Check me out at FOT

Had a guest post over at  Fistful of Talent yesterday talking about Social Networks, Discrimination and Recruiting.  I know, heavy stuff, right?  Did you see it?  No?  Head on over there to check it out.  And don’t forget to let me know what you think.

The Three-Legged Stool

Some days I feel like I need to go to a support group for working moms (Hi, my name is Crystal and I’m a working Mom).  I know I’m not the only one, but when you’re going through one of those really busy seasons, it can feel like you are.  And that was me for the last couple of months.  Summer activities.  Getting the kids ready to go back to school.  And then school starts and whoa, the paperwork, the meetings, the open house, join this group, sign up for that club. (deep breath) And the last two months also happened to be a very busy time at work. 

But I’m through the mad rush of activities.  We’ve settled into the school routine.  Things have somewhat calmed down at work and I’m feeling like I can breathe again.   While looking back over this busy season, I started to think about what helped me get through it.  Or better yet, who helped me through it – my wonderful support system.  As I was thinking about my support system, I was reminded of a three-legged stool and the three legs that partner with me to keep this train running include:

Quality schools and childcare– I am very pleased with the preschool and elementary schools that my children attend.  Not only are they surrounded by great teachers and support staff, but both schools also offer solid before- and after-school programs for those days when we need it.  We also have the benefit of having extended family nearby who can pitch in at a moment’s notice.

Flexible work Environment – I’m fortunate to work for a company that allows me to have some flexibility with my schedule.  I’m able to eat lunch with my children every now and then, chaperone field trips, and attend day-time school activities without feeling the pressure of having to be in the office at all times.  I also have access to email and files and can really get just about anything done remotely. 

The best husband in the world – And I’m not saying that because he reads this blog.  He really is the best.  We work together to make our household run as smoothly as possible and he has no problem taking on a little more when I have to spend a little extra time at work.  And I do the same for him.  It may not always run smoothly, but we get it done! 

Being a working mom is a choice I made.  I do not look for work-life balance.  I don’t think balance exists.  I just try to take one day at a time and do the best that I can.  And I remember to thank my support system often!   I couldn’t do it without them.

What support systems do you have in place to help get you through?

image courtesy mitchroberson

Random Friday Thoughts

Just a few things that I’ve been thinking about lately: 

• Had a great vacation with the family.  It was nice to get away from it all and just relax.  I don’t think we do enough of that and we’re constantly stressed out about all of the plates we have in the air.
• My one conclusion I came to on vacation – I have to start saying ‘no’ more often.  I say yes way too much and then I turn my life (and my family) upside down to make it all happen.  I’m going to work on this.
• Mike Haberman of HR Observations , is going to do a series of posts on ISM’s. Racism, Ageism, Sexism – from a human resources perspective.  I love Mike’s blog.  He’s a solid HR thinker and contributor and I can’t wait to read the series (Read about it here).
• I know I may lose some of the few followers I have over this, but I’m sorry, I’m so over the Michael Vick story.  I’m over it.  I agree with Tim Sackett  in his post on hiring Michael Vick.  One point Tim makes is that “Vick did do his time and is paying for his crime.  The question we need to ask ourselves is how would we treat him if he wasn’t famous?”  ‘Nuff said.
• This conversation around universal health care has been disappointing.  The anger and the hatred that we’re seeing at these town halls is, well, scary.  I know that there are issues in the proposals that need to be flushed out but can’t we have civil discussions and not shout-fests?  Just because you’re the loudest, doesn’t make you right. 
• Did we have this kind of angry display with HillaryCare? I don’t remember it being this bad, do you?
• I’m hoping to start posting a little more frequently.  I’m trying to get in the habit of setting aside more time to write.  Any bloggers out there have any suggestions?

Family and Facebook

I had the opportunity this past weekend to spend some time with my extended family. It was our family reunion weekend and we normally get together every other year. Over the last few reunions, we’ve been missing some people but we had a great turnout this year. I spent time with folks that I had not seen in years, and with family members I’d never met before. It was awesome. We had a wonderful time and we laughed a lot!

We usually spend the first night just catching up on the past two years but this time, with the help of Facebook, we didn’t have to.  While we weren’t that great at picking up the phone, we will comment on a status update and browse through the recent pictures posted. It was nice to not have to go through the catching-up phase and just get right to hanging out, sharing and laughing.

I had a great time! Oh, I already said that? Well, it was worth repeating! There’s nothing like family and while I may not see these folks on a regular basis, I know that they have my back and they would be here in a heartbeat if I needed them. And I would be there for them.

Looking forward to 2011! But in the meantime, I’m sure I’ll be seeing and talking to everyone on Facebook.

From Allowance to Retirement

Money in the bank!

Ok, maybe that’s a stretch. But it’s something I want to explore. Do you remember receiving an allowance as a child?

I don’t, because I didn’t receive one. I had everything I needed, and some of the things that I wanted, but I remember having to go to my parents each time I needed or wanted something extra.

So when my six-year old recently started talking about an allowance, I wasn’t quite prepared. She feels strongly that she should be earning money for completing all of her chores. My take on this? I don’t believe that kids should get paid for doing stuff that they’re supposed to do. Make up their beds. Pick up their toys. Study hard and get good grades. All of those things, plus some, are part of their responsibilities as members of our family/household.

But an article in Business week struck a nerve with me (hat tip to @Jessica_Lee for sharing the link on Twitter). The article talks about why minorities aren’t saving more for retirement.

From the article:

“New research out from the Ariel Education Initiative, Hewitt Associates and several other partners shows that African-American employees who earn $120,000 or more have saved $154,902 in their 401(k)s on average, versus $223,408 for their white counterparts—a $68,000 deficit that worries retirement experts…”

Surprised? I’m not. Not from the numbers or the cultural reasons mentioned. The reasons seem so old-school to me, but I have heard some of these reasons from folks my age. These folks carry around a lot of guilt for ‘making it’. When you’re the first to go to college in your family, or the first to get a ‘good’ job, the expectations are high. Not only are you expected to succeed in your chosen field but you’re also expected to reach back, pull other folks up and to help out financially. But more times than not, in the course of growing up, these same folks probably did not have any money management training, or conversations related to retirement. So trying to do all of the above, AND save for retirement, seems like an impossible task. And many people just don’t do it.

So while I don’t believe in allowance for chores, on the other side of the coin, I want my children to learn how to manage money. To think about how much something costs and how to make appropriate spending choices based on the things they’d like to have. And I want them to learn the importance of saving. And while I admire that McDonald’s is working to close the savings gap in their 401(k) plan, I believe that the savings mentality starts at home and early in one’s childhood.

So, we’re not going to pay for chores, but I think we will start a weekly allowance for the kids and we will focus on money management and savings skills. (Got some good tips here and here)

I’d like to hear from you…..

Did you receive an allowance when you were young?
If so, was it for chores or good grades, or just because?
What did you learn from having an allowance?

Do you think you’re a better money manager now because you had an allowance?

 

image courtesy woodsy

My toolbox…

I’m guest posting over at Creative Chaos Consultant today.  Head on over there and check out my post on what’s in my HR Toolbox and what I use to stay organized.

image courtesy frecuencia

Tough Times

It’s been a little rough these last few months.  Several of my friends and family members have lost jobs and are now in the ranks of the unemployed or underemployed.  I have been doing what I can to help out and with my HR background, I’ve been resume writer, career coach/counselor, headhunter and interview coach for some of these folks.  It’s nice, feeling like you’re able to contribute a little bit to help out.

But in the course of helping out, I’m hearing some employment search horror stories.  Lots of them.  From the trials of the unemployment office to the long lines at career fairs.  But I expected these stories.  What I did not expect to hear were so many HR horror stories.  You know the ones: 

“I applied online but I feel like I just sent my resume into a black hole.” 

“I’ve called and tried to follow-up with the HR Manager but they won’t return my calls.” 

“I interviewed three weeks ago and haven’t heard back yet.  And I’ve followed-up twice.”

 I’ve tried to counsel these folks on how to get in the door with their company of choice.  There are lots of different ways to navigate these water, and for every position, it may be a little different.  Candidates can find a ton of tips on the web about how to approach the job search. Laurie Ruettimann, of Punk Rock HR, just did a post asking for advice for job seekers and received some really good advice in the comments.  Check it out here.   

 I’ve also tried to take up for my fellow HR professionals by explaining the internal process that we go through when we have an open position to fill. Every company is different but I bet that the process is pretty similar.  It takes time to review all of the resumes that come in, go through the screening process, get the interviews scheduled, get feedback from the interviews and get a decision made on the hire.  It’s time consuming.  So I’ve asked, time and time again, for my friends to be patient. 

But I have to say, to watch a friend who lost their job and severance is running out try to be patient, is heartbreaking.  Especially when it seems like they’ve done all of the right things. 

 A recent tweet from Kris Dunn, on something he heard at one of the SHRM09 conference sessions hit home for me. It said “#SHRM09 – Eskenazi nails the candidate closure burden. Any candidate that interviews face to face gets the phone call rather than email….”

 I totally agree.  Frankly, if I’m interested in a candidate, that candidate will know.  I will do what I can to keep the process moving and to keep them updated on the status.   The other side of the equation is a little tougher but when you’re not interested in someone, you still have to have the conversation, especially if the communication process has started.   For me, if I start the communication process, I believe that I have to close the communication process.  If I know after the pre-screen that the candidate is not a fit, I let them know.   If after the interview they’re not a fit, I let them know.  And I try to let them know as soon as possible.   It’s a hard conversation to have but it has to be done. 

It doesn’t always happen as quickly as I would like.  I’m not perfect and I’ve made my mistakes.  And sometimes, things happen.  We get busy.  And sometimes it just takes a little time to work through the feedback/next steps process with the hiring manager.  But I have the conversation.  Keeping someone on hold for weeks without any feedback isn’t good. 

Times are tough right now.  And anything that I can do to make it easier, I’m going to try.

Dipping my toe in…

Toe Dipping!

 When I first started thinking about doing a blog, I thought that it would be all about my life as a Human Resources professional.  But I came to the conclusion that I wanted this blog to include some of the other areas of my life.  So this will be an HR + blog.  HR + life + marriage + kids + + +.    There are so many opportunities to learn throughout my day, either at work at the really cool brand building ad agency that I work for, or hanging out with my kids and my husband.  As these worlds crisscross, I’ll write all about it.  Right here.  On this blog.  

So here I go, dipping my toe into the blogging waters. 

 

image courtesy mrwright on sxc