Time Management – How to Create a Great Work Schedule (4mins read)

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Do you find the work tasks are getting bigger? Is time management becoming an issue? Most often time management is poor when there is no plan, or goals are not clear. With no plan in place, procrastination can set in and lead to frustration at the end of a busy week. Long-term, the effects will most likely cause stress, anxiety or at worst suffering symptoms of burnout.

Most workers have a limit on their time to complete tasks. This may be higher some weeks due to impending deadlines, extra workload pressure, training new staff or returning back to work after a bank holiday weekend. Common downfalls in time management include allocating too little time to high priority tasks, poor delegation skills or allowing distractions take over limited time. Although it takes time to set this new plan in place, it will be time well spent in the long run!

15 Tips for Successful Time Management at Work

  1. Complete a time audit to understand how you are currently spending your time at work
  2. Develop a weekly schedule planner
  3. Prioritise tasks – schedule high priority tasks at the start of the day
  4. Assign realistic time limits for each task
  5. Group similar tasks together
  6. Prioritise the most difficult task at the start of the day
  7. Learn to say no, when needed
  8. Be aware of distractions and hold boundaries
  9. Build in buffer times to allow for extra time on larger tasks or for work meetings
  10. Use the 4 D’s – Do, Defer, Delegate and Delete when scheduling your weekly tasks
  11. Be flexible – although it is ideal to stay focused, allow for inevitable delays
  12. Set SMART goals, particularly for larger tasks
  13. Colour code the schedule if you enjoy working with bright colours
  14. Choose a smart schedule layout – one that you can easily read and enjoy working with
  15. Up-skill with a refresher course to improve decision making or organisational skills

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot” – Michael Altshuler. Managing limited time at work will help you to stay focused and work more effectively. The benefits can change your work-life for the better! You will find that you get a lot more done in less time, reduce stress levels and the new schedule will boost your confidence and organisational skills.

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Benefits of Joining a Nursing Agency in Ireland (3mins read)

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Have you considered registering with a nursing employment agency? There are a range of options for nurse’s jobs in Ireland – part-time or full-time. Signing up with a nursing agency offers many benefits to help you with your career decision. They provide opportunities to acquire roles in organisations in Ireland including private nursing homes.

Our nursing recruitment agency works closely with many healthcare providers and regularly put forward a list of suitable nursing candidates for roles within the organisation. These are generally permanent positions.

12 Benefits of Joining a Nursing Agency in Ireland

  1. Flexibility of work shifts including a choice of hours of work
  2. One-to-one consultation with friendly staff who offer support and advice throughout the process
  3. Opportunity to increase earnings, or reduce hours – when needed, and work weekends or night shifts to avail of higher rate pay
  4. Reduces stress in your search for a job
  5. Open to retired nurses as an option to source additional income
  6. If weekend time is precious with family, requesting weekdays only is an option
  7. Opportunity to avail of openings in diverse healthcare settings, and grow your skills and experience
  8. Nursing agencies pay a higher hourly rate of pay and payment is prompt
  9. Nurses with permanent positions can register with a nursing agency to avail of extra hours to boost income
  10. Option to choose place of work, or another position if the position does not work out
  11. Opportunity to explore up-skilling needs
  12. Opportunity to expand existing network circles

“Let us never consider ourselves finished, nurses. We must be learning all of our lives” – Florence Nightingale. Nursing recruitment agencies are a great option to secure regular work that offers flexibility, offers higher pay and opportunity to explore up-skilling needs, and improves work-life balance. Thinking about signing up with a Nursing Agency? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email recruiter@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

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How to Improve Job Satisfaction

Knowing whether you’re satisfied in your job, if it’s the right one for you, is a measure of your contentedness in the various aspects of the job. This can include the work itself, relationships with colleagues, whether you are advancing in your work, or get along with the management process. There are a lot of aspects of self to consider, as well as the workplace and your personal life. These can include cognitive, behavioural, emotional and other characteristics.

Ultimately job satisfaction has more to do with you, your perceptions and biases, and outlook on life. We have the power within to alter these various aspects of self – positively or negatively. We can believe for the best or the worst. It’s important to remember that the job doesn’t change the essence of self or our values, and who we truly are.   

Personal job satisfaction is a sense of achievement in work related tasks, personal goal achievement and continued growth in our career journey, which have the power to motivate us as an individual. It also goes far beyond daily work routines, spilling out into our personal lives. Life becomes more fulfilling and expands the joy that we share with family and friends. The sense of purpose, receiving recognition and feeling valued, and reaching personal goals provides us with a greater sense of contentment and belonging.

Reaching satisfaction in the job often involves personal reflective work in frequent work reviews and continued self-development. The support of professionals also helps to increase satisfaction and enjoying the rewards of our labour. Ideally, jobs should be enjoyable while doing daily tasks and provide many rewards. If you find that you are in a job that you’re not enjoying, supports such as counsellors, career guidance counsellors, life coaches and recruitment agencies are well worth considering, and investing in. These are powerful resources that offer invaluable advice and insights.

Having an active personal life, healthy eating, frequent exercise, enjoying varied hobbies, nurturing personal relationships and creating time for restful days are important steps which contribute to our sense of personal wellbeing in our job. “True motivation comes from achievement, personal development, job satisfaction, and recognition” – Frederick Herzberg.

Be empowered, become the creative innovator of your life today, and increase personal satisfaction in your job. Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email operations@3qrecruitment.ie if you would like to chat with a member of our vibrant team, to explore your options and new opportunities.

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Working from the Office or at Home

Do you prefer to work from home or the office? Some prefer the working in the office as it gives structure to the day, it’s easier to focus on tasks and they get to meet colleagues. For others working from home is easier than working in the office. They prefer the calm of their home office, the flexibility in their hours and prefer to work on their own, for most of the day – they find that they get a lot more done in this environment.

While working from home during the pandemic may have seemed appealing in the early days, for many the four walls began to close in pretty quickly and they yearned to get back into the office environment. Adjusting to the home-work life model has been a struggle for some. The benefits of working at the office now seem more appealing. They prefer the familiarity that comes with the job, and the structure that the office environment provides.

Benefits of working in the office:

  • Emotional and social value increase towards work, including the brand
  • Face to face connections are far better for wellbeing than webinars and online meeting rooms
  • Helps to keep a healthy work-life balance, by maintaining work hours
  • Disturbances to work flow, which may have seemed annoying before, are now a welcome relief
  • Routines can give more structure to the day
  • Can increase job satisfaction and feeling valued
  • Teamwork reduces frustration on certain activities
  • More recognition is achieved in the office
  • Can improve mental and physical health
  • Likely to increase networking opportunities
  • Less likelihood of household and family distractions
  • Work is left at the office, at close of business

Maintaining clear boundaries, between the work and home environments, will help to maintain a healthy work-life balance in your life. The positive effects can be major including increased overall wellbeing and productivity in work. Social connections are really important; otherwise the job is ‘just a job’! “We must establish a personal connection with each other. Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur” – Peter Block.  

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Chef Jobs

Summer Chef Referral Competition

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Do you know a Chef that is looking for their next job? Here at Three Q we are running a Chef referral competition from July 1st – August 28th.

If you know a Chef that has a QQI Level 6 qualification in Culinary Arts then send us their CV to cvs@3qrecruitment.ie

Anyone who referees a Chef to Three Q (that meets all of the terms & conditions below) will automatically be entered into a draw for a €100 gift card.

Terms & Conditions:

  • This competition is open to the greater public.
  • Referral must have a QQI Qualification in Culinary Arts (or equivalent).
  • Referral must be based in Ireland.
  • Referral must complete all mandatory training & documentation.
  • Referral must sign up and work with Three Q for one month.
  • If your referral sends in their CV directly, make sure they give your details on their application (name, contact number and email address)
  • This competition will run from July 1st to August 28th.
  • The winner will be chosen at random.
  • The winner will be announced on the 2nd of September.

You can view all of our current jobs openings by visiting http://3qrecruitment.ie/view_all_jobs/

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LinkedIn – Connect, Collaborate & Create

Recruitment platforms have really increased online in recent years. The jobs market has been greatly enhanced with these marketing cyber spaces. Employers, HR and Recruitment Agencies benefit from platforms such as LinkedIn. It’s an effective networking arena with many advantages to boost employee careers and their job search. Employers include this in their research when seeking additional information on potential new hires.

LinkedIn provides opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Create – individuals can connect with a wider network, collaborate with existing and new LikedIn users, and create meaningful network connections! They can also secure new jobs through this social space.

Before setting up a new LinkedIn account, it is important to know the key items to include in your digital space. This is also true if you already have an existing LinkedIn account. The persona profile needs to stand out. The content needs to engage other users, which needs to be updated frequently. There is a great opportunity to widen your social network and find new opportunities.

Top tips to create a great LinkedIn profile in 2022:

  • Include a great profile picture
  • Create a punchy headline, not just a job title
  • Start with a great story in the summary content, make it interesting and check the content for errors 
  • Expand network connections, using buzzwords, and keywords to optimise SEO
  • Bullet-point skills, education, accomplishments and interests with a brief synopsis
  • Use relevant hashtags
  • Create a spotlight for services offered
  • Create a custom profile URL
  • Include colleague recommendations
  • Background images enhance your LinkedIn profile
  • Personality gains the attention of other users
  • Include ‘call to actions’ such as an email address. ‘Follow’ buttons to your website work well too
  • If unemployed, include “actively seeking work” or “actively searching for new opportunities”
  • Don’t slate former employers or colleagues – keep it clean
  • Recruiters look at work history so include this important information here
  • HR view LinkedIn often, to attract and recruit new employees. Make connections with organisations  
  • Ask well-known connections to endorse you, not new connections
  • Engage and ask questions
  • Include LinkedIn Certs in your resume
  • Keep your profile active with frequent updates, organic content is great too

Give it 100% and increase your visibility for a greater return on boosting your career, network connections and new collaborations. “Always put your best foot forward, because you never know where your next step may lead you” – Stephan Labossiere.

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How to Cope with Anxiety

Every Moment is a fresh beginning

Change and uncertainty in the workplace can bring unwelcome anxiety, which can take us down a path of unhealthy living and disrupt a healthy work-life balance. This is particularly true when these changes happen outside our control, whether you’re in temporary or permanent employment. Finding ways to cope with change and uncertainty isn’t always easy.

Dealing with anxiety and regaining balance in your life are just two of the necessary steps to help reboot the psychological, physical and emotional aspects of self. Understand how the change is impacting you and increase your self-care also help, as does talking about the new process.

‘Blue Zone Living’ has inspired thousands of individuals globally in a curious movement of on-going research which seeks to understand why some countries have populations with healthy aging individuals. The invaluable advice and insights are relatively simple and can be used to regain a healthy balance in your life.

9 healthy regimes to manage anxiety include:

  1. Understand what your purpose is; why you wake up every morning? Find meaning and develop an internal inventory of passions, values, gifts, talents, likes and dislikes
  2. Body movement relives stress, particularly high stress levels. Natural continuous body movement is just as beneficial as strenuous exercise
  3. Use the Pareto Rule during meal times. Choose to stop eating when 80% full, and let go of late night snacking. Remember – ‘breakfast like a king and dinner like a pauper’
  4. Become more aware of, and increase, self-care and wellbeing, and work on ways to reduce stress levels. The body holds stress in different ways, so embrace rituals that work for you – nap for twenty in the afternoon, partake in a happy hour after work, engage in creative activities or simply pray
  5. Include healthy food in each meal serving – fruit, whole grains, rich and colourful vegetables, beans and nuts. Consume lean-meat a few days a week, and avoid processed and sugary foods
  6. The fun doesn’t have to stop with this new way of being. Enjoy things and food that give you pleasure. A glass of wine with a sociable meal can provide powerful antioxidants
  7. Positive social circles promote healthy behaviours with self. These can be fun, nurture talents and advance your personal development journey. Find which ones work for you
  8. Belong and have faith – join your preferred faith-based community, to form strong social relationships, which can provide a powerful sense of belonging. Find one that suits you.
  9. Finally, the depth of love holds many amazing benefits, so stay connected and open to those that you love!

Change isn’t always a negative. It can be liberating, exhilarating and bring some, or many, new opportunities. Remember; “Every moment is a fresh beginning” – T. S. Elliot.

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Chef Referral Competition

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Attention all Three Q Temps, do you know a qualified chef looking for a new career? Are you interested in wining €100? Then refer a Chef to Three Q today for your chance to be in with a €100 One 4 All voucher. If your Chef successfully completes the sign up process we will provide you with a €50 gift card. If your referral works with Three Q for three months you will receive another €50 voucher. For your chance to win this amazing prize, send your Chefs CV to cvs@3qrecruitment.ie with your details, or call 01 – 878 3335 for more information.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Chefs must hold a QQI level 6 in culinary arts, or the equivalent to qualify for a role with Three Q
  • Referral must be submitted between 28/01/2022 – 28/02/2022
  • You will receive a €50 gift card when your referral successfully completes the sign up process (including all mandatory training) and is placed by Three Q
  • You will receive a second €50 gift card when your referral completes 3 months of service with Three Q
  • Should your referral leave before a 3 month period, you will not receive the second gift card.

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How We are Supporting Our Customers Through the Pandemic: A front-line Catering TEMPS Agency Story

As a front-line Catering TEMPS Agency that specializes in the provision of Managers, Supervisors, Chefs, Ward Attendants, Domestics, Cleaners and General Porters to hospitals, healthcare services and nursing homes Three Q TEMPS has been working with our clients in every way we can to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Below are some of the ways we have adapted our service provision to keep our TEMPS & our clients safe, to keep the supply of Temps as needed fully operational and how we are now working with clients as they and the country take steps to the next phases of Ireland’s fully being economically and socially operational again.

  • Ensuring Qualified, Vetted & Experienced Hospital Temps are available when needed – Our Temps go on stand-by for emergency cover each morning – Monday through Sunday for identified clients who had and still have patients being cared for who are COVID-19 positive
  • Location Specific TEMPS – these Temps do not work in any other units and remain available to clients when they need them
  • Continuing full office and remote working activities to ensure our service runs smoothly and clients can speak with our Temps Consultants Lisa, Charlotte & Mawia whenever they need – 24/7 on our main phone line 018783335
  • Implementing a range of COVID-19 Health & Safety protocols to ensure no cross contamination from Temps working in different locations and weekly monitoring, questionnaire’s and text campaigns to keep Temps informed of new procedures
  • Supporting the annual #celebratenurses campaign that our sister company Nurse Jobs Ireland runs each year – with a major event on May 12th on International Nurses Day
  • Bringing forward our corporate giving commitment – Our annual support for 3 of our nominated charities was brought forward to quarter two to support them in the crisis they are facing now.  These charities are a homeless outreach service who needing additional funds for take-away meal packaging, a domestic violence agency needing resources to meet additional demands and a hospice care service – all these charities are unable to fund raise to 2019 level for this time of the year due to COVID-19

We are hopeful for the day Ireland can like New Zealand declare that we are COVID-19 free and until that day we will work with our clients with their new working practices and we will continue beyond that date to support our clients in every way we can.

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Flexibility in the Type of TEMPS we Supply – A COVID-19 Case Study

Most business have gone through a period of rapid change with COVID-19. Changes in ways of working that would have taken months to implement, have been adopted in weeks. Given that we’re in the business of providing leave and emergency TEMP cover, COVID-19 has given us the opportunity to test and review our ability to support our clients, within this rapidly evolving environment.

As a niche-agency, we pride ourselves in knowing and anticipating our clients’ needs, many of whom, we’ve worked with for over a decade. We’ve seen fairly steady patterns in terms of staffing needs and we had gotten good at recognising and responding to these. As with everything else, the uncertainty and unpredictability that the COVID-19 Pandemic brought with it, our client’s requirements were affected and in turn, so were the services we had to deliver. We saw very quickly that we needed to be highly responsive to changes in the numbers of TEMP Worker’s supplied and we also needed to be highly flexible in the type of TEMPs supplied.

Below is the second of two case studies. This illustrates how we supported our client by expanding the type of temps we provide to meet their changed requirements, owing to COVID-19.

This case study is based on supply to a medium sized Elder Care Facility. It showed that because Three Q TEMPS is a niche hospitality and catering TEMPS agency, we could provide them with the range of temps they required owing to changed circumstances.

They needed a kitchen porter, a catering assistant, a domestic, a chef, a general porter and a cleaner with healthcare experience and they were able to get them all from Three Q.  Daily updates from their team and their ability to work meant Three Q TEMPS went on stand-by in-case the client needed cover.  Our chefs who worked through the whole crisis trained up their relief cover and made themselves available on their mobile even on the days they were not working.

What we are grateful for:

  • The willingness and pride our Temps took in remaining part of the team to ensure service delivery during the pandemic
  • The client’s recognition and gratitude for continuity and responsiveness of Temps to come in to the unit – some times with less than an hour’s notice.
  • The opportunity and ability to safely supply this client for over 15 years. They got to see the full variety of the Temps on our panel – they have their favourites and have already made early bookings for future annual leave cover to ensure they get the same Temps back in.

This case study allows us to illustrate how we were able to be responsive, effective and supply a variety of temp workers to meet our clients’ changing needs. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can help you with your staffing requirements or if you’d like to book catering staff, please call us on 01-878-3335 or email us on temps@3qrecruitment.ie .

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