Human Resource Outsourcing

Although human resource outsourcing has been around as long as work specialization has existed, it is only recently that companies began employing the human resource outsourcing model to carry out narrow functions, such as payroll, billing and data entry. As these processes could be done more efficiently and more cost-effectively by other companies with specialized tools and facilities and specially trained personnel.

India is unlikely to be toppled as the main destination for outsourcing, with 80% of global offshoring now located in the subcontinent. But South Africa is fast emerging as a rival to India's dominance, thanks to closer cultural links with the west, a more reliable telecoms infrastructure and relatively low labour costs.

Recruitment.. the divine way !

There was once a human resources manager who lived exactly the way as a HRD Manager should. She made sure that every job she did resulted in a win-win situation.

Unfortunately, one day, while walking down the street she was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in Heaven where she was met at the pearly gates by St Peter himself.

Welcome to Heaven said St Peter. Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a human resources manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you.

No problem just let me in, said the human resources manager.

Well I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in .

Actually I think I've made up my mind.... I prefer to stay in Heaven.

Sorry, we have rules. And with that, St Peter put the human resource manager in an elevator and it went down to hell...

The doors opened and the human resources manager found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow human resource managers that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.

She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. The human resources manager was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave.
Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up and opened back up at the pearly gates and she found St Peter waiting for her.

Now it's time to spend a day in Heaven. So the human resources manager spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St Peter came and got her.

So you've spent a day in hell and a day in Heaven, now you must choose your eternity.

The human resources manager paused for a second and then replied, well I never thought I'd say this, I mean Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in hell.

So St Peter escorted her to the elevator and again the human resources manager went down to hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The devil came up to her and put his arm around her.

I don't understand, stammered the human resources manager, yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.

The devil looked at her and smiled... That's because yesterday we were recruiting you, but today you're staff !


Moral....

Recruiting, whereever it may be, is the same.. so you better have your research and facts ready.

The best way to follow up

Steve Kobs, a human resources manager at Hanley-Wood Custom Publishing, a Minneapolis-based marketing communications firm, offers this advice: "If you'd like to follow up with a company after submitting your resume, one week later is a reasonable time to do it," he says.

And the best way to follow up?

"I prefer e-mail," says Kobs. "If you call me on the phone and ask if we've made a hiring decision, you put me in an awkward position if I have to tell you bad news … or if I've forgotten who you are. Candidates who follow up by e-mail show respect for my time, which I appreciate," he says.

Andrea Hoover, CEO of JobLynx Online, offers additional ways to set yourself apart when applying for jobs online.

First, when submitting resumes online, be sure to use a professional-looking e-mail address, not the one at work or a cutesy one like ilikebowling@gutterballs.com

Her follow-up methods, which are more aggressive than what an HR professional might suggest, include the following:

• The day after you submit your resume to a company, e-mail them a quick note asking if they received and were able to read your resume, or if they require a different format for their database


• The day after that, print and send a stationery version of your resume by U.S. Mail to the hiring authority, along with a copy to any other company contacts, for review and filing for future opportunities


• One week after your initial contact, send an e-mail to the hiring authority inquiring if you can supply any further information not included in your original resume


• Finally, around 10 days after your online application, send another e-mail asking for the phone number of the hiring authority, since you are considering several other offers. Attach your resume to this e-mail so they won't need to hunt for it. And ask for a convenient time to contact them for a brief phone interview

Whatever method you use, your goal in following up aggressively is to sell your abilities and experience. Push for the face-to-face interview as soon as possible. And get that job!