accepting a job offer or counteroffer

Should You Accept Counteroffers?

/in , /by

We can’t lie, receiving a counteroffer feels good. Our sense of being wanted and appreciated can be heightened at that moment. With your resignation letter, you’ve received an offer from your employer, perhaps for more money, better benefits or a promoted position. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of this counteroffer, but when you stop and think about it, is that really what you want?
As expert recruiters, we’ve seen this dilemma play out in our candidates’ lives, in real-time, many times. The decision is ultimately your own. But first, read this article, and if nothing else, it will give you some food for thought on what the best choice is going to be for you.

Reasons for Accepting Counteroffers

It’s all well and good to state that “money isn’t everything”. However, for so many of us, money is one of the most important factors we consider when it comes to our careers. Especially in the current climate and the shared experience we have lived through for the past 3 years, there is no denying that money, and lack of it, contributes to daily stress and worry. So, is there any surprise that many people accept a counteroffer when it guarantees a pay raise? That is just one reason why employees choose to stay with their current company. Let’s take a look at some more of them.

Fear

Fear plays a massive role in our decision-making. The fear of the new role not working out, fear of the unknown in general. The thing about fear is that, more often than not, it lies to us. Robin S Sharma, best-selling author of “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” said: Your excuses are nothing more than the lies your fears have sold you.

So when figuring out what choice to make, think about what is holding you back and if there is any merit to the narrative you’re telling yourself.

Comfort and Familiarity

It’s science. As humans, we seek familiarity. But why? An article written by Shanelle Mullin gives great insight; “From an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense that familiarity leads to comfort. Something you’re familiar with is less likely to hurt you. Or, at least, hurt you in an unexpected way. We don’t want to risk the unfamiliar.” So, is it any wonder that we can be tempted to stick to our old ways, even if in the long run, it isn’t what we want?

Avoid Being the Newbie

No one likes being the new person in the office and learning the ropes all over again. Different people, different atmosphere, different software, different milk in the staff fridge. Ok, the last one you could get over pretty quickly. But in all seriousness, of course, there is going to be a period of discomfort when starting a new role in a new company. However, don’t mistake discomfort for danger. Remember those lies your fear told you? Those feelings will only last a short time and before you know it, you will feel you belong.

The Reasons to Turn Down a Counteroffer

By now you might have guessed that we don’t consider accepting counteroffers to be the best choice… and with good reason. 80% of employees who choose to accept a counteroffer from their employer end up leaving the company anyway within the next 6 months. Eighty per cent. We cannot deny from this staggering statistic that counteroffers don’t usually work. They don’t solve the problem and can lead to you missing amazing opportunities. Here are some of the main reasons why you might turn down a counteroffer.

Remember Why You Were Job Hunting in the First Place

You got caught up in the moment and started to seriously consider accepting your existing employer’s offer, that dangling carrot. Once you step back from the situation, you start to remember the reason you were seeking out another job in the first place. If the reason for leaving goes beyond your pay grade, then accepting the counteroffer won’t fix your motivations for leaving.

Money Isn’t The Most Important Thing

I know what we said but we also have to give our “counter” argument for why staying for just the money isn’t the best choice for your happiness. Thinking of this is going to feel like an internal tug of war. On one hand, you may have a family and mortgage to consider and the counteroffer sounds like it can give you some relief in the expenses of living. On the other hand, you are thinking of YOU and how your true peace and happiness cannot be found in a number. What we will say is; if you have the luxury of doing what is going to make you happy, then try not to be tempted by the figures and follow through with your decision to leave. Trust yourself to make the right decision.

It Took You Leaving to Be Appreciated

The counteroffer has you feeling fuzzy inside for a split second… but hang on, why are you only being valued now that you are leaving? The decision to accept a counteroffer may have a lasting impact on your relationship with your current employer. They may also wonder what provoked you to want to leave, affecting the level of trust and loyalty in that working relationship.

New Opportunities

Accepting a counteroffer effectively closes the door to new career opportunities. Think about your long-term career goals. Where do you want to be in 5 years? If you had been seeking a new position, it is unlikely that you see yourself in your current role. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want. Your happiness depends on it.

Get Started with RecruitmentPlus

With RecruitmentPlus, you have not only an expert recruiter on your side but a person who will take on board all of your needs and desires. Since every candidate we have ever worked with has been unique, so is the service they have received. To get started with us, follow the steps below:

Step One: Upload Your CV
Step Two: Call Us – Stillorgan: 01 2788610/ Dundalk: 042 9356910
Step Three: Search Live Jobs

Suggested Further Reading

Overcoming Redundancy
Working With a Temping Agency

Gratitude in the workplace

Gratitude in the Workplace

/in /by

It’s November and because our Office Manager comes from the US, we have celebrated Thanksgiving as a company for the past 15 years. So, for this month’s blog, we are focussing on “Gratitude in the Workplace”. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can change the way we work and live. It has been shown to have many benefits in the workplace like increased efficiency, happiness and improved relationships.

Here are 6 ways gratitude influences workplace behaviour:

1) Gratitude in the workplace improves your mood and reduces stress levels.

Gratitude at work will make you happier and less stressed. In studies of exit interviews, employees often state that their reasons for leaving include not feeling appreciated for the work they’ve done. In fact, one of the greatest things they’re looking for from their employer is a simple “thank you” for a job well done. In cases where the employee otherwise enjoys their job, those two words said often and earnestly can lower cases of stress and burnout.

2) It makes you more likely to help others and be more helpful in general.

Gratitude is shown to increase social support for others. This carries over into feelings of empathy and connection with other people. This of course, goes both ways. Think of the people you work with who you are most happy to help out with an issue. How do they respond to your help? Are they grateful? Say thanks? Keep this in mind when you’re looking for help from someone else. Again, two small words – thank you – can make a huge difference and ensure people are more likely to help you when you need it.

3) It creates a sense of belonging, which leads to greater productivity in the workplace.

Gratitude makes people feel more connected and less isolated. It helps improve mental health and reduces feelings of envy, resentment, or loneliness. Our mood affects our productivity. When we feel good, we’re more productive and happier. One way to feel better is to focus on what we appreciate and to be grateful for the things that make our lives better. Organizations from small non-profits to giant multinational corporations have started introducing gratitude practices which have shown employees feeling greater levels of appreciation for their work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction and greater productivity.

4) Gratitude boosts self-esteem, which can lead to better performance reviews and promotions.

Both showing and receiving gratitude at work is shown to boost an employee’s self-esteem by showing that employees are not just cogs in some giant machine, but individuals whose contributions to the team are making a difference. A healthy self-esteem can produce confidence. When you feel good about yourself and have confidence in the work you do, you’re more likely to stand out in your performance reviews leaving you first in the queue for company promotions.

5) Gratitude increases motivation, which leads to greater creativity at work.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions to experience. It has been shown to make people happier, healthier, and more motivated in a range of different contexts. Gratitude can positively impact your work life. A recent study found that when people practiced gratitude, they were more content and had a higher level of creativity. The reason for this is that feelings of gratitude are nearly opposite to feelings of anxiety or fear. When you’re feeling positive emotions, you brain is in a much better position to problem solve and come up with creative solutions to everyday problems.

6) It helps you sleep better at night, which means you’ll feel well rested during the day!

Writing 3 things you were grateful for during the day before you go to bed can positively impact your quality of sleep. A good night’s sleep directly impacts your mood at work the next day. If you want to sleep better, be less stressed and improve the quality of your work, start practicing gratitude. Want to be more successful? Seek and give thanks daily.

Looking for a new job where you can feel appreciated and grateful? Click here.

Connect with us on Linkedin.

Job search anxiety can be defeated.

Job Search Anxiety: Recruitment Shouldn’t Be Scary.

/in , /by

The weather is getting colder. The nights are drawing in. It’s the time of year for pumpkins, ghosts and goblins. Halloween is meant to be frightening, but recruitment certainly shouldn’t be. So, what should you do if you find yourself in a nightmare recruitment scenario? Fear not, dear reader. We have you covered with tips on how to take the anxiety out of your job search.

Nightmare Scenario #1 – You have to update your CV.

You don’t have to be as prolific a writer as Stephen King to knock out your CV. A CV is a one to two-page summary of your education, skills and experience. Instead of looking at a blank page with absolute dread, think of this as your chance to show how you shine. It may have been a long time since you have done serious writing and you may not know where to start when writing your CV.  This first step causes a lot of job search anxiety. To help with that, we have created this blog to provide valuable tips and tricks on how to write the perfect resume.

Nightmare Scenario #2 – You don’t know where to start looking for a new job.

You can be afraid to watch a scary movie, but there’s no need to fear the job search process. There are many different ways to find a new job. You can look on Indeed or LinkedIn. You can also use your personal network and ask friends and family if they know of any openings in their workplace. Of course, we recommend working with a trusted recruitment consultant who will turn this nightmare into an actual dream. A good recruitment consultant will work with you closely to find the ideal job for you. In fact, you can start your job search here! See? not so scary after all.

Nightmare Scenario #3 – You don’t know how to network.

We mentioned above that you can use your personal network to look for a new job. Having said that, expanding your network beyond friends and family can also expand your opportunities. Networking comes easy to some and not so easily to others. Are you the kind of person who would rather invite a vampire into your home than invite someone out for a cup of coffee and a chat? Did you know that you can learn networking techniques? Read this article from The All-Ireland Business Foundation’s website.

Nightmare Scenario #4 – You’re not prepared for the interview process.

Preparing for a job interview can be daunting, but you have to remember, you’re not meeting face to face with a monster! You are going to be meeting with someone who has already seen your CV and thinks that you might have what it takes to do the job at hand. Your recruitment consultant will go through the specific interview process with you for the company you’re meeting with. You can also check out this blog post where we discuss common interview questions and how best to answer them.

Nightmare Scenario #5 – You don’t know what to wear.

The only thing harder than finding the perfect Halloween costume is figuring out the proper dress code for different work environments. While the old adage “dress for the job you want” is a good rule to stick by, how do you decipher what the difference is between corporate dress and business casual? Your recruitment consultant will know the company you’re interviewing with and will be able to give you guidance in this area. You can also read more about work dress codes here.

Nightmare #6 – You’re worried about your job offer.

First of all, you landed your ideal role. You fought through every nightmare scenario and came out on top. The company has offered the job to you. Congratulations! You don’t have to consult a Ouija board to predict your salary and benefits package. Our recruitment consultants work hard with our clients to ensure the remuneration is suitable for each role and will be upfront with you about what to expect. Your consultant will always work on your behalf to ensure best possible outcome for you and ease all feelings of job search anxiety along the way.

Keep in touch:

LinkedIn

Instagram

recruitment agencies ireland

Trusted Recruitment Agencies in Ireland

/in , , , /by

How do you find trusted recruitment agencies in Ireland? You take a hard look at their values. RecruitmentPlus was founded on putting people first. We are Customer-Centric. Our Managing Director – Anne Fanthom – looked back on our company history and shared the reason she established her own recruitment agency all those years ago:

“Having worked in recruitment in the UK for ten years, I returned to Dublin. After spending two years at home with my young daughter, I ventured back into the world of recruitment with a large firm in the city centre. However, I found my values were changing. For me, people are at the heart of recruitment. It’s not just a numbers game.

I knew something had to change. So, in 1999, I took a leap of faith. Keeping my core values foremost in my mind, I established RecruitmentPlus as a niche, specialist agency. Over 20 years later, candidate and client needs are still at the forefront of everything we do.”

 

Clients

We are a leading provider of recruitment solutions. We work with some of Ireland’s leading organisations to develop, implement and manage their talent acquisition strategies.

We are a service-based business. We want to take some stress away from our clients. We want to save their valuable time. We first meet with our clients to understand their business, professional needs and expectations. We do our best to understand our client’s company culture. This way, we can find someone who will fit in seamlessly with what makes our client’s company special. Our goal is not just about finding candidates; it’s about finding the ideal candidate for each vacancy.

 

Candidates

We believe in finding the best talent for each role; not just meeting quotas or filling positions as quickly as possible. Our approach is based on providing candidates with an excellent experience from start to finish, ensuring that they have a fulfilling career in their new organisation and that clients get the best possible return on investment.

Our director – Hazel Whelan – gave us an example of why she goes out of her way to meet her candidates:

“Technology has changed drastically throughout the years, but no matter how much it advances, you will never replace intuition or empathy with a CV scanning app. This is why I always meet my candidates. One interview that sticks out in my mind was a woman who was home for Christmas for four days. So I went to Dublin airport and met her for a coffee on Stephen’s Day hours before her flight took off to New York. She got the job. She’s back in Ireland with her family. I was part of making that happen.”

 

The Process

Matching candidates to roles is a complex process. It relies not only on experience and in-depth market knowledge, but it also demands intuition, empathy and often lateral thinking to get the best possible outcome, something no computer algorithm can deliver.

Our recruitment process can only work once we have learned everything we can about our client’s business and our candidate’s career goals. There are definitely apps out there that can match keywords from a job spec to keywords from a CV… but to us, that isn’t recruitment and it certainly isn’t customer-centric.

The customer-centric approach is a guiding principle for the way we do business as one of the most trusted recruitment agencies in Ireland. We are committed to understanding, meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and candidates.

To apply for a job, please click here.

To learn more about RecruitmentPlus, please click here.

To connect with Anne Fanthom, Managing Director quoted above, please click here.

To connect with Hazel Whelan, Director also quoted above, please click here

A recruiter in one of the best recruitment agencies in Dublin

Spotlight on Recruitment

/in , , , /by

This blog post was going to be entitled A Day in the Life of a Recruiter, but really there is no typical day. No two days are alike because the resource our recruiters are dealing with is people. Their clients and candidates are all people with different needs, wants, personalities, and career goals. All of these differences make for a varied day at work. Read on to find out what it’s like to work for one of the best recruitment agencies in Dublin.

 

So, what does a recruiter do?

A recruiter- also known as a recruitment consultant- is essentially in a sales role. A client will contact a recruitment consultant and request assistance in finding an employee for their company. Those potential employees are referred to as candidates. The recruiter then matches a candidate to the company’s job vacancy. Simple, right? Well, that’s just a basic explanation of what a recruiter does. As with any job, some people do the bare minimum and others excel in their roles.

 

What does a good recruitment consultant do?

A recruiter’s job is part human resources, part sales, part marketing, part negotiation but mostly it’s about listening. An important part of the job is the ability to listen and learn the needs of their candidates and work together with them to provide solutions to fulfil those needs. People are at the heart of recruitment. It’s not just a numbers game. It’s not about pulling a report from a database and using that information to fill a role. A CV can tell the basics of someone’s job history, but only in a one-on-one meeting (online or in-person) does a recruiter find out the WHY behind the CV. Why did the candidate take those specific roles to date? Why are they looking for a new job now? What plans do they have for their future career?

The same is true when a recruiter is working with a client. Again, the recruiter is not just working with some faceless company, they’re working with a person who needs to fill a vacancy. A good recruiter will do their best to understand the sector for which they are recruiting. Ideally, the recruiter will have had some real-world experience working in that sector. For example, if they’ve worked in Human Resources before, they will have a unique insight into what a client may need for a new HR Specialist vacancy. Anyone can learn sales techniques, but understanding the ins and outs of a specific sector will make someone stand out as a top recruiter.

 

What about job satisfaction?

One of the top reasons for job satisfaction in recruitment is the knowledge that the recruiter has made a difference in a candidate’s life. There are few things better than knowing a candidate is in a happier place because you’ve helped them source a new role where their personality is a good fit for the company’s culture.

 

Recruiters also love their jobs because they get the opportunity to grow their professional networks both with their clients as well as candidates. It’s a very rewarding role but it also requires hard work, resourcefulness, and versatility. A reputable agency will offer a basic salary along with a fair commission structure.

 

Have you considered a career in recruitment?

If you feel you have the right attitude, determination to succeed, and a winning personality, contact RecruitmentPlus today on 01 2788610. You could work for one of the best recruitment agencies in Dublin!

 

Not only do we offer a favourable salary, but the following benefits as well:

  • Commission with uncapped commission structure
  • Quarterly bonuses
  • Annual bonus
  • Mobile phone
  • 4 weeks AL which increases with tenure
  • Birthday day off
  • Social events
  • ERF Certificate in Recruitment Practice
  • A great working environment with a team who has been together for over 20 years.

Learn more about our company and culture on our Linkedin page.

Call us today on 01 2788610, visit www.recruitmentplus.ie  or email your CV in the strictest confidence to anne@rplus.ie

The 5 Rules of Temping

/in , /by

Across Ireland, employees are dreaming of their first proper summer holiday in 2 years. Meanwhile, their managers are wondering how to cope with the extra workload when their teams are out of the office. What’s a manager to do?

Enter: “The Temp” – someone who is smart, confident and adaptable, as well as being multi-skilled. The Temp saves the day!

Does this sound like you? Would you like the flexibility to choose between short term work or months long contracts? Do you think you’d enjoy the variety of working in different environments? Follow these 5 rules of temping and you’ll have your choice of assignments.

  1. First things first, you need a good temping CV. This CV should be specifically used for applying for temp work. At the top of the page, list your technical skills, your contact details, your availability and the locations where you can work. The rest of the CV should be as normal- education and work history. A Temps Controller may receive hundreds of CVs, but will remember the one that highlights skill set and gives availability.
  2. When in doubt, dress UP. As a temp, you will be working in many different environments. Some may be on production lines; others may be business casual offices. Some offices may run a strict, corporate-style dress code. Always check the dress code with your Temps Controller in advance. First impressions count and nowhere more so than in the world of temping.
  3. On time means 5 minutes early. You don’t want to arrive too early, but you never want to arrive late. Research the location of your assignment. Make sure you know how to get there. Drive by if you’re unfamiliar with the area or check public transport timetables the night before. Again, plan on being there 5 minutes before you’re due to start.
  4. Be discreet. Anything you hear or read, while working in a company is strictly confidential. When you register for temp work, you will sign a contract of employment and a handbook explaining the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure while on temporary work assignments
  5. Work like your career depends on it. Again, first impressions count and if you’re only in an assignment for a week, you don’t have time to have an off day. Temping is an excellent way to get your foot in the door of some amazing companies, which could lead to wonderful opportunities. Good work does not go unnoticed.

If you’re interested in temping or want to talk to someone about your career, contact RecruitmentPlus on 01 2788610 or visit www.recruitmentplus.ie.

 

Top Tips: CV Writing

/in /by

Your CV outlines your work experience and maps your career path to date. It is the tool that will get you an interview for the job you want. Whether you’re writing your first CV or polishing your old CV up for a career move, staring at a blank page can be daunting. The good news is, there’s a formula you can follow. Make sure you add the following sections to your page and work from there. Before you know it, you are no longer staring at a blank page, but a document that will get you noticed by a recruiter or hiring manager.

 

Personal Details
Your name, mobile number and email should all be listed at the top of your CV. We want to be able to contact you if a career opportunity arises! You may consider also listing a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile.

 

Profile
The profile should make the employer want to meet you. It should be short enough to read quickly and concise enough to capture your skills and experience in a short paragraph.

 

Chronological Order
Most people list their most recent employment first, and the recruiter will probably appreciate you following this standard.

 

Key Information
Make sure your CV is easily readable. Three key pieces of information are titles, company names and dates of employment for each of your prior jobs. Align all 3 so it is easy to follow and read. Keep in mind that most hiring managers will only take a minute to scan your CV. Make sure they can easily find your key information. Then fill in your major responsibilities for each position using bullet points.

 

References
There is no need to list referee contact details on your CV. In fact, many referees would prefer their contact information isn’t given out too freely! Generally, we would recommend having your referee’s details to hand in case your application proceeds and to contact your referee to let them know your recruiter will be calling.

 

Technical Skills
An understanding of Microsoft Office is almost compulsory for all roles and you should indicate your expertise level and if you are an advanced user, intermediate, a beginner or somewhere in between. It is generally important to have skills in Outlook, Word and Excel but roles do vary. In addition to MS Office, certain roles may require knowledge of specific software such as a CRM Database or CAD software.

 

Education
If you’re entering the job market then there is justification for listing your educational accomplishments at the beginning of the CV. If you’ve been working for 12 months or longer, then a company may be more interested in your work history than your educational path. However, certificates, diplomas and degrees should definitely be listed.

 

Additional Training and Qualifications
Readers are interested in your training but list it in such a way that it is easy to read. The training should be relevant to the role for which you are applying. You may also have professional qualifications or licenses and it is important to list these clearly on the CV. They are generally best positioned with or next to your educational details.

 

Volunteering, Hobbies and Interests
Some people choose to close their CVs with voluntary experience or examples of their hobbies and interests. While it’s not as popular to list these sections nowadays, if your volunteer experience or hobby relate to the job you want, by all means include it!

 

Hopefully this short guide has been helpful and you’re on your way to writing the perfect CV for your dream job. When your CV is read and you want to take the next step in your career, contact your local RecruitmentPlus office or apply online for one of our current vacancies.

Workspace Spring Clean

/in , , , /by

Minute by minute, the days are getting longer. Day by day, the birdsong grows louder. After what feels like a 2-year long winter, spring is around the corner. Get ready for this hopeful time of year by organizing a spring clean of your workspace!

 

Define your workspace(s). 

Are you working from home in a spare room? Do you have a desk in your company office? Do you make business calls from your car between sales visits? These can all be defined as your workspaces. You may use one or a variety of these spaces. If you use more than one of these spaces, make sure to “spring clean” each one!

 

Throw out rubbish/ bring coffee cups to the kitchen. 

Some people are tidier than others, so you’ll know if this applies to you. If you’re the type of person who brings their second – or third- mug of tea to their workspace without clearing up the mug(s) already there, or if your rubbish bin is constantly overflowing, this tip is for you. A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. You will be able to focus much more clearly when you’ve cleared your space. Each time you leave your workspace, have a look around to see if there’s anything you can clear from your space. Soon this will be a habit and your desk will never look better.

 

File away documents and shred what’s no longer needed. 

A place for everything and everything in its place! Now is a good time to set up files for 2022 (if you haven’t done so already) and file paperwork away accordingly- whether you use paper or digitized methods. When you know where all your important documents are located, it saves you time and worry. You should also take the time to see if there is any documentation containing data you should no longer hold on to. Check with your company’s Data Protection Officer and make sure you are up to date with GDPR requirements.

 

Clean your desktop, keyboard, phone, and more. 

This is probably something you’ve gotten into the habit of over the past couple of years. Even if you wipe off these spaces daily, you’ll want to do a more thorough job for your spring clean. Take note of every surface that you touch in your workspace. Get a soft cloth and an antibacterial cleanser and get to work! Don’t forget places like the armrests of your chair or the switch on your desk lamp. Use caution when cleaning electronic items. You can purchase tech-specific antibacterial cleaning kits online or through most stationery supply companies.

 

Make this space your own. 

This is the fun part. Some offices may have rules on what you can and cannot put in your workspace. Please keep those rules in mind! Having said that, most will allow you some personal items. Does a certain colour pen inspire you to write better proposals? Then get yourself that pen. Are you more likely to keep a handwritten diary than a digital one? Then make sure you have a diary on your desk. Are you working towards a specific goal? Then maybe hang up a picture of your dream house to remind you why you’re saving up for a deposit. Do you have a dream holiday location? Print out an image of that beach scene or cityscape. You need items that encourage you to work at your best level as well as reminders of why you’re working so hard.

 

Spring Clean the mind!

Now that your physical space is cleared, time to clear any issues going on in your mind. Are you worried your company won’t offer you a hybrid work scheme? Have you noticed that your salary isn’t quite keeping up with inflation? Are you perhaps ready for a completely new challenge? Contact the consultants at RecruitmentPlus today. The answers to your workplace worries could be just a phone call away.

Focus on 2022

/in , , /by

A Proven Technique to Get More Done in Less Time

 

Was your New Year’s resolution to be more organized and productive? Do you dread the start of each new workday, wondering what lies ahead? Would you like to have more control over your day? Then you need to focus.

 

What Happens When You Lose Focus at Work?

You become a firefighter. No, not the brave people who run into burning buildings when everyone else runs out… What YOU do is react to crisis after crisis after crisis until all you know is last-minute panic and dread. There’s a proposal due at 9 am tomorrow, and you work all through the night to complete it, hitting “send” at 8:59. You have 100 agendas to print out before a meeting 30 minutes from now, and the printer keeps jamming. The payroll is due at the same time each week, and you find yourself coming up to the wire at every payroll deadline. You see, you manage to get things done; however, not before hitting crisis mode.

 

You get a gold medal for procrastination. Interestingly, your procrastination will eventually lead to the above fires you constantly put out. It’s a vicious circle. You know this on some level. So why do you do it? There are many reasons why people procrastinate at work. Some examples are perfectionism, anxiety, lack of focus, fear of failure. But remember I said vicious circle. Are you procrastinating at work because you’re burned out from putting out fires? How are you meant to organize your workload if you are in crisis mode?

 

You use multitasking as a shield. Admit it. Saying you are a multitasker is code for “not only am I a busy person, but I’m busy doing a few things at once.” It’s time to drop the act. Gone are the days where multitasking was considered a skill. Now we know better. Not only is it impossible for you to focus on more than one task at a time, but studies have shown that multitasking can affect your memory as well as cause anxiety. Did that lapse in memory mean you forgot to print those 100 agendas until the last minute? Is that anxiety causing you to procrastinate? I’ll say it again: a vicious circle.

 

How Do You Break Free?

You need to focus. A good plan will help you do more in less time. Below are some steps to take to ensure you’re stepping into 2022 on the right foot.

 

Get comfortable with change. Be gentle with yourself and trust the process. Take each step as it comes and allow for the fact that you might be so used to firefighting, procrastinating, and multitasking that changing to a more focussed process will seem strange at first.

 

Get rid of distractions and multitasking. One option is to set up “focus” time in your MyAnalytics dashboard if you use Microsoft applications. This will show people on Teams and in your calendar that you are focusing and unavailable for meetings. If you are not using Microsoft, many other online apps will assist in helping you focus on the task at hand. You can find these by googling “online focus apps” and choosing the one that is the right fit for you. Many apps are free of charge, or you can pay a small fee to upgrade additional features.

 

Set goals and prioritise tasks. Now that you are free of distractions, how do you spend your focus time? First, you need to identify your work goals. You can break your goals down by week or quarter or even think big and come up with lifetime career goals. Once you know your goals, you can see the roadmap to where you want to go. The next thing you’ll want to do is list all the tasks you will need to complete to attain those goals. Have a good look at your list. Are some of those tasks time-sensitive? Do some seem more arduous than others? Can you delegate any of these tasks? Prioritize accordingly and make a to-do list.

 

Find your flow. Some call it flow. Others call it being in the zone. It’s that feeling of being perfectly focussed on one task and working on it to your best abilities. With the help of your focus app, you’re not being distracted. Working from your prioritized to-do list, you’re only working on one task at a time. The last piece of the “flow” puzzle is finding your peak hours during the day. When do you feel most energized? When do you feel creative? When do you prefer to do analytical work? Are you an early bird or a night owl? Do you hit the ground running at 9 am but fall victim to the 3 pm slump? Then schedule your most significant tasks in the morning. Do you feel most lively after lunch? Maybe that’s the perfect time to plan your sales calls. Know yourself, recognize your patterns and find your flow.

 

Are You Ready for 2022?

Hopefully, the above tips will help you keep your New Year’s resolution of being more productive and organized in your job. When you go through the step of writing your long-term career goals, keep RecruitmentPlus in mind. Our consultants can help you focus on the next stage of your career with their proactive approach to recruitment. Contact us today.

Christmas 2021

/in , , /by

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year

RecruitmentPlus will be open and operating as usual through Thursday 23rd December at 1pm. Our offices will then be closed until we re-open at 10am on Tuesday 4th January 2022. In case of emergency or urgent queries, you can contact Anne Fanthom on 086 831 4668.

We hope you are winding down after another very strange year with your sights on what’s in store for you in 2022.

Please see a selection of our best advice blogs from 2021 below. We hope they give you some business inspiration for the New Year. We look forward to working with you again then!

 

The Hybrid Working Model

Advice on the National Remote Working Strategy

8 Silver Linings of Working from Home

Recruitment Trends 2021