How Good Communication Can Benefit Staff Retention

Employee retention can be a problem for businesses in every sector. Perhaps one of the most overlooked factors relating to this issue is the non-communication of a clear lack of vision on behalf of the employer. 

This absence of clarity can affect employees in a surprising number of ways. For example, foresight and job security are intimately intertwined and demonstrate a thorough commitment to a goal, creating a shared vision between both employer and employee alike.

In the words of renowned motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” 

Without clear and consistent communication, however, an employee can become disconnected to a company ethos and may end up feeling isolated within an unnecessarily fractured environment. In many cases the employer may be unaware of the employee’s feelings in the first place resulting in surprise when notice is given. Time is then spent trying to stem the loss of productivity and the further complication of having to source and appoint new staff who will need to receive induction and training.

This issue can be avoided by improving work-place communication which can be instigated and amended using a variety of tried and tested methods. Assigning a time for regular meetings, for example, is a logical and progressive tactic which can maintain contact on a formal level to begin with. However, personal check-ins and memos which encourage employee questions, as well as imparting information relating to what is expected of them, is a less used but equally valuable way to encourage ongoing communication outside of structured timetables.

An employee will remember when their employer refers to suggestions that they have made and will feel that they are being listened to when contributed input they have offered in the past is acknowledged and acted upon. In turn, a reciprocal relationship develops trust and security, factors which cement the bond between employer and employee. An employer who has demonstrated the ability to be open and available to discuss the ideas and experiences of employees is much less likely to lose staff in the medium term.

The Night Before The Interview

The night before a job interview can bring as much apprehension as it does excitement but if you have prepared properly there is no need to fall victim to nerves or a last minute attack of self-doubt. Remember, this is the position you wished to find yourself in: to have been selected from the many applicants and CV’sand now you will have the opportunity to speak further for yourself and to expand upon the experience and skills that your prospective employer has already noticed.

Presuming all of the preparatory work has been done, such as researching the organisation and possible questions and responses, there are practical and potentially calming tasks you can carry out in order to compliment your mental preparedness.

For example, deciding what to wear and having your selection ready the night before will create confidence and extra time on the morning of the interview. This will also allow you to begin the day with a sense of control. Such a seemingly small detail is often overlooked but it can help calibrate your mindset for the interview ahead.

Another practical tip which can eliminate unexpected hitches is planning your route to the location of the interview itself. Being aware of a second alternative route in case of bad traffic will allow you the certainty of knowing you will be on time.

Practical tips

Perhaps one of the most important practical tips for the night before the interview is to make sure you allow yourself a proper night’s sleep. There are some practical steps you can take to maximise the chances of being well rested and clear headed when the morning arrives. A walk or exercise the night before can help the body rest. If you find relaxing music helpful then perhaps listening to a favourite album before bed can assist this process. Try to eliminate or reduce any kind of screen-time in the hours before you sleep as this can often excite the brain and delay the instigation of the sleep process.  Go to bed at your usual time and feel confident that you have everything under control.  And good luck!

Can My Social Networking Impact My Job Hunt?

With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram to name but a few, people are inclined to publish just about anything in relation to their personal lives, their political views, opinions and in general tend to let their guard down when social networking.

Employers are of course interested in your skills and ability to do the job first and foremost, however in any placement there are also character traits to consider and you don’t want your online content to jeopardise this by posting something that could be construed as offensive. Now of course there must be a line drawn between what goes on in our personal lives and what goes on in our professional lives and people have the right to publish whatever they want but when this information is readily available to prospective employers, it is best to be cautious and keep comments, updates, photos and shares at the very least respectable and choose your audience wisely.

On any social media platform always customise your privacy options to prevent unwanted eyes from accessing your content and keep your content clean. Post content applicable to that forum for example on LinkedIn only post work/industry related topics and certainly don’t use it as a means to air your views about colleagues, current or past employers.  Be careful when and where you post, for instance I have heard many instances of employees ringing in sick and then they post a photo of themselves sipping a cool beer delighted with life or swinging down a zip line. Another good idea is to search yourself on Google or Yahoo and see what comes up, if you find the results should we say questionable then go to that site and delete the content if required to do so.

The age of big brother is here whether we like it or not, it’s not something to be concerned about but it is important you manage it and are mindful of your online brand at all times.

Returning to work after Maternity or Paternity leave.

Answer: Whether you are a mum or dad, the thought of returning to work after considerable time of can be a tough and daunting prospect for most, yet it is a time that is filled with renewed aspirations and excitement of what might be.

If you were on paternity or maternity leave then you probably have an existing job to slot back into which makes things somewhat easier but the change in routine for you and your family will be challenging. If you left your employment entirely before becoming a stay at home parent then returning to work is not so simple as you have the added challenge of trying to find a new job with a career gap in your CV, not to mention that maybe your once up to date skill-set is now outdated.  This should not hinder your desire to return to work or impact your confidence in any way, like any job seeker you will always face rejection and it is up to you to ensure you are skilfully capable to fulfil the role you are applying to and ensure you have prepared for the interview in advance.

Preparation is Key,

In relation to talking about the time period you were of work nurturing and caring for your children, talk about it positively and energetically but drive home the fact that you are now focused on returning to work and getting yourself back into the workforce and carrying on with your career where you left of.  In advance of any interview familiarise yourself with the company, study how the market, your industry and profession has progressed since you were last employed and explain what you did to bridge the gap in your skill set if one exists. Be prepared to explain convincingly how easy it would be for you to get back into your groove and be an asset to that company or position.

You can do it,

The main challenge in returning to work is not your ability to do a job you once did, its having the confidence to do it again and your readiness to return.  Remember, you can and will do it, it just takes belief, perseverance, commitment and lots of preparation. 

Degree or no Degree, that is the question!

I spoke to a candidate earlier this week who was enquiring about a position we had in Dublin, the requirement for the role was a Degree qualified candidate with four years’ experience. The candidate had 5 years’ experience with no Degree and unfortunately was not considered, this is the reality of today’s market.

Although there is a very true saying “you can read volumes on swimming and jump into a pool and drown” I would always advise candidates to read the volumes none the less and to finish a degree if they have the opportunity to do so.  Understood it is a long commitment and can involve considerable cost, but in today’s employment market it is nearly a prerequisite and expectation from employers to see candidates with a degree even for entry level positions. 

Is it worth it?

What does a degree mean for you and more importantly tell your employer?  It explains to the employer that you obviously have a certain level of education, it suggests to the employer that you can think in a certain way, solve problems analytically and you have the ability to follow things through.  Completing a degree is not easy and it shows you have commitment and resilience.  Even when your job applications are unsuccessful or they go unanswered, don’t question the point in having your degree, rest assured that having the degree ensures your application a first consideration.

You are a brand.

Choose a reputable college and ensure that the accreditation of the degree is applicable to the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland. Having a degree does make your job hunt easier but the process of finding that perfect job with the financial rewards you desire will take patience and time. Remember your degree in most professions is only 33% of your personal brand, the other 66.6% is made up of practical experience, life experience and your portfolio (CV) itself. If you are finding that your job hunt is disastrous and not landing you the job you want or none at all, then take time to review your personal brand and don’t be afraid to seek help if required.

Changing Career

Our working career usually spans 40+ years including part time to full time positions. During the early stages of our career we start to make inroads into the industry/position that we will ultimately spend most of our working lives in which is determined by our gained practical and academic experience guiding us there. If you want to change direction here are a few important points to consider.

Career Identification

Have a general if not specific idea of what it is you would like to do. Take the time to sit down and mull over ideas and identify what career paths/occupations are of interest to you and why. If you cannot make the decision on your own, organise a visit to a reputable career guidance and seek clarity this way.

Up skilling Needs Patience

When you have identified what occupation you would like to do, it is then time to assess your current ability and skill set versus the skill set required to enable you work in this profession. You may need to up skill or re-skill, you may need to do voluntary work, a part time course or go to college full time. This may take a considerable amount of time to achieve so be patient and expect a time period anywhere from two years to five years for this change to happen.

It will take Resources

This will be an expensive and difficult time if you have to go back to college as fees as a mature student are not cheap. Even if your career change does not involve a monitory investment it may involve a time investment which can impact your personal life. During this period, you should have a financial cushion to fall back on and a supportive team.

Support

Communicate to your family and close friends that you are changing career, this is really important as your transition will be demanding and their support will be required at some point.

The one thing to remember in changing career is, it’s worth it.  If you are in a profession that you don’t like or find the demand for your current skill set in today’s employment market is falling, then it is both necessary and rewarding to do something about it and it is within you to make this happen. If you don’t then what’s the alternative?

What to do after the interview

Interview

The interview is over, you have been grilled by a team of interviewing lions and you displayed a super performance. Now the waiting game begins, but wait your job is not done yet!

Firstly, contact the recruiter straight after your interview if you are dealing with one, and let them know how it went. If during the interview your realise that the position is not for you then tell all parties involved they will appreciate you not wasting time. 

If on the other hand the job is for you then it is always a good idea to email the hiring managers a quick thank you for the opportunity to meet with the team and discuss the role in more detail. Make sure to mention that you enjoyed the process thus far, you feel you would get on with the team and after learning more about the role you feel you have the skill set to execute the job effectively and it fits in perfectly with your career aspirations but don’t overdo it.

Plan to the last!

Job seeking can be a funny game so avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.  It is not uncommon for companies to take weeks to come back to you with feedback on your interview or not to come back at all or worse again to cancel the position altogether.  Plan B & C while you wait, your main objective throughout the interview process should be to interview for a couple of positions, have multiple offers on the table and choose the one that best suits your career aspirations and financial requirements. There is a tendency from some recruiters and companies to express positivity towards you after your interview with no real basis, so don’t let this situation make you think the job is in the bag so to speak, when you have the offer on the table that’s the time to pat yourself on the back but even then don’t take your foot of the gas.  When you receive the offer, seem interested but not over eager, take some time to consider and remember you still have the negotiation stage to play out.