Echoing reports of ongoing labor shortages, a new survey confirms that a vast majority of organizations are facing extreme difficulty finding and retaining qualified workers. But, the survey reveals, these challenges are no longer being driven solely by a lack manual services workers, as previous trends have indicated. Rather, office workers are now significantly harder to both … [Read more...] about It’s harder to find and keep office workers
Hiring
Candidate ghosting: They’re just not that into you
Candidate ghosting is taking an increasing toll on employers, new research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half suggests. In a survey of more than 800 senior managers, more than four in 10 respondents (43 per cent) said it’s more common for job candidates to cut off communication now than two years ago. Why candidates ghost In a separate survey, … [Read more...] about Candidate ghosting: They’re just not that into you
Reference checking: I thought they weren’t allowed to say that
What’s your understanding of the reference checking process? If you’re like most managers and job seekers, you probably think former employers are only allowed to confirm previous employment dates and title. Certainly they cannot, and will not, offer negative commentary about workers as it would be a violation of corporate policy—and perhaps it is illegal as well. If this is … [Read more...] about Reference checking: I thought they weren’t allowed to say that
Hot lateral hiring market of 2021 notches record increase from 2020
Following a 30% decline in 2020 due in large part to hiring pauses in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, lateral hiring rebounded at an unprecedented rate in 2021, according to analyses of NALP’s Survey on 2021 Lateral Hiring. Overall, lateral hiring was up by 111% compared to 2020, the largest year-over-year increase since NALP (National Association for Law Placement) … [Read more...] about Hot lateral hiring market of 2021 notches record increase from 2020
Bar exam proposed for 2026 emphasizes lawyering skills
A new bar exam, slated to debut in 2026, will test more skills and fewer subjects than its current incarnation. The legal community is now invited to comment on preliminary outlines of exam content that, once finalized, will guide future test takers, law schools, and exam drafters as the new exam approaches. The bar exam is the test of legal skills and knowledge that most US … [Read more...] about Bar exam proposed for 2026 emphasizes lawyering skills
High at work: Anyone else smell that?
By Paul Edwards More often than you would think, we get calls from managers wondering what they can do about someone whom they think is impaired at work. When that happens, we immediately go into crisis control mode because, well, impairment at work is never acceptable. In this article, we are going to discuss impairment and odors from the perspective of marijuana … [Read more...] about High at work: Anyone else smell that?
Law firms scramble for entry-level and lateral hires
Industry data indicate that 2021 was another banner year financially for law firms, the most profitable year since before the Great Recession, with the strongest growth in demand for legal services since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) show that fall 2021 recruiting activity was also strong following a … [Read more...] about Law firms scramble for entry-level and lateral hires
How pre-hire social media searches save employers
By Lynne Curry You thought the applicant knocked it out of the park with his resume and answers to your interview questions. Do you make the offer? Not so fast. Have you fully checked out the real person behind the resume and interview answers? In addition to reference checks, ninety percent of employers now use social media to evaluate job candidates.1 According to Harvard … [Read more...] about How pre-hire social media searches save employers
Summer associate diversity gains but challenges remain
Overall gains have been made at the summer associate level in the representation of women, summer associates of color, and LGBTQ summer associates at major U.S. law firms in 2021 as compared to 2020. The annual Report on Diversity at U.S. Law Firms, released this month, is based on the 2021-2022 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE). The percentage of summer associates of … [Read more...] about Summer associate diversity gains but challenges remain
Job descriptions have hidden powers
By Paul Edwards When it comes to hiring practices, the job description is usually not top of mind for small practice entrepreneurs. In fact, it’s usually one of the last things on the HR to-do list of small medical offices. Still, if small business leadership understood how much heavy lifting a good job description can do, they would likely be seen as the first thing you need … [Read more...] about Job descriptions have hidden powers