Top tips for attending an interview on zoom in 2023
How to smash your next online interview
I was privy to a recording of a highly professional zoom* interview yesterday, and one which was… not so polished.
For anyone undertaking an interview for a job you’re keen on here are some tips on how to prepare for a Zoom interview in 2023:
⚡Test your equipment: Make sure your computer or device, internet connection, and camera are in good working order beforehand. Test your Zoom connection and familiarise yourself with the platform’s features.
⚡Dress professionally: Even though you will be interviewed remotely, it is important to dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview. This shows respect and professionalism to the interviewer.
⚡Find a quiet and well-lit location: Find a quiet and well-lit location for your interview, free from distractions and interruptions. Make sure your background is tidy and professional.
⚡Be on time: Be on time for your interview, just as you would for an in-person interview. Log in to the Zoom call a few minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that you are ready to begin on time.
⚡Have a copy of your CV and any relevant documents: Have a copy of your CV and any relevant documents easily accessible, in case the interviewer asks to see them.
⚡Keep a positive attitude: Keep a positive attitude and maintain good eye contact with the interviewer by looking directly at the camera, not just the screen.
⚡Be ready to answer common questions: Practice answering common interview questions and have some questions ready to ask the interviewer – things that are important to you in ascertaining if this is the right job role for you.
⚡Follow up: Send a thank you note or email to the interviewer after the interview to express your gratitude and reiterate your interest in the position.
By following these tips, you will be well-prepared for your Zoom interview and can feel confident in your ability to make a strong impression on the interviewer.
If you’d like more tips and advice on ensuring your next interview goes well, watch out for our new website – brimming with ideas to ensure your next interview (on or offline) goes well.
*zoom is one of many online meeting providers
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.
Office management and support
Did you know that we place candidates into HR, Sales, IT, Finance, Marketing and Financial Services roles?
Our commercial team have continued to source, engage, shortlist and propose only the best candidates for any and all office-based roles during lockdown (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0).
Roles recruited to date this year include: Software Developers, HR Managers, Customer Service Administrators, Finance Managers, Mortgage Advisors, Service Desk Technicians, Events and Training Administrators and Marketing Executives, to name a few.
The team have built up a solid reputation in the market place and have a fantastic retention rate, whereby 90% of the candidates placed remain in post at their first years anniversary. Their mission? To offer an exemplary experience to both candidates and employers, an experience that they enjoy from start to finish.
Don’t take our word for it – head on over to google and see what our clients have to say.
Lilly and her team are available on 01453 755330 or by emailing commercial@first-base.co.uk or by utilising our chat box at www.first-base.co.uk
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:
22 Tips for Making a Great Impression At Your Next Interview
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.
South Gloucester and Stroud College have a range of free on line courses that can lead to a new qualification.
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:
- a £50.00 supermarket voucher on completion of your programme
- a weekly support call from an SGS College Tutor
- a recognised qualification
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!
Get ahead of the curve and undertake interviews remotely
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]The Coronavirus situation is evolving daily. Travel restrictions, changing guidelines and organisations’ policies are in flux, and because of these, there are three major influencers on recruitment decisions
• International travel.
• Domestic travel.
• Meetings of large groups of employees or candidates.
The impact on recruitment decisions are potentially far reaching. Candidates may not be able to attend assessment days or in-person interviews. Internal applicants may not be able to attend development centres or training events. Even if these events are able to run, the management or recruitment team cannot guarantee resource accessibility or availability due to illness, self-isolation or travel restrictions.
The result could be a knee-jerk reaction to postpone everything recruitment, induction or training related. However, it doesn’t have to be that way – there are alternatives.
Remote interviewing
Now is a great time to seriously consider video interviews. There has already been a huge increase in the use of video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts in the last few weeks. Many organisations are already well ahead and even conducting full blown virtual assessment centres.
Communicate, communicate
With the fast pace of change it would be too easy to overlook the need for a thorough candidate communication plan. A poor candidate experience has consequence’s – from sharing stories with friends and family to negative comments left on employer review sites and on social media. This is the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of your employer brand values.
Our tips for effective virtual interviews
Video Technology
First, determine how you are going to carry out a virtual job interview. The big question you need to answer is whether you’ll incorporate video or simply use the phone. We highly recommend that you try to integrate video if possible, as it will allow you to best simulate a real, in-person interview.
There is no shortage of virtual options to utilize video conferencing for a virtual job interview. Skype, Zoom, UberConference, FaceTime, MS Teams and Google Hangout are just a few to consider.
Before your virtual job interview takes place, make sure you test out your video provider to ensure things run smoothly.
Things to check on include:
• That your account is up to date
• The latest software update has been installed
• Being familiar with features software features
• Connection speed
Set up
Just as you would if your interviewee was coming into the office, you want to make sure that you have set a professional scene for your virtual interview. While testing your technology, determine where in your remote location to have the conversation. Find a quiet room with good lighting (being near a window helps) and a blank, clean wall. You want to be the focal point of the interview so that your interviewee is focused on your questions and answers, not on the picture hanging behind you. Turn off any audio distractions such as a TV or radio that could be picked up by the video conference audio.
Also, tidy up your surroundings. You wouldn’t want to have an untidy office when interviewing a candidate in person.
Body Language
Before your virtual interview, spend some time checking your body language and posture by watching yourself using your video conferencing software`. The angle of your computer’s camera and the chair you’re sitting in can have a significant impact on how you present on your interviewee’s screen. You don’t want to spend the first few minutes of the interview shuffling around with your camera to find your best light and angle.
We’ve all taken photos where we’ve wished the photographer would have tried a different angle to allow ourselves to showcase our best selves. The same is true with video conference feed. Figure out a configuration that will enable you to interview with confidence.
Dress the Part
One of the perks of working remotely is that employees do not have to spend the time getting ready and dressed for their day. However, if you’re hosting a virtual job interview, you need to dress the part.
How would you dress if the interview was taking place at your office? That is exactly what you should wear for your virtual meeting. You don’t want the candidate to think that you’re not taking it seriously and that they’re not receiving the same experience that they would with an in-person experience.
Acknowledge the Unusual Circumstances
While your goal is to make this experience as similar to a regular interview as possible, you’ll want to acknowledge that this isn’t a normal circumstance. Thank your interviewee for agreeing to interview virtually and make a comment on how extraordinary this interview is— just like the dozens of other extraordinary things that are happening due to the Coronavirus.
This experience will probably just as new to the candidate as it is to you. By letting them know you’re in it together, you can accelerate the connection between the two of you, and allow them to be comfortable during the course of the interview.
Be Normal, Be Prepared
The most important thing about conducting this type of interview is that you and the candidate both feel like the virtual element of the conversation did not negatively affect the experience. That starts with being prepared.
Plan how you’d like the interview to unfold and prepare all of the questions you need to ask the interviewee. If you’re not as prepared as you usually are, the candidate might feel like they were cheated out of a true interview because of the virtual element. However, if you’re prepared and are able to control the flow of the interview, the candidate will feel comfortable and answer.
The new normal?
Many business owners believe we are experiencing the dawn of a new way of working. In every crisis there are opportunities and we all have an opportunity to really up our recruitment game by using technology to improve the recruitment process.
More team members are working from home. When you get it right, research shows that working virtually can drive productivity improvements of up to 43%.
Working virtually could drive really positive changes in your recruitment processes.
If you would like to know more about how the First Base team can support you during and after these unusual and challenging times, contact Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Sticks and Stones – Mental Health and the Power of Words
The sad story that hit the headlines regarding Caroline Flack once again put mental health in the spotlight as more celebrities, sports people and business leaders open up about their own challenges. Mental health issues of course don’t just affect those people we read about in the news. They often affect the people you employ, the person sitting next to you, your boss, suppliers, customers, friends and family.
You don’t need to be an expert to help
Most of us are not experts at dealing with issues around mental health. Awareness and enough knowledge to signpost where expert support can be found are useful, but one area we can all help with is how we communicate with other people. Specifically, the words we speak and the words we write.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words…can change someone’s direction for an hour, a day or a lifetime” – David Tovey
Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality. Words create filters through which people view the world around them. They are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use the powerful force of words constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words that hurt or cause despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.
Words can change how people behave. They become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Convince someone that they can’t do something and they won’t try. Convince them that they have the ability to succeed and they will give it their best shot. Convince them that they are worthy human beings and they thrive, convince them they are worthless and they can spiral into a terminal decline.
Consequences
We all have a choice about the words we use. Everyone, but particularly those in authority, should think through the potential consequences of the words they are about to use. We know of course that there is a body of people out there who delight in using words destructively, they intend to hurt and to humiliate. They don’t care or think about the consequences of what they might describe as ‘just words’. Some people feel compelled to give voice to any passing feeling, thought or impression they have. They randomly dump the contents of their mind without regard to the significance of what they are saying.
Though it might not seem like it with all the negativity we hear that surrounds the use (misuse?) of social media, most people don’t actually intend to do harm. Never-the-less, thoughtless use of words can have the same effect. When we speak we should speak with mindfulness, in ways that inspire and builds not that hurt or destroy.
As my grandma used to say “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything”.
Be kind!
“Be kind to all and speak words that are beacons of inspiration, enthusiasm and encouragement”
Kindness isn’t a soft business strategy, it is intelligent, mature, moral and improves business performance. It is not about avoiding critical feedback, difficult conversations or pointing out where improvement is needed, it’s about the best and most effective way to communicate. It’s not only our words that matter, the tone which we use has a huge impact. There are certain rules that should guide all our communications with others.
Always speak the truth, avoid exaggerations, be consistent in what you are saying, don’t use double standards in addressing people, don’t use your words to manipulate others, and most importantly do not use words to insult or belittle anyone.
THINK!
I did some voluntary work providing presentation skills at school for students with learning difficulties a couple of years ago. On the wall in the room we use there was a hand written A1 size poster produced by the students. It had a simple yet really effective message.
Before You Speak
T – is it true?
H – is it helpful?
I – is it inspiring?
N – is it necessary?
K – is it kind?
THINK before we speak and we can make where we work (and the rest of the world) a little better for everybody – including those challenged by mental health issues.
Contact Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk if you would like to learn more about how the First Base team could help you or your organisations with any of the issues raised by this article.
UK unemployment remains low – flexibility needed
The UK’s unemployment rate has remained at 3.8% – its joint lowest level since early 1975, according to official figures. New figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, reveal UK unemployment fell by 16,000 to 1.29m in the three months to December and the number of people in work rose from 180,000 to 32.93m over the quarter.
Total vacancies rose to 810,000, the highest since the quarter to September 2019, with total earnings growth including rising by 2.9%.
The new figures suggest that we have a UK job market that is growing in confidence, that remains buoyant and is placing record numbers of people in work. Those organisations that took a more cautious approach during the recent years of political and economic uncertainty, are now putting into action ambitious recruiting plans.
A candidate’s market?
Whilst the employment figures tell a good story, 41% of business leaders remain concerned about their ability to attract and retain the best people. Talented candidates are often juggling multiple job offers at a time.
Employers really do need to think differently about how they attract the right people. The best organisations are reviewing remuneration packages, benefits and working environment in order to make sure they attract good candidates. Flexible working, regular high quality training, good working conditions and employee wellbeing benefits are actively being sought by candidate’s keen to bring a more balanced approach to their working lives.
They say there is nothing as constant as change and UK businesses are certainly operating in a new dynamic environment where there is not much certainty around. A more flexible approach around the working environment and employment conditions is fast becoming a vital strategy for UK business.
Speak to the team at First Base if you would like to know more how we can support your recruitment plans and help you attract the right people. Contact Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk