Ok, so 2008 was not the Best Year Ever. This year we have seen economic conditions, some say second only to the Dreat Depression. This year we've seen companies downsize in massive numbers. Job reports have been horrible, people have been losing homes and my city, though it is not a top 10 crime city is horribly, occupationally depressed. The chances of finding a job in North East Ohio is daunting.
My company is whethering the storm, maybe better than most, but we are feeling it too. Part of our weekly team meeting has been to come up with new ways to save the company more money. Although we are world renowned for Guaranteed Employement, I believe this coming year will test it like no other.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
How to Excel, Without Knowing Excel
As you know for a truly administrative job like this one you must at least have a clue about Excel. It seemed everyone wanted someone who knew Excel backward and forward. In other words a pro. Well in my previous life I did not have a reason to know Excel. I only needed Word and Publisher. Those two skills came along with me in my Toolbox.
I am now learning Excel and understanding how useful it can be. As a matter of fact I use it on a daily basis far more than I use Word or Publisher. I took a class on Excel offered by the company and learned new uses for the program.
Check out whether your company offers classes on Excel and make sure you take advantage.
Word of the Week: Toolbox - Useful and relevant knowledge each worker takes with him or her from each job or career.
I am now learning Excel and understanding how useful it can be. As a matter of fact I use it on a daily basis far more than I use Word or Publisher. I took a class on Excel offered by the company and learned new uses for the program.
Check out whether your company offers classes on Excel and make sure you take advantage.
Word of the Week: Toolbox - Useful and relevant knowledge each worker takes with him or her from each job or career.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
I Feel Your Pain
Today, I had a former employee call in to ask me how he could come back to the company. I felt very bad for him because of the reason he was discharged. I could tell from his voice he was depressed. He said he has been looking for work since his dismissal in the fall, yet we are in a slow job market.
Although, I was not downsized I do feel his pain. I could hear the desperation in his voice. He wants to work but, he just can't find anything.
I guess I feel his plight so much because of how long it took me to find this position. I have noticed that people that call and ask me for help I go above and beyond to help them. I give them pointers and contacts. Hey, I am paying it forward, just like some people did for me.
Although, I was not downsized I do feel his pain. I could hear the desperation in his voice. He wants to work but, he just can't find anything.
I guess I feel his plight so much because of how long it took me to find this position. I have noticed that people that call and ask me for help I go above and beyond to help them. I give them pointers and contacts. Hey, I am paying it forward, just like some people did for me.
Monday, December 3, 2007
How to Do What I Did (If I Can Do It...)
Now that I have successfully transitioned into HR, as I've stated in another post this blog will now be dedicated to helping others gain entry into the field.
If you've read my blog you will know what it has taken for me to enter this field. Some days I was so optimistic things would happen for me. Then I would be let down that they did not. I would become very discouraged and despondant. So my first lesson to all those reading is to think about whether this field is right for you. It takes a person who is highly organized, wants to help others and has great customer service skills. That's right customer service skills. Customer service is not just for department stores and fast food. It will be for both the internal and external customers.
If you've read my blog you will know what it has taken for me to enter this field. Some days I was so optimistic things would happen for me. Then I would be let down that they did not. I would become very discouraged and despondant. So my first lesson to all those reading is to think about whether this field is right for you. It takes a person who is highly organized, wants to help others and has great customer service skills. That's right customer service skills. Customer service is not just for department stores and fast food. It will be for both the internal and external customers.
Your internal customer may be someone who wants to know about changing a W-4 or a beneficiary. Your external customer may be someone verifying employement or wanting to know about the staus of their application.
The first thing I would suggest you do is find out whether you are a people person. Can you handle juggling more than one priority do you have patience and do you practice good judgment? An HR professional must possess those minimal qualities to at least get started in the field.A good place to get started is at Monster.com. They have great advice for transitioning into Human Resources. The advice can be used for those who are totally new to the field or those who want to grow in the field.
This site was very helpful to me because it showed that you did not need an advanced degree to be in the field. In some of the stories it showed how people were in the field because of a management decision. In other words they just happened into the field. Of course if this were the case you wouldn't need help to transition. With that said, the website does help you to understand sometimes it can take some work to move into the field.
Another good site is SHRM. Now this site is constructed more for the person who is already in the field What it is good for, is learning the industry lingo and trends. You will be able to impress a hiring manager with your ability to learn about HR without actually ever having practiced.
Word of the week: Practioner - One who practices Human Resources and uses best business practices.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Who Are The People in the Office?
I work, as I have stated in other posts for a large Cleveland company. This company employs thousands of people. It is very renowned. I work in a small yet vital section of the HR department.
Our department is not policy making, however it is important to the functioning of the company.
My supervisor, Andrea has been in that role for about 20 years. I like her, she is very laid back, not in an incompetent way, but more in an observatory role. She guides more than delegates. She leaves the delegation to Fern, our HR administrator.
The administrator sets the work tone for the office. Think of her as an assistant manager in retail terms. She's very nice and teaches well. She doesn't seem to mind the amount of questions you ask. As one of the first people I met when I came in on the first day, she and I clicked. She is very smart and I could see her running the department should Andrea ever decide to leave.
Then there's the other assistant, Cherise. She's been here about six months. Now with her I am sure I will have many stories. As a person she is nice. As a worker she is extremely insecure.
We each have different jobs, but I do believe that I will be a threat for Cherise. Mostly in her own mind.
Our department is not policy making, however it is important to the functioning of the company.
My supervisor, Andrea has been in that role for about 20 years. I like her, she is very laid back, not in an incompetent way, but more in an observatory role. She guides more than delegates. She leaves the delegation to Fern, our HR administrator.
The administrator sets the work tone for the office. Think of her as an assistant manager in retail terms. She's very nice and teaches well. She doesn't seem to mind the amount of questions you ask. As one of the first people I met when I came in on the first day, she and I clicked. She is very smart and I could see her running the department should Andrea ever decide to leave.
Then there's the other assistant, Cherise. She's been here about six months. Now with her I am sure I will have many stories. As a person she is nice. As a worker she is extremely insecure.
We each have different jobs, but I do believe that I will be a threat for Cherise. Mostly in her own mind.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The News, And Nothing But The News
I have not had a chance to update this blog in over a month and a half. I have very good news. I am now a full time Human Resources Professional. I work for a large publicly traded company in Cleveland.
I found this position by being tenacious and knowing exactly what I want. I had been seeking this kind of position for a little over a year. I reached out to a local talent search company who was willing to place someone with nominal experience in a highly competitive field.
I saw this position and knew this was the one for me.
I LOVE my new job. It is exciting, challenging and above all rewarding. In the coming days and months I will change the focus of this blog to help others like myself transition into HR. I will give accounts of my day on the job and you can watch me grow into a full fledged professional.
I found this position by being tenacious and knowing exactly what I want. I had been seeking this kind of position for a little over a year. I reached out to a local talent search company who was willing to place someone with nominal experience in a highly competitive field.
I saw this position and knew this was the one for me.
I LOVE my new job. It is exciting, challenging and above all rewarding. In the coming days and months I will change the focus of this blog to help others like myself transition into HR. I will give accounts of my day on the job and you can watch me grow into a full fledged professional.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
