1 Stop HR

by

Canadian and US Resumes

Are you applying to jobs in Canada and the US from a country outside of these areas?  Did you know that most likely your resume is not formatted correctly for application to jobs in these areas?  Though employers are not to discriminate, this can occur very easily.  For example, in Canada most employers cannot ask you for your age, your religious beliefs, your sex etc. in the application process nor in the interview process.

Many resumes outside of North America come to us with pictures, full birthdates, marriage status, etc.  This puts the job seeker in the position of being discriminated against before even being selected for an interview.  If you want to make sure your resume is in a format that reduces your chances of being discriminated against – contact us to quote you on creating a professional resume for application in Canada or the US.

by

10 Tips for Effective Team Building

10 Tips for Effective Team Building

1.  Involve your employees in the selecting of the team building activities.  If they are involved they are more likely to buy in to the activity.  Ask them for ideas, involve them in the process.

2.  Set up a Social Committee.  Give the Social Committee a budget and agenda and have them be responsible for the events. If you are concerned about losing all control, have a committee member review the suggestions prior to the implementation.

3.   Involve management in the activities.  By involving management, it reinforces the importance of the activities and the dedication of the company to having fun.  Plus – staff like to compete against management at times too!

4. Get some small prizes together.   You don’t have to break the bank.  Think of coffee cards, putting together a little gift bag of goodies.  Just a perk for the winning team or winning player – even the losing player!

5.  If you are really promoting fun in the workplace, look at completing these events during company
time.  This again reinforces your commitment to team building and fun.

6.  Wherever possible – put the blackberries away!  You are not committed to the teambuilding events if you are conducting work half the time on your cell phone.

7. If you can’t take all the staff out of the office – look at taking half of the staff and then take the
rest another day.  Rotate this group for the next event such that it isn’t the same staff members at each event.  After all – this is team building. 🙂

8. Team building events can be actual structured events put on by an organization geared to
accomplishing  specific team building activities, or they can be more informal like bowling.
Wherever there is staff interaction, you are building relationships.

9.  Hold team building events regularly – set a pattern like quarterly or twice per year. Think about what else you can do in between these events to promote team.  Again – ask the staff for ideas too.

10. Have fun!  Embrace the event!  Enjoy it – we all deserve to have fun in life, why not have it at work too!

by

Interview Do’s Part 2

Ready for Part 2? If you have not read Part 1 yet, ensure you do! Below is the second part of our Job Seeker Do’s for interviewing.

Let’s start get started:

Do:

Review Interview Questions

You cannot be too prepared for an interview. Review as many interview questions as possible before your interview. Google them, ask friends for questions, think up some of your own.
Don’t forget if you contact us for a professional resume or interview training, you will receive over 250 interview questions for free after your paid service!

Listen

Listen to what the interviewers are asking, don’t interrupt, absorb as much information as
you can.

Sell Yourself

This is your opportunity to shine. Look for ways to talk about your accomplishments and your fit for the role with your answers to their questions. Make sure you don’t sound overconfident, however ensure that you show how you are a good match for the role.

Talk to Your References

Ensure to talk to your references before using them for a potential job. Tell them about the job you are applying for. Ensure they are comfortable providing you with a positive reference. Ask them how they would prefer that the interviewer contact them. The last thing you want is a reference that does not support your endeavours. While I am on this topic, let me also add that interviewers most often look for at least 3-4 professional references – this means people you have worked with/those responsible for your employment or management –a boss, manager etc. Employers are less interested in friend references as these are less reliable and don’t relate directly to your work
habits.

Watch your “um’s”

Watch your use of your “um’s”. Practice taking a pause or breath instead of blurting out the “um” word. This is distracting to the interviewer and should the use of this word be at a high level, it can leave a bad impression.

Sum up your Qualifications:

At the end of your interview, ensure to sum up why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Look at the things they asked you during the interview, the things they are looking for in the position and ensure to sum up why you are that ideal match for the role. Thank them for their time.

Accept Rejection with Grace

Though we always hope to get the job offer, this sometimes isn’t the case. If you do get a rejection, handle this professionally. There are times that interviewers do go back and look to hire candidates
that were in the running for the position. This can happen if there is a job change, the previous candidate didn’t work out, or in times of business expansion. If you handle the rejection professionally, you may leave yourself on the list for potential future employment. You can also use this opportunity to ask for feedback on what you could have improved upon in the interview. Thank the individual for any feedback they are able to provide.

These are just a few tips and we do hope they helped you prepare for your interview…. stay tuned for the Don’ts they are up next…oh yes, there will be some doozies 😉

by

1 Stop HR July 2012 Summary

Teamwork

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

Leadership

“Leaders make things possible. Exceptional leaders make them inevitable.” – Lance Morrow

Thank your staff (7/17/2012)

Have you thanked your staff lately? A simple “Thank you” can go a long
way. Make a note to add this to your list of regular “to do’s”. Try
to remember to do this often and soon it will become second nature.

In the News:

Canada’s Job Creation Stalls Again in June… Let’s hope it is just a summer thing and employers are gearing up to hire in September!
http://www.hrreporter.com/articleview/13448-canadas-job-creation-stalls-again-in-june-statscan

Leadership

Never tell people how to do  things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their  ingenuity. – George Patton

Job Burnout

Here is a great article from the Globe and Mail on job burnout.  A great read for employees and businesses…http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/human-resources/dont-quit-yet-avoid-job-burnout-with-these-tips/article4440743/?utm_source=Exacttarget&utm_medium=HRPADaily&utm_term=Thursday&utm_content=Email&utm_campaign=072612TL

PRESS RELEASE 1 Stop HR hits the Press!

Check out the Press Release Here

 

by

Stephen Covey – A tribute

As most of you are probably aware, Stephen Covey passed away this week.  If you were not aware of Stephen’s accomplishments, I urge you to take a look at his website, read his books and learn from this remarkable man.  https://www.stephencovey.com/

I wanted to do a quick review of one of Stephen’s very popular books “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”  Stephen outlines 7 and later an 8th habit of those people that are highly successful.  Here is a quick review of those habits:

1.  Be proactive!
Control your environment, don’t let it control you!

2.  Begin with the end in mind.
Avoid distractions and concentrate on the relevant activities.

3.  Put first things first
This, Covey calls the habit of personal management.  Ensure you organize and put things in place that are all geared to meeting your goal – see habit 2.

4.  Think Win-Win
Covey believed that there was opportunity for many to win and that success often depends on cooperating with others.

5.  Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Covey used the analogy “diagnose before you prescribe”

6.  Synergize
See the good in others and the potential that their potential contribution could bring.

7.  Sharpen the saw
Covey talked about this habit being of self renewal which will surround the other habits and encourage positive growth.  He described these items as:  the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional.

And the newest Habit…the 8th Habit:

8.  From effectiveness to greatness
Reach beyond effectivness and move toward fulfilment, contribution and greatness.

If you have not read Covey’s books, I encourage you to do so….he was a great, wise man…

Learn More About US

1 STOP HR was founded by Christie Ferguson, CHRP CHRL Christie is a certified Human Resources Professional & Leader with many years of hands on HR expertise.

Contact US

Tel: 226-750-3160
Email: info@1stophrconsulting.com

Recent Posts