Friends Dont Let Friends Hire Them -- Or Do They - Spark Hire

Friends Dont Let Friends Hire Them -- Or Do They - Spark HireImagine this your company has just hired your best friend or roommate. What used to be a relationship that was carried out after working hours has become a ride to work together, 9 5, hang out after work constant companionship. You even dream about them.Yes, this is a worst case scenario, but in most instances, this is what you can expect when you hire a friend.Not only are you constantly together, but you see another side to them that you may not have seen before. You see their weaknesses as a professional, perhaps their inability to meet deadlines or their disregard for a clients wants and needs. Essentially, hiring your best friend to work on your team isnt advisable.So when does it work out? Typically, when your friend or roommate is working in an entirely different department from you. Its like having a built-in lunch buddy, right?But lets be honest, there will be times when you have to chalk up your reservations for the betterment of your friend. Lets say a position becomes available on your team, and its more than a good job for which your friend meets all of the qualifications. Its like this job was made for him or her. What then?Have a frank conversation. Before they start, sit down as friends and talk about what your working relationship should look like. Set times in the day when its okay to be friends first thing in the morning, lunch, at the end of the day. Otherwise, agree to view and treat one another as merely co-workers the rest of the time. Its not easy, but youll both need to actively work to separate your feelings as friends from whats necessary as professionals to create an ideal working relationship.Look for the good in your friend. As a fellow team member, youre inevitably going to be exposed to the professional weaknesses of your friend. And as a friend, it will be all too easy to focus on the bad, changing your perception of that person entirely. As a professional and co-wor ker, you must rise above their perceived weaknesses and look at the positives. Co-workers and team members have their moments of frustration with one another, and we all usually move on. Grant your friend the same immunity.Know when to call it quits. If it all begins going downhill, surrender to the circumstances. This calls for another frank conversation with your friend, and unfortunately, his or her termination. But it doesnt have to end badly. Chances are, your friend is quite aware that its not working out either. In this case, make a professional decision, but communicate it as their friend. Theyll most likely need a hug from someone who cares about them once its all over.Are you currently working or have you worked with a friend? What was the experience like for you? Share your stories in the comments below

6 Distinctive Traits All Job Seekers Should Possess

6 Distinctive Traits All Job Seekers Should Possess6 Distinctive Traits All Job Seekers Should PossessIn order to impress potential employers, it seems like job seekers need to bring a lot to the table and figure out some creative ways to stand out from the competition these days. Not only do you need to have fruchtwein of the qualifications to apply for the job, but if youre looking to telecommute, youll also need those soft skills that remote employers typically look for.According to the Inc. article, 9 Distinctive Traits to Look for in a New Hire, you should also possess some of the following traits to dazzle a potential employer. The good news is that you can easily learn to incorporate them into your job search to help make you a superstar job seekerHere are a few of the distinctive traits all job seekers should possess1. You should be positive and enthusiastic. Lets face it job searching can take a toll on you, especially if youve been searching for quite some time. Thing is, y ou dont want to let a potential employer know that youre so done with your search and are willing to take a job (any job) so that you can finally finish your job search chapter. So when you show up for the interview (or log on to your slotted video conferencing time if youre applying for a remote sttte), dont curb your enthusiasmGet excited about the job, the company, and the person youre interviewing with. A good attitude can impress a potential employer and help him realize that youre applying for the job because you really want it, not because you really want your job search to be over.2. You should be detail-oriented. Paying attention to details is especially important during the job search process. Being meticulous means following the exact instructions on how to apply for the position (e.g., sending your cover letter as a PDF as opposed to a Word doc), reading over your resume for any errors, and knowing the names of everyone youre going to meet with during the interview.It al so means following up with your interviewers, thanking them for their time, and reiterating how much you want the position. Being a thorough job seeker can showcase to your interviewer that youd be a detail-oriented employee, too.3. You should be a good listener. Sometimes, its not what you say, but how well you listen that counts during a job interview. For example, if the hiring manager says that the job has the potential to be done remotely at least part-time and then you ask 10 minutes later if the job has flexibility, you could leave a bad impression upon your interviewer. He might think that if you dont listen well you wont be an efficient worker.Thats why you should focus on what your interviewer is saying and then speak, instead of preparing in your head the next thing youre going to say.4. You should be personable. In an effort to make the most professional impression possible, some job seekers might tend to stifle their personalities during a job interview. But employers w ant to get to know you beyond what theyve read on your job application So be sure to let a little of your personality shine. It can help employers gauge how well youll mesh with fellow coworkers, and if youll vibe with the companys culture or not. And feel free to show off your sense of humor, too.You dont have to crack jokes left and right, but being yourself during an interview can help both you and your potential employer determine if youre a good match for the company.5. You should be ambitious. Employers dont want to hire someone who clocks in at 900 a.m., puts his head down all day and does his work, and then clocks out 500 p.m. Whats more valuable than someone who just shows up to work is someone whos driven. A job candidate who demonstrates genuine curiosity for the company and seems to really want to grow in his position is very desirable to hiring managers.Thats why you should spotlight previous examples of when you pitched in to help finish projects or were able to work r emotely with little to no hand-holding.6. You should be flexible. Being flexible as it relates to work can take on many forms. It might mean picking up some of the work for a fellow coworker out on maternity leave, or it might mean burning the midnight oil in order to meet a really important deadline. But if youre looking for a flexible job, its a good idea to be flexible yourself. Lets say that youre interviewing for a job that sounds pretty sweet to you- and then when youre offered the job youre told that the job might be remote-friendly in the future.If you really want the job (but you also want a full-time, remote gig, too), consider being flexibleto start. After working with the company for a while, your boss might be able to allow you to work remotely, just as you wanted all along.Start Your Job Search