August 2009
Sales Managers to Emailvision
Emailvision, a global leader in email marketing software services, has recruited Sales Managers through Poolia UK since December 2008.
Richard Marsh and Alex McCall have worked closely with Poolia during this period and Richard explains how the relationship has developed.
"Initially we were introduced to Poolia when they contacted us to take a reference on a previous employee. They were persistent in trying to contact me and when we spoke I found their approach thorough and professional which gave me a positive first impression. On the back of this conversation Poolia pro-actively asked how we recruited staff and whether they could assist Emailvision with recruitment and subsequently we arranged a face to face meeting."
We are very happy with how the relationship has evolved with Poolia. Following our initial meeting they have successfully recruited three Sales Managers for us and have consistently delivered the quality of candidates we are looking for. Poolia have worked hard to develop a good understanding of the culture of our organisation and the type of individual we need to recruit.
One of the main differentiators between Poolia's approach and the service we have experienced from other recruitment consultants is the focus which they have placed on quality rather than quantity. Poolia have not bombarded us with CVs but have taken time to really understand what we are looking for and they ensure they screen candidates effectively for us. I think it is testament to the high standard of their work that neither Alex or I have ever interviewed a candidate through Poolia and questioned why the candidate was presented to us.
I am sure that one reason why Poolia is so successful is the thorough process they follow which includes reference checking candidates before sending CVs and conducting a pre-interview meeting with all prospective candidates before they meet us. This has really helped us to build a strong partnership with Poolia where trust is an important factor and which we certainly value.
In summary I would say that both Alex and I have found the service from Poolia to be extremely personable, professional and always focused on delivering a high quality service to Emailvision. We look forward to continuing this recruitment partnership in the future and would be happy to recommend Poolia to other clients.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: recruitment, what-our-client-say-about-us.
Human resources professionals 'must form long-term plans'
Human resources professionals need to use long-term thinking when developing staffing solutions during the recession.
That was one of the conclusions of a study conducted by the Henley Human Resources Centre of Excellence to discover what businesses consider the most important issues for their human resources function to focus on in the current economic conditions. Researchers based at the Henley Business School found company directors expect to be able to rely on their human resources staff to find the right balance between cutting costs and recruiting and retaining talented workers.
They also discovered that companies want human resources departments to improve their own efficiency, to develop support structures to help workers deal with the pressures of the economic downturn, and to give more consideration to the business's reputation when making decisions. The findings come just weeks after the European Leadership Programme published the results of a survey which showed that 42 per cent of employees believe their company's chief executive needs additional human resources support.
Updated: 28 September 2009.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
FSA proposes new bonus regulations
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has proposed the introduction of new taxes on banks to keep a lid on bonuses.
Chairman Lord Turner said in a discussion with Prospect magazine that parts of the City have grown "beyond a socially reasonable size".
New regulations announced by the FSA earlier this month state that bank bonuses cannot be guaranteed for more than a year.
They also make clear that two-thirds of bonuses for senior employees will be spread over three years.
These regulations, which require banking and financial services firms to provide remuneration policy statements to the FSA by the end of October this year, are due to come into force in January 2010.
But Lord Turner suggested that authorities may need to go further in order to maintain sensible trading practices and prevent excessive risk taking.
"If increased capital requirements are insufficient, I am happy to consider tax on financial transactions," he remarked.
French finance minister Christine Largarde said recently that people with permanent jobs in banking operations should be entitled to bonuses.
However, speaking to French radio, she insisted they must only be related to institutional performances.
Updated: 28 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Skilled employees in demand in London
Employers are increasingly keen to appoint highly skilled people to London procurement jobs, an analyst has noted.
Brian Groom, business and employment editor at the Financial Times, said many companies are making the issue of skills a priority as they look forward to an economic recovery.
This, he stated, is because some are concerned that a skills shortage in their firm could harm their competitiveness when the economy picks up.
Mr Groom also noted that businesses are focusing on skills in order to make sure Britain is able to keep up with rising standards in other parts of the world.
Companies looking to appoint people to London procurement jobs were among those said to be looking at addressing a skills shortage.
This comes amid a period of growing optimism about the future of the UK economy, which could lead to recruitment activity picking up.
A poll carried by ComRes for the Independent this week found that 38 per cent of business leaders are seeing signs of recovery in their sector.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: london, market-and-industry-news, procurement.
French banks in favour of new bonus system
French banks have given their backing to a reform of their bonus structure, following widespread concern over the current system.
With the new system, bankers could suffer financial penalties if their investment decisions are loss-making.
The new system for compensation was agreed following a meeting with the country's banking leaders and Mr Sarkozy.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy believes tougher rules on pay within the banking and financial services sector should be introduced across all G20 states.
He has said he will press for tougher controls on bankers' bonuses at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh next month.
The bonus culture present within the industry has caused some public disquiet, particularly because of the perceived role the sector played in the current financial crisis.
However, the British Bankers' Association has argued that restrictions on bonuses for people in London banking jobs could affect the capital's position as a major financial hub.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, international, market-and-industry-news.
Britons aspire to work in London
Permanent jobs in London are in high demand among Britons, as a large proportion want to live and work in the capital.
A poll by mobile phone operator Orange found that if people could relocate to a place of their choosing within the UK, many would set up home in London.
If all the respondents who chose London did actually move to the city, its population would go up by 40 per cent, Orange stated.
This level of migration would mean that places such as Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham would see their populations drop by 80 per cent.
Meanwhile, Lloyds TSB Autolease has revealed that one in seven City bosses are thinking of getting rid of employee benefits such as gym membership and private healthcare.
Although the Orange poll found that 42 per cent would be happy to give up such perks in return for the opportunity to work flexibly, spokeswoman Claudia Rose has called on employers not to go too far.
She said a properly rewarded workforce is "essential" to any company that wants to emerge from the downturn in a strong position.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: jobs, market-and-industry-news, permanent-placement.
Recession 'has made procurement a priority'
Procurement has moved further up the corporate agenda as a result of the economic downturn, according to a business analyst.
Stefan Stern of the Financial Times stated that in the past, company bosses had tended to avoid taking the issue of purchasing and cost-control as seriously as they should have.
However, he noted that since the credit crunch began, this attitude has changed and people are now making it more of a priority.
"Suddenly everyone is interested in preserving cash, hammering out the best deal and getting tougher on suppliers," he commented.
Mr Stern noted that those businesses which did not take procurement seriously and failed to bring in enough professional expertise are suffering as a result.
He added that some firms which have always considered it important have been able to take advantage of this by creating more London procurement jobs and boosting their client base considerably.
The comments come shortly after the government began allowing small businesses free access to information on public sector procurement contracts worth up to £100,000.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.
BBA: Getting the right recruits is important
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has stressed the importance of matching the right candidates to the most suitable jobs.
According to the industry body, any decisions about appointing people to permanent jobs could therefore be partly based on factors such as a person's medical status.
Speaking to the Guardian, a spokesman for the BBA said considering a person's pre-employment medical examination is standard procedure in many occupations outside the banking and financial services sector.
The representative also noted that people looking for London banking jobs could also have their previous employment record scrutinised by a recruitment panel.
"There are many different types of jobs in banking and these will encompass a wide range of skills and responsibilities," the spokesman added.
Earlier this week, the newspaper revealed that graduate recruits are in demand among many organisations in the industry, with the Royal Bank of Scotland among those seeking people with a degree.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Banking and financial services seek graduate recruits
Companies in the banking and financial services sector are still actively looking for graduate recruits, according to a newspaper investigation.
The Guardian stated that the recession has led to many university leavers facing a struggle to land suitable positions.
However, the publication noted that accountancy firms in particular are still seeking graduates to join their workforce.
"We are taking the long-term view," said Rowena Mearle of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"It takes three years to train an accountant, so we want to have enough people for when the upturn comes."
Rival firms Deloitte and KPMG were also found to be actively looking for graduates to take permanent jobs with their companies.
The Guardian added that this trend is also apparent in the banking sector, with groups such as the Royal Bank of Scotland among those seeking people with a university degree.
This comes after a study by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales showed that business confidence in the banking and financial services industry is higher than in all but one other sector.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Britons 'keeping a close eye on bank accounts'
People in London banking jobs could find they are dealing with more finance-savvy customers as a result of the recession.
According to a study by National Savings and Investments (NS&I), nearly two-thirds of Britons have been more actively looking after their bank accounts since the onset of the credit crunch.
Indeed, almost half of this group said they know exactly how much money is contained in their various accounts.
The study found that this trend was highly apparent among older people, with 60 per cent of over-65s knowing the exact status of both their current and savings accounts.
Dax Harkins, senior savings strategist at NS&I, commented: "It's really important to keep track of your money and to make sure that it is invested in a savings account which suits your individual needs."
He added that consumers only need to set aside a few minutes each week to review their money situation and get the most from their financial providers.
This comes after a poll by uSwitch found that more than one in ten people believe the recession will be over by the end of 2009.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, jobs, market-and-industry-news.
KPMG 'fitting out new London offices'
Accountancy firm KPMG has begun fitting out its new offices in London's Docklands area.
The company spent £260 million on the premises, which will be up and running before the end of 2010, reports Accountancy Age.
More than 4,000 people in London finance jobs are to move to the facility at Canada Square, although its current headquarters at Salisbury Square will remain in use.
Other KPMG offices will be consolidated into a single location, although it is not known which other London premises will stay open.
Speaking after the initial purchase of the Canary Wharf site, KPMG chairman and senior partner John Griffith-Jones said it was an "important step" towards creating an office space that reflects its core values.
He added that the premises would also embrace the "changing ways we will work together in the years ahead".
The office is being fitted out by award-winning interior designer Swanke Hayden Connell, which recently carried out similar work for Merrill Lynch.
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, london, market-and-industry-news.
KPMG forecasts building society consolidation
People in London finance jobs could be affected by growing consolidation within the sector, new estimates suggest.
According to professional services body KPMG, factors such as pressure from industry regulators could lead to more building societies being bought out or combined with another company.
Simon Walker, partner of KPMG Financial Services, said it is "inevitable" that merger and acquisition activity will increase in the sector over the next few years.
However, he told the Financial Times that this trend would not be wholly fuelled by losses created by the current economic downturn.
"Some societies think this is a great time to do a merger without having to pay windfalls," Mr Walker commented.
This comes after the Building Societies Association (BSA) reported that mortgage approvals in the UK rose to £1.8 billion in June 2009.
Although this is nearly one-third down on the figure recorded 12 months earlier, it is the highest number recorded during the year to date.
Brian Morris, head of savings policy at the BSA, said this shows that mortgage approvals are showing signs of stabilising.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Business 'must invest in Human Resources'
Businesses cannot afford to stop investing in Human Resources (HR) during the recession, experts have insisted.
According to the European Leadership Plan (ELP), chief executives must consider three factors in equal measure to ensure their company survives the downturn - finances, strategy and people.
Ashley Ward, founder of the organisation, said this means that businesses must invest in their workforce, as they are their "number one asset".
"Your team may not recognise the role that HR plays within the company every day but they do realise when it's lacking and their motivation wanes," he commented.
The comments came after a poll by ELP found that only five per cent of employees consider HR to be an important skill for chief executives to possess in the current economic climate.
This coincides with a separate poll by Talent2 and Ipsos Mori, which found that more than half of HR directors in the UK expect the economic situation to improve over the next year, reports HRMagazine.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Accountancy firms post best figures for a year
Accountancy firms recorded a rise in volume and value of business suggesting the recession may be on the wane, industry figures have indicated.
Latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Service Sector Survey showed business and professional services, which include accountancy, legal and marketing firms, saw an improvement on value and volume compared to the last quarter for the first time since May 2008.
The survey assesses the affect the recession has had on working patterns.
Improvements in figures came at a cost as companies have been forced to cut prices to compete for business, while also suffering from the effects of deflation in the service sector.
While he acknowledged that market conditions remain tough, Lai Wah Co, head of economic analysis at the CBI, said that for business and professional firms in particular, things were starting to look up.
"Across the service sector, prospects for business expansion and investment are the least gloomy for some time," he added.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
FSA's tax on banks questioned by leading commentators
The tax on the banking and financial services industry suggested by Financial Services Authority (FSA) chairman Lord Turner has been questioned by leading commentators.
Lord Turner announced he is in favour of a tax that would see banking executives' bonus payments reduced by lowering profits.
But speaking to the BBC, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg questioned the workability of a UK-only tax on international banks with operations that span many countries.
And the British Bankers' Association (BBA) went further than Mr Clegg's sentiments, warning that harsh treatment of financial services companies could see them move their operations overseas.
Its spokesman Brian Capon said Britain could easily lose its position as the top centre in the world for global banking if the government chooses to introduce "the wrong kind of regulation or the wrong kind of taxes".
Lord Turner has admitted that getting global agreement on the matter could prove "very difficult".
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Business leaders hail new procurement database
The introduction of a new national procurement database has been hailed by a business group in England.
Earlier this month, the government scrapped the fee to use its website that advertises thousands of public sector procurement contracts worth up to £100,000.
This means that smaller businesses will have better access to information that could enable them to expand their operations, thereby creating more London procurement jobs.
The North East Chamber of Commerce has been among those to hail this development as a good move for the procurement sector in England.
Ross Smith, head of policy and research, told the Northern Echo: "This should help increase competition and therefore the quality of services which are provided."
He added that public sector organisations are currently facing strong pressure to look for new ways to connect with local businesses.
Ian Pearson, economic secretary to the Treasury, recently hailed small and medium-sized business as a vital part of the UK economy, particularly in the current financial climate.
"It is essential that we support them in as many ways as possible," he stated.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.
Optimism grows in banking and finance sectors
People looking for London banking jobs might be reassured to learn that confidence among those in banking and finance is higher than in all but one other sector.
The latest Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) indicated that confidence was up to plus 15.9 per cent.
This was significantly higher than the national average of plus 4.8 per cent.
Optimism among those working in banking and financial services was second only to the IT sector.
Michael Izza, chief executive of the ICAEW, commented: "This quarter's BCM suggests that the UK recession is at an end."
However, he urged policymakers from taking any steps that might impact on the recovery, warning that the current situation is "very fragile".
In the second quarter of the year, confidence in the banking and finance sector in London was at minus 16 per cent, up from the first quarter's record low of minus 46 per cent.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Banks assure FSA that risk-taking culture has passed
Banks in the UK have assured the Financial Services Authority (FSA) that the days of rewards for excessive risk-taking have passed.
Hector Sants, chief executive of the watchdog, stated that he has been told personally by leading figures in the industry that they have taken action on the issue.
Speaking to the Times, he also revealed that a new code on pay in the banking and financial services sector has now come into force and is being enforced through a series of spot checks.
Mr Sants said this would help to ensure compliance and identify where amendments in individual contracts may need to be made.
"In October, firms are required to provide us with their policy statements showing that they are conforming with our code," he commented.
This comes after French finance minister Christine Largarde insisted that any rewards people in banking jobs receive must be related to the performance of each institution.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Procurement sector embraces green policies
People in London procurement jobs are increasingly choosing to make the environment a priority, a new poll has revealed.
According to research from EcoVadis and HEC Paris, eight in ten procurement directors in the UK made efforts to adopt more sustainable purchasing strategies last year.
Meanwhile, over a third of respondents said they plan to spend more on making their supply chain more eco-friendly this year, despite the downturn in the economy.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Olivier Bruel of HEC said they show that the "economic dimension of sustainability is a critical focus" for companies during the recession.
"Sustainable procurement is an integral part of the new model that companies must adopt to survive and thrive in today's global economy," he commented.
The study highlighted a number of reasons for the increased emphasis on the environment, including brand protection, managing costs and complying with new rules on green practices.
This comes after London mayor Boris Johnson said making eco-friendly purchasing decisions would help firms to save money and protect the environment at the same time.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.
Banking and financial services 'will benefit from recovery'
The banking and financial services sector in the UK will benefit considerably from a turnaround in market conditions, an expert has stated.
Nick Osborne, co-fund manager of BlackRock's UK Absolute Alpha Fund, said various developments have made the group highly optimistic about the coming months and years.
For instance, he noted that solvency ratios have been rebuilt, while investment banking divisions have recently delivered very strong returns.
He therefore believes that this performance will start to filter through to other areas of the industry, such as high street banks.
"We are increasingly positive on the banking sector as one of the primary beneficiaries of a stabilising financial system," Mr Osborne commented.
He added that while bad debts in the sector are "noticeably higher", there are signs that the cycle is reaching a peak.
Meanwhile, a poll of consumers by uSwitch has revealed that more than one in ten are hopeful that the recession will be over by the end of the year.
Andrew Bath, General Manager of Banking & Financial Services at Poolia comments,
"The Banking sector is usually the first to enter into a recession or downturn and also the first to lead in an upturn. In general, all other sectors follow in succession. It is important for the Government and public to understand that while Banks may have played a part in causing the recession they are also the only industry who can lead us out of it. Hence it is imperative for the government owned banks not to be managed by public opinion and political gain, but by economic sense and banking acumen".
Updated: 25 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Darling calls for competition in banking sector
Alistair Darling has called for greater levels of competition in the UK's banking and financial services sector.
The chancellor of the exchequer stated that having new players entering the industry would be a positive development.
He has therefore pledged to make it easier for organisations to establish themselves in the sector.
"People need choice and we've lost a bit of that choice in the last couple of years," he commented.
Speaking to BBC News, Mr Darling added that in the wake of the global financial crisis, those institutions that have survived have become more dominant than they were in the past.
This, he stated, means there is "all the more reason" to encourage other groups to move into the banking and financial services sector.
Mr Darling's comments came after supermarket giant Tesco created 800 new jobs in its financial services division.
Andrew Higginson, finance director at the retail chain, told the Daily Mail that this represents a "significant" step towards it offering a full banking service to consumers.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Johnson aims to make London procurement greener
Boris Johnson has called on people in London procurement jobs to make decisions with the environment in mind.
The Mayor of London's Green Procurement Code website was revamped this week, allowing visitors easy access to best practice guidelines and information.
It is hoped that the site will act as a one-stop shop for companies looking to reduce the environmental impact of their purchasing activity.
"We want to make it easier for organisations to make eco-friendly purchasing decisions," Mr Johnson commented:
He said businesses that consider the environment would be able to help the planet and reduce their costs at the same time.
Mr Johnson added that this could be useful for companies during these "tough economic times".
The revamped website includes all the latest publications and reports on sustainable procurement, as well as resources to make it easier to source green products and services.
This comes after Transport for London confirmed that it would be investing £2.4 million in new energy-saving lights for traffic signals.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.
CBI welcomes signs of economic stabilisation
The CBI has hailed improved conditions in the manufacturing sector as a possible sign that the economy is picking up.
A poll carried out by the business group showed that optimism in the industry is at its highest level in more than a year, a development which could bode well for the procurement sector and company supply chains.
Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said this is because many are looking to raise production after running their stock levels down "quite aggressively" over the last few months.
"It looks like destocking in the manufacturing sector may be coming to an end," he commented.
Mr Lambert added that the figures are "a further sign that the UK economy is starting to stabilise".
This coincides with the news that retail sales in the UK in July 2009 were 3.3 per cent up on the amount recorded a year earlier.
Hugh Pym, the BBC's economics correspondent, said this has led to hopes that the UK could emerge from recession during the third quarter of 2009.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Tesco takes 'significant' step to bank status
Supermarket giant Tesco has opened a new customer care centre in its financial services division.
Andrew Higginson, finance director at the retail chain, described the development in Glasgow as a "significant" step towards it offering a full banking service.
This could potentially lead to the creation of more permanent and temporary jobs in the banking and financial services sector in other parts of the UK, such as London.
"The creation of 800 new jobs in the current climate cannot be ignored," Mr Higginson told the Daily Mail.
Chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling has praised the development, as he wants to see more competition in the banking sector.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he commented: "That's something that we intend to encourage."
Tesco Personal Finance was initially set up in collaboration with Royal Bank of Scotland, although the retail chain bought its 50 per cent share last year.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services.
Government told to help people looking for permanent jobs
The government has been urged to offer more support to university graduates looking for permanent jobs.
According to accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), nearly half of 18 to 34-year-olds believe not enough is being done to help those with degrees into employment.
Cathy Little, spokeswoman for PwC, has therefore called on the government to make the issue a priority, reports Bdaily.
"If we get it right, we could have a generation that has learned some of the hardest business lessons quicker and more effectively than many of the generations in full-time employment," she commented.
Ms Little added that the future economic prosperity of the UK is in the hands of today's younger people.
This coincides with Unison's calls to scrap tuition fees, as it believes they are putting people from low-income families off going to university.
The public sector trade union said this move would ensure that the route to higher education is as wide as possible.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: procurement.
Banking bonuses 'must be linked with results'
A French government official has said people with permanent jobs in the banking and financial services sector should still be entitled to bonuses.
However, finance minister Christine Largarde said that any rewards they receive must be related to the performance of each institution.
Speaking to French radio, she said it would not be acceptable for bonuses to be guaranteed to employees regardless of their trading figures.
"Bonuses must be linked specifically to results," she commented.
"They must not encourage the taking of risks that are dangerous for the bank and for society."
Ms Lagarde added that stopping the banks from paying guaranteed bonuses would be a good way of responding to "legitimate" public anger over the issue.
This comes after a British Bankers' Association spokesman told the Independent that people in London banking jobs should still be able to receive performance-related bonuses so the city can remain a world financial centre.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: .
Lloyds to review C&G closure
Employees at Cheltenham & Gloucester (C&G) have been told that its parent group is reviewing its decision to close the subsidiary.
Lloyds Banking Group had previously announced that all 164 branches in Britain would be closed, but the organisation has now backtracked and said they will stay open past November.
"Customers will continue to use the C&G network as usual," it commented.
"All affected colleagues have been briefed by their line manager today."
Trade union Unite has welcomed the move, describing it as an acknowledgement that the decision to close C&G had been "ill-considered".
Rob MacGregor, national officer at the group, said he was happy with the decision to hold a review, adding that it will be a relief to those with permanent jobs at the company.
This comes after the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that Lloyds Banking Group occupies nearly a third of the mortgage lending market.
The 30.3 per cent market share is up from 28.2 per cent in 2007.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services.
Social networking sites 'can boost accountancy job prospects'
Applicants for accountancy jobs have been advised to set up profiles on Facebook and Twitter.
Imtiaz Ahmed, a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, stated that having a unique page on a social networking site can give candidates an advantage.
Speaking to the Cambridge News, he said using Facebook and Twitter helped him to attract attention from prospective recruiters and network with likeminded people.
He also suggested that writing online about their field of expertise could also boost a person's employment prospects.
"Blogs and 'tweets' about your chosen field help you to get noticed and can also help to build your professional reputation," Mr Ahmed commented.
However, he said that since prospective employers will be looking at these pages, jobseekers should make sure it is professional.
Meanwhile, the Graduate Recruitment Bureau has advised jobseekers to do their research on companies when applying for a vacancy.
This, it said, would enable them to tailor their CV to focus on what employers are interested in the most.
Updated: 24 September 2009.
Categories: finance-and-accounting.
The first meeting is the most important
Elisabeth Dellner, HR-specialist at Stockholms Hamnar
Ports of Stockholm began the process of hiring two managers before Christmas.
"A prerequisite of achieving good results is having good personal chemistry between us and the recruitment consultant," says Elisabeth Dellner, who is an HR specialist at the company.
"Ports of Stockholm operates in an exciting environment, and the company has an easy time attracting, motivating and keeping employees. We are a modern company with many interesting jobs to offer, and we are involved in everything from renovating the Skeppsbron Pier to events like the Volvo Ocean Race," says Dellner.
The company is currently involved in a number of major projects, such as Stockholm-Nynäshamn, Norvikudden (an expanded port in Nynäshamn) and the development of a new city district in Värtan-Frihamnen, where they are adding a new pier and cruise ship terminal.
The company has collaborated with Poolia on recruitment over the years, and contacted them again when the time came to find an Operations Manager and a Procurement Manager.
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About Ports of Stockholm |
"We brought a draft of our requirement specifications to the very first meeting with Poolia. We had in-depth discussions all morning about what the job profile should look like, and how the announcement and advertising process should proceed," she says.
What is important to bear in mind at the first meeting?
"The first meeting is the most important. That is when you define the profiles for the positions. It is important to put all your cards on the table with regards to the position in question. It is important to be very open. Another prerequisite of achieving good results is having good personal chemistry between us and the recruitment consultant."
Why did you enlist a recruiting firm?
"We do a good deal of recruiting ourselves when we know the market and the position is a relatively easy one to find candidates for. But specialists and various types of managers can be hard to find. We do not always know the market. Sometimes we ask ourselves if a replacement for someone who is leaving the company after 20-30 years even exists, given the particular profile that employee had. And sometimes it may be that the new person shouldn't have the same profile as the person being replaced. In such a discussion, it is great to have a sounding board."
Can you describe the recruiting process?
"Once the requirement profile is set, Poolia provides three or four candidates for us to meet and conduct traditional job interviews with. We call one or two of them back for a second interview, and then collect references and give them a test."
How do you think Poolia differs from other recruiting firms?
"They have tremendous reach within the service sector. They have recruited everything from harbourmasters to a variety of other management positions. They are also fast, and it is important that the process be a short one, because potential applicants are generally searching for several positions simultaneously. They also keep us up to date on the candidates that they are finding. They are sensitive to how we want things done, and I am also impressed by the candidates they find, that they maintain such a high level of quality."
About Poolia and Ports of Stockholm
Ports of Stockholm has collaborated with Poolia on recruitment for many years. The current project involves the recruitment of an Operations Manager and a Procurement Manager.
Recruiting consultant Margot Estlander has a degree in accounting, and has previously headed financial departments and worked in accounting at a number of companies. She has been working at Poolia for 10 years, and has been key account manager for Ports of Stockholm for several years.
Updated: 23 September 2009.
Categories: international, recruitment, what-our-client-say-about-us.
