Guest Post | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

Diversity in Hiring Practices Leads to a Larger Talent Pool

January 24, 2022 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Having a diverse workforce gives your business greater breadth and width of talent, life experience, and knowledge. It also demonstrates your company’s commitment to embracing diversity and ensuring your workforce is reflective of the communities you serve. Mike McRitchie explains that one way to help you cultivate a multifaceted staff is to change the way you recruit and hire candidates.

Write Detailed Job Descriptions

While it’s always a good business practice to craft individual job descriptions that outline position requirements, skills, and responsibilities, according to the Development Guild, you can also use the description to promote diversity in hiring. For example, inclusive language can open the door to a wider range of prospects. Focus on character and personality traits as well as experience levels and education; include a corporate statement that notes a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in hiring; and make a notation in which you directly state that you do not discriminate on the basis of age, sexual orientation or identity, race, or religious affiliation.

Conduct Targeted Outreach

If you’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce, conduct direct outreach. For example, when you have a job opening, send the listing and the job description to organizations that represent various demographics. For example, you might reach out to local senior centers or your community’s branch of the Veterans Administration to let them know you’re hiring. A direct appeal will signal that you’re proactively looking to hire from a diverse pool of applicants.

According to Tech Funnel, you can also encourage your existing staff to aid in the effort by forwarding job postings to others in their networks who may be good candidates. One way to have a diverse pool of workers is to consider hiring seniors for part-time jobs in your company, such as customer service reps, event workers, or delivery drivers. Many individuals need a way to supplement their retirement income, and they have years of experience that will be valuable to your company.

Hire Locally From Job Boards

While it might be easier to use a national job search registry when you need to hire, working on a local basis gives you more control over reviewing and selecting hires on an individual basis rather than an algorithm. You’ll also be supporting the local economy, and in the case of hiring freelancers, you can ensure you’re narrowing your focus and hiring the most well-qualified people for various projects. In addition, hiring locally through a recruiting agency means you can meet prospects in person, and even have them work on-site as needed.

Offer In-House Training

You can create more diversity in the workplace by being open to training people who might not have the skill sets you need, like those who are coming out of retirement, have been out of the workforce awhile, or who might be transitioning from a military career. This could include training on software applications, project management apps, or specialized equipment. This can also be done via mentoring, job shadowing, and on-the-job training. Not only will you be providing professional development opportunities, you’ll likely gain loyalty and longevity of employment.

Make Your Workplace More Accessible

Make sure your workplace is fully compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. This might include having accessible workspaces, common areas, and restroom facilities. Be open to making special accommodations for employees based on need. For example, differently-abled workers might need assistance in the form of voice-activated equipment, magnifying features, or other special needs devices. Also, look for ways to make the workspace friendly to service and emotional support animals.

Having a workforce that’s composed of people from all walks of life, all ability levels, and all ages, races, and backgrounds can give you an exceptional advantage. Not only will you be viewed as a shining example of diversity in a professional setting, you’ll also demonstrate to customers your efforts to hire staff members representative of your diverse clientele. People appreciate seeing themselves reflected in business and commercial settings, and you could very well boost your existing business through these efforts.

Photo By Pixabay

Mike McRitchie helps achievers who are feeling stuck uncover and share their accomplishments so they can move to the next level in their business or career, whether you need help recrafting your résumé or LinkedIn profile, or job search guidance. Reach out for more info today! 425-760-9835

How to Get Over Impostor Syndrome

January 20, 2022 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like you’re in over your head in the workplace? You might be suffering from impostor syndrome, and it’s important to know how to get over this feeling. Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where people are unable to internalize their accomplishments, which leads them to believe they are not qualified for specific positions or tasks.

Many people suffer from the impostor syndrome and not just those in high-stress jobs like doctors or lawyers. Anyone can be affected by this feeling of inadequacy. Many famous figures have felt the effects of impostor syndrome as well: Maya Angelou once said that “I’ve written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out”.

It’s important not to let these feelings get you down during your workday! And if you do happen to feel unworthy, there are many steps you can take to overcome these feelings.

Keep reading to find out how. The symptoms of impostor syndrome include:

Feeling Like a Fake or Fraud When Success Happens

Fear that your accomplishments will make people think less of you in the future – Anxiety over making mistakes because they’ll prove how much of an “impostor” you are – Doubt that you’re as good at your job as everyone says (even though there is evidence, like all those awards on your wall)

Not Being Able to Accept Compliments

Being completely uncomfortable receiving praise from others for fear they don’t actually believe their words might not seem so bad now, but these feelings aren’t just annoying; they affect many areas of our lives, such as relationships and work.

What Can You Do About It?

Those with impostor syndrome are good at looking for flaws in their own performance, which is why it’s important to focus on what went well – not just the mistakes that were made.

Positive Self-Talk

Reward yourself when you’ve done something well or learned a new skill, and keep track of your achievements! Remind yourself who got you where you are today by naming all those people who have helped support and encourage you along the way. It might sound cheesy but positive affirmations could also help boost self-esteem. Avoid negative self-talk and think happy thoughts.

Write it Down

Write down three things about yourself that make you proud every day until they sink in. Keep this list somewhere accessible so if ever you feel like an impostor, take a look back at these reminders.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others at Work

That’s not your job. Be confident in the skills you do have, and don’t be afraid of asking for help when necessary! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself; impostor syndrome is often worse than the situation itself, which can lead us to avoid important problems or challenges altogether.

Don’t Stress the Small Stuff

You might feel like you need to be the best at everything but remember, nobody is perfect. It’s better to focus on doing your job well than worrying about what other people are thinking of you – it doesn’t matter if they think you’re an impostor or not. When big or small mistakes happen, learn from them and move on.

Keep Up the Hard Work

Be proud of your accomplishments, and remember that you deserve to be where you are. You might doubt yourself but the only way to overcome these feelings is by challenging them head-on. It takes courage to face your fears, so don’t give up.

Recognize Your Own Abilities

You might feel like an impostor, but you’re also a hard worker, determined and creative. Focus on the positive things about yourself instead of your downfalls; it’s time to own what makes you great!

Keep Good Company

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. If they have a positive attitude, it’s likely that their words will quickly become your own!

Bonus Tip: Create Your Own Success Plan

If the impostor syndrome keeps popping up when you’re trying out something new, create a plan of action with specific steps on how to achieve what you want. This could help you feel more confident in your abilities and reassure you that your actions will get results.

Remember that Impostor Syndrome is Real… But so are You!

It’s very easy to let impostor syndrome get the best of us, but when you acknowledge it, work through it, and find ways to cope with this feeling – you might just come out stronger than ever before.

When it comes down to it, these feelings are completely normal, but they’re only temporary if we know how to manage them. Avoid comparing yourself to other people in similar positions who seem more confident. Not everyone’s path is the same, so that it might take longer for some than others – but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the success that comes your way.

If you’re lucky enough to have a great role model or mentor, then work with them and take advantage of their experience and expertise so they can help build up those areas where you feel like an impostor too.

Working with others who share similar qualities as you help boost self-esteem and build a more supportive network.

Even though it might be hard, don’t give up because the benefits of overcoming impostor syndrome far outweigh any small sacrifices you have to make along the way.

The key is to recognize that everyone has moments where they feel like an impostor, so focus on what matters – your work – and keep pushing forward. No one knows everything there is about their career or has all of the answers. Everyone has doubts sometimes. So next time you feel like an impostor, just take a step back and remind yourself that this feeling will pass with time.

Author Bio:

Adam Bielanski is the CEO of Sierra Pacific Group, who puts the “Vision” back in Visionary – Shaping today’s business leaders for tomorrow’s technology business. If you’re ready to start becoming an effective business leader, then connect with him on LinkedIn.

How to Attract Client Reviews and Testimonials As a Real Estate Agent

December 7, 2021 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Almost 85% of home buyers and sellers say that the Internet was their most important source of information during the home buying process, according to the National Association of Realtors. This is because people conduct research online more than on TV or any other medium.

Importance of Client Reviews

As a real estate agent, you probably know how important it is to get feedback from your clients after they use your services. For some companies, this may be a questionnaire, for others a simple comment card, and for some businesses like yours, it’s probably your website. Either way, you want to ensure that there is some form of feedback left by those who rely on your services.

Having client reviews and testimonials can become one of the most powerful ways to attract new business and build your brand. They can also be very helpful when you are going through the process of preparing for a listing presentation or a new listing appointment.

It is important to note that certain components lead to a successful client review/testimonial on your website: it has to be on your website, easy to find, visually appealing, relevant, and very trustworthy. There’s no point in having a testimonial from someone who doesn’t exist on your site or because they felt pressured into leaving one. If any of these points apply, then their testimonial will not be as effective as you would like it to be. Also, keep in mind that too many testimonials may not be a good thing.

So, as a real estate agent, you’re probably wondering how to get clients to leave reviews and testimonials. After all, they are very important for your company’s improvements. Luckily, some steps can be taken to obtain them.

Make It Easy

Make sure you have an easy way for clients to provide a testimonial. An easily accessible button on your website is great, but you can also send them a questionnaire form to complete after they have used your services. You can also send links to your Facebook page or Google Business listing. Once your client provides a review on one (or both) of these sites, you can add the testimonial to your website’s testimonial section.

Timing Is Everything

Make sure that you ask your client for a review or their testimonial at the exact time that they are most happy with their experience with you. It could be after closing, after settlement, or even just before they leave if their schedule is flexible. Be mindful of your clients’ schedules right after closing. Requesting a testimonial on moving day might not be a good idea. Ask for the review from a seller of an empty house right after closing, but maybe wait a week before asking a buyer who is moving into a new home.

Don’t Rush or Nag

It’s important that, as a real estate agent, you don’t push clients into leaving reviews for your website; after all, you want them to be completely okay with it. After all, if they are not happy with the service they received from you, why would they leave a positive review? The best approach is to mention it casually at the end of an email or during a conversation on the phone.

Make Sure They Are Personalized

Testimonials should be about the client’s personal experience and opinion instead of just some generic statement that could easily apply to anyone who has ever interacted with your business. This way, your testimonials will have more value for readers that stumble upon them while researching potential home sellers or buyers.

Don’t Forget About Follow Up

You must follow up with the client after they have left their testimonial or review. Thanking them for taking the time to leave you a glowing review will be the cherry on top of their excellent experience. And be sure to respond to the review on public review sites such as Google Business or Zillow.

Social Proof

Social proof is essential in the real estate business. Make sure you include information about how many homes your company has sold, awards won, etc. This adds social proof because it shows potential sellers/buyers that you are experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy when working on behalf of your client’s best interests.

Use an Automated Review System

Finally, as your business grows, you might consider that whatever testimonial review system you use should be automated. This way, you will have more time to focus on improving your business and fulfilling the real estate experience of your current clients. Just be sure to include a personal touch.

Real estate agents are looking for new ways to stand out from the crowd. They want to separate themselves from their competitors, and one of the best ways is through positive feedback. Agents who take the time to ask previous clients for reviews will gain an edge over their competitors by increasing their online presence and search engine rankings.

About the Author

Scott Russell is the owner and broker-in-charge of Freestone Properties, an Asheville real estate company.

Does A Company’s Culture Influence Your Employees’ Productivity?

November 27, 2021 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Yes, without a doubt. If you thought that good quarterly profits and timely payroll dispatch are all you need to keep a happy workforce, then maybe you need a reality check. Today, work satisfaction encompasses more than being paid on time or getting a huge raise yearly. Instead, employees view workspaces as a platform that helps them grow and values them for their skills. To put it short, your company’s culture impacts your employees’ performance and their overall productivity. And a company’s culture starts from its leaders.

Corporate culture is difficult to define, but implementing it is even more challenging. Each aspect of the company’s operations is developed and ingrained with them. Simply put, culture encompasses a company’s vision, mission, purpose, and values, reflected through its everyday interactions and operations. Having these factors helps create an environment that motivates people to work and promote positive relations between them and their workplace.

If you need more reasons to get convinced, here are

5 Ways Corporate Culture Influences Employee Productivity

Impacts the mindset

Employees’ performance is deeply influenced by the corporate culture that they are constantly exposed to. It is widely observed that a high-performance culture inspires and builds high performing teams. Experts say this tactic has been most prominently observed in sports, where athletes inspire and motivate their peers to excel. Members with a high-performance mindset are inspired from within, which helps them stay committed to doing better. When you’re surrounded by others who aspire to achieve their best, getting up and doing your best is easy and motivating.

Enhances the employee engagement

Engaging your employees is a crucial metric that determines a company’s productivity. A less engaged employee is more likely to only care about their paycheck and may only ‘just enough’ work to keep them on the payroll. Thus, even though you might use a employee monitoring tool like Flowtrack or HRapp employee monitoring software to track their performance, something might be amiss.

According to experts, this behaviour deters them from being productive. Often, low employee engagement is attributed to a loosely-knit company culture that hardly motivates employees or makes them feel connected.

If you find yourself in this situation, then it’s time to reconsider your values and vision. Your company culture should motivate your employees to view their work way beyond their paychecks. In that case, amend your approach since engagement is the key to productivity and higher results.

An enhanced collaboration

Collaborative relationships between colleagues foster a positive working environment. When a company culture prioritizes collaboration, team members are likely to compete for less and improve their collaborative outputs. Therefore, a high performer might not take laurels in a collaborative corporate culture, but a low performer will definitely learn more.

Creating a collaborative environment not only enhances employee productivity but has a tremendous impact on the organization as well. You can witness improved retention and engagement in your company.

Raises employee morale

To boost employee morale, it is essential to maintain a positive working environment. When corporate culture does not foster a positive work environment, a high probability is that employees might view their colleagues or other departments with a sense of disdain. The animosity between departments in no way motivates employees to work together.

Therefore it is crucial to build a company culture that does not encourage favouritism or biases. A negative workspace can lead to high turnovers, which can damage your business. Always strive to build a company culture where everyone is treated equally.

Offers employees a sense of direction

The corporate culture embodies the vision, mission, and values of your company. Your organization’s mission should be reflected in every interaction with your employees. Managers must ensure that their employees are directed towards achieving the goals.

You have to periodically communicate your strategies to your workforce to ensure that ideas reach them. Essentially, your employees should know what they are trying to accomplish.

Lack of productivity is also a major issue that costs businesses millions of dollars each year. Having a flawed company culture is one of the major causes of low productivity. You need to foster a positive company culture that provides employees with a sense of direction and motivation to succeed and shine. Don’t forget to use technologies and tools to supplement goals.

Wrapping up

It is important to have a strong company culture in order to establish a positive relationship between your employees and your workplace. This way, no matter what flawed strategies you may have, all employees are focused on a common goal and remain united.

Corporate culture is way beyond your employee’s happiness but is a way to boost your organization’s overall productivity. So if your corporate culture is not bringing you desired results, it’s high time you change your approach.

Career Coach vs. Life Coach – What you Need to Know

October 31, 2021 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Life is hard for everyone, but everyone has their own coping mechanisms. Some people deal with stress and trauma by trying healthy activities like meditation, exercise, dance, or simply pursuing their favorite hobby. Whereas for others, all of this may seem tougher, there is no shame in asking for help.

Suppose you are somebody who is having a hard time making certain decisions. In that case, guidance from professional coaches can be of great help. These experts aid people in navigating through different aspects of their lives, be it their professional life, marriage, family issues, or other individual challenges.

Each coach is specialized in providing counseling on a particular subject, focusing on a specific issue. Deciding if you need a career coach or a life coach depends on the unique challenges you are facing.

This article will explain the difference between a career coach and a life coach.

Career Coach

Let’s begin by talking about who a career coach is and what help people can get from such coaches.

Who is a Career Coach?

A career coach is someone who will offer you advice to help you achieve your career goals. People usually consult career coaches when they transition in their careers, especially when they have left or lost a job. They can also seek help from a career coach when they experience a sense of unfulfillment at their current workplace or feel frustrated and disappointed with the work environment.

How does a Career Coach Help?

Career coaches help their clients by:

Offering interview training and improving their resume.
Teaching how to negotiate for a reasonable compensation package.
Sorting out career plans and clarifying goals and business priorities.
Coaching on how to jump up in their career, i.e., apply for a more senior role and learn leadership skills.
Improving their soft skills and management abilities.
Increasing their motivation and boosting productivity.
Finding and recognizing gaps and attempting to close them.

And the list goes on. It all depends on the unique challenges you are facing in your career.

What to Expect from your Career Coach?

Career coaches use a problem-solving approach to help their clients and focus on being objective. They ask questions about the client’s life to make the sessions more and more meaningful to them. They offer domain-specific support to their clients, make recommendations and design an action plan that the client can start working on for quick results.

For example, say your career coach is helping you make that career jump that you have been waiting for. They might ask you to tailor your resume and also train you on the required leadership skills. Your career coach will review your progress in the next session, holding you accountable for your advancement.

Life Coach

Now, let’s talk about life coaches and how these individuals help their clients.

Who is a Life Coach?

A life coach is a professional who can help you overcome major personal challenges in your life. People seek help from life coaches when they have unclear goals or experience dissatisfaction with their life in general. It could be because of a difficult marriage, a stagnant career, living in a dysfunctional family, or other personal and emotional trials.

How does a Life Coach Help?

Life coaches help their clients by focusing on the following areas:

Dealing with personal relationships.
Setting goals for their lives and sorting our personal priorities.
Focusing on self-care, self-discovery, and self-awareness
Developing an excellent work-life balance.
Identifying unhealthy behavioral patterns and keeping a check on them
Finding a passion or purpose in life.
Having a resilient and positive mindset.

This is not it. You might face a different challenge but rest assured, a great life coach would identify your problem and offer a fitting solution to deal with it.

What to Expect from your Life Coach?

Life-coaching is similar to talk therapy; only it is more action-oriented. Your life coach will also ask about you and what’s going on in your life. They will create a plan of attack for you and incorporate such patterns in your life that will help you achieve your goals and gain personal satisfaction.

With the help of a life coach, people are able to identify the root causes of their problems and develop a solution, all by making necessary changes to their attitude and behavior.

For instance, you might suffer from anxiety or experience a sense of unfulfillment. Your life coach may find out that a lack of purpose in life is the cause, or it could be an unhealthy routine. They will then help you find a purpose or create a plan for a better lifestyle.

Career Coach vs. Life Coach – Takeaway

Deciding if you need a career coach or a life coach depends on your personal requirement.

Life coaches bring broader and more diverse expertise to the table. They help their clients deal with challenges they experience in their lives. There are no hard lines when it comes to life coaching, as a particular aspect of a person’s life directly or indirectly impacts other parts of their life.

A toxic marriage can prevent healthy career progress. Similarly, a stressful job can trigger emotional stress that could impact personal relationships and friendships as well. This asks for a flexible and comprehensive framework involving skills like empathy, communication, compassion, etc.

Career coaches follow a somewhat limited system to help their clients achieve their specific career goals. The programs are structured and designed to ensure challenging goals are achieved and to continue getting positive results through excellent research and problem-solving skills.