Tag Archive for: looking for work

How to Provide Meaningful Work as an Employer

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Nowadays, people don’t work solely for a paycheck. While that is most certainly the biggest driver of why people have jobs; when people go to work every day, they want to feel like there is more meaning behind what they do than just making a living.

As we are currently in a candidate market, and people currently have the option to be particular about where they work, it is important that companies provide a meaningful work experience to their employees.

When in search of a new job, people no longer simply choose the one offering the highest pay, the one closest to home, or the one that is the most relevant to what they went to college or trade school for. They search the companies that want to interview them via their website and social media pages to see if there is something they stand for.

It’s very important that companies not only advertise a meaningful workplace to get people through the door, but also demonstrate and maintain that meaning so that employees choose to stay with the company in the long run.

Here are 5 ways employers can create meaningful work for their employees:

 

1. Give Employees the Chance to Contribute

In today’s world, it is more important than ever for people to know that they are giving back; especially to the local community. By making service and/or charity a part of your business model, employees will take pride in where they work. This shows that the company values things other than revenue generation and publicity and that the organization cares.

It is important to note, that any charity or service project that the company hosts should take place during work hours. This enables all team members to participate and shows that you know that your employees have a life outside of work.

2. Take Action on Feedback

If an employee comes to you with constructive feedback that you know could benefit the company, find a way to implement their suggestion and recognize them publicly for it. This will show them that they are listened to and that their input is considered and valued. Be sure to give the employee credit when you announce the implementation to the rest of the team. This will encourage others to speak up about processes that can be improved and will show the employee that they are seen for who they are and not just a number in the company.

3. Find Evidence-Based Ways to Live Out Your Company Values

Nearly every company has a set of core values, but very rarely do they get put into practice. Many companies have a core value of fairness, but almost all the time, favoritism is seen and felt in the office. Appreciation may be listed in the employee handbook, but appreciation goes far beyond thanking someone for that little extra they did. If your company values communication, than the proper channels, such as: slack, regular meetings, and timely email responses must be provided and enforced.

If your company runs off of certain systems such as EOS, you must have weekly team L10 meetings and set rocks every quarter. As the saying goes, practice what you preach.

4. Provide a Social Space and Host Social Events

Everyone wants to feel comfortable with the people they work with, since there is so much time being spent together. Work will also feel more meaningful if there is a strong component of both teamwork and support. People will be much more excited to come in every day if they enjoy their colleagues. By designating a certain area for employees to socialize whether during lunch or just in between meetings, they will have the opportunity to interact more often. This can look like a lounge area, a game room, a break room, etc. It’s also beneficial to host company outings every so often whether they are after-work happy hours or team lunches.

 

If your company is in need of employees, we at Award Staffing are here to help. Contact us here with your staffing needs.

Job Searching While at Work? Here is Why You Shouldn’t

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Most employers are not oblivious to the fact that some of their employees are to seeking out other job opportunities. Still, that doesn’t mean searching for a new job while at work is a smart decision.

When you’re at your current job, you’re being paid to perform tasks that are associated with your position, and searching for a new job usually isn’t one of them. Here are three reasons you shouldn’t look for a new job while at work.

Company’s Monitor Your Digital Activity-

Do you have a business computer or even just a company email? If so they are guaranteed to be monitored by a technology security team. This means what you are doing with company items isn’t a secret. All your activity can even be seen as mistreating company tools by conducting your job search. If your actions are revealed, you could face severe punishment or also fired – hurting your chances of getting a new job.

Getting Paid to do a Job-

When at work are being paid to perform specific duties that require you to be available at particular times during a day. A job search is a personal pursuit, so it should never be done on company time. Just as using company computers or email to seek out a new job can come with repercussions, so can performing personal business while at work.

It is recommended that you avoid checking your email unless you are on some sort of break while at work. Make that if you have any upcoming job interviews that they are scheduled before or after your work hours. If you must schedule an interview for a different time during regular work hours, it is best practice to use vacation time.

Your Boss May Find Out-

When searching for a new job most employees don’t inform their bosses. Employees often do this because they are fearful of being treated differently if their boss knows that you are planning on leaving. This can be particularly true if don’t know how long your job search will take.

If you a performing your job search while you are at work, but using personal devices and only handle activities when you aren’t on the clock, there’s still a high likeliness that your boss could discover your actions. This can make your job difficult because it could lead to them firing you because you don’t appear to be dedicated to your job.

A good rule of thumb is to handle your job search outside of work. If you are looking for a new job opportunity, the hiring team at Award Staffing can help you with your search while still have a job. Contact our team today to see how we can help you find a new job without affecting your current one.

How to Start Your Job Search in Minneapolis

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Have you ever has a job but felt that you desperately wanted a new one? Coincidently the time wasn’t right to make the job switch because your schedule needs wouldn’t allow for you to interview with another company easily. In the end, you decided to stay put until something changes on in your life.

Regardless of your rationale, there are still plenty of things that you can do immediately to prepare you for job searching in the future. Here are some tips for helping you with your future job search:

Take Time to Update Your Resume-

Have you reviewed your resume since you started your current job? If so then it is time to update it and get everything in order. By taking the time to update your resume now, you won’t have to do it later when it comes time to apply for jobs. When updating, have a basic resume format that is ready to go but allows you to tailor your resume based on individual postings, speeding up the application process.

Make Sure Your Online Presence is Positive-

Professional social media profiles are common amongst job seekers, so it is best to make sure your profiles are as polished as your resume. Make sure all of the information is correct and up to date. If your profiles contain items that you would want your grandmother to see, odds are a prospective employer won’t appreciate them as well.

Start Reaching Out to Your Network-

Since you are not readily searching for a new job, you have time to start reconnecting with other professionals you may have lost touch with. The best and easiest way to rekindle these relationships is by sending a message asking them how the holidays treated them. The key is to keep the conversation light and not to overwhelm them. From here let the conversation progress naturally and wait to ask about job opportunities until you have rebuilt the relationship.

The critical thing to consider is not to force a job conversation too soon. Take time to catch up before diving into the job-related questions since you have time before your job search really begins.

Try Working with Recruiters-

If you haven’t ever worked with a staffing company or recruiter, this is a great place to start before you are ready to begin job searching. Recruiters can help you refine your resume while getting other job searching items in order.

Interested in working with a recruiter to find a new job opportunity in Minneapolis? Award Staffing has the experience you need to help you with your job search. Contact us today, so we can connect with some of the best companies to work for in Minnesota. Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.