February 2003
Check Your Fortune Cookie
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
February 2003
Check Your Fortune Cookie
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
The Fortune 100 Best Companies to work for list has just been released. It is a must publication for all job hunters and HR professionals to see how the most progressive companies conduct their business. Many of the 100 are familiar names to every American consumer, from Microsoft to Edward Jones to Marriott; these companies have made it on the list for several years. There are other companies whose names aren’t so familiar to us but their willingness to go through the lengthy application process and random surveying of their employees over the last few years is admirable. They include hospitals, manufacturers, tech companies, banks, law firms, and a security guard firm. They include construction companies and manufacturers and a major airline, firms that you would guess couldn’t possibly make it on such a prestigious list because of large numbers of employees and traditionally high turnover rates.
I decided to focus my attention on several newcomers to the List. I wanted to see how progressive they are in their recruiting and retention practices. I wanted to see specifically how sophisticated their websites are in communicating their mission and helping job candidates learn as much about their company as possible. Here’s my impression of the three newcomers:
Sterling Bank is headquartered in Houston. The symbol on their website is a fiery red 1957 car with the most outrageous fins you may recall. Why they use that piece of nostalgia, I don’t know. It clearly is something that they’re proud of. Maybe they use it as a way of promoting their involvement in the Houston community. That is one of the signature places on their website: the impressive list of non-profits who have benefited from Sterling employees donating time and energy to improving their area.
A word to the wise Sterling applicant: Don’t even consider Sterling as a place to work if you’re not prepared to take additional time to volunteer in the many community projects that the Bank is involved in. As their website notes,
"We want to brag on our employees’ accomplishments and thank them for the hard work and dedication that they exhibit to help others. They are living our motto of "It's all about people...and always will be."
The Sterling career section is pretty modest but effective in laying out their philosophy. The Bank firmly believes that the delivery of top quality service is a team effort - understanding that the actions of one member are critical to the success of others and, ultimately, the ability of Sterling Bank to accomplish its mission.
"Our working environment is one in which teamwork thrives. We strongly support individual initiative in response to the needs of our customers and the continuously improved quality and competitiveness of our products. We give each other the same respect, courtesy, and understanding that we share with every Sterling Bank customer." If that’s not your personal philosophy, please don’t apply!
Probably the strongest suit on their website portrays is Sterling University which clearly demonstrates their ongoing investment in Sterling employees’ growth and development. Banks are notorious for tolerating high turnover and only moving employees laterally. Sterling goes out of its way to define career paths and certifications in many positions. These include the transformation of the Teller position to that of a Front Line Manager, the Credit Analyst training program, the Certified Lender program, and the Master CEO and Master Office Manager programs.
Their commitment to continuing education is demonstrated by the number and types of course offerings on a variety of topics, from leadership and time management to life balance and computer skills. As well as classes, a resource library is in place to promote learning from books, videotapes, and audiotapes. In addition, Sterling University recently produced a CD designed to enhance the training time of their bankers.
As good bankers should, financial consultants conduct meetings to educate employees, assist them with the management of their 401(k) funds, and offer personalized investment advice. Consultants provide tools to assist in developing personalized retirement savings strategies.
In summary, Sterling Bank presents an image of an exceptional place to work if you can demonstrate your willingness to learn, grow, thrive in teams, and want to make a difference in the greater Houston community.
Network Appliance is also a newcomer to the Fortune 100 Best Company list. Its website is full of information that is easy to follow. In a few short paragraphs, Network lays out its philosophy.
"How does a company keep its edge? By creating an environment that brings out the best. By creating a workplace where people are excited and want to come in each and every day. We believe that our success is founded on the people who work here. We strive to infuse our culture and our company with the trust that makes people comfortable to be here, the integrity that serves as the backbone of our company, and the teamwork that makes every person an active participant in our future and theirs."
For those who want to read on, there are hotlinks to Network’s competitive compensation and benefit package which describes the plethora of goodies. Network also hotlinks job applicants to their openings. There you can find full descriptions of jobs and expectations for those who want to fill them.
Network also clearly explains their company philosophy which should make it easy for applicants to customize their work history accordingly. For example, Network values leadership. They want folks who can streamline processes, not complicate them with bureaucratic procedures. They want people who have initiative and can demonstrate how willing they are to keep their professional credentials current. Their final comment wraps it up nicely: Get Things Done!
As you’d expect from a high tech firm, there is a convenient template for filling out your resume online.In summary, Network has done a pretty good job in describing their working environment and company culture. Compared to Cisco and Sun Microsystems sites, Network could do more to elaborate the company’s exceptional people and their success stories, but that will probably come in the next version of their career section.
I have to explain my extreme prejudice about the next newcomer to the Fortune 100 Best. As a kid growing up in New Jersey, no morning was complete without reading The New York Times (there is no state newspaper in the Garden State). So I was plumb delighted to see that the venerable Times made it on this list.
And just as I have been impressed with the quality of their writing (although not always their editorial content), I was pleased as punch to see what an impressive jobs site that they have.
For example, here’s what you can expect when you go to the Times Career section:
- A comprehensive job description with detailed information about the expectations and responsibilities;
- The name of a real live person to email for further information;
- Your personal jobs agent to alert you about new openings in the NYT vast empire around the country in many different fields, not just writing;
- A complete online application to fill out
- Clear company mission, values, benefits statements
The Times describes its mission in what it calls Rules of the Road:
- Treat each other with honesty, respect and civility.
- Strive for excellence--don't settle for less.
- Embrace diversity.
- Contribute your individual excellence to team efforts.
- Take risks and innovate, recognizing that failure occasionally occurs.
- Information is power; share it.
- Accept responsibility; delegate authority.
- Give and accept constructive feedback.
- Maintain perspective and a sense of humor. For a publication that has never had a comics section or political cartoon, this is refreshing!
The Times also emphasizes its connections with college students and opportunities for internships and coops in newsrooms, broadcast stations, online operations or business areas. There is also provides assistance with scholarships, internships and strategic positions for members of minority groups. "Our interns work with seasoned professionals who value good work as much as you do, and who value your enthusiasm and your fresh ideas."
In summary, the Times has done an exceptional job of describing its philosophy, the multitude of opportunities in states around the country, and a streamlined process to submit an application or learn about an internship opportunity. It is a model Career Section that you must take seriously as a job candidate. Even as someone who has grown up with the Times, I learned a great deal about the workings of this newspaper that I wouldn’t have come across from reading it daily.
Start off February right by having a very Happy Chinese New Year. Get the best fortune from a fortune cookie that you can! And don’t forget the Valentine in your life.
Keep your questions and comments coming. I love to know what’s happening in your world and to help in any way that I can. All the best in your job search this month. Please contact me at jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
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