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Human Resources Blog

El Dorado County

Human Resources Blog

A smattering of topics from your friendly HR team!

2020

10/6

Health Care Plan Perks 101

Category: Benefits and Leaves

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Employers want healthy employees. They are happier, less stressed, more productive, and have fewer absences –WIN/WIN for everyone! The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed with your health in mind, and made it mandatory for health care plans to include preventative care services at no cost.

Preventative Benefits

Many of the preventative services offered through your plan are FREE. Here are some examples of what's often covered:

Screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, type 2 diabetes, lung cancer, obesity, and HIV
Immunization vaccines
Diet counseling
Contraception
Breastfeeding support for women
Screenings and counseling for pregnant women
Behavioral assessments for children

Wellness Benefits

The advantages of health care plan membership means that you may be eligible for special rates or discounts for gyms, fitness activity trackers such as Fitbits, Chiropractic Care and Fitness Apparel. You may also be able to participate in free or low-cost access to classes on a variety of health related topics such as ways to reduce stress or smoking cessation. Many health plans provide you with the opportunity to connect with a lifestyle/wellness coach at no charge.

You want to live healthier, but you aren't sure where to begin? Visit your health plans member page where you can find helpful resources to help you achieve your goals towards a happier, healthier and perkier you!

2020

8/23

Resume Buzzwords

Category: Recruitment and Selection

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By Sera S.

A resume is an important recruiting tool that can help distinguish you from other candidates. A resume showcases your qualifications, such as your education, experience and certificates/ licenses. It is important to note that when recruiters or Human Resources is screening applications, they often skim resumes. Skimming resumes means that these professionals look for key words or buzzwords that make your resume stand out.

Before including buzzwords in your resume, it is important to bring up the job description of the position you are applying for. The job description has specific information on what the job entitles as well as includes qualifications, duties and responsibilities. Looking for these main sections in a job description can help you decide the best buzzwords you should include in your resume. For example, if you are applying for a secretary position, some buzzwords you should try to include in your resume are customer service, data entry, answering the phone, directing customers etc. When screening resumes, staff will be looking for these types of words in a resume to show that the individual has the specific set of skills they are looking for.

2020

7/10

Inside HR's Hiring Process

Category: Recruitment and Selection

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By Elise H.

Blog Topic: Internal Hiring Process – Why does it take so long?

Jobs with the government are notorious for lengthy hiring processes. But why exactly does it take so long to get hired? Although it may seem like the process takes a long time – the County of El Dorado Human Resources team is constantly striving to reduce the time to hire candidates. Here is an insider look at the County of El Dorado Human Resources hiring process!

Step 1: Interview with the Department

Hiring departments receive lists of names from Human Resources. Those lists can vary in length from five candidates to sometimes 20 candidates. The hiring department may conduct several days of interviews. The first round interviews are used to create a group of top candidates. This group of top candidates is often referred for a second round of interviews with the hiring official.

Step 2: Final Interview with the Department

Hiring departments conduct second round interviews to determine which of the top candidates will be selected for the job. After conducting the second round interviews, the hiring department will most likely check the references of their top candidates.

Step 3: Conditional Job Offer

Once the department has reviewed the top candidates and confirmed the candidate's references, they notify Human Resources that they have made a selection. Human Resources contacts the selected candidate to issue a conditional offer of employment. The conditional offer of employment outlines what steps and requirements a candidate must satisfy in order to receive an official offer of employment. The conditions are typically a criminal background check, LiveScan fingerprint, employment and education verification, and pre-employment medical. This step is often what causes hiring processes to feel lengthy. Depending on the department, the type and scope of background check varies. Pre-employment medical processing varies based on the position and can contain multiple components, which may require several appointments.

Step 4: Official Job Offer

Once the candidate has successfully satisfied the conditions of employment, Human Resources will issue an official offer of employment. This offer will detail the work location, supervisor, and what the new employee can expect for the first day of work. The first day of employment typically allows candidates to submit two-weeks' notice to their current employer however, start dates vary based on department needs, candidate schedules, and budget.

The County of El Dorado strives create efficient hiring processes. Each member of the hiring team is committed to providing regular updates to our candidates to keep the candidate engaged in our hiring process, answer any questions, and provide a warm welcome to County employment.

2020

6/8

Top 5 Things to Avoid During an Interview

Category: Recruitment and Selection

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Written by Katie L.

For some, going to an interview can be scary. There are two types of "interviews" – 1) structured oral examination, and 2) hiring interview. You will sit in front of one or two people, or even a panel of people, all of whom are evaluating you. The oral examination is usually more structured, whereas the hiring interview may be more relaxed. No matter which you attend, the goal is to ask about and assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities, as they relate to the job at hand. Included below are five things to avoid, no matter which type of interview you are attending.

1. Do not trash your current or previous employers. If you worked in a toxic environment (which most of us have at one point or another), there is a nice way of stating that such as "it wasn't a good fit" or "the environment was not conducive to learning and providing customer service". You should only talk about these things if you are asked a direct question, and in no situation should you ever use people's names.

2. Never provide a one word or two-sentence answer. The interviewers cannot adequately rate your responses with such minimal information. You are typically given enough time to provide in-depth answers, so use that time to your full advantage.

3. If you know that you have 30 minutes to answer eight questions, do not spend the first 10 minutes on question #1. Pace yourself accordingly.

4. Do not make assumptions. The two biggest assumptions I have seen are:

People assume that the interviewers have read through their entire application and know exactly what they did in a previous job.
People assume that based on a job title alone, the interviewers should know what duties they performed.

Overall, it is your responsibility to demonstrate how you meet the qualifications for the job and to communicate such effectively.

5. Do not exaggerate your experience. Public agencies have a probationary period, which is an extension of the selection process; if you are not truthful about your experience in the interview, it will mostly likely come out during the probationary period. Remember, the goal is to find a job that is a good fit for both you and the employer.

2020

4/20

What is Bonding?

Category: Benefits and Leaves

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By Leon

Bonding is "the establishment of a relationship or link with someone based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences."

An eligible employee can take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to bond with a newborn or a child placed with the employee for adoption or foster care.

To be eligible, an employee must have worked for the County a minimum of 12 months over the past 7 years and have at least 1250 hours of service within the 12 months preceding their leave request.

Bonding leave does not have to be taken all at once, though it can be. It can also be broken up into 2 week segments and, with your department's approval, it can be taken on a scheduled but not continuous basis. An example would be taking every Wednesday from 8am to 10am over a predetermined date range.

Bonding Leave must be taken within one year of the Childs birth or placement in the home. If both parents are employees of the County, they must share the 12 weeks.

Although Bonding Leave is an unpaid job protection, partial wage replacement benefits may be available through the State of California. More information on this is available on the EDD web site or by following this link: https://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/PFL_Claim_Process.htm

2019

9/10

PPOs VS HMOs

Category: Benefits and Leaves

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By Lavleen C.

You've probably heard the terms PPO and HMO before, but what do they mean?

PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO)

PPO plans are designed to provide choice, flexibility and value. A PPO plan is a managed care organization of medical doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who have contracted with your insurer to provide health care at reduced rates to you. Participants have a choice of using network providers or going directly to any other physician (non-network provider) without a referral. You will pay less out of pocket when you use an in-network PPO provider.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO)

HMOs require you to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) to coordinate your care and require advanced approval for some services, like treatments by a specialist. Care must generally be obtained from in-network providers, or you may be required to pay out of pocket for the cost of services (except in the event of emergency or urgent care services).

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