Blogs & Vlogs

I used to think the more senior the job, the more I would expect to see a cover letter but recently that theory was blown out the water. I got so many cover letters but there was one common thread, it was a generic cover letter, sometimes not even relevant to the role they were applying.

Sometimes you have to look at the bad to know what a good job looks like. And I would encourage anyone thinking of starting a new job, to look at the future relationship with your new boss.

The impact professionally can be emotionally and professionally challenging. It can lead to feelings of self doubt, uncertainty, and lost of confidence. Moreover, it can disrupt workflow, affect financial stability, and create a sense of instability.

I have heard this many many times. And I do not doubt it at all. When someone is reading a job description, and it ticks all the boxes (or most of!) you should absolutely apply for that job. But it was recently, when I was working with a client to map out their dream job, that I suddenly shed some light on their situation. Whilst the job description seemed perfect for them, what they were reading was only words.

The recruitment process starts from the moment you submit your CV. Whoever receives it at the other end, that is your first impression. Here are my top ten recommendations based on what I have seen in the last few weeks.

Does anyone out there feel fully energised? Anyone feel like doing cartwheels down the street? Or like most people I know and speak to, do you feel sluggish and exhausted? Feel like you’re running on empty lunging from one sad conversation to another? And when you sit down to watch the TV or listen to the radio, it’s all doom and gloom? Well, you are NOT alone.

I feel like a bit of a broken record at the moment when people ask why recruitment is tough going at the moment. Why cannot hiring managers find the right people for jobs that they are recruiting and why cannot 3 million find a job when there appear to be so many jobs about. Why are jobs being continually readvertised? Why are clients taking so long to give feedback? Why are candidates not showing up for interviews or changing their minds?

Like most people, I have Zoom fatigue. But then I realised the impact of that and how it is impacting me, and candidates alike.

In light of recent events in the media, here are my thoughts about my thoughts.

Candidates have really got it tough at the moment. Here is the story of one candidate I worked with who showed the greatest amount of tenacity, but above all else, they showed passion and a desire for the job.

have never dedicated a blog to someone before so this is a first and this is written for my amazing friend, Lisa.

I have heard this so many times this week. From candidates but also from friends and it breaks my heart. And it also makes me angry and frustrated and sad, and all the other emotions that seem to circle constantly in 2020. So, I am sharing something very important with you here……

After a tough 6 months……are changes afoot?

With over 800 CV’s for 1 advert, how could I make some of these amazing candidates come alive and be more than just a piece of paper? I think maybe I found my answer……

70% of my candidates come through LinkedIn. Not any more. Here is how the market appears to be changing.

Should we be watching what our competition is up to or should we keep calm & carry on?

Have you negotiated a job with a higher salary because of the travel to and from home to office? If so, and your job has now changed to working from home, should you take a paycut?

In December 2019 I wrote about no longer replying to candidates who applied for jobs and this understandably caused some interesting debates. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make but 2020 brings the year of the U-Turn. And U-Turns aren’t always a bad thing.

I am finding that more and more candidates are happy to take a job that has less responsibility. In 2019 that might have raised an eyebrow but in 2020, I think it’s a huge credit to anyone who makes such a change. Here is why I think that.

and 2020 is the year that I can fix NOTHING!!!! Here is what I have learnt so far as we’re in week 6 of lockdown!

Rejecting a candidate for a job is really tough. It is the one aspect that of the job that I don’t like. I’ve had candidates cry down the phone to me, I’ve had candidates never call me back after I’ve left many messages saying I have news, I’ve had people revert back to email communication after we’ve had very good conversations on the phone, I’ve had it all. As have all recruiters no doubt. But the one that confuses the life out of me is when the candidate says, “Well I didn’t want the job anyway”.