Tips

5 Tips for Constructive Employee Feedback

Mary Springer

Partner

April 17, 2023

Constructive employee feedback is pivotal in the workplace. Feedback allows employees to adjust their behavior to meet their employers’ expectations. Furthermore, it helps managers communicate effectively to ensure that both the parties are on the same page. Constructive feedback is an effective tool for improving employee performance and mindset in the workplace.

But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Managers and others who are tasked with overseeing employees may dread these conversations. What can start out as a simple discussion may unwittingly evolve into a tense conversation. However, skipping the conversation is rarely productive, especially when certain behaviors need to be addressed. How can managers and employers offer feedback that is productive and effective?

At That’s Good HR, we have more than 20 years’ experience working with some of the Indianapolis area’s best employers. As part of our staffing services, we often serve as the middleman between employers and employees during those important first few months in the workplace. Thanks to experience and countless conversations, we have been able to see what works and what doesn’t. Read on for our five tips on constructive employee feedback.

Feedback matters

When you set aside time for a review, you’re telling your employees that their position in the business is important. You’re also communicating a commitment to continued employee growth and development. By following the tips below, you’re opening the door to an evolving relationship and better business practices that ultimately make your company – and your employees – stronger.

1. Give feedback in person

Most businesses have perfected the art of communicating electronically, but constructive employee feedback conversations should be done face-to-face. It’s too easy to misread tone in an email or text. If the employee is a remote worker, set up a time for a phone or video conversation. Make sure you’re in a safe, private place. These discussions can become emotional, and everyone deserves to know that their responses are staying within the room.

2. Stay specific and problem focused

It may be easy to give orders without explaining their rationale. For instance, punctuality can be a game-changer in many workplaces. But not every employee may fully appreciate its importance. If you tell an employee to quit coming in late, you’re giving an order. If you have a conversation that begins with a discussion of why it’s important for the employee to come to work on time, you’re helping them understand that their 15-minute delay can have repercussions on coworkers and customers. Make observations, not accusations. Say, “I notice that you have been arriving late to work a few times a week. What’s going on?” instead of “You’re almost always late.” There may be an underlying issue you can easily address.

3. Praise is an important part of constructive employee feedback

It’s easy to focus on what’s not being done correctly. On the other hand, if you neglect to recognize the good things an employee does, you’re losing an important tool in establishing a trusting relationship. Positive feedback can lessen the blow, so to speak, of criticism. It tells the employee that you recognize the work they are doing and reinforces that you are a manager who appreciates their efforts.

4. Be sincere

In a thriving business relationship, feedback can benefit both the employee and the company. Reinforce the message that you want the employee to succeed. Ultimately, an empowered and improved workforce is going to strengthen the business. You’re not offering constructive employee feedback because you want employees to fail. You’re offering it because you know they have the potential to contribute. Nobody is a finished product – not you, not the employee. Reinforce the message that you never stop growing, and feedback can help you become stronger and more productive.

5. Be open to feedback in return

Feedback goes both ways. Your conversations with employees should include a chance for them to voice their concerns. This isn’t always obvious. You may have employees who are happy to volunteer their own observations and solutions, but others aren’t so forthcoming. Open the door for feedback. Even a simple “How can I help you do your job better” may uncover solutions you hadn’t considered. Be open to these answers.

Constructive employee feedback should be part of every workplace. At That’s Good HR, we stay engaged in the employee relationship even after the initial hiring process, facilitating conversations and making sure feedback is reaching the proper recipients. Let us help you with your next staffing challenge. Reach out now to talk about solutions.

Job Advice

Want a Career Change? Need Help Getting There?

Tiffany Moore

VP, Client Partnerships

April 7, 2023

If you’re considering a career change, That’s Good HR can help you navigate the journey. Let’s look at how you can make a difference in your professional life by changing careers.

First, you’re not alone in wanting to do something different. As a matter of fact, a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that people held an average of 12.4 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54. The old school model of landing a job as a young adult and staying there until you can retire with a comfortable pension has been replaced with one where people move into different jobs and careers for many reasons, including:

· Stressful work conditions

· Poor leadership

· Few opportunities for advancement

· Salary concerns

· A need for a change

If you’re reading this, you may be wondering how you can change your career. Remember, you do not have to tackle every challenge alone. Let’s look at how you can make a change in your professional life and how the staff at That’s Good HR can assist you.

5 Steps to a Career Change

Make a list.

There’s no need to be fancy. Just start writing down your thoughts. What are your strengths and weaknesses? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Don’t worry if it sounds outlandish. Nobody will be grading this. Instead, try to get your brain around your passion. Are you still stumped? Check out some online assessment tools, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the 123 Career Aptitude Test.

Do your research.

Pick out a couple of career options and dig deep to find out what type of training and experience you might need. Your local library may be able to help gather background information and identify local educational opportunities. Remember, you’re not making any commitments here. This is your time to explore what’s out there and decide if it’s worth your investment of time and, perhaps, money. Are you concerned that a new degree is going to take you 10 years, and you’ll be 10 years older when you finally graduate? How much older are you going to be in 10 years if you don’t pursue that degree? (Hint — the number is the same.)

Find your network.

Networking is an important professional skill, whether you’re looking for a new career or staying put in your current one. You may already have a network of coworkers and colleagues who may have leads on what you need to do to make your career change dream come true. But now is the time to expand that network. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you notice one of your connections on LinkedIn has a connection to the industry you’re exploring, reach out for an introduction.

Be realistic with career change dreams.

Maybe you’ve always dreamed about being an opera singer, even though your singing skills are best left to singing alone in your car. Fortunately, living out your dream career doesn’t have to look exactly like your initial vision. For every person on stage, there must be an audience. For every star of the show, there must be a support staff. You may never belt out arias to an adoring crowd, but you may enjoy the passion of working for a performing arts center’s front office. Keep in mind that the path to a new career may be a multi-step one, rather than one giant leap. That’s one of the many reasons why we like to encourage people to check out temporary positions. These short stints can give you a taste of a different industry and help you develop valuable connections.

Talk to the right staffing firm.

Staffing firms can help you land a new job, but make sure you’re working with a staffing firm that is focused on you, not on filling open spots with warm bodies. When you work with a staffing firm like That’s Good HR, you’re talking to people who care about your career goals. Our talented recruiting staff takes the time to get to know you and your needs, and we’ll tell you if we think we can help you make your career change dreams come true. After more than 20 years of working in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, we may know of other options you can pursue in your quest to find a new career.

What are you waiting for? If you’re ready for a career change, consider reaching out to That’s Good HR now. Submit your resume and let’s talk about what’s next for your continuing professional life.

Hiring resources

The Top Three Don’ts for Post-Interview Thank You Notes

Mary Springer

Partner

November 15, 2022

The interview is over, and you’re feeling pretty good about the conversation. You nailed the hard questions and developed an easy rapport with the hiring staff. Now you want to stay at the top of the candidate list. Timely and well-written thank you notes can make the difference.

Thank you notes can be a deal maker – or a candidate breaker – when it comes to the final hiring decision. Research by TopResume indicated that 68% of hiring managers say a thank you note – or the lack of one – impacts their decision. Stack the odds in your favor by following up with the right words. Don’t skip this final opportunity to make a good impression.

Sometimes it’s not what you do, but it’s what you don’t do when you’re writing a thank you note. Fortunately, we’ve listed the top 3 don’ts for post-interview thank you notes. Read on to see how you can make the most of this important interview tool.

Don’t wait too long to write your thank you notes

Once the interview is complete, many hiring managers are already thinking about the next candidate. If you wait too long after an interview to send your thank you notes, you risk being forgotten. Shoot for the first 24 hours after the interview to maximize your note’s impact. Should you go old school and send a written letter? That’s not necessary, say hiring managers. In fact, most HR managers say it’s perfectly fine to follow up with an email. Don’t get too casual, however. Texts or instant messages may fall into the category of being too casual for business communications.

Send a separate thank you note to everyone who interviewed you. This indicates a commitment to the entire team. Resist the desire to add something frivolous or funny, though. You may be a great artist, but sending an original cartoon to each person who interviewed you can quickly move from quirky to questionable.

Don’t write a novel – keep your thank you notes short and succinct

Everyone’s time is valuable, including the people who just interviewed you. While it may be tempting to use your thank you note to restate your resume and all of your admirable qualities, you don’t want to come across as someone who demands too much time and attention. Instead, use your thank you note to convey your gratitude and enthusiasm in a few short paragraphs:

Thank them again for their time and attention.
Share something specific from the interview that stood out for you.
Highlight how you believe you are a good fit for the open position.

Don’t make mistakes

Yes, to err is human. But typos in a thank you note can give the impression of being careless, and you don’t want to leave the interviewer with that final impression. Write the draft, take a few minutes, then read it over again. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to give it a second look. Reading it out loud can also help you catch mistakes.

What if you don’t know what to say?

Are you struggling for the right words? That’s Good HR can help you design the perfect thank you note. Give yourself an interview advantage with That’s Good HR. We have more than 20 years of experience matching qualified candidates with open positions in the Indianapolis area. We’re more than just a staffing firm. We take the time to get to know you first, understanding your unique combination of talents, skills and professional goals. When you work with That’s Good HR, you’re working with a staff who is committed to making the best match for both our candidates and our employers.

That’s Good HR has access to open positions that may not be posted anywhere else. Take a look at our job board to see what types of positions are available. If you’re interested in learning more about That’s Good HR and our current job openings, send us a copy of your resume now. The Match Matters at That’s Good HR, and so do you!

Seasonal

Creative Ways to Thank Your Employees

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

November 10, 2022

As we move into the season of Thanksgiving, you may be wondering how you can thank your employees and coworkers. You’re on the right track. A recent study by WorkHuman found that employees who were thanked in the past month were half as likely to be looking for a new job. These same employees were twice as likely to report being highly engaged in their workplace, the survey said. Intentional appreciation can build a sense of camaraderie and loyalty, which can translate into employee retention and growth.

Well-intentioned gestures may fall flat, though. A non-drinker doesn’t necessarily want a bottle of wine. Pizza parties only go so far with employees who feel overlooked. How can you give your employees and colleagues meaningful tokens of gratitude without breaking your budget? We’ve compiled a list of ideas below to help you determine how to thank your employees during the season and throughout the year.

Go old school with thank you notes.

Miss Manners knew what she was talking about when she advocated written thank you notes. Keep a pile of cards – or even colorful sticky notes – in your desk so you can write down your words of appreciation. Studies show that gratitude can be a powerful motivator for success. You may find that note sitting on the recipient’s desk months from now, because it made a difference.

Create a props system.

Make gratitude a team project. Designate a day for showing appreciation to employees and colleagues. Set up a bulletin board or an online page that allows people to call out someone’s efforts or extra work.

Stock the kitchen.

Most offices keep a few types of coffee, creamer and snacks on hand. Thank your employees by showing them they deserve the good stuff. Think decadent chocolate, fresh-cut fruit, fresh bakery cookies and fun juices and sodas. Make sure to add a note telling employees how much their work makes a difference.

Find out what they want.

You may be thrilled if your boss gave you tickets to a Pacers or Indians game. Your coworker, however, doesn’t know the difference between a double dribble and a doubleheader. A little detective work ensures the the gift will be welcomed.

Wish them well.

Does your company have a wellness program? You don’t necessarily need to gift pricey gym memberships. Set aside an afternoon for an optional yoga session to help employees take a breather and get a handle on their stress levels.

Tell them to go home.

Who doesn’t appreciate a little extra time to themselves, especially during the busy holiday season? You don’t have to sacrifice days of productivity – encouraging employees to knock off early next Friday may allow them to plan a weekend adventure or grab a manicure on the way home.

Avoid token gifts.

You don’t have to break the budget with thank you gifts, but you also don’t want to tell your employees that they’re only worth a mass-produced trinket. If the company’s bottom line doesn’t have much room for gift giving, fall back on the personal notes or public recognition. Bring in a batch of holiday cookies and place them by the water cooler. Use social media feeds to brag on your work team. Host a “happy hour” that encourages coworkers to relax and mingle.

A happy workplace starts with the right employees. That’s Good HR is your Indianapolis area staffing expert. Let us do the background work for you and identify the best candidates for your open positions. Our recruiting staff will sift through the resumes and find people whose experience and skills match your company’s unique needs. If you are ready to take your staffing strategy to the next level, contact us now at https://www.thatsgoodhr.com/contact/.

Tips

Our Top Employee Polls on LinkedIN This Year

Madison Schacht

Manager of Talent Acquisition

November 2, 2022

As a staffing firm focused on both job seekers and employers, we believe it’s important to keep our fingers on the pulse of the Indianapolis-area professional community. That’s why we query our LinkedIn followers on timely topics throughout the year. It has been a fun way to uncover new trends and give our followers a glimpse into how other people feel about their career paths.

Let’s look at what we learned from some of our most popular polls in 2022:

Should you stay or should you go?

Our May poll was a simple one. Do you plan to switch jobs in the next 12 months? It appears that our LinkedIn followers have their eyes out for something new, with 59% responding yes. How would you vote? If you’re looking for a change, That’s Good HR can help you discover potential career opportunities.

Job worries in today’s economic climate

We’ve read the headlines. Inflation is high. The economic outlook is questionable. We asked our LinkedIn followers to share their worries about job stability in today’s economic uncertainty. It looks like our followers are split on the issue, with 49% saying they’re not worried at all, and 50% responding that they are very worried or somewhat concerned.

If you’re feeling career uncertainty, remember that you have That’s Good HR on your side. We can help you dust off your resume and update it with our convenient resume template. If you’re ready to check out new opportunities, send us your resume and we can start a conversation.

Putting your thoughts to music

Our September poll asked followers to choose a popular song to describe how they felt about their current job:

I Ain’t Worried
Bad Habit
First Class
Break My Soul

Either there are a lot of Beyonce fans among our followers or a lot of broken spirits at work, because “Break My Soul” was the overwhelming winner. If you’re not answering “First Class” or “I Ain’t Worried” in this poll, perhaps it’s time to connect with That’s Good HR. Your job should be more than a “Bad Habit.”

That’s Good HR has more than 20 years of experience matching qualified candidates with open positions within the Indianapolis area. Our research and staffing proficiency can solve the puzzle of bringing the right candidates to the right company. If you’re looking for your next job opportunity, That’s Good HR is your job search partner. Contact us today to learn more about how That’s Good HR is committed to making the right match.

Job Advice

Top 5 Career Change Fields for 2022

Hannah Replogle

February 16, 2022

Are you feeling burnt out and in need of a career change? That’s Good HR is here to help Indianapolis job seekers identify a number of career fields that are perfect for those looking for something new. No matter your current skills or education, we’ve got suggestions and currently open jobs for just about everyone. Check out these top five career change fields for 2022 and think about where you might fit in best!

1. Administrative/Executive Assistant

One of the most versatile career change fields for job seekers is serving as an administrative or executive assistant. Just about every company is in need of administrative assistants, which means that you could find yourself in a wide variety of industries. If you are a people person with great organizational skills and a sense of efficiency, chances are that working as an administrative assistant could be a good fit for you. Assistants also interact with many departments in a company, allowing you to quickly learn a lot about your new field. Some administrative assistant positions also allow for virtual/work from home or part-time options.

2. Project Manager

Another career change option that is needed across many different fields is project management. If you have experience facilitating large projects and managing others, working as a project manager could be the perfect transition for you. Some of the transferable skills you’ll need as a project manager include exceptional communication with others, time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to pivot and adapt quickly when changes or challenges arise. It can help you land a new job in project management if you have prior knowledge of the field that you’re looking into, and you can also seek out project management certifications that will look good on your resume.

3. Human Resources

Although we might seem a little biased coming from the field of human resources, it truly is a great option for job seekers. Every company needs HR support, and many fields have skills that transfer well into a human resources position. Candidates currently working as educators and nurses are some of the most burnt-out individuals due to the stresses of the pandemic, and they can also make some of the best HR professionals. Other careers that can make a smooth transition to entry level human resource positions include flight attendants, trainers and jobs in the service industry. Anyone with significant experience in customer service and top-notch interpersonal and problem-solving skills are likely to find satisfaction in human resources.

4. Accountant/Bookkeeper

Do you like working with numbers? Serving as an accountant or bookkeeper for a local organization could be a good fit for you. Once again, most companies in a variety of fields will require support from an accountant. Previous experience working with financial documents, coordinating payments or handling operations is a great asset when looking into a career change to accounting or bookkeeping. Accounting can be much more than just crunching numbers, so be sure to highlight any experience or passion for strategic thinking, efficiency and maintenance of important records. Even if you don’t have professional experience in finance, a personal interest and knowledge of investing and banking can be beneficial to future employers.

5. Healthcare Administrator

Although healthcare can admittedly be a difficult field to serve in during the pandemic, hospital administrators are an important role that need to be filled. Healthcare administration doesn’t typically work directly on the floor with patients, so you may find yourself less fatigued than someone working 12-hour or night shifts. If you have past experience with staffing and assigning shifts, supervising performance or managing client/patient data, you could find healthcare administration to be a good fit. Medical coding is another career option in healthcare admin that many people enjoy, though it often requires training and certification. If you have superior leadership, logic and decision-making skills, then maybe it’s time to look into healthcare administration.

If you are ready to make a career change, That’s Good HR is ready to help. Contact us today at 317-469-4141 to learn more about your options or submit your resume.