Good News for Bad References – How to Fight Back

Picture this scenario: you’ve been seeking new employment at a hospital or private practice, but without success. Your employment credentials are excellent and while you’ve been able to land the interviews – sometimes more than one with a prospective employer – that job for which you’re well qualified, continues to elude you. Even more ominous, you may have been assured that the job is virtually yours and that completing the hiring process is a mere formality, and then…the trail goes cold, and the call-backs cease.

Sound familiar? If it does, you likely have a negative reference that is making your employment life difficult. What can you do about it?

The first step is to confirm that you do indeed have a problem with at least one of your references. Do an honest self-assessment of your references that are most likely to be called by prospective employers. Did you depart on good terms with them? Is there anything unflattering that may have made its way into your personnel file, accessible by an HR representative? Very possibly you already have a good idea of who may be making your employment search a miserable one. And while you might be able to keep some former associates off of a prospective employer’s radar, it is unlikely that a former supervisor or HR department will be overlooked. The HR department is a traditional venue for reference checks, and HR reps of your most recent employers are almost certain to get a call from potential employers. Your former supervisors will be high on an employer’s list as well, as they know you better than HR and may also be willing to offer a more revealing profile about you.

Then, consider having a reference check(s) conducted on those business associates from your past who might be problematic. Avoid the temptation to have a friend or associate call and pose as a prospective employer – this could backfire on you, also any unfavorable input obtained in this manner would be inadmissible for legal purposes. Instead, have a reputable third party (e.g.Allison & Taylor) conduct these reference interviews on your behalf to best ensure that any negative input obtained can be legally addressed and neutralized.

If negative input from a reference is uncovered, what steps can you take? Your options will depend on the nature of the negative input. Where your reference’s communication was inaccurate, malicious, or wrongful you may have the ability – through an attorney – to pursue legal recourse. When a reference’s negative input is not unlawful but is nonetheless restricting your ability to secure future employment, it can sometimes be addressed through a Cease-&-Desist letter which is typically issued by your attorney to the senior management of the company where the negative reference originated, alerting the management of the negative reference’s identity and actions. Typically the very act of offering a negative reference is against corporate guidelines, which normally state that only a former employee’s title/dates of employment can be confirmed. The negative reference is cautioned by management not to offer additional comments and – out of self-interest – will usually not offer negative commentary again.

Whether through a Cease-&-Desist letter or stronger legal measures, the prospects for neutralizing further negative input from a reference are excellent. Also, the “peace of mind” a reference verification brings to an employment candidate unsure of what their references are really saying, cannot be underestimated. If concern about your references is causing you some sleepless nights, it’s never too soon to document – and address – what they are really saying about you. The career you save, may be your own.

source: Health eCareers

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The Proper Handshake

Business professionals, students, entrepreneurs and savvy networkers know the importance of making a good first impression. Whether you are interviewing for a job position, meeting the top directors of your company, making a formal presentation for clients or doing business with colleagues, your professional approach is key. Individuals and companies invest a lot of time and money developing and perfecting their skills for business and social etiquette.

Although there are several ways to make a great first impression, the handshake is the strongest and most viable element. It is the greeting call and the platform for a great conversation which leads to a great relationship.

Listed below are helpful tips that individuals can use to improve their first impression with others, gain the right attention and develop excellent social and business relationships.

First Come, First Serve

At networking events, meetings, conferences and interviews, individuals should not wait to be introduced. We encourage you to take initiative, step up to the plate and introduce yourself first. Being proactive is a great way to show that you are eager to meet the other person, passionate about building a great relationship and are not shy or intimidated. There may be situations where you are being accompanied by someone, and must wait for a formal introduction. But in most cases, it is socially and professionally acceptable to introduce yourself first and get the ball rolling.

The Right Hand

The right hand is key to making the best handshake ever. The right hand is the symbol of power, authority and order. Business professionals, students and entrepreneurs should not use their left hand to make handshakes. It is considered a faux-pas and very offensive in various foreign cultures. Also, when you are expending a handshake, always make sure that you are standing up and making direct eye contact with your business counterpart. This is a clear sign of respect and shows that you have manners and understanding.

Firm and Confident

The proper protocol for a handshake goes as follows:

1. A firm grip that is not too tight. Women should also have a firm hand grip which conveys confidence and respect to their business counterparts. Having a limp or weak handshake is offensive and not very inviting.

2. The handshake motion should be up and down and not back and forth. The grip should be two short but firm pumps. Both individuals should make sure that they are doing the motions at the same time. So it is courteous to wait for your counterpart, in order to make the right handshake motions.

3. The initial handshake is just as important as the release. After shaking your other person’s hand, make sure to do a proper hand release. A proper hand release is a gently release of the other person’s hand without dropping their hand or quickly letting go of their hand.

These tips are very practical and simple to master when networking and building relationships.  The proper handshake is an extention of or character, credibilty, loyalty and trust.  It is a strong statement and image that can really set you above the bar.

source: biznik

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Robert Rizzo Bell Salary Scandal

Robert Rizzo City of Bell CA Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo

BELL (LALATE) – Bell’s Robert Rizzo and Randy Adams are caught in a salary scandal. Robert Rizzo’s salary as Bell’s Chief Administrative Officer started at $72,000 several years ago.

Today, it’s nearly nearly $800,000.

Rizzo doesn’t even live in Bell. He lives in a million dollar mansion in Huntington Beach. But the City salary scandal doesn’t end with Rizzo. The Police Chief Randy Adams makes nearly half a million dollars annually, 50% more than LA Sheriff Lee Baca and LAPD’s Charlie Beck. Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia gets a stunning $376,000.

So who approved these salaries? The Bell City Council gave the salary raises and gave themselves six figure salaries for their own, part-time, positions.

Officials defend their salaries. During the period Rizzo has been in office, the city went from near bankruptcy to a general fund worth $15 million. The Gateway Cities Southeast Los Angeles County City Managers Group disagrees. It has issued the following statement about Bell’s actions:

“Our group of 27 local city managers reacted with shock and outrage when reading these recent stories. If accurate, what the Los Angeles Times disclosed as happening in the City of Bell may not be illegal, but as local government professionals and as individuals, we want the public to know that we find the reported compensation of the Bell City Manager and others in the that City outrageous and a huge aberration. It is not the norm in our profession.”

source: lalate.com

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