Work Culture

October 28, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

SRS – Recruitment and Retention – 5 Things Employees Want More Than A Raise

Employee retention will increase your bottom line. Read these five tips to increase employee retention.

An estimated 41 million employees voluntarily quit their jobs in 2019, according to the Work Institute. By the end of 2020, the firm predicted that 47 million, or roughly 1 in 3 workers, will leave their employment. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, businesses lose up to a trillion dollars annually due to voluntary turnover.

When you consider that cost of replacing an employee is one-half to two times the employee’s annual salary, it makes sense to work on retention. For example, for a 100-person firm with an average annual salary per employee of $50,000, turnover and replacement costs may be $660,000 to $2.6 million per year.

Employee retention is when managers know how to put employees in the right roles and give them suitable projects to keep them engaged, productive, and want to work for the company and the manager.

The benefits of employee retention are:

Increased employee satisfaction
Better employee morale
Increased performance and productivity
Improved work quality
Increased return on your investment (ROI)

Conversely, the price of replacing an employee includes recruitment costs, training, lower productivity, and a lower level of customer satisfaction.

In their book, Love ‘Em or Lose’ Em, authors Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans asked over 18,000 employees why they stayed with their organizations. The result was a bestselling employee retention guide that provides valuable insight into employees’ top non-financial reasons for
staying.

In a Gallup survey, over 50 percent of exiting employees said that in the three months before they left, neither their manager nor any other leader spoke with them about their job satisfaction or future with the organization.

Most employees agree that what they want is exciting, challenging, or meaningful work. Although we all can’t have jobs as exciting as being an astronaut, here are five ways to improve your employee recruiting practices and increase the retention of employees in your business.

1. Form teams.

While in teams, workers learn more, have more variety in their work, and perform much better with follow-up tasks. Teams are great for keeping active engagements and encouraging more accountability. It is a win-win for everyone.

2. Challenge Employees with New Assignments.

New responsibilities can help your employees feel valued. Show your employees you trust them by giving them responsibilities that allow them
to grow.

3. Seek Employee Feedback.

Employees want more than an annual review. Furthermore, employees want to know about their performance, and if you provide them with continual feedback, their work will improve considerably.

4. Recognize Quality Work.

The rewards you give your employees should speak to their emotional needs and should go beyond their monetary compensation. Recognition contributes to the positive culture of the company and can be a great morale builder.

5. Provide Your Employees with Learning Opportunities.

German law provides a Bildungsurlaub, five days off annually to participate in an approved training course. Although not many countries have a law like this, the idea of enriching a job via a learning experience will keep your employees educated and interested.

Finally, communication is key to a great workplace. When your employees feel that they can come to you with ideas, questions, and concerns, this leads to a positive environment.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, your success is our success. Our reputation for superior client satisfaction results from a tireless commitment to exceeding our clients’ objectives. Furthermore, we are the recruiting firm for top employers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Gulf Region. Our
recruiters will partner with you in your search for highly talented legal, management and technology hires. They will lend their industry knowledge, experience, tools, and technology to enhance your recruiting strategy.

We have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. Our focus is on building a long-term relationship with your company. Call us today at 888-366-6508. We can help you find the best candidate to join your legal or IT team.

June 14, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

Time to change jobs? Look for these signs!

You have been in your job a few years and noticed your motivation is dwindling. Maybe you no longer feel challenged to learn. Or perhaps you feel like you are going in the opposite direction of where you envisioned your career going.

Everyone’s interests and goals naturally change over time. So how do you know if you’re ready for a job change?

Here are seven indicators that it may be time for you to make your move:

You feel stressed and tired

Are you overly tired on the way to work, sleeping less, or more irritable? These could be symptoms of rising stress levels – an early warning system that something is off. Stress can affect your mood and immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and lows and impairing performance.

So if your body is trying to tell you something, take a moment to understand the message.

You don’t believe in the company like you used to

When you began working in your current job, it seemed full of possibilities, and you felt proud to identify yourself as an employee of your organization. But recently, you’ve noticed a change in the office atmosphere, and your belief or confidence in the organization isn’t what it was.

Perhaps the company has taken some commercial or strategic decisions that don’t sit well with you. Maybe a management reshuffle has not been a change for the better. Or perhaps it’s just that your thinking has evolved, and you feel your values no longer align with yours.

You can’t wait for the day to end

When you first started this job, you woke up excited about going to work. On the job, you often asked about taking on extra projects and offered to stay late to complete your work. Now, you find yourself counting down the hours until you can log off and head home. You look for the minimum workload rather than look for opportunities to go the extra mile.

It may be that your position doesn’t stretch you any more, or your current employer doesn’t have an adequate development path for you. Either way, it could be time to move on to something that ignites your passion again.

Your job skills don’t match up with your interests

Sometimes people get hired for things they’re good at but don’t necessarily like doing. You may be skilled in software sales but would really prefer to be in marketing. Maybe you’re great at creating spreadsheets but would rather meet with clients instead of sitting at a desk all day. Perhaps you’ve found yourself practicing in one area of law, but you’d prefer another.

It is natural to want to align your interests with your career activity – and the longer you leave it, the harder it can be to switch as you become more and more specialized in a field where you feel you do not belong.

As Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” So now could be the time to take the opportunity while you can and see what you can achieve if you try.

You feel invisible

Do you get the impression that your opinions and contributions go unacknowledged? Have you been overlooked for a promotion or an important project, and you’re finding others get the credit for things you suggested months ago. Perhaps relationships within your team aren’t as cordial or collaborative as they used to be, and team members aren’t socializing together anymore.

Because you spend a significant portion of your time at work, it is important that you feel that you are valued. It also helps if your work atmosphere is friendly, productive, and encouraging. If you’ve done everything you can to improve the dynamic, but still feel that things are not right, it may be time to move on. Find something new to challenge you and where you think you can make a real difference.

Your job is boring

Sometimes it can be hard to accept that your role is just not substantial enough for you anymore. Unhappily staying in a position because of your sense of loyalty or hesitation to make a change could hurt your career in the long run.

Over time you have developed skills and experience, and it may be time for new challenges. Sometimes an employer may not have the resources to help you reach your potential. What your career may need is the sort of change that only a job switch can provide.

If you see similarities with your job experience after reading these seven signs, don’t be afraid to start exploring your options.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, your success is our success. Our reputation for superior client satisfaction is the result of a tireless commitment to exceeding our clients’ objectives. We are the recruiting firm of choice for top employers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Gulf Region. Our recruiters will partner with you in your search for highly talented legal, management and technology hires. They will lend their industry knowledge, experience, tools, and technology to enhance your recruiting strategy. We have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. Our focus is on building a long-term relationship with your company. Call us today at 888-366-6508. We can help you find the best candidate to join your legal or IT team.

November 20, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

YOUR WORKPLACE SATISFACTION HEAVILY DEPENDS ON YOUR AGE

Workplace satisfaction varies by age.

Due to a variety of cultural and historical factors, the level of employee satisfaction in their jobs depends on age, new data shows. Workplace satisfaction is an integral part of retaining and recruiting new employees and growing a business or firm. Employers face some challenges in that the motivating factors for workplace satisfaction seem to differ radically between younger and older generations, but now they have the data to follow through with addressing these needs.

Positive Words

Statistics suggest that employees between the ages of 21 to 30 partially depend on managerial praise and recognition to be fully satisfied. Of this demographic, 30 percent would “strongly” recommend their workplace as a satisfactory environment. Of this younger age group, 39 percent agree that their manager/supervisor puts forward the maximum effort to recognize their achievements.

Workplace Performance

While younger workers want positive words, older workers want their performance measured. Parallel to this, data suggests that the older the worker, the more satisfied. There is a correlation between an increase in age and in incremental satisfaction. Senior citizens are the most satisfied workers, reporting a 95 percent satisfaction rate. Of employees between the age of 61-70, 47 percent would “strongly” recommend their workplace to others.

Two Perspectives

There are two different perspectives on satisfaction due to age in the workplace. For a business to be successful, there is a need to address both age groups. Not only will this have the effect of creating a more productive working environment, but it will also help retain workers.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. Best of all, we offer a free resume review. Find out more information here.

December 31, 2019 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

ATTENDING OFFICE PARTIES, FOOTBALL GATHERINGS, ETC? HOW TO HELP, NOT HURT, YOUR CAREER!

Attending a football game, parade or festival with your office colleagues? Learn how to do it right!

Attending an event with office colleagues?Although Christmas office parties are in the rear-view mirror, in Louisiana, there are many events still to come. The New Orleans Saints host their first NFL playoff game on Sunday, January 5 and LSU is in the 2020 National Championship Game on Monday, January 13, 2020. After that, there will be Mardi Gras parties followed by St. Patrick and St. Joseph day parades as well as numerous music festivals.

Attending any of these events with colleagues from your office can be fun but dangerous. If someone takes a photo or video tapes you being inappropriate, this could cost you your job. It can be easy to forget that you are socializing with people you work with, especially when in a party atmosphere.

Here are five helpful hints on how to present yourself while having fun at your next office sponsored event:

1. Dress appropriately.

The way you present yourself to your superiors and colleagues can significantly affect your work life and environment. You don’t want their image of you to suffer for what you choose to wear to the event. If you are confused as to what is appropriate attire, consult the party planner or colleagues who have attended the party before.

2. Make sure you and your guest remain respectful.

If you decide to bring a plus one to the party, make sure that they conduct themselves respectfully. It’s best to avoid any situation where you would get into trouble for somebody else’s actions. You will be judged by the quality of people you surround yourself with, and you want to make sure that whoever you may bring makes a good impression.

3. Remember you are with office colleagues so don’t overdrink.

This tip should be a given. Enjoy yourself, but don’t get to the point where you can’t control yourself. Drink in moderation. If you decide that you are going to drink, make sure that you eat beforehand to avoid getting sick.

4. Talk about more than office gossip.

Use the party as a way to network within your company. It’s also the perfect time to get closer to your work family and to make a good impression with your superiors. Stay on topics that are lighthearted and friendly. Avoid gossip and bringing up issues like sex, religion, or politics.

5. Be sure to thank the host of the party or event.

The host of the party will remember you thanked them and it will make a good impression.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions (“SRS”), we specialize in Legal and IT Recruiting. Our professional recruiters provide candidates with knowledge and insight based on our years of experience in the Legal and IT fields. At SRS, our ultimate goal is to match top companies with top talent. We are focused on matching you to the RIGHT position at the RIGHT company. Call us today to see for yourself how easy finding your dream job can be!

September 10, 2019 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

WANT TO RETAIN TOP TALENT? HERE’S HOW

At SRS, we help you find and retain the top talent in the legal and IT industries

What’s your first response to the question, how to keep top talent? If you believe it is solely about offering them more money or prestige, consider this recent ranking of the top law firms in the country. The ones rated as the best for compensation or prestige didn’t even make the top ten.

Although compensation is an important factor, it is not always the determining or sole factor in what helps you retain your top talent. Here are five things that your top talent seeks beyond compensation:

Top Talent Seek Opportunities for Personal Growth

Learning opportunities can keep talented hires engaged in the firm’s work and mission. While especially popular in the IT departments, learning opportunities can also help retain employees in other areas. For example, one law firm in Australia provided the opportunity to learn Mandarin.

Recognition and Respect are Essential

Great employees continue to prove themselves every day. They help set and maintain the productive rhythm of the company by stepping up when needed and mentoring others. When you have top talent, it is obvious so why not, reciprocate. Recognition and respect from leadership helps to solidify the bond between your company and its great employees.

Top Talent Seeks a Leadership Team They Can Trust

Like all long-term relationships, trust is a factor. Fairness is a factor. Caring is a factor. Great employees stay because they can trust that leadership has their back. They can trust that leadership will make the best decisions for the company. They trust that when things go sideways, leadership will get the company back on course.

Stability Attracts Top Talent

A law firm with the right amount of stability can benefit the top young talent. It is essential to find the right balance between removing bad employees and allowing too much turnover. A successful organization has senior talent in place to help nurture young employees into a path towards leadership.

The Best Employees Share Your Company’s Vision and Strategy

Even in the hierarchical military chain of command, providing a clear strategy will help you retain the best people. The talented want to see their roles in your firm’s strategic plan.

But before you can link employee values and personal goals with your firm’s, you must find out which talent is the best fit. To do this, the “Harvard Business Review” suggests not just looking for ability but also aspiration. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, our goal is to connect our Client Partners with the best active and passive candidates searching for a high-end career. Our experts can help streamline your executive recruitment strategies and assist in managing the entire interviewing and hiring process.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We focus on Legal and IT Recruiting and have industry-expert recruiters that can offer the kind of insight and guidance that helps grow companies and careers. We have offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and are ready to help your business identify professional candidates for the legal and IT industries.

When you are ready to add to your team, consider partnering with us. We can help you recruit and retain employees now and in the future. Call us today at 888-366-6508.