Progress Business Company

From offering advice and guidance to young people who have not connected with their advisor at Connexions I have found out that the careers advice they were given at school, was inadequate to prepare them for the job search world. A young person who has left school can find places like job centre plus etc quite a daunting place and need to be able to stand up against more experienced candidates, but unfortunately these skills are not always taught at a young age!

I call some children ‘slow burners’ they may be excellent academically, or even poor academically, but it does not mean that their education standard should dictate what they do for a career. If advisors and influencers can recognize what they are good at, then they should help them to identify where these skills could be used and this will be a good start point. I can usually identify within the 1st session with someone where their skills could lead them, and it could be avenues that they had never even thought of, but hey, it can light a spark that hasn’t been lit before.

It has only been in the last 10 years, and I am now 39, that I have found my niche and what I want to do in life, at 14 I wanted to be a PE teacher, however, my so called Careers Advisor back in the 80's tried to persuade me to be a typist!!!!

My work experience I believe, has been for a reason, since landing my first Saturday job in a wool shop, to working as a manager in a call centre through to doing recruitment and so on, without getting these jobs in the first place I would not be where I am now. They were only enhancing the skills I already had but had not fully developed yet, and certainly didn’t know what I wanted to do at that point.

So my point; is teach kids how to sell themselves, prepare a CV, get them to, recognize, their own skills and abilities and possible directions this could lead to, practice mock interviews and filling in job application forms etc.

At the moment careers advice in school will ask a child, what do you want to be when you leave school, the child will say maybe a teacher, and the school will tell them what they need to do or study to get to be a teacher!

What if this career path does not work out and the child discovers other talents but does not have the skills to get there against other competition, such as passing an interview, or filling in a job application etc. I even came across a young 16 year old who did not know what a CV was, which I thought was terrible!

Job search techniques, skills and presentation should be taught at a young age in conjuction with advice on training and further education, it goes hand in hand!

Inspire, motivate, encourage and be patient, if a graduate has to work in a minimum wage job then so be it, this may just be slow cooking the skills and talents they need, to become, what they are destined to be!

• Louise – This candidate blew me away, presentation was excellent, fantastic communication skills and emphasises strongly about working well within a team. She has some fantastic communication, presentation and project work skills and has BA (Hons) in Marketing and German. This girl would be an asset to any company out there who is striving to make a difference in the world such as charities, ecological etc. Immediately available and actively applying for jobs, don’t miss out on meeting her. (Berkshire)

• Dee – Commercial customer service manager, after 10 years of working for the same company there are potential redundancies coming up. I found her to be able to demonstrate competencies such as; budget management and forecasting, people & HR issues, Training & Mentoring, highly organised and used to putting strategic plans in to play, very customer focused and target driven. She is flexible as to what industry she moves in to but would like to be challenged and have access to a progressive career. (Oxon)

• Kathy – Excellent Business development & Communications manager with marketing experience and qualifications. She has been involved in securing contracts with some very well known businesses for her company and understands the whole sales process well. Great candidate if you are looking for someone to secure accounts, be involved in product launches, re-branding etc, also has experience of communicating with the press and media to raise awareness. (Militon Keynes area)

• Gordon – Marketing Manager with an excellent grasp of copyrighting, marketing, blogging, using social media to market a business. Dedicated, hard-worker, works calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines.

If you think you may be interested in seeing a CV for one of these candidates, please contact me through this website. I work on ‘NO PLACEMENT NO FEE’, and happy to provide terms of business when forwarding the CV of the candidate you are interested in. You will find my terms highly competitive than normal high street recruitment agencies.

• £6.08 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over

• £4.98 - the 18-20 rate

• £3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18

• £2.60 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

If you are of compulsory school age you are not entitled to the NMW. Some of your other employment rights are also different.

If you are working and under the above criteria or you are an employer who has employees regardless of how you pay them, the above needs to be adhered to.

There is lots of information on Directgov website, especially if you are a new employer or new to the job market and unsure about your rights and employers responsibilities!

Unfortunately I found out that the reason for this lack of confidence was a past experience of an interview with an unprepared, rude, un-interested employer who really did not have a clue what she was looking for out of an employee. I wonder whether this employer understood the impact that she has made with this candidate in her search for employment.

My tips for employers, whether you are new to the recruitment process or not, you need to put in to your interview as much as you expect the candidates to put in to the process and you will gain so much more out of it, maybe even the best employee who have ever had! You will not only make the candidates feel at ease, but they will walk away successful or not, with a positive attitude about your business, and may even apply again for future posts.

So for employers out there who are looking to recruit, and who are new to the process, or just think that it is just a mundane task, please take in to consideration the impact you are having on your candidates if you do not follow some of the basics!

• Understand the job role that you are recruiting and advertising for

• Prepare a job description and person specification

• Place a job advertisement that will attract the right candidate based on your requirements

• Think about the benefits and salary

• What hours realistically do you want your employee to work, do not advertise part-time then constantly ask them to work overtime, unless agreed in interview!

• Prepare interview questions to ensure you ask the right questions

• Are you willing to negotiate for the right candidate

• Set up a comfortable place for interview, with water or refreshments etc

• Think of an ice-breaker question to create calm

• Smile, be welcoming and try not to be late !

• Give the candidate an opportunity to ask questions

• Give the candidate a timescale to find out whether they have been successful and how they will be informed

• Interview feedback is always a nice touch too if you can find the time!

I could go on and on and on!

I hear so many people saying that they are bad at interviews and struggle to find a job which is so sad, but I do think employers need to ask themselves at times 'am I a good interviewer, and how can I improve my skills to ensure I get the right person for the job 1st time'?

I guarantee you are more likely to save your business time, money, stress, paperwork and possibly legal implications!

I understand that running your own business you have to be 'Jack of all Trades' but there are going to be elements that you may just need some development in, and this has generally been my findings when I have supported small to medium businesses in the North East. Some sole traders, small businesses etc are just nervous at the thought of interviewing which is understandable as the results can have such as dramatic effect on their business, so try to develop those skills to get it right and see it as a positive, as your business is growing!

Advice needed? Check out my recruitment services from advice and guidance to taking the whole process of your hands.

The natural 'Happy Chemicals' that are released when you exercise will help in boosting your motivation levels, give you a natural high, keeping you energized, along with helping you to maintain a healthy heart etc.

If you are unhappy in your job, anxious, stuck in a rut, need a career change or a self esteem boost then make the most of the summer weather, exercise and start to plan your career, starting with becoming enthusiastic about yourself, recognising your own potential, which in turn will reflect positively on others around you and even potential employers.

At our base in Bicester we have a couple of Fitness Trainers who network at The Meet & Mingle Business Network, who both have different principles and ways of training.

Why not have a look to get some inspiration:

• Oliver from http://www.paleotraining.co.uk

• Maggie from http://www.maggiesstudio.co.uk/testimonials

Whether you take a walk a day or commit to a serious training schedule it can only do you the world of good whatever your goals are.

If you really feel stuck in a career rut, why not check out my EBook ‘Moving Jobs with Confidence’, a lot of information, useful links and questions to ask yourself about what you really want to prevent you from making the same mistakes. http://www.imagineu.co.uk/ebooks.html

My tips for Job Searching:

• BE PREPARED!

• Know your target audience and adapt your cover letter and CV to this audience.

• Research companies that you are interested in working for in your area, ring up and get a name to address your application to.

• Ask around friends, family for places they know are recruiting.

• Get a diary, log applications sent and who they were addressed to with telephone numbers, diary a week, then ring to see if they received your CV, and if there were any opportunities you were being considered for.

• Use good quality paper for your CV and cover letter, so it stands out from the rest.

• Door knock, nothing better than going in to a business and speaking to the front desk, if they like you they will tell the appropriate person when handing over your CV to them, make sure you dress to impress, smile and be friendly.

• Use the internet for looking at company sites and their vacancies.

• Use the internet for looking at all the job sites that are available out there, however a lot of agencies often forget to update their vacancies so ring and make sure they are still available to apply for.

• Use around 3 agencies, make sure you brief them on exactly what you want and don't want, ring them weekly to remind them you are still there and available for work.

• Remember to use all available tools, such local press, radio and register on sites such as Gumtree, Fish4jobs, Reed, there are so many available to job seekers and employers will scan these sites for good CVS.

• Use Linkedin by putting together a good profile and making the effort to ask people for recommendations from your previous or current work.

• Be proactive, jobs will rarely just land in your lap, you need to look for them.

Employers are often impressed by job seekers who have used their initiative.

They would prefer to recruit someone who has not come through an agency which will inevitably save them money, however this is not always the case and some businesses will do all of their recruitment through agencies, so use some good ones as part of your job search, do not rely on them solely for your job search.

Don't get de-motivated if you struggling to get to an interview then re-evaluate your approach, CV and cover letter and seek a second opinion if your search for work is proving to be difficult, it could just be that your CV needs a couple of improvements.

One client of mine played with words so much on her CV that it just did not sound like her, some of the words she used had negative meanings and she didn't realise until it was pointed out to her! As soon as this was rectified and all the flouncy use of words that did not really describe her competencies were removed she started to gain responses.

If something isn't working then change it!

Happy Job Searching, Michelle

I have worked for 3 recruitment agencies, and it was very target driven rather than service driven. And I certainly don't think all are like that, as I recently met with a local agency in Bicester who do provide a good service and passionate about delivery.

After providing advice and guidance to employers on effective recruitment processes, I have been asked to run the process fully for them. So in response to these requirements and a passion to promote sustainable employment I have opened up a number of services for employers to suit all needs and budgets. As well as a service to candidates looking for work to put them in direct contact with business owners networking around the Meet & Mingle Network or in and around the local areas. The benefit of this is it will be controlled by me who has worked in all areas of employment support and recruitment.

Job sites are often left with vacancies sitting stagnant, CVs that are out of date and expensive fees to advertise a vacancy or search CVs. The job site will be kept fresh and active for both employers and candidates. More admin for me but a better service for those using it.

Covering all aspects of career consultancy, internet vacancy advertising, employer advice and guidance with a recruitment service option, this I feel will tighten up the recruitment process for a lot of business from both sides.

Check out The Carreer Connect Jobsite for info relating to candidates and recruiters. Looking forward to working for you, making the whole resourcing process much more hassle free and cost effective.