A former professor back in college said something that has always stuck with me.
“Work hard now, so you don’t work hard for the rest of your life”
Through the years, I have been asked advice from my candidates about the decision to complete their degrees; obtaining that certification; or going after the next step in their career path. First, let me say that I am honored to be asked to share my opinion on one of the most important decisions in your life.
They tell me their dreams and long-term goals. They are working a 40-50 hour a week job, and debating attending night and weekend courses to pursue that dream. Money is tight, and life is strenuous right now in this economy. College expenses and limited time will complicate life more. But have you ever known a time when things were truly easy?
Is risk, worth the reward?
So… I am shouting out-loud, my simple and clear advice:
First, do not give up the fight before you begin. If you know what you want out of life, then know that you are capable of achieving it.
Second, it won’t be easy. A degree or accomplishment would be worthless, if it were.
And last, listen to the professor; do it now and reap the benefits for the rest of your career.
But if you fail to follow my advice; and you never go after your dreams… Well.. then move over to the slow lane 'cause the rest of us are going to plow right on past you! :-)
In this blog I am including a list of 3 books that will FOREVER change your life:
Think and Grow Rich (N. Hill)
Change your thoughts, change your life (W. Dyer)
Total Money Makeover (D. Ramesy)
Happiness and success, is my wish for you
Rebecca Nutt
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
2009 Flu Fears Controlled
Flu Season is around the corner
As a Human Resources Manager, or Business Leader you are a valuable educator to your employees in the prevention and preparedness against the impacts of all threats and all hazards, including public health threats.
As we face the possibility of a wider H1N1influenza (formerly known as Swine Flu) outbreak, it is difficult to predict how the virus may or may not change. The severity of illness that H1N1 influenza flu could cause (including hospitalizations and deaths) or the amount of illness that may occur cannot be predicted. The impact that an outbreak could have on your workforce and company is significant. Therefore, it is recommended that you plan accordingly so that your company will be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity and be prepared to take additional steps if a potentially more serious outbreak of influenza evolves this fall and winter.
The symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever or chills AND cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Like seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
You do not want to be caught unprepared when the flu season hits. Regardless of the size or type of your business, we believe a bit of planning now can help protect your business and your employees.
We recommend the following Business Planning Initiatives:
1. Provide resources and a work environment that promotes personal hygiene. For example, provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to clean their work surfaces (especially phones, keyboard, copy machines or any frequently shared items). Limit equipment sharing if possible.
2. Provide education and training materials in an easy to understand format and in the appropriate language and literacy level for all employees. Provide workers with up-to-date information on influenza risk factors, protective behaviors, and instruction on proper behaviors (for example, cough etiquette; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; and hand hygiene). see attached poster for your bulletin board
3. Develop flexible policies to allow workers to telecommute (if feasible). Encourage ill workers to stay at home without fear of any reprisals. Create policies to allow workers to stay home to care for sick family members or care for children if schools close.
4. Encourage workers to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccine. We strongly recommend offering the vaccine free/reduced price and granting employees paid time off from work when obtaining vaccine to encourage participation.
5. Encourage employees to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available if they are in a priority group according to CDC recommendations. For information on groups recommended for seasonal and H1N1 vaccines, please see www.flu.gov.
6. Plan to implement practices to minimize face-to-face contact between workers if advised by the local health department. Consider ideas such as reducing meetings to teleconferences, email communication and encouraging flexible work arrangements to reduce the number of workers who must be at the work site at the same time or in one specific location.
7. If an employee does become sick while at work, place the employee in a separate room or area until they can go home, away from other workers. Ask the employee to go home as soon as possible.
8. Create a Preparedness Plan with important details such as determining key business functions, supply chain demands and emergency communication protocol.
Agency 8 Consulting Services offers:
§ Full service Recruiting Solutions
§ Resume sourcing
§ Interview Coordination
§ Management training on interviewing
§ Creation of customized interview forms
§ Customized recruiting methodology
§ Human Resource Consulting
§ Review, Analysis of existing Recruitment Process
§ On boarding procedures
§ Positive Company culture initiatives
§ Employment Handbooks, Policies and procedures
§ Problem Resolution
Agency 8 partners with Business Leaders and HR Professionals to co-create processes and solutions to human capital challenges that will best support your strategic business goals. Please let us know how we can impact your success.
As a Human Resources Manager, or Business Leader you are a valuable educator to your employees in the prevention and preparedness against the impacts of all threats and all hazards, including public health threats.
As we face the possibility of a wider H1N1influenza (formerly known as Swine Flu) outbreak, it is difficult to predict how the virus may or may not change. The severity of illness that H1N1 influenza flu could cause (including hospitalizations and deaths) or the amount of illness that may occur cannot be predicted. The impact that an outbreak could have on your workforce and company is significant. Therefore, it is recommended that you plan accordingly so that your company will be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity and be prepared to take additional steps if a potentially more serious outbreak of influenza evolves this fall and winter.
The symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever or chills AND cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Like seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
You do not want to be caught unprepared when the flu season hits. Regardless of the size or type of your business, we believe a bit of planning now can help protect your business and your employees.
We recommend the following Business Planning Initiatives:
1. Provide resources and a work environment that promotes personal hygiene. For example, provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to clean their work surfaces (especially phones, keyboard, copy machines or any frequently shared items). Limit equipment sharing if possible.
2. Provide education and training materials in an easy to understand format and in the appropriate language and literacy level for all employees. Provide workers with up-to-date information on influenza risk factors, protective behaviors, and instruction on proper behaviors (for example, cough etiquette; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; and hand hygiene). see attached poster for your bulletin board
3. Develop flexible policies to allow workers to telecommute (if feasible). Encourage ill workers to stay at home without fear of any reprisals. Create policies to allow workers to stay home to care for sick family members or care for children if schools close.
4. Encourage workers to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccine. We strongly recommend offering the vaccine free/reduced price and granting employees paid time off from work when obtaining vaccine to encourage participation.
5. Encourage employees to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available if they are in a priority group according to CDC recommendations. For information on groups recommended for seasonal and H1N1 vaccines, please see www.flu.gov.
6. Plan to implement practices to minimize face-to-face contact between workers if advised by the local health department. Consider ideas such as reducing meetings to teleconferences, email communication and encouraging flexible work arrangements to reduce the number of workers who must be at the work site at the same time or in one specific location.
7. If an employee does become sick while at work, place the employee in a separate room or area until they can go home, away from other workers. Ask the employee to go home as soon as possible.
8. Create a Preparedness Plan with important details such as determining key business functions, supply chain demands and emergency communication protocol.
Agency 8 Consulting Services offers:
§ Full service Recruiting Solutions
§ Resume sourcing
§ Interview Coordination
§ Management training on interviewing
§ Creation of customized interview forms
§ Customized recruiting methodology
§ Human Resource Consulting
§ Review, Analysis of existing Recruitment Process
§ On boarding procedures
§ Positive Company culture initiatives
§ Employment Handbooks, Policies and procedures
§ Problem Resolution
Agency 8 partners with Business Leaders and HR Professionals to co-create processes and solutions to human capital challenges that will best support your strategic business goals. Please let us know how we can impact your success.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
COBRA stimulus plan
The 2009 COBRA Subsidy
In this blog I will summarize information on the COBRA Stimulus plan changes that could greatly impact you if you are unemployed in the years of 2008-2010.
Before we learn more about the COBRA stimulus plan, let's start with explaining a bit about COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). The Act was put into law in 1985 by Clinton to help workers who lost their job continue their health insurance. Basically, it gave the ex-employee the ability to continue their employer sponsored health insurance plan at a premium cost of 150-200% more than costs for active workers (thus deeming it unaffordable to most unemployed beneficiaries).
COBRA Stimulus Plan:
Part 1: Reduced Premiums The COBRA stimulus plan basically has two parts.
People who are currently enrolled in the COBRA plan will get a 65% reduction in their premium costs.
Part 2: The Ability to Re-Enroll into COBRA Recently unemployed people now have the ability to re-enroll into the COBRA plan, even if they had denied coverage in the past. This will help a great amount of people who choose not to continue their health insurance through COBRA because they just could not afford it. Note that coverage cannot date back before 4/1/09.
Key Details about the COBRA Stimulus Plan 1. Qualified Beneficiaries (not gross misconduct), who were involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 2. Annual income cannot exceed $125,000 for a single person and $250,000 for a couple3. 65% of existing COBRA premiums will be subsidized by the U.S. Treasury Department. The employer pays and then the government will reimburse those costs.4. Subsidies will be available for up to 9 months 5. If you declined COBRA coverage after September 1, 2008 you will have the option to re-enroll into COBRA with the above subsides 6. Second chance notices of the COBRA subsidies and re-enrollment information will be sent from the COBRA administrator (usually your previous employer) 7. Subsidies will be paid, via a refundable tax credit, directly to the COBRA administrators 8. Subsidies will terminate if the enrollee acquires a new health insurance plan through another employer or is eligible for Medicare 9. Subsidies will only apply to COBRA premiums paid after the effective date of February 17, 2009 and there will be no refund of premiums prior to this date
10. You have 60 days from termination to elect COBRA coverage, then 45 days to pay that premium.
Final note: This is a great plan and I strongly suggest that if you are a Qualified Beneficiary that you take advantage of this offer. Your unanticipated medical bill could drain your savings much quicker than the cost of this plan. Employers, this news came to us fast- make sure you read the rules as strict penalties of 110% apply. Feel free to contact me for additional resources, comments or questions at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com. Have a blessed day!
In this blog I will summarize information on the COBRA Stimulus plan changes that could greatly impact you if you are unemployed in the years of 2008-2010.
Before we learn more about the COBRA stimulus plan, let's start with explaining a bit about COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). The Act was put into law in 1985 by Clinton to help workers who lost their job continue their health insurance. Basically, it gave the ex-employee the ability to continue their employer sponsored health insurance plan at a premium cost of 150-200% more than costs for active workers (thus deeming it unaffordable to most unemployed beneficiaries).
COBRA Stimulus Plan:
Part 1: Reduced Premiums The COBRA stimulus plan basically has two parts.
People who are currently enrolled in the COBRA plan will get a 65% reduction in their premium costs.
Part 2: The Ability to Re-Enroll into COBRA Recently unemployed people now have the ability to re-enroll into the COBRA plan, even if they had denied coverage in the past. This will help a great amount of people who choose not to continue their health insurance through COBRA because they just could not afford it. Note that coverage cannot date back before 4/1/09.
Key Details about the COBRA Stimulus Plan 1. Qualified Beneficiaries (not gross misconduct), who were involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 2. Annual income cannot exceed $125,000 for a single person and $250,000 for a couple3. 65% of existing COBRA premiums will be subsidized by the U.S. Treasury Department. The employer pays and then the government will reimburse those costs.4. Subsidies will be available for up to 9 months 5. If you declined COBRA coverage after September 1, 2008 you will have the option to re-enroll into COBRA with the above subsides 6. Second chance notices of the COBRA subsidies and re-enrollment information will be sent from the COBRA administrator (usually your previous employer) 7. Subsidies will be paid, via a refundable tax credit, directly to the COBRA administrators 8. Subsidies will terminate if the enrollee acquires a new health insurance plan through another employer or is eligible for Medicare 9. Subsidies will only apply to COBRA premiums paid after the effective date of February 17, 2009 and there will be no refund of premiums prior to this date
10. You have 60 days from termination to elect COBRA coverage, then 45 days to pay that premium.
Final note: This is a great plan and I strongly suggest that if you are a Qualified Beneficiary that you take advantage of this offer. Your unanticipated medical bill could drain your savings much quicker than the cost of this plan. Employers, this news came to us fast- make sure you read the rules as strict penalties of 110% apply. Feel free to contact me for additional resources, comments or questions at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com. Have a blessed day!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
April Blog
Next topic- Unemployed in 2009...things you should know.
We will discuss filing unemployment, changes to COBRA and the current job market. If you have any specific topic areas you wish to discuss, send me an email at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com.
Have a great week!
We will discuss filing unemployment, changes to COBRA and the current job market. If you have any specific topic areas you wish to discuss, send me an email at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com.
Have a great week!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Optimism in a Recession
Optimism in a Recession
Make it your goal this quarter is to remain optimistic. Simply put but difficult to achieve. With unemployment at a 6.5% in Houston and the news out-right depressing, this is a challenge for sure.
When we log into Facebook, LinkedIn or email we are constantly being reminded that the people being laid off are our friends, family members and business acquaintances. It is personal, it hits home. So my message to you is that you might get laid off or be directly impacted by this recession. But how you handle it will make all the difference in your success.
Have your resume ready to go
Even if you have a stable job, make sure your resume is current. Always have a network of job references or reference letters ready. Agency 8 offers resume writing services and there are many online tips to help you out. Often candidates get laid off and then spend a month getting their resume together. This leads to helplessness and desperation. Don’t wait for your unemployment to run out or your severance money to dry up either… HUGE mistake! Be prepared and act quickly.
Have People
Make sure you are always meeting new people in your career by attending networking events. Setup online network groups like LinkedIn so that you are visible to leaders in your industry and field. Don’t be afraid to add friends and meet people. I am happy to be your friend and I know others out there feel the same.
Know your Power
Just because your employer cannot afford to keep you on staff, it is not always a reflection on your job performance. You have something to offer a future employer that is unique to you!
Be Flexible but not Weak
You might have to lower your salary expectations, drive a little further or lose some benefits in your next position. When the economy picks up (and it will) you can be more selective; but now is not the time. On the flip side, when you suggest that you could work at a 30% pay decrease and would drive 3 hours a day to work, the Recruiter/ Employer is wondering what is wrong with you! Expect to compromise, but don’t “give in”.
Run the Show
Recruiters and companies are getting lots of resumes and they are overwhelmed. If you send your resume out, follow up in 3 days. Send a thank you email or note 1-2 days post interview. Keep following up (weekly) on nonresponsive resume submissions. You can’t expect someone to manage the job search process for you.
Keep your Cool
Don’t call daily, pout or get angry with Recruiters or Employers. You will hurt your reputation and ultimately lose. As hard as it may be, remain polite and professional, I know your mamma taught you better! Most of the candidates that I place have worked with me for years. Maybe they did not get an offer on the original position they were recruited for, but they remained professional and kind. Down the road a better opportunity came along and they were the first person I considered.
Do More than Just get through the Interview
Often, the person that gets that job offer had the same required skills, but they did a better job selling their expertise to the employer. You must sell your skills to the employer in a way that solves their problems. See each interview as a chance to learn and improve this skill. Many people have a hard time with this, so I suggest to pretend you are selling your friend’s skills. Practice with 3 key arguments as to why you are the best candidate for the position.
Don't give up, be a Contender
I am not saying this just because I don’t want to pay your mortgage. You will find something and you will grow from this experience. It will take work, compromise and stepping out of your comfort zone, but you will get there. In this economy each job has more competition and you are a contender…. so fight!
Thank you for taking time to read my blog. If you have any topic suggestions, please email me at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com
Make it your goal this quarter is to remain optimistic. Simply put but difficult to achieve. With unemployment at a 6.5% in Houston and the news out-right depressing, this is a challenge for sure.
When we log into Facebook, LinkedIn or email we are constantly being reminded that the people being laid off are our friends, family members and business acquaintances. It is personal, it hits home. So my message to you is that you might get laid off or be directly impacted by this recession. But how you handle it will make all the difference in your success.
Have your resume ready to go
Even if you have a stable job, make sure your resume is current. Always have a network of job references or reference letters ready. Agency 8 offers resume writing services and there are many online tips to help you out. Often candidates get laid off and then spend a month getting their resume together. This leads to helplessness and desperation. Don’t wait for your unemployment to run out or your severance money to dry up either… HUGE mistake! Be prepared and act quickly.
Have People
Make sure you are always meeting new people in your career by attending networking events. Setup online network groups like LinkedIn so that you are visible to leaders in your industry and field. Don’t be afraid to add friends and meet people. I am happy to be your friend and I know others out there feel the same.
Know your Power
Just because your employer cannot afford to keep you on staff, it is not always a reflection on your job performance. You have something to offer a future employer that is unique to you!
Be Flexible but not Weak
You might have to lower your salary expectations, drive a little further or lose some benefits in your next position. When the economy picks up (and it will) you can be more selective; but now is not the time. On the flip side, when you suggest that you could work at a 30% pay decrease and would drive 3 hours a day to work, the Recruiter/ Employer is wondering what is wrong with you! Expect to compromise, but don’t “give in”.
Run the Show
Recruiters and companies are getting lots of resumes and they are overwhelmed. If you send your resume out, follow up in 3 days. Send a thank you email or note 1-2 days post interview. Keep following up (weekly) on nonresponsive resume submissions. You can’t expect someone to manage the job search process for you.
Keep your Cool
Don’t call daily, pout or get angry with Recruiters or Employers. You will hurt your reputation and ultimately lose. As hard as it may be, remain polite and professional, I know your mamma taught you better! Most of the candidates that I place have worked with me for years. Maybe they did not get an offer on the original position they were recruited for, but they remained professional and kind. Down the road a better opportunity came along and they were the first person I considered.
Do More than Just get through the Interview
Often, the person that gets that job offer had the same required skills, but they did a better job selling their expertise to the employer. You must sell your skills to the employer in a way that solves their problems. See each interview as a chance to learn and improve this skill. Many people have a hard time with this, so I suggest to pretend you are selling your friend’s skills. Practice with 3 key arguments as to why you are the best candidate for the position.
Don't give up, be a Contender
I am not saying this just because I don’t want to pay your mortgage. You will find something and you will grow from this experience. It will take work, compromise and stepping out of your comfort zone, but you will get there. In this economy each job has more competition and you are a contender…. so fight!
Thank you for taking time to read my blog. If you have any topic suggestions, please email me at Rebecca@agency8recruiting.com
Saturday, January 31, 2009
NYC Lessons
This week, I am in NYC making new business contacts
NYC ... full of energy and people following the American dream of success. As I walk through the streets and push through the subway I see many career-minded individuals dressed in their finest suits, sipping their coffee in the 20-degree temperatures as they rush off to work. It is amazing the hard work we must put in to climb that corporate ladder and make it to the top of our profession. It takes a professional image that most of us may not honestly enjoy. Working in sweats would be much easier but you would never be taken seriously. It take extreme dedication; long hours and often relocating for that once in a lifetime opportunity. Many of these young bright professionals live in closet-sized apartments with rent costs that double your Texas mortgage payment. Ten years from now, many of them will be managers maybe even Executives. They might stay in NYC or move back to their hometowns emerging as leaders in their field. But they put in the time... they worked hard and sacrificed to have the rest of their life to now be respected in their jobs. It is knowing your long-term career goals, going after them in full pursuit. So whether you are in Houston or NYC- set up your foundation for success. Push yourself and don't think that dream job is going to just fall in your lap. If you want it- YOU make it happen and then you better work hard when you get it! Your American dream is waiting. So don't let another New York minute pass you by. Know what you want out of your career; go after it NOW!
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