Executive Leadership Archives

Layoffs & Offboarding: Where to Begin

Natasha Jeshani Jan 31, 2023Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, News, Recruitment

As layoffs continue, social media is inundated with all the ways leadership missed the mark. No matter how a layoff is conducted, the need for it at all will generally create tension, but we believe that through effective planning and communication, the process can be more positive than not. At Career Contacts, we provide a robust offboarding program which creates 3 strong opportunities: Here are some ways to support your leadership and organization during a layoff (and ways Career Contacts can help): Communication Plan Communicate openly and transparently about the layoff process and the reasons for it. Be clear about what will happen and when, and provide as much information as you can. It is also important to be empathetic and understanding during this difficult time, and to show your appreciation for the contributions of all your employees. Offboarding Support Offer severance packages and outplacement support to affected employees. This can include things like financial assistance, resume and cover letter writing, how to effectively update their LinkedIn and increase their access to the current job market. Career Contacts also provides newly laid off employees with training on how to effectively negotiate their salary and how to prepare for an interview, …

Building an Effective Onboarding Program

Natasha Jeshani Dec 29, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, Recruitment

Many organizations have new hires beginning in the new year – a fresh start after the busyness of the holidays and a great time to onboard a new team! How can you ensure that you build an effective onboarding program? The first thing we suggest is reaching out to our team because we believe every company and employee deserves a customized program. If you are looking for a more high-level review of what is needed, keep reading. An effective onboarding program can help new employees feel welcomed, supported, and prepared to succeed in their new roles. Here are some steps you can take to build an effective onboarding program: Plan ahead Start planning your onboarding program as soon as you make a job offer. Consider the needs and expectations of your new hire, as well as the specific tasks and responsibilities they will have in their new role. Orient new hires to the company and its culture Provide new hires with information about the company’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This could include a tour of the office, introductions to team members, and a review of company policies and procedures. Set expectations Clearly communicate the expectations and goals for the …

Supporting Your Remote Team

Natasha Jeshani Dec 22, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips

As the new year approaches, organizations need to ensure that they are keeping their remote teams top of mind. January for many is a challenging time, with post-holiday blues being a very real thing. Coupled with colder weather in most of Canada, looming recession talk, and the start of a new year, it is critical that organizations continue to be intentional with how they support their teams; especially when they don’t see them everyday. Here are some strategies you can use to support a remote team: Establish clear communication channels Make sure your team has access to the tools they need to communicate effectively, whether that’s through video conferencing, messaging, or project management software. Establish guidelines for how and when to use these tools to ensure that everyone stays informed and connected. Set expectations Clearly communicate your expectations for how team members should work remotely, including what their schedule should look like, how they should communicate with you and other team members, and how they should handle tasks and projects. Provide resources Ensure that your team has the resources they need to be productive and successful, whether that’s access to certain software or equipment, or training and development opportunities. Foster …

How to Effectively Negotiate at Work

Natasha Jeshani Nov 25, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, Job Search, Recruitment

Asking for more of anything at work is generally a daunting task. As much as we hope that our work will speak for itself, it is not always the case. The best way to get what you want, is to ask for it; but how? When it comes to negotiating what you deserve, Natasha Jeshani, President & CEO of Career Contacts, has some tried and true tips on how to prepare, execute and successfully ask for what you deserve. Here are a few key ways to find your voice and use it! UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR The easiest way to stall a negotiation is to not exactly know what it is that you are asking for. If you are wanting a raise: understand how much you want, and by when. If you want a promotion: know what title you want, what team you want to be a part of, the new work you want to take on, and when you want to start. Looking for some added flexibility with your schedule? Know exactly what you need and be prepared to show them how you plan to continue to deliver and execute your role without interruption. Pro Tip: if …

offboarding - an empty office with empty cubicles

Offboarding – Our Step-by-Step Support for Your Team

Natasha Jeshani Sep 14, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips

Is your company in the process of conducting offboarding and in need of support? Career Contacts and Training Arch are here to help. We understand that offboarding can be a challenging time, and want to ensure you have the resources to set your teams up for success in their new journey. How do we do it? We provide services in 4 key areas to assist your team member(s) in the next step of their career by providing our expertise on their: Resume HR INSIDER SUPPORT We help your employees prepare for the next step in their journey by providing them with access to an HR Consultant who will provide real time feedback on their resume based on their specific role desires and the industries that they want to be a part of. LinkedIn TAILORED TO YOU We assist your employees in aligning their LinkedIn profile to their resume and ensuring it is set up for them to build their network and attract hiring managers, HR and recruiters to their page. Interview Prep VIDEO Based on the book “The HR Insider, How to land your dream job and keep it” this short course provides tips for your employees on how to …

Women In Business – 5 Ways to Support Women in the Workplace

Natasha Jeshani Sep 1, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, News, Recruitment

Lately (or maybe I’ve just become acutely aware of it) when I read posts of women in leadership, the post always includes some pep talk on impostor syndrome and confidence building. While I am sure we can all use a confidence boost from time to time, at Career Contacts we truly believe that the reason women aren’t landing in more leadership roles actually has nothing to do with these women at all. Today, we are going to share our 5 tips that we believe will effectively increase the promotion and retention of women in business: 1. Re-write your job descriptions Whenever we take on a new client, the first thing we do is advise them on ways to improve their job descriptions. We partner with organizations holistically to look at what they need, and come up with a variety of candidate profiles that may match those needs. We also ensure postings remove gender assumptions, and words that often detract female applicants (rock star, ninja, etc.). 2. Start from within – diversity does not start with hiring In order to increase the diversity within an organization, you must FIRST ensure that you have an organization that is positioned to have …

People-First Recruitment & HR – Our 4 C’s

Natasha Jeshani Aug 17, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, Job Search, Recruitment

Focused on being people first, our team cares about what we do and how we do it. We put our people first, and to us that means our 4 C’s: Colleagues, Candidates, Clients, and Communities! “People-first” is a term that has been seen increasingly often in organizations and work spaces in recent years. In fact, it has become a buzzword that many business have begun using regularly in their job descriptions and mission statements. But what exactly is a people-first culture? At Career Contacts, we believe that centering our people at the core of everything we do has been the catalyst to our growth and success. We’ve built our business and work philosophy around what we call our 4 C’s: Colleagues, Candidates, Clients, and Communities. “Putting people first is a philosophy backed up by a set of actions which prioritizes the people of an organization above all else including shareholder value and profits, even if it means that leaders must make personal sacrifices.“ -Jacob Morgan, Author of The Future of Work Colleagues: It’s important to consider that in order for us to do our best work for our candidates, clients, and communities, we have to start at the core of our company: our colleagues. It’s been said …

Learning & Development – From Perk to Permanent

Natasha Jeshani Jun 3, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, News, Recruitment

Learning and development or training and development (L&D or T&D) programs have become a hot topic of discussion among workplaces internationally. According to a new study featured on Forbes.com, learning and development culture is now viewed by HR teams, employees, and job seekers alike as an essential part of a progressive workplace. In fact, according to the study, it has become a “competitive differentiator”, making companies with L&D programs stand out (to employees and those in the job market) among those without. What’s changed? While offering a learning and development program was once primarily viewed as a perk used to attract new hires, building a thriving continuous learning program is quickly becoming a permanent fixture among companies around the world. What is a learning and development program? The term might seem self-explanatory, but there are many elements that make up a successful learning and development program and culture within a workplace. Most business have some kind of training/learning and development courses in place. Most commonly, companies will offer HR-led training courses, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, and Anti-Bullying and Harassment courses. However, there are numerous avenues for learning that fall under the umbrella of training and development. Courses …

Who’s on Your Personal Board?

Natasha Jeshani Mar 16, 2022Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips

Consider the last time you needed advice; who were the people in your life that you trusted enough to turn to for their opinions and feedback? Who are the people that support you and hold you up? Whether you need some input on a decision that you’re planning on making in your personal life, or a different perspective on a career move that you’re considering in your professional life, you most likely have a team of people behind you that help you to see all sides of an issue. Though you may not have heard of the term, this team of people is what some refer to as your “Personal Board”. A Personal Board can be made up of friends, family, co-workers, and in some cases even bosses and teachers can play a part in your support network. While they may not necessarily know it, and while you may not always refer to them this way, considering who makes up your Personal Board and who plays what role on your team can be helpful, inspiring, and can help you to visualize the support you have around you in times of need! In order to help recognize who in your life …

Building a Better Future Together – Giving Back and Team Building at the Same Time

Natasha Jeshani Oct 6, 2021Executive Leadership

While it’s well known that team building exercises and events are beneficial for a workplace, it’s less commonly considered that volunteering can be one of the most inspiring and impactful ways of promoting collaboration among your team! Whether it’s a company-wide event or a department-wide excursion, volunteering and giving back as a group is an exciting and powerful way to bond your team with shared, meaningful experiences. Even further, it’s also a way to discover your employees’ interests, passions, and talents and use them to create engagement and form connections. In addition to team building within the office, giving back as a group is also a way for your company to get involved in your community and make a difference in your backyard and beyond. If you’re ready to volunteer with your team and are wondering where to start, we’ve listed some ideas on how to do just that below: Ask your employees about what’s important to them Your team members all come from different backgrounds with different interests, passions, and skillsets. Start by asking them if there are any charities or organizations that are important to them, or any specific talents that they would like to utilize. This a …

The Golden Circle – Finding Your Company’s “Why”

Natasha Jeshani Sep 22, 2021Executive Leadership, Recruitment

What is The Golden Circle and what does it mean to “find your Company’s Why”? Created by author and inspirational speaker, Simon Sinek, The Golden Circle is a visual model that illustrates Sinek’s theory about the success behind some of the world’s most well-loved business and brands. According to Sinek, the Golden Circle is a guide that can be used to aid in your company’s improvements in corporate culture, leadership, hiring process, product development, as well as marketing and sales. We at Career Contacts believe that this model highlights some of the most essential elements of running a prosperous business. Because of this, we’ve composed some of our own thoughts about the components of The Golden Circle, finding your business’ “Why”, and how you can use all of this to assist in your company’s search for employees that will share the core values of your organization. When setting out to start a business, most people begin their journey by asking themselves the basic questions: What What kind of goods or services will we provide? What will providing this good or service offer our customers/clients? What is the draw – what is going to make people want to buy what we’re …

A group of diverse staff members sit a a large conference desk

Creating a Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee – Where to Start

Natasha Jeshani Sep 8, 2021Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, News

Please enjoy this sponsored post brought to you by our HR Consultant and client, Jeff So, HR Manager at Indochino MY WORKPLACE NEEDS A DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) COMMITTEE, NOW WHAT? So in 2021, it’s become more common for organizations to say there’s a “need” to have DEI given the rise in social movements like BLM, Stop Asian Hate, and Every Child Matters. You have so much to navigate and so many topics to tackle but none of this matters if the committee ends up being performative or virtuous for the sake of brand awareness. For me, as an HR leader, it’s relatively easy to lead any initiative that betters those around you, especially when it comes to our colleagues and coworkers. But know this, not every HR leader is necessarily a DEI expert but you may asked to wear that hat for your organization because honestly, who else would? On the other hand, just because you aren’t a DEI expert doesn’t mean it’s impossible to champion inclusion and foster a respectful workplace for all! Here’s how I did it (and by no means is this the only way). Before you start any committee, it’s important to have buy-in …

How Your Team Feels Matters – Here’s Why

Natasha Jeshani Aug 12, 2021Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips, Job Search

How often do you consider the feelings of your team when you make a company-wide decision? How your team feels matters. Here’s why. As organizations begin their back to work programs, many have provided surveys to get a sense of where their teams are at. While we are huge advocates of listening your people, it can do more damage if you hear them, but don’t actually do anything about what they ask for. Let’s start with a little story. Company A and Company B both want return to office programs in place. In both cases, the following is true: Ideally, they’d prefer if everyone comes back 5 days a week The staff have been working remotely since March 2020 with little disruption to revenue streams Both have conducted surveys in which most of their staff want to remain 80-100% remote Both are aware that not maintaining WFH options has consequences Company A sends employees back to the office and continues business as usual with little to no support or consideration of their team’s feelings. Company B, however, considers all of the following, starting with these simple steps that we believe are vital to a strong employee experience, strategic for higher …

Challenging Stigma: Mental Health in the Workplace

Natasha Jeshani May 27, 2021Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips

We at Career Contacts are proud advocates of mental health awareness and wellbeing in the workplace, so in recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve compiled some useful information that can help facilitate a dialogue around mental health in the office. Something important to keep in mind when considering the topic of mental health in the workplace is that mental health matters affect both employers and employees alike, so engaging in an open conversation about it can be helpful to everyone and can be instrumental in creating an office environment in which everybody feels safe and heard. MENTAL HEALTH DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE Aside from being associated with higher rates of disability and unemployment, mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression can also become evident in employers’ and employees’ communication, engagement, physical capabilities, daily functioning and overall job performance. This may explain why companies worldwide are recognizing the importance of addressing this topic, and why many have introduced programs that promote both physical and mental health in the workplace. While it may seem like one more thing to add to the agenda, there have been numerous examples of these kinds of programs and workshops having proven success! …

Change Management

Natasha Jeshani Apr 13, 2021Executive Leadership, Human Resources Tips

This past year has been a year of change. Many of our clients have transitioned into fully remote or hybrid roles, service offerings have changed, business plans have adjusted, budgets have been cut, and the list goes on. Regardless of whether it is going to be perceived as positive or negative, change is challenging for most. Did you know there is actual science behind this? The longer something is in effect, the better it is perceived as being. People are drawn to what is stable, reliable and “known”. When we have a client that is experiencing change, we want to support them by ensuring that the change is effectively communicated and implemented with the support of the entire organization. Today, we will walk you through a few areas that we think are critical to successful change management. Step One – Communicate the Change Ideally before the change takes place, you want to give your teams time to ask questions, engage in onboarding the new process and allow for them to have a chance to “buy-in”. If you can’t engage everyone before implementing a change, get them involved as early on in the process as possible. Here are a few things …