Hello again.
How is 2011 going? Picture More is having a great start to the year!
Careers in 2011
The professional services IT sector is quite buoyant at the moment, so much so that employers who sit on good CVs for too long are missing out on top talent. Our clients have been delighted with the excellent candidates we’ve placed. Amongst them were an Interim Head of IT for a well-known travel company and the Head of Market Data Management for an investment bank. As ever, we’d like to thank all the candidates who have represented us and congratulate those who landed the jobs this time. Thanks also to our clients for continuing to put your faith in our service.
Recruitment Specialists
Like us, you may know an excellent project manager who can’t organise a trip to the shops or a CRM software consultant who can’t manage a customer relationship. We all know doctors who do unhealthy things and most of us know a hairdresser with a dodgy “do”. What happens when a recruitment consultancy tries to hire new staff? Does the emotion hamper the objectivity? We’d like to think that emotions informed our objective thinking as we are delighted to announce the arrival of three new colleagues.
New Team Members
Jade Rawle is a recruitment professional with a background in financial services. She is now using that experience to focus on Business Analyst roles and other positions at the interface between finance and technology.
Joanna Gray has a similar financial recruitment background to Jade and is now dealing with Project Management and General Management positions.
Kimberley Nelson was a Partner HR Manager for “magic circle” law firm Linklaters. She has an MA in Personnel and Development from the University of Westminster and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD. She has joined Picture More to act as our Head of HR and Office Manager.
Contact us to see how we can help your business. It is a difficult creating a new team and although we found wonderful new colleagues there were times when even we would have welcomed the input of an objective recruitment partner. This issue is relevant to businesses of any size and we know how hard it can be.
Bye for now. We'll be back with a new blog in the spring.
Showing posts with label Recruitment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recruitment. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Friday, 17 December 2010
Christmas Top 10
Hello Again
New Year News
Well that went quickly! Another festive period is almost upon us here at the expanding Picture More office. We will be announcing exciting new members of the team in the New Year and have continued to place more and more high quality candidates into permanent and contract roles. Our consultancy is now an official supply partner of another “Magic Circle” law firm in London.
We also stretched our global wings again by placing some great professionals in America. As usual we would like to thank our client organisations for working with us and send our congratulations and gratitude to all the people who have represented us so brilliantly in 2010. We told you the downturn was going to ease!
Christmas Top 10
Despite our positive news we know many of you are still looking for your next roles. Our vision is to become the first choice IT recruitment consultancy for professional services and because our clients demand the highest standards we like to share the insight you need to help you to fit the profile. It seems you like this too because we have looked at our most popular blog posts over the last 2 years and it is the job hunting advice that really gets you going. So Pop Pickers, this December we present our seasonal top 10 tips…
At number 10: Make sure that the interests on your CV are genuine and try and have one each that cover the following criteria:
• Evidence of teamwork
• Something eye-catching
• Something you really enjoy and can enthuse about
Mr X had done that back in August 2009 and he was a very employable man.
At number 9: In October 2009 we talked about online job boards. This was surprisingly important because it is one of the places recruiters will look for you. The tip is to complete the online forms and use different ways of describing what you do to make sure people find you.
Number 7. In an ambitious blog in October 2009 we advocated adding new skills to your toolkit. Branch out from your core competence and learn about marketing, trading, HR or a language – anything that could differentiate you from the other 300 people with the same core skills applying for the same job.
Moving up to number 6 we remind you to be business focused. Hopefully this seems obvious to you, the best candidates for IT roles are not mere techies but understand wider business concepts and their own effect on the bottom line. We talk about this a lot and brought it up last January incidentally we also said that the first quarter is statistically the best for finding a new role so why not go for it in the New Year!
Holding steady at number 4 is this combination of tips from August 2009: Be prepared for interviews. Back then we broke it down under key headings:
• Only go for jobs you really want.
• Be ready for any question
• Practise!
So that’s three tips really and there are plenty more if you look at our permanent interview tips page.
Actually you can have three more straight away. We like to share current themes and we have had candidates miss out recently due to the reasons below so straight in at number 3 it’s avoid interview faux pas:
Just missing out at number 2 is being referred; the most powerful weapon in getting a job. In our first ever blog we advised networking. It’s a question of letting your professional network, including at least one recruitment professional, know what you’re trying to achieve.
…and our Christmas number 1…
Tailor your CV to the company and role you are applying for. This is vital for any application made directly or through a consultant. Look at the role requirements and the company’s values and make sure you are presenting a good match in a concise, clear way.
We hope that was a fun way to share some good advice. We at Picture More wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year. See you in 2011!
New Year News
Well that went quickly! Another festive period is almost upon us here at the expanding Picture More office. We will be announcing exciting new members of the team in the New Year and have continued to place more and more high quality candidates into permanent and contract roles. Our consultancy is now an official supply partner of another “Magic Circle” law firm in London.
We also stretched our global wings again by placing some great professionals in America. As usual we would like to thank our client organisations for working with us and send our congratulations and gratitude to all the people who have represented us so brilliantly in 2010. We told you the downturn was going to ease!
Christmas Top 10
Despite our positive news we know many of you are still looking for your next roles. Our vision is to become the first choice IT recruitment consultancy for professional services and because our clients demand the highest standards we like to share the insight you need to help you to fit the profile. It seems you like this too because we have looked at our most popular blog posts over the last 2 years and it is the job hunting advice that really gets you going. So Pop Pickers, this December we present our seasonal top 10 tips…
At number 10: Make sure that the interests on your CV are genuine and try and have one each that cover the following criteria:
• Evidence of teamwork
• Something eye-catching
• Something you really enjoy and can enthuse about
Mr X had done that back in August 2009 and he was a very employable man.
At number 9: In October 2009 we talked about online job boards. This was surprisingly important because it is one of the places recruiters will look for you. The tip is to complete the online forms and use different ways of describing what you do to make sure people find you.
At number 8 there are various elements to this idea including one of our top 3. A tip from December 2009 was to increase your profile. You can blog, write articles and white papers. You can set up a LinkedIn site and share expertise in online discussion groups. You could put your CV on the job-boards. Be visibly good at your job, let people know what you are doing and who for, make it easy for people to find you.
Number 7. In an ambitious blog in October 2009 we advocated adding new skills to your toolkit. Branch out from your core competence and learn about marketing, trading, HR or a language – anything that could differentiate you from the other 300 people with the same core skills applying for the same job.
Moving up to number 6 we remind you to be business focused. Hopefully this seems obvious to you, the best candidates for IT roles are not mere techies but understand wider business concepts and their own effect on the bottom line. We talk about this a lot and brought it up last January incidentally we also said that the first quarter is statistically the best for finding a new role so why not go for it in the New Year!
At number 5 we remind you of a very simple tip that some people forget is to be polite to everyone you talk to in your search. This includes recruitment professionals, people in your network, journalists and people from industry bodies. Recruitment consultants want to place the best people for their clients and the best people are not rude. Remember that when the phone rings.
Holding steady at number 4 is this combination of tips from August 2009: Be prepared for interviews. Back then we broke it down under key headings:
• Only go for jobs you really want.
• Be ready for any question
• Practise!
So that’s three tips really and there are plenty more if you look at our permanent interview tips page.
Actually you can have three more straight away. We like to share current themes and we have had candidates miss out recently due to the reasons below so straight in at number 3 it’s avoid interview faux pas:
- Not wearing a jacket or tie.
- Not appearing motivated by the job in question.
- Saying terrible things about one’s current or past employer.
These faux pas will guarantee interview failure. If you have been guilty of these in the past we suggest you line up your New Year’s resolutions right now!
Just missing out at number 2 is being referred; the most powerful weapon in getting a job. In our first ever blog we advised networking. It’s a question of letting your professional network, including at least one recruitment professional, know what you’re trying to achieve.
…and our Christmas number 1…
Tailor your CV to the company and role you are applying for. This is vital for any application made directly or through a consultant. Look at the role requirements and the company’s values and make sure you are presenting a good match in a concise, clear way.
We hope that was a fun way to share some good advice. We at Picture More wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year. See you in 2011!
Friday, 1 October 2010
Leadership Potential
Hello again
I hope you had a good summer. The growing Picture More team certainly did!
Continued Success
Last time we blogged the election result had only just been announced but despite austerity measures on the near horizon we didn't expect our specialist sector of professional services IT to suffer. It seems our optimism was justified as we are placing more and more IT professionals in permanent and contract roles. As usual we would like to thank our recruiting clients for having confidence in us and offer congratulations and good luck to all our successful candidates!
Team Spirit
You may remember from our last blog that we are partial to a round of golf so it seems fitting that we theme this October edition to the Ryder Cup, which starts today. What makes this event so special? If we think back to the World Cup, England had a group of players who were used to being in teams but who seemed to be playing as individuals. It was an uninspiring performance. In the Ryder Cup, Europe (or America if you prefer) have a group of individual sportsmen who have to play as a team. It becomes an emotional experience for them. The players who are remembered as Ryder Cup heroes (and who become great captains) are not the ruthlessly focused individuals like Tiger Woods or Nick Faldo. They are players like Monty or Seve who make a huge emotional investment and lift the team to victory. What lessons can we learn from people like this?
Learn from the Leaders
Well a golf lesson wouldn't go amiss but the extra ingredient these guys put in is "emotional labour." They're not afraid to go the extra mile, to show passion or to take risks to help the team achieve its goal. If we think about the great leaders we've worked with they generally have these traits. Have you ever looked at one of these people and thought "I write better code than him" or "I create better spreadsheets than her"? Despite these thoughts you know they're doing something right and it serves them very well. In an economy where being competent at one's role no longer guarantees job security it is worth learning from these people what can make an employee, i.e. you, indispensable.
I hope you had a good summer. The growing Picture More team certainly did!
Continued Success
Last time we blogged the election result had only just been announced but despite austerity measures on the near horizon we didn't expect our specialist sector of professional services IT to suffer. It seems our optimism was justified as we are placing more and more IT professionals in permanent and contract roles. As usual we would like to thank our recruiting clients for having confidence in us and offer congratulations and good luck to all our successful candidates!
Team Spirit
You may remember from our last blog that we are partial to a round of golf so it seems fitting that we theme this October edition to the Ryder Cup, which starts today. What makes this event so special? If we think back to the World Cup, England had a group of players who were used to being in teams but who seemed to be playing as individuals. It was an uninspiring performance. In the Ryder Cup, Europe (or America if you prefer) have a group of individual sportsmen who have to play as a team. It becomes an emotional experience for them. The players who are remembered as Ryder Cup heroes (and who become great captains) are not the ruthlessly focused individuals like Tiger Woods or Nick Faldo. They are players like Monty or Seve who make a huge emotional investment and lift the team to victory. What lessons can we learn from people like this?
Learn from the Leaders
Well a golf lesson wouldn't go amiss but the extra ingredient these guys put in is "emotional labour." They're not afraid to go the extra mile, to show passion or to take risks to help the team achieve its goal. If we think about the great leaders we've worked with they generally have these traits. Have you ever looked at one of these people and thought "I write better code than him" or "I create better spreadsheets than her"? Despite these thoughts you know they're doing something right and it serves them very well. In an economy where being competent at one's role no longer guarantees job security it is worth learning from these people what can make an employee, i.e. you, indispensable.
- Being in a job you love* where you see your contribution as an art-form.
- Not being afraid to push new ideas and paint a vision.
- Not being afraid to connect people inside and outside your organisation.
- Not getting too bogged down in defensive or aggressive responses to feedback.
- Not charging for every extra 15 minutes worked or for every piece of knowledge shared.
What the World is Looking For
During an economic downturn there is an understandable tendency for recruiting companies to look for people who've "done it all before." A Ryder Cup captain would never do that as he knows that a mix of potential, experience and leadership creates a stronger team. As the recession eases and forward thinking companies start to look for that mix it means two things:
- A consultancy like Picture More can add more value for its clients by identifying the people with the potential to become leaders.
- Experienced professionals need to show more of the qualities that differentiate them and display the potential to become indispensable in the right environment.
We've talked about training before which is still a good idea but addressing these personal skills could really help shape your career. Books on the subject include Linchpin and Think and Grow Rich; a 70 year old classic that still rings true today.
We hope we've given you something interesting to think about and would welcome your comments. We'll be back with you before Christmas to let you know what's happening at Picture More and in the wider market.
Speak soon.
*NB. If you're not in a job you love you should think about how you could be (see Ambition).
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