Author: Silas Petersen

  • Pros and Cons of the Union

    Labor unions have a mix of advantages and disadvantages for employees, employers, and society. For employees, the benefits include higher wages and better benefits, as unionized workers typically earn more and have greater access to retirement plans and healthcare compared to non-unionized workers. Unions also provide enhanced job security through negotiated contracts that prevent arbitrary…

  • Coping with Stress

    Based on the Life Stress Inventory, I received a score of 60, indicating a moderate level of stress. The Coping and Stress Management Skills Test showed a 39 in impatience/irritability, suggesting that I tend to become easily frustrated and irritated when faced with stress. The Type A Personality Survey revealed a score of 60 in…

  • Job Compensation

    In the journey of job hunting, we often encounter decisions that shape our career paths. One such moment came for me last summer when I had to choose between two job offers. After a week of interviews and discussions, I found myself with two job offers from accounting firms. Compensation is more than just a…

  • Beneficial Training

    Over the course of my professional career, I have had lots of training experiences ranging from very unhelpful to extremely beneficial. One less effective training involved 8-hour lecture-based videos that I had to watch every day for a week. Despite the potentially valuable content, the format primarily tested my endurance rather than facilitated learning. The…

  • Implicit Bias

    The results of my Implicit Attitude Test showed that I have a moderate bias: I was faster at associating Black people with “Bad” and White people with “Good” than the reverse. This reveals subconscious preferences that can influence my decisions without my awareness. The reliability and validity of any selection process depend on its fairness…

  • Lessons from a Bad Interview

    When I was in high school, I was excited to interview for a barista position at a cafe near my house. The interview was scheduled for after school, but when I arrived, the cafe was understaffed and chaotic, which I took as a bad sign. The manager, who was also my interviewer, was busy with…

  • Challenges of Job Descriptions

    I work for the College of Business and I often handle writing and updating job descriptions for student worker positions. This task seems straightforward, but in my experience, it is complex and essential. One of the biggest challenges in my experience is balancing specificity with flexibility. I want the job description to be specific enough…

  • Week 1 Post

    CarMax prioritizes employee development and well-being in its HR practices, fostering an inclusive work environment. The company offers training, career advancement opportunities, and competitive benefits. It uses feedback mechanisms like surveys to improve and addresses concerns. CarMax also applies technology in HR processes for efficiency in recruitment, onboarding, and performance management, aligning employee goals with…

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