PERMANENT PLACEMENTS UP FIRST TIME IN A YEAR SAYS REPORT ON
JOBS

JR Personnel are clearly on trend as we saw an exceptional month of permanent placements!

The UK witnessed improved hiring conditions at the end of
the year, according to the latest 'UK Report on Jobs'.

The KPMG/Recruitment & Employment Confederation report, signalled
the first rise in permanent staff appointments for a year, although growth was
only modest. The increase was linked to higher business activity, the green
light to previously delayed hiring plans and the upcoming IR35 legislation
changes. Temp billings also rose slightly at the end of last year.

While growth in demand for staff improved marginally from
November, the rate of expansion remained close to a decade-low and was modest
overall. While permanent vacancies rose at the fastest pace for three months,
growth in demand for temp workers softened since November.

While the rate of deterioration softened since November,
candidate availability continued to decline sharply in December. Recruiters
attributed lower candidate availability to lingering uncertainty and skill
shortages. Permanent staff supply contracted at a quicker pace than that
witnessed for short-term workers.

Across the country, permanent staff appointments rose in
London, the Midlands and the North of England, but fell further in the South of
England. Increases in temp billings were recorded across all four monitored
areas, with the Midlands witnessing by far the steepest rate of growth.

Permanent vacancies increased in eight of the 10 sectors
monitored by the survey in December, with the steepest increases seen in blue
collar and engineering. However, retail registered a further marked fall in
demand for permanent workers.

Hotel & catering topped the rankings for temporary staff
vacancies in December, followed by blue collar, while the only sectors to
record lower demand for short-term staff were IT & computing, retail and
executive & professional.

Commenting on the findings, REC CEO Neil Carberry said:
"After the uncertainty of 2019, there are some signs of a clearer outlook for
hiring in today's survey. With a new government in place and the path ahead
looking more predictable, some businesses have decided that they have waited
long enough. The first increase in permanent placements for a year should give
encouragement to both recruiters and employers – let's hope this is a sign of
positive things to come.

"Feedback from recruiters shows that the upcoming IR35
changes are affecting both placements and the availability of flexible workers.
This is a delicate period for the jobs market, and is the worst time to push
through sweeping changes to the way we tax contractors. It is right that
government engages further with business on the changes, but they should also
delay implementation until next year to allow time for a full, independent
review and effective regulation of the umbrella sector. As it stands, the
government risks damaging ethical businesses and encouraging non-compliance."

Get to know us: Juliette Ridewood - MD and founder of JR Personnel

The reason we are all here, the founder of JR Personnel, meet our wonderful MD Juliette Ridewood. 

What is your position at JR Personnel? Managing Director

How long have you worked at JR Personnel?     Since I started JR Personnel in its current form in 1993! 

What do you enjoy most about your role?           Really changing a candidate's life by finding them a new challenging role, giving the intiial news that they have been successful and been offered that dream role gives me the most amazing job satisfaction. 

What do you see as a big challenge in recruitment and how do you resolve this issue for candidates/clients? 
The constant rapid changing face of recruitment - although this can sometimes be challenging we always give the best possible service to both client and candidate by our reliability, honesty and listening to their specific needs. We are passionate about getting it right first time and having the courage to say we may need more time to get you the right recruitment solution.

Professional & educational background?
Fellow of the Institue of Recruitment Professionals and the University of Life

Unusual fact or story? I love tap dancing! 

Greatest Achievement either personal or professional? I trekked with my daughter Natasha on the unrestored Great Wall of China raising £18k for Kidney Research! 

Happy New Year from all of us at JR Personnel! 

A New Year often means new starts for many of us which is why it’s no secret that January and February are the most popular and busiest months of the year for job seekers and employers alike.

For candidates the first two months of the New Year is a great time to be applying and interviewing for a new job. You’ll find that January is the time of year when the greatest number of decision makers are in office so you’re more likely to get a speedy response from sending your CV in for a role or for an interview. For many companies, new hiring budgets come into force in January so all those roles which were put on the backburner in November and December are finally getting recruited for!

If you’re a candidate looking for your next step this New Year here are a few tips to help make the process more efficient and smoother.

1. Make your CV work for you

January is often a time for reflection and making new resolutions and that old cliché of “New Year, New Me”. That means that whilst you have made the decision to start afresh and look for a new career, potentially so have many others which is why it’s vital that you make your CV stand out from the rest. Simple tasks such as ensuring your CV is spell-checked and your employment history is listed chronologically (most recent role at the top) will make your CV easier to read by potential future employers.

2. Be Prepared

So you’ve done the hard part of getting your CV noticed and you’ve been invited to interview; don’t fall at the final hurdle by not preparing properly for the interview. You can find handy hints and tips for the interview process on our website here: https://www.jrpersonnel.co.uk/career-advice and finally, remember: research, research, research! The more knowledge you have on the hiring company the more equipped you are to succeed at interview stage.

3. Don’t assume it’s in the bag

If you’ve gone new-start-crazy in January like so many do and applied to lots of different roles it may be that you are waiting to hear back from several positions at once. If you’re offered a position and it’s not your 1^st choice, think long and hard about if it’s an opportunity you can afford to miss out on – so often we see candidates delay their response to a job offer because of this and end up missing out altogether. Employers will lose faith and confidence in candidates who take time to respond to job offers.

Starting a New Year is a good motivation for starting along a new path in life but can seem a little daunting at times. That's why JR Personnel are here to help and take the stress out of job hunting and recruitment for you. We pride ourselves on being an approachable, friendly agency who can offer advice and guidance in a professional and confidential environment. Register your CV with us online now or call the office on 01509 211 211 if you would like to speak to a member of staff. 

Wow, we cannot believe it’s nearly the end of 2019 already and what a year it has been! As we prepare to enter a New Year and new decade we take a quick look back at 2019 and what it has meant for JR Personnel. 

In January we welcomed a new member of staff into the fold, Amira Abuhelgha on our Temporary Recruitment desk; she will be celebrating her first year of service in the recruitment industry in the New Year as we bid farewell (temporarily) to Meri Allen also on the Temporary Recruitment team who will be expecting her first child at the end of January. Amira will be joined by Hannah Waterfield who will be covering Meredith's maternity leave and worked for JR Personnel for 13 years previously. Good luck to all three for the New Year! 

The past year has been busy for the whole team with Henry being rewarded for his Permanent Placement efforts with a special trip to Ragdale Hall for him and his partner which was warmly received and definitely needed following all his hard work!

Our Administrator Karen has spent 2019 implementing all new processes and procedures to ensure smooth running of the office day to day, in particular focussing on making the registration process as efficient and simple as possible for our candidates.

And, lastly but never least, our stoic bosses, Juliette and Natasha have been dealing with everything which requires our beloved JR Personnel to continue running as smoothly as possible including updating our website to a brand new, shiny, user-friendly site which we hope you are all finding extremely helpful and informative.

We take this time now to wish all of our candidates and clients; current, past and future, a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2020!

Tales of Recruitment Registrations

Here at JR Personnel we understand how registering with an agency in-office can sometimes be difficult, how will you get an hour away from work to attend? Who will look after the kids whilst you’re there? How will you make it over to Loughborough if you live 20 miles away and don’t drive? So, to make the whole process easier for you, we offer a “video call” registration where a member of the JR team will call at a time convenient to you via WhatsApp, Facetime or Skype.

Whilst it’s true that our registrations are more of an informal chat, it’s still always important to make sure you’re prepared and in a quiet, distraction-free environment for the 15 minutes it may take to register you. Making sure you're alone and in a quiet place means you can focus on answering our questions and going through key points of your CV without distractions, it also means you have a better opportunity of raising important queries you may have, with us. 

Below are some examples of registrations we've experienced so far this year and an insight into how not to carry out a recruitment registration!

1. In the middle of town standing next to a religious preacher

Yes, that’s right – our wonderful MD Juliette had the pleasure of video-registering a fabulous candidate who accepted her call in the middle of a shopping spree, in town. This wouldn’t have been too much of an issue except the Religious Preacher with a microphone stood behind her was rather distracting. Juliette found the interview extremely hard to conduct due to copious amounts of giggling!

2. Whilst driving

This happens surprisingly more often than you may think – candidates choose to have their video calls whilst in their car, driving! We place our candidate’s safety at highest priority here at JR Personnel so these calls have been ended swiftly with a quick “call me back when you’re safely pulled over!” Your car can be a useful place to hold a registration as it offers privacy and a quiet space – just make sure you are parked up safely and not distracted by red lights, honking horns and road rage!

3. Cooking up a storm in the kitchen

As mentioned above – we get it, registering can sometimes seem like a real inconvenience to fit into your day so we appreciate that you may feel the desire to multi-task whilst having your registration video call. Please, please think twice before you decide to register with us and cook your dinner at the same time, we had a candidate who’s registration was completely obscured by steam and the clanging of pots and pans, not ideal when you’re trying to get to know a person, plus we don’t want to be responsible for you getting distracted and burning your beans on toast!

4. Lying in bed

If only everything can be done from the comfort of our beds, there really is no better place. If you’re out of work staying in bed is a real treat and the comfiest of spots to be browsing the internet for new roles (speaking from experience here!). This year saw us carry out a couple of video registrations with candidates who were in bed at the time of our pre-arranged call, in recruitment first impressions are hugely important and sometimes it can be hard as recruiters to see past novelty pyjamas! 

If you would like to book in to register with us please send your CV to: [email protected] and detail the type of roles you are seeking, salary expectations, notice period and if you have your own transport. We look forward to hearing from you!

Recruitment Lessons from our Favourite Christmas Films

It’s officially December which means we are beginning to feel very festive here at JR Personnel! Christmas is always a busy time for us with placing lots of candidates ready to start new careers in the New Year and supplying temporary workers to cover those busy Christmas shifts!

At such a busy time of year it’s important to find the time to unwind and what better way than with a Christmas movie! Here are some recruitment lessons from our favourites!

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington poses a difficult recruitment problem. His skills and experience are in Halloween Town, however he is adamant to take on the role of Father Christmas. We believe it’s very important to be honest with candidates. We encourage them to look at the skill set they have and focus on roles that are good opportunities for them, and are also realistic. Luckily, Jack eventually realises that his true passion is Halloween and returns to his role as Pumpkin King with enthusiasm. 

2. Love Actually 

This heart-warming film reassures us that there is someone for everyone and in the world of recruitment, there is a perfect role for everyone. At times it can seem like your job search is taking too long and you’re experiencing rejection after rejection, JR Personnel can help share this burden by sourcing roles which match your skill set perfectly, notifying you of any important feedback from interviews and give you hints and tips to make your CV stand out from the rest; don’t be disheartened, the right role could be just around the corner. 

3. The Grinch 

The Grinch is an outcast who isolates himself from others and harbours negative feelings about everything and everyone! Eventually The Grinch learns the true spirit of Christmas and teaches us the importance of being social and personable and maintaining a positive outlook even when life can get you down. This is a great tip for attending interviews; you may have had a negative experience with your previous employer, be feeling disheartened by your job search or just be in a bad mood; try and put it aside and focus on positivity and team work, let your Christmas spirit shine through!

4. Home Alone

When 8-year old Kevin is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation, he must use all his best pranks to protect his home from a pair of burglars. The recruitment lesson we can take from this film is the importance of being organised. The McCallisters are an example of terrible organisational skills… after all, they forgot their son. Recruiters need to ensure they know what job roles they’re trying to fill for the client, which candidates they’ve discussed those roles with, and to keep the details confidential; all this multi-tasking requires organisational skills the McCallisters can only dream of.

5. A Christmas Carol 

Even though everyone is excited about Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge thinks it’s all humbug. Scrooge is visited by three spirits who take him on a journey through his past, present and future in the hope of transforming his bitterness. Scrooge shows us the importance of a positive attitude. Recruiters need to be empathetic and encouraging towards candidates in order to build good relationships. Not only is this important from a recruiter’s perspective, but also for candidates. When looking for work, candidates needs to be proactive and positive, able to bounce back from rejection and onto the next opportunity.

We hope you enjoyed our Christmas Movie Countdown and we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Get to Know Us: Meri Allen - Temporary Recruitment Consultant at JR Personnel

It's always nice to put a face to a name - especially when dealing with something so personal as finding yourself a new career or perfect employee for your business, that's why we are continuing our blog series where we offer you an insight into our team here at JR Personnel. 

This week we meet Meredith (Meri), Temporary Recruitment Consultant and soon-to-be new mum! 

What is your position at JR Personnel? Temporary Recruitment Consultant and occasional blog-writer!

How long have you worked at JR Personnel?     Over two and a half years!

What do you enjoy most about your role?           For me the most enjoyable aspect of the role is definitely placing candidates in a new position whether it be their dream job or something interim to tide them over. Being able to call a candidate and tell them they have been offered a new position is so exciting and rewarding - notifying the client that the job has been accepted is equally as special.

What do you see as a big challenge in recruitment and how do you resolve this issue for candidates/clients? How quickly the market moves is a huge challenge we face on a daily basis, so we have to be really proactive in managing both client and candidate expectations – that means always being well informed and keeping both parties up to date with any changes whether that be advising the client the candidate has other interviews to attend and may be snapped up quickly or letting the candidate know that the hiring manager is on holiday so it’ll be two weeks before we hear anything back. Recruitment can change in an instant so it's vital to be one step ahead. 

Professional & educational background? Prior to becoming a recruitment consultant I’d always worked within the student sector in Sheffield in independent, family businesses – I thought I’d stick with this theme as I joined JR Personnel and love working for a tight-knit, family-run, Loughborough institution.

Unusual fact or story? I studied Fashion Design at University and was fortunate enough to meet and work alongside some British fashion icons including Christopher Bailey, various Saville Row tailors and Vivienne Westwood!

Greatest Achievement either personal or professional? In 2017 I raised £2000 in the space of 4 months for British Lung Foundation by skydiving in honour of my dad who passed away from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2016.

The nights are well and truly drawing in, it's getting colder and we seem to be suffering from a LOT of wet weather at the moment. It can be hard to stay motivated at this time of year; going to work in the dark and coming home from work in the dark can be very draining and uninspiring, especially on a Monday when the weekend feels a million miles away!

Here are some tips on how to boost your motivation and to have a Happy Monday!

1. Rest and Relaxation
It might be tempting to try and cram in as much social activity as possible into your weekends but it's important to make sure you find a good balance and allow some time to rest and relax properly;maintaining regular sleep patterns and taking the time to "put your feet up" will really help recharge your batteries leaving you fresh as a daisy for Monday morning.

2. Know your purpose
Your commute into work on a Monday morning is the perfect time for reflection on your job role, try to remind yourself of what appealed to you when you first accepted the role you are doing, what makes you care about your job, what do you find particularly rewarding? Understanding the true purpose behind your role can be very fulfilling and make you re-evaluate how you feel about your career.

3. What do you want to achieve?
If you're struggling with the Monday blues on a regular basis it could be you've lost your sense of direction. Feeling stagnant in a position or company can have a negative effect so taking time to think about a clear path and idea of progression can really help with feeling motivated, what do you want to achieve? What's your long-term goal? What can you do to get there? Be proactive in speaking with your employer to see what they can do to help you achieve your goals.

4. Be specific
If you're consistently feeling negative about your job, it's important to assess the root of your unhappiness. Are you feeling stressed and overworked or undervalued and not challenged?
If concerns are left unaddressed, they may continue to grow and only add to your disengagement with your work. Employers will want you to be happy, motivated and productive and a good employer should take any issues seriously and help to rectify them with your input.

5. Consider a change
If Monday morning represents an ongoing problem for you, perhaps it's time to consider a career move. Speaking to a recruitment specialist could help you to identify what you're looking for in your career. A chat with one of our consultants could help you to take the necessary steps towards achieving job contentment. Call the office now on 01509 211 211 or email your CV to [email protected]

Get to Know Us: Henry Marvell – Permanent Recruitment Consultant at JR Personnel

So often as recruiters we hear from candidates and clients alike who have worked with agencies before but have never met or known specifically who it is working on their behalf.

Sound familiar?

Here at JR Personnel we believe in the personal approach, after all, the better we know you and the better you know us, the more likely we are to be able to place you in your dream role or find you the ideal candidate.

So, we continue our “Get to Know Us” blog this week with our in-house musician, general tormentor of the team and Permanent Recruiter: Henry Marvell.

What is your position at JR Personnel?

As a consultant, I focus on running permanent recruitment processes for our clients.

How long have you worked at JR Personnel?

"Two and a half years"

What do you enjoy most about your role?    

"That full 360 element, so finding opportunities that I know will be challenging to appoint and being able to target the market to search for those rare candidate skillsets. Knowing I’ve delivered where both the client and candidate feel like they have found what they were looking for, is incredibly fulfilling."          

What do you see as a big challenge in recruitment and how do you resolve this issue for candidates/clients?   

"From observing the industry, the value and quality of service being delivered can often be compromised. Consistently delivering a high level of service to both my clients and candidates is always my priority. Faced with some challenging timescales at times, one could easily be tempted to let that high service level drop, but I never allow that to happen. Being open, clear and honest with all parties always ensures I’m managing the expectations of the client and candidate effectively."

Professional & educational background?

"Degree educated having studied Music & Business."

Unusual fact or story?

"Wherever I am, I always carry a foldaway pocket sized coat hanger. Being well presented is a form of good manners after all."

Greatest Achievement either personal or professional?

"As a self-taught jazz drummer, I’ve played in numerous venues across Europe, once playing at the Royal Albert Hall, something I feel very privileged to have done."

Halloween is the second most celebrated holiday after Christmas in the UK and here at JR Personnel we are definitely not going to miss out, that’s why we’ve decided to take a look at some of those CV horror stories that make recruiters and future employers tremble in their boots! Read below to find out if your CV is a Trick or a Treat!

Recruiters and employers will, on average, spend 5-7 seconds looking at a CV – scary thought hey? So how can you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd and make those first impressions count?

-          A personal statement – always try to include a brief introduction to yourself at the top of your CV but make sure to avoid generic terms like “hard-working”, “organised”, “good time keeper” and draw more on specific skills you may have picked up from previous jobs, education or life experiences, include your ambitions and detail the types of roles you’re applying for and why it interests you. Keep it short and sweet!

-          Make sure your CV is relevant to the position you’re applying for! This may mean having variations of your CV for different sectors or industries but definitely worth it, employers will be looking to match aspects of your CV to the job you’ve applied for so if a key element of a job is providing excellent customer service, make sure it’s on your CV!

-          Layout and Order! Make sure your CV flows well and ideally that it’s no longer than two A4 pages, use bullet points when describing job roles and duties rather than long paragraphs and list your employment history in order with your most recent position at the top!

-          Bad Grammar is truly terrifying – double check, triple check, quadruple check your spelling and grammar, get somebody else to check it for you, those zig-zag red or blue lines on Microsoft Word mean that something is incorrect!

Hopefully these top tips will make your CV a Halloween treat to read but if you want any further guidance feel free to get in touch with one of our recruiters here at JR Personnel on 01509 211211 or email [email protected]

Happy Halloween!