Mental Health

Work Life Balance

Five ways to take care of yourself during the work day

Whether you’re just joining the professional world or have been around the block, you have probably heard the term “work life balance.” But what does this term really mean, and how does one achieve it? That’s what we’re going to be sharing in this article!

Work life balance can be defined as the intersection of work and personal life, and how well these two things balance each other out. If a person’s whole world is absorbed with their work, you might say that they have poor work life balance. When a person can shut their laptop at the end of their day and enjoy their night without thinking about work then you might say they have good work life balance. The “right” mix or balance might be different from person to person, but it’s part of the job to find out what that balance is for you!

When looking for a career you may prioritize opportunities that offer work life balance. We encourage all of our candidate’s to do their due diligence to research the companies they are interested in potentially working with and to consider their desired work life balance. In order to reach your fullest potential balance is vital!

1.) Keep a healthy snack/drink at your desk

Make sure to keep a bottle of water on your desk to sip on while working and during meetings. Maybe you want to have some fruit slices or crackers, too, that are easy to eat during the day, but hopefully nothing too messy by your computer!

2.) Get some movement

If you work from home, you may be able to take a few 10–15 minute breaks throughout your day. Consider using this time to go outside and take a short walk. In addition, you could utilize YouTube for a short yoga video, there are even many videos you can find that have desk yoga! It is important not to spend too many hours in a row sitting during the day. If you work in person maybe you could take a lap or two around the office and spend part of your lunch break outside. If you really want to take things to the next level you could even invest in a desk treadmill!

3.) Stretching at your desk

If pulling up YouTube feels likes a lot during your day, consider doing a few easy stretches while working! You could stretch your neck while typing or touch your toes in between emails. Even a few minutes of stretching a day can make a huge impact in how you feel!

4.) Have a before work routine

Work takes up most of our day, that’s just the way it is. Because of this, it is a great idea to prepare yourself for the workday. If possible, create a before work routine that prioritizes you! For example, maybe a skin care routine gets you in the right mood or spending some time reading your new book gets you ready for the day!

5.) Create an after work routine

It can be difficult to transition from work to home at the end of the day. Somethings that can help you shut off your work mind are: changing into something comfortable, taking a quick shower, or decompressing with some music or a show. It can be super helpful to create a habit that helps transition out of working mode that you can complete every day.

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If you’re looking for information on how to kickstart your career, browse jobs today! We help entry-level job seekers find positions that fit their expertise and career goals. Find more advice to help you in your job search.

6 Little Things That Will Help you Get a Job

Posted on February 6, 2023March 30, 2023 by Avenica

Insights

Career & Job Search Advice

Avenica

6 Little Things That Will Help You Get a Job

The little things are sometimes what help you land the job, or even miss out on the opportunity. Our hiring experts at Avenica have compiled a list of the “little things” that end up not being so little in the hiring process. Make your time count by considering the following tips when searching for a role.

1.) Set up your voicemail.

When a hiring manager gives you a ring it may be to ask to schedule your next interview round or even offer you the role! Without a voicemail, you have no idea what the news is, and it can be discouraging if the hiring manager doesn’t hear back. By setting up a professional voicemail you can be sure that there is no barrier to communication between you and those who want to hire you!

2.) Keep your emails organized.

If spam and marketing emails are taking up all your space in your email inbox it may be hard to sort through interview emails and even the job offer emails that may be in your inbox. It can be helpful to create a folder where all your virtual meeting links go or flag the ones that have not yet occurred. In addition, keep track of any emails that get auto-trashed after accepting. The last thing both you and the hiring manager want is for you to not be able to find the link to connect.

3.) Use your professional email address and proper grammar in your application materials.

If you’re still using that old email you made in middle school, that’s great, but not for your job search. Your email is one of the first things hiring managers learn about you and it is important to keep interactions with the hiring manager professional.

Also, make sure your name is capitalized and spelled correctly in your application! Little things like this can make a big impact when hiring managers are looking at applications.

4.) Texts and emails should maintain professional tones.

Texts with a potential employer aren’t the same as texting your BFF. Texting is a common form of communication in the hiring world, but it is still important to use your best grammar and spelling. Proper punctuation can help make it easier for you to clearly communicate to those who are working to get you a job.

5.) Create a professional interview environment you can thrive in.

One of the best tricks for this is to DOUBLE CHECK your zoom background before hopping on! If you’re choosing to wear PJ pants with your blazer, that’s fine (though maybe not recommended…), but please make sure that the person you’re meeting with cannot see them. If there is someone else in the room with you, please keep them out of the background.

It is best to have a solid color background or if that is not an option most video apps have the ability to blur your background. If you’re not sure how to do this, look up a quick tutorial on YouTube prior to starting your virtual meeting. Feeling comfortable with technology can help your confidence and the ease at which you can communicate with those who want to hire you.

It’s important to know that the hiring process is an extension of the workplace. Life happens, but it is important to invest in your interview. This means not sitting on the couch or driving during your time with the interviewer. Keep your phone steady in one place to optimize sound and experience for all involved.

6.) Read the emails that hiring managers send.

In order to get the most out of the time you have with a hiring manager make sure you know who you are talking to on the other end of the interview. Review the company’s core values and what they do, and be sure you understand the position being discussed. It is great to bring any clarifying questions you might have, but it’s up to you to really know generally what you are interviewing for before showing up to the interview.

Messages from the interviewer will most likely contain interview details, so be sure you are aware if something is a video or phone call interview, when it will take place, and if there are any additional steps to take before the interview.

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Tips for Setting Professional Goals in 2023

Posted on December 20, 2022March 30, 2023 by Avenica

Insights

Tips for Setting Professional Goals in 2023

Well-being 101

Avenica

As 2022 comes to a close it is a great time to take inventory of our accomplishments and look ahead to next year! As the new year approaches, whether you are in your first ever job, or working to make the leap to a new industry, these tips will help you get set up for even bigger professional strides in the coming year.

1.) Set both long-term and short-term goals

It is important to have “reach goals” that will take a while to complete. These will help project a sense of anticipation and accountability throughout the time it takes to accomplish them. These long-term goals could be goals that take 1-5 years to accomplish. Short-term goals typically take less than a year to accomplish. Short-term goals help give milestones to celebrate and demonstrate you are on the right track to accomplishing those longer-term goals.

Some examples of long-term goals are: To implement a new marketing strategy in your company, with a timeline and deliverables structured into the strategy, or to complete a major project, with deadlines and milestones attached to the project plan.

Some examples of short terms goals are: Facilitate better feedback over the course of a quarter, make a certain number of sales this month, or have one meaningful networking lunch a month.

2.) Make goals that are both measurable and abstract

It is helpful to be able to see progress by tracking goals through measurable data. For example, if your goal is to complete a course you will be able to track how much of the curriculum you complete. In addition, having a vision and feeling to focus on is just as important. Hand-in-hand with completing the course your goals could be to feel confident in the course material. Taking note in the degree of confidence you have will also push you forward towards this goal.

3.) Ask someone to hold you accountable

The best way to make a goal happen is to tell others about it. Once you speak it into the world, you will likely feel a bit more pressure to complete it. It is important to share your goals with people who are safe and encouraging, so the pressure is positive and not anxiety inducing. Consider asking a coworker or manager to hold you accountable to your goals this year and schedule regular check-ins on the goals progress.

4.) Make a vision board

Another great way to make your goals happen is to see them every day. Making a vision board that you keep in your office is a great strategy to encourage yourself to work toward the achieving your goal. This could be as easy as googling images that inspire you and pasting them on a piece of cardboard from the recycle bin! You could also create an online Pinterest board or go as far as to put images and affirmations on a bulletin board – the options are limitless!

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Managing Stress And Expectations This Holiday Season

Posted on December 6, 2022December 6, 2022 by Avenica

Insights

Managing Stress And Holiday Expectations This Holiday Season

Well-being 101

Avenica

As the holidays and new year approach it is important to take care of yourself. It may feel like a balancing act between holiday cheer and your usual work tasks. There are many end-of-year deadlines and expectations to meet, potential family and social pressure, as well as a change in the weather. With all these factors contributing to a busy time of year, we collected a list of 5 things that may help you manage or relieve some holiday work stress.

1.) Plan out your holiday work schedule in advance

If you are planning to take time off, ask early so you and your supervisor can manage time together and look ahead for anything that may need to be done before you are out. In addition, look ahead at the beginning of the month to understand which holidays fall on which days of the week. Maybe a meeting will need to be moved or after school care changed. By looking ahead, you can ensure that you have a plan for the holidays in all of the areas of your life.

2.) Plan time for yourself

Just as looking ahead can help you plan with everyone else in your life, it is important to plan some time for yourself. It might just be spending 5 minutes in the car before or after work on a YouTube meditation or going for a 15-minute walk by yourself to clear your thoughts. It is important to take time for yourself during the holidays as others’ expectations on your time may be higher than other times throughout the year.

3.) Find out about your employer’s benefits

Many companies offer fitness incentives, mental health resources, and other programs that may offer support during this time of the year (and beyond!). Reach out to your HR department about what may be available to you through your company’s resources.

4.) Check in with your coworkers

Holidays impact everyone differently, some may be celebrating holiday cheer while others may be looking for support for the season. If possible, take some time to connect with your coworkers to see if you can help support their workload. In addition, consider adding some social connects to your calendar to let your coworkers know that you have their back in their personal life as well.

5.) Give back

The season of giving is all around. If you are looking for a way to feel good this holiday season look into some local ways to give back to your community. Consider volunteering at a local humane society, food drive or similar opportunity. You may even invite some of your coworkers to participate in a toy drive or other way to give back as a group to promote community within your team.

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Mental Health Awareness

Posted on May 12, 2021April 6, 2022 by Avenica

Insights

How To Support Mental Health in the Workplace

Workforce Trends & Insights

Avenica

Every role I have held professionally has claimed to “value the health of employees,” at least on paper. However, what’s on paper and what is practiced are often very different things. As we embark on life after the pandemic, one thing has become abundantly clear: If you don’t support your employees in all aspects of their health and well-being, you will lose them.

Burnout. A word many are familiar with and may be experiencing as they read this article. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The WHO formally added the term to their classification of diseases in 2019 as an “occupational phenomenon.” While 2019 may have seen its fair share of burnout collectively, 2020 and early 2021 may struggle not to laugh in its face.

The pandemic and events of 2020 have taken a toll on working adults in several ways. Those who still had a job after the first or second round of layoffs have likely been doing the job of two or more people. Individuals who were laid off faced the challenge of starting over, job searching and entering a new workplace or team. In addition, employees who were high achievers before were/are likely looked upon to carry the organization through the storm and are exhausted. No matter the title or role, the pandemic has impacted the mental health of many. Because of this, support is needed now more than ever.

5 Steps To Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

Companies should be prioritizing employee mental health. This means providing support where needed and after a year like 2020, if mental health support wasn’t offered before, the time is now. So, what can employers do today?

1. Implement a mental health program in conjunction with physical health programs OR take the first step in developing/modifying the existing program(s).
2. Ask your employees how they are doing (and mean it!).
3. Introduce more services (internal or through a third party) for employees immediately.
4. Offer opportunities for employees to listen and engage with their peers.
5. Provide and make free mental health support resources easily accessible for your employees.

What else can workplace mental health and well-being look like? Mental health support can look like companies holding spaces for employees to meet and engage with one another to talk and seek solace in someone experiencing similar challenges. It can mean offering flexible time off (FTO) for employees and encouraging them to use it. Additionally, being clear about and open to mental health days; offering employees time away to recollect themselves and bring their best selves back to their work after an appropriate amount of time away. More simply, it can mean checking in on employees with a simple, “how are you?” While not all employees will feel comfortable answering, the genuine action of asking demonstrates that you value them as a whole person, not just in what they do for the business.

The Lesson of 2020: Employee Mental Health Must Be a Priority

Beyond the fact that caring about your employee’s mental health should be a priority simply from a values perspective, there are business implications as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health disorders often occur in conjunction with other health problems such as “heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and disorders that affect muscles, bones, and joints.” The CDC goes on to say that, “even after taking other health risks—like smoking and obesity—into account, employees at high risk of depression had the highest health care costs during the 3 years after an initial health risk assessment.” Not to mention lower performance, engagement, and communication in their roles. If these reasons weren’t enough to adopt a mental health program, read on.

We are now seeing the market open back up. Jobs are popping up left and right and candidates are finding roles more and more rapidly. This is a good sign for candidates, but not great for the companies who have not managed to ensure their employees feel valued, heard, and supported. For those companies, turnover is becoming a threat to their business in terms of succession planning, continuity, and operational support.

It doesn’t end here, but these quick wins may help you retain and attract more talent while hanging on to the gems you already have. Take the first step.

Looking for a new role? Browse our current job openings and apply today!

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