How Corporations can Legally Implement Age Discrimination
Don Straits , Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 8:40PM In my last post, I briefly touched on age discrimination and also mentioned some of the new career and business paradigms. Here is a story about the new paradigms that just happened last week, and it is a real eye-opener.
Last week a recruiter friend of mine drove over from the Bay area to join me for lunch. He told me of a challenge he faced. He was asked to find a CEO for a company. The Board of Directors instructed the recruiter to only present candidates under the age of 45! Sounds like age discrimination pure and simple. Totally illegal. But let's dig deeper into the issue and the message it presents for senior execs everywhere.
Indecision, Procrastination, Trapped in the Past: Executives Lost
Don Straits , Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 7:24PM Here are some random thoughts on a trend I have witnessed since the recession began in October '08. Perhaps it has existed longer than I acknowledge, but I am firmly convinced it is now more prevalent than ever. I would welcome your thoughts and comments. Please tell me if I have it all wrong.
I will start with a story from the past as it relates to the present.
"We Can't Hire You. You're Overqualified!"
Don Straits , Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 7:26PM One of my favorite cartoon characters is The Wizard of Id. A few years ago I read one of the Wizard’s cartoon strips and it made such a profound impression I cut it out and saved it. Darn! I have misplaced it over the years. However, I can remember the script almost word for word verbatim.
After completing an interview for a job, the Wizard is standing in front of the HR manager. The HR manager says: “We can’t hire you. You’re over qualified.” The Wizard, looking very perplexed, responds: “Just give me the job and I promise to act as stupid as all the rest of you.”
WOW. The wisdom from the Wizard is awesome. Let’s dig a little deeper into this issue.
I Knew My Job Was Secure Until They Fired Me
Don Straits , Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 9:31AM I wish I had a dollar for everytime I heard an executive make that statement....I could retire in Bali. Virtually every week I hear stories of how executives were certain their job was secure, and then along comes Donald Trump and says: "You're Fired."
Here are just a few stories. They are never ending.
Video Resume Explosion: A Career Industry Perspective
Don Straits , Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 5:29PM I am a member of Career Directors International CDI, an outstanding organization of professional resume writers and career coaches. Today I wrote a post for their members addressing Google's announcement of launching a Video Resume Site. In many circles, video resumes are misunderstood, but they are the wave of the future. I have copied my post to CDI below. It is provocative and controversial. My intent is to motivate and serve the careers industry. I wanted to share this post with the general public so that they can better understand the role of video resumes in the new career paradigm. I welcome your comments.