Origins of the Korean War free essay sample

This essay puts forth the argument that the USSR encouraged the Korean War to benefit itself politically. This paper examines the theory that the Korean conflict was purposely started by Joseph Stalin in order to drive the United States and China apart and to bring Mao Zedong and Communist China under Soviet influence. The author also discusses how the wars origins were primarily domestic, yet global superpowers provided quicker means to escalation. From the paper: On December 16, 1949, Mao Zedong arrived in Moscow to begin discussions with Joseph Stalin. Mao hoped to acquire from the Soviets ships and aircraft to use in his planned invasion of Taiwan. Mao also wanted to renegotiate the treaty previously agreed to by Stalin and the Kuomintang government. Stalin, however, stonewalled Mao, refusing to relinquish the access to Manchuria that the treaty granted him. On December 19, realizing that Stalin was reading his messages, Mao cabled Zhou Enlai in Beijing, informing him that the Chinese Communists should soon attempt to open relations with the United States. We will write a custom essay sample on Origins of the Korean War or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Study of Peak Oil and Gas Essays

Study of Peak Oil and Gas Essays Study of Peak Oil and Gas Essay Study of Peak Oil and Gas Essay In 2004. the universe production of oil was estimated at merely over 29. 7 Bbl. The corresponding universe ingestion for oil during the same period was estimated at 29. 6 Bbl of oil. go forthing a excess of merely under 0. 1 Bbl at the terminal of the twelvemonth. In the United States. one of largest consumer markets for oil and oil merchandises. from the first hebdomad in September 2004 to the first hebdomad in September 2005. gasolene monetary values increased by a astonishing $ 1. 22 per gallon to $ 3. 12 before dropping to $ 2. 25 on November 21. 2005. These figures are rather reeling sing that contracts for petroleum changed custodies at 10 USD/barrel in 1999. With the outgrowth of China in the planetary market and its increasing demand for oil. it is projected that unless oil companies are able to increase the universe production by puting investing in oil and natural-gas production oil monetary values could increase exponentially over the following 10 ( 10 ) old ages. The obvious factor in finding the supply of oil in the universe is the sum of oil that can really be extracted and processed. Oil is basically a non-renewable energy beginning and can non be replenished once it has been extracted from the land. The function of oil companies and states is non in the existent production of oil but in it rationing. A web of scientists called the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas ( ASPO ) which is affiliated with a broad array of planetary establishments and universities surveies the depletion rate of oil. ASPO surveies concern themselves in finding the day of the month and impact of the extremum and diminution of the world’s production of oil and gas. due to resource restraints. The ASPO uses the Peak Oil Theory or the Hubbert Peak Theory which is a method of patterning known oil militias and production rates and routinely used by oil companies to foretell future outputs of bing oil Fieldss ( Legget. 2005 ) . Using this theoretical account. it has been projected that the universe oil production growing tendencies. in the short term. have been diminishing over the last 18 months. Average annual additions in universe oil production from 1987 to 2005 were 1. 2 million barrels per twenty-four hours ( mbbl/d ) ( 1. 7 % ) . Global production averaged 84. 4 mbbl/d in 2005. up merely 0. 2 mbbl/d ( 0. 2 % ) . from 84. 2 mbbl/d ( 13. 4 million m? /d ) in Q4 2004 ( Legget. 2005 ) . ASPO predicts that conventional plus unconventional oil production will top out around 2007 What this information fundamentally means is that the current supplies of oil all over the universe are being depleted and newer beginnings have non yet been discovered. To convey the supply of oil up once more. oil companies must put more in turn uping more oil Fieldss and besides develop new engineerings to better the current refinement processes to let for a more efficient production of oil. This first factor in the supply of oil is fundamentally dependent on the existent sum of oil that can be produced and processed and besides considers the capacity of oil companies to polish oil more expeditiously and to tap other beginnings of oil ( Deffeyes. 2005 ) . This factor nevertheless besides to a great extent depends on the capital investings that oil companies make in the oil industry. One of the chief factors which affect the demand for oil is the monetary value of oil. But given the fact that oil is a necessary resource and that it is a non-renewable energy beginnings. the supply can fundamentally merely remain at a certain Peak degree depending on the sum which can really be processed and the demand besides remains at a certain degree even if oil monetary values continue to lift ( Case. 1999 ) . Normally. if the resources were renewable. there would be perfect snap between the supply and the demand in proportion to the addition or alteration in the monetary value. Therefore. if the monetary value of oil were to increase. it would theoretically ensue in the demand for oil to diminish ( Case. 1999 ) . This premise nevertheless can non be applied to the instance of oil because. as mentioned earlier. oil is a non-renewable resources and remains as the primary beginning of energy in the universe today. This shows the inelastic demand for oil. The ground for this is that since oil remains the chief energy beginning in most states. the demand for oil will stay changeless despite the alterations in the monetary value of oil ( Case. 1999 ) . While theoretically it is expected that there will be a greater demand for oil if the monetary value lessenings. it is of import to factor in the fact that more authoritiess around the universe are implementing energy salvaging policies every bit good as seeking to cut down to dependence on oil as an energy beginning by developing alternate beginnings of energy ( intercrossed autos. solar power. hydroelectric power ) ( Simmons. 2005 ) . The fact that oil is a non-renewable resource must besides be considered. The following factor which affects demand for oil is the handiness of alternate energy beginnings which are cheaper ( Bilgen. 2004 ) . The presence of replacements in a market allows the demand for oil to diminish if the monetary value continues to increase ( Case. 1999 ) . Before discoursing this factor. it is of import to retrieve that the development of alternate energy beginnings is non in proportion to the increasing rate of demand for oil. The presence of replacements in a market affects demand because any addition in the monetary value of the trade good means that the consumers have an alternate and can take down their demand for the trade good and purchase the replacement alternatively ( Case. 1999 ) . The same rule applies for oil except that it must be remembered that the development of these replacements or alternate beginnings of energy takes a well longer sum of clip than conventional replacements. However. under the premise that there are already alternate beginnings of energy available in the market. it can be expected that the demand will respond consequently to any addition in the monetary value of oil. The dependance on oil as an energy beginning will diminish therefore cut downing the demand for oil in proportion to the monetary value additions ( Pimentel. 1998 ) . The challenge remains nevertheless for states and authoritiess to happen ways to happen alternate energy beginnings to cut down the universe dependance on oil as an energy beginning and ease the load that the increasing monetary values have on the consumer. While the authorities may efficaciously modulate its usage. the best solution is still in the development of energy replacements for the market ( Pimentel. 1998 ) . Other factors which besides have an consequence on the demand for oil are things such as the authorities ordinances on the usage of fossil fuels. energy salvaging runs and environmental ordinances. The authorities can implement these steps by increasing revenue enhancements or enforcing mulcts. The consequence that this has on demand is simple. The authorities ordinances efficaciously cut down demand because the consumers are restricted from purchasing more oil. By promoting the execution of energy salvaging policies. oil ingestion is besides greatly reduced therefore impacting the demand. The demand for oil therefore is affected by many factors such as monetary value. handiness of replacements. and authorities intercession in the signifier of revenue enhancements. energy ordinances and monetary value controls. Mentions: Bahree. B. ( 2006 ) Investing by Oil Industry Stalls November 8. 2006 Wall Street Journal November 2006 Bilgen. S. and Kaygusuz. K. ( 2004 ) Renewable Energy for a Clean and Sustainable Future. Energy Sources 26. 1119 Case. K. and Fair. R. ( 1999 ) . Principles of Economics ( 5th ed. ) . Prentice-Hall Deffeyes. K. ( 2005 ) . Beyond Oil: The Position from Hubbert’s Peak. Hill and Wang publication House. Hill and Wang United States Leggett. J. ( 2005 ) . The Empty Tank: Oil. Gas. Hot Air. and the Coming Financial Catastrophe. Random House. Pimentel. D. ( 1998 ) . Energy and Dollar Costss of Ethanol Production with Corn Hubbert Center Newsletter. 98/2. M. King Hubbert Center for Petroleum Supply Studies. p. 8. Simmons. M. ( 2005 ) . Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy. Random House

10 College Majors That Lead to the Highest Salaries

10 College Majors That Lead to the Highest Salaries If you’ve heard any of the dismal stats on student loan debt- like that 44 million Americans owe more than $1.3 trillion in student loan debt- then suddenly that college degree might not seem like the great idea it once did. (As a former English major, I feel that pain.) You shouldn’t let that scare you away from higher ed, though. If you’re a student deciding where to focus, or if you’re thinking about going back to school, the best asset you can have is knowledge of what your game plan is. That means finding a post-school job that will let you pay off your school debt. It also means picking a field of study that will set you up well after you walk off with that hard-earned degree. Salary isn’t the only thing to consider when you’re planning you’re future, but let’s face it- it’s awfully important. While there is some diversity among the highest-paying majors, the main theme is that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering , and Mathematics) careers are among the hottest out there right now. Let’s look at 10 of the highest-earning majors, based on a survey conducted by Glassdoor, and what you can do with them. Spoiler alert: most of them are in the sciences and technology.1. Computer ScienceMedian salary: $81,430Spotlight job: Web DeveloperWeb developers design and create websites, as well as maintain the day-to-day operations, improvements, performance, and traffic. Developers need to have strong skills in design and computer programming. The median salary for web developers is $64,790 per year, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field will grow 27% by 2024 (much faster than average).Spotlight job: Software DeveloperSoftware developers handle the creative side of computer programming. They design apps, programs, interfaces, and the underlying systems. Software developers work with user feedback and teams of other computer specialists to create, refine, and improve progra ms. The median salary for software developers is $100,960 per year, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 17% growth by 2024.2. Electrical EngineeringMedian salary: $68,438Spotlight job: Electrical EngineerElectrical engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment.  They work in many different industries, from manufacturing to telecommunications to government agencies. The median salary for electrical engineers is $95,230 per year, and although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting gangbusters growth between now and 2024, the field is expected to stay steady.Spotlight job:  Systems Engineer3. Mechanical EngineeringMedian salary: $68,000Spotlight job: Mechanical EngineerMechanical engineers are true multidisciplinarians- this is one of the most versatile and varied engineering fields. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines. The median salary for mechanical engineers is $83,590, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth by 2024.Spotlight job: Industrial DesignerIndustrial designers create designs for manufactured products (including cars, appliances, toys, and consumer products). Industrial designers combine concepts from engineering, business, and art/design perspectives to create user-friendly and attractive products. The median salary for industrial designers is $67,130, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts modest growth of 2% by 2024.4. Chemical EngineeringMedian salary: $65,000Spotlight job: Chemical EngineerChemical engineers work on the production and use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products, as well as designing processes and equipment for manufacturing, planning and testing production methods, and directing facility operations. They apply chemistry, physics, and engineering principles to their products and processes. Chemical engineers can be found in research facilities, industrial plants, and other laboratory settings. The median salary for chemical engineers is $97,360, and the field is expected to grow about 2% by 2024.5. Industrial EngineeringMedian salary: $64,381Spotlight job: Industrial EngineerIndustrial engineers work to make production and manufacturing processes more efficient. They create systems that coordinate resources (people, machines, materials, information, and energy) to make a product faster, cheaper, and more effectively. The median salary for industrial engineers is $83,470, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts modest changes of about 1% by 2024.6. Information TechnologyMedian salary: $64,008Spotlight job: Information Security AnalystInformation security analysts are the first line of defense for an organization’s computer network and information. They devise and implement security strategies to gu ard against data theft, cyberattacks, and other digital threats. The median salary for information security analysts is $90,120, and as the number of cyber threats rise, so do job opportunities: the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 18% growth by 2024.Spotlight job: Network and Computer Systems AdministratorWith everything going digital these days, network and computer systems administrators have key roles in nearly every organization. They are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and development of a company’s digital infrastructure. The median salary for network administrators is $77,810, and the field is expected to grow at least 8% by 2024.7. Civil EngineeringMedian salary: $61,500Spotlight job: Civil EngineerIf you’ve traveled on a road, been through an airport, or used a public water system, you’ve enjoyed the handiwork of a civil engineer. These engineers design and supervise construction projects in both the public and private sectors. This can i nclude roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and public utilities like water supply and sewage treatment. The median salary for civil engineers is $82,220, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that there will be 8% more civil engineering jobs by 2024.8. StatisticsMedian salary: $60,000Spotlight job: StatisticianStatisticians collect and analyze data, and use it to help solve real-world problems in business, finance, healthcare, engineering, or other areas. Statisticians are in high demand in both the private and public sectors- for example, insurance companies and government agencies. As we move more and more into a data-driven society, the need for qualified professionals to make sense and strategy out of that data grows by the day. The median salary for statisticians is $80,110 per year, and the field is expected to grow rapidly- 34% by 2024.Spotlight job: Market Research AnalystMarket research analysts are the ones who can tell you if your product is like ly to be a hit or a flop. They analyze complex market factors, and predict sales for a particular good or service. Their research leads to decisions about what products should be, who would buy them, and what price the market will bear. The median salary for market research analysts is $62,150, and the field is expected to grow by 19% by 2024.9. NursingMedian salary: $58,928Spotlight job: Registered NurseThe healthcare field is as strong as ever, and excellent nurses are always in high demand. Nurses coordinate and provide direct patient care, working with patients in many different healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, schools, facilities, home care, hospices, etc.). The median salary for nurses is $67,490, and demand will grow by 16% (much faster than average) by 2024.Spotlight job: Nurse AnesthetistNurses in this highly specialized area can administer anesthesia before procedures, monitor patients’ vital signs, and oversee patients’ recovery after surgery. They w ork with surgeons, physicians, an anesthetists as part of the surgical care team. The median salary for nurse anesthetists is $160,250, and the field is expected to grow much faster than average, in line with other nursing careers.10. FinanceMedian salary: $54,900Spotlight job: Financial AnalystFinancial analysts are often the voice of financial reason, providing expertise on markets and business to help clients and companies make investment decisions. They monitor the financial markets very closely, particularly the performance of stocks, bonds, funds, and other investment types. The median salary for financial analysts is $80,310, and by 2024 the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there will be 12% more jobs for financial analysts.Spotlight job: AccountantAccountants are responsible for preparing and analyzing financial records, including taxes and daily financial operations. They oversee day-to-day financial operations to ensure that a company is running efficiently and on budget . The median salary for accountants is $67,190, and the field should grow by at least 11% by 2024.If you’re already in college, or just thinking about it, these majors could be a great option for you if you’re seeking a stable, well-paying career path.

Harlequin Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Harlequin - Case Study Example he product since each novel is a prominent segment of a superior product line, whose quality is delivered consistently in a manner that provides immense satisfaction and exhilaration to the consumers (Mark 3). Harlequin should re-enter the single-title business since the business presents the organization with substantive growth opportunities, particularly in terms of enhancing sales volumes. Since trends in the publishing industry show that demand for single-title fictional books continues to increase despite the stable demand of series romance, harlequin should re-enter the business so as to maximize opportunities presented by increasing demand. While single-title publishing presents relatively immense risks, the company’s previous venture into the business will prove beneficial since the company is aware of the mistakes it made during its last attempt at the single-title business. Furthermore, harlequin’s successfulness in the publishing industry is a significant advantage since a vast majority of the risks vary depending on the author’s reputation (Mark 2). Furthermore, harlequin needs to redefine its brand by entering the single-title business. This is primarily because research indicates substantive declines in the growth of the romance series business, which could, in turn, result in massive

Group discussion and leadership Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Group discussion and leadership - Research Paper Example The best leaders in any environment are transformational leaders since they are inspiring and have the capacity to empower and develop the confidence of their followers. Therefore, when a leader embodies such traits their followers tend to respect them more and this results in more successful teams. Group facilitation often requires one to have strong leadership attributes so they can not only control and manage the group but also discipline and act as the mediator when there are problems between the members (AHRQ 11). A leader should strive to set an example for the members and thus they should exemplify the attributes that the want the members of their group to embrace (Wright 30). For instance, if one wants group members to be diligent and punctual they should ensure they engender these virtues so they set an example thereby leading from the front. When a leader walks the talk, his followers are likely to admire and copy them as opposed to when they just issue instructions and ord ers without adhering to them and expecting their followers to comply. When facilitating a group it is crucial that the leader is well informed on the subject matter; however, not implying that they should necessarily be more knowledgeable than everyone else should, but they should at least have the basic information. A good leader must be competent in the field they expect to lead otherwise they will lose their authority and respect and as a result, their effectiveness and legitimacy as leaders would be seriously jeopardized (Bui). During my experience as a group leader, I was not very keen on gathering the prerequisite information and I made the mistake of assuming that since everyone else will have carried out his or her own background research, I would not be conspicuous in my ignorance. This turned out to be a costly assumption since most of the members had either carried out narrow research and some completely neglected theirs. Thus, during one of the meetings I realized that t he majority of the members expected the few diligent researchers to do the legwork for the rest of the group that was contrary to our group’s rules. Normally, I would have heavily reprimanded them, but in this case I was no different from them and when they realized I had not done my part they seemed to feel justified in their non-compliance. Additionally one should be a good time manager so that they can manage the activities of the group and divide the time efficiently so that each activity and each member is allocated enough time. Facilitation further calls for one to be a very good listener, as in this case they can understand the needs of the individuals in the group by listening objectively without interrupting or being judgmental. Therefore, one can discern the members concerns and learn to listen for and spot common grounds, and use them to create unity by taking advantage opinions or views shared by all the members. Much of a facilitator’s job involves plannin g and organizing; thus, to effectively lead a group one must have good managerial skills so they can plan ahead for group activities as well as prepare contingencies by considering all possible scenarios. I believe I presented most of the qualities mentioned herein apart from the aforementioned incident where I had neglected my research, as I always planned for the group activities, researched exhaustively on the subject and even prepared other activities just in case the initial plans did not materialize. During my

Saint Thomas Aquinas Five Proofs for the Existence of God Essay

Saint Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientific reasoning has brought humanity to incredibly high levels of sophistication in all realms of knowledge. For Saint Thomas Aquinas, his passion involved the scientific reasoning of God. The existence, simplicity and will of God are simply a few topics which Aquinas explores in the Summa Theologica. Through arguments entailing these particular topics, Aquinas forms an argument that God has the ability of knowing and willing this particular world of contingent beings. The contrasting nature of necessary beings and contingent beings is at the heart of this debate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aquinas sets up this argument in his discussion of whether or not God exists. His five proofs set up the framework for much of his later writings in the Summa Theologica. As with the five proofs in their entirety, most of Aquinas’ reasoning stems from the third proof concerning the existence of God. The first two proofs lead to the third’s conclusion that God is "esse a se", or to be of itself. From this conclusion of God as an infinite being, Aquinas moves to the third question, concerning the simplicity of God. In article four of question three, Aquinas determines that God is ultimately simple in that his essence does not differ from his being. He writes, "Therefore, since in God there is no potentiality, it follows that in Him essence does not differ from being. Therefore, His essence is His being." God is an unchanging, infinite being. There is no conceivable way in which he could have parts, such as a separate being and a separate essence. From these proofs and others, Aquinas determines that God is an all knowing, perfectly good, perfectly powerful being. Moving back to the third proof of the existence of God, Aquinas determines that God is the ultimate being and that his existence precludes the existence of contingent beings. The notion entails the idea that without infinity, finite beings would not exist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aquinas also addresses the issue of the simplicity of God. From a series of logical steps, he concludes that God is altogether simple. He says, God is "neither a composition of quantitative parts, since He is not a body; nor composition of form and matter; nor does his nature differ from his suppositum." It only makes logical sense that God, not existing in any physical sense, could not have physica... ...sary and contingent beings. Evil is not a consequence of the will of God rather it is a lack of good. Aquinas also says that evil in the world is unavoidable. In Question 2, article 3, Aquinas says that God allows evil in order to produce good out of the existence of evil. The existence of evil in the world is indirect. Also, it would seem that God, being all powerful, could eliminate evil in the world but this has not happened. Aquinas reasons this out by discussing the two types of evil, natural and moral. For example, a person dying is often the result of natural events in the community and this person’s death opens up resources for others who are still alive. The sense of competition in this world adds a sense of necessity to death. There cannot be life without death. This is a similar situation to evil, in that good cannot exist without evil. Natural rules and laws are put into place to make this world, one in which God willed a sense of morals, exist, so natural evil and suffering must exist. With free will, there must be choice. Therefore, evil must exist because human beings make the wrong choices. We are not perfectly good. Things like temptation are part of who we are. Saint Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God Essay Saint Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientific reasoning has brought humanity to incredibly high levels of sophistication in all realms of knowledge. For Saint Thomas Aquinas, his passion involved the scientific reasoning of God. The existence, simplicity and will of God are simply a few topics which Aquinas explores in the Summa Theologica. Through arguments entailing these particular topics, Aquinas forms an argument that God has the ability of knowing and willing this particular world of contingent beings. The contrasting nature of necessary beings and contingent beings is at the heart of this debate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aquinas sets up this argument in his discussion of whether or not God exists. His five proofs set up the framework for much of his later writings in the Summa Theologica. As with the five proofs in their entirety, most of Aquinas’ reasoning stems from the third proof concerning the existence of God. The first two proofs lead to the third’s conclusion that God is "esse a se", or to be of itself. From this conclusion of God as an infinite being, Aquinas moves to the third question, concerning the simplicity of God. In article four of question three, Aquinas determines that God is ultimately simple in that his essence does not differ from his being. He writes, "Therefore, since in God there is no potentiality, it follows that in Him essence does not differ from being. Therefore, His essence is His being." God is an unchanging, infinite being. There is no conceivable way in which he could have parts, such as a separate being and a separate essence. From these proofs and others, Aquinas determines that God is an all knowing, perfectly good, perfectly powerful being. Moving back to the third proof of the existence of God, Aquinas determines that God is the ultimate being and that his existence precludes the existence of contingent beings. The notion entails the idea that without infinity, finite beings would not exist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aquinas also addresses the issue of the simplicity of God. From a series of logical steps, he concludes that God is altogether simple. He says, God is "neither a composition of quantitative parts, since He is not a body; nor composition of form and matter; nor does his nature differ from his suppositum." It only makes logical sense that God, not existing in any physical sense, could not have physica... ...sary and contingent beings. Evil is not a consequence of the will of God rather it is a lack of good. Aquinas also says that evil in the world is unavoidable. In Question 2, article 3, Aquinas says that God allows evil in order to produce good out of the existence of evil. The existence of evil in the world is indirect. Also, it would seem that God, being all powerful, could eliminate evil in the world but this has not happened. Aquinas reasons this out by discussing the two types of evil, natural and moral. For example, a person dying is often the result of natural events in the community and this person’s death opens up resources for others who are still alive. The sense of competition in this world adds a sense of necessity to death. There cannot be life without death. This is a similar situation to evil, in that good cannot exist without evil. Natural rules and laws are put into place to make this world, one in which God willed a sense of morals, exist, so natural evil and suffering must exist. With free will, there must be choice. Therefore, evil must exist because human beings make the wrong choices. We are not perfectly good. Things like temptation are part of who we are.

Sg Cowen Case

*Case #1 :* *SG Cowen* The SC Cowen case revolves around the decision to offer potential candidates a job at the firm. The firm has two spots open, but they still have four candidates left. Each candidate has certain pros and cons so a trade-off needs to be made by the recruitment committee so that a decision can be made on who to hire. Reflect upon a time you had a negative recruiting/hiring experience. What were the signs that the experience was not going well? Explain My first negative recruiting experience was when I applied for an internship at a law firm. I had my interview with both a recruiter and an associate of the firm. Right at the start of the interview I felt there was no fit between myself and the people on the other side of the table. I think I answered most of their questions in a way that I was satisfied with, but I felt that they were really trying to trap me into giving a â€Å"wrong† answer. I got this feeling because they were asking me questions that had totally no relevance to what I was applying for. Furthermore I got the feeling they were looking down on me as they did not seem to acknowledge some of my achievements (my grades for example). At the end they rejected me because they felt that I did not speak fluent Dutch, even though I have lived in the Netherlands all of my life. I was very disappointed about this, but I did learn how important this cultural fit is. When I look back now I always say to myself that I wouldn’t want to spend 60+ hours a week with people I have no connection with in the first place. What is your evaluation of the criteria used by this organization in making hiring decisions? Jim Kennedy has specified four types of criteria that have to be taken into account when determining whether there is a fit between the candidate and the job profile. These are education and experience, intellectual capabilities, personality characteristics and motivational characteristics. SG Cowen’s associate evaluation form has the following criteria listed: commitment to firm, maturity, interpersonal skills, leadership, technical skills and work ethic. Both criteria sets are listed in the table below. I think that SG Cowen uses many of the criteria that Jim Kennedy has identified. What is very different though is that for SG Cowen experience in the current field is not important. Instead they look for a form of affinity with financial markets (as can be seen in the assessment of a candidate’s accounting/finance skills). Which two candidates would you select if you were a member of the recruiting committee at SG Cowen? I would select Natalya Godlweska and Andy Sanchez. In my opinion investment banking is all about being able to learn fast and commitment. Therefore in a candidate I would look for someone who has been successful and willing to commit himself to both the firm and the job. I believe Natalya and Andy fit these criteria the most. Natalya was Cornell’s top student and Andy managed a highly successful business. I believe Martin has not made up his mind on where he wants to work, which to me says he is not willing to commit himself to SG Cowen. Ken on the other hand has already shown commitment in his previous job. But I think the hurdle for him are his two very young kids. Having a kid requires enormous amounts of time, especially in their young years and this cannot be combined with a job that requires 120 hours a week of your time. Name one key difference or similarity between hiring and recruiting at SG Cowen and your HR Plan company, and give your opinion on this. For our HR plan we have chosen the company Danone. The recruitment process that SG Cowen utilizes is very different from that of Danone. SG Cowen has chosen one specific day, Super Saturday, as its only recruitment day. On this day all of the open spots for associates get filled up. Danone recruits throughout the year and essentially has no application deadlines. In my opinion SG Cowen is losing out on many top candidates due to its strict recruitment procedure. By having only one day and thus one deadline to submit your application (in a year! ) they may lose out on top candidates who are tied up for some reason and therefore cannot apply. Noone would be willing to wait a full year, especially in the banking industry where you have so many other good alternatives.