Signature Source Blog

Successfully Navigate the Hiring Process When You Have a lot of Experience

As a candidate with a wealth of experience, you have many valuable skills and insights to offer potential employers. Unfortunately, sometimes a wealth of knowledge can signal someone of older age. Unfortunately, ageism in the workplace is a reality for many job seekers, especially those over 50. While it’s illegal to discriminate against someone based on age, it can still happen during the job search process.

Tips to Navigate Around Ageism

Ageism can make interviewing challenging, especially if you’ve had a long-term position with another company. Here are some tips to help you navigate hiring and land your desired job.

Emphasize your skills and experience. Ageism in the job market often stems from the perception that older workers are less tech-savvy or adaptable. Emphasize your relevant skills and knowledge and show you are up to date with the latest technologies and industry trends.
Highlight your flexibility and adaptability. Be prepared to discuss how you have adapted to changes in your career and how you can bring a fresh perspective to a new role. Show that you are open-minded and willing to learn new things.
Discuss your accomplishments. Talk about specific achievements in your career and the impact you have made in previous roles. This will help to demonstrate your value and show that you are capable of making a positive contribution to the company.
Be mindful of your online presence. Ensure that your online presence, including your LinkedIn profile, is professional and up to date. Highlight your experience and skills, and consider getting a professional review to ensure your profile is compelling.
Be confident and optimistic during the interview process. Ageism can sometimes make job seekers feel less secure, but it’s essential to maintain a positive attitude and show confidence during the interview process.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile accurately reflect your experience, skills, and achievements. Highlight your relevant experience, including any industry-specific skills or knowledge. Also, consider getting a professional review of your resume to ensure it’s up-to-date and effective.
Emphasize your transferable skills and be open to new opportunities. While you may have much experience in one industry, consider other options that may be a good fit for you. Again, be open-minded and consider all opportunities that align with your goals and interests.

Following these tips and focusing on your skills and experience, you can effectively position yourself in a job interview. Be confident in the interview. Remember that your skills and experience are valuable assets to any company. Show that you have a lot to offer and that your age is not a barrier to success.

We always seek executive leadership candidates and would love to learn more about your experience and future career goals. Reach out to the Signature Source team by contacting us here: Contact Signature Source Executive Recruiters here!

Advice for Starting a Job Remotely

advice for starting a job remotely

Starting a new job can be both exciting and intimidating. It’s not only the challenge of a new company and company culture to understand, but to starting a job remotely can be even more of a learning curve!

How to Make the Most of Your New Remote Role

Company Expectations: Ensure you understand the company’s expectations and the tools you’ll need to do your job effectively. This can include communication policies: How does the company prefer employees to communicate with each other and clients? Is email the primary means of communication, or are other tools like chat apps or video conferencing software commonly used? Become familiar with meeting expectations. Will you be expected to participate in regular team meetings? If so, how will these meetings be conducted (e.g., via video conference, phone call, etc.), and what is expected of you in terms of preparation and participation?

Dedicated Workspace: Create a dedicated workspace in your home. Having a designated place to work will help you stay organized and focused. Choose a quiet and comfortable location. It’s important to find a place where you can focus without distractions, so try areas with a lot of foot traffic or noise.

Make sure you have a comfortable chair and a good desk or table. You’ll likely be spending much time sitting, so it’s important to have a comfortable and supportive chair. The same goes for your desk or table – ensure it’s the right height and has enough space to work comfortably.

Invest in the necessary equipment. Depending on your job, you may need specific equipment or tools to work effectively. Ensure you have everything you need, such as a good computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Keep your workspace organized. Having a cluttered workspace can be distracting and make it difficult to focus. Take a few minutes daily to tidy up and organize your space.

Routines and Boundaries: Establish routines and boundaries. It can be easy to blur the lines between work and home when you’re working remotely, so it’s important to set aside dedicated time for work and ensure you have time for breaks and relaxation.

Set boundaries with family and friends. Make it clear to your loved ones that you are working and may not be available at certain times.

Take breaks and step away from your work. Taking breaks and giving yourself time to rest and recharge is important. Try to take a few minutes every hour or so to stretch, get some fresh air, or do something enjoyable.

Be Connected: Stay connected with your team. Always check in regularly with your coworkers and stay up to date on team projects. Take advantage of virtual collaboration tools. Many tools are available to help remote teams stay connected and collaborate effectively, such as video conferencing software, chat apps, and project management platforms.

Working remotely has benefits and drawbacks in these changing times and workplace opportunities, especially when working remotely. If this is your first time working remotely, the added learning experience and new company culture can be challenging. We hope the above tips helped; if we can help you further in your career, reach out to the Signature Source team anytime!

How to Quit Your Job on Great Terms

quit your job on good terms

Leaving a job can be difficult and stressful. But quitting your job on good terms is essential to maintain your professional reputation and network. There are several vital tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.

First and foremost, having a transparent and honest conversation with your boss about your decision to leave is essential. Give them as much notice as possible and explain your reasons for leaving respectfully and professionally. Doing this will give your boss time to plan for your departure. It will also show that you are committed to maintaining a positive relationship with them.

Best Practices on For Time of Notice Given

Providing notice before quitting a job is a common practice and a professional courtesy. In addition, it allows your employer time to plan for your departure and find a replacement. The amount of notice you should give depends on the company’s policy, but it’s best to provide at least two weeks’ notice. This will give your employer enough time to plan for your departure and show that you are committed to maintaining a positive relationship with them.

However, sometimes, giving two weeks’ notice may be challenging. For example, if you have a new job opportunity that starts immediately or if the circumstances at your current job have become untenable. In these situations, it’s important, to be honest with your employer and explain your reasoning for giving less notice.

When providing notice, it’s important to have a face-to-face conversation with your boss. This will allow them to ask questions and discuss any concerns. It’s also important to be clear and honest about your reasons for leaving and to express gratitude for your opportunities and experiences while working at the company.

In addition to providing notice in person, it is also best practice to provide a written notice, usually via email, to confirm your verbal notice. This email should also include your last day of work, and transition plans you talked about with your boss, and your contact information should they need to reach you in the future.

Additional Thoughts to Consider When Quitting Your Job

Another important tip is to assist with the transition process. For example, offer to help train your replacement or work on projects that will ensure a smooth handover. This shows that you are dedicated to the company’s success and will positively impact your boss’s perception of you.

Taking care of any outstanding tasks or projects before leaving is also essential. This will ensure that your work is completed to a high standard and that your colleagues can handle their workload.

Finally, don’t burn bridges. Your professional network is important, and you never know when to call on your former colleagues or boss for a reference or advice. So keep in touch with them after you leave and maintain a positive relationship.

Overall, quitting a job is never easy, but by following these tips and maintaining a positive attitude, you can ensure that your departure is on good terms. This will not only benefit you in the short term but will also make a positive impact on your future career opportunities.

Should you be considering a new job in the future, the Signature Source team is here for you! Begin your job search with us here: Search executive level jobs with Signature Source

Behavioral Interview Question Tips

how to answer behavioral interview questions

Behavioral interview questions are job interview questions that ask the candidate to describe how they have behaved in specific work-related situations. These questions are designed to assess the candidate’s skills, knowledge, experience, and fit with the company culture. Behavioral interview questions are typically framed as “Tell me about a time when you…” or “Describe a situation in which you…”.

The interviewer is looking for specific examples and details about how the candidate has handled challenges, made decisions, solved problems, and worked with others in the past. By examining the candidate’s past behavior, the interviewer hopes to predict how the candidate will behave in similar situations in the future.

Examples of Behavioral Interview Questions:

Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult colleague. How did you handle the situation?
Describe a situation where you had to make a tough decision. How did you go about making the decision, and what was the outcome?
Tell me about a time when you had to work under tight deadlines. How did you manage your time and meet the deadlines?
Describe a situation where you had to work with limited resources. How did you handle it, and what was the result?
Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal. What was your role in the team, and what was the result?
By preparing answers to these questions, you’ll-prepared to handle behavioral interview questions during your job interview.

Tips for Answering Behavioral Interview Questions:

Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. When answering a behavioral question, provide a specific example of a situation you were in, the task you were trying to accomplish, the actions you took, and the result of those actions.

Be specific: Use concrete details and examples to illustrate your points. Avoid generalities or vague statements.
Keep it relevant: Choose relevant examples to the job you are applying for. Focus on experiences your skills, knowledge, and abilities relevant to the role.
Practice: Think about the behavioral questions you may be asked and practice answering them beforehand. This will help you feel more prepared and confident during the interview.
Be honest: It’s important to be honest, and authentic in your responses. Don’t try to present yourself as something you’re not. If you don’t have a specific example of sharing, it’s okay to admit it and talk about what you have learned from the experience.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to answer behavioral interview questions and make a strong impression during your job interview.

We’re always here to help you in career. Feel free to reach out to us for job search tips, resume writing and available open executive positions. Contact us here: Call or Email Signature Source

Do Employee Incentive Programs Work?

Employee incentive programs

The employment market is changing. Some call the current shift the Great Resignation, while others call it the Great Reshuffle. No matter what you call it, it is hard to deny that employers and employees have changing expectations. What role do benefits and incentives play in employee retention and satisfaction in this environment? Do they work? And how can they be designed to have the biggest impact on employee satisfaction?

What Do Experts Say?

If designed well, incentive programs and other benefits help employee recruitment and retention. Claire Barnes, Chief Human Capital Officer at Monster, spoke about this topic on the HR Works podcast. She explains that when companies don’t offer benefits that meaningfully help employees, employees “look for alternatives, which is a risk from a retention perspective for employers.” For example, more than a third of employees surveyed are careers in some way, but only 17% of employers offer paid leave above the statutory minimum. This paid leave can be crucial for employees to care for their families properly. This lack of compensation can prompt employees to look for work elsewhere.

What is Included in an Incentive Program?

So what does a well-designed incentive program look like? The first step in designing an effective incentive program is listening. Rather than guessing at what benefits will be most useful to your employees, ask them. No one will know better than them what services they need. Barnes uses a monthly randomized survey to collect employee feedback at Monster, and she bases her benefits decisions on the results. If benefits must be cut to save costs, this process will also help you justify your decisions and hurt the fewest people.

Second, prioritize health, professional development, and flexibility. In the wake of the pandemic, employees are indicating that they value health and well-being more than ever. This bucket covers the obvious, such as generous health insurance and dental care. However, there are also less common health benefits, such as support for childcare and emergency care, access to counseling, and self-care days. 45% of those surveyed by Monster also say they value an employer that provides them with training and development opportunities. So, consider how you can help your employees prepare for future roles by instituting a training program. And flexibility is the new normal after the changes brought by COVID. This includes generous or unlimited vacation time, the option to work remotely, and parental leave.

Encourage the Culture

Finally, create a culture of taking advantage of the benefits offered. Offering unlimited PTO is great, but it can be counterproductive if employees feel that taking extended leave would be frowned upon. This can only be fought by communicating expectations to managers and having them lead by example. As Barnes says, “Culture starts at the top, but it sticks to the walls.” Having managers prioritize their well-being over productivity, use the available benefits, and share that transparently with their team will help show employees that they can too.

With so many different options, comparing benefits packages can be tough. If you want help finding the right fit, don’t worry—Signature Source is here to help! With a combined experience of over 60 years in the industry, our expert team of relocation industry veterans ensures an unparalleled advantage in pairing the right talent with the right job at the right company. Search through the list of openings we are recruiting for on behalf of our clients to find your new home, or contact us directly if you want to know more. We look forward to hearing from you!