Treehouse Partners

Picture this: You get a LinkedIn InMail, email, text, or a phone call from a recruiter about a job opportunity. You take a look, but it’s not something you’re interested in. Maybe you’re really happy where you are and you wouldn’t consider leaving your current role for anything. Maybe the job itself doesn’t spark your interest. Maybe it’s just not the right time to make a move. Whatever the case, you’re not interested… so how should you respond to the recruiter?

As recruiters ourselves, we handle rejection day in and day out. First of all, YES, you should respond – even if you have no intention of pursuing the job! Recruiters are good people to have in your network, and you never know how things might change down the road. Relationships with recruiters can be created even with minimal interaction, and if you make a good impression, you’ll be sure to stand out if and when you find yourself job hunting in the future.

So how should you respond when a recruiter reaches out to you about a job you don’t plan to apply for? It depends on your unique situation, but as a rule of thumb, provide as much context and information as possible. If something about the company, type of job, or anything else seems interesting, offer to connect for an introductory call. Just keep in mind that the recruiter may not have the time to chat with inactive candidates – don’t take it personally, you’re well on your way to making a great impression!

If you’re happy where you are

Maybe you’re already working in your dream job, and there is absolutely nothing in the world that could turn your head. Lucky you! Thank the recruiter for reaching out and let them know that you’re very happy in your current role, but that you’ll keep them in mind if anything changes down the road – yes, even if you can’t imagine a scenario in which that would be the case. As the last few years have shown us, you never know what the future will hold!

If the job just doesn’t sound interesting

If you’re open to a new job, but the particular opportunity being offered doesn’t pique your interest, let the recruiter know why! Is the job a good fit for your skill set, but in an industry that doesn’t appeal to you? Is it a company you’ve heard negative feedback about? Is it the wrong level? The more information you provide, the better. This will prevent the recruiter from reaching out about similar opportunities in the future – and when something that sounds like a great fit for you does come up, you’ll be top of mind.

If the timing isn’t right

This is a scenario we run into all the time – we reach out to candidates who are locked into contracts, about to go on maternity leave, waiting for promotions, and so on. If this is the case, it’s super helpful for us to have a time frame, even a vague one! Recruiters often specialize in particular roles or industries, so if you can’t make a move for six months but know you’ll be looking for a job early next year, let the recruiter know that and express an interest in reconnecting at that time if any right-fit roles are available. This is another situation in which it’s a good idea to set up an introductory call if your schedule permits.

If it’s something else

There are myriad reasons why a particular job might not be a fit for you, far more than what we’ve outlined above. If you’re targeting a higher compensation range, only open to remote or hybrid work, not willing to relocate (should the role require it), seeking a specific title, looking to change industries, or anything else, recruiters always appreciate as much context as you’re willing to share. While we can never guarantee that we’ll have an opening that’s right up your alley the next time you kick off a job search, we’ll be much better equipped to help you out if we do!

When all’s said and done, you have nothing to lose by responding to a recruiter and explaining your situation. You don’t have to type out a novel – a few sentences or a short paragraph explaining why this particular role isn’t of interest to you and what you’d be looking for in your next move is great. If you happen to know of anyone who might be a good fit for the opportunity in question, referrals are always appreciated… and there is no better way to make a positive impression on a recruiter than to send a right-fit referral! Stay connected with the recruiter on LinkedIn or add their email address to your contacts list. By responding to recruiter outreach – even if you don’t want the job – you’re not just helping the recruiter; you’re helping yourself! 

Friends & Partners,

I’ll cut right to the chase: this job market is nutty! I’m asked for my thoughts on the hiring landscape on a near-daily basis, but it’s been several years since I’ve felt compelled to send out a more formal communication. We are in unprecedented times, so I’d like to share some thoughts and insights that may help us navigate the current job market… and will hopefully allow us to be better partners to each other!

I’ll start by highlighting some very real Treehouse data: In 2021 we had 14 candidates decline new job offers. This is a 17% increase over last year, and a 180% increase from 2019. Ugh. In the history of Treehouse, we’ve never seen a market where candidates have so many options… and we know we’re not alone in seeing these trends. The “Great Resignation” had nearly four million Americans quitting their jobs every month in 2021. Whether we like it or not, it is decidedly a candidate’s market.

That said, folks, it’s critical we take a good, hard look at our hiring practices and flesh out any issues that might cause rockstar candidates to pursue a different path. Here are several critical considerations for your recruiting and hiring processes​.

This is no time for ego: Gone are the days when a household name, an exciting growth story, or a promising new product is enough to attract top talent. Not every candidate will need to be wined and dined, of course, but organizations need to take a more proactive “selling” approach earlier in the process… particularly for “A” candidates. We have numerous examples of candidates becoming disengaged in an interview process because they felt it was one-sided – with the burden of proof falling solely on their shoulders. Give more time for questions, provide more employee stories, talk about the importance of the role, share thoughts about the culture, and engage candidates in an authentic conversation.

Keep things movin’ and shakin’: A slow-moving interview process is hands-down one of the key reasons we’ve seen our clients lose out on top candidates. Try to ensure a 24-hour turnaround on scheduling, interviewing, feedback, and next steps. To keep high-potential candidates excited, engaged, and connected, offer a cadenced, structured, and intuitive interview experience… which brings us to our third point:

Design a process and stick with it: A less structured interview process can be okay, but don’t lose candidates to sloppiness. Organizations don’t need an overly-sophisticated interview process, but they do need an agreed-upon approach and timeline – Who is on point for scheduling, communicating, and managing the interview process? Who will be conducting interviews? What interview format will each interviewer use? How many stages of interviews? What are the decision-making criteria? Who has decision rights? (Side note – this is SUPER helpful for us to know too, as it eliminates a lot of back-and-forth and confusion around scheduling and other logistics!)

Make sure your offer is competitive: Don’t lose out on a great hire with nickel-and-dime strategies! It’s a safe bet your candidate is considering other options, so when you find the needle in the haystack, act swiftly, clearly, and competitively. We know, compensation isn’t everything, but it is a way to illustrate how much you value a new team member… and make sure to consider the very real cost of losing a great candidate.

Be as flexible as you possibly can with remote/hybrid work: This is a biggie, and the numbers speak for themselves! Response rates to in-person roles are noticeably lower and we consistently lose interviews when candidates learn that roles cannot be remote or hybrid. A recent Gallup study showed that 45% of Americans were still working remotely or partially remotely as recently as September of 2021 and that nine out of ten wished to continue to do so.    We get it, not every role can be remote or hybrid, but take the time to seriously evaluate whether it’s an option.

We know better than anyone that recruiting top talent is challenging, with so many variables outside of our control. In a market like this, there is no room for errors. Candidates have more options than ever, so we have to be at the very top of our game. I hope you’ll take a moment to consider these insights… and as always, I welcome any questions, thoughts, or reactions you may have. We truly value your partnership and look forward to working together to be the best team we can possibly be!

Many thanks,

Kate

In the last year and a half, remote work has become the norm for millions across the globe… and one by one, companies big and small are announcing that work from home is here to stay. While the news has largely been greeted with enthusiasm by those affected, it’s no secret that remote work comes with a unique set of challenges. A few months after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the internet became flooded with articles warning about the dangers of Zoom fatigue, depression, and productivity decline in remote workers. 

Here at Treehouse Partners, we’ve been working from home since our inception over a decade ago, so we like to think of ourselves as experts when it comes to remote work/hybrid models. Over the years, we’ve figured out some tried-and-true tricks to help combat work from home fatigue, and one of the most important things you can do as a remote worker is to change up your environment! Studies show that switching up your location, in general, stimulates positive brain activity and promotes overall well-being. You don’t have to visit a whole new location every day; simply working from another room in your house or apartment can be enough to combat the remote work blues. It’s all about perspective!

Here are a few suggestions we’ve come up with as a jumping-off point:

Work from another room in your house. The slightest change can give you a whole new perspective! If you usually work from a home office, try setting up a small desk or table in the living room. If you spend most of your time working from the couch, bring your laptop out to your balcony on a nice day. The possibilities are endless!

Find a work from home buddy. Chances are you have at least one friend who’s also working from home. Consider setting up a weekly “work from home date” and trade off working at each other’s houses or meeting in outside locations (coffee shops, bookstores, etc.) You’ll get some company on top of a change of scenery! Just make sure your work from home buddy is someone who knows when it’s time to cut the chitchat and focus.

Explore your city. Coffee shops, libraries, community centers, and the like usually offer free WiFi and are a great option for getting out of the house… Plus, in some instances, you get to support a local small business! Just bring a pair of headphones in case you need to hop on a call and you’re all set. Psst… We won’t tell on you if you want to bring your laptop to that new wine bar down the street on a Friday afternoon (wink wink!)

Check out your apartment building’s lounge or business center. Many city-dwellers are renters, and apartments these days have some incredible amenities. If you live in an apartment with a resident lounge, business center, or even a cool lobby with some comfy furniture, try bringing your laptop to one of these sites for a few hours a week. Who knows, you might even strike up some new friendships with neighbors who also work from home!

Consider a shared workspace. This one won’t be financially feasible for everyone, but coworking spaces like WeWork offer a place to both work and network. Membership costs vary by city, but you can also book day passes with access to amenities if you’re not ready to commit to a full membership. Most cities now have quite a few coworking options – it’s worth checking out if you’re missing the social aspects of working in an office!

Keep in mind that you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home every day – sojourning out for a few hours at a time can do wonders for your psyche. Changing the location you work from improves mental functioning, allows opportunities for social interaction, and generally helps to keep things interesting. Give it a try today!

There’s no denying it: the Coronavirus outbreak has impacted the service industry in a major way. Service industry message boards, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts are abuzz with horror stories about customers slamming baristas online for wearing masks, cursing out restaurant managers for preventing large parties from sitting together, and worse. Navigate to the comments section on any COVID-19 related thread and you’ll find millions of voices echoing the same chorus: nothing will ever be the same. 

Many such commenters have gone so far as to say that, after years or even decades of service, they’re evaluating whether staying in the service industry is a viable option. After all, with current trends predicting that as many as 85% of independent restaurants could close their doors permanently by 2021 if conditions don’t improve, there may not be jobs to return to, even when it’s safe to do so. Naturally, that fear is striking a chord with service industry veterans–they have multitasking, teamwork, and customer service skills in spades, but how does one apply for a job in the professional world when restaurants, bars, or coffee shops are all they’ve ever known?

Here’s the good news: the basic skills one picks up in the service industry are highly transferable to the professional world. What boss doesn’t want an employee who can juggle fifty tasks at once, identify top priorities and act accordingly in times of crisis, and keep a smile on their face when dealing with an upset customer? Here at the Treehouse, we often look for prior service industry experience when hiring for our own team for those very reasons! Transitioning to a professional career is a huge adjustment, but absolutely possible to do. 

Service industry employees are expert multitaskers. Anyone who’s worked in a restaurant can tell you about a time they’ve had to fix an incorrect order with an angry chef, while also explaining the gluten free menu to table 25 and remembering to ring in a side of ranch for table 16. The ability to not only handle multiple tasks at once, but prioritize which items on the to-do list are most time-sensitive, is a highly sought after quality in the professional world. Careers in executive/administrative assistance, operations, resource management, and more are a great fit for those who thrive in a fast-paced environment where multitasking, quick thinking, and accuracy are critical. 

The best restaurants, bars, etc. are successful because their employees work together as a well-oiled machine. If you eat out at a fine dining establishment, chances are you’ll have a primary server for your table, but you could potentially interact with 2, 3, 4 or more people over the course of your meal (a busser may refill your water; a food runner will likely run your food and drinks, and other servers may stop by to clear plates and silverware in between courses). This isn’t by accident–employees at the best eateries and watering holes are trained to help each other out in every way possible, regardless of job description. The ability to work as part of a team is unbelievably valuable in the professional world, and going above and beyond one’s job duties shows a teamwork mindset, support for the organization, and a good work ethic. Baristas, servers, and bartenders who love being part of a tight-knit team may wish to consider a career in human resources, consulting, or in the nonprofit sector.

Working in the service industry is one of the very best ways to gain customer service and sales skills. A 2011 Aspen Institute survey found that around 50% of Americans dine out once a week or more. Almost everyone has had a dining experience where something went wrong, and regardless of who caused the problem, it’s usually the server’s responsibility to fix it. Much of the time, restaurant patrons are friendly and understanding (“We know you’re really busy tonight, it’s OK!”), but every now and again, servers run across a bad egg (“I don’t care that the kitchen is backed up, I want my food now!”). The best servers can keep a smile on their face, roll with the punches, and own up if a mistake was their fault. They know when to involve the restaurant manager, how to liaise with the kitchen staff if an order comes out wrong, and that every once in a while, the bartender will remake a customer’s drink exactly the same way, and that customer will say it’s much better this time, thank you (cue eye roll). Those who thrive in a truly service-oriented environment might gravitate toward roles in customer service, sales, or recruiting/staffing. 

All of that said, we’re not going to tell you that transitioning from the service industry into a professional role will be easy. It’s not widely known that front of house employees at certain restaurants earn 2-3 times the salary of an entry-level worker in the professional world, and that fact alone is enough to deter many service industry pros from making a career shift. Even if you’re willing to take a pay cut, most job descriptions nowadays define “entry level” as having at least one year of experience in a given field – an absurd catch-22 facing workforce-ready young adults everywhere. However, there are plenty of businesses that will benefit from the multitasking, teamwork-oriented, customer service pros that may soon be exiting the service industry in droves and are willing to take a leap of faith. If you’re a service industry worker looking to make such a change, hiring a resume writer or career coach can be extremely helpful in navigating the transition. We’ve certainly seen our fair share of servers, baristas, and bartenders go on to do incredible things in the professional world, and we hope to see more of the same in the years to come!

Workplace comedies are some of the most watched series on television and streaming services – but the settings of these shows certainly aren’t exceptionally exciting, so what’s the secret ingredient behind their success? Shows like The Office, Parks & Rec, Scrubs, and so many more capitalize on the fact that it’s not where we are or what we’re doing, it’s who we’re with. Colleagues understand our unique positions within our organizations (and the struggles that come with them) on a level no one else can. Close coworkers provide safe spaces to share our professional triumphs and struggles, from the biggest wins to the pettiest of day-to-day gripes. Work friends are a key factor when it comes to career happiness, and for many of us, they’re the people who make work worthwhile – according to a 2017 study from OfficeVibe, 70% of employees say that workplace friendships are the most crucial element to a happy working life. 

Coworkers understand our unique situations better than anyone else can. You can have the best friends, families, or partners in the world, but unless they’re alongside you in the trenches, they’ll never understand the minutiae of your day to day to the extent that your coworkers do. As we progress down our chosen career paths, our jobs typically become more specialized–and in fact, there’s a good chance your family and friends don’t actually know too much about what you do outside of your job title (e.g., they might know that you work in hotel sales, but not that you specialize in luxury packages for large corporate groups). Colleagues, on the other hand, have an intimate understanding of our job specs, and are familiar with the ups and downs that come with them. 

Work friends will be there through the good times and the bad. It’s absolutely normal to vent when you find yourselves in a frustrating situation, but if you’re constantly complaining to the entire office, people will slowly but surely begin to view you in a negative light. Having a best friend at work (or a small group of trusted colleagues) means having a safe space to unload when the going gets tough. That’s not to say that you should take advantage of your work friends and unload every time you get the chance–nobody likes a whiner!–but colleagues will likely sympathize with your situation, and may be able to offer some words of wisdom. On the flip side, your work friends will also be there when it’s time to celebrate! They’re the first people you’ll ask to happy hour when you get a raise, earn a promotion, or win the office chili cookoff. Just be sure to have their backs when the tables are turned.

At the simplest level, work friendships help pass the time and keep us entertained. How does it feel when your best friend at the office takes the day off? Regardless of how well-deserved or needed that break might be, chances are time passes a little more slowly than usual. Think about some of the workplace comedies mentioned above. The Office takes place at a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania–which (unless you have a love of paper to rival Dwight Schrute’s) barely registers on the interest-meter. The Office became a smash hit by portraying the characters’ relationships at the most basic, human level; the ways in which ordinary people interact on a daily basis. It’s easy to see ourselves reflected in these characters, and that’s undeniably because workplace relationships are such an important part of work. As an added bonus, Gallup studies show that employees with close friends at work are twice as engaged as those without – so workplace bonding is really a win for everyone!

Many of our adult friendships are formed through the workplace, and for good reason–even if your work friends aren’t your closest confidantes outside the office, having a group of trusted colleagues with whom you can share your triumphs and tribulations indubitably enhances emotional well-being at work. Think about everything your work friends have done for you; all of the emotional ups and downs they’ve helped you through, the days when they’ve put a smile on your face with a funny email forward, or the times they’ve stayed late to help you with a project. Take some time this week to thank your work friends for being there for you–write a thank-you card, ask if they need help with anything, or order a Drizly delivery to their house. They’ve earned it!

A question we’ve seen with increasing frequency in recent years is “Does this company offer the opportunity to work remotely?” Remote work is quite the hot topic these days, and for good reason: working from home or telecommuting offers employees a certain flexibility that allows them to thrive in the chaotic, fast-paced world we live in today. Here at the Treehouse, we’ve offered remote work from day one, and it’s worked wonders for our small business! That said, remote work comes with a unique set of challenges that run the gamut from time management to the potential for isolation. Here are some things to bear in mind if your company is thinking about making the switch.

To be an effective remote worker, you have to be a time management pro. It’s much less tempting to spend an hour scrolling through Instagram when your boss is sitting at the desk across from yours. When you’re working from home or telecommuting, no one will stop you from hopping on Tumblr, sneaking an extra-long lunch break, or calling your mom to gab about last night’s episode of The Bachelor. A good manager will notice if you’re not keeping up or if things start to slip, so it’s crucial to stay on task. Create a daily schedule and make sure you’re dedicating your work time to work, especially if most of your tasks aren’t necessarily time sensitive–it’s easier to stay focused if you have a report due at 3:00 every day, but if your job doesn’t revolve around due dates, allocating a set time to work on specific projects each day will help you manage your time efficiently. You don’t need a home office, but designate a clutter-free workspace in your home (or wherever you work from) to avoid distractions.

Working from home can be lonely. When you work in an office setting, you’re surrounded by people. Even if you’re not close friends with any of your coworkers, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that the guy in the next cubicle is experiencing the same struggles and triumphs as you, and will probably at least half-listen to you vent. Working remotely means spending a large portion of your time alone, and even introverts tend to experience loneliness from time to time. It’s important to maintain a support system when you telecommute, and getting out of the house for a few hours each day–even if it’s just to go work in a coffee shop–is a great way to combat feelings of isolation. The good news is that today’s digital world allows us to stay more connected than ever–here at the Treehouse, we’re constantly calling, texting, emailing, or messaging each other on Slack. Working from home doesn’t necessarily prevent you from forming friendships with your colleagues, but it can certainly make it more difficult to do so. 

Remote work (usually) means a more flexible schedule. Most people who work traditional 9 to 5 jobs have to jump through a few hoops to rearrange their schedule to accommodate things like dentist appointments, doctor visits, or attending the school play. If you work from home, chances are you can start a little late if you need to drop your second grader off at school at 8:30 every day or want to volunteer as the soccer team chauffeur on Tuesdays at five. You might need to squeeze in an extra hour of emails before bed, but the ability to work around your outside life is well worth the tradeoff. Remote work situations generally involve a certain amount of trust, and if you’ve been approved for telecommuting, it’s probably safe to say your manager is confident you’ll get your work done in a timely manner, even if you’re not in the office under constant supervision. The downside here is that you may need to be “on call” at strange hours, but any good boss knows that work/life balance is critical to employee success, and won’t call on you to check in on a client or spend an hour cold calling unless it’s an absolute emergency. 

The ability to work remotely is in high demand today, and if current trends persist, we’ll be seeing more and more employees working from home at least on a part time basis. It’s important to learn how to manage your time wisely, combat loneliness, and understand that remote work comes with its own challenges, no matter how convenient it may be for your lifestyle. When managed appropriately, working from home is an excellent solution for many people whose outside lives demand more flexibility than an office job–and even for people who could make a 9 to 5 work but feel stifled in a traditional environment. We at the Treehouse look forward to observing the way the world adapts to the phenomenon of remote work–as our lives increase in complexity, the way we work should evolve as well. 

If you’re familiar with Treehouse Partners or with our CEO and Founder, Kate Pletcher, then you probably know that we’re not your grandmother’s recruiting firm. We’re a wacky melange of personalities–yet somehow, we all click together fantastically. As such, working at Treehouse Partners is vastly different from working in a traditional office setting, and accepting an internship with our firm means you’re in for a wild ride!

This past summer, we were fortunate to on-board two sharp, energetic UCLA students,Tyler Cheng and Micayla Hook, as full-time interns during their summer break. Tyler and Micayla had each completed internships with other companies prior to coming to Treehouse Partners, so we asked how their experience with us differed from their previous internships. This is what Micayla had to say:

I began interning at  Treehouse Partners this past July. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I walked into the Treehouse (yes, it’s really a treehouse!) on my first day excited to learn about the ins and outs of the recruiting world. As an aspiring Human Resources professional, I believed that understanding the recruiting process would serve as an invaluable experience which would help me curate valuable skills I could use in my future endeavors. And as my internship is nearing its end, I think that I couldn’t have been more right!

What I’ve Learned

Before my internship here, I had a simplistic view of how the recruiting process worked. I knew, of course, the primary goal was to interview candidates and to place qualified candidates into relevant roles. However, I completely took for granted the amount of work it takes just to get candidates to that stage! While there are instances where candidates actively apply for open positions, more often than not, finding candidates involves reaching out to hundreds of candidates a day. Since interning here, I often find myself on my morning commute to work looking at the sea of other work-going individuals on the 405, wondering how many of them we reached out to this week.

I also learned to appreciate how rewarding and exciting the world of recruiting can be. For example, with every new job we accept, we are given an inside look into the personalities, ambitions, and cultures that comprise a company. Getting to know companies on this level allows us to find qualified individuals who align themselves with our clients’ missions. Therefore, when you find a qualified candidate who fits these criteria, you can’t help but feel like you are actively contributing to the overall health and success of the company itself! 

Inside the Treehouse

Working at the Treehouse was an enormous contrast to the highly corporate internship I had last summer. The laid back environment of the Treehouse fostered a relaxed, comfortable work environment, and has ultimately allowed me to really get to know and learn from my colleagues in the office. Our office “Alexa” is always going with some great tunes (some playlists are better than others) and our office dog (Kirby) is always there for a needed afternoon smile.

All in all, I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at Treehouse Partners this summer and look forward to seeing all of the great things they accomplish in the coming year!