Midlands Sales Jobs News

Job opportunities rise in January

02 February 2012 16:47:16

The number of new job positions being created across the UK rose in January, the latest Reed Job Index has revealed.

The monthly report tracks the number of new job opportunities and the salaries on offer compared to the previous month and against a baseline of 100 set in December 2009.

It shows that new jobs in January were nine per cent more prevalent, higher than the same time last year, while overall employer demand for new staff increased by two index points last month compared with 121 in December 2011.

The report showed that core employment areas including sales jobs, marketing and PR roles all experienced rising demand, which has instilled confidence in the country's jobs market, noted Martin Warnes, managing director of Reed.

"Year-on-year growth in new jobs of nine per cent for January is encouraging and
underlines the determination of UK businesses to ride out the economic storm," he added.

A recent survey carried out as part of Robert Half's Professional Hiring Index showed that, despite the uncertain economic outlook, 72 per cent of UK executives are more confident about their company's growth prospects for 2012 than they were at this point in 2011.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Younger workers 'value training over pay'

30 January 2012 17:02:22

The country's younger workers deem training opportunities and the promise of a good work/life balance as more important then cash bonuses, according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The data, compiled after a poll of 4,000 'millennials' - people who were born between 1980 and 2000 revealed that 22 per cent of survey respondents said that training and development was the benefit they valued most from an employer.

This was followed by 19 per cent favouring flexible working, while cash bonuses ranked in third place with 14 per cent and four per cent said they would prefer no benefits and higher wages.

Jon Andrews, partner at PwC said millennials clearly want more than just a job, desiring rapid progression, a varied and interesting career, and constant feedback.

"What they want might shift as they move through different stages of life and their commitments change, but this group is characterised by their ambition and optimism as they look at more than money when there's an offer on the table," he added.

Mr Andrew said these are "significant implications" for employers, as they need to adapt to ensure they remain attractive to this demographic.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Volunteering 'can enhance a CV'

30 January 2012 16:08:33

People looking to enhance their CV may find that undertaking some voluntary work could help to make them more employable, it has been suggested.

Paul Emery, head of community and social organisation at Zurich, said that volunteering is an effective "pathway to work" for people who are currently unemployed or looking to change jobs, as it gives them an opportunity to work with different people and develop new skills.

He explained that employers and candidates alike are recognising that volunteering does have a dual benefit, because it has a positive impact on the people or cause they are trying to support, while it also helps the individual to develop their skills in a way that can only help in terms of your future career and job aspiration.

"There's no hard and fast rule, but if I was looking at somebody's CV that demonstrated volunteering and having interests outside of work, it shows individuals are prepared to put a bit more into their lives and to support other people as well - that's a really good thing," Mr Emery added.

A spokesman for universitiesnet.com recently said that if people have taken time out after university to volunteer, they should not feel the pressure to brush over this period on their CV, but rather see it as an opportunity to enhance it.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section of www.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Soft skills 'can be more important than qualifications'

27 January 2012 16:28:59

Having so-called 'soft skills' in the workplace can be even more beneficial than an array of academic achievements, one specialist has explained.

According to Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of thecareerbreaksite.com, the country's employers are increasingly thinking about the contribution that candidates can make to their organisation and are as such looking beyond qualifications.

She noted that many employers are on the hunt for people who have done things in the past that show they operate well as a member of a team, with candidates who have taken a career break often attractive to hiring managers.

"[They have] developed a wide range of skills, both practical skills - like learning a language - and soft skills such as teamwork or problem-solving. Some employers now say that soft skills are more important than qualifications," the expert added.

Ms Morgan-Trimmer noted that taking a career break also looks good on CVs, as it is not just about the skills they have learnt, but also the fact that they have had the confidence and initiative to get out there and do something different.

"This immediately sets them apart from other job-seekers, which is important in a competitive job market," she explained.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Attitude 'a big factor' in recruitment

25 January 2012 17:02:36

The attitude of a job candidate remains a major factor in them gaining employment or not, one expert has noted.

That is the opinion of Roger Harrop, The CEO Expert, who said that companies are "very keen" to employ people but want candidates with "a sparkle in their eye and fire in their belly".

According to the specialist, in many cases it does not matter whether they have got a degree or not, as long as the individual has something about them and the right mindset for the job.

He explained: "If it is a position for someone highly qualified then it has to be someone highly qualified, but as a general rule, what one is looking for is someone who has got bags of common sense, and that is in very short supply – plus a real desire to make stuff happen."

Mr Harrop said he has seen evidence of school leavers "running rings around graduates", but also noted that there are many graduates with the correct mindset who are running rings around other people.

"I don't necessarily think it is to do with having a degree or not, it is an attitude," the expert added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

Anonymous CV scheme 'a step closer'

23 January 2012 16:41:31

A new government scheme to ensure the nation's businesses only choose workers based on their skills and suitability for the job, rather than their social background, has taken a step closer after 100 major employers signed up to it.

The Business Compact scheme was launched by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and forms part of his social mobility strategy, which aims to create a "what you know, not who you know" recruitment culture in the UK.

Already, major organisations such as Barclays and Coca-Cola have joined the coalition initiative, one element of which is ensuring that people from all backgrounds and schools are aware of work experience opportunities, rather than places only being offered to people on the basis of their social connections.

"By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift among major employers, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege," Mr Clegg explained.

The scheme has also been supported by a number of employment organisations, with Jeya Thiruchelvam, employment law editor at XpertHR, noting that the anonymous CV plans were "a step in the right direction".

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Flexible benefits 'important to staff'

23 January 2012 16:40:58

Recruitment candidates are increasingly seeking jobs which can offer them employee benefits, according to a new study by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Following a nationwide poll of UK workers for its Flexible Employee Benefits Survey, the CIPP found that 85 per cent of employee respondents rate employee benefits as either 'important' or 'very important'.

Of the benefits offered by the employer sample, the most popular benefit among sales recruitment candidates and other job hopefuls is pension contributions, followed closely by childcare vouchers, with healthcare rounding out the top three.

Diana Bruce, senior policy liaison officer at the CIPP, said the economic downturn has meant it is arguably more important than ever that individuals feel they are getting the maximum value from any benefits provided in the workplace.

"The survey results show that employees feel that benefits are an important part of the remuneration package, so effective communication of what is on offer is key to ensure staff feel valued during these stringent times," she added.

Recently, David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, said job seekers need to take all the factors of the role into account before deciding whether to apply for a position, not just salary.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Private sector pay rises 'the highest for 3 years'

20 January 2012 16:48:02

Pay rises among private sector employees are the highest for three years this month, according to the latest industry report.

Research carried out by XpertHR shows that pay rises effective in January 2012, which were exclusively in the private sector due to a lack of public sector bargaining, were worth a median 2.8 per cent.

This is the highest level seen since December 2008 - well above the two to 2.5 per cent median increase seen through 2011 in the private sector, and above the 2.5 per cent median recorded in the three months to the end of last year.

The organisation noted that the increase in pay awards is set against a "marked fall" in retail prices index inflation and, if the pace of decline in inflation continues, there is a "real opportunity" for employers to make up for years of low pay rises with an increase that is worth more than inflation, noted XpertHR pay and benefits editor Sheila Attwood.

She explained that the data collected so far suggests that pay bargaining in 2012 has got off to "a good start" and that, for many private sector workers, pay rises higher than the levels seen in 2011 are "a real prospect".

"Over the past few months we have started to see evidence of a shift to higher pay awards than were made the year before. We now find that the majority of pay awards are at a higher or the same level as paid to the same group of employees the year before, with only a handful making lower awards," she added.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by John Oak

Psychometric testing 'a useful recruitment tool'

18 January 2012 15:49:54

Using psychometric testing to evaluate which candidates are suitable for a particular role is an effective method of recruiting new employees, one organisation has stated.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said that firms on the hunt for sales recruitment candidates will find that it can make life much easier.

"Clearly, it is a useful tool. It is something which has gained momentum probably in the last 15 years. When I was first introduced to it, there didn't seem to be many organisations actually doing it at the time. The key to the success of this is communication," he explained.

Mr Flaxton added that once the test has been completed, it is important to go through the answers with the candidates to ensure they understand the results and how it pertains to them and the potential role they are applying for.

It comes after a recent report from Talent Q advised that it is important to communicate sufficiently with candidates to let them know why they are being asked to undertake psychometric tests and how the resultant information is relevant to the job.

With consultants that are British Psychological Society (BPS) level A and level B accredited Aaron Wallis are able to offer a wide range of psychometric tools, personality tests, aptitude tests and ability tests.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Job hunting 'should be taken seriously'

18 January 2012 15:49:05

People on the hunt for a new job should treat the process of looking for the role like a job itself if they are to increase their chances of success, it has been advised.

Mike Barnard, product manager at Milkround, said that the entire process needs to be taken seriously if people are to enhance their chances of recruitment joy, as a lackadaisical attitude is unlikely to impress potential employers.

He did explain that if people get too sucked into job hunting it can get very "overpowering", and so it may be best to use the services of a recruitment agency, not only to provide peace of mind, but because their expertise can be vital in securing apposition.

Mr Barnard explained that people should consider many potential options when on the hunt for jobs, but it should not take over their life.

"That doesn't mean just sitting down in front of your computer and firing out applications. You have to stay positive and keep your life ticking over, rather than letting job hunting become your life," the expert explained.

According to a recent JobsOutlook survey, carried out by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the proportion of clients who are either satisfied or very satisfied with the work done by recruitment agencies now stands at 93 per cent.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

Older workers 'have great interpersonal skills'

13 January 2012 13:58:20

The interpersonal skills of older workers make them an excellent addition to a workplace environment, according to one expert.

Dr Dianne Bown-Wilson, chief executive of In My Prime, said that this is often due to the "pre-technological education" of this demographic, meaning they generally tend to have very good written and spoken communication skills.

"They are most likely to be valued for their interpersonal skills in areas such as communication, empathy and patience, and also their attitude towards work which may be demonstrated in their commitment, stability and reliability," she explained.

Ms Bown-Wilson added that older people often have better-developed customer service skills, resulting from their experience of life and work, which leads to a certain "resilience and adaptability".

It comes after the latest research from Aviva found that 86 per cent of older workers believe they could do a better job than some younger people at their roles.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Work experience 'a vital asset' for graduate job applicants

12 January 2012 16:55:24

Having work experience is extremely important for candidates hoping to land jobs in the near future, according to one expert who has noted that a great academic career is no longer enough for some employers.

Mike Barnard, product manager at Milkround, noted that the jobs market is currently very competitive, and has been particularly so for the last three or four years as there is great demand for graduate jobs.

As a result, it is vital that candidates do all they can to enhance their chances of catching the eye of recruiters and gaining employment - with work experience being top of the list of attributes.

"The graduates that really stand out are the ones who've got work experience or have done an internship or placement while they've been studying. Employers want to see evidence of students thinking about their careers before they graduate," Mr Barnard explained.

He added that people who do graduate with no work experience are on the "back foot", as it can seem as though they are trying to jump straight into a job rather than building up a strong profile.

Recently, Jo Barnard, director of Quest Professional, said that it is surprising how many people omit work experience information from their CV, even though employers are always keen to see examples of this.

For some of the best CV advice and tips visit the career tools section ofwww.aaronwallis.co.uk. Stacked with hints, tips and advice the Aaron Wallis career tools section is the right solution for you.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

UK staff 'some of the world's happiest'

05 January 2012 16:54:31

British workers are among the happiest and most satisfied in the world, according to a new study into worker satisfaction.

A poll by the Wall Street Journal and iOpener Institute for People and Performance among workers across 80 countries in 30 sectors measured five components of happiness at work - contribution, conviction, culture, commitment and confidence.

The Netherlands topped the Wall Street Journal/iOpener table by scoring highly in all aspects, though the UK was close behind, with particularly high levels of commitment culture and pride at work.

Simon Lutterbie, director of research at the iOpener Institute, said the findings give a global insight into performance in the workplace, as the happier people are, the more productive they are.

"Moreover, when comparing the unhappiest and happiest people at work, employees who are really happy at work tend to stay about five times longer in their jobs, are focused on the task at hand three times longer and take around three times less sick leave," he added.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Employee performance 'must be rewarded' in 2012

04 January 2012 16:47:15

It is important that the nation's employers recognise the important work being done by their staff and reward them appropriately in 2012 in order to maintain worker optimism, it has been claimed.

Charles Cotton, rewards advisor at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), made the comments after his organisation's annual survey of Employee Attitudes to Pay found that employees are readjusting their expectations for the coming year in line with the economic climate.

Mr Cotton said it is "encouraging" to see that employees recognise the impact the state of the economy has on their employers' ability to reward them with pay rises and cash bonuses.

However, he added: "Employers must try harder to explain what performance the organisation values and how it will reward and recognise this. If not, levels of motivation and productivity could fall, perpetuating a vicious circle that could hold back both organisational performance and wider hopes of economic recovery."

The CIPD report also revealed that 51 per cent of private sector employees had a pay rise since the start of 2011, compared with just 24 per cent of those in the public sector to have received an increase.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

A fifth of workers hope to change career in 2012

04 January 2012 16:46:39

As the nation's workers return to their posts this week, a fifth are planning to change their job or career path in the coming 12 months, a new report has found.

Research carried out by Lifetime revealed that 68 per cent of workers have set a work-related New Year's resolution for 2012, with 20 per cent hoping to change their current career, driven by the desire for a better work/life balance.

Nigel Wallace, development director at Lifetime, told the Daily Telegraph that although the economic climate is tough, the nation's workers are working harder than ever, which highlights the importance of pursuing a career that not only motivates but inspires people.

The study showed that some 40 per cent of workers do not take a lunch break and a similar proportion work an extra five hours per week in addition to their paid hours.

"Whether it is taking the time to switch off from work via a hobby, retraining or moving jobs, the start of the year is the perfect time to consider your options," Mr Wallace added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Wayne Bly

UK job opportunities rise 17% in 2011

03 January 2012 16:49:02

The number of job vacancies in the UK was much higher at the end of 2011 than the end of 2010, according to the latest Reed Job Index.

In the organisation's new report, compiled following analysis of job vacancy trends from 8,000 recruiters across the UK, it was revealed that 2011 saw sustained growth in demand for new staff, compared to 2010.

Overall, year-on-year demand for staff rose by 17 per cent, with the number of career development opportunities rising significantly compared to the previous year.

Commenting on the data, Martin Warnes, managing director of Reed, said the annual increase in demand for new staff is "particularly striking" against the backdrop of economic turmoil of the last few months.

"The traditional seasonal drop in recruitment activity in December has had its impact against the two-year highs recorded in November, but the fact that the number of new job vacancies on offer remains 17 per cent higher than 12 months ago is significant," he explained.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Public sector workers 'willing to move' to the private sector

22 December 2011 17:13:48

The majority of workers in the public sector are currently thinking about moving to the private sphere, according to the latest study.

Data published in the latest Hays Career Outlook Survey, undertaken in November and December, shows that although those working in the public sector are defensive of their pensions, the pull of the private sector and its perceived higher job security is attractive to 52 per cent of staff.

Overall, almost two-thirds of public sector workers say the sector is a worse place to work compared to before the recession, in comparison to just 40 per cent in the private sphere.

Andy Robling, public services director at Hays, said public sector employers are "clearly" worried about keeping and attracting the staff they need.

"The news that over half of workers in the public sector would consider trading in their pension for a career in the private sector underlines how keen they are to move. The private sector is clearly one step ahead of the public sector in terms of attracting and motivating talent," he added.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Female job candidates 'should choose a career they love'

22 December 2011 16:44:06

Women on the hunt for a job need to think about what they love to do and attempt to find a career that suits it, one specialist has advised.

Piya Khanna, executive coach at Change to Succeed, said there are many ways that women can empower themselves to choose the right career for them.

"The most important thing women can do is to figure out what they love to do and then see how they can monetise it. Many women are not entirely aware of their passions and therefore 'settle' for what they think they 'should' do," she explained.

Ms Khanna said that, in her experience, being in a career or job that people do not enjoy over the long term can lead to resentment and "a deep sense of dissatisfaction" and so it is vital to follow a path that is appealing to them, rather than simply convenient.

Michael Izza, chief executive of the ICAEW, recently said there should not be any social or economic barriers preventing people from achieving their recruitment dreams.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Vocational skills 'more important than qualifications'

22 December 2011 16:43:11

People on the hunt for a new job have been advised that vocational skills can count for just as much – or perhaps even more – than qualifications.

That is the opinion of Jo Barnard, director at Quest Professional, who said that for employers it is important for people to have the right attitude, first and foremost.

They should have a good appreciation of being able to take responsibility, work independently and, if necessary, contribute to the workplace.

"Everything nowadays is so benchmarked towards specific academic qualifications, when clearly vocational skills are as important - if not more so - in today's job market," the expert added.

It comes after Charlie Ryan, owner of the website of Recruitment Queen, recently said that people on the hunt for a new role, such as a sales recruitment position, should ensure that their timekeeping and communication levels are perfect.

These skills are arguably more important than having the right qualifications, as somebody without certain academic achievements can get a job if they have all the right manners and social interpersonal skills, she noted.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Demand for agency staff rises

21 December 2011 17:11:34

There has been a rise in the demand for agency staff over the past 12 months, according to the latest Jobs Outlook from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

According to the figures, the short-term outlook for the agency work market has improved by three points, with 81 per cent of employers planning to either grow or keep their agency workforces at existing levels.

Of these, a significant proportion of employers are planning to actually increase their temporary staff, with a third intending to do so, compared with 22 per cent at the same point last year.

In the longer term, 83 per cent of employers are looking to grow or keep their temporary staff levels the same in the next 12 months.

The report also revealed that 52 per cent of employers made changes, such as implementing or boosting staff training, ahead of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) coming into force in October.

In addition, the number of employers planning to make less use of temporary staff due to the AWR was down seven per cent down on the previous month, which reflects increasing recognition that in the majority of sectors the impact of the regulations on is minimal.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

Sales professionals 'in great demand'

20 December 2011 16:58:54

It is a great time for sales recruitment candidates hoping to gain a position in the coming weeks and months, it has been observed.

David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, made the comments after new data from the company and mysalarychecker.com showed that sales recruitment candidates and telesales roles are in great demand across a number of sectors.

The report shows that companies look for successful sales people to help position their business for future growth, with many of these roles offering the chance to earn good money, and "considerably more" through commission and bonus schemes.

Although unemployment levels remain at their highest for a generation, there are plenty of roles available in sales and great benefits on offer, Mr Clubb explained to HR Magazine

"Sales roles can also be crucial to career development, helping people who are new to the workforce to develop transferable skills which can help them in their future careers," the expert added.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Career breaks 'can boost skills and confidence'

14 December 2011 16:18:46

Going on a career break can have significant benefits for a job candidate by boosting both their overall experience and their confidence, one expert has pointed out.

Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of thecareerbreaksite.com, said the career break market has been growing over the past five to ten years, with the core of the market being in their late 20s or early 30s.

According to the expert, the average age for a career breaker is shorter than the average gap year - around six months – and she said that those who have the opportunity to do it but fail to do so could regret it.

"Often they want to give something back or see the world, but most of the time it's for a change. People do change when they are on a career break. They come back not just with new skills, but they also find they develop confidence," Ms Morgan-Trimmer explained.

It is also a chance to assess their priorities, as a lot of people change careers after taking a break, with some people becoming more generous and laid back.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Half of staff 'work over 40 hrs a week'

13 December 2011 17:17:40

The majority of UK staff work more than 40 hours a week, according to a new poll which revealed that many are in the office for as long as 11 hours a day.

A poll of over 2,700 business people across the UK by Regus found that more than a third work for between nine to 11 hours on a daily basis, while one in ten work more than 11 hours a day.

The increasing workloads and time spent in the office have been attributed to the economic downturn and growing concerns over job security, with staff keen to be seen as productive by their employer by getting the job done, regardless of the size of the workload.

Many respondents noted that the working day is not over when they leave the office, with 43 per cent taking work home to finish in the evening at least three times in a normal week.

Firms of all sizes are currently under pressure in a difficult market and this often leads to staff working longer hours than usual, noted Celia Donne, regional director at Regus.

Recent data released by the Office for National Statistics revealed that 5.26 million people welcomed overtime last year without being paid for it, which helped to boost the UK economy by £28.9 billion.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Small companies 'struggling to find skilled staff'

09 December 2011 17:12:57

The country's smaller firms are struggling to find the staff who can drive their organisation forward through tough economic times, a new poll has discovered.

Research carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group (APPSBG) shows that almost a third of small businesses at start-up stage have difficulty finding suitably skilled staff.

According to the respondents to the Voice of Small Business Survey, almost half of companies found regulation requirements onerous, while 34 per cent also had difficulty securing finance.

As a result, the FSB has suggested reinstating the graduate internship scheme to give graduates the opportunity to acquire the skills they need for supporting a business, as well as reduce the flow of regulation and tackling the stock of existing red tape.

Commenting on the report, John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said research has always shown that common issues at start-up stage include finding suitably skilled staff, complex regulation and access to finance.

"With the private sector being relied on to drive economic recovery, these barriers need to be removed and existing businesses should be encouraged to innovate, take on staff and grow," he added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

Professional recruitment holds firm through eurozone crisis

08 December 2011 17:02:16

The number of professionals being hired across Europe has held steady throughout 2011 in spite of the ongoing effects of the economic downturn and the eurozone crisis, the latest global survey has indicated.

According to the Global Snapshot poll carried out by Antal International, which quizzed 19,376 companies in 52 countries, the majority are continuing to hire at a professional or managerial level.

It found that 55 per cent of companies are currently recruiting sales professionals and other staff – an increase on the 52 per cent who were doing so in July this year.

In addition, 54 per cent of companies are intending to recruit new workers over the coming quarter, while attrition is down from 17 per cent to 16 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Tony Goodwin, Antal chief executive, said: "While the ongoing troubles of the eurozone seems to be generating an atmosphere of near panic amongst many bankers and politicians, global employment markets, at least at professional and managerial level appear to be holding up well."

Despite predictions of a return to the "darkest days" of 2008 and 2009, the latest Snapshot sees overall hiring levels actually greater than in the summer, Mr Goodwin pointed out.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Richard Esquilant