Free Wheelin' Friday!

And I totally made that title up to go with Friday! Mainly this is just a random thought post and a bit of advice for those who do hiring - entry level hiring that is!

I do a lot of hiring and listen to others talk about hiring. The other day I was listening to someone compare candidates (and no it's not you Mark - someone else) and I had the resumes in front of me. In looking at the resumes I had the thought why not just pick the one with the best background and go with it. Skip the interview - maybe give them a once over to make sure they shower and dress for work, but other than that does it really matter? Sometimes not really.
Let's say the candidates are coming from a recruiter or temp agency. You bring them in for an interview and they've been prepped by the recruiter on what to say so they say what they know you want to hear. (wow that was a long sentence!!!) One may be given an edge by the recruiter because the recruiter likes them more or it's their candidate and the other candidate belongs to someone else in that office. (read between the lines... the recruiter whose candidate is picked will be getting a bonus!) We are also talking about an entry level position. Does the interview really matter? Is it worth wasting an hour with three different people to interview this person? Nope. Just pick the best on paper and if they don't work out let em' fly the first week.

What really matters is how they WORK - not what they've done before and what they were told to say in the interview. Don't be silly enough to think they have not been prepped - I've been placed by a recruiter and I was coached. Now it was a bit different because I was coached on what to say about my experiences and how they would apply. In this case they will say that they are detailed oriented, organized and prompt to work - even if they aren't because they know you want this and they think they can do it. Trust me if you aren't good with details by now you are really going to struggle. (and if you're office is a chaotic and organized mess now it always will be - trust me on this one - I know firsthand!) Also trust me when I say I can find anything in my office that I need too - just give me five minutes. LOL!

p..s. I had a way better story to tell on benefits... oh what the heck I'm sure you need a good laugh. SO this is my 2nd free piece of advice...
I'm sure you all know that government health insurance is for those without access to it a their job - or at least this is how it works in NY when you qualify for state aid. Sort of stinks if you get caught on it while working at a job that offers it. Now do you think you can sue the government and your company when they make you switch? I guess some people think so... my advice (and it's not heeded)... be sure to read that fine print first or you'll waste money on that lawyer who will read it for you and tell you to cough up money to him for reading that fine print for you and telling you that "no you can't sue"! Entitlement is a scary thing. It also makes me chuckle at times like this. I'm almost thinking that this would make a fun "Not My Employee Monday" post - instead of a ""Not ME Monday" post.

last of the vacation photo's

Had a few more pictures from our vacation to the Dell's... we played a few rounds of golf and very much enjoyed the perfect weather. This is the closest I've ever come to getting a hole in one - and I did mange to get the putt in so that was fun! And I had an audience - some guy hanging off his front porch. He was maybe more excited than us. And I'm sure had a few more beers than us - it was only 10 am or so - too early for me!

Mark managed a few nice shots too...

and this is ms. Julia! something or someone is making her laugh?

maybe Uncle Mark?

love the jammies? me too!

I couldn't resist them when I saw them and I'm pretty sure they don't come in my size! LOL!

I could use another vacation about now, but I think I can wait until next weekend!

remember when...

you knew all your friends phone numbers by heart in high school? I can still remember our home phone number from then and my parents don't even live there - it was 772-0853. Now for the sad part... I couldn't tell any of you, with the expection of my husband what your phone number is now. All my phone numbers are programmed into my cell phone. I select phone book or hit the green button to see who called me last and then hit the green button again - pure magic if you ask me.
Now why you are wondering is this even a post - I mean hello big deal. Well it is if you just learned your cell phone number and you've had the phone for almost 18 months it is a memorable moment! Pathetic, but it is a hard number to remember... 270-5694 - I think that's it - pretty sure anyway. See no consecutive numbers or numbers to do with anything in my life. And honestly I rarely have to tell anyone what my number is because everyone has caller ID so for me to parrot it back it useless because they can see it on their screen and save it. The rest of the people are those I work with and since it's a work phone they just call my programmed number. This morning we had a breakfast at 6:00 am and for me this means getting up at 4:30 am to get it all done. That is way too early. At about 8:00 pm last night it occured to me that I hadn't heard from the supervisor so I sent her an e-mail to let her know if it was cancelled to call at 11pm and leave me a message on my cell phone. I told her I wouldn't answer and it would be on silent, but I would check it when I got up and go back to bed if it was off. It then dawned on me that I still hadn't memorized my number and led me to think about why... technology is a wonderful thing, but it takes away some of your brain power I think. And I'll be out of luck if I lose my cell phone and all the connections in it because as I said I don't know anyone's number any more.

mmm.... berries!

fresh from our bushes in the yard - I didn't know we had them! glad I didn't plant more! recipe for super easy crisp to come later!

Jet Boatin' in the Dells

For those who have not heard this was the highlight of our trip. Part theme park ride with unexpected soakings tossed in. We had no clue and I had to talk Mark into letting me take a plastic bag as I had a hint we might get wet. No one believed me...

Smiling rookies have no idea what they are in store for...

all smiles waiting for the ride to begin....

we think we are so smart for choosing the middle of the jet boat....

smartest of all? middle seat...

just a wee bit wet and checking out the Dells rock formations

wet hair, wet white shirts, soaking shorts and sportin' a new hairdo...

no longer rookies!

anyone for a shower?

The "after" picture.

all I have to say is that anyone going back this fall is asking for it!

Wisconsin Dells in October? Maybe for the leaves, but not for the water!

Pretty sure we'd all recommend wearing a swim suit and making sure it's a really hot day!

It's better than the water park rides!

vacation extension!

We've had a few rocky moments on this trip - starting with me forgetting my ID at home - going home to get it and almost missing my flight. Pretty sure the only reason I got on was that I told them that my husband was on the flight and had checked in my luggage already! So they opened the doors for me and let me board and I got an exit row! Woohoo! LUCKY!
The Dells were uneventful - just lots of fun! Photo's coming later!
The flight from Milwaukee to home is on delay due to airplane troubles so Mark asked if they could reroute us to Rochester so we can see his parents. And they did it plus paid for our hotel in Detroit! We would have had to spend the night there anyway to get home, but still bonus! And I get to sneak in a Wegman's shopping trip!
Good thing we did our laundry last night and have some clean clothes!
Woohoo for two more days of vacation!