During the Holidays, Focus on Relationship Building

By Hannah Morgan - careersherpa.net - Reprinted with Permission

The holidays are for relationship building! Take advantage of the numerous casual events, that make for low-stress networking opportunities! Maybe what you really want this holiday is a new job. Well, don't give up! Take advantage the holiday season to reconnect with old friends and enlist help from those who care! More people land new jobs through networking than applying online. Humor aside, there is hiring going on right now. Some companies try to get in a new hire before the budget year ends. Other companies might be waiting for the new year to begin, however, don't let that slow down your efforts. Those companies are sourcing... Read More

National Wreaths Across America Day is December 14th

By student interns Laura Tamayo and Michaela Yesis | VA.gov - ©2019 All Rights Reserved

To honor and remember Veterans during the holiday season, the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America organizes the annual event of laying Christmas wreaths on Veteran's graves. The event is held every December, on the second or third Saturday of the month. This year's National Wreaths Across America Day takes place on Dec. 14, 2019. Wreaths Across America's annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 7. National President of American Gold Star Mothers, Mona Gunn, will lead the caravan as this year's Grand Marshal. The escort will travel down the east... Read More

Veterans can get business help from govt, private sector

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG | Associated Press - Reprinted with permission ©2019 All Rights Reserved

NEW YORK (AP) — For many people who leave military service, the next logical step is becoming an entrepreneur. There are federal, state and private sector resources for veterans to help them learn about operating a business, and, when their companies are up and running, get financing help, mentoring and government contracting opportunities. Entrepreneurship is appealing to many veterans; more than 6% of all veterans were self-employed in 2018, and 3% of those who served during or after the first Gulf War in 1990 were self-employed, according to the Labor Department. Many veterans want to start businesses in industries related to their service work, especially... Read More

Why most employees are expendable vs. promotable? A VP speaks out.

By HRNasty - Reprinted with permission

Are you Promotable or Expendable at your job? Ninety percent of employees feel they are promotable. In reality, from a manager's standpoint, 90 percent of employees fall into category number 2 and 3 listed below. Promotable: Employee is ready to be promoted or has the potential to be promoted. Treading water: The employee is getting the job done but not moving the company forward or backward. Not hurting anyone and at the same time, not helping anyone. Expendable: This employee is someone who would be the first to go in the case of a downsizing. FWIW, this is an unconscious effort on the part of the employee. Most employees don't realize what... Read More

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During the Holidays, Focus on Relationship Building

By Hannah Morgan - careersherpa.net - Reprinted with Permission

The holidays are for relationship building! Take advantage of the numerous casual events, that make for low-stress networking opportunities!

Maybe what you really want this holiday is a new job. Well, don't give up! Take advantage the holiday season to reconnect with old friends and enlist help from those who care!

More people land new jobs through networking than applying online.

Hiring Does Happen In December

Humor aside, there is hiring going on right now.

Some companies try to get in a new hire before the budget year ends. Other companies might be waiting for the new year to begin, however, don't let that slow down your efforts. Those companies are sourcing candidates right now for their January hiring.

Holiday Networking Events

From holiday parties to festive gatherings, you'll find lots of events on your community calendar.

  • Professional associations
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Job seeking groups
  • Neighborhood gatherings
  • Family gatherings
  • Volunteer organizations and opportunities
  • College/University Alumni parties

Read your local newspaper, search for groups on Facebook, check your school's alumni page and keep your eyes open. Here are 25+ places to network.

You can always invite a friend to meet you there if you have networking jitters.

Reach Out

The holidays are the perfect excuse to reach out to people and wish them well. Take extra time and effort to add a note with your holiday greeting cards to update people. Stay positive and be specific.

You can even reach out to past colleagues who may have a less busy schedule during the holidays. Ask if they would like to meet for coffee or virtually catch up.

Take Control of Your Holiday Job Search

Take a different job search strategy for the next 28 days. Focus on developing relationships. That is something you can control and feel positive about. There are tons of holiday events going on. Leverage these opportunities to meet new people.

If you are convinced there won't be as many jobs to apply for, then re-allocate your time.

  • Update your marketing plan by adding more target companies.
  • Invest time learning a new skill related to your work.
  • Learn and use social media.

There are a lot of things you can do that are more productive.

Manage Your Time

Scheduling your time is going to make you feel more productive. Try, at least for this month, to block out hours of your day and assign networking activities to each block of time.

This article will help How to Allocate Your Time Wisely

Job Hunting During The Holidays

If you truly want that new job, you are going to have to work harder than ever before. But know that just because it's December doesn't mean organizations have stopped the hiring process. Use the holidays for relationship building!

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National Wreaths Across America Day is December 14th

By student interns Laura Tamayo and Michaela Yesis | VA.gov - ©2019 All Rights Reserved

To honor and remember Veterans during the holiday season, the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America organizes the annual event of laying Christmas wreaths on Veteran's graves. The event is held every December, on the second or third Saturday of the month. This year's National Wreaths Across America Day takes place on Dec. 14, 2019.

Wreaths Across America's annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 7. National President of American Gold Star Mothers, Mona Gunn, will lead the caravan as this year's Grand Marshal.

The escort will travel down the east coast, stopping at schools, memorials and other locations to REMEMBER, HONOR and TEACH. It will make stops in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington D.C. The escort's final stop will be Arlington National Cemetery on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 14. To view the complete schedule, please visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/arlington-escort-information.

"Wreaths Across America provides opportunities for us to carry out our mission – finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive," said Mona Gunn, President of American Gold Star Mothers, and this year's grand marshal. "[We're] working to help Veterans, those currently serving, their families and our communities."

Why lay wreaths?

Wreaths Across America understands that service members sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve our freedoms. It can't or won't replace Veterans Day or Memorial Day. But during the holidays, in many homes, some families leave an empty seat for one who's serving or one who's made the ultimate sacrifice. There is no better time to express appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

How to Help

Wreaths Across America needs volunteers to make the mission a reality. Wreaths Across America needs volunteers who can lay wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day, coordinate a ceremony or oversee a location. If you don't currently have a Wreath Day location near you, Wreaths Across America will support you in becoming a Location Coordinator for a cemetery in your area. There is no cost to become a participating location or to host a ceremony.

For information on wreaths, volunteering or finding a nearby participating location, visit: wreathsacrossamerica.org.

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Veterans can get business help from govt, private sector

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG | Associated Press - Reprinted with permission ©2019 All Rights Reserved

NEW YORK (AP) — For many people who leave military service, the next logical step is becoming an entrepreneur.

There are federal, state and private sector resources for veterans to help them learn about operating a business, and, when their companies are up and running, get financing help, mentoring and government contracting opportunities. Entrepreneurship is appealing to many veterans; more than 6% of all veterans were self-employed in 2018, and 3% of those who served during or after the first Gulf War in 1990 were self-employed, according to the Labor Department. Many veterans want to start businesses in industries related to their service work, especially those who developed or used technical skills while in the military.

The Small Business Administration's website includes a section with information about entrepreneurship resources for veterans, current service members and spouses; it can be found at sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources.

The resources include training programs, like Boots to Business, which teaches the basics of running a company to current service members; the courses are given on military installations. A version of the course aimed at veterans, reservists and spouses, Boots to Business/Reboot, is offered for veterans at locations throughout the country. You can learn more at sbavets.force.com/s/.

The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development has Veterans Business Outreach Centers that offer training, counseling and membership. There are approximately 20 centers; you can find more information about them at sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources/1548576. Small Business Development Centers, also sponsored by the SBA, may also have programs to help train and counsel veterans. You can find one at sba.gov/local-assistance/find.

The government has what's called a set-aside program that aims at awarding 3% of federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Set-aside programs are designed to give challenged or disadvantaged owners a better chance of landing a federal contract; there are also programs for women-owned businesses and socio-economically disadvantaged companies. There's more information for veterans at sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/service-disabled-veteran-owned-small-businesses-program.

SCORE, the organization that gives free counseling to small businesses, has programs and workshops designed for veterans. Visit score.org . Mentoring is also available from American Corporate Partners, an organization sponsored by some of the country's largest corporations and organizations; visit acp-usa.org.

Some states have resources, departments or offices for veterans who own or are starting businesses. And some franchise companies give veterans discounts on franchise fees, the money paid to buy a franchise. Some franchisors will waive the fees altogether. A search of the internet for "franchise" and "veteran" will help you find them.

Follow Joyce Rosenberg at @JoyceMRosenberg. Her work can be found here: apnews.com

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Why most employees are expendable vs. promotable? A VP speaks out.

By HRNasty - Reprinted with permission

Are you Promotable or Expendable at your job?

Ninety percent of employees feel they are promotable. In reality, from a manager's standpoint, 90 percent of employees fall into category number 2 and 3 listed below.

  1. Promotable: Employee is ready to be promoted or has the potential to be promoted.
  2. Treading water: The employee is getting the job done but not moving the company forward or backward. Not hurting anyone and at the same time, not helping anyone.
  3. Expendable: This employee is someone who would be the first to go in the case of a downsizing.

FWIW, this is an unconscious effort on the part of the employee. Most employees don't realize what it takes to be promoted. They aren't consciously treading water or trying to hurt the department's efforts. These employees usually think they are doing very well and their manager will just take care of them.

Which category do you think you are in? Today's post answers this question. More importantly, we explain how to put yourself solidly into category 1.

Hercules said the following of men going into battle:

Out of every one-hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.

Am I saying that out of 100 employees only 10 are productive and promotable? Not necessarily. Look for candidates who already share the existing company values, have proven track records of success and this ratio can be flipped upside down. Hire skill sets that will support the long-term growth of the company while keeping the culture top of mind and this ratio can be turned in the company's favor. Hire willy-nilly and the result is a mismatch of personalities and a clash with company culture and goals.

Biz Dev Savage

I work with a VP that I have known for years. He is a savage. Last year to the date he broke his neck in a mountain biking accident. The shit was serious. To put this in perspective, he made the cover of the hospital magazine for his miraculous recovery. Yes, he is back in the office with responsibility for additional departments and additional revenue. On the one year anniversary, he went back to the same trail he performed his endo and made that trail his bitch. You would never know it looking at him or hanging out with him but he is 50 plus years old. Don't tell me we don't hire for diversity.

The reason for the above is that this guy has the right mentality towards life. He is about moving the needle and a constant learner. He faced his challenges and demons when life threw him a curve ball. In his case, the pitcher intentionally threw a fastball high inside.

The Mantra

He is responsible for three departments within our company and his mantra when working with employees both early and late in their careers:
Are you promotable or expendable?

So, how do you know if you are promotable or expendable? Take the below test and check yourself before you wreck yourself:

Are you the only one in your department that has specific knowledge on a product or service?

If you answered "Yes", then you are more expendable than promotable. Most would think that if you are the only person that has specific knowledge then we are valuable, but managers do not want anyone with this mentality.

Hoarders aren't promoted

We will not be promoted if we are the only one in the department that is a hoarder of specific knowledge. If we want to be promoted, we need to figure out a way to train our replacement so there is continuity when we leave. Managers don't even want to promote a person within the department who has a monopoly on policy or procedure. It's not about the procedure, it is about the mentality. It's very difficult to promote someone when their job cannot be covered. There are legitimate cases where only one person has the knowledge. What will put the expendable target on this employees back is if they don't want to train up a replacement. The attitude of hoarding knowledge makes us expendable. A department is a tribe and tribes share.

Even though you don't have the title, are you able to influence others and change behavior? Can you change the negative dynamic into a positive dynamic?

A potential manager doesn't need a title to influence others around them. They have the confidence to motivate people to move forward. Managers do not motivate through fear or rely on their title to motivate. Confidence is an innate quality that can be acquired and learned. Confidence is not cockiness.

When a new idea is thrown into the pot, are you supportive or a negative?

If the company needs to make a hard decision, are we able to get on board with the company train? If you are positive 90% of the time, this isn't enough to be promotable.

Here is why. Anyone can shoot down an idea. Companies don't need to pay extra for employees to shoot down an idea. They can get this for free. Heck, they can get a two for the price of one when it comes to negative attitudes. Anyone can manage through good times. But we pay managers to manage in tough times. Tough times are the last 10%. Tough times are when the chips are down. When everyone has given up can you bring everyone back?

Do you have a pile of work waiting for you when you come back from vacation?

If you do, this is one of 3 signs;1. No one knows how to do your job or 2. No one wants to help you out while you are gone. 3. Both, number 1 and number 2. All three of these options are a liability to the company.

If you are like most employees, you have identified a time or two where you were able to answer in the positive to all 4 bullets. But one or two instances a promotable employee does not make. The above is a lifestyle, an ingrained mentality, and a heartbeat. If you can think of an instance or two where we were not able to answer in the positive, then we are probably not promotable and here is why.

Tarnished Reputation

We can do all the good in the world, but one negative instance can tarnish our reputation. There is an expectation that we are going to be positive. We are being paid a salary. No one is being paid to have a negative attitude or horde the knowledge.

Working in HR, I am asked to have one on one conversations with employees on tough topics. These are the conversations I am paid to have. Anyone can tell an employee they are receiving a raise or promotion. A monkey can hand out a bonus. That is employee relations 101. But how we handle ourselves when faced with the toughest problems is what makes us valuable.

Force Multiplier is promotable

If you are still reading and questioning whether or not you should train others up, think about being a force multiplier. This is the most valuable asset a manager can have. If you are making other employees bigger, better, stronger or faster, this is someone who will be promoted.

See you at the after party,
HRNasty

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky and manipulative but with a result that can't help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone who is good at something. "He has a nasty forkball".

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