Laura Wolfe Coaching LLC

Supporting the Evolution of Careers, Leaders,

& Climate Consciousness

Thwarted By HR

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Last week I was asked at the very last minute to teach a class for a nearby university. Being that it was higher ed, the money was negligible but I liked both the topic and the person that offered me the opportunity so I said yes. A few hours later I was filling out the online HR application. Did I mention it was Friday afternoon before classes were to begin on Monday?

In the education section, the form asked for the month, day and year that my degrees were conferred. I can certainly tell you the month and year I graduated but have no idea the date. Unfortunately, my diplomas are not framed and hanging in my office. I actually don’t know where my diplomas are although given some time I’m sure I could find them.

The online system would not let me proceed with the application process. I could not get past this page.

I called the woman in the dean’s office and she said it doesn’t matter, just make something up. Because I knew I’d have to check the box at the end of the application attesting to the accuracy of what I submitted I was uncomfortable with that. So she connected me with someone in HR who also told me to just make something up, it doesn’t matter. She said I could go back in and correct it later. A fluid application form? That seemed weird to me.

Anyway, if it doesn’t matter, why is the question on the form?

I advise my career clients to fill out job application forms accurately and honestly; resumes and linkedin profiles should be accurate and truthful as well. I believe it is important.

Knowing that it was impossible to get all the info needed to complete the form that day, I let the dean’s office know that it just wasn’t going to work. The last minute nature of the situation was definitely a factor but sometimes forces conspire to create those. A few more days and I could have scraped up the necessary information. Also, I look for messages from the universe and it was showing me a big red stop sign. .

The experience opened my eyes to the kind of craziness job seekers encounter. My friend Robin Schooling over at HR Schoolhouse writes about inane things HR does and this one made me think of her.

Message to HR: Every single hurdle you put into your selection system can screen out potential employees. Ideally, these screen out candidates you don’t want but it can also be the candidates you do want. Make certain that the information you ask for is necessary.

Would love to hear your thoughts on employee selection.

Wanna job after college?

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helpwantedIt really bums me out to read stories about college grads who can’t find jobs.

I did 11 years in the management department at LSU teaching among other things Human Resource Management and Employee Selection/Placement. I also did stints as department undergrad adviser and as internship coordinator.

During that time I worked with hundreds of students as they transitioned from student to intern to employee. Here are some things I learned that I hope will help you college students out there.

Work experience is important. Working during summer breaks is a good idea. If possible, get a different job, with a different company each summer. As your college career progresses, you will take more major-specific classes. In the same way, seek job opportunities more specific to your chosen field every year. Internships can be a great source for these.

Regarding work, it may be easy to babysit for a neighbor or work for your parents but doing something like that isn’t very helpful in the long-run – unless of course you want to be a day-care worker or plan to go into the family biz.

Work is important for getting that post-grad job offer for many reasons because it:

  • helps you learn more about what you do and don’t want in a career.
  • provides evidence (to recruiters) that you are a reliable and conscientious worker. HR’s preferred reference is an immediate supervisor (past or present).
  • exposes you to others with backgrounds different from your own. The ability to deal with diversity is quite important in today’s workplace. Many students I taught had private school educations and little previous interaction with people unlike themselves. Nothing like a job in the hospitality industry or retail or construction for learning about diversity.
  • allows you to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities that companies want.

Several years ago, a survey of companies that recruited at LSU found job-related work experience was the #1 quality recruiters wanted in students. And, yes, that’s inherently a Catch-22. How can you get experience, when companies only want to hire people with experience?

Not easy, but certainly possible. However, it requires you be proactive. Ask your boss if you can get involved in a project related to your ultimate goal. For instance, you are a restaurant server who wants a career in HR. Ask if you can participate in training new employees or in selection interviews.

A little initiative is usually welcomed and it certainly can’t hurt to ask. Companies that hire students typically want to them to be successful.

Realizing here that I have too much to say on this topic for just one post so stay tuned…

 

Would love to hear your thoughts on getting a job after graduation.