by Beth | Feb 22, 2023 | Interview Process
Last week, I was having dinner with a friend, and we were discussing how hard it was to meet new people. I turned to my friend, and I said, “It’s funny: I spend 5-7 hours a week in the gym, and I don’t know anyone there.”
She said, alarmed, “WHY?”
I said, “I think it’s because I wear headphones.”
“Well, take those headphones off!” she said.
Take your headphones off. What a concept. And this applies to recruiting, also. We put up so many roadblocks for applicants to even apply for a job and then complain that our applicant pool is so low. We keep doing what we’ve always done and expect different results.
Take your headphones off and look at your application process from a potential candidate’s point of view. Do they have to retype their whole resume into your applicant tracking system? Do they have to copy and paste their references in 3 different places? Are you making them jump through insane hoops to even be considered for the job? Are you using Artificial Intelligence to interview your candidates? Are your candidates not even talking to a real person for weeks in the hiring process?
If you want to change the quality of your candidates, maybe it is time for an audit of your hiring process. Take your headphones off and encourage people to talk to you. I am so happy to report that I have made some really great friends and connections at the gym, simply because I allowed myself to be available.
POWER THOUGHT: Take off your headphones and open the door to new opportunities. You never know who you may meet!
by Beth | Feb 8, 2023 | Employee Hiring
When I bought my house several years ago, I hung a Texas Longhorn flag over my garage. It has become a marker!
My friend, Meryem, came over on Sunday and said, “Your flag needs to be re-hung.”
“It tore from the wind. I need to order a new one,” I responded.
“Well, whatever you do, don’t get rid of it! That flag is how I know your house,” she exclaimed.
She isn’t the only friend to tell me this.
So, what does my Longhorn flag have to do with hiring and recruiting?
It is your job as a business leader to lead your candidates through the hiring process with signposts. Your process should be clearly marked, so your candidates know where they are and where they are headed. In other words, don’t make your candidates jump through so many hoops that they get lost. Your ad should be short, sweet and to the point. Your website should have a button that says apply here. Your applicant tracking system (ATS) shouldn’t make your candidate input all of the data that is written on their resume. It should NEVER take a candidate HOURS to apply. They will get frustrated and rightly so. Tell them in the interview when they will have answers from you and meet that deadline.
Lead your potential candidates through the process with a clearly marked trail. They will be so grateful, and you will have your pick of great staff.
POWER THOUGHT: Flag great candidates with a clearly marked hiring process.
by Beth | Jan 25, 2023 | Leadership
For the past several weeks, I have had a really cranky client. When he snapped at an employee in front of me, I followed him into his office to gently confront him.
“What is going on with you?” I asked him.
After a while, he finally confessed to me the issue… “I am afraid of the recession.”
Who can blame him? Every news outlet for months has been hitting us over the head with the looming recession, and it is freaking people out. No wonder people are panicking!
So, let’s shift the conversation by changing the “r” word to something more proactive… like “re-set” or “re-fresh”. What a slow-down in business does is give us a minute to “re-organize” and “re-direct.” Let’s be proactive, not reactive! Here are 3 tips:
1. Perform an audit of your current staff. Who is great? Who needs more training? Who needs to go?
2. Look at your processes for sales, inventory, and production. Where are the holes? Where are the issues? What are your clients reporting?
3. Finally, look at your leadership style. Are you negative? Are you snapping at employees? If so, you may also need a re-set.
Whatever you are going through, you can do this. I’ve got your back.
POWER THOUGHT: The “r” word doesn’t have to be repulsive. It can be rejuvenating!
by Beth | Jan 11, 2023 | Leadership
As most of you know, I am a DIE HARD University of Texas Longhorn fan. I am such a fan that my Oklahoma-loving neighbor and I have agreed that we just won’t speak to each other from September 1st to December 1st. We have a very amicable relationship the other 9 months of the year.
When the Longhorns played Kansas, several of the Texas players were interviewed along with the coach Steve Sarkisian, and the mantra was to “Mow Your Lawn.” Each player had a different description to what that phrase meant, because they all have a different job to do on the field. Each player is responsible for their part of the field, and without every individual doing their part, the team won’t perform well.
I have so much respect for this type of leadership! Each person on the team knows what their job is and most importantly, how their job connects to the overall team success. AND, they know all of this with a 3 word phrase: Mow your lawn.
I am happy to say that Texas beat Kansas. After year two, Steve Sarkisian will end this season with an 8-5 record. Better than last year, and with this type of leadership, I have lots of hope for our future seasons.
POWER THOUGHT: Mow your lawn. And Hook’em Horns!
by Beth | Dec 28, 2022 | Company Culture, Firing Employees
As we begin each New Year, many of us take the opportunity to re-group and redefine goals for our businesses. This time is often filled with renewed energy to get our lives and work in order. As a part of your New Year’s goals, it might also be time to fire that one employee that is not contributing to your company’s vision.
The impact of an unengaged employee on your business can be catastrophic. Decreased productivity, lowered company morale, and miserable working environments have been common complaints by my clients as they come to the decision to an part ways with an employee. I say start the New Year fresh!
A past client of mine had an employee who consistently gave her ultimatums. The threats were often “If you don’t do this, then I will quit.” Who wants to work with an individual who is constantly threatening you? The team was struggling to work with the individual, my client was unhappy with the performance of the individual, yet the concept of firing and replacing this person seemed daunting and ill-timed. When my client finally became fed up, they did indeed fire the employee. I won’t sugar coat the transition. It was hard, uncomfortable and came at a terrible time, but my client knew that this was the right decision for the company.
In addition, the busiest day of the year for applicants looking for a job is the second Tuesday in January. Think about this: the people who are fed up with their work environments are also looking to make a change. So, if you want to start the New Year with someone who REALLY wants to work for you, get going! Now is the time.
POWER THOUGHT: New Year, new goals, new awesome employee and new culture!
