The Harcourt Matthews Blog & News Articles

Job News Flash – More Good News!

Following our Job Market News Update blog posted earlier this week, we thought that you might be interested in some more great news about the job market, which indicates that things are looking positive!

NumbersHR Magazine has reported that permanent placements rose in August at a “modest pace that was identical to that recorded in the previous month according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG Report on Jobs.” Encouragingly, this growth is similarly reflected in the temporary recruitment sector. Additionally, the supply of permanent staff was also reported to have improved, indicating that despite a slow economy, a fall in consumer confidence and higher than ideal inflation, employers particularly in the private sector have bucked the trend and continued to recruit staff.

Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the REC, stated “The UK jobs market is being incredibly resilient … We are confident that this trend is set to continue.”

Let’s hope that this upbeat reporting is a sign of things to come and receives the coverage it deserves in the media!

So, if you are keen to put some pace into your hunt for a new role access our FREE job search tools, or if you would like some advice on your job search, take a look at our Top Tips for Maximising your Job Search blog to kick-start things.

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Job Market News Flash

Going UpDemand is up: despite mixed news reports on the job market, demand for staff remains steady, according to a recent survey by Reed.co.uk. It appears that despite both the uncertain economic climate and the summer break, the demand for new staff in August has equalled July.

This in turn represents a “year-on-year rise in demand of 20% compared to August 2010, meaning a fifth more jobs are being advertised on reed.co.uk than twelve months ago.” The key sectors that are driving this uplift are Accounting, Purchasing, Marketing, Media & Digital, whilst Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail & Consumer-focused markets have seen a drop in vacancies.

Salary on holdSalaries Down: on the flip side, the Reed Salary Index, which reflects advertised pay rates, has seen an overall decrease by two points from July to 97 points, which is three points below its December 2009 level. Some sectors are bucking this trend, namely, HR, Marketing & PR, Media, Digital & Creative but other markets are experiencing a dip in salaries.

What does this mean?
Overall, its positive news for those of us seeking the next step on the career ladder, as with more vacancies attracting increased candidate flow, this can only lead to market competition for high-calibre individuals, and ultimately, an impact on the financial packages on offer – so watch this space for news of salary scales rising!

Catch up with the latest in recruitment news, review current job opportunities or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.

photo 1 sean macentee; photo 2 imagesofmoney

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Back To School – How’s the Job Market?

With the nation getting ready for a new school, college or university term and the summer holiday season well & truly over, what does Q4 of 2011 hold for UK businesses & those seeking a career move?

Smiley Face Well, it seems that despite the general “gloom and doom”, there is some good news on the horizon. After a recent meeting of REC Office Professional members, Jo Edwards current Chair, stated “the consensus was one of cautious optimism as while the overall economy continues to falter, employers are becoming less hesitant about taking on staff, so we can be more upbeat about the gradual recovery of the labour market.”

Historically, recruitment consultancies report an up-lift in job vacancies & candidate activity in September, as people return from vacation and settle back into the work routine.

So for those of you who have been sitting tight during 2011, now might be the time to update your CV, brush up your online profile & rekindle those agency relationships!

Whether you’re actively pursuing a new opportunity or seriously thinking about taking a look at the marketplace, visit our website for additional tips & advice or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.

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To Be or Not To Be – Part Time vs Full Time

According to a recent report by Personnel Today “the number of people forced to work part time because they could not find a full-time job has risen to the highest level since comparable records began, with unemployment climbing to 2.49 million.” The article goes on to say that “business groups and unions expressed concern over the figures and have called on the Government to re-examine its plans to encourage growth.”

Whilst all of us recognise that the UK economy could do with a boost, is this news as gloomy as it sounds? Let’s face it, whilst working part-time might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are 5 good reasons why it might appeal to some of the UK’s work force.

Reason 1: you are earning a salary and benefits package – all be it on a pro rata basis
Reason 2: you are keeping your skillset current and up to date

School RunReason 3: you are enjoying the flexibility that part-time work offers, particularly useful if you are juggling childcare, the school run or have other commitments that fulltime employment doesn’t accommodate


Reason 4: you have the chance to develop life, career or educational interests, which you may not have previously considered due to time constraints
Reason 5: you are in pole position to become a full-time employee if business improves

For more insights into the job market, please visit our News & Blog or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.
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Performing at Interview – 5 Top Tips to Success

“If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again.” In this challenging economic & recruitment climate, this adage certainly holds true when it comes to landing your dream job. With career opportunities suffering as the result of slow business growth and competition for those golden roles at an all-time high, you can’t expect to amble through the recruitment process and get offered the perfect job on a plate.

So, how do you ensure you nail your next move? Follow our 5 Top Tips to success …

Platform ShoePut Your Best Foot Forward. First impressions DO count, so ensure that your appearance and non-verbal behaviour complements your performance. Smart and appropriate dress, standing tall, making eye contact & offering a firm handshake will ensure that your meeting gets off to a good start.

“I will say this only once”. Listen - this is a great opportunity to gain information about the role, company and corporate culture, so pay attention to what’s being said and use this information to your advantage.

Noise HazardEnough Already. Remember that an interview is a formal meeting to elicit your suitability and fit for a job or business. Keep your interviewer’s interest by making your answers succinct and to the point.

Show them what you’re made of. Get prepared before the meeting and thoroughly review the job spec, so that you have proven examples at your fingertips which demonstrate the core competencies that the role demands. Avoid generic answers – the interviewer wants to hear evidence of your experience, ability & skill set.

100Give it 100%. Nothing sells like enthusiasm. Be positive. Demonstrate an interest in the job and the business. Don’t wake up halfway through the interview and realise that this is a golden opportunity – the damage will have already been done.

We hope that this blog has given you some key pointers on interview performance. For further insights into finding your dream role, take advantage of our FREE job search tools or visit our website for the latest vacancies.

photo 1 by uggboyugggirl; photo2 by srboisvert; photo 3 by smabssputzer

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New Job Opportunities – “New Enterprise Zones”

British IslesThe government announcing UK-wide “enterprise zones” to boost economic growth and create up to 30,000 new jobs by 2015, seems at last to herald a genuine attempt to support the SME businesses that contribute so significantly to the British economy. Local business and council groups have put forward bids to host the zones, which are spread throughout the country, and would benefit from cheaper business rates, superfast broadband and lower levels of planning control.

David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has stated: “We are determined to do everything we can to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business. These new Enterprise Zones will be trailblazers for growth, jobs and prosperity throughout the country.”

London DocklandsLet’s hope that the scheme enjoys the success of a similar 1990s initiative, which saw the development and transformation of the Docklands in London’s East End, bringing employment, housing and transport to the area.

The new zones are located in Warrington, Cornwall, Gosport, Norfolk, Hereford, Kent, Oxfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Northampton, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire and the Humber Estuary, to complement those that were announced in the March 2011 Budget which include Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Derby, Nottingham, the Black Country, the Tees Valley, the West of England and the North East.

Get up to date on the latest business and recruitment news, or take advantage of our FREE job search tools if you’re hunting for a new job.

photo 1 by robertdevaugondy; photo 2 by magnusd

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Pay Freeze – To Go or Not To Go?

With only 1 in 4 workers enjoying a pay rise in 2011, according to a recent report from the CIPD, you may be feeling that the grass is greener on the other side, especially as those lucky enough to have received an increase may still be suffering from a fall in their standard of living given the current 4.2% inflation rate.

So, how do you manage your way through these sticky financial times?

Moving OnOption 1 – Move On If there is no light at the end of the tunnel, the pay freeze is here to stay and you feel that you’ve achieved everything you set out to in your current role, then it may be time to look for a new opportunity. Top Tip: Take control and be proactive rather than bemoaning your situation – you’ll feel SO much better for it!

HeartOption 2 – Stay Put If you love your job and feel that you’ve more to achieve with your current employer, then stay put, but take steps to ensure that your commitment receives a return – even if it’s not financial. Top Tip: Negotiate a bonus with your boss based on achieving some key objectives or completing a specific project – it doesn’t have to be cash related, it could be flexi-time, additional holiday or an early review (when there’s some money available).

If you’re seriously considering moving on then take advantage of our FREE recruitment tools to get the most out of your job search. If you’re happy where you are, then check out our Review Your Internal Options blog for some more top tips.

photo 1 by gabrielsaldana, photo 2 by katerha

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“Keep it up 1, 2, 3, 4” … how to keep your job search active

Keeping pace in your job search, with the summer holidays stretching ahead, can prove a frustrating time in your hunt for a new role. Do you a) give up completely? b) put things on the back burner? or c) pull out all the stops to keep yourself in 5th gear? Hopefully, you’re the type of character who will have answered a resounding YES to option c!

Beach
Holidays are an annual event and part of life – whilst they present hurdles, they are certainly not insurmountable obstacles to your job search.  What can you do to ensure you stay in the fast lane?
We’ve put together our 5 “R” Tips to keep you on the move.

1. Reconsider your existing situation. Just because you feel that you’ve come to the end of the road in your current position, doesn’t mean that your existing employer can’t offer you another challenge in the form of a new role, a project/secondment or the chance to transfer to another department or office.

2. Review your online presence. How long ago did you post your details on those CV database sites? Does your CV need an overhaul? Are your search requirements still valid? When did you last log in?

3. Revamp your job alerts. Have things moved on since you set up your job criteria? Had a salary rise? Why not broaden the types of role you’d consider?

4. Reconnect with your network. We make new contacts in our work, social and personal lives on a daily basis, so make sure your network is up to date and aware that you’re still keen to take your next career step.

5. Ring your recruitment consultant. Keeping your agencies updated and in the loop about your job search, even if it’s “business as usual”, staying in touch is key to ensuring you stay in their eye line. It’s also a great way to update on the market and pick up some FREE advice.

Make sure your job search is firing on all cylinders not fizzling on and visit our website to review our current vacancies or sign up to our News & Blog to keep “in the know” on what’s new in the recruitment market. Happy Holidays!

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Job Hunt Part 5 – Get Ready

Finally, now you’re ready to really commit yourself to the challenge of finding your next career move, some last minute tips to keep you on the straight and narrow …

TelephoneTOP TIP 1 – Are you contactable? Have you set up a personal email and mobile number to stay in touch with career alerts, job descriptions & interview details? Avoid very personal addresses and voicemail messages to ensure that you convey a professional image.

CowboyTOP TIP 2 – Are you dressed to impress? People do judge a book by its cover, so ensure that your appearance doesn’t detract from your interview performance – save your “out there” fashion, hair & make-up for Friday night out or Halloween !

CalendarTOP TIP 3 – Are you available? Unless you are facing redundancy, relocating or totally honest with your boss, attending interviews during working hours, is just one of the challenges of finding a new position. Whilst most interviewers will try and accommodate early, late or lunchtime appointments, there will be situations where meetings have to take place between the hours of 9 to 5. Make sure that you keep some holiday or “time owed” in reserve for these occasions.

We hope that you have found our Job Hunt series useful and informative. For further recruitment updates, tips and advice, please access our FREE Job Search Tools.

photo 1 by images_of_money; photo2 by anyjazz65; photo 3 by dafnecholet

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Job Hunt Part 4 – Routes to Market

Having confirmed that your dream job exists, that you have the required skill set and above all that your financial expectations are realistic, you are now ready to dip your toe in the recruitment river. Within the changing face of the job world, there are many routes to market – how do you choose which path to take?

To really maximise your chances of success, we’d advocate a combination of approaches to give yourself plenty of opportunity to land your next role, so take a look at our 5 Top Tips.

1. Stay Put. If you enjoy where you’re working, why not explore internal moves? 2. Who do you know? Network with existing contacts to find out about potential job ideas. 3. Get Online. Job sites and CV databases are a great way to instantly access career opportunities & flag up your CV to potential employers. 4. Be Social. The world of Twitter & Facebook is becoming popular as a place to highlight job vacancies and let others know you’re thinking of a career move. 5. Use an Expert. Sign up to a Recruitment Consultancy and take advantage of free professional advice & instant access a range of current job opportunities.

Don’t forget to stay tuned for Part 5! In the meantime, please download our FREE Fundamental Job Search Guide for more tips and advice.

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