Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Just Be Thankful
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of a few things, for which I am thankful for.
Some obvious and some not so obvious.
- A roof, a bed and a warm place to sleep.
- A job to go to everyday.
- A checking account
- Happy hour
- An understanding professor, I lost my flash drive, with my paper which was due a week ago.
- The semester is almost over
- All of my real teeth.
- A friend who does my laundry
- That I can help someone in a small way.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Interview Process
5 Tips for Asking Questions During the Interview Process
An interview is a two-way street–you’re evaluating me and my company just like I’m evaluating you. If you don’t ask thoughtful questions, how are you supposed to accomplish this goal?
A few tips to get you thinking:
If you can find it on the Internet, you shouldn’t be asking it. Regardless of whether the position is an unpaid internship or salaried entry-level job, you need to do your homework. I have high expectations of candidates, and so do other hiring managers. Please don’t ask me something you can easily find on your own.
Don’t ask about the typical day. I just hate these questions. First of all, very few positions have a “typical” day. Second, did you read the job description that included the responsibilities? While there will certainly be “other duties as assigned,” most of your tasks will come from that list. This is a wasted question!
Culture rules. As a hiring manager, I need to find a candidate who fits well with my organization’s culture. As a candidate, you should be seeking the same thing. So, ask me how I would describe our culture in three words, how employees typically interact with each other and their supervisors, etc. Show a strong interest in cultural fit.
Micro-manager or hands-off? You’ve already asked about the organization’s culture, but what about my management style? Your relationship to your supervisor is an important one, so don’t forget to ask how you will interact on a regular basis.
Think about the future. What are my organization’s plans for the future as a whole or specific to a certain product/service? A question like this serves several purposes. First, it gives you a glimpse into where our organization is headed. Second, it lets me know you’re thinking long-term–always a good thing!
from: http://libgig.com/
An interview is a two-way street–you’re evaluating me and my company just like I’m evaluating you. If you don’t ask thoughtful questions, how are you supposed to accomplish this goal?
A few tips to get you thinking:
If you can find it on the Internet, you shouldn’t be asking it. Regardless of whether the position is an unpaid internship or salaried entry-level job, you need to do your homework. I have high expectations of candidates, and so do other hiring managers. Please don’t ask me something you can easily find on your own.
Don’t ask about the typical day. I just hate these questions. First of all, very few positions have a “typical” day. Second, did you read the job description that included the responsibilities? While there will certainly be “other duties as assigned,” most of your tasks will come from that list. This is a wasted question!
Culture rules. As a hiring manager, I need to find a candidate who fits well with my organization’s culture. As a candidate, you should be seeking the same thing. So, ask me how I would describe our culture in three words, how employees typically interact with each other and their supervisors, etc. Show a strong interest in cultural fit.
Micro-manager or hands-off? You’ve already asked about the organization’s culture, but what about my management style? Your relationship to your supervisor is an important one, so don’t forget to ask how you will interact on a regular basis.
Think about the future. What are my organization’s plans for the future as a whole or specific to a certain product/service? A question like this serves several purposes. First, it gives you a glimpse into where our organization is headed. Second, it lets me know you’re thinking long-term–always a good thing!
from: http://libgig.com/
Thursday, November 12, 2009
People In The Neighborhood
DISCLAIMER: These characters are all FICITIONAL, any similarities to any persons living or dead is purely the author’s imagination.
In a recent article in the New York Times, about libraries across the country, this one particular statement, stood out:
…working with anxious and often depressed patrons who say they have nowhere else to go.
Let’s explore this statement.
I have heard about a particular public library, located in any city, USA, where many of the same patrons visit daily and who, like the article states, have nowhere else to go. Here at Tremont, we may have one or two.
There’s Mr. Sera, a regular, he‘s at the door by 9:30 A.m. (Most branches opens at 10) everyday, faithfully. I hear he goes to the branch which is open on Sunday.
Mr. Sera is a tall Hispanic man, who does not lift his feet when he walks, so he shuffles along. He’s also talks really fast, and often times he over shares, (i.e. “I missed my medication this morning, that’s why I’m sweating.”)
He comes in mostly to use the computer, and to peruse the travel guides to
Mr. Sera is almost a volunteer employee. He’s very knowledgeable about the computers, no surprise there, and sometimes staff members use him as a Spanish translator. He also plays chess every Thursday, and has volunteered to assist with the Adult Chess club.
Mr. Sera is mostly pleasant, and overall not a problem patron, if they could all be like him.
to be cotinued.....
Thursday, November 5, 2009
SEX ED ON THE WEB:
Everything you always wanted to know, and didn't know who to ask.
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
www.teenwire.com
www.stayteen.org/quiz
www.teenhealthfx.com
www.youthresource.com
www.mysistahs.org
www.themidwestsexshow.com
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
www.teenwire.com
www.stayteen.org/quiz
www.teenhealthfx.com
www.youthresource.com
www.mysistahs.org
www.themidwestsexshow.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Uncle Bobby Got Married
The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Q & A defines intellectual freedom as: "[T]he right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.
We discussed Intellectual Freedom in class on Thursday.
I decided to conduct an informal survey. I asked some parents, relatively young, educated, open minded, and liberal so I thought, would they object to a book like Uncle Bobby’s Wedding being available to their children in their local library.
Three of the seven parents, I asked said they would strongly object, and would ask the library to remove the book. (Clutched my pearls and gasped).
It was interesting to hear how some of the parents felt, one parent said she believed her daughter did not to be exposed to this topic at a young age. She further went on to say she did not want to “confuse” her 5year old daughter. The father of the same little girl shared similar beliefs, although he said he would not write a letter to the library.
Another parent, objected strongly, and insisted that those topics should not be included in children’s book and not available to children.
My sister, a parent of two, said she did not see anything wrong with the book in the library; however a book like Uncle Bobby should not be part of a school’s curriculum.
Hmmmm. Perhaps, that will be the next topic of my informal survey.
We discussed Intellectual Freedom in class on Thursday.
I decided to conduct an informal survey. I asked some parents, relatively young, educated, open minded, and liberal so I thought, would they object to a book like Uncle Bobby’s Wedding being available to their children in their local library.
Three of the seven parents, I asked said they would strongly object, and would ask the library to remove the book. (Clutched my pearls and gasped).
It was interesting to hear how some of the parents felt, one parent said she believed her daughter did not to be exposed to this topic at a young age. She further went on to say she did not want to “confuse” her 5year old daughter. The father of the same little girl shared similar beliefs, although he said he would not write a letter to the library.
Another parent, objected strongly, and insisted that those topics should not be included in children’s book and not available to children.
My sister, a parent of two, said she did not see anything wrong with the book in the library; however a book like Uncle Bobby should not be part of a school’s curriculum.
Hmmmm. Perhaps, that will be the next topic of my informal survey.
to be continued....
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