Tag: talent tips

Talent Tip #89: Becoming Billy Shakespeare: Crafting a Powerful Cover Letter

March 26, 2017

I read a lot of cover letters.

With most of them, I feel as though I’m reading standard newspaper AP fare.  Nothing earth-shattering, but it gets the job done.  Others are harder to digest — it’s more like reading furniture assembly instructions…in a language I don’t speak.

But every once in a while I come across a cover letter that captivates me like a great piece of literature. It accomplishes exactly what it should: it makes me want to keep…

Talent Tip #88: Looking for Love: Valentine’s Tips for Job Seekers

February 21, 2017

Talent Tip #88: Looking for Love: Valentine’s Tips for Job Seekers  

Ahh, Valentine’s Day. I enjoy the holiday if only because it gives me the opportunity to make subtle overtures to my husband when diamond commercials come on. It’s worth it to see that moment of panic in his eyes as he thinks, “Crap. All I got her was a “Hoodie-Footie.”

Since it’s the season to look for love, let’s turn our attention to job seekers. I often hear…

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them

February 19, 2017

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them 

If you are on this email list, you are a big believer in the power of free markets.

(And if you are not, let me know so that I can mail you a copy of Free to Choose and then we can have a little chitchat.)

Since you are a big believer in markets, you no doubt treat your employees accordingly when…

Talent Tip #86: Seven MORE Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

December 13, 2016

Talent Tip #86: Seven MORE Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

Last month we offered up questions that would serve us well to ask before taking the plunge (whether it be dating or employment).

Your response was fantastic — and enlightening! This month I’m sharing some of the questions you suggested I add to the list.

Not surprisingly, many of the suggested questions were related to finances. After all, they…

Talent Tip #85: Eight Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

November 16, 2016

As you know, I am fond of comparing interviewing to dating. And why not? The goals are the same: a prosperous, long-term relationship.

Sadly, I’ve heard from more than one friend lately who thought he had made a wise commitment, only to learn after the honeymoon was over that it was not a good match. In retrospect, he realized more questions should have been asked before making a commitment.

I know what you’re thinking. Is Claire referring to dating or…

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

November 14, 2016

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

Last month a friend in the liberty movement shared thoughts on how culture can attract (or repel) talent. We must have struck a nerve, as the response to the article was substantial.  Because of that, I’m continuing the culture discussion by sharing one of the responses I received from my friend Dan. I hope you enjoy it!  

“I really appreciated this month’s talent…

Talent Tip #83: Culture Matters: Cultivating a Culture That Attracts and Retains Talent

September 20, 2016

Talent Tip #83: Culture Matters: Cultivating a Culture That Attracts and Retains Talent 

The following was written by a friend in the liberty movement. This description of why culture matters is better than anything I could have written; so, this month I’m giving my friend the floor. 

In the U.S., studies have shown the most depressing time of the week is early afternoon on Sunday. Can you guess why?

For some, maybe it’s conviction after a Sunday morning sermon. Maybe…

Talent Tip #72: Employee Turnover: Why Good People Leave

October 20, 2015

Talent Tip #72: Employee Turnover: Why Good People Leave

Last month at the always-amazing State Policy Network Annual Meeting, I had the pleasure of connecting with nonprofit CEOs about some of the common reasons employees leave and strategies for preventing turnover.

It was a daunting task — to stand before a room of accomplished CEOs and tell them what they  might be doing wrong. I had nightmares of being pelted with rotten fruit or heckled (remember the Seinfeld episode…

Talent Tip #71: Career Choices: Let Passion Follow You

September 15, 2015

Talent Tip #71: Career Choices: Let Passion Follow You

Last month’s Talent Tip about James Abernathy and choosing a job you love prompted a heap of great feedback, including some words of wisdom from Zach Janowski, Yankee Institute’s Director of External Affairs.

Here’s what Zach said:

“I am glad James found the job that is right for him. While I agree working in our movement is a great privilege, I also think we give people the wrong…

Talent Tip #70: Choose a Job You Love…Maybe Confucius Was Right

July 28, 2015

Talent Tip #70: Choose a Job You Love…Maybe Confucius Was Right

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I remember hearing people say this when I was just embarking on life after college. To be frank, I thought it was a bunch of malarkey. It was something that belonged on one of those really cheesy motivational posters from Successories. Ug. (No offense, Confucius.)

But after an unfulfilling stint in the…