Quiet quitting. Job hopping. The Great Resignation.

If these last few years have taught us anything, it’s this:

Uncertainty is the new normal.

If you’re a leader, a coach, or a consultant (or maybe a bit of all three), you already know this.

And it’s not over yet…

With a major US election soon to be underway and social media feeds filled with a never-ending stream of chaos and conflict, not one person in the world is unaffected.

The Overwhelm (& Vulnerability) of the Hiring Process

In times like these, where trust and loyalty have become a precious commodity, hiring anyone can feel like an overwhelming, even vulnerable process.

How can you increase the odds of finding the best person for the job, when all you hear is how most employees are already looking for the “next best thing”?

In a recent team conversation here at Marketecs, we chatted a bit about what makes us unique. What we agreed upon might surprise you: it’s our stability and trustworthiness as a company.

Each one of our team members has been with us for at least 1.5 years. And our clients? Some have partnered with us since our founding nearly 15 years ago. Suffice to say – longevity is vital to us.

How do we do it? It might sound cliché, but…just as we blend marketing & technology, we also bring together “old-fashioned” values with a modern approach to teamwork. The result is a stable foundation based on trust that supports the clients who choose to partner with us.

You’ve Got This! 3 Easy Hiring Tips

Whether you’re hiring a regular employee or an independent contractor, incorporate our 3 favorite secrets to make your next hire a success.

1) Make the interview experience personal.

WHY: Incorporating personal questions isn’t just about making small talk: it can help gauge your interviewee’s level of emotional intelligence as well as their soft skills (like how well they communicate).

HOW: Be mindful – keep it professional. Avoid asking questions that may make someone uncomfortable, that could downright offend them, or that are unrelated to the position you’re hiring for.

Takeaway tip: Consider writing down your questions before the interview so you’re well-prepared and ask a trusted colleague or associate for honest insight. Here are a few starter questions you may find useful:

• What would you say are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
• How might some of your co-workers describe you?
• Can you share something about yourself that isn’t on your resume?

2) Leverage the unspoken power of body language.

WHY: Did you know? From assessing someone’s confidence levels to how trustworthy they may be on the job, observing body language can help distinguish subtle nuances ordinary language might overlook.

HOW: Body language encompasses the whole person. Familiarize yourself with the basics and what to watch for, to incorporate your observations as you evaluate the overall interview experience. Here’s a quick primer from Psychology Today.

Takeaway tip: Remember that while it can be a secret weapon of hiring success, many factors can influence body language and skew your judgment erroneously.

• For instance, many people may feel a bit anxious and fidget during an interview – it’s totally normal and not indicative of something “bad” or “wrong.”
• A person crosses their arms and you may think “aggression”. Not so fast – it could mean many things – ranging from anxiety to an authentic, focused interest in something.
• You notice someone putting their hands in their pockets. Insecure? Sneaky? Hiding something? Maybe…maybe not. They just might be cold…

3) Interviewing virtually? Be prepared!

WHY: Whether you’re working remotely from your Airbnb rental or you’re back on the grind in your regular office, starting off the interview on the right foot is essential. If your video conferencing software doesn’t work, it can create an unfavorable first impression and lead to frustration.

HOW: The technology you use is just as important as every other component of a successful job interview. Do a quick tech test run to ensure everything works as intended. It’s a smart idea to prepare your questions ahead of time too – just like a regular in-person interview.

Takeaway tip: When you’re hiring someone, the focus tends to be on them. But what about you? Everything from your personal appearance, to the setting you’re in, to the technology you use can have a major influence on the entire interview experience:

• Choose a clean, well-lit setting to cultivate a professional impression.
• Dress appropriately – the same as if you were interviewing in-person.
• Schedule each interview separately & budget your time accordingly.

Avoid the Churn. Build Loyalty.

After you’ve hired the perfect person (hopefully), what next? As a Forbes article aptly states, “Churn is expensive, and workers are harder than ever to come by.” One strategy for successful retention: build loyalty. Read the article for 6 loyalty-building tips.

At Marketecs, our culture is one of loyalty and trust – on our team and with our clients – and all benefit because of it. Stephen Covey once said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

Through times of uncertainty and worldwide unrest, the trust we’ve built and the longevity that we value so deeply allow us to serve our clients in a way many other businesses cannot.

Perhaps our own Marketing Director Kate Sobczak said it best about our shared philosophy and why it works so well:

“I may operate differently than others, but I’m not looking to work with a company for a few months and then move on. I’d rather stay with a business as long as possible and then “add on” with a second or third contract position when I’m ready and able. I also feel like there’s a bit more stability and safety in this for me personally because if things change with one it’s not as drastic as it would be if I only worked with one client/job.”

A Reliable Partner to Coaches & Consultants

Over the nearly 15 years since Marketecs was founded, we have grown with our clients. We’ve been there to meet their needs as they waxed and waned with changing times.

To our clients, we have been reliable partners, offering everything from full business overhauls and launches to quick pitch decks and social media posts. We help plan, execute, and manage marketing operations – at every stage of the journey, from new coaching startups to successful consultants leading businesses at the top of their game.

Clients come to us for our digital marketing expertise, yes. But what many may not initially realize is our best-kept secret: our dependability and emphasis on trust really does make all the difference. 😊

See what some of our clients say about partnering with us, or setup a time to chat about your goals.