Tag: Employers

What to Look for in a Candidate’s Job Application

Posted on by Kirsten Crisford

Top 5 things to look for in a CV

In today’s competitive job market, finding the right candidate for a position can be challenging. As a recruiter, you want to ensure that you’re hiring someone who will not only perform their duties effectively but also contribute positively to your company culture and growth. What should employers look for in a candidate’s job application? These are the top 5 things to consider.

1. Relevant Skills and Experience

The first thing that should catch your eye when reviewing a candidate’s job application is their relevant skills and experience. This includes both hard skills (specific, teachable abilities such as software proficiency or foreign language fluency) and soft skills (interpersonal attributes like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork).

Look for candidates who have demonstrated these skills in previous roles or projects. For instance, if you’re hiring for a project management role, you might look for experience with project planning tools or evidence of successful team leadership.

2. Educational Background

While it’s true that many successful individuals didn’t follow the traditional educational route, education still plays a crucial role in shaping a person’s knowledge base and skill set. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the educational background of your potential employees.

However, don’t just focus on the degree or institution name; look at what they studied and how it relates to the job they’re applying for. A candidate with a degree in an unrelated field but with relevant work experience could still be a strong contender.

3. Cultural Fit

Cultural fit is another critical factor when considering what employees should look for in a candidate’s job application. This doesn’t mean hiring people who are all alike; instead, it means finding candidates who share your company’s values and will thrive in your specific work environment.

To gauge cultural fit from an application, pay attention to how candidates describe their ideal work environment or how they’ve adapted to different company cultures in the past. Their answers can give you insight into whether they would mesh well with your team.

4. Potential for Growth

Hiring is not just about filling an immediate need; it’s also about investing in the future of your company. Therefore, the potential for growth is something employers should consider when reviewing job applications.

Does the candidate show ambition? Are they eager to learn new things? Do they have long-term career goals that align with your company’s direction? These are all signs of potential growth that could benefit your organisation down the line.

5. Attention to Detail

Finally, pay close attention to how well-crafted the application is itself – this can tell you a lot about a candidate’s professionalism and attention to detail. Spelling errors or sloppy formatting may indicate carelessness, while personalised cover letters show effort and an interest in your specific company.

 

Good Hiring = Growth

There is a combination of soft and hard skills that should be assessed in a candidate’s job application – relevant skills and experience, educational background, cultural fit, potential for growth and attention to detail stand out as key factors. Are there any that we haven’t covered?

Every hire is an investment into the future of the company; therefore making informed decisions based on these factors can help ensure that you pick the talent for your company, who will work well with others and drive success within your organisation. If you do need help with checking through CV’s to find the right one contact us to discuss how we can help make that easier for you.

 

Recruitment in Slough – 100 years of change

Posted on by Kirsten Crisford

Bucks and Berks Recruitment has been around for a while, over 100 years to be exact, so it is safe to say that we have seen our fair share of changes in recruitment over our time recruiting for companies in Slough and across the Thames Valley. As an organisation we have always adapted and changed to the ever shifting recruitment landscape, which is why we have remained successful for so long. We thought we would take a look at how one of our local towns has changed over the years and our observations around how being a successful recruitment agency in Slough has been possible.

Slough – A hub for Business

Slough, located in the county of Berkshire, has undergone significant changes in the past 50 years. In the 1970s, Slough was primarily known as an industrial town, with a focus on manufacturing and technology. However, over the years, the town has undergone a major transformation, and today, it is a vibrant and diverse hub for business, culture, and education.

One of the most significant changes that have taken place in Slough is the development of its infrastructure. The town has undergone a major redevelopment programme, which has led to the construction of new buildings, roads, and public spaces. The Heart of Slough project, which began in 2010, has transformed the town centre, creating new retail spaces, public plazas, and a new library.

Slough has also seen a significant increase in its population over the past few decades, with many people moving to the town for its excellent transport links, proximity to London, and diverse job opportunities.

In terms of education, Slough has also seen significant developments. In 1970, the town had only two comprehensive schools, but today, it boasts a wide range of educational institutions, including private schools, academies, and colleges. This has helped to attract families to the town, and it has also helped to ensure that the local workforce has the necessary skills to support Slough town’s businesses.

The economy of Slough has also shifted significantly over the past few decades. In the 1970s, the town was primarily known for its manufacturing sector, which included companies such as Mars, Black & Decker, and Fiat. Today, the town is home to many global companies and it has become a hub for technology and innovation. The Slough Trading Estate, one of the largest industrial parks in a single private ownership in Europe, has also played a significant role in the town’s economic development.

Slough has undergone a significant transformation over the past 50 years, moving from an industrial town to a diverse and thriving hub for business, education, and culture. The town’s redevelopment programme, population growth, educational developments, economic diversification, and cultural transformation have all contributed to its success, and Slough continues to be an attractive destination for people from all walks of life.

Recruitment in Slough – what has changed

Recruitment practices have undergone a significant shift over the last 100 years, what hasn’t?! But these changes have been primarily due to advances in technology, demographic shifts, and a change in cultural norms. Here are some of the most notable changes we have seen as a recruitment agency working in Slough:

  • Technological advances: The advent of the internet and digital technologies has transformed the recruitment process. Employers can now post job vacancies online and receive applications from candidates all over the world. Online job boards, social media, and mobile apps have become the norm, enabling companies to reach a wider pool of candidates and streamline the hiring process.
  • Globalisation: The rise of globalisation has had a significant impact on recruitment, with companies increasingly looking beyond their domestic borders to find talent. This has led to an increase in cross-border recruitment, with companies seeking out candidates who have the skills and experience necessary to operate in an international environment.
  • Diversity and inclusion: The last few decades have seen a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Companies are now actively seeking out a diverse range of candidates and taking steps to eliminate bias in the recruitment process. This has led to the adoption of new practices, such as blind screening, to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.
  • Emphasis on soft skills: While technical skills and qualifications remain important, there is now a greater emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. As a result, recruitment processes have become more focused on evaluating a candidate’s overall fit with the organisation, rather than simply assessing their technical abilities.
  • Shift in employee expectations: The workforce has become more mobile and independent, with an increasing number of workers seeking flexibility and hybrid working. As a result, recruitment practices and employers have had to adapt to meet the needs of staff and the new way many companies are now working. It is more commonplace for companies to offer more flexible working arrangements and alternative forms of employment.

Overall, recruitment practices have evolved significantly over the last century, driven by changes in technology, demographics, and cultural norms. As the workplace continues to evolve, we can expect further changes in the recruitment process in the years to come. As a company we are always looking at ways to adapt to the changing recruitment world. We stay on top of trends, new legislation and standardised practices so that we can provide our clients and candidates the best possible service when recruiting for them or finding them a new job.

If we can help you to recruit for a permanent, temporary or contract employee in Slough or the surrounding areas let us know by contacting us or sending a job brief.

Top Benefits of Employing Temporary Staff

Posted on by Kirsten Crisford

The use of temporary workers has become increasingly popular in recent years, in fact the recent REC Report on Jobs has shown that temp billings have continued to increase for the 4th month in a row.  Companies are finding that there are many advantages to using temporary workers, from cost savings to increased flexibility. We see benefits of using temp workers for our clients, here we share how they can help your business succeed.

1. Cost Savings with Temp Workers

One of the biggest advantages of using temporary workers is the cost savings associated with it. When you hire a temporary worker, you don’t have to pay for benefits or other overhead costs that come with hiring a full-time employee. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about ending the contract if the job doesn’t work out as planned. This makes it easier to manage your budget and keep costs low.

 

2. Flexibility and Temp Work

Another advantage of using temporary workers is the flexibility it provides. With a temporary worker, you can easily scale up or down depending on the business needs at any given time. This allows you to quickly adjust your workforce without having to make long-term commitments or investments in new employees. Additionally, if a project comes up that requires specific skills or expertise, you can easily find a qualified worker. No need to train or commit to hiring them full-time. This makes it easier for businesses to stay agile and respond quickly to changing market conditions.

 

3. Reduced Risk for your Business

When you hire a permanent employee, there is always an element of risk involved due to things like job performance and turnover rate. With a temporary worker, however, this risk is greatly reduced since they are only working for a short period of time and you can quickly assess if they are the right calibre for the role long term. Additionally, if something changes with the project you can easily change the job spec and find a new person them without having to go through the hassle of ending a permanent contract and dealing with potential legal issues that may arise from it.

 

4. Increased Staff Efficiency

Finally, using temporary workers can also help increase efficiency in your business operations since they are typically more experienced than entry-level employees and can hit the ground running right away without needing extensive training or onboarding processes. This means that projects can be completed faster and with better results since these workers already have the skills necessary for the job at hand. Additionally, since these workers are only working for short periods of time they tend to be more motivated which leads to higher productivity levels overall.

 

Our temps team provide support for many organisations across the Thames Valley who understand the value of this flexible workforce. We have many temporary staff members who have worked with us for years and we know we can trust to deliver the best to our clients. Our in house payroll team also relieves the pressure from our clients as they handle everything from timesheets through to holiday pay and all of the legal AWR requirements with temporary workers.

 

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