January - new year new role?

Starting a new job is exciting but can also be daunting. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow, not only professionally but personally too.

There can be a lot of worries going through your head before starting a new job, this is why we’ve created this top tips list to help ease those nerves before you start!

Top tip 1:

Before your first day, learn what you can about the company.

Look through its website and social media to understand its culture and values. If the company is operating in an industry that you are not too familiar with, it might be worth learning what you can about the industry and possibly writing down any questions you may have to ask your manager to show you have done your research.

Top tip 2:

There’s nothing worse than turning up somewhere and feeling under or overdressed.

Take note of what the hiring managers were wearing in your interviews, and if you went down to the office, what the other members of staff were wearing. Often you can get a sense of the dress code from the company culture and by looking at their website/company photos. However, if you are unsure it’s always better to dress more formally than casually!

Top tip 3:

First impressions are everything, and you don’t want to be known as the one who was late on their first day of work.

On your first day, try to arrive early to give yourself time to deal with any unexpected delays. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and come to work with a positive attitude ready for the day. Starting your day off on the right foot will help you make a good impression.

Top tip 4:

It can be scary being the new person, but it doesn’t have to be.

Make an effort to introduce yourself to your colleagues and start conversations. Show genuine interest in getting to know the people you’ll be working with, as after all you will be spending a lot of time with them! Showing openness to getting to know your colleagues shows you are a team player but is also essential for establishing a healthy work environment.

Top tip 5:

In the first few days, there's no doubt you will be given an overwhelming amount of information, but listening is crucial. Show you are paying attention by taking notes and asking questions.

Top tip 6:

ASK QUESTIONS! This shows pro-activeness and curiosity.

Top tip 7:

Set yourself some goals you’d like to achieve in your new position.

Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your role’s expectations, objectives and key performance indictors (KPI’s). Knowing what’s expected of you will help you align your efforts and priorities accordingly.

Top tip 8:

Finding someone you can trust is so important!

Not only can finding a mentor or a colleague reply help you settle into your new role, but they can offer any career advice you may need and answer questions you don’t feel comfortable asking a superior.

Top tip 9:

Use your initiative!

If you see a project you’d love to be a part of or have feedback which you think will make a difference, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion! Well within reason.

Showing imitative shows that you’re enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile.

Top tip 10:

Don’t forget that work-life balance.

It can be a lot adjusting to a new role, new work hours, new location etc. But it’s key to remember that holding that work-life balance is essential. It will help avoid burnout by managing your time effectively and taking time for relaxation and activities you enjoy outside of work.

Starting a new role is exciting! It can teach you personal and professional skills and help you excel in your field. By being prepared, open-minded and proactive, you will most definitely make a good impression. Take time to enjoy the learning process, be adaptable, and enjoy you journey in a new role and company!

Good luck :)

“Rejection is merely a redirection” ~ Bryant McGill

Job interviews are an essential part of the job search process, but not everyone gets a job offer. It can be disheartening to be rejected after putting in your best effort, but it's important to see it as an opportunity to grow and improve. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to handle job interview rejection and turn it into a steppingstone to future success.

Just like anything you were hopeful about, but it doesn’t work out, it is normal to feel disappointed, frustrated or even self-doubt. It's important to allow yourself to feel these emotions, but don't dwell on them for too long. Processing your feelings is the first step to moving forward in a healthy and constructive way.

Politely ask the interviewer or HR representative for feedback on your interview performance. Feedback can give you valuable insights into areas where you can improve. Use this constructive criticism as a roadmap to sharpen your skills and prepare better for future interviews.

Take some time to reflect on the entire interview process. Think about the questions you were asked, your answers, your body language, and how you presented yourself during the interview. Identify what you did well and what you could have done better. Use this reflection as a learning opportunity to improve your approach and strategy for future interviews.

Focus on your accomplishments and progress. Remind yourself of your strengths, skills, and experiences that make you a valuable candidate. Celebrate your achievements and recognize the growth you've made throughout your job search journey. A positive attitude can boost your confidence and motivation.

Rejection is a normal part of the job search. Don't let it discourage you. Instead, use it as motivation to keep going. Keep applying for jobs, improving your resume and cover letter, and practicing your interview skills. Every rejection brings you closer to finding the right job for your skills and goals.

Lean on your support network of friends, family, mentors, and professional contacts. Talk to them about your experience and feelings. They can offer encouragement, advice, and even job leads. Sometimes, a fresh perspective and support from your network can reignite your passion and drive.

If you're struggling to bounce back from rejection, consider seeking help from a career coach or counselor. They can offer personalized guidance, help you identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to boost your job search success.

When you consume yourself so much in your work, it can be easy to forget to balance work and life - Sometimes it can be easier said than done, but here are our top tips to establishing a health work-life balance.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. A common boundary which is often pushed is working overtime or extra. It is so important to stick to your contractual working hours when you feel overwhelmed. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and supervisors, ensuring they respect your personal time outside of work.

Prioritise Your Tasks

Task management is so important. Prioritise your to-do-list, concentrating on high-impact tasks during your peak productivity hours. Significant duties completed early in the day can reduce stress and free up time for personal activities later in the day.

Practice Effective Time Management

Knowing how to manage your time helps you set aside time for other work, family, relaxation and hobbies. To maximise productivity while avoiding burnout, use tactics like time blocking to avoid burnout.

Learn To Say No

Saying no is a skill that can protect your time and energy. Assess your existing commitments and be mindful of overextending yourself. It’s okay to say no to additional work on top of your current load, or tasks which you feel will jeopardise your work-life balance.

Take Advantage of Flexibility

If your role offers flexibility, this will massively help you with work-life balance. Flexibility allows you to choose your work hours to accommodate personal priorities.

Disconnect Digitally

Technology is engrained in our daily lives, but it is essential for everyone to unplug at some point.

Designate tech-free times during the day to focus on personal interests, connect with nature, or simply enjoy your own company.

Invest in Self-Care

Male self-care activities that revitalise your mind and body a priority. Make time for things that improve your well-being, whether it’s exercise, meditation, reading or something else.

Communicate Openly with You Manager

Discuss your work-life balance concerns with your employer. A supportive employer will value your well-being and work with you to find a balance that works for everyone.

Focus on Spending time Supportive Friends and Family

Spending time with your support network can help you escape the stresses of work. Be present and engaged, something as small as watching a film or having a games night can make you feel better.

Reflect and Adjust

What was working for you last month, may not work for you now. Reflect on the past few weeks and find what did and didn’t work, and make adjustments to fix your balance.

Work-life balance takes planning and dedication. It’s about finding a happy balance between your profession and your personal life.

As an employer, it can be hard to know when it is the right time to re-evaluate your company’s hiring process.

Having a strong hiring strategy is one of the most important processes your company will have. It's not just about finding people with the right skills and qualifications. It's also about finding candidates who resonate with your brand.

There are a few signs that it's time to re-evaluate and adjust your hiring process:

High Turnover Rates

If you notice a consistent pattern of employees leaving shortly after being hired, it could be a sign of a flawed hiring process. You might be attracting the wrong candidates or not providing a clear enough picture of the job and company culture.

Skill and Job Mismatch

Are new hires struggling to settle in and lacking essential skills for their role? This could be due to a mismatch between the skills needed for the role and the candidate's skills. It's also possible that your job descriptions are unclear or your technical tasks are too challenging or not focused on the right skills.

Candidates are choosing other companies before you can make them an offer

Lengthy hiring timelines can be frustrating for both candidates and the internal team. In a competitive job market, top talent will get snapped up quickly. Streamline your process without cutting corners on quality control.

Lack of Diversity and Inclusion

If you're not seeing diversity in your candidates, it could be time to rethink your sourcing channels. Diversity brings a wide range of perspectives and ideas to your company.

Negative Feedback

It's never nice to hear negative feedback about your company or your hiring process, but it can be extremely valuable. Consider surveying candidates or having a section on your application where they can provide feedback. This data can help you identify areas for improvement.

Decline in Quality of Hires

If you see a decline in the quality of candidates you're hiring or sourcing, it's time to reassess the requirements for the role and the platforms you use to advertise the role.

A Hiring Process Which Reflects an Old Market

The job market is constantly changing, and so are candidate expectations. If your hiring process hasn't moved with the times, it could be off-putting to candidates.

A flexible and effective hiring process is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. By regularly reassessing and updating your hiring strategies, you can ensure that your company remains competitive and appealing to the best candidates in the market.

In the workplace, a unsettling trend has emerged: quiet quitting. Unlike a typical resignation, where employees formally submit their notice, quiet quitting is a subtle form of disengagement, where employees mentally disconnect from their work while physically remaining on the job.

Understanding Quiet Quitting 

Quiet quitting is when employees mentally and/or emotionally disconnect from their work, while still physically showing up to work. This subtle disengagement can manifest in many ways, such as decreased productivity, enthusiasm, dedication, and collaboration.

The signs of Quiet Quitting 

It can be difficult to spot the signs of quiet quitting since they are often subtle and can often go unnoticed. Some of the common indictors to quiet quitting can be:

Decreased productivity: A quiet quitter may start to produce less work, or their work may be of lower quality.

Decline in enthusiasm: A quiet quitter may seem less engaged in their work and may not be as excited about their projects.

Less dedication and collaboration: A quiet quitter may be less willing to go the extra mile for their work and may be less likely to collaborate with their colleagues.

Increased absenteeism or tardiness: A quiet quitter may start to take more sick days or be late to work more often.

Withdrawal from social activities: A quiet quitter may start to withdraw from social activities at work, such as team lunches or happy hours.

Negative attitude: A quiet quitter may have a negative attitude towards their work or their employer.

Address Quiet Quitting

Addressing quiet quitting involves being proactive from both the employees and employer.

• If you are feeling disengaged or unfulfilled at work, talk to your manager. Be honest about what is causing you to disengage and see if there is anything your manager can do to help.
• Set boundaries. It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. Avoid checking work emails or messages outside of work hours.
• Take breaks and vacations. It is important to take breaks and vacations to avoid burnout. Make sure to take time for yourself to relax and recharge.
• Find a mentor or coach. A mentor or coach can provide you with guidance and support as you navigate your career.
• Consider finding a new job. If you have tried everything to address your quiet quitting and you are still feeling unhappy and unfulfilled at work, it may be time to consider finding a new job.

Things to do as a employer: 

• Create a positive and supportive work environment. Employees are more likely to be engaged and productive in a work environment where they feel valued and respected. Make sure that employees have the resources and support they need to do their jobs well.
• Set clear expectations and goals. Employees need to know what is expected of them and what their goals are. Make sure that expectations are realistic and achievable.
• Provide regular feedback. Employees need to know how they are doing and how they can improve. Provide regular feedback, both positive and constructive.
• Recognise and reward good work. When employees do a good job, be sure to recognize and reward them. This will show that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.
• Offer opportunities for growth and development. Employees want to feel like they are growing and developing in their careers. Offer opportunities for employees to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

Mental Health Awareness Day - Supporting Your Colleagues

It's important to raise awareness about helping our coworkers who might be struggling with mental health challenges in recognition of World Mental Health Day.

Mental well-being is an integral part of our overall health, and creating a supportive workplace environment is essential to ensure the mental wellness of everyone.

In this blog post, I’m going to take you through the steps on what you can do to provide support to anyone struggling around you.

Understanding Mental Health

First up is understanding what mental health actually is.

The Oxford Dictionary (2023) describes it as “A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.” In other words, it's about how we think, feel and behave in different situations, for example, our mental health can affect the way we handle stress, relate to others and decision making.

Recognising and understanding mental health is the first step to creating a heathier work environment.

Common Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

It’s no secret that working in an office can often be demanding and high-pressurising, this can lead to stress which can lead to further mental distress.

According to a 2022 study by the Mental Health Foundation, 2 out of 5 offer workers experience mental health problems. This is higher than the rate for the general population, which is 1 in 4.

The study also found that offer workers are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression. They are also more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

How to Extend Support to Your Colleagues

Educate Yourself: the more we understand mental health, the better equipped we are to support our colleagues and the people around us. Learn about the common mental health challenges and how they could present themselves.

Create a Safe Space: Establish a workplace culture that encourages open conversations about mental health. Colleagues should feel safe to speak about their mental health concerns without worrying about what other people might say.

Be a good listener: Most of the time, all a person needs is just for someone to listen so they can get their worries off their chest. Offer your time and ear to colleagues who need to talk, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to provide them with in-depth advice, they may just need to voice what it is their feeling.

Encourage Self-Care: Suggest taking breaks and doing self-care exercises. Encourage your coworkers to place a high priority on their physical and emotional wellness.

Offer Professional Help: If a colleague is struggling, gently suggest seeking professional help. Therapy and counselling can be immensely beneficial. This could possibly be a benefit your company could offer to further show your employees how much support their mental well-being.

Respect Privacy and Boundaries: While it’s important to offer support, it is important to respect the privacy of your colleagues. Don’t press for any information they’re not comfortable with sharing.

Promote Mental Health Programs: Advocate for mental health benefits/initiatives at work. Workshops, seminars and counselling sessions can create awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our lives, and it impacts how we function both personally and professionally. Making a workplace that priorities mental health and is willing to provide assistance to those who may need help, can make a significant difference.

If you know someone who is struggling, here are some websites which could offer them help: 

UK: 

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/

Samartans - https://www.samaritans.org/

Germany:

DGPPN - https://www.dgppn.de/

TelefonSeelsorge - https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/

Vienna:

OGPP - https://www.oegpp.at/home/

Pro Mente - https://www.promenteaustria.at/de/home/

The Netherlands: 

MIND Korrelatie - https://mindkorrelatie.nl/

113 Zelfmoord Preventie - https://www.113.nl/

How to Pitch for a Promotion 

There will come a time in your career when you feel ready to move up on the career ladder but want to stay in your current company. Often, many companies will have career pathways in place so you know what you need to do to progress and have a rough timeline for when you can expect this. However, this isn’t always the case and sometimes YOU will need to take that step forward and ask for a promotion.

As much as we’d all love to burst into the meeting room and demand the promotion we feel we deserve, that just isn’t how it works.

There are a few ways to go about asking for a promotion, so let me tell you them!

Understand the role you are aspiring to move into.

Start by fully understanding the position you want to move into. It is important for you to learn what your full responsibilities would be, what your day to day would look like, and the skills needed. Once you know all this information, it will be easier for you to present how your current skills are transferable to this new role, and why you are the ideal candidate.

Highlight your achievements and contributions.

In your current role, make a list of everything you have achieved and any major contributions you have been a part of. When the time Is right in your meeting, you will be able to use these as examples of how you have made a difference to the team or business and how you can further excel in this new role. You need to be able to prove that you bring valuable skills to the table that benefit the company in order to convince the decision-makers your ready for this promotion.

Develop your skills and knowledge.

Keep up-to-date with industry trends, advancements, and new skills relevant to the new position you are wanting. Show proactive learning but enrolling in courses, attending workshops etc to demonstrate your commitment to your learning and development in this new role.

Communicate your career goals.

During your performance reviews or one-to-ones, openly discuss your career goals and where you’d like to be in X number of years. Express your interest in taking on additional responsibilities and wanting to progress in your role as it shows loyalty to the company which can strengthen your pitch when the time is right.

Demonstrate Leadership skills.

Show leadership traits, even in your current position by taking the initiative, working with others, and showcasing your ability to solve problems. One important quality that managers like to look for is a

Prepare a Persuasive Pitch.

Create a pitch that is well organised and clearly shows your accomplishments, skills and aspirations. Outline your goals for the organisation and how you intend to contribute and add value. You want to feel comfortable and confident in your meeting so remember to practise your pitch and prepare any answers to questions you think that could be asked.

See Feedback and Iterate.

Before presenting your pitch to the decision-makers, present to a close colleague or mentor. Use their insights and feedback to refine and strengthen your pitch.

Choose the right moment. 

Timing is important. Choose a suitable time to make your pitch, such as during performance reviews or one-to-ones. Make sure it is the right situation for discussing promotions and professional development.

Remain Resilient and Optimistic.

Stay positive and resilient in any situation. If you don't succeed, request specific feedback to identify areas for improvement. Consider proposing a follow-up meeting with the decision-makers after X amount of time to revisit the topic. This reflects your determination and loyalty to the company.

To summarise, putting together an effective pitch for a promotion takes planning, self-awareness and communication skills. By showcasing and demonstrating your skills and accomplishments and making a strong statement will increase your chances of getting that well deserved promotion!

Good luck ;)

Handling Salary Expectations When Applying for a New Job

When looking for a new job, effectively managing your salary expectations is a critical part of the process. A common motivator for wanting to move jobs is salary, but understanding how to manage your expectations can help you secure the right role ensuring you are being compensated for your skills and experience fairly.

Conduct Your Research

Before diving straight into the job market, take the time to research the average salaries for the position you're interested in within your industry and location – Glassdoor is a great tool for this! Websites, industry reports, and networking can provide valuable insights into the standard pay ranges. Consider your experience, qualifications, and the cost of living in your area while evaluating these figures.

Evaluate Your Skills and Experience

Objectively assess your own qualifications, skills, and level of experience. Be realistic about where you stand in terms of expertise and how it aligns with the requirements of the job you're looking to apply for. This self-assessment can help you set a reasonable salary expectation based on your value in the job market

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Review Your Current Compensation Package

Review your existing compensation package in detail, taking into account your salary, benefits, bonuses, and extras. Recognise the whole value you now receive and take that into account when setting your compensation expectations for the new position. Think about the things that are important to you and the ones that are negotiable. Establish Your Minimum Requirement

Figure out the lowest salary you need to pay your bills and cover your important expenses. This is your 'bottom line.' When discussing pay for a job, make sure it's at least this amount. It's important for your financial health not to go below this line.

Be Transparent, yet Flexible 

When talking about your desired salary, be direct and tell the truth about what you're aiming for. However, let them know you're willing to talk and agree to a complete compensation package. This package should include benefits, opportunities to grow, and a good balance between work and personal life. Stay open to adjustments, but also remember the minimum you need.

Share why you think you’re the right candidate for this position. Talk about your skills, experiences, and things you've achieved that would benefit the company. Showing how you're valuable can help in asking for a higher salary, highlighting why investing in you is a smart choice for them. 

Consider Future Growth and Advancement

Evaluate the potential for growth and advancement within the new role and organisation. Sometimes, accepting a slightly lower salary initially can be beneficial if the position offers significant growth opportunities that align with your career goals.

Seek Professional Advice

If you find salary negotiations challenging, consider seeking guidance from a career coach or a professional mentor. They can provide insights and strategies to help you manage your salary expectations effectively.

Effectively managing your salary expectations during a new job application demands a balance of research, self-awareness, communication, and strategic thinking. With a clear understanding of your value and market demands, you position yourself to secure a job that aligns with your career aspirations, offering fair compensation for your skills and contributions.