Newsletter Issue 11 2008
....to 2008 and the 11th issue of our newsletter.
We hope that you all had a nice break and would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. At networx the New Year already seems promising. Whilst preparations for the 2nd networking event are almost complete and confirmations continue to be received on a daily basis, high volumes of vacancies are currently being placed and new business appointments are at record levels.
networx' second networking event entitled 'Making Online Recruitment Work For You' is due to take place at The Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham on Wednesday 30th January between 3:30 and 6:00pm
With several guest Speakers, including Carole Baker from Allied Carpets, (one of the best known names in flooring in Britain today) and Gini Allison from Graham and Brown (who supply some of largest and best known retailers with wallpaper coverings), the event will provide guests with an opportunity to identify with companies who have already adopted online recruitment and hear first hand of the benefits that this method of recruitment has delivered to their HR departments and their businesses as a whole.
In addition to the scheduled networking opportunity, which will enable individuals to discuss both successes and frustrations on a more personable level, a questions and answer session will ensure that any questions will be answered from a number of different view points providing valuable information to any company looking to enhance their existing recruitment processes and adopt best practise.
If you would like to learn more about online recruitment and the tools available to improve the efficiency of your candidate management please register your details via the following online registration form.
After months within the Top 10, on December 18th networx finally reached pole position on Jobsites Recruit Rank. Candidates have consistently been voting networx as one of the Top 10 agencies over the last 12 months but December witnessed the first time that networx had achieved the number one status.
Click on the following link and see how we have been ranked today...
www.jobsite.co.uk
Adopting a focus that maximises quality rather than quantity, networx have established a new means of CV Database searching which is helping deliver even greater success for our clients.
Changes to communication procedures have also resulted in a higher proportion of these identified candidates applying for positions and as expected the ratio of CV Searched candidates being selected for interview is also increasing.
CV Database Searching is just one element of our Sourcing & Response Management service that helps our clients identify high quality candidates. Continuous improvements are also being made throughout the service.
07/01/2008
January 7th 2008 is the busiest day in the year for UK jobseekers with nearly half of all UK employees likely to search for new career options online according to new research from www.jobsite.co.uk
The Jobsite research of over 1,500 UK employees reveals a staggering 42 per cent of people are planning to hunt for work this month (January), with the majority planning to start their search for a new job on the 7th January. The second most popular day is the 31st January when most people receive their first pay cheque of 2008. 61 per cent of jobseekers plan to spend more than two hours a day on their New Year job hunt whilst 41 per cent of employees will be searching for vacancies when they should be working.
The research also reveals that posting vacancies online will be the most effective method of attracting candidates this year, as job hunters are now most likely to search for a new job via the internet - 48 per cent of people polled say this is the easiest way to look for work. A further 22 per cent will look through ads in the papers, whilst one in 10 will only apply for a job if they hear about it from friends or family.
Keith Potts, CEO of www.jobsite.co.uk, which carried out the research, says: “The New Year is often seen as a good time to make changes and start afresh. With time off over Christmas to reflect on your current job situation it's perhaps unsurprising that the first Monday back in the office - which this year is the 7th January - sends most people looking for something more fulfilling.“
Potts adds: ”To capture and retain the interest of these high quality, semi-active jobseekers who are speculatively looking to see what's out there, recruiters need to be highly visible during this peak time. The job hunting cycle tends to be 3 months for candidates, so if recruiters can reach this surge of new jobseekers today, they can ensure a steady supply of candidates this quarter.”
The poll of 1,500 candidates revealed that almost half of people have used the Christmas break to think about their career, with 62 per cent saying they think the New Year is an ideal time to have a new start. While money is the most significant driver behind job hunting in January, 51 per cent of UK workers also crave more job satisfaction. And more than one in ten say they are unhappy in their current job.
For any business considering advertising a vacancy online at this time the research conducted by jobsite is obviously very reassuring, however with the vast number of employees expected to apply for new positions the importance of efficient candidate management and a professional recruitment process is even more critical.
Below are 5 basic tips that will help you source the perfect candidate quickly and simply whilst delivering a positive candidate experience to each and every applicant.
Although people are interested in the company they are going to be working for, candidates quickly want to know whether the role is suitable for them. Make every effort to prepare a well-presented and concise advert which makes people want to apply. Also consider the way that people search and incorporate key words within the body text as well as your title. The way your advert is created could be the difference to your vacancy being filled or not.
Last year Worksmart.org reported that there were more than 1200 online recruitment sites in the UK and Ireland and since January 2007 an average of one new jobsite was launched every week. The sheer number of websites has meant that identifying the most appropriate sites can be a time consuming and costly exercise.
The most effective means of attracting a high number of quality applicants is by advertising on a combination of boards at the same time whilst simultaneously conducting several CV Database searches. For the average company, however, posting to 3 or 4 online job boards could be equivalent to a recruitment consultant's fee. Unless you have the opportunity to buy in bulk, using a third party company can help maximise your exposure whilst minimising your cost.
Candidates who search for vacancies online also expect to apply for suitable positions online. An online application form is not only the candidates preferred method but also the most efficient means of obtaining information. Collating role specific information can dramatically assist and improve the decision-making and selection process. The alternative i.e. requesting candidates download PDF applications or email their CV to a designated email address simply results in increased administration and a longer recruitment process
Gain a competitive advantage by adopting a process that helps you immediately identify quality candidates. Whilst an online application form helps you assess the skills of candidates it is vital that applications are monitored continuously throughout the advertising period. The amount of time left between applications being received and an invitation to Interview being made can result in the loss quality candidates to your competitors.
Without the help of administration tools, acknowledging receipt of each and every application, informing candidates on the progress of their application and sending decline/ offers to each candidate can be a time consuming exercise and in certain cases almost impossible given available resources. However it is vital to remember that efficient communication is the key to delivering a positive candidate experience and professional corporate image.
To compliment the excellent start to the New Year, networx have been notified that they have been short-listed for the Best Technical Innovation Award (Supplier) with their low cost system, apoint, which helps small and medium sized businesses to introduce the key benefits of e-recruitment.
In addition, networx' apoint+ client, Maplin Electronics has been nominated for Best Corporate Use of Online Recruitment.
The award ceremony will be held at the Café Royal on Wednesday 5th March 2008.