How to Cope With Disasters at Work When You’re in Charge
“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”
– Thomas Jefferson
As a manager, you know it’s important to stay calm in the face of disaster. But it’s also easier said than done, especially when you have a lot at stake.
But as one of the leading recruitment firms in Houston, Texas, we know that remaining calm is imperative to your success as an effective leader. Here are some simple techniques you can use that can help ensure you stay cool, calm and collected – even during a workplace catastrophe:
Stop, take a deep breath, and think.
It’s easy to automatically react to a bad situation in a negative way – i.e. yelling at employees, slamming doors, etc…But it’s really not going to amount to much good. Instead, take a deep breath, assess the situation, and determine how you want to respond. Avoid getting too emotional.
Stay objective.
It’s hard to do when you’re the one in charge, but try to look at things objectively. You’ve been presented with a problem and now you need to solve it, regardless of who caused it or what’s at stake. Staying objective, rather than pointing fingers of blame, will help you deal with the problem at hand in a reasonable manner. Later, once the issue is resolved, you can determine what your team needs to do moving forward to avoid similar problems in the future.
Take care of yourself.
It’s easier to deflect stress when you take care of yourself – eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and living a balanced lifestyle. On the other hand, if you’re already stressed to the max, a disaster at work can send you over the edge.
Stay positive.
It’s hard to stay positive in a negative world. But having a positive outlook can actually help you resolve workplace disasters more effectively. Your positive attitude will rub off on your employees and also instill in them a sense of confidence in your abilities. When they feel confident in you, they’ll also go the extra mile to resolve the issue – which helps you in the long run.
And if any of your workplace disasters have to do with staffing issues, give us a call. As one of the top recruitment firms in Houston, Texas, we’ve worked with Houston’s leading organizations to identify their human resource needs, locate top talent, and maximize employee productivity. We can help you too!
Overcoming the 5 Stages of Layoff Grief
As one of the top employment firms in Houston, Texas, we know that being laid off can feel a lot like losing a loved one – from shock and anger to depression and acceptance. Here’s how to cope with the different emotions that come with a layoff and get back on track toward finding a new job:
1. Shock
This isn’t happening to me!
If you had no idea a layoff was coming down the pike, it can certainly be shocking when your boss calls you into their office and says, “We need to talk.” Even if you knew the company wasn’t doing well and that layoffs were an eventuality, you may still react with numb disbelief when it actually happens to you. This all perfectly normal; in fact, this shocked feeling provides some emotional protection from getting overwhelmed.
2. Guilt
Did I do something wrong?
As the shock wears off, you go from thinking “this isn’t happening to me” to “how could this be happening to me?” You start mentally reviewing every project you worked on and each decision you made. You question where you went wrong – or what you “coulda, woulda, shoulda” done to keep your job.
3. Anger
How could they do this to me?
After realizing you did a great job, you feel completely betrayed. You obsess about the fact that your co-worker, who plays computer games all day, didn’t lose his job. You get angry at him, at your boss, and at the entire organization. While it’s normal to feel this way, don’t get stuck in the angry phase; otherwise you won’t be able to move forward.
4. Depression/Anxiety
What if I never find another job?
As a Houston, Texas employment firm, we know that losing your job in this economy is a scary experience. But there are safety nets in place, like unemployment benefits, to help you weather the storm. So take a deep breath, make a list of tasks you need to do (like extend your health insurance through COBRA and sign up for unemployment), and create a plan of action for your job search.
5. Acceptance.
I’m ready to move on.
You realize that losing your job might actually be a blessing wrapped up in really ugly paper. You will find a new job and this awful experience will eventually be a distant memory. In the meantime, enjoy your newfound – and temporary – freedom while it lasts.
And if you need help some help finding a new job, let us know. As one of the top employment firms in Houston, Texas, we know where the great jobs are! Contact us today to get started.
Are You Leading Your Team to Success…or Off a Cliff?
As one of the top staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we know that being a manager is no easy job. Your boss expects results, while your staff looks to you for direction and motivation. You are supposed to be a cheerleader, a coach, a teacher, and a disciplinarian. And you have to do all this while overcoming daily challenges.
To succeed in this demanding role, you have to be organized, authoritative, persistent, and have excellent people skills. So how can you get the job done and lead your team to success? Here are some tips to consider.
Know your employees.
What are their talents? Weaknesses? What motivates them? The better you know what makes your employees tick, the more effective manager you will be. Not only will you know how to deal with them – for instance, whether they need a lot of praise or autonomy in order to do their job – but you’ll also be able to ensure projects are well balanced with the right mix of personalities, from creative to pragmatic.
Match tasks to motivations.
When you know your employees, you’ll be able to match them with tasks and projects that motivate them. Even if an employee was hired to do a certain job, be open to changing their role if you feel they’d be better suited for a different position. Your employees are going to be a lot more productive doing work they’re great at and enjoy.
Take blame; give credit.
As the leader, the buck really stops with you when something goes wrong. So don’t throw your employees under the boss. Take the blame and learn from it. When a milestone is achieved, don’t take hog all the glory either. Give credit to your team. While it’s certainly hard to take blame and give credit, you’ll build harmony, rather than dissention, as a result.
Don’t get complacent.
Just because things are going smoothly doesn’t mean you should take your eyes off the road. Always be monitoring your employees to see if things can be done better or more efficiently. Sometimes managers have a tendency to focus on the work, rather than on the people doing the work. But if your employees are succeeding then you will succeed as well.
Hire the best.
Obviously you know that your people are your most important asset. Some of your team members may have come with the job. But if you find yourself in the position where you’re ready to hire, be sure to invest the time and resources necessary to find the right person for your needs. One person can be the difference between filling a talent gap and throwing your entire team off its game.
If you need help in this area, please contact Murray Resources. As one of the top staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we’ve worked with some of the city’s premier organizations to identify their human resource needs, locate top talent, and maximize employee productivity. We can do the same for you. Contact us today to learn more.
Grateful in 2011
Over the past few years, the staffing industry has certainly changed. Though we’ve faced our share of challenges due to the economy, we’ve also fared better than many other industries.
Consider the facts.
According to the American Staffing Association, U.S. staffing agencies created more new jobs in the economy than any other industry. Additionally, 91% of the total non-farm jobs (that’s nearly half a million workers) created were done so through the temporary staffing industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So while there’s still plenty of uncertainty out there (just read our post about the Houston private sector weakening), we’re grateful for the fact that our industry is doing well.
We’re also grateful for our clients.
We know how stressful running a business can be, especially these days. And the fact that you turn to us to play a critical role in your company speaks volumes to us. As you know, your people are your most important asset, and Murray Resources takes finding the top-notch ones for your Houston jobs very seriously.
In addition to our clients, we are also thankful to our candidates.
We know that a job search can be an overwhelming process and we’re so happy that you’ve chosen us to help with it. Whether you’re looking for temp jobs in Houston or full-time work, we’re always committed to helping you find just the right opening in which you can feel valued and productive.
So regardless of what unfolds in 2012 and in the future, right now we just wanted to say “thanks.”
Thanks for putting your trust in Murray Resources to help you find the people you need or the jobs you want. It’s something that we love doing and we’re thrilled that we’re able to do it for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Why Your Pool of Job Candidates Isn’t Stacking Up
You post a position. You’re bombarded with resumes, many of which are from completely unqualified candidates. Sound familiar?
So are there really that many desperate people out there, applying for any opening they come across? Or are you actually repelling the good candidates?
You don’t have a lot of control over unqualified candidates submitting resumes. But, as an experienced recruitment firm in Houston, Texas, we know there are some common recruiting mistakes employers make that drive away good candidates, including:
Tedious job ads.
You’re not writing a novel. You’re writing a job posting – and less is more. A candidate doesn’t need to know every single detail about your company and the position. What they do need to know is the job title, an overview of the position, some brief information about the company, the job requirements, and how to apply.
Not using specific language.
It’s important to use specific language that will immediately dissuade unqualified candidates from applying.
For instance, if you’re posting a job for an administrative assistant, don’t just say that the right person must be knowledgeable about Microsoft Office. Instead, state that one of the requirements is to “know how to create formal spreadsheets in Excel as well as how to conduct mail merges.”
A sloppy career website.
If the information on your career website is sparse and unprofessional looking, then high quality candidates won’t take you seriously or want to work for your company. You’ll also turn candidates off if you require them to complete an online form just to see the entire job description on your career website.
A difficult application process.
If you’re approaching the hiring process with a fortress-like mentality and making the application long and convoluted in order to fend off weak candidates, you could actually be repelling the good quality candidates, as well.
No communication.
As a Houston, Texas recruitment firm, one of the big frustrations we hear voiced by job candidates is the lack of communication from the hiring company. While it’s impossible to call up every applicant who sends a resume to you, you can, for instance, set up an auto response for email submissions, acknowledging receipt of their resume. After all, in today’s day and age, if one candidate has a really bad experience with your company, it can go viral, impacting your brand.
And if you need help finding top talent, give us a call. As recruitment firm in Houston, Texas with more than 23 years of experience, we know how to recruit and screen quality candidates for a range of positions. That’s why we’re a trusted resource and partner for many of Houston’s most dynamic companies. Contact us today to learn more.
How Being a Mentor Can Boost Your Career
You probably know that having a great mentor can benefit your career in a variety of ways. But did you also know that the benefits aren’t one-sided? In other words, being a mentor can boost your career, as well as the person you’re mentoring?
Here’s a look at how:
Being a mentor gives you a different perspective.
If you’ve been in your position for a while now, you might have lost perspective on what it’s like to be in the trenches, or in a lower level position. But a mentee can help you see the company in a different light and through different eyes, which can prove valuable.
As a recruitment firm in Houston, Texas, we also know that not only can being a mentor offer you unique insight into the company itself, but your mentee can also give a better idea of how other people in the company perceive you.
Being a mentor forces you to analyze the “why.”
When your mentee asks you “why” this process is in place, or “why” you do something that why, you’re forced to pause and reflect about the answers you give them. As a result, these questions make you take a critical look at company processes and procedures, as well as how you are leading and doing your job and which areas could use some improvements.
Being a mentor enhances your skill set.
When you’re mentoring someone else, you can facilitate your own personal growth and become more of an asset to your company. For instance, mentoring enables you to strengthen your leadership skills by working with individuals from different backgrounds and with different experiences.
Being a mentor makes a positive impact.
By watching another person grow and develop, thanks in part to your guidance, you will gain a strong sense of personal satisfaction. When you’re a mentor, you can make a positive impact on someone – likely an impact they will never forget and will hopefully pay forward in the future.
Mentoring can be a truly rewarding experience. However, as a recruitment firm in Houston, Texas, we know that becoming a mentor is a big decision – not one to be taken lightly. But if you do decide to be a mentor at work, then you and your company, not just the person you’re mentoring, will likely benefit in big ways!
Passive Job Candidates: Who They Are & Why You Should Recruit Them
In our society, the word “passive” has some negative connotations. When you hear it, you might think of someone that’s lazy, submissive, uninterested, and passion-less. However, when it comes to recruiting, passive candidates means something entirely different.
Passive candidates are simply those that are already employed; they aren’t “actively” looking for a new job, but are open to the right opportunity, if it came along. However, as top executive recruiters in Houston, Texas, we know that many employers simply look for the low-hanging fruit – the active job seeker – when they’re engaged in the recruiting process.
That’s not to say that passive candidates are better than active ones. In this economy, many top-notch professionals have been laid off due to belt tightening or re-structuring. But, when you are ready to hire, particularly for higher level or mission-critical positions, the passive candidates are one pool of potential new hires that you want to be sure to engage. Here’s how.
Get referrals.
Getting referrals is the most effective, and least time-consuming, way to source top passive candidates. So ask your colleagues, employees, and other appropriate contacts about who would be a good fit for the job and your Houston company.
Tap into the power of social media.
With the Internet and social media, it’s easier than ever to find passive candidates. For instance, many professionals have LinkedIn profiles that you can take a look at and determine if they’re someone you’re interested in connecting with.
Recognize that familiarity breeds comfort.
And if a passive job candidate has heard of you and your company, then they’re much more likely to be open to a potential job opportunity. That’s why it’s important to network regularly in your industry and make contact with as many people as possible.
Get the go-ahead.
When you do find a passive candidate you’re interested in approaching, don’t just call them up and launch into a monologue about how great your company is. First, ask them if they’re open to discussing a new career opportunity. People are busy and don’t want to feel harassed.
Determine the quality of the candidate.
Time is precious and you need to quickly determine whether you think the passive candidate is right for you. So spend 5 or 10 minutes on the phone trying to get a sense of whether this is a quality candidate.
Pique their interest.
Be somewhat vague and don’t talk too much about the job. Just sell the process and the next step – the opportunity to learn more about the job. Remember, these aren’t unemployed candidates who are looking to find work fast. They’re more interested in what’s in it for them.
If you’d like some help expanding your recruiting pool to include passive candidates, let us know. As top executive recruiters in Houston, Texas, we know where to look to find both passive and active candidates with the skills and experience you need for key or hard-to-fill positions.
Contact us today to learn more.
Is Honesty the Best Policy at Your Houston Company?
Whether at home, or at work, most people at one point or another are tempted to tell lies – big or small – in order to get out of a sticky situation. And in fact, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, 19% of workers admit to lying on the job, at least once a week. The reasons given were:
• To appease a customer: 26%
• To cover up a mistake, missed deadline, or failed project: 13%
• To explain a late arrival or unexcused absence: 8%
• To protect another employee: 8%
• To get another employee in trouble: 5%
While one little white lie might not bring down the company, the truth is generally the best policy when it comes to the workplace. So how can you ensure honesty reigns supreme at your company? Here are some ideas:
It starts at the top.
As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we know that honest communication should be a staple in the workplace. Bosses and managers should be communicating regularly with employees about both good news and bad news. Talking about the positive makes your employees feel good and improves morale, while discussing the negatives opens the door for input and ideas about how to overcome mistakes and setbacks. But don’t stop there. Beyond just talking about how to overcome a mistake, discuss the lessons learned from it.
Encourage opposing viewpoints and open dialogue.
Openly recognize and embrace meaningful viewpoints that run counter to what’s being said by everyone else. Even if you don’t agree with the opinion, it will demonstrate to your employees that it’s always safe to speak their mind. In addition, open, honest communication will shine a light on poor practices or weaknesses so that you can shore them up in the future.
Brush up on your listening skills.
Employees place high value on employers who actually listen to them and care about their overall well-being, not just how productive they are on the job. And happy employees equal more loyal employees.
Hold employees accountable.
Some employers don’t think a small lie, or a few small lies, is that big of a deal. But it’s more about the character of the employee who’s doing the lying – than the actual lying – that is an issue. So when an employee does lie, don’t let it slide. Hold him or her accountable. Depending on the severity of the lie, you may even feel the need to terminate employment. The last thing you want is an employee you can’t trust.
If that’s the case, and you need help finding a replacement, give us a call. As one of the top staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we source top talent for a variety of positions across a broad range of business disciplines. Contact us today to learn more.
How to Build Better Relationship on the Job – And Reap the Rewards
There are many factors important to success in your Houston job. These include things like competency, knowledge, and hard work.
But what’s really the #1 factor that can help you achieve career success?
The answer is probably less complicated then you think. It’s about building strong relationships with your co-workers.
Think about it. When you’re in a bind at work, you probably don’t turn to your boss for help. You ask a co-worker. Likewise, if you have a question about how to get something done, or want to bounce a new idea for a process or product off someone, whom do you ask? Again, it’s not likely you’re going to schedule a meeting with the company CEO to discuss an undeveloped idea. You’re going to seek feedback from a co-worker.
However if you don’t have strong relationships with your co-workers, then you won’t reap the many rewards that come along with them. To help you get there, here are some ideas to keep in mind:
Be respectful.
This should go without saying, but some people still need it said. Be kind and respectful to everyone you work with. That doesn’t mean you have to be an easy target or a big softie. It just means that you should think before you speak.
Share information.
If a co-worker comes to you with a question, don’t hoard your knowledge. Share what you know with them. If you ever need fast answers or a quick solution, your co-workers will be much more likely to help you when you’ve been generous with knowledge in the past.
Don’t point fingers.
When things go wrong, it can be tempting to point the finger of blame at someone else. But you’ll simply alienate your co-workers. So when errors happen, accept responsibility and work to determine how you can fix the mistake.
Share credit.
When things go right, don’t take all the credit, even if your boss thinks you did it all yourself. Tell him or her that you couldn’t have done it without help from the team. This is probably one of the best ways to strengthen relationships with your co-workers.
Socialize with co-workers.
You may not want to go to lunch or happy hour with co-workers, but make the effort. You’ll get to know your co-workers better in a more casual environment and learn what makes them tick. You’ll therefore be able to develop more productive relationships with them at work.
If you want to build better relationships on the job – just not in your current job – Murray Resources can help. As one of the top employment agencies in Houston, Texas, we can work with you to find a new job that’s a great match for your skills and personality.
4 Ways You Could Be Derailing Your Career
While there are all sorts of articles out there about how to achieve success (we’ve even written a few here and here), there are certainly some common mistakes you can make that can actually derail your career. Here’s a look at 4 of them:
1. Treating people differently.
If you think you’re better than a co-worker just because you rank higher than them on the corporate ladder, think again. In this economy, you don’t know what could happen or who could get promoted, demoted, or laid off. As a result, it’s wise to treat everyone – whether it’s the janitor, the receptionist, the company owner, or your supervisor – with respect. In addition, you’ll be able to do a better job at work when you’ve made a lot of friends, rather than enemies.
2. Stepping on people to get to the top.
There’s nothing worse than being mean to people who are lower ranking than you…unless of course, you stab them in the back, while you’re nice to their face, just so you can get to the top. The fact of the matter is that most people who take this approach get busted sooner or later. Oh sure, they might enjoy some success for a while, but it’s not worth the risk of possible termination or inability to find another job. Plus, when you do things the right way, you’ll be able to sleep better at night.
3. Letting other people define success for you.
For some people, making a certain amount of money equals success. That’s all fine and good. But that doesn’t have to be true for you. If success is being able to balance your work and your family life, even though you make a little less money, don’t let others make you feel like a failure because you’re not making six figures. That’s their version of success; it does not have to be yours.
4. Getting complacent.
In order to remain an asset to your company, you must bring value to the table. It’s critically important to stay on top of the latest trends and get to know the newest technologies. It’s also important to network and build strong relationships with new people, not just the same old group of co-workers you’re comfortable with. Push yourself. Strive for more. And continually show your boss you are worth it. In today’s economy, that could be the difference between staying employed and getting laid off.
If you’ve avoided the mistakes above and are ready to take the next step in your career, but there’s no room for growth at your current company, give us a call. As one of the leading employment firms in Houston, TX, we can help you locate the position that best matches your skills and interests. And in fact, many of the positions we work on are not available through other recruiting firms, so we’re able to provide you with access to jobs that you will not find anywhere else.