I only like chicken nuggets.

“I only like chicken nuggets.” Recently, I asked my toddler grandson what he wanted to eat. He replied “I only like chicken nuggets.” So I engaged him in multiple follow-up “why” questions as he often does with me. I asked him if he tried other foods and listed some. He responded with a question to me, “Why would I try them when I like chicken nuggets?” I smiled and laughed a bit.

Shortly after the exchange, I found myself puzzling over why I would laugh at his response. His response was merely honest. I thought about how I went to the same restaurants instead of trying new ones; and even how I have my favorite menu selections at the restaurant. Further, I had considered ordering something different at times but was concerned that my “new” choice would not be as good as my “usual” menu item.

This plunged me deeper into thought as I played with my grandson. It seemed so obvious to me that my grandson was missing opportunities to enjoy other foods. What other opportunities do I and others miss because we are used to taking the road most travelled? Or always travelled? In work, do I approach things the same way out of habit? When outcomes are negative, we have learned to go through a problem solving process. But what changes when the day or the process seems okay or the same as usual? The answer I gave myself is that nothing changes. And nothing is expected to change.

In my personal life, what alternate choices could I make to shake things up? Could I go to the grocery store for milk and cheese before work? Would this change give me a sense of personal accomplishment which may launch my work day more effectively? I then may come home and go for a walk with my new found time. My mind raced with possibilities. I would walk and be healthier and less stressed. My outlook would be more positive. I’d have time to problem solve during my walk. I might even lose weight. All these fabulous things could happen to me if I grocery shopped early before work. Okay, maybe all these things wouldn’t happen. But to be excited about the potential was clearly intriguing. And if I choose to do nothing different, nothing will change.

What if I apply one random change to my work habits? Perhaps I should close my email for 1 hour while I focus on improving a work process or writing a policy each week. What else can I change that may disrupt my habits and increase my potential to invite opportunities into my life? We often talk about being more creative, which sounds good, but doesn’t have clear direction. This approach seems to be creative, but simple. It is about intentionally changing a mundane habit or task in a simple way. Change the timing or suspending a task, while completing another just to see if there is a better outcome.

These deep thoughts about changes in my life are courtesy of a young mind that constantly causes me to rethink everything I believe I know or understand.

Should I stay or should I go?

There is a local Job Fair this week. I often receive questions from people seeking jobs as to the value of attending such an event. There is a great value to attending the job fair from a job seeker perspective. In person job fairs break the barrier of technology and allow casual and active job seekers the opportunity to learn more about a company and create an impression on a hiring manager or recruiter. So, applicants should stop in and talk to representatives at booths. No walk bys please.

We should flip the tables and review the employer impression. Hiring the right associate for each job is key to the success of any business. Employers always expect applicants to be prepared to make a great impression in multiple ways, including timeliness, appropriate attire, completed research on the company, and the ability to clearly explain their experience and skills. Yet, often, employers fail to present this same image.

Employer booths may be set up in multiple ways for success, but should always include friendly, approachable representatives. I personally prefer representatives on the same side and standing with applicants. But the key is for employer representatives to be inviting and interested aka buzzword “engaged”. Representatives who read, text, talk to one another, go to lunch together away from the booth, or are otherwise are not available send a clear message to job seekers and other attendees. This message screams “job seekers, keep walking!”

Another key item to keep in mind is prepping each representative to understand company and job openings. It is helpful to bring managers or associates from the area that is hiring. So, employers, prep your verbal and visual presentation from the job seeker’s perspective. Then, step up and smile!

A rose by any other name

We recall the Shakespeare quote. "What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet"

Local news article


A manager title cannot be provided to an employee and exempt them from federal wage laws. Yes, I intentionally used the word exempt. As an HR professional, I know a better title may attract a better candidate. However, the responsibilities have to be fitting of a manager in order to exempt them from overtime.

The Fair Labor and Standards Act as amended gives a painfully detailed description of responsibilities and testing to determine if a job should be considered exempt.

See Federal Wage Laws


"For the FLSA section 13(a)(1) exemptions to apply, an employee generally must be paid on a salary basis of no less than $455 per week and perform certain types of work that:
is directly related to the management of his or her employer's business, or
is directly related to the general business operations of his or her employer or the employer's clients, or
requires specialized academic training for entry into a professional field, or
is in the computer field, or
is making sales away from his or her employer's place of business, or
is in a recognized field of artistic or creative endeavor."

Keep in mind that an employer can always pay overtime voluntarily. There is no penalty for being more generous than the law requires. However, the employer should be consistent within the job band and not selective of certain employees in similar roles.

If you are not sure what to do, consult a professional human resources person or even your attorney. It’s better to spend a little upfront, than to spend a lot in fees, fines, and back pay.

Is recruiting your job?

Myth. Recruiting is the sole job function of the recruiter sitting in human resources.

False. You may have heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. It takes multi-level people within the organization to recruit. Associates at various levels should be proud of their employment and know people who might fit within the organization.

What’s really interesting is that non-management level people enjoy their role in referring people. Even when there is not referral bonus of any kind, non-management folks regularly refer their friends. As the level rises and the job functions become more difficult to fill, the referrals become infrequent to non-existent.

Since I’m not a psychologist I don’t know why this management non-referral occurs. As a recruiter, I find it frustrating. As a human, I find it disappointing. I am not a job-hopper by even the most critical reviewer’s definition. But even if I spent one month at a company, I’d work to make it better. I want to improve productivity in operations just to make it smoother and increase our P&L. I want to find potential customers and refer them to our sales team to gain a greater market share and increase profitability. No, my name is not on the company letterhead. But my name is on a business card.

If I do everything I can to make the company better, my actions may have a direct impact on the company. Or my actions may impact me financially based on recognition of my efforts. But neither is a given. What I do know is that I will maximize my ability to impact others. I may have a new experience and maybe even get a little rush. You know the kind when you close a sales deal? Or when your perfect candidate accepts your job offer? Or when your suggestion for improved productivity results in a measurable save? No, okay, how about when you get on the scale and you’ve lost a few pounds just by cutting back on a late night snacks for a couple of weeks?

Back to the recruiting front, IT people know other IT people; financial representatives know other like minded individuals, customer service people know others with their experience. Think about it. IT is cutting edge and it’s critical to network with others of the same skill set. Accountants had at least 4 years of school. This means they have former classmates. And if they have their CPA, continuing education brings on new class mates. Customer service associates often move on in a few years if they are unable to move up or increase their compensation. They keep in touch with many of their former associates. Have you heard of Facebook?

Social media is changing the face of recruiting. But we are missing the reverse efforts. Applicants are seeking positions through LI and FB and other sites. But those associates already employed are not reaching out to applicants. Applicants, also known as friends, neighbors, former coworkers, and parents of their children’s friends are waiting for you. I could go on, but I know you are getting a feel for this. Unfortunately, it only takes a moment for the tables to turn.

Regardless of the work you do for your company, you are important and you have the ability to influence others. So network, join groups, talk in your communities, share within your volunteer organizations, and proudly discuss where you work. Let me know if you feel that rush when one of your referrals is hired.

Learning: Where did the fun go?

This year, I had the pleasure of presenting Interviewing Skills to job seekers in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Part of the presentation is available on line at http://www.nepajobfair.com/. One of the items that I covered was researching one’s own skill set to be sure it is up to par. This doesn’t necessarily mean spending money on expensive classes. One can research information on the computer, including taking classes, or by reading industry magazines. There may be someone at work, a neighbor, or friend of a friend who can provide mentoring.

I will tell anyone about the advantages I had working for a large corporation at an early age. It was a learning environment before that phrase was even used. I was exposed to internal and external training and seminars during my work hours. I also had the advantage of subject matter experts (SMEs) to help me grow in my knowledge of human resources. Recently, I realized my own contribution to my career. I took every opportunity to learn. I recall asking our policies department for a copy of the FMLA regulations after it was passed into law in 1993. I still clearly remember how surprised I was when the package arrived and it was an inch thick. It was my first glimpse at legal regulations. I took it home and read every word on every page.
Learning is both our privilege and our obligation. We feel education so important that we require children in the United States to be educated through high school or to the age of 16 when they can quit. What happens after that? The Internet is full of useless information. But there are also sites to learn computer programs, increase math skills, and increase industry or professional knowledge. All it takes is the right combination on a site such as http://www.google.com/, http://www.bing.com/, http://www.info.com/, or http://www.lycos.com/.

This is a fabulous time to be alive and living in a free country. Our limits of opportunity are possibly even higher than we have time or potential to reach. But what else holds us back? Are we waiting for motivation? Or someone to give us what is already in front of us? Or are we looking for an easier path? Or do we think it doesn’t matter because one person can’t make a difference? History provides endless examples on both sides of the spectrum of good and bad. I know that it matters to me what impact I have today as well as tomorrow in the world and people around me. I can’t recall a day in school when I wanted to go to school, but now that I can work on my own terms, I enjoy learning.

What subject are you curious about learning more? What topic or skill set have you been meaning to learn to enhance your career and become more marketable? What is your barrier? I challenge you to knock it down.

Prejudice

The second definition for the word prejudice on dictionary.com is: any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

Prejudice is ingrained and impacts each one of us. Years ago, when I worked for a large corporation, I had the advantage of a great deal of "required" training each year. What a fabulous concept to work in a learning environment, but that's a blog onto itself.

When we think of the word prejudice, we often first think of skin color because it is obvious and unfortunately more prevalent than such an educated nation should accept. However, prejudice by the above definition helps explain why it's so difficult for us to relate to one another at all. I don't have a TV. About 9 months ago, my daughter moved out and I made her take it even though I loved the 55 inch screen.

I thought that it was time to learn Spanish, and how to twitter, and to write the book I had always planned. Well, I do twitter, but am only up to the teens in twitters. It takes too long to get a response. I'm a bit more communication needy. But I still intend to write the book.

I research my job. I may tell you depending upon the day that I hate it. But I don't. I feel that all the little things I do and the way I respond impacts the universe. Egotistical? Maybe. But my mom told me that I should treat everyone I meet without exception with respect. I took that a step further and it may be my dad's impact that I should go out of my way to be kind. You never know what people are going through and a smile and kind word is something I feel I owe to them. I feel that it is unfair for me to not learn everything I can to do the best job I can each day.

My life has sometimes been difficult. I was nearly born into a difficult world. But I am lucky to possess a high IQ, which is good. But I value my current ability to enjoy what life offers each day. I didn't always keep my eye on that. But it's hard for people to understand that. I actually get into my big, soft bed with the Sealy mattress and say out loud, mind you, that I love my bed! I do say it and I smile - going to bed at 9pm some nights.

I like to take pictures - it is my one strong, lifetime passion, but not to the point that I miss out on the moment. These days, the best and funniest moments with my grandson are not captured on my brand new camera. I'm too busy laughing with him and loving him up with kisses to take the picture.

I like to live in the moment. I wonder how many people live in the moment? Or as the sun sets, do they text about where they're going out later? Or as their spouse or partner eats breakfast with his or her hair all messed up and looking with a pout at the paper. Their partner complains about the dishes left in the sink. Perhaps they should look again. Isn't that tired pout just a little sexy? What if that person were not around with their sexy little pout and dirty dishes? Hmm, I think there is a Christmas movie about imagining life without someone.

Life is short. There are hard times. But if you open your eyes, there are beautiful things happening amidst even the difficult events. I see them. Am I alone?

Prejudice by the meaning above may stop you from appreciating a stranger's comment, a co-worker's awful story about their life, a child's acting out, a partner's way they show affection, or just stopping to enjoy the sunset on a beautiful day.

Don't assume that my difficult life leaves no room in it for fun. I enjoy life. I stare at the sunset in what is now fondly referred to as my grandson's room, painted a bright orange, which he seems to love. Don't assume that I'm boring because I don't possess a TV. You are free to judge me as not your cup of tea or someone you don't want to befriend because I want to talk about my daughter, my grandson, or my latest project at work. But relax and explore what makes you happy. Life is too short to not live in the moment.

Have you hugged a trucker today?

I've been doing a great deal of research on the trucking industry in general and found a great resource in www.trucksbringit.com. It is sponsored or was created by the American Trucking Associations. Trucks Bring It is about reminding the public that trucks bring their daily items for life.

Some people complain about trucks being too large and not environmentally friendly. They go so far as to wish trucks were no longer on the roads. I don't think those people complaining have stopped to think about how it would impact their life if they got their wish and trucks disappeared. How would they get their food, clothes, medicine, and daily items for living? Would they order it through the mail? Nope. Because even though a small truck comes to the house; a big one picked up their items and hundreds of other items at the airport.

Trucking companies and the industry in general are looking at ways to be green by consolidating loads and even working with other carriers to do so. More information about SmartWay Partnerships sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency can be found at their website www.epa.gov/smartway/.

It's interesting to think about simple things more in-depth.

P.S. I don't have a TV, so this is how I spend my time. I don't drive a truck nor do I own a trucking company. Just sharing some information for anyone interested in the industry, so you don't have to google till the cows come home, like I did.