Whether you are currently employed or seeking a new opportunity, how will you know if it’s the right job for you? There are many reasons people continue to stay in the same position for years, for better or worse. Here are a few discussion points that might help you decide you are in the right place or decide to move on.

Does the organization have the same goals and desires you are seeking? Individual, team and organizational goals should be cross aligned, ensuring connection and contribution to the overall higher goals. The business should also support these goals and help you achieve them the best way they can.

Is this a position where you can make an immediate impact? The organization should be able to create an atmosphere where you can feel comfortable enough to initiate new ideas and show individuality while also listening to your team and learning from leadership.

Do you always feel like you are in survival mode? Does every day going into work feel like a battle, or do you dread going in? We mostly all have had those thoughts/feelings in specific jobs, and there is a reason you aren’t there anymore. So why waste more time in a dead-end job?

Suppose a job is not fulfilling your needs personally and professionally. In that case, it might be time to accept a position within an organization that will and take the next step in your career. Only you can make that decision!

JSpire Recruiting celebrates Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month as Janice Shisler, Chief Executive Officer, is proud to represent the community as a Hispanic Executive and Entrepreneurial Leader within the financial services recruitment industry.

Hispanic Heritage Week was initially started by Congress in 1968 and was lengthened into a month-long celebration in 1988. The dates September 15th through October 15th are unique due to several national independence days occurring in Latin American countries over this time period.

Hispanic and Latinx small-business owners are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. According to a study from Stanford University, the number of Latinx business owners grew 34% over the past ten years.

During this month, we honor the cultures and recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. Thank you to our colleagues, clients, candidates, and partners within this community who help influence and inspire growth in our industry and beyond!

Are you in a dead-end job?

If you are asking yourself this, then most likely, yes. You’ve probably heard the term dead-end job, but what does it mean? To put it bluntly, you have no career advancement in your present company. You’ve fulfilled your time in your position or department, and there is no room for professional advancement or growth.

A few specific examples that could lead you to this conclusion:

• Your employer cannot provide or outline a clear career path for you within the company.
• You feel you are not utilized for more challenging projects or opportunities.
• You are required to have advanced degrees or qualifications to meet the criteria for a higher-level position.
• The organization hires external candidates instead of promoting within.

Overall, you feel you are undervalued. So, is it time to call it quits and take the next step in your career? Go for it, and maybe you’ll see an overall lifestyle change!

Is there such thing as the perfect candidate? As an employer, during your hiring process, this is a question you should ask yourself. If you have a long list of qualifications that are required to fill this position, you could let a potential candidate slip through before you even get to the interview stage. Usually, the final candidate hired will not tick every box you once had at the beginning of the process.

Teachable candidates with the necessary technical skills, who are a culture fit should be your ideal contenders. If a candidate is lacking in an area where they can be trained and developed, they should not be overlooked. It’s hard to find quality talent especially in a competitive market, being flexible and transparent can help with attracting the candidates you want.

As an employer, you want to stand out amongst the competition, making personal connections with candidates could identify their management style and how they will fit within the company. Think outside of the box, try not to focus on the minute details of the requirements. The perfect candidate is not out there but finding the right candidate can be done!

Working cohesively with the Search Committee of the Board of Directors as a recruitment firm is crucial during the recruitment process. While the relationship between the Board of Directors and the recruitment company is an obvious factor, the bigger picture is finding the right successor.

Making a significant succession decision means a lot of details have to align – A thorough understanding and identifying the core competencies needed to prosper in the position; realization there is not the perfect candidate that will meet a whole laundry list of requirements; and objectivity about candidates a whole, not focusing entirely on who and where they are coming from – including external or internal candidates.

While recruiters can be an essential part of the process, ultimately, each member of the Board of Directors has to be content and satisfied with their decision. Pinpointing the needs of the credit union and who will lead the culmination of the internal transformation process should be the main objective of the Board.

Each credit union is unique, and their search for a new leader is not ‘one size fits all.’

Managing Client and Candidate Relationships

Respectable recruiters are successful in managing the two relationships – client and candidate – during the recruitment process. Both relationships are equally important, requiring trust and communication.

Technology has evolved and streamlined the recruitment process, primarily through Client Relationship Management (CRM) software and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems are beneficial to recruiters; however, the rapport between the recruiter and their contacts gets lost in translation.

Personal connections are unequivocally the foundation for recruiters, clients, and candidates alike. Simple callbacks and touching base with clients and candidates on both sides of the recruitment process on a frequent basis is essential, making sure both your clients and candidates feel involved in the process.

Getting back to the basics is vital for successful recruiters, especially during the current climate, where we may not be getting human interaction as much as we used to. People want to feel like they aren’t just another number, and reassuring them they are as important as the next client or candidate can foster a reputable reputation.

Should you chase the money or the opportunity? Well first, ask yourself, ‘Is it the right fit?’ Organizations may pay well, but if they have a high turnover rate and don’t fulfill your career goals, it may be in your best interest to really think it through.

This is an internal dilemma that many people go through. Of course, you shouldn’t undervalue yourself monetarily should a job prospect check all your career boxes, but don’t let an opportunity slip away that could benefit your long-term career development. Success can be subjective, and how it is measured and valued differs from person to person.

Some companies do entice candidates with short-term monetary goals, which can burn out employees quickly, causing high turnover within an organization. It may not be in your best interest to weigh opportunities based on compensation alone; career advancement, skill development, and passion should be considered. Chasing short-term benefits could prove unfruitful in the long-run, and you may not want to look back and wish you would’ve done things differently.

Budgeting is always a hot topic when it comes to employee benefits, which can sometimes lead to recruiters feeling as if their budget is stretched too thin to cover everything that is wanted in the workplace. But, it doesn’t need to be like that – here are some simple tricks to making the most out of a tight budget:

• Offer competitive non-salary benefits. Make up for a lack of monetary incentives with benefits catered towards the employee’s needs. Offering childcare support, flexible schedules, office space, remote working opportunities and other chances for employees to feel valued is a great alternative that does not require salary-impacted benefits – rather, focus on employee work-life balance.

• Focus on what’s important. There are items that can be considered “must-haves” that will make a huge difference in the day-to-day work life. Prioritizing items that are “must-haves” versus the “nice-to-haves.” Do this by ensuring the expenses are worth every penny.

• Forecast – it’s vital to a healthy workplace budget. Keep in mind that staffing will change in the next year whether you see it coming or not. It is important to plan for these changes and leave a bit of budgetary room available to account for those changes, especially considering employee compensation.

• Understand that you will not always be right. Whatever compensation package is offered, it is never going to be the best thing for every employee, and that is okay. Realize the biggest factors that will lead to company and employee success. One of the best ways to show appreciation for employees is fair compensation, so focus your attention on the benefits that will make the biggest impact for the largest number of employees.