What HR *is*

Yesterday we had a little fun talking about what HR is not. I'm not your hall monitor, concierge, therapist, or minute-taker!

Today let's talk about what HR *is*. Tell me, in your own words: how do you see your role/function/job? Don't give me a textbook or classroom answer, use your gut, tell me from your heart! Why do you do what you do? What drives you? What's the job all about?

Not Your Late Nite Foodie Call

When my husband suggested I run out for a speciality food item, I burst into song: "I'm not your late night foodie call."

I'm not sure he was impressed with my cleverness, but the tune got me thinking about work. Specifically, my role in human resources; what my job is--and isn't, since confusion seems to abound about the purpose and role of Human Resources. In this post, I thought I would elaborate on and invite other HR professionals to chime in about what HR isn't. In another post, we can talk about what HR is.

Here goes:

I'm not your concierge.
I'm not your therapist.
I'm not your party-planner.
I'm not your golden ticket.
I'm not your Fairy Godmother.
I'm not your knight in shining armor, swooping in to solve all your problems for you.

HR folks, let's hear from you!

Giving Thanks: An Easy Way to Stand Out

Want an easy way to stand out from other job applicants? It may sound 'old school,' but send a thank you note after your interview.

I get so few: believe me, I notice each one.

In addition to satisying any questions of etiquette, you can use a thank you note to reinforce key points from your interview--or to introduce brilliant answers that escaped you in the pressure of the moment.

With a thank you note, you check in and you also communicate continued interest. And it's one more opportunity to market your gifts and potential contributions.

It doesn't have to be long; doesn't have to be fancy. Three or five sentences by e-mail should suffice. It's quick, much easier than your cover letter, and a lot of bang for the buck.

Finding a Job in Nonprofits: your Cover Letter

With the changes in the economy, I'm inundated with resumes. About a third use the shotgun approach: apply for anything and everything.

I recommend being more strategic. Honestly, unqualified resumes clutter up my in-box and do nothing but cause me more work.

In addition, my standard "How to Apply" line is: "Send cover letter and resume to kfrancis@. I've noticed that many applicants who don't meet our qualifications also neglect to send a cover.

You're shooting yourself in the foot when you skip the cover when asked. One: you have shown that you don't follow instructions--even when the stakes are high. Two (and even more importantly): you have missed a golden opportunity to market yourself.

If you don't have the experience or the education, but you're perfect for my job, how will I know it unless you explain? Most nonprofits are mission-based; explain how you are passionate about our mission, and at least you have a chance. Skip the cover, and I don't mean this unkindly, but the opportunity will be skipping you.

So see the cover letter as an opportunity rather than a chore...and best wishes with your job search!

Landing the Job--Using 360 References

We were interviewing accountants. All CPA's with years of experience, our 'short list' interviewed brilliantly. Faced with a difficult choice, reference-gathering became critical.

Two of the candidates submitted extensive references lists providing 360 views of their accomplishments. References included former auditors, CEOs, supervisors, peers, Board members, and direct reports. Each person I reached out to was eager to talk and gave detailed, pertinent performance information. Messages were quickly returned.

The third person gave what appeared to be a random sampling of names from his address book. Several numbers were wrong. My messages weren’t returned. One person had to think for about ten seconds before he could recall the candidate. I went back to the applicant and requested more names--one of which declined to give a reference when contacted.

Guess who we eliminated first?

This true little story illustrates just how important references can be to land that dream job in the current employment market. Yes, it’s true that some employers don’t really check references these days, but you should be prepared that many do; and some (like me) may do a very thorough job of it. Ultimately, I spoke to nine of my new accountant's twelve furnished references. No cutting corners there.

Yes, the references you provide can mean the difference between job and no job. Some guidelines to get you started:

Big picture questions to ponder:

What are the significant skills and attributes required of the position, and which of my references can best showcase them?

Who can vouch for the success stories I share in interviews?

How can I build a 360 view of all I have to offer, using clients or their families, customers, current/former supervisors, mentors, managers from other departments, and people I’ve supervised?

With whom do I have credibility? Who will return recruiters' calls? Who will be eager to brag about me, and who will put my cause on the back burner?

Practicalities: Dotting the I’s, Crossing the T’s

Contact everyone on your list. Ask if you can use them as a reference. Make sure company policy will allow them to speak to the potential employer. And as you talk to your references, double-check phone numbers and e-mails.

Organize the list by category, making it clear how you know people and why they should be called.

Provide several extra names; inevitably someone will be on vacation, traveling for work, or otherwise unreachable.

Don’t use friends as references unless you have worked together and they can truly offer substantive information about your performance.

If you share written letters of recommendation, expect the employer to contact the authors for additional information. Again, make sure phone numbers are current.

Happy job hunting! These tips should help you groom your list of references both for your current job search and as you build your resume going forward.