Dealing with Difficult People in the IT Recruiting World
The US population is over 307 million people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and personalities. Meeting others through the IT staffing industry is fun, educational, and shapes your overall character. While shared qualities might bring some together, there are qualities that set us apart. When you meet someone who appears to be difficult, how do you manage the situation?
Accepting It
Technical recruiters work with a number of different personalities on their IT jobs, so they must be as open minded as possible. Working with an unaccommodating individual may lead you to have a better appreciation for patience and understanding. Perhaps you might be the difficult person. In this case , working with someone who is also stubborn may help you see how others perceive you and thus increase your flexibility.
Ignoring It
Ignoring someone’s negativity is typically ideal in most IT staffing agencies. Those who choose to be pessimistic will try to bring others down with them, whether intentionally or not. Rather than acknowledging someone’s miseries, change the subject, focus on a specific goal, or choose not to work with that person.
Tolerating It
Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts, so be respectful. No one has to be right when the matter is opinion-based. Do not hold grudges. Especially at IT recruiting agencies, this will make working conditions more troublesome. Most importantly, never post your feelings on blogs or sites such as Twitter or Facebook. When IT recruiters or candidates come at you with a condescending email or snide remark, bite your tongue. Give it time and think out an appropriate response. Chances are you will be less worked up later if you do not exert a great amount of effort in defending yourself.
Saying No
If you absolutely cannot work with a difficult person, do not do it. There are plenty of assignments and partners to move to within IT staffing firms. Ask a supervisor for help in dealing with offenders, chances are, this is not the first time they have heard this.
While it is not fun to work with stubborn people, the worst thing IT headhunters can do is give up without trying. Usually there is a reason someone is being difficult. Try to see their point of view and then make your decisions. You might have a change of heart!
Energy Drinks—The New Coffee of the IT Recruiting Industry?
Coffee has been brewed since the mid 1400’s, providing a natural source of caffeine and an extra push when needed for IT recruiters. For years, technical staffing firms looked forward to their morning or afternoon brew, perfected with their choice fixings, and distinct flavor. Now with innovative caffeine products such as energy drinks and shots, is coffee’s prevalence in the caffeine market threatened? When technical recruiters need a boost, which should they turn to, coffee or energy drinks? The answer is it depends…
Caffeine
Both coffee and energy drinks provide different levels of caffeine. The caffeine content of coffee is in the hands of the IT staffing representatives. Coffee can have its caffeine content diluted, or you can choose to drink decaffeinated coffee. Likewise, the coffee can be double brewed for an extra kick, or you can simply order a larger size.
Energy drinks come with designated caffeine content, leaving technical recruiting reps to choose if they would like to drink the entire can or opt for a drink with more or less caffeine. The drinks also range in size and amount of provided caffeine, so there are options!
Price
Coffee is more affordable when you consider price and where you purchase it. Home brewed coffee is significantly cheaper than paying a visit to a coffee shop daily, with shop prices typically ranging from $1.50 to $5.00. Energy drinks are similarly priced to coffee shops, typically $2.00 to $5.00, depending on size and caffeine content. If you are money conscious, opt to brew your own coffee in the IT recruitment office and save!
Availability
You usually need to go to a store to buy an energy drink or buy in bulk to have readily available (and get a better deal). Luckily, for Boston IT recruiting firms, there are stores and coffee shops on nearly every corner. You can have coffee stored in your cabinet for whenever you need it, too.
Health
Coffee is healthier than energy drinks when consumed without all the bells and whistles. Black coffee is natural and provides antioxidants and fiber. Energy drinks lack vitamins and are typically made with copious amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. If IT headhunters cannot handle the taste of black coffee, they can opt for skim milk rather than cream and flavored coffee to ward off additional sugar.
Alternative Energy Sources
Coffee and energy drinks are not the only way to boost your mood and work level. Never use caffeine to subsidize sleep or suppress appetite. Productivity levels will crash! Naturally increase your energy by going for a walk or snacking on healthy fruit and vegetables. Be sure to exercise regularly and get enough sleep each night to maintain good focus and improve your attitude.
Starting a Hobby Outside of Your IT Recruiting World
A day in the life of technical recruiters differs from the typical nine to five. We start early and leave the office late to accommodate clients’ schedules. IT staffing firms are always looking to improve performance and meet goals. However, what some do not realize is that the key to success may lie outside of the IT recruiting office. Rather than having work define the self-worth of an IT recruiter, one should focus on other positive aspects of their lives and consider starting a hobby.
Why?
Focusing solely on work will spur an individual to burn out and experience increased levels of stress in the technical recruiting industry. Anxiety and mood swings stem from feeling overwhelmed, which will ultimately affect one’s output. Starting new hobbies will drive creativity and improve performance. When IT recruiters dedicate time to an enjoyable activity, they temporarily drift from troubles and refresh the mind and enhance focus.
Reaching new goals will help improve one’s self esteem and confidence. IT headhunters will be more motivated to succeed in other areas when they see their new potential. Even if life in the IT staffing office is good, it is still important to have a separate outlet in the event that stress levels escalate.
How?
Not Enough Time
A common excuse for IT recruiters is that they do not have enough time to dedicate to a hobby. When one considers that the activity may improve job performance, it is then they will consider fitting it in their schedule. Even if it is once a week or every day for fifteen minutes, every little bit will help create a change.
Which One?
It is recommended that one invests some time in researching hobbies before making a commitment. If a technical recruiter finds they do not enjoy their hobby, they could end up more stressed. Before a plan is made, they should test out activities and find which they enjoy best.
IT recruiting firms work hard to be successful and their employees deserve some fun. If you already have a hobby, extend an invite to a co-worker. You have the potential to build a relationship outside of the office while also burning off some stress!
Eating at Your Desk in the IT Recruiting Industry
Boston Technical recruiters often find themselves working through lunch and eating at their desks quite frequently. As IT recruiters, your hard work will be recognized. However, do not sacrifice your health to go above and beyond. Here are some reasons you should get up and out for your lunch instead of hiding in your cube.
Clearer Mind
When an IT staffing representative works nine hours straight, there is no time for the brain to recover. Eventually you will find yourself burnt out and you will not even remember what you ate or what you may have discussed with a client. If you have the opportunity to walk even for ten to fifteen minutes a day, preferably outside, do so. You will return with a clearer mind and ready to focus on new goals.
Sanitation
Your desk is actually dirtier than it appears. Think of how often you actually clean your desk. Technical recruiters are constantly touching the phone, keyboard, and mouse… then reaching for their sandwiches. Is the extra hour you’re putting in today worth the sick day you may have to take later?
Poor Habits
You will probably not realize it, but when you are not focused on your meal, you typically end up eating more and ignoring signals that you may be full– or not even hungry at all. Later, during the day, you will either feel too full and uncomfortable from overeating or hungry from not listening to your body’s signals. This can affect your work performance.
IT recruiters spend most of their day on the phone, and if they are eating at their desk, there is a strong chance they are snacking between phone calls. Eating away from your desk will help curb distractions and prevent potential mistakes or messes.
If You Must Dine at Your Desk…
If you must eat at your desk, try to bring a lunch with you. Home packed meals tend to be healthier and will leave you feeling less sluggish than if you were to order fast food. When you eat at your desk, take trips to the water cooler or the bathroom to move your muscles. If another co-worker is eating at their desk as well, ask if you may join them for some company and get your mind off work for a few minutes.
Eating at your desk is unfortunately becoming the norm. Remember to maintain proper eating etiquette (ie. not chewing in the phone or talking with your mouth full). And don’t leave crumbs if you decide to join the movement!