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Best Practice Exchange: 12/1/08 - 1/1/09

Sunday, December 28

Get Your Resume in Shape For 2009 Job Search

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Ricardo Miranda (L), who...Image by Getty Images via DaylifeJob Search and Resume Tips

According to the December 28, 2008 Tampa Tribune, unemployment in Florida went from 4.6% at the beginning of 2008 to 7.3% in December. This rate of unemployment is almost unprecedented in a growth state like Florida. The natural outcome is a lot of people out looking for jobs. The local press is full of tips to help in the job search. These tips apply anywhere, not just in Florida.

One of the most basic steps you can take if impacted by unemployment is getting your resume in shape. Avoid these common mistakes, provided by The St. Pete Times

Consider these tips.

1 Stress your successes.

Rather than listing the basic job duties you've performed in a ho-hum way, emphasize your accomplishments.

2 Steer clear of vague objective statements.

Prepare a clear and specific objective for each employer you approach.

3 If you truly need more space, use it.

The pressure to keep your resume to one page can get to be a little ridiculous, so don't fall prey to it. Tell your story.

4 Omit certain details for sure.

Avoid including any of these: the names of your spouse and children; your age, height or weight; detailed lists of hobbies and the like.

5 Use strong verbs.

Don't refer to yourself with the terms "I" and "me"; instead, start each resume entry with strong verbs and action phrases, such as, "Managed a team of 80," "Saved the company $1-million."

6 Be a perfectionist about spelling and grammar.

Run your resume through a grammar and spell-check on the computer, but don't stop there. Proofread your resume again and again, and ask people you trust to read it.

7 Remember to include key words.

Key words are relevant job titles, responsibilities, skills and industry-specific terms, and they should be sprinkled throughout your resume. I

8 Don't reference your references.

Does your resume have that "References available upon request" phrase? Delete it!

9 Do just so.

Submit your materials exactly how the employer wants to see them. If a company specifies it only accepts hard copies of resumes, don't e-mail it. If e-mail is preferred but attachments are not, don't send attachments.

10 Pay special attention to your cover letter.

No matter how flawless your resume is, it will all be for naught unless you include a well-written cover letter. If hard copies of your resume and cover letter are called for, send a polished package.


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posted by Michael at 8:58 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, December 24

Fringemas

posted by Michael at 3:20 PM 0 Comments

NLRB Ruling Against Starbucks

Starbucks Loses Round in Battle Over Union

The New York Times reports that the National Labor Relations Board has determined that Starbucks committed unfair labor practices by terminating three baristas and engaging in other improper activities while seeking to avoid unionization efforts at several of its Manhattan cafes.

The NLRB also Starbucks had committed ULPs by issuing negative job evaluations to union supporters and prohibiting employees from discussing the union even though the employees were allowed to discuss other subjects not related to work.

“The judge’s ruling shows that this company has trampled on workers’ rights to organize a labor union,” said one of the fired baristas, Daniel Gross, who is a longtime leader of the effort by the Industrial Workers of the World to unionize Starbucks workers in New York, Minnesota, Michigan and other states.

Starbucks was ordered to reinstate the impacted employees with back pay.

Starbucks was quick to voice its dismay with the ruling.

“While we respect the N.L.R.B. process, we’re disappointed with the decision, and we intend to appeal it to the next stage in the process,” said Tara Darrow, a spokeswoman for Starbucks. She said the company was disappointed that the decision did not take into consideration what she said where personal threats lodged against managers.

Ms. Darrow said the company was proud of its tradition of communicating with its employees directly, and not through a union. “We believe that at the end of this, our policies and approach will be deemed fair and consistent.”

The judge’s ruling grows out of charges that the labor board’s Manhattan office brought against Starbucks in April 2007.

Starbucks is experiencing similar organizing efforts in other states, including Michigan and Minnesota.




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posted by Michael at 12:29 PM 0 Comments

A Twitter Only Blog

Twitter's Update PageImage via WikipediaA Twitter Only Blog

I am currently running a blog on blogspot that captures my own twitter stream. It is called tweats.

It is sort of an interesting experiment although I don't know what to do with it yet. It might be interesting to figure out how to direct Diggs and del.i.ci.ous to the stream. I don't think I will add humanracehorses.blogspot.com to it, snce that blog and this one will be moving to a WordPress platform soon.


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posted by Michael at 8:34 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, December 23

New I-9 Form Required in 2009 (use delayed until April)

New Information on I-9 Forms 2/2/2009

CORONADO, CA - AUGUST 22: Emilio Gonzalez, Di...Image by Getty Images via DaylifePlease note | According to SHRM:

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has delayed by 60 days, until April 3, 2009, the effective date for using the revised Form I-9, originally scheduled to go into effect today. Please note: Employers who use the new form prior to the April 3, 2009 effective date are subject to civil monetary penalties.

For further information on the proposed rule, please click HERE to view the HR News article and SHRM express request.

An informational copy of the revised Form I-9 for use on or after April 3, 2009 is available HERE.



New I-9 Form Required in 2009 can be found below!


Thanks for visiting to get the forms attached here. Please stay and look at the other useful HR content including listings of the 2007 and 2008 Top 100 companies to work for. Also check out our sister blog at Human Race Horses!

Boring, but basic HR information contained here!

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has submitted to the Federal Register an interim final rule that will streamline the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) process.


Employers must use the revised Form I-9 for all new hires and to reverify any employee with expiring employment authorization beginning 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. The interim final rule is available at www.uscis.gov and was submitted to the Federal Register on Dec. 11, 2008. The Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9 (M-274) will be updated to reflect these changes and will be available on the USCIS website in the near future. The current version of the Form I-9 (dated 06/05/2007) will no longer be valid as of 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.

The interim final rule and an informational copy of the revised Form I-9 will be available for public comment at www.regulations.gov for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.

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posted by Michael at 5:06 PM 0 Comments

Monday, December 22

Useful Links for FMLA Forms

Family Medical Leave Posters from DOL

A revised Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster, reflecting the recently published final rule, is now available for viewing and downloading. Every employer covered by the FMLA is required to post and keep posted on its premises, in conspicuous places where employees are employed, a notice explaining the Act’s provisions.

The Department has provided optional forms for use by employers and employees during the FMLA process. The Department has revised its Certification of Health Care Provider form (WH-380), and divided it into two separate forms for an Employee’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380E) and a Family Member’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380F). The Department has also revised its Notice of Eligibility and Rights and Responsibilities form (WH-381).

In addition, the Department has added new forms for Designation Notice to Employee of FMLA Leave (WH-382), Certification of Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave (WH-384), and Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Covered Servicemember for Military Family Leave (WH-385).

The poster and forms become effective on January 16, 2009. Additional compliance assistance materials are also available on FMLA Final Rule Web site at www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/finalrule.htm.

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posted by Michael at 3:55 PM 0 Comments

Friday, December 19

Hilda Solis: 12 Hours on Twitter


Today's Twelve Hours Twitter Slice: Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor

In advance of the expected official announcement by Presidential Elect Barack Obama of Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA) as his nominee to head the Department of Labor, twitter has been talking about the choice. Here is a slice of what Twitter thinks about Madame Secretary Solis.


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posted by Michael at 6:47 AM 0 Comments