Managing an office and keeping employees happy is no small task. The truth is, sometimes no matter what you do it’s nearly impossible to make everyone happy at the same time. The key to minimizing employee turnover rate is to make people feel acknowledged and appreciated. As mentioned on Deputy’s blog, being an effective manager is all about communication.
Related:5 Ways To Attract (And Keep!) The Best Employees
If employees feel like their company invests in them, they will invest in the company. As a manager, there are some tips and tricks for making a work environment more successful and welcoming. It’s the manager’s job to make employees feel like their jobs have meaning. People want to feel like they are doing more than just working for a paycheck. Here are some modern tips for keeping your employees happy.
1. Invest in employee salaries
Results from a Salary.com survey shows that inadequate compensation is by far the number one reason that dissatisfied employees who want to leave their job. You get what you pay for, so give the best offer you can. Offering employees slightly higher salaries than the competition benefits everyone. This should be based on education and experience.
A lot of times, employees are just happy to land a new job. Many companies do the best they can to negotiate salaries for the best talent as cheap as they can get them. If you underpay your employees, they will feel undervalued. Studies show people will leave their jobs for as little as a 5% pay increase.
When people feel like they are being paid what they are worth, it makes them more productive and more difficult to leave the company. They also feel a better sense of appreciation for their company, which makes them more invested. It’s a simple fact that people work harder when they feel appreciated.
2. Have fun together
Many offices have employee sports teams. Sports teams are a pretty typical occurrence because they encourage team bonding and promote health. Employees playing sports together is also linked to more office productivity. However, sometimes employees dread these events and associate them with work.
Recently, more amateur sports organizations have been including old school games like dodge ball and kickball. Getting your employees together to play one of these light-hearted games is a great way to differ from the typical boring office sports team. Allowing your employees feel like kids again is a great way and easy way to help them bond.
3. Offer comfortable workstation options
Back pain is commonly associated with work desks. Ergonomic workstations are all the rage in the business world and many offices are offering employees free consultations. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reviewed 250 ergonomics case studies and found that ergonomics reduce workers compensation, health care costs and increase productivity.
Have a few sitting and standing options for your employees while they’re working at their desks. Some options include exercise balls, which allow employees to work out while sitting at a computer. Always make sure your office chairs are comfortable and offer lumbar support. Standing desks are another great option.
4. Consider telecommuting
Employees calling in sick too often? Offering telecommuting is a great way to increase productivity. A research study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee found, "Employees who telecommute the majority of the work week are more satisfied with their jobs compared to those working mostly in the office because working remotely alleviates more stress than it creates."
Instead of having to take a day off, employees have the option to work from home. A lot of offices are now giving employees the option to telecommute on Fridays in order to reduce their energy footprint. Giving employees this option is another way to make them feel appreciated, trusted and valued.
5. ...And flexi-time
Another trend happening in the office world is offering employees the option to work an extra hour each day and give them every other Friday off. This also helps reduce the amount of PTO and sick days employees use.
Many employees feel an imbalance between their personal and professional lives. Though many companies promote the importance of a work/life balance, they do little to actually help employees practice it. If employees feel like their work life is interfering with their personal life, it decreases the quality of both.
6. Provide incentives for good financial behavior
People love extra cash. A great way to encourage employees to double check budget numbers is to offer a monthly cash prize for saving the company money. Many times companies go over budget or lose money because employees don’t care to give budget sheets a second glance.
Encourage employees to triple check numbers and search for financial discrepancies. Small cash incentives can end up saving the company thousands of dollars in the long run.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Are you terrified of screwing up a job interview? Does the thought of writing a cover letter horrify you? Are you scared to network with others? What do you even say, anyway? If you're struggling to overcome your job search fears, this live event is for you.
We get it. Looking for work can be scary, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time and haven’t gotten any results.
Understanding which fears are getting in the way and how to overcome them will make all the difference. Sometimes you might not be aware of which obstacle is getting in the way of your goals. If you want to overcome these fears once and for all, we invite you to join us!
In this training, you’ll learn how to:
Utilize strategies for coping with your job search fears
Be confident in your job search—from writing your resume to networking
Face your fears and move forward
Join our CEO, J.T. O'Donnell, and Director of Training Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live event on Wednesday, October 5th at 12 pm ET.
CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? That's okay. You'll have access to the recording and the workbook after the session!
True or false? Recruiters don't read cover letters.
Most people may think this is true, but guess what? They're wrong!
Recruiters do, in fact, read the good cover letters.
So, what does that tell us? If most people don't hear back from recruiters, and recruiters only read good cover letters, that means a majority of cover letters aren't written well and, therefore, don't stand out to them.
That may be hard to hear, but it's the truth.
CRITICAL Cover Letter Mistakes
Often, there's WAY too much "blah, blah, blah" and "brag, brag, brag" going on in a cover letter. If you write a cover letter that only focuses on how great you are, recruiters are going to toss it.
Why? Because it's exactly like all the other cover letters they've read.
Think about it. Why should they think you're incredible when they've read hundreds of other cover letters saying other people are incredible, too?
If you want to stand out in the hiring process, you MUST have an attention-grabbing cover letter. This an important tool to have, and one that shouldn't be glossed over. In some cases, your cover letter can hold more power than your resume. That's huge, right?
Getting Personal On Your Cover Letter
Bigstock
Because the cover letter holds so much power, you need to know how to write one that stands out from the rest. One way to do that is to show a personal connection with the employer.
So, how exactly do you do that?
You can explain how you learned that what they do is special. Showing them that you personally connect with their brand will make you memorable.
Another thing you can do is tell them what it was like the first time you used their product or service. That also shows recruiters that you understand the company and that you believe in what they do.
Lastly, you can tell them about an overall life experience that helps you feel connected to their tribe. This shows that your values and beliefs align with theirs.
The big fact here is that the more personal the cover letter, the better! When you have a cover letter that really has recruiters at "hello," you know you have their heart AND their mind engaged.
Creating That Crucial Connection
Bigstock
The reason you want to get personal in your cover letter is because you want to create an emotional connection with a recruiter. Once you establish that connection, you're not just a piece of paper anymore.
This is what we at Work It Daily call a disruptive cover letter. Why? Because it disrupts the reader and gets them to snap out of autopilot mode and really think about who you are as a candidate.
The First Step When Writing A Disruptive Cover Letter
Bigstock
The first thing you need to do is watch a quick video tutorial on how to write this kind of cover letter. You're going to want to see specific examples so that you know how you should be writing them.
Step 2: Fill Out A Simple Template
Bigstock
You'll have a template that tells you where the beginning, middle, and end of your cover letter are, and what content should be where. This gives you a great foundation for how to fill out a cover letter properly.
Step 3: Submit That Cover Letter For Review
Bigstock
Once you're done with your amazing cover letter, have someone review it.
It's always good to have a second set of eyes on this, especially someone who understands cover letters, recruiters, and the hiring process. This person should be checking grammar, spelling, etc.
So, when all is said and done, how long should it take you to craft a disruptive cover letter? The average time is between one and two hours. That may seem like a lot of time, but think of it this way: once you've built a cover letter you know will grab a recruiter's attention, you'll be able to use that cover letter format for other job opportunities. You'll just have to tweak the content in your disruptive cover letter here and there to match the company and job you're applying to.
Does The Disruptive Cover Letter REALLY Work?
Bigstock
Here at Work It Daily, we know these disruptive cover letters work. We've seen hundreds of our clients write KILLER cover letters and get calls for their dream jobs!
So, wouldn't learning how to write your own disruptive cover letter be good for your career? If so, how much would it be worth?
All of us at Work It Daily personally believe that it's priceless.
Owning your career change or job search process is a powerful thing, and we believe you can take control of that process and do incredible things.
Need more help writing a disruptive cover letter recruiters will love?
Let's face it: job search can be challenging, and staying motivated during a frustrating job search can seem impossible sometimes. However, it's critical that you stay positive. Otherwise, you risk falling into a downward spiral, which will only make things worse.
So, how can you get past your job search struggles?
Here are some tips for staying motivated during a frustrating job search:
1. Find Things You Can Get Excited About
What gets you excited? Think about your hobbies and interests. What do you do for fun in your life? Make sure you dedicate at least one day a week to doing what you love. This will help you get your mind off of the negative and focus on the things you enjoy.
Looking for a job shouldn't take up all of your time. By customizing your resume for each position you apply for and writing disruptive cover letters, you won't need to spend hours a day sending your job applications to a dozen different employers. Two or three will do.
For a strategic job search, quality is always better than quantity. It also means you'll stay motivated, won't get burnt out, and still have time to do the things you love to do. Balance is key!
2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You
Bigstock
When you're feeling down in the dumps, it's important to surround yourself with positivity. Make an effort to meet up with positive influences in your life—your family, friends, significant other, and mentors. These people will help you stay on track.
Also, surround yourself with your "virtual mentors," people who inspire you from afar. Whether they're celebrities, successful business people, or authors, keep them "nearby." Read their books or showcase their inspirational quotes. A little inspiration can go a long way.
3. Help Others
Bigstock
Helping makes us feel good! If you're feeling bad about yourself, see how you can help someone else. Volunteer. Pay it forward. Give back somehow. This will recharge you and get you in a good mood.
Another way to help others is to provide value to your professional network, whether on LinkedIn or in person. Share articles, videos, or podcasts you find inspirational, informative, and insightful. Offer to help your connections in any way you can. Chances are, they will be more than happy to return the favor, and may refer you to an open position at their company.
Never help anyone with the expectation of receiving something in return, though! If helping others keeps you motivated and makes you feel grateful for what you do have, don't stop doing it while looking for a job.
4. Get Some Exercise
Bigstock
You've got to expel that negative energy! Make sure you take time to exercise daily. Take a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Lift weights. Just get GOING! Exercising equal endorphins and endorphins make you happy.
Not having structure can make your life seem unstable. Create a plan for your week on Sunday nights. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you like to-do lists, write one of those too.
You'll feel accomplished at the end of the week when you look back and see everything you got done while making time for yourself and prioritizing your career as well as your physical and mental well-being.
Staying motivated during a frustrating job search isn't easy. We hope these tips will help you find the motivation to not only land your next job but also improve your career.
When everything feels overwhelming, just remember to work it daily! Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Good luck out there.
Bigstock
Bigstock
