Career Advice Blogs - Star Employment Services

Recruiters need to generate employee loyalty

Building on a recent discussion about the importance of generating employee loyalty, Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services, has some further guidance for prospective employers.

Employers need to recognise that it really is a candidate driven marketplace at the moment, especially for specific roles, such as sales.

There will always be more people to fill less skilled roles, often on lower wages, and the difference between them staying and showing loyalty to a company, rather than moving on could come down to as little as an additional 20p an hour. The same is true for a more skilled professional role – when recruiting anyone for any job it is imperative to offer the very best salary your company can afford.

I always encourage employers to offer the most they really can to candidates, even if that means a stretch. You will stand a far greater chance of keeping a good, well-paid candidate, than opting for a cheaper one who potentially will not have much loyalty towards you and the business.

All too often I see situations where a company might advertise a role at £20-25K, but when the candidate asks for £25K the company is unable to honour it. Employers get embarrassed about saying what they can afford but it is better to set correct expectations from the start.

Companies need to have a real look at the market and should expect to pay a bit more, especially for sales roles when good people really do drive a business forward. It’s always better to spend a bit more on a 10/10 candidate, than settle for a 7/10 person. Especially if the difference between the two is just an extra £1,000 p.a. requested by the better employee.

If you aim to get the best person for the best pay that you can, it will save having to re-advertise and re-hire.

It’s a challenging marketplace and here at Star Employment Services we’ve had to work at improving our own offering to keep good people, it’s important to stay inline with competitors and the general trends of the market.

Attracting quality candidates to apply for a role could just be about increasing the offering by £1,000 a year. Added to other benefits such as good holiday entitlement, a day off on your birthday, or actively recognising the importance of a healthy work/life balance are also key to attracting and retaining good employees. If we reward our employees then there is a higher probability they will do well for us. It’s a give and take relationship in the workplace.

It’s all about creating a balance. Especially with millennials, they know what they want and what they think they are worth.

Companies need to start acknowledging that a bit more.

Doing what we can for local business

With the ever-present shadow of Brexit still looming, we have launched our autumn campaign to help local and regional businesses grow their workforce, despite the uncertain environment we live in, writes Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services.

Over the last three years we have seen many companies opting to delay recruitment of new staff. Recruitment agencies like ours, which enjoy strong relationships with local and regional employers, are still being asked to source new recruits, but the terms of contracts and salaries are in a state of flux.

We have decided to do what we can to support those businesses in our area who want to grow, but aren’t sure how much they can invest on finding the right person.

Our innovative marketing campaign includes a series of scratch cards that are available by registering on our website. Recipients will be sent a card – all of which contain a prize saving money on a recruitment package. They are valued at anywhere between £50 and £475, the higher being the amount of a Star fixed price package which includes the role appearing on national jobs boards such as Indeed, CV Library, and Total Jobs, as well as the Star’s own online jobs platform.

The job ad will also feature in the newspaper, and clients will be given a dedicated resourcer for their campaign.

There’s such massive uncertainty around Brexit and we’ve recognised the fact that not everybody wants to spend £3,000 on a recruitment campaign.

So we’re doing something positive to help local businesses and local people do what they need to do to prosper.

For more information on the campaign, which is running until 31^st December, visit https://www.staremploymentservices.co.uk/

How To Write A Cover Letter (Downloadable Template)

how to write a cover letter star employment services candidate advice

The power of a cover letter should never be underestimated. It is an essential part of pretty much every job application and is a way to sell your skills to recruiters. The concept is used as a persuasive tool to sell a candidate’s abilities for a specified job role.

Need some help?

According to Star Employment operations manager, Kylee Russon, your cover letter could be the difference between obtaining a job interview or having your resume ignored. You should be devoting the necessary time to putting the letter together and giving yourself enough time to produce something worthwhile. If the document is clear and concise, your abilities will be made obvious to the employer and therefore more relevant to the criteria of the job.

Stand out

A good cover letter makes a person stand out from the crowd. It is crucial not to just repeat your CV, but to show personality and an enthusiasm into the field of which you are applying to. Do a bit of research into the history of the industry or the company and state how interesting you found a certain development or occurrence. This will show expertise and interest and the person hiring will be impressed that you know your stuff.

Mistakes

A common mistake that many people make when writing their cover letter is lacking in research. Submitting a general letter that isn’t tailored to the job or the company will make an employer think you haven’t put in any research beforehand. While your introduction may not be as specific as it an introduction to you as a person, this doesn’t mean you should use a generic template for the main sections of your cover letter.

You can download our helpful template or call a member of our team today for help and advice on writing a cover letter. Start your job search today by submitting your CV here.

DOWNLOAD COVER LETTER TEMPLATE

Complete the form below to download our free cover letter template.

What does a recruitment agency do?

Kylee Russon answers:

It is very easy for me to discuss with my clients how we can help them, but in the first instance it is often unclear what a recruitment agency actually does. Essentially, we act like a middle ground between those looking for jobs and those employing people. We work on behalf of employers to find suitable candidates to fill vacancies. A lot of employers use recruitment agencies, and so signing up with one as a job seeker will give you access to openings that aren’t advertised anywhere else.

When an organisation has a job opening and need to hire someone, the recruitment agency is provided with a job description. The team at the agency then search through their database of CVs to match people to the vacancy. A shortlist is drawn up, the employer will pick who they prefer and then the agency will organise interviews.

Agencies like Star Employment Services are very much people led. Our company has recently merged to create an all-encompassing jobs brand. The newly launched Star Employment Services has seen a big campaign go live, with a brand-new job offer for employers. Earlier in the year, we also attained our gold audited status with the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). The agency was assessed against the requirements of data protection, training and induction and complaints procedure. Also considered were the standing for customer service, diversity, work seeker checks and advertising.

Currently, there are more than 25,000 agencies in the UK and Star Employment are one of only 51 agencies to have the gold audit status. The audit provides confirmation that the agency is conducting its business ethically, in accordance with the legal requirements and with the REC code.

With this in mind, you know that as both a candidate or an employer, using a recruitment agency will give you the reassurance that the hiring process is being taken seriously. There are many practical things which the agency will do, but also it is giving you the trust that your job role will be filled properly.

Start your job search today by submitting your CV here or to find your ideal candidate take a look at our recruitment services.

Social Care Crisis – What does the future hold?

The care sector is not just an important part of the health and social system, but of industry in general. Both nurses and carers work hard around the clock, yet often feel they do not have the same opportunities for learning and development as other areas of the NHS. Despite this, those in social care are a key piece of the puzzle in delivering high-quality nursing to people who feel vulnerable and have a range of complex and individual needs. At times, this is not acknowledged more widely and efforts can be overlooked.

Society would struggle to function without social care workers. Most people take day to day tasks for granted but for many older people, basic things can be a struggle. They need assistance and help with tasks like cleaning and eating, and need to be looked after because they cannot cope alone. This care needs to be accessed, and more strain cannot be put on the system as it is already struggling.

Social Care Crisis – is there one?

The social care industry is in crisis. With an aging population and limited funding, the sector could be on the brink of collapse. There are not enough care workers, and those do work in the industry are may be underpaid. There is a lack of funding to support the needs of people and those who need care are often granted a certain amount of funding with nothing to help them when the money runs out. There are concerns over the financial state of many care homes, with many being paid less by local authorities than is needed to deliver care. How can such a crucial system operate at a loss? Privately paying residents often end up paying more to subsidise publicly funded ones. This is unfair and has also meant that providers are either going out of business or are handing back contracts because delivering services at local authority rates is verging on impossible.

There are a number of issues that need to seriously be looked at. Statistics show that in the last five years, there has been a £160 million cut in total public spending on older people’s social care. There are also 1.2 million people aged 65 plus don’t receive the care provision they need with essential living activities. The cuts in local authority care services have placed growing pressure on voluntary carers.

Recruiting nightmare

In addition to these problems, there are also thousands of unfilled vacancies in the social care division. Many community care providers are constantly trying to recruit, with little success. There is also a high turnover rate of 20% across the UK, compared to an average of 15% in other industries. The vacancy rate is also 2% higher than alternative sectors. So, what is the issue here? There needs to be more incentives and reason for people to become care workers. Higher pay, bonuses, more funding and better hours are key in treating the staff like they matter. Campaigns should be loud and noticeable, with case studies from current people in the care sector who enjoy their rewarding job.

Rewarding Career

If you are considering a career in care, it can be assured that it is one of the most positive and heart-warming industries to work in. It is very rewarding and can help to improve your professional and personal life. The roles are very flexible so suit people who do not want a 9-5. This can fit around other commitments. You can also earn qualifications and gain skills with on the job training. The job is different each day and there are a variety of positions available, so the care industry will never be boring.

Top 5 Tips For Preparing For A Job Interview

A job interview can feel like a daunting experience, but it can be made all the more stress free if you arrive prepared. There are a few steps you can follow in order to feel as prepared as possible and minimise any nervous emotions you may be having. Bagging your dream job doesn’t have to be anything less than reality.

1.Do your research

The key here is to do a thorough amount of research on the company and to show them what you know. Spend time on their website, looking at the brand and what they are all about. Be familiar with what the company do and be aware of the history. Stating relevant information in your interview shows the interviewer you are serious about the job and want to be part of the company. Be ready for when you are asked what you know.

2. Get ready with plenty of time

Waiting until the last minute to get ready for an interview is a careless approach. Prepping an outfit the night before should be priority, as is printing extra copies of your resume. You should also put out a pen, paper and any examples of your work to take with you. Be neat and tidy and get ready with time to spare so you are not rushing and have time to find the building. Looking up directions before you go is also a good idea.

3. Practice potential questions

Make a list of any questions you think you may be asked, and practice answers for each one. This will ensure that you have some phrases ready in your head for when the interviewer questions you, and you will not feel put on the spot. Rehearse what you will say about yourself and your experience, and why you would be a good fit with the company. Memorising your strengths and skills is advisable.

Find out how to answer the six most difficult interview questions here.

4. Ask insightful questions

The interview is not just for the employer to query you, it is also for you to question the employer. Finding out whether you want to work there is important, and so try to come up with a few things to ask. This could be more in-depth enquiries about the day-to-day job role, the team and the working week. You will appear enthusiastic and curious, and will give the impression you are genuinely interested in taking up the position.

5. Remember body language

Poor body language should not be a distraction from the things you are discussing during your interview. It is important to smile, make eye contact and don’t appear to be looking around at other things. Don’t fidget or fiddle with things- all your attention should be on the interviewer.

Operations manager at Star Employment Services, Kylee Russon, said: “Job interviews don’t have to be scary. If you prepare and make time to go over things, it will be much easier once you arrive and the questions begin.

“Star Employment Services are experts in interview technique, so feel free to give us a call today and we can help you out. Speak to our agency team.”

Submit your CV or get started with your job search here.

How To Write A CV For A Job In Care

How to write the perfect CV for a job in care | Star Employment Services

Writing the perfect CV is never an easy task, find out how write a CV for a job in care

A career in care can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Entering the industry however, can be a challenge in itself and writing the perfect CV is never an easy task. Although it might seem like a straightforward part of the application process, it is crucial that your CV is done properly and stands out from the crowd. A good CV means an employer’s first impression of you is a positive one.

Is a CV important for a job in care?

A CV, although quite traditional, is still very much in demand by employers across the UK. Keeping it relevant is key. Common mistakes include filling it with irrelevant work experience, such as the paper round you did when you were 12 and the Saturday job you had whilst at school. Keep it clean, with care related experience and skills that are transferrable to the sector. Leave out personal things too, like marital status and religious views. The care industry is inclusive and jobs will not be judged on such details.

Always tell the truth – you will get caught out. You won’t be the first and you certainly won’t be the last person to lie on your CV, so be honest and this will get you much further. Make sure the format and grammar is consistent, neat and correct with all spelling checked. There is no excuse for the mistake of spelling errors.

How should I structure my CV?

Structuring your CV in the right way can make all the difference. A good starting point is with your name, address and contact details. This can be followed by a short introduction about yourself, where you should summarise and highlight what you can offer to the care sector. A summary of your skills and your relevant care experience will come next, plus other previous work in which you have gained skills that can be useful. Wherever possible, use the same adjectives as those used in the job advert. List achievements, your education and training and finish with your references.

Star Employment operations manager, Kylee Russon, says: “Writing the perfect CV for a job in the care industry is by no means an easy thing to do. The skills that employers will be looking for are a passion for the sector and a love for helping people.

“A positive and enthusiastic attitude is also needed, with the ability to approach sensitive situations correctly. You should respect others and work well within a team. Your CV is like your shop window so following our tips will put you in a good place amongst other candidates.”

Help with writing your CV

Star Employment Services will check your CV free of charge if you are unsure about what you have written. Speak to our agency team today and we will help you find your ideal job. You can either register your details here or call us on 01902 319333

What’s the best route into the care sector?

The care sector offers many skilled workers across the UK the opportunity to pursue an enriching and highly respected career. There will always be a demand for care workers, but what is the best route into this career path? For more information on what the ideal profile of a care worker is, the qualifications and experience needed, and what kind of career progression a care worker can expect read our blog ‘What is the best route into the care sector?’ here.

How To Survive Starting Out In The Recruitment Industry

Starting out in any industry can be a challenge, but recruitment can often appear comparatively tough. The first few months is a learning process, with brand new jargon, terminology and colleagues. Although it can be overwhelming, it is important to guide yourself through it and find your feet.

It is crucial to take your time whilst getting your head around your new role. Nobody will expect you to be an expert the minute you arrive, so go at a slow pace and make sure you understand something before moving on to the next task. Let yourself learn good habits from the beginning and the rest should be more straightforward. Your speed in completing what you need to do will increase as you get used to the job.

Whenever anyone new starts with Star Employment, I encourage them not to put off things like making phone calls. The longer you leave it, the more daunting it will become. Dealing with a candidate or client can seem scary the first few times, however practice makes perfect. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You will fumble your words or say the wrong thing. It is not a dreadful situation and you will only improve.

If you are unsure, it is always ok to ask a question. I like to encourage my team to ask for help if they need it, or to double check something if they are not 100percent certain. You will be surrounded by people working in recruitment so take advantage of their knowledge and take them up on their offers to help you. Chat to your colleagues and try not to feel shy, although sometimes that can difficult when you are new to an industry. Nobody will be expecting you to know everything immediately.

Hours can be long and involve a lot of hard work, so taking time out to have your lunch and get away from your desk is beneficial. Sometimes I myself can begin to feel frazzled so I like to have a lunch break and go for a quick walk just to refresh my brain. When you are new to the job, it may feel like you need to learn everything and don’t have time for a break- but this certainly isn’t the case. Your productivity will increase if you take time out in the middle of the day as it is impossible to just work straight through. Accept the challenge, and you will do well.

Common Misconceptions In The Recruitment Industry

Before I joined the recruitment industry, I had to admit there was a lot of things I was unsure about. I wasn’t sure whether it was the career for me to build on, or whether it was just something to gain experience from and then move on. As it happens, recruitment is now a long term career for me, with many skills learnt. I have grown in confidence as well as in my ability to be able to find someone the perfect job, or fill a vacancy for a certain business.

A lot of people believe that working in the recruitment sector is a short term plan whilst looking for something more ideal. This really doesn’t have to be the case, and I believe this is a misconception that is frequently made. Recruitment may not be for everyone, but for the right minded person, it is a fast paced area which you can thrive in. You will constantly challenge yourself, meet new people, develop your personal skills and grow as an individual. You can also grow within a team environment, which is a quality skill in this day and age.

Another misunderstanding in this industry is that there is limited job satisfaction. If you are always helping other people reach their career goals, what happens to yours? I have to disagree with this, as having progressed into my role as operations manager, I have had new responsibilities along the way. I achieve my career satisfaction by training new members of staff, building long term business relationships with candidates and clients and working with my team.

Recruitment is all about growing and building relationships. It is a friendly environment and although outsiders can misjudge and assume it is cut-throat and harsh, I know first-hand that it doesn’t have to be.

Kylee Russon is operations manager at Star Employment Services.

Top 4 Tips For Graduates Looking For A Local Job

Our four top tips for graduates looking for a local job

July marks the beginning of graduate season. Up and down the country, nervous final year students wait for their degree classifications, hoping for something to celebrate.

But after the excitement of collecting your diploma and chucking your caps in the air for the photo opportunity, what’s next?

According to official UK labour market statistics, around 31% of graduates are not in graduate-level employment. Some graduates look instead to travel, take on a postgraduate course or accept a part-time job while they figure out what career path they want to take, but a good proportion of this 31% also feel lost and unsure of where or how to look for a graduate job.

In addition to this, nearly half of the UK’s Level 3 students (A-levels or equivalent) end up progressing on to a university course, which is up from under 20% just 20 years ago. With the student population growing, some university leavers fear that the graduate job market is becoming over saturated, and that they won’t get onto the lucrative graduate scheme of any of the top-level companies they apply to.

If you’re a university leaver who is anxious about starting your career, or are perhaps unsure of where to start when looking for a graduate job, don’t worry! MNA Recruitment have years of experience helping graduates understand the job market they are entering, and have some expert tips we’d like to share that you may not have thought of:

1) Make sure your CV demonstrates your skill-set, not just your education

You should quite rightly bring attention to your degree and display your classification on your CV with pride, but be mindful that most employers are looking for well-rounded candidates.

It’s crucial that you get the balance of your CV right, so don’t go top-heavy with your academic achievements. Make sure there’s a substantial section that demonstrates your skills in the work environment, which includes any jobs you’ve held, internships, placements or voluntary work you have completed. It can also include any societies you were a member of, any enrichment activities you have been involved in, and even sports teams you have played for.

Remember; it’s important to have the brain power, but if an employer can’t see any evidence of job-related skills, your CV will more likely than not end up in the reject pile.

2) Sell your stories, not your abilities

At every stage of a job application – from submitting your CV and covering letter, to giving a presentation based on real-life situations for your potential line manager – you need to prove your abilities. It’s not enough to say you are organised, or that you are a natural team leader; you need to give solid examples that show you possess these abilities.

Give yourself your best chance by writing an exhaustive list of all your work-related experiences, including notable achievements, challenges you overcame and skills that you learned through the process. Learn that list, so you always have the evidence at hand to back your claims up. This is especially useful during interview, where you may need to give answers on the spot.

3) Look for graduate-level jobs, not just ‘graduate’ jobs

What we mean by this is to look deeper into job descriptions than you may be, because not every job suitable for graduates will signpost itself as such.

If you’re solely looking for jobs that have the word ‘graduate’ in the job description, you might struggle to compile an extensive enough list of positions to apply to.

Look for jobs in broader categories rather than specific job titles and read their descriptions carefully. One job title doesn’t mean the same thing at every company. For example, a marketing executive for a large financial company may have a completely different list of responsibilities than a marketing executive for a small start-up computing company.

If the skills required for the job match at least 70% of the skills that you possess, make an application. The perfect candidate doesn’t exist, and companies don’t expect to hire a candidate that is a 100% match to what they advertise for. Indeed, they will expect to have graduates apply for certain roles and will look for growth potential.

4) Don’t rely on the internet for your job research

Recruitment websites are undoubtedly useful and convenient. They can be a great way to start your search and help you form an idea of the kind of positions you want to apply for. However, relying on the internet to find a job is limiting.

There is a danger for young people to conduct all of their job research on their laptop or smartphone. This is understandable – you might be nervous and want to look into your options from the safety of your home – but finding some inner courage to be more direct with your search can show prospective employers that you’re made of the right stuff.

It’s well-known in many job networks that a lot of the good positions aren’t widely advertised. Show some initiative by calling or visiting a number of companies you’d like to work for. There will be some outright rejections, but you may find yourself presented with opportunities to talk to a manager or director about your ambitions and taking the next step. Even if you can’t secure a solid job, you may end up with valuable advice to go forward with.

It’s also highly recommended to visiting a recruitment agency to enquire about any positions they are filling. A lot of agencies will fill positions using their contacts rather than creating open adverts, so build some connections with recruiters in relevant sectors. Agencies can also help you with your application, including CV writing and mock interviews.

Making headway in the graduate job market can feel like navigating a stormy sea at times, but you will soon find direction. Be confident in yourself and remember to sell yourself as a person, not just as an employee.

If you’d like more help in getting your foot on the career ladder, you can book a call with us to talk about your options, and get some advice on improving your applications. Register your CV here.