New tip to help recruiters!

Believe it or not, we have over 100 years of recruitment experience in our office. So, if you’re looking for some sound advice and practical suggestions for your next placement, take our word for it. Our top tip is to be flexible about requesting specific industry experience when creating a job description.

It’s very tempting for companies to include a long list of minimum requirements when compiling a job description; especially if it’s for a senior role. Often companies request specific industry experience and qualifications.

In some roles, a specific level of knowledge and experience is crucial. But, in many roles, a strong cultural match with comparable experience from a different industry, can be just as effective.

For example, a hospitality company may require a customer services manager and ask that they have a minimum of three years’ experience in the industry. By narrowing their choice like this, they will exclude suitable candidates from comparable sectors, like retail.

A few weeks back we had a company who were looking for a senior marketing person. They were adamant that the applicant should have a very specific industry background. To convince them that they should look at the individual first and their industry experience second, we presented a varied shortlist of candidates and focussed on their marketing experience, cultural fit and transferable skills.

They were delighted at the range of suitable candidates offered to them and have booked interviews with the ones we decided were a strong match.

By being flexible about industry specific experience, companies not only gain access to a new talent pool, but they also benefit from the different experiences and work practices that a candidate brings with them to the role.

For more top recruitment tips, just call us on 01865 335600.

Networking advice for job hunters

A variety of networking techniques – whether face-to-face or via social media sites can play an important part in securing your first job, a new role or developing your career. Here are a few tips from a recent live Q&A that took place online on this very topic.

Over 130 questions and comments about networking formed a recent debate on the Guardian’s careers website. The Q&A remains live on the Guardian website, and there are some interesting questions as well as lots of advice from experts to refer to if you’re looking for some top tips…

Kate Allen took part on the expert Q&A panel and posted advice for job hunters wanting to improve their networking skills, Kate says: “It was a great experience taking part in a real-time online discussion and answering a range of great questions on networking!”

Here is a selection of some of the top networking tips. Check out the full discussion online too for more.

Networking tips:

1. Attending industry events
To make the most of attending industry events, highlight people from the event list you want to meet. Contact each one directly together with the recruiting managers from these organisations using LinkedIn or other sources to get email addresses. Refer to the event you attended and mention anything else that will convey your knowledge of that contact/organisation. Remember to attach an up-to-date CV and covering email. Keep all of this brief and succinct. You then need to follow this up one week later with a ‘phone call asking them if you could meet with them to discuss your job search.
Don’t forget that people like talking about themselves so it is really important to make sure that you are not doing all the talking! People will remember you if you are confident, up-front, positive and sociable. You must be sure to use your active listening skills and try to remember things they have spoken about so you can refer to these facts when you follow up. Try to do some role playing first so all of this comes across as being natural and not too forced!

 
2. Connecting via social media
Have a good look at LinkedIn and do some extensive research. Compare and contrast what you believe are strong and professional profiles and those that are not so punchy. Build your profile using the best of what you have seen online.
If, for example, you are a recent graduate with limited work experience, there is nothing wrong with a status saying something like – ‘Ambitious Graduate with First Class Degree in International Marketing seeking a challenging opportunity in Marketing/PR in Oxfordshire’.
Be sure to make a note in your profile of all relevant commercial experience and try to get previous employers to endorse you too

3. First steps for job hunting
- Get your CV ready and make sure someone proofs it!
- Set some key priorities: What type of role, location – have two or three fall back options
- Research the profession: What qualifications/experience do I need – How do I get this? Am I being realistic?
- Make a plan to include: Networking, social networking, contact with trade bodies
- Use your contacts including friends and family – Ask them to spread the word!
- Post your CV on Job sites
- Visit Agencies and take on temp work: Update your CV with this work experience
- Maintain flexibility and be proactive
- Stay positive and don’t give up!
- Get a new suit and a hair cut!

Graduates should check out the following sites:
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.milkround.com
www.agr.org.uk

Kate Allen says: “It’s important to remember that whilst we may all have some short term wins through networking, you should be realistic about what it can bring you in the longer term. I have been a member of various networking groups for many years and am still reaping the rewards from events I attended and people I met in the late 1990′s. It’s about relationship building.”

Live networking Q&A today !

Today we are taking part in a live Q&A session on the Guardian website about networking.
If you’re new to networking or want some tips, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask the experts. A panel of experts will be offering advice on developing relationships which lead to a leg-up the career ladder on Tuesday May 31 from 1pm.
It is a written Q&A and you can post your questions and comments on the Guardian website  click here to go to the link. You will need to register via this link in order to contribute to the discussion.
Kate Allen will be taking part as a panelist too, so why not join the debate and ask your top questions on the subject!

Raymond Blanc starts OX5 Run

Huge thanks to everyone who took part in and supported this year’s OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace!

A record 1,086 people registered for the fun run to help raise thousands of pounds for new equipment for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. This is the third year that we sponsored the event and we fielded our fastest team yet!

Six members of the Allen Associates team completed the five-mile run with some impressive times – notably Rob Allen in 48 minutes 45 seconds. For Rob it was a great warm up for his London marathon bid which takes place on 17 April.

We’ll keep you posted on the total funds raised for the hospital as everyone gathers in the sponsorship monies. We’ll also be announcing the corporate cup winner at an awards ceremony in May at the hospital.

In the meantime check out the photos on our Facebook page of the race day action, including Raymond Blanc meeting the Allen Associates team and starting the run for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Get sporty! Businesses can back Rob’s 26 miles…

With the London 2012 schedule published and tickets due on sale next month sport is on our minds…and especially when it comes to raising money for a good cause too! The Allen Associates team is well into its training for the annual OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace, 20 March, for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Five miles was obviously not a challenge enough for Rob Allen though, as he’s running the 26 gruelling miles of the 2011 London Marathon in April to raise £5,000 for the Hospital too.

Workforce planning – 5 top tips

Workforce planning is central to any HR function. It’s especially crucial to companies who want to grow their way out of recession. Here we look at five ways your company can get ahead by planning ahead.

Social networking sites – a useful recruitment tool?

Are social networking sites a useful recruitment tool? Information about potential recruits is freely available on the internet – but just how far could or should employers go to find out more about potential employees online and what are the pitfalls?

With recruitment budgets tight, it’s more important than ever to get the right person for a role. If they leave within the first six months, you’ve wasted valuable time and money.

London calling – Rob to run 2011 Marathon

When Rob Allen volunteered to run the 2011 London Marathon to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t get in. When he was told he’d been selected he was both delighted and worried! 

Living with Jack winner – Congratulations Emma!

Well done to Emma Bruno who won the Living with Jack competition. Emma gained the most ‘publicity points’ and £1,000 from Allen Associates as well!

Review the reviews!

It’s all about reviews in the news this season. We recently blogged about Sir Philip Green’s spending review, and of course now we are all thinking about the Government’s announcements to date on the cuts and how they will or won’t affect our businesses and the knock-on affects of those we do business with.