Hello and welcome to the first Connect Career Essentials of 2007. Is spring just round the corner - let's hope there are sunny times ahead.
We hope you will find something interesting and perhaps entertaining in this update.
What's new at Connect?
The New Year has been a busy time for Connect and we have been active on a number of fronts.
As well as working with outplacement candidates all over the UK, we have continued to support Sofa Workshop with team development coaching programmes.
Mandy Harris, Director of Retail at Sofa Workshop commented:
"The work that I have done to date with the Connect consultant I have found extremely beneficial and I think they can really add something to the development plan of my Regional Managers."
Who's Who at Connect?
Continuing our series showing the faces at Connect, this edition features Phil Griffiths and Catherine Price.
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Phil is a founding member and Director of Connect - one of the team that has created its success today. Phil brings over 20 years of HR experience from previous roles in hi-tech and logistics businesses, as well as a spell as a change management consultant.
Phil also possesses a powerful set of lungs, vital in pursuing his interests as a long distance runner, Swindon Town supporter and an aspiring saxophone player. |
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Catherine is one of our favourite consultants. Why? Because she's excellent at helping people think through where they are going and how to get there - our candidates love her. Catherine runs her own business - The Moor House Partnership (www.moorhousepartnership.co.uk)- and is by far the best person we know if you want help with recruitment and assessment. She's a cricket lover, which we think just about offsets her unfortunate devotion to Arsenal. |
Top Ten Tips
We try to produce helpful hints for the people we work with in career change. Here are some thoughts on how candidates can best work with the people who may have the job they really want.
Connect's Top Ten Tips for getting the best from Recruitment Agencies and Consultants
1. Always remember that recruiters are paid by the company that is recruiting. That is where their first priority and loyalty lies. Some are wonderful in their dealings with candidates, some are less so.
2. If you approach a recruitment agency (often by visiting their office in the centre of town) be well prepared. Have your CV with you, and be very clear about the types of job you are and are not interested in.
3. If a recruitment agency tells you that it will circulate your details to potential employers, ask to see what they will write about you. You want to know how your background and capabilities are being presented to the market.
4. In general, do not nag recruiters! If you are constantly on the phone to a recruitment firm asking for updates you will annoy them - not a smart move. It is perfectly reasonable to call to check on progress with an application, but be sensible about how often you make contact.
5. Always follow any instructions from the recruiter in a job advertisement exactly. If you are asked to email your CV, do so…don't post it, meet the deadline date, etc.
6. Treat an interview with a recruiter just as seriously as you would a meeting with the employing company. Don't assume you can leave the detailed preparation of your case until the next stage - you may not get to the next stage if you do.
7. Always ask questions. It is reasonable to expect a recruitment agency or consultant to have useful information about the job and the recruiting company.
8. Keep in contact with those recruiters whose approach and service you find positive and helpful. They can be valuable contacts, and of course you may be just the candidate they are seeking!
9. This may sound obvious, but be positive, friendly and helpful in all your dealings with everyone you speak to in a recruitment business. Remember, your task is to stand out from the crowd, in a positive way.
10. Recruiters are human. They make mistakes, they forget to call you back, and sometimes they lose your CV. Provided they don't make a habit of getting it wrong, be patient - they may have just the job for you.
Interesting links
We thought you might like to see a couple of items that we found interesting. The first appeared in The Times and is an article on outplacement. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2622-2545615.html
The second is from the BBC. Recently a survey of recruiters revealed just how many people still don't use the spell checker to make sure their CV is error-free. Take the test here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6228071.stm
Thanks for reading this newsletter. If we can help you with coaching, career development or outplacement, do contact us on 0845 123 5745 or email team@theconnectprogramme.com
The Connect Team
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