Where is that CV?

Following on from our newsletter, which should be landing in our candidates’ inboxes over the next couple of days, I thought I would carry on the subject of updating your CV. With the market getting more and more competitive, it is imperative that your CV portrays you in the best light possible and more importantly, matches the skills required for specific roles.

Some people say that a CV is subjective, but there are a few golden rules that will help yours stand out from the crowd. My main tip is to remember that in our green conscious environment it isn't very common for a CV to be printed off anymore, so the window of opportunity is literally on the screen. Making an impact in the first few sentences will grab the recruiter’s attention and make them want to scroll down.

As mentioned in our last blog, just simple things like spelling and grammar mistakes are always common so get someone else to read through your CV before you send it. It’s easy to miss those typos when you've been working on something for a long time.

The list of tips and rules goes on and on, so I wont list them all down, but it would be good to start sharing your experiences of what works for you and more importantly what doesn't!

So before you start searching for your CV file why not take a couple of minutes to blog your tips and ideas.


Remember: we have a fantastic CV template that is available for you to use. If you would like to request a copy then just email me at amanda@solutions4recruitment.com

Is your CV letting you down?

Research carried out by REC in association with the BBC has discovered that job applications sent to employers are full of basic grammar and spelling mistakes:

"Nearly half of all CVs received by recruitment firms contain grammatical and spelling errors according to the survey of 266 firms. 47% of all CVs received by agencies contained mistakes with applicants aged between 21 and 25 likely to be the most error prone. 70% of firms said that female applicants made fewer mistakes than men. "The findings show that jobseekers should first pay more attention to getting the basics right. Candidates who make errors run the risk of missing out on being short-listed for a job for which they may have the right experience and qualifications," said the REC’s chief executive Marcia Roberts."

At Solutions we try to help all candidates with their CVs and have a fantastic CV template, which we find works well for candidates to display their experience in the best possible way. We also try to spell-check all CVs and give advice on grammar. Attention to detail, especially in marketing, PR and design is vital and goes a long way towards getting the candidate the job.

Please contact melanie@solutions4recruitment if you would like advice on your CV or would like to be sent our CV template.

Solutions charitable donations

Solutions have started off our charitable donations this year with a £100 contribution to Jacky Gregory, a local business woman, for her 10 day trip to Jordan. She rode an Arabian horse through the desert rasing money for the British Horse Society, supporting the Brook Hospital.
For more information about the BHS and the work that they do please visit: http://www.bhs.org.uk/

Changes to the Recruitment Market

Since our last blog there have been many changes, to start with Solutions have two new members of staff. Rose O’Brien is our new Administrator and Ana Miller has joined as a new consultant for the expanding team. Both Rose and Ana live within walking distance of the office, which we feel is an important factor when we recruit and satisfies our CSR policy. We are still growing and have been concentrating on the growth of our contract/temp offering, as this is an area we have identified as fundamental to our business.

In addition to this there have been major economic changes; it was announced today that house prices have fallen 4.4% in the last year and the price of wheat has increased 130% in the last year so a loaf of bread is no longer a cheap commodity. With this sort of economic climate candidates are on the look out for an improved salary and stable industry sector to improve their own personal well-being. Information sourced from www.bbc.co.uk

Something else we have noticed affecting the recruitment market is the sharp rise in fuel prices, candidates have turned down interviews based on distance and we have had more requests to work from home. Because of this we would like to highlight our desire to find jobs close to home, wherever possible, to save money and improve the work-life balance. We encourage our clients, where possible to consider candidates working from home and ask whether there are car share opportunities and what the public transport links are like near by.

It is important to us that our candidates not only find the “right job” but also one that fits in with their lifestyle. This is why we like to talk to all candidates before submitting their CV so that they not only match the experience required but also the location, remuneration package and company culture fits.

How can companies get the best out of recruitment agencies

Did you know that as well as finding the best new people for your business your recruitment agency can also assist you in streamlining the whole process in turn saving you valuable time. In particular they can negotiate pay and contracts, act as a a knowledgeable advisor in your particular industry sector, and do everything from designing the job ad to conducting the first round of interviews? Your recruitment can and should be hassle free. If you’re not using your recruitment consultancy to its full potential then now is the time to start! Melanie Langridge, consultant at Bishops Waltham based Solutions 4 Recruitment, gives her top 5 tips on how to get the best out of your agency…

1 Talk, talk, talk to your recruitment consultants!

First off, share the full job specification and details of the role you are recruiting for with your consultants. But don’t leave it at that. Melanie advises: “Take at least ten minutes to have a chat with your consultant face to face or on the telephone about what kind of person you really want, who will fit in with your current team and the culture of your business. These vital details are often the difference between finding a brilliant candidate and a good candidate, but often don’t come across on paper. Bring them alive with a phone call and make sure you disclose this extra anecdotal information about what you are looking for. It will save you time and effort in the long run and the agency will be able to pinpoint the right person for you in double quick time.”

2 Ask questions!

Companies often find themselves in need of a new recruit but unsure of what the current market rate is for those particular skills. Melanie says: “If you are struggling with knowing the appropriate starting salary, or unsure of which job title best fits the role you have …ask your agency! The right recruitment consultant will be market savvy, know your industry sector intimately, and will be more than happy to give you the insight required to ensure your job description, title, responsibilities and salary are pitched perfectly to your ideal candidate.”

3 Let your agency negotiate on your behalf

Use your agency’s specialist negotiating skills and market knowledge to your advantage. Melanie continues: “A good agency will have a wide knowledge of the industry, know your competitors and how they position themselves, and will be able to ‘sell in’ your role and company favourably to your preferred candidate, with the added benefit of objectivity and market expertise.”

4 Consider letting them manage the entire process

Did you know that most consultants are happy to manage print advertising campaigns for you and will happily write the job ad, design the artwork, and place the advertisement with the appropriate media? They’ll also read the CV’s, find the candidates, conduct first interviews and negotiate on salary and terms and conditions. In other words, agencies can do a huge amount of the legwork for you – enabling you to focus on the really critical business of interviewing the best candidates and spotting the best recruit for your business. Melanie adds: “Agencies often have established relationships with the industry media and will be able to obtain discounts on their rack advertising rates, saving you money. Plus if they are managing the entire process for you, that’s time and money saved for HR or the recruiting manager.”

5 Be open, honest…and keep in touch

If a bigger project or priority comes up that takes the focus off recruitment, be upfront about it. Melanie continues: “Your agency will appreciate knowing where they stand, and will stop chasing you for answers and come back to you at an agreed time.” If they have sent you CV’s or set up interviews for you, try and give feedback as soon as you can. “This is particularly important if the feedback is negative, because if the agency is sending you the wrong kind of candidate they’ll want to quickly refine the type of person they are looking for.”

For more information on pr, marketing and design recruitment contact www.solutions4recruitment.com

Work/life balance more important to us than salary say job-hunting marketers

Flexible working and a better work/life balance is more important to marketing professionals looking for new jobs than a high salary, new research tells. And employers and agencies looking to attract high-level candidates from London to the South need to examine their overall lifestyle and benefits package if they want to appeal to the best new recruits.

Sophie Adkins, senior consultant at Solutions 4 Recruitment who conducted the research, said that a general skills shortage means that good pr and marketing people are in huge demand, and although salaries in London are high, many professionals are looking for employers away from the stress of the city who can offer them a better lifestyle.

Sophie said: “People are being encouraged to find a better work/life balance everywhere – by Doctors, life coaches, newspapers and magazines, and they are taking notice. Many professionals see long commutes to the office and working silly hours away from the family and home as totally unnecessary in this day and age.

“With new technologies such as e-mail, Internet and video conferencing in every day use, they can now work just as effectively at home, and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle that enables them to ditch the hectic commute, look after children or devote more time to hobbies and other commitments. And they are telling us that these things are more important to them than earning lots of money.

“Marketing and pr in particular is fairly project led work, which lends itself to flexible working. Good people are in demand, so it’s logical that they are opting for employers who offer the lifestyle that they are after. Local companies and agencies need to listen to what people want and revamp their packages accordingly.”

Sophie continues: “It’s all about lifestyle. If your employees are guaranteed parking, flexible working, and/or an office in a leafy location that doesn’t involve a motorway commute, then it’s a huge selling point to people who want to get away from the grime of the city. Employers need to think outside of the box and put together a package tailored towards those looking for a better work/life balance. If they don’t, many professionals will discount the organisation from their job search altogether.”

Solutions 4 Recruitment offer pr, marketing and design recruitment in the Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex area. For more information visit: http://www.solutions4recruitment.com/ or call 01489 890276.

Blogging

We have decided at Solutions to write a blog with information about the recruitment and marketing industry. Over the next couple of week I will get starting so please... watch this space!!

www.solutions4recruitment.com