Recruiter Network March Meeting - Employment Law Changes for 2010

HR Managers, Directors, VP's, recruiters!
First quarter of 2010 is almost done.
It has probably taken you this long to figure out what all the new employment laws mean.
In case:
-you still haven't figured out the 2010 employment law changes
-don't know what changes there have been
-want to know what changes are coming for the rest of 2010

Heeees Baaack!!!
2009's most popular presenter, Mark Johnson, Labor Relations Attorney for Krukowski & Costello, will return to inform everyone about changes in labor and employment law in 2010 at the March meeting of the Recruiter Network of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Mark A. Johnson is an attorney with Krukowski & Costello,
S.C. He represents businesses in all aspects of employment
and labor law. Mark handles litigation and provides
preventive advice on matters such as employment
discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, defamation,
employment contracts, non-compete agreements, trade
secrets, union organizing, unfair labor practice charges, and
arbitration. Mark is a frequent speaker and author on topics
related to labor and employment law.

WHERE: Goodwill Industries
6055 N. 91 st Street
Milwaukee, WI 53225

When: Thursday March 25 th , 2010
8am-8:30 networking and snacks
8:30-8:45 business meeting
8:45-10am presentation

Cost: Free!
Seating is limited so YOU NEED TO RSVP by going to the Recruiter Network LinkedIn discussions page www.linkedin.com/groups

A Great Example of Bad Customer Service: the Timberwolf Preservation Society

Photo by author


Sales is the life blood of all companies and organizations in one way shape or form.
That form might be donations, members, customers, products, something that generates people wanting to buy or contribute to your company or organization.
Without customers and revenue companies and organizations don't exist.
There are somethings in the world that can interfere with your relationship with your customers that are out of your control (natural causes like storms, economic policy, etc.). There is one that you absolutely have control of- CUSTOMER SERVICE!
What is your sales organization doing to provide good customer service.
Here is a tale of an organization that is providing BAD customer service...

I'm a sucker for animal causes. Cat shelters, dog shelters, horse shelters, I contribute to them all.
Given my love of animals, I was looking forward to visiting the Timber wolf Preservation Society recently.
I had never been to the Timber Wolf Preservation Society location on south 76th street in Franklin.
I knew our admission fees and any money spent on souvenirs would help with their cause.
I thought a nice afternoon outing with my 3-year-old, who loves wolves, would be just the thing to do on a warm sunny March afternoon.
What I hadn't counted on was how rude and mean the staff would be, and that they wouldn't allow my son and I on the grounds. I've read stories about bad customer service. I've even suffered some bad service before, however nothing like this!
Instead of talking about how great a time we had to friends, family, and the world at large through social media, I'm now ranting about how rudely the staff treated us and how we will never support the Timber Wolf Preservation Society.

The Timber wolf Preservation Society (henceforth TPS) is only open on weekends from 11-3pm. I was excited that my son and I had a beautiful spring-like March day for our visit.
Pulling onto the grounds via a narrow muddy road, you come upon a small parking lot and a ranch style house behind a chain link fence. The preserve is located in a small wooded area roughly 100 yards west of 76th street.
We arrived just after lunch and it was apparent there were more volunteers than visitors at this time.
The parking lot was a sea of mud, however I was encouraged that there was someone laying out a cardboard path for people to walk on to get to the house.
As my son and I got to the path, I asked the man (I'm going to be nice and not print his real name, or any other volunteer's name, so I'll nickname him "T"):
Me: Where do we go? It is our first time here.
T: Just follow the cardboard. We normally have people go through the gate over there (pointing to a metal gate about 20 yards from where we were) however we have something going on today so we have to have everyone
go along this path. Be careful on the cardboard it might be slippery.
Go to the house and the people there will tell you what to do."
Me: Thank you.

It was after this conversation my first inkling that something wasn't right hit me. Ten feet from the parking lot, next to the path was a large cage with a smaller cage inside of it. There was roughly 18 inches between the fencing of the first cage and the fencing of the second cage.
Inside the cage were two beautiful Alaskan Huskies. One of whom started howling as we came down the path.
Since the cage was right next to the path and the dog was howling, my son who has heard wolves howl in the wild, stopped and asked me if that was a wolf.
I said no it was an Alaskan Husky. He waved and said "Hi Husky," as every cute three-year-old would do.
From behind us T yelled in an annoyed tone "keep going please!" We were stopped perhaps ten seconds.
I understand you don't want to have the dogs upset, however if you don't want kids to look at the dogs, don't have an entrance that runs right next to the cage, or move the dogs someplace where they won't bark at everyone!

I need to make some points at this time for clarity.
I understand that the facility is staffed by volunteers.
I know that it was muddy and the first weekend of good weather after a long winter. I also understand that the volunteers were probably working on getting things cleaned up and hence might be a little dirty.
If you are going to be thought of as being a serious educational facility, you should invest in some staff shirts, name badges, or at least hats so that customers can easily tell who is a staff member and who is not. It makes everyone look more professional and it has been my experience that people will donate more to a professional looking operation than to something that looks like it is being run by a bunch of rag-a-muffins.

We continued along the 20 feet of path towards the house.
A group of volunteers were standing on the porch as we approached.
All of them were dirty. Most had scraggly hair that stuck out everywhere, or was pinned back in some strange manner.
Different jackets.
Non athletic team baseball hats.
It was almost the perfect stereotype of people you'd expect to see in the movies "Deliverance" or "Southern Comfort." I had a creepy feeling M. Emmit Walsh was going to be running out of the woods being shot at by Powers Booth.
As we approached the house all conversations by the volunteers stopped.
They stared at us in silence until we got to the porch. Almost as if we dared interrupt their conversation with our visit.
Looking at their stares I felt like we were in the beginning scene of a horror movie. The type where the innocent people come into a town and find out all the residents are psychos.
Being the naive type who believes all people are good. I ascertained it was safe to proceed.
There is one door on this covered porch. It had a sign saying "volunteers only." Not sure where to go I asked the gaggle of volunteers. One of them, I'll call "Witch" because it accurately describes her appearance, said we should go in there.
Next to the door, on a little ledge/table was a plastic squirrel lawn ornament and a porcupine lawn ornament that looked like it had been made of wicker.
My son, who is holding my hand and standing next to me, starts to pet the squirrel and says "Aw isn't he cute!"
One of the volunteers yells "don't touch that!" Once again, if you don't want a kid to touch a $2 plastic lawn ornament, don't have it where they can get it!
That was my second red flag.

The horror movie continued to play out.
We opened the door. I could just hear in my head a movie theater audience yelling "don't go in there!"
Happily no one feasted on our entrails.
We entered a dark brown paneled musty hallway and followed the hall until it emptied into a small nicely lit room with patio doors to our left and a cashier table on the right. There were two people
standing and talking to the cashier. We turned right into the room and got into line. As we are facing the cashier the patio doors are behind us and to our right is a shelf of souvenirs.
I start to get my money out. My son sees a little stuffed wolf for $10 and starts saying he wants on of those.
Behind me I hear a man (henceforth known as "Geezer") repeatedly clearing his throat . A woman, who I'll refer to as "Hag," said "excuse me sir!" and taps me on the shoulder.
I turn to face Hag (I'm writing this immediately after this happened so I can still see and hear the scene).
Still holding my hand, my son turned to face Hag when I did.
He and I both can see the wolf cages through the patio door.
He says "Daddy! Wolves!" The following exchange then takes place:

Hag: You can't bring that in here!
Me (confused): What can't I bring here?
Hag points to my 35mm SLR camera with motor drive (for those of you who don't know about cameras, this is a big one you can't fit in your pocket) hanging from my shoulder.
Hag: Your camera.
Me: Why not?
Hag: Because we don't allow it.
Me: Why not? There are no signs that you can't bring a camera.
Hag: Because we don't. We used to but not now.
Me: I don't understand. There are no signs anywhere. Why can't I take pictures?

At this point my son, still holding my hand, is pointing and trying to look around Geezer through the patio doors behind he and Hag at the wolf cage.
Geezer and Hag see this and back up against the patio doors blocking his view.

Hag: Because people sold them on the Internet.
Me: So why is that a problem?
Geezer (in an angry tone): Because we're volunteers!
Me: I understand that you're volunteers. What does that have to do with not taking pictures?
Hag: Because people sell them on the Internet! (now red in the face and very emotional) We don't get any funds. We're volunteers. We pay for things here out of our own pocket.
Me: So you're saying that I can't take a picture of my son next to a wolf cage?
Geezer: Right.
Me: I still don't understand (putting my money away). Why would I try and sell a picture of my son next to a wolf on the internet? So what does it hurt if someone sells a picture they took of your wolves on the Internet?
Hag: We raise money here three ways: tours, donations...did I say tours (asking Geezer)
Geezer: Yes.
Hag: ...tours and souvenirs.
Me: If you don't want people to buy pictures of your wolves on the Internet because that will force people to come to your preserve, isn't it also possible that people won't come because they can't get the personal photo with their families? What if they just like animals and want something for their scrapbook? Seems to me if people want a nice picture of a wolf there are lots of places they can get one that doesn't have a cage in it. I know this because I have one in my house-I took it! There is also the marketing aspect. If people can see what the wolves look like won't THAT make people want to come since the WOLVES are the main attraction? Even if someone took a picture and managed not to get the fence in it, when asked the person would tell that they took the picture at TPS and that might make people come.
I understand.

***I have to interject here that I really didn't understand their no camera policy. I suppose it is also possible that somebody took
pictures of their facilities and raised a stink about them and they are being a little defensive (or is there something questionable going on behind the scenes?)Whatever the reasons might be, there were no signs saying photography was not allowed.

Back to the "conversation"...
Hag: The only way we allow a picture is if you adopt a wolf and then we will take a picture with you next to your wolf.
Me: So how come you can take pictures at the zoo?
Hag & Geezer: Because they get more funding!
Geezer: We don't want you here. We don't like your attitude.
Me: Calm down. My attitude? It's okay if that is your policy. I'm just asking the reasons why. I don't understand, especially since there are no signs saying you can't take pictures.
Geezer: You better leave.
Me: Come on son. It is time to go (starting to walk down hallway).
Son: But I want to see the wolves!
Me: So do I but they don't want us to take pictures so lets go.
Hag: Someone call T!

Until this time I had been very calm, albeit confused as to why this is going the way it is.
Once outside, off the porch and on the path, our backs to the house, I'm confronted by Hag again. This time from behind.
Hag: It's people like you with your attitude that ruin everything!
Me (spinning around with finger in air): What do you mean me? You're the one with the attitude!

As I'm facing Hag, Witch flies off the porch (Even though I didn't see a broom, I'm not being puny) and grabs my left arm and almost knocking my son down.
I take my right hand and do a brush swipe along my left arm breaking her grip off my arm. What was she thinking grabbing a customer? Thank goodness she grabbed me and not my son!
Witch: Go get T!
Geezer: Already coming!

T appears off to my right. He appears calm.
T: You've got to go sir.
Me: Where do you think we're going?
Geezer, Witch and Hag: Get out of here! We don't want you here!

I turn back to the lot and move my son to my left as T has taken position on my right. He is walking even with me, but between me and the Husky cage.
He isn't what I call a threatening presence, but the fact he is there at all is proof of this crazy situation.
As we walk we converse:
Me: I don't understand what is gong on.
T: We don't like your attitude.
Me: My attitude?
T: They told you you couldn't take pictures and you chose not to believe them.
Me: No. That isn't right. For the record I questioned why. They wouldn't explain it to me. Hag and Geezer were the ones with the attitude.
T: Either way. There are some things going on here today. People are a little stressed so we don't need any attitudes.
Me: If people are stressed I can sort of understand, but that was silly.

T takes us to our car. My son and I get in. T moves to the side of the parking lot as we back out.
I stop next to him and put the window down.
Me: Since you are a volunteer organization you realize you just lost money today? Our admissions plus any souvenirs?
T: Doesn't matter. Have a great day.
Me: You too!

The TPS has been around for a long time before this incident and will be around for more years after this incident.
Instead of gaining a donor, they won't be getting any money from my family.
Instead of having a raving fan of their work, I'll be ranting about our shabby treatment to anyone who cares to listen or read about it.
Instead of having a supporter, I now question whether we need a preservation at all since wolves are now a healthy population in Wisconsin again.
Instead of educating a child on the importance of their work, they created a kid who for the next 30 minutes asked his dad "why are those people so mean?" If people think I'm being a bit one-sided in this tale, my verification was in his questions to me. If he picked up their bad vibes they must be mean!
Instead of setting a good example for an enthusiastic child, THEY are the ones that acted like idiots.
I won't shed a tear if they have to close down TPS someday.

Rather than waste your time and money on this little backwoods preserve, I'd encourage you to go to the Milwaukee County Zoo to see their wolves, which are not in cages, and there are no restrictions on taking photographs.
The previous sentence is a perfect example of what happens when you have bad customer service. Your current and potential customers will go away and say bad things about you. Once you are in that hole it is hard to dig out of it.
I hope any sales person, sales manager, business or organization that reads this takes the lesson to heart.

Stormtroopers For Hire

My four year old son recently saw Star Wars for the first time. Since it is my favorite movie I don't mind watching it with him over...and over...and over again.
One recent viewing after the Death Star blew up my son asked where all the people were going to go to work. I didn't explain that the people on the Death Star didn't need jobs anymore. His question did make me think, if I was a Stormtrooper after the events in Return Of The Jedi what do I do?

Times are tough for many people in the world right now because they are unemployed.
You know things are bad for a company when the sales staff is being cut (although it also gives the company an excuse to get rid of weak performers and hire stronger ones because of the talent pool available). In tough times I believe that you can't lose your sense of humor.
When that happens it is the first sign that you are giving up.
So whether you are an unemployed sales person, sales manager, or any other profession, remember things can always be worse, so count your blessings!
At least you are not buried under earthquake rubble in Haiti or Chile.
Just look at the pictures of the following people and what they have to do to stay employed:



We've all been down at one time or another. When you meet someone in a tough place give them a smile and a hello. It might brighten their day to meet a friendly stranger.


It is bad enough when you lose your job through no fault of your own, but when you do something to cause your own termination it really stinks.
Learn from your mistake and don't do it again!

You have to be willing to change careers. Maybe even work on a formula one pit crew (this picture is from the Monoco Grand Prix). Look for programs and people to help you learn your new skills.

There are a lot of comrades going for the few slots on Santa's protection detail. They all have similar qualifications, making it harder for Santa to choose who to pick. How does one stand out? Wear an orange shoulder pad!

A good place to make connections and keep your spirits up is to do volunteer work.
It is a good chance to work on your people skills and keep them sharp.

Don't be afraid to take a part-time job or maybe even something out of your normal realm. There is nothing wrong with an honest days work. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities might arise. Your future manager might walk through those doors.

If you are looking for a job right now, remember to keep your chin up!

Thanks to the Facebook page Stormtroopers Off The Clock for the pictures!

I'd write more, however my son is asking to watch Star Wars again.

Recruiter Network: February Meeting Topic

HR Managers! CEOs! Owners! Sales VPs!
•Have you ever been burned by hiring a salesperson and having that person quit or get fired after a short time?
•Are you frustrated that you can hire all these great people in the company but don’t have the same results when it comes to salespeople?
•When it comes to hiring salespeople are all you are allowed to do is place the ad and screen resumes?
•Have you ever passed on a candidate to the sales manager you thought was good, and they came back to you and said the candidate was garbage?

IF any of the above sound like you, you NEED to attend the Recruiter Network meeting on Thursday, February 25th, 8:15 AM, at Kaplan College in Milwaukee, 111 W. Pleasant Street.

Sales people are a different breed and need to be interviewed and screened differently.
By attending, you will learn what makes salespeople different and how to hire them.

Bring your sales manager, sales VP, Owner , or CEO.

I bet you will walk out with some good information that will make you look at your systems and processes on how to hire salespeople in a different way.

For more information go to:
http://www.sewirecruiternetwork.com/




Now for the jokes:

• A man walks into a bar and says "ouch!"


• When is a vet busiest? When it is raining cats and dogs!

What is The Recruiter Network?

If you are an HR Manager, HR VP, Recruiter, or benefit manager, there is a local networking group that is set up just for you and you peers, The Recruiter Network of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Our Mission:

The Recruiter Network is a diverse group of individuals from employers and workforce development organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin, which is organized around issues relating to the recruitment and retention of entry level, skilled, and professional level candidates.

We are an informal organization and make every effort to keep it simple and as much like a coffee klatch group as possible. It is expected that all members will periodically (as possible) host a meeting (with light refreshments) at their organization's facility, arranging for a presentation that is timely and addresses our mission statement. These responsibilities can be shared by several members. We have no dues. Individuals automatically become a member upon attending three meetings. Meeting topics are expected to be appropriate to the group's mission. We encourage networking among members, guests and presenters, but do not permit business solicitation. Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of each month. Notices with details for meetings are emailed approximately two weeks before each meeting.

8:00 - 8:30 am Gathering, Registration, Visiting
8:30 - 9:00 am Business Meeting*
9:00 - 9:45 am Program Presentation
9:45 - 10:00 am Discusison Wrap-up
10:00 am Adjournment*
*We are very intentional about beginning and ending times

Past Meeting Topics have included:

What is LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
Changes in Employment law in Wisconsin
How to stay motivated in Tough Economic Times
Windmills Workshops (deal with hiring persons with disabilities)
Safety & Environment
Avoiding the Land Mines in Workers Compensation
Identity Theft
Employer Branding / Effective Recruiting Strategies
Best Hiring Practices
The HIRE Center: Program and Services
Developing Partnerships to Increase Employment for the Dislocated/Disadvantaged/Underemployed Workforce
10 Ways to Make it Great! (motivational)
Hiring Practices: What Employers Are/Are Not Looking For
I-9 Forms & National Origin Discrimination Issues: Employing a Legal Workforce Without Crossing the Discrimination Line
Hiring, Managing and Retaining workers with Disabilities
The benefits of customized training
How to be prepared for unemployment cases and what an employer can do to better their chances to win
Sourcing Strategies: Best Practices to Attract A-Level Talent
Putting A Face To Urban League Clients
The Emerging Workforce ® Study

For more information go to the Recruiter Network website:
www.sewirecruiternetwork.com

I hope to see you at our next meeting!

Saying Thank You

Greetings 2010!

I've been hearing a radio commercial this holiday season that December is the month when the words "Thank you" are most said. I don't know if that is really true, however it makes sense with all the gift giving during the month (strange then that January is national Thank You month: http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/bljanmon2.htm).

Saying thank you to a customer is one of the most important things I believe you can do in business. In this day of email, texting, social media, and multiple generations in the workplace, taking the time to write a simple thank you card or shaking someone's hand while looking them in the eye still carries a lot of weight.

When someone does business with me, they place their trust in me that that I will do everything I can to get their job done. That is a responsibility I don't take lightly. Their business also allows my family to have what we have. I don't take that for granted either.

I really appreciate all of you that have done business with me over the years.

That is why I always try to shake your hand when we agree to do business and why I sign all my emails with a “thank you.” I value you as a customer and I thank you for everything you have done for me!

Ev
"A Heck of A Nice Guy"

Jokes:
Here are your first few jokes of the new year.
Sorry they are not better than previous years!

• Two peanuts walk into a bar. One was a salted.

• A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry we don't serve food in here."

• A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
  

Good Thoughts for 2010

Tips For 2010

1. Stay out of trouble.

2. Aim for greater heights.

3. Stay focused on your job.

4. Exercise to maintain good health

5. Practice team work.

6. Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back. Take your time trusting others.

7. Save for rainy days.


8. Rest and relax.

9. Always take time to smile.
AND

10. Realize that nothing is impossible.

This should make you smile:

HAVE A GREAT 2010!

Great Candidates are in the Posting Details

A common thing I hear from new prospects is that they have problems recruiting good candidates for your sales positions (and other positions too but sales frustrates them the most).
Remember that when posting a job, the attention to details in the ad can make all the difference when it comes to getting the right candidates and good candidate flow from the ad.
You never know what will trip a candidates trigger.

As you know, everyone wants to know “the big three:”
1. how much they will be paid (ever notice how everyone has “competitive pay”)
2. what benefits are included (ever notice how everyone has “fantastic benefits”)
3. how much vacation is there (two weeks is standard)

But what if your company offers:
-quarterly performance bonuses on top of salary.
-Merit raises?
-besides the “fantastic” benefits, what if your company offers advance pay?
-Supplemental insurance?
-Free coffee or soda (I may have told you about this example)?
-Early dismissal on Friday’s?
-besides the standard vacation package, what holidays do they have off?
-Are there floating holidays?
-Maybe an incentive program where employees earn extra vacation time?

Wouldn’t it be good for a job seeker to know these features as well?
As a job seeker I may not need a high salary, but more control of my days off.
Early dismissal on Friday’s is a good thing to know about (especially in the summer).
If I have two ads for the same position, I’m going to send my resume to the company that gives me the most information.
The details are what will determine where I as a job seeker will send my resume.

Sometimes it is not possible to list all the details. In those cases how specific can you be with the “big three?” Instead of listing the “big three,” maybe list some of the details and a generic statement about pay, benefits, and vacation.

Notice the difference between the following two recently posted ads.
One company did not take my advice when they posted their job and got bad results.
One company took my suggestions and got good results.
Can you guess which one is which?

Ad #1
Description:
Manager: Retail operations for imported antiques company.
How To Apply:
Send resume to: ----------- 6819 ----------- Avenue

Ad #2
General Managers needed for incredible career opportunity at a dynamic growth company; -----------Fitness Centers.
We are the premier fitness chain in -------------- with 18 locations and GROWING! We are located in -----------------.
We Offer:
* $60K +/ year
* 4 DAY WORK WEEK; Monday to Thursday
* Rapid career advancement
* Medical/ Dental/ Life insurance/ Vacation benefits
Ideal candidate will be:
*Male and females with prior health club sales experience or in a related field such as weight loss/ dating/ beauty
*Sales savvy and a fitness enthusiast
*Lead generator and warm call prospector
* "People Person" and strong communicator
*Outgoing, enthusiastic and poses high energy
*Available on weekends and evenings
*Challenge and commission driven
How To Apply:
Click on the Email link below!!! or send your resume by Fax: ------------- or call us by Telephone: ------------

Which company would you apply to if you were in the job seeker’s shoes?

Thank you!

Everet Kamikawa
"A Heck of a Nice Guy"

25 Forbidden Interview Questions

What was the strangest interview question that you have ever had?
For me it was during college. I applied for a campus job and the supervisor at the time asked if I had a choice would I choose to be a gallon of milk or a carton of orange juice.
I asked what she meant and why she asked that. She said it was to see if I would fit in with the group. I still didn't understand, however I answered the question. I won't reveal my answer here, however I got the job so it must have been correct. She later told me that she often threw in strange questions just to see what the applicants reaction would be.
Monty Python did an outstanding interview sketch that I think all of us who have ever interviewed job applicants would love to do at some point.
If you haven't seen it, click here or go to YouTube and search for Monty Python Silly job Interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP0sqRMzkwo

Despite the economy there are still companies hiring, so here is a quick review of some of the questions you CANNOT ask (HRDailyadisor.com):

Age:"How old are you?"
"What is your date of birth?"
(You may ask, "Do you meet the state minimum age requirement for work?" and
"Are you over 18 and under age 65?")
Availability for Work and Travel:"Can you work Saturdays and Sundays?"
"Do you have children?"
"What are your child care arrangements?"
(You may ask, "These are the hours of work—can you attend work during these hours?" and "Work sometimes requires overtime. Can you work such a schedule?" and
"Do you have any obligations that would keep you from work-related travel?")
Birthplace and Citizenship"Where were you born?"
"What is your native language?”
(You may ask, "Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?")
Clubs and Affiliations"To what organizations do you belong?"
"Do you want to tell me about any of your memberships relating to the performance of this job?"

Disabilities
"Do you have a disability?"
"Have you ever filed for workers' compensation?"
"Have you ever been treated for any of the following conditions or diseases
(followed by a checklist of various illnesses)?"
"How many days were you absent from work because of illness last year?"
"What prescription medications are you taking?"
"Is there any health-related reason you may not be able to perform the job for which you are
applying?" (You may ask, "Can you perform the essential functions of the job for which you are
applying?" and "Can you demonstrate to me how you would perform those functions?")
Economic status"Have you ever had your wages garnished?"
"Do you own your own home?"
"How long do you plan to work on this job?"
"Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?"
Name"Have you ever had your name changed?"
"What is your maiden name?"
(You may ask, "Is there any additional information we need about your name to verify your employment/education record?")

Relatives
"Who is the relative to be notified in case of emergency?"
"Are you married?"
"Do you have children?"
"Do you plan to get pregnant?"

This is by no means a complete list, however a good rule of thumb is that if you are not sure if you can ask a question...DON'T ASK IT!

I'd be interested to know what was the strangest or most inappropriate question you were asked in an interview? If there is enough interest maybe we can hold a contest?

Thanks!
Ev
A Heck of A Nice Guy

Welcome to the new version of Everet's newsletter!

It's back!
For several years I've been sending a monthly email newsletter to my various clients and prospects of WisconsinJobs.com and Jobing.com.
I had to discontinue the email version of this newsletter, however I've been able to resurrect it as a blog.

In this blog you'll find tips on how to make your recruitment advertising more effective, general observations on the recruitment industry, sales, and the famous jokes that everyone reminds me they are missing (they're always clean enough to tell your mother!).

The goal of this blog is not to be the guru on new technology, provide you with the most cutting edge news, or to make myself world renowned. There are others who are experts at doing that.
This is more of a perspective from someone in the trenches of recruitment and sales each day.
There are four main goals that I will accomplish with this blog:

The first point of this blog is to offer practical advice to recruiters, managers, and job seekers who might not be (or have no need to be) up on the latest and greatest gizmos, social networks, and websites. How can they make what they are using better to attract better candidates for their jobs.

The second goal is to serve as a sounding board to those who who have mastered the new technology as part of their recruitment campaigns, about how the latest and greatest is playing when it comes to the practical world. In cyberspace it is really easy to get hooked on one new idea and then zoom onto the next and forget that most people are still three stages behind whatever the latest and greatest is. To use a Tour de France comparisson, I consider myself one of those riders in the peloton. I might be in the forward half of the peloton, however I'm definately not wearing the yellow leader jersey.

The third goal is to help stay in touch with you!

The fourth goal is to do the above three with a touch of humor (have I mentioned the jokes?).

I'll start with some new material and mix in a few reposts of older newsletters (with relevant content) so new readers can get an idea of what these posts are going to be all about. Then I'll follow up with something new roughly once per month.
I'm always happy to accept comments and jokes.
Thanks for inviting me in! Enjoy!

Ev
A Heck of A Nice Guy