The Profiles’ recruitment team recently had an offsite training summit where we each picked a topic to present to our colleagues. It was a chance for us to get out of the office and learn from one another. Topics included direct recruitment strategies, managing client communication, Drupal and PHP development and how to best interview top talent. I opted for talking about communication amongst colleagues and how to manage those relationships. The way I see it, it’s not just about the job you do, but who you do it with.
Chances are you probably spend more time with your coworkers than you do with your spouse and friends. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone you work with but you do have to get along. I feel like a walking cliché in saying this but communication is pivotal in the relationship with your teammates. So here are a couple of tips I shared at the Profiles’ Recruitment Summit that I thought I’d share with you:
Partnership: You and your boss or you and your colleague most likely have the same end goal in mind. You each have a different way of getting there but it’s only going to be a more successful journey if you work together to get it done. Listen to your colleague, maybe they know something you don’t. Maybe you can teach them something you just read on LinkedIn (or on careerprofiles.com) Struggling to get your part of the job done? Ask for help! Brainstorm. Work together until you have all reached the end result.
Communicate: Sure, you probably email all day long with your coworkers, but do you ever get up and walk over to their desk and have an actual conversation? Communicate in real time and communicate in person! I would take it one step further and be an over sharer! Don’t be afraid to update your coworkers on the status of your project or what you need help on. (Or even what you had for lunch. I’ve had many a productive conversation while eating or discussing what I just ate!)
Transparency: This one is probably the hardest one. Be honest with yourself and with your colleagues. We work best with each other when we’re honest in setting expectations. Get rid of doubt and stay positive throughout the entire process. Accept the role of your colleague and then trust that they will do their job. (Refer back to 1 & 2 if you’re struggling with this one)
I can’t stress this enough. You don’t have to love the people you work with but you should trust and respect them. It’s also pretty important when you’re interviewing for a new job that you’re tapping into the team dynamic. Do they seem to get along? Are these people you can see yourself working with every day? These are things to consider when interviewing for a new role and thinking about making a career change.
Author Name – Meryl Ratzman
Title – Account Manager
Location – Baltimore, MD
Twitter – @merylratzman
Byline – Meryl has been recruiting for a year with Profiles and has 8+ years in the marketing and creative space. When she’s not recruiting and networking with interactive peeps, she’s eating gummy candy, listening to new indie rock bands or watching bad reality TV.
