Top 50 Companies for Diversity

According to DiversityInc's 2006 survey of the top 50 companies for diversity, these leaders in human capital diversity aggressively recruit and retain a high percentage of women, candidates of a diverse ethnic mix, and candidates with disabilities. They are also more likely to offer benefits to support a diverse workforce including on-site childcare and adoption assistance. As job seekers, remember that you are interviewing a company just as much as they are interviewing you. It is well worth the investment in time to target those companies that match your needs as well as your uniqueness. Take a look at the list...it may help validate what you've heard about these companies or it may give you some ideas on new companies to pursue...either way, surveys such as these are a fun read and can provide valuable job search information.

The Science of Hiring

Read the Inc.com
article on the "science of hiring" to learn about the latest strategies employers are using to find their dream candidates and get the "skinny" on cognitive and personality tests, group and behavioral interviewing, and reference checking. You may get a bit squemish reading about the lengths employers will go to in order to find the right fit but you may also find it refreshing to discover that hiring managers are relying less on "gut instincts" and more on comprehensive and standardized interview strategies.

Credit Checks as Part of the Hiring Process

A recent Salary.com survey revealed that running a credit report is a relatively common practice employers use to judge an applicant's level of responsibility, verify their employment history and identity, and assess their risk for workplace theft. According to the survey, more than 1 in 5 small and medium sized businesses use credit reports in the hiring process. Candidates applying for jobs in finance, accounting, and bookkeeping, as well as those who have access to cash or valuables or supervise budgets and people are most likely to have to undergo a background check. Be sure to check out the article to learn more about your rights and what to expect.

In a recent Fortune Magazine article, Are You Stuck in Middle Management Hell?, Generation Xers bump up against the 77 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 as they struggle to achieve upward mobility in a phenomenon called "The Gray Ceiling". The article offers creative advice on how to break through the ceiling including finding a start-up, finding and fixing a big mess, changing industries, and working overseas.