JOBWIRE

Why New Hires Fail

It’s not a lack of technical ability that dooms most new hires, but rather poor interpersonal skills. That’s the finding of a new study by Leadership IQ, a training and research company. Specifically, the study found that 26 percent of new hires fail because they can’t accept feedback, 23 percent because they’re unable to understand and manage emotions, 17 percent because they lack the necessary motivation to excel, 15 percent because they have the wrong temperament for the job, and only 11 percent because they lack the necessary technical skills. "The typical interview process fixates on ensuring that new hires are technically competent," explains Mark Murphy, CEO of Leadership IQ. "But coachability, emotional intelligence, motivation and temperament are much more predictive of a new hire’s success or failure. Do technical skills really matter if the employee isn’t open to improving, alienates her co-workers, lacks drive, or has the wrong personality for the job?" The report was based on a three-year study of 5247 managers who hired more than 20,000 employees during the report period.

Retirement Jobs Online

Job candidates over 50 now have a website just for them. RetirementJobs.com contains tens of thousands of job listings. It was founded to meet the rising demographic trend that indicates mature workers will make up nearly 20 percent of the US workforce by 2012. That’s compounded by the fact that 76 million baby boomers are set to reach traditional retirement age in the coming years. "Companies are acutely aware of the value of this experienced labor force, and are signaling that this demographic group is more necessary to attract than ever," notes Tim Driver, founder and CEO of the website.

Too Long on the Job Makes You Grumpy

The longer someone holds the same job, the less likely the employee is to be friendly and supportive of others in the workplace. The study of 2300 workers showed a steady drop in supportive behavior as a person’s job tenure increased. So you may be doing a stellar job, but that won’t matter much if people consider you aloof, distant or apathetic – almost certain career killers.

On the Job Front

NATIONWIDE – According to a survey by legal staffing firm Robert Half, 55 percent of all legal firms plan to hire lawyers in the coming year. Areas of expertise in demand include corporate law, litigation and intellectual property.

PLACER COUNTY – Forty percent of small manufacturing companies in the area plan to expand staffing over the next year, according to a survey by the Sacramento Regional Research Institute.

ROCKLIN – An outpatient medical clinic being built near Highway 65 could be the first step in developing a major medical campus that would include facilities staffed by UC Davis Health System and Catholic Healthcare West.

SACRAMENTO – Valley Healthcare Systems will provide nursing staff to facilities in seven Western states under a new 5-year contract with the Dept of Veterans Affairs. The company just completed an expansion of its Gold River headquarters . . . Crystal Cream and Butter Co will close a downtown processing plant by the end of August, folding the operation into its primary distribution site in South Sacramento. The 43 displaced workers will have an opportunity to apply for positions at the new location.