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5 Tips to Improve Your Recruitment Process

You’ve come to the conclusion that you need to review your recruitment process. You’re engaging candidates but they don’t go the full distance – some drop out prior to the interview whilst others interview but don’t accept the job you’re offering.

Even if you have recruited people successfully in the past, today’s environment means that skills are harder to come by and the competition for good people is having a detrimental effect on your ability to bring staff on board. When you get recruitment right, your dreams for the future growth of your business can be realised. Get it wrong and it can be a nightmare for you and your employees. Recruiting staff should be seen as a major investment but sadly, we sometimes see more thought put into selecting a new piece of plant or machinery than employing the right individual to join your team.

Refined recruitment processes are efficient, productive and pleasant for both candidates and hiring businesses. With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy hiring checklist that will ensure that you’ve done the groundwork necessary to minimise candidate dropout when you’re recruiting, allowing you to follow a streamlined recruitment process for long-term success.

1. Create and share a clear job description and person spec

You might be surprised how often we get feedback from people that the job they thought they were applying for was very different from the requirements made of them once they had started. This mismatch between the expectation of the job and the reality is often why new recruits leave after a few weeks or months – putting together a clear job description and person specification is key in any successful recruitment process.

Prior to talking to people, make sure you are absolutely clear about the job you want the individual to do and what a good day will look like. When it comes to reviewing performance (making the decision on whether someone has passed their probation or needs to have a more formal discussion), you need to have clear measures documented in order that both parties know where they stand. This negates any surprises and allows for a more successful working relationship.

Think through what type of person you want to hire and what skills are required. Skills are, of course, essential in some areas. However, we’d also recommend thinking about the person “fit” too – what type of culture you have and any changes you want to make moving forwards. What type of behaviours do you want to see? Being really clear on this will make it so much easier to recognise the traits you want when recruiting and hiring new candidates.

Getting all of these things clear in your mind before going out to market is essential. A bad hire is expensive for you and your team (not to mention the individual), and being really clear on who you want can minimise mistakes early on in the hiring process.

2. What are you offering?

We can sometimes forget the fact that we have free parking, free soft drinks, teas and coffees, that we get together on a regular basis or have developed a competitive commission scheme. Have a think about the package you can offer to a prospective employee and ensure that it’s clearly defined. If you offer more than the standard 28 days holiday, this should be included, as well as free access to the gym and fruit in the kitchen. All of this is, of course, in addition to the salary to be offered, pension contributions and any performance-related pay. Look at the whole package and ensure that it’s competitive. Doing some market research is invaluable prior to talking to people.

3. Who will undertake the recruitment process?

Has the person who will be recruiting got the right skillset? We see numerous examples of the interviewer giving a really poor image of the business, asking inappropriate questions, making candidates wait or not turning up to interview themselves.

Things you need to consider when deciding on who should carry out the recruitment and interview process include:

A good candidate should undertake some homework prior to attending the interview and there may be things you’d like them to explore in preparation. Be clear on what you expect from them; advising them of the process for selection, who will be in attendance and anything you’d like them to prepare will give you a head start in understanding if they are engaged with working for your business.

Although candidates can get a feel for the business by checking out your website, socials or company news, the interview remains an important measure whereby a candidate can judge whether you are the right fit for them. Remember that the recruitment process is a two-way street, a candidate is assessing you, just as much as you are assessing them.

4. Make a job offer

Recruiting good people is key to the future success of any business. Happy employees lead to happy customers and a healthy growing business. Never be caught in the trap of hiring the best of a bad bunch – take your time and plan to find the best possible fit.

Once you have made a decision, be decisive. Good people have options and won’t wait around if you dither about making an offer. Whether the offer is made face-to-face or over the phone, you will need to confirm details in writing.

Don’t forget to communicate with those candidates that haven’t been successful. Better that they are telling their network that they were impressed by you and your business, rather than they are glad they weren’t offered a job!

5. It doesn’t stop there

Ensuring you have an all-encompassing onboarding process for training (and the softer side) is key to a successful recruitment process. Have a think through the following in preparation for a start date to ensure that your new member of staff feels engaged and welcomed:

All being said, it’s important that if you do lose a candidate during or after the recruitment process, you keep your head held high and start again. There are great candidates out there for your business and you will find them. If you lose a candidate, for whatever reason, it’s so important not to tar the next candidate with the same brush. Keep looking. We often find that the person you may have had concerns over, morphs into the person you want, right in front of your eyes.

If you would like to know more about how the First Base team can help you to recruit staff and make your recruitment process for both you and potential candidates, please give us a call on 01453 755 330 and speak to one of our friendly team.

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

This time last year I certainly did not envisage 2020 playing out the way it did for thousands of companies and for many, the full extent of the pandemic came as a complete (and prolonged) shock. Our first concern was, of course, the spread of the virus and looking after our people’s health. For many of us, this has now settled down as we know our teams are safe, staying inside and are successfully adapting to remote working life. Now that we are in 2021, our understanding of the virus has somewhat changed and the vaccine provides hope that we will return to some form of normality.

Most organisations we have spoken have had to make decisions over the last year which they could not have foreseen. Many have utilised this time to review their forecasts, look at streamlining where possible and putting plans in place to grow, as we begin to return to some form of normality.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting some helpful tips to continue to help you through this challenging time.

 

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

To help business through the pandemic the Government created the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows employers to Furlough their staff in return for 80% of peoples wages*, up to a maximum of £2,500 and was further extended until the end of April 2021.

If you currently have staff on Furlough, one of the best ways to retain your employees is to continue to communicate and check in on them from a well bring perspective. Check-in and remind them that you are available for support and advice if they ever require it. You could provide them with well-being tips such as healthy eating, exercising regularly and the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family. You could also direct employees to external sources of support such as Charity Mind, the Mental Health UK Website Headspace and Future Learn. 

We also have some great blogs on our website that may help around identifying and managing stress.

 

Communicating with your staff during Furlough will help you identify any issues that they may be facing and help them through this difficult time. A good communication strategy will also minimise the risk of losing members of your team due to any perceived lack of engagement.  Surprisingly, we have continued to see a high degree of movement in the market as people continue to look for alternative employment.

David Thomason, Hospitality Business Manager

 

*Now excluding NI and AE contributions.

How to Stop Candidates Dropping out of the Hiring Process

A man proposing to a woman with an engagement ring in a red velvet box. The woman is holding up her hand as a refusal
Why do some relationships just not work?

 

Have you ever had someone back out of a job offer? 

Often, you may not discover that your new recruit has dropped out of the hiring process until a couple of weeks before their start date or worse, on their first day, when they just don’t turn up! This can cause all sorts of issues including the time and resources spent on the interview process, discussions with teams surrounding a plan for onboarding and the purchase of tech or a vehicle.

Most candidates will have a notice period and therefore may have a gap of a month or more, between accepting a job offer and their first day in the role. For more senior roles, a realistic notice period could be up to three months.

Keeping in touch with your new recruit is key to ensuing your candidate doesn’t drop out of the recruitment process. Regular communication between making an offer and their start date is often overlooked, but this key strategy can prevent any disappointing news in the future and beginning the process again. We call this maintaining the motivation to move – this can quickly diminish if comms are stopped altogether.

A lot can happen in a month. Think about how quickly things moved in 2020! 

People change their minds and sometimes they are just too nervous to let you know. As a recruitment agency we are now finding an increasing trend in candidates declining offers, that they had previously accepted. Applicants may be at risk of redundancy and therefore panicking about both their financial situation. This is resulting in job seekers making quick decisions to accept an offer that may not actually be the right fit for them. An increasing number are being counter offered by their current employer as a result of changes happening fast, or backing out of a role if they accept a better offer.

Working with a good recruitment agency can help prevent candidates dropping out between the offer and start date as, ultimately, good recruiters want to find you the right candidate from the get go – they don’t want to be looking for a replacement a few weeks down the line. 

Your recruiter will qualify applicants in a series of communications over time.  I recently had an experience where, having spoken to a candidate several times, alarm bells started to ring.  I’ve been doing this a long time and my gut instinct is spot on. I spoke to my client to raise my concerns and together, we decided on a course of action which included agreeing on a timescale and keeping other candidates close by should we need them. As it turned out the candidate, as predicted, dropped out and took another job role where, perhaps, no such diligence was applied. We dodged a bullet.

By maintaining contact you really can ascertain any problems early on and protect your business from being on the back foot.

I suggest keeping in touch at least once a week; this could be a courtesy email to check they have received their contract and see if they have any questions, or a video call to explain what their first day will be like. Let’s face it, their first day probably isn’t going to be the same as it would have been this time last year and this will open up a conversation to cover off any concerns or questions. If you don’t receive a response don’t worry initially, however, make sure you follow up and have a plan B just in case. 

Once your job offer is accepted don’t just sit back and wait. From my experience, communication with your new recruit, right up to their first day is hugely important.

Lilly Chappell, recruiting into the office environment at all levels.

6 Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search

Staying motivated in a frustrating job hunt can be extremely difficult for anyone. How is it though, when faced with a challenge or adversity, that some people seem to get stuck and unable to move on, whilst others seem to bounce back from difficult events much more quickly than others?

Psychologists have long studied the ability to ‘bounce back’ even when the odds seem stacked against us and have come up with a label you may be familiar with: resilience.

Resilience is about knowing how to cope in spite of setbacks, barriers or limited resources. Resilience is a measure of how much you want something and how much you are willing and able, to overcome obstacles to get it. We are all equipped to be resilient, but it is a personal skill that needs to be worked on and developed.

So, what can you do to stay motivated while searching for job?

Develop resilience

There is a tendency to view a job search solely as a means to an end.  Conduct a job search, go through an application process and get a job.  Landing a job is of course the primary purpose of a job search, but there are a host of benefits that we can gain from facing the challenges of difficult times. 

Immersing yourself fully in a job search allows you to develop a range of skills that have the potential to expose you to opportunities you never imagined.  Resilience is a skill that comes in handy during a job search as you are pretty much guaranteed to face multiple setbacks. It is also a skill in high demand by employers.

Luckily, the job search process itself can help you develop resilience. Success in a job search, and in day to day life, comes from our ability to pick ourselves up and move quickly past disappointments. This may sound daunting, but there are some simple strategies that you can implement to build on your resilience levels.

Be proactive in your job search

Re-energise

Looking for work can be emotionally and physically draining. Find something you enjoy doing and make time every day to do it. Don’t become a ‘couch potato’ or allow you routine to be built around day time TV.  Eat well and exercise. Allow your brain some time to switch off,  revive itself and get back to the task with more energy.

Watch your language

Our brains are hard-wired to think the worst and to notice the bad.  It’s why bad news sells newspapers. Resilient people recognise that the words they use can have a huge impact on their mood, their job hunting productivity and their ability to make the best impression.

It’s too easy to tell yourself that there are no jobs or that ‘I’m not going to get the job” when you make an application or get an interview. The problem is that the words we use are followed by actions, or in the case of negative words, inaction. “I can’t” leads to not trying and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Changing the words we use can have an immediate and positive effect.  Just a simple “I can do this” will have an impact on your actions and performance.

Learn to handle rejection

A job search in normal times can mean you will receive more rejections than offers. Be realistic. If you send out 100 speculative CVs you are likely to receive a very high level of rejection and rejection on that scale can feel demoralising.

Try to apply for roles where you feel you would be a good match with your skills and experience and that you would actually accept if offered.

Remember that job offers are sometimes made on the smallest of details.  Failing to get a second interview or a job offered is never a personal attack or a suggestion that you have some fatal flaw.  You just didn’t win this time, so dust yourself off and look for the next opportunity.

Ask for feedback

Resilient people are always learning.  They want to do better next time so actively seek feedback from interviewers and their recruitment consultants. Rebounding from setbacks isn’t easy even for the most positive of people. Fortunately, resilience is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time.

Although job searching can seem tough, you can take comfort in the fact that at the end of it, you will not only end up with a job, but you will have developed life skills and skill set that employers value.  Overcoming setbacks gives you the confidence needed to pursue alternate avenues, and to open those doors that were temporarily closed to you. We all have something to offer that someone else wants.

The team here at First Base is always here to help. If you want advice or support to help you find the job you are looking or just someone to talk to about finding work, please contact us on 01453 755 330 via enquiries@first-base.co.uk or via our chat function at www.first-base.co.uk.

Beware the job scammers

Every day there are more media reports about the increase in organised crime and fraudsters exploiting our increased dependency on using internet based services during the Covid crisis.

With an increase in people looking to change career or find a new job following redundancy, job seekers are not immune from fraudsters and are being increasingly targeted by unscrupulous scammers with the lure of fake jobs.

Fraudsters use fake jobs for many reasons; to gain financial reward by tricking job seekers into parting with cash upfront, to steal personal information such as bank or identity details or even to use malware to steal money straight from people’s bank accounts. In the last few months there have been a number of high profile cases in the news including Shell issuing a global warning after fraudsters used their brand logo in an attempt to scam job seekers desperate to find work.

Some recent scammers have even been undertaking virtual interviews over Zoom. People have been finding that the ‘interview’ is only cursory, a job offer is made and the subject quickly turns to requests for some sort of advance payment to secure the role. Subsequent contacts from the company or individuals apply more pressure to send money.  Some companies that have been closed down by the authorities often continue their scam under another name.

What to look for:

Fake job offers tend to have things in common. They:

Scammers advertise fake jobs:

What to do:

Firstly be aware that there are job scams out there and make sure you properly research any individual or company who seem to be making the recruitment process too easy.  Be suspicious of job adverts with generalised job descriptions and little detail about the company, job or qualifications required.

Don’t make advance payments to secure a job or training; no genuine employer or recruitment agency will ever ask for money up front.

Work with an established and trusted recruitment agency that can demonstrate a proven track record and history.

If you suspect that a job you have been asked to apply for is fake or you would like to know more about how to protect yourself during your job search contact First Base on 01453 755330

Adapting to the recruitment processes of 2020

The world has changed in 2020 and there has been a big impact on when, how and if employers recruit.  On the upside, many employers are recruiting and some sectors and businesses are thriving, on the downside, some industries have been hit so hard they may take years to recover.  The world of work is changing and there is no going back to the old normal.

Employers are having to adapt and change, to innovate and find new markets just to survive. They need good candidates who understand that they too need to respond to today’s reality.

Our recent experience of recruiting for clients and for a new role here at First Base has highlighted the simple truth that many people who say they are looking for work are not demonstrating to potential employers that they are the best people for the job.  Just like employers are having to learn fast how to adapt, job seekers are going to have to learn fast too. We are way past the time when you can simply send out dozens of CVs and expect a reply, let alone an interview, face to face or Zoom.

Over the coming weeks, the First Base team will be sharing a series of blogs to help you to prepare for your job search, how to stand out, what you can do when between jobs, how to interview and how to stay positive.

If you have any questions or need help to find a job now or in the near future, contact us on 01453 755330 or get in touch through our FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram accounts. The First Base team is ready and eager to help.

Video Interview Tips: Tips for a Successful Interview

The use of video interviews has soared during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being around for many years, the reliance on video platforms is a fairly new phenomenon for many businesses and candidates. While interviewing from home can create an element of uncertainty, it’s important to remember the basics of any in person or telephone interview. These resources can help, should you get stuck:

Telephone Interview Tips

22 Tips for Making a Great Impression At Your Next Interview

What do Employers Want?

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

How to Answer The Tell Me About Yourself Question

If you haven’t taken part in a video interview before, you can expect it to become a normal step in the recruitment process for more and more job roles in the future. Whether it’s new to you, or it’s been while since you last took part in one, this First Base video interview guide will familiarise you with what to expect from a video interview, what to wear, body language, eye contact and some technical tips.

5 Video Interview Tips to Remember

Preparation is key

While you don’t need to worry about getting caught in traffic, it’s important you find a quiet location with a good internet connection. Ensure your computer, tablet or laptop has a webcam that works and the audio input/output mic is correct. If you have children or family at home, you will find interviewers are more understanding than usual – they may be in exactly the same situation!

What you will need:

•  An internet connection with a speed of at least 1 megabits per second
•  A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam, a tablet or smartphone.
•  Headphones with a built-in microphone or headphones and a separate microphone (there may be one on your device – check)
•  Ideally a quiet, private and well-lit place where you won’t be interrupted by other people, pets or noises.

Note:  When we have our ‘normal’ lives back – try to avoid coffee shops and other communal spaces.

Position your webcam so that you have a neutral background that’s free from distractions and is angled level with your face.  That ‘up nose’ look we are seeing a great deal of on the TV news interviews, isn’t a great one! Remember to close unnecessary apps that might slow down your connection or interrupt you.

If the employer is using their own video software provider you will be sent a link to join the interview at a pre-arranged time.  As for any interview – don’t be late!  If you will be using a personal Skype or Google account, make sure that you have a professional username and check your privacy settings.  If you have any concern about whether your username is professional enough, you may want to set up a new account for your video interviews just in case.

Be prepared for pre-recorded questions

Sometimes an employer might use pre-recorded questions that you will have to answer during your video interview.  In this format, position your webcam so that you have a neutral background that’s free from distractions.

Instead of being connected with a person, you’ll be prompted to answer interview questions that have been pre-recorded or appear in writing on the screen.  You record your answer to each question and the employer will review the recording later.  There is often a time limit for your answers, and you may be given more than one chance to record each answer.

The pre-recorded format can feel unnatural.  Try to imagine that you are speaking directly to a real person.  Preparation for this type of interview will be especially useful and make sure you anticipate what questions you will be asked and have your answers ready.

Dress for the occasion

For your video interview, you should dress professionally, as you would for a face to face interview.  Research the company culture before your interview so you have a good idea of what’s appropriate.
To look your best on camera, avoid bright colours and patterns, opt for softer colours instead.  If you are wearing a tie or scarf, wear a solid colour rather than a patterned one.  If you wear glasses, adjust the lighting in the room to reduce glare from the lenses and be aware of any reflections.

Position the camera so that you are looking up slightly and centred on the screen.

Have positive body language

Eye contact is very important during an in-person interview and you want to convey that same level of connection during a video interview.  Avoid the temptation to look directly at your interviewer on the screen while you’re answering a question.  Instead, when you speak, direct your gaze towards the webcam.  When you do this, your eyes are more likely to align with the interviewer’s eyes on the other end.  When you are listening, look back at the screen.

Throughout the interview, it is important to keep your mood upbeat and convey enthusiasm with your body language.  Good posture will help.  Sit in your chair with your back straight and your shoulders open. Feet should both be planted on the floor, resting your hands in your lap or on the desk.

When you’re listening, nod and smile when appropriate to communicate that you’re giving them your full attention.  Use hand gestures when it feels appropriate, keeping your movements close to your body.  Avoid fidgeting or letting your gaze drift away from your device.

Practice makes perfect

To get used to the technology and body language of a video interview, do some practice video calls with your recruitment consultant, a friend or a family member.  Ask them to give you feedback about your appearance and eye contact.  Rehearse a few times until it all starts to feel natural.

Ask any professional interviewer, presenter or speaker and they will tell you that practice makes all the difference.  Set aside time in your schedule in the days leading up to your interview and you’ll find that your confidence will grow as you become more comfortable in front of a camera.

On the day of the interview, review this video interview checklist:

•  Ensure that you won’t be interrupted, either by locking the door or by alerting others that you can’t be disturbed.
•  Clear your desk space; except for a notepad and pen/pencil for you to take notes.
•  Have a copy of your CV and any other notes ready for you to refer to.
•  Have a glass of water ready.
•  Check that your webcam is working.
•  Check that your audio is working.
•  Close any windows, tabs or apps on your computer that you’re not using.
•  Check your internet connection and make sure you’re not downloading anything in the background.
•  Set your phone to silent mode.
•  Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter.
•  Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark or dim, think about bringing in an extra table or desk lamp to brighten the area.

All you need to do next is make a great impression!

The First Base team can help you with video interview preparation and many other aspects of your job search. Call us, email or contact us on social media.

8 Telephone Interview Tips to Help You Get Hired

Telephone interviews have been around for many years, however they have become more and more popular as a first step screening method   Over the last couple of weeks their use has seen a massive increase, for obvious reasons.

Pretty much all screening is now carried out on the telephone, with video conferencing often being employed for short listed candidates and even final interviews.  If telephone interviews are new to you, or it’s been sometime since you took part in one, take a look at our top tips below, to help you make the right impression during your next telephone interview.

Telephone Interview Tips to remember

Research

Thoroughly research the company and the interviewer (check profiles on LinkedIn), just as if you were preparing to meet in person. Expect some variation on the question, “What do you know about us?”.  If you are not able to state the company’s key figures, strategy and markets, the interview might be over after three minutes.  One of the nice things about a phone interview is that you can have your reminder sheet in front of you.

Prepare your questions

These can make or break an interview.  Design insightful questions with two goals in mind: To give you the information you need to determine if you want to go further; and to show you are perfect for the job.

Be comfortable

Some people find telephone interview more stressful than the usual face to face meeting.

Do everything you can to make sure you feel at ease.  Shut out distractions and eliminate background noise if you can.  Explain if you have children in the house right now – many interviewers are in the same situation and will understand.  Have a glass of water handy, print out your CV and mark key parts that you want to highlight during the conversation.

Be ready 10 minutes early, you don’t want to sound rushed.  If you will be talking on a landline, turn off your smart phone; if you plan to do the interview on a smart phone, make sure it is fully charged.
Have a paper and pen handy, so you don’t have to take notes on your computer during the call — the keyboard clicks can’t be distracting for the interviewer.

If your computer makes audible pings as you receive email, turn off the sound.  Think of all those TV interview where we see experts being interviewed during the Covid-19 emergency – often interrupted by mobile phone ring tones and computer alerts.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW TIPS FOR DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

Listen

Usually, the interviewer will set the scene.  They will talk about expectations, maybe why the person before you left the job, what it takes to be successful in their company, the culture and what the main challenges will be.  Make notes so you are can respond to all these points when it is your turn to talk.

When it’s your turn

When we are face to face with someone, we send and receive visual cues.  On the phone, we have to make a good impression purely with our voices.  Before you start, take a drink of water to avoid having to clear your throat.  If you haven’t talked for several hours, think of doing some voice exercises before the call.   Posture is important, even on the telephone, and has a big impact on your voice.  Standing up sitting up very straight, will help to make your sound more confident and enthusiastic.

Try to smile as you speak.  If you don’t believe the difference this makes, test it by leaving yourself two identical voice messages — one with and one without smiling.  During the phone interview, good times to smile are when you talk about the work you’ve done, ask questions, or express your enthusiasm about the company.

Create a positive ending

If you really want the job, end the call on a positive note.   Say something such as, “Thanks for the call. I like what I heard and I’m confident I could fill the role.  I am very interested in this job and would be really pleased to move on to the next stage.  What is the next step?”

Post interview

Send a thank you note.  Your email should arrive on the same day, but not immediately after, the call.  Confirm your interest in the company, your ability to do the job and desire to take things to the next step.  If you are working with a recruitment agency update your recruitment consultant.  They are there to help you find the right job.

Patience is a virtue

You won’t necessarily get a reply to your thank-you message.  Follow up a week later, and again after two weeks.  Don’t keep ‘chasing’ – remember that everyone is under extra pressure with new challenges in these extraordinary times.  As we keep hearing in the news, these are all an unprecedented situation.  Stay optimistic, there are still companies recruiting and the present situation will pass.  In the meantime, build a strong and trusted relationship with your recruitment consultant and keep doing your best at interviews presented to you.

Contact the First Base team if you would like help with your next career move or advice and support through these challenging times.

Free online courses!

Furloughed, working part time, between jobs, working at home?  There is no better time than NOW to up skill.

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Online learning allows you to gain recognised qualifications at a pace and location that suits you. The flexibility of online study means it has never been easier to gain a qualification whilst having accessible study resources and a qualified teacher on hand to support you every step of the way.

Enrol online today and receive:

Find out more about the SGS free on line courses here.

Keep in touch with the team at First Base if you want help with your future career plans. Call, email or social media! 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Advice for staying at home

As a nation we are famous for a ‘stiff upper lip’, stoic attitude to dealing with a crisis.  Whilst a ‘don’t panic’ approach has its benefits – at times like this it is a strength, not a weakness to seek and ask for support when we need it.

Even for the most robust and resilient of us, extraordinary times like now can make us anxious, cause us to worry more and be unsure of what to do.  We have challenges none of us expected to be facing right now. Infectious disease outbreaks like Covid-19 can be scary and can affect our mental health.  Social media and 24 hr news can over load us with information, working out the ‘fake news’ and criminal scams can make us more anxious not less.

Start by confining your news sources to trusted and reputable providers.  News sources with no axe to grind and that genuinely want to inform and help – Government, NHS and Local Authority sites are usually up to date and accurate.  The First Base blog, Newsletters and benefits portal (if you have access) are a good place to include in your search for useful information.

Be practical, be proactive

Despite the challenges, there are a lot of practical things we can do.  Being proactive and ‘doing’ is a powerful mental health and wellbeing tool whatever our situation.  Whether you end up on ‘furlough’, find yourself working at home, job seeking, in a new role or concerned about keeping your job; here are some tips to help you and your family through difficult times.

It helps if we can see the current situation as one of those time life sends us something different to deal with.  For most of us, it may be inconvenient but it won’t be a bad time and there are often new opportunities as a result of enforced change.

It means changing our usual way of life, maybe new ways of communicating.  Some of us are learning to use social media and video conferencing, some of us how to use the phone to actually speak to people!

Anxiety 

Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. Most people can relate to feeling tense, uncertain and perhaps fearful at the thought of attending an interview, starting a new job, giving a presentation, sitting an exam or taking a driving test.

In turn, worrying can affect our sleep, appetite and ability to concentrate. If everything goes well, the anxiety will naturally go away.  This type of short-term anxiety can be useful. Feeling nervous before an interview or presentation can make us feel more alert and improve our performance.

However, if the feelings of anxiety overwhelm us, our ability to concentrate and do well may suffer.  If the anxiety stays at a high level for a long time, we may feel that it is difficult to deal with everyday life.  The anxiety may become severe; leaving us feeling powerless or out of control.  Sometimes, if the feelings overwhelm us, we may experience a panic attack.

A panic attack is an exaggeration of the body’s normal response to fear, stress or excitement. It is the rapid build-up of overwhelming sensations, such as a pounding heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, rapid breathing and so on.   Panic attacks come on very quickly, symptoms usually peaking within 10 minutes, with most lasting between 5 and 20 minutes.   For some people they seem to come without warning and strike at random.

Managing anxiety

Reducing stress, keeping active, eating a well-balanced diet and getting the right amount of sleep really helps to get anxiety under control.  Stay in touch with family and friends on social media but don’t overdo the sharing of ‘bad’ news.  There’s still plenty of good news out there if you look for it. Hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbours have already volunteered to help support the most vulnerable people affected by the virus, there are thousands of acts of random kindness occurring and thousands of new jobs are being announced almost daily.

Don’t make assumptions that ‘bad’ things will happen, positive outcomes for most are more likely in reality if we follow guidance, look after ourselves and look after our families.

Without face-to-face contact with our friends, family, and coworkers, many of us are checking our phones constantly, handling an influx of social media posts, texts, and news alerts.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, perhaps it’s time to put your phone in another room, turn off automatic news alerts, and limit how much time you spend mindlessly checking and scrolling.

Sources of help

If you are feeling a bit more anxious than usual right now, that’s normal. If you already work with First Base (as a temp or full time) you have access to a range of professional and free support services through the Hive Portal.

The portal provides access to a vast range of free health, welfare and money savings benefits including:

• ‘My Personal Doctor’ for 24-hour access to an NHS approved GP, via telephone and Skype consultation, plus email prescriptions.
• My health’ for health, fitness and diet advice and resources, plus great savings on gym clubs.
• ‘My personal Helpline’ for 24/7 telephone access to professional counsellors to help with stress, debt, marriage and drug abuse issues.
• ‘My discount outlet’ offering great high street retail, dining and mobile contract saving
• ‘My Pay & Pension’ – delivers and stores encrypted and GDPR safe digital payslips and access to personal pension performance
• ‘My insurance’ for great discounts on insurance providers.

(If you are an employer and want to know more about how to provide your temporary staff with Hive benefits give us a call).

Other sources:

Well being
https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-impact-of-covid-19/1/steps/769464
Current advice from the NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Latest news from Public Health England (PHE)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
Latest news from the Government
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Coronavirus Q&A from the World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
Latest advice on social distancing/isolation from the Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

The First Base team is here to support our temps, candidates and clients through these challenging times – and when we come out the other side.  Call us, email us Facebook or Tweet us!