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Jobs HR people do in December that were mysteriously left out of their job description: - Professional Christmas Elf: Those 27 boxes of tinsel and 3,482 fairy lights aren't going to untangle themselves⁠⁠. - Party Planner: Master of venue-hunting, playlist-curating, and making sure Karen from Finance gets her gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free catering options.⁠⁠ - Quiz Master: ⁠Who else is going to keep a room full of grown adults entertained? - Secret Santa Coordinator: Preventing gift-giving chaos and ensuring nobody receives their own name (or gets forgotten)⁠⁠. - Unofficial Photographer: Because someone needs to document those memorable moments (and filter out the not safe for work ones). What have we missed?

I used to get paid £10 an hour to empty bins 🗑️ And before that, £3 an hour to polish cutlery, clear tables, and take orders Now realistically I did a lot more than empty bins, polish cutlery and so on for those salaries... Included in that £10 an hour job was also handling difficult customers, running the customer service help desk, and supporting the e-comm operation (Sunday mornings were one of my faves!) But the reason I'm telling you this is to remind you to be flexible and helpful wherever you can 💫 From my very first working day, my dad has always reminded me to be what the business needs rather than stuck to my job description 📝 A supervisor wanted me to help out and empty the bins at the end of the day? Yeah why not A new starter needed training and I was the most knowledgeable person in that area on that shift? Send them over No one had time to post on social media and growth had come to a halt? Leave it with me And I'm pretty sure that attitude is part of the reason why I'm where I am today 🤷♀️ By doing those things, I proved myself to be reliable, hardworking, and willing to get stuck in 😇 I've learnt things that I probably wouldn't have otherwise, such as 🤝 Teaching and training others 📣 Social media marketing skills 🧤 To put on gloves before you touch retail bins The last one is a joke but you get the point! So today, tomorrow, next week, don't forget to be flexible at work - it'll make you an asset to any team 👑 And if you ever hear me utter the words "it's not in my job description" you have permission to punch me 😂

My first job was washing dishes in a dive bar and restaurant called Mr. P's Playhouse in Ridgecrest, California. I was 16, eager, and willing to do anything to make extra money. I worked hard, kept up with the load, and felt good about myself. Then, the owner told me to clean the bathroom in the bar. The night before, someone drank too much and threw up all over the toilet and floor. Since I was the lowest person (dishwasher), I got the fun job of cleaning up the nasty bathroom. I did it. Here's what I learned: 1. No job is below me. I've cleaned toilets, scrubbed floors, sold cars, dug ditches. Work is what I do. 2. The value of labor. Jobs need to be done, and there is value in doing them well. I raise my worth when I commit to doing them to the best of my ability - no matter the job. 3. I have a choice. My attitude matters, and I have a choice as to how I see the world. I could have made a big scene when I saw the nasty bathroom, but I didn't. I sucked it up, held my breath, and did the work. Positive attitude. 4. I have empathy. I see people doing dirty jobs every day. I say thank you and help wherever and whenever I can. Nothing is beneath me. 5. I can do hard things. I have thick skin and can do difficult labor—sweat, dirt, and pain. I am not a wilting flower that needs protecting. I can suffer—for a while. I stayed at Mr. P's until we moved to Washington, DC, later that summer. I look back on the dishwashing job and am grateful for the lessons. What was your first job? What lessons did you learn from it? Please share your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear about it. I love you all. ------ If you would like to talk about your career or life directions, please book a no-obligation appointment with me. I'd be happy to talk and help!

This past weekend I attempted to (quickly) assemble a dining room chair with my two youngest girls. Given that this only involved attaching four legs to a seat, I thought it would be doable even with two young children… Big mistake. Shortly after starting, the girls were climbing over me and the chair. My three-year-old absconded with essential pieces.  My seven-year-old tried to persuade her to give them back, but only managed to offend her. It was a bit stressful! But it did teach me something about work. When an adult sets out to do a job, they usually do it in the most efficient way that will yield the best result. Not so for a child.  A child brings a sense of play and innate curiosity to any task. They don't care so much whether the chair gets assembled as whether the process of making the chair lights them up. I think adults, and especially us lawyers, could probably learn something from this. As lawyers, we work in an intense, high stakes industry. And indeed, our primary focus is always on delivering the best result for our clients. But rather than focusing exclusively on the end, we should also fully experience the path to get there. While we take the work seriously, we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. And we should be open to a sense of creativity and exploration that may surface solutions that we wouldn't otherwise see. In the end we assembled the chair, though maybe with a part or two missing. But in the process, my girls taught me a valuable lesson about my own experience at work.

Secret confession time! Those of you that know me well, may be surprised to hear this about me. I hate getting my hands dirty. There you go, I admitted it. But that’s just half of the story, and as is so often the case in life and at work, we can be guilty of only hearing half the story and making a judgement on what we hear. The truth is, I hate getting my hands dirty, literally. I mean having my hands covered in flour, or soil, or sand, or (in days gone by) playdoh, or anything sticky or slimy or dirty!! The minute my hands get dirty, I have to wash them! Gloves are invaluable in my mind! However, figuratively, I have always loved getting my hands dirty!! As a restaurant manager, I was quite happy to get knee deep in potwash on a busy shift, or help clean down, wait tables, or even dare I say it, jump in the kitchen (but believe me, the chefs really needed help for that to happen, and that was after exhausting all other options!!) In management roles in hotels, I would happily jump in and help the housekeeping team clean bedrooms, or serve in the bar, or park cars (when I could find out how to get into the flashy sports cars, or find the handbrake without radioing for help!!) As an in house HR manager, jumping back into the operation if ever I was needed was something I naturally did. I have always got my hands dirty at work, I always get stuck in to whatever I do. Its just that if it means getting my hands dirty literally… it will involve lots of hand washing and/or gloves! Have you got a confession to make? #peopledevelopment #learninganddevelopment #talentmanagement

Stopped by a cute candy store near my house last weekend (true story). A little kid was trying to decide between chocolates and gummy bears. The cheerful store clerk noticed the dilemma and offered the kid a small sample of each. Happy with the treats, the child giggled but still seemed undecided. The clerk then made it a game, asking, "Which one makes you do the biggest happy dance?" After a mini dance-off, the child enthusiastically picked the gummies! It was just a simple candy choice. But her joyful approach made that kid’s day, and mine too :) It was such a heartwarming scene, and it really shows something important about hiring: the secret to finding the right people isn't just about what they do; it's how they do it that matters most. That’s because how we do anything is how we do everything. When she graduates from university (we had a little chat) and moves into her professional career, you can bet she'll bring the same energy to whatever she does. She’s not just going to be successful in her job; she’s going to be successful in life. Because that’s just how she is—joyous in every task, no matter how sweet or small. #hiringstrategy ##JobSuccess #CareerDevelopment #PositiveImpact #ServiceExcellence

🎃 Spooktacular Staffing Stats for Halloween! 👻 As Halloween approaches, the spooky season not only brings costumes and candy but also significant trends in the staffing industry. Did you know that 72% of employers plan to hire seasonal workers during the holiday period? This statistic highlights the growing demand for temporary staffing solutions, especially in retail, hospitality, and event management. Companies often seek extra hands to manage increased foot traffic, ensuring they can meet customer demands while providing an enjoyable experience. As we gear up for Halloween, let’s remember the importance of staffing in creating a memorable holiday for everyone. Whether it’s haunted houses, costume shops, or festive events, the right team can make all the difference! How are you preparing for the seasonal rush? Share your plans and experiences below! 🎉👺 #Halloween #StaffingIndustry #SeasonalHiring

CRITICISM IS AN INSTRUCTION IN DISGUISE My first day in a corporate body as an admin assistant, I was told to take inventory. I didn't even fully understand what I was doing until recently when I was asked for an item in my care. I went there searching like I have never taken an inventory of the office items . I had to ask the cleaner and she shouted at me, "you don't even know the things under your care." "You keep coming to ask me for things that was given to you to keep." She criticized me like, she had something against me. The tone was so intense that it got me thinking, why is this lady so harsh to me. While I thought about it, I heard this " criticism is an instruction in disguise". You don't have to respond to everything with your emotions, some things honestly need your intelligence to work. Emotions are feelings on motion, they will continually be in motion as long as you live in the world of men were there are actions and reactions. After that day, I went back and took a proper inventory and today I can tell how many things are in my care. All the office items, I can tell their numbers and I can boost about it. Criticism is a call to take note of some things you are not taking note of. It doesn't however mean that they are all worthy of your attention but just before you scream , take note. May the Lord give you understanding ❣️ #lukegoshen #thesingerstribetv #musicdistribution

Tired of ringing doorbells in your job search, only to find no treats inside? Similarly to how these owners are feeling, it can be exhausting—and London’s legal market can feel like Halloween every day! Rest assured, there are still doors with treats behind them—you just need to know where to knock. Like a skilled trick-or-treater who knows exactly which houses to visit, I’m here to help you navigate the quieter streets and uncover those valuable opportunities. Keen to know where the best chocolates are? Get in touch, and together we’ll find the treats-no tricks, just a clear plan and smart choices. 📧 james@montgomeryadvisory.co.uk 💬 direct message #montgomeryadvisory 🎃

Happy Halloween🎃 ! Please take the time to stay alert today. Move slowly and cautiously due to trick-or-treaters being out and about today. We wanted to share some safety tips with you, so everyone can have a fun and safe Halloween! Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs. Again, remain vigilant, children may dart out into the street unexpectedly. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Eliminate distractions - like your phone - so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Clean your car windows - if you notice any glare or grime on your windows, then take the time to give your windows a cleaning, so you have better visibility. Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours. Do not drink and drive - If you are partaking in any drinking, then use a ride share app or have a designated driver. Encourage kids to utilize reflective gear. This can be something reflective that ties into their costume, carrying a glow stick, or flashlight to increase visibility. Utilize the Buddy System - have kids trick-or-treat in groups and be chaperoned by an adult. Check treats - Parents should inspect treats for signs of tampering before kids (and parents) dig in! Have fun and stay safe!