HR & Career with AldeenST

Have you been wondering why it’s taking so long to find your next opportunity? Maybe you have been sending out several resumes, doing a few interviews, or maybe not getting any interviews. If that sounds like you, Kaylee and I open up our coaching specialty bags to share some of our top tips and tricks to get you hired FASTER! Kaylee, from KH Career Coaching, and I talk about some of the top challenges affecting candidates right now and some of the popular reasons limiting the job search. No surprise, one of the biggest issues was not having a job search strategy. We also looked at how recruiter and hiring manger expectations were changing, and what candidates could do to move from candidate to employee. Candidates can achieve so much when they are organized and ready. We shared some of our favorite resources we used and recommended to our clients. In our Truth or Myth segment we looked at some of the common job search myths and how they could affect the job search process. Finally, Kaylee shared her top tip for job seekers.

Joining me for part 2 of our 2 part series, Karissa and I continue the discussion taking on strategies to stay protected. In this episode we talk about ethical hackers and their role in the cyber security strategy, areas of vulnerability that HR can support in the cyber security strategy and how HR can truly support the cyber security strategy. HR can play many roles. In the cyber security strategy, one of our most effective roles is a quarterback for the cyber security efforts, especially in the areas of training and compliance. In this segment of Truth or Myth, we talk about some of the most popular reasons given my managers and employees as resistance to the cyber security strategy. In parting, Karissa shared her best advice for IT and HR professionals on key elements that needed to be part of their cyber security strategy.

What does HR have to do with Cyber Security? For most people, that is seen as an area of IT expertise. The evolution of the HR says that we are intricately connected with everything that impacts the business and people. In the episode I am joined by Cyber Security advocate and communications specialist, Karissa Breen from Karissa Breen Industries. We dive into the conversation setting the stage with cyber security basics and how and why HR gets into the equation. We talk about areas of vulnerability, popular cyber-attacks and how HR and IT can partner with the business as a join task force combating cyber security issues and building up resistance. In our Truth or Myth segment, we talk about some of the common reasons given by companies for failing to adequately protect themselves. To wrap up, Karissa shares her best advice to HR professionals preparing to engage in the cyber security discussion.

The job search process can be frustrating and stressful. An interview invitation is one of those lights at the end of the tunnel, offering the glimpse of a breakthrough. For some people that interview invitation can also bring on its own stress, challenge and opportunity. On this episode, I am joined by Founder of Rebuilding Foundations and Career Search Expert, Hannah Stenson to break down how a candidate can truly ‘ace’ and interview. We look at common reasons candidates opt for flight when they hear of interviews, as well as look at how some companies are disrupting the space to create a more ‘human’ experience for candidates. We examine some of the best practices out there and how companies are helping candidates better prepare and deliver on interviews. In the ‘Truth and Myth’ segment of the show, we tackle some of the best statements surrounding interview success we could find. At the end of myth busting, Hannah shares her best advice for candidates heading out to interview to make sure they ‘ace’ it.

The feeling of guilt for staying in a job you don’t like, love or believe you are good at is a reality for many. In this episode Alison Hemmings, Principal at Hemmings Consulting, and I dive into some of the challenges of navigating the scary waters of a career change. Whether it was due to a company restructure, your own decision to find your passion, career changes can create uncertainty, financial instability and mental and physical stress. This is probably why so many people stay with the guilt and never change. In our discussion, we look at the challenges affecting not only candidates and employees, but also those being faced by employers as they try to find the best candidate to support their businesses. The candidate market is becoming so much more aware and engaged, that career planning and navigation is being brought up as both an advantage for candidates and a necessity for companies looking to attract top talent. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment we navigate some of the common perceptions of career changes on both the employer and candidate sides. Before we wrap up, Alison provides some sound and practical advice for professionals navigating career changes.

Part 2 of 2, Donna and I wrap up our discussion on Well-being in the workplace with how HR can support the organization. As HR evolves beyond the transactional and become more strategic, we have the challenge or remaining human while being progressive. In this episode we talk about how HR supports the organization’s well-being agenda as a coach, resource and program developer and manager. We look at interesting scenarios that HR may encounter while advancing the well-being agenda and suggestions on how to navigate from the difficult conversations to supporting the decision makers. In the ‘Truth and Myth’ segment we look at how well-being is often overlooked in the workplace and some of the common myths organizations still use as reasons to not support a wellness program.

As part 1 of a 2 part series, Donna and I break down well-being at work. Donna Hunter, Founder of Coaching with Donna Hunter and ICF credentialed Life Coach, focuses on helping people bring their whole selves to their activities – at work, at school, at home and everywhere in between. In our conversation, we start off with the buzz on well-being and wellness in the workplace, thoughts on brining your whole self to work and how that impacts the ability to be productive and functional in the workplace. We also tackle a common but important question - Whose responsibility is well-being? We also dived into the impact organizational well-being has on attracting and retaining top talent in the workplace. In the ‘Truth and Myth’ segment we highlight some of the common myths and misconceptions of well-being and what HR needs to know. Keywords:Well-being, Donna Hunter, career, business, advice, human resources, hrandcareer, Aldeen Simmonds, coaching

Do you think your HR department should be developing a marketing strategy? If your answer is no, then we are ready to challenge your thinking. In this episode I am joined by Marketing and Business Growth Advisor and Co-Founder at Odogwu Digital Inc. as we explore the idea and HR evolution that has brought about the Employer Branding phenomenon and how to get it right. In the age of the global talent pool, employers’ reputation, brand awareness, associations and perceptions are playing a greater role in the ability to attract and retain top talent. Often described as the other side of the marketing coin, HR professionals are becoming internal customer experience agents focused on employee experience to optimize their contribution to the business. We look at the challenges, impact and elements that influence the employer’s ability to get branding right. In the ‘Truth and Myth’ segment, we look at what some laggards and non-believers may believe about employer branding.

Description: The future of work is being shaped by the strategic and effective infusion talent and technology. Joined by Enrique Rubio, Founder of Hacking HR and Co-Founder of Cotopaxi, we talk about the evolution of innovation that is making HR more responsive and valuable as a business partner. In our discussion, we covered some of the quick wins and areas of greatest impact that HR can use to gain momentum, buy-in and demonstrate value. While there is no magic formula or one strategy that works for all, we looked at some of the proven ways to automate and infuse technology, regardless of the company size or industry. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment, we look at some of the common misconceptions in the interaction of HR and Technology.

So many companies still operate under the premise that the HR function is mainly administrative and transactional. Joined by a fellow HR Consultant, Aline Ayoub from Ayoub HR Consulting we make the case that EVERY company needs Human Resources. Not the fragmented, undervalued and mechanical version of HR, but the agile, proactive strategic partner that can offer true value to the organization. We looked at how over the last few years HR has been demonstrating more of its value through risk mitigation, coaching the organization and providing critical insight on creating a productive culture. We also looked at the impact HR had on the hiring process. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment we tackled some of the most common statements use to describe the HR function. Aline encouraged HR professionals to bring their value through acting as a coach while bringing their business acumen.

Recruitment biases can seriously hinder the ability for companies to attract the best talent. Joined by Gabe Gurman and Melissa Dobbin from Career Place, we tackled some of the most common biases that affect the hiring process. Melissa provided clarity on the difference between bias and discrimination and how a combination of process, technology and training can greatly improve the quality and diversity of candidates that come through the talent pool. Gabe explained what Blind Hiring was and how that approach is transforming the way business hire talent and support diversity in the workplace. We wrapped up the conversation with how candidates can reduce and manage bias in their resumes and through their engagement in the hiring process. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment we dissect myths about the interactions between bias, technology and people. Gabe and Melissa shared their best advice for professionals to reduce bias through starting with recognition of job needs and requirements and complement with process design and training.

Networking is one of the most popular mediums used to initiate and create new relationships. For professionals, being able to skillfully and strategically use networking as the gateway to building strong relationships, can propel any career. Joined by Career Coach and Author of ‘Who needs a Career Coach anyway?’, Lakrisha Davis, we highlight the importance of networking and how to use those skills to build strong relationships. We also cover common mistakes professionals make with some of the best tools and mediums for networking. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ section, we shed light on common misconceptions about networking and relationship building. Lakrisha’s best advice for professionals - create a strategy and go out and do it.

Talent Acquisition is becoming more important to businesses, forming a key part of their HR and Business Strategy. Joined by GoCoach’s Founder and CEO, Kristy McCann Flynn, we break down how talent acquisition helps companies play offense. Our conversation covers differentiating between Recruitment and Talent Acquisition, elements of creating and executing a successful strategy, the role of data and analytics, how candidates can be impacted and provide insight and practical advice to help you add real value through talent. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment we look at how social media is changing the game and how perceptions and communication with candidates impacts the process. Kristy’s best advice for professionals in Talent Acquisition is to be “Be Bold!”

In this episode Caffeinated Career Coach Kyle Elliott joins me on the show to talk about how to get more interviews after sending off your resume. We discuss some of the things you can do and strategies you can employ while waiting for your next interview. There are many myths about the recruitment process and what happens between the time you send in the resume until you get invited in for the interview. In our ‘Truth or Myth’ segment we tackle some of the common misconceptions in the process and provide advice on how to address them. Kyle’s gem of wisdom for us – Always send ‘Thank You’ cards.

On the premier episode of HR and Career with AldeenST, I am joined by my dear friend, colleague, mentor and mother, Dr. Altheia Simmonds. I share the vision for the show and we talk about professionalism and the personality traits that will make you more successful in your professional life.