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Interviewing: How to Stay Out of legal Hot Water
Some interviewers ask great questions; others ask dumb questions; and, worst of all, some ask questions that can get them into legal hot water. Every recruiter, hiring manager, executive, and department manager must realize that asking the wrong questions or making improper inquiries can lead to discrimination or wrongful-discharge lawsuits. These suits can be won or lost based on statements made during the interview process. To stay out of hot water: Avoid these seemingly non-threatening questions.
- Are you a U.S. citizen? (Seeking national origin.
- Do you have a visual, speech, or hearing disability?
- Are you planning to have a family? When?
- Have you ever filed a workers' compensation claim?
- How many days of work did you miss last year due to illness?
- What off-the-job activities do you participate in?
- Would you have a problem working with a female partner?
- Where did you grow up?
- Do you have children? How old are they?
- What year did you graduate from high school? (reveals age)
Steer clear of questions that would be considered discriminatory.
For example, you shouldn't ask a female applicant detailed questions about her husband, children and family plans. Such questions can be used as proof of sex discrimination if a male applicant is selected for the position, or if the female is hired and later terminated. Older applicants shouldn't be asked about their ability to take instructions from younger supervisors. Younger applicants should not be asked about working with older workers. Don't make binding contract statements.
When describing position, avoid using terms like permanent, career job opportunity or long-term. Suppose that an applicant is told: "If you do a good job, there's no reason why you can't work here for the rest of your career." The applicant accepts the job and six months later is laid off due to personnel cutbacks. This could lead to a breach of contract claim where the employee asserts that he or she can't be terminated unless it's proven that he or she didn't do a 'good job'. Ask the right kinds of interview questions.
Organizations that consistently hire top performers and also stay on the right side of the law use a behavioral-based interview process. First they conduct a job analysis audit to objectively identify the core competencies required for a given job. Then they customize a list of behavioral-based interview questions to identify those competencies. Finally, they not only train their recruiters, but also their executives, department managers, and hiring managers on legal and effective interview techniques. Here are some examples of questions that focus, not on the person, but the specific competencies that the job requires.
- "What has been a particularly demanding goal for you to achieve?" (This question taps into the candidate's achievement orientation and requires them to explain the obstacle and their and actions to overcoming the obstacle).
- "What are the typical customer interactions you have in your present position?" Can you think of a time when you had to think quickly on your feet to solve a problem? (This question focuses on the candidate's customer service skills and orientation).
- "Have you ever been in a situation where you have had to take on new tasks or roles? Describe this situation and what you did?" (This question allows you to probe into the candidate's degree of flexibility).
By implementing the behavior interviewing, all organizations – small or large, private or public, for profit or non profit – can significantly reduce their exposure to employment practices claims and increase their potential for hiring top performers. Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to
http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.
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Cold Calling-Dead As A Doornail
Are you one of the tens of thousands of working folks out there who is trying to decide whether to go for the gold and work at home from your computer? Are you searching, or on the verge of searching, for that perfect home internet business? You?ve actually picked a great time for it.
Generating Leads Through Telemarketing
Telemarketing is one of the most common ways that a business can generate leads. It is a versatile approach.
Bullseye Interviewing
An interview is much like a blind date. You have sweaty palms, heart palpitations, shaky nerves and a preconceived notion of what could happen.
New Career Book Unlocks Secrets to Stellar Job Interviewing
Authors David Endress and Ronald Venckus take decades of insider human resources and career consultancy experience and hand readers the keys to a winning interview presentation in the newly released career book "Why Shouldn't We Hire You?" Learn how to gain confidence, stand out from the crowd and communicate that you are the quality candidate.
JK Harris Keeps Sprinkler Salesman from Getting Soaked by IRS
JK Harris & Company helps Colorado salesman save nearly $73,000.
Cold Calling for Introverts
In her book, The Introvert Advantage, Marty Olsen Laney talks about the defining moment when she embraced the fact that she was an introvert. It came in the form of a statement, "Oh, there's nothing wrong with me, I'm just an introvert!"According to her research only 25% of people are introverted which leaves us the daunting task of dealing with the 75% extroverts of the world.
Telemarketing and Job Losses
Telemarketing and DO NOT CALL lists sure made headlines, but I bet there is something you did not realize. The good news about such industries is they bring in good telecommunication infrastructures, lower costs for consumers telephone bills, and are pollution free.
Inside Sales Jobs: A Job Worth Seeking?
Are you interested in inside sales as a career? Inside sales can be a very rewarding job if you so choose. What is the difference between inside and outside sales positions? If you think the difference is staying out of the sun, read on and discover if or why an inside sales job could be for you.
Lifelong Salesman Brings Store to the Internet with OleTownGifts.com
George Williams has spent most of his life in sales, and is now taking the next step onto the Internet with www.OleTownGifts.com. Combined with his new blog, he is continuing his dedication to customer service and quality merchandise.
Interviewing Tips: When It Goes Horribly Wrong
Common sense tells most of us the bare minimum for attending a job interview. You should always be on time, you should look neat and tidy, you should speak clearly and make your point, and you should make eye contact. However, there are times when things get out of your control. In this article, we will look at suggestions to help you when things start to go wrong. We will look at ways to get your momentum back and turn tragedy into triumph.
Is Cold Calling Really A Waste Of Time?
I know that most people probably don't want to believe this, but I'm almost convinced that it's true. I think that the main reason authors and speakers say that cold calling is a complete waste of time is because they know that's what the audience or readers want to hear. Nobody wants to prospect so it's kind of nice when 'an expert' agrees that it's not valuable, that way you don't feel guilty not doing it. The fact is, that some cold calling is a waste of time. The trouble is knowing the difference so you can leverage your time.
Is Cold Calling Dead?
Is cold calling dead? And if laws are being passed to put it to rest once and for all,
how do we generate business from now on?Opinions on the subject vary greatly depending on the background of the individual.
For example, most of the old-timers are vigilant in preaching their belief that the
only possible way to succeed in the world of selling is to make no less than fifty
calls each and every day.
"Instant" Gratification - Debonair Magazine Employs IM Interviewing
Debonair Magazine is now offering its readers "instant" gratification by conducting interviews via AOL's Instant Messenger software. "Catering to a young male demographic requires a publication to maintain a hip factor, as well as a social relevancy," says Creative Director John DeFeo. "The overwhelming popularity of AOL's IM software provides Debonair with the perfect tool to engage our readers while maintaining a journalistic standard."
Why Cold Calling Is Dead
Our world of selling is closed off from other areas of business that continue to
adopt and embrace new, efficient ideas. I was reminded of this recently while re-
reading Seth Godin's "Permission Marketing.
Your Viral Salesman - Your Marketing E-book
Introduction Viral ebooks are an excellent way to drive traffic to your website and one method that I am very fond of. Viral ebooks require you to do work one time and you can benefit from them multiple times over. They are a great way to grow your online business. With viral eBooks, the traffic and profits keep rolling in around the clock regardless of what's happening. Attracting 1,000's of eager buyers to your website using VIRAL eBooks is so simple, it may surprise you.
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