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What Costs More – Overtime or Additional Help?

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Most companies make an effort to try and control staffing costs in order to get the highest return on investment. Unfortunately, sometimes the work necessitates extending work hours of hourly employees. When this happens, the company may face higher than normal overtime costs. If your company is concerned with the rising use of overtime, you may be wondering if bringing in additional help can reduce these expenses?

The simple answer is, “Yes”. To explain further, let’s take a look at how bringing in additional help can support a more balanced staffing budget.

Determine your actual staffing needs

Before you start hiring additional people, you’ll want to understand the reasons for the increased need of workers. This demand may be temporary, seasonal, or permanent. For example, if you are in experiencing a sudden increase in the number of orders placed by customers could it be because of a new product line? Or is the surge as a result of a temporary trend or a busy season? Consider if the increased need for staff will fall back to normal levels in a few weeks or months, or if you anticipate a study increase.

Do the comparison math

Each job can and will differ, but it is possible to conduct a mathematical comparison of overtime vs. temporary staffers. To do this, choose a job type and calculate the actual annual cost of a new hire. Be sure to include the annual salary, recruitment costs, on boarding and training fees, as well as benefits for this new hire. Now compare this total with the annual cost of overtime for each hourly employee who will work 40+ hours during the peak season or project. Remember each person will provide the same tasks.

To calculate the cost of hiring a temp employee, calculate the annual cost of the new hire at the temporary services rate sans the overtime costs. Also subtract the cost of benefits and recruitment these because the agency will take care of this for you at no additional cost. Subtract the temporary employee total from the overtime employee total to get an idea of the savings. This is the savings for each temporary employee that you bring on instead of paying for overtime.

Performance factors to consider

Outside of the math, there are some other things to consider when deciding between paying overtime and hiring temps. When employees are forced to work more than 40 hours on a regular basis, this can lead to an overall drop in morale, productivity, and employee engagement. In other words, the employees that you have currently may be dealing with the stress and overwhelm of having to take on extra work all the time. Left unchecked, this can cause employee absenteeism, turnover and even more workplace injuries. When you hire temps you have fresh people on board who are willing to work hard to maintain productivity levels without risking your best people.

Give a staffing agency a call today and let them help you better manage your staffing costs through a custom temporary staffing plan.

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Is Following Your Heart Actually Rotten Career Advice?

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Nearly everyone has heard someone say to them in the past,”Oh, just follow your heart”, when it comes to choosing a vocation. But, is this really rotten career advice? Maybe this was great advice when you were in Kindergarten and could imagine yourself being anything you wanted – like a fireman or a doctor or a teacher. In the real world of adulthood, it can be a good thing to know where your passions are and how they can tie into a solid career path.

Learn when to follow your heart and when to think with your head in a career.

Career Issue: Your company has not offered you any real career advancement in years and you feel “stuck”.

In this case, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking with your heart that tells you to run screaming out of the building. But, wait! Stop and think about how you can turn your career around and start asking for what you want. Schedule a meeting with your manager to talk about how you can grow in your career through advanced learning, opportunities to take on new responsibilities, and new projects that will honor your skills and interests.

Career Issue: Your co-workers are a bunch of backstabbers and the job is causing you stress most of the time.

You could follow your heart and “go off” on your co-workers concerning their behaviors. This would bring temporary satisfaction, but it would not solve the problem. Instead, you could face even more problems with getting along with peers and you could even lose your job. Think with your head and find a way to bridge any communication gaps with your peers, but be careful to keep things professional while protecting yourself.

Career Issue: You dread going to work on most days and you feel “lost”.

This is typical of someone who either isn’t in the right career or is not honoring his or her true talents. If the very thought of heading to work makes you cringe, then it’s time to try something new. In this case, you will be combining your heart-thoughts with reasonable career options. Take the time to work with a career coach or a staffing agent to help you identify your strengths and skills that match up with certain types of careers. Try taking on a new career as a temporary employee before you commit to a career path.

Career Issue: You are not earning as much as other coworkers and new hires.

Salary can be a real issue for many who have been in a job for a long time, or who may not have a degree or experience in an area where earnings can be better. If you are not earning what you’d like or if you find out you are being underpaid as compared to co-workers, it could be time to move on. Follow your heart, but use your head and look for careers that pay better. Get the training and experience through local programs and temp job assignments.

For help and support with your career direction, head over to Advance Staffing Solutions at one of our greater Detroit area locations in Monroe, MI; Sylvania,OH; or Southgate, MI today!

When to Say “No” to Qualified Candidates

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

As a hiring manager, HR executive or recruiter, there comes a time when you need to say no to qualified candidates. The reasons will vary, but the situation will always be difficult because of their qualifications. Who ever thought that companies would need to turn down qualified candidates for open jobs?

The truth of the matter is that this actually happens in today’s business world. So, when does this type of situation arise – when do you know to say “no” to a candidate who is otherwise qualified?

Position Has Been Filled

One of the most common reasons why you will need to say no to qualified candidates is that the position has been filled by someone else. You might receive 50 or more resumes for your job opening and you will likely have a handful of them turn into qualified candidates. This means that one person will be chosen and three or four of them will receive disappointing news. You must have tact when informing other qualified candidates that someone else has been chosen. Be honest with them and thank them for applying.

Position Has Been Eliminated

It is quite possible that open jobs at companies could be eliminated even after a search to fill them has already begun. Reasons for eliminating the position will vary, but you should never string along candidates if you know the position is going to be cut from the payroll. Maybe the job duties have been distributed to current employees. Maybe there isn’t enough room left in the budget for the position. Or, maybe there isn’t enough work for the position to be filled right now. Whatever the reason, be sure you tell the candidates as soon as possible so they can look elsewhere for work.

Position Has Been Changed

It is also possible that the position could have changed between the time it became available and the time you began vetting potential candidates to fill it. If this is the case, you might have a couple of qualified candidates who no longer will be in the running for the job. This means you will have to say no to them. Make sure you explain that the position has been altered and that even though they were qualified previously, your company is moving in another direction.

Candidate is Overqualified

Another reason for saying no to a candidate is the fact that he or she might be overqualified for the position. Companies tend to shy away from hiring overqualified candidates due to one major issue; the candidate, once hired, could become bored with the job and begin causing issues at the workplace. This is when a company’s culture could take a major hit.
As you can see, there are a few common reasons why you might need to say “no” to a qualified candidate. Just make sure you handle the rejection with tact and professionalism so as not to create a bad image for your company. Keep the candidate in mind for future opportunities and if you can, offer them another position that’s suitable for their skills, or refer them to a staffing agency that can place them into a position sooner.

5 Tips for Successfully Re-Entering the Workforce

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

5 Tips for Successfully Reentering the Workforce

 

Beginning a job hunt after a long period of time can be intimidating and full of trepidation for anyone, particularly if you were unemployed during this gap. Gaps in employment can occur because of company layoffs, returning to school, raising a family, extended illness, or simply wanting to take time off from work. No matter the reason for the gap, you need to be ready to re-enter in order to be successful in any new career. Read this post to find five tips to make your re-entry into the working world successful.

  1. Assess Yourself Prior to a Job SearchThe first tip to successfully re-entering the workforce is to assess yourself – before you ever begin your job search. Figure out how big the gap in your employment is on your resume, and be prepared to explain that gap to interviewers. Also, take a look at the skills you have related to your profession and figure out if any of them need to be refreshed or if you need to add any new ones before you begin looking for a new job. Learn new skills by taking temp assignments in your area of expertise.
  1. Learn the Industry AgainThe second tip for successfully re-entering the workforce after a gap in employment is to learn the industry again. Even though you might have known some of the major players in the industry when working, it is likely that many of those players are no longer around. They could have retired, relocated or left the industry for another profession. You should take the time to learn who the players are within the industry by browsing around LinkedIn and joining groups associated with your industry.
  1. Familiarize Yourself with Job RequirementsFamiliarize yourself with the specific job requirements of any company you apply to. If you have been out of the workforce for a prolonged period, you might not know what companies are looking for these days. The only way you can find out prior to applying for jobs is by reading as many job listings as possible, and taking note of the requirements of those jobs. Ask your temporary staffing representative to fill you in about any special requirements or skills needed for an upcoming assignment.
  1. Accept Feedback and Use ItOnce you begin the job search, following a prolonged absence from the workforce, make sure you accept any and all feedback provided – and use it to your advantage. If you are not selected for a job, ask the interviewer what items from your job history or experience caused you to miss this opportunity. If the interviewer gives you a candid answer, be sure to take what they say and use it to better yourself.
  1. Consider a Need for ChangeThe fifth and final tip for successfully re-entering the workforce is to consider change. If you are hitting a brick wall or find yourself at a dead-end, consider making a change in your career. Whether you need to go back to school to do so, or take a couple of training classes, a change is likely to help you get back to work much quicker than if you toil around unsuccessfully in your former industry. You may also want to take on some temporary work in order to get your feet wet in a career.

Re-entering the workforce does not come easy for everyone, which is why you need to have a plan in place to make sure it is as successful as possible. If you follow the five tips outlined above, your foray back into the workforce should be a seamless one.

 

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Why Candidates Like Rejection Letters — Sort Of

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

A job search can be stressful, no matter how seasoned or qualified someone is. Much of the stress is caused when companies fail to respond to applicants for weeks following an interview. A good practice is to send out a rejection letter promptly to all the candidates who did not get chosen for an employment opportunity this round.

Regardless of what you may think, job seekers like rejection letters – well sort of – because they have a final answer from the company about the job. They at least appreciate the fact that your company has taken the time to personally let them know the outcome so they can move on.

Read on to learn how to handle sending out candidate rejection letters.

Follow Up with a Phone Call First

The first thing you need to do is follow up with the candidate with a phone call. The call should inform the candidate that the company has already offered, or will make an offer, to another candidate for the job. Then, make sure you thank the candidate for their time and assure them that their information will be kept on file for any future openings. The follow-up phone call should not be the last piece of communication. It should be followed by the rejection letter.

How to Write the Rejection Letter

One of the most important things you must include in a rejection letter is how much you appreciate the time the candidate took during the application and interview process. You also need to be as personal as possible. Never address the letter as, “To whom it may concern.” Make sure you use the candidate’s first name. Also, mention something positive you noticed about the candidate from the interview. This will show them you care.

The rejection letter must get right to the point, even if you have already called the candidate and spoken to them on the phone about the decision. Do not ramble on about the company, the candidate’s experience, or anything else. The sooner you get to the point, the sooner the candidate will be able to accept the rejection and move towards applying for more jobs.

If the candidate would fit nicely in your corporate culture, and might be a fit for other open jobs, make sure you mention this in your rejection letter. Even though you are sending a rejection letter for this job, it does not mean the candidate will not find employment at your company. Encourage them to apply for other open jobs, but only do so if you truly believe they will be successful at your company. This means that you should never tell a candidate something you do not mean in the letter. It can come back to haunt you in the future.

One final tip; the rejection letter is your company’s final opportunity to make a good impression on the candidate, who will surely tell colleagues about your application process. Be sure you come across as professional as possible.

Are You Facing an Internal Job Interview?

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Interviewing for a job can be very stressful. Combine that with the fact that you might already know the interviewer, and the stress level can be extreme. An internal job interview with someone you have worked alongside – or for – over the past handful of years can be daunting. The interviewer already knows your work ethic, your experience and how you fit into the company’s culture. These items can either work for or against you. Below, we will provide you with the tips on how to handle an internal job interview.

Never Take the Interview Too Casually

An important piece of advice for those taking part in an internal interview is that it should never be taken lightly. Just because you know the interviewer, or have worked alongside them in your position, it does not mean you should joke around or be unprofessional. If the interviewer seems relaxed, you can relax too, but only to a point.

Do not slouch in the chair, fail to shave that morning or come unprepared to discuss the job. Make sure you perform your research into the job, have a copy of your resume, and come prepared to provide examples of success from your career with the company.

Avoid Negatives and Complaining

It is an important tip to avoid complaining during a job interview, but this is especially important when interviewing for an internal position with your current employer. Even though you might be interviewed by a co-worker or a supervisor from another department, you should never complain about the company, your current supervisor or any co-workers. This will only come back to bite you, and could lead to you not being promoted. If you feel the need to complain, spin it into a positive by making sure you name something you and your co-workers could do better in order to be more productive while on the job.

Prepare for Difficult Questions

As with any job interview, there will be difficult questions. But, some of the most difficult questions can be asked during an internal job interview. When you first interviewed to work at the company, your resume and career goals were much different. Make sure you update your resume and be able to explain what your career goals are now. Prepare to answer questions about shifting job responsibilities and objectives, especially if they will be a major change from what you are doing right now.

Check Your Skills

Prior to the internal job interview, make sure you check your skills. Perform a skills retrospective to determine which skills you already have and which ones you will need for the new job, if hired. Try to acquire some of those new skills prior to the interview, or even during the hiring process, to show the company how dedicated you are. Back up your claims with actual projects you’ve worked on, certifications you’ve earned, and a good word from your current supervisor.

When you follow the above tips, you will be able to confidently handle the internal interview and land a new career to climb the corporate ladder.

How to Manage a Team of Diverse (or Conflicting) Personalities

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

How to Manage a Team of Diverse (or Conflicting) Personalities

 

Working in management can be difficult for some, especially those who do not have experience managing a team of diverse, or conflicting, personalities. Managing a team of diverse personalities does not have to be difficult, especially since it is important to the success of the company. Here, we will provide you with a variety of tips on how to successfully manage a team of diverse or conflicting personalities.

Determine Personality Types of Employees

The first thing you need to do when successfully managing a team of diverse personalities is to determine the personality type of each employee. You must figure out which employees are thinkers and which employees are feelers. A thinking employee will make a decision based on logic, while a feeling employee will use relationships in order to make a decision on the job. The best way to determine which type of personality your employees have is to watch how they react the next time someone disagrees with them.

Set the Bar High for Expectations

The next step in learning how to manage a team of diverse or conflicting personalities is to set the bar high when it comes to expectations of employees. Some employees will become bored with their work if they know their boss has set the bar low. When you set the bar high for expectations, you will get the best out of all your employees, even those who tend not to like being managed. Do your best to use the skills they have to your advantage as a manager.

Never Take Things Personally

Do everything in your power to not take things personally at work. It is understandable that working as a manager is difficult, especially since a lot of responsibility falls on you when things go wrong. Many times, employees will have trouble accepting your leadership style and requirements at the office. Do not take this personally. Instead, accept that your employees will need time to adjust to your style and that each employee responds differently based on their background.

Understand What is Important to Others

If all else fails in trying to manage a team of diverse personalities effectively, try to understand what is important to them. Find out what your employees value the most at the office and in their personal lives. Many workers want freedom at the office, trust with management and flexibility in their schedules. Each employee will want something different, so you must learn what each member of your team wants. When you do this, it makes it much easier to manage a team of diverse personalities.

Management for Diversity can be a challenge for even some of the most experienced managers. Take the time to get to know your employees, their wants, and how they have been managed in the past. It will help you put together a strong management plan.

 

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Gap in Your Resume? How to Make it No Big Deal!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Gap in Your Resume-How to Make it No Big Deal

 

Trying to find a new job can be difficult, but it can be even more stressful if you have a glaring gap in employment appearing on your resume. This gap could have occurred due to a period of unemployment, the choice of returning to school, taking time off to raise a family, dealing with an illness, or any number of other reasons.

In the recruitment world, a large gap on a resume is defined as anything that is six months to one year or longer. So, how do you turn the gap in your resume into a nonissue? Read this post to find out what to do about it.

Explain the Gap Briefly

Instead of putting a sentence or two at the top or bottom of your resume, put them right where the gap actually occurs. This will ensure that the employer sees it. You do not have to go into too much detail, but make sure you tell the employer the reason why there is a gap.

Utilize a Powerful Cover Letter

Avoid going into too much detail, but make sure there is some sort of understandable explanation provided for why you have the gap in employment. Then, if the employer calls you to schedule an interview, or ask questions, you can tell them more if it warrants.

Edit the Dates on Your Resume

You can edit all of the dates of employment on your resume so that they do not show the months employed, only the years. For example, change all of your jobs listed so they look like the following:

  • Customer Service Attendant: 2010-2012
  • Sales Rep: 2012-2015

There might have been a large gap of unemployment between the two jobs, but potential employers won’t notice it because everything flows. When being interviewed, you can explain that there was a tiny gap and then give the reason for it.

Include Temporary Employment

Even if you work in communications, but have to work in retail to pay the bills between career jobs, make sure you put temporary employment on your resume. It shows the employer that you worked hard to make ends meet while searching for a new job within your field of expertise.

Gaps in a resume do not have to hinder your job search. Use one or more of the tips outlined above and you can downplay those gaps easily.

 

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Can You Tell if a Candidate Will be Reliable?

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Can You Tell if a Candidate Will be Reliable

 

As a hiring manager, much  of your responsibility stems from having a large hand in the success of the company and its employees. Hiring managers must perform due diligence prior to making any decisions on who to add to the payroll, which is why they must vet and screen candidates extremely thoroughly. There will be some who slip through the cracks, but the less this happens, the stronger the company will become.

One thing all hiring managers must look for is whether or not candidates will be reliable. Is there a surefire way to predict a candidate’s future success? Let’s talk about ways to evaluate reliability.

Advertise Open Jobs Wisely

It goes without saying that if you advertise open jobs on industry-specific websites, you should have no problem finding reliable candidates. If you post your job ads on random websites and in forums, however, you will likely attract a lot of undesirables to the post. You want to avoid attracting candidates who are simply seeking out any open job. This is a recipe for disaster.

Dig Deep Into Candidates’ Job History

All hiring managers should be looking into the job history of their top candidates. This helps the hiring manager know what type of worker the candidate has been in the past, which is an indicator of how they will operate in the future. Take a look at how long the candidate remained at previous jobs. Did they jump around often or did they stay for at least two years? If the answer is the latter, you should have a reliable candidate on your hands.

Choose the Right Interview Questions

Just because you bring a candidate in for an interview, it does not mean you must offer the job to them. The same can be said if you bring a candidate in for a second- or third-round of interviews. The interview is the best time to determine if the candidate will be reliable or not, but you must choose the right questions to ask. Ask the candidate where he sees himself in the next five or 10 years. Ask the candidate why they want this job. Also, have them tell you what their view is of an ideal work situation. You should be able to garner their reliability based on the answers to these questions.

Use a Staffing Agency

Another great way to tell if a candidate will be reliable is to work with a staffing agency to fill your open jobs. The staffing agency will have a pool of candidates who have already been screened and can do all of the legwork for you in the hiring process. When you work with a staffing firm, you are more likely to secure a top-notch candidate who will be reliable because of the extensive screening performed by the firm.

Determining the reliability of a candidate prior to offering employment can be difficult, but it does not have to be impossible if you follow the tips discussed here today. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today if you have more questions on gauging employee reliability.

 

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Leaving Your Job? Know Your Rights!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

It’s not uncommon for working adults to decide to switch careers or quit one job for another opportunity. Turnover is a hard fact in the working world, but it is a fact all employers have to come to terms with. The problem with an employee leaving their job, however, can stem from leaving suddenly, and without  an understanding of the repercussions they could face – on things like paychecks, benefits, project results, credentials, and other aspects of employment.

Before you leave your job, here’s what you need to know so that this can be a smooth transition.

Your Work

When you leave a job behind, you also leave behind all projects you completed while holding that position. You were in a work-for-hire role, and that means all your work is the property of the company. This also includes the relationships you developed with clients of the company during that employment. Don’t even think about stealing an idea, a process, or a client from your former employer. Also, be sure to note any non-compete agreements you may have signed as part of the terms of your employment, because you may be limited in what types of jobs you can take on for up to two years after you leave your job.

Your Benefits

When leaving a job, you are generally entitled to retain many of your employment benefits. COBRA is a law that allows you to continue your health benefits for up to 18 months following your departure from a job, however you must pay the group rate out of your own pocket. Additionally, if you were eligible and paid into a Health Savings Account, you can take this money with you when you leave a job. If you are leaving a job because of a work-related injury or illness, then you could also be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits or disability benefits.

Your Paycheck

In most cases, you will be getting a final paycheck sometime in the two weeks after you leave your position. If you owe the company any money, such as for equipment, uniforms, or paid tuition, you could end up having to write a check to the company when you leave. Be sure to settle up with the company and talk with the payroll department before you leave the job. Your final paycheck may include all final hours worked, including overtime, and remaining paid-time-off not used. If you are being laid off or fired from your job, you may also be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Your References

It is within your rights to ask for a professional letter of reference when leaving a job. Ask for this as soon as possible and request that it be put on company letterhead. Also, future employers have the right to check your work references and they can only ask for your dates of employment, your job title, and if you are eligible for rehire. Anything else is considered illegal when checking work references.

 

If you have questions about what your legal rights are when leaving a job on your own accord, you are welcome to speak with an employment attorney or head for your local workforce development office. For any and all help with your job search needs, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!

 

 

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Have a “Quirky” Company Culture? How to Find the Perfect Candidate Fit For You!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Have a Quirky Company Culture-How to Find the Perfect Candidate Fit For You

 

Is your company highly creative when it comes to the recruitment process? In today’s world, it’s becoming increasingly more popular for companies to come up with unique and sometimes even hilarious ways of recruiting people. Weird and unusual interview questions, activities, and quirky corporate cultures often come into play.

However, in some cases an unusual hiring process or corporate culture can create challenges when it comes to identifying candidates who are the right fit for the organization. The quirky company culture that you love can backfire. Some candidates may be taken aback by the process that you use to select and interview them. They may even refuse to apply for jobs out of fear that they won’t fit in well with the set of values and ideas your corporate culture embraces.

Your company may be quirky if:

  • You have an elaborate application process that uses humor in many places
  • You use odd or silly interview questions and tasks for candidates
  • The work environment is highly creative and filled with lots of playful features

So, if you identified your company as unusual or different in terms of the type of culture you embrace, it’s possible that it’s becoming difficult to find the right candidates. Here are some ways that you can get around this and hire the best talent with the right candidate fit.

Be upfront about your corporate culture

When thinking recruitment, the last thing you want to do is spring a surprise on a candidate – not the least of which should be your corporate culture. Have access to some marketing materials that highlight your corporate culture with visuals and audio tools. Slowly introduce candidates to your corporate culture. Watch for their reaction. If a candidate reels back suddenly upon learning about your corporate culture, there’s a good chance they will not be a good fit

Focus on the candidate experience

There is a lot of research around the impact the candidate experience has on the long-term success of an employee. This should be your ultimate focus when you are interviewing prospective employees. Try to put yourself into the candidate shoes for a moment. Is the application process intuitive? Is the candidate exposed to a positive impression of your company? Is the recruitment team proactively reaching out and then following up with each candidate? Make sure to zip up all of these things in order to improve the candidate experience.

Assess candidate skills with industry testing

It can be very difficult to determine if a candidate is right for the job within the span of just a few moments of reviewing a resume and meeting with them in an interview. Do not expect some quirky or challenging project assigned during an interview to accurately define a candidate’s suitability for your company. Instead, work with your staffing agency to use candidate assessment testing to validate their work-related skills, personality, and corporate culture fit.

Use a multi-layer interview process

Sometimes, creative companies do not spend enough time evaluating the behavioral aspects of candidate interviews. This is why a multiple interview process that includes several layers of team member participation is often a great way to determine a candidate’s fit for the company. People often have different perspectives when meeting someone, therefore, take the time to have at least a few of the team members present during initial interviews. Gather objective feedback and use this for making your hiring decision.

Hire temps first, employees second

Perhaps one of the best ways to recruit for a quirky company is to start everyone out as a temporary employee. This gives your company a chance to benefit from pre-screened candidates who will then have to prove themselves within the first few months on the job. Most staffing agencies have very strict pre-screening requirements and will only send candidates who they believe will be a good fit. If you have a problem with a candidate you can then easily replace them with someone more suitable. This reduces the risk of hiring the wrong person.

Want to learn more about how your company culture could affect your hiring process, or find temps to fit in with your quirky company? Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!

 

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Nobody Likes Your Performance Review!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Nobody Likes Your Performance Review

 

Whether you believe so or not, employees generally do not like the performance reviews conducted by their employers, no matter how interesting or ‘fun’ the company thinks they are. No one within a company wants to hear how they performed below expectations on an annual basis, even if they actually performed well. On the other side of the desk, many managers dread dealing with the backlash, arguments and lessened morale that are a result of these reviews.

Read on to learn some way to make performance reviews more productive and likeable.

Name Expectations Off the Bat

One of the best ways to make performance reviews more productive is to name expectations right off the bat. This means that you should tell the employee what the agenda will be for the duration of the review. Also, make sure you talk about how well things have been going. Then, move into what needs to improve in the coming year. When you begin the performance review by discussing the agenda, it shows the employee that there will not be any surprises.

Offer Specific Feedback

Make it a point to offer the employee specific feedback that can be put to good use once they return to their desk. Begin the conversation by mentioning specific work-related skills the employee is excellent at performing. This shows the employee that you have noticed how well they are performing and that their work has not gone unnoticed. Opening the discussion on such a positive note helps to lessen the blow of constructive criticism that comes later in the meeting.

Ask the Employee Questions Too

Another good way to start the performance review is to ask the employee how they are doing at work. This is perfect if you want the employee to open up and offer any areas where they are struggling. It can also help you understand or learn of any issues occurring at the office you might have been unaware of at the time.

There is Always Room for Improvement

You must understand that even your strongest employees have room for improvement. Even though they might not think so, this is a fact that you must keep in the back of your mind. You cannot coast through a performance review with a stellar employee because others will find out and begin to resent you for it. You also provide a disservice to your employee by coasting through a review without offering any constructive criticism.

Outline Future Expectations

As the performance review begins to close, be sure to outline the expectations you have for the employee in the future. Do not come up with any that will overwhelm the employee, but ones that can definitely be attained with a little bit of hard work and dedication.

The bottom line here is that no one likes the performance review at work, even if they know it is going to be a good one. Try to make the discussion as stress-free as possible by putting some of the tips above to good use.

 

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