Can people change?

Can people change? This topic can be quite controversial. Governments certainly don’t think people change, but parole boards might. Parents usually think their own children can change, but that other parents’ children cannot. Employers think job seekers won’t change, which is why they rarely consider candidates who have a history of jumping jobs. We generally assume extended family can’t change, but maybe friends can? What about environments; they can change so why can’t people change along with that? I know most women change when they have children, but everyone says women can’t change men.

Change needs to be constant, especially at work. Technology is changing at the speed of light and every job now, or soon, will have an element of technology in it. If we think about the use of the internet over the past 15 years, and the use of cell phones, cars, and even environmental technology, the change has been astronomical. People are lost without being connected 24/7. We have all learned to manage the change in technology, but we may not like to change ourselves. At least most of us understand that change is a necessary part of life!

The staffing industry would not exist if people did not change jobs, quit, get laid off, or take maternity or paternity leaves. Our industry relies on businesses changing, growing, or downsizing. But most people still don't like change of any kind. Bosses dislike having to rehire, retrain, and redevelop employees. Coworkers dislike it when teammates leave and someone new has to come on board.

So, do people change? Should we give someone a second chance to prove they have changed for the better? Should we hire new employees who have a sketchy work history? How many chances should we give people? Should there be a rule, or number, like there are for workplace warnings? Once bitten, twice shy? Try one technology, and if it doesn't work, be leery of the next one. Try one employee, and if that one doesn’t work out, very carefully pick another, or don't, and do the work yourself. Try one date, one relationship, or one friend, and if one does not work out, only try one more, then never again. Accept only one career in a lifetime, because if that one does not work out, there will only be one more opportunity to be the one and only. See how ridiculous this all is? Just because we are afraid of change, or accepting people who are trying to change, or are looking for a change, we are creating this unwinnable argument around change. We should be working on how to embrace change not fight it…unless I change my mind about that.

Would you trade your life for someone else's?

When I am preparing to write my weekly blog post, I run the last few weeks over in my mind looking for some type of pattern or theme. Usually, I can figure out what to write about based on recurring topics brought up by others, myself, or in the media. I often eavesdrop on conversations, especially when I hear the words boss, work, resume, job, or anything related to employment. For the past few weeks I have stated to several people that “I would not trade my life for anyone else’s on this planet”. Now, I am not super rich, incredibly attractive, or extraordinarily intelligent, but I sure am happy with my life overall. Perhaps I started saying this because the people around me have been complaining a lot lately and always seem to want more. I do think it’s important for people to strive for more or better, but I do believe in being thankful for what you do have.

I recently travelled to the United States for a conference, and I love it there. I love the people, the weather, the shopping and the cheaper prices, but I would not trade being Canadian with anyone from any country. We have fresh air, beautiful mountains, clean water, and an abundance of other natural resources to go around. We have our freedoms, an established health care system, and we are a friendly nation. We have tons of good jobs with low unemployment rates, and we have a society of mostly middle class working people with a very small population of poor and even smaller population of rich.

If you have a stable job, be thankful. If you are healthy, be thankful. If you have people who support you in your life choices, be thankful. If you have people in your life that you can trust, and who trust you, be thankful. If you are able to travel and explore the world, be thankful. If you qualified for the statutory holiday, be thankful. If you were able to be around family and friends for Thanksgiving, be thankful. My husband says to be thankful you were not a turkey this past weekend! Ok, let’s be thankful for that too.

Have we become a society where customers are not welcome?

We break, we cry, you break, you buy! No food, drinks, or smoking. No skateboards or rollerblades allowed. No cell phones please. Wow, how inviting. And how about, only applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted! Ok, I actually understand that one, as candidates mass applying for jobs don’t even remember what they applied for, let alone which companies they applied to.

On the employers’ side, one publicized ad may draw upwards of 1000 applicants, with perhaps none or very few who are qualified to actually do the job. At my staffing agency, we interview and place candidates all day long; we screen applicants for a living and we don’t have time to contact everyone who sends in a resume! Many applicants are outside of our city, province, or country, so we cannot consider all of them. But, we do accept all applicants, regardless of anything! We want tons of phone calls and resumes. We want great employers to hire candidates from us, and we want as many choices of candidates for our clients as possible. We don’t have a sign on our door that turns people away!

I wonder how those stores are doing that turn people away before they walk in to browse. I wonder if store owners realize that someone walking by with a coffee and a pocket full of cash will continue walking past a door that clearly shows a sign with a coffee cup and a red line through it. On the flip side, I have seen door fronts with a real dog, big and hairy, lying across the entrance, inviting dog people in! I walk past those doors, because I am allergic to animals, sadly! But, I wonder how many other people may be afraid of dogs, or have the same allergy, and cannot go inside to spend money.

Have we become a society where customers are not welcome? A community where people are uninvited through signs and ads? Do I have to remind business owners, employers, and managers about what we experienced during the boom, when the unemployment rate was down near three percent? Do I need to remind people about the recession we just wiggled our way out of? Have we learned anything at all in the last five years about service and the importance of attracting and retaining customers and employees? How about putting up a sign that says ‘All Customers Welcome’? Or, ‘All Applicants Welcome’? Come in, call us, ask us questions, give us your resume, and show us your interest in our company!

Are businesses inadvertently turning valuable candidates and customers away, perhaps only thinking about short term damages or time restraints? Think about THAT while sipping your coffee today.