Sunday, March 27, 2011
WHAT NEXT: Are credit checks before they hire you fair in the...
WHAT NEXT: Are credit checks before they hire you fair in the...: "Imagine a scenarioScenario: Harry ran a successful business before the downturn in the economy caught up with him. He was faced with a..."
Are credit checks before they hire you fair in the current economy?
Imagine a scenarioScenario: Harry ran a successful business before the downturn in the economy caught up with him. He was faced with a situation of a bunch of dues ranging from overblown credit card dues to home mortgage to car payments, etc.
Next, Harry started looking for a job. A graduate with multiple skills; all he needed was to combine his transferable skills and finding a job was a non issue – so he thought.
Then came the road block - his credit score stopped him from getting some jobs that were within his reach. Some of his potential employers checked his credit reports and based on his current status would not consider him. Does a bad credit score really make him a bad employee?
A credit check was primarily instituted to insure one’s ability and track record in repaying loans. It was not meant to be involved in any manner whatsoever in one’s employment search.
That’s the question being explored by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that enforces laws that prohibit discrimination against workers based on race, religion, gender, age, or disability.
**“SHRM believes there is a compelling public interest in ensuring that employers can assess the skills, abilities and work habits of potential hires,” Christine Walters, a human resource professional and lawyer, told the EEOC. She appeared before the October meeting of the commission on behalf of the 250,000-member SHRM.
SHRM’s latest comments on the practice of conducting credit investigations for some job applicants come in response to an idea that was floated at an Oct. 20, 2010, EEOC hearing. It was suggested that the answers to these three questions from a former employer would obviate the need for credit checks:
- Did the employee perform adequately?
- Did you have any concerns about the employee’s integrity or reliability?
- Would you re-hire this employee?
SHRM said that using just these three questions would raise “practical and legal issues.”
In a Dec. 3, 2010 letter from the SHRM Director of Government Affairs Michael P. Aitken said, “asking previous employers the three suggested questions is not a realistic substitute for employer use of other available information, including credit reports.”
*In defending employers’ use of credit checks as part of the hiring process, Eric Rosenberg of the TransUnion credit bureau paints a sobering picture. Retailers lose more than $30 billion a year because of employee theft, he says. Workplace violence costs employers $55 million a year in lost wages. A third of employees provide bogus information on their résumés.
Even Eric Rosenberg, admitted at a legislative hearing in Oregon: “At this point we don’t have any research to show any statistical correlation between what’s in somebody’s credit report and their job performance or their likelihood to commit fraud.”
As a friend mentioned – most of the folks on Wall Street had a great credit score; what happened? Mere financial challenge of an individual should not allow one to lay aspersions on one’s integrity. There is no correlation between the two.
For most jobs, your credit score is not an important qualification. That's why states are starting to crack down on companies who use credit checks to screen applicants. Hawaii, Illinois, Oregon and Washington have all banned the practice. I understand 15 states are moving aggressively for a similar ban. Probably, this is the right time for you to write to your Representatives and ask them to ban such a check in your state.
It is important for a ban of this practice at a federal level to insure wrongful discrimination. Each day means many jobs lost for persons already hit by a bad economy.
Source: * NY Times ** SHRM Online
Please conduct further research for this and other career related information
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. He can be contacted at: E-mail: ramesh@aprllc.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/happyhirer Blog: http://aagekya.blogspot.com/ Blog: http://myjobboard.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 18, 2011
A recent discussion with Chen, an accomplished engineer looking for “OUT” of his current assignment..‘What Next?’ was his question…
Scenario: My friend, Chen (name changed) is a graduate from a university, well known for high caliber engineering graduates. He has had over a decade of experience in selling and overseeing engineering projects. He has had an extremely successful track record with his medium sized employer and is compensated at par with current industry standards.
Chen feels that he can keep doing this through his career but is convinced that it is driving him insane and he cannot carry on for long.
Chen has been continuously involved in various community activities ranging from philanthropy to commerce to grass root issue based politics.
Options:
We had a great discussion over lunch and talked about his strengths, his weaknesses, his challenges and his hobbies. We could identify a bunch of skills and sweet spots that one can leverage to shift careers.
Here are some of the options that Chen and I could identify:
- Explore new opportunities within the company. The current employer has been seeing growth and there may be opportunities within which will provide a wider range of professional exposure and do away with the frustrations of monotony associated with his current role.
- Given Chen’s ethnic background, one can leverage his ability to interact with Asian culture as easily with American culture. Option to look at Asian companies looking for a professional who can speak both languages and play a key role in sales and business development in the United States.
- Non-profit organizations are today known to hire high caliber executives with multiple capabilities for roles ranging from community engagement to fund raising. Given Chen’s active community related involvement, he can very easily look at opportunities with non profits that will be very happy to hire a dynamic engineering graduate with such a broad exposure.
- Chen has also been actively involved with main stream political organizations. He can explore opportunities with key elected officials in DC or in global agencies requiring his multiple skills.
We had merely touched the tip of the iceberg through our lunch and realized that we had opened a Pandora’s box of opportunities and decided to follow through with more opportunities.
If you have suggestions, let me know…
On the lighter side:
He listened intently, and after a moment his face brightened. When he hung up, he immediately phoned his mother to tell her the good news.
"Ma," he shouted, "the results are in. I won the election!"
"Honestly?"
The politician's smiled faded. "Aw, heck, Ma, why bring that up at a time like this?"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( www.aprllc.com ) He can be contact at ramesh@aprllc.com
Please conduct further research for this and other career related information
Please conduct further research for this and other career related information
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A career in sales of software or oursourcing services?
A career in sales can be extremely rewarding. A sales person primarily assists a customer decide on the product or service they need, collect payment and provide customer service
Sales of services can include consulting, hospitality, courier, software, outsourcing, banking and financial services, insurance – the list can go on.
With the advent of technology, some professions vanish and new ones come up. An individual’s strength lies in moving with times and being in touch with the times and the trend.
Two decades ago, one would have never imagined the need for individuals in the field of sales and outsourcing services. Today, it is a highly paying job which many professionals have entered leveraging their prior experiences.
The growth in the software and outsourcing industry over the last decade has been astronomical. This has created a large number of positions for individuals with different background combined with sales skills. By virtue of the global nature of the business, the personnel required need to possess very diverse capabilities. The job is like most other corp to corp jobs that are not restricted to a typical 9 to 5 schedule. The global nature may require one to works nights interacting with partners in the other side of the world.
While there are no specific required qualifications, most employers prefer a graduate in engineering or management for sales of these services. Companies have today evolved into selling to niche industries. Sales representatives with experience or knowledge in a specific industry have a distinct advantage. Example, a person who has earlier worked in the chemical industry will find it easy to sell services to the same industry vertical with their prior subject matter expertise..
Soft skills that most employers look for are a pleasant personality, good communication skills and tact in responding to queries. Multiple languages can be an edge to leverage, especially in offshore delivered solution sales. Knowledge of presentation techniques is a major advantage.
Here is what www.monster.com says about Outsourcing & Software Sales:
Outsourced Services Base Salary: $150,000 to $200,000 Commissions: $200,000 to $500,000 Any task a corporation can outsource is a chance for a salesperson to earn a hefty commission. Call centers were among the first outsourced tasks, but there’s also plant maintenance, office administration, human resources, payroll and legal compliance. This is one sales job you can walk into mid-career, because companies actively look for salespeople that come out of the sector they’re selling into, Gaffney says. “You know where strengths and weaknesses are and where companies are vulnerable in what they’re doing,” he says. Keep in mind that selling may require a completely different skill set than the one that made you successful in your field. For instance, running a call center and selling call-center services are two completely different jobs.
Software Sales Base Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 Commissions: $250,000 to $1 million Successful high-end software industry salespeople know how to combine consultative sales with just the right amount of arm-twisting, says Gaffney. To start as a junior salesperson, you’ll need a college degree and demonstrated aggressiveness, such as having played a varsity sport. An IT or marketing major will also help land this position. If you work in the industry using a software product, you may also be able to move over to sales mid-career, because you know the industry players, as well as the application’s technical and functional specifics. “You’ll still have to have an aggressive personality if you want them to take a look at you,” Gaffney says.
It’s the perception that helps a salesperson succeed:
Two shoe salespeople were sent to Africa to open up new markets. Three days after arriving, one salesperson called the office and said, "I'm returning on the next flight. Can't sell shoes here. Everybody goes barefoot."At the same time the other salesperson sent an email to the factory, telling "The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( www.aprllc.com )
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
Sales of services can include consulting, hospitality, courier, software, outsourcing, banking and financial services, insurance – the list can go on.
With the advent of technology, some professions vanish and new ones come up. An individual’s strength lies in moving with times and being in touch with the times and the trend.
Two decades ago, one would have never imagined the need for individuals in the field of sales and outsourcing services. Today, it is a highly paying job which many professionals have entered leveraging their prior experiences.
The growth in the software and outsourcing industry over the last decade has been astronomical. This has created a large number of positions for individuals with different background combined with sales skills. By virtue of the global nature of the business, the personnel required need to possess very diverse capabilities. The job is like most other corp to corp jobs that are not restricted to a typical 9 to 5 schedule. The global nature may require one to works nights interacting with partners in the other side of the world.
While there are no specific required qualifications, most employers prefer a graduate in engineering or management for sales of these services. Companies have today evolved into selling to niche industries. Sales representatives with experience or knowledge in a specific industry have a distinct advantage. Example, a person who has earlier worked in the chemical industry will find it easy to sell services to the same industry vertical with their prior subject matter expertise..
Soft skills that most employers look for are a pleasant personality, good communication skills and tact in responding to queries. Multiple languages can be an edge to leverage, especially in offshore delivered solution sales. Knowledge of presentation techniques is a major advantage.
Here is what www.monster.com says about Outsourcing & Software Sales:
Outsourced Services Base Salary: $150,000 to $200,000 Commissions: $200,000 to $500,000 Any task a corporation can outsource is a chance for a salesperson to earn a hefty commission. Call centers were among the first outsourced tasks, but there’s also plant maintenance, office administration, human resources, payroll and legal compliance. This is one sales job you can walk into mid-career, because companies actively look for salespeople that come out of the sector they’re selling into, Gaffney says. “You know where strengths and weaknesses are and where companies are vulnerable in what they’re doing,” he says. Keep in mind that selling may require a completely different skill set than the one that made you successful in your field. For instance, running a call center and selling call-center services are two completely different jobs.
Software Sales Base Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 Commissions: $250,000 to $1 million Successful high-end software industry salespeople know how to combine consultative sales with just the right amount of arm-twisting, says Gaffney. To start as a junior salesperson, you’ll need a college degree and demonstrated aggressiveness, such as having played a varsity sport. An IT or marketing major will also help land this position. If you work in the industry using a software product, you may also be able to move over to sales mid-career, because you know the industry players, as well as the application’s technical and functional specifics. “You’ll still have to have an aggressive personality if you want them to take a look at you,” Gaffney says.
It’s the perception that helps a salesperson succeed:
Two shoe salespeople were sent to Africa to open up new markets. Three days after arriving, one salesperson called the office and said, "I'm returning on the next flight. Can't sell shoes here. Everybody goes barefoot."At the same time the other salesperson sent an email to the factory, telling "The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( www.aprllc.com )
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Leveraging your transferable skills for the next job/ career!
The economy, the changes in technology and various other factors create a scenario where the jobs you are looking may have dried up or you may merely be wanting OUT of the current area of employment or lastly you may be entering the employment field for the first time from the role of a home-maker (this happened to my wife, few years ago)
One the best arrow that you may have in your quiver of capabilities to get you the next job are your transferable skills.
What are transferable skills? Transferable skills are the skills that you have acquired over the years from any walk of your life. It may be during education, sports, parenting, previous employment, hobbies… it can cover virtually any part of your life that can provide a skill required in the next job that you seek.
When do you leverage transferable skills?
1. To start with, one can start identifying the kind of kind of job you should look for based on theskills that you can leverage for a new kind of job. Make a list of skills that you have acquired over the years. Look at jobs that interest you and the skills that may typically be needed for the jobs. Now, you can match those that you have acquired and identify roles that you can look at.
2. During the preparation of your resume: Every resume highlights the skills that you have that are appropriate for the job that you are applying for. As you list the experience you have had, articulate the skills that you have acquired and how you believe it will be useful in the execution of your responsibilities in the new job.
3. Interview: Needless to say, your interview is all about you selling your capabilities for the job you are interviewing for. One cannot adequately emphasize that the main weapon you have, especially when applying for a position that you have not worked in before, is your prior acquired capabilities that can be transferred to the current role. Use it to the maximum extent through the interview. Check out a list of action words that reflect the skills that you intend transferring to the new job.
Many individuals have switched careers succesfully and every such switch has required the individual to leverage his or her transferable skills. What are yours? Start looking within. It may be something as simple as your love for animals - you never know you may be the next winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
For more information on transferable skills, visit: http://tinyurl.com/4v6cg2y
On the lighter side: A new manager spends a week at his new office with the manager he is replacing. On the last day the departing manager tells him, "I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an envelope if you encounter a crisis you can't solve."
Three months down the track there is a major drama, everything goes wrong - the usual stuff - and the manager feels very threatened by it all. He remembers the parting words of his predecessor and opens the first envelope. The message inside says "Blame your predecessor!" He does this and gets off the hook.
About half a year later, the company is experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. The manager quickly opens the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize!" This he does, and the company quickly rebounds.
Three months later, at his next crisis, he opens the third envelope. The message inside says "Prepare three envelopes".
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ )
Please conduct further research for this and other careerf related information
One the best arrow that you may have in your quiver of capabilities to get you the next job are your transferable skills.
What are transferable skills? Transferable skills are the skills that you have acquired over the years from any walk of your life. It may be during education, sports, parenting, previous employment, hobbies… it can cover virtually any part of your life that can provide a skill required in the next job that you seek.
When do you leverage transferable skills?
1. To start with, one can start identifying the kind of kind of job you should look for based on theskills that you can leverage for a new kind of job. Make a list of skills that you have acquired over the years. Look at jobs that interest you and the skills that may typically be needed for the jobs. Now, you can match those that you have acquired and identify roles that you can look at.
2. During the preparation of your resume: Every resume highlights the skills that you have that are appropriate for the job that you are applying for. As you list the experience you have had, articulate the skills that you have acquired and how you believe it will be useful in the execution of your responsibilities in the new job.
3. Interview: Needless to say, your interview is all about you selling your capabilities for the job you are interviewing for. One cannot adequately emphasize that the main weapon you have, especially when applying for a position that you have not worked in before, is your prior acquired capabilities that can be transferred to the current role. Use it to the maximum extent through the interview. Check out a list of action words that reflect the skills that you intend transferring to the new job.
Many individuals have switched careers succesfully and every such switch has required the individual to leverage his or her transferable skills. What are yours? Start looking within. It may be something as simple as your love for animals - you never know you may be the next winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
For more information on transferable skills, visit: http://tinyurl.com/4v6cg2y
On the lighter side: A new manager spends a week at his new office with the manager he is replacing. On the last day the departing manager tells him, "I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an envelope if you encounter a crisis you can't solve."
Three months down the track there is a major drama, everything goes wrong - the usual stuff - and the manager feels very threatened by it all. He remembers the parting words of his predecessor and opens the first envelope. The message inside says "Blame your predecessor!" He does this and gets off the hook.
About half a year later, the company is experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. The manager quickly opens the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize!" This he does, and the company quickly rebounds.
Three months later, at his next crisis, he opens the third envelope. The message inside says "Prepare three envelopes".
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ )
Please conduct further research for this and other careerf related information
Monday, February 7, 2011
A CAREER IN RETAIL SALES?
A retail sales person primarily assists a customer decide on the product they need, collect payment and provide customer service. Retail sales may include large organizations like Walmart or a local convenience store.
It may include maintaining stock records, cash deposits and coordinating with suppliers. They may also be involved in transacting credit/ debit cards, deciding on displays, etc.
Depending upon the products sold, specialized knowledge may be required. In an auto dealership, special knowledge of vehicles will be required and/ or imparted. The sales person will also be required to knowledgeable on related warranties and sales techniques specific to auto sales. They may also be required to have basic knowledge of how car finance works. Similarly, each product line has it’s own special skills that may be required to be learnt.
Given the high rate of attrition, the opportunities for jobs in retails sales in very high. The persons should be prepared to stay on their feet for 7 to 8 hours a day and work with diverse customers with equally diverse issues. This is not a typical 9 to 5 job. Evenings and weekend work is common.
While there is no specific required qualifications, most employers prefer a high school graduate for retail sales. They tend to hire college graduates for management positions. Larger companies provide a formal training program that may range from a week to a month. This program exposes the sales persons on product knowledge, company sales processes and other related information.
Soft skills that most employers look for are a pleasant personality, good communication skills and tact in responding to queries. Multiple language skills is a major advantage in retail sales. It is common for companies to conduct a background check prior to hiring.
Career growth is dependent upon the size of the company, any individual can rise to become the manager of the store. It is common to find retail sales persons leveraging their experience and branch out on their own and achieve tremendous success.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14.4 million people were employed in the U.S. Retail Industry as of April, 2010. The internet has created a dent in the retail industry employment with customers buying goods online and thereby the number of stores reducing.
According to http://www.payscale.com/, the median salary in retail sales can vary from $37,000 to $65,000 depending upon title and location.
On the lighter side: Two shoe salespeople were sent to Africa to open up new markets. Three days after arriving, one salesperson called the office and said, "I'm returning on the next flight. Can't sell shoes here. Everybody goes barefoot."At the same time the other salesperson sent an email to the factory, telling "The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ )
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
It may include maintaining stock records, cash deposits and coordinating with suppliers. They may also be involved in transacting credit/ debit cards, deciding on displays, etc.
Depending upon the products sold, specialized knowledge may be required. In an auto dealership, special knowledge of vehicles will be required and/ or imparted. The sales person will also be required to knowledgeable on related warranties and sales techniques specific to auto sales. They may also be required to have basic knowledge of how car finance works. Similarly, each product line has it’s own special skills that may be required to be learnt.
Given the high rate of attrition, the opportunities for jobs in retails sales in very high. The persons should be prepared to stay on their feet for 7 to 8 hours a day and work with diverse customers with equally diverse issues. This is not a typical 9 to 5 job. Evenings and weekend work is common.
While there is no specific required qualifications, most employers prefer a high school graduate for retail sales. They tend to hire college graduates for management positions. Larger companies provide a formal training program that may range from a week to a month. This program exposes the sales persons on product knowledge, company sales processes and other related information.
Soft skills that most employers look for are a pleasant personality, good communication skills and tact in responding to queries. Multiple language skills is a major advantage in retail sales. It is common for companies to conduct a background check prior to hiring.
Career growth is dependent upon the size of the company, any individual can rise to become the manager of the store. It is common to find retail sales persons leveraging their experience and branch out on their own and achieve tremendous success.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14.4 million people were employed in the U.S. Retail Industry as of April, 2010. The internet has created a dent in the retail industry employment with customers buying goods online and thereby the number of stores reducing.
According to http://www.payscale.com/, the median salary in retail sales can vary from $37,000 to $65,000 depending upon title and location.
On the lighter side: Two shoe salespeople were sent to Africa to open up new markets. Three days after arriving, one salesperson called the office and said, "I'm returning on the next flight. Can't sell shoes here. Everybody goes barefoot."At the same time the other salesperson sent an email to the factory, telling "The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ )
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Career as a Police Officer?
As a child most of my friends wished to be a Police Officer when they grew up. The role demonstrated physical strength & strength of character. After all who were Superman & Batman? Police Officers with a cape.
A Police Officer’s primary responsibility is to uphold law and order. Their duties include making arrests, assisting people with emergency situations, investigating crimes, helping prosecute criminals by collecting and securing evidence, testifying in court, and writing detailed reports.
A Police Officer’s responsibilities may cover any or all of the following: homicide, robbery, domestic violence & rape, security & traffic violations. The responsibilities may increase in smaller towns where the department may not be large or if the department has been downsized, as some cities have done, in the recent past. A police officer also inculdes the role of a Detective covering both violent crimes and white collar crimes.
A Police Officer must be in good physical condition. They should be possess excellent communication skills and be a good listener. Knowledge of multiple languages is an asset. They should be capable of good report writing which is required for courts. Additional knowledge in accounting, laws, weapons etc is an advantage.
The role of a Police Office is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. They are required to be quick thinking in the face of danger and at the same time be helpful and calm when assisting citizens in need. This is not your typical 9 to 5 job.The profession is highly respected and one can rise in the hierarchy in any Police Department in the country.
According to http://www.payscale.com/, the salary of a Police Officer can range from $35,000 to $61,000
On the lighter side: A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he's topping 100 mph. He eventually realizes he can't escape and finally pulls over.The cop approaches the car and says, "It's been a long day and my tour is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I'll let you go."The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says, "My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ ) He can be contact at ramesh@aprllc.com
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
A Police Officer’s primary responsibility is to uphold law and order. Their duties include making arrests, assisting people with emergency situations, investigating crimes, helping prosecute criminals by collecting and securing evidence, testifying in court, and writing detailed reports.
A Police Officer’s responsibilities may cover any or all of the following: homicide, robbery, domestic violence & rape, security & traffic violations. The responsibilities may increase in smaller towns where the department may not be large or if the department has been downsized, as some cities have done, in the recent past. A police officer also inculdes the role of a Detective covering both violent crimes and white collar crimes.
A Police Officer must be in good physical condition. They should be possess excellent communication skills and be a good listener. Knowledge of multiple languages is an asset. They should be capable of good report writing which is required for courts. Additional knowledge in accounting, laws, weapons etc is an advantage.
The role of a Police Office is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. They are required to be quick thinking in the face of danger and at the same time be helpful and calm when assisting citizens in need. This is not your typical 9 to 5 job.The profession is highly respected and one can rise in the hierarchy in any Police Department in the country.
According to http://www.payscale.com/, the salary of a Police Officer can range from $35,000 to $61,000
On the lighter side: A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he's topping 100 mph. He eventually realizes he can't escape and finally pulls over.The cop approaches the car and says, "It's been a long day and my tour is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I'll let you go."The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says, "My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!"
"WHAT NEXT" is provided by Ramesh Anand, President, American Personnel Resources LLC. ( http://www.aprllc.com/ ) He can be contact at ramesh@aprllc.com
Please conduct further research for this and other careers of your choice.
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