Venting HR Guy

I blog cause it is kinda like talking, and I talk ...

2009-11-10T11:09:27.558-05:00

I blog cause it is kinda like talking, and I talk a lot. And to vent. And to share stupid family recipes that no one but me and maybe two of my friends care about so....basically to waste time

Recruiting/placement services can be good. I got ...

2009-11-09T20:16:18.056-05:00

Recruiting/placement services can be good. I got my current job through a recruiting firm that specializes in ex-military placements. Choose who you sign up with wisely though.

4 years 7 months and 9 days

2009-11-09T10:16:54.860-05:00

4 years 7 months and 9 days

One of the best pieces of career advice that I was...

2009-11-09T09:48:37.299-05:00

One of the best pieces of career advice that I was given was that you are either in or out at 10 yrs (I was approaching 10 at my first company). I got out and it was the best career decision that I've made. I feel a post coming from this great question....

if its a job - never too long if your paid at leas...

2009-11-06T21:43:28.137-05:00

if its a job - never too long if your paid at least market value and like what you do. if its a career then 5-7 yrs, unless your getting promoted at 3 yr intervals (meaning if your rising thru the co. then stick around till you plateau)...
M

How long is too long? It depends on the person an...

2009-11-06T13:55:10.998-05:00

How long is too long? It depends on the person and how they define success. If you want to advance, more than a few years in a job is too long. But if you are happy, enjoy what you are doing and fine the work rewarding that you should stay where you are.

I understand loving your job, but for some reason ...

2009-11-06T08:54:18.442-05:00

I understand loving your job, but for some reason I look down on people for staying at a job for more than a few years. The main question I'd ask is "are you growing professionally?"

If so, then it's okay to stay. If you're stagnating, get out while you still can!

I never understand why an interviewer asks for exp...

2009-11-05T09:21:13.216-05:00

I never understand why an interviewer asks for expected salary ranges before an offer is made. It's starting the negotiation when you have no leverage since you could low ball yourself or put yourself out of the market.

I realize that it's a screening technique but if the company pays market rates, why would they need this to screen? Salary expectation shouldn't be an issue (unless we're talking executive positions where market rates vary)

This question makes me question the company.

No dog kicking!

2009-11-05T04:33:41.863-05:00

No dog kicking!

Love it! I'd like to add to your list: 1. Cigarett...

2009-11-04T10:28:52.820-05:00

Love it! I'd like to add to your list:
1. Cigarettes - nuf said
2. Hobbies, like your bowling or golf league. when you don't have any money, hobbies stop.
3. Fancy coffee. If free coffee is available at work, you are wasting your money.

I could go on and on and on...

The character you're referencing in The Godfather ...

2009-11-03T12:32:58.789-05:00

The character you're referencing in The Godfather was the Undertaker, Amerigo Bonasera.

No need to be embarrassed if the number was in the...

2009-11-02T22:01:36.098-05:00

No need to be embarrassed if the number was in the market range for the type of work. That kind of thing happens -- hopefully they told you what their range was and you were able to tell them if it was one you'd consider or not. If it wasn't, then the job wouldn't have worked out anyway, and if it was, no major harm done, as long as you were able to let them know that.

I once went as a "Bed Bug". I worked at a call ce...

2009-10-30T11:38:54.727-04:00

I once went as a "Bed Bug". I worked at a call center and was just excited to wear pajamas and bring a pillow to work. I was comfy all day. :)

Here's a summary of actual emails received from my...

2009-10-30T08:59:14.087-04:00

Here's a summary of actual emails received from my VP:

8:16 a.m.: Does anyone have a cape that I can borrow for tomorrow's Halloween/Giving Campaign Kickoff?

5:59 p.m.: We're still short in our budget and I'm going to Micro-Manage our Travel and Expense budget in an effort to find more $$ so I don't have to lay you off. Effective immediately all airfares >$300 are not allowed.

Next day 8:45 a.m.: Does anyone have black nail polish?

I wish that I could make this stuff up...

When I worked at a Retirement Community Campus (lo...

2009-10-29T21:44:19.443-04:00

When I worked at a Retirement Community Campus (long-term care, independent living, etc) one of our 80-yr old residents dressed up as our CEO. He was, shall we say, a VERY suave and sharp-dressed man. She nailed it; slicked her silvery gray hair back, wore glass frames of his style, blue suit, red suspenders,his cologne - everything. She was a hit.

One time I may have personally crossed the line at work: I dressed as Judy Garland with a toilet seat around my neck. Google it if you don't know how/where she died....

I had someone call me in the middle of a busy wait...

2009-10-26T23:34:48.732-04:00

I had someone call me in the middle of a busy waitressing shift to tell me that my friend (she was terminal with ovarian cancer, we knew she was dying) had passed away. I was sad, but damn, it could have waited. I couldn't speak for about an hour because I knew if I opened my mouth I would start crying. I had to write my manager a note to explain what happend!

Roller Derby Girl. Well, that is what I want to be...

2009-10-23T11:38:49.383-04:00

Roller Derby Girl. Well, that is what I want to be anyway, I am dying to rollerskae around the office slaming people

Sounds SOOOO familiar. And I agree, with both of y...

2009-10-22T14:02:48.448-04:00

Sounds SOOOO familiar. And I agree, with both of you.

Don't forget the Bring Your Own guy, who will alwa...

2009-10-22T11:19:16.983-04:00

Don't forget the Bring Your Own guy, who will always bring his own, but then realize he needs something from the kitchen to complete it...so he asks even though he is not spending a dime

I would recommend at least weekly and as close as ...

2009-10-21T13:20:45.942-04:00

I would recommend at least weekly and as close as daily as is reasonable for you.

Twist on grim reaper -- grim reaper selling life i...

2009-10-20T13:18:00.728-04:00

Twist on grim reaper -- grim reaper selling life insurance -- even he's struggling to make ends meet in these times.

I love "Ms Understood" and a referee. I'm dressing...

2009-10-20T08:25:47.976-04:00

I love "Ms Understood" and a referee. I'm dressing up as "HR Superstar" (my blog name and SNL skit) because it's fun. Be sure to bring candy!

Either the grim reaper or a referee would be appro...

2009-10-20T00:38:57.000-04:00

Either the grim reaper or a referee would be appropriate...(and fun with the right accessories; scythe or whistle think of the possibilities)

get a tiera and a sash that sais "Ms. understood"....

2009-10-19T23:04:59.681-04:00

get a tiera and a sash that sais "Ms. understood"...that will play head games with everyone at delta house.
Or you could tape lettuce and tomotaoes to your body and be a tossed salad...
last but not least get a red and white striped shirt and about 30 mixed pins, wear a baseball hat...you guessed it a server at fridays/applebees...whatever you get the idea....
I am kinda partial to ms. understood...
M

Jared Fogle can suck it, IMHO. The dude gets rich ...

2009-10-19T14:06:53.531-04:00

Jared Fogle can suck it, IMHO. The dude gets rich off the Subway diet but I'm pretty sure a surgical intervention keeps him skinny. Also, most sandwiches are 92% bread, 6% lettuce, and 2% meat.

Subway sucks. Amen.