Employer Archives • Career Edge

Jul 17

Quiz – What is Your Leadership Style? A Guide for Leaders and Team Members

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

Leading a team isn’t always easy; some team members are naturally “easier” to work with than others. But there is a reason behind this.

This could be due to the disconnect between your leadership style and your team members’ personalities and preferred styles.

While leadership can be a fluid concept, many leaders adapt their leadership styles to suit their teams. This is especially true the more experience they get, as they learn to be lenient with what their team needs.

To become a successful leader, you must understand your current leadership style to recognize and improve your skills. Learning about different leadership styles can be the key to unlocking your team’s potential.

What is Your Leadership Style?

Understanding your leadership style can determine your compatibility with your team members and leaders, whether you’re a leader or a team member. Instead of wasting time trying to understand each other, take the following quizzes to help you and your team member know your style and find ways to work together.

Leadership Style Quiz for Leaders

Understanding your leadership style can aid in effective communication and successful collaboration with your team.

Take this quiz to determine your leadership style.

Leadership Style Quiz for Team Members

Knowing your preferred leadership style helps you communicate effectively and work well with your team’s leaders.

Take this quiz to determine your preferred leadership style.

So what are the different Leadership Styles?

This guide explores various leadership styles, helps you identify your preferred style, and offers quizzes for both leaders and team members. Let’s dive in!

Authoritative Leadership

An authoritative leader has a clear vision and confidently communicates it to their team. They inspire and motivate team members to reach their full potential.

An Authoritative leader is likely to:

Have a clear vision for their team and effectively communicate it.
Set high standards and expectations for the team’s performance.
Recognize and celebrate the achievements and successes of team members.
Regularly analyze team performance and identify areas for improvement.

You would work best with team members who perform best when they have clear expectations and appreciate a leader who regularly evaluates the team’s performance.

Examples of Authoritative leaders

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A remarkable leader who successfully rallied a nation toward a common vision with his strong leadership.

Democratic Leadership

Democratic leaders value collaboration and teamwork, often seeking input from team members before making decisions. This fosters a sense of ownership and promotes a positive work environment.

A Democratic leader is likely to:

Value and incorporate input from team members in decision-making processes.
Actively seek feedback from team members to improve leadership skills.
Welcome open communication and create a safe environment for ideas and concerns.
Encourage calculated risks and support innovative ideas from team members.

You would work best with a team that appreciates being involved in decision-making processes and enjoy working in a collaborative environment.

Examples of Democratic Leadership

Indra Nooyi. The ex-CEO of PepsiCo who had a collaborative approach. She listened and encouraged her team to share their thoughts and concerns.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders focus on driving change and innovation. They challenge their team members to think creatively and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

A Transformational leader is likely to:

Challenge and encourage team members to think creatively and embrace change.
Delegate responsibilities and provide necessary resources to empower team members.
Address conflicts within the team proactively and constructively.
Foster a sense of shared purpose and align individual goals with organizational objectives.

You would work best with team members who are likely to thrive when the leader challenges them to be creative and fosters a sense of shared purpose.

Examples of Transformational Leadership

Jeff Bezos. Amazon’s success is due to Bezos’ innovative leadership style, which motivates employees to explore new products and opportunities.

Laissez-faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leaders give their team members high autonomy, trusting them to make decisions and solve problems independently. This style works best with experienced and self-motivated teams.

A Laissez-faire leader is likely to:

Trust and empower team members to make independent decisions.
Build strong relationships based on trust and loyalty with team members.
Mentor and coach team members to support their professional growth.
Embrace new ideas and encourage innovation within the team.

You would work best with team members who prefer working independently and making their own decisions without constant supervision.

Examples of Laissez-faire Leadership

Warren Buffet. The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and is also known for his hands-off approach to managing his company’s subsidiaries.

Servant Leadership

Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members, focusing on their growth and development. They foster a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Example: Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, who emphasized employee well-being and development throughout his tenure.

A Servant leader is likely to:

Prioritize the well-being and professional growth of team members.
Adaptable and adjust leadership style to meet the team’s needs and situation.
Lead by example, demonstrating the values and behaviours expected from the team.
Remain calm under pressure, guiding the team through challenges.

You would work best with team members who appreciate an empathetic leader who listens and encourage the well-being of the team.

Examples of Servant Leadership

Mahatma Gandhi. He led and empowered the Indian people without seeking power or status. His focus was serving their needs.

Matching Leadership Styles with Team Members

So now that you know your style and your team’s preferred leadership style, what do you do with this information?

Understanding your unique leadership style and the preferences of your team members can significantly impact team success. Here is what you can do next…

Assess Team Preferences

Once team members have identified their preferred leadership styles, openly discussing these preferences within the team is essential. This can lead to more effective collaboration and better overall team dynamics.

Adapt Leadership Approaches

No one-size-fits-all approach to leadership exists. Effective leaders must be able to adapt their style to suit the needs and preferences of their team members. Leaders can create an inclusive and supportive work environment by understanding and valuing different preferences.

Ongoing Development

Regularly reassessing leadership styles and team preferences can help leaders and team members grow and evolve. As individuals and teams develop, their preferences and needs may change, so it’s essential to maintain open communication and adapt accordingly.

By exploring various leadership styles and engaging in open conversations about preferences, you can create an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential. Remember, leadership development is an ongoing process – be open to learning, adapting, and growing as a leader and team member.

Jul 05

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8 Interview Questions to Help You Recognize the Best Candidates

By BavneenA Employer

Asking interview questions can be one of the most challenging things to do. A job interview is a critical opportunity for employers to get to know potential candidates and determine their suitability for a position. In one of their articles, McKinsey says recruitment is a two-way process. It also allows potential candidates to learn more about the firm. While candidates need to do research and prepare for interview questions, it is also the duty of hiring managers to ask the right questions.

Why ask practical interview questions?

Asking cookie-cutter questions is fine, but asking the right questions will provide you with what you need to know about a potential candidate and give you an insight into their skills, background, and personality. Practical interview questions can help assess a candidate’s alignment with the company’s values and work environment, especially now that some companies still work remotely.

Here are eight interview questions you will want to include as a part of your hiring process.

1. What specific projects or initiatives have you worked on that are relevant to the position?

This question will help you understand a candidate’s experience is vital to assess their suitability for a role.

Look for specific examples highlighting their achievements and demonstrating how their experience meets the position’s requirements.

Here are some alternative example questions you can also ask candidates: “Can you tell me about something you’re proud of” or “Can you tell me more about something you accomplished in your previous job that made an impact.”

2. Can you describe any notable challenges you have faced in your career?

This question allows employers to evaluate candidates’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Employers can gauge the candidate’s thought process, creativity, and approach to overcoming obstacles by discussing a specific task or challenge related to the role.

Look for candidates who showcase strategic thinking, adaptability, and a clear understanding of how their skills can contribute to overcoming the challenge.

Alternative questions: “Did you collaborate with others or seek input from colleagues during the process? If so, how”? or “What strategies or problem-solving techniques did you employ to overcome the challenge”?

3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

By inquiring about strengths and weaknesses, hiring managers understand a candidate’s level of self-awareness. Candidates who clearly understand their strengths demonstrate the ability to reflect on their abilities, recognize their areas of expertise, and articulate them effectively.

This indicates a candidate’s potential to leverage their strengths and work on their weaknesses to contribute positively to the organization.

Alternative questions: “What is something you do better than others?” or “What is the one skill you want to improve? How would you like to go about developing/improving it”?

4. How do you keep updated with the current trends?

Being aware of industry trends showcases a proactive and forward-thinking mindset. Staying updated with current trends allows candidates to bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and valuable insights to the organization. It enhances their ability to adapt to changing environments and contributes to the company’s growth.

Look for candidates eager to learn the new trends because it ensures they are equipped with a curious mind to follow the latest tech to perform effectively in their roles, keeping the organization competitive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Alternative questions: “How do you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your industry”? Or “Are there any specific sources or publications you regularly follow to stay updated”?

5. Are you more productive working independently or in a collaborative team setting?

Asking candidates about their preferred work style will help you assess their compatibility with the organization’s work environment and team dynamics and whether they align with the company’s culture, values, and expectations.

Evaluate whether the candidate thrives in collaborative or independent settings, prefers structured or flexible approaches, and values autonomy or guidance. The goal is to assess the candidate and match them with the team, the organization, and the work environment to foster a productive and harmonious workplace for all.

Alternative questions: “Can you tell me of a time when you worked as a part of a team and what role did you play” Or “Tell me about a time when a job or company felt like a good fit for your personality and why”?.

6. What are your career goals, and how do you see this role helping you achieve them?

Instead of asking the candidate about their five-year plan, a career goal helps assess their commitment, drive, and potential for long-term engagement.

Understanding a candidate’s career goals allows employers to assess their alignment with the organization’s vision and growth opportunities. It also allows employers to tailor development plans and provide growth opportunities. They can create a supportive environment that fosters the candidate’s professional growth while meeting the organization’s objectives.

Alternative questions: “Are there any industries, roles, or responsibilities you are interested in pursuing in the future”? Or “How do you envision this organization contributing to your long-term career growth and development”?

7. How do you maintain your enthusiasm and motivation during challenging tasks?

This will help you determine whether the candidate is passionate, driven, and committed to their work. Candidates who demonstrate self-motivation and a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles can be valuable assets to any organization.

Look for candidates who are self-motivated, inspirational, and have strategies for maintaining productivity and commitment to personal and professional growth.

Alternative questions: “How do you handle setbacks or periods of low motivation in your work”? Or “How do you handle tight deadlines and high-pressure situations”?

8. Why do you believe you would be a good fit?

By asking this question, employers can assess a candidate’s knowledge about the company, their values, and their alignment with its values and goals. It allows employers to identify candidates genuinely interested in the company’s work, products, or services. It shows that the candidate has researched before the interview to get to know the company better.

Look for candidates with enough self-awareness, the ability to connect their skills and experiences to the company’s needs, and their potential to contribute to the firm.

Alternative questions: “What specific aspects of our company’s products, services, or industry excite you the most”? Or “What initially attracted you to our company and made you apply for this position”?

In conclusion, asking the right questions in a job interview is crucial for employers to make informed hiring decisions. Employers create a fair and objective evaluation process by asking these questions and promoting diversity and inclusion. It also helps to identify candidates with the necessary qualities to succeed in the role and contribute to the company’s success. Thoughtful and strategic questioning during job interviews enables employers to make well-informed decisions and build a talented and engaged workforce that drives the organization forward.

Jun 06

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7 Tips To Speed Up Your Hiring Process

By BavneenA Employer

The hiring process is a critical aspect of any organization. Finding and securing the right talent efficiently can significantly impact a company’s success. However, the traditional hiring process can be time-consuming and costly, often resulting in recruitment mistakes and missed opportunities.

With the pandemic hitting, everything has changed for job seekers. In this highly competitive market, you may wind up either having to settle for a less qualified candidate or resign yourself to a long, slow job search if you’re not prepared for fast recruitment.

In this article, we will explore five proven strategies to speed up your hiring process without compromising the quality of your hires. By implementing these techniques, you can streamline your recruitment efforts, save valuable time and resources, and attract top talent more effectively.

Tip 1: Optimize Job Descriptions for Quick Hires

To speed up your hiring process, start by optimizing your job descriptions. You can do so in the following ways:

Ensure that your job postings are clear, concise, and compelling by using targeted keywords that resonate with potential candidates and accurately reflect the required skills and qualifications for the position.
Highlight the key responsibilities and outcomes expected from the role. Avoid lengthy descriptions that may discourage candidates from applying. Instead, focus on providing a concise overview of the position and its significance within the organization.
Additionally, consider incorporating an attractive company culture and employee benefits to entice top talent. By optimizing your job descriptions, you can attract qualified candidates who are genuinely interested in the role, ultimately saving time and effort in the screening process.

Tip 2: Streamline Application Process to Expedite Your Hiring Process

By following the steps below, you can simplify and streamline the application process and expedite your hiring process.

Evaluate your current application system to identify any unnecessary steps or requirements that may deter candidates from applying.
Reduce the number of fields and documents required during the initial application stage, focusing only on essential information. Implement an applicant tracking system (ATS) that allows candidates to upload resumes and cover letters seamlessly.
Moreover, consider leveraging technology to enable candidates to apply using their LinkedIn profiles or other social media platforms by simplifying the process further. By removing barriers and streamlining the application process, you can attract a higher volume of qualified candidates and accelerate the screening process.

Tip 3: Utilize Technology and Automation to Fasten the Application Process

Technology and automation play a pivotal role in speeding up the hiring process. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can automate various recruitment tasks, such as resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communication.

Here are a few tools on how ATS software can simplify your hiring process.

ATS software effectively manages applicant data. This allows recruiters to filter and review resumes efficiently.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can automate candidate sourcing and pre-screening processes.
AI-powered tools to quickly scan and analyze resumes, highlighting the most relevant candidates based on predefined criteria.
Video interviewing platforms can also save time and resources by allowing remote or pre-recorded interviews.
Automating candidate communication through email templates and updates on their application status can be helpful.

By harnessing the power of technology and automation, you can significantly reduce manual effort, streamline workflows, and expedite the hiring process.

Tip 4: Implement Skills Assessments to Speed Up Your Hiring Process

Assessing candidates’ skills early in the process helps identify the most qualified individuals and eliminates those who do not meet the necessary criteria. Skills assessments are invaluable tools for speeding up the hiring process while ensuring the quality of hires.

Find out how you can implement skills assessments:

Implement online skills assessments tailored to the specific job requirements. These assessments can include technical tasks, coding challenges, or simulated work scenarios.
Evaluate candidates’ skills to streamline the screening process and identify top performers quickly.
Consider integrating automated assessment platforms that leverage AI and machine learning algorithms to provide data-driven insights on candidates’ abilities.

This data-driven approach allows for more informed hiring decisions, ultimately expediting the process.

Tip 5: Prioritize Candidate Communication and Feedback.

Timely and transparent communication with candidates is crucial to maintaining their interest and expediting the hiring process. Here are some ways in which you can prioritize candidate communication:

Establish clear communication channels and respond promptly to inquiries and applications.
Implement automated email responses to acknowledge receipt of applications and provide regular updates on the status of the hiring process.
Personalize communication whenever possible to create a positive candidate experience.
Also, make sure to communicate the timeline and stages of the hiring process upfront, so candidates know what to expect.

Effective candidate engagement and communication not only speed up the process but also enhance your brand and reputation.

Tip 6: Tapping into Your Network and Employee Referrals

Your existing network and employee referrals can be a goldmine for finding top talent quickly. Encourage your employees to refer qualified candidates, offering incentives or recognition for successful referrals.

Another way is to establish partnerships with industry associations, attend networking events, and leverage professional platforms to expand your network. You can build relationships by partnering with organizations like Career Edge and get started by simply reaching out to us.

By tapping into your network and encouraging employee referrals, you can access a wider pool of qualified candidates and accelerate the hiring process.

Tip 7: Cultivate a Strong Employer Brand

A strong employer brand not only attracts top talent but also expedites the hiring process. Invest in building a positive reputation by showcasing your company culture, values, and employee experiences.

You can do that by leveraging social media platforms, employee testimonials, and engaging content to establish your brand identity.

By building an attractive employer brand, you can attract candidates who are aligned with your values, reducing the time spent on sourcing and attracting talent.

If you make improvements to your process, have your hiring managers “apply” and walk through the new steps along with you. If all of you find certain steps confusing or lengthy, chances are your candidates do, too. Identify where you can cut out cumbersome procedures, streamline work, and improve communication. It might go against everything you’ve been told before, but creating a faster recruitment process might be the secret to hiring the best candidates.

By adopting some of these strategies and continuously refining your hiring process, you can significantly reduce time-to-hire, make confident hiring decisions, and secure top talent to drive your organization’s success.

May 03

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8 Common Recruitment Mistakes Employers Make and How to Avoid Them

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

Recruitment is such a tedious job. You’re on a constant hunt for the best and brightest talents. Whether you’re a recruiter or an employer looking to improve your recruitment process, it’s essential to recognize the most common mistakes you could be making to streamline the process, save time and resources, and eventually secure the best talent.

In this article, we’ll provide the most common recruitment mistakes employers make, how they can hurt your business and ways to improve the process for better results.

Recruitment Mistake#1: Inadequate Job Descriptions

When it comes to finding the ideal candidate for your company, it’s essential to have an accurate job description. Unclear or broad job descriptions can attract unqualified applicants.

To ensure clarity, it’s essential to give complete and accurate information about the position and the company culture. A job description should be more than just a list of duties. It should also include the purpose of the role, important responsibilities, and necessary skills.

Here is how to create a compelling job ad that would attract the right candidate:

Clearly outline job responsibilities, required skills, and expectations.
Remove any requirements that are not a must.
Highlight your company’s values and culture to attract suitable candidates.
Write the job description in inclusive language.

Recruitment Mistake#2: Looking for the Perfect Candidate

“I’ll know the right candidate when I see them” that’s a phrase we often hear from employers, but this mentality can bring more harm than good.

Sometimes, we get this idea of the ideal employee and hope for them to magically appear. However, this approach can be detrimental as it may cause us to overlook competent callipers and result in understaffing, which impacts our team’s productivity and morale.

Recruiters call perfect candidates “purple squirrels” because they’re so rare!

Instead of holding out for someone who checks every box, it’s better to establish realistic standards – remember that some “normal candidates” can turn your business to gold when given the opportunity. Here is what you can do when you catch yourself having unrealistic expectations.

Revisit your list of requirements and pick out only the key must-haves. The new hire can always pick up or even learn those job-specific skills once they’re on board.
Consider the importance of ‘fit’ compared to experience and skills. Sometimes, hiring someone with the right personality and work style that aligns with the company can lead to a better and more loyal hire.

Recruitment Mistake#3: Unconcious Bias

As humans, we all have our biases. But in recruitment, it can be a problem that can hinder finding the best candidate for the job. Employers often rely on personal likability or gut feelings instead of focusing on skills and qualifications. This can lead to overlooking exceptional candidates who don’t fit the typical mold.

Also, keep in mind that job interviews can be intimidating, and it’s important to remember that candidates are human and might feel nervous during the process.

To reduce the impact of unconscious bias and ensure a more diverse and qualified workforce, consider the following solutions:

Develop a structured hiring process with a standardized phone screening, comprehensive interviews, and reference checking.
Clearly define the criteria for success in the role and focus on these requirements.
Offer diversity and inclusion training for hiring managers and HR personnel.
Involve colleagues from diverse backgrounds in the selection process and encourage constructive feedback.

Also read: 6 Benefits of Diversity Hiring That You May Not Know About

Recruitment Mistake#4: Overemphasis on Qualifications and Experience

Whether you’re dismissing an underqualified or rejecting someone because they are overqualified, the source of this issue is the same. Focusing too much on a candidate’s qualifications and experience might make you miss out on other essential factors like adaptability, critical thinking, and cultural fit. Remember, qualifications don’t guarantee a perfect fit!

Stressing over experience too much can deter top talent and even impact your company’s reputation. But here are some tips to help you determine the perfect fit without focusing on the experience as a factor.

Look beyond qualifications and consider other factors like soft skills and cultural alignment.
Determine if any skills can be learned on the job or if prior experience is essential. For example, hiring someone who has the technical skills but has yet to work in the same industry before.
Implement comprehensive onboarding programs to train new hires and bridge skill gaps.
Consider the benefits of hiring overqualified candidates. For example, they will be able to grow your company faster. You will have a loyal person who can move up the leadership track quicker than a junior person.
Discuss long-term career plans with candidates to ensure alignment.
Be respectful and provide feedback to the unsuccessful candidates.

Recruitment Mistake#5: Looking for “Cultural Fit”

So many leaders and HR professionals have this misconception that a cultural fit is a team member who looks the same or people coming from the same generation or the same background, etc., which can be problematic.

Focusing on cultural fit during the hiring process can fester unconscious bias, promote groupthink, and lead to workplace toxicity and even hostility.

Although misused, the term “cultural fit” is defined as a skill to match an employee’s ability to fit with the core beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that make up an organization.

To choose a cultural fit without being biased, consider these tips:

Develop a clear profile of your ideal candidate, including skills, attributes, and fit cultural characteristics that align with your business’s short and long-term goals and vision.
Use this profile to guide your screening and interview process.
Ask questions in the interview that would determine if the person is truly a cultural fit, such as:

Describe the environment in which you work best. (this will show you if your work setup is fit for them)
Describe your ideal boss or supervisor. (this will show you their perfect leadership style)
Why do you want to work for us? (this will show you if they are motivated by the same goals)
Which of our company values resonates most with you? (this will show you whether their values align with your team and business)

Recruitment Mistake#6: Confusing Equality for Equity

“I only hire individuals based on their skills and background. Hiring diversity quota is not my style.” Employers often say something along those lines when the topic of hiring diversity groups comes up. But this can be so problematic!

Diversity groups face many barriers when it comes to entering and progressing in the workplace; giving equal opportunity to everyone is simply not fair. For example, a person with a disability needs an accommodation to perform and excel at their job, but many employers would rather go with someone else who won’t cost them extra money – can you see the problem?

Likewise, in this day and age, and with all the knowledge we have today, many Canadian employers still resist interviewing racial groups, especially visible minorities, who are mostly newcomers in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada have the highest unemployment rate, which is 10.8% (compared to the 5.28% unemployment rate in 2022 for their counterparts). With this behaviour, highly skilled immigrants end up with jobs that are likely to be underemployed or get trapped in low-paid, informal jobs that fail to develop and fully utilize their skills and capacities. (which is essentially why the government of Canada recruited them to the country).

It’s essential to recognize that each individual has different circumstances. That’s why equity is crucial – it ensures that everyone has the support and resources they need to reach an equal outcome.

equity vs equality career edge

Equity recruitment allows for a bigger pool of callipers which can grow in your organization and lead to more diverse leadership. Equity help supports a more inclusive and positive culture, increasing employee retention and engagement.

How to practice equity in recruitment:

Embrace diversity in age, race, knowledge, gender, and background while considering the specific skills, strengths, and qualifications required for the role and the entire team.
Put some effort into making conscious choices to give more opportunities to those facing additional barriers to joining the workforce in Canada – it will change a lot of lives, and it’ll say a lot about your business and also you as a person!
Partner with organizations that help underrepresented groups.

Recruitment Mistake#7: Insisting on Interviewing a Number of Candidates

Requiring to see and interview a specific number of candidates before making a decision can cause delays and may deter strong candidates. While it’s perfectly normal to consider your options, having too many options can be overwhelming and unnecessary. When you do this, you put a good candidate on hold while waiting for more applicants and risk losing your best callipers.

You need to be empathetic towards candidates and their job search process. Top talent is a hot commodity and won’t wait for long. Employers often lose top candidates to competitors due to indecisiveness and lack of communication, resulting in missed opportunities.

Here is what you should do instead to ensure you don’t waste time or talent:

Focus on quality over quantity when evaluating candidates
Be flexible with your hiring criteria and timelines
Set expectations and communicate the hiring process if you expect delays but want to hold their interest.

Recruitment Mistake#8: Not Sourcing the Best Candidates

Whether you are using improper job boards, social media channels, or overpaying for a recruitment agency, not using the right tool will end up attracting the wrong candidates.

Deciding where to find candidates is a crucial choice. If you’re looking for new grads who are early in their career, you’d likely find them by using social media. While experienced candidates are more likely to be accessible via traditional job boards or headhunting. Either way, you must utilize the right sourcing tool to save time and resources.

Instead of wasting a lot of resources using all the sourcing tools, focusing on the right ones will improve your candidates’ quality and reduce the work required to hire them.

How to make sure you find the best candidates:

Research the best platforms for your industry and target audience.
Use a mix of job boards, social media, and professional networks to reach the right candidates.
Partner with organizations to help hire people you don’t usually have access to. For example, most recruitment agencies headhunt the same people over and over again, but using different approaches can ensure you actually see different callipers.

Are you looking to attract the top candidates to add to your team?

At Career Edge, we match you with highly skilled candidates with many years of experience in different business areas, such as IT, finance, HR, and more. Ultimately, meeting your needs through a different solution that drives optimal results to match and retains top talent.

We offer a low-risk, personalized approach to helping you build a high-performing team that will help grow your team and business. Contact us today to get started!

Apr 05

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7 Practical Ways to Evaluate Remote Employees

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

As remote work becomes more commonplace, it is becoming essential for managers to evaluate their remote employees’ performance effectively. While assessing remote employees may be different from evaluating in-office employees, there are still many practical ways leaders can do to get the same results, if not better. However, with the right strategies, you can boost positive company culture and increase revenue. Here are some practical tips to help you evaluate your remote employees.

1. Set Clear Goals

The first step to effectively evaluating your remote employees is to set clear and specific goals and objectives for each individual and for the team as a whole to accomplish and communicate these expectations effectively. This can provide a measurable framework for tracking progress and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Regular check-ins and performance reviews can also provide feedback and identify areas for improvement.

2. Use Performance Metrics

As an employer, you can use performance metrics to track the work of employees who are working from home. This can include sale numbers, project completion times, task completion rates, and error rates. This helps employers see how productive their team is, how well they meet targets, and where they may need additional training or support.

3. Utilize the Right Tools

Another way to assess your remote team’s progress is to use project management or monitoring tools. These tools can track time spent on specific assignments and the tasks each person is working on, and they can also provide metrics and insight for the use of resources. Using these tools can help streamline a system for your peace of mind and boost your team’s productivity.

4. Cultivate Trust in Remote Teams

Plenty of studies indicate that micromanaging your employees is your recipe for a toxic culture, leading to a toxic work environment. Trust, however, is the glue that holds remote teams together.

To build trust, start by setting clear goals that are easy to measure and communicate these to your team. But building trust in a remote environment isn’t easy – it takes effort and creativity. You need to create a culture that fosters relationships and connections among your team members, even if they’re scattered across the globe. Remember, trust isn’t just a feel-good factor – it’s a vital ingredient for boosting engagement and achieving extraordinary outcomes. In a remote setting, results matter, and employees need the tools, support, and freedom to make decisions, solve problems, and make mistakes.

Building a culture of trust makes a meaningful difference in both employee engagement and company outcomes by enabling higher productivity, better-quality products, and increased profitability.

5. Encourage Open Communication

Communication is essential for evaluating remote employees. Leadership should encourage remote employees to communicate frequently with colleagues and supervisors, fostering the culture and building trust within your company.

Regular and effective communication is critical for ensuring everyone is on the same page and that all team members can contribute to the project’s success. This can include frequent virtual meetings with clear and concise communication about expectations and deadlines. Regular check-ins can also help you stay on top of the employee’s progress and help catch any issues that may arise.

6. Provide Feedback for Remote Employees

Regular feedback to your remote employees keeps them engaged and motivated. Be sure to praise employees for a job well done and provide constructive feedback when necessary. This will help employees to improve their performance and stay motivated to reach their goals.

7. Offer Training and Development

Investing in training and development for your remote employees can help them stay updated with the latest skills and knowledge needed to excel in their jobs. This can be done through online training courses or webinars. Providing training and development opportunities benefits your team and helps your company stay competitive. For example, managers can provide opportunities for remote employees to learn new skills and take on new challenges, which can help to demonstrate their capabilities and adaptability. Additionally, managers can encourage remote employees to take on leadership roles within the team, which can provide valuable experience and help to build their confidence and expertise.

Overall, there are many practical ways managers can evaluate their remote employees’ performance. By setting clear goals and objectives, using tracking and monitoring tools, fostering effective communication, and providing opportunities for learning and leadership, managers can effectively assess the productivity and effectiveness of their remote teams. With these tips, you can create a positive work culture, improve employee retention rates, and increase revenue.

Mar 07

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Find Your Perfect Candidate Match with Career Edge’s Talent Solution

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

Finding candidates to hire is no easy feat. You hired recruiters and worked with tons of recruitment agencies who brought the same candidates over and over again. It makes sense; using the same techniques and the same network can only get you the same results.

If you’re looking for fresh faces and a partner who truly cares about your business and its unique needs, Look no further than Career Edge! We are a team of dedicated professionals who pride ourselves on providing exceptional talents to the job market.

How is Career Edge different?

We help newcomers to Canada, recent graduates and people with disabilities kick-start their careers by connecting them with the right opportunities. We have an incredible database of candidates who are extremely well-educated and have extensive and international backgrounds. We are also working with an extended network of partners from all backgrounds to source the best candidates to hire.

At Career Edge, we understand the challenges employers face when trying to find the perfect candidate. That’s why we go above and beyond to identify the best and most diverse candidates for your business. We especially help underrepresented groups launch their careers in Canada through our novel internship model. Want to learn more about our internship model, contact us today!

Why work with Career Edge

We work closely with you to understand your business and its specific needs to ensure that we fully understand the skills, experience, and qualities that are most important to your organization. This approach allows us to tailor our search to find candidates who not only meet your requirements but also align with your company’s culture and values.

At Career Edge, we believe in providing a positive candidate experience. We understand that hiring can be stressful, which is why we make every effort to ensure a smooth and efficient process. We keep candidates informed and engaged throughout the process, providing feedback and support along the way.

How to make an impact

We are proud to support newcomers to Canada, recent graduates, and people with disabilities in launching and developing their careers. By working with Career Edge, you are not only finding the best candidates for your business but also contributing to creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces while helping underrepresented groups.

What other employers are saying about Career Edge

“A very positive experience – I’ve had recruiters make promises in the past but never deliver. Career Edge has always delivered.”

– Nicole Bell
Talent Acquisition Specialist at Ricoh

“Career Edge makes the recruitment process painless. They provide high-quality applicants, and they are always available for support.”

– Shirley Abi-Ad
Human Resources Manager at Dr. Oetker

We invite you to join our community and experience the difference that Career Edge can make for your organization. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the talent you need to succeed. Together, let’s build a brighter future for our businesses and our communities.

Jan 26

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6 Ways You Can Maintain Mental Health In The Workplace & Why It’s Important

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

Maintaining mental health in the workplace is an essential component of business success. Employees with sound mental health tend to be more productive, focused, and engaged in their work.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five adults experiences a mental health diagnosis each year. A variety of factors, including trauma, stress and anxiety, can cause this.

While mental health is a topic often overlooked in the workplace, businesses need to understand how to recognize signs of mental health problems in their employees and provide support when needed. By doing so, companies can ensure that their employees remain healthy and productive while contributing to a positive work environment.

Benefits Of A Mentally Healthy Workforce

Employees with poor mental health often have difficulty completing tasks in the workplace. They may be less productive and exhibit diminished interest in their work. Workplace injuries and accidents caused by the inability to focus due to stress can also grow in numbers because of stress and mental health issues.

Promoting mental health in the workplace can be beneficial for both employers and employees. It makes economic sense because it can result in the following:

Increased productivity rates
Lower rates of absenteeism
higher-quality work and creativity
Improved employee engagement
Better relationships between employees and leadership
Improved relationships with the clients
Increased inclusiveness

How To Promote Mental Health In The Workplace

A healthy work environment should give employees the resources they need to feel supported, such as access to mental health professionals, flexible hours, and clear communication channels. It should also promote an open dialogue between employers and employees, allowing them to discuss issues openly without fear of retribution or judgment.

By implementing these activities, companies can help employees manage stress, build resilience, and create a workplace culture of support and understanding. This will enable employees to be more productive and engaged while improving overall job satisfaction.

1. Create Health and Safety Workplace Guidelines

Developing a healthy workplace environment is a multi-step process that begins with establishing and enforcing policies and practices that prevent, identify, support and rehabilitate employees who experience distress, burnout, substance abuse or other mental health concerns.

2. Make Mental Health Services Accessible

The World Health Organization has found that every dollar invested in mental health treatment returns $4 in improved health and productivity. That means that investing in your employees’ mental health can have a significant return on investment.

You are responsible for your employees’ mental health as a business owner.

It’s about more than just providing access to the proper care and support—it’s also about making sure that they know how important it is to take care of themselves.

Your team will be more productive if they feel healthy and well-rested, so it makes sense that investing in their mental health can help you make more money!

3. Encourage Employees to Take Time Off

Taking days off can be more difficult for some jobs/organizations than others. Encouraging employees to take days off and making the process easier will prevent burnout.

For example, consider adding mental health days or letting employees know that sick time can be used when they are “sick.” If your policies demand a doctor’s note for an absence. For example, that could create additional challenges for employees who may be fearful of the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

4. Build a Positive Work Environment

Creating a positive work environment is a great way to improve mental health in the workplace. Here are ways you can implement to improve the workplace environment.

Conducting regular check-ins
Prioritizing onboarding new hires
Developing a solid workplace culture
Understanding that every employee has different accommodations and needs. For example, some employees would require a different work environment to focus
Encouraging team collaboration and team-building activities
Normalizing conversations about mental health within the workplace
Creating a work environment that encourages open and honest communication
Understanding how to identify and prevent potential workplace-related emotional triggers
Promoting work-life balance by implementing flexible schedules and work-from-home opportunities

5. Take Steps to Support Diverse Employee Groups

People from minority or diverse groups are statistically shown to experience mental health symptoms at higher rates and face more barriers when seeking mental health.

Taking steps to acknowledge diverse groups and support them in the workplace is essential to achieve mental health equity for the overall mental health of the workplace.

6. Offer Flexibility

Rigidity can have a negative impact on mental health at work by increasing stress on your team. Finding ways to make employment more flexible can significantly improve workplace mental health. Some opportunities to make working for your organization more flexible include:

Offering virtual or hybrid is the new normal
Making project deadlines more flexible
Adopting the right to disconnect policy
Instituting days with no meetings
Checking in with employees about their preferred working style and accommodating positions to suit them

Employers should make sure that they are providing resources and support for their employees when it comes to mental health. Some ways to promote it include giving access to counselling services, offering flexible working hours, or simply creating an open dialogue where employees feel comfortable discussing their struggles. Taking these steps will benefit not only the individual but also the organization as a whole.

This is a part of #BellLetsTalkDay, an initiative launched by BELL, one of Career Edge’s partners. For more mental health resources, visit this website.

Dec 12

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5 Ways to Improve your Hybrid Company Culture

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

The recent shift to remote work has fundamentally changed how many companies operate. While working from home has its benefits, it can also create challenges when it comes to maintaining a positive and productive hybrid company culture. Here are some ways to maintain a positive hybrid work culture.

1- Prioritize clear and consistent communication

To improve culture in a hybrid work environment, is to prioritize clear and consistent communication. This means making sure that all employees, whether they are working in the office or from home, are kept up-to-date on important information and have access to the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. This can be achieved through regular check-ins, company-wide updates, and open lines of communication.

2- Encourage collaboration and teamwork

Another key aspect of maintaining a strong company culture in a hybrid environment is fostering a sense of belonging and connection among employees. This can be achieved through regular team-building activities and opportunities for collaboration, both online and in-person.

Provide opportunities for employees to work together on projects and initiatives, even if they are not in the same physical location. This can be done through virtual team-building activities, online collaboration tools, and regular group meetings.

3- Support employee well-being

Hybrid work can be challenging and isolating. It can impact employees’ mental and physical health. Offer support to employees through employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and regular check-ins with managers and colleagues.

In addition, it’s essential to provide employees with the support they need to thrive in a hybrid work environment. This may include offering training on remote work tools and technologies, as well as creating policies and guidelines that help employees manage their work-life balance.

4- Recognize and reward employee contributions

Just because employees are not physically present in the office doesn’t mean their contributions should go unnoticed. Provide regular recognition and rewards for a job well done, such as through employee recognition programs or bonus opportunities.

5- Create a virtual community

Encourage employees to connect and engage with each other outside of work tasks through virtual social events, online forums, and other digital platforms. This can help foster a sense of belonging and connection among remote workers.

Ultimately, maintaining a strong and positive company culture in a hybrid environment requires a commitment from leadership and all employees to prioritize communication, connection, and support. By taking these steps, companies can create a collaborative and productive work environment that drives business success.

Aug 16

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What is Company Culture and How to Implement it

By Career Edge Org Employer

This is a guest post by Tania Doshko

You probably heard about company culture, organizational culture, workplace or corporate culture. It’s the same phenomenon going under different names. This notion has much to do with your business and its potential success.

Every company has a strategy, but where a strategy fails, a culture succeeds. When a company has a solid corporate culture, employees know how top management wants them to respond to situations, and employees believe that the expected response is the proper one. Employees know that they will be rewarded for demonstrating the company values.

Proper company culture ensures your company has this level of understanding between top management and employees. Indeed the process is a bit challenging and starts when you decide to set up a business. This article covers the basic concept of company culture and its proper functioning within a company.

What is Company Culture?

Simply put, it is what your company believes in practice. Therefore, it is often defined as a set of values, goals, attitudes, and practices that characterize the organization.

Furthermore, company culture is a set of intangible, unwritten rules that drive employee behaviour throughout their professional life. Thus, your culture is how your employees work. Besides, all these traits make a business’s personality.

Company culture influences all the company processes from top to bottom and considerably affects the company’s potential. As people tend to spend a more significant part of their lives at work, the workplace environment largely predetermines the quality of their work and professional life. If the employees work for a company with a strong company culture that aligns with their values and beliefs, they are more likely to work hard and remain with the company for a long time.

On the other hand, if employees get employed by companies sharing different values, the worst thing they can do is remain with the company and underperform. Furthermore, as company culture is difficult to define, many companies face difficulties maintaining consistency in their messages about the culture.

Elements of a Solid Company Culture

Undoubtedly each corporate culture is unique and encompasses many elements and factors. However, several elements are essential for every company’s culture despite company size or industry. To better understand the concept of corporate culture and be able to adjust it in correspondence to your business goals, it is essential to know its basic components and how they function in practice:

1. Vision and values

The backbone of any corporate culture is the vision of how all these things will work for the company’s benefit. Values, in turn, predetermine the required competencies and behaviours for employees to cope with the tasks and work for the overall business goals.

Together vision and values are the guidelines for employees and company leaders on behaving, interacting, and communicating in a workplace.

2. Practices and people

The people are your corporate culture carriers. In other words, your clients, prospects, and stakeholders will perceive your company culture via the people who represent it. Furthermore, the company values are of little importance if they are not enshrined in the practices. Thus, no company can build a coherent corporate culture if its values are not shared by the employees and are not turned into actions.

3. Narrative

Every company has a unique history. The essence of the company culture is the ability to communicate that story to the customers and craft it into a company narrative. When the elements and pieces of the company history are shaped into some objects and preserved over time, they become integral parts of the company culture.

4. Environment

The environment where people work, interact with each other, and make critical decisions for the company’s benefit is a vital component of the company culture. Various geographical locations and workplace conditions bring some characteristic features to employees` communication and behaviour.

Why Does Company Culture Matter that much?

Company culture is more than just a set of values, missions, and corporate legends. It includes the elements that guide your company to success and motivate every person to do their best work.

Thus the importance of company culture goes far beyond your office, from recruitment to workplace performance and a healthy work environment. Here are a few stats that support this statement and provide reliable evidence:

A 2019 Glassdoor survey proves that most employees regard culture as more important than cash to ensure job satisfaction.
CultureIQ states that employees who work in a strong culture company feel like the atmosphere and overall mission are more precise.
66% of job seekers consider a company’s culture and values the most important factor when considering career opportunities.
Companies with solid cultures boast 72% higher employee engagement rates than those with weak cultures.

A strong company culture works for the benefit of your business in many ways. These are just a few reasons proving its importance. However, they are good starting points to get you thinking about what your organization brings to the table.

Factors that Shape a Company Culture

Now that we know company culture is a way of life for the employees and company management, let’s take a closer look at the factors that affect corporate culture and learn how to recognize them.

● Recruitment and selection

Nothing is more important for the company’s well-being and the solidity of its culture than hiring the right employees. The future company’s success and development largely depend on whether the hired team members are motivated for continuous growth by their nature.

● Leadership principles

How the leadership team runs the company directly influences employees’ policies, procedures, and rules. The values and philosophy guide and trickle down to the employees to bring the desired effect.

● Business Nature

A company’s primary purpose, market, and critical business goals affect the employees’ behaviour considerably. If the company makes something meaningful via its products or services, it immediately reflects its culture and attitude to business dealings.

● Company values and policies

Employees are expected to develop values and qualities stipulated by the company policies. Thus, solid company culture should predetermine and outline the fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for beliefs and behaviours.

● Rules

If you belong to some company and feel comfortable there, you share the company values and naturally follow the guidelines of the company management. While rules on safety and security are typically required, effective time management practices serve as a motivating element.

● Clients and external interactions

Who you work with is essential for a sound working environment and solid company culture. The influence of clients and external company partners on the company culture is often overlooked, while these people directly affect the company and employees’ well-being.

Qualities of a Great Organizational Culture

Successful cultures are those where employees have a clear sense of goals, an understanding of long-term and short-term goals, and the courage to speak up and share their ideas with others. Every company’s culture is different, and it is vital to preserve its uniqueness. However, some qualities shared by many corporate cultures help easily recognize a good one. Here are some of these qualities:

Good communication
Alignment
Trust
Appreciation
Integrity
Psychological safety
Diversity
Recognition
Learning and growth opportunities
Innovation

Besides, fast and efficient delivery of services or goods is another necessary evidence of the company’s success. Business performance is similar to the work of a well-oiled mechanism. To ensure all the processes function well and the employees do not get stressed out, efficient time management should be harmoniously incorporated into the company culture.

The overall business success largely depends on the efficiency of every employee within the company. If you want to grow your business performance exponentially, you need your employees to develop a natural sense of time and effort value.

Tips for Establishing a good Company Culture

Believe it or not, companies that find themselves at the top of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work provide not only high-quality products or services but foster a company culture that inspires innovation, dedication, and enthusiasm among their employees.

Furthermore, a Glassdoor study found that 56% of workers ranked a strong workplace culture as more important than salary. Thus, working on solid company culture is no longer a trend but a must for those aiming for success. Here are a people of simple tips on where to start building one for your business.

1. Define your values

People like to believe they are a part of something meaningful. Thus, a crucial role of solid company culture is to provide the employees with a strong feeling of affiliation to a common purpose.

In other words, your employees need to feel good about what they do. Therefore, defining and articulating your company’s core values is extremely important. Your value statement should represent your vision for what you believe your company should portray.

2. Focus on employee wellness

Creating a great company culture with unhappy and unhealthy employees will be impossible. For everything to work out as you intend, your team members should be physically, mentally, and emotionally at their best.

For this purpose:

Encourage employees to use all of their allotted vacation days fully.
Offer access to mental health care.
Support an open-door policy with supervisors and managers.
Schedule breaks during the workday.

According to Drtracygapin.com, companies with highly successful health and productivity initiatives generate 11% more revenue per employee, 1.8 fewer days absent per employee per year, and 28% higher shareholder returns.

3. Hire the right people

The people you hire have a direct impact on your business success. Furthermore, these people must fit the existing company culture and help make it even more solid. Therefore, make sure you hire not solemnly based on need but a culture fit as well.

Make sure your hiring process compliment and supports your company culture:

candidates share your core values
The interview process discloses the candidate’s personality
Attitude comes before skills and experience.

A diverse workforce from different age groups and backgrounds means each person brings their point of view to the table. This means more creative and effective decisions are made.

4. Build workplace relationships

Fostering a positive and solid company culture also means building healthy workplace relationships. If your employees’ interaction is limited and there is no effective communication within the team, culture growth is impossible.

Companies with effective programs for communication and support are 3.5 times more likely to beat out their rivals, while well-informed employees outperformed their peers by 77%. Therefore, one of your key goals is to create numerous opportunities for healthy social interaction as part of your culture building.

5. Listen more

The most simple and, at the time, the most efficient way to build a good company culture is to be a good listener. Thus, according to CultureIQ, 86% of employees felt senior management listened to them in a healthy cultural environment, in contrast to 70% without a great culture.

Ask for feedback, whether it’s about the company’s values, business decisions, or a coffee brand for your office. Making sure your employees’ voices are heard is a top priority in a race for solid company culture.

Final thoughts

Undoubtedly there is no set blueprint for a successful company and a high-performing company culture, as each business is unique. However, having several above features associated with your corporate culture means you are moving in the right direction.

The company culture is the only truly unique identifier of a company. Like a fingerprint, a solid organizational culture can differentiate a business from its competitors in the mind of its stakeholders. It’s the DNA that preserves the experience and knowledge through the years and is a natural guide for the future activities of your company. The best people always want to work for the best companies. A solid culture that goes far beyond the company office is the only true feature of a promising company.

About the author: Tania Doshko is a motivated and avid content creator who believes in the power of quality writing for business success. She finds her inspiration in careful observations and amazement with the fastly developing world.

Jul 31

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Leadership Style Preference Quiz for Team Members

By Marwa ElMorsy Employer

As a part of a team, you could get along with some leaders more than others. Ever wondered why?

That’s mainly because you might have a different or non-complimentary Leadership style.

As a team member, it’s crucial to understand which leadership style you work best under. This knowledge will empower you to communicate your preferences and collaborate more effectively with your leaders.

Discover the collective leadership style that drives your team’s success with our Leadership Style For Teams Quiz!

Understanding your preferred leadership dynamics can foster better collaboration, enhance communication, and maximize productivity.

In this quiz, you and your team members will answer a series of 17 questions, each offering five different answers. As your team participates, they’ll gain valuable insights into their leadership tendencies, helping them align their strengths for better teamwork.

The five main leadership styles are Authoritative Leadership, Democratic Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Laissez-faire Leadership, and Servant Leadership.

Learn more about the different leadership styles and how to match yours with leaders here.

Now let’s get to the fun part…

Please read each statement carefully and pick the closest statement you can relate to. Be honest with your answers, as this will help you better understand which leadership style you work best under.

Curious about your leader’s leadership style? Send them this leadership style quiz.