Archive for June, 2012

Answers to Questions

We’ve had a quite few questions about security temp positions since my last blog post, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to answer some of the more common ones for you.

Why would I need temporary security staff?

There are a lot of situations where temporary security staff could come in handy.  Sometimes employers who regularly use security staff might need extra hands for bigger events.

Other times, places that don’t normally use security staff might need them.  At David Alan, we will staff anything from an outdoor picnic to large sporting or social events.

And, of course, we will provide cover if your regular security staff are unavailable to work.

How does David Alan screen their security staff?

First, we take a comprehensive job spec, which we use to advertise the role.  From our applicants, we choose a shortlist to be invited in for interviews.

All pretty standard so far, but here’s the David Alan twist: We capture the interviews on film, and send the video clip along with their CVs to the candidate.  This allows them to see the candidate’s unique personalities and make an informed decision about who they’d like to interview.

Do David Alan security staff come with uniforms or equipment?
If uniforms or equipment are required, they are supplied by the client so they can meet their specific specifications.

London 2012 – The Time Is Upon Us!

London 2012 is fast approaching, and Londoners have been putting the finishing touches on the plans. For most people, getting ready for the Olympics has been a matter of buying an extra cooler for beer, booking a few days off work, or maybe, if they were lucky, splurging on a few tickets. But for others, job seekers and employers included, these Olympics could be more than that.

Most casual observers know about the high profile Olympic gigs: athletes, torchbearers, organising committees. What they don’t stop to think about are the thousands of support staff that it takes to make an event of this magnitude run smoothly.  There will be people cleaning the Olympic Village, handing out information to tourists, and guarding empty venues at night. This isn’t just a world class event, it’s also a world class opportunity. And London, being the massive city that it is, is always hosting massive opportunities.

If you’re a job seeker, keep an eye out for chances like these. They could be the foot in the door that you need.  Speak to David Alan if you want to know about any available opportunities. And if you’re looking to hire for an event of any size, remember your friendly neighbourhood recruiter.  If you want extra bang for your buck, keep an eye out for one that deals with the type of staff you need.  For example, in addition to a wide variety of office roles, David Alan also has a security branch and will happily take on anything from parties to Olympic-sized events.

Dana G.

Tips for Temps

Now that I’ve (hopefully) sold you on temping, here are some ways to do a great job of it.

Treat it like a real job (because it is one).  This might seem like a no-brainer, but many temps show up late, don’t dress professionally, or do the bare minimum that’s asked of them.  This obviously does not reflect well on the temp, and in extreme cases, might actually get them dismissed from the role.

Be honest with your agency.  If your agency asks if you have experience with a specific skill, instrument or procedure, do not lie.  Telling a lie might get your foot in the door initially, but the employer has requested those skills because they are necessary in order to do the job.  As soon as it becomes apparent that you lied, you will be sent packing.  Worse, you will have tarnished your, and your agency’s, reputations.

Consider being a bit flexible.  Your agent might suggest a role that might not fall in line with your long-term career goals.  It’s okay to be a bit picky and wait for your dream role, but it’s also okay to branch out a little bit and try something new.

Ask how you can help.  If your to-do pile is already done, don’t just sit around staring at the wall and waiting for new work to come in.  By offering to help, you are making yourself valuable to the organisations. Again, this is the type of thing hiring managers look for.

Keep job hunting.  If you are temping because you haven’t yet found the right full time job, don’t let the fact that you are temping stop you from applying.  Temping is a great way of meeting people, learning new skills, and earning some money but most temp roles will not go on indefinitely.  It’s important to keep your CV up to date and to keep applying for jobs.

Dana G.