Category: jobs

How Long Does It Take To Recruit a New Employee in 2024?

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Unsplash)

Unlock the secrets of modern recruitment: Discover tips for hiring new talent in 2024 and stay ahead in the competitive market.

In the dynamic landscape of recruitment, timing is crucial, employers constantly strive to minimise the time it takes to fill vacant positions while ensuring they find the best talent for their teams, and with the evolution of recruitment strategies and the integration of technology, the recruitment process has undergone significant changes in 2024. Similarly, it is really important to boost wellbeing at work and have strategies in place to support employees when you recruit and HR can assist with this.

Let’s explore how long it takes to recruit a new employee in the current landscape.

Streamlining the Recruitment Process

Traditional recruitment methods often involved time-consuming processes, including manual resume (CV) screening, multiple rounds of interviews, and lengthy decision-making cycles. However, in 2024, organisations are leveraging advanced technologies such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation tools to streamline the recruitment process.

These technologies enable recruiters to sift through large volumes of resumes efficiently, identify top candidates, and schedule interviews with ease, significantly reducing the time it takes to fill vacancies.

It’s also worth checking out places that offer temporary workers, for example, those in the medical or mental health field will be able to take advantage of services like physician recruiter companies who can give you talented and passionate staff on a short term basis.

Enhanced Candidate Sourcing

In today’s competitive job market, attracting the right people requires innovative candidate sourcing strategies; Employers are leveraging social media platforms, professional networking sites, and job boards to reach a wider pool of candidates and in doing so you can uncover some hidden gem candidates. You also want to make sure that you support your candidates, especially when you come to hire.

Additionally, employee referral programs and talent acquisition partnerships with educational institutions and industry organisations have become popular avenues for sourcing qualified candidates. By proactively engaging with passive candidates and building talent pipelines, organisations can expedite the recruitment process and reduce time-to-hire.

Virtual Recruitment and Remote Onboarding

The widespread adoption of remote work has transformed the recruitment landscape, paving the way for virtual recruitment processes and remote onboarding practices- in fact, in 2022, it is estimated that around 27% of the US workforce was working remotely and this is an upward trend that has been seen in the UK too.

Video interviews, virtual career fairs, and online assessments have become integral components of the modern recruitment process, allowing employers to conduct interviews and assess candidates from anywhere in the world. This can also be helpful to people with disabilities and mental health issues, to be able to interview from within their own home.

Agile Recruitment Strategies

In response to rapidly changing market dynamics and evolving needs, organisations are adopting agile recruitment strategies to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and talent requirements. Agile recruitment involves breaking down the recruitment process into smaller, manageable tasks, enabling recruiters to respond promptly to hiring demands and make data-driven decisions. By adopting an agile approach, organisations can reduce recruitment cycle times, improve candidate experiences, and maintain a competitive edge when recruiting new talent.

2024 is the Best Time to be Recruiting!

In 2024, the recruitment landscape continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, changing workforce dynamics, and the need for agility and efficiency.

While the time it takes to recruit a new employee may vary depending on factors such as industry, role complexity, and candidate availability, organisations are using innovative recruitment strategies and technologies to speed up the process and secure top talent in a competitive market filled with approximately 12 million Americans every month and millions in the UK.

It is also important to support the mental health and wellbeing of new employees through the recruitment stage to onboarding and beyond, to ensure they feel settled and can thrive in your business. HR can assist with this, as well as developing wellness plans when employees begin

By embracing virtual recruitment, agile methodologies, and metrics-driven approaches, organisations can reduce time-to-hire, improve candidate experiences, and achieve better recruitment outcomes in the dynamic and fast-paced world of talent acquisition (whilst embracing employee wellbeing).

This article was written by a freelance writer

5 Ways How Working Remotely Can Benefit Your Mental Health by Breanna Howell

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Kornel Mahl, Unsplash)

People are embracing working remotely; even tech companies are allowing their employees to decide whether they want to work from home indefinitely. There are several advantages of working remotely compared to working in offices, in person, but most importantly, remote work is valuable to your mental health. Here are five ways that working remotely can benefit your mental health.

1.   Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

When focusing on work, other aspects of life often end up neglected unless you have a healthy work-life balance. To be content and excited about work, employees also need leisure time to connect with their loved ones and pursue other talents and interests. Based on the time constraints, this becomes challenging with in-person work. Luckily, it is easier to find a balance when working from home; there is more time with family, and with proper management, more leisure time to pursue other interests.

If working conditions are more flexible, staff can find a healthy and effective work-life balance. Being able to work while still having a personal and social life makes them happier and improves their mental health. That is why more and more companies opt for time and attendance solutions to help their employees have a better work-life balance.

2.   Reduced Commute Stress

The daily commute is the least favourite part of a job for employees. Whether private or public transport, a lot of time is spent on the roads and you have to deal with traffic and overcrowding as everyone is in a hurry to get to their workplace. Thanks to remote work, you don’t have to worry about waking up early to beat traffic; simply prepare and start your day. You even have more time to establish an effective morning routine.

Commuting daily can take a toll on you, making you anxious and increasing your stress. You have to wake up early every day and deal with other people rushing to get to work on time. Working from home gives you a reprieve, allowing you to rest, have a good night’s sleep, and avoid traffic and congestion, which is a win for your mental health.

3.   Customisable Work Environment

With the traditional work setup, you get a designated space at the office, work with the same people, and have the same routine daily. You can also get interrupted by colleagues or have managers looking over your shoulders. The monotony and lack of freedom can negatively affect your outlook on life, sometimes even making you indifferent towards your job. Imagine working in your living room, your favourite cafe, or on the seafront. Being able to customise your space makes remote work exciting because it is not predictable; you can finally look forward to the day.

The power to control where and when you work makes you more productive because you are more relaxed and excited about your day. You can customise your workspace however you want, and that makes you happy and fulfilled, which is recommended for your mental health.

4.   Increased Autonomy

One of the advantages of working from home is that the staff gets the freedom to structure their day. Everyone knows what works best for them and can easily decide when and where they are more productive. Instead of a strict and stressful routine, you get the flexibility to choose, which has a massive positive impact on your work and overall well-being.

Autonomy allows you to prioritise the important while scheduling other activities that matter to you. Having control gives you peace of mind, calms you down, and makes you more productive, positively impacting your mental health.

5.   Opportunities For Healthier Habits

Between the daily commutes and extended office hours, there is little or no time for exercising, cooking, and eating healthy meals. Establishing a morning exercise routine becomes challenging, and many rely on calorie-rich snacks to help get them through the day. Fortunately, working from home gives you enough time to work out, cook proper meals, and develop healthier habits.

Eating healthy and exercising have a positive and lasting impact on your mental health. Being healthier can (along with other medical treatments) help issues like depression, ADHD, anxiety, memory loss, insomnia, and other illnesses that affect your productivity.

Conclusion

High stress levels are common in the workplace. There is quite a lot to deal with, from hectic daily commutes to strict schedules and a lack of time to pursue other interests and connect with loved ones. Before all these take a toll on your mental health, it is crucial to consider working from home. This way, you don’t have to worry about commuting, and you can customise your work environment and lead a healthy, happy life.

Breanna Howell is the public relations specialist at Claremont Diamonds living her dream of promoting positive public awareness of the company. As a freelance blogger and mom of two millennials, she’s also passionate about providing inspiration and support to everyone on their journey to a fantastic marriage.

This article contains a non sponsored link.

How Companies Can Help Their Employees Avoid Burnout.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(Image: Etienne Girardet: Unsplash)

Most modern workers are stressed out, with stress taking a toll on their relationships, sleep, and health, eventually affecting their work productivity. Add to that are the pandemic, job losses, and feeling isolated for those working remotely. 

Remember, employees are the backbone of a company. Without them, a company cannot function as it is. As an employer, you should not ignore their sense of well-being. While you cannot entirely alleviate stress, you can do some things to help minimise them. Here are some ways companies can help their employees avoid burnout.


  1. Prioritise Workplace Wellness 

Wellness should be a priority in every workplace, and there are many ways employers can make wellness a priority. Start by offering a quiet place for employees to unplug, meditate, and relax for a few minutes. A short break from work is one of the most effective ways to manage, fight, and eliminate workplace burnout. Encouraging your employees to take a short break can reduce unwanted stress that could affect their focus and hinder productivity.

Investing in a few aesthetics to improve the office environment is another way to invest in the well-being of employees. Instead of the usual dull white walls, put a splash of bright colour to positively impact the mood of your employees. Furnish the space with inviting chairs, plants, and beautiful pictures to establish a relaxed and carefree environment. 

In those days of high stress due to increasing workload, encourage employees to take a mental health day that can combat burnout. It’s a day to take a break from work and minimise work commitments and responsibilities. They can use this short break to focus on relaxing, relieving stress, and having fun, which are the most effective ways to prevent workplace burnout.


  1. Know How to Spot the Signs 

As an employer, you should be aware of how to spot the signs that your employees are stressed or suffering from burnout. While not everyone has this ability, you will find some great online courses about Safeguarding to help you determine the signs of a struggling employee, which may be related to workplace burnout or other factors. Whether work-related or not, employers should be aware of any employee suffering from burnout.

Some of the most common signs your employees are stressed include missed deadlines, decreased productivity, reduced work quality, procrastination, and lack of interest. Remember that failing to address workplace burnout can quickly cost your company money. The lower the productivity, the higher the percentage of profit you’ll lose.

Social withdrawal is another common sign of a stressed employee. It typically means a reluctance to participate in workplace activities and wanting to stay alone instead of mingling with co-workers. Workers suffering from social withdrawal often love to argue and cause chaos in the workplace. You can address the situation by talking to the employee, listening to complaints, and making the employee feel valued through rewards and incentives.


  1. Encourage Teamwork 

Another way companies can help employees prevent burnout is to encourage teamwork. Several studies have shown that it can positively affect the quality of work, productivity, and job satisfaction. Co-workers can serve as an essential line of emotional support for struggling employees. They understand how everyone feels at work and can help each other deal with stress.

One of the reasons teamwork can help prevent burnout is it can serve as a welcome distraction. If an employee is stressed due to reasons outside work, being part of a team can be a good distraction from these stresses. When surrounded by others, you can absorb their energy. So, if you’re feeling sad, you can be uplifted by the generally happier circumstances surrounding you, leaving you feeling better.

Thus, one of the roles of managers is to develop a work environment where people are happy to help and work with one another. An effective manager can establish a committed and highly cohesive team, encourage teamwork, and communicate frequently with everyone, welcoming their thoughts and ideas, regardless of differences.


  1. Maintain Communication

Companies must find ways to prevent burnout for employees with specialist roles, such as software developers, so they will not lose these team members. To help retain software developers and other vital positions, burn out prevention is essential. One of these is proper communication, which is even more essential for remote workers with specialist roles. Working from home has many benefits but could exacerbate burnout in some employees.

Proper communication with the team can also mean listening to work-related problems. Listening is essential in every situation, but many managers feel as though they are great in this area. Unfortunately, only a few managers prioritise frequent communication with employees. Studies show that employees with managers happy to communicate and listen to their work-related problems are 62% less likely to become burned out. 

If employees find that their managers are willing to communicate with them, they will feel at ease since their managers genuinely care about them. The most effective companies are those that demonstrate they value the employees by investing in them through time, attention, and communication. They value employees, celebrate their achievements, schedule performance discussions, and show respect to their employees.


  1. Create Reasonable Workloads 

If employees deal with an incredible workload, they will always have to play catch-up. It can cause them to become overworked, often the main reason behind workplace burnout. Pre-empting your team’s workload is one of the best ways to prevent them from getting overworked, and this is especially true for companies with unpredictable workloads.

Using workload forecasting tools is one way to pre-empt your team member’s workload. These tools rely on historical data and AI algorithms to determine the amount of workload at a specific time frame. Knowing the reasonably accurate estimate of a team’s workload can help companies evenly distribute workload, preventing workplace burnout. 

Workload forecasting can also help to ensure that a workplace is not overstaffed or understaffed and that the team will always remain productive. Companies should also encourage managers to monitor employee productivity and performance. If they notice that performance is slipping down, it could indicate that such a particular employee is stressed and needs help.

If an employee becomes burnt out and needs help with their mental health, you can encourage them to reach for support. Consider also putting in place workplace counselling services too. Wellbeing in the workplace is extremely important and making sure your employees avoid burnout, taking care of their mental and physical health so they can be more productive, healthier and happier.

This article was written by a freelance writer.

6 Tips To Keep Your Morale High While Job Hunting by Rachelle Wilber

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

Job hunting is never easy, and it can be especially challenging in this current climate. With more people competing for fewer jobs, the pressure to find a job can really take its toll on your mental health and morale. But there are steps you can take to help keep your spirits up during your job search. Here are six tips to help you maintain a positive outlook while job hunting. 

Maintain Your Physical Health 

Ensure you eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself physically will give you the energy and strength you need to stay motivated throughout your job search process. Plus, the dopamine you get from exercising helps stabilise your mental health. 

Set Realistic Expectations 

Setting goals for yourself when job searching is important, but it’s also important to set realistic expectations for what you want out of the process. Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and disappointment when things don’t go as planned. Keeping realistic timelines, salary goals, and more in check will help you in this process. 

Stay Connected with Friends and Family 

Reaching out to friends and family during your job search can provide much-needed support and helpful advice from those who know you best. Staying connected with people who care about you will boost your morale and remind you that people in your corner are rooting for you. 

Develop Networking Skills 

Networking is key when it comes to finding a new job, so focus on building strong relationships with those in your industry or field. You never know who might have connections or insights into potential opportunities that could be perfect for you. Attend conventions, group meetups, or whatever is available to you to further your network. 

Stay Organised 

Keeping track of all the applications, resumes, emails, interviews, etc., can be overwhelming at times. Make sure you stay organized throughout the process by creating systems that work for you. This could include keeping notes in documents, making spreadsheets tracking your progress, or whatever works for you. Having things in order will help reduce stress levels associated with searching for a new job significantly. 

Take Breaks 

While it’s important to remain focused on finding a new position, taking some time off every now and then is essential as well – even if it’s just one day per week where all you do is relax and enjoy some much-needed “me time.” Taking regular breaks from the search allows time for reflection which may lead to fresh ideas and perspectives on how best to tackle the next step in your journey. 

Searching for a new job can be stressful at times, but these six tips should help keep your spirits high. Remember that taking care of yourself physically, setting realistic expectations, staying connected with friends/family members, developing strong networking skills, staying organised, and taking regular breaks should put up in good stead throughout this journey – so don’t give up. 

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer.

Stuck in a Rut? Try These 4 Things by Dixie Somers

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments
(image: Lina Trochez, Unsplash)

It’s not uncommon to find yourself feeling as if you’re stuck in a rut, especially if you haven’t made any major changes in your life in a while. Right now, it might not feel like there is anything you can do to get yourself out. However, trying one or more of these things might just help you start pulling yourself in a more positive direction. 

Go Back to School (College/Uni)

You might have never seriously considered going back to school. However, it could be just what you need to do in order to pull yourself out of a rut. For example, if you always wished that you could earn a degree but never did so, you might find that going back to school and earning your degree will help you change your life for the better. 

Look for a Better Job 

One of the reasons why you might feel as if you’re stuck in a rut could be because your current job is not right for you. You might not be making enough money with your current job, or you simply might dread going to work every day because you don’t like what you do for a living. Whether you look into securing a promotion at your existing job so you can make more money and feel more professionally fulfilled, or if you look for a completely different job in a completely different industry, this could just be the major change that it’s time for you to make. 

Go to Therapy 

Going to therapy, whether individual therapy or group therapy, could prove to be the right choice for you. You’ll get a chance to talk to people who aren’t biased and who won’t judge you. They might help you think about things differently so you can figure out what you need to do to get out of your rut. A good therapy group will be understanding, dependable, and safe for you to turn to. 

Make Changes to Your Home 

Having a nice, comfortable home is very important to your overall happiness. Consider sprucing up your home with new decorations or making other similar changes. Then, you might just find that you are more comfortable at home than ever, and you might come up with new projects for the home and elsewhere that might help you get out of your rut. 

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut right now, you shouldn’t give up on the idea of taking things in a more positive direction. Instead, try these options, and you might find that they will help. 

This article was written by freelance writer Dixie Somers, who is based in the USA.

Guest Post by UnitedMind Laughter Yoga: How to get the most out of your Job and Wellbeing.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

healthcom
(image:health.com)

Being unhappy at work isn’t just ‘one of those things’ you need to put up with, even in today’s society where hating your job can seem to be glorified. You don’t have to be incredibly passionate about your industry or role to still enjoy coming in (although it helps if you do love it!) , and there are a few tips and tricks that can help transform that negative outlook into a positive one.

Have a carrot at the end of a stick

Spending your time at a job you don’t like is always going to be stressful, so we recommend thinking about the carrot at the end of your stick when you’re staying late or having a busy day. What are you saving for? What are you looking forward to? You might not care about the company you’re doing the work for, but you will care about the dream you’re putting the money towards.

There’s nothing wrong with working a job for the pay check; we all need a roof and food. However, if you really want to start genuinely enjoying your job more, we recommend trying to get more out of it than just a pay slip at the end of the month; or at least get more out of that pay slip.

Get pleasure out of purpose

In Happiness by Design, Paul Dolan speaks about how we derive pleasure from purpose, and this is directly important to how we should approach work. Doing the bare minimum isn’t great for the company or team you work in, and “just enough” will start to mentally make you feel inadequate. Inadequacy usually leads to anxiety,  and sometimes you feel awful. You  then a cocktail for a terrible working environment and for your own wellbeing.

Instead, you should try hard at your job , as long as it is not affecting your health. Positive peer reviews and promotions can reward the work you put in, which will make you feel more positive, and that positivity can snowball from there into something considerable.

Hard work and happiness breed confidence, so even if you still don’t like the place where you work, there’s nothing stopping you from taking this new found conviction to go and land a job you will love. Sometimes a fresh start is all you need.

Turn your co-workers into friends

Walking in to an office full of people that you don’t know and aren’t friendly with can make work a lonely experience. However, if you socialise with your co-workers and make an effort to speak to them, then you might even start looking forward to work because you’ve got Emma that you can speak to about the match at the weekend or David who you can chat with about the latest episode of your favourite show.

We recommend, even if it means leaving your comfort zone, that you go to as many work outings as you can. Drinks after work are always good at making everyone feel more comfortable around each other, but even going to something like a light yoga session at lunch could be the start of a routine to bring you and your colleagues closer together.

A nod and smile in the hallway is, relatively speaking, a small gesture – but it can make a workplace seem so much more welcoming.

You and your space

If you have a desk, something as small as tidying it can do a lot to change your mind set. If you have papers and rubbish all over your work space, you will start to feel cluttered and swamped; physically and mentally. The process of throwing away everything you don’t need can feel very relieving and almost like a detox.

Personalising your work space can also help make work more enjoyable. A picture of a loved one, a little happy picture/ object or even a plant you can look after all help make your area feel yours; we can forget how important individuality is sometimes.

This article was provided by the team at United Mind, who provide laughter yoga for those that want to have a little fun while improving their mental and physical health. Thanks also to Jack Bird.

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