Scotish Recruitment Agencies Working Together
On Friday I had a press release from “The Recruitment Agency Network”, with their launch of RAN Jobs a new Job Board specifically for its members. Although this is a very tough market I wish them the best of luck, as their aim isn’t so much as competing with the likes of Monster but to help improve the experience of the candidate.
What I like about this initiative is that they want as a group to shout about what is good about recruitment, where candidates can apply to vacancies knowing that the agencies work to a higher standard of practice.
To start with RAN is open, initially, to Scottish-based recruitment agencies but is receiving enquiries from further afield and will be rolling out across the UK as soon as time and resources allow. To be considered you need to contact Ian Tickell on 07816 277604 or Roddy Hammond on 0141 226 2224, or by email to ian.tickell (at) ranjobs.com to be invited to one of their two road shows in May
Monday 12th May 16:00 Clydesdale Bank Plaza, 50 Lothian Road, Edinburgh
Thursday 15th May 16:00 at Clydesdale Bank Exchange, 20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow
To finish I thought I would include this Quote from Gordon Adam of Head Resourcing, one of RAN’s Founders
“It takes a considerable leap of faith to work with companies that you’ve been in fierce competition with for years.” says Gordon Adam of Head Resourcing. “However, in the best interest of our candidates, our clients, and the recruitment profession we believe that this is the right direction. We’ll still compete as individual businesses, but we’ll be able to better champion the industry by supporting RAN’s aims and objectives.”
Recruitment Companies Make Top Employers
The other day I had James of Huxley Associates contact me the other day to see if I would mention their press release, with them being named as one of Britain’s ‘Top Employers’ for the third consecutive year. Although I am always happy to give a mention on Recruitment Views, I do like to add a couple of comments of my own, well it is my blog!
Having gone into more detail on the awards I was also pleased to see another recruitment company in the top 10 Hydrodgen, in fact they made number 1 and a few other also making the mark.
I have to say I am pleased to see companies within our industry winning awards such as this, to counter some of the bad publicity we get and in some cases deservedly. I wonder if there would be so many recruitment companies out their if all Recruitment companies acted the same way as Huxley!
Non the less, it goes to show if you manage well and look after your employees you still can succeed.
Oh, and James also wanted me to mention they are looking for staff too.
“That was the week that was”
I have to admit I did not want this week to come to a close without some kind of post, so I will hold off with the tiling for now!
Although I have not found the time to write this week, there has been plenty to talk about, so I thought I would put together a mix of things that have caught my interest.
The first was from the BBC yesterday, with what should win an award for the strangest job advert this year “Get Paid to go to the pub“, who says window shop recruitment adds don’t work! Mind you hows he going to cope with the international exposure, just a pity I am a bit far from Barton-on-Sea. What did make me laugh was “Women need not apply”, well I suppose in this case the rules could be bent!!
Next up I noticed Bill Vick has a new blog, called www.xtremerecruiting.tv, which is fine although after further scrutiny I noticed that his excellent previous version, interviews with the top big billers has been taken down and can only be bought via www.bigbiller.org. It is a great shame as it was hugely motivating and informative, any comments would be appreciated Bill.
Still the new version with his video interviews with gurus in the US recruitment market, is of interest. I certainly found the interview with Dough Beabout extremely perceptive and although US based I did find it relevant to the UK market.
Back to the UK with Matt, I just have to say I not only agree with him on the death of the CV, but I can see them killing of the likes of the Monster too, it may take some time but I cannot think of a better way to look for a new job or find a candidate, still you cannot help feel Jobster have lost their way after all the hype and Andy I had the same email and yes they are pants !!
Also to finish I had a notification of a new jobs portal for Students and Graduates, called Bejant I wish them the best of luck as they will find it tough.
So after all that you can go an make yourself a cup of coffee, so as not to forget. I certainly don’t feel so guilty after this article
linkedin plans for the UK
Well I have to apologise for the lack of posts recently, which is down to some much needed home DIY, so writing on Recruitment Views took a back seat I am afraid.
Although I have not finished the tiling of the bathroom and if I waited till till then, it could be a month before I write another post!!
So to get back into the swing of it I must mention that I had a short tele-meeting with the new Marketing Director for Linkedin Europe, or more importantly the UK a Shannon Clouston.
What made me contact them in the first place was a recent comment on UKrecruiter Forum by Victoria “Does anyone know why LinkedIn have stopped offering Pro accounts to staffing companies?” So with such an important comment, I thought I should look into it, as I found it hard to believe as recruiters would be a key contributor to their revenues.
I was pleased to get a quick respones from Shannon, who confirmed that this was not the case and is far from it. He has recently joined Linkedin to help grow the European arm with their new London office, opened just 3 months ago. He also said if any other consultancies had any questions or issues then please feel free to contact him direct.
What Shannon was keen to mention, is that they will be looking to grow with future collaborations, such as their relationship with Business Week, a new package for corporate clients, a face lift and more investment, all of which can only help recruiters achieve more.
Oh and just in case you didn’t notice either, they have their own blog which I suggest you subscribe to, to get all their updates.
It must be Valentines Day!
After the launch today of www.oraljobs.com.au we get Jobsite launching be my Interviewer, a site exclusively made to help candidates prepare for an interview, rather than describe a job.
I have to say Jobsite’s offering is excellent, because it offers the prospective Job Hunter a few clues on how to succeed in an interview, although after watching a few of these successful CEO’s one couldn’t help feel one would end up being more confused with their different styles. It certainly shows how easy it is to slip up, with an innocuous questions like “How was your Journey?” put by Ruth Badger.
In truth it gives a superb insight into the minds of these successful managers and will not only help the Job Hunter but also the recruitment consultants and their clients.
So hats of to Jobsite for producing such a well thought out interview aid, but hey shouldn’t we consultants be doing the briefings anyway!
Hmm and Jacqueline Gold, that reminds me I should go out and buy something for Conchi (My Wife) if I dare of course.
A Worlds First….Apparently
By accident I came across this World 1st, a specialist web portal that delivers jobs in a fully audio and visual multimedia environment, well that’s how they have put it.
Although there are other sites using video, I have to admit this is unique, in that they are using Avatars to present jobs. One thing is for sure this site will be talked about and will undoubtedly bring in more candidates and clients for Personnel Concept Group, which is what its all about at the end of the day.
I will not go into too much detail as I think the fun will be in the looking around, rather than me talking about it.
So pop over to www.oraljobs.com.au and see what they are shouting about…Not sure if I would have used the word oral though!
Secretarial Careers
My right hand is functioning again so with a bit of luck I should be able to write more regularly from now on, although I still haven’t got back on the bike yet!
Today’s post is as a result of being contacted by a new Job board www.secretarialcareers.co.uk a niche job site for secretaries, that is if you haven’t already guessed.
I am quite sure the site will succeed, as they are part of the Totaljobs network and unsurprisingly the site is very easy and simple to navigate, mind you who’s idea was it to use pink in their theme, a little too stereotype if you ask me.
There isn’t anything revolutionary, although I did like their Podcast and Vodcast page, which had some good advice but one tiled “Is love in the air? How to deal with office romance” makes me wonder what reaction there would be from secretaries, are they being typecast again? I do not think I can comment on that one.
Secondly on the subject of Job boards, I suppose the biggest news is that Reed Jobs have quietly added some paid for features, with the most amazing being a cv searchable database, to be launched on Monday. I for one will be looking forward to checking that out and I will be interested in the reactions from Monster and Totaljobs. In some ways its going to be strange to look at a competitors database of candidates!!
More on Second Life and the Fight over at Digital Recruiting
After my post on TMP’s Recruitment fair on Second Life I received a Press Release from Tania with a heads up on their launch, as it is quite detailed I have posted it below FYI.
What did catch my eye, was while I was commentating on the fight between Monster and Michele, it also kicked off at Digital Recruiting with one of their commentator’s, you can follow it here!
Basically John wrote an article on the Second life’s recruitment fair and David Coombs of TMP UK didn’t like it, and so it kicked of with some name calling as below.
For me this post reflects a lot of the arrogance and ignorance that exists within this particular blogging community. I must say I find the approach quite disappointing from a group of individuals that all claim to be experts in this field. I do also find it entertaining that throughout all of the plagiarism and attempts to show off it actually boils down to one of the most basic of all human traits. If I don’t understand it I will attack it!
Obviously I want to add my 10 pence worth, by saying that David Cooms obviously doesn’t read these blogs, “written by a group of individuals”. If he did he would know how much valuable information is shared to recruiters for free.
I will stop short and leave it the rest of the community to carry on the discussion over at digital recruiting….
So back to Second Life:
Press Release
16 October 2007
Finding real talent through a virtual world
Imagine a world where you can interview a multitude of job seekers from around the world without having to ‘go’ anywhere; they’ll be teleported to you.
Imagine a world where you can have private conversations with forward-thinking and creative prospective employees in a lush, sophisticated and futuristic environment.
Imagine a world where you can be ‘present’ at a job fair and enjoy fantastic brand exposure without having to worry about logistics such as setting up or packing away stands and collateral.
Well there is no need to imagine anymore. That world is here now thanks to virtual reality!
The UK’s first ever ‘virtual world’ careers fair will be held in Second Life® from 16 to 18 October 2007. The event, hosted by recruitment and communications specialists TMP Worldwide, will allow leading employers to tap into new talent from around the world without anyone having to leave the comfort of their own office or home.
KPMG, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Yell will use this innovative new channel to connect with job seekers in a relaxed and neutral environment. While both recruiters and job seekers alike can be anywhere in the world, their avatars (computer generated images of themselves) will be attending an online interview.Candidates will be requested to register for the companies they are interested in at the event website http://www.i-jobsforreal.co.uk
Each company will carry out some initial screening of candidates and then invite them to an interview in Second Life.The 3-day ‘virtual world’ job fair will take place on TMP’s UK Island in Second Life from 4-8pm on the 16-18 October 2007. Once candidates enter the 3-D online virtual world, they will be greeted by virtual concierges and escorted to TMP’s virtual office where they will be given basic training on how to interact inside Second Life. They will then be teleported to the employer’s offices on the island where avatar recruiters will greet them and discussions can begin via live chat and instant messaging.
Phil Owers, deputy managing director at TMP Worldwide comments:
“We constantly strive to find new ways to reach talent for our customers. By hosting the job fair on Second Life we dissolve all geographical boundaries enabling job seekers from around the UK and the world to connect easily and cost-effectively in a friendly and impartial environment. The targeted marketing approach is consistent with more traditional routes but the experience for the candidate and customer is enhanced”Nigel Bastow, head of resourcing from The Royal Bank of Scotland Group adds:
“The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is firmly committed to innovation. We believe in exploring all channels through which we can attract the best quality candidates to the group.”For further information please contact Tania Menegatti at CHA on 0207 622 8252 or tania.menegatti@chapr.co.uk
The Most Expensive IT Director in Banking!!
I think most people have heard all about the Northern Rock crisis, I certainly noticed its effect on the share price for Standard Life.
What made me smile was the editorial by Tom Ilube, on the BBC website entitled “when Online Bank Sites Fail”. It was the last paragraph that did it.
That Northern Rock IT director is the only IT executive in the UK online bank world today who has been at the sharp end of a digital run on the bank.
That direct experience is invaluable - and whatever happens to the rest of Northern Rock’s executives, he will be in high demand to share his experience across the finance sector and make the whole online banking world safer.
So will the headhunters be after the IT director next week, when he is looking for a job or will the openings be few and far between for letting it happen in the first place!
Time off, whatever next!
I remember the good old bad days of recruitment, the work hard play hard environment. Looking back I loved it we were all in our mid 20’s pushing hard trying to get to the top of the league table, and we would only take a holiday when it was only absolutely necessary, like when getting married.
Well it seems like times are a changing as mentioned by “the chief happiness officer” who reports on IBM’s latest attitude to flexibility at work “take as much vacation time as you want”, “What” I hear you scream!!
Basically the golden rule is, work must get done. In truth I suppose it’s more like having a flexi-time arrangement. In the past the what stopped me from taking time off is the emotional blackmail, my boss used to say, ”your candidates are relying on you”. So I didn’t take many holidays or even days off sick.
Years past and then I joined a more professional company and found that the top performer earned in excess of £100k per year part-time, this certainly made me look at work from a different angle.
I now work from home and can see the benefits of this system, because at the end of the day we are mature enough to know when we can take time off. More importantly technology enables us to have more freedom and I can have a few days off, knowing that if anything critical pops up I can always be contacted. I can access emails on my mobile and if someone phones my home office the call will get redirect to my mobile or a colleague, as a result I can go on that fishing trip knowing that I will not miss the biggest deal of my life or the biggest catch.
How will this effect IBM in the future I do not know, but I am sure it will help them keep their best staff. At the end of the day money isn’t everything, now is it?
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