Interview panels for higher-level public positions sometimes ask how you would establish priorities for resource allocation. In order to answer this question, you will need to know more than just the textbook answer. Most organizations have goals that provide guidance to managers in setting a work program and a short and longer term budget. It […]
Don’t let the media and the news put you down. No matter how bad they say it is companies are always looking to hire the best available staff. If you have the right skills and passion, there will be a job waiting for right around the corner. You just need to remain upbeat and positive. […]
It is in our social DNA to want a mentor. As little kids, our parents mentor us on the basics of life. In school, we are mentored by teachers and coaches who want to impart their wisdom to us. Then, suddenly, we’re thrust out into the world of adulthood, and most of us are simply […]
“AmeriCorps—what’s that?” “Do you mean the Peace Corps?” “I hear it’s a bad deal because you don’t make any money.” These are just a few of the questions and comments I received from well-intentioned friends and family members when I decided to complete an 11-month term of service with AmeriCorps. After spending just a few […]
Career advancement is a relative term. For some, it means climbing the organizational ladder until there is nowhere else to climb or you reach the highest rung relative to your area of expertise. For others, it means moving up the salary scale even if it means hopscotching from one organization to another. In either case, […]
In today’s organizational environment, human resources (or personnel as it was once referred to) is being asked to do much more than simply recruit talented employees, oversee benefits, and maintain personnel records. They are now responsible for 1) legal compliance as it relates to maintaining those employee records, 2) managing employee leave in accordance with […]
There are a number of threats that face local government today. The public sector is dealing with spiraling pension costs, annual increases in healthcare expenses for active employees and retirees, and other employee-related expenditures that continue to rise. At the same time, revenues are down or at best flat. Then, to add insult to injury, […]
Virtually every private sector area is focused on the proverbial ROI or Return on Investment. If an entity is going to commit to implementing a technology-centric solution, it has to be financially beneficial in the long run. Typically, the standard is 12 to 18 months. Municipal government, on the other hand, is different. In addition, […]
If you struggle to write annual performance evaluations, you may be overlooking the most valuable source of data you have: the employee. Asking for the employee’s feedback before you begin writing can provide helpful and specific input. Here are some tips for asking for and using employee input in the performance evaluation: Remind the employee […]
It’s a common managerial dilemma. You ask an employee to do something that seems simple to you. And, what you get is not what you expected. For whatever reason, the employee did not complete the job to your standards. Usually, this frustrating experience happens when you have not made your expectations clear. You expected one […]
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