The Government has launched initiatives to help get 350,000 young people into work.
The number of young people out of work during the three months to September 2011 rose by 67,000. The total is the highest since comparable records began 19 years ago.
There is no doubt that with ratings agencies threatening to downgrade the AAA rating of half of the EU and crisis talks about the future stability of the Euro, the forthcoming festive season will come as a welcome break from unremitting predictions of doom and gloom.
The New Year of course brings the long awaited London Olympics and with the games the expectation of a much needed injection of cash, and definitely jobs, into the economy.
Rosanne Shochot
David Alan Consultants
Recruitment specialists placing staff who last
IMAGE CREDIT: BRIAN J MATIS' PHOTOSTREAM ON FLICKR
Last month, youth unemployment (ie under 25 years) touched 1 million.
In these grim economic times, even a university degree doesn’t guarantee you a job, as many despairing graduates have discovered.
“The government needs to start investing in opportunities for graduates and supporting businesses that are willing to employ young workers.” says Estelle Hart, spokesperson for the National Union of Students (NUS).
Last year the government axed the Future Jobs Fund, which was created to fund invaluable work experience for young people and graduates. Its withdrawal means there is little or no incentive for employers to take on a new generation of employees who are our future.
Growth may be slow in the permanent market but temporary work is steady. We help candidates recognise their strengths and skills, and capture it on video so it enhances their written CV which very often has minimal work experience.
Clearly these young people have loads of energy and commitment and keen to have a chance in a first job. What they lack in experience they make up in enthusiasm.
David Alan’s candidate video clips allow employers to view 10 candidates in 20 minutes.
To find out how we can save you time when taking on temporary staff to enhance your business in the short term, please contact us at David Alan Consultants.
Rosanne Shochot
David Alan Consultants
Recruitment specialists placing staff who last
IMAGE CREDIT: RENEE SILVERMAN'S PHOTOSTREAM ON FLICKR
There was a piece in last weeks Recruiter Magazine online which caught my eye. Well, it would, as it was about the use of video in the recruitment process, a viewpoint put out by Andrew Wilkinson, CEO at TMP Worldwide and we specialise in video recruiting as part of our talent placement toolkit.
If you’ve not seen my blog until now, please do take a moment to scroll through and you’ll see that at David Alan, we’ve been using our video interviewing service for a long while now which was as well received from day one as it is today. What’s more, we know we are saving clients up to 50% of the entire recruitment process: the HR Directors’ time and the company’s money.
In the feature, Andrew Wilkinson is reported to have told Recruiter, “Video allows you to bring to life the brand in a way that other types of creative channels don’t.”
And what I receive firsthand on a regular basis via client feedback, is that our video clips, produced for the client at our cost, presented with the traditional CV, totally showcases our candidates.
I am so thrilled to be working in this amazing sector hunting for new talent and presenting the right talent to my clients.
Video has significantly changed the way this industry now works.
Bring it on I say.
I believe the role we have in our work with HR Directors is in the provision of business solutions and we do this through the people-element of the business.
As communications and commerce rely even more on digital medias, I pose the question in following question in this month’s blog:
How can Mobile & Video can help secure the pick of the crop of top talent for you?
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS
David Alan Consultants is a recruitment consultancy with a difference. We believe that business is best when viewed in the long term and on a partnership basis, which is why we regard our clients as partners. This belief underscores everything we do. Our goal is not only to provide our clients with candidates who exceed expectations but to work with them before, during and after the search process. This ensures they save time, stress and money – and that the recruitment process is seamless.
WHEN DID YOU SET UP YOUR ORIGINAL BUSINESS?
David Alan Consultants was set up in May 2006!
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BIG BUSINESS IDEA?
Candidates looking for work need different support. It is my job to make candidates recognise their strengths and skills and to help them get the right message across in the interview clearly and concisely. The proof of this is that I receive referrals weekly from candidates who I’ve worked with in the past. I like to treat clients and candidates with the same respect. From the candidates perspective, they welcome the additional support. I really get to know who we are working with: that’s important to me.
WHAT IS YOUR USP?
When working on a vacancy, we send clients a short list of candidates who have been thoroughly interviewed, capture highlights on film and send it to clients together with the written cv to effectively bring candidates cvs to life. Our video interview technique is so well received and sets us apart.
We are also able to ask key questions on behalf of the client, capture the response on film, enabling us to do the first stage interview so that as far as the clients are concerned they only meet the right candidates.
We can save up to 50% of the recruitment process.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGE TO DATE?
At the moment we are finding mature candidates are more reluctant to be filmed and seem to be camera shy. However, after explaining that it is a safe environment and if answers are messed up due to being camera shy, we are able to redo the question. This saves candidates time by only meeting the client in person once they have been selected for a face-to-face interview. It also saves them money and time as in the past lots of my candidates had been for interviews where the position had been completely mismatched to their skills. The video clips save time on wasted interviews.
WHAT ELEMENT OF THE BUSINESS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
Working closely with clients, managing the entire recruitment process and only sending the best candidates to meet in person. Understanding how the position fits within the rest of the organisation and how my candidates will enhance the smooth running of the department/business so that it functions more efficiently. Also the satisfaction of helping candidates on their career path.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE?
I have lots of great quotes that I live by, however this one inspired me at the set up phase of DAC:
“If not now, when.”
WHAT PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES DO YOU THINK CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I listen carefully, I ask lots of questions and I genuinely have an interest in the people I meet and the businesses for whom I recruit. From this I gain an insight to what is expected, take it on board and implement it effectively.
HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL MEDIA TO YOUR BUSINESS?
It is important and is beginning to have an influence in my business. However, it is a very easy to communicate quickly and share information which is essential in our business. I’ve had clients Google candidates prior to interviews which in some cases has affected the candidates chance of being offered due to revealing, inappropriate pictures posted on the web. Also I’ve heard of employees being pulled up for inappropriate comments about co-workers that are available for everyone to read. Social media is here to stay. I think it’s a powerful tool and must be used appropriately. Many people are choosing social media comms as their preferred contact route which is pretty amazing isn’t it.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Ideally save as much as possible and try and run it as a hobby first to test the market, perhaps whilst it’s not your source of income. When I started my business, I only got paid after my staff received their salaries, rent and utilities bills had been paid and every invoice was settled. And on occasions I did not get paid. It is challenging, hard work but the best thing I have ever done. In your book Bev, Do it! or Ditch it, there is a quote which says it all for me:. “The greatest fear of many employed people is losing their jobs. The greatest fear of most entrepreneurs is that they may have to get a job.”
WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT EBA?
A friend of mine invited me as a guest to an EBA Growth Day where Nic Rixon was the guest speaker. I was so impressed I asked how I could work with him. He said the most affordable way to benefit from his expertise was to join the EBA. I joined within 2 days.
WHY DID YOU JOIN EBA?
For the first time I am able to mix with a group of positively successful individuals who share similar challenges. I have met MDs of large successful organisations and learnt from them and in turn shared knowledge with them. Regularly mixing with likeminded individuals has been beneficial both to my business and to me personally. I’ve enjoyed all the aspects.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE CORE BENEFITS SO FAR?
The team at the EBA have been very supportive and helpful. I know you believe in my business Bev and you’ve introduced me to business owners who I would only have dreamed to have met and you’re a key reason why I’m launching a new business with the support of the EBA.
All the mentors and coaches genuinely care about our successes and are happy to give tips and ideas of how to overcome challenging obstacles.
WHAT WOULD BE THE MAIN REASON YOU COULD RECOMMEND THE EBA TO DATE?
The EBA is for people who are serious about growing their businesses. If you want to learn from people who have done it and know what they are talking about then the EBA is for you.
IN SUMMARY
Bev James says: “Rosanne’s interview technique is not only a superb tool but the clip presented to the client as part of the candidate package IS immensely powerful. The recruitment process can be costly in time and money. Anything that saves on both resources AND make the process more effective has to be a great thing. Rosanne is an expert in her field and it’s been super to work with her and see the business develop. I truly love Rosanne’s video interviewing technique.. The clips are professionally produced and it is clear that Roseanne coaches candidates so they come across well on film.”
James Caan says: “Innovation in any industry is essential to stay ahead of the competition. Rosanne is at the forefront of a people industry and her personable and diligent approach to her work really shows. I can imagine once clients and candidates connect with her, they don’t want to look elsewhere for a recruitment consultant. I look forward to great things here.”
At David Alan, we take great care in our talent hunting – our due diligence, fast results, the right result first time, our reputation and unique video interview technique is what we are well known for.
Here are what we call ‘The Rules’ – if you’re responsible for the recruitment process in your organisation and you’re not getting this approach, give us a call on 020 8458 7351. We can not only save you 50% of the time you spend on the process but we can save you money too.
You know when you get an inkling about a person or situation? This inkling in a feeling worth paying attention to as it is our intuition working on our behalf. It’s our unique inner guidance system that never shuts off yet which can be tuned up.
Whilst we can assess candidates CVs for their skills and past track record, and with the David Alan video interviewing technique we can show you the candidate on camera answering your specific pre interview questions, it is also important to pay attention to your intuition in the recruitment process as it can give you ‘clues without hard evidence’ and is worth paying attention to.
We specialise in placing staff that last and last – why? Because of the care we take from the outset to ensure we match the right talent to the right roles. We’re very particular in this area because we don’t want to waste time or money and our motivation is to provide the best selection process of the best candidates possible.
We believe the way to recruit these days is to enhance the quality of the process making it easier for you to choose the very best candidates for your unique roles.. At David Alan we are specialists in talent matching and we do it in a specific way.
We thoroughly interview each short-listed candidate, short-listed in the first instance by us, matching skills with experience and we are diligent to match candidates to your organizations’ culture. After all, our goal is to spoil you for choice when making the decision.
Our video interview technique literally brings CVs to life so that when you see the traditional CV with a specially filmed clip of the candidates we believe would be fantastic for your role, answering the questions you provided us, that you really want to hear answered, you can make a faster informed decision on who to interview.
Two weeks ago we filmed our new promotional movie for the website. We hope this gives a clear message of how we make incredible talent VISIBLE. Please do take a moment to view via http://www.david-alan.com/
It is our pleasure to share this endorsement we recently received with you:
The David Alan Consultants video interview service saves time and money when recruiting. It makes perfect sense to be able to see/hear shortlisted candidates before interview. This is the interview way of the future.
Bev James, MD of the Entrepreneurs’ Business Academy – Passionate about your success and The Coaching Academy – Inspiring Coaching, Inspiring Success
Here is a link to our Testimonials page.
What’s the next step for you?
We would love to schedule a 15 minute appointment with you, at your offices so that you can view our revolutionary recruitment process first-hand in a short presentation.
If you would like to sharpen your recruitment process, save up to 75% of your time and money AND have the pick of the crop of talent shortlisted for you, please give us a call to book your appointment.
How may we help you?
Rosanne@david-alan.com – assuring you of my personal attention at all times
David Alan Consultants, on the hunt for exceptional talent on your behalf
Sometimes managers are promoted so quickly they forget what it was like when they first started out.
There are a lot of management competencies that have been developed through research over the years. They provide a good solid foundation for developing management skills and improving performance. However, they sometimes feel intangible, so when I’m working with managers I sometimes use a very simple exercise to help clarify to the managers which are the most important skills and behaviours they need in their organisations. It goes something like this:
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