100 Vacancies

September 6th, 2010

New high-street bank Metro Bank has created a further 100 jobs in addition to 150 jobs already created in the UK, ahead of the opening of its Cromwell Road, Earl’s Court branch today.

The Cromwell Road branch follows the launch of its flagship store in Holborn.  

Craig Donaldson, chief executive at Metro Bank, says: “People have overwhelmingly responded to Metro Bank’s service and convenience model, and we are preparing to double the number of our staff to meet demand for a better banking experience.”

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Record breaking GCSE results but students still need more preparation for employers’ demands

August 24th, 2010

 Students receiving their GCSE results today need support to explore the options open to them and to equip themselves with the skills and abilities that employers now demand, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

 

According to the BBC almost seven out of 10 GCSE entries (69.1%) were  awarded a C grade or above and he pass rate rose for the 23rd year in a row, this year to 98.7% of entries.
The REC claims the main priority for students either going into further education or looking for their first job is to be realistic with their expectations.

 

Commenting on the current challenges facing young people, Kevin Green, the REC’s chief executive said: “Never before has proper guidance and support been so crucial in helping young people identify where the jobs of tomorrow are going to be, so that they can start planning their future education and training in areas where there are recognised skills shortages or in evolving markets.

“Our feedback from members, all professional recruiters, is that students should seek any work-related activities including volunteering or charity work which will show future employers that they have committed themselves to gaining the knowledge and experience needed to enter the world of work.

“It is tough for all young people wanting to get their first step on the career ladder. We recommend that every possible avenue within the world of work is explored by young people such as apprenticeships, internships or work experience.

“However, this can only be achieved through the recruitment industry, the business community and education providers working with the Government to bring these programmes and schemes into fruition. Our Youth Employment Taskforce has already addressed this through a raft of recommendations to prevent a ‘lost generation’ of young people.” 

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A-Level students choose workplace training schemes over university

August 19th, 2010

More students receiving their A-Level results are looking to training schemes in the workplace, rather than be saddled with university debt, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Applications to PwC’s A-Level entry scheme HEADstart, received over 800 applications this year for 60 vacancies, double that of 2008, and up 25% on last year.

James Chalmers, board partner, strategy and talent, PricewaterhouseCoopers, says: “We’ve no doubt that interest in schemes like ours is only going to grow over the next 12 months, following students’ recent experiences of budget cuts, rising debts and fewer places.

A-Level entry training schemes are particularly well suited to those who have a clear career in mind when they leave school.

By combining formal study with on the job experience and personal coaching, trainees put everything they learn in their studies straight into action.

They are earning while studying towards a professional accounting or tax qualification, getting great work experience and a head start in their career.

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Boss or Friend and Facebook

August 18th, 2010

Over 1 in 3 (36 per cent) of UK employees online have been sent a friendship request on Facebook by a colleague, client or boss, according to The Protection Gap survey conducted online and commissioned by Abbey Legal Protection (ALP).

When asked which Facebook related incidents they had experienced, over one in five (21%) respondents said they had had their photos accessible for colleagues to view and nearly one in ten (8%) workers have had Facebook information and knowledge used in a workplace situation.

CEO’s emerged as social networking fans with only 42% claiming not to have a Facebook page. One in seven (14%) CEO’s admitted to having photos uploaded and available for employees to view and a suprising one in ten (10%) have had their Facebook knowledge used in a workplace situation.

ALP urges employers to understand the potential risks for businesses, both in terms of reputation and the efficiency related costs, of not having a clear and articulated company social networking policy in place.

Richard Candy, underwriting director Abbey Legal Protection said: “The emergence of any new form of technology or means of communication can be extremely positive and bring welcome new ways of working into the workplace. Unfortunately, this also often translates to an increase in related risks for businesses and individuals. As was the case with the internet, mobile phones and email, social networking sites are no different.”

“These opportunities and risks vary considerably by organisation type and sector. Whilst Facebook can help to connect people and businesses, the risks range from corporate reputation and those of specific individuals, through to security breaches and even unlawful discrimination or harassment, to name but a few”.

“The key to minimizing the minefields for businesses, is to have a clear policy in place that suits your organization. Ensure employees are aware and familiar with it. Make sure they understand what is deemed to be inappropriate usage, and most importantly, update your policy regularly, as new issues emerge.”

“If you have evidence to demonstrate that these measures have been taken, you will be in a much more secure position should you ever be at the centre of a social media related legal wrangling.”

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Lying on your Cv and the consequences:

August 17th, 2010

When a woman we’ll call ‘Mary’ was offered a high-level student-services position at a prestigious college, she was thrilled to accept. But two years later, Mary was fired despite strong performance reviews and a reputation as a rising star at the college. The reason? She lied on her CV – and got caught.

An HR initiative requiring employees to furnish college transcripts revealed Mary lied about having a master’s degree. It wasn’t lack of a degree that cost Mary her job; it was her dishonesty. Unemployed and with a blown reference to boot, Mary demonstrates what can happen when you lie on your CV.

Companies are growing increasingly savvy in ferreting out resume cheaters through more comprehensive background checks conducted both pre- and post-hire. Why the latter? Subpar job performance can prompt a follow-up investigation into an employee’s past. If dishonesty is discovered, it is often grounds for termination and possibly legal action.

Yet Mary is hardly alone in falsifying information on a resume. Steven D. Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics and a renowned economics professor at the University of Chicago, cites research suggesting that more than 50 percent of people lie on their resumes.

Given such repercussions as Mary’s fate, you might wonder why anyone would attempt to get away with lying on a resume in the first place. Levitt refers to a W.C. Fields quote in his explanation: “Anything worth winning is worth cheating for.”

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Job Search Success

August 16th, 2010

1. Create a targeting strategy

In order to make a job search effective it really helps to be clear about who you are targeting and what you are targeting. This means being clear about what type of business or company you are looking to join, what type of role you want, in what industry and sector and so on. Make sure the target is clear to you and that you focus your job hunt around them.
 

2. Harness your network


Networking is a big impact and effective way to get you into your next role. Knowing the right people can get you places. Unfortunately many of us feel as though we don’t know anyone who can help us. Perhaps we know many people but not the right people. Says who? Don’t close that door. Take a harder, deeper look at your network and connections. What are you looking for exactly and who can help you to get there? Be creative about it and don’t be afraid to ask around.
 

3. Interview preparation


Interviews can be a scary thing for some of us. Some people find it a doddle and others find it very unpleasant. Being faced with 4 or 5 rounds of interviews can be daunting so it’s important to make sure that you feel confident and prepared. Do you homework! Read up on the company, the role, make sure you know who it is that is interviewing you and what to expect in the interview. Build your confidence around presenting and projecting yourself, articulating your talents and interests, and being able to really ‘work the interview’. If may help to role-play some interviews and run a few mock interview sessions with a Guide, a friend or an old colleague.
 

4. Know what you want


If you are not clear about what you want and why you want it – it will be very difficult to get it and convince others to give it to you! Spend time getting clear about what you actually want to do i.e. what role would be suitable to you, what you will enjoy, where you want to work, what you want from that role to be fulfilled, interested and passionate about it.
 

5. Know your value


One of the hardest things can be to get across your value to a potential employer or interviewer. In order to articulate and communicate your value well so that others understand it and appreciate you – you must first know and believe in your skills and talents yourself i.e. you need to know your own value before others will value you. So learn about yourself. Evaluate yourself. Get to know what you are good at, what you can do, what your skills are, what you are an expert in, what your strengths are and what you can bring to an organization. This will build your confidence and understanding in yourself and help you communicate this effectively when talking to others.

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IT Sales Vacancy – Sussex Area

August 9th, 2010

Our client is seeking a vibrant and ambitious consultant to join them as their IT sales for support services.
Selling to a range of clients, from SMBs to Large Corporate and Public Sector organisations.

Responsible for targeting SMB clients to hunt down and close new business for our client, and build to your own business pipeline. Candidates will be internally and externally based therefore it is essential that you have an excellent telephone manner with the ability to build up a rapport quickly. As a sales professional you will ensure that all business opportunities have been identified and covered.

This role will ideally need 1-2 years experience selling IT support packages, or as a minimum selling IT Technology to the end-user, whether this is SMB, Large Corporate or Public Sector clients. It is crucial that as an IT Sales professional you are focused and direct in your approach to you work to ensure they are able to build a business pipeline as quick as possible.

This IT position attracts a fantastic basic salary of up to £25,000 and have the realistic opportunity to earn more than £50,000 in your first year.

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Polishing your Interview Skills

August 3rd, 2010

If you’ve been in the job search for very long, you know how competitive it is out there.  The job search has changed, and it’s nothing like what you’re probably used to.  But there are things you can do to make yourself stand out as a candidate…and that’s where these tips come in. 

Polish Your Interview Skills

You already know the basic rules for interviewing:  dress appropriately (usually, that means conservatively), watch your body language, and prepare answers to typical interview questions.  And they really are make-or-break issues.

But did you know how important it is to ask questions of your own?

Or that you must ask for the job before you leave?

These actions demonstrate your confidence and professionalism.  They definitely help you stand out, because you’ve gone a step or two farther than most candidates who just answer what they’re asked.

Asking questions of your own shows that you’ve done your research, you think strategically, and you have great communication skills.  Yes, you should ask about the company and the job, but you should also ask “What are you looking for in this position?” or even, “Tell me about your best employee.”  That’s going to give you big clues to what the hiring manager wants to hear in your answers, and you can tailor them accordingly.

Asking for the job shows that you want it.  Many candidates are afraid to be that bold, but you have to do it.  If you don’t, hiring managers wonder if you really want the job, or if you have enough initiative to do it well.  Simply ask, “What’s the next step?” or “Are you confident that I’m a person who can meet the challenges of this position?”  You’ll uncover any doubts the hiring manager has about you so that you can deal with them right then and there.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, because chances are you won’t get another one.

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Complaining customers are not always bad!

July 20th, 2010

Companies love positive feedback. They share it on Twitter(), post it on their website and use it as marketing fodder. But what about when feedback is, well, less than pleasant? What can you do with a handful (or more) of irate customers? Do you ignore them? Bury them out back? Not in today’s social atmosphere.

Rather than try to sweep these unhappy customers under the rug, look at them as a challenge and an opportunity to improve your brand and leverage them for some publicity.

Why You Want Angry Customers

Well, maybe you don’t want angry customers, but let’s be honest — you’ll never have 100 percent customer satisfaction. No one does. So use those unhappy customers to better understand what you’re doing wrong, and learn from the experience. And while you’re at it, turn the angry customers into brand evangelists.

There are several ways to connect with unhappy customers in a meaningful way:

  • Hold a panel or forum in person; give them a tour of your facility and hold a venting session
  • Work virtually; host an online panel to get feedback from them
  • Work one-on-one to understand their concerns and address them individually

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Caught attending an interview during work hours?

July 15th, 2010

Over 90% of job applications are made during working hours. This means the majority of people who are looking for work do so on company time. Whether you’re actively downloading and printing application forms, or passively browsing for a job online during your lunch hour, this is not what you’re paid to do.

Here are the top tips on how to manage your job search at work:

  • It’s all about balance and not taking liberties with your current employer. Employers understand that you won’t stay working for them forever, but they do expect you to show due respect to your terms of contract.
  • If you can’t arrange an interview outside working hours, then book the time off as holiday or ask to make up the time. That way, you don’t have to directly tell your employer that you have an interview for another job.
  • Remember that everything you do or say at work is potentially being monitored. If you don’t want your manager to know anything about your job search (or anything else personal for that matter), then don’t do it at work.
  • Consider your work environment – is your company relaxed about you using the internet or making personal calls? If you think your company or manager will have a problem with what you are doing, don’t do it.
  • Don’t take calls from recruiters on your mobile – leave it on silent, then call back during your lunch break or after work.

You probably invented an excuse because you didn’t know how else to handle the conflict. However, the better way to deal with the situation would be to take the time off as holiday, or to be upfront and honest (depending on your relationship with your manager).

Your manager will obviously question your commitment to the company. Apologise: hold your hands up and say you’re committed (if you are). Then you need to demonstrate it – actions speak louder than words.

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