THE HR
CONNECTION
Become The Mentor You Wish You Had
Have you ever thought about the impact you could have on someone else’s career? Whether you’ve been in the game for years or are just starting out, chances are there’s someone out there who could benefit from your guidance. And here’s the best part: you don’t need to dedicate endless hours to be a meaningful mentor. Sometimes, just an hour or two over a few months can make all the difference in someone’s professional journey.
Round of Applause
There's something truly satisfying about having your hard work acknowledged by others. That warm feeling of accomplishment when someone metaphorically pats you on the back.
But let's be honest, most people find tooting their own horn to be challenging, and it doesn't always come naturally. It can actually feel a bit awkward at times since most of us grew up waiting for others to sing our praises. After all, humility is often taught to be a virtue. However, I came to realize a while back that in the competitive workplace, being your own cheerleader is not just beneficial, it's a necessity.
Game On: Level Up Your Onboarding
A well-crafted onboarding process serves as a springboard, propelling new hires into new roles with renewed energy and confidence. This, in turn, nurtures higher retention rates and heightened productivity (always a good thing).
The flip side? Inadequate onboarding can lead to new hires doubting their employment choice and may increase the likelihood of them seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Beyond The Agenda
It’s tempting to adopt a passive stance during 1-on-1 meetings with your manager. After all, it may seem simpler to let your supervisor take the lead and provide directives while you nod along. However, actively listening, asking thoughtful questions and engaging in meaningful conversations can benefit both of you. It demonstrates your commitment to shared goals, a strong sense of accountability, a drive for success and a general appreciation for your manager’s guidance.
Slow Your Scroll
“A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder.” -Thomas Carlyle
When you slow your scroll, you become intentionally aware of the memes and posts in your feed. Between the images of puppies and summer sunsets are messages of positivity, quotes about intention, pauses to promote purpose.
The author spoke of intentionality and how his single, most useful lesson learned at Harvard was to apply one’s knowledge to the purpose of one’s life. Every. Single. Day. Without that discovery and the clarity, there is the risk of sailing off without a rudder–trapped in the rough seas of life.
Motivated. Educated. Graduated.
It’s the season of pomp and circumstance. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for reaching this important milestone as the first graduates to be affected by COVID-19 for all four years of college.
These students have shown adaptability, creativity and resilience–all important skills that will translate well in the workplace. However, this year’s grads are now faced with more uncertainty as some organizations plan to hire fewer employees than in 2022.
Here are my tips for how to land your first job:
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Oscar Wilde or Will Rogers? The internet can’t make up its mind about who coined the phrase. And while we may never know who penned the quote, the words still ring true.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
That’s why I want you to pause. Take a breath. A moment to reflect and reassess so you can put your best foot forward.
*Missing The Boat
It’s rough waters out there. The current job market has many employers struggling to find qualified candidates to fill open positions *based on the organization’s job requirements.
(Emphasis on the *asterisk.)
It’s this footnote, that clarifier–the little ( * ) – that I believe can prevent an organization from finding their Ideal Candidate in a sea of resumes.
It all begins with the traditional process of developing a job description and the checklist that typically requires a four-year undergraduate degree. From my 30+ years of experience, I can tell you that this list doesn’t always produce the best and the brightest candidates.
The Disruptors
Over the past several decades, we have all experienced the ebb and flow of employment trends. Not enough jobs. Not enough workers. Not enough resources.
In my experience, it’s workforce disruptors–technological advances, environmental changes, political and economical events, and global circumstances–that move and shake up the workforce.
In 2008, we saw the job market take a downturn when the stock market crashed. And in the aftermath of 9/11, employees were prompted to reevaluate their life priorities. But nothing has disrupted the way we work more than the pandemic.
A Bird in the Hand
It’s hushed industry speak that’s being whispered by the water cooler–creating a bit of buzz and, perhaps, even a little corporate insecurity.
Quiet Hiring. An expression used to define when an organization doesn’t actually hire new full-time employees but still acquires new skills.
And for many companies, this soft-spoken phase of uncertainty is becoming a reality at the start of this new year. It’s a time when employers are internally reconfiguring roles, redistributing responsibilities and having to communicate why these changes are happening.