Bob Tarver has been involved in several different careers  from Law enforcement to Retail Management to Teaching H.S. Government, Coaching High School Basketball to currently working in the HR field. Bob is active on Twitter, Facebook, and online HR communities.

Tell us a little about the achievements you’re most proud of in your career. In my first full time position in Human Resources, I developed my skills as a Workers Compensation Specialist. Being based in California ( SF Bay Area) that was no mean feat. The company I was working for ( Freight Forwarding/Cargo transportation) had multiple terminals across the Country.Not only did I have to be aware of WC laws in California, but other states as well.  The Challenges I faced with were Employees who would not notify superiors of injuries when they happened, so they could avoid going to occupational medical facility where they were subject to a drug test, I also had to improve the reporting of these injuries to our insurance carrier. The number of injuries increased over a 3 year period, Several Terminals having the highest cost per injury, the loss of productivity due to these injuries. I was able to overcome these challenges through hard work, constant communication between myself, occupational med providers, insurance adjusters,terminal managers.  Also to reduce injuries, I implemented safety bingo, which awarded employees with cash when there were no injuries at the work location.

 What would your ideal job be?
I am a Generalist at heart, In my last position as a Regional HR Manager, I was responsible for HR functions for 11 Terminals in several states. I would like to be a HR Manager with that type of responsibility in a variety of industries ( Semiconductors, Bio-tech, Retail and if the situation was right, Cargo/Freight Forwarding again)


And what would it definitely not be?
I would not want to be a Benefits Administrator/Specialist/Manager. I have tremendous respect for the people who work in that field.Having the patience to deal with billing issues is unbelievable.I know I would not be very good at that.  I have negotiated contracts with Health Care providers and developed a EAP program in the past.

You are primarily looking in the southwest but you’re in Virginia right now. How did that happen, and how is it working out?
I am looking for an HR opportunity primarily in the Southwest U.S.  ( New Mexico,Arizona,Nevada) California could still be in consideration. My number 1 choice is New Mexico ( Albq), while it is not a “hotbed” of HR activity…it hold a special place in my heart.  I am starting to look at other areas of the country, but again there has to be a number of factors to influence my decision.

Virginia is where I call home. I spent the majority of my growing up years here, I still have the majority of my friends and some family members here.  Its where I went to school. I hold a B.A. in history from Old Dominion Univ and a Masters Degree in HR Management from Troy Univ.  I  left Virginia in  July 2001 to move to Calif for personal and professional reasons. However in late 2007, both worlds fell apart, so I made the decision to fall back and regroup and theres no better place than home.

What have you learned while on this work hiatus, or how has it changed you or the way you’d practice HR in the future?
I have learned that I need to keep current on HR Technology, HR Legislation. I have resolved to get my PHR this year no matter what or who might suggest otherwise. As for how I would practice HR in the future, I would make sure that I kept up with legislation in a more active setting such as volunteering for SHRM legislative committees, becoming more active in my professional organization.

I saw that you recently had a guest blog post (link). What has stopped you from blogging? Do you think there’d be much ROI for you on blogging given your goals and life situation?

I just recently did a guest blog post  for Shennee Rutt’s   Deeply Rutted.  It was interesting doing that post.  I am not a very good writer from the standpoint of being an expert in the field and I want the quality of what I write to be of importance in my field.  I am also not that prolific of a writer like several folks in the HR field.  Plus, after I finished the piece, I didn’t sleep well, I tossed and turned wondering if what I wrote was good enough.  I think the idea of having a blog can be good for a professionals career, however, they must be dedicated to writing at least 2-3 articles a week to keep their readership.  It goes along the way of University professors  ”publish or perish” philosophy.  I just don’t think I could do it for an extended period of time.

Where do you see the field of HR going forward? Do you see the field of HR dying out?

There will always be a need for HR in the field of business as long as there are laws /regulations that govern the way business operates. I do think that HR needs to re-evaluate how it does business,  how it is viewed by other departments.  If the mind-set of Senior Level Management does not change its perception of the HR function or the need to have the function present could spell trouble in the years to come.  HR leaders in companies need to lead the charge by being more pro-active in their approaches.