Job Doc chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole @ Boston.com 12-29-14

This week Pattie answered questions about the hiring forecast for 2015, serving as a reference for a former coworker, job searching over the holidays, selecting a career as a recent graduate, and more... Read the transcript at http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2014/12/monday_noon_job_doc_chat_with_11.html.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

New Year's Resolution - A New Job

Q: This year, for real, I need to change jobs. I have talked about it before but I need to make it a reality. My industry is shrinking. However, I am in a role (facilities management) which is somewhat transferable to other types of industries and companies. What should I begin doing in 2015?

A: Congrats on your decision! I have a few recommendations to share with you.

1. Dust off your last resume and update it. Make sure that it has a current look and feel.
2. Think about professional references who can speak about your work and your skills.
3. Become active (or more active) on LinkedIn. is your profile complete? Have you included a professional photo? Have you joined relevant groups? Ensure that the content of your LinkedIn profile agrees with the content of your resume.
4. Set a networking goal. Attend breakfasts related to your occupation. Connect with former colleagues over coffee. I quickly found IFMA (International Facility Management Association) online but you probably know the professional associations which are the best for facilities management.
5. Re-connect with your college or university if you attended one. Begin to use their services.
6. Work on your elevator pitch, a one to two minute summary of your professional career and what you are looking for now. Rehearse, practice and refine this pitch. You will need it!

Lastly, realize that job hunting takes time, energy and patience. There is often rejection during the job hunting process so you may have to pick yourself up a few times to get over the setbacks. Networking groups are often good sources of support so the setbacks seem less jarring. Be realistic. A job hunt takes time and patience.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Job Hunting over Holiday Week

Q: Should I suspend my search over the holiday week? I have been told that the week around Christmas and the New Year are worthless for job hunters. True?

A: I agree and disagree. The coming week is slow as many decision-makers are traveling or taking time off. However, this is a great time to network! For those of us still working, the pace is a bit slower. Colleagues are scooting out to buy a last-minute gift or having lunch with their team members. This translates to some professionals being more accessible and open to accepting an invitation for coffee or lunch.

Come January, the employment market heats up. There is a "back to work" focus and you want to be ready for that. There may be jobs suddenly approved that one of your contacts becomes aware of. It would be ideal for these contacts to have a fresh recollection of you, your professional skills and your employment history. I predict January, 2015 will be especially brisk since we have seen an improving employment market for several months and January is when new roles are often approved.

A lot of recruiters will be mining Linkedin for talent but they won't post a new role until 2015. Many job seekers put their active search on hold for the holiday season and then re-engage in January.

It is a smart time to ask others to review your resume or invite a hard-to-reach contact out for a quick cup of coffee. Some may have a bit more flexibility in their schedules than they will in January. In January, few will enjoy a leisurely schedule.

Finally, I would never suspend your job search entirely. I would, however, focus on building your contacts.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section. Click here to read about more employment topics in The Job Doc Blog at Boston.com.

Job Doc chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole @ Boston.com 12-15-14

This week Pattie answered questions about preparing your coworkers when you go on vacation, dealing with a visit to a former employer's office for an event, making the most of holiday vacation so you can return to work recharged, and more... Read the transcript at http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2014/12/today_noon_job_doc_chat_with_p_1.html.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

If Ben Edelman had a Do-Over

Q: Tell me what you think of Ben Edelman, the Harvard professor who tangled with a restaurant owner over $4.00.

A: Wow. Ok, I think Ben Edelman is probably very smart. I think Ben Edelman probably earned a perfect score on his math SAT. I think Ben Edelman is probably an outstanding attorney when it comes his knowledge of consumer rights and pricing. Advocating for consumers is important work! We all have stories of getting ripped off, or being confused by the infamous "fine print" or feeling like we have no rights when dealing with large retailers.

However, kindness matters in our communities and our workplaces. Extending yourself to a member of your community in a thoughtful way matters. Ben could have stopped in to the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. A simple, "Hey did you know that your prices were wrong on your website?" would have been a good opening question. I wish Ben would have conveyed a message of support in a helpful tone. Ben could have explained that he is a local attorney and that one of his areas of expertise is ensuring that prices are posted accurately. "I enjoy your food and want to make sure that you are pricing items properly on your site." We all need to think about HOW we communicate a message, as much as we focus on the WHAT of our message.

The emails to the Ran Duan and the Osushi Restaurant are not in the spirit of kindness, being helpful or teaching a retailer how to best explain pricing on their website or how to handle a Groupon. The messages many of us read have a mean-spirited and elitist tone. Humans and stores make mistakes. Instead of threatening legal action, how about offering guidance?

Because kindness is everywhere (include Harvard!), a group of Harvard students launched a site to raise funds for The Greater Boston Food Bank with the hope of eradicating the negative stereotypes reinforced by this dispute. How great is that -- kindness in action!

We all have gifts. Ben's gift is knowing unlawful and deceptive advertising practices. Ran Duan's is running a restaurant and serving apparently delicious food. Even Ben agreed that their food is tasty.

We need Ben Edelmans in the world, but a kinder and gentler Ben Edelman. It may not show up on a spreadsheet but being kind counts.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section. Click here to read about more employment topics in The Job Doc Blog at Boston.com.

Holiday Food Temptations

Q: During the holiday season, my office tends to go overboard with food. There is a potluck. Then a company-paid luncheon. Now colleagues are bringing in bagels, donuts, etc. It seems crazy to me. I recently lost quite a bit of weight and I truly dread facing these events. Do all companies do this? It seems excessive to me.

A: Your colleagues and your employer are likely trying to be festive and joyful by bringing food into the office. In many cultures, food and drink accompany celebrations. Most employers celebrate in a similar way. Some offer an evening holiday party. Some sponsor a holiday luncheon. While others coordinate a potluck lunch or dinner for employees to enjoy. It is often a way of saying thanks and allowing employees to relax and socialize.

However, I have several clients who are limiting what can be brought into the office because of food allergies. So the coffee cake, date nut bread or Waldorf salad may need to stay home. Food allergies are serious and can be life-threatening.

I have several clients who are moving to a more philanthropic theme during the holiday season. The employer may be sponsoring a toy drive or donating gifts or food to a local charity. I know of several companies who allow employees a workday to volunteer at a local organization, whether sorting items for a food bank or wrapping gifts for those in need.

I understand your concern. I am also tempted by holiday cuisine. However, if you know in advance, you can prepare yourself and limit your own consumption. I usually try to munch on carrot sticks before entering a high calorie zone. Or I bring the veggies with a low calorie dip and try to stay close to that as a food choice. When I enter a situation where there are a lot of high calorie items and I am hungry, that is a recipe for disaster (at least for me). I then tend to overindulge and eat more than I should.

The holidays are a challenge for those of us who like to eat. Preparing a strategy in advance is helpful.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section. Click here to read about more employment topics in The Job Doc Blog at Boston.com.

Sr. Strategic Market Analyst role

Our client is a boutique market research firm located in South Natick.  The company provides data, analysis and insights to their clients, who use this information to better shape their business strategy.  Strong quantitative skills as well as strong communication skills (written and verbal).  College grads with a few years of experience are ideal!

Recruiter

Our client is an Acton, MA-based telecommunications company providing services to the Verizon, AT&T and other large telecommunications companies.  They have a need for a seasoned recruiter to continue to source and screen high-quality talent.  Resumes to psinacole@firstbeacongroup.com.

HR Director opportunity

Our client is an Acton, MA-based telecomms company providing services to AT&T, Verizon and all of the major telecommunications companies.  They are looking for an HR Director with strong benefits, comp, employee relations and recruitment exp.  Experience with a global workforce preferred.  Contact psinacole@firstbeacongroup.com.

Job Doc chat with Pattie Hunt Sinacole @ Boston.com 12-01-14

This week Pattie answered questions about conflicting instructions from the same boss at different times, how to get a sense of what salary you should expect, when the same job title means different things at different companies, Project Management Certification, basic tech skills expected for any industry, switching to a lower pressure job after having a baby, and more... Read the transcript at http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2014/12/today_noon_job_doc_chat_with_p.html

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

A Flexible Work Arrangement vs. A New Job

Q: I work in downtown Boston and live about 45 minutes north of the city. Traffic seems to be getting worse and worse, which has lengthened my commute. My husband works closer to our daughter's daycare but now is moving into a role which requires more travel. Thus, I will be doing more of the drop-offs and pick-ups. My company has flexible work hours but truthfully my manager dismisses this benefit and really isn't behind them. Do you think I need to find a new job? Before you ask, my role is conducive to flexibility since I have a PC at home and I often work a few nights to catch up on emails or other correspondence.

A: Your predicament is not uncommon. An employer likes to brand themselves as a family friendly/flexible employer but in reality, they are not all that flexible. Or, in some cases, the employer may be flexible but it is not exactly what the employee expects.

Flexible work arrangements (FWA) are not just about caring for kids anymore. It is about a spouse who may need to provide care for their seriously ill partner. It is about an adult child who has two parents who need constant care in the final years of their lives. It is about increasing long and unpredictable commutes. Sometimes it is even about returning to school to finish a degree.

For my clients who do it well, I have observed the following:

1. Senior management supports and often embraces one (or more) of the FWA options. These leaders truly "walk the talk" and will work remotely one day per week or work a flexible work schedule to drop off a child at school. What is probably most important is that these leaders "walk the talk" and openly share with others that FWA are acceptable and supported.
2. The FWA is not perceived as a nice, little perk. Instead, it is viewed as part of the attraction and retention puzzle. "We want to keep you."
3. Smart companies listen to their employees. Employees often have the best ideas. Some FWA are more accepted in some organizations than others. Successful organizations give employees a voice at the table.
4. Progressive employers review where FWA are being used and more importantly, where they are not. Sometimes this is a yellow flag with respect to senior-level support.

I don't think you should start searching for a new job. Instead consider options that might help you build a business case for a more flexible work schedule. Visit www.whenworkworks.org.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section. Click here to read about more employment topics in The Job Doc Blog at Boston.com.