Reflection

 

1. Why did you choose this job ad? Do you feel that you are qualified for the position? (Paragraph). I choose this position because I have the experience and skills that needed to perform well in it. The other reason I choose it is because unlike most of the other jobs within in my field. This one does not require a Bachelors degree.  I have five years of experience in the human resources field. I worked two years as an assistant and have spent the last three years as an associate. The duties of an associate are very similar to those of an HR generalist however it the pay tends to be twenty-five percent lower.

 

2. How long has the ad been posted?  It was posted on Jan 27, 2007 .If it has been posted for a long period of time, are you sure that the position is still available? How?  It was posted on Jan 27, 2007 . Also the position is in an outer suburb so in all likely it will still be available. 

3. Where is the company located? Are you willing to move if it is out of state or in a foreign country? It is located in Fredericksburg VA. The commute there would properly be  30 to 45 min each way for me.

 

4. Why is living in the area that the company is located appealing to you? (paragraph)

I also grew up in this area and have a lot of friends and family members here .Since I already live in northern Virginia I would not have to pack my things and move for this job. Northern Virginia is a great place to live and work. The local economy is recession proof because most of the organizations and corporations main client is the federal government. Since uncle Sam tends to spend lots money all the time .Even in a down economy. Northern Virginia’s economy is insulated. There is also a limited pool of qualified applicants for a lot of the available positions, because most of them require prospective employees to have US citizenship and the ability to obtain a government clearance. So if you are a citizen, can get a clearance, have experience in the field and have at least a bachelor’s degree. You are pretty much guaranteed a job.  

 

Job Ad Analysis

 

1. What skills is your prospective employer seeking, from most important to least important? (list) : recruitment and selection; benefits administration, classification and compensation, employee relations, performance management, training and development; legal compliance; strategic planning; and Human Resource Information Systems and Reporting, comprehensive knowledge of: state and federal human resource laws and regulations; human resource principles, programs, and practices; public policies and procedures; investigation processes; management techniques and practices; project management; and the principles of research analysis. Effective communication skills

 

2. What exceptional skills do you have that prove you to be
invaluable to this company or organization? Remember that your resume is not a record of what you’ve done, but a persuasive document that proves indisputably that you are the best person for the job. (list)

 

*I have three years of experience in : employee  recruitment and selection, labor relations, legal compliance, 

 

*Knowledge of : federal , state and local laws and regulations, training and development  activities ,

 

*Ability to conduct training and development activities and sessions and performance management.

 

*Can create employee orientation packets.

 

*Possess the ability to conduct new employee orientation

 

*I also have five years of experience recording very sensitive information into the HRIS database

 

*I have a thorough knowledge of the common HR practices, polices and principles

 

* I am able to properly conduct background investigations.

 

3. As an exercise, list the skills, professional experience, personality traits, etc., the job ad is asking for in the left column, and in the right, write paragraphs that elaborate on and illustrate your skills, experience, etc.

 

Your prospective employer (list)

 

Employee recruitment and selection

 

 Employee relations and legal compliance

 

Benefits administration

 

Classification and compensation       

 

Performance management

 

Training and development

 

Strategic Planning

 

Human resources and reporting (HRIS)

 

Knowledge of state and federal regulations

 

Knowledge of HR principles, programs and practices

 

Public polices and procedures

 

Investigation processes;

 

Management techniques and practices; project management;

 

Principles of research analysis.

 

Effective communication skills

 

Your Paragraph

 

I possess knowledge of the federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern the practice of this field. I  am also aware of the common HR principles, practices and protocols that are commonly practiced.

I have three years of work experience in employee recruitment and selection, employee relations, and legal compliance. I also have five years of work experience updating and maintaining human resources information systems (HRIS). I am able to follow the legally mandated procedures when providing information about past employees or when verifying the work , academic and personal history of potential employees.  I have also taken courses that  have shown me how to properly assess employees and conduct training and development activities that would update the skills of the workers.  Finally I am also able to analyze corporate financial statements such as balance sheets and income statements. This ability will enable me to communicate more effectively with the business and financial departments within the organizations. It will also help me align the goals of the HR department with the needs of the organization; to strategically maximize the contributions of the human capital so that the performance goals of the company can be met.

 

Did you know anything about the company before you saw the job ad? (short answer) . I was aware they existed but did not know much more than that about them.

 

2. Does the company have a website? What is the URL? (short answer) www.racsb.state.va.us

 

3. What is the mission statement of the company? (paragraph) According to the website  “Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) is committed to improving the quality of life for people residing in Planning District 16 with mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse problems and to preventing the occurrence of these conditions”. It is also committed to providing their clients with the highest customer service available and tailors the services it provides to met their needs.

 

4. What are keywords on the website that you can use in your cover letter and interview? (list)

 

Experience in employee recruitment and selection

 

Ability to properly verify the work, academic, and criminal background of applicants

 

Ability to record sensitive information into the HRIS database

 

Prior management experience [I did not list it in my resume’ but my family owned an Ethiopian restaurant in Adams Morgan and I worked their throughout high school was promoted to assistant manger of the front “house” staff (waiters, bartenders, hostesses, and busboys) during my senior year. ]

 

Knowledge of State and federal regulations and Laws

 

5. Write a few sentences about the history of the company. Remember that it is essential for you to learn as much about the company as possible; you can use such knowledge for your cover letter and interview. (paragraph)

 

It was established in 1970 and is a local public mental health, substance abuse and retardation expert and authority. It aims to provide effective preventive, rehabilitation services are effective and flexible. It name was changed to Rappahannock Area Community Services Board when it started to offer substance abuse services. Prior to that it was called the Rappahannock Area Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board; when it was first founded it only had 10 employees. Today it employs 365 people and provides help to 7000 people each year.

 

6. Based on your research, what is your personal sense about the company? What do you feel the company values? (paragraph). The organization is committed to providing it’s customers and their families with quality and effective services. The core areas that it currently provides help to the public are : Mental health  , Mental retardation, Substance abuse , preventive and early intervention services. I am unsure of what type of work culture it possesses.

 

7. Does Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities have a networking system with this company? (short answer). No

 

8. Do you have any personal connections to this company? Do you know anyone who works there? Does anyone in your family or friends of your family work there? (short answer). I do not know anyone who currently works there. But a former co-worker of my husband briefly worked in the HR department.