Tag Archives: employment

How to Manage Staff (For Beginners)

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Graduate Stories, Work

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By Debisi Desalu

Today’s graduates are ambitious and want to climb the career ladder quicker than previous generations. Graduates employed in start-up companies and small charities (such as student unions) will have management responsibility very early on in their careers. Management training is limited but you are still expected to deliver. Check out my top tips for how to manage staff.

Get them on board

A good induction is vital. This ensures that staff members have the knowledge and tools needed to do the job. Nothing is more dis-empowering than having to do something or being expected to do something you haven’t been trained to do or been given the tools to do. Making sure your induction and training is relevant increases the likelihood of success.

   Expectations and Accountability

Be clear on your expectations from the start, so each staff member understands their role. Once the expectations have been set ensure you are transparent about how performance will be measured. Hold staff accountable for their results without being dis empowering but most importantly create an atmosphere where your staff can hold you to account as well.

Bond with your staff

Many studies show that staff members happiness and engagement at work is directly linked to the relationship with their line manager and their wider team. Building this sense of shared goals is very important and taking the time to get to know your staff members makes them feel valued and ensures they work to the best of their ability. Doing this from the start will honestly make managing that person a lot easier. Come up with engaging activities you can do together that get them connected to the strategy, their targets and form shared goals for the team.

 Recognize your staff as individuals

As a manager it is easy to get so tied up to the process that we lose sight of the individual. One size does not fit all when it comes to managing staff and expecting the same template or management style to work for everyone is not a good way to go. Monthly 1-2-1 for example should be different depending on the individual and what they need from you, what barriers they are facing and their personality type. Some may want a full-blown coaching session while others might just want a to-do list to crack on with. Work with the staff member to get a process that works for them.

                                  Empowerment and Involvement

Empower your staff to make decisions. Let people know how their work helps achieve the bigger picture. I work with receptionists and call centre staff and they are happy to do the same tasks day after day because they can see how it makes the organisation better, how it’s valued and how it’s helping us achieve our strategy.

Personal Development

Try and help your staff set personal development goals and make time to help them achieve them. Don’t be afraid to get them ready for their next step and be comfortable knowing the next step may not be with you. Ask them what their long-term goals are and try to link those to work goals if possible. Staff need to know that you are thinking about their longer term success and not just their next appraisal.

Debisi Desalu is a People and Office Manager in London. She currently manages 11 staff members. 

Are you a new manager, what is the biggest challenge you have faced so far? 

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Why You Should Quit Your Job

13 Sunday Sep 2015

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This blog isn’t about how to write your resignation letter. I sent a sentence of resignation through email for those who are interested. I won’t be telling you about the boring formalities of HR processes like how your P45 is issued. This blog is about the decisions that led me to leaving my job and why you should consider quitting yours.

I felt myself stagnating in my previous role. I wasn’t learning anything new and everyday felt the same. I knew I had to leave when my ideas became bigger then my role. I spent six months looking for a new job and when I finally got one I couldn’t believe it. Even though I had accepted the job I wasn’t sure if this was what I really wanted. I had made great friends, secure working relationships and I understood the dynamics of my team. Leaving my role was stepping into the unknown and I wasn’t sure if I could cope with that. Then I realised that I was thinking  too small. I needed to start thinking like a ‘professional’ instead of a ‘worker’. I wanted to build a career and that involved dealing with change and moving on.

I needed to start thinking like a professional instead of a worker.

  Career Progression

One of things they don’t teach you at university is how to manage your career. When I started work I assumed that if I worked hard I would be promoted. Promotions rarely happen. You usually have to apply for the role that you want. I learned this the hard way. Most of us work go above and beyond our job role on a regularly basis but recognition doesn’t go beyond the occasional praise from managers. Going through the education system has made us crave and rely on praise. You need to recognise your own potential.

You need to recognise your own potential.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Is there anything that you could improve on? You should look for a role that allows you to develop your strengths. It is also important to have an awareness of your weaknesses because you may have to work on those too. Be strategic ,you don’t have to be good at everything but some things are essential. For example, I have always found the concept of strategy difficult because it involves looking at the bigger picture. I prefer to focus on helping the individual. Despite this I knew that thinking of the collective would benefit larger amounts of students. I incorporate ‘strategic thinking’ whenever I have to make a difficult decision. It helps me rationalize things and manage conflicting priorities. Whatever your areas for important areas for improvement, work on them daily. You can talk about this in a job interview. A new role means taking on new challenges.

                              You will learn how to deal with change

Most  people stay in their jobs is because they are scared of change. All of the uncertainties that could have prevented me from moving on were related to a fear ofchange. Despite change being a normal part of life most of us don’t deal with it well. We enjoy the routine or our lives, completing the same task daily and never having to worry about making a mistake. You may be comfortable but you will never create an extraordinary life living in your comfort zone. I want to limitless life. This involves taking opportunities at a moment’s notice. Taking on a new role will help you develop new skills, relationships and bring you more opportunities. It will also make the next step up easier to deal with.

            Leave on a high, don’t wait for unhappiness

Most people leave their jobs because they hate it. This is the worst time to leave. At this point you are desperate and will take anything. Your next move is unlikely to progress your career and you could end up in an organisation that you really hate. The best time to leave a job is when you think that your current role has nothing else to offer. Good managers expect their employees to move on and they will support you. I was shocked at how supportive my manager was. He even offered me career advice. The best thing about leaving on a high, is that your managers will be left with good memories of you. They become a part of your professional network and you can contact them in the future. You never know when you might need advice or another job. Keep all of your options open.

Have you become comfortable in your job, what’s stopping you from moving on? 

If you are ready for a new challenge you will find my previous blogs useful:

How Sell Yourself in a Job Interview

23 Sunday Aug 2015

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When I went for my first job interview two years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. University hadn’t taught me interview etiquette and I had to make it up as I went along. I look back on my old blog: How to succeed in a graduate job interview and can admire how much I have grown. The girl who wrote that didn’t understand the importance of authenticity. It’s pointless going into an interview pretending to be someone that your not. A good interviewer/ panel will be able to see straight through this.

You should aim to be yourself, but on a really good day.

It’s important to remember that getting an interview is half the battle won. Employers read hundreds of application forms and only select a handful of people to interview. Your application has sparked their interest and you already meet the important elements of the job specification. The interview is your opportunity to put your skills into context. You need to take the interviewer on a journey; highlighting your achievements, challenges and commitment to personal development. I hope this blog will show you how easy it is to sell yourself in an interview.

Research the organisation 

How did you pick your university? I’m sure you skimmed their prospectus, attended an open day or even watched a video. You need to do the same research when applying to work for an organisation.

  • What is their mission statement, aims and values?
  • What is their strategic plan and how could you contribute towards this?
  • What are their recent achievements?
  • Are their opportunities for personal development?
  • What are the employee benefits?

In my opinion these things should be researched and considered before applying for the job. You should be sure that you want to work for the organisation.

If you choose to attend an interview you should know all of the above information. The interviewer is likely to ask you at least one question to find out your knowledge of their organisation. If their missions/aims/values are issues that you care about mention this. This gives the interviewer an early indication of what you are passionate about and what motivates you. You are more likely to be selected for a job if your experiences and knowledge are relevant to the organisations mission and strategy.

Be able to confidentially articulate your knowledge/skills/experiences 

Good communication skills are essential in all jobs. If you aren’t able to articulate your suitability for the job, how will the interviewer know that you can work in teams, with clients or present information in meetings? It’s normal to be nervous, interviews are uncomfortable situations. It’s good to smile and even laugh .

Everyone has funny experiences and you shouldn’t feel that you can’t talk about them in an interview.

When you are asked a question really think about what information is being asked Common questions are:

  • Tell me about a time when you successfully managed a difficult client?
  • Tell me about a time when a project didn’t go to plan?
  • What are your weaknesses and how did you manage/ overcome them?
  •  Why did you apply for this role?

The possible questions are endless. I think the most interesting one would be the question about weaknesses. When most people apply for a job they don’t consider the areas they may struggle with. For example, I am a student advisor and I have to make difficult decisions on a daily basis. One of my weaknesses is that I may become too emotionally involved in a case. In order to manage this, I may decide to work on the case with another advisor or hand it over completely. Being able to identify and manage your weaknesses shows the interviewer that you are able to problem solve and manage difficult situations.

Ask them questions

If you went to your university open day you will remember all of the questions you asked the student ambassadors. What was the night life like and were the tutors supportive? You spend most of your life at work so it’s important to be in an environment that enables growth and happiness. For me the organisation’s mission, company culture and personal development opportunities are important. You are given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview. This can be the best part as you are putting the interviewer/ panel on the spot. They have to sell the organisation to you. Don’t think that these questions have to be insightful. Ask about the things that are important to you.

The job market is tough and it’s important to be able to sell yourself to employers. They want to recruit talented individuals who they can train and develop. The interview is your opportunity to show your potential.

Do you have any tips for selling yourself in a job interview? 

Understanding Race Issues at Work

09 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Work

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black-woman at work

I spent three years at a university where I was predominately surrounded by black people and black culture. Looking back it felt like being in a parallel world where everything was catered to my needs and tastes. When I started work it was a culture shock. It felt like stepping into a club that I wasn’t really welcome in. Most of my colleagues had a shared experience. They all came from remote parts of the UK, liked the same music and had the same interests. I struggled to join conversations about bands I had never heard of or topics that I skipped in the newspaper. I couldn’t explain how I was feeling so I isolated myself.

I was often the only black face in university meetings and found this uncomfortable. I would do ridiculous amounts of reading before each meeting to reassure myself. I didn’t want to be the person to ask a stupid question or make a comment that wasn’t relevant. It felt like one wrong move would be letting down the entire race. I felt like an imposter. Although I received amazing feedback from my managers I still couldn’t believe that I was meant to be there. It felt like my cover might be blown at any moment and they would realize that I didn’t belong there.

Six months ago I attended a women’s leadership course that changed my life. In a room of complete strangers I stood up and said that I had never felt like I deserved to be in my role. I started to discuss my feelings at work. I started to talk about race for the first time in my life. In this blog I will share some of the things I have learned.

‘Black’ and ‘White are not bad words

I don’t know when black and white became bad words. It must have been since slavery- all I know it that most people are terrified to say them. It highlights difference and no one likes to be different. When I first started working I immediately assumed that there was something wrong with me. Now I know better, I am just different from my colleagues. I have been raised differently, eat different food and enjoy different music. As a black woman I am aware of my non-white surname when I apply for jobs. This isn’t something that my white colleagues have to think about- this is white privileged. Recognise the differences and let them empower you.

Sometimes you are a stereotypical black person (and that’s ok) 

Stereotypes are based on reality. People assume that girls from Essex are uneducated Barbies who all work in a tanning salons. Some of them do but the majority don’t. Black people get angry when white people stereotype them. It’s normal to make assumptions about people who you don’t associate with. At times I am a walking stereotype- the black girl who loves to twerk to bashment and eat chicken. I also enjoy listening to pop music and my ideal day would be exploring an ancient castle. How is anyone meant to know that if I don’t tell them? I have enjoyed being my ‘whole’ self at work.

The next time someone makes a comment you don’t like or makes you feel uncomfortable, ask yourself a question. Are they being disrespectful or do they need to be educated?

Your space isn’t a default, you have to create it

The reason I felt so uncomfortable at work was because not many black people had come before me. I didn’t have any role models. In recent months I have seen this as an opportunity to create my own space. I challenge the norm and continually work for a more inclusive work environment. This could be anything from questioning the amount of black staff employed to hosting an urban work social (coming soon). I enjoy working in an environment where I can influence change. Some black people are uncomfortable with being known as ‘race champions’ or ‘equality experts’ but this doesn’t bother me. White people don’t understand my experiences so it’s my job to try and help them to. Everyone is different and some of my suggestions might not work for everyone. The main thing to remember is you need to create an authentic space that you are comfortable in.

I have been meaning to write this blog for nearly a year but something always stopped me. I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable and I didn’t want to trivialise the issue of race at work. I wrote this blog for the black professional who needs to create their place. The black professional who might be uncomfortable at work but might not understand why. This is for you.

I am really interested in people’s thoughts/comments on this blog.

Are you a black professional experiencing any of the issues I have raised?  

If you are a white professional, did you know that these issues may exist in your place of work? 

How to Cope with a Full Time Job

08 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Work

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Do you look this happy at work? 

When I was at university I would fantasize about what it would be like to work full time. I was convinced it would be better then sitting in boring lecturers and having to read endless books. Little did I know that I would be swapping one classroom for another. I had to learn about about two different organisations and their varying policies. I had to process all this new information but there wouldn’t be a test at the end to confirm that I had the answers right. If I got it wrong, it could have a negative impact on someone’s life. That was hard to deal with.

When I finally settled into work, I had a constant battle with tiredness. The early mornings combined with the stressful daily commute was pushing me to breaking point. No one told me that it was going to be like this. Fast forward four months and things have started to get better. It’s essential to get that work/ life balance or you could end up feeling trapped.  Here are a few tips that I have found useful in my working life.

Be Realistic   

One of the things I found shocking about full time work, was that I had less time to do what I wanted. In the vision of my perfect life, I didn’t see the conventional 9-5. I thought that I could live on my creativity but it wasn’t long before I realized that this wasn’t possible. You need to find working hours that suit your lifestyle. I have grown to love my 9-5 because I can use my evenings and weekends to pursue other things. When your working full time it will take longer to reach your goals because your time is limited. Be prepared for this and you will be much happier.

Work Hard

The only way to turn a job into a career is to work hard. Take every opportunity  that is given to you and use your initiative. I am lucky enough to work in an organisation that values my opinion and gives me a great amount of creative freedom. Your job might not be as flexible but you can still suggest new ideas. At work I use Outlook to manage my daily tasks. This means that my manager can see what i’m doing and I can also make sure that I get everything done. Even if you don’t use Outlook you can set your own tasks. When you know exactly what your doing work becomes enjoyable and you will be less stressed.

Love what you do

I know that this might seem like a luxury in this economic climate but you should love your job. You spend most of your week there and see your colleagues more then family and friends. If you don’t like your job then getting up in the morning will feel like a chore. You should have already identified your interests, so make sure that your job involves some of these. For example I love working with students, writing and talking. I get to do all of these every day. The more interested you are in your job, the more enjoyable it will be.

I have found these tips helpful and I hope you do to. If you are really unhappy or find that you are unable to cope, speak to someone. A close friend or relative can help you establish the problem  and come up with solutions. If thing’s don’t improve then maybe you should think about looking for another job. No one deserves to be unhappy at work.

*Have you had a hard time adjusting to full time work? I would love to hear your stories, please comment below or email thegraduate21@hotmail.co.uk