Phil Blair

For a better shot at getting a job, consider getting vaccine

September 19, 2021 at 3:11 p.m.

President Biden’s recent declaration that all employers with 100 workers or more must require COVID vaccinations or a weekly negative test result before coming to work has drastically changed the...

This time, just offering pingpong to employees won’t work

September 6, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

Today is Labor Day, so a heartfelt shout-out to all working Americans.By coincidence or not, today also marks the end of the $300 federal unemployment supplement program.And now more than...

How to decide whether it’s quittin’ time or not

August 23, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

Just a few short months ago, many companies were urging employees to come back to work, declaring that COVID was all but under control.Now, some of those same companies are...

Now is the time to make life-changing job decisions

August 9, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

With the Delta strain running rampant, we all have lots of serious career decisions to make. Many of which you may not realize.I thought it would be a good idea...

Out of work? Don’t make mistake of waiting too long

July 26, 2021 at 10:47 p.m.

With the astonishing number of “for hire” signs and banners now on display, it’s hard to believe that anyone who’s qualified and wants to go back to work can’t find...

When your ‘old way’ isn’t the right way anymore

July 12, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

A few years ago, I spoke to an auditorium full of senior citizens, here defined as 60 and over.When I was done, several came up with specific questions that related...

Lots of better jobs beckon if courage guides your career

June 14, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

A few days ago, I read about a job fair in the Midwest where 50 companies were present, in need of hiring 500 employees. But only 20 job applicants showed...

It’s grad time, again; getting a job can be like work

June 1, 2021 at 4:22 p.m.

About a year ago, the college graduating class of 2020 was primed to enter one of the most robust hiring markets in the last half-century or so.The unemployment rate was...

The benefits of giving employees every benefit of the doubt

May 17, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

At Manpower, we hardly ever fire staff . We have no reason to do so.It’s not that we have an absolutely perfect hiring record. No company could honestly make such...

Holding out for unemployment to expire could be risky move

May 3, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

As a way of continuing the U-T’s Econometer column discussion April 25, let’s dig a bit deeper into the dilemma many employees are dealing with these days.It’s about when —...

It takes a memo to find out which workplace works best

April 19, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

As our lives continue to get back to normal, there’s no doubt that things have changed in the workplace, some for better, others maybe not.For most employers and employees, we’re...

Tired of Zoom? You’re not alone, and that’s the problem

April 5, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

It’s now been more than a year since Zoom entered our lives. That’s when most of us were mandated to stay at home and conduct our business from wherever we...

Basically speaking, it’s best to stick with the basics

March 22, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting season for the Padres. I am a casual baseball fan who’s more familiar with the...

What to do when your occupation is no longer around

March 8, 2021 at 2:01 p.m.

Did your job disappear and you don’t know it yet?Economists are warning that millions of jobs will disappear as a result of the pandemic. Here, tens of thousands of San...

When opportunity knocks, it’s time to elevate your job search

February 22, 2021 at 2:01 p.m.

A few years ago, I was at a gym, shaving after my morning workout.Standing next to me was a fellow I knew only slightly. Making small banter, I asked how...

Working from home is where your heart is … or isn’t

February 8, 2021 at 2:01 p.m.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like a fog is slowly lifting over our nation.Maybe it’s the swearing-in of a new istration. Or the recent lessening of COVID-19...

When saying ‘yes’ means knowing what you’re talking about

January 25, 2021 at 2:01 p.m.

Over the holidays, I spent lots of precious time with my equally precious 2-year-old granddaughter Ellie, whom I absolutely adore.She’s now in the normal phase where everything her parents think...

Looking ahead with 2020WON vision, here’s what I see

January 12, 2021 at 2:00 a.m.

By now, you must know that I’m an eternal optimist.My view is that things will turn out better than we fear, until proven otherwise. In short, I’m a bigger fan...

Finally, it’s time to look ahead to better times to come

December 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

This marks my year-end column for a year that seemed to have no end.On the bright side, San Diego’s most recent unemployment rate of 6.6% is highly encouraging, along with...

What is it about you that makes you so special?

December 14, 2020 at 2:01 p.m.

Through hard work and good fortune, you have gotten your resume in front of a decision-maker or recruiter like me for a job opening that you’d really love to land.Because...

When being the fittest means being the friendliest

November 30, 2020 at 2:01 p.m.

Not long ago, I came across a review of a book that puts a contemporary spin on the age-old concept of “survival of the fittest.”The book’s authors, cognitive scientists at...

Lessons learned from running for office

November 16, 2020 at 2:01 p.m.

If you haven’t been closely following the politics of Del Mar (pop. 4,400), you may have missed my candidacy for the Del Mar City Council.The Union-Tribune has a policy, which...

This recently out-of-work HR manager wonders about next step

August 24, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

Since the title of this column contains the word “advice,” it’s not much of a stretch to borrow a page from Dear Abby and offer some good old-fashioned advice.Let’s take...

Eight phrases, especially when used too often, weaken a speaker’s message

August 10, 2020 at 1:04 p.m.

Recently, I came across a series of introductory verbal phrases that the author suggested should be avoided in office situations.The reasoning was sound, that the phrases don’t necessarily convey humility,...

When bad things happen to good applicants, having hope helps

July 27, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

Moments into a recent Zoom job interview, the voice on the other end wanted to make one thing clear:“I have no interest in coming across as a bitter jerk.”What I...

Sometimes, it’s a question of asking the right question

July 13, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

With the NBA about to re-launch its season within a makeshift format in a few weeks, I happened to come across wise advice from a minority investor of the Golden...

Old-fashioned thinking doesn’t stand a remote chance anymore

June 29, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

When people ask me what's the biggest change that I see coming out of the pandemic shutdown, it's clearly the large percentage of the workforce now working remotely. I was...

When your dream job is taken away from you

June 15, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

The other day, I met with a young woman, let’s call her Anna, who was seeking career advice. Seems her career path has been seriously derailed by the virus economy.As...

Now that we’re all Zooming, how you look matters much more

June 1, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

If you’ve been wondering how this crazy Zoom thing is affecting HR folks like myself, here’s my answer: Surprisingly well.Still, with the majority of white-collar employees now working remotely, it’s...

What feels like a hassle now will be our changed lives

May 18, 2020 at 1:03 p.m.

Reopening seems to be coming faster than we thought.As we go back to work, what will the “new normal” look like?How will the roles of hiring or not hiring, being...

When time comes to return to work, how ready will you be?

May 4, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

Just a few months ago, San Diego’s unemployment rate stood at 2.7 percent, the lowest in anyone’s memory.Maybe that wasn’t quite full employment, but it was close enough. We were...

Coping with the worst by positively thinking our best

April 21, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

This may be an odd time to talk about the value of positive thinking and keeping a positive attitude.With so much uncertainty, everything seems to be in flux. So many...

Who knows what happens after the jobs disappear?

April 6, 2020 at 1:51 p.m.

I've been thinking about how to write what's been on my mind these past few weeks.Each time I've reached some mixed bag of wisdom, insight and patience about where we...

What happens when home becomes your go-to office

March 23, 2020 at 12:28 p.m.

None of us knows the full extent of the coronavirus crisis.With each ing day, companies of all sizes are struggling to do the right thing for their employees, their customers,...

How to prepare for those awful, horribly difficult conversations

March 9, 2020 at 1:35 p.m.

You say you’ve got a difficult workplace conversation coming up and you’re more than a bit nervous?It’s time to ask yourself these questions: Do you know what to say? And...

As tech advances, make sure you’re advancing with it

February 25, 2020 at 3:24 a.m.

How much should you fret about the incursion of robots and artificial intelligence into the job market of the future?Depends on your job, your education, your current skills and your...

Want to be a better employee? Try desire, motivation and engagement

February 10, 2020 at 2:08 p.m.

We always talk about managing our own career and the need to make things happen for yourself.A good friend of mine, business book author Don Phin, recently produced a series...

What character lessons can be learned by watching football’s best

January 27, 2020 at 12:33 p.m.

It’s often said that competing in sports — with the Super Bowl a few days away, let’s make it football — builds character. Could be.But as a casual football fan...

What to do when you absolutely, positively hate your job

January 13, 2020 at 2:01 p.m.

Each day, most of us spend about 16 hours or so awake. Some more, some less.Typically, eight to 10 of those hours are spent either actually at work or thinking...

Are you prepared enough for the reduced rigors of retirement?

December 30, 2019 at 2:42 p.m.

Whether it’s when you turn 65 or 70 or beyond, your career will eventually come to an end.More often than not, that comes as a shock.Let’s say your standing among...

What not to do and not to say when you really want that job

December 3, 2019 at 1:01 p.m.

Usually in this column, I talk about tips about how you can shine in a job interview and get the job of your dreams.Let’s try a slightly different approach today.Recently,...

What not to do and not to say when you really want that job

December 2, 2019 at 2:32 p.m.

Usually in this column, I talk about tips about how you can shine in a job interview and get the job of your dreams.Let’s try a slightly different approach today.Recently,...

How vets can better adapt skills to civilian life, each and every day

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

I first met Rebeka when she attended one of Manpower’s WorkPath Veteran’s training programs on a scholarship provided by SDG&E.Raised in San Diego, she was a seven-year Army veteran who...

What to say when you’re asking for raise, and how to say it

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

These are giddy times. San Diego’s unemployment rate is around 2.7 percent, the lowest it’s been in many decades, perhaps in modern annals.Jobs in almost all categories are plentiful, companies...

How much progress have we made in gender equality? Not enough

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Dear Phil (except it didn’t say “Dear”):Do you seriously not know why these women do not speak up, or were you being provocative? Smart, outspoken women who outperform their peers...

Should job seekers be penalized for personal-time use of cannabis?

September 23, 2019 at 4:05 p.m.

As an HR professional, I’m a member of a national nonprofit organization called the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). They offer lots of advice on lots of HR topics....

Should job seekers be penalized for personal-time use of cannabis?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

As an HR professional, I’m a member of a national nonprofit organization called the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). They offer lots of advice on lots of HR topics....

How to be a better listener by not talking so much

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Here’s a quote that rings true no matter how many times you’ve heard it: “People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”Who said it...

Looking for a job? Try to stay away from ‘spray and pray’

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

HR staffing pros can tell right away when an applicant has gone to the “spray and pray” technique of landing a job.It is obvious to us that they are sending...

Eager to return to workforce? Maybe it’s a good time to take it easy

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

How long have I been encouraging you to get off the couch and jump into the workforce? Practically my entire professional life. Because that’s what I do.After all, there has...

How a rapper’s cautionary lyrics strike a chord that rings true

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

When it comes to everyday life, I confess to being cup-half-full, maybe even-running-over kind of guy. That’s me.Yet when I see economic trends that show national confidence polls being the...

When it comes to negotiating skills, don’t sell yourself short

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Several years ago, a manager for a Manpower franchise in San Jose ed me about a pending move to San Diego that she and her husband were considering.She had worked...

Rugby’s gung-ho spirit brings out the best in players’ post-career plans

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

In my curiosity about how people make their career plans, I wanted to go to the toughest guys I could find -- the San Diego Legion’s pro rugby players. The...

Make the extra effort to sound more like, you know, the boss

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

I feel compelled to revisit that nagging problem of verbal tics. You know the ones. They’re like weeds in the garden of every-day conversation. Everyone has a few. When I...

What to do and say when you’re asked to give references

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

At some point in the job interview process, if things are going well, you likely will be asked to provide your references. Such a request means you’re moving ahead to...

Why pursuing that liberal arts degree might pay off … eventually

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’ll say anything nice about the traditional liberal arts degree. Except for me – and, it turns out, billionaire tech entrepreneur and...

Dare to dream about that “dream” job and make it happen

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Let me tell you a story… It was 1977 when my business partner Mel Katz and I started Manpower on something of a whim. We were both out of work...

Stop doing those annoying things that jinx your job-hiring chances

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Roger, the son of a friend of mine, had just graduated from college and was having a difficult time finding a job. As I often do, I was willing to...

What to do after you don’t get the job you thought you deserved

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

OK, so you didn’t get that job you wanted.Naturally, you say to yourself: How could they be so stupid as to not hire me? How is that even possible?Then you...

What to do if you want to have a ghost of a chance

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

As an employer, if I reach out to you with a solid job offer for a job that you’ve applied for, and you don’t bother to respond to me, you’re...

Tips for being happy at work and elsewhere … when you’re not

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

I enjoy going to events where I’m likely to meet new people. And more often than not, I look for that person who’s standing alone, miserable because they don’t know...

When, where and how to avoid using too much corporate-speak

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Reach out. Touch base. On a going-forward basis. It’s not on my bandwidth. Take this off-line.Think outside the box. Reach for the low-hanging fruit. The elephant in the room. Let’s...

How to deal with those intentionally tricky interview questions

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

What’s your biggest weakness?Why did you leave your previous job?What’s the worst mistake you’ve ever made?And so on.In my world, these are known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” questions, part...

Get luckier by managing your own career … and working harder

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

We’ve all heard of stories of people and co-workers who seem to be the recipients of amazingly good luck, deserved or not.They were at a party and overheard chatter about...

Take control of your job interview as if you called the meeting

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Too many job seekers make the assumption that a job interview is an opportunity for the interviewer to make you feel like you’re unqualified and unwanted.Or to catch you off-guard...

What does ‘paying it forward’ mean in the workplace

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

As we enter the holiday season, I’d like to reflect on how companies and their employees can give and receive the gift of generous giving.Let me tell you a story:...

A rising tide lifts all boats … but what if you’re not in a boat?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Yes, the San Diego and U.S. economies are at all-time highs. The stock market has been hitting new records, though it is increasingly volatile. And importantly, the unemployment rates for...

Don’t pretend potential employers won’t check your stupid posts

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

In this era of all-pervasive social media, where postings often create a too-revealing portrait of a job applicant’s personal life, employers have the upper hand in the snoop department.Always.All they...

Search for ideal job may evolve along with you

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Mary had just finished her sophomore year of college and was under pressure to declare a major for her last two years. As a result of her father’s request —...

What are you doing for the rest of your life?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Many of the people I agree to meet with are in the middle of their working lives, in careers they no longer find fulfilling.Simply put, they’re bored.Meet David: Years ago,...

What to do when flames of fate come your way

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

I’ve always enjoyed not knowing what each new day will bring, what fresh issues or crises will arise. And I like the thrill of finding solutions to whatever comes my...

So why did you choose 18th-Century English folklore?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

One of my pet peeves occurs when I ask college students why they picked their major, especially if it’s unusual or esoteric like, say, Ancient Byzantine Religions or Expressions of...

Make sure your customized resume reflects the job you seek

August 27, 2018 at 7:00 a.m.

Everyone knows the best resumes should summarize who you are, what you’ve done, and why you think you’re the perfect candidate for whatever job you’re seeking.Blah, blah, blah.What your resume...

Life lessons learned from a kids’ citrus stand

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Recently, a friend of mine was telling me about her sons, ages 7 and 9, who started up a street corner citrus stand, offering freshly-picked lemons and oranges.This wasn’t just...

Don’t just tolerate your job, go for it

July 30, 2018 at 7:00 a.m.

I barely graduated college, got married to my college sweetheart a week after college, barely avoided the draft, and wanted a decompression job, as opposed to a real job, for...

What do you want to be when you grow up?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

When I started college at Oklahoma State University, I had no clue what kind of job I wanted, let alone what career. After dismissing what I knew I didn’t want...

Congratulations, you’ve been offered the job you want, now what?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Finally, the moment arrives.You get the call. You’re offered the job. You want the job. You want to say yes. You’ve busted your butt for three months to get to...

The more people I talked to, the richer I became

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane -- my memory lane.I spent much of my childhood living abroad. My father worked in the petroleum industry back in the 1950s. The...

Workplace hugs: A guide to what’s acceptable and not

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

When I was growing up in South America, there were full-body hugs for most family and our close circle of friends.Among male of my family, there were all-out...

Your elevator speech: Don’t leave home without it

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Over the years, I’ve heard plenty of elevator speeches, some that made me wish I could get off that elevator before my floor. A few made me wish I could...

Robots are coming for your job, so make sure you’re smarter

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Walk into any Costco and you’ll see a row of robotic vacuum cleaners staring back at you, wide-eyed Cyclops daring you to ditch that Hoover upright that could’ve been your...

Robots are coming for your job, so make sure you’re smarter

May 7, 2018 at 7:00 a.m.

Walk into any Costco and you’ll see a row of robotic vacuum cleaners staring back at you, wide-eyed Cyclops daring you to ditch that Hoover upright that could’ve been your...

Informational interviews worth their weight in golden opportunities

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Several years ago, I wrote Job Won! because I was meeting so many just graduated job seekers who had no clue what they wanted to do for a living. Same...

Informational interviews worth their weight in golden opportunities

April 23, 2018 at 7:00 a.m.

Several years ago, I wrote Job Won! because I was meeting so many just-graduated job seekers who had no clue what they wanted to do for a living. Same with...

How to make your soft skills your strongest talent

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

What’s the most sought-after skill that most companies can’t seem to define but are always seeking?The answer we hear most often is “talent.” The confusing part is what they mean...

Let’s shake on it: Making a positive impression from the start

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

We know about the importance of making a positive first impression. It’s all about the first seconds of meeting someone. These seconds are especially important at the outset of an...

Protect yourself, your employees, your company from harassment charges

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Now that the issue of sexual harassment has become an everyday talking point of our national conversation, with so many celebrities, politicians and business tycoons caught in its ever-widening web,...

Overcoming barriers to hiring, even in a strong job market

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

We’re fortunate to be living and working in this remarkably strong economy, a time when jobs are plentiful and employment has reached new highs.It’s easy to forget that as recently...

Unraveling the conundrum of overlapping cannabis laws

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

It’s no secret that California law, as of Jan. 1, now permits the legal possession, use and sale of small amounts of cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana.That’s the law, not...

Why having good manners always matters

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Ever wonder why key hires are made after the boss takes a top prospect out to lunch or dinner?It’s because sharing a table presents a prime opportunity to observe a...

But I don’t know what I want to do

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

By now, I’m sure most everyone knows that the absolute best way to land the best jobs is through networking.In fact, more than 80 percent of jobs are found by...

Resolutions: Living a fulfilling life is about being excited about every day of your life

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

It's the beginning of a brand new year. While I am not a big believer in New Year's resolutions, there is one that I want us all to think about....

Raises are growing

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

We have all felt the pinch of a very small raise, and even no raise in the last few years.Trying to understand why the stock market is booming, company’s profits...

Career confidence is a career changer

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Whatever your chosen profession, we all have something in common: We're trying to do the best we can. But thoughts like - I am in over my head - I...

The salary question: What to say and when to say it

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Employers have commonly requested salary histories from job applicants as part of the hiring process. It is always one of the hardest questions to answer during the interview process. You...

Re-entry employment for incarcerated works

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

As unemployment rates go down, the need to source talent from unexpected places continues to be a priority.While employing citizens returning from incarceration can be an uncomfortable topic for some...

It’s time for seasonal hiring

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

The most expensive and wonderful time of year has arrived. This year, with unemployment at its lowest in years, retailers are gearing up and adjusting their workforce for a prosperous...

Fall is the time so spring clean your career

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

Fall is here, the air is cooling down and the days are getting shorter. It's time to shift gears and 'spring clean' your career for the season.This year instead of...

The fear of automation: Technology actually creates jobs

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

If you think about it, many of the great inventions over the last 200 years were designed to replace human labor. In the past, technical advances caused temporary disruptions but...

Who would have thought we’d be moving to a just-in-time workforce?

November 19, 2019 at 10:01 p.m.

When Human Resources professionals around the world were asked about the makeup of their staff in the next 5-10 years they consistently predicted only 50 percent would be permanent employees....