Don't let a sweeping conclusion cloud your judgment A large number of readers recently rushed in to confirm that military hires were "slam-dunk" employees. Almost every story was backed with a personal anecdote and criticism was branded downright unpatriotic. I spent a few years in the military and have the highest respect for those who put their lives on the line. I encourage every employer, if given a choice between...

Looking for love in all the wrong places Some of you might have heard or read about Google and its bio-data applicant screening process. As cited in a recent New York Times article, its basic approach is supposed to be simple: Survey current employees on a variety of characteristics and traits, including teamwork, biographical information, past experiences, and accomplishments. Statistically determine which of th...

Measure twice, cut once Sure, it's easy to say engineering, legal, IT, or actuarial jobs require technical degrees. People in these professions need a substantial amount of education to practice their trade. But we all know from watching folks in these professions that it takes more than a sheepskin to be successful. Sometimes, it takes certain personality factors to make a good job fit. Job performance is a two-sided...

It's all about management Decreasing turnover and increasing productivity can be a natty problem. Solutions usually come in one strength: weak. That is, incentive programs, public awards, and social get-togethers generally fail to make a long-term financial impression. I won't claim that employee appreciation programs aren't a nice touch; after all, everyone wants to feel appreciated. But such recognition does not so...

The government hiring guidelines are not only a government recommendation, they are a best practice I really don't like being a resident doomsayer, but organizational hiring and promotional practices are generally so abysmal that I am compelled to make it a big issue. Take EEOC tracking, for example. Most people think all they have to do is send in routine normal reports. Not so. They should be monitoring adverse impact...

Find a solution, not a quiz Once a week I get called by someone, usually an administrative assistant, asking if I have a personality test. When I try to get more information, she usually tells me her boss wants the test and she just wants the price. I tell her, "Sorry. I sell solutions, not tests." She hangs up absolutely convinced I am a jerk. Putting aside the fact she's probably right, let's examine her reque...