by Beth | Nov 9, 2022 | Uncategorized
As part of A-list Interview’s commitment to spreading our mission and vision for changing the world through hiring people that are a great fit for their job and company, I will be on CompTeam’s podcast on December 7th. As employers head into a new year, they are reviewing their teams and strategy for 2023, and the experts at CompTeam host The People Strategy Forum each week to discuss timely topics.
A little about CompTeam: People are at the heart of successful organizations. Employees need to feel fulfilled and satisfied in order to contribute their full talents and productivity. Talent management is not one-size-fits-all, and this belief is what inspired Sam Reeve to start CompTeam.
CompTeam’s beliefs and expertise fit perfectly with A-list Interviews, and what we try to do each day as we match employees with employers to create a harmonious workplace, where everyone is doing the job they were meant to do each day. We will share the link to the podcast on December 7th, and we invite you to visit CompTeam’s website to learn more about them: https://compteam.net/
And, if you are looking to spread the word about A-list Interviews ahead of 2023 hiring, we love referrals from our best clients! Please have them reach out via phone at 303-818-0555 or email at info@a-listinterviews.com, so they can hit the ground running in 2023 with great people in the right seats. We consider a referral to be the highest compliment we can receive, and we appreciate it every single time.
by Beth | Apr 20, 2022 | Uncategorized
Good morning, New Employee!
We are so glad that you are here and are excited to get you going on your training. First, I would like to tell you about the hiring process that we went through to find you. Here are the numbers:
We had 297 applicants. We interviewed 49 people for the first interview; we had 11 second interviews and we had 3 third interviews.
We chose you.
So, when you get frustrated, and you will, I want you to remember that we fought hard for you, and we want this to be a great experience for all of us. Make sure that you come to me with questions all along the way, and we promise to do our best to provide a great work environment for you.
Ready to get started?
Can you imagine how you would feel if your new boss began your tenure this way? Your employee will be overwhelmed by how much work you did to find them, and they will start off working for you feeling valued, needed and committed.
Are you inspired? Think of how they feel!
POWER THOUGHT: According to Google, a new employee is 25% more successful and they stay longer when they have a meeting with their manager on their first day.
by Beth | Nov 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
My daughter and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all of my clients, friends and family for supporting A-
list Interviews as we continue to grow and thrive. A giant thank you to my team for a great year as well.
I am grateful for every one of you!
Yours in success,
Beth Smith
by Beth | Nov 10, 2021 | Uncategorized
Over the past several months, every news outlet is publishing articles about labor shortages, no one to hire, and the Great Resignation. These articles are full of gloom and doom, and of course, there is panic on all levels about how to hire and how to retain employees. Instead of buying into that fear, I would like to pass on to you 3 pieces of really good news.
#1: When there are lots of people leaving companies, that means that there are lots of people to hire. If you are getting applications, then you don’t have a recruiting problem. You have a selection problem.
SOLUTION: Focus on your interview process and your application process. Are you making it too hard to apply? Are you following up with people quickly? Is your ad inspiring or is it yawn-worthy?
#2: Over the last year of new hires, 58% took a pay cut to go to their new position. https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2021/10/covid-19-career-change-pandemic-happier.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=nch&ana=e_n_bizwomen_tease
So, more money isn’t the answer to get people to stay.
SOLUTION: work on your culture. If you have crappy managers and a fear-based leadership style, you aren’t going to be successful in hiring.
#3: Of the folks who changed jobs, 78% of them are happier that they did. What this means to hiring managers is that if your interview process is solid, your culture is supportive, your new hires will be happier and more productive at work.
Bottom line: The workforce is changing and we as business owners have to change with it. If you enhance your culture, get rid of toxic people, you will hire better and retain more employees without spending more money.
Power thought: Best. News. EVER!
by Beth | May 12, 2021 | Uncategorized
A few months ago, I started looking for a new home. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The real estate market in Colorado has been stupid lately, and I am not usually known for my patience.
Anyway, I encountered this house that had pink walls and a 3D mermaid sticking out of the wall (see photo). The place was dirty, not staged well, had a ½ eaten box of pop tarts in the basement closet, and a life-sized portrait of Mother Teresa with a kneeling rug where the dining room table should be. The office had blood red walls, and the floor-to-ceiling fireplace had been totally blocked by over-grown vines.
I turned to my realtor and said emphatically “Oh HELL no.”
My realtor, Heather Slump, disagreed with me. She said “It’s just paint and carpet, Beth. Easily fixable. Plus, the layout is perfect for you, and this place is very well-built.” She was right. She started talking to me about possibilities, and she created a picture of what this place could be, minus the mermaid. I got really excited!
Long story short, I moved in 2 weeks ago. I bought the place under asking price, and I was the only offer. This is the single best place I have EVER lived!
You can have the same experience with employees. You are never going to find great people if all you do is focus on the resume. If all you ever do is look at experience, degrees and University names, you can miss the magical merfolk that come along your desk. Make waves with your hiring process! Look outside the box!
Imagine the possibilities! You will be so glad you did!
And for the Mermaid house? Things are going along swimmingly.
You are invited to visit!
Power thought: You can have any employee that you want. Focus on the magic of your hiring process. Your mermaid/merman is right around the jetty.
by Beth | Mar 31, 2021 | Uncategorized
This past week, my daughter Katy, applied for a job as a Personal Care Aide. She would be going to a client’s home who has some sort of disability. As a future nurse, Katy wanted to get some practical real- world experience before she started her clinicals in the fall of 2021. Really smart on her part.
She applied online to a company with her resume and targeted cover letter. The woman emailed Katy within hours and asked her for a phone interview the following day. Here is how the conversation went:
Interviewer: Do you have a reliable car?
Katy: yes
Interviewer: Do you want part-time?
Katy: yes
Interviewer: Does this hourly rate work for you?
Katy: yes
Interviewer: Then you have the job! I will send you some paperwork to fill out, and we will call you for orientation after your background check comes back. Do you have any questions?
Katy called me to report after it was over, and she said, “You are probably appalled.” Uh, yes. Yes, I am.
What kind of an interview is THAT? And for taking care of someone with a disability in their HOME???
I am horrified.
When you hire out of desperation, you make mistakes 2/3 of the time. This company got lucky with Katy. She is smart, kind, and responsible. She will make a GREAT aide to her clients. And because the company gets lucky, they won’t dig deep to figure out a way to really interview people effectively. And thus, the cycle continues.
If you are looking for front line, hourly workers, I have a shorter interview process that is highly effective, and it can turn the tide from desperate to visionary in a very short period of time. Think about it and reach out if you want to discuss. Your future company will thank you for it.
Power thought: A “non-interview” is the road to big mistakes in hiring.
