Why I Tossed Your Resume

How do [most] hiring managers move through so many applications so quickly? We weed the stack. We look for red flags that scream “don’t interview me!” so we can safely put those applications aside and move on. I’ve cut my stacks in half with that method, sometimes glancing at a résumé for mere seconds before finding a suicidal mistake.

After serving on numerous hiring committees, I’ve developed a list of six mistakes that will guarantee your résumé a one-way ticket to my shredder.

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What Makes Workplaces Miserable

A recent congressional hearing caught my attention. It focused on the subject of miserable employees — more specifically, the record-low engagement of employees in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS was advised to spend time and money “training” managers and supervisors. The problem, the agencies were told, stems from poor work-life balance, benefits, pay freezes — that sort of thing.

This is completely misguided.

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Are Successful People Nice?

Since Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, we’ve recognized the importance of tuning into social and emotional factors in the workplace. But many popular depictions of the workplace don’t show any evidence of that sensitivity. Mad Men, Wall Street, and others impress that in business, only the strong survive.

But emotional intelligence implies that successful leaders should be nice. And while being nice may have social benefits, does it pay?

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