The Other Side of The Desk

So recently I was tasked with finding a replacement for myself. The job that I was originally hired to do was for B2B telemarketing, setting appointments for my boss to meet with potential clients. Well, since I've acquired other duties, the need has arisen for me to replace myself. It was a great job, I just don't have time within my set hours to do it any more. So I'm getting to see the recruiting/interviewing process from the other side of the desk. Here's a few things that I'm learning:

- As anal as I am about resume format/content (just ask anyone I've ever written a resume for, and the hours of information I can give you on writing a proper one), since I'm not working in the HR department of a Fortune 500 company and do not have the luxury of 1,000 resumes to sift through, I am having to ignore the glaring mistakes and annoyances I'm finding on some of these resumes. I'm trying to focus on the relevant content, rather than the format or presentation. But still... (really, you have no idea how much restraint it took not to message some of these people back with corrections)

- Following directions really matters. Really. Here's a tip - if you're wanting to apply for a job that involves heavy phone use, and the company asks you to call to apply - do it. Don't just e-mail your resume. There's a reason they want to talk to you on the phone - its basically your initial interview. Take that opportunity and follow directions. Another tip - if no one picks up, leave a message. That may be the first stage of screening.

- Speaking of blasting out your resume via e-mail, one of the most important things I tell people about resume writing and applying for jobs is customize, customize, customize. Send out a revised resume for every single job you apply for, highlighting the specific reasons you should be hired for that position. I want to see the experience you have in the industry for which I'm hiring. Don't just send me the same list of jobs and job descriptions you're sending everyone else. On that note...

- For goodness sake, when I do ask you to send me a resume, try to label it something other that "Generic Resume 2012." Really? Could you at least say "John Smith - Resume 2013" or something like that? Something that tells me you might be applying for this position because you really want to do the job. Common sense, people.

- So say you do follow directions and call the number, rather than replying in an e-mail with a generic resume. First of all, try not to make it sound like pay is the only thing your concerned with. Companies like to hire people who care (for the most part), not people who just want a check. Second of all, back to that common sense thing, I don't care if you know the person setting the interviews/doing the hiring/whatever or not - DO NOT ASK IF THE JOB IS EASY. I'm just going to leave that topic alone...

- Lastly, if you actually manage to make it through the screening process to get that elusive interview - don't no-show your interview. At least give the hiring manager a call to say you won't make it. I really don't care what your reason is, that's just common courtesy.

So that's what I've learned thus far. It's fun being on the other side of the desk for a change. I've been writing resumes for friends for about two years now, and knew a lot of this already, but I had kind of thought these things were common sense. Well, apparently not. So hopefully as I continue with my career development consulting/HR journey, I can help enlighten other individuals during the application/hiring process. I'm feeling the urge to do a post about resume writing now, but this is getting kind of long, so maybe next time...

Where Dreams Come True

What job did you dream of as a kid? A doctor? Lawyer? Astronaut? Ballerina? I had those dreams too, and I even dreamed of being a marketing director. That's what I started going to school for in 2009, through UoP. However, when I took my first HR class as part of my Associates of Business, I fell in love. I immediately switched my major to include a concentration in HR for my Bachelors, and haven't looked back.

While in school, I've spent the past few years as a licensed massage therapist. From all of my HR reading and research (my absolute favorite HR blogger is the Evil HR Lady), I knew that I needed a job with an actual boss if I ever wanted to break into the business world as an HR professional. So a couple of months ago I took a job as a B2B telemarketer for a small financial consulting and accounting firm. As it turns out, this was the best job ever.

As most job descriptions are, mine was accurate for about five minutes. After a couple of weeks doing what I was hired to do, my boss discovered my ability to write and let me copy-edit his website. A few weeks after that, he discovered that I can design marketing materials - and so on and so forth. So now I'm in Marketing, which is cool, because that's what I originally set out to do. We're working to grow the company, and as we grow we will be hiring additional employees to take on some of the technical work (read The E-Myth Revisited to get an idea of what we're doing with the company). Since recruiting for those positions, reviewing resumes, setting up payroll, etc are all HR functions, I readily volunteered. I like that my boss is kind of allowing me to create my own position within the company based on my knowledge and skills. Really, this is the best job I could have taken.

While taking on these new responsibilities, I had my first experience being the EHRL today. I've been tasked with recruiting candidates to fill a few open positions in the company, and had received a few resumes since posting the job. I emailed one I thought was qualified, clarifying a few of her skills. As it turns out, she did not meet the qualifications we were looking for. I wanted to be nice and not leave her hanging, so I notified her - I don't think she was thrilled. Civil about it, but I still felt bad. It was weird - I've spent the past two years dreaming about being an HR professional, and when I finally got my chance to do something, it wasn't as easy as it seemed. I'm over it now, because I know that I was polite about it and did the right thing, but still...ugh. Hopefully it will get easier with practice, although seriously, what is wrong with me. Heaven forbid I ever have to fire someone...

Until next time, I'll keep thinking up more HR functions for me to take on. Keep the dream alive!