibilities.
- Colon v. San Juan Marriott (2008): The court recognized a prima facie case for ADA association discrimination where an employee alleged that her supervisor expressed concern as to the condition of the employee’s husband and asked whether she would need further leave to care for him.
  Lesson — Even well-intentioned questions may be misinterpreted, so it is best to avoid engaging in personal conversations regarding your employee’s disability association. If the employee raises the issue, that is different, but great care should still be taken in such conversations — and legal guidance sought if there is any question about an action affecting the employee’s employment, whether proposed by the employee or by management.
The following judicial decisions involved adverse actions based on the employer’s concern that an employee with a disabled family member would increase group health insurance costs:
- Trujillo v. PacifiCorp (2008): Summary judgment for employer denied where the employer began investigating the employee after she began filing costly insurance claims for her sick son, raising questions of fact regarding the employer’s discriminatory intent.
  Lesson – An employer may not use an employee or applicant’s association with a person with a disability to make any adverse employment decision, and in particular may not use that as the reason to deny health coverage available to others.
- Gross v. The Gap, Inc. (2007): A former employee pleaded sufficient facts for an ADA association claim where she alleged that her employer terminated her to avoid the high cost of insuring her son, who was born with serious health complications.
  Lesson – Employers must not consider the cost of health insurance for their employees –- or their employees’ dependents –- in making employment decisions.
August 06, 2010
21:54
Key Ways for Students to Jumpstart Their Careers While Still in College
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace
photo credit: zoovroo via flickr
Simply getting a college degree will definitely play an important role in landing a job or advancing a career, but these days it often won’t to be enough. There are specific steps every student should take while in school, so that they are properly positioned for post-graduation career opportunities. Some of the key things to consider as ways to jumpstart your career while still in school include: Setting Your Own Personal Learning Agenda
While in college your goal should be to focus on personal and professional growth, not just grades. You need to take control of your learning path and make sure that as you work your way through your degree courses, you’re focusing as much on what will happen after you graduate as you are on acing your assignments. In addition to classroom work, consider such things as:
- Getting to know staff in career services before your senior year.
- Carefully choosing internships and volunteer opportunities.
- Participating in extracurricular activities that help develop leadership and other “soft skills.”
Using Your Course Assignments for Additional Purposes
Keep an eye out for assignments that have career-development and networking potential. Whenever possible, use your assignments to connect with potential employers, clients, and/or colleagues.

Generally, people are amazingly accessible to and supportive of students doing research for a class assignment. Do a dynamite job on an assignment and then send a copy of it to the person you worked with, thereby dazzling them with your smarts and initiative and building a professional relationship in the process.
Creating Your Own Learning Assignments
As you study your way through your degree’s core courses, you’ll be expected to master a substantial amount of knowledge in your degree field. However, you’ll also want to build some key professional and/or business skills during this time. This could occur in or out of the classroom.

So, think about how you can improve yourself — through classes or otherwise — in critical areas such as:
- Writing
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Time management
- Money management and basic financial concepts
Exploring The Many Different Ways Your Degree Skills Can Be Used
Many people take their careers in directions quite different from what you, as a college student, might expect of someone with your major. Learn about these sometimes unexpected career paths:
- Pepper guest speakers with questions about their careers.
- Conduct as many informational interviews as you can.
- Join LinkedIn special-interest groups and consider joining professional associations.
This is a guest post from Bryant & Stratton College Online, which will host a free webinar on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, from noon to 1 p.m. EST to discuss these tips and several others that will help students jumpstart their careers while still in college. To register visit [https:]

The “Jumpstart your Career” webinar is the first in a three-part series. A “Build Your Professional Brand” webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT and a “How to Build a Resilient Career” webinar is set for Thursday, September 16 from noon to 1 p.m. EDT.
July 14, 2010
21:21
5 Ways to Stay Productive While You Search for a Job
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

It can be easy to be discouraged when searching for a job, even if you have one. It’s very similar to dating: you have to present your best self and then hope they like you enough to give you a call back. This means you might have to endure a lot of discouraging rejection, and once you start feeling discouraged, you might get the urge to quit your search. The only problem is that with a job search you can’t just quit.

There are a lot of ways to stay productive and keep moving when you’re searching for a job, even if it seems like you’re not getting a lot of traction. The most important thing to do is not give up. Here are five tips that will help you stay productive in your search.
1. Set Reasonable Goals
It’s not likely you will get a job with the first resume and cover letter you send out. (Congratulations if you do … maybe you also should buy a lottery ticket!) So, don’t expect a home run on your first try.

Start with small steps. For example, make a goal to send out five cover letters and resumes one week. Try to set up a few informational interviews the next week.

Break your big goals down into achievable chunks, and you’ll see positive results that you can feel good about more quickly.
2. Keep Track of Your Progress
It helps to feel more confident about your search if you’re making progress. A great way to do this is by keeping a list of goals you create and steps you need to take to get there. Then feel good about yourself by putting big check marks on the list when you’ve accomplished each step.

Remember the goals listed above? Maybe you secured three informational interviews with professionals in your industry. Make note of that.

Go back and read your list again whenever you feel like your search has stalled. You may need to repeat some steps.
3. Study and Volunteer
Even though you might not have a job right now, you will soon. Think of skills that would come in handy once you start a job in your industry, and take the time to learn them now. Do you want to be a journalist at a magazine? Study AP and Chicago styles inside and out. Do you want to work in marketing? Start learning about ways to optimize Twitter channels and Facebook pages.

Then, volunteer these services to others on a nonprofit basis. You’re never a burden on anyone if you work for free. Plus, this means you’re building experience for your resume, and that never hurts.

But make sure that you’re not simply being exploited for free labor that profits someone else much more than it benefits your own training, and that the time volunteered does not interfere with your job search.
4. Continue to Reach Out to Your Network
Even though your industry mentors might not have any jobs available for you when you’re looking, if you stay on their radar you have a better chance of becoming the candidate that pops into their minds when there is a job that opens. We’re not saying you should be annoying, but touch base every month or so.

The key to doing this without becoming the most annoying person in the world is by actually making it meaningful to them. See an interesting article that is relevant to their industry? Forward it. Come across a new research study with interesting stats? Email it to them. Then tell them what you’ve been up to, what work you’ve done for free, any projects you’re working on, etc.

This will not only raise your value in their eyes, but it will keep you on their mind in case something comes along. And if it does? You already have a great relationship and chances are the job would be a really good fit for you. Plus they might be a very good reference for you when an employer is giving you serious consideration for an opening.
5. Consider New Avenues You Might Not Have Already Pursued
Do you have a Twitter page? Great! But think about it. What do you use it for? Is it to tell your friends when you’re at a concert or having a frustrating day? How can that help you with your job search?

Consider creating a new Twitter channel that focuses on the industry you want to get into. If you want to work as a wedding planner, begin tweeting tips on how to make the big day go off without a hitch, and begin following other planners.

Continue to try to think of other ways to be innovative. The more creative you are in your job search, the better chance you have of standing out among the clutter. And the added bonus? Whenever you’re working on something, you will feel productive. And when you feel productive, you create opportunities for yourself. You never know who could be reading your Twitter tweets…
Guest post by Mario Schulzke, Creator, CareerSparx, an online course that helps recent college graduates begin their careers. For more information visit the website at www.careersparx.com and download a free 61-page guide on how to start your career.
June 08, 2010
13:54
Job Seeking Tips for College Graduates
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

Reconsider Location and Size of Target Employers
While job prospects are more hopeful than last year, 2010 graduates won’t have it easy, and students on the hunt really need to keep two things in mind: location and size.
Be Open to Relocation
According to Betsy Richards, Director, Personal Brand Strategy at Kaplan University, recent grads need to be open to relocation.

“If Texas has a six percent increase in jobs, then get out your cowboy boots and head south! This market is too difficult to sit back and wait for your dream job. New grads need to make big moves in order to start their careers and lives post college.”

Richards suggest that students check the career outlook information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for job growth by industry and positions.

Grads can also find similar trend information on SimplyHired.com and follow-up with CareerBuilder or Monster to research jobs in cities and states where the most relevant job growth is occurring.

Think Small
Recent grads should really look hard at small companies and organizations. The private sector is leading a gradual jobs recovery, and small-business hiring has increased.

“Just because you haven’t heard of a particular company, doesn’t mean it won’t provide you a valuable first step that leads to a successful career,” says Richards.
Richards offers 2010 graduates these additional tips for getting ahead in the job search Leave no stone unturned.
While it’s painful to admit, the perfect job will likely not fall into your lap immediately. For many, it will be several months of pounding the pavement.

Don’t rely solely on your school’s career center. While they’ll provide tremendous support, go to both big and small job boards as well as niche sites. Follow professional organizations and career help Web sites via Twitter.

You’ll be surprised at what you’ll learn and the helpful people you’ll come in contact with.
Never discount the value of the smallest networking connection.
Your hairdresser or old football coach could wind up being the one who helps you land your next job. You’ll really want to network consistently and reach out to the biggest possible audience.
Find jobs that need to be filled, and fill them.
Even if a job is not exactly what you had in mind, you’ll broaden your skill set. Most importantly, you’ll join the professional world, which will bring you one step closer to finding career satisfaction.
Think broadly, but honestly, about your skills.
Perhaps your artistic talent could help local small businesses with their advertising. Maybe your online savvy could be used in the marketing department of a small company.

You want to think creatively, but realistically, about what makes you desirable as a job candidate and where you might fit.
Consider job openings that fit your skills but may not require your exact major or resemble the career you pictured for yourself.
Strong communications skills may prepare you for customer service positions, and your budgeting or attentiveness to detail could qualify you to be a compliance officer or research analyst.

Experience with cash transactions could qualify you for retail management, and your skills with non-profit organizations might make you an excellent executive administrator.
Gain experience in your desired field.
Consider an internship, part-time, or even volunteer work in your field. You’ll gain insight and contacts, but most importantly, you’ll get your foot in the door.
12:07
How to Win a Job Interview in a Competitive Market
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace
The Challenge
According to a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal, nearly 17 percent of people ages 20 to 24 are unemployed.

This includes many recent college graduates — even Ivy-Leaguers — that know what they want to do with their lives but are simply unable to connect the dots and obtain that first career-worthy job. Entry-level job prospects aren’t showing any major signs of improvement so even the most accomplished graduates are left fighting.

But even though it has become much harder to find a job in the past few years, the following basic rules for landing an interview still apply. Three Basic Rules for Receiving an Interview Offer
- Meet [or exceed] all experience and skill requirements
- Show potential fit for company culture
- Stand out from the crowd (in a good way)
If you can accomplish these things, your chances of getting a job interview — and the opportunity to better show your personality and interpersonal skills — are much greater. But these are just basic guidelines as you seek to begin your career.
Actions You Can Take to Make it Past the Screening Process and into an Interview Find out whom you know.
Since networking is the most common way to find a job, your first step should be finding out whom you know that works in the industry or at the company to which you are applying.

Reach out to friends, family, past professors, and acquaintances and let them know what you are looking for so that they can help you if they come across any available positions.

A LinkedIn account is especially helpful in determining your connections to specific companies. Use these people to get in touch with someone at the company so that you can familiarize yourself with it before officially applying. (If you don’t know anyone at the company, don’t worry; getting in might be more difficult, but not impossible.)
Perform background research on the company and the job.
As you first enter the application process with a company, familiarize yourself with it by going online and using your network to learn more about what you would be getting yourself into.

You’ll need to be able to state clearly the reasons why you want to work for this specific company and in a particular position — and how you will be able to contribute.
Keep a notebook and keep track of every job you apply for.
Take note of company values and use the job ad (if there is one) to find out the attributes they are looking for in candidates. You will be using this information to customize your cover letter and resume.

It is also essential to be organized about keeping track of job search details in order to follow up appropriately if you have applied — and even just to keep a company in mind for future visits to its online jobs listings.

Creating a spreadsheet might be a great way to do this.
Customize your cover letter and resume based on the job for which you are applying.
You must paint a picture of yourself as the perfect candidate for the job (but honestly, of course).

To do this, you should personalize your application materials based on the company and position to which you are applying.

Remember that background research that you performed? Try to work the company values into your cover letter to show that you are a good fit culturally.

Also, take the skills they are looking for in candidates and give examples of how you exemplify them. Give them an honest breakdown of what really makes you passionate about working for them over any other company.
Apply early and apply often. Create a schedule and treat getting a job like a job itself.
You should be spending the majority of the day productively searching for and following through with potential job leads.

After performing the necessary due diligence, don’t wait to apply. Many companies will fill the position before they take down the ad; if this hasn’t occurred, they certainly may already be quite far down the road with their hiring process by the time you learn of the position and take action.
Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t getting the response you want.
Instead, use this as reason to evaluate where you may be falling short and make improvements in your job search process and submissions.
Always follow up after sending in your application.
I’ve heard several stories lately of hiring managers who chose their interview pools based upon the qualified individuals who followed up with them after the initial application.

When they receive on average over 200 resumes per opening, they’ve got to narrow it down somehow, and those that follow up show an interest beyond the rest.

If you follow up a week after sending in your application, you will set yourself apart from the crowd and increase your chances of hearing back from the employer.
Double-check all application materials.
The easiest way to play the elimination game with a stack of resumes is to search for typos and poor grammar.

You wouldn’t believe how many people make simple mistakes on their resumes and cover letters that could be avoided by careful revision and the help of a second pair of eyes.

If you send in your materials with mistakes, you’ve pretty much ruined your chances of receiving a job with that company in the near future because you can’t simply edit and apply again. Be precise.
Evaluate yourself.
Whether or not you are having luck in getting interviews, self-evaluation will help you increase your efficiency and effectiveness in the application process.

If you continue getting turned down, it’s okay to politely ask why you didn’t meet the company’s requirements.

You may learn that you need more experience and should begin searching for temporary internship opportunities, or you may get some pointers for resume improvements, for example. Either way, you should be constantly working to improve.
These tips should give you a better idea of what you need to do in order to start landing interviews. In such a competitive job market, you’ve got to be on top of your game and as close to perfect as possible. Guest post by Mario Schulzke, Creator, CareerSparx.
Mario Schulzke is the creator of CareerSparx, an online course that helps recent college graduates begin their careers. For more information, visit www.careersparx.com and download a free 61-page guide on how to start your career.
May 20, 2010
16:02
Is Your Use of Social Network Sites Helping or Hurting Your Career?
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

Social Media and Your Career: Pros and Cons
Social media and social networking website use has accelerated dramatically in the past decade. Networks like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and LinkedIn have millions of users submitting new content and details every day.

What does this mean in an employment context? What should job seekers and employees do to manage their online presence so that it helps, rather than hurts, their career prospects?

The major concern that social media and social networking sites present for applicants and employees is not the mere presence of their profiles or frequency of networking activity. In fact, a highly visible profile and frequent, wise use of social network sites can be a big plus for one’s career.

The problem arises when a person exposes themselves on these sites in a negative manner. Both job seekers and current employees should be very careful with the types of content placed on social media sites.
Why the Job Seeker Should be Careful About Use of Social Network Sites
Job seekers are highly vulnerable to potential harm from negative impressions created by their activity on social networking sites. This situation is becoming more and more common: a candidate for a job sends in a cover letter and resume with seemingly stellar experience, great presentation, and potentially excellent value to the company. The candidate may even interview with the company and be an inch away from getting a job.

But when the company runs a search for the person on Facebook or Myspace, they do not look so perfect. Offensive pictures are posted, tasteless and poorly written messages are present, and the person’s friends post all kinds of inappropriate content as well. The job seeker is no longer in the running for the position, passed over only because of their careless use of social media sites.

More and more, employers are looking at social media sites in the manner described above. Some companies may look at a potential employee’s networking site before the job interview; others may do so only afterwards. Either way, the message for a job seeker is clear: have a clean and positive social media presence online, or it can be damaging to your job search.
Why the Current Employee Should Also Be Careful About Use of Social Network Sites
Some employers are also beginning to include searches of social media websites in the employee performance evaluations process. They may also conduct routine searches for references to their company or key management personnel. Companies also often monitor employee computer activity while at work, definitely including use of social network sites, which are widely viewed as productivity-killers. In addition to this time-wasting aspect, companies are increasingly wary of employee involvement in social media and social networking for two main reasons.

First, an employee may be perceived as a spokesperson for the company and its values, especially if they interact with the public a great deal in their work, such as if they are in sales. If an employee’s online postings are viewed as adverse to the company’s goals and mission, such as if they criticize the company or its management, the company fears damage to its brand and public image.

Second, in some instances the company may learn information about an employee from the employee’s online postings that it views as creating an unacceptable risk in the workplace, such as if the employee discloses drug use, racism, or a preoccupation with violence.

In most situations, a performance evaluation will not be ruined by one questionable photo or statement on Facebook, but there is always that possibility – or even the possibility of the employee getting fired. It certainly happens with some regularity.

For this reason, employees should be thinking about their performance reviews and employment security with every post made on a social network site. Also, even though something was posted in the past does not mean it cannot come back and haunt the employee much later, having been indexed and cached by search engines.

While judicious use of privacy controls can go far to achieve protection against such negative impact of online social networking on employment, this is not a perfect solution.

There is still a potential for other employees and supervisors to come across the information. It is certainly not uncommon for bosses and supervisors to add employees to their networks, and for employees to add their bosses and supervisors. Even if such a connection is not currently made, think about the future. If an employee posts something negative about a boss or co-worker and then six months later the boss or co-worker seeks an online connection or friendship, things may not end well. The boss or co-worker will either be offended by a rejection or may end up connecting and finding the adverse postings.
How to Maximize Good Information, But Not Overexpose Bad Information
Just because using a social media site or social networking site has the possibility of being a bad thing does not mean that a person should completely stay away from these types of websites. To the contrary, they have many favorable aspects for job hunting and career growth that may outweigh the bad aspects, provided they are used properly.

Twenty-first century job seekers today are at a huge advantage over job seekers in previous decades in the sense that it is far easier to broadly convey information about one’s qualifications, so that recruiters and HR teams can locate job candidates, rather than vice versa.

A job seeker should most definitely post as much positive information as possible online using social media sites, as this will reflect well on them in their job hunt. Some information that could be posted that would reflect well could be, for example, any published papers one may have, any hobbies that may relate to particular jobs, and any useful general skills such as second languages. These things typically do not find their way onto a resume, but they can certainly be found easily via social networking sites when a recruiter takes a look. Joining groups related to job skills and interests is a great idea as well, as is making sure one’s profile reflects the key words a recruiter might use to find a candidate in your field.

Employees can follow the same tips above that job seekers have available, but for a different purpose. Social media sites offer a way to present knowledge and interests that could help qualify for a promotion or transfer. For example, if an employee is looking to make a lateral transfer from information technology to information management, and their boss is connected to their social media site, the employee can begin making posts about information management news to show interest. While this will never win a promotion in and of itself, it is definitely a good way to show interest and spark conversation.
Conclusion
In closing, social media and networking is a very exciting development in today’s world generally, and it has many important impacts on employment, both positive and negative.

Because this information is so readily accessible by anyone with a computer, job seekers and employees need to be careful with the type of information and posts being made on these sites. If the wrong type of information is posted, the potential for harm is great.

On the other hand, if properly used, social media sites can and should serve as beneficial tools for obtaining jobs, solidifying employment and networking with bosses and supervisors. Social media can help create great opportunities for job seekers and employees that were never available before.
About The Author

Arthur Clyne is a Montreal-based web and technology consultant for several local area businesses. He currently consults for Halogen, an HR software company that specializes in performance evaluation programs.
May 05, 2010
22:49
You’re About to Graduate; Now What? Tips on Preparing for Your Job Search
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

If you’re one of the many seniors coming to the end of your time in college, you might be a little unsure about what’s next. The “real world” is fast approaching while you’re still trying to soak in your last college days.

Make the most of these final moments, but realize that an exciting transition is coming and you’ve got to be prepared.

Here are some tips from Mario Schulzke, creator of CareerSparx, to help you prepare for the job search after college. Regardless of your major or future career plans, this should help put you on the right track.

Photo credit: Nazareth College via flickr creative commons Use the Campus Career Center — While You Still Can.
If you haven’t looked into the career services that your school provides by now, you should get on it. Many schools offer resume coaching and provide job listings for students, but this service only lasts for a set amount of time after you graduate. Make the most of what is available while you can.

You can also use the career center to contact alumni that work in the industry you’re interested in entering; they may be able to provide advice or point you to job openings that you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Reach Out to Your Classmates and Teachers for Job Leads.
Use your last days around campus to talk to students and professors who may be able to guide you to potential job openings. Depending on your major, your professors may be working in the field or have done so at some point in their career, making them a valuable source of advice. Speak with them one-on-one or send a thoughtful email asking for help. More often than not, they will be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.

As for your classmates, they were or are in the same boat as you. Your classmates may be able to point you to job opportunities that they passed up or were unable to follow through with because they found other jobs, and you can do the same.
Gather Your Network.
Begin reaching out to friends, family, past coworkers, and anyone you know who could provide you with a potential job lead. Ask if they know anyone in the industry you’re interested in and if it would be okay for you to contact that person, mentioning the common connection.

Not only should you be thinking about what your network can do for you, but also what you can do for your network. People will be more inclined to help you if you help them. Keep an eye out for opportunities to pass along or connections you can make, because you never know when it will come back to help you in the future.
Update Your Resume and Create Your Cover Letters.
As you begin to apply for jobs, you will need an accurate, up-to-date resume as well as a customized cover letter for each job you apply for.

Spend a significant amount of time preparing these documents because they are often the first impression that you will make on a potential employer.

Point out your accomplishments rather than responsibilities and use your cover letter to tell each company why you are especially interested in them.
Clean Up Your Facebook and Get LinkedIn.
Whether you like it or not, employers are using Facebook to check on potential hires. According to a study for CareerBuilder.com, 45 percent of employers are using social networks to perform background research on potential hires.

You need to make sure that your Facebook doesn’t contain any inappropriate photos or anything that would cause a potential employer to look negatively upon you during the job search process.

If you haven’t done so already, you should create a profile on LinkedIn, a networking site that allows you to connect with your colleagues on a professional or work-related level.

Build your profile with extra care because this serves as an electronic resume that can be seen by friends and future employers alike.

Begin connecting to members in your network and use the services that LinkedIn provides to get in touch with people in your industry.
Schedule Informational Interviews.
This is a great way to begin forming connections in your industry or within the company you hope to work for. An informational interview is an opportunity for you to ask someone about his or her business or job in an informal setting.

This helps you learn more about what you want to do and where you may fit within a company. By taking the time to do some background research and prepare smart questions, you may even impress the person enough to recommend you or even offer you a full-time job.
Consider an Internship.
If you don’t have much work experience in the industry you want to be in, it can be difficult to take your job search process to the next level.

Internships allow you to get the experience you need without making a full-time commitment. Plus, it’s not uncommon for impressive interns to receive full-time offers at the end of or soon after their internships, so take the opportunity to learn while increasing your skills and experience.
Read the News on a Regular Basis.
Nothing helps your conversational skills like something to talk about. If you feel uncomfortable speaking with people in a professional setting, bringing up a current event is one way to begin a conversation. By following the news, you will begin to formulate opinions on popular topics and impress people with your knowledge of the world.

Better yet, follow the news related to your industry or future profession. This is easily accomplished with the Internet and will go a long way during your job search process. The more you learn, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
Create a Schedule and Stick to It.
Finding the right job to start your career is a full-time operation in itself. Set a schedule for applying to jobs and talking to people in your industry. Getting into a weekly routine will provide more structure to your job search.
These tips should help you begin your job search on the right foot, but in the end it all comes down to your hard work and dedication. As the American academic John M. Richardson Jr. once said, “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: Those who let it happen, those who make it happen and those who wonder what happened.” Be someone who makes it happen.
ABOUT CAREERSPARX

Mario Schulzke is the creator of CareerSparx, an online course that helps recent college graduates begin their careers. For more information, download a free 61-page guide on how to start your career.
April 09, 2010
8:55
What are Typical Career Coaching Costs?
» ‎ George's Employment Blawg: St. Louis labor & employment lawyer looks at HR, labor law, and today’s workplace

What is a Career Coach?
A career coach helps a job seeker land his next employment opportunity in the most efficient and expedient means possible.

The services of a career coach are targeted for individuals who are unemployed or in a dead-end job or are attempting to move up the ladder or re-enter the work force.
History of Career Coaching
Career coaching, as we know it today, developed its roots from corporate coaching of the 1980’s.

At that time, large corporations saw their top performers experience professional growth and increased performance through the assignment of a life coach. This process benefited key executives across all levels of the organization.

Since then, career coaching has evolved into a service that is available to job seekers everywhere.
Working With a Career Coach
Any candidate who is contemplating a business relationship with a career coach should first be aware of how the process works. It is important to connect with a coach who will best meet the job seeker’s needs.

Initially, expect to have either a face-to-face or telephone consultation, to determine both short and long term employment goals. This is a critical appointment that provides the career coach with the background information necessary to assist their client.

The career coach can then provide information about the candidate’s chosen career path, salary expectations, current trends in the industry, and advice on prospective target employers who hire for the candidate’s chosen position.
Services Provided
A career coach’s role is to train the job seeker to out-perform their competition in the job market.

Career coaches routinely provide services such as career exploration, interview success coaching, setting up a strategic career plan, and salary negotiations assistance, as well as advice in the initial career planning process.

When a job seeker requires assistance in revising their resume, or additional career services, the Career Coach has connections in the industry they readily recommend.
Career Coaching Costs and Benefits
The cost to work with a career coach varies considerably, generally between $75.00 and $250.00 per hour.

While the cost of hiring a career coach may seem like an unnecessary expense when unemployed or re-entering the workforce, the benefits of the relationship can be the difference between landing a position, or remaining on the unemployment line.

The coach spends time preparing the candidate for interviews and meetings with prospective employers, and literally guides the job seeker toward success in the hiring process. Individuals who work with a career coach are far more likely to get in the door of their target employer, and out-perform their peers in the job market.
What to Look For
Before shopping for a career coach, it is critical to know how to identify a professional who delivers results.

Look at the coach’s work experience, ask about their professional affiliations, determine their reputation in the industry, and ask for references before moving forward with any one coach.

Always know the career coach’s fees in advance, and ask about any guarantees offered.

Above all, speak with the coach before making a final decision, to see if this is a person you will enjoy working with.
This guest post by Christina Archer, who is a Career Agent, author, expert resume writer and presenter, is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.