SRA

Alton Maiden played Defensive Tackle for The University of Notre Dame under legendary Coach Lou Holtz. In late October 1996, the Fighting Irish arrived in Dublin, Ireland to prepare for the first-ever Shamrock Classic – a November 2 football game between Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy. During their time in Ireland, the […]

The post What Are You Doing With Your Dash? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish American businessman and philanthropist. He led the expansion of the steel industry in the United States and became one of the richest men in the world. During the last 18 years of his life (which ended in 1919), he gave away the 2022 equivalent of roughly $10 billion to charities, […]

The post Curating an Exceptional Culture appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Few things will improve the quality of your life more than learning how to make high-quality decisions. Yet amazingly, no one really teaches us how to do it. Not in grade school; not in high school. Most college majors don’t require courses in critical thinking or decision making. Has anyone ever told you that their […]

The post Making High-Quality Decisions appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and a Stoic philosopher. On the throne from 161 to 180, he was the last of the rulers knows as the Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. Marcus acquired the reputation of a […]

The post The Obstacle Is the Way appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

You’ve likely started to see a shift in headlines. No longer focused on what we have been through, the new emphasis is on what’s to come. Though it’s impossible to predict the future, it certainly seems reasonable that the forecast could be correct: a mass employee exodus is coming. How can you stop it? And […]

The post Paying Attention to Retention appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Resilience. It’s one of the secrets to survival, both professionally and personally.  It’s what’s gotten you to where you are, and it’s what will help define who you will become. Looking back at some of the toughest situations you’ve endured, you may have felt there was no other choice. It was a natural instinct. And while […]

The post Stronger Than Yesterday appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

We have a question to ask you. But you have to slow down to answer it. Stop scrolling. Take a moment. Take a breath. Question: Knowing what you know now, having all of life’s experiences thus far behind you, what would you do differently? The Present Why is this important? Because if you are still […]

The post Later Will Be Now Before You Know It appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John Maxwell There are times in life, both personally and professionally, where circumstances can change at such a rapid speed that our opinions, perspectives, and course of action can change by the day, if not by the hour. When faced with such circumstances, there are generally three groups […]

The post Be the Diamond appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

“What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” Reflect on that statement for a moment. You may even have an immediate connection to it, with your own delinquent “to-do’s” catapulting to the center of your attention. It was entrepreneur, author, and investor Timothy Ferriss who most recently voiced this assertion […]

The post Fostering Fear appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Countless articles, including several SRA Updates, have addressed one of the most important tasks given to senior leadership within any organization: the ability to identify the next generation of future leaders within the firm. We look for passionate individuals who wake up each day craving success, but who can channel that passion into actions and […]

The post The Stress Test appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Inspirational leadership can be built with thoughtful and measured practice. There’s even an incredibly easy place to start.

Business coach Peter Drucker was known for dispensing some sage advice that still rings true decades later: Do what you do best and outsource the rest. What comes to mind when you hear that mantra? An immediate list likely appears of all the tasks you know are not the greatest use of your efforts and […]

The post Opportunistic Outsourcing appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

When it rains, it pours; most are familiar with this phrase. It’s what we use to describe the inertia of negative circumstances building and snowballing. Can you think of the equivalent phrase used to describe the opposite? The experience of positive inertia? “Just look at the bright side”… “turn lemons into lemonade”… “there’s a light […]

The post The Dichotomy of Inertia appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

It’s probably a fair statement; if you are the kind of person who needs to read an article on how to be authentic, is the very act of reading such an article in and of itself inauthentic? Setting aside that seemingly debatable fact, the topic of authenticity is likely often discussed in counseling sessions but […]

The post An Era of Authenticity appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

As recruiters, there is a powerful question we ask candidates which typically elicits immediate pause, reflection, and authenticity in the answer. It is a question that catches most off guard, creates a feeling of nostalgia, and sometimes even prompts a smile. “At what point in your career did you feel most fulfilled? When did you […]

The post A Perpetual Prime of Life appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Imagine this scenario: a colleague offers to flip a coin and give you $20 if it lands on heads. If it lands on tails, you give him $20. Stop and ponder; would you accept that bet? For most of us, the answer is no. Behavioral science experts Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman performed an experiment […]

The post Loss Aversion appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

If you had to pinpoint a turning point, it was perhaps the launch of CNN in June of 1980. Prior to CNN, news programming delivered relatively factual information for an hour or two a day. After CNN, although it was an amazing accomplishment to cover events live as they happened and to have an endless […]

The post The Culpability of Free Speech appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

No matter your role or how long you have been in it, we all have situations we would rather avoid. Scenarios can range from taking on a project in which you are not sure you will excel, having a difficult conversation with a client or colleague, or even simply interacting with coworkers in a social […]

The post Become Comfortable with the Uncomfortable appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Take a moment to reflect on what has now been a long-circulating article via the internet and social media. Although it has a somber tone, it sets the stage for the purpose behind this month’s SRA Update. First, I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then, I was dying to finish […]

The post Now What? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

A recent article penned for Inc by Suzanne Lucas made the bold statement: “Dear Hiring Manager, Perhaps You Should Write the Thank You Note.” She continues: “The traditional thank you note is from candidate to hiring manager. That’s wrong… Just what are you exactly thanking the manager for? Taking the time to talk with you […]

The post Who Thanks Whom? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Countless books and articles exist discussing the qualities of managers and leaders and whether the two differ, but little has been said about what happens in the thousands of daily interactions and decisions that allow leaders to get the best out of their people. Start with this premise: We do not see things as they […]

The post Leadership Assessment appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

The holiday season is a time of celebration – spending time with family and friends, reflecting on the past year, and setting goals for the future. Most have a list of to-do’s before the end of the year; you have checked it twice, and the only objective is to knock out all impending tasks so […]

The post Being Your Own Worst Critic appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

How excited do you think Pat Sajak is to ask contestants to buy a vowel after all these years? Do you think Beyoncé is tired of singing “Single Ladies” yet? Which do you think Michael Jordan loved more – the championship rings or shooting practice free throws for well over two decades of his life? […]

The post Surviving the Slump appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Inside each of us, a tumultuous war rages. One side offers immediate gratification, the exhilaration of living life in the present, and the excitement of spontaneous enjoyment. On the opposing side of the battlefield: patience to endure the uncertainty of the future, the cognitive ability to remain focused on a singular task or goal, and […]

The post The Marshmallow Experiment appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Turns out, there are benefits that come from being a cocky teenager. Although your parents might have been counting down the days until you flew the nest, that swagger means you’ll likely end up earning a higher salary than those of your more modest friends. According to the Journal of Economic Psychology, their “Self-Esteem and […]

The post A Culture of Confidence appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Hiring the best of the best? In many situations and for many roles, a commitment to employing the best candidates possible can sometimes involve relocation. Whether this a commonplace occurrence or one that is only approved under the most unique circumstances, there are copious and essential components of a successful relocation that can be refined […]

The post Refining the Relocation appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

The success of any organization is largely reliant on the strength of the leadership; conveying a vision, formulating strategy, and ultimately driving the direction of a company is no small task. Thus, having a sustained and committed leadership development program can be a key differentiator in the trajectory of a firm. Although bringing in talent […]

The post The Next Generation of Leadership appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Be honest; when you read the title of our SRA Update, did it immediately conjure up an image of a selfie-taking, social media addicted, text-obsessed millennial? Before we go any further, let us first take a moment and apologize to the recent generation entering the workforce. Turns out, there may not be any increase at […]

The post Embracing the Entitled appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

“I just find myself with too much time on my hands throughout the day!” Is it safe to assume that this statement has rarely, if ever, been muttered by leaders and managers in today’s professional environment? In fact, “being busy” is often worn as a prideful badge of honor. It is a popular statement in […]

The post Allocating your Attention appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

It is commonly known that all individuals should put their best foot forward throughout the interviewing process – both applicants and hiring managers alike. Offices are tidied up, everyone is polite with introductory small talk, and professional game faces are on. “My greatest weaknesses? I work too hard. I sometimes care too much about the […]

The post Interviews: Traditional or Transparent? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

In most industries, the days of the gold Rolex for 25 years of service have come to an end. Hoping your employees will stay with your organization out of sheer loyalty or to prove a resolute amount of intestinal fortitude is no longer the key to retaining the vital leaders within your team (or the […]

The post Employee Loyalty: Eviscerated or Simply Evolved? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Within many industries, the success of a business relies more on the people you pay than the people who pay you. In other words, your people are your most important asset. In some industries, people are your only asset. As such, many SRA Updates have covered the topic of employee retention. Creating clear and quantifiable […]

The post Small Lessons in Leadership appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

The subject line of this article may already have you rolling your eyes; of course we all know the power of positivity. We recognize we should always look on the bright side, turn a frown upside down, and keep our chins up. But we all have bad days that just seem like it would have […]

The post The Positivity Pledge appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

For nearly a decade, Extreme Home Makeover reigned supreme on Sunday night television. In less than seven days, the crew is tasked with rebuilding an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. Residents, neighbors, and viewers watch with joy and perhaps a twinge of jealousy; wouldn’t it be nice to have […]

The post Extreme Home Makeover: Workplace Edition appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

A world-renowned athletic coach was asked once what the difference was between the best athletes and everyone else. In other words, what do really successful people do that most people don’t? Of course, there were the typical responses of genetics, luck, and talent. But there’s an added element that most don’t think of; it’s the […]

The post Turning the Grind into the Goal appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Think about your personal path to achieving the professional success you have experienced thus far. What attributes or characteristics are you most proud of that got you here? What abilities do you have that allowed you to separate from your peers over the years? Second question: Is there a chance that those very same characteristics […]

The post Letting Go appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

There are two simple words that have the power to completely change one’s approach to work and life forever. These words have the potential to evoke fulfillment, enhance productivity, and create daily peace of mind. You may have found yourself saying some of these already today: I have to go to this team meeting. I […]

The post Who, What, Where, When, How…But Why? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million individuals who voluntarily quit their jobs in January 2015. This is a 17% increase from January 2014, proving that opportunities for employees are abundant and we have shifted back to a candidate-driven marketplace. Why is this important? Employee retention […]

The post Establishing Mutual Commitments appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Being an entrepreneur, or having entrepreneurial abilities, is an admired trait in our society. If you asked a candidate in an interview if they view themselves as entrepreneurs, the socially acceptable answer is a resounding “absolutely.” If you asked individuals on your current team or in your department if they felt they had an entrepreneurial spirit, […]

The post Entrepreneur or Wantrepreneur? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

The beginning of the year represents a timely opportunity for employee reviews and providing feedback regarding performance and development. This is a cherished time for most leaders; it is the chance to reflect on the milestones achieved in the past year and the creation of new objectives for the new year. Annual reviews allow managers […]

The post Topgrading appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Recruiters often say that the purpose of a first interview is to get invited back for a second interview. This is because the decision for next steps then rests solely on the shoulders of the candidate, and options are limitless. But does every candidate who interviews with your organization want to be invited back for […]

The post Employer Branding: Interview Process appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

The concept of having a best friend may seem more appropriate for schoolyard conversations than workplace ones. Although there is no need for friendship bracelets to be exchanged across cubicle walls, there is most certainly a need for significant connections within the workplace in service of employee contribution and retention. The best employers recognize that […]

The post Elevating the Game appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Since childhood, we have all been raised by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Many would cite this ethical code as one of their aspirations by which to live, both personally and professionally. The problem with the Golden Rule? It implies the basic assumption that other people […]

The post Is the Golden Rule Selfish? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

As a leader, you are responsible for making sure your team has the necessary skills to perform well in their roles. Training likely revolves around concrete and definable abilities that link directly back to the expectations of acceptable performance in the role. Concrete training is valuable, but training should not stop there. What can be […]

The post Inspiring An Ownership Mindset appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

For many, pending deadlines and packed schedules are not overwhelming, but instead can be a driving force that pushes them toward greater productivity. We have processes to streamline, goals to achieve, promotions to earn, debt to eliminate, exercise regimes to master, dreams to chase, and people to help and inspire. The “I work best under […]

The post Are We Addicted To Stress? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

By the year 2030, Millennials, also known as Gen Y (those born in the 80’s and 90’s) will make up 75% of the workforce.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2015, this hyper-connected and tech-savvy demographic will come close to overtaking the majority representation of the workplace. This should not come as a […]

The post The Millennial Challenge appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

As human beings, we are naturally programmed with an existing set of emotions, habits, perspectives and opinions. We are sometimes drawn to making decisions for reasons we do not fully understand; we might hire a new employee because it feels right, or we promote those on our team because they deserve it. Decision making lies […]

The post The Psychology of Good Decisions appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

“Tell me about a time when you failed, and what you learned from that experience.” Think of the most successful employees you’ve ever worked with, or the individuals you’ve mentored who excelled the most, or the leaders you’ve studied who seem to achieve every goal they set for themselves.  Undoubtedly, a common thread between all […]

The post The Treasure of True Grit appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Over a career spanning nearly half a century, Harvard University psychology professor J. Richard Hackman garnered widespread esteem and accolades for pioneering the study of team dynamics. Following the events of 9/11, Hackman led a team designed to evaluate what makes intelligence units effective by surveying, interviewing, and observing hundreds of analysts across 64 different […]

The post Deliberately Designing your Corporate Culture appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

As we approach the mid-year point, hours of daylight increase, outdoor activities and vacations are abundant, yet the demands at the office do not wane. The subject of providing an environment for work-life balance often resurfaces during the summer, but the topic is one that should be addressed on an ongoing basis within an organization. […]

The post The Illusive Work-Life Balance appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

On the surface, conducting an interview can seem like a simple enough task, yet it is one that few are formally trained to do – even when promoted into a role that involves the evaluation and acquisition of talent. Shake hands, make the prospect feel welcome, ask questions, answer questions, and evaluate the candidates. How […]

The post Selecting People Who Make a Difference appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

As one responsible for a business’ profitability, I never seem to have the time to coach my people consistently. They have such a limited attention span that I get the feeling, especially with my veterans, that they aren’t really into learning anyway. How do I find the balance and provide them what they need in […]

The post The Coaching Challenge appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

In the manufacturing economy, time was the currency. Systems were designed for maximum efficiency, and effectiveness was simply how much time could be dedicated to the process. The assembly line is a perfect example! In today’s information environment, directing our attention in the right places for the right amount of time and focus is the […]

The post Professional Attention Deficit Disorder appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

An effective search process consists of four steps – identification, attraction, evaluation, and successful acceptance of an offer. Whether your most recent hire came from an internal referral, an in-house recruitment team, or an executive search firm, knowing that a key role is filled can feel like a  weight has  been lifted  from your shoulders. […]

The post Transitioning New Talent appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Despite Economic Uncertainty, There are Opportunities Out There As 2011 draws to a close, there is a lot of angst, uncertainty, frustration, and negativity regarding the economy. With so many negative headlines dominating the media lately, it is easy to become pessimistic. However, it is important not to lose sight of some of the positive […]

The post Silver Linings appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Just recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 3,700,000 job openings on the last business day in March, which was an increase from 3,500,000 job openings announced for January and February. That number reflects published openings comprised of jobs that are advertised either online or in print format. What we believe is […]

The post Winning the War for Talent appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Offices everywhere are full of eager employees poised for fresh starts! There is recharged enthusiasm for conquering previously unconquerable projects. Time with family and friends has allowed for the creation of elaborate dreams to assist in the accomplishment of elaborate goals. In corporations around the world, the New Year brings a revived optimism for all […]

The post Creating a Culture of Retention appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

One of the strongest value propositions a leader can give to an employee is the ability for that individual to perpetually grow in all dimensions. Obvious dimensions include professionally as well as personally, but do not overlook the importance of financial, mental, and spiritual growth as well. In nature, plants either grow or decompose; they […]

The post Continuous Advancement and Perpetual Growth appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Most managers thrive when it comes to evaluating an employee’s success related to the hard skills of a role. Achieving measurable quotas, meeting quantifiable objectives, or directly contributing to profit or cost savings are black-and-white and leave little room for subjectivity or interpretation. The challenge most face is in evaluating the soft skills of every […]

The post Measuring the “Unmeasurable” appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

What to expect in 2010 The good thing about 2009 is it has ended. It was an extremely difficult year. The “global economic crisis” or the “Great Recession,” as it has been called in the United States, is finally over. Most economists agree that the global economic recovery that began at the end of 2009 […]

The post The Recovery Has Begun appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

How will you attract and retain the best executive talent? Ask a CEO about the number one thing that keeps him up at night, and you might be surprised by the answer. For many senior executives, the biggest cause for concern is talent management, not the competition. In an informal survey of more than 450 […]

The post Time to Focus on Talent Management appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Personality Testing in the Employment Process Like singles using dating services, many companies try to find their “perfect match” through the use of personality tests and other psychometric testing.  It has been estimated that 30% of all companies have incorporated some sort of personality testing into their hiring process.   The potential “cultural fit” of a […]

The post Corporate Matchmaking appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Employees Begin to Explore Their Options More employees are beginning to take a course of action that was unthinkable a few months ago. They are quitting their jobs. As reported by many media outlets, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the number of workers who voluntarily left (quit) their jobs outnumbered those who were […]

The post A Rising Tide? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Doesn’t Anyone Just Relocate Anymore? In the not too distant past, the climb up the corporate ladder for many executives included a couple of strategic relocations. Most companies assumed that for the right position, executives would move their families wherever the job required. That assumption is no longer accurate. Over half (56%) of the respondents […]

The post Extreme Commuters, Virtual CEO’s, and Other Mobile Executives appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Are fears of a coming “labor shortage” and “knowledge drain” well founded? Despite the recent economic downturn, many experts believe that within 10 years there will be a labor shortage in the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Western Europe resulting from the retirement of many workers from the Baby Boomer generation (those […]

The post Talking About the Baby Boomer Generation appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.

Pre-employment background checks are under increased scrutiny. Conducting a background check on prospective candidates is considered part of the normal due diligence in the hiring process by many employers.  Reviewing a candidate’s criminal record and credit provides the hiring manager with more information on that candidate and may identify potential “red flags”.  The practice has, […]

The post Due Diligence or Discrimination? appeared first on Sanford Rose Associates Recruiting Network.