on December
11, 2009, at 11:30 at the Wingate Conference Center.

Join us as we end the year celebrating

as we started the year with our

WCHRMA 10 year Celebration

Past Presidents will be invited to join and participate
as we celebrate 10 years of growth

2010 Board Members

• President - Jim Burgess
• President Elect - Sandy Thompson
• VP of Programs - Fred Martinez
• VP of Communications - Leigh Bodreaux
• VP of Membership - Jim Trammel
• Secretary - Tracy Thor
• Treasurer - Jeff Dahmer
• Immediate Past President - Sherry Johnson

]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:05:20 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22661&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22654&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea
This time is a great opportunity to reach out to your network and wish a happy season to your colleagues. In the process keep you on the top of their mind during this busy time of year.

What skills have you acquired (this could be through formal training or hands-on experience)

What networking groups did you join/influential people have you met

What have you accomplished so far and what do you still want to achieve 

Send thank you notes to all who have helped you (even is it was earlier in the year, sending out a thanksgiving note can help keep you top of mind for future opportuinities)
I am very grateful for the work I am able to do and even if I can only touch one job seeker in the process it makes it all worthwhile. Happy Thanksgiving Y'all.]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:40:16 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22654&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22509&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea Jobing.com is proud to announce a newly formed state wide resource and partnership for returning Veterans who are entering the workforce.

Operation Job Match is a collaborative effort between the Society for Human Resource Management (TXSHRM) State Council, Harrington Strategies in San Antonio , Intelligent Compensation in Austin , Jobing.com along with a variety of local workforce agency partners. The entire site is devoted to putting our returning armed forces in Texas back to work and it offically launces today. 

"There are thousands of military veterans in the State of Texas currently seeking employment. Part of the problem in getting veterans hired is that there is a significant gap between Military Employers and many U.S. Employers concerning workforce readiness assessment, skill defiintion, job requirement relevancy, and the use of a common language to communicate and bridge relevant qualifications."

Spread the word and check out the site!
 
http://www.operationjobmatch.com/]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:59 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22509&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=18186&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea Fellow Employers,

In our tough economy, it seems that employers and HR professionals fall into two divergent camps, both of which can pose significant challenges and opportunities. 

Camp 1.  I'm hiring.  With what news people call a "flood of talent" on the market, some will say you have an embarassment of riches.  Some will say you have the opportunity to get the very best...on the cheap.  However, you may feel quite differently.  Perhaps you're overwhelmed with unsolicited responses.  If you post a job, your email system goes berserk and you're so buried that you can't give people the attention required to make a strategic decision.  Some candidates who are motivated by financial pressures from recent layoffs, are applying to all sorts of jobs indiscriminately further compounding the issue.  You may be dealing with candidates who are bitter or feel entitled to a job.  Just because they were a big deal at their last job doesn't mean they're right for your organization.  I bet you're feeling this pinch, whether you'd admit it in polite conversation or not. 

This landscape poses real management challenges for the HR professional.  I was recruiting in the pharmaceutical biz when the 911 recession hit and I saw this situation play out with some of my clients.  Some companies abused the buyer's market treating people like cattle, artificially driving down wages, and generally forgetting what it's like to be a job seeker.  Although they got fat off the land for a hot minute, I think this treatment caused employees to behave like mercenaries.  Since relatively little effort was made to create a compelling employment brand or establish engagement upon hiring, employees soon split for the next big thing.  They felt "disposable", so they took their passion, skills, and brain power to the competitor down the street.     

Other companies saw this as an opportunity to get the right people on the bus.   They did this by communicating their employment brand.  They built great employment pages on their websites that communicated their culture.  Remember Google?  Nobody did this better than Google!  Southwest Airlines was superb as well.  They invested in high-touch candidate application systems with automated email responses.  They kept their name top-of-mind by being active in the community.  They created strong relationships with colleges to ensure a pipeline of talent when the market inevitably tightened.  All these branding efforts helped them whittle down the giant stack of resumes and make strategic hires.  Thus, we came up with the basic equation of my business.  Strong employment brand=Strong company. 

Camp 2.  I'm not hiring.  Many wonderful companies have been set back on their heels.  Hard working HR people in these organizations perservere in a pressure cooker of layoffs, personal uncertainty, and unemployment claims, all the while trying not to be a "cost center."  God forbid you should appear too expensive.  Touchy-feely things like an employment brand may be the last thing on your mind.  They're the provenance of $500/hr consultants. 

Careful now...although it may be easy to toss aside the brand you worked so hard to create, consider the risks.  In tough times your employment brand is even more important.  Candidates believe what they hear, especially if it's bad.  What message are you sending to your potential candidates?  Are you on top of your PR strategy?  Is your company just recuperating between rounds, or are you down for the count permanently?  Surely, you care about every single one of your employees and the way you treat them on the way out will help you or haunt you when this economy turns.  Building your employment brand is never a bad investment and by doing this you'll be prepared to rocket out of the gate before your competitors when our economy rebounds.  We must think strategically about all this stuff, even though things are wild right now. ]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=18186&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22483&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea   UPS is hiring Part Time and Seasonal Package Handlers and Seasonal Driver Helpers at a location near you.

UPS offers exceptional perks and benefits for permanent Full AND Part Time employees, including paid healthcare benefits.  Long-standing company policies, such as employee ownership, equal opportunity, and promotion from within, have helped to foster employee dedication, making UPS a preferred employer.

World’s Most Reputable Companies, Best Places to Work, 50 Best Places to Launch a Career, 50 Best Companies for Minorities are just a few of the Employer of Choice Awards UPS has received. 

Being a part of our team is not just a career — it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.  JOIN US! ]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:57:44 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22483&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22482&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea   You’ve been sending out resumes and applying for jobs online.  You crafted that perfect cover letter, found a position you qualify for and have been selected for an interview!  That’s awesome!  Celebrate for a few minutes but then it’s time to prepare for it.

Research – Do your best to research everything you can prior to the interview.  Of course you’ll study up on the company but also look into their competitors and the industry as a whole.  Find out as many specifics about the job as you can.  See if the company website has info about the recruiter you’re interviewing with.  Look for recent news articles too.  You’ll touch on a few things naturally while interviewing.  This will make you look good.

Questions – Write a list of questions to ask.  Typically the interviewer will ask what questions you have toward the end.  If they don’t bring it up go ahead and tell them you have a few questions.  Having good questions shows that you care enough about the position to be well prepared.

What to Bring – Be sure to bring several copies of your resume.  I would make it a point to also bring a few covers letters and printed references.  Of course, store everything in a professional portfolio.  Make sure you have a pen or pencil with you too. 

Getting There – Confirm the address and print a map.  Make sure you understand exactly where you’re going.  Ask about parking beforehand.  The last thing you want is to be late because you’re lost or didn’t know where to park.  In case of emergency bring the company phone number with you.  Call if you’re going to be late for any reason.

You’ve gotten your chance.  Make the best of it.  Good luck!]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:56:20 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22482&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22432&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea    Last month we enjoyed Adriana Hook of the Ginac Group, and pics from that event can be found here on TRA Oct Event Set. 

For the November's event we're so excited to have Carl Dodd who is the President of People Velocity LLC.  Mr Dodd helps organizations save time and money by developing their people and improving their systems. He brings to the position a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors. 

Carl's topic "The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence" One thing you can always count on as a Recruiter is that you will be working with people. John C. Maxwell, in his book The Winning Attitude, notes that "The Stanford Research Institute says that the money you make in any endeavor is determined only 12.5% by knowledge and 87.5% by your ability to deal with people." In this presentation on Emotional Intelligence, you'll learn to understand and manage yourself and your emotions effectively, and understand and effectively relate to others.

We look forward to having a great group on the 17th, to register for the event (it's free - we just like to know how many are coming) go to TRA's site, Texas Recruiters Association. 

Also, we're on facebook and you can join our group!!  Facebook Group for TRA]]> Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:40:20 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22432&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22360&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea (This post is based on some of the principles included in my new book, Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tough which I wrote with San Diego-based executive coach, Duncan Mathison. For a free sample chapter, visit the book's official site: www.unlockthehiddenjobmarket.com )

If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll know that I’ve been writing about networking a lot lately. Or at least it seems like it. Networking, networking, networking. Maybe it’s me but don’t you think that when you say it out loud enough, it begins to sound like earwax? Okay…it’s probably just me.

Networking doesn’t have much appeal, does it? It doesn’t sound nearly as much fun as going to your local Applebee’s with some friends for a beer and some wings. Now there’s a problem with even that Applebee’s scenario. Based on the emails I’ve been getting, a lot of you are feeling that you don’t have too many friends either. And the ones you do have are getting, like, really tired of hearing you talk about your struggles to land a job. And you’re getting really tired of talking about it too. In fact, you’d just wish they’d change the subject.

I don’t think my readers are social losers. (At least I hope not, but, then again, what are you doing reading this blog post when it’s such a pretty day outside?) When you’ve been out of work for any amount o time, it’s easy to feel that you have run aground in the contacts department – especially in recent years when we’ve all been so busy taking care of our jobs and our families. We’ve let outside friendships perhaps atrophy. Maybe all your friends were work-related. And now that you’re out of work, you’re also fresh out of buddies. Or you’ve moved to a new town where you really, really don’t know anyone.

Whatever the reason for your feelings of isolation, you know you have to mix it up a little bit, well, a lot. Get some fresh meat, I mean talent, into your tight circles of relationships. Get out of the house. So I thought I’d offer some tips in that direction.

Remember that one thing leads to another. The thing about circulating is that your first dip into big world probably won’t net you a job. It’s a cumulative kind of thing. So leave that desperate, graspy, over-eager feeling at home when you head out the door. Just be open to meeting who you meet. Maybe tonight you’re destined to actually help someone else. And you’ll come home feeling just a little better about yourself.

Look for opportunities where you can become a regular. And no, I don’t mean the Applebee’s bar. When your face starts becoming familiar, you will emerge from invisibility to someone who people will be glad to see. Maybe they’ll even shout out your name, like, “Norm!” (But don’t count on it.) If you try a business mixer or worship service or volunteer opportunity, and people completely ignore you, keep going. Week after week. Introduce yourself as often as you can. And just let the cumulative effects of time work their wonders.

Stay away from solitary pursuits, even if they’re out of the house. Going to a matinee movie doesn’t count as “getting out there.” Go to local economic development or chamber of commerce meetings, receptions, mixers. Your local bookstore probably offers booksignings, author lectures or special classes. A friend of mine who is a professional coach is part of a team who gives courses at Whole Foods! Go! The home improvement stores offer free courses. Go! The American Red Cross offers courses in first aid, cpr, etc. Go!

Make job-related networking events only a small percentage of your out-of-the-house activities. First of all, you’re so much more than unemployed. And you need to nurture those other parts of who you are. At the very least, this way you’ll lead with an opener that’s so much more interesting than, “Hi, gotta job?” But most importantly is that your self-definition has a chance to stay strong and defined beyond this immediate need of landing a gig. You will also stand a better chance of meeting people other than fellow job-seekers. You know…people who already have jobs? And who would be thrilled to help you get inside their companies or organizations.

Learn something. Go to local college courses – especially the ones at night, when employed people go to school. You don’t have to matriculate and take on the expense of a formal semester. Continuing ed courses can be inexpensive. The teachers are often professionals in the community (hint: employed people!). It’s probably best if you took a course that would help you be more qualified for the kind of job you’re looking for. But even taking a non-job related course will at least remind you that there’s more to life than your daily bread (although, it’s kind of hard to make that argument right now, I know).

Teach something. Surely you know something that will benefit others. How to read, for adult literacy programs, for instance. If you have a profession or skill that’s useful in the for-profit world, surely you can introduce at least the basics to young people. Convene a panel of other experts and put on a program! (You’ll be able to find a venue. A friend of mine hosted the annual meeting of his professional association – on the premises of the company that had just laid him off. Awkward.)

Volunteer. Those same skills you can teach you can donate. It will make you feel good about being who you are and what you can do. That boost in self-esteem will give you the added confidence that will send out the signal that you’re a valuable contributor to the world.

Call old friends – even if they haven’t heard from you in a long time. This is where Facebook comes in handy. The other day I heard from a dear friend for the first time in about 8 years. We’d been looking for each other off and on over recent years but, thanks to Facebook, she found me first! And we talked on the phone for a full three hours. A lot of it was catching up. But, she was also very candid about the fact that she needed some professional advice from me. Did I see this as a cheesy ulterior motive? Heck no! First off all, I owed her a gigantic favor from 10 years ago (I mean, huge). Secondly, I love her and I know she loves me. So whatever I have is hers. (Advice, I mean.)

Ask for introductions. Unless you’re a bitter whiner who needs to blow your nose and brush your teeth (and, uhm, a little roll-on?), the friends you have should be happy to give you introductions you need to move your job search forward. If they’re reluctant to help you, find out why. Wouldn’t you want to know the truth, especially if it was something you could fix? And, if they’re possessive with or protective of their contacts to the point where they’re keeping you from helping yourself, or making you feel judged, it’s best that you should know that now. You might have just discovered a brand new opening in your group of friends to fill.

They say that once you achieve a certain age, it gets harder and harder to make new friends. Everyone is set in their habits, patterns, commuting routine, relationships. Well, one of the upshots of these economic times is that everyone is thrown higgledy-piggledy into a big pile of confusion and some flavor of disconnectedness. Now is a fantastic time to build new circles of friends and business contacts.

And vow to take better care of them in the future. Like, don’t wait 8 years before picking up the phone.]]> Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:12:51 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22360&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22319&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea   Thanks Brett

In case anyone was wondering what the fuss is with social media, here it goes.

What is social media?

Social media is an integration of words, pictures, video and/or audio with an element of human interaction. (Essentially, the words, pics, videos are the "media"...the human interactivity of commenting on a Twitter status update, tagging someone in a Facebook photo, watching a video on Youtube and forwarding on to your friends...that's the "social" element of the umbrella term, 'social media'.)

A couple other fun stats to throw around about social media:

3 out of 4 Americans use social technology - Forrester Research, 2008 (Meaning, not just Gen Y. This means that my mom and my dad are my friends on Facebook.)

Visiting social sites is more of a popular online activity now than checking personal email, Nielson 2009

93% of social media users believe a company should have a presence in social media (meaning, users are open to being a fan of your company on Facebook. It's not intrusive if your company is on there...as 300,000 businesses have found out on Facebook (currently, 300,000 business have Facebook pages)

Of the 4,000+ tools that can be grouped into the growing 'social media' bucket, there are only about 4 or 5 that matter when it comes to recruitment.

1) Facebook. The reason it matters in recruitment?

There are over 300 million users on Facebook.

There's no other social media site or tool that's better to brand your company. On a fan page, you can share video about what it's like to work at your company, show them what it's like to work at your company with photos, and you can post status updates that go directly to a fan's home page. Plus, there are a couple recruitment applications that integrate your jobs into Facebook and allow fans to share these jobs with their friends (Jobing offers this application, plug intended.)

2) Twitter. The reason it matters in recruitment?

You have to look at Twitter as a chat room and as a listening tool. You listen to the people you're following, and you chat with the people who are talking about your company by monitoring with tools such as Tweetdeck or Twitter Search. All Twitter is good for is for your company to interact with potential candidates so it positively impacts your brand.

3) Linkedin. The reason it matters in recruitment?

Allows recruiters to mine a database of resumes (aka Linkedin profiles) to find potential candidates.

4) Youtube. The reason it matters in recruitment?

Video arguably is one of the best branding tools for a company. Youtube is one of the largest search engines on the internet. Put the two together and you've got a winning social media site.

5) Myspace. The reason it matters in recruitment?

Myspace is the forgotten son of social media. The other week I was in Texas and asked a woman who was the HR manager for a call center if she had looked into using Myspace to recruit. She responded by saying that Myspace was full of pedophiles and teenie boppers...which may be true, but it still doesn't change the fact that more people go to Myspace than Twitter and Linkedin. The numbers and traffic alone make Myspace a tool to keep in the tool belt.

Whew! Those are the tools that are slowly changing the world of recruiting...

Brett Farmiloe is the social media manager for Jobing.com. He'd love it if you became a fan of Jobing on Facebook, and a follower on Twitter. Ecstatic, actually. Also, feel free to contact and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or by good ol' email (brett(at)jobing.com) for any social media questions.]]> Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:50:38 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22319&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22318&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea   The number one comment lately has been a lack of communication from employers.  People who interview for positions aren’t hearing back from the employers.  Often times, the interviewee has been told, “We’ll follow up with you either way.”  These job seekers use words like frustrated, insensitive, demoralizing and inconsiderate.  Most of them would love a simple note saying the position has been filled.

We’ve all been stretched at work recently as companies must find ways to become more efficient.  Sending out a quick email to everyone who interviewed for the position isn’t that tough.  It could come from HR or the hiring manager.  The job seekers don’t care.  They just want to know.  If the fear is starting a confrontation use a no reply email address.  Better yet, tap in to the potential of your ATS and let the technology work for you.

This little bit of goodwill can go a long way for your company reputation, referrals and even the bottom line.  ]]> Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:50:09 GMT http://austin.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=22318&utm_source=jobing&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=blogarea