Recruitment Blog Page
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Check your conduct…
As I read the title of the email sent to me by Alison Humphries of Amelius Consulting Ltd ‘Sending CVs without permission’ – my heart did actually sink, I simply thought – “are we still talking about this?” In Recruitment to Recruitment it seems to be an on-going theme, which never appears to actually have a resolution yet still manages to rear its ugly head way too often.
However, I have to say, that the email was significantly uplifting – resulting in that warm and fuzzy feeling of pride and achievement. The team at Ashley Associates have literally been banging on about this subject matter for years. When it happens it’s just the worst feeling in the world, but even more so when you have to sit back and watch it happen to your staff. Working hard to develop trust from our candidates is a significant part of what we do at Ashley Associates and to obtain that is what we strive for with everyone that we work on behalf of, therefore consulting them on their job search is something that we would just simply never compromise on.
It filled me with great pleasure to read Alison’s advice and guidelines on this. We are most definitely compliant, and have been for a long time. Our professional conduct adheres to regulation and our practices can evidence that. We also speak to our candidates as a matter of course about the dangers of their CV being spread around without permission. Our clients are made fully aware of the regulations that we follow and we often advise them about accepting CVs from Recruiters who have sent them a ‘blanket’ or ‘ email with a CV contained. Alison’s observations are also correct when she says that this is not want employers want – they want to see commitment from candidates and are fed up with not achieving that. The vast majority of this I am sure is caused by a candidate simply unaware of who they are making applications to.
These practices do make a difference, although we tend to also feel that it something that the Industry as a whole can work together on and contribute towards achieving the standards that are set out for us by the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses 2003.
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Whatever happened to Customer Service???
Let me ask you, how many times have you found yourself wondering about this? Good customer service these days seems to hit us with surprise, which in itself is extremely sad & very worrying. This idea is fresh in my mind after recently trawling around Insurance companies to update my car insurance. Simply shocking. There was only one broker that I actually remember, & no matter what his price, he is definitely the one I will be going back to. A concept also, ever-more important to Recruitment Consultant's across the UK.
At Ashley Associates, we seem to have a unique sense of what it might be like to be on the other end of the telephone. We are faced daily with disheartened & de-motivated Recruitment Consultants, taking that very nerve-racking & precarious step into the big bad world of job-hunting. Even though, they make their living on 'Recruiting' others, it is somewhat a far different cry to actually putting yourself in that situation yourself.
We like to think that when they speak to a Consultant at Ashley Associates, they would find that that fear & worry can be put to rest. Our Consultants really know the art of Recruitment - first & foremost, making people feel important. Each & every one of them. Providing a personal customer service. It is our job to completely understand your needs. If we don't have that dream job for you right now, then at least you might remember us & stick with us until we do. Its all about giving someone hope, making them feel that no matter what their request is, it is a perfectly acceptable request to make. We are not here to judge or persuade you to take a different path, but to simply take the problem off your hands. Nothing should be too much trouble. That is perfect customer service. That is a perfect Recruitment Consultant. That is an Ashley Associates Recruitment Consultant.
Posted on the 16/09/2009
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Accept the things you cannot change
Ever noticed how your PMA can affect your results in recruitment? Now this really is a notion worth thinking about...
Our success as a Recruitment Consultant largely depends on the behviour & actions of others. We all know how frustrating & exasperating this can be, especially when people cannot always be managed, or understood.
Here's a thought - stop trying so hard to understand! We at Ashley Associates have figured something out - who knows why that candidate decided to accept the counter offer despite 4 weeks of committed job hunting, who knows why that client didn't make the job offer despite 3 glowing references - but it's very likely that we will never know, but most importantly, its not personal.
recruitment is all about people, human beings - who are all different & unpredictable, each with their own agenda. People will always make choices that we dont understand. These things don't change. To be a successful recruiter we must accept that & accommodate for it. As sales people we must always know we have done our utmost, not to persuade others to make unsuitable choices, but to be gifted in pointing out the benefits & passionate about those we choose to represent. Keeping a positive mental attitude & accepting that sometimes that just might not be enough, or that we cannot always predict ones behaviour, helps to keep a healthy recruitment practice.
The key is how we deal with that...
It is most definitely true what they say; tomorrow is always a new day in recruitment, and everyday is a new chance to get it right. Finding the right person for the right job. Just don't miss that chance.
Posted 15/09/2009
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Ashley Associates Recruitment to Recruitment Specialists –
It’s how we are!!
Ashley Associates Recruitment to Recruitment Specialists – It’s how we are!!
When we founded Ashley Associates UK Ltd – Recruitment-to-Recruitment Specialists, we wanted to offer a very different kind of recruitment-to-recruitment service to both clients and candidates – and the Ashley Associates difference is delivered each day by our proactive team.
We took immense care selecting who would work Ashley Associates. Like us, many of the team are experienced Recruiters, and come from all disciplines, Commercial, Industrial, IT or Recruitment-to-Recruitment background, but more than this, everyone has a real passion for people.
Working for Ashley Associates means a 100% dedication to fulfilling potential – as an individual, as a team and as a key part of this successful, growing company. So everyone takes an active role to support, encourage and help each other to do their very best. We wouldn’t expect anything less from our team, and to see them achieve in the way they do is rewarding for everyone.
The environment here is fast-paced, energetic and demanding – but it’s also nurturing, supportive and really open and friendly. This is a workplace where people thrive.
Our vision for the future is as strong now as when we first established the company and we will remain hands on and totally involved in every aspect of the business. We care passionately about growing Ashley Associates through coaching and developing my team – and adding to the team when the right people come along.
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Facing Redundancy – What do you do next?
Want to get another job?
Start by putting your CV together. It may have been a while since you last did this, so it’s likely your CV will need a bit of an update. Once you’ve updated this though, you’ll be ready to start applying for jobs.
Write a one-page summary of why you should be considered for a job. Then, when you’re filling in application forms, you won’t have to think when you get to this page – you’ll just be able to copy down what you’ve already written.
Start looking for jobs – consider the Job Centre; your local paper; recruitment agencies and anywhere else you can think of. Ask friends and family too. Employers are still recruiting, even in this market so get yourself out there.
Make sure you have clothes suitable for an interview – I’m talking about smart clothes here, so a suit or smart work clothes. Potential employers will want to see that you can be presentable.
Practice interview techniques before you actually get in the room. And don’t forget to go for it!
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Kay Coles – Ashley Associates UK Ltd –
Recruitment to Recruitment Specialists- Monday Morning Blog
I am definately a morning person. Once I’m awake, and that’s usually before 6:30am, I just can’t stay in bed I have to be up and doing things.
For the rest of planet that struggles to get up early in the morning here are some quick tips that might be useful.
1. Plan your day the night before. Writing down all the big, important things you’ll be doing the next day give you the extra spring in your step to wake up early and quickly. If you’ve got a purpose, you’ve got a big reason to wake up.
2.Use the extra time productively. – What’s the point of getting up a few hours earlier if you don’t do anything productive with the time? Your brain is pretty smart, and if it figures out that waking up earlier doesn’t really have any benefits, game over. There has to be a reason for getting up.
3. Reward yourself. Don’t think for a second that the reasons for getting up have to be totally work-related. Remember waking up really early on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons? That’s right: motivation. Occasionally give yourself rewards to anticipate the next day. A favorite show, ice cream, your favorite breakfast… anything for you to look forward to.
Although I would like to assure you all that I do not get up to eat ice cream that early in the morning but why not do something you enjoy that isn’t work that you wouldn’t have time to do during the day if you hadn’t have got up early. I would also just like to point out that on the weekend all the best cartoons are on before 8am. Have a great week all!!
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Business: Ashley Associates have recently passed their REC inspection
As part of the Recruitment and Employment Confederations continued commitment to highlighting excellence in the recruitment industry, they have developed a robust inspection programme that validates compliance with The Employment Agencies Act and Conduct Regulations 2003 and REC Code of Professional Practice.
Ashley Associates have recently passed their inspection against key areas within our business, including:
Work Seeker Files
Terms of business for introduction
Permission to forward CVs or Personal Data
Complaints Procedure
Advertising
Health and Safety
Equal Opportunities
Data Protection and Confidentiality
Client File
Induction and staff Training
Maz White, Ashley Associates Office Manager, said "as part of our on going pledge to both our clients and candidates we welcome this inspection as it further validates our service and the professional approach of our recruitment consultants. As members of the R2R Sector Group we strive to be the R2R agency of choice across the UK and this "pass" makes us all sit taller in our seats" Having held the responsibility for the companies Investors in People and Work Life Balance accreditations, the REC Inspection was the most nerve racking and possibly the most satisfying to achieve" Champagne all round?
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Business: Ashley Associates - Work - Life Balance Accreditation
In 2006 Ashley Associates was the first recruitment company in the UK to receive the Work-Life Balance accreditation. This was a massive achievement for the company and it's employees and everyone involved remain incredibly proud of such a new and prestigious award.
It does go to prove that it isn't all work and no play. By this we mean we offer our employees a level of flexibility, in turn this motivates individuals to achieve better results within the work place and thus making the company more professional and successful. Working from a picturesque location in the Gloucestershire countryside is a plus point, enabling staff to walk at lunchtime without filling their lungs with smog from the traffic. We are lucky to have within our farm office community a beauticians who offer, massage, alternative therapies and a whole host of treatments and potions.
We work closely with Gloucestershire Enterprise ensuring that our staff are all trained in areas we/they identify, more than 50% of people working here have achieved an NVQ Qualification of some description.
We offer part time working for "returning mums", flexible working hours to accommodate nursery commitments, free parking, private healthcare and our Christmas Party arrangements get bigger and better each year. This year we ran a "Christmas present competition" where after drawing names each person had to "handcraft" their gift for less than £10.00. A positive triumph of creativity, team bonding and general hilarity insued with an array of gifts from, a ten track DVD of Christmas songs (the voice was terrible Rob), an Admin Calender sporting a selection of photos of Andrew in various poses, hand made cakes, truffles, Christmas cookies, personalised mug mats with staff faces super imposed onto super hero bodies and a giant cracker full of sweets and gifts.
An excellent excercise for any team!! How we will top that this year I'm not sure.
