You Are HR by Stelzner

Stelzner rocks. Anyone who has ever spent anytime in an HR department will appreciate this poem. And, if you've ever wondered what an HR person does with his or her time, well, this poem will address that too.

You are HR. You are human. You are resourceful.

You are psychologist, psychiatrist and therapist. You are corporate conscious personified. You are a closed door confidant.

Read more...here.

You Are HR - Inflexion Point from Mark Stelzner

Well done, Mark, well done.

Someone doing it right

Today we were asked about how one of our camp clients is using products from Cool Works to make their seasonal hiring process easier for their job seekers as well as for their HR department and hiring team. Well, here's a great example.

Click the image to view it a bit bigger.

Girl Scouts of Colorado approached us last year about taking many of their forms on-line and when I say on-line I don't mean PDFs. I am talking about a dynamic on-line application and a job list driven by their own applicant tracking system customized to fit their needs. Now I don't mean to say that it's all unique for them, but simply we take our seasonally focused applicant tracking system called Staffing Center and we make it fit their world, their lingo, and their job seekers.

Based on how they've rearranged their job page since we first talked, they definitely get it. Job seekers are more apt to apply if you give them on-line tools to do so. Asking anyone to fax an application is like asking them to dial a rotary phone. It's totally old-school. I remember doing both, but that doesn't make it right for 2010. Don't be years behind the curve!

Anyhow, I'll get off of my soap box. Please contact us for a demonstration of how we can make your life easier by using some of the tools in our tool box. We're happy to provide testimonials, put you in touch with current clients, and show off what we're made of. Our focus has always been seasonal work and our applicant tracking system is driven by that focus.

Contact us today!

My Favorite Super Bowl Ad

I love that even in the midst of all of the chaos related to their jobs, networks, and life experiences, they can come together and make light of it all. And really, isn't that how we all should (re)act sometimes? Work is a part of life, but it certainly isn't the end all be all.

How do you say no?

Yesterday, I was speaking with one of my clients about how you politely, but firmly tell someone that they didn't get the job. It's a tough thing to do, but as I've said before on this blog, it is courteous and the right thing to do to notify someone that they won't be working for you.

So, I'd like to use this post as an open forum to get your thoughts on how you say no. Do you share a lot? A little? Is it automated? Is it personal? Please share so we all can be better at letting someone down easy. It sucks to be told no, but hearing nothing is even worse.

A certain camp in Colorado thanks you.

(PS: The photo is of my niece, Elly.)

Still Not Using Social Media?

Perhaps you should. Everyone else is. If you're curious about how many, check out this blog post by Jake Hird.

20+ mind-blowing social media statistics revisited

We definitely do and try to keep up with the biggest and best. A sampling:

Vote for CoolWorks.com as your favorite job website for the DOL Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge.

Amazingly enough, I was suggesting the same thing nearly two years ago in my HR post Web 2.0 (Two Point Oh). Are you convinced yet?

And if you want a great step by step guide to social media, please check out the HR Ringleader's post called Social Media 101. Trish McFarlane is a rock star.

All That Potential

Cool Works is HOPPING! Lots of employers have returned for the summer jobs season 2010. Our traffic is up. The enthusiasm is pulsing through our Cool Works branded social network. Job offers have been made and accepted already. Plans are taking shape. Dreams are coming true.

Are you taking advantage of this? Ready to jump in? We're here to help! : )

First off, if you're new to Cool Works, please sign up to be a recruiter on our site.

http://go.coolworks.com/signups/new

Second, have us build a profile for your organization (camp, resort, ranch, ski resort, etc.) that you can be proud of, which highlights your entire operation and all of your jobs. We also include a map of where you are, your housing, things your employees can do for fun while there, and more.

Third, highlight jobs available now or others available this summer, be they career or seasonal professional or entry level positions.

Fourth, need more attention beyond the items above? Ask us about running banner ads on our site including text or graphic ads. We'll listen to your needs and customize a campaign for your summer jobs.

Fifth, if you need a way to manage your applications, we can help with that too. Cool Works has its own applicant tracking system called Staffing Center that was built with seasonal employers in mind. It can be used by any company, but it has the capability to help you plan for your season by plotting dates for arrivals and departures. We've been in your shoes with the piles of paper applications, full email in-boxes, and confusion as to who has talked to whom. Let us help you get organized and also gain more applicants who are more willing to complete their applications on-line. Learn more about Staffing Center.

Lastly, follow us on twitter or fan us on Facebook to see who is advertising right now. We are definitely taking advantage of the ever growing power of social media and you can be a part of it if you advertise on Cool Works.

We're here to help. Are you taking advantage of all that potential?

Your Job is Tough (And Funny)

Watching The Office tonight I was reminded of the strange things that HR folks need to deal with, the serious, the not-so-serious, and the what?!? Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the episode. Life is to be enjoyed, and, the idiom of "Don't take life so seriously" comes to mind.