How much is your time worth when it comes to a new hire?

Recruitment is a crucial process for any business, as it helps to identify and attract the most talented and qualified candidates for job openings. However, it can also be a painful and time-consuming task for hiring managers, particularly for those who lack experience in the hiring process. Fortunately, partnering with a professional recruitment company can bring numerous benefits, making it a wise investment for any business.

One of the most significant benefits of outsourcing recruitment is that it saves time and resources. A dedicated recruitment company can handle all aspects of the hiring process, from screening resumes to scheduling interviews, allowing hiring managers to focus on their core responsibilities. This can be particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have a dedicated HR department, as it can help them avoid the cost of hiring additional staff.

Another key advantage of working with a  recruitment partner is the access to a wider pool of talent. Recruitment companies typically have a vast network of candidates, including passive candidates who are not actively looking for work but may be open to new opportunities. This can be especially beneficial for businesses seeking to fill specialized or hard-to-fill positions, as it can be challenging for internal recruiters to reach these candidates.

Finally, outsourcing recruitment can also lead to better-quality hires. Professional recruiters have extensive experience in assessing candidate skills, qualifications, and experience. They can use their expertise to identify the best candidates for the job and ensure that they are a good fit for the company culture. This can help businesses reduce the risk of hiring the wrong candidate, which can be costly in terms of time and resources.

Partnering with PERSOLKELLY can bring numerous benefits to businesses, including saving time and resources, accessing a wider pool of both passive and active talent and making better-quality hires. By leaving recruitment to the experts, hiring managers can focus on their core responsibilities and ensure that their business has access to the best talent available.

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Four phrases that inspire trust

As a manager, you want your people to trust you and follow your leadership. This enables you to help them perform well and enhance the productivity of your company.

But did you know that the words you use every day greatly impact how people respond to you and by extension, how much they feel they can depend on you? Because of this, knowing which words will encourage people to trust you is a critical communication skill. Here are four powerful phrases that can help you inspire trust in the workplace:

“Thank you.”

A leader who never recognizes other people’s efforts is likely to be seen as self-centered, whereas one who acknowledges other people’s input is more likely to be seen as dependable. That’s why it’s important to always thank your team members for their efforts, time, or attention.

“I’m listening.”

It’s no coincidence that this phrase was made famous by the award-winning sitcom Frasier. In each episode, radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane would encourage callers to share their troubles on-air by saying, “I’m listening.” Of course, it’s not your job to listen to your employees’ psychological woes. Nevertheless, the catchphrase is just as appropriate in a professional setting because it communicates to the other person that he or she has your full attention and can expect your best input in return.

“I understand.”

When an employee comes to you with a concern, take the time to listen and engage in meaningful dialogue in order to truly understand where he or she is coming from. As Nan S. Russell points out in her article titled “25 Simple Trust Building Behaviors” for Psychology Today, you need to withhold judgment during this process. If you can do this, you show that you’re empathetic – and that will encourage your people to trust you.

“I trust your judgement.”

If you really want to inspire trust, you need to demonstrate your confidence in your employees’ capabilities. Be wary of overusing this phrase, as it’s only appropriate when an employee’s skill level and knowledge merits your confidence and you intend on following through on your words. If you say you trust someone’s judgement and then second guess them, it will not only undermine any relationship you’ve built with that person; it can also make other employees less likely to trust you.

The key when using any of these phrases is to realize that words alone are not enough: Your tone of voice, body language, and subsequent actions are just as important. However, when you use these phrases in the right context and mean what you say, you’ll show yourself to be an honest communicator and approachable, trustworthy leader.

Inspiring a new direction: managing change in your team

From the impact of disruptive technology in the workplace to the realities of an evolving workforce, change management is a hot topic for many managers. But when change is critical to the success of your team, how do you encourage and even inspire it?

Know your vision

Before broaching the subject of change with your team, you need to be clear on three things: What is the reason for change? What is the desired end state? And what is your plan to get to the desired end state? For example, let’s say you’re going to start using more AI-based tools. The reason is that you want to free up your team from more repetitive tasks so they can focus more on core tasks. This change process will involve training your team in the use of the new tools and redefining their job responsibilities so they can maximize their time.

Communicate

You need to be completely clear with your team about your vision, the reason for change, and the process you’ll implement to effect it. A lack of communication can cause people to become concerned and disengaged, so frequent and consistent communication is key. Keep your team informed as to the progress of the process, and welcome feedback and questions.

Lead by example

Any change should start with you, the leader. If you expect your people to embrace change, you need to do so first.  If you’re adopting new technology, then get trained and start using the new tools. If you’re bringing more independent contractors in on projects, welcome them into the workplace and make sure they have everything they need to do a good job. If your objective is to allow employees to telecommute, work from your home office one day a week.

Provide support

Make sure your team members feel supported throughout the process. Provide them with the tools and training they need to achieve the desired state. Regularly check in with each person individually, as well as with the team as a whole, to see if they need more assistance. 

Acknowledge your team’s efforts

As Sturt and Nordstrom point out in their Forbes article “6 Do’s and Don’ts of Leading Through Change,” it’s important to keep acknowledging all of your team’s efforts. Always bear in mind that it can be more challenging to produce good work when things are in flux, so it can be extra meaningful to thank your people during this time.

Change is exciting, but it can also be confusing and even intimidating for some employees. Nevertheless, when you approach change management with a strong strategy, you can motivate your people to do their best so they can leverage new tools and circumstances – and that in turn can enable your team to reach new heights.

Five ways to bring more positivity into your workday

Do you sometimes struggle to put a smile on your face at work? Are you occasionally bored with your job? Or do you get overwhelmed by your workload now and then?

Even the most motivated of us sometimes find work tedious or challenging. Fortunately, there are ways you can bring more positivity into your workday:

  1. Look on the bright side. When our mood dampens, we often only see the negative side of things – and that can make things worse. By training yourself to also recognize the positive aspects, you can motivate yourself and at the same time, gain more confidence. For example, if your supervisor gives you a difficult project, you might only see the challenges it entails. But the positive aspects are that your manager believes in your abilities – plus, successfully completing the project will result in another accomplishment to put on your résumé.  
  2. Personalise your workspace. Whether you have your own office or a desk in an open-plan set-up, it’s important to personalize it with things that make you feel good. Decorate it with photos of your loved ones, pets or a memorable event like a fun vacation. Plus, according to Sophie Lee in her article “Why Indoor Plants Make You Feel Better” for NBC News, plants can boost your mood – so buy some indoor plants in colourful pots and put them on your desk. 
  3. Listen to music. In her article “How Music Can Boost Your Mood” for PsychCentral, Julia Lehrman explains that listening to uplifting music can help silence negative thoughts and put you in a more positive mindset. In addition, according to a study in Nature Neuroscience, music stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, which enhances a feeling of wellbeing. Just pop in those earbuds and start listening to your favourite playlist!
  4. Do something nice for your coworkers. A study cited in Time revealed that people who were generous reported higher levels of happiness. In other words, bringing your coworkers coffee or helping a colleague who’s struggling with an assignment can boost your mood.
  5. Get some exercise. Exercise triggers the release of serotonin – another feel-good chemical – in the brain. So go for a brisk walk or hit the company gym during your lunch break – it’ll make you feel better!

With these pointers in mind, you’ll soon find you can boost your mood – and your energy levels! As a result, you’ll likely become more productive and empowered to take on even the most difficult of challenges.