For some people, standing in front of a mirror can be an uncomfortable prospect!  But, mirrors give a highly undistorted view of what a person really looks like.  A mirror brings awareness!  Seeing oneself outwardly and inwardly from a truthful perspective is indicative of a self aware person.  An individual who is self-aware has been described as having the ability to know and understand their own character, feelings, motives and desires.

Sometimes in the field of employment, experience, education and skills top the chart in order of importance.  But what causes someone to stand apart from several applicants or employees having similar qualifications?    When an individual has a great sense of who they really are, the benefits are numerous.  But in regard to the work force, self awareness can greatly improve creating  great resumes, successful interviews, relational skills, team building, healthy management, and higher productivity.  This is because having a good sense of self gives one the ability to highlight their strengths, work on personal challenges, express their needs accurately, are more aware of how others operate, can take helpful critique, can focus better and so much more!

Many people feel they are very self aware.  Experience working with an individual who does not have a true sense of self can be very difficult.  It is usually evidenced by behaviors which contradict some sort of self proclamation.  For example, a person may say they are flexible, but consistently displays frustration over change or isn’t able to make something work with available resources, shuts down from the smallest difficulty or uses manipulation/methods of control in order to bring about their own desires.  They are unaware of their true inflexibility.  A self aware individual reflects truth in word and action.  The ability to become more self aware is possible by utilizing some simple practices.  Here are a few strategies for improving awareness.  

First, is to figure out what one’s values are. Necessary things and objectives frequently become priorities, but often feel draining and unfulfilling if they are not attached to what gives an individual meaning and purpose.  This is where values come in!  For example, one may have a goal of reaching a certain weight, but valuing health gives the goal purpose and added motivation. This differentiates goals from values.  Finding one’s values starts by observing those things that bring energy, fulfillment, a passion or sense of calling. What inspires action?  What feels true?  What is admirable about others?   Look up examples of values.  Which ones stand apart from others?  Take the time to write down a set of values and refer to them often when making decisions and setting goals.  Understanding values brings awareness to the inward passions and motivations important to one’s success.  It is essential in becoming more self aware.  

Another helpful tool for improving self awareness is asking for feedback.  Sometimes it is good to let others be the “mirror”.  Employment reviews are extremely beneficial.  Ask resume references for their help in identifying strengths as well as areas for growth.  A counselor can help utilize self assessment tools.   If taking critique hasn’t been a regular part of personal growth, start small and with a trustworthy person.  Ask a friend, relative or spouse questions that are not too deep or threatening.  Take the feedback well!  This is key!  Keep in mind ahead of time that personal critique of any kind will feel uncomfortable.  Trust the process of learning from hearing hard things.  It is not possible to be free from any weakness or challenge.  Listening to the input of others will validate strengths, but sometimes test one’s own perceptions, which makes it an important part of self awareness.

Next, try or learn something new.  Settling in to the lull of sameness can give a faulty sense of self.  Gaining a new skill or trying a new experience brings attention to the way one learns, problem solves, works with others and is also a safe way to receive feedback.  Learning brings awareness by forcing a person to think and behave in ways that are unfamiliar.  Seeing one’s self in new situations will bring new knowledge not only in experience and skills, but also insight into an individuals feelings, motives, and character.  By enjoying something new, one will not only benefit from increased knowledge, but also in personal awareness.  

There are other ways to become more self aware.  Every method involves observing.  Life will bring many opportunities for growth.  Use every experience as potential to gain a better understanding of one’s true self.  Looking in life’s mirror will produce the capacity for growth and success in every way!

Co-authoring this article, Ann Geisel, Limited Licensed Counselor and Jeff Geisel, HR Professional, live in Michigan where they enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline and all the beautiful nature that comes with it.

Remember the child’s toy that would bounce back upright after being punched or socked?  Sometimes called a “bop bag”, this toy is gives a visual example of resilience!  No matter how many times it gets hit, or as far over as it gets pushed, it always ends up standing.  Resilience, as a character quality in a person describes the ability one has to recover quickly from difficulty.  It is a mental toughness.  A person who is capable of “bouncing back” after going through tough experiences would be described as resilient.    

In life and in particular the workforce, resilience is not only beneficial, it is a necessity.  Today more than ever people are experiencing the personal stresses of job loss or rejection, changing work conditions, working from home, added responsibilities, health risks, and changes or loss of income.  The ability to keep going and push through these challenges is more important than ever!  And though some people seem to have an innate capability to bounce back, experts agree that becoming more resilient is a skill one can learn and improve upon. 

There are several ways to grow in the area of becoming more resilient.  One is to change your thinking.  Typically, on the other side of a difficulty, the first reaction is to self evaluate.  The brain has a way of saying what went wrong or why failure occurred in a negative way.  Keeping thoughts positive and changing negative thoughts can go a long way in standing back up after a knock down.  Didn’t get the job?  Use positive phrases such as “it isn’t RE-jection, it is DI-rection” or “where one door closes, another opens”.  Find a phrase or several that are meaningful and repeat them over and over in the mind or by writing them down.  Think about what they mean and how following those thoughts can make it possible to try again.  Empowering the mind in this way produces growth in resilience.

Another way to become more resilient is to practice self care.  Self care provides the means to take a step away from a difficult situation and do something healthy that improves well-being.  Bad day at the office or working from home?  Take a walk or meditate.  There are so many ways to practice self care!  Refer to the previous article “Pouring from an Empty Cup - How Self Care Should Be a Nonnegotiable”…for definitions and ideas.  When intentional self care is a regular part of health maintenance especially after a stressful experience, the ability to be resilient will grow.

Resilient people know their strengths and use them to recover more quickly from tough times!  This kind of strength is the part of resiliency that keeps going time and time again.  Like the “bop bag”, no matter how many knockdowns, they always come back standing.  More than likely life has had challenges all along the way.  And most certainly if a person is still standing, they have utilized  strengths and skills they may not know they possess!  One way of discovering strengths is to pay attention to stressful events for a period of time.  Answer some questions like, what thoughts and feelings were experienced?  What actions were taken to resolve the crisis?  Were those actions successful?  What lessons could be learned from the experience?  Working through this process with a mental health professional can make it most beneficial.  Learning the strengths one already possesses will go a long way in building resilience.

Though there are many ways to become more resilient, an important one is giving and receiving support.  In times of crisis, utilize support systems.  Religious organizations, spiritual practices, support groups, family and friends can provide huge amounts of strength in times of crisis.  People need people.  It works both ways.  Taking the focus off one’s own difficulties and providing support for others is a good reminder of what a person does have and that strength can be shared.  This builds resilience because it promotes help and hope.  Everyone has strengths.  Strength shared produces more strength and strength improves resilience.  

In times like these where it seems as though things are constantly changing, when every day seems to bring forth new challenges, becoming a person who can recover quickly will make living every day to its fullest potential possible.  Learn to bounce back and always land upright!

Co-authoring this article, Ann Geisel, Limited Licensed Counselor and Jeff Geisel, HR Professional, live in Michigan where they enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline and all the beautiful nature that comes with it.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “self care” before - especially lately during this unprecedented time in our country!  But what does it actually mean?  How is it beneficial?  And, how is self care practiced in the best way?

First, a good definition from the Oxford Dictionary states, “self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness or the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.”  This implies intentional action on the part of an individual to do things that make them feel better.  Self care includes all facets of health.  So, actions taken to promote health in every area of life would encompass one’s mind, emotions, physical, spiritual, social, financial, intellectual and environmental well being.  

Typical day to day living might include a combination of actions in the areas mentioned above.  So, what distinguishes something as self care? There are a few things that determine the difference between our normal every day activities and self care activities.  The first is the word “self”.    The idea is that whatever a person chooses to do, the focus is on one’s own well-being.  While activities might include being with others, like being part of a book club, participation in the group is something voluntary, and something that promotes happiness to the individual.  

Another factor distinguishing self care is the word “care”.   In this instance, the word care is used to describe one’s welfare, being kind, tending to, even protecting.  It is an action that is directed toward self as opposed to others.  And while this can also be accomplished in the company of others, the concept is still geared toward caring for one’s personal well-being.  

One of the most important ideas about practicing self care is that it is intentional and purposeful as opposed to being an obligation or responsibility.  There are many daily activities that may be enjoyable but are also done out of duty or commitment to others.  This includes jobs, family, friends, and even volunteering.  The mind is focused on benefiting others or fulfilling responsibilities rather than doing something for the sole purpose of personal enjoyment or refreshment. When change, unexpected events, seasons of struggle in relationships, financial difficulties, health issues, societal unrest are added to every day obligations, stress levels are increased.  Unhealthy amounts of stress cause a depletion of the body’s reserves and the ability to maintain good health.  

Health of the body, mind, and environment are necessary not only to maintain and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, but also for longevity!  One can do simple research to find the health benefits of reducing stress.  Self care as it has been defined here promotes health in every way by giving a person the opportunity to take intentional action to be kind to themselves.  In doing so, stress levels can be reduced.

So, what are the best ways to practice self care?  Ideally, self care activities are part of a preventative health care management plan.  But most often a person realizes the necessity of practicing self care when life gets to be overwhelming or too much to handle.  The great thing about self care is that it is beneficial regardless of what created the need.  The word “stop” is helpful when choosing a self care activity.  Simple Times Of Peace.  The best benefits of self care will be realized when one stops or breaks away from daily routine and takes the time to do something simple that brings peace.  Self care can be anything that purposefully brings peace and reduces stress.  As previously mentioned, most times these activities might be done alone such as listening to a podcast, going for a walk or exercising, taking a bath, getting hair done, meditating, listening to music.  However, self care can happen with others, such as sharing a new recipe, playing a sport, or joining a book club.  The key is stopping normal life “stuff” to do something for one’s self  that feels peaceful and promotes health.  A simple search of “self care ideas”  on line will provide suggestions for all kinds of self care practices.  

In these extreme times of change, loss, questions, and stress remember to STOP and take care of yourself.

Co-authoring this article, Ann Geisel, Limited Licensed Counselor and Jeff Geisel, HR Professional, live in Michigan where they enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline and all the beautiful nature that comes with it.

JOB SEARCHING THROUGH A PANDEMIC - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Job searching can be scary in and of itself, without having to also take in to account a global pandemic. Below are some tips: 

1. Be Strategic. Now might be the perfect time to look outside your industry if yours is being negatively impacted. For example, if you have spent the last decade as an operations manager in the tourism industry or have experience being an accounting manager for a retail chain, you might consider looking in to another industry. I have seen so many of my clients pigeonhole themselves (changed the sentence)  to working in the financial service sector and not being open to other industries. Being able to pivot in a time of uncertainty is what will set you apart. You have applicable experience, so leverage it!

2. Have a plan. Looking for a job while you have one, is less stressful than trying to find (and land) a job when you don’t have a pay check coming in. You are more likely to make a smart choice when  you know you have a few paychecks coming. You will interview better and you will be less stressed during the interview process. Trust me, most hiring teams will pick up on your nervousness.  You want to be the person who is calm and collected during the interview.
   Be smart, be honorable, but as Rachel Hollis would say, “don’t be dumb.”  If you are already in a situation where you do not have an income, you still need to have a plan. For both instances, we can help you create one.

3. Get your resume together. I remember when the housing bubble burst in 2008 and the impact it had for job seekers and hiring teams years later. Since then, it has changed the way recruiters review resumes.  If your resume is littered with misspellings but in your summary you say you have an attention to detail, that is an issue. If your resume has outdated information and looks like it hasn’t been update since 1995, that is an issue.  When companies post positions, you want your resume to stand out in a way that will separate you from the rest, in a manner that is impactful.

4. Flex your network. Make a list of those you have worked with in the past, include managers who you enjoyed working with before, previous co-workers who moved on to different opportunities, and reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn. Make your profile searchable on LinkedIn so when a recruiter is searching for your skillset, you will appear on their job search.

5. Practice interviewing. Interviewing is a skill and just like any other skill, if you don’t use it, you can lose it. I can tell you horror stories of candidates who have walked in to an interview with nothing prepared and bombing their interview on an epic scale. If you are working with a recruiter, they should prep you for the interview. If they don’t offer, ask them to set aside some time to go over some practice questions. A good recruiter will prep you for your interview. If they don’t, reach out and we can help. Role play some questions and have questions prepared to ask your interviewers.

6. Interview Technology- With COVID-19 sweeping the globe, many organization are moving towards phone interviews or online interviews. If you are doing an online interview, make sure you have downloaded the tools at least 2 days before your scheduled appointment to ensure the tools work. If it doesn’t, this will give you enough time to come up with a plan b. When you are on the phone interview or a conference call- stand up if you can, this will naturally put you in a better posture. And yes, dress professionally for the online interview- I have a client who only wore professional attire from the waist up only to learn that there was a reflection and the manager could see she was wearing neon shorts. Don’t be dumb.

While we are encouraging our clients to practice social distancing, some of them just can’t do that (Healthcare, for example). If you are asked to come onsite to interview during this pandemic- please ensure you are washing your hands, not touching your face and you are monitoring yourself for symptoms up to your interview and after your interview so you can limit your exposure. If you are showing signs of symptoms, please reschedule your interviews and follow CDC (www.cdc.gov) and WHO (www.who.int) guidelines. 

Please let Liberty Partners HR know how we can help you. The strategy just has to change, it doesn’t mean the game is over. 

Christine Coriaggio-Carter is the Managing Principal of Liberty Partners HR- a women own HR Consultant Company and Search Firm. She enjoys kayaking with her husband, all things HR and spending time with her dog, Liberty. 

As Recruiters, we have all have those days. You spend days scouring the internet, network groups, LinkedIn, friends of a friends and even twitter to find a slate of candidates for a very tough position; that one role that has been a thorn in your side.

You know the one, and it is literally the bane of your existence.

You finally find the candidates who will rock this role and you have them on the hook. You set the expectations with them that they are being pushed through to the next round. You have the most eloquently prepared summary outlining all of the candidates experience and showing how it perfectly aligns with the needs of the organization ready for the hiring manager to eat out of your hand. You are ready to set up next steps to ensure a great candidate experience. As you press send on the last message to the hiring manager telling them of the gold you have found, you get a chill because you can TASTE a placement. You are a recruiting god. You have curated the best candidates; You are ready to herd the cats and make a placement.

You follow up with a call to the hiring manager a few hours later because there isn’t an immediate response; but, no sweat. The next morning you send a follow up email and call again later in the afternoon. You send yourself a test email to make sure your email is, in fact, working. Suddenly, you feel a bit less confident, but you pull it back together and remember, after all, you are a recruiting god and surely, the hiring manager/team must be busy and its’ not because they are ghosting you.

The next morning you touch base with your slate of candidates, keeping them warm. You finally get a hold of the hiring manager and they say something along the lines of “I have been busy” or, my personal favorite, “I have a lot on my plate”. Yeah, George, we know. We are trying to help offload some of that work by providing you with great talent. Of course, you don’t say this, but you think it. You ask if they had a chance to review the resume and your perfectly written summary of your candidates experience and they reply with, “yeah, I’ll do that tonight and get back to you in the morning.”

Three days later, still no response from George. You get a message from one of your perfect candidates asking for an update and you respond back with all the warm fuzzies, stating they are still in process.

Seven WHOLE days after submitting candidates to George, there is still no response. You don’t want to appear too desperate and even though you are starting to worry. Seven days turns in to ten turns in two weeks, all the while, you send a follow up email consistently.

3 weeks later, George finally gets back to responding to you and wants to move forward with the next steps in the interview process. Being the recruiter you are, you have let George know on day 1, day 5, 7, 12 and 18 that these candidates are actively interviewing and their skill set is in high demand. But, George seems unfazed. You get back in touch with your candidates and two of the three are in the final stages of interviews with competing companies and 1 has an offer on the table. We are facing an uphill battle but we get 2 candidates onsite. The day of the interview, George has to cancel for a scheduling conflict.

Cue. The. Rage.

This story has played out time and time again across every type of industry, across every sized organization. Companies are losing out on fantastic talent because of the break down in  (read lack of) communication from hiring teams to the recruiters.

Hiring managers, you have to be the most invested person in filling your positions. Here is what every recruiter wishes you know and what you would do:

1. Provide us with timely feedback. Two days tops. In today’s market where there is a greater need for talent than candidates who are qualified with that skillset, availability can change very quickly. If you are going to be out of the office or on a project, either explain that to us on the front end, or delegate someone on your team who can make these decisions on your behalf.

2. Provide us with substantial feedback and be transparent with constructive feedback. Just saying, “not interested.” doesn’t qualified as substantial. Telling us the candidate doesn’t have the right skills set because they are too junior in specific areas (tell us what those are) will help us refine our process, ask better questions and ensure you are getting the right candidates.

3. If you are overwhelmed with options or other items on your plate- we understand! But tell us and let us help come up with a game plan. Is there someone on your team who can delegate this or something else too? Is there someone who can do a preliminary phone interviews? We are here to help you get creative.

4. Don’t be afraid to pull the trigger. When you find what you are looking for, stop looking. I once had a hiring manager string an extremely qualified candidate along for 90 days after an interview because “What if” someone else comes along who they will like better. Please don’t be that manager. The candidate was amazing and we ultimately made her an offer

The hardest days in a recruiter’s career is when you see talent go to work for a competitor. It should also be the saddest day in the hiring managers career, too. Engage with your talent acquisition team and take action on top talent. If you don’t, your competitor will.

Christine Coriaggio-Carter is the Managing Partner of Liberty Partners HR- a women own HR Consultant Company and search firm. She is a firm believer in finding the silver lining in all things.