Josh Tolan

Josh Tolan is the CEO of Spark Hire , which combines a video job board and online interviewing platform to enrich interaction between job seekers and employers. Connect with Josh at jtolan@sparkhire.com and Spark Hire on Twitter at @SparkHire.

Articles by Josh Tolan

Best of TLNT

It Doesn’t Pay For Your Employees to be Workaholics

by Josh Tolan on Dec 26, 2012, 7:00 AM | No comments yet

To Our Readers: This week, TLNT is continuing our annual tradition by counting down the 35 most popular posts of this past year. This is No. 30. Our regular content will return Wednesday January 2, 2013.

***********************************

Working long hours was once the norm for Americans in the workforce, but with the help of technology, working around the clock is becoming the new epidemic.

As our smart phones travel on our hips and even enjoy a special spot in our beds at night, the emails buzz like text messages at all times of the day — and workaholics tend to them. Read more…

Recruiting and Staffing

Crazy Social Media Recruitment Techniques: Do They Work?

by Josh Tolan on Aug 15, 2012, 9:14 AM | 1 comment

At one time, social media recruiting was a new and daring phenomenon. Now, at least 90 percent of recruiters use social media in the hiring process to find great candidates.

Some companies have even taken social recruiting out on a limb. Instead of using the social platform merely to engage with talent and promote openings, these companies are coming up with some truly out-of-the-box ways to attract talent.

Using skills-based contests to evaluate candidates might be smart, even if it comes in an unconventional package. As noted in a recent Forbes piece, a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that knowledge doubles every two years, and sometimes even every six months. The qualifications on your candidate’s resume might not be as impressive as their current knowledge is today, and contests could help you find a great hidden gem. Read more…

HR Insights, Recruiting and Staffing

Even a Caveman Can Do it: Hiring Lessons From Our Ancient Ancestors

by Josh Tolan on Jul 20, 2012, 6:55 AM | No comments yet

When you think of a group of people with good recruiting practices, it’s likely your mind doesn’t go back to prehistoric times.

Most cavemen probably did not draw stick figure resumes of their past hunting and gathering experience. Cavemen didn’t sit down for formal interviews to see how qualified a new member was to join the tribe. Sure, there was no video interviewing or talk of ROI back then, but there are still plenty of things we can learn from our elders.

Since most cavemen stayed with a tribe for life, clearly these ancestors knew a thing or two about how to recruit and retain talent. Plus, they were an inventive bunch. After all, if they weren’t looking for new ways of doing things we would be without fire and the wheel.

So put down your smartphone and pick up a club, because we’re traveling back in time to see what lessons we can learn from our ancestors. Read more…

HR Management, Talent Management

It Doesn’t Pay For Your Employees to be Workaholics

by Josh Tolan on Jun 15, 2012, 10:20 AM | 11 Comments

Working long hours was once the norm for Americans in the workforce, but with the help of technology, working around the clock is becoming the new epidemic.

As our smart phones travel on our hips and even enjoy a special spot in our beds at night, the emails buzz like text messages at all times of the day — and workaholics tend to them.

The true definition of a workaholic is someone who feels constant pressure to work in order to fulfill an innate need. A workaholic’s obsession with work prevents them from maintaining healthy relationships and deters them from achieving a prosperous work-life balance. Just like any “ism,” workaholism is an abnormal state caused by excess and the consequences have proven to outweigh the benefits. Read more…

Recruiting and Staffing

Video Interviewing: Is It Time to Make It a Regular Part of Your Tool Kit?

by Josh Tolan on May 2, 2012, 10:25 AM | 2 Comments

You’ve whittled down your new employee options to just a handful of qualified resumes. Now it’s time to go through those resumes again to select only the very best.

If you choose too many candidates, you can waste time interviewing too many people. If you choose too few you might miss the right candidate for the position. A new, interesting third option is the rise of online video.

Online video interviewing won’t replace the traditional resume-based recruiting process, and quite frankly it’s not meant to. You’ll always need to sift through paper resumes to initially narrow down the most qualified candidates. Read more…

Recruiting and Staffing

Pre-Screening Candidates: 3 Ways to Help Make the Right Hiring Decision

by Josh Tolan on Mar 23, 2012, 8:42 AM | No comments yet

SHRM's position on background checks differs little from the Chamber of Commerce. (Photo illustration by Dreamstime).

Providing a safe and secure work environment is a top priority for companies these days due to concern of increased workplace violence, fraud, and misconduct.

With the unemployment rate and the state of the economy, people need jobs and are at times willing to say whatever they need to in order to get one. It is hard to rely on your feelings and instincts alone these days. As an employer it’s becoming necessary to take it a step further and pre-screen your candidates for the safety of your employees and company’s reputation.

There are three key ways pre-screening can truly help you make the right hiring decision: Read more…