May
03
2013
Survey identifies new approaches needed by employers; Inviting as it is, Marin County represents a ‘risk’ for upwardly mobile young.
Jennifer Business Professionals, job search, recruiting 0
Judging by the recent Impact Marin conference, the outlook for Marin County certainly seems positive: companies are growing and hiring, homes sales are on the rise, and the county just ranked as the healthiest in California. As someone who spent 25 years of my life in Marin County, I know it is an incredible place to live and work. Still, what I found most startling from a closer look at the results of a recent business survey conducted by the Business Journal and Bank of Marin is that it appears fewer and fewer people actually live and work in Marin
Mar
18
2013
Ask Jen Recruiting Q & A: Wearing blinders equals disaster. Sudden loss of a key employee, now what?
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
… I mentioned in a previous column that we all have a tendency to wear blinders about certain aspects of our jobs or businesses, usually that which we regard as uncomfortable or distasteful. But sometimes we fail to see something because it is completely unthinkable. Let me share a recent message I received from a client (with her permission), who owns and runs a small company: “Jennifer, if I wasn’t sure before what you meant about having blinders on, it is painfully clear to me now. I just lost the most senior member of my team. She quit very abruptly
Aug
11
2012
Before making hire, know who you are. Are you collaborative, controlling, creative or competitive?
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Are you collaborative, controlling, creative or competitive? Q: My company just lost a long-time senior manager. She was a very effective, successful, and well regarded leader. A member of her team has taken the management role on an interim basis. He’s a very capable “company man” but not necessarily the strong leader our company needs for this strategic leadership role. How can we make sure we find the right fit? A: I have to answer your question with another question. How will you know who is the right fit for your company? This is a question with many layers. Whether you look
Aug
02
2012
‘Re-recruiting’ people is time well spent’
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Q: After a couple of years of cutting back to minimize losses, our company is leaner now and we’ve discovered that our leadership team and key staff are more critical than ever to our success as business starts to pick up again. You’ve addressed how to attract top talent but what can we do to keep ours? Losing any one of them right now would be a major setback for us. A: First of all, I want to commend you for having the foresight to think about this. I’ve seen more than a few thriving companies blindsided by the sudden departure of a
Jul
25
2012
United Way West County Achievements 2011-2012
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Good news!!! There has been an increase in donations to the United Way of the Wine Country which benefits our local community through programs such as Schools of Hope – Education Program that is helping children and youth achieve their potential. Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Income Program helping families become financially stable. Family Wize and Healthy Kids – Health Program that improves peoples health and well being. Consider being a part of improving the education income and health of the people living and working on the North Coast of California – Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte
Jul
12
2012
Women In Business Awards Gala
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Missy Parks, Title Nine CEO, delivered the keynote presentation at the “Women in Business” awards dinner hosted by the North Bay Business Journal. Missy launched her business in 1989 out of her house and 23 years later has grown the business into a successful web/catalog/retailer of women’s athletic gear. Her presentation was entertaining and inspiring, she had everyone out of their seats playing competitively with tableware. Missy spoke of lessons of failure and the importance of resilience on the path to success. “Lessons of failure is not learned in the classroom but can be learned in sports and competition.” “Fear
Jun
18
2012
‘Re-recruiting’ people is time well spent
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Q: After a couple of years of cutting back to minimize losses, our company is leaner now and we’ve discovered that our leadership team and key staff are more critical than ever to our success as business starts to pick up again. You’ve addressed how to attract top talent but what can we do to keep ours? Losing any one of them right now would be a major setback for us. A: First of all, I want to commend you for having the foresight to think about this. I’ve seen more than a few thriving companies blindsided by the sudden departure of a
Jun
07
2012
North Bay Business Journal Construction Conference
Jennifer Business Professionals, job search, recruiting 0
I attended the Construction Conference hosted by the North Bay Business Journal yesterday. I learned that we added approximately 400,000 jobs in CA in 2011 and there are plans to add a projection of an additional 500,000 jobs over the next few years. CA is thriving in tourism, technology and trade. CA’s population consists mainly of baby boomers and Gen X & Y. No need to build single- family homes for the next 20 years due to the surplus of housing during the construction boom and recent foreclosures. GAPS – skilled professionals due to baby boomers retiring over the next
May
15
2012
Do you have a strategic plan for attracting talent?
Jennifer Business Professionals, employee, job search, recruiting 0
Q: As a longtime North Bay company, we are fortunate to be emerging from the economic downturn with a stronger than ever business position and we need to expand our management team in anticipate of rapid growth. With all the downsizing of the last few years, we assumed we would have our pick of top, highly experienced candidates yet we’re struggling to attract the right people who are willing to relocate. What should we be doing? A: Even though it appears to be an employers’ market right now, finding and keeping the specific talent your company needs is more challenging than ever.
Dec
16
2011
Pros and cons of the independent contractor
Jennifer Uncategorized 0
Q. We are a small company and have been searching for the past year for a specialized engineer to round out our development team with no success. We are considering using an independent contractor to fill the gap until we find the perfect candidate. What are the pros and cons of going this route? A. I have a big red flag that you’ve had a position unfilled for over a year. Is this really a critical position to your organization? Do you have realistic requirements for this hire? Do you have a compelling opportunity to offer the specialized Engineer? Do
Nov
07
2011
The need for savvy, creative recruiters is greater than ever and will continue to grow.
Jennifer recruiting 0
Q. We are an engineering firm searching for rock stars to help us grow our company to the next level. Our recruiter is struggling with attracting exceptional talent to our company. Any recruiting advice? ••• A. Recruiting is critical to the success of any business even if not all executives buy into this idea. There is a critical shortage of talent available to companies today, baby boomers are leaving the workforce and our population is aging. The need for savvy, creative recruiters is greater than ever and will continue to grow. ••• Are recruiters working harder not smarter? Has internet
Sep
12
2011
How to make the transition from longtime employer to a new role
Jennifer Uncategorized 0
Q: What is the best approach to transitioning from your current position with a long-term employer to a new company with the least amount of drama? ••• A: 1. Do not give notice to your current employer until you have received an authorized formal offer from the new company, cleared a background check and drug screening (if applicable). Both parties must agree to all terms. Have you received all applicable documentation pertaining to the offer? Mutually agreed upon job description which outlines the expected job duties and responsibilities, terms of the sign on bonus and relocation package (if applicable), detailed