Our affiliate, The People Group, shared some interesting information on their blog describing how to identify when you are being bullied. These signs are from “You know you’re being bullied when…” by Dr. Gary Namie, Workplace Doctor and Founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute:

1. You attempt the obviously impossible task of doing a new job without training or time to learn new skills but that work is never good enough for the boss.

2. Surprise meetings are called by your boss with no results other than further humiliation.

3. Everything your tormenter does to you is arbitrary and capricious, working a personal agenda that undermines the employer’s legitimate business interests.

4. Others at work have been told to stop working, talking or socializing with you.

5. You constantly feel agitated and anxious, experiencing a sense of doom, waiting for bad things to happen.

6. No matter what you do, you are never left alone to do your job without interference.

7. People feel justified screaming or yelling at you in front of others, but you are punished if you scream back.

8. HR tells you that your harassment isn’t illegal, that you have to “work it out between yourselves.”

9. You finally, firmly confront your tormentor to stop the abusive conduct, you are accused of harassment.

10. You are shocked when accused of incompetence despite a history of objective excellence, typically by someone who cannot do your job.

11. Everyone – co-workers, senior bosses, HR – agrees (in person and orally) that your tormentor is a jerk, but there is nothing they will do about it (and deny saying what they said later when asked to support you).

12. Your request to transfer to an open position under another boss is mysteriously denied.

If this describes your situation, follow THIS LINK to information that will help you deal with a workplace bully.

Is it time to look for a job in an organization that supports and appreciates its workers? Join GreatPlaceJobs to find positions with award-winning organizations! Our premium members also receive a free copy of G.L. Hoffman’s ebook, Dig Your Job (a $9.99 value)!

If you could ask a recruiter anything you wanted to know about how hiring really works, what would you ask?

Every first Friday of the month at 1p EST, GreatPlaceJobs affiliate SixFigureStart (Career Coaching By Former Fortune 500 Recruiters) hosts a free coaching call to answer your career questions.  Email questions to caroline@sixfigurestart.com.   To join the call:

Dial 712 775 7100
Use code 151675#

No need to preregister but if you want to submit your question in advance or if you want to be notified when the call recording is available, email info@sixfigurestart.com.

——————–

SixFigureStart is a career coaching firm comprised of former Fortune 500 recruiters.  SixFigureStart co-founders Connie Thanasoulis and Caroline Ceniza-Levine have a combined 40 years of HR and business experience, including recruiting for Accenture, Booz Allen, Citigroup, Disney ABC, Merrill Lynch, Oliver Wyman, Pfizer, Time Inc, TV Guide, and others.  Connie and Caroline are career columnists for Vault.com, CNBC.com and Conde Nast’s Portfolio.com, and teach Professional Development at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.

Senior Financial Analyst

Job Summary:
This position provides analysis & reporting for manufacturing production & related expenditures which includes standards development and budgeting in accordance to the Mars accounting policies and procedures.  Assists in identifying and implementing improvements related to efficiencies and controls where appropriate.  Provide support and training to manufacturing associates as required. This position also provides support & resources to all departments within the company as it relates manufacturing and plant activities to ensure financial integrity of corporate and plant assets.
 
Key Responsibilities:
Perform cost benefit analysis
Support the annual budget process provide direction for site managers
Suggest process improvements where actionable
Implement, Review & Provide training on transaction processes for accuracy and internal control guidelines
Provide transaction process training as required
Provide plant level performance evaluations and reporting
Partner with engineering and production to create, develop and finalize production standards for products produced
Maintain costing tables and standards for materials, labor and overhead for the facility
Assist in inventory reporting and valuation
Prepare plant cost information for timely closing of financial period end, including journal entries support, key account reconciliations and variance analysis
Support operation management, manufacturing and supply chain functions through cost and operational analysis
Provide analysis of key performance indicators and trend reports for manufacturing costs
Perform ad hoc cost/operations analyses in support of continuous improvement efforts
Maintain Mars Petcare compliance to accounting for production spending outlined by Mars Finance Manual.
 
Key Skills Required:
Ability to interact and communicate with all levels of employees
Ability to use PC and widely-used software packages, especially spreadsheet and word processing software
Ability to learn new software packages as necessary
Knowledge and ability to apply financial analysis principles
Strong Excel knowledge and skills
Professionalism and ability to resolve issues at the root cause
Self directed and self motivated
 
Minimum Qualifications:
2 year(s) of experience in related job particularly with manufacturing experience
The knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor’s degree program in a related field, or equivalent work experience.
Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities
Ability to travel 20% of the time
Successful completion of a drug and background screen

Preferred Qualifications:
6+ years of experience in related job particularly with manufacturing experience
MBA degree
CPA or CMA certification
Supervisory experience

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars Petcare US offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.

If you’re looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called “associates” and treated as such, then we want to hear from you.

We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars Petcare US is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply here, and tell them that you heard about the position at GreatPlaceJobs!

Campbell Supply Company LLC is interested in hiring a Senior Technologist, Product Development for their R&D department in Camden, NJ.  Here’s a description of what this award-winning employer is looking for:

Imagine…working for a company that knows that its people are the key to its success in the marketplace. A company in which achieving extraordinary results and having a stimulating work experience are part of the same process.

At Campbell, we cultivate and embrace a diverse employee population. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our growth and enrich our global culture.

We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.
 
General Summary:

Opportunities within our NASSB Product Development organization are available. Senior Technologist positions reside within our Sauce and Beverage, Soup, and/or North America Food Service businesses. Seeking talented Technologists who will be responsible for managing multi disciplinary projects from concept through commercialization for the development of new products, product platforms, product improvements and/or process optimization.

Internal candidates please reach out to Marcy Martin, Campbells Global Talent Acquisition Recruiter, for more information regarding the openings.

Key Responsibilities:

1. 60%-70% Lead development from concept through implementation all aspects of product development projects of moderate to high level visibility.
2. 30% Interact with business and build partnerships to advance programs. Collaborate with and manage multi disciplinary functions within R&D as well as in partnership with Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing and Sales to drive and commercialize initiatives.
3. 0-10% Supervise organizational effectiveness of direct reports. Responsible for the individual development, objective setting, performance management and ongoing coaching of direct reports.

Job Complexity:

• Understand growth business goals and create direction and balance product quality with cost constraints
• Work across manufacturing systems
• Understand and identify project constraints and overcome these barriers through collaboration and alignment with cross functional teams
• Define R&D timelines and ensure smooth transition of technology transfer from innovation teams
• Understand and mitigate risk with respect to customer implementation. Understand customer needs and translate them into product executions. Understand consumer and customer research methodologies and results and lead the process to implement findings into product formulation.
• Balance multiple project initiatives simultaneously and work under conditions of ambiguity.
• May supervise organizational effectiveness of 1-2 direct reports. Responsible for individual development and performance management. 
 
Education and Experience:

• Product development experience required: 2+ years with Masters, 5+ years with Bachelors Degree
• Sound understanding of recipe development for transformation to manufacturing
• Development experience in thermally processed/refrigerated/frozen foods or beverages preferred
• Presentation skills and ability to interact with cross functional teams fostering a team approach
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to deliver against key objectives and timelines
• Knowledge of experimental design is beneficial
• Requirement to taste all products

Working Conditions:
• Must be able to travel to various manufacturing sites. While in the office, 50% of the time is working in the labs or kitchens and 50% in meetings and desk work. Up to 30% travel required.

Campbell…the ingredients to be extraordinary. Where icon brands thrive.
People are valued. And you can make a difference.

Apply here, and tell them that you heard about the position GreatPlaceJobs!

By Miriam Salpeter, GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expect

You’re looking for a job? When is the last time you tried a new strategy? A change of direction?

Your job hunt is lasting longer than you thought? You know it’s a tough market, but you’re frustrated and looking for answers? Here’s another in a series of posts sharing ideas to help you “change up” your job hunting efforts.

I was recently speaking to a client about his search and offering him some tips to rev up his hunt. I said, “Talk to people you don’t think can help you.” Silence…”People who CAN’T help?,” he asked, incredulously. Absolutely! You never know where the next lead may be or where an important piece of information may be lurking.

Talk to people who CAN’T help you with your search. Expand your net of networking contacts. You never know when a connector is in your midst – someone who takes pride in knowing a lot of people and introducing them to each other.

As part of my work, I keep a close eye on career and resume trends by reading books, blogs and keeping in touch with my advisory board of professionals in an array of industries.

When I’m not writing resumes, coaching, blogging and reading, in the spirit of ”practice what you preach,” I also frequently meet people for “informational interviews.” I attend Chamber of Commerce meetings, visit close-contact networking groups and seek out an array of networking opportunities.  It is amazing to me how our need for networking (as entreuprenuers and as job seekers) has spawned a whole industry of people for whom networking is actually their business!

I’ve been to coffee with real estate professionals, a dentist, investment advisors, life coaches, travel professionals, vitamin sales people, photographers and a salesperson trainer, just to name a few.  It never ceases to amaze me how much we have to share with each other, and the possible “touch points” between our businesses or our networks.

Taking the time to meet these professionals offers me the opportunity to share information about my business, but more importantly, I have a chance to learn about programs, events and opportunities I might never have considered.  I also try to share something that will help them and offer to be a resource.

In a recession, it is even more important to expand our circles when job seeking.

Some lessons:

Never underestimate the possibility for really interesting common ground.  Some of the meetings I’ve least felt like getting up at 6 a.m. to attend have been the most productive in terms of what I’ve learned.

Open your eyes to the opportunities!  Seek out places to meet new people.  Join an organization, a new health club or take a class.  Google “networking opportunities, (your city)” and see what comes up!  Then, don’t just attend, be an active participant.

Just because someone isn’t in your field doesn’t mean they don’t have useful information for you.  (Or you for them.) Our lives intersect in so many points.  Think of someone you consider least likely to be able to share good information with you for your search. Meet for coffee. You may be surprised!

I challenge you to engage – ask questions…be able to explain who you are and what you do.  Don’t underestimate the value of every connection.  Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows something. Inserting yourself as part of the chain is a great step in the right direction!

Have you had any great experiences as a result of this type of networking? Share them in the comments!

Maybe you’ve been out of work for a while. You are watching your savings dwindle and you are envisioning a long wait for the right job.

So, when you finally land an offer, it is easy to try to overlook the fact that:

• During your interactions with the company, they treated you badly,
• They weren’t particularly well organized and
• Everyone working there seemed unhappy.

I’ve written about this before, but since today’s economy seems even more likely than ever to make job seekers grab the first job that comes their way, it seems a good time to remind everyone to consider a few important facts:

• When a company is hiring, an applicant should assume that they (the company) are on their “best behavior” during the process.  So, if arrangements are disorganized, interviewers seem unfriendly, people around the office seem unhappy or disgruntled, someone makes a snide remark about the boss or HR is unclear about the position’s duties – consider yourself forewarned.
• If you take a job with a company that you know comes with problems, you may very well be jumping from the frying pan (unemployment) to the fire (employment with a badly run organization).
• If you are miserable in your new job, it will be difficult to spend time searching for yet another job, and you may wind up in a situation (if you leave the  new job) of explaining why you left, which is never easy.

The main point of this post is not to convince you not to take a job offer that will help you pay your bills. It’s to remind you that you should try not to let desperation make a decision for you. If you go into a situation with your eyes open to potential problems, don’t put on rose-colored glasses and assume everything is going to be okay. Use whatever skills you can muster to manage yourself and protect your career. Focus on how you can make the most of the situation while you are there.

I’m a big believer in the idea that awareness of a problem actually helps lead to a solution. So, if you take a job despite red flags during the interview process, remember that forewarned is forearmed. Act accordingly.

The best idea is to look for a job with an organization known for treating their employees well!

Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.com

If you’ve been looking for a job for a while, and you know that you are qualified, but no one is calling. What should you do?

I speak to potential clients who fit this category regularly. Clients suggest many possible scapegoats as to why the phone isn’t ringing:

• Age discrimination.
• My experience doesn’t exactly match their needs. No one will give me a chance to prove myself.
• I’m trying to transition from non-profit to for-profit and they just don’t want me.
• They look at my previous industry and discriminate against me because they don’t like (fill in the blank).

I would never tell potential clients that these factors have NOTHING to do with their hunt or that it is easy to overcome these possible roadblocks. However, when I review resumes from these job seekers, I usually identify fatal resume flaws that have nothing to do with age, experience or industry. Many times, it is clear to me that these job seekers are approaching their searches with resumes that are doing them more harm than good.

Some examples:

Age Discrimination. Many resumes appear old-fashioned and outdated. They include information that isn’t necessary (such as date of birth), but omit key resume details (such as dates of employment). If the job seeker is “experienced” (read: older), an outdated looking resume only puts a spotlight on a factor that might be considered a drawback.

Lack of experience. Job seekers who don’t have direct experience in their field of choice make mistakes when they don’t attempt to address the needed skills and stick to a basic “this is the stuff I did” resume. Listing “stuff” isn’t going to cut it when you’re reaching for a job. Focus on those transferable skills. Look at your “soft” skills. Figure out what you have to offer and highlight it for the reader.

Transitioning. Consider how you describe your past experiences. If you are moving to a for-profit, use language that appeals to that employer. Always write for your target. I recently worked with a client to re-write a “non-profit” sounding job description using “for-profit” language. She landed an interview within 24 hours of sending the resume. If you are applying for a job in France, you’d write your resume in French. Similarly, be sure to use lingo and descriptions that will make sense to the reader. Don’t expect them to translate it!

Industry Discrimination. I’ve worked with clients who believe their current industry isn’t an asset in moving to a new field. For example, a chiropractor who wants to work in accounting. It is easy to write a resume that makes accounting skills and experience the first thing employers will read. I’ve seen many resumes of job hunters who highlight the very information they think detracts from their candidacy!

So, if your phone isn’t ringing, don’t start assigning blame and throwing up your hands until you take a good, long look at your resume. You may be surprised at what you DO control in your job hunt.

Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.com

Looking around, it may seem like getting a job in this economy is about as easy as climbing Mount Everest. Unemployment is up, more talented people are losing their jobs and the thought of a job hunt is pretty daunting for most professionals, especially those who have not needed to look for a job in a long time.

However, I believe that keeping a positive attitude and taking advantage of all of all available tools at their disposal can help job seekers be successful, even in seemingly bleak times. In her blog for Examiner.com, Heather Huhman reports some heartening findings.

For example, news isn’t all that bad if you have a college degree. Rob McGovern, CEO Jobfox says the unemployment rate is only 3.1 percent for professionals with college degrees.

Heather reports on McGovern’s recommendations for students and recent graduates looking for work. I think these tips apply to all job seekers. (Commentary is my own.)

Tips for Employed Job Seekers

It seems as if every time I turn around, the economic news gets worse. More people are being laid off. Recent college grads are having job offers rescinded. Retirees are going back to work because their investments took such a hit. No question that this is a stressful time.

If you are lucky enough to be currently employed, but are in the midst of a job hunt, you have a whole different set of stress factors to manage.

Your career is your responsibility. If you look around and don’t envision yourself in the same organization for the long haul (or even for the short haul), it is up to you to take steps to find something new. No matter how difficult it is or how little time you have, if you don’t take the wheel, you can’t drive your own career bus.

So, some tips to help the busy employee who leads a double life as a job seeker:

Do NOT – I repeat – DO NOT conduct your job search while AT work. Even using your employer issued computer on your own time is iffy. If you don’t want to be shown the door before you are ready, conduct your search on your OWN time. What? You don’t have any of your own time? That’s the reason you are looking for a job? Carve some out. Searching online job boards, blogs (!) and sending emails applying for positions from your company computer is risky. Just don’t do it.

Manage your time. You need to take a break from work. If that “break” also involves spending some of your “down” time prepping for a job hunt, so be it.

Invest in yourself. Hire someone to help you or put in the preparation that you deserve to ensure that you know how to look for a job and that your materials represent the best you have to offer. Do not sell yourself short by sending around a resume that isn’t optimized. The investment you put into your search at the outset will pay off for you in the long run with a shorter hunt.

Network! Open your eyes – networking opportunities are all around. Soon,  holiday parties will begin. Family get-togethers are in the offing. Take advantage of social situations to grow your network. Too busy for parties? Social networking (online) will fill in the gaps. I recommend a dual-prong networking strategy that involves in-person and online networking for full exposure. Investigate Twitter. Optimize your linkedin profile.

Keep connected and engaged in your current job, no matter how difficult it is. Sporting a positive attitude will help make you desirable to potential employers (and make it easier for you at work). Even if you have one foot out the door, don’t start acting as if you are already off the payroll. When’s a good time to tell your colleagues that you are looking for a job? When you give your notice! Turn to non-work friends for support during your search.

Gather information. If you interview for a job, be sure to ask about their timing. You want to know if they will be making a hiring decision soon or if you are the first of 100 interviews! Having information will help you manage your search. Ask questions that will help put you in the driver’s seat down the road.

Above all, recognize that the positive steps you take now to manage your own career will pay off in the long run. Don’t wait. Don’t let stress or fear get the best of you. Take the wheel and turn the key.

Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.wordpress.com

Economic news isn’t good. Many people are out of work, many others expecting to lose their jobs. At times like this, it is important to prepare for a job or career transition. You don’t want to be caught like a deer in the headlights if a pink slip crosses your desk.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your job hunt:

1. Identify your skills. Know what you have to offer. If you don’t know why someone should hire you, who does? Get your elevator pitch prepared and identify a list of accomplishments.

2. Put together a top-notch resume. Be sure you aren’t just listing “things” you’ve done. You should incorporate all of those great skills and accomplishments you identified in the first step.

3. Get your linkedin profile optimized. If you’re not on linkedin, it’s time to join. Especially if you anticipate a big downsizing at your job, it is important that you are able to keep in touch with your colleagues and your network. If those friends and colleagues are not linkedin, be sure to invite them to join and connect. The more connections you have, the better off everyone will be.

4. Network intelligently. Review listings here on GreatPlaceJobs to learn what companies are highly rated as good places to work. Seek out informational meetings with individuals in organizations of interest to you. Focus on what you have to offer when you meet someone. Share information, not your interest in looking for a job.

5. Seek emotional support and non-job seeking outlets for your time and energy. If you’re in a full-time job hunt, it is easy to sit at the computer all day and night. If you do that, you will drown in your job hunt. Take time for social events and make plans to see people. The fact is, the more you get out, the more opportunities you will have to expand your network. While online/social networking is great, don’t neglect in-person networking opportunities.

Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.wordpress.com