Tag Archive for: Job

Sometimes there are times when motivation is lower in the workplace. This can include when feeling undervalued, when there is conflict or when there is an unrealistic workload. It can lead to poor performance, unwelcome vibes in the workplace, mental health issues and job dissatisfaction.

There are many different methods to try to improve motivation in the workplace. Each situation is different. It will need an honest evaluation of the workplace dynamics to improve morale. “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it” – Michael Jordan.

8 Simple Ways to Increase Motivation in the Workplace

  1. Develop small goals at first, that are measurable, and that will help toward achieving bigger goals
  2. Encourage collaboration of the team and ask for each team member’s suggestions. Implement suggestions and get everyone on-board with each new change
  3. Try to remain positive throughout the process, even when faced with adversity from colleagues
  4. Develop creative ideas to increase motivation. This might include creating more autonomy in the workplace or encouraging feedback from the team to provide inspiring solutions
  5. Ensure to take breaks and stay fuelled, to feel energised throughout the day
  6. Reward great work with a team celebration
  7. Host frequent ‘huddle sessions’ to review team performance, concerns or issues, and invite solutions from the team to improve each situation
  8. Become a leader, regardless of your position in the organisation

While it is true management have a vital role to play in ensuring that there is good motivation in the workplace, we all have a part to play in improving morale. Obstacles can be overcome, with improved team effort and communication. Teamwork can make a real difference in boosting motivation, morale, and wellbeing at work. It can also help with lower absenteeism, create a great company reputation, and increase job satisfaction, making your company a great place to work and being part of the team.

Unique to each business, workplace culture includes many dynamics including work practices, beliefs and behaviours. Working in an environment with an unhealthy culture brings a lot of problems. Issues such as poor engagement, low motivation and performance, and high turnover of staff can make or break a company. Ideally management will work continually toward creating a positive culture.

Creating a vibrant workplace takes a lot of planning and getting everyone on-board with the new way of being. However, it will pay off in the long run and bring much success to the company. “Good teams incorporate teamwork into their culture, creating the building blocks for success” – Ted Sundquist.

Tips to Improve Work Culture and Teamwork

  1. Begin with a clear statement of the company’s vision and values. If your team understands these it significantly increases the chance for greater success. Leadership of the company’s vision begins with creating a large diagram of your vision statement to clarify the process and helps your team to collaborate toward achieving the goal. Placing this in the meeting room will remind staff of the direction of the business at each meeting 
  2. Build trust within your team. Delegate responsibilities and empower employees to perform their best, while providing adequate resources to get the tasks completed
  3. Communication is vital between all departments. Provide an ‘open door’ policy to help ensure team input is valued which creates a feeling that they are an integral part of the process. Delivering and being open to receiving honest feedback helps with real-learning, and supports opportunities for growth and innovation
  4. Create opportunities to collaborate and work toward success. Develop frequent huddle sessions to begin meetings on a light note by including a fun element at the start of the meeting. This will really help the team to work on company strategies and shared goals
  5. Embrace diversity of team opinions and feedback. Brainstorm solutions for greater input from the whole team. To ensure all voices are heard use a few methods for feedback including a flip chart, post-it-notes and provide an opportunity for staff to present their feedback after the meeting
  6. Maintain clear and consistent expectations – an integral part of the process. It helps to demonstrate a fuller understanding of the bigger picture.
  7. Leverage team member’s skills and strengths, and provide up-skilling opportunities when needed
  8. Expressions of appreciation go a long way in boosting team morale and job satisfaction. This can range from competitive salaries, bonuses, extra holiday leave and employee of the month programmes

Company culture is all about the team working together – in a holistic way, toward a shared goal. “Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much” by Helen Keller. It can take months to develop a great team, yet it can lead to greater long-term results. Positive culture in the workplace provides quality social and economic rewards – increasing job satisfaction and staff retention rates, while increasing performance productivity and the value of the company. The ideal workplace should be friendly, supportive, flexible, fun, and rewarding.

Facing an upcoming interview for a new job? While there is much time to prepare before a job interview; there is little time at the interview to create a great first impression and show that you are the best person for the job.

Preparation is important to help you deliver an effective interview. Acquiring knowledge of the job and company and understanding of how your skills match the job criteria will provide a leading edge, and greater chance for success on securing the job. Most companies offer the points for discussion that will be covered in the interview ahead of time, usually in writing.

10 Simple Tips for a Successful Interview

  1. Research the company including the company’s background
  2. Know the interviewers name and the location of the interview, i.e. where the office is based
  3. Develop answers ahead of the interview, i.e. around competency. Develop examples of your ability to do the job and the way you act on the task
  4. Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
  5. Re-read your resume and the job spec one hour before the interview
  6. Practice with family or a friend – to listen to the tone of your voice which will help to boost confidence
  7. Arrive early, leaving enough time for traffic jams and to get a parking ticket
  8. At the interview, create a great first impression – give a firm handshake, speak clearly and maintain good eye contact
  9. Strong communication is important – listen carefully and ask interviewers to repeat or rephrase the question if you are unsure
  10. Demonstrate your unique selling point and why you are interested in this job

Preparation is vital and will ensure that you deliver a top-notch interview. “I will prepare and someday my chance will come” by Abraham Lincoln. Strong signs of a good interview include the conversation flowed naturally, the interview time was longer than advised, positive body language of the interviewers and you were provided with more information on the job role. There may have been hiccups on a few answers but don’t let this get you down. Focus on the positives. If it felt genuine and you experienced a lighter note on the conversation this is usually a good sign.

Need help on your job interview with us? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email sales@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

Looking to improve your CV profile? A poor profile can let down a strong resume whereas a great personal statement can make your resume stand out. Your unique profile creates a brief professional introduction of who you are. HR recruiters look for insights into your character on this piece. A strong profile highlights your personal statement and is crucial if you want recruiters to notice your application, and it helps to secure a call for interview.

Tips on How to Write a Strong CV Profile

  • Develop a brief personal statement – a short paragraph, up to 150 words. Your profile is an introduction to your CV. It will need to be positioned at the top of the resume. If it is difficult at first, break it down to into sections, bringing it all together at the end
  • Include your strengths as a professional – soft and hard skills, personal traits relevant to the job, professional skills, relevant key accomplishments including academic and career goals
  • Include powerful adjectives in the content such as ‘dynamic’, ‘diligent’ and ‘motivated’. For example, ‘proficient in MS Office’ or ‘delivered high quality customer service’
  • Use third person – refrain from using too many ‘I’s’ in this section. For example, ‘motivated, reliable, adaptable and responsible professional’
  • Proofread the content – edit thoroughly for any changes. It’s surprising; no matter how many times we read the content there can be one word that has escaped the check! Do a double check and ask a friend to read it

“Sometimes your USP becomes your weak point” – Aditya Trivedi. The profile on your resume is an opportunity to present your unique selling point and a catchy elevator pitch. Ask; ‘Is the profile strong enough to represent me as a potential candidate to land the interview, and secure the job?’ Remember try not to undersell yourself here and be honest. Family and friends will offer great insight and advice here and can help with the finishing touches.

Thinking of resigning from your job but don’t know where to start on your resignation letter? It is better to leave on a good note to maintain good relationships with your soon to be ex-employer, even if your reasons for leaving were due personal reasons or included dissatisfaction on the job.

The final draft of the resignation letter should be two to three paragraphs, and not longer than one page. Re-read your contract terms and conditions. There is usually a section in the contract highlighting what is required when resigning from your job.   

Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter

  • Include the company name and address
  • Include the date of your resignation
  • Subject line – include the statement of resignation here
  • Include your intention to resign in the opening paragraph  
  • Provide two weeks’ notice, depending on your contract terms and conditions
  • State your last day of employment. Ideally this is two weeks’ notice in advance from the date of your resignation letter
  • As an offer of goodwill and support to the organisation, request a meeting with HR or management before your last day of work to offer a full handover and to train your replacement, and to close up matters in relation in relation to termination of employment with human resources
  • Express appreciation for your time with the organisation
  • Include your signature and job title

It is best to hand in your notice of resignation in person, providing a hard copy of your resignation letter. However this is not always possible. In this case, forwarding your resignation letter via email is acceptable for most employers.

“Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a chance to build something better this time” – Y. Tiwari. After you’ve met with management or human resources it’s time to start the next chapter of your life – enjoy the new journey!

Looking for a change in your life? Looking for some inspiration? Thinking about a career change? While certainty is something we all naturally crave for in life, it can keep us stuck in a rut and prevent us from growing.

There are many ways we incorporate can change into our lives. Some are complex or may take time. What if there was a simpler way to approach this process of transformation? Looking at the end goal; what is the one word or thing that could be the defining ‘light-bulb-moment’ that can lead you to want to change – the destiny changer?

Begin the Process to Unlocking Your Transformation

  1. Find a quiet space with a journal to jot some notes and ideas
  2. Ask; “What is the one word or thing that means success to me?” This is that word that will be your driving motivator, one that is simple to remember and helps to keep you on track
  3. Begin to open your heart and mind to the answer – wait, and jot down everything that comes to mind
  4. Allow distracting thoughts to pass when they crop up. Remember it takes time when you first start the process of exploring
  5. Explore again and repeat the question. Words are powerful – keep jotting down any words that come to mind. They can be radical or simple
  6. Finish the process after twenty minutes. This is enough time to percolate the initial brainstorming session of this new process
  7. Return to this journey of exploration and change another day, and jot down additional words that surface
  8. Following a few meditations, common words will crop up many times. They will provide a clue to the one-true-word that will help you to focus on the one word to help shift your direction in life. Examples include love, money, or adventure. You will know the one-word, and if it feels right for you, it will truly resonate with your gut, heart, or intuition

Transformation takes work – a lot of exploration and effort, some guidance and support from family and friends, and action. It will all be worth it in the end, as you begin to see positive changes on your journey to success.

It will require a lot of faith, belief in yourself, and a little hope too – embrace change and feel empowered. “Old ways won’t open new doors” – be open to new opportunities where the benefits can be major and transform your personal and professional life. Incorporate feelings into your one-word. These will be your driving force to help you change and lead you to a destiny of success. Changing your focus can open new doors and change your destiny to live a better life!

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.

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.

How to maximise your hiring process –

It’s a candidate’s market, there are an abundance of jobs open at present and not enough candidates to fill them. While we may not be able to chance the amounts of applications that come in for an open role, what we can do is maximise our hiring process.

Here are some simple steps companies can take to help with the hiring process –

·        Job specification – Ensure that the Job Title, Location, Salary and Hours are clearly displayed on your job advert. Include the duties/ responsibilities that the role involves so candidates will know what is expected of them. Make sure to add in the benefits of working with your company, these can include – pension, health insurance, employee rewards, flexible working or remote working.

·        Advertise on as many platforms as you can – There are many different platforms where a company can advertise their jobs such as Irishjobs, Indeed, Glassdoors. Make sure to utilise all platforms available to you. Advertise your vacancy through your company account on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There are also many groups which you can join and post on like LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups. Candidates actively monitor these groups for jobs which may be of interest to them.

·        Application process – Make it as easy as possible for a candidate to apply for your job, simply by having an “apply now” button on the advert or an email contact to send their CV directly. Companies can often look for candidates to fill in a long application document, send their CV, cover letter, and have additional questions on top of these. Some companies even ask for a video application. Candidates get frustrated with all these steps so make sure your application process isn’t too tedious which may put candidates off applying.

·        Phone screen before interview – Candidates can look great on paper, but often times it takes chatting with a prospective employee to know if they are going to be a good match for the role or not. Phone screenings are a great way to find out more about a candidate and what they are looking for before arranging an interview.

·        Be response & have a hiring plan – One of the biggest mistakes companies make is not contacting hot candidates as soon as they apply. Some companies wait a month if not more to contact candidates. I personally had one client contact me after 3 months to arrange an interview with a candidate, the candidate by then, had been working in a new role a number of weeks and was no longer interested. Have a clear, concise recruitment plan is place. Carry out weekly interviews, have a start date in mind for the successful candidate & training plan.  

·        Interview process – An interview is a good way for a candidate to get an insight of what it will be like to work with your company. Give candidates detailed information about the role, your company, the culture, the benefits. Make sure to give a good impression and make the candidate feel comfortable. Use the interview to ask the candidate important questions that are relevant to the role. Also ask candidates if they have any questions at the end of the interview.

·        Interview Outcome – It is important to not keep a candidate waiting after they have had their interview. If you are carrying out other interviews keep the candidate in the loop, even by dropping them a simple email stating that you are interviewing other candidates but will be in touch with them in X number of days regarding outcome. If you know a candidate was not successful right after interview, inform them straight away, don’t leave them waiting for bad news. Give them feedback and insights on what to improve for future interviews.

·        Obtain references – When you are ready to offer a successful candidate the job, it is important to obtain manager/ supervisor references form recent employers before you extent offer.

·        Offer & onboarding – Once you have suitable references extend official offer. Make sure to send the candidate the offer letter, contract, and also onboarding & training documentation.

·        Ask for a Review – It is a great idea to ask applicants for feedback from applicants on how they found the application & interview process. Candidates can leave ratings on your company page on Indeed or Glassdoors. Prospective candidates can then view these reviews and will know that the application & interview process is a pleasant experience.

If you in the Healthcare or Hospitality industry and looking for assistance with your open roles, then give me a call or drop me an email and I would be happy to help.

Charissa Mulholland

Three Q Perms & Temps

01 878 3335

recruiter@3qrecruitment.ie

Chef Jobs

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/