The Hidden Gems – They’re OUR Children!!
With the Canada Summer Jobs application deadline just around the corner, we need to look at all options for hiring.
Owning or running a business isn’t easy. You constantly need to stay relevant, increase efficiency, and deliver outstanding products and services. Finding the right people with the right skills is critical to what you do. So why not consider hiring youth?
Youth workers bring fresh perspective and energy and are eager to learn and perform well.
There are several great reasons why hiring youth makes sense.
- Diversify and build energy into your business.
- Breathe fresh new ideas into your products, services, and processes.
- Challenge the status quo.
- Create a younger brand and face to your organization.
- Adopt new technologies and social media.
- Expand your youth networks.
- Minimize the risk of a skills shortage from an aging population and upcoming retirements.
- Fill seasonal and short-term work commitments.
Retaining employees is an ongoing challenge regardless of their age and providing recognition and feedback can go a long way.
Do it often. Be specific. Be sincere.
Recognition lets youth know that what they do matters, and they can make a difference.
- It mentally reinforces that what they did was important.
- It creates an emotional connection.
- It sets the standards for excellence.
Provide regular performance feedback to your employees through formal and informal means. It helps to keep your employees engaged, it affirms work well done and lets them make improvements if needed, it also helps the discussion during performance reviews and eliminates any surprises.
Offering feedback to younger workers:
- Give it regularly. Check in with them to ask questions and touch base.
- Ask for their opinion, especially during debates.
- Be aware of your body language. Keep it positive and friendly.
- Avoid being overly authoritarian. Focus on positive reinforcement.
- Skip the sarcasm to avoid misunderstandings.
- Check for understanding. Young workers may say they understand when they don’t.
- Thank them for their good work.
- Make sure praise is sincere.
I would like to wish you the best of the holiday season and look forward to future conversations with you.
Tracy Isenor
Employer Engagement Specialist
902-201-5954
tracy@futureworx.ca