TIPS TO SIMPLIFY RETIREMENT PLANNING

TIPS TO SIMPLIFY RETIREMENT PLANNING Keystaff Professionals

You’ve invested years into the workforce and are now considering retirement. What factors drive some people to retire sooner or later in life? Is there a specific age-range that’s best to retire? Planning for retirement is unique for each individual’s situation and goals. Optimal timing for retirement depends on the person’s needs, aspirations, and financial position. It’s important to maintain flexible and open to new possibilities when planning for retirement. 

THINKING OF RETIREMENT? CONSIDER THIS:

1. How many years have you been in the workforce? Social Security collects a portion of your employment income, accumulating funds for when ready to retire. Social Security provides detailed benefit information based on age, work history, and income. Applying for benefits is also possible on the Social Security website. According to AARP, the longer you wait to collect Social Security after age of 62 the greater the return. AARP comments further, “For each year you delay, your Social Security benefits will increase between 7 percent and 8 percent up to age 70, depending on your year of birth.”

2. Determine monthly income and monthly expenses. Jot down all sources of income and expenses for each month. This provides detailed information on financial obligations needed when considering retirement options.

3. Which sources of income will commence upon retiring and which will cease? List new sources of income such as Social Security, 401K’s or other retirement plans, savings, investments, and others. Also review income sources that will cease or decreases, and include updated financial figures to your retirement planning list.

4. It’s never too late to strategize for retirement. Regardless of age or work experience there are many options available. Seek assistance from a financial expert who can provide retirement options based on your goals and financial needs.

5. Working is still an option after retirement. Seeking employment after retiring is a choice for individuals who require extra income or enjoy working. There is a limit to the number of work hours allowed when receiving Social Security benefits. Consult with Social Security to make sure you’re keeping within their guidelines.

*All suggestions should be discussed with a professional who specializes in retirement prior to implanting any ideas discussed in this article. This article is only intended for informational purposes.

BENEFITS OF STAFFING SERVICES WHEN HIRING EMPLOYEES

BENEFITS OF STAFFING SERVICES WHEN HIRING EMPLOYEES

Financial stressors that trouble employees with today’s economic demands also weigh down on business owners. Businesses account for multiple expenses such as rent, taxes, insurances, employee benefit programs (retirement, health insurance, etc.), staff payroll, supplies, work equipment, marketing, and more. It can be challenging to hire top professionals with a tight budget, yet settling on staffing services may turn to be more costly than expected.

Qualified jobseekers are confident in what they can offer, and seek stable work opportunities with potential job growth. It can be alluring to cut on staffing services to save cost, but doing so cheats you from hand-selected workers who’ve been interviewed and screened by professional staffing agents. Filtering job candidates also takes time and efforts away from important matters that cannot be delegated to other business professionals or team members. Hiring qualified workers involves through interviewing, assessing employment history, drug screening, verifying references, training, and more. Investing in a trusted staffing agency, like KeyStaff Professionals removes the care of the entire hiring process so your leadership skills can be focused in areas that increase profitability and business growth.

Staffing services can save your business time and money. The expenses and training involved in hiring new staff can be detrimental when new employees fail to meet job responsibilities and company standards. In addition to screening resumes and handling the entire hiring process, KeyStaff Professionals learns your business and professional aspirations to ensure top candidates. Staff members are an essential component to business success. When hiring new employees it’s key to consider short-term and long-term investments, and the benefits of seeking services for optimal business outcomes. To learn more about our services and what makes us different from other staffing agencies.

EMBRACING DIVERSE PERSONALITIES AT WORK

Most of us have encountered personality clashes in the workplace at some point. We each have unique talents, skills, and positive attributes to share with others at work. Differences can foster creative strategies and team building, or in contrast create conflict when disparities are not handled appropriately. Tony Robbins comments on understanding how to manage a team with different personalities is a skill that’s relevant for managers and employees alike.

Tony shares his 4 main ideas around managing different personalities:

1. GET TO KNOW EACH PERSON ON YOUR TEAM: The more you understand each person you have on staff, the more efficient your team is. And make use of personality testing – a powerful tool for working with different personalities.

2. UNDERSTAND EACH ROLE IN YOUR COMPANY: Part of knowing how to manage a team with different personalities is knowing what strengths each role requires. If a team member’s role is client-facing, that person will need to have extroverted personality traits. If a role is heavily technical, that person will need to be a natural problem solver.

3. MODEL EMPATHETIC COMMUNICATION: Great leaders lead by example, especially when they’re mastering how to manage a team with different personalities. Demonstrate effective teamwork by tailoring your own communication to the person you’re interacting with.

4. BUILD A CORPORATE CULTURE OF RESPECT: When personality differences breed disrespectful behavior in the workplace, the results are toxic. A study of nearly 800 employees and managers across 17 industries found that when staff was treated poorly at work, 47% intentionally decreased the amount of time they spent on the job, 38% decreased the quality of their work and 78% reduced their company loyalty.

Dominant personalities tend to experience more conflict than other types, and often conflict with people who display steady behaviors. It can be challenging to work with individuals whose personality is very similar, or extremely different from your own. Yet, when co-workers come together and embrace each other’s strengths the results are astounding. Personality clashes are expected when operating in a team environment, yet the key is to remain open to new ideas and not allow differences to negatively impact employee relations. Effective results are often a collaboration of many great minds working together aside to their differences. Some personalities can be tougher to deal with than others, but with patience, understanding, and cooperation in part of employees optimal teamwork can be accomplished.

10 COMMONLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Your resume impressed the managers and now you’re scheduled to return for an interview. Reviewing commonly asked questions promotes confidence and assurance when interviewing. Be prepared to give proficient and well thought-out answers, highlighting skills that match the job position. Allow room for creativity, knowing you may be asked more questions than expected. After reading the questions below, I invite you to rehearse with family and friends until you are confident for your big day.

10 COMMONLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1.  What are your career goals in the upcoming years?

The idea is to share a career goal(s), and the steps your taking in achieving them. Having long-term and short-term goals, paints a picture of your aspirations and professional ambitions. Companies like individuals who are motivated and goal oriented, who are an asset to their team.

2. Did your previous employer have any areas that needed improvement? 

The focus is the ability to identify potential problems, offer innovative strategies, and implement new solutions accordingly. This is a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills, as well as ideas that were successful for you in the past.

3.  Can you describe a situation that was challenging, and explain how did you handle it?

Discrepancies are bound to occur, yet how we handle the issue makes all the difference. Think outside the box and get creative when pondering different resolutions. Perhaps you can share of a scenario when you went beyond your job duties to assist a client who was upset with the information he received. You gathered additional resources, made phone calls, printed reference articles for the client. The client was pleased with your service and decided to purchase another product. This scenario shows flexibility, dedication, and leadership skills in part of the employee.

4.  What are looking to gain from our company?

This is a tricky question. Don’t want to focus on pay, but rather mention other positive attributes of the company such longevity and opportunities for growth. Be open and express some qualities you see would be beneficial for working in such an organization. 

5.  What are your strengths related to this position?

The employer wants to know what you have to offer. Why they should choose you over the other candidates? Review the job description, and mention keywords that match your skills and abilities.  Highlight on attributes you possess which pertain to the position at hand. For example, if you are applying for a customer service role, mention you have great people and team player skills. Sharing previous work history, internships, and credentials is also a plus.

6.  What are some areas you are looking to improve?

My recommendation is to share an attribute that can be tolerated by colleagues. These should be traits which can be overlooked. For example, you may need to become more proficient in another language (e.g. French or Spanish), would like to master a software program (e.g. Excel; that is if you are not applying for a computer position), or would like to make time for hobbies, etc.

7.  Why are you leaving your current employer?

The company is curious as to why you chose to resign from your previous employer. If it’s related to pay the manager may question commitment, and longevity from your behalf. Other alternatives to mention include lack of benefits from your previous employer, and the financial security of having a full-time employment opportunity.

8.  What interests you in applying for this position?

In other words, why did you choose this company from other employment opportunities? This is a great time to express your passions in the job role, and qualities that make you the perfect fit for the job role. Be specific by stating features that made this company stand out from the rest. For example, the length of time the company has been in business, or the professional assistance you’ve received from day one when you submitted an application.

9.  Are you willing to relocate if needed?

It’s important to show flexibility and openness to change. This may never be required by the employer, but it provides a clue on how the individual responds to change. Be honest and share your limitations. Perhaps you are flexible and willing to relocate, yet only within the same state or county. Most companies will value your desire for a fair compromise, and put into account your honest response.

10. Do you have any questions for me? Be prepared to ask questions. This shows eagerness and interest in part of the potential candidate, to learn more about the company. Also, it speaks your standards in selecting a stable occupation, and our professional confidence when considering a position. This is a good time to inquire on company benefits, scheduling, and job expectations.

These are the top ten commonly asked interview questions. There may be lots more, so be prepared! I encourage you practice answering these questions over and over agin, until you feel confident for your interview. Wishing all the best on your big day!