The importance of maintaining a positive approach to work, even during these turbulent times, is a regular theme of our Career Evolution articles.  There are many ways you can approach this, and the right tips need to be tailored to the needs of your individual business. However, we have compiled a few of the ones we think are most important to give you a starting point.

Communicate more

People are generally more engaged when they are kept informed and understand what is happening to them and why. It also helps if you listen to their comments too.

Ideas anyone?

Morale improves when your team feels valued. Encourage, share and implement innovations and ideas. This is particularly important while so many of us are still working from home.

Celebrate success

Even during difficult times it is important to celebrate success – whether this is a new project win, completion of an existing project or the acknowledgement of an award – celebrate, even if it’s just with a coffee and a cake via Zoom!

And appreciate a job well done

Saying ‘thank you’ goes a long way towards helping with morale. Appreciation doesn’t need to cost money, it just has to be genuine.

Smile!

Smiling is contagious and is scientifically proven to have a beneficial effect on both the smiler and the smilee.

Offer flexibility

It might not always be possible to reward people financially. However, offering some flexibility in working hours might help people feel more motivated.

The right environment

Everything from the lighting to the heating, the seating and the technology all have a role to play in how someone feels about their workplace. Again, with so many workers currently in their home environment, it might just be a case if checking they have everything that they need to get the job done.

Giving something back

Many people like the opportunity to be able to give something back to the community. Encouraging your team to get involved in community projects – or fundraise for charity – builds your reputation with your staff and your local area.

Have fun…

You spend a huge percentage of your life working, so take the time to have some fun in your working day too. A short break from the daily grind will help make the team work more effectively.

Dr Charlie Orton started her career in clinical research in the NHS, at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, after completing her PhD.  Following an illustrious 15 years managing portfolios of paediatric research into illnesses which burden people’s lives, she had an opportunity for secondment to Liverpool Health Partners. This was to spearhead the formation of a new collaborative research service called SPARK. Launched in October 2019, LHP SPARK was set up to provide a centralised research governance and management team for all the hospitals in the Merseyside region.

The secondment broadened her horizons and Charlie realised there was the opportunity for future career progression outside of the NHS. She needed help to think creatively and work out her priorities for the next stage in her professional life.

Coaching support offered opportunity to re-evaluate

Charlie explains: “I wasn’t trained as a clinician, I had worked in a very narrow field of paediatric research for a long time. I did not want to manage NHS services, so my options for career progression within the NHS were very limited. This coupled with the realisation that the more senior my role became, the less I enjoyed it, led me to re-evaluate my future.  I was very fortunate that the Director of HR offered me fully-funded executive coaching support and I was introduced to Sue Thomas at Career Evolution.

The power of networking

“Kate Howsley, from Career Evolution became my Coach. We felt an instant connection and I benefited from one-to-one executive coaching with her, which was remarkable.  Kate helped me rebuild my self confidence, recognise my unique skills and identify the way forward.  She enabled me to have some difficult conversations and helped me turn them into positive opportunities. I also met the wider Career Evolution team through an immensely helpful LinkedIn training seminar. This showed me the importance of profiling myself properly and also the power of networking.”

One of the things that became apparent to Charlie through the sessions was the importance of having the right mind set to recognise status and promotion were not necessarily the ultimate goals. It was more imperative that the job ‘felt’ right. It also meant that when the right position came along – this time in the charity sector – Charlie was in the right place to accept it.

A new appointment

Charlie was appointed Chief Executive of UK Smart Recovery last Spring. The charity, which runs self-management and recovery training to support people overcome addiction of any type, provides its services free at the point of care. Smart Recovery has been running for 25 years. It is the prevailing alternative recovery programme in the UK, with 4500 people accessing over 500 meetings a week (www.smartrecovery.org.uk).

On her appointment, Charlie says: “I am so pleased to be working for UK Smart Recovery. As Chief Executive for a small organisation I can really make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis. I find it hugely rewarding. The role aligns my leadership skills and knowledge with my personal values. Working with the Career Evolution team allowed me to embrace the opportunities the wider world presented and not be scared. It wasn’t just career development, the company’s support facilitated emotional and personal development too.”

One thing we’ve learned in the last few months is how interconnected everything can become. From our family and friends, to our work, our shopping and our hobbies. We have managed to continue to keep in contact with these aspects of our lives, even in the remoteness of isolation. There’s something really positive about a world that allows this to happen and the fact that these connections are what make up who we are – and also help keep us sane.

Changing times

Once upon a time, people would have looked at you askance if you’d said home delivery of groceries would make a comeback. Years ago, especially in rural villages, a van would often ‘do the rounds’, selling essentials like bread and other goods from outside your own home. The rise of supermarkets put paid to those ventures. Now, the supermarkets themselves are offering home delivery. The same is true of working from home. Who would have thought that it would have been possible to have almost an entire office-based population working from home? But that’s what’s happened and we’ve all got used to it. For many though, the physical isolation has taken its toll and staying connected offers positive reminders that there is still a world outside your front door.

Wired up to the network

The working from home policy has sped-up how interconnected we all are. Those who didn’t have a decent internet connection, or had never used online meeting platforms such as Teams and Zoom, are well versed by now. It’s become an even more vital part of our lives in other ways too. The impact increased connectivity has had has resulted in other benefits growing out of it – such as home entertainment and socialising. Business aspects such as exhibitions, job interviews, training and mentoring have all moved online for the time being. Technology and connectivity have ensured that these things – a job search, a training course – have been able to continue. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The way has been made so much easier thanks to the internet and digital technology.

Positively connected

From my own experience during lockdown, I have found there’s been a real sense of collaboration and kindness. I joined HR Manchester Connect at the start of lockdown. Its members comprise of professionals working in the Human Resources sector. This has been one of the areas most affected by lockdown, working from home, furlough and the uncertainty the job market has endured. The organisation has developed into an amazing support network of friends and connections. This is all the more incredible as I haven’t met the people in person, only virtually though my laptop screen. Over the last 12 months, we have all supported each other, both personally and professionally. This is so heartening in these uncertain times. I do hope that this positive ethos continues after the crisis has passed and we can meet in person.

For many of us, something like ‘normal’ is slowly approaching. After what actually seems like a remarkably short winter, spring is here. And as the buds start to come out, so can we. Some businesses are beginning to think of how to bring at least some of their workforce back to the offices in the near future.  The logistics are complicated, the territory uncharted, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. As this strange chapter in our lives comes to a close, have we been working from home, or living at work?

The outside world

Some people have adapted to working from home rather well. Others have been doing it for years and are now pleased that it’s being recognised as a viable way to be both productive and happy. For others beginning to get back to work, or even travelling to work – sometimes using public transport – will present significant challenges. You don’t have to be a particularly nervous person to feel as though this virus is a very dangerous issue, which has to be taken seriously. The statistics don’t lie and this has had a huge impact on the UK population and economy. Mind-sets have changed and you can’t just say one morning, “Right, all back to normal now. Off we go!”

Transitioning slowly

The transition back into offices needs to be a progressive one. For many an office will feel like a very alien environment. For certain people there are some behavioural changes that can be implemented, to make them less anxious about returning to work. Social skills may have been impacted by months of seclusion. It’s a good idea to start taking small steps, to rebuild confidence in interacting with people. This might get you used to using public transport once more. Or at least moving among people and conversing in a natural, friendly way. It may feel strange wearing a mask, but try and smile and be yourself as you go about your activity. Social distancing and masks are a constant reminder that this isn’t ‘normal’, but until they are dispensed with, they’re here to stay.

Safe office space

It’s also important for employers to reassure their staff that they will be returning to a Covid-safe environment. This will mean there will be sanitising measures, social distancing observed, and potentially, flexible working. Some people are more productive in the office, some at home. Some managers prefer their staff present in the office, but for many large firms – especially those cited in multi-storey buildings or in densely-populated business districts – the complications of space and numbers just aren’t feasible to bring everyone back at once.

It’s been suggested by some commentators that around one third of the workforce will be in at any one time. This is particularly true in the larger organisations. A proportion will be in some days, other staff on others, with larger groups in for key team meetings or training. But by and large, working from home will continue to be with us, in one form or another, for a while yet.

Speaking to a mentor or coach, either at work, or externally can help build confidence. It can ascertain what aspects of returning to the office you are looking forward to, and which fill you with dread. If working from home suits you, then don’t feel as though you’re being forced to go back in, while others have missed the interaction and can’t wait to return to the working environment once more.

One of the strange by-products of being under lockdown for long periods of the last 12 months is how divisive depictions of the outside world have become. Our biggest contact with the wider world is of course the media. But there is a ‘them’ and ‘us’ divide on almost every aspect of reporting at the moment. From politics, generational differences and the Royal Family, to where you should go on holiday – home or abroad, when home for some people literally means ‘at home’.

But what can so often be forgotten at the moment is simple kindness. The kindness of going that extra mile and beyond the call of duty. To make sure of others’ mental and physical wellbeing. The impact the national lockdowns, the lack of social interaction, the lessening of physical contact and the ongoing work from home policy, has left many people feeling isolated. Even if they have large extended families or wide circles of friends, the ability to meet up with them has been taken away. Even within your own household activity is limited. You may not want to go out for a meal, or a clothes’ shopping spree,. However, it would be nice to at least have the option. And work from home is wearing thin for some now. As for many, their dining room table continues its dual role as eatery and office – taking eating ‘al desco’ to an entirely new level.

A duty of care

What we’ve found at Career Evolution is that we’ve been more in contact than normal with our clients. Checking in with them regularly. Our Consultants and Coaches always aim to build up a strong and continuing relationship with their clients during their time together. But we’re finding that it‘s simple things like asking for an update on progress – if they are undergoing the outplacement process – or getting updates in their job search or career progression, that have really been appreciated.

We have found this extra commitment, for example, checking in with clients after they have been in their new roles for three months, to ensure they’ve settled in, makes a big difference. We’ve also found that it’s happened naturally, as opposed to being something that was premeditated. Also, all our clients know that they can keep in touch with us, even after they have secured their new role. That ongoing contact enables us to address any concerns our clients may have or allow us to apply reassurance and ongoing guidance where necessary.

Whether it’s checking in with your next-door neighbour, contacting a colleague to say ‘hello’ or following up on a client’s progress and feedback following a job interview, try to find the time to make sure they’re okay. You have no idea how much some people will appreciate it.

Even in lockdown, job searches can still being carried out, fresh contacts made and new opportunities pursued. Often doors open in the most unusual circumstances, in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes it’s a call for an ‘informal chat’, but don’t be fooled. Go in with both eyes open. Even the most informal chat requires a degree of presentation and preparation.

Same rules apply

Over the last 12 months, many aspects of business have changed dramatically. With offices largely deserted and people working remotely, things like the daily commute have become consigned to the past for now. With that has come a degree of complacency on the part of some people, who have seen their ‘work’ and ‘home’ life blur into one.

However, for some companies this remote working has been business as usual. If operatives are working in a variety of countries already, they are used to working via Zoom and Teams (other conferencing platforms are available). People are already working for companies that are based around the globe, in different time zones, with meetings taking place at all hours of the day to accommodate all attendees. What shouldn’t be forgotten at this time, however, is a consistent level of professionalism that should be maintained, even in the most ‘informal’ business situations.

Don’t knock opportunity

Imagine that through an online networking event, or a business forum such as LinkedIn, you have had an invite for an ‘informal chat’ about potential opportunities for working together. This could be from a senior person in the company. But the chat is being conducted via Zoom, so the minimum effort on your part is required, right? There’s no getting smartened up, working out travel times to the office, arriving on time for the meeting or interview. No prep at all. All you have to do is show up at your own dining room table.

However, even if there isn’t a role currently available for you at the company, you could use this opportunity of being in front of a senior person at a company you’d like to work for, to make a good impression. Our advice to our clients at Career Evolution is that there’s no such thing as an informal chat. These are busy people, who don’t give up their time freely when they don’t have to. If they want to talk to you, it’s because they’re seeing value in you.

Keeping up appearances

This means you have to dress, act and prepare for a formal interview.  Don’t be caught unaware just for the sake of putting some smart/casual clothes on and doing some preparation. Research the company and its people. Look at how it presents itself online and in the media. Determine what they do and how you could have a positive impact at the company. Give it some thought beforehand.

That extra bit of effort on your part – visually and mentally – will combine to create the right impression of you as a potential work colleague, however informal the invitation to ‘chat’ may seem to be.

In the past year we’ve become very used to seeing Zoom, Teams and other platforms in all kinds of places. Many of us have been using them for meetings, presentations and interviews, or even just to catch up with friends and family. They have become ubiquitous in all sorts of media too. On TV we’ve seen them being used on everything from news interviews, to the nightly round-up of tomorrow’s papers. We’ve even seen supporters watching football matches remotely – as screens become a chessboard of small faces. They’ve also been used for podcasts and other online forums and have allowed people to ‘see’ each other, albeit remotely.

Screening calls

Not everyone is comfortable with the format however. Some find it too informal, intrusive even, to have a camera trained on them in the privacy of their own home. As offices struggle to get staff back to work, due to the ongoing restrictions put in place by the UK government, work from home continues to be the most likely scenario for the foreseeable future. This is particularly true for larger office complexes.  But what are the rules when it comes to onscreen etiquette?

There’s some basic no-no’s from the off, like don’t Zoom and drive. But there are many layers to carrying out successful, worthwhile Zoom calls that will be beneficial to all participants. If you’re uncomfortable with the visual aspect – or your IT isn’t up to it – is it okay to not have the camera on and just use the format as audio-only? If you’re happier with that, then why not, but you might find its better received if you explain that is what you are going to do. Some people seem to take umbrage if they’re onscreen and you’re not.

Sound and silence

To minimise background noise, it’s best to mute your microphone when you’re not speaking. This will stop any extraneous noise (a door slamming, a child shouting, a pet growling, the washing machine running) in your room activating your mic and causing you to ‘take the floor’ so to speak. Some software allows the coordinator of the meeting to automatically mute mics their end and introduce speakers as they are needed.

It’s probably best to buy a headset or a freestanding microphone, as the audio input quality on laptop speakers can be less than ideal. Some people use desktop webcams, but the camera in your laptop should suffice, if you’re not broadcasting to millions of people. Make sure it’s positioned properly though, so you don’t look as though you’re stuck down a mineshaft, or looking up out of a well.

Looking professional

Appearance-wise it’s also best to dress as though you were going to work. That Winnie the Pooh onesie isn’t going to present the right image as you pitch for a new client.  You may also have to stand up to retrieve something during the meeting.  You should always concentrate on what is being said and try and avoid external distractions, such as checking your phone, or watching the TV.

Nodding to acknowledge you’re listening and understanding what is being said is a good and won’t interrupt the speakers flow. If your meeting requires a contribution from you, outside of informal conversation, then prepare well beforehand and have notes to hand and prompts, should you need them. But avoid multitasking onscreen if you can help it. Don’t start playing with the printer, or trying to make a cup of coffee, while you’re supposed to be listening.

If it’s an interview or presentation, approach it with the same attention to detail you would as if it was in person. Make sure you have rehearsed what you would like to say and come across as confident and knowledgeable.

Online meetings hopefully won’t be the only answer in the long term, but for the moment it’s something we all need to use. You might as well get good at it!

Strong leaders know that their success is not measured by their own personal achievements but instead by the success of their employees. It is important to take the time to analyse the attributes of new and existing employees in order to make the most of them. Try to learn fully about their passions and interests in order to help bring out strengths that they may not even know they had.

Empower your employees

To feel comfortable enough in a workplace that your strengths shine through you have to feel empowered. Bosses can empower their employees in three different ways. Firstly, you must provide the right training to enable your workers to do the tasks necessary. Secondly, you need to motivate people. This can be done by introducing employee incentives or rewards. Finally, you should clear the path for their success; you should remove anything in the company’s control that may prevent them from being the best version of themselves.

Ask

Go straight to the source. Ask your team members about what they believe to be their abilities and passions. Having conversations with staff about what they view as their best traits shows that you value this information, and want to make sure that these abilities are being utilised most effectively.

Observe the past

Whether an employee is new to the team, or has been around for longer, it is important to look back on previous work to really find where your employees strengths really lie. Look for previous major successes and what skills they used while doing this. Once you are aware of this, you can assign employees to tasks that bring out strengths that are specific to them.

Allow an employee to test drive a new role

It is possible that an employee’s strengths could blossom in a role different from the one that they perform day-to-day. Allow your employees to shadow co-workers to find out about their roles and responsibilities. This test-drive might spark new ideas about increased value from the employee, and allow you to see where a role-shift may make sense for the individual. At the end of the day, you want to get the best out of your employees.

With so many people currently working from home (WFH) and carrying out meetings on virtual platforms, the concept of a digital detox has never been more pertinent. For many businesses, a ‘digital detox’, the idea of switching off all digital sources – from mobile phones to email and the internet – is scary to say the least. What if a client’s urgent request goes unanswered? What if a deadline is missed? However, the results might be surprising.

Sleep tight

Media and telecoms regulator OFCOM has found the amount of time people spend online is causing sleep deprivation. Meanwhile, another report from Deloitte shows that 1 in 3 adults check their smartphone in the middle of the night.

Take a break

The level of reliance on IT has never been higher. However, the impact on productivity and wellbeing needs to be considered too. Your team might need to be reminded to take a break from the screen. There is a growing concern over the amount of time that people are spending plugged in and online. For obvious reasons, this is currently higher than ever.

Value in traditional methods

While a ‘digital detox’ may feel counter-intuitive at the moment, it is worth considering other ways to connect with your employees and customers. Increased face-to-face contact is not possible right now, but it might be interesting to challenge your team to see what other ways you can effectively communicate. The old-fashioned method of picking up the phone, or even the more outmoded principle of writing – and posting – a physical letter, might have a greater impact than you realise. If nothing else, it will give people a short break from the screen.

You’ve been offered a job interview. Congratulations! Take a look at our top tips to make sure you really stand out from the crowd.

1. Research the company and interviewer thoroughly

Check out the website in detail, track down press releases, internet forums and social media to gain an in-depth understanding of the company’s culture and values.

2. Practise a mock interview as often as you can

This will help you prepare for likely questions and make you more relaxed as a consequence.

3. Take care with your appearance to make a great first impression

Keep it appropriate for the company you are interviewing with, and the role you are interviewing for.

4. Be punctual

Whether the interview is taking place online or in person, make sure you allow yourself plenty of extra time to ensure you are prepared. If you are actually attending a face-to-face interview, be sure of arriving around 15 minutes early. This will allow you time to relax as far as possible and also get the measure of the workplace.

5. Remember to smile and make eye contact

This is especially important if the interview is being conducted remotely. It will help to make you look confident, friendly and relaxed – even if you are far from feeling any of these!

6. Think about your body language

Walk tall, sit up straight and don’t fidget.

7. Take extra copies of your CV

And any examples of your work that are relevant or have them ready to share on screen or send by email either during or after the interview.

8. Plan the questions you want to ask in advance

Feel free to write them down beforehand for quick reference.

9. Prepare for the awkward questions

If you are asked about your weaknesses, you’re really being tested on your self-awareness.

10. Always end on a positive note

Ask what the next stage in the decision-making process is and say you’re looking forward to hearing from them.

Good luck!