Questions to Ask A Mentor

As the summer is coming to a close and internships are winding down, we want to talk about questions you should be asking your mentor! Mentors are full of useful information, stories, and connections! Maybe you spent the whole summer avoiding asking them anything- but now is your last chance! Continue reading below for some great questions!

Stories: People love to tell stories. Stories can help you get to know someone and learn about their career! Your mentor probably has a lot of stories if they have been in their career for a long time!

  1. How did you land your current role?
  2. Did you envision this is where you would be?
  3. Can you tell me about a difficult boss? How did you handle it?
  4. What is the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how is it valuable?
  5. Can you tell me about a setback and how you recovered?

Situations: Talking about real-life situations that have happened is a great way to learn. You can ask your mentor specific questions regarding the situations they have been through. Use this time to ask them about a situation you are going through, so they can help you navigate through it.

  1. I’m considering a career transition. What do you see as the pros and cons?
  2. What advice can you offer on how to progress in my career?
  3. How can I bring up difficult conversations with my boss?
  4. Who are the people in this organization I need to align with so I can achieve success?
  5. How do you successfully stay connected with key people who do not work in the same office or area?

Self-Awareness: Having self-awareness can help you improve your work performance. This can provide you with some insight into how others see you in the work place. Your mentor is a great person to talk about this topic with because they will tell you what you need to hear, but also give you advice on how to improve.

  1. Where do you see my strengths and what should I focus on to improve?
  2. How do you think others perceive me?
  3. How am I viewed by leadership?
  4. How could I have communicated my ideas more clearly?
  5. What do you see as some of my blind spots?

Skill-Building: Everyone has room to improve, even mentors! You mentor has most likely spent their whole career improving and mastering their skillsets. They are the perfect person to ask for specific examples and strategies to build your skills!

  1. How do you approach risktaking?
  2. What new skills do I need to move ahead?
  3. How can I become a more assertive negotiator?
  4. How can I become better at managing people who do not report to me?
  5. How can I enhance my public speaking skills?

Mentors can provide you with so many advantages. If you have a mentor, take advantage of it! Use this list of questions (and add in your own too!) to get as much information as you can. Soak it all up and take notes! The best way to learn is to learn through others.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Read our article here to learn why mentors are a must-have!

All Things Office Etiquette

Are you ever stressed out at the lack of manners and etiquette that goes on in your office? Respect goes a long way in an office space, and it can be hard to know what the boundaries are. Find out below what our tips are for office etiquette and what you should/should not be doing in the office!

  1. Respect The Workspace: Respect that the whole office is not yours. A shared space means that you need to respect others and not get too comfortable. Don’t take your shoes off at your desk, clip your nails, floss your teeth, or spray perfume. The office is not your home, so use the restroom if you need to do something that seems a bit questionable.
  2. Be Mindful of What You Eat: Leftovers are a great lunch to pack for your work day! As long as those leftovers aren’t smelly fish. Like we just talked about, respect the space you are in. Don’t reheat last night’s fish for today’s lunch. Stinking up the office isn’t the best idea. Lunch can still be good though! Bring in something that isn’t super strong and smelly.
  3. Don’t Work While You Are Sick: Coming into work while you are sick as a dog can be alarming for your coworkers. No one wants to catch a sickness from using the same copier or phone as you. They don’t want to sit in the same place as someone who is coughing and sniffling. If you are sick enough to the point of making others worry, work from home. Your coworkers will appreciate you for that.
  4. Different Work Styles: Everyone has a different way that they like to work. Someone may love to blast some music to get their work done, while others might love the silence. Acknowledge and observe the way your coworkers like to do their work. If you can’t go without your music, close your office door or wear headphones. If you respect your coworkers, they will most likely do the same for you.
  5. Be Kind: Kindness is key! One person’s mood can affect the whole office. Make sure to always treat everyone around you with good manners, understanding, and consideration. Don’t pass judgment on your coworkers and be willing to help if someone needs it. Take and give constructive criticism and feedback without making it insulting. 

A positive work environment is so important to productivity and enjoying your job! Office etiquette and manners help contribute to a positive workplace. These tips should remind you to always be respectful at work and treat everyone with kindness.

Are you on a work team with coworkers? Read here about successful qualities your team should have!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

 

Top Tips for Being a Better Team Player

In any job, you are most likely working with or beside other people. Work teams are common in organizations and they help functions to run effectively. Continue reading below for some tips on how to be a better team player at work!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Let Others Help You: Letting your coworkers help you with tasks opens the door for more communication. It takes some of the weight off of your shoulders and makes the task at hand way easier to accomplish. Your coworkers will see you as approachable and great to collaborate with.

Listen Well: This one is important when you are on a team. You need to be an active listener when your coworkers are speaking. This will make them feel heard and valuable. And they will probably return the favor when you are speaking too.

Lead With Good Intentions: You can accomplish this by leading authentically. Your team needs to be cohesive in order to collaborate, and your intention should be to achieve that cohesion. Utilize everyone on your team and engage with them. This will help strengthen everyone’s relationships on the team.

Share Your Gifts: Bring your A-game to the team. Use your best qualities and strengths to help your team advance and get your projects done. There may be tasks that take you minutes to complete, but for someone else, it might take the whole day. Your team will appreciate you for giving it your all and saving them the hassle of spending too much time on a task.

Volunteer to Do the Dirty Work: Team members will like you if you volunteer to do the hard tasks. This doesn’t mean you need to volunteer every time when a difficult task is presented, don’t let yourself get taken advantage of. With that being said, if you’re the only person who never takes on the dirty work, your teammates might start to build up some animosity towards you. Find a healthy balance and rotation.

Spread Positivity: Be the positive light in your group when things get hard. When a group is under pressure to get something done, tensions can get really high. Take off some of the pressure by keeping things light. If someone makes a mistake, don’t dwell and judge them, acknowledge it and move on.

Observe Others Work Styles: This is an important part of being a cohesive team. You might notice that your teammate hates emailing and prefers phone calls. Or that someone would rather have meetings in the morning than afternoons. Take notice of how your teammates work best, and be flexible towards them.

These are just a few ways you can be a great team player. Collaborating with your team will help your job run smoother and make for a better work experience. Be open to feedback from teammates, don’t gossip, and don’t judge. If you give your best work and the best attitude to your team, you will become a better team player.

Read here about successful qualities a team should have!

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs!

5 Successful Things To Do at the Beginning of the Work Week

Last week, we discussed things you can do over the weekend to stay productive and be successful. This week, we are going to be talking about things you should be doing early in the work week to have success. It’s important to start your week on a good note, because it sets the tone for how productive you will be throughout the week.

  1. Meditate: Meditation helps you achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm stable state. It is an awesome way to relax before a busy week starts. It can help you arrange your thoughts and get organized in order for your week to go well. Meditation can be done by deep breathing, yoga, listening to music, etc. Any activity that is relaxing to you can be considered meditation. As long as it brings you down to a calm level, it will work.
  2. Eat Breakfast: As it’s said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Eat a healthy breakfast that is energizing. Try not to reach for the donut in the breakroom, but instead eat some fruit or oatmeal. Eating something that is going to fuel your day is important. It will help you focus in the morning and stay productive until lunchtime.
  3. Make a To-Do List: Make a to-do list as the week is starting. A list is a great place to have all your thoughts, tasks, and projects in one place. After you make your list, prioritize it. Prioritizing your list helps you so you can make sure you’re doing the most important tasks first and saving the other ones for later in the week.
  4. Isolate Yourself: After you’ve caught up with everyone in the office, isolating yourself to get your work done is something many successful people do. This can be as simple as shutting your office door for a few hours so no one stops by or not attending any Tuesday meetings so you can get ahead/catch up on your work for the week.
  5. Tackle the Biggest Priority: Starting with the small stuff may seem easier, but tackling the biggest priority first will be effective. You can get it out of the way by Tuesday and have the rest of the week to work on your smaller tasks. This will make for an easier, less stressful work week. This is a smart way to work and can help you feel less anxious about important projects or tasks that are on a strict time limit.

Using Monday and Tuesday to your advantage is so helpful in the long run. The course of the week goes by fast sometimes and deadlines come up sooner than you think. Use these tips to be the most successful and productive you can be at the beginning of the work week rather than an overload of work later in the week!

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

Missed our article last week on productive weekends? Check it out here!

Unproductive Weekend Habits

As the work week is coming to a close and the weekend is nearing, today we are going to talk about things that unproductive people do over their weekend. While you may just want to relax after a long week of work, it’s important to still be productive. Continue reading below to find out what unproductive people do and why you should avoid these behaviors!

Forget to Schedule/Use Their Planner: Just because it is the weekend doesn’t mean you should neglect a routine! You don’t need to have every single second planned out, but use your schedule so you have an idea of what your weekend will look like. In fact, even schedule in your downtime or when you plan on binge-watching your favorite shows.

Don’t Spend Time with Loved Ones: During the busy work week, it’s easy to ignore a phone call from your family or a friend. Make sure you are taking the time over the weekend to catch up with friends and family. Those relationships are important and help remind you that work isn’t everything.

Let Technology Take Over: While there is way more time over the weekend to catch up on your social media, make sure that’s not all you’re doing with your free time. Turn off your phone for a while and relax, and more importantly shut off your work email. Take the time that you would normally spend on your phone and read a book or go for a walk. Technology can be addicting and our mind needs a cleanse from it occasionally.

Sleeping Too Much: It’s nice to sleep in every once in awhile, but try to give yourself only one day over the weekend to do that. If you are sleeping for most of the time you will mess up your sleep cycle, which won’t be fun once Monday hits.

Stressed Out: If you are consistently feeling stressed out over the weekend, then you have too much on your plate! Don’t pack too many activities or projects into the two days you have off. Make sure that you still keep a schedule, but give yourself time to rest and unwind!

Too Comfortable with Time off: While we all need to rest and recharge, it’s important that we don’t just laze around the whole weekend. By Sunday night, you should start planning your upcoming week so you are prepared and can be productive!

These are all unproductive habits to avoid. Use your weekend to rest and feel refreshed, but don’t go overboard. Too much of sleep, relaxation, and downtime can make someone feel restless. Try to learn your limits and find ways that help you feel recharged and rested.

looking for a new job? Check out our open jobs list!

Feeling stressed out even after a restful weekend? Find out how to relieve stress here!

 

Top 6 Tricky Interview Questions

Interviews are sometimes a breeze, but do you ever leave an interview feeling like you messed up? A good interview can be a make or break it factor on whether or not you receive a job offer. Often times, interviewers/hiring managers ask tricky open-ended questions that require a creative response. Today, we are going to talk about some of those tricky interview questions so you can prepare your best.

  1. Can you tell me about yourself? This question seems pretty self-explanatory. Except it is often used for the interviewer/hiring manager to get a good idea of how you see yourself. When this question is asked, they are most likely looking for a strong response. Try to stray away from answering this question with details about your personal life. Use this question to talk about your past achievements or accolades. Focusing on work-related answers will give the interviewers a sense of what you are like in the workplace setting.
  2. Can you name three of your strengths and weaknesses? This question is asked so the interviewer can look for red flags. That shouldn’t stop you from being honest, though. Talk about your weaknesses, but also address ways that you are learning and improving on your weaknesses. This will show that your weaknesses are not a deal-breaker.
  3. Why do you want to work here? Do your research! Never go into an interview, or even apply for a job, without researching the company itself. Read up on their values, mission statements, company culture, etc. By researching, you will be able to effectively answer this question. Hiring managers want to know that you care about this job and that you did your research on the company.
  4. Why do you want to leave your current job? Hiring managers/interviewers are also using this question as an opportunity to look for red flags. You simply may be looking for another job because you don’t like the commute, the pay isn’t great, and you don’t like your boss, etc. These are not sufficient answers to this question. The best answer is to say something along the lines of- you want to be more challenged in your career,  find a position better fit for your skillset, or you’re really passionate about what their company does, so you were inclined to apply. Keep your answer lighthearted and be confident.
  5. What’s a difficult situation that you turned around? Use this question to talk about a time where you had to problem-solve. Don’t use this question as an opportunity to talk about your successes. Stay focused and discuss how you handled a stressful situation and what course of action you took. Hiring managers are looking to get an idea of how you problem solve under pressure and how you overcome professional challenges.
  6. Can you give us a reason someone may not like working with you? This question is designed to give the hiring manager an idea as to what your personality is like, especially when working with others. They want to know if you’re a team player. A bad response to this question would be saying that you can’t think of a reason anyone wouldn’t like working with you. We are all human and sometimes have friction with other people, especially in a workplace setting. They want to know why people have not liked working with you in the past. Tell them about a time that maybe you pushed your team to be more challenged in order to meet a deadline- this is the kind of answer they want to hear.

There are a lot of interview questions that can be tricky, these are just a few. Do your best to prepare for an interview by reading up on potential questions, don’t stress too much and just be yourself.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Prepare for your interview questions by checking our article here!

Recommendation Letters: How To Guide

Recommendation letters aren’t usually necessary when applying for a job, but it will sure help your chances of landing an interview or making a great impression. They provide another information outlet for the interviewer or hiring manager. It helps them see you, the candidate, through someone else’s eyes. Follow the tips below regarding recommendation letters!

Who To Ask

When reaching out to people in your network about writing you a recommendation letter, it’s important that you’re asking the right people. You will want to ask someone who is going to give you a strong endorsement and that you have/had a good working relationship with. This might be your former boss, a fellow colleague, vendors, business acquaintances, etc. Make sure it is someone that can attest to your abilities and that has worked with you or beside you. This person is going to be writing all about you including your strengths, qualifications, and why they think you would be a good employee.

How to Ask

Asking for a letter of recommendation can feel awkward to some people. Make sure you communicate clearly what you need and ask if they feel like they know you well enough to write the letter. That way, if someone wants to say no, they will be able to say they aren’t comfortable and it will be an easy out. Don’t put pressure on anyone or make them feel like they have to write you a recommendation letter. If they say yes, provide your updated resume and your qualifications so the writer has something to reference when they are writing your letter.

What to Include

In the recommendation letter, make sure you make it clear that you need certain criteria. The letter should have the following things: dates of employment, the position held, the company name, job responsibilities, qualifications, strengths and abilities, and contact information. The writer can add their own personal touch and discuss their own positive feedback as well. If you have those 7 things in the letter, you are ready to go.

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Just like following up interviews with a thank you note, the same goes for letters of recommendation. Extend a thank you note/email/phone call to the person who wrote you a recommendation letter. It shows that you appreciate them for their time and energy they put into the letter and it makes a big impression.

A letter of recommendation is a great way to vouch for your job knowledge, skills, and overall performance. It can give the hiring manager insight into who you are and how you work. Keep in mind that recommendation letters aren’t everything- the most important part of the job search process is to have a great resume and cover letter!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Are you worried that your cover letter isn’t up to par? Learn how to write a great one here!

Top 4 Things to Do During an Employment Gap

Are you currently in between jobs? Many people experience a gap when moving from one job to the next or after being laid off. The way you utilize your time during that gap is important for the success of finding your next job. Continue reading below to find out what to do during an employment gap!

  1. Update Your Resume: Resumes can be a daunting task. It’s that thing that is always on someone’s to-do list, but it keeps getting pushed back. No one wants to spend time updating their resume, but this is one of the most beneficial things you can do during an employment gap. Take the time to proofread, reformat, and update your resume so it’s in tiptop shape.
  2. Improve Your Skills or Learn New Skills: Adding certifications to your resume is a great way to up your game. Take advantage of the time you have during an employment gap and take online certifications for things like marketing, strategy, and technology, etc. There are many online certifications that are free, and adding some certifications to your resume will help you give it the boost it needs.
  3. Reach Out to Your Contacts: Reach out to some past contacts to let them know you’re in a transition period between jobs. Consider sending people in your network an email updating them on your career journey and also sending along your resume too. Use your networks to your advantage! It’s a great way to find new opportunities or jobs that may not even be posted anywhere. It can get you ahead of the game and help secure a potential new job.
  4. Quality Over Quantity: When applying for new jobs, keep this phrase in mind. It isn’t about how many jobs you apply for, it’s about how much effort you put into your application. Tailor your resume and application to each job and do your research on the company. You don’t want to apply to hundreds of jobs and not be able to keep track of where you even applied. Apply to jobs at companies you want to work at and take the time to send in a quality application. While it’s time-consuming, it’s worth it in the long run.

Having an excessive amount of free time might make you feel anxious during an employment gap. Remember to keep yourself on a schedule so you aren’t bombarded with hours of free time. Take these tips and make good use of the time you have to make your job search a good one. It can take time to find a job that fits your criteria but stay motivated and you will get there!

If you are in the middle of an employment gap, check out our open jobs list here!

Are you in the process of job interviews? Read our article here to learn more about successful interviews!

Things to Do in College for a Post-Grad Job

Are you on track to graduate college? College can be a very fun and exciting time, but it is also a time where you can prepare for your future. Today we are discussing some things you can do to make sure your post-grad experience is a smooth one. Continue reading below to find out things you should do while in college to prepare for post-grad!

Get Out of the Classroom: The classroom is a great place to learn extremely useful information, but you will also learn a lot when you step outside of the classroom. Join some extracurricular activities! Every campus has clubs and organizations, whether it’s an art club or a public relations club, you might find something that will be beneficial to your future career. Learning takes place even outside of the classroom. Invest your time in a part-time job on campus, volunteering, or even an internship.

Start Networking: Networking is a great way to get yourself out there. Make a LinkedIn profile and connect with your peers, friends, family, and professors. Make new connections, but also use the connections you already have. Network with friends who graduated and have been in the workforce or maybe even the career you want- chances are they have ample information that is useful. Networking can be difficult for some but start by building friendships and relationships with people.

Find a Mentor: A mentor is a very beneficial person to have on your team. A mentor can be anyone including a friend, family member, boss, or a professor! It may seem scary, but it isn’t as intimidating as you think. Just find a trusted person that you are comfortable talking with. A mentor can provide so much knowledge and help you with things like- resumes, practice interviews, networking, cover letters, etc. A mentor in the field of work that you want to go into is an extra bonus!

Work on Your Resume: Get your resume ready for the job search that follows graduation. Use college as a time to refine and perfect your resume. If you have no idea where to start, don’t be stressed out! Talk with a mentor or professor for help. Every college has a career center, so start there! They can proofread your resume, help you update it, and reformat it.

These are all great ways to get on track for the post-grad life. Post-grad can be an alarming time, utilize these tips to help you feel more at ease about the transitions! Get ahead of the game and do these things to make your college experience great and useful.

Searching for a new position? Submit your resume to any of our open jobs!

Where are you living post-grad? Read our article to find out the benefits of living at home!

What Not To Do After an Interview

Are you searching for a job and stressed out about the interviews? It’s totally normal to feel that way, many people get nervous about interviews. Interviews can be a tedious and stressful part of the job search process. After interviewing, it’s important to remain calm even if you feel stressed about how the interview went.  Use the following tips below to guide you on what not to do after an interview!

Don’t Stress Yourself Out: After an interview, you might feel like freaking out, but that is not in your best favor. While it’s easy to stress yourself out about it, don’t overthink it. If you sit there and playback in your head what you could have/should have said, you will make yourself crazy. Also, try not to worry about hearing back from the interviewer. Give yourself a one week time period to let yourself worry, and then try to move on.

Don’t Cross Social Media Boundaries: Don’t go on a social media rampage right away. While you may want to add your interviewers on LinkedIn or other social media sites, it’s not the best idea. This may cross a boundary for them or give them a bad impression of you right after the interview. Wait for the social media adding until you have secured the job!

Don’t Drop The Ball During a Followup: Following up after an interview is important because it shows that you are reliable and consistent. Double-check to make sure your followup isn’t sloppy, because the hiring person will take note of that. Spell check for typos and make sure you are spelling everyone’s name right and the company name. If your follow-up is neat and free of errors it will show them that you took your time and put thought into it.

Don’t Forget to Send a Thank You: Just like the followup, sending a thank you note or email is a great way to show the employer that you are serious about this position and it will help you make a great impression. Send a thank you email or note within 24 hours of your interview and make sure to proofread it!

After your interview, follow these tips so you can keep your good impression with the employers. You don’t want to have an amazing interview and then put a damper on your impression by forgetting to send a thank you or not following up. From Esquire Recruiting LLC to you: good luck on your interviews!

Prepare for your next interview by brushing up on some tips! Read more here!

Searching for your next job? Check out our open jobs list!

Questions to Ask a Recruiter

Are you in the midst of a job search and considering a recruiter’s help? At Esquire Recruiting LLC, we know how invaluable a recruiter can be to a job search. It’s a great way to find a role that is fit for you. Continue reading below to find out some important questions you should be asking your recruiter!

What are the main qualifications the employer is looking for? 

  • This is an essential question to ask because you need to know more about the position. This question will give you insight into what the recruiter’s client is expecting from candidates and you if applying for the position. The recruiter has most likely spoken with the employer about qualifications and potentially even received a list of exactly what the employer is looking for.

What is the job description?

  • Asking this question will tell you what the client/employer expects. It’s basic information, but also very important to know if you choose to move forward and apply. Just like the qualifications, the recruiter knows what the job description is and what the expectations are.

How long has this job been open?

  • This is a fair question to ask because you want to know all the details. The job search process can be tedious and overwhelming. If the job just opened, you may be one of the first candidates to interview, which means the employer is probably going through other interviews as well. This isn’t a necessary question to know, but it can help you determine a time frame for how long you may be waiting to hear back from an employer or when the position will be filled.

What experience do you have recruiting in this industry?

  • Recruiters are filled with knowledge. They see endless amounts of resumes per day and speak with multitudes of people. Asking them their experience is a fair question and can help you gain trust in them for your job search. Recruiters with good experience know the field like the back of their hand.

What information do you have about the company?

  • The recruiter most likely has a relationship with this company or even exclusively works with the hiring manager. Asking this question can help you understand more about how the company operates and what their work culture is like.

Asking recruiters questions is a great way to establish a relationship with them and make a great first impression! There are so many more questions that you can ask them- don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Recruiters can provide you with such great information, such as- resume help, tips for interviews/interview process, and even insight into information about an employer.

Searching for a new role? Check out our open jobs list!

Read this article to discover why you should stay in touch with recruiters after the job search is over! 

Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer

This week, we are talking about accepting job offers. Accepting a job offer can be so exciting yet scary at the same time. A new job can come with a lot of unknown territories, which is why we are going to discuss a list of questions that you should ask before accepting any job offer. You want to be sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into, so you can make sure the job is right for you!

The Role

The first category that you want to ask questions about is the role itself. Before jumping into saying yes, be sure this role is fitting for you. Knowing what to expect will be greatly beneficial to you and clarify what the job entails. Below is a list of questions to ask regarding the job!

  • When do I start?
  • What are my immediate priorities?
  • What does a normal day look like in this job role?
  • What are the expectations of me?

The Team

This is another important category to ask questions about. Almost every employee has a team or is interacting with people throughout the workday. You might be attending meetings or being assigned projects that involve other colleagues. Asking these questions will give you an understanding about who you are working with or working for.

  • Who will I report to directly?
  • Will anyone be reporting to me?
  • Who will I work with most closely?
  • Is there anyone on the team that can help me get settled and provide guidance?
  • What is the company culture?

The Salary & Benefits

For some people, this may be an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but it is imperative. You want to know that you are going to be fairly compensated for your work and receiving good benefits. Try to work past any uncomfortable feelings, and ask these important questions!

  • Is the salary negotiable?
  • What is included as part of the benefits package?
  • What are the main working hours?
  • How many paid sick days/personal days do I receive?
  • How much paid vacation time will I get in the course of a year?

These questions are all great examples of what you should ask before accepting any job offer. If you’re in between offers, knowing the answers to these questions can be a deciding factor for what job you choose. Educate yourself on the company itself and the job role before accepting any offer!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Not ready to accept a job offer? Find out how to decline the job offer here!

 

 

How to Practice Self-Care at Work

In order to perform the best at work, self-care should be a priority for you. When self-care is practiced, it can help your work life and personal life balance improve. If self-care isn’t one of your priorities, it may be easier for you to feel burned out or run down at work. Continue reading below for some good self-care tips!

Self-Care Tips

Say No: Learning how to say no is so beneficial for your self-care. While saying no can be difficult, it’s important to set those boundaries with your coworkers. Saying no doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, it just means you can’t handle that extra task at the moment.

Use Gaps and Breaks: Using your breaks to actually break from working is so important. As we discussed on Friday, breaks lead to better productivity. They can also help you relax and take a breather from the pile of work you have in front of you. Gaps are just as important too. If you find yourself with a few extra minutes in between meetings or tasks, use it to take a lap around the office, grab some water, or even meditate.

Add it to Your Schedule: Our schedules dictate our whole work day. Whether we have a meeting to attend or a team lunch, we always add those events to our calendar. Add in self-care to your schedule! By physically making it an event, you will be more likely to complete it. Add in ten minutes of meditation or schedule a 20-minute walk. Visually and physically blocking out time for self-care will help you practice it every day.

Update Your Workspace: Our desk and workspace should be like a sanctuary for us. Organize your workspace so you have a more clear mind. Along with organization, personalize it. Add in picture frames of family or friends and things that make you happy. Hang positive or motivating quotes, so you can feel inspired throughout your day.

These tips are great examples of how to practice self-care. Self-care is one of those things where it is just necessary in order to have productive and less stressful workdays. Take at least one of these tips and add it into your normal work routine! Self-care is practiced in different ways for everyone, so find what is right for you!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Looking to relieve stress and how to do it? Find out how here!

Productive Work Day Habits

On Monday, we discussed tips that would make for more productive meetings. Today, we are going to talk about your work day! Sometimes it’s hard to get through the day without feeling burnt out and exhausted. Creating healthy habits at work can help make your day more productive. Continue reading to find out what habits to avoid so your day can be productive!

Habits to Avoid

Sugar: Consuming too much sugar during the work day is prone to make you feel tired and unconcentrated. Overconsuming sugar will lessen your ability to stay productive throughout the work day. On the flip side, make sure you aren’t under consuming sugar. When glucose levels are down, it can also be hard to focus on the important tasks you need to complete. Keep some low sugar snacks on hand like nuts, fruits, and veggies!

Sitting all day without breaks: Don’t skip your breaks! It is imperative to your productive day that you take all of your breaks. Giving your body and brain a break will help you come back with a fresh mind that will be more productive. If you are sitting all day, it’s easy to feel foggy and tired. Get up and go for a walk on your breaks or do a quick stretch in your office. Your mind and body will benefit from it, and so will your work!

Eating a heavy lunch: After eating a heavy meal it’s common to feel very tired or like you’re in a “food coma.” Choosing a big meal while at work isn’t the best option. Your lunch will set the tone for the remainder of your work day and you want it to energize and fuel your body and mind, not make you feel lethargic.

Keeping your phone right next to you: While many people use their phone as a means of communication at work, it’s so easy to get sucked into the world of social media. Social media is a great way to procrastinate and kill time. If you’re sitting working at your desk, put your phone away and only use it on your breaks. Doing this will increase your productivity. Allow yourself 10 minutes on your phone after you finish every task, or make up a plan that suits your working conditions.

Avoiding these habits should help you have a more productive work day. Set goals, make lists, and create healthy habits to help you be your best self at work.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Read our blog here to find out how to fuel your work day!

Tips for More Productive Meetings

Meetings can often be a blessing or a curse. Some people may feel they are a waste of time while others find them to be productive and helpful. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, meetings are an easy way to help your team regroup and communicate effectively. Continue reading below to find out some ways to have productive meetings!

Productivity Tips

Agenda and Time Limit: You may not like meetings because they are long, boring, and seem like a waste of time. That is why every meeting needs a strict time limit! Create an agenda with all the talking points and topics/tasks that need to be completed. once the agenda is made, you will have a better idea of how much time you need for your meeting. The shorter the meeting, the better the outcome. This will help you be organized and keep the side chatter and off-topic comments on track!

Use Technology and Media: This is a fresh and exciting way to present information. People may get distracted or not pay attention if someone is talking the whole time. If you have a presentation set up- it gives a new take on information and keeps people interacting. At the same time- try to keep people using their devices to a limited. That way they will not be distracted by their emails or social media during the course of the meeting.

Limit Number of Attendees: Conducting a meeting with the whole department in attendance may be unnecessary and a distraction. Make sure you have everyone in attendance that needs to be there but don’t over invite. If it isn’t crucial for someone to attend- don’t force them. This will help with the productivity and time limit on your meetings. When there are too many people in a room, it can get hectic.

Use these tips to help your meetings run smoothly. These ideas don’t work for everyone depending on the size or morale of your company. Try to find what works best for your team and stick with that!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Use our guide here to learn how to make effective presentations!

 

Qualities of a Successful Team

Whether you are a recruiter or an employee, teamwork is probably a huge part of your job. The dynamic of your team needs to be strong and spirited in order for everyone’s jobs to go smoothly. At Esquire, we love our team and know that teamwork is important! Teams aren’t always successful, and they can go through ebbs and flows, but continue reading to find out successful qualities of a team!

Communication

Communication is important for any team! Share your thoughts, doubts, problems, questions, and whatever else you can think of with your team. Transparent communication is a must for being successful. Lack of or poor communication can sometimes lead to irritation or incorrect/incomplete work! Communicating with your team on even the small things will make a huge difference. Everyone wants to know that they’re on the same page, and they won’t be able to read anyone’s mind, so simply talk and communicate.

Goals and Support

Make goals with your team! Strive to complete the goals together and support each other in the process. Setting goals as a team will help understand what needs to be done and even improve results. Supporting your team members comes without question. No one can be great alone! Everyone needs support here and there or maybe even a push they can’t give themselves. Support your team members through their successes and failures to help build them up. Everyone is able to work easier knowing they have a supportive team behind them- it helps build confidence and security.

Diversity and Work Load

Diversity in a team is imperative. Everyone brings something different to the table! With everyone’s different skill sets, strengths, and weaknesses, your team should be able to figure out a way where everyone is using their strongest skills! Having different age groups, cultures, and personalities on the team can help spark creativity and new ideas. Divvying up the workload evenly is also an important team aspect. You don’t want one team member to feel like they are carrying the team, but you also don’t want someone to feel like they aren’t capable of doing any work. A fair workload for everyone is important- and the workload will vary depending on their specific title or strengths and weaknesses.

Fun

A successful team will be able to have fun! They will be able to laugh at their mistakes and brush it off while continuing their jobs. Having fun is crucial because it will make work more bearable and help you love your job. Working in a fun environment will lead to more productivity and better team morale.

If your current team has these qualities, you are set for success! If you don’t, don’t worry, you are not doomed. Arrange to have some team building exercises, happy hours, or team meals together. This will help you build these qualities and be on your way to success!

Wondering how to get along with your coworkers to increase team morale? Read about it here!

Also, check out our current open jobs!

 

 

 

Networking Mistakes

Networking is an important part of a career and when it’s executed successfully, it expands your connections. It isn’t always easy, and it takes time and practice. There isn’t a perfect way to network, but there are some things that you should stay away from. Keep reading below to find out some common mistakes that you will want to avoid when networking!

4 Networking Mistakes

  1. Talking all about yourself: You definitely want to talk about yourself when you are networking, but you don’t want to talk about yourself the whole time! Say what you need to say and talk about your most important accomplishments, but let the other person talk as well! The conversation should be a two-way street.
  2. Sticking with one group of people or friend: This is a common mistake. Many times we stay near people that we know because we are most comfortable around them. When you’re at a networking event, don’t be afraid to venture out because that is the whole point. Get out of your comfort zone and talk to people you have never met before, you can meet back up with your friends when the event is ending.
  3. Speaking negatively about others: Don’t approach any conversation with negativity, especially when you’re talking about other people. You never know who might know that person, so steer clear from the negative talk and gossip. Talking negatively about someone else can hinder your network because you might develop a bad reputation.
  4. Following up: Not following up after a networking event or conversation with someone is one mistake you shouldn’t make. If you had a great and lively conversation with someone, follow up with them within 24-48 hours. It will show them you are serious about what you do and they will most likely remember you since it hasn’t been too long. Send a quick email or give them a call to follow up and make sure you don’t lose that connection!

Networking can be tricky, but follow these tips to make sure you don’t make too many mistakes. Be yourself while having conversations and you should be on your way to building your network and connections!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Nervous about networking? Learn how to network more effectively here! 

 

Why You Should Change Jobs

Changing jobs can be a great way to develop or advance your career. If you are having doubts and uncertainty, or even just getting tired of your job, it might be time for a change! There are many signs that you should change jobs- keep reading below to see if one of them applies to you!

Signs That a Job Change is in Your Future

Growth: Ask yourself if there is room to grow or advance in your current position. If the answer is no, then reevaluate and start a job search. If there isn’t an opportunity for advancement or a promotion, you won’t experience much growth. People start to get bored when they aren’t challenged, and if you are bored at work, it will lead to overall unhappiness in your career and life. If you can’t challenge yourself and grow your skill set, then you need to find a job that will help you do that.

Feeling Stuck: Feeling stuck in your work life can make someone feel bogged down. Feeling too comfortable or stuck can lead to lack of motivation or being drained. If you don’t look forward to going into the office on Mondays or any day, you might be stuck. Work isn’t always enjoyable, but at the end of the day, you should like your job. There are many different circumstances as to why you may feel stuck in your career, but don’t let anything hold you back from moving on to a new job.

Finances: Another reason you should change jobs, is if the opportunity for a raise isn’t available or you haven’t had the opportunities to earn one. While money is not everything, it can be a motivating factor. People like to be compensated fairly for the work they do, and if you have the opportunity for better pay because of your skill set and work, take it!

Not everyone stays in the same job or at the same company for their whole career. Knowing when to change jobs can be difficult, so make sure you self reflect and are on the right path towards your career dreams.

Ready to leave your current job? Read our article here!

Searching for a new job? Read through our open jobs list!

Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid

The interview process can be scary and nerve-wracking. Making yourself familiar with the following mistakes can help you prepare for your own interview! At Esquire, we interview people daily, so we know how daunting interviews may be! No matter how many interviews you have gone on, there is always room to improve your skills. What mistakes should you avoid during an interview? Continue reading below to find out!

You Don’t Make Eye Contact

In the midst of your nervousness, you might forget to make eye contact with your interviewer. Try your best to avoid this! Making eye contact with them during the course of your interview shows that you are engaged. Eye contact is an easy way to show you are present and being an active listener. Maintaining eye contact, especially during the hard questions, shows your confidence!

You Don’t Have a Good Attitude

Are you too enthusiastic or too monotone? It’s important to find a balance between those two extremes. Being overly enthusiastic can give the interviewer vibes that you are putting on a show. You might not seem sincere if you overcompensate. Avoid being monotone during the interview as well. This can show that you might not be interested in the job or company, which will be a red flag for the interviewer.

You Avoid Tricky Questions

There are so many aspects to interview questions. Make sure you don’t dodge the tricky questions. Answering the hard questions thoroughly can show that you are adaptable and will be able to problem solve. Also, don’t forget to ask the interviewer some questions! If you ask them questions, they will know you care about the position and company, and you will look prepared and be taken seriously.

You Don’t Show Your Personality

Be yourself! While there are many things that aren’t appropriate to say or do, it is important that you show the interviewer who you are. The interviewer needs to know what you are like so they can imagine if you are a good fit for their company or team. Be confident and don’t fidget.

Familiarize yourself with these common mistakes so you don’t make them! Interviews can get easier if you feel prepared and confident.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

What should you do if you’re late to an interview? Find out here!

Habits of Likable People in the Workplace

Getting through a workday is much easier if you have colleagues that like you! If you feel that all your colleagues hate or dislike you, it can make your days long and hard. You won’t feel miserable at work if people actually enjoy being around you. Understanding and using the following habits should help you gain your fellow colleague’s trust and acceptance!

Self Awareness

Self-awareness is a key factor of likable people. If you are able to recognize your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and emotions, then you are a self-aware person. Self-awareness can help you consciously identify how people perceive you, which can be helpful in the workplace. Taking ownership of our behavior is one of the first steps of becoming more likable. Sometimes it can be hard for a person to admit their wrongdoings or faults. If you are transparent about your flaws and take accountability for your actions, you will be able to gain that approval from your colleagues.

Managing Stress

One of the reasons you may not be liked in your office could be the way you react to stress. Everyone reacts to stressful situations differently, and some people let these situations get the best of them. Pay attention to how you are treating your colleagues when you are dealing with a difficult or stressful circumstance. Are you taking it out on them or letting it affect your mood? Find new ways and outlets to manage your stress so you can maintain peace with your colleagues. If you feel a stressful task or moment is about to happen, play your favorite music or take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment to calm down. Your workplace will be happier and your coworkers will appreciate you more if you manage stress in a practical way.

Judgment

Passing judgment happens all day long. It can happen by staring at someone as they walk by or correcting someone who is speaking. These are some of the things you may do subconsciously every day. In order to be likable at work, stop judging your colleagues. Accept people for who they are- flaws and all! Beating yourself or a colleague up over a mistake isn’t productive, it just shows that you are judgmental. Everyone makes a mistake here and there, it is a part of being human. If your colleagues see you as a nonjudgmental person, they will be more open to the idea of liking you.

Try to make these things a habit and you will find that you will be more likable at work!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Read here to find out about mistakes you should never make at work!