Tag Archive for: Tips

How to Improve Culture in the Workplace (5mins read)

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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.

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Tips for a Successful Job Interview (4mins read)

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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.

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How to Create a Strong CV Profile (3mins read)

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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.

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How to Write a Resignation Letter (3mins read)

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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!

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Looking for a Change – One Word Can Transform Your Destiny (4mins read)

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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!

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How to Create the Best Customer Service Experience (6mins read)

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Have you ever walked into a business and just felt an atmosphere of genuine welcome and great connection with the staff? It is an experience that will leave you with a feeling of wanting to come back again, really soon. Change your thought to the opposite side of the coin; can you remember experiencing poor customer service, where you wanted to walk right out the door as soon as you walked in?

“Customer service is the new marketing, it’s what differentiates one business from another” – Jay Baer. Meeting front line workers can make or break customer service experiences. Whilst you expect to have a positive experience in a luxury hotel, quality customer service can be brought into any business.

Tips to Create the Quality Customer Service

  1. Consider the ambience, flow, and experience from the view of the customer

Does it work from a practical point of view? User interfaces provide clear labels and messaging and provide comfort to the customer. Implement touch-point maps for larger buildings to guide your customers to their destination. This can help to avoid frustrations, delays for appointments and support them on their journey as they use the service. Implement colourful advisory boards in the lobby area. Notices can include special offers, pricing list and promote other businesses in the local area. A copy of the company’s mission statement can be included here too, showing the customer your commitment to them for their business.

  • Listen to the customer

Where possible meet their needs before they know what they need. Train staff to provide a service that goes beyond meeting customer expectations. The rewards will be great for both parties – boosting customer retention and referral, and the bottom line. Host frequent measurement meetings to evaluate performance and feedback and continue to improve the service.

  • Remember small gestures can really make a big difference
  • Emotions play an important part of the user’s experience

Greet customers with a friendly smile. Provide them with your full attention when they enter the building

  • Respond promptly to customer feedback

Customers that have a poor experience will typically walk out and tell their family and friends of their experience. At this point the opportunity to resolve the situation is lost. Ensure to ask before they leave for their feedback – asking if they are happy with the service or if they can provide recommendations for improvement

  • Employ a mystery shopper

Mystery shoppers engage with your brand on all levels, taking notes on all experiences. Their discerning eye will be more critical than your average customer. The mystery shopper’s feedback can provide you with opportunities for improvement, and suggest processes that can be replaced with another idea or eliminated

  • Research your customer to understand their real needs

Customer feedback can be acquired at many stages of the customer’s journey – at the point of sale or by asking them to complete a customer feedback form or to take part in a simple survey.

  • Offer reward systems to loyal customers

They will value your token of gratitude and appreciate your goodwill gesture.

Delivery of exceptional, rich user experiences in customer service provides dynamic and interactive processes which create a more credible service. There is added value to the customer in a meaningful way, which will prompt them to promote your service. Similar to front-line staff, customers are powerful advocates for any business – referring new service users, based on their experience. This can save a company time and money, particularly on marketing costs.

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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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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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