Archive for Newsletters

Overlooking Red Flags in Your Hiring Process

17 Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 15

I must admit that I have done this more than once.  I once hired an engineer who looked great on paper and interviewed well.  We had him take our standard personality test and he tested very poorly.  We hired him anyway and it was a big mistake.  We quickly learned that he sabotaged every project he was on, alienated his co-workers and had such an arrogant attitude that no one would help him.  The personality test had been spot-on, but we had ignored it.  We ended up letting the engineer go and made it a firm policy to only hire people who scored well on our personality test.

»» Overlooking Red Flags in Your Hiring Process

Share

3 Red Flags in Interviews

17 Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 14

unprofessional employee at bad interview - Continental Inc. - Anderson IndianaI have always found it astonishing what people will reveal in interviews, that frankly, they would be better off not sharing. If you ask enough questions and listen well, they will often give you a good picture of their character, especially how they handle a difficult situation.

»» 3 Red Flags in Interviews

Share

The Easy Way to Find a WBE or MBE Partner for Your State Contract Bid

Anyone bidding on a State of Indiana contract quickly finds out that one of the key evaluation points for winning a State contract is the inclusion of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBE and WBE).

The current goals set by the State are as follows: »» The Easy Way to Find a WBE or MBE Partner for Your State Contract Bid

Share

How to Kick a Dog When It’s Down

Why the new Unemployment Insurance Rates will hurt businesses that are struggling the most.

Here is a true story. CG is a small manufacturer in Central Indiana. When the recession hit, their previously stable business revenue dropped like a stone. In just a few months business had fallen off so dramatically that they were forced to lay off half of their 40 man workforce. In 2010 business was slowly returning and CG could rehire most of the workers. However, things were still tough and the profit margins even slimmer than before.

»» How to Kick a Dog When It’s Down

Share

The Unemployment Tax Tsunami is Coming!

The Tax Tsunami is ComingHave You Found Higher Ground?

»» The Unemployment Tax Tsunami is Coming!

Share

Continental, Inc. Promotes Chet Babb to Director of Quality/Operations.

Chet BabbAnderson, Indiana (Aug.23rd, 2010) Continental, Inc., a technical resources firm specializing in technical staffing and engineering, announced the promotion of Chet Babb to Director of Quality/Operations. “Chet has been a vital part of the success of our Customer Quality Representative (CQR) program. Chet, with his extensive background in the manufacturing and quality field, is a natural fit for this position,” said Judy Nagengast, CEO of Continental.

»» Continental, Inc. Promotes Chet Babb to Director of Quality/Operations.

Share

3 Steps to Writing a Good Job Description

Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 12

One big mistake many hiring managers make, and number 12 on our list of Hiring Mistakes, is to not really know what they want (hard and soft skills). To help you from falling victim to this potentially expensive mistake, we have put together the following strategy for you to follow the next time you need to hire a new employee.

»» 3 Steps to Writing a Good Job Description

Share

Wishing a Guy Into a Position

Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 11

He Really Isn’t Qualified, But You Like Him.

Joe Taylor needed a program manager for a key development project.  He started searching for candidates, but was unsatisfied with what he was finding.  Later that day he saw his old friend Steve Morgan.  Steve had just been laid off and was looking for a new job.  Joe only knew Steve socially, but thought he was a good, solid guy and always enjoyed seeing him.

»» Wishing a Guy Into a Position

Share

Not Paying a Competitive Wage (Too High or Too Low)

Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 10

It is tricky business to set a proper starting salary for a position.  Pay too much and you will hurt the company.  Pay too little and you risk losing key employees to better paying firms. When setting a wage, it is important to look at the following four factors:

1. Prevailing wages in your market: This is by far the most important criteria in setting a wage.  In 1970 an accounting clerk made around $6.00/hour.  In 1990 the same clerk probably made around $9.00/hour.  The 1990 clerk wasn’t necessarily 50% better, but inflation and economic conditions had caused the wage to be 50% higher.

»» Not Paying a Competitive Wage (Too High or Too Low)

Share

Mislabeling “Sub-Contractors” Who Are Actually Employees

Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 9

»» Mislabeling “Sub-Contractors” Who Are Actually Employees

Share