Category: HR/Associate Development

There will be a variety of posts, encompassing everything from hiring checklists to training ideas and documents based on more than 25 years of experience and learning from the best people in the business.

A job seeking Multiplier

Paul Wagenaar

How to do you multiply the impact of a career advisor? You need a tool. A tool that can help a job seeker help themselves, a tool that builds the confidence of a job seeker, and a tool that helps the job seeker identify they things they don’t know how to do well. That is what the “Job Seeker’s Playbook” is about.

This latest iteration is the result of more than a dozen job seeker’s comments, suggestions, and requests; and it will continue to evolve. I would like to thank every one of them. If you are looking for a new job or you know someone who is looking for a new job, please use and share this tool. We all would welcome your feedback as well.

First Day/New Job Stress and Anxiety:

Paul Wagenaar

The anxiety and stress we all face on the first day of a new job affects each one of us differently. There are things you can do to mitigate these feelings and to accomplish your goals on the first day of a new job and help you to move forward in your career.

An Insiders Guide to Cover Letters

Paul Wagenaar

Should you use a cover letter when applying for a job?

Do you want to stand out for all the right reasons? Do you want a prospective employer to see that you have the skills, experiences, and attitudes they want? Do you want to do something most people don’t do?

How should I do a cover letter … I thought you would never ask?

Preparation is the key to Success

Paul Wagenaar

Finding a new job can be one of the most difficult things you will do in your life, for most of us it will happen several times. Fortunately, there is help available and many of the sources will not cost you anything but a little time and effort.

This post is a brief guide to interviews and there is much you can do to stand out.

It is always worth the effort …

Paul Wagenaar

Hiring a student or welcoming a coop student into your workplace is an investment in our collective future. The practical skills and knowledge they gain builds on their academic abilities. Take the time to prepare and anticipate the work involved and collaboratively make them part of your team.

Train them and allow them to demonstrate to you they can make meaningful contributions when provided with opportunities.

Recognize the signs and decide what to do about it.

Paul Wagenaar

It’s an easy trap to fall into. You tell yourself in the beginning that it is just for a little while until you get caught up. You’re a hard worker and the work you do is really important. Soon the extra becomes the normal and you might not even notice for a while … and then you’re caught.

This brief post talks about how it happens, how to recognize the signs, and most importantly how to start to escape the cycle.

30 Small Steps

Paul Wagenaar

Finding a new job is not something many of us do well or fortunately isn’t something we get a lot of practice doing. However, when we do find ourselves having to look for a new job, there is help available and it is a learned skill. Consider this post to be a short introductory guide to thirty small steps that can help you or someone you know.

MORE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

Paul Wagenaar

I work assisting people who are experiencing barriers to employment overcome them and find jobs that either accomplish their goals or take them to the next step on their individual journeys.

My role as a coach and mentor constantly reminds me of the lessons shared with me during my career, this post is the next chapter on “lessons learned” from my November 24th post.

“Yes” and so do many other hiring “practices.”

Paul Wagenaar

Have you ever considered how biased our hiring practices are toward people who do not experience barriers to employment. How difficult it is for people who are from outside the “colonial bubble” most of us never even notice?

When you start to see and think about those barriers you can see the intrinsic discrimination that happens every day.

Why would anyone work for free …

Paul Wagenaar

I am writing this on a Saturday.  I did two hours of work today and two hours last night. I have already worked many hours over my allotted workdays this week. It is unlikely I […]