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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.

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HOW TO ANSWER ILLEGAL OR INAPPROPRIATE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Interview questions
Some interview questions may be illegal or inappropriate.

Interview questions can be tricky. You certainly want to be pleasant and congenial, but what should you do if you are asked a question that you believe is inappropriate or one that makes you feel uncomfortable?  

IT’S THE LAW

The US Labor Department division of Labor/Employee Relations website reminds employers that “it is illegal not to hire candidates because of their race, color, sex, religion, national origin, birthplace, age, disability or marital/family status.”  Interviewers should not ask you questions that would elicit such information. However, even though most employers are aware of the law, prepare your answers to these questions:

Do you have a disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protections for disabled employees and job applicants. You do not have to answer a question regarding your disability unless you choose to disclose it.  If you have an obvious disability (for example, you require a wheelchair) or if you choose to disclose your disability, your interviewer is allowed to ask what, if any, special requirements you need to fulfill the job requirements.

What’s your age? 

If you are 40 years or older, you are protected against age discrimination by the Employment Act (ADEA). It is against the law for the interviewer to ask your age. Interviewers have the right to ask if a job candidate is 18 or older (verifying legal adult status) if this is an important factor in the candidate’s ability to do the job.

Marital status

While it’s irrelevant and illegal to ask this during the interview, employers can ask this question for insurance purposes.

Do you have children? 

Your interviewer should not ask you whether or not you have children. However, your employer has the right to ask questions about your dependents for insurance purposes.

What’s your race? 

Any questions that inquire about your ethnic or racial identity are not allowed during the interview.  You may be required to answer questions about your race or ethnic identity on your employer’s insurance forms.

Can you tell us about your nearest relative or next of kin? This is a question your interviewer should avoid asking. It is appropriate for your employer to ask once you are hired because this information is needed to provide you with employee benefits.

Are you a U.S. citizen? 

Your interviewer is allowed to ask whether you are legally eligible to work in the United States (i.e., do you have a temporary visa, a green card, or citizenship). However, it is prohibited to ask direct questions about your national origin or immigration status.

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? 

Your interviewer cannot ask you whether you ever filed for bankruptcy or any questions about your financial status.  Your employer may ask for financial information as it relates to your employee benefits.

HOW TO RESPOND TO ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What are your options in this situation? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Briefly answer the question, or if you are uncomfortable in doing so, respond to the intent of the question;
  2. Ignore the question and change the subject; or
  3. Refuse to answer the question.

It is best to be tactful but firm.  Prepare your answers to these questions in advance by focusing on how to reply without disclosing any personal information.

DISCLOSING PERSONAL INFORMATION IS YOUR CHOICE

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, this is your opportunity to decide what to self-disclose. For example, if you needed a specific accommodation for your disability or want to know about maternity leave.

If you choose NOT to disclose any personal information, you may come across as secretive. Disclosing too much information may make you appear “needy and high maintenance.”  A recruiter can help prepare you for the interview, especially how much to disclose and how.

INAPPROPRIATE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Bizarre, inappropriate interview questions are another topic altogether.  These are the questions that are not illegal. However, they make you think about the interviewer’s intentions. Questions that relate to your sexual orientation, personal relationships, political affiliation, or beliefs are off-limits.

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.

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BODY LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT – EVEN DURING YOUR ZOOM INTERVIEW

 

body language
Your smile is key to landing your next job!

 

Body language – how important is it? After you practice your responses to a list of the most common legal competency-based questions, you must make sure you don’t miss this critical component to your next interview. Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, your body language could be the key to helping you get the job.

Professor Albert Mehrabian did extensive research into the impact of our verbal and nonverbal communication. In his communication model, he identified three key points regarding body language: 

  • 55 percent of the message you communicate relates to your body language and facial expression; 
  • 38 percent of the message you communicate relates to the tone of your voice and your manner of speech; and
  • Only 7 percent of your message relates to the words we communicate.

From unconscious fidgeting to awkward facial expressions, our nervousness in an interview can easily lead to a host of body language mistakes.

So here some suggestions on how to improve your body language:

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during your job interview is to avoid eye contact with your interviewer. Hiring managers want to see the confidence in their prospective candidates, and keeping your vision cast down towards the floor makes you look nervous and lack confidence. Though this can be a part of your personality, it’s something you need to consider and address.

Make sure you look at your interviewer as you answer their questions and show you are actively listening and engaged in the conversation.

THE BODY LANGUAGE OF A SMILE 

Not only can smiling make you appear warm and friendly, but it may also help you with your interview-based nerves. Employers want to hire someone who has a pleasant manner and fits into a legal firm’s culture.

LIMIT YOUR HAND GESTURES

Although you may gesture with your hands with your friends and family, it is best to keep hand gestures to a minimum during your job interview.

Moving your hands around can be distracting, especially on a zoom job interview.

UNCROSS YOUR ARMS

Though you might think this doesn’t happen anymore in an interview situation, however, surprisingly it still does. Remember, especially in an interview situation, crossed arms may be seen as a sign that you are disengaged, bored, or even worse – defensive.

By keeping the frame of your body open and angled towards the interviewer, you can portray interest and engagement with your body language, 

KEEP YOUR BODY POSTURE STRAIGHT 

Sitting with a bad posture will not help you appear confident. Make sure you sit up straight, with spine straight against the back of your chair, and square off your shoulders. A strong posture helps you look more like a leader. 

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.

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TELL YOUR RECRUITER THE TRUTH – Transparency is Key to Finding the Right Job at the Right Pay

 

Recruiters are like good therapists, they should know the truth. If you are thinking of changing jobs, you need to share your full job history with your legal or IT recruiter.  The more they know, the more they will be able to help you find your dream job.

Recruiters should know:


1. Recruiters should know about all your prior jobs, even the ones not listed on your resume 

 

Did you know that 78 percent of job seekers lie on their resume! For the most part, this applies to positions post-college.  You should reveal every position you’ve held, even if for a short time. At best, you will appear to be a well-rounded candidate who has the ability to work in a variety of roles. At worst, it avoids the possibility of leaving something in your work history that may come back later to haunt you.

2. Tell your Recruiter the truth about why you are leaving your current job

 

Employers will always want the answer to this question. Tell your recruiter the truth about the circumstances that led you to consider changing jobs. If you choose not to share the “real” reason at your interview, your recruiter can help you answer the question in a way that puts you in your best light. It may help to make a list of pros and cons regarding your current job: what are the positives and what are the negatives? This information is invaluable in your recruiter’s hands for assisting you in finding the best job for you. He or she will help you avoid toxic environments that pushed you to move on from your current job in the first place.

 

3. Recruiters need to know what salary you have in mind

 

Advocate for yourself in terms of salary. If you have a minimum salary requirement, tell your recruiter! Not only will this help you find a job with the right compensation it will also save everyone time. Once you let your recruiter know what you want, the prospective positions can be narrowed down to find the best fit for you.

 

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.

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JOB SEARCHING DURING COVID-19? HERE ARE 5 TIPS TO SUCCEED

 

Job searching was already difficult. But with the added economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be feeling a bit discouraged. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions (SRS) we are here to help you navigate the changing job market and find employment during these unprecedented times. At SRS, we work with Legal and IT Professionals and their prospective employers; however, these five tips on how to succeed, apply to everyone:

 

1. Job Searching through Networking and Establishing Your Brand

 

It is a great time to spruce up your LinkedIn profile and build your brand using social media. Ask yourself, “How do I want potential employers to perceive me? If an employer only looked at your social media pages, what would they think of you? Consider these questions, and adjust your brand accordingly. Not only should your online profile be professional, but it should also be without controversy.  Once you have established a professional brand, work your contacts to see if you can determine who is hiring.

 

 

2. Take Time to Develop Your Skills

 

Not everyone gained additional time due to the pandemic and its layoffs, but for those that now have some surplus of time, utilize that time for professional development. Take an online course regarding a new software you’re unfamiliar with, or take time to develop a new skill or complete a certification. Every hour of knowledge you gain will sharpen your edges as a job candidate. Here is a list of free online learning that is updated continuously.

There has also been an increase in webinars and podcasts due to the coronavirus pandemic; even if you already have all the knowledge and skills you need, you should stay abreast of new developments and innovations in your field.

 

3. Job Searching Past Your Horizon 

 

The pandemic has oddly helped job searching in some aspects. During various stages of the application and hiring process, because in-person interviews were required,  you may have excluded out-of-state employers from your search. Now, however, with virtual interviews being the norm, there will be new opportunities. According to MoneyWise, due to job opportunities and a lower cost of living, there has been a surge in moving to five states in particular (Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, South Carolina, Washington). For those we want to continue to call Louisiana home, we are here for you.

SRS works with top corporations, legal firms, and tech companies throughout the Louisiana Gulf Region as well as nationally.  If you are ready to discover new job opportunities in the Legal or IT field, our executive recruiters will assist in your job search and career path. Learn more about how we help top-tier talent achieve success.

 

4. Check and Polish Your Resume

 

Chances are, you might not have set eyes on it in a while. Now is the perfect time to both update and polish it, so your most important sets of experience, accomplishments, and skills stand out. Since most resumes are digital or coming out of an online portfolio, take this time to make sure that all items you refer to have hyperlinks attached.

 

5. Prepare for the Virtual Interview

 

The increasing necessity for distance has made the virtual interview all the more standard. Virtual interviews do have their own set of inconveniences, as it’s difficult to convey the type of person you are, your work ethic, and your outright ability to work at home. The pandemic has produced several new considerations your potential employer will want to explore.

Get ready to talk about how you handled the pandemic. Employers want to evaluate a candidate’s ability to manage stress and pressure. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses during the quarantine. This not only shows that you’re human and honest about your limits, but that you’re functional enough for the workload. If it’s a remote job, you will need solid answers on how you were able to stay motivated working from home, as well as demonstrate hat you are compfortable switching back and forth to work from home as needed.

There are so many unknowns in the current climate, and demonstrating this type of adaptability shows a potential employer that the uncertainty of things moving forward will not affect you to the point where they’re at a loss if they hire you.

 

5. Prepare for Behavioral Questions

 

Behavioral questions measure how competent you are with specific abilities, and the real answer to these questions is in the answering. There is no right way or wrong way to answer. These types of questions aim to characterize a person and sketch their personality type. Often these questions are situational, involving past work performance. Here is an example of a behavioral question,  “When was the last time you messed up on a project and didn’t take responsibility for it?” The interviewer is more interested in how you answer the question than the actual event. Your answer should reveal character. What you’re capable of doing and that you have the functionality to act. Learn more about behavioral questions here.

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. We offer a free resume review, which you can find more information here.