What’d You Get?

Everyday you have an opportunity to give to those around you. I’m not saying that you owe society or that you have to be charitable, but is there any reason you can’t open the door for an elderly person or forgive a cross word from an angry sibling? These are simple, EASY things to do that make your life easier and give meaning, reason, purpose, intent…, truly, they do.

And while, maybe, we shouldn’t really be thinking about the rewards…, why not? Suppose you are helping someone send out resumes and knock on a few doors. During the course of his job search and your assistance in said job search, what if you should become aware of his former boss that needs a job also – he’s at the VP level. What do you do?

I know what I’d do, I know what I have done.

EVERY single opportunity that lines your day is a doorway to another opportunity. Don’t see it as a closed door, see it as a new door to open. NEVER leave a conversation without getting something. Even if it’s just a “Have a nice day.”

Under a Microscope – The Genome Project

Several years ago, I sat in a 200-level English course that studied different forms of story-telling. Two class sessions were spent studying the 1997 Andrew Niccol film Gattaca starring Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, and Uma Thurman. This sci-fi drama quickly became a favorite of mine, not so much because of its science fiction content but more for the triumph of the human spirit and brilliant performances.

The film was highlighted in this class because of the conversations its subject would invoke and provoke. It addressed the issue of DNA and “the human genome project.” In other words, the concept that one’s DNA should determine the course of one’s life and career. Individuals were tested at birth and even prior to birth to determine the “type of raising” they would require. For instance, if the bodily make up of an infant showed a high percentage for even the potential of heart disease or other affliction, the determined course of their life would lead them away from anything that would cause strain on the heart or other weak organ/function.

There was much animated discussion among the students as opinions were shared and rationally listened to. We each had to write a lengthy research paper citing sources and revealing our own opinions. It was about that time that I wished my genome profile had revealed my propensity toward a nervous breakdown should I have to write a lengthy paper.

These type of career-fit determinations undermine the whole recruitment process. Instead of a phone interview, you request a finger prick to ascertain DNA and, ultimately, the future. Instead of an on-site interview, an agility test. Instead of IQ or skill testing, a DNA bank will be cross-checked to find perfect placements. Interview questions will no longer be necessary, as all the answers will be revealed on a microscope slide.

When free will is removed, motivation to do well or strive for more is squelched because limitations are set and understood. Can your DNA show whether or not you are suitable for a specific job? What about company fit and potential culture clashes? Limitations do just that: limit. When capabilities are restricted, potential is never reached. Heart and determination have to count for something. It is far more complicated than a simple blood test, yet far more simple than a strand of DNA.

“There is no gene for the human spirit.” – Andrew Niccol, Gattaca

by rayannethorn

You Gotta Have Heart

The roar of the crowd was almost deafening. The floor of the freshly-waxed gymnasium shone brightly as six young volleyballers jumped up and down, joyous in their victory. They were eighth graders new to the sport, thirteen and fourteen years old. The last several weeks have been difficult. Soreness plagues a young body unfamiliar with lunges and squats. But practice and pursuit of excellence pay off when heart meets effort.

There had been much discussion between coach and the regarding building a core desire to do well. You can have all the amenities of an athlete. The right shoes. The right sport bag. The right shorts. The right location and coach. The right back-up support, parental units, family and friends. But unless your heart is there, unless your desire to excel and be all that you can be, the opportunity for greatness knocks on a locked door. Desire to do well drives and motivates even the weakest player, the most inexperienced player, to levels previously not approached.

These six girls knew the basics, they knew how to pass, set, and some were able to spike. There was one that rarely made a serve over the net. But they got a little taste of victory in an earlier game and they were hooked. The seed had been planted in their “heart.” A seed that grew and blossomed to become an incentive to play their absolute best, to dig into a sport they knew very little about just a few short weeks ago.

You’ve gotta have heart
All you really need is heart
When the odds are sayin’ you’ll never win
That’s when the grin should start -Damn Yankees

I guess the thing is…, you can win with skill and experience, but will it really matter without “heart?” Without skill and experience, you do not have a shot at winning if you don’t “heart.” How many recruiters are left in the game right now that don’t have heart? That don’t love this sport? That aren’t driven by love of making placements or connecting good people? That impetus, the desire to succeed in this industry can be driven by many factors, money being one. Those driven by money have probably struggled quite a bit over the last two years. Those driven by their hearts have probably fared better.

Skill and experience in recruiting go a long way. Having the wisdom to use both, properly, can be a difficult, but not impossible. But if you don’t like to recruit, if you don’t like talking to people, if you have difficulty with rejection, if you don’t like checks and balances, how can your heart fall in love the talent management industry? It cannot. It’s called engagement. It’s called heart.

by rayannethorn

Something to Tweet About

Do you think Google is a major player in technology? Do you think they pay attention to what is new, what is hip, what is important in social media? Perhaps. I recently heard an interesting fact: Google and Twitter have engaged in a multi-million dollar partnership. What does this mean to you and me? First, it means that Google views Twitter as a powerful business tool. Second, it means that Twitter will be backed by the biggest player in internet technology. And third, it means that Twitter is not going away.

Interestingly enough, Twitter is still not being taken serious by big business. What Twitter allows is the opportunity to engage personally with customers and clients – right now. While Google is a fantastic search engine, it is not right now, it is not this second. Twitter is real-time, right now, right this second. Imagine the capabilities? Combining real time with the most incredible search engine there is.

Do you think we need to take it seriously? I do. (she yells at the top of her lungs) I encourage my clients to create a profile, begin active engagement, and I even offer to help them put together tweets. While, at first, it can be off-setting and maybe a little daunting, Twitter is just a conversation. That is all. Keeping that in mind, what might you be interested in sharing with current or potential clients and customers, how about candidates? When you look at it as a tool built as a conversation enabler, it takes the “big and scary” away. It should make it easier to think of how you can make it work for you.

Are you in a niche? Perhaps you are a generalist. Perhaps you are a sourcer. Perhaps you own a business and want to know best hiring practices or learn the most that you can about HR and recruiting. Maybe you have developed a product to solve an issue within your own company or industry. How do you see the speed of Twitter and search capabilities of Google assisting you? It is never easy to try something new or to take a risk. Growth comes from risk. Development comes from difficulties.

If you haven’t embraced Twitter, try and figure out why. What is it that scares you? Or keeps you from it? I have heard many say, I just don’t like it. I understand this. I didn’t like the fax machine and I didn’t like it when theLadders started charging me after I had already used them for a couple years. I didn’t like it when my office got moved or I resigned previous positions. Not liking something is not an excuse. Learn to love it. And you know why…

by rayannethorn

posted at BonusTrack.us on RecruitingBlogs.com

Welcome to Beanland!

Back in August, I contacted Kelly Robinson with Broadbean Technology suggesting that we have lunch. He was fairly new the area having relocated from the U.K. to start up U.S. Operations. Newport Beach is only 35 minutes from me and I was very interested in learning more about the company and how I might help. I also wanted to further introduce him to RecruitingBlogs.com – a fantastic and active community of recruiters, HR professionals and HR vendors.

We met for lunch and I was so excited to hear about the plans of the company expansion and infiltration. . He expressed interest in learning more about what I do – the work I do with clients regarding the use new media to increase their online presence. We connected immediately and left our lunch happy to have met.

I heard back from Kelly and we met once more at his office where I enjoyed meeting the Newport Beach gang. I was impressed with the work they were actively engaged in and we had an animated two+ hour conversation with the promise to meet again soon.

Several phone conversations and email exchanges resulted in a job offer extended toward me. Frankly, I was a bit surprised and tenuous. I have spent the last two years building the base of my media consulting business. I happily accepted the offer and began my venture into Beanland on October 29th, 2009.

I am rapidly becoming entrenched in what it is that makes up this great company. The people are amazing, the company vision is far-reaching and I am so thrilled to be here. I will continue to produce my daily column Bonus Track on RecruitingBlogs.com and stay an active member of the recruiting and HR industry. Watch for updates as I climb the Beanstalk and continue in my adventures with A Thorn’s Point.