WMU News

Essentials of hiring... and getting hired

May 24, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- Two local experts will reveal the essentials of the hiring process from both ends of the spectrum at a Western Michigan University workshop Thursday, June 6.

Terri L. Haroff of Hi-Lex Corp. and Ann Swartout of Wise Personnel will present "The Essentials of Employment: Hiring and Getting Hired" from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Federal Room of the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce building, 346 W. Michigan Ave. The program, part of a monthly series of workshops offered by WMU's Women's Business Development Center, is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Pat Guenther at (269) 387-2714 or <patricia.guenther@wmich.edu>.

"The game of employment has two players--the employer and the potential employee," says Patricia Guenther, director of the Women's Business Development Center. "The mythologies that have grown up around each come together on the playing field of the interview. To achieve a successful match, both parties should be familiar with the latest thinking on hiring practices, from both sides of the equation."

Haroff, employment and benefits manager at Hi-Lex, will reveal how employers can ensure they find the right person for an open position. Any manager who has ever hired the wrong person knows just how much the selection, hiring and training process can cost--in both time and money, she says. According to Haroff, hiring errors most often occur when the interviewer tries to assess a candidate's interviewing skills rather than the most critical criteria: competency.

Swartout, president of Wise Personnel, will discuss the key issues for job seekers on the opposite side of the hiring equation. She will touch on the importance of attitude and goal setting, as well as researching companies of interest, preparing for and acing the interview, proper follow-up, and accepting the job.

WMU's Haworth College of Business established the Women's Business Development Center in 1999 to offer support to female professionals and entrepreneurs by providing training, problem-solving consultation, current business information and networking opportunities.

Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu


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