newsletter-ca-2022-07

What is visibility in the workplace?

roberthalf — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 02:24:46 +0000

What is visibility in the workplace? roberthalf Wed, 06/15/2022 - 02:24

Managed correctly, working remotely can offer the best of both worlds – opportunities to enjoy a better work-life balance while still forging ahead with your career.

One of the strongest workplace trends we have seen in recent years, both here in China and internationally, is the increasing opportunity for employees to work remotely as a part of flexible working hours.

The downside of working remotely is that you, and the contribution you make to the business, may not always be visible. So you need to manage the situation carefully to actively promote your personal achievements.

That’s why one of the most valuable tips we can offer is to look at ways of achieving a work-life balance between the personal benefits of working remotely, and maintaining your career progression.

Here are five tips to help you make the most of your work remotely:

1. Make your presence felt digitally

Making phone calls or emails can seem like the easy way to stay in touch. However if you are working remotely consider arranging regular video calls with colleagues.

Not only is a video call a powerful visual reminder that you are part of the office team, you also have the ability to pick up on important physical cues from colleagues that are lost with other forms of communication.

2. Maintain a physical presence

Working remotely should never be a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

It can take some effort on your behalf to regularly catch up with co-workers and your direct manager for face to face meetings. But it’s a sensible investment of your time.

Attending departmental meetings can improve the flow of communication between you and your co-workers.

It also keeps the entire team in touch with shared goals and provides openings for you to highlight your successes.

3. Keep your team in the loop

Uncertainty about when you are in the office can be a source of frustration for colleagues, so one of the key remote working tips to bear in mind is to keep co-workers up to speed with your schedule.

It comes down to good communication on your behalf because it’s unreasonable to expect colleagues to stay up to date with your schedule or availability.

Get into the routine of reminding people when you will be in the office – and conversely, when you are best accessed via email or video calls.

Timing is everything, so provide a gentle reminder of your availability at the beginning of each week, and be sure your voicemail and email signature informs callers of the days when you are working remotely.

4. Be an active participant in firm-wide initiatives

One of the biggest potential downsides of working outside of the office is being overlooked for sought-after roles or projects. But it can happen.

Be prepared to raise your hand high to be considered for new initiatives or special projects.

Take the opportunity to liaise with colleagues and senior management on a regular basis to ensure your name comes to mind when leading talent is needed for a new project.

5. Message colleagues

When you are not in the office everyday, it can be challenging to maintain a rapport with colleagues.

This is where instant messenger programs can be handy, providing a timely way to stay in the loop with your co-workers. Remember, conversations don’t always have to be about work to build rapport.

Learning how to work remotely will benefit your career

Not surprisingly, many people embrace these opportunities to work remotely. It can provide valuable savings in terms of transport to and from work; increased flexibility to schedule work demands around family and personal needs; in addition to sidestepping the office politics that can plague many office cultures.

A big factor in this development has been employers realising that working remotely doesn’t necessarily mean taking a hit on being productive. But it’s certainly not all smooth sailing by any means.

By making the effort to maintain your visibility in the workplace it’s possible to forge ahead with your career goals without compromising the flexibility or benefits of working remotely.

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Unhappy at work - 5 career regrets you wish you knew earlier

roberthalf — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:12:43 +0000

Unhappy at work - 5 career regrets you wish you knew earlier roberthalf Mon, 11/16/2020 - 00:12

Happy people tend to be harder workers, more productive, better leaders and have all-round improved health due to reduced stress and frustration.

Looking back on your career so far, what would you do to improve your happiness? What could you do today from what you’ve learnt?

We’ve chalked up five career regrets you wish you knew earlier, because no one should be unhappy at work.

1. “I was unhappy at work because I had no autonomy.”

David Jones, Senior Managing Director at Robert Half Asia Pacific, says that feeling like we make our own decisions, “is a critical part of being human”. As such, the opportunity to act autonomously at work gives people a sense of independence and freedom. This freedom allows people to work confidently, productively, and perhaps most importantly, to trial new ideas and processes without fear of reprimand.

You will have your own way of completing daily tasks, projects and developing new ideas. The space to experiment and work without constant monitoring helps assure happiness and promote innovation, something beneficial to employees and employers alike.

2. “Not expressing concerns about changes to my title and salary made me unhappy at work.”

Equality matters immensely to workers. Both employers and employees have a role to play in ensuring that the discourse around title and salary is transparent for entire periods of employment. Even the smallest inequalities or perceived disparities can make people unhappy at work and create fractures in once cohesive teams.

For employees, it’s important to have regular conversations about title and pay to voice concerns when they arise. Having a clear understanding of what you need to do to move from that coordinator role to manager or to jump into the next bracket will allow you to take strategic, considered steps in the right direction with your career.

3. “Feedback was rarely communicated which made me doubt my contribution."

Feeling good and doing well at work doesn’t always rely on being the best or achieving large-scale goals. On the contrary, a sense of accomplishment, empowerment and satisfaction can arise if constructive feedback is provided, and an opportunity to improve and learn is encouraged.

Dr. Christine Carter, author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work says that, “The key for managers is to express gratitude and to be really specific about the particular effort the employee made.” Carter adds, “because that’s when people feel seen and recognised.” While in most cases it’s the responsibility of managers to express gratitude for successful work, as employees, don’t be afraid to initiate a conversation about feedback and your current work progress. Being provided with constructive feedback or praise allays feelings of fear and insecurity and promotes happiness at work.

4. “The organisational culture just wasn’t right for me.”

In most recruitment scenarios, strong skills and experience are typically the most important attributes to consider for a role. But what needs to be equally considered is whether you’re a good fit to the culture of the organisation. A truly good fit entails both skills and temperament, and failure to recognise this could lead to dissatisfaction with your role, and even career.

Ensuring that your personality would be a good cultural fit as well as your experience means you’ll be able to adapt easily, exhibit resilience and be equipped to navigate any challenges that come up. Employees who are a good cultural fit are not only happy and productive, but tend to have greater tenure and develop loyalty to both employer and organisation.

5. “I thought happiness at work was my responsibility alone.”

Research by Robert Half found that 20 per cent of employees say their happiness at work is solely their responsibility and another six per cent believe this duty is entirely in their boss’s hands. The reality is that happiness at work is a shared responsibility, and that different people, factors and contexts play a role in guaranteeing your sense of self and satisfaction. Your manager and colleagues, for example, play key roles in how you feel about your work, the amount you contribute to departmental goals and overall team camaraderie. Understanding that the influences are often diverse, and that responsibility is shared can ensure that robust strategies are put in place to combat unhappiness at work, and feelings of isolation among unhappy staff are rare.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to being happy at work, and it’s certainly an area that requires ongoing work, review and improvement by employees and employers. However, understanding the critical role it plays in staff engagement, productivity, tenure and organisational reputation will ensure it remains a top focus to avoid feeling unhappy at work. Because it’s time we all work happy.

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Why it’s still a good time to change jobs despite COVID-19

roberthalf — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:34:16 +0000

Why it’s still a good time to change jobs despite COVID-19 roberthalf Mon, 08/10/2020 - 05:34

As the employment market continues to absorb the various impacts of the coronavirus, fewer candidates may be willing to change jobs or careers, as some prioritise job security over their long-term career aspirations.

But for anyone who may be already thinking about jumping ship, now is actually a better time to look for a new job than you might think. While certain sectors are being forced to make difficult staffing decisions, others are looking ahead and actively hiring for the skills and roles they’ll need in a post-pandemic future.

It’s understandable to ask, “How do I change my job in such a volatile economy? Is it worth the risk?”

Here are some reasons why it’s still worthwhile checking in on the job market, whether you’re concerned about the longevity of your current role or are just looking to make a fresh start.

The competitive landscape is changing

An overall reduction in hiring can mean a more competitive job search. But it’s also a much-changed landscape than pre-COVID - one which will favour candidates who can leverage their core skills, competencies and behaviours in a range of different job types.

This can be a valuable opportunity to assess the types of skills, competencies and behaviours you have that are most valued by employers – such as communication skills, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, teamwork and adaptability. Depending on the industry you’re in, signing up for an online course can help you address any important skills gaps and boost your employability.

While some industries are shedding jobs, others are growing in response to the recent pandemic, and you may be surprised at the career opportunities that present themselves to you.

Smaller teams can create more career opportunities

With many companies having had to reduce the size of their teams, chances are high that remaining team members will have to pick up some of that work and take on new responsibilities.

This provides employees with an opportunity to grow their skills in new areas and show that they are capable of taking on bigger and different challenges as well as more responsibilities – which can often mean expanding your professional experience and getting to climb the career ladder faster.

These companies will still probably be hiring for certain roles, which are more likely to have these increased levels of responsibility and/or development opportunities. Hence now could be an optimal time for candidates who are focused on growing their careers and are looking for the chance to learn about different areas of the business.

It’s important to change jobs if your career needs it

It’s never a bad time to change jobs if you’re unhappy in your current role, no matter what the state of the employment market is. Or you might have become too comfortable in your role, which can prevent you from fulfilling your potential, and cost you valuable time you might otherwise have spent pursuing new and exhilarating career paths.

Given that many payroll budgets are being frozen or reduced, it’s also important that you weigh up the non-monetary benefits of any current or prospective job – such as a flexible work schedule, ability to work remotely, career development and a positive workplace culture – as these are becoming more important than ever in attracting top talent.

So, regardless of whether you’re itching for a career change or just want better job security, it’s worth putting your best foot forward and exploring your options. Look into what industries are looking to hire and keep an open mind when it comes to roles that are available.

While the employment market may not look in the best shape right now, there are definitely still opportunities out there waiting for candidates who are willing to make the switch.

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