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5 Years Ago

February 27th, 2012 . Posted in Blog Talk Radio, Blogging, Carnival, Change, HR, HR Happy Hour, Me, Women of HR | Comments Off

The me from five years ago


In celebration of the Carnival of HR‘s 5 year anniversary (AWESOME!), current host and original Carnival founder, Suzanne Lucas aka The Evil HR Lady wanted to know where contributors were 5 years ago and how they have changed. I don’t know about you, but a lot has happened over the last five years.

Imagine this: It is the year 2007 and I am living in Minnesota. I have just started a new job in HR; one that would turn out to be a great job and learning experience. While aware of social media and blogging I wasn’t even reading blogs, much less considering doing one myself. Hell, I had just joined Facebook. I was also still new to HR but super excited and ready to go.

Over the next five years I would:
- Complete my Master’s degree and obtain a PHR certification.
- Not only start a blog, but take over the Carnival of HR, co-host the HR Happy Hour blog talk radio show, and helped co-found the Women of HR site.
- Meet some of the most amazing and wonderful people ever that I would have never met without social media.
- Be laid off and go through a year and a half of unemployment and temp jobs.
- I went after my secret dream of joining the Foreign Service and failed, twice.
- Not only did I attend HR events, I was both “press” and a presenter at them too.
- I moved cross country 3 separate times within 1 1/2 years.

And that’s just the professional stuff. In 5 years I have changed more than I thought possible. It’s been a happy, exciting, stressful, anxious, sad, wonderful, and all around crazy time. I’ve grown as a professional but know there is so much more for me to learn and to master. And I’m still excited, not only about HR but what changes will come over the next five years.

So how about you? How have you changed in the last 5 years?

When keeping it real goes wrong

February 22nd, 2012 . Posted in Authenticity, Chappelle's Show, HR, Keeping it real | Comments Off

Lately, I’ve been re-watching Chappelle’s Show streaming on Netflix, because, well, it’s effing hilarious. And it is chock full of useful advice. Seriously.

Check out the life lesson below about “when keeping it real goes wrong”. Now, this clip is most definitely NSFW, so don’t go watching this in the office, getting in trouble, and then blaming me.

Yeah, it is just that easy for things to go completely wrong. Because authenticity at work is important, but “keeping it real” is never a good idea. So for your sake and mine, keep it professional, not “real”.

Wu Tang!

It’s a living

February 14th, 2012 . Posted in HR, Me, Motivation, New Job | 3 Comments »

Long ago in a land far away, I loved my job. I loved the responsibility, the flexibility, and the people. In some ways, I think that job spoiled me a little. After working someplace where you are motivated and excited to go to work everyday, anything less than that and it’s just a job. Or worse, a trap.

Happily, last week I started a new role that has brought out those feelings of excitement again. I want to take on the challenges, get to know the people, and start contributing in a meaningful way. This is going to be an exciting year, I can tell.

But thinking about those, let’s say, less than satisfactory positions I sometimes wonder why I stayed in those roles. Why does anyone stay in a bad job? Lack of better alternatives? A good paycheck? Or the conviction that you can make a difference and turn it all around?

When people talk about motivation at work, it’s easy to focus on the positive aspects. You know, all that feel good, intrinsic motivation stuff. But when you are living day to day, seconds away from rage quitting or giving up, what motivates you to keep going? Isn’t that a more important question? I think those answers would tell you more about a person than any personality test.

Now, not every job can be the best job you’ve ever had. Sometimes a job is just a job, good or bad. There is more to life than work, and if the only motivation you really need to go into the office everyday is that “something”, then that’s good enough. Motivation is in the eye of the beholder.

What is your motivation?

Valentine’s Day!

February 14th, 2012 . Posted in HR, Me, Valentines day | Comments Off

On this special day, Gir got you flowers…

And made you some chocolates…

Because he thinks you are damn sexy and I do too.

Lots of love and hugs to you all dear readers, have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Help Wanted

February 6th, 2012 . Posted in Career, Emotions, Finding a Job, Help Wanted, HR, New Job | 2 Comments »

I am writing this post still a little high from the excitement of my first day in a new job. That’s right, this minion is once again gainfully employed! Wohoo! I’m going to be a recruiting/training machine too. Now, good career advice will tell you that you shouldn’t count on a job until you have a physical offer letter in your hand. Me, well, it never feels real to me until I arrive on the first day. Maybe it’s anxiety, but I always worry about what could go wrong in between the offer and start date so I don’t really breathe a sigh of relief until I walk in and they don’t kick me out.

The first day at a new job brings out so many emotions and a fair amount of stress. New jobs are great but that doesn’t mean there might not be a time or two where you have a moment of panic.

But if you end up in a good company and role that is right for you, here are the emotions that should be zipping through you:

1. Excitement. You love the company, the job, your trainer, even the taupe walls. Everything is shiny, new, and it’s the best. first. day. EVER.
2. Overwhelmed. There are so many people to meet, names you have already forgotten, so much information to absorb, and shoot but where was the bathroom again?
3. Determined. You are going to rock this job! You will pick things up fast, impress your boss, and be 100% right from the start.
4. Grateful. You are grateful all that hard work you put into your job search has finally paid off and are thankful you stuck it out and are able to make a good living again.
5. Anxious. What if you don’t like anybody? Worse, what if they don’t like you? Worst of all, what if you let them down?

It’s an emotional roller coaster that’s for sure. But there are some emotions that you shouldn’t be feeling on your first day. If you find yourself confused, angry, defensive, alone, deceived, ignored, or trapped there is something wrong. Like really wrong. Like maybe you need to re-consider the situation you find yourself in kind of wrong. I hope you never find yourself in that kind of situation. This is why a little research (stalking) and honesty with yourself about what you want and need is so critical.

I hope you only find yourself in good situations though, with awesome first days. The right job for you is out there, even if you have to create it yourself. There is a job out there that you will never want to give up, never want to let down, will never make you cry, or hurt you…

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