Working as a temp is a great way to hone a wide range of skills.  Temps work with a variety of different computer programs, in a variety of different environments, with a variety of different people. When filling out job applications or answering interview questions, someone who has been temping can confidently answer that they have experience with a wide variety of situations.  Temping demonstrates flexibility, desire to work, and ability to function in to a variety of different conditions.  These are qualities that make a prospective employee appear very attractive to a hiring manager.

Temping is an outstanding way to network and show off your skills. Even if there are no jobs currently available, the next time a role opens up, an impressive temp will be the first to get a phone call.  Many employers also like to hire on a temp-to-perm basis, so they can evaluate the employees skills before committing to hiring them long term.  If you go in to a temp role and wow them, there’s a very real possibility that you could be offered a full time contract.

Employers know that temps are generally in the process of job hunting, and if the situation allows, some of them might be a bit more flexible when it comes to time off for interviews.  This obviously varies by industry and employer, so use your judgment.

Finally, working as a temp allows you try a variety of different jobs on for size.  You might even discover a hidden talent!

Dana G

Job hunters, listen up: It’s tough out there these days.  Between skyrocketing unemployment rates, stiff competition for every available job, laborious online job applications, and the old adage that it isn’t what you know but who you know that will find you employment, today’s job seekers need every friend they can get.

And that’s where recruitment specialists (especially David Alan) come in!  We are the first to hear about many available roles, and can quickly match them to qualified candidates.  We know what the employer is looking for, so you won’t waste time applying for positions you aren’t suited or qualified for.  Best of all, we know you.  And that means we can sell you.

Being faced with a stack of CVs as an employer is daunting.  When a trusted consultant tells them that they have a perfect candidate to fill a vacancy, that candidate will go straight to the top of their stack.

Once your CV has been read, and an interview has been scheduled, a consultant can give you inside information about the hiring manager.  What are they looking for?  What do they want to hear?  These are advantages you can only get by using a consultant.

Some agencies even offer special services.  For example, at David Alan we offer a Talking Heads service, where we videotape our candidates.  This allows employers to get a better feel for potential candidates and select the ones they feel would best fit into their orginisation.  This is of benefit to job hunters as well.  Some CVs might be overlooked, but upon “meeting” a candidate on video, an employer might deicde they would be a perfect fit.

Finally, recruitment consultants are trained and experienced in finding people jobs. As a job hunter, why wouldn’t you want an expert on your side, especially at no cost to you?

Dana G.

It’s no secret that young people are having a tough time finding a job these days.  Employers receive hundreds of applications for every role they advertise, and they are in a position where they can afford to be selective.  Unfortunately for the 1.04 million unemployed people between the ages of 16 and 24 (as of December 2011, according to the UK Office for National Statistics), selective can often mean choosing someone with experience doing the precise role that is being advertised.

Many of these unemployed young people have either never held a job, or have held a part time job throughout school or university.  Whole they may have gained many transferable skills through their studies, life experiences and part time jobs, they are still getting passed over in favour of people with more experience.

But hiring one of these young people could bring with it some unexpected benefits.

Here are 5:

Flexibility: Young people are often more flexible in terms of the hours they can work due to less commitments such as childcare.  They are generally also more willing to relocate as they are not tied to one place by a mortgage or spouse as often.

Transferable Skills: They may not have the job title on their CV, but many of these young people have all the skills necessary to perform these roles.

The Future: With a significant portion of the population reaching retirement age in the next few years, hiring some younger people now will make for a smooth transition.

A New Point of View: Young people bring in a new perspective and can add a lot of valuable insight especially when it comes to trend-oriented markets like technology, social media or music.

The Company Culture:  If someone is being hired for their first or second job, they don’t have a set idea of how things “should” be done, and will likely bend to fit in with your ways of working and company culture.

Dana G.

Like any good job hunter, whenever I see a missed call I immediately hop on Google to see who (or which job opportunity) has rung. Late one afternoon, I found myself Googling David Alan Recruitment’s number.  I’d never heard of them before, but after checking to make sure they were legitimate, I rang them back.

I was greeted by Rosanne, the bubbly, enthusiastic managing director.  She told me about a secretarial role that she thought I’d be great for.  I told her I wasn’t interested as I am attempting to find communications roles.  Most recruiters would have thanked me for ringing back at that point, and put down the phone.

Instead, Rosanne asked what kind of roles I was seeking, and when I told her I was after communications roles, and I’m trying to get my foot in the door in the charity sector, she told me she had a short term position at a charity for the next week.  I was overjoyed!  She suggested we meet for a coffee to discuss.  She was warm, engaging, and really listed to what I wanted.

In the end, not only did she place me in a short-term charity role, she also offered to let me work on her social media for David Alan! Wins all around. David Alan gets an extra hand on deck, and I get valuable communications experience!

Dana G.

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.

“Today’s figures are a wake-up call for Britain. It is critical to help young people into work for the future of our economy and society,” said Martina Milburn from The Prince’s Trust charity, which works with young people.

At David Alan, we believe that it is our duty to help these young people as they are our future and in order to turn boost the economy.

Accordingly, we are offering clients the opportunity to employ jobseekers under the age of 25 on apprenticeship scheme programmes.

These schemes help absorb young people into the workforce whilst the employer benefits from extra staffing resource. Costs are low as the schemes are government subsidised.

David Alan work closely with charities and training companies to manage the training process.

This includes monthly assessments which benefits both the employer and trainee ensuring that targets are met, expectations managed and the apprentice gets experience to helps them find a permanent job at the end of their 12 months of practical and training experience.

So that you only meet the right people from the beginning we will send clients short video clips of candidates enhancing their written CVs.

So, what can you do to help grow our economy at a low cost subsidised by the government?

Contact us now to find out how we can help you grow your business for a fraction of the costs.

Rosanne Shochot

David Alan Consultants
Recruitment specialists placing staff who last

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.

We look forward to helping you in 2012 and wish all our clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rosanne Shochot
David Alan Consultants
Recruitment specialists placing staff who last

How may we help you today?

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.

So what can be done to help?

“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.

But there are glimmers of hope.

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

How may we help you today?

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?

Here are some of the benefits for you of using these technologies:

• Present your organisation as go-ahead and forward-thinking
• Make it easier for candidates to interact with your organisation
• Promote your vacancies to targeted candidates
• Attract higher quality candidates
• Speed up the selection process
• Screen-out/reduce unsuitable applicants
• Reduce interviewing costs

We regularly save clients more than 50% on the recruitment process in financial terms AND in time terms.

When we introduced our video clips service to our clients back in 2010 as part of the selection process, we knew we had found a real way to differentiate our business.

Technology gives us the opportunity, on your behalf, to showcase people in a way a CV just can’t. And whilst we bring the person to ‘a screen near you’, we film our shortlisted candidates answering specific questions YOU want to hear their answers on. Everybody wins.

Technology has made a huge difference to the success of our business. It is an awesome tool for professional services in our brand of providing business solutions. Quite simply: our video clips give you the additional information you need to make a decision, FAST and to stop talent you’d love to hire going to a competitor.

We all need to maximise the time we have on any task to meet a business objective. Mobile & Video technologies for talent solutions is the fastest and most accurate way to judge talent.

Rosanne Shochot
David Alan Consultants
Recruitment specialists placing staff who last

How may we help you today?

David Alan Consultants was recently featured in The EBA’s “Business in the Spotlight”.

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.