Tag: workplace culture
4 Tips to Help You Like Your Job More Without Completely Starting Over
Most of us are not working in our dream jobs every day. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t like our jobs and find satisfaction in them. While the grass may seem greener in a different position, sometimes you just need to water the grass where you are.
In this blog, we’ll look at valuable ways to improve your job satisfaction without completely starting over in a new position.
Foster Pride in Your Job
The first step to finding joy in your current job? Be proud of your work! Foster pride in your job empowers you to be a better worker, build your skills, and contribute to the team’s success. Celebrate those successes and look at every day of work, every project at work, as an opportunity to strengthen your skills and empower yourself.
Build and Maintain Social Relationships at Work
Studies show that people with friends at work are more likely to enjoy their jobs than those without. So, make friends! Whether you join each other for lunch, save seats for team meetings, or just visit each other at the coffee machine once a day, building and maintaining bonds of camaraderie and friendship are key factors when it comes to enjoying your job.
Help Others
Helping others makes us feel good. It improves your mood while it strengthens and builds connections with others. A positive atmosphere is fostered when team members look out for each other and help each other. Plus, when management sees how well team members get along and help each other out, they remember.
Consider a Management Role
Speaking of management, have you considered pursuing a role in management? With offers of higher pay and the opportunity to utilize your skills in newer, fuller ways, a management position may be more satisfying than your current role. And if you’ve been noticed by management for the positive efforts you’ve been making to build relationships, help others, and empower yourself at work, they may already have their eye on you for advancement.
We may not all like our jobs, but we want to. Liking your job is possible if you practice certain behaviors, maintain a positive attitude, and follow the steps above to build pride and satisfaction in your role.
And if you do realize that you must leave your old job behind, turn to Beacon Staffing to help you find your next role!
Leadership Tips That Can Help Reduce Unnecessary Turnover
One of the most valuable resources you have within your company is your pool of employees. Their collective skills and ability to work and produce results are pivotal to the success of your entire business. Naturally, you want to keep those valuable assets long-term to ensure your business’ success and profitability.
Even with the best practices in place to retain resources, many businesses find themselves facing employee turnover. Employee turnover is the rate at which employees leave and are replaced within a company. Employee turnover is generally measured annually, and a high turnover rate may indicate issues within your company.
If you believe your turnover rate is unusually high and want to change that, read on for valuable tips to help, leadership reduce unnecessary turnover and keep your resource pool solid and satisfied.
Top Tips to Reduce Unnecessary Turnover
#1 – Hire the Right Resources to Support Your Team
Proper hiring requires proper planning. A good leader will identify the skill gap that needs filling and take steps to select the right talent for the job before the need becomes desperate. Managers can also stay informed and implement training to assist in bridging those gaps and retaining existing resources.
#2 – Demonstrate Work-Life Balance
As a leader, it is essential to exemplify your company’s core values and culture. This includes demonstrating a healthy work-life balance and ensuring employees can and will do the same. For many employees, the work-life balance is a pivotal factor in accepting a job and, ultimately, in leaving a job. Flexibility, understanding, and fostering respectful boundaries are the key to creating a positive workplace culture that employees want to be a part of and stay a part of.
#3 – Listen to Feedback and Take Action
Some employees’ incentive to leave a job comes from a lack of recognition. They feel unheard and unseen as contributors to the company. As a leader, you can ensure your employees feel seen and heard by actively listening to their thoughts and concerns. In monthly private and group meetings, you can connect with your employees and allow them a safe forum to express ideas, voice concerns, and provide feedback from which the whole team can learn.
Acting on your employees’ ideas and concerns is as important as listening to them. Whether you are handling a matter yourself or passing an idea on to higher-ups in the company, your efforts to help them be seen and heard by others will not be forgotten.
Employees who feel seen, heard, and valued are far more likely to stay with an organization long-term. By building a positive, supportive, and productive work environment for them, you help save your company time, money, and the frustration of dealing with unnecessary employee turnover.
If you need help hiring, get in touch with Beacon Staffing!
3 Skills That Will Help You Thrive in Any Workplace
As technology advances rapidly, the need for human talent is still strong. More than ever, businesses need skilled workers who can take direction, perform tasks, and make essential decisions. Thriving in today’s workplace and tomorrow’s means developing the right business skills that give your company a strategic advantage while helping you move forward in your career.
Business skills are categorized as hard or soft skills. Hard skills include the technical skills and knowledge needed to perform your job. Soft skills include abilities that focus on people and how we handle situations. Soft skills develop throughout our lifetime and take time to develop.
In any workplace, specific skills will help you grow and thrive no matter your role. Let’s look at 3 of the most valuable skills:
1. Develop Your Thinking Skills
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking can be difficult in our busy, noisy world, but this ability is vital when it comes to making the right business decisions. Curating information, taking the right actions, and solving problems effectively are all powered by critical thinking skills.
Strategic Thinking
The ability to define goals, make plans, optimize your resources, and achieve objectives all come under the banner of strategic thinking. Strategic thinking helps you take the information you gathered critically and use it to save time and money in accomplishing your goals. Strategic thinking also anticipates looking at the potential outcomes and determining the most direct and beneficial route.
Imaginative Thinking
Creative thinking may be the most critical soft skill businesses seek now. Even as automation and AI technology advance, creativity enables people to remain productive and relevant at work.
2. Develop Your Listening and Communication Skills
Communication skills have always been a vital asset for working professionals. Communication, describing concepts, and articulating goals are essential in any industry. Equally important is active listening. Active listening is not simply hearing words; it means understanding and processing what you hear to assess situations better and solve problems.
3. Develop a Positive Attitude
For some people, positivity appears to come naturally. It is, however, a learned trait, and developing it is a skill that can take you far in your professional life. A positive attitude improves your work productivity and mood and contributes to a more uplifting work environment.
Are you looking for a job? Beacon Staffing can help you find the job you’ve been looking for. Contact us today!
How To Talk To Your Team About the Elephant in the Room
Most people want to avoid conflict, waiting out discomfort or putting off difficult conversations rather than dealing with the issues. Sometimes this is because people don’t know how to have these conversations or fear a negative impact on their work environment and relationships. In reality, however, avoiding conflict may build resentment, and the conflict is never overcome.
As a manager, you know that talking about the “elephant” in the room is vital to maintain balance and positive growth within your team. But how should you approach it?
Shift Perspective
Our perspective often colors difficult conversations. When we’re hung up on our perspective, we may not be open to seeing other points of view or hearing alternative solutions. Try to set your point of view aside and approach the situation from their perspective. You may not fully understand, but it will help you appreciate what’s happening with them and where they are coming from.
Listen to Understand
We often think we’re good listeners, but listening to understand takes concerted effort. Listen intently to the other person, ask questions, and care about their answers. Active listening is the best way to help you find common ground and ultimately reach an equitable solution.
Take Care of Yourself, Too
Conflict is emotionally draining. Ensure you care for yourself while helping your team cope with workplace issues. If you feel your compassion and empathy dwindling, take a moment. Drink some water, get some fresh air, pause the conversation, and get a good night’s sleep. Conflict doesn’t need to be resolved right away. Take the time necessary to treat the situation and all involved with respect and intention.
Brainstorm Solutions Together
Even if you believe you have the right solution in mind, brainstorm solutions with all involved and come to a resolution together. Explore solutions and make every effort to reach an understanding. Whether you create a plan for resolution or walk away agreeing to disagree, you’ll all know that you did your best to resolve the conflict.
Handling conflict is always challenging. Whether the conflict is between employees or one you have with an employee yourself, learning how to have difficult conversations with an eye toward resolution is vital. With the guidelines above, you can find ways to have these conversations and make your workplace a more productive and peaceful environment for everyone.
Let Beacon Staffing help you find the right people to work with so conflict is barely an issue. Contact our team today to get started!
Addressing the Infamous “Why Do You Want To Work Here” Interview Question
Sometimes, the most straightforward questions are the most difficult to answer. “Why do you want to work here?” is one of the most asked questions in job interviews and the most confounding.
This very direct question is crucial and one of the best opportunities to show your enthusiasm for the job and that you are an ideal candidate. In this blog post, we will discuss how to best answer this infamous interview question and what not to say.
Interview Preparation
Interviewers could ask you, “Why do you want to work here?” in a variety of ways, including:
- “What made you want to apply for a job at this company?”
- “Why do you want to work for us?”
- “Why are you interested in this role?”
However it is worded, the goal is to see if you are a good fit for the company and the role. With that in mind, begin by researching the company. Examine the company’s website and familiarize yourself with its services and products. Review the company’s blog and social media accounts, especially reviews from current and previous employees.
Next, study the job description. List your favorite things about the job and take note of the things that align closely with your career objectives and best skills. Finally, identify your core values that fit well with the workplace culture presented by the company.
Three Steps to Answer, “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
1. Express passion for the company’s mission
One of the main goals of this question is to gauge your enthusiasm for the role. It’s essential to give the interviewer what they want from the beginning. Mention the company’s mission statement and how it aligns with your values and goals. This shows you’re applying for the position because you want to work there, not just because you need a job.
2. Mention why you would mesh well with the company culture
Interviewers are not just screening your skills and experience. They also want to know if you will match the company culture well. When you research the company, especially its mission statement, employee reviews, and social media, take note of some of its initiatives and mention that you have some ideas to contribute.
3. Show how your goals align with the company’s goals
Your answer should also showcase how the position you’re interviewing for aligns with your career goals. Explaining how your career goals align with company goals helps convince the interviewer that you won’t leave as soon as a new opportunity presents itself.
What NOT to Say
To avoid leaving a negative impression behind, do not:
- Focus only on your interests,
- Say that you are only interested in the money,
- Say that you do not know,
- Give a generic answer that could apply to any company.
Looking for a new job? You’ve come to the right place. Check out Beacon Staffing’s job opportunities today!
How to Make Working Overtime Work for You
There is much negativity associated with overtime, frequently viewed as something you have to do rather than something you want to do. Depending on your job type, overtime may be a regular part of your role. But overtime can also be an opportunity, and many workers commit to overtime to gain greater flexibility in their schedule or earn more money.
How can you make overtime a favorable option that works for you? Read on for some helpful tips!
Whether you’re working overtime to earn extra money or hoping for a promotion or other recognition, these tips will help you stay focused and stress-free.
Tip #1: Review company policy on working overtime
Whether you work overtime voluntarily or not, carefully review the rules and guidelines for working overtime. Take the time to ask your Human Resources department questions if anything needs to be clarified. Understanding the company policy on compensation, scheduling, and limits will help prevent any issues.
Tip #2: Maintain a healthy work-life balance
Extra income is excellent, but not at the expense of your health and well-being. A healthy work-life balance should always be a priority, especially when working overtime. Avoid working overtime more than three days a week, so you have plenty of time to recharge and spend time with family and friends.
Tip #3: Stay productive
Working overtime means a lot of extra hours in your work week. It can be very easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. Pace yourself and stay productive throughout your entire shift each day. This will help you avoid overload and stress so you can stay focused and on task.
Tip #4: Ask for recognition
If one of your goals is to receive a promotion or raise, let your manager know. The enthusiasm and dedication you exhibit working overtime can go a long way toward getting you that recognition, but not if your manager doesn’t know you want it. Be humble but honest and acknowledge your effort to contribute.
Working overtime can be an excellent opportunity to earn extra money and positively contribute to your workplace. With the proper preparation and mindset, you can make working overtime work for you on many levels.
If you think a new position is in your future, start your search with us today!
Coping with Anxiety & How to Leave it At the Office
Work can be stressful even on its best day. If your workload is filled with stressful tasks or, worse, the whole environment verges on toxic, you may develop long-term anxiety issues. Overcoming workplace anxiety can be difficult, especially when you have to work to support yourself and your family. It is not impossible, though. With some effort, you can address your anxiety symptoms and ease the burden on yourself and others.
In this blog, we’ll look at some tips to help you leave the stress of work at work.
Tip #1. End your day by writing your to-do list for tomorrow.
When you have anxiety issues, to-do lists can go far in helping you to organize your thoughts and appreciate what you’ve accomplished each day. At the end of your day at work, write your to-do list for the next day. This lays the groundwork for the next day, establishing attainable goals that can be crossed off the list as they are accomplished. Anxiety can make it challenging to appreciate your daily accomplishments; to-do lists show you.
Tip #2. Treat your commute home as time to unwind & decompress.
Whether you have workplace anxiety or not, leaving work at work is crucial. Once you have clocked out for the day, your commute home, however long it is, should be a time to decompress and relax. Find fun and relaxing ways to make your commute the perfect bridge between work and home. Take a moment to stretch before you leave the office. Enjoy your favorite music or audiobook on the way home. If weather permits, open the window and breathe the fresh air to clear your mind and lungs.
Tip #3. Schedule time for your hobbies/fun activities during the week.
No matter how difficult and time-consuming your job is, it cannot take up all your time. One of the best ways to recharge and relieve the stress and anxiety of work is to enjoy activities and hobbies you like. Scheduling time every week to enjoy them, whether it’s weekly pickleball with friends or a regular dinner out with family. Make your time away from work a priority.
Work anxiety can be crippling if you let it master you. Use the tips above, and you can start taking control of your workplace anxiety and maybe even eliminate it.
If you think a new job may be what you need, start your search with our team!
Dealing with a Toxic Workplace Environment? How to Know When it’s Time to Break up With your Job
We all have bad days at work when stress and frustrations wear us down. However, if the bad days at work have become the norm, you may be dealing with a toxic workplace environment. A toxic workplace can affect your mental and physical health, increasing anxiety and stress and seriously impacting your productivity and morale.
Your workplace may be toxic for a variety of reasons. If you’re feeling very unhappy at work, here are three key signs it’s time to consider breaking up with your current job.
Your boss sets unrealistic expectations.
Effective bosses challenge you with attainable goals encouraging you to grow and become your best version. On the other hand, ineffective bosses set you up to fail. Their unrealistic expectations make you feel helpless and stressed. Demanding quick turnarounds at the last minute and overwhelming you with work can quickly lead to a toxic workplace environment.
Your boundaries are not respected.
Lack of respect for boundaries is a hallmark of toxic relationships, including those at work. Do you feel uncomfortable speaking up at work? If you do, whether due to a lack of confidence or from imposter syndrome, it’s something you can work on. If you have set boundaries and they are not respected, it may be time to find a new job.
You think about quitting your job regularly.
If you think a lot about quitting your job, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to move on. If you feel unsure, take the time to review your current position. Look at your last month of work and tally up the good and bad days. It may be time to “jump ship” if the bad days outweigh the good.
Another approach is to ask yourself what you would advise a friend or coworker in the same situation. Would you encourage them to stick with the job and tolerate its negatives, or would you recommend they escape from the toxic workplace? More often than not, the advice you would give to someone in your situation is what you need to hear yourself.
The decision to leave your current job is a challenging one. But if you see the signs of a toxic workplace culture, you need to trust your intuition and go for it!
If you need help finding your next role, contact Beacon Staffing today!
3 Tips Adapting a More Productive & Motivated Mindset for 2023
We all want to become the best version of ourselves, personally and professionally. Setting goals and making resolutions are always hot topics around the new year, and 2023 is no exception. If you’re looking to change your mindset, and become more creative, motivated, and productive, consider these three tips on how to adapt and implement a more positive mindset for 2023.
Get Organized
What to feel better about yourself every day AND get more done? List-making is an excellent way to get organized and stay motivated. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment whenever you cross a task off your “to-do” list. In addition, making a list that includes daily and weekly tasks allows you to focus on each task at hand without stressing about the bigger stuff. As more gets done and you enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishing them, you’ll feel more motivated and productive.
Get Active
We all know exercise helps you physically, but it also improves your attention and focus and boosts your mood. Adding exercise to your daily routine doesn’t mean you must do a major workout every day. Low-impact stretching, yoga, and even walking can refresh your mind and stimulate your creativity and productivity.
Practice Gratitude
Today’s high-tech society adds a great deal of anxiety and stress to our days. From the minute we awake, we are focused on our phones filled with emails, texts, and social media posts. This sets us up for a day filled with nervous, stressful feelings.
Make a change to your daily routine and let the phone wait. Instead, take some time when you awake to think of three things to be grateful for. These may be things you’re thankful for, or they may be things you’re looking forward to in the coming day. Starting the day with a grateful heart and mind fills you with positive feelings, such as contentment, joy, and peacefulness.
Meditation can be a powerful addition to your morning routine, allowing you to focus on positive thoughts and feelings and replace the negative voices that impede your motivation and stifle your creativity and productivity.
Each day is what we make it. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure that you step into 2023 with a more positive, motivated mindset and that you’re ready to make it the best, most productive year yet!
If you are set on a new job this year, start your search with Beacon Staffing!
Workplace Trends We Expect to see in 2023
As we head into 2023, we have seen workplaces shift heavily to remote and hybrid work. Inflation, layoffs, and the potential for a recession are driving many employees to ask for promotions or raises. Some have even looked for new positions with higher salaries to help them support their homes and families.
For managers, the focus has been on recruiting top talent and retaining them in these troubling times. Looking forward to 2023, we can expect to see several workplace trends impacting business operations. Let’s look at the top five.
Workers Have the Upper Hand
Employers vying for high-quality talent are likely to continue as the job market remains tight. Candidates understand their worth in this market and are not afraid to demand higher pay, better perks, and benefits, and flexible work options. The demand for high-quality talent is also high, and well-trained 2023 graduates will enter a job market with plenty of opportunities.
Focus on Mental Health
Employee well-being has been a major issue in the workplace for years. Even before the pandemic, many employees complained of burnout and feeling miserable at work. With the current economic outlook, employee health, especially mental health, is predicted to continue its decline.
To combat that, employers are looking at even more ways to support the mental health of their employees and prevent burnout.
The pandemic played a major role in stimulating and shaping workplace trends for 2022 and that trend will continue into 2023 and beyond. Many companies are embracing these changes, putting their employees first and attracting the best talent while doing so.
Need to expand your team to accomplish your 2023 business plans?
Beacon Staffing can help you find the top-quality talent you’re looking for. Contact us today!
