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The week isn’t even half-over, and I haven’t done any real work at all, and already I’m exhausted by an endless stream of requests from “prospective employers,” few of whom appear legitimate.

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Comments Off on What’s a “Team Player”?

In a job interview, what does it mean when the interviewer asks, “Do you consider yourself to be a team player?”

Try searching Google for that exact phrase and you’ll find lots of definitive, absolute (there can be no other) explanations for the question — each offering a different interpretation. You’ll also find complaints by job-seekers and also by human resources professionals, criticizing the question as meaningless and unanswerable.

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Comments Off on Update: My View on Non-Disclosure Agreements

In 2009, I wrote a blog post explaining “Why I Don’t Sign NDAs,” and reported that in 30 years of work as a reporter, attorney, and internet marketing consultant, I’ve signed exactly two Non-Disclosure Agreements, one of which was part of an employment contract.

Last week, I signed my third NDA.

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Comments Off on Risks of Hiring Interns and Students

Over the past 15 years, I’ve often heard clients suggest that they intend to hire “interns” or “students” as temporary workers, and I’ve always offered warnings. The problem isn’t really hiring the interns or students, but instead assuming that they understand and respect “the rules.”

Students and other temporary workers “assign far more value to [their own] potential short-term earnings than to the merchant’s long-term reputation” (quoting myself).

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Comments Off on Beware: Focus Group & Survey Scams

I’ve never participated in a focus group, but recently I’ve seen a surge in ads (on Craigslist and other employment sites) promising $50, $100, or more to participate in a focus group. Unfortunately, most of these ads are scams.

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Over the past three months, I’ve been asked to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) more often than ever before, and as usual I’ve said “no” to each request.

I’ve been involved in the computer & technology industry for more than 25 years, starting as a reporter, later as an attorney, and now as a marketing consultant. In all that time, I’ve signed exactly two non-disclosure agreements (one as part of an employment contract).

Of course, I’d never use or disclose someone’s confidential information improperly. Read more »

Comments Off on “I need internet marketing help” help-wanted ads

Lately, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of very vague ads seeking “internet marketing help,” without defining the purpose of the marketing effort.  Sometimes I respond, just to ask what it’s about. Read more »

Comments Off on “I Need a Web Site” Ads

I’ve been finding some very bizarre Craigslist ads in the “gigs” section lately.

I’m not seeking work as a programmer, web developer, or web site designer, but I often peek at some of these ads when the title seems . . . incomplete.  It’s often good for a laugh. Read more »

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It’s amazing how “buzzwords” and jargon continue to drive attitudes and behavior of companies and investors. For the past year, “social media” and “social networking” have been the hot buzzwords, and everybody wants to hire marketing people with a proven track record in “social media.” The problem? Nobody has figured out a way to profit from “social media” marketing. Read more »

Comments Off on Advice for Employers Placing Job Ads

Here’s some free advice for employers advertising on Craigslist and other employment web sites.  (I’ve spent a lot of time over the past year in the “jobs” and “gigs” sections of Craigslist.org and other employment web sites — mostly seeking consulting work or employment, but sometimes seeking to hire.) Read more »