Company values

11 posts

The first Friday of March has become the unofficial holiday of Employee Appreciation Day in the U.S. Some companies celebrate this day, while others celebrate their employees throughout the year.

No matter how your company does it, showing employees appreciation is essential to providing a good employee experience. Every company has different ways to recognize employees. Some may plan a big event around Employee Appreciation Day, while others may plan quarterly or monthly events to show appreciation for employees.

Some companies may show their appreciation with financial awards like bonuses or through offering additional time off, while others may have more modest ways of doing so.

The bottom line: It doesn't matter how big or small the appreciation is. What matters is that you take time to show appreciation for your employees.

If you're limited on ideas, or resources, here are some simple ideas for showing appreciation:

Personal Notes

A young professional writes a few notes of appreciation for her employees

Work can be a grind sometimes, so anytime an employee gets a note from their boss or supervisor expressing appreciation for their efforts, it can be a nice little pick-me-up.

Every company wants hard-working and passionate employees because those are the type of employees who throw themselves into their work and are proud to represent the company. However, with hard work comes stress. That's why it's nice to check in with employees from time to time and thank them for their efforts.

These notes of appreciation don't have to be long. They could be written or emailed.

Many employees will just appreciate the fact you took the time to recognize them. One little note can really work wonders for morale and motivation.

Company Gatherings

Team/employees gather for a Employee Appreciation Day activity

Most companies will have some sort of weekly meeting to update the workforce on current happenings and to touch base. Every once in a while, the company should hold a gathering instead to recognize the workforce and discuss positive happenings in the company.

Sometimes the workforce needs a good reminder of why they do what they do and the positive things that come from it.

These gatherings could be on or off site; it's a matter of company preference. The important thing is that the gatherings focus on thanking employees and celebrating the positive accomplishments of the company.

And, these gatherings should include food! It doesn't matter if the company provides the food, or if employees contribute via potluck, just as long as there's food.

Give Employees Some Control

Employee activity committee discusses ways to show appreciation for the workforce.

Some companies use employee-led committees to plan monthly fun activities that encourage workplace bonding. These committees can also be used to plan employee recognition activities or coordinate company community service activities.

Sometimes just giving employees more ownership of things within the company is the ultimate sign of appreciation. It signals to employees that management doesn't have all the answers and that employees deserve a large role in shaping the company's culture.

Management should always look at their company and ask themselves where they can give employees more ownership in shaping it. Not only will this type of trust motivate employees, but they will feel appreciated.

What does your company do to show employees appreciation?

These are only a few ideas, but there are several more ways to show employees appreciation.

Tell Work It DAILY how your company appreciates employees and you might be featured on our website and social media channels to thousands of job seekers and potential employees!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

3 Ways Companies Can Show Appreciation For …

As you scroll through your social media feeds, it's not uncommon to see the businesses that you follow post pictures from various community service projects that they participate in. It can sometimes be easy to quickly look at these posts, say, "Oh, that's nice," and move on. But the importance of what these businesses are doing can't be overstated.

The importance of workplace community service projects goes far beyond the good deed itself. Here are three reasons why every company should consider taking part in community service:

It's Important To Make A Difference

Businesses that have the means usually try to give back through a variety of channels. Sometimes it takes the form of backing an initiative such as environmental sustainability, or it could be backing multiple philanthropic efforts, including donating to or having partnerships with multiple charities.

Volunteering and community service tend to be two of the most popular charitable activities because they allow the workforce to get out of the office and build bonds between the business and the community.

If everyone with the means to do so was able to help out, it would solve a lot of problems in the world. That's why any effort taken by a business to give back is important. No effort is too small!

It's Good For The Workforce

There's something about changing up the daily routine that can really invigorate a workforce.

Leaving the office for a day outside cleaning up the community, building something, or volunteering can really benefit employees. For one, it gives employees a chance to work together and interact outside of the office, allowing them to get to know each other better in a somewhat more relaxed setting.

In addition, working together with co-workers on different tasks outside of the office is great team building and could potentially lead to better work performance and pride in the workplace.

According to a 2017 Deloitte Volunteerism Survey, 89% of those surveyed believe that companies that organize volunteer and charitable activities offer better work environments than those that don't, and 70% agree that companies that sponsor such activities have a much more pleasant work environment.

Some companies are unable to commit their entire workforce to a full day of community service and will instead offer their employees paid time off, also known as volunteer time off (VTO), to pursue community service endeavors on their own time.

For some employees, workplace community service may be their first experience with community service and it could encourage them to take part in other efforts outside of work.

Taking part in community service not only teaches employees good philanthropic efforts, but it brings the office together.

It's An Important Part Of Your Employer Brand

Imagine this situation! You're heavily recruiting a potential new employee and it's down to your company and a rival company. The pay and benefits are similar but, ultimately, the employee chooses your company because they're impressed with your community service efforts.

This isn't a far-fetched scenario!

Community service is an essential part of a company's employer branding efforts. According to a 2017 Glassdoor survey, 75% of U.S. workers surveyed said they expect their employer to support community service/volunteer efforts. It's also an essential part of a company's culture, as 70% of employees surveyed by Deloitte said volunteer activities are more likely to boost employee morale than company-sponsored happy hours.

Job seekers want to know what type of charitable efforts your company is involved in and those efforts should be featured prominently on your company's website under your company culture section and on social media. Knowing that a company is socially aware and that they have an opportunity to do some good is an attractive perk for job seekers looking for their next career opportunity.

Need help with your employer branding efforts?

Check out Work It Daily's Employer Story Builder program.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

3 Reasons Why Your Company Should Participate …

4 Signs Your Interview Isn’t Going Well (And How To Fix It!)

Scoring a job interview can be hard work, so you don't want to waste the opportunity. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, sometimes the interview can go off track and before you know it, things didn't go as well as you had hoped.

It doesn't have to be this way! Sometimes there are subtle signs during the job interview that things aren't going well that you can pick up in time to potentially turn things around.

Here are some of the signs you should look for...

The Interviewer Doesn't Try To Sell You On The Company

A human resources manager presents some facts about the company during a job interview/meeting

Have you ever heard the expression, "An interview is about you trying to get to know the company just as much as they're trying to get to know you"? It's true. You should be evaluating the company as they're evaluating your experience and skills.

But, if you're doing this and the interviewer isn't working hard to sell you on the company's good traits, it's probably not a good sign.

Companies want their chosen candidate to accept the job offer, so for their top picks, they'll typically try to mention job perks, company culture, opportunities for growth, and other positives.

You're Only Asked Easy Questions

This may seem counterintuitive. After all, if the company likes you, why would they ask you challenging questions? But interviewers ask tough questions to candidates they're considering because they want to see how they think on their feet and will react to tough job situations.

If they aren't actually considering you, they'll stick with the easiest questions to answer.

The Interview Never Gets Personal

A job seeker answers questions during an interview

When interviewers are interested in a candidate, they will attempt to get to know them on a deeper level than questions like "What are your strengths?" can accomplish. They will often engage in chit-chat to make sure you'd be a good culture fit and to make sure your personality will mesh well with other team members.

If questions stay surface-level, there aren't follow-up questions based on your answers, and the interviewer is cut and dried instead of diving into more personal questions, you're probably not a top candidate.

There's No Mention Of Next Steps

A recruiter goes over the next steps with a job candidate during a job interview

Typically, at some point in the second half of the interview, the hiring manager will bring up salary expectations, references, or follow-up interviews. Even if they don't do this, they'll at least tell you at what point you should hear back about moving forward with your candidacy, or the estimated time by which they're trying to fill the position.

But if an interview ends without a discussion about what the next steps in the process are, it probably means there won't be any.

3 Ways To Turn Your Interview Around

Young professional has a positive response to an interview question

So, what can you do if you start seeing some of these signs throughout the interview? There's a chance that you may not be able to turn it around if the interviewer has already made up their mindâbut there are a few tactics you can employ to give yourself the best shot.

Stay positive - Remember that there's a good chance the interviewer is having a busy day, has a million other things on their mind, or just doesn't have a very friendly or engaging personality. By projecting confidence and positivity, you have a chance to turn around their first impression.

Ask great questions - This approach has two potential benefits. One is that you can ask the interviewer outright if they think you'd be a good fit for the roleâthat way, if they bring up a specific concern they have with you or your experience, you have the chance to address it. Second, many recruiters and interviewers find that the type of questions a candidate asks says a lot about them. By asking insightful, thought-provoking questions, you may be able to increase the interviewer's positive perception of you.

Think of it as practice - Even if you feel pretty confident that you won't get the job based on these signs, you can at least view the interview as good practice for a job that's a better fit for you. Try your best, and make a mental note of what you can improve next time.

Interviews are difficult, and no one likes knowing that their conversation isn't going as well as they'd like. But by employing these tactics, you can have a better sense of what your interviewer is thinking and attempt to course-correct to get the job.

Need more help with your job search?

Join our community to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

4 Signs Your Interview Isn’t Going Well …

When you apply for a job, it's important to do your homework on the company so that when you get a job interview and your interviewer asks, "What is it about us that drew you to our company?" you aren't left stumped or jobless.

Not only that, but it's important to figure out if the company is a place YOU would enjoy working at. So, before you send off that resume, check out these sneaky ways to research a company:

Learn About The People Who Work At The Company

Most companies have a staff page on their website. On this page, the company will list some, if not all, of the employees at the company. Here, you can get the names (and sometimes contact information) of people who you'd be working with if you got the job.

How to learn more:

Check out their LinkedIn profile to see what kinds of work/projects they do.
Start a conversation with them.
Request an informational interview.

Warning: Don't be creepy or demanding when contacting these people! Simply reach out to them in a professional manner, introduce yourself, and tell them you're interested in learning more about the company and work environment. If they respond, go you! If not, move on and leave them alone.

Find Out What The Company Is Sharing On Social Media

Businesswoman on laptop and phone researches a company on social media

These days, everyone is on social mediaâincluding employers. Look them up on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and so on. Look closely at what they're tweeting, posting, or filming. This is a great way to get a feel for the company's values.

When browsing the social channels of companies, ask yourself these questions:

What events are they promoting?
What articles are they sharing?
How are they interacting with their followers?

Take note of anything that jumps out at you. If something fascinates you, mention it in your cover letter or interview.

See What The Employees Are Saying

Happy employees working at a company with a good workplace culture

Ever wished there was a place that rated companies based on how much people like working there? Well, now there is! Sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Comparably are great places to learn about a potential employer and how people like working there. With these sites, individuals can comment on the company's benefits, culture, work, and more. Not only that, but they can rate a company based on how much they like working there.

You can also learn more about salary and past interviewing experiences! According to Indeed's Employer Branding Survey, 83% of job seekers say their decisions on where to apply are influenced by employer reviews.

So before you apply for a job, make sure you do your research. Doing a little research can go a long way in your job search. Don't be lazyâlearn more about your dream company now!

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

3 Sneaky Ways To Research A Company

How To Stand Out At A New Job (And Fit In Too)

Congratulations! After months of job hunting, you finally got hired for the job you wanted!

Getting a new job is exciting. However, after the dust settles from celebrating this accomplishment, you have some work to do.

Being a new employee can be tough sometimes. But if you're ready to embrace the challenge, you can make a smooth transition into your new role.

Here are a few tips to make sure you start your new job off on the right foot.

Understand The Company Culture

First, take time to get to know the culture of your new company. The best way to do this is to schedule meetings with your teamâboth those who will be working for you and with you.

Ask them questions about their work routine and how they get things accomplished. It's also a good idea to get a sense of how easy or difficult it is to implement new ideas and initiatives. This will give you a good feel for how adaptable (or how slow) the company culture is to change.

You should also take note of your own workplace personality and how it fits into the company culture. If you're in need of a good personality test, try Work It Daily's FREE Workplace Personas Quiz.

Identify The Key Stakeholders

Coworkers talk to each other in the office

Next, find out who the key stakeholders are for your specific role and meet with them. For example, if you are entering a company as a finance manager, find out who the key business leaders are that you will be supporting in your position.

Take time to build relationships with them and understand their primary financial concerns. You should also take time to get to know their work routines, and the best times and ways to communicate with them. While communication is important, it's also important to respect each other's schedules.

Find A Work Buddy

Women talk to a remote coworker in the office

Another tip to help you get off on the right foot at your new job is to get a work buddy. This should be a peer who works on the same team or in the same department as you.

This person will help you figure out who's who and give you some inside information on some of those office politics. It's important to understand the team dynamic so you don't step on anyone's toes or disrupt the culture when you first get there.

Your buddy is also there for you to ask questions such as, "How do I order office supplies?" or "How do I set up my voice mailbox?"

Show Your Commitment To The Job

New employee shares a laugh with his boss

Next, have a career conversation with your boss. This lets him or her know you're serious about and committed to growing your career. When you first start working at your new company, you may not know enough (yet) to speak specifically about the career paths available there. However, take time to have a conversation with your manager about your aspirations.

Share information about your desires to advance and grow as well as specific information about your strengths and the areas you'd like to develop. Ask your manager for input on your career plan and then use it as a living, active document.

Make A 30-60-90 Day Plan

Man meets with his boss to discuss his workload

Finally, it always helps to have a 30-60-90 day plan when you start a new job. Document the details of what you want to accomplish in your first three months. (For example, the specific people you want to meet with, the tasks you want to accomplish, etc.) It also helps to share this plan with your manager so you can get some input.

There may be some things missing that your manager views as being critical to accomplish in the first 90 days. Remember to be flexible with your plan as things may change, and the objectives you set for the first three months may shift as you get more involved and learn more about your new job. You want to be seen as committed to meeting your objectives, yet flexible enough to deal with changes.

By implementing these few simple things, you can get off to a great start at your new job and quickly begin to be viewed as a value-add asset at your new company.

Need more help standing out at your new job?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Stand Out At A New …

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview

Asking questions in your job interview not only makes you stand out in positive ways. It also helps you find out things you need to know (during the interview and before you take the job).

Asking these seven questions in your job interview will put you miles ahead of your competition and give you a better shot at the job:

1. If Your Ideal Candidate Walked Through The Door Right Now, What Qualities, Skills, Or Experience Would They Have?

Why would you ask a question like this and potentially highlight how you're not perfect for the job? It's because there is no such thing as the ideal candidate. They can wish all they want, but they probably won't get it.

Where you benefit from this question is that, when you hear what's important to them, you can then talk about those or similar things in your own experienceâwhich elevates you as a candidate. It's almost like getting a cheat sheet for your interview answers.

2. Was The Last Person In This Role Successful? Why Or Why Not?

Woman asks a job candidate an interview question

Knowing the story of what happened to the last person in this job is important.

First, it will help you better answer their questions. If the last person didn't do well, you can talk about how you would do it differently. If the last person did spectacularly well and got promoted, you know what you need to do to be considered successful. Second, you may even discover a few clues that will help you determine if you want to take this job or not.

3. What Will A Typical Day Look Like In This Job?

Man answers a question in his job interview

Their answer to this will help you determine everyday tasks as well as company culture. Is this somewhere you can fit in and be successful?

4. What Are The Biggest Challenges Going To Be For The Person In This Position?

When they talk to you about their biggest challenges, you'll know exactly what stories to tell about how you have tackled (and conquered) similar challenges. You will be showing them that you are a great fit for this job.

5. What Do You Love Most About Working Here?

Hiring managers smile while interviewing a job candidate

Asking a positive question like this one will help you get a better idea of the employer and the kind of experience you could expect to have if you were hired, helping you figure out whether the job is a good fit for you or not. This will also be an opportunity for you to connect with your interviewer and stand out in the hiring process.

6. How Will I Measure My Performance In This Role?

Hiring manager asks a job candidate an interview question

By phrasing the question this way, you're taking full ownership of your work, and the employer will notice that. You are sending the message that you will be accountable for your actions.

Plus, if they can't explain how you'll be able to measure your own performance to make sure you're having an impact, that's a huge red flag. This question will help you weed out the positions where there's little opportunity to develop your skills, receive promotions, and earn raises.

7. What's The Next Step In This Process?

Absolutely never, ever leave an interview without knowing what and when the next step is. Employers expect you to ask about it. If you don't they may assume that you're not that interested in the job. So, ask it to let them know you're interested and to give yourself some peace of mind about what to expect.

Find out more questions to ask, how to research the company, the best interview answers, and cutting-edge interview tips in our Free Job Interview Prep Kit.

Always be sure to prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager before the big day arrives. Write them down if you have to, and review them before the job interview starts. Good luck!

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship Job

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your …

It's easy to get excited when an employer is interested in you, especially when you haven't had any luck getting interviews or job offers. But what if the job proposal isn't a good fit for you? How do you decline a job offer?

Some of you might be thinking, "Decline a job offer? Why would I do that?"

Here are some of the reasons why you should reject potential employment:

Reason #1: It Doesn't Feel Right

"You are a company," says professional development coach and facilitator Henrieta Riesco. When you're looking for a job or being offered a job, what the company is looking for is what Riesco calls, a mutual benefit.

For companies, it's important to find ways to be a better company, and as a job seeker, you have to adapt to that same mindset.

The ultimate goal for your "company" (you) is to thrive and excel at your professional talents. If the job description doesn't make you feel like your company can progress, then it probably isn't a good idea to take the job.

Reason #2: Your Values Don't Align With The Company

Serious man thinks about declining a job offer

It's one thing to say a job position doesn't feel right. It's another thing entirely when your professional values are not in line with the company at all.

Riesco uses the following analogy when describing why having mutual values with a company matters.

Let's say you're a person who's an advocate for preserving the environment and the company that's really interested in you is an oil company. That probably doesn't align with your values if you're an environmentalist. In fact, you probably never should've applied for the job in the first place, and you could have avoided wasting time on this employer if you had made an interview bucket list.

"You have to look at the bigger picture of the company and really find out if you want to support that," says Riesco.

Reason #3: The Employer Wants To Exploit Your Skills

Hiring manager talks to a job candidate during a job interview

This might be a no-brainer for some, but it's important to point out because when an employer wants to exploit your skills, rather than use them in a way where you're still comfortable practicing those skills and enjoying them, then the job is no longer about how you can benefit yourself and the company with your professional abilities.

Rather, the job becomes something only your employer controls, and exploiting your talents is how they choose to use your expertise.

Declining The Job Offer

Serious man on laptop holds his phone as he declines a job offer

So, how does one reject an unwanted job offer?

Riesco states that when it comes to rejecting a position, you have to think about that mutual benefit between yourself and the employer.

"Tell the employer why you don't see a match," says Riesco. "State the possibilities, areas, and interests you have right now," and explain why it doesn't match with their company.

By talking about the things you have to offer, you allow the employer to get a clearer sense of who you are as a professional and what you can provide for the company.

It also clears up any misunderstandings about the position. By highlighting your concerns, the employer could clear things up in case you got the wrong idea.

In addition, crafting a rejection that allows an employer to respond is also key when declining a job offer. It shows that you don't want to burn any bridges.

We can do this by saying the things we would want to hear from an employer when rejecting us for a position. "Treat others how you want to be treated," says Riesco.

Nowadays, a lot of employers who aren't interested in certain candidates don't even take the time to respond to them. This is not the way you want to handle your rejections. Really think about the things you want to express about the position and why you feel it isn't a good fit.

Be honest and authentic.

Emphasizing that the position isn't right for you at this time is also something you want to make sure you include in your rejection.

"I would love to keep in touch with you and would love to know what other opportunities you would have in the future," are some good things to say to keep that connection with the employer, according to Riesco.

This shows that you're not rejecting the company entirely by declining the position, and hopefully, sometime in the future, you could contact that employer and see if you'd be a better fit for the company at that point in time.

It's never an easy decision to decline a job offer, especially when you've been struggling to get hired. By following these tips, you'll make sure you don't accept a job offer for a position you don't really want.

Nothing is worse than accepting a job offer and then realizing a few weeks in that you've made a huge mistake!

When the job feels right, you'll know.

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Decline A Job Offer

âDo you have any questions for me?"

This is typically the final question you will be asked in a job interview. Ask the wrong questions and you might look like a bad fit. Ask no questions and you might look indifferent, inexperienced, or uneducated about the position.

Asking the right questionsâaside from proving yourself to the hiring managerâis one of your best (and last) chances to determine whether the job and company are a good fit for you. Here are five questions to consider:

Why Is The Position Open?

This is actually an extremely important question that should be asked during every job interview because the answer will provide important insights that, should you get an offer, will play a major role in your decision to take the job.

Jobs open up for a variety of reasonsâsome positive, some negative. Was the job created because the company is expanding? Was the previous person promoted? Or did they quit or get fired? Are you replacing a high performer, or a poor one?

The employer's answer will help you determine whether the job has room for growth or a high turnover rate, and give you a better idea of how to manage expectations.

What Is A Typical Day Like For This Position?

A job seekers asks the recruiter a question during a video interview

Most job postings list the position's responsibilities without saying how much time is allocated to each responsibility. You want to know this information for two reasons.

First, if your typical workday includes spending hours doing something you dislike, you may want to reconsider whether it's the right job for you. Second, by discovering which job functions are most important to the employer, you can tailor the remainder of your interview to those areas and include them in your interview follow-up email.

How Would You Describe The Company Culture?

Company culture and how well coworkers collaborate with each other are important factors for job seekers

It's always good to get a sense of a company's culture and whether you fit into it. The employer's response to this question will help you understand what it's like working there day-to-day, what the company values are, how colleagues interact with one another, and so on.

Another good way to get a sense of company culture is to ask this question:

Can you tell me about one of your most successful employees and what makes them successful?

If the answer includes an employee who takes on a lot of extra work and works way more than 40 hours a week, this could be a red flag where the company's values are only grounded in work. Ultimately, you want an answer where the response includes a combination of hard work, creativity, and character.

If you're going to spend the majority of your waking hours on the job, you should make sure the company culture is a good fit.

What Are The Company's Goals Over The Next Five Years?

An HR manager listens to a question from a job candidate during an interview

Actually, a more specific question you could ask is:

What are the goals of the company over the next five years? How does this position and this department factor into those goals?

This question demonstrates your goal-oriented nature and suggests that you won't job hop right away. An informed response will give you insight into the organizational structure and how your position fits into it. An uninformed response suggests the hiring manager is out of touch with the organization, the organization does a poor job communicating its goals to employees, or the organization is not thinking long term. None of these are a good sign.

Here's another way to ask this question:

What is the company's biggest challenge in the coming years, and how does this position help you overcome it?

Do You Like Working Here?

Job seeker asks HR manager about her experiences at the company during a job interview

It's unlikely the hiring manager will say "no" but you can still infer a lot from their response. A moment's hesitation followed only by, "Yeah...I do," might be a red flag. A smile and explanation of why they like working there, on the other hand, signifies a more genuine response.

A few other ways to ask this question include:

How did you come to work here?

What do you like most about working here?

If you interview with multiple employees during your job interview, ask them each similar questions. This is particularly helpful when it comes to subjective questions (e.g. "How would you describe the company culture?" and "Do you like working here?"). Doing so will help you paint a more complete picture of the organization, which will help you make the best decision once you're offered the job.

Need more help preparing for your next job interview?

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you prepare for your next job interview.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

5 Things To Ask In A Job …

4 Core Values That Every Organization Should Have

Recently, a list of companies that have the happiest employees was circulated online. The companies were commended on their ability to promote a healthy work environment and sustain work-life balance. Pfizer came out on top with Kaiser Permanente coming in second, followed by Texas Instruments. Looking at these lists, one wonders how these companies are able to promote such a positive productive environment for their employees.

Many would think this is due to compensation packages or other related perks. But then, is work only about earning money? Is it the most important aspect when employees join a new company? What about the other factors that play an important role in building a strong bond between the employee and the organization?

A bond that stems from mutual appreciation and respect for the value system that both parties shape together
A bond that is dependent on many diverse factors such as recognition, open communication, and teamwork
A bond that strengthens over time when the employee performs well

The importance of core values is illustrated by a quote from famous author and inventor, Edward de Bono: "Effectiveness without values is a tool without a purpose."

This analogy really hits home. A purposeless tool is a worthless thing and so is a company without a campusâa culture that is formed on the basis of core principles.

Core values serve to constantly guide both the employee and the company in achieving their mutual goals, in a manner that is based on an ethical and ideological framework. Every business is different, and so are their core values. Having said that, there are some principles that are alike for all, even though they may be phrased differently.

Here are four such core values every organization should have:

1. Integrity And Ethics

Group of employees in an ethical workplace

Simply put, the two principles of integrity and ethics translate into doing the right thing, in an honest, fair, and responsible way. Building your entire business on the foundation of honesty and integrity goes a long way toward building a strong, trusting relationship with your employees, stakeholders, and customers.

Truthful conduct on everyone's part can create a strong, credible reputation for the company in the market, which is beneficial for everyone's interests.

2. Respect

Employees are respectful of one another in a meeting

Without dedicated employees, a company is nothing. Period.

Committed employees form the backbone of the entire corporation. They work together with the system in order to achieve growth and profitability.

A company has a responsibility toward its employees and, if one of its core principles is showing the utmost respect to its employees, it's likely management will have a low employee turnover rate.

Respecting all employees means respecting their individual human rights and privacy, and eliminating all kinds and forms of discrimination, whether based on religion, belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or physical disability. Moreover, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all employees is an important part of giving respect to them.

Many organizations across the globe adopt an attitude whereby the entire company interacts together like a close-knit family. Such an atmosphere helps boost the confidence of employees and makes them feel like an important, even indispensable, part of the organization. This inspires feelings of commitment and a drive to do even better.

3. Innovation (Not Imitation)

Companies that focus on being ahead of their competitors and introducing new ideas in the marketplace follow the principle of "innovation, not imitation." This is crucial if a company wants to be a trendsetter and introduce new products that consumers appreciate.

Employees in such companies are encouraged to be dynamic and come up with innovative ideas that can translate into successful products for the company. Constantly imitating others won't take the business far.

4. Drive

The thirst to constantly improve can be achieved if one is never satisfied. Organizations that have this principle as one of their core values try to provide a dynamic platform for their employees, where they can explore their creativity and skills and further enhance themselves.

While celebrating successes is an important thing, just sitting back and getting complacent over them is unacceptable for such companies. The reason why some companies habitually do well is because they know that employees are the most valuable resource.

Nothing compares to an employee who is dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. This requires a company to cultivate an environment that promotes respect and frowns upon politics. If you want to achieve this type of work environment at your company, these four core values are a great place to start.

Want to attract the best talent to your organization? Work It Daily can help!

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

4 Core Values That Every Organization Should …

SeatGeek Is In The Front Row Of The Ticket-Selling Business

The SeatGeek employee roster includes a classically-trained opera singer, a retired contender on the competitive eating circuit, and an all-American fencer, to name a few. Having such a unique and diverse workforce under one roof is something that SeatGeek takes pride in. Not only does it create a fun company culture, but it lends itself to endless ideas and perspectives.

"It's great that people have different interests and backgrounds and can come together and work on awesome projects," says Jamie Sterrett, director of talent at SeatGeek.

SeatGeek Aims To Make A Big Company Feel Small

SeatGeek employees take a break from work to chat and enjoy some food in the company kitchen.

The mobile-focused ticket platform has seen its fair share of growth over the last three years. SeatGeek employs just under 500 employees globally, which includes the company's headquarters in New York City and offices in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, and Israel.

In order to encourage collaboration and networking, and foster an environment of diversity and inclusion, the company has both employee resource groups (ERGs) and affinity groups. Sterrett says the ERGs are focused on empowering diverse groups across SeatGeek, while the affinity groups are focused on hobbies and shared interests such as fitness, food, and board games.

"It's really important as we grow that people are able to find community within the workplace," Sterrett says. "The more you have that community, the more people will collaborate."

The company uses a number of long-standing traditions to bring the workforce together on a regular basis.

One example is the weekly company lunch. Each week a team presents during the lunch to update the company on projects they're working on. Sterrett says it's a great way to keep employees updated about what's going on at the company and to help them get to know co-workers they're not as familiar with.

"We're a people-focused organization...transparency and collaboration are important to us," Sterrett says.

The company also holds "ask anything" forums where employees are urged to ask company leadership questions about anything.

One newer SeatGeek tradition, breakfast-lunch-dinner, is a livestream conference between the offices in New York, Europe, and Israel.

Staying Ahead Of The Competition

SeatGeek's offices feature televisions and stadium-like seating, which allows employees to enjoy occasional sporting events at the office.

The online ticket selling industry has become a competitive one over the years and SeatGeek is always striving to be the industry leader. Sterrett says that competition, plus the ever-changing culture of the technology industry, makes working at SeatGeek appealing to a lot of people. "We're trying to introduce a lot of that change and that's really exciting to people."

SeatGeek's platform puts the focus on the fan experience. Customers looking to purchase tickets to sporting events or concerts will not only see the ticket price, but they will get a "Deal Score" that indicates what type of value they are getting for the prices of tickets. Essentially, this tells customers whether or not they're overpaying for the tickets.

In recent years, SeatGeek has expanded its international offerings and has become the primary ticket provider for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.

SeatGeek employees enjoy being a part of the ticket-selling industry.

"From a product and business standpoint the past couple years have been incredibly exciting. We are now official ticketing partners with some of the largest names in sports. It's not only helping us grow our business, but more importantly it's helping us provide a better experience to fans," one employee says in a Glassdoor review.

"SeatGeek is starting to disrupt the ticketing industry. It is exciting to be a part of a company that is truly focused on the customer. It is clear from top to bottom that we want to make it easier for the average person to see more events live," another employee writes.

The Perks Of Working At SeatGeek

A fun feature at SeatGeek are fan bedrooms from the 1990s aimed at reminding employees of what it's like to be a fan.

One of the most popular benefits at SeatGeek is the $120 monthly ticket stipend that can be used on an endless list of athletic events and concerts. Sterrett says that in addition to being popular, the perk also benefits the company because many employees will use it to go to events together, and it allows employees to suggest possible improvements.

The SeatGeek office is bright and open and features a large projection screen for the viewing of occasional sporting events.

Other benefits include a free Spotify subscription and Citi Bike membership, unlimited vacation time, a fully-stocked kitchen, and regular team events such as happy hours, bowling, and ski trips.

Career Opportunities At SeatGeek

To apply or learn more about working at SeatGeek, check out their careers page today!

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

SeatGeek Is In The Front Row Of …

Backblaze Leans On Its Culture To Thrive After COVID-19

The new workplace reality brought on by COVID-19 has thrown a lot of businesses for a loop. But having a strong business and culture going into the pandemic has helped California-based Backblaze not only adjust to the changing workplace environment, but keep the company moving forward in a positive direction.

Backblaze provides online computer backup and cloud storage for personal computers and businesses. The company, which is usually always hiring, believes that many of the things that it was doing prior to the pandemic has helped to keep it successful.

Employee Perks Take On A New Meaning

Backblaze gives employees an equipment stipend to help them set up their home workstations.

One of the more unique benefits offered by Backblaze is the employee equipment perk. Employees that work at the company's San Mateo headquarters are provided with an ergonomically supported workstation and then given a stipend to help customize that workstation to meet their needs.

In some cases, employees will use the stipend to purchase equipment, like a secondary workstation to have at home, or other high-efficiency tools such as iPads or smartwatches, according to Ramya Ramamoorthy, Marketing Recruitment Coordinator at Backblaze.

Ramamoorthy said the goal of the stipend is for employees to buy what they need to be comfortable and productive. The perk has taken on added importance recently when COVID-19 forced the Backblaze workforce to work from home.

"During COVID a lot of our employees have been using their employee equipment perk to purchase things like a desk and chair, computer monitor, or anything they need to set up their workstation because a lot of people didn't have that prior to COVID because most people were working in the office," Ramamoorthy says.

Backblaze has also been flexible with the stipend based on an individual's need for their home office. For example, the company has approved portable A/C units, ellipticals for under the desk, and even a coffee maker, because the company believes all these items can keep health, comfort, and productivity up while employees are working from home.

Backblaze also provides a monthly stipend to employees who are now required to work from home, but may need help upgrading their internet connection.

Ramamoorthy says the company offered work from home flexibility prior to the pandemic, and even had some employees that worked remotely full time. "I think the fact that we all at some point, even if it was only for a day or two, worked from home was really helpful in the transition," Ramamoorthy says.

Another perk that has taken on an added importance is the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), which allows employees unlimited phone consultations. Ramamoorthy says the company wants its employees to have access to confidential counseling services to help them through any challenges relating to work, family, stress, finances, and other personal issues.

"COVID is such a challenging time. We want our employees to be happy and talk to anyone if they need to," Ramamoorthy says.

Keeping The Workplace Connected

Employees from Backblaze take part in a video meeting.

Workplace culture has always been a sense of pride for Backblaze. When employees were in the office, the company's "Fun Committee" would often plan social events to bring the workforce together. These events included happy hours, milestone celebrations, and Family Fun Days, to name a few events.

These events have gone virtual since the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn't stopped the Fun Committee from getting creative, according to Ramamoorthy. The committee recently held storytime events for the children of employees, where actors playing Disney characters read and sang.

The company has also been holding virtual happy hours and wellness classes, including yoga, meditation, and Zumba classes.

Prior to shelter-in-place, Backblaze offered fully stocked micro-kitchens with free snacks in the office as well as free breakfast and lunch twice a week, and pets were allowed at the office.

Ramamoorthy says company leadership is constantly reassessing when going back to the office might be feasible and safe for employees. When employees do return to the office, the company will look to resume as many workplace traditions as possible.

Consistent & Steady Leadership

All five of Backblaze's founders still work at the company, and in normal circumstances, it was fairly common for company leaders to walk around the office and chat with employees on a regular basis, according to Ramamoorthy. Managers would also take their employees on "walk-and-talk" meetings.

Video conferencing is being used by management to stay connected to the workforce during COVID-19. Company co-founder Brian Wilson has virtual office hours every week where he goes over interesting facts about the company and answers any questions that employees may have.

"Although these gestures may seem simple, our founders are bridging the gap between themselves and the rest of the employees by encouraging conversations and getting to know team members," Ramamoorthy says.

Other Interesting Facts About Working At Backblaze

The Backblaze data center in Sacramento, California.

Here are some benefits and perks at Backblaze:

The company offers 100% healthcare coverage, 401K retirement plans, and paid maternity/paternity leave
The company offers an unlimited vacation policy
The company employs over 160 employees
In addition to its headquarters in San Mateo, Backblaze has data centers in Sacramento, Phoenix, and Amsterdam

Career Opportunities At Backblaze

Backblaze is currently hiring for multiple positions.

Backblaze is hiring!

Ramamoorthy says the pandemic has not impacted Backblaze's staffing, and that the company is usually always on the lookout for more people to join the team.

"We're very lucky that during this time people are still using our services, and I think it's because our service is almost essential," Ramamoorthy says. "We're very fortunate to be in this situation."

The interview process is entirely remote, and there's a coding exercise for those applying for engineering positions.

Does your business have a unique story to tell? Consider being featured by Work It Daily! Work It Daily has an engaged audience of individuals either looking for a job or are focused on career growth—the perfect audience to get your company in front of.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship