BoomerCompass Blog

Knowledge Transfer Meets Vulcan Mind Meld

Kit Jeffrey — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:18:38 +0000

One of my favorite scenes in Star Trek was when Spock would place his fingers on someone’s face and chant: “My mind to your mind. Your thoughts to my thoughts.” This inevitably resulted in an exchange of critical information that saved the Enterprise and her crew. While in contemporary times we may lack the telepathic powers [...]

Boomer’s Agile Job Search

Kit Jeffrey — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:56:47 +0000

In this economy, with an average of more than five qualified applicants for every open position, adopting an agile approach is essential to giving you the competitive edge you need. I use the term “agile” in the same way that it is used in software development. As a methodology that is an adaptive, fast, efficient and effective [...]

The Crucible and Talent Management

Kit Jeffrey — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:53:15 +0000

The current recession is a crucible for employers and their employees. Businesses hurt by the initial downturn and attendant layoffs, continue to face uncertainty of demand for their goods and services combined with the certainty of higher taxes and greater regulation. It shouldn’t be surprising that in this environment of insecurity and constraints, short-term survival [...]

Boomer Job Interview: Making a Good Visual Impression

Kit Jeffrey — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:03:27 +0000

As the saying goes, “You have only one chance to make a good impression.” Nowhere is this truer than in the interview. 80% of interviewers say that within the first few seconds after a candidate walks into a room, they’ve made up their minds. Obviously, the visual component in making a good impression is huge. If a candidate’s clothing [...]

LinkedIn Profile vs. Resume

Kit Jeffrey — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:01:10 +0000

The LinkedIn profile has emerged as at least the equal of the time honored resume or CV. Some even contend that it has surpassed the resume at the tool for job seekers (both passive and active) wanting to project their qualifications. The profile is unparalleled as a candidate screening tool used by recruiters and employers. Back [...]

3 Tips for Getting Back Your HR Mojo

Kit Jeffrey — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:50:30 +0000

How’s your HR Mojo? If you are making progress in creating a positive workplace that engages employees and yields positive financial results then you’ve got it and you’re OK. If you and you company are hurting due to challenging economic conditions and layoffs, then you’ve lost it and need to get it back. Getting and holding [...]

Your eReputation Development Project

Kit Jeffrey — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:31:41 +0000

Enhancing your eReputation is critical to establishing your credibility as a serious professional. Here’s a project plan for building your professional brand. Whether you’re currently employed or actively pursuing a job search, establishing and maintaining an effective eReputation is critical to your success. In my last post, Your eReputation: Take the Test, I provided you with [...]

Your eReputation: Take the Test

Kit Jeffrey — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:12:06 +0000

My eReputation test provides you with a quick and convenient way to find out if you are doing what takes to create an effective personal online brand that will help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you’re an employed HR professional or making a job transition, cultivating a strong online presence is essential to career sustainability and delivering results. Leading recruiters know that [...]

3 Tips for Dealing with Layoff Aftershocks

Kit Jeffrey — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:30:50 +0000

Just like its seismic counterpart, a large layoff can produce aftershocks with damaging results even after the main tremor has passed. If not anticipated and addressed proactively, the upheaval will damage the core workforce and harm productivity for months and years to come. Use these three tips to improve morale and workforce performance after a layoff. Re-recruit survivors A layoff creates [...]

Handled Well, Layoffs Contribute to Effective Talent Management

Kit Jeffrey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:30:24 +0000

Layoffs are a fact of organizational life. Whether driven by recession, restructuring or by the need to respond to marketplace dynamics, layoffs are inevitable. When they’re handled well, are based on sound business imperatives with an approach that manifests respect for those displaced and for those remaining in the workforce, layoffs can actually contribute to effective talent management, foster sustainable workforces [...]

Stand By Your Brand: HR and Corporate Reputation Management

Kit Jeffrey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:07:30 +0000

The vital part that HR professionals play in helping to maintain and improve the brands of their companies is greatly underestimated. Marketing and public relations get most of the credit (or blame!) for managing corporate reputations. Yet HR has a central role in managing a reputation and brand that either attracts or repels job candidates, employees and customers. Consider the wound to a company’s reputation that [...]

HR’s Dirty Job: Layoffs

Kit Jeffrey — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:59:52 +0000

HR’s dirty job has to be laying off employees. Most HR professionals like to think of themselves as “builders” and enjoy laying the foundation for growth and development of their organizations and employees. Layoffs seem more like demolition and are, therefore, not a popular activity. If you’ve ever watched Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel or checked out the companion website 10 [...]