Monthly Archives: September 2020

While working from home has been the new normal for quite a few months now, it is likely that your home is not only your workspace anymore, but your children’s workspace as well. We have all had to face the hard truth that things can get a little chaotic when your home is functioning as a place of work. Now, with the added bonus of online school, let’s face it, things can get tricky. Keep reading for some tips on how to maintain balance and set boundaries while working from home with children virtually learning!

Establish a morning routine 

Now that the kids are back in school, your mornings have probably been a bit different than they were over the summer. Establishing a morning routine is a helpful way to mitigate the stress that comes along with those hectic weekday mornings. Structure can be the key to ensuring that your mornings are smooth and productive. Just remember to ensure that everyone is on board and knows what to expect. Take some time to sit down with your family to discuss a schedule that works best for everyone and agree on an action plan!

Be optimistic

It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of these changes, but don’t overlook the positives. These will be different for everyone, but here are a few ideas:

• Do something that you might not have had the time to do back when school wasn’t virtual such as sitting together as a family and having breakfast.
• Set some time aside in your new morning routine that you look forward to such as taking a break to enjoy your morning cup of coffee.

While a change in routine can be unsettling, realize that you now have the opportunity to make improvements and take advantage of the new normal. There is always a silver lining!

Establish separate workspaces

Designating separate rooms or spaces for each family member to complete their work during the day is a great way to establish boundaries, boost productivity, structure the day. It is important for everyone to have a clear divide between workspaces and relaxation spaces. Doing everything from home can easily blur the lines between one’s work-life and home-life, so assigning workspaces is the first step to avoiding this. This will also help reduce any conflict or distractions among your family.

Set time aside to help your kids

The structure and supervision your children used to get at school is now limited to a computer screen. Depending on their learning style, this can be a difficult transition! Some days, your kids may need your help during the day. Have a conversation with your children to let them know the times you can help them out. Doing this will both set boundaries and eliminate uncertainty. Don’t forget to discuss this with your company as well to make sure everyone is aware of your situation. Balancing being an employee, a teacher and most importantly, a parent at the same time may seem difficult at first, but soon it will become second nature!

Here is some advice from Erin Elsdon, our HR Manager who is balancing working from home with children virtually learning:

“Like so many other parents, I have transitioned to working remotely while preparing to support my family through a crisis. Trying to balance working from home, being a parent, and a temporary educator is no joke! What I have found that works best for me comes down to a combination of measures. Good planning, structure, creativity and flexibility help me create an environment in which we can all fulfill our obligations – while maintaining family harmony. As always, communication is key! I was upfront with my boss & my colleagues about the adjustments I needed to make about my work schedule. I connect regularly with my kids’ teachers and expect my children to do so as well if they are struggling with an assignment. While I don’t know how long this new arrangement will last, what I do know is that we are all trying to do our best and as hard as it can be at times, I am grateful to have this time with my kids. Of course, I’m not alone in the new normal of balancing ever-present kids with work, some days are great & others are not. At the end of the day, celebrate the days accomplishments and get prepared for the next day at home with your tiny colleagues!”

– Erin Elsdon, HR Manager

The Right Team. Right Now.

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Xplora Search Group offers industry leading recruitment for positions in accounting, finance, internal audit, IT and tax. We recruit from entry level positions to C-level executives and anything in between. We deliver talent and leadership across numerous industries including consumer products, insurance, manufacturing & distribution, pharmaceutical and life sciences, professional services, retail, specialty chemicals, technology and telecommunications.

We work with companies such as Five Below, Vanguard, DuPont, Spark Therapeutics and more. Here at Xplora, we are committed to understanding your needs as our client and leveraging our vast network to match you with the right company or employee. 

You might be wondering, what differentiates Xplora from other recruiting companies? We asked some employees and clients the same question…

“We have a deep knowledge of the market and a strong relationship with the business community we work in.”

– Jeff Olshin, Managing Principal

“I believe the people at Xplora and the unique backgrounds from which we have all come not only differentiates us from other recruiting firms, but also allows us to bring a unique expertise to various aspects of the recruiting process. Each recruiter at Xplora has had a different career path thus far, which grants us the unique ability to relate to candidates who also come from a myriad of different places in their careers.”

– Brianna Stefany, Recruiter

“Internally – the people, flexibility, and innovation, endless resources and networks that are growing daily. For candidates/clients – our detailed process for vetting roles and candidates to fulfill needs.”

– Sarah Clark, Director of Staffing

“I think the biggest thing that differentiates us is our relationships…we understand the importance of building a trustworthy relationship and we go the extra step with our candidates and clients. Getting a true understanding of the needs of our candidates and clients allows for seamless transitions. The strength of our relationships also shows in our referrals. We are a trusted partner and our network of relationships is constantly growing!”

– Corey Milewski, Recruiter

“Service is not only professional but also warm and friendly. I feel like they are a true partner rather than a client service organization. This differentiates Xplora from others I have worked with. They work diligently to understand the needs of the respective positions and follow up periodically to ensure things are going well…”

– Xplora Client

We take time to get to know our candidates professionally and personally because we realize it takes more than just a resume to match the right person with the right opportunity. By working directly with our clients’ hiring managers, we are able to provide our clients with adequate information. All of our recruiters have worked for years in Greater Philadelphia and have developed deep ties within the region. Whether you are interested in joining a Fortune 1000 or a smaller middle-market company, Xplora can make the introduction.

The Right Team. Right Now.

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