How to become a Teaching Assistant

With any job interview, it can be hard to find out everything you need to know about a candidate in a short amount of time. This article will explore the most common and effective teacher interview questions, and considerations for how candidates might respond to them, to ensure a successful interview process.

When schools are interviewing potential candidates for teaching positions, not only are they looking to ensure that they meet the Safer Recruitment guidelines to protect and safeguard children, but they will also be looking to see the impact their potential new hire will have on the futures of students through their teaching.

When choosing questions to ask at interview, schools will be considering the contents of the teacher’s application form, and any candidate should be ready to expand on the contents of their application, with real-world, tangible examples.

Soft skills are essential for teachers – to be successful in their role, they need to be engaging, informative and knowledgeable, and communicating these skills at interview is crucial.

Here are seven of the most effective interview questions employers can ask.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Employer: This is a very important opening question. It gives you the opportunity to understand the applicant’s motivation for teaching and whether they are committed to the role. Teaching can be a very challenging job, so you’ll want to evaluate whether applicants have the passion and dedication to teach well. Teachers can be incredibly influential, so this question will help you to understand their commitment and philosophy toward teaching.

Candidate: Interviewees need to take a personal approach to this question. It’s recommended to discuss your motivation, while providing good examples from your time in previous teaching roles. The hiring manager wants to know you are committed to enriching the lives of pupils and students, so honest answers will help paint a clear picture of your journey to becoming a teacher.

What is your teaching style?

Employer: Asking about an applicant’s teaching style (known as their pedagogy) in an interview will help you understand whether their teaching style is a good match for your school, matches your goals, and if it can provide proven results. You’ll also want to measure if an applicant’s answer portrays a teaching style that engages, energises, and empowers your students.

Candidate: This question can be hard to define and answer. You’ll do best to be honest about your style and mindset when teaching, drawing upon examples of lessons to demonstrate your abilities. Interviewers want to know how you support students inside and outside the classroom. You’ll need to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to differentiate to meet the needs and learning styles of your students – it’s about being adaptable.

Tell me about a time you’ve handled a difficult parent/child/colleague.

Employer: Dealing with challenges can be hard in all professions, especially teaching as it can come from various sources: fellow teachers, parents and the students themselves. The best candidates will use the STAR method. This involves describing the situation, task, action and result – allowing you to get clear examples. This question will help you to understand how a candidate handles difficult situations and if their methods match your standards.

Candidate: Hirers want to hear that you’re aware of the difficulties in your teaching role, or teacher training if you’re newly qualified – and that you have the motivation and ability to manage. Describing how you successfully dealt with a difficult situation to a positive outcome, with relevant examples, can help ensure that the interviewer understands how you respond when faced with a problem. All situations are different, so make sure you emphasize the ones that required a calm and authoritative approach to solve.

How do you evaluate students’ progress?

Employer: Data analytical skills are essential to determining grades and other indicators of progress as classroom technology improves. Being able to create a strong learning environment is crucial – and comes down to being able to evaluate the progress of students and react accordingly. This question allows you to learn more about an applicant’s process for monitoring, tracking and acting upon students’ academic and developmental progress.

Candidate: This question gives interviewees the chance to discuss lesson plans and highlight the methods for managing students’ development and progress. Consider using previous examples, explaining the type of activities and assessments you used to analyse students’ strengths and weaknesses throughout the academic year and beyond. Give insight into how you use reports, projects, and group work to determine what’s needed to enable students to succeed, both in the classroom and in their final results.

How do you motivate parents to support their children’s education?

Employer: Getting parents to be involved in their child’s school can be hard, but it’s an important part of a student’s educational growth. Asking this question allows you to gain an understanding of a candidate’s methods for engaging parents in schoolwork. Encourage applicants to share their best practice examples and outline what the end results were, while explaining the reasoning behind their methods.

Candidate: The teacher-parent relationship is vital but can be hard to navigate. Interviewees are encouraged to answer this question with examples where possible. It’s important to be empathetic to the situation and understand the parent’s motivations. Interviewees should consider mentioning techniques such as keeping regular contact with parents, providing helpful updates on both positive and negative events, and assisting parents with resources that can be used at home.

Can you tell me about one of your biggest achievements in teaching

Employer: Asking applicants to talk about their past achievements will help you further understand their motivation and what they value highly. This question will give a clear indication of what achievement means for an applicant and how relevant it can be to your team’s needs. Look out for answers that solved a problem or explain the outcome – did it help the school improve? Did it help a student overcome challenges? Are there measurable results?

Candidate: This question gives an interviewee the chance to share details of how they’ve helped students or schools improve. This could be examples of where you have helped a specific student, or a whole class, but it is important to talk about concrete outcomes. Talk about how the achievement helped you reflect and grow as a teacher and a person. If you’re in teacher training, you can still talk about past achievements – from a recent placement or when studying at university. This is your opportunity to sell your accomplishments so far.

What is a teacher’s responsibility in protecting children?

Employer: Anyone who works in an education setting has a duty to protect the well-being of children who attend, and so teachers should expect schools to ask this question. In any teacher interview, there should be a question about safeguarding and duty of care to vulnerable people. This line of questioning will reveal whether an applicant has the necessary safeguarding knowledge, and if they know how to identify, recognise and act upon any concerns, and also alert the school to any possible concerns with the applicant.

Candidate: Interviewees should prepare for this question by understanding current safeguarding policy – preferably that of the school to which you’re applying. Approach any safeguarding questions by demonstrating that you understand the issue at hand, have a solid grasp of the responsibilities of a teacher and know how to act if any issues arise. It’s important to also mention your most recent training dates, and any additional responsibilities that you have had, such as pastoral lead or safeguarding lead roles.

No interview is the same – but one thing interviewers should be interested in is how interviewees present themselves and the way they answer the questions. Answers should be sufficiently detailed to show clear understanding and should include examples when possible. Applicants are encouraged to think before giving a well-structured answer, while being not afraid to ask for clarification if the question is unclear.

Within the education sector, the interview process is most effective as a two-way street, as teachers are also evaluating whether a specific school is the right one for them. As such, throughout the recruitment process, it’s important for the school to be welcoming, and to ensure that they give teachers plenty of opportunity to ask questions of them too.

If you’re looking for your next opportunity in teaching, or searching for a skilled teacher, contact one of Reed’s education specialists today.​

​As the world’s largest family-run recruitment company Reed, and other recruitment agencies, play a pivotal role in streamlining the hiring process, offering comprehensive services tailored to the needs of both employers and jobseekers.

Often recruitment agencies specialize in recruitment in specific industry sectors – some concentrate on technology recruitment, others specialize in finance recruitment, whereas larger recruitment companies like Reed, hire specialists in each sector and cover 20 different industries all in all – from procurement, to education, tech, accountancy and scientific.

Using a recruitment company makes hiring easy. Here’s how working with Reed works:

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• Talk to your local industry expert
  Discuss your hiring needs, and goals and refine what your business is looking for in a voice, video call, or face-to-face meeting with your local Reed expert who specializes in recruitment in the sector you are looking to hire in.

• Review your hand-picked talent
  Our experts use their local industry networks, access to our database of 22 million CVs worldwide, and the latest sourcing tech, to provide you with a shortlist of potential people for your role(s). You can simply review the applicants and select who you would like to interview.

• Longest guarantees available
  We will help you onboard your new hire, in fact, we’re so confident in the professionals we place, that we offer up to an 18-month guarantee on your new, permanent hires.

What is a recruitment agency?

Also known as an employment agency, staffing agency, or recruitment consultancy, a recruitment agency serves one purpose, and that is to connect employers with the job seekers they need for business to flourish.

Recruitment agencies have a plethora of other names, while the underlying principles of how they operate often remain the same. Many offer different services and across different industry practices.

Here are a few descriptions of recruitment agency operating models.

• Temporary staffing agencies

These agencies specialize in providing temporary or contract workers to companies for short-term assignments or projects.

• Contingency agencies

Contingency agencies work on a “no win, no fee” basis. They only receive payment if they successfully place a candidate with the company

• Retained recruitment agencies

Retained agencies are paid upfront or in stages throughout the recruitment process. They often handle high-level executive searches or specialized positions.

• Niche agencies

Niche agencies focus on specific industries, job types, or skill sets. They have in-depth knowledge and networks within their specialized areas.

What does a recruitment consultant do?

So, what are recruitment consultants? Recruitment consultants, also known as recruiters or headhunters, play a pivotal role in connecting job seekers with employers.

Their primary responsibility in working for the above agencies is to source, screen, and match candidates to job vacancies within client companies. This involves understanding client requirements, such as job specifications and company culture, and utilizing various channels like job boards, social media, and networking to attract suitable candidates.

Once potential candidates are identified, recruitment consultants conduct interviews, assess qualifications, skills, and experience, and evaluate candidate suitability for specific roles. They also coordinate and schedule interviews between candidates and clients, providing support and guidance to both parties throughout the hiring process.

Recruiters often provide advice and assistance to candidates, helping them improve their CVs, prepare for interviews, and negotiate job offers. On the client side, they act as strategic partners, offering insights into the job market, salary trends, and recruitment strategies to attract top talent.

Administrative tasks like maintaining candidate databases, managing job postings, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations are also part of their duties.

At Reed, as well as matching job seekers with employers, our consultants provide a host of free resources to help clients and candidates navigate each step of their journey. Our free guides, eBooks, tools, and webinars are designed to make the recruitment process smooth and successful, from interviewing right through to pre-employment screening and onboarding.

How much do recruitment agencies charge?

The cost of recruitment services varies depending on factors such as the type of agency, the level of service required, and the complexity of the position.

For permanent roles, staffing agencies will usually charge the employer a percentage of the candidate's base salary, which may be anything from 10% to 30% – the higher end of these percentages are generally for top-earning roles.

Likewise, for temporary work, the charge will be a percentage of the candidate's hourly or daily rate and could be up to 30%, depending on the pay scale.

It’s worth noting that jobseekers are not required to pay for recruitment agency services, and should certainly question any request for payment. Instead, financial costs are typically managed between the agency and employer, with no interruption to the jobseeker throughout the hiring or onboarding process.

The benefits of using a recruitment agency

So, why use a recruitment agency? Using recruitment agencies offers several benefits for employers compared to relying solely on their own recruitment methods. Here are some key advantages:

1. Access to a wide pool of candidates: recruitment agencies typically have extensive databases of candidates across various industries and job roles. This allows employers to access a larger pool of potential employees, at all seniorities, than they might find through their own networks or job postings.

2. Expertise and specialization: recruitment agencies often specialize in specific industries or job roles, giving them valuable expertise in sourcing and evaluating professionals for those positions. This specialization can result in a more efficient and effective recruitment process, as agencies understand the specific skills and qualifications required for different roles.

3. Time and resource savings: outsourcing recruitment to a specialist recruitment agency can save employers time and resources that would otherwise be spent on advertising, screening CVs, conducting interviews, and other administrative tasks. This allows hiring managers to focus their resources on core business activities while the agency handles the recruitment process.

4. Cost-effectiveness: while there is typically a fee associated with using recruitment agencies, this cost is often outweighed by the savings in time and resources, as well as the potential cost of making a bad hire. Recruitment agencies can help employers find quality, qualified, experienced candidates more quickly, reducing the time to fill open positions and minimizing the impact of vacancies on business operations.

5. Access to passive candidates: recruitment agencies have networks and resources to reach passive candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities but could be open to the right offer. This expands the talent pool and increases the likelihood of finding candidates with the desired skills and experience.

6. Screening and vetting candidates: staffing agencies typically offer thorough screening and vetting services to ensure that candidates meet the requirements of the job and are a good fit for the company culture. This reduces the risk of hiring mistakes and increases the likelihood of finding candidates who will succeed in the role.

7. Flexibility and scalability: working with a recruitment agency will also offer you flexible staffing solutions to meet the changing needs of your business, whether you need to scale up your workforce quickly, or find permanent hires. This flexibility can be especially valuable during periods of growth or transition.

These benefits make recruitment agencies a valuable resource for employers looking to streamline their recruitment processes and find the best talent for their organizations.

How to work with a recruitment agency

When considering whether to engage a recruitment agency, you need to weigh up the pros and cons. Firstly, you need to evaluate your hiring needs, including the number of people needed, the specificity of positions to be filled, and any time constraints. If you lack the in-house recruitment expertise or resources for effective hiring or require niche or executive talent, outsourcing to a recruitment agency becomes more appealing.

Above all, be ready to provide your chosen agency with information about your organization, its aims and ambitions, culture, people, and strategy. It can help to invite the recruitment consultant to your workplace to meet in person at least once, enabling them to get a feel for the organization and who might best fit.

How to find a recruitment agency for you

To find the right agency, you need to conduct thorough research. This involves assessing the agency's reputation, track record, and industry expertise. Reading reviews, seeking recommendations from peers, and examining case studies can provide valuable insights into an agency's capabilities.

As an employer, you should consider the agency's recruitment methods and network. A reputable staffing agency should have access to a diverse pool of candidates, including passive candidates who may not be actively seeking employment. The agency's approach to candidate screening, interviewing, and assessment should align with the employer's hiring standards and objectives.

Why choose Reed?

Reed is a popular choice for many organizations. With our 60+ years of experience in specialist recruitment, we have earned our stripes time and again for successfully placing talented professionals in roles spanning accountancy and finance to technology –recruiting across 20 sectors worldwide.

Employers often find themselves inundated with CVs that aren’t suitable for their vacancies, leading to extra pressure on their time and resources. Using our services cancels out this risk as we have access to 22 million candidate CVs across the globe, meaning our teams can often pinpoint suitable matches within days.

We know it can be daunting for employers to put their faith in a recruitment agency, especially when it’s their first experience, but we pride ourselves on listening to our clients’ requirements and making sure their needs are met. After all, as a multi-award-winning company, we have a reputation to uphold!

Registering with a recruitment agency

Once you decide to work with a recruitment agency, you need to provide your recruitment partner with essential information to facilitate effective collaboration. This includes a detailed job description outlining key responsibilities, required qualifications, and desired skills – your consultant can help work on this with you. Providing insights into the company culture and values – and a copy of your employee value proposition if you have one – can also help the agency identify those who would be a good fit.

Clear communication regarding budget, timeline, and expectations is crucial for a successful partnership. You should also discuss fee structures, including any upfront costs or contingency fees. Here, you should also establish a timeline for the hiring process and set realistic goals in terms of candidate quality and quantity.

Lastly, when working with a recruiter, you need to maintain open communication with the agency throughout the hiring process. Regular updates, feedback on candidate submissions, and constructive dialogue can enhance collaboration and ensure alignment between your needs and your agency's efforts.

Questions to ask a recruitment agency

You can assess a recruitment agency's suitability for your company’s needs by examining several key factors.

Firstly, evaluate the agency's track record and reputation within their industry. Testimonials, case studies, and online reviews can provide insights into the agency's past successes and client satisfaction levels.

Secondly, employers should consider the agency's specialization and expertise in recruiting for their specific roles or industry niche. A recruitment firm with relevant experience is more likely to understand the unique requirements of your vacancies.

Before, partnering with a recruitment company, you need to also assess the agency's recruitment process and methodologies. Transparency regarding their sourcing strategies, candidate screening techniques, and quality assurance measures can help establish trust and confidence. Additionally, don’t feel that you can’t enquire about the agency's candidate pool size, diversity initiatives, and time-to-fill metrics to gauge their ability to deliver timely and diverse talent solutions.

In terms of information provided by the recruitment agency you are looking to partner with, the recruiter will normally provide you with detailed proposals outlining the services offered, including recruitment strategies, timelines, and fee structures. A good agency, like Reed, will also offer you insights into market trends, salary benchmarks, and talent availability to help you make informed decisions. Clear communication channels, regular updates, and ongoing support throughout the recruitment process are essential indicators of a reliable and collaborative partnership.

Ultimately, by carefully evaluating these factors and leveraging the information provided by the recruitment agency, employers can make an informed decision about whether their services align with their hiring needs and objectives.

How do recruitment agencies find candidates?

Recruitment agencies employ various methods to find candidates. These strategies often include:

• Online job boards

Recruitment agencies frequently use job boards such as our sister company Reed.co.uk and LinkedIn, to advertise vacancies and attract potential candidates. These platforms allow recruiters to reach a wide audience and filter applicants based on the agreed criteria.

• Networking

Building and maintaining a strong network of professionals is crucial for recruitment consultants within recruitment agencies. They often leverage their connections within industries to source suitable candidates through referrals, recommendations, and professional associations.

• Direct approaches

Recruiters actively search for candidates who possess the skills and experience required for specific roles. They may use techniques like headhunting, where they directly approach individuals who match the job criteria, whether they are actively seeking new opportunities or not.

• Database search

Recruitment agencies maintain extensive databases of candidates who have previously registered with them or applied for roles. They use sophisticated search algorithms to match candidates to current vacancies based on their qualifications, experience, and preferences.

• Advertising and marketing

Recruitment agencies invest in advertising and marketing campaigns to promote their services and attract both clients and candidates. This may involve online advertising, social media campaigns, television, radio, and traditional methods such as print media.

Reed stands out from other recruiters in several ways:

• Longevity and reputation: with over 60 years of experience in the industry, Reed has established itself as a trusted and reputable recruitment agency globally. Its longevity demonstrates a track record of success and reliability.

• Wide range of specialisms: Reed offers recruitment services across various industries and sectors, catering to a diverse range of clients and candidates. Whether it's finance, health and care, IT, or engineering, Reed has expertise in 20 industry sectors worldwide.

• Innovative technology: Reed invests in cutting-edge technology and digital platforms to streamline the recruitment process for both clients and candidates. This includes AI-driven candidate matching algorithms, online assessments, and video interviewing tools.

• Personalized approach: Reed prides itself on delivering personalized service to clients and candidates alike. Recruiters take the time to understand the unique needs and preferences of each individual, ensuring the best possible match for both parties.

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion: Reed actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and strives to connect employers with candidates from diverse backgrounds. We recognize the value of a diverse workforce and work towards creating equal opportunities for all.

What to expect from a recruitment agency

When engaging with a recruitment agency, employers can expect a comprehensive and structured process designed to identify and secure top talent efficiently.

The timeframe for completing the recruitment process can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the role, the availability of candidates, and the specific requirements of the employer. However, a typical timeframe for a permanent role from initial consultation to job offer can range from several weeks to a few months. Whether you are looking to recruit a permanent or interim member of your team, it’s essential to maintain open communication with your agency throughout the process to ensure efficiency and alignment with expectations.

Try to be open-minded and allow the recruitment expert to offer their advice on the job market and set realistic targets.

What’s the process once you’ve decided to work with a recruitment agency?

The following step-by-step guide outlines the typical journey you can expect to take as an employer when working with a recruitment agency:

1. Meeting with the recruitment agency

This is the first step in the process, you will need to meet with your recruiter to discuss your hiring needs, company culture, and specific requirements for the role.

During the consultation, your dedicated recruiter will gather detailed information to understand the scope of the position(s) you are hiring for, including qualifications, experience, and any specialized skills required. This meeting can be done over the phone, on a video call, or in person. At some point at the beginning of the process, it’s a good idea for the recruiter to visit your working environment, this will give them a real taste of your organization and allow them to sell the role to prospective candidates as best they can.

2. The agency posts the job advertisement

The recruitment agency crafts a compelling job advertisement based on the information provided by you. They will use their expert knowledge and experience to ensure the job ad covers all bases and will be as well received as possible. In most cases a recruiter will encourage you to advertise a salary band with a role as this will increase application numbers significantly.

Once, the description/specification is agreed upon, your recruitment specialist will advertise the vacancy using all channels possible and advanced search techniques for maximum exposure, to attract a diverse pool of candidates. These channels should include, job boards, such as Reed.co.uk, LinkedIn, and social media platforms as well as the recruiter’s own network. For really niche roles, or roles where a candidate pool can be sparse, your recruiter will headhunt for talent, this may involve searching in the recruitment agency's own database or using tools such as LinkedIn to search for prospective good matches.

3. The recruitment agency will contact the candidates

As applications for your open position start to come into the consultant through the various channels or candidates who have been headhunted show an interest in the role, your recruiter will assess their CV and set up a call with prospective candidates they believe match the specifications and talk them through the role. From this, they will gauge the level of interest from each person and their fit for the job, if they deem them to be a good fit they will book them in for a screening interview.

4. The recruitment agency will screen the candidates

A screening interview will usually be conducted face-to-face or via a video call to determine whether a professional is suitable for the role and company. These interviews are much shorter and less formal than job interviews.

In a screening interview, your recruiter will:

• Discuss your role in more depth with the candidate and give them an introduction to your company

• Ask the candidate some screening questions to evaluate whether they meet the basic requirements for the role

• The recruiter will also ensure that the role aligns with the candidate's wants, needs, and requirements – helping to reduce the number of dropouts

• Take any questions the candidate may have about the role and company

If a screening interview is successful, your recruiter will send you a shortlist with notes from the screening interview and the CVs of those candidates they think will be best for your open vacancy. From this shortlist, you can then select those candidates you would like to take to the next stage of the recruitment process which is the interview. At this stage, you need to confirm how many stages there will be in your interview process so that your recruiter can communicate this to the candidates.

5. Employers interview the candidates

Using a recruitment agency will save you a significant amount of time, your dedicated recruiter will arrange interviews between you and the chosen professionals from your shortlist, at the most convenient time for you. They will liaise with the candidates to ensure they know where they are going and manage communication efficiently to ensure a smooth process.

Recruiters will assist you in planning for the interview, and you could even use Reed’s AI-powered interview question generator tool, free, to create a list of valuable interview questions fast.

6. Feedback rounds

After interviews have taken place, the agency gathers feedback from both the employer and the candidates. This feedback loop allows for informed decision-making and adjustments to the selection criteria if necessary. At this point, the recruiter will organize any second interviews needed and where required provide the candidates with details of any tasks. At every stage, your recruiter will facilitate communication between all parties and address any concerns or questions promptly.

7. The candidate receives an official job offer

Once a suitable candidate has been identified, the agency assists with negotiating terms of employment, including salary, benefits, and start date. They act as intermediaries to ensure a fair and satisfactory offer is extended and accepted.

Throughout this process, the agency provides support and guidance to you and your candidate, facilitating a seamless transition.

8. Maintain communication with your recruitment agency

Even after the offer has been accepted, the recruitment agency you are working with may continue to provide assistance during the onboarding process. This may include coordinating paperwork, conducting background checks, and ensuring a smooth integration into your company culture. Your recruiter will check in with you and your new starter at regular intervals over the first 12 weeks to ensure everything is going well.

By following this structured process and leveraging the expertise of a reputable recruitment agency, you can expect to attract top talent and fill critical positions effectively and efficiently.

Employer responsibilities for agency workers

When employers engage with recruitment agencies to hire staff, they share various responsibilities to ensure fair and lawful employment practices. Here are some key responsibilities:

1. Legal compliance

   Employers must ensure that the recruitment agency they choose complies with all relevant employment laws, including anti-discrimination legislation, minimum wage requirements, and regulations regarding working hours and conditions.

2. Job description accuracy

   Providing accurate job descriptions to the recruitment agency is crucial. Employers should clearly outline job requirements, responsibilities, qualifications, and any other pertinent details to ensure that candidates are properly informed about the role.

3. Equal opportunities

   Employers must ensure that their recruitment process, facilitated by the agency, promotes equal opportunities for all candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Discrimination in any form is unlawful and can lead to legal consequences.

4. Verification of candidates

   While recruitment agencies typically handle candidate screening and verification, employers should still be vigilant in confirming the credentials, qualifications, and work experience of potential hires to ensure they meet the company's standards and job requirements.

5. Communication and feedback

   Employers should maintain open communication with the recruitment agency throughout the hiring process. Providing timely feedback on candidates and collaborating closely with the agency can help streamline the recruitment process and ensure that the employer's needs are effectively met.

6. Contractual obligations

   Employers are responsible for ensuring that employment contracts offered to selected candidates accurately reflect the terms and conditions agreed upon, including salary, benefits, working hours, and any other relevant provisions.

7. Payment of fees

   Employers are typically responsible for paying any fees associated with using the recruitment agency's services. These fees may be based on a percentage of the hired candidate's salary or a flat rate, depending on the agreement between the employer and the agency.

8. Feedback and evaluation

   After the recruitment process concludes, employers should provide constructive feedback to the recruitment agency regarding the quality of candidates sourced, the effectiveness of the process, and any areas for improvement.

Final thoughts

By fulfilling these responsibilities, employers can ensure a transparent, ethical, and legally compliant recruitment process when utilizing the services of a recruitment agency.

Whether you're an employer looking to build a high-performing team or a jobseeker seeking your next career move, partnering with a reputable recruitment agency can significantly enhance your chances of success in the competitive landscape of today's job market. Get in touch with one of our specialist consultants today.

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Digital technology has revolutionised the way we work, communicate, and live. 

While advancements in digital tools have undoubtedly enhanced productivity and efficiency, the constant presence of the ‘black mirror’ has caused many to become burnt out.  

Managers have a responsibility to support their employees’ wellbeing, which can have a twofold impact: affecting performance as well as how people feel about their work. If left unchecked, the pressure of overwork can lead to long-term sickness or cause people to look for a new job.  

Understanding digital burnout

Digital burnout refers to the mental and emotional exhaustion occurring from prolonged exposure to digital devices and online activities. It manifests as feelings of fatigue, anxiety, apathy, and disengagement, ultimately impairing cognitive function and diminishing overall wellbeing. Burnout in general is an extreme form of stress – stress is when your battery is running low; burnout is when it’s gone completely flat. 

As employees are flooded with incessant notifications, overwhelming workloads, and blurred boundaries between their professional and personal lives, employers must implement strategies to support their workforce. 

Zoom fatigue

Remote workers are at even greater risk of digital burnout, with no opportunity to unplug for coffee breaks with colleagues or in-person meetings that hybrid or office-based workers have.  

Research published in 2023’s Nature journal, suggests that face-to-face communication is more beneficial than video conferencing because it provides more nuanced personal and social information (body language, voice pitch, gaze, head position etc.) promoting trust between participants.  

The authors of the report speculated that video calls can cause mental tiredness and anxiety, due to “a focus on appearance, prolonged eye contact, larger faces due to screen size, and the perceived dominance of a communication partner due to low camera position; and a cognitive burden due to a slight technological asynchrony of video calls”.  

Traditional phone calling can eliminate a lot of these elements, reducing eye strain and anxiety and increasing the focus on the content of the conversation, but face-to-face communication is still the healthiest option. 

Supporting employees experiencing digital burnout

Despite more than 78% of employers adopting hybrid working, for desk-based roles post pandemic, a recent KPMG CEO Outlook survey found 63% of UK leaders predicted a full return to full-time office working by 2026. Already, many employers, such as Boots, have mandated a full return to the office. But is that the answer? Remote working offers too many benefits to rule it out completely.  

Employers play a pivotal role in mitigating digital burnout and fostering employee wellbeing while employees work from home. Here are some practical strategies to support your workforce, whether they work remotely, hybridly, or five days a week in an office:  

Promote work-life balance

Encourage employees to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Implement policies such as designated 'unplugged' hours or days, where employees are discouraged from checking work-related communications outside of allotted times. 

Demonstrate healthy digital habits and boundaries as leaders within the organisation. Encourage managers and executives to model balanced work practices, such as setting clear communication expectations and respecting employees' time off.  

Digital detox initiatives

Organise digital detox challenges or workshops aimed at promoting mindfulness, stress reduction, and digital wellbeing. Encourage employees to disconnect from digital devices periodically and engage in offline activities to recharge and rejuvenate.  

The 20-20-20 rule is widely advised to prevent eye strain – looking away from a screen for 20 seconds, 20 feet away, every 20 minutes. Although, some suggest those who work an eight-hour shift should get up from their desks for 5-10 minutes per hour.  

Communication and education

Provide training and education on digital literacy, time management, and stress management techniques. Equip employees with strategies to effectively manage digital distractions, prioritise tasks, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. At Reed, we host internal and external webinars and training courses as well as providing dedicated courses for our staff. 

Create a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking support. Check in regularly with team members, offering a listening ear and empathy. Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours empowers employees to manage their schedules, fosters autonomy and reduces the pressure to be constantly connected. 

Conclusion

Digital burnout poses a significant challenge for today’s workforce, but with proactive support and intervention, employers can mitigate its impact and create a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, therefore safeguarding organisational success.    

If a new employer is the answer to digital burnout, or you’re just looking for someone new to join your team, contact your nearest Reed office.

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