We want to wish everyone well during these times of uncertainty. People are at the heart of what we do here at Avenue and we are still open for business and operating as close to normal as possible.
We understand many have been impacted by COVID-19, so if you are looking for work then please contact us and email across your CV. If you are experiencing a busier time and have a shortage of staff to keep up with demand then contact our consultants to get access to our wide portfolio of potential employees.
Permanent placement growth remains subdued in March
• Permanent appointments rise at modest pace
• Candidate availability deteriorates at sharper rate
• Pay growth remains robust
According to the latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs, permanent staff placements continued to expand, albeit at a subdued pace that held close to February’s recent low. Nonetheless, temp billings grew sharply, while demand for both types of staff grew at a faster pace than in February. Meanwhile, candidate availability continued to worsen, with declines in both short-term and permanent labour supplies gathering pace. Consequently, pay pressures intensified during March.
Further growth in permanent staff appointments was signalled by Scottish recruiters during March, extending the current upturn to twenty-sixth months. Latest data revealed a stark contrast to the trend at the UK level, where permanent placements dipped moderately. Nevertheless, growth in Scotland was subdued, holding close to that seen in February.
Meanwhile, temp billings growth in Scotland was sharp, having accelerated from the previous month. Relative to the UK overall, Scotland outperformed, as the expansion at the national level eased and was only moderate.
Latest survey data pointed to a faster deterioration in permanent labour supply in Scotland. Overall, the decline was steep and among the quickest recorded in the survey’s history. Similarly, permanent candidate availability fell at a faster rate across the UK as a whole in March.
Short-term staff supply in Scotland also worsened during the latest survey period. The decline was sharp and stronger than the long-run average. A dip in temporary candidate availability was also recorded for the UK overall, but the reduction was the softest in two years.
A renewed acceleration in permanent staff vacancy growth was observed in Scotland during March. The increase was stronger than seen for the UK overall, as has been the case for just over a year. Temporary job openings also increased at a quicker pace in Scotland, and one that was faster than the UK average.
Latest survey data signalled sustained pay pressures during March. Starting salaries awarded to permanent joiners rose markedly, albeit at a rate that was little-changed from February’s near two-year low.
Temp wages in Scotland grew at a faster pace than in February, but was weak relative to the average across the past 12 months. The rate of pay inflation at the UK level dropped to a two-year low, but was broadly similar to that seen in Scotland.
Sebastian Burnside, Chief Economist at Royal Bank of Scotland, commented:
“Following the marked slowdown seen in the opening months of 2019 in permanent staff appointments, March data revealed little signs of any recovery to the strong levels seen at the end of last year, with growth remaining subdued overall. “Nevertheless, relative to the rest of the UK, Scotland continued to outperform, as has been the case for much of the past year. Survey data for the UK as a whole pointed to the quickest fall in permanent staff placements in over two-and-a-half years in March.”
We have had recent reason for celebration within the Avenue office, as our very own Richard and Ian have achieved another promotion in their football careers. As Manager and Assistant Manager, they have taken Arbroath FC from Ladbrokes League one into the Ladbrokes Championship which is the second tier in Scottish football, an outstanding achievement for a small provincial, part time football club.
Despite having held a healthy lead over the chasing pack of Raith Rovers and Forfar Athletic for the majority of the season and holding first position since August they finally managed to seal the Title with a 1-1 draw at Brechin City on Saturday 13th April and a night of celebrations duly followed.
Richard reliably informed the Avenue staff that this was his tenth promotion as a manager so there seems to be no sign of retirement and hanging up of the bunnet just yet!
There promises to be some great hospitality days at Arbroath next season when the likes of Dundee United, Dundee and Dunfermline Athletic may be calling in at Gayfield. Many of clients have enjoyed these days over the past three years, please get in touch to book in early to avoid missing out.
In today’s recruitment world your digital skills can be placed before interpersonal or soft skills but this isn’t always the case.
If you’re thinking of looking for a new job this summer then adding some valuable skills to your CV is a sure-fire way to make you stand out. It doesn’t have to cost you any money and you can do it from the comfort of your own home! Make this your month of learning new skills and you’ll come out the other end with a great CV and a fantastic set of skills to make any employer take a second look at your application.
These refer to the personal attributes that dictate how you interact with other people. In other words, your interpersonal skills. Most job descriptions that you’ll see these days include lines such as ‘must work well across all levels of the business’ and ‘has a strong work ethic.’ So which are the most important – and what do they really mean?
Making business-related decisions isn’t as easy as it might sound. What employers are looking for here is how you deal with the situation and come to a decision. Often, the decision itself isn’t as important as how you reach it.
Communication skills are to do with relationship building, from building a rapport to supporting a long-term business relationship. It also refers to how well you can express yourself both verbally and in written forms like emails. This often tops the list of soft skills needed for a role.
‘Self-motivated’ or ‘self-starter’ are words you’ll see liberally sprinkling many job adverts. They mean employees who don’t need much supervision and can be counted on to keep going through their work. Being self-motivated also makes you more resilient and able to adapt to change.
These are the skills that you need to lead a team of people. From communicating with them to being an effective leader, you’ll need these skills if you ever lead a project or when you take a step up to management.
Working as part of a team isn’t always easy, and being able to play to your strengths in a group is an invaluable skill to have. These skills are really important if you’re working on a project with a group of other people, and it’s great to be able to demonstrate that you can come into your own in this setting. These are all well and good in a job advert but the real question is how can you demonstrate that you have them? Think about a few scenarios when you can recall examples of this and have this prepared.
Blog , Soft Skills, Getting the job
If you’ve led a team to success by collaborating with other departments or outside agencies, then take examples of your work with you. By demonstrating that you lead the team to success and explaining how you managed the process, you’ll be able to prove your skills as a leader and in a team setting.
You’re likely to be asked a question (or something similar) along the lines of “tell me about a time when you struggled to complete a project” or “tell me about a time when you failed.” The most important thing to remember here is that your interviewer isn’t looking for someone with a perfect record of success, they’re looking for someone who can demonstrate self–motivation in the face of failure. They want to see that you can pick yourself up and work with a team to fix the problem, so make sure you’ve got an example ready to go.
Any job application process will involve the written word. From CVs to Covering Letters and emails, you’ll be in constant communication with your recruiter as you progress through the hiring process. Make sure that all of your communications are clear, precise and don’t contain any spelling mistakes or typos.
For more tips and tricks to refine your soft skills and interview style, check out our additional interview tips here and hopefully this helps you get the confidence to take the next step and look at our existing opportunities our jobs board which is updated instantly with all our vacancies across all our supported sectors.
[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin”]
This week is Mental health awareness week, recruiters are often seen as cool, calm and together. If anyone tells you they have it all together they are either not doing their job right or they are not telling the truth. Stress at work definitely a factor in a recruiter’s life.
People assume we come into work, make some calls, read CVs, fill a few jobs and hey presto day over! – This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Many recruiters are highly skilled and educated individuals who have chosen an alternative path. Some recruiters start as early as 6am others like me are 8am starts – We work with many organizations on a daily basis and speak to numerous candidates, managing expectations. Temporary recruiters are constantly working – speaking to candidates, keeping clients happy, keeping temporary workers happy and in work. We don’t finish work ever really, we are always looking at billboards, client names, candidates or helping friends who ask for help looking for a job or know someone who needs a job. We check LinkedIn or emails even at home when we should be with our families. There is always just one more email, one more call to take, we have our own lives, our own stresses, and worries but we have to leave them behind to work like everyone else. Sometimes, however, it isn’t as easy.
The constant emails, phone calls, abuse and challenges do take their toll, they overwhelm you when you are not looking. That feeling of dread is horrendous and there is really nothing anyone can do about it.
Watching Corrie last week was an eyeopener and then there was a singer from a group based in Scotland who committed suicide the same week. It just makes you realize that no one has their lives together. Look at Robin Williams! He was a man who had it all – or so you thought, make people laugh and cry with laughter and all the time he was crying inside.
So next time you speak to or choose to shout at a recruiter, a colleague, a shop worker or even a friend or family member just remember what’s showing to the world on the outside isn’t necessarily what is going on underneath. Be kind, be mindful and know that everyone has a struggle that can’t be seen.
For more information about this please see the below link…
What’s the one thing you can’t live without: My Family
What is the best advice you ever got: Live life – have no regrets
Do you have any strange phobias: Butterflies – totally scare the bejessus out of me
Why recruitment…and what’s the best part of your role within Avenue: I Enjoy getting people into work. The job itself is forever changing, no 2 days are the same. It is fast paced and at times hectic but at the end of the day I know I have given it 110%
Favourite food and drink? Pannenkoeken with butter and brown sugar (Belgian Pancakes) and a hot strong cup of tea 😊
What, or who, are you a “closet” fan of: Oliver Platt – Loved the film 3 Musketeers and his character was fantastic
Favourite holiday destination: Egypt – love the people, the heat and the history of the place
What was your favourite TV show when growing up? Rentaghost
Favourite sport or past-time: Getting in the car with my husband and going for a drive, sometimes we end up 300 miles away in the middle of nowhere! Its brilliant just seeing Scotland and not having any plan of where we are going or what we are going to do. A few weeks ago, we set out to go to Dunkeld and ended up in Fort William and going to see the Harry Potter viaduct at Glenfinnan!
What is the funniest thing you’ve seen at work (anywhere): A man obviously on a stag do with a Mankini on trying to stop traffic for a lift – in Dunfermline!!
What are three things still left on your bucket list: Go to St Petersburg In Russia, Spend a day with Tigers at the Zoo, Going to see Penguins on the beach in South Africa
If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose: Weather manipulation – to get some heat here for a change!!
What is the worst pet you have ever had: None, loved them all 😊 Presently have a half Bengal cat called Yoda – he is quite a wee character.
Where are the biggest challenges in Construction & Industrial markets currently: With the change in the economy, the market now is candidate-driven, where before it was client driven. More candidates are likely to stay in their current jobs due to the uncertainties of the marketplace. At the end of the day we work to feed our families and have a life, without an income you can’t do this. People are looking for a bit more security even in the temporary market! It is our job to find the best candidates for the best companies and ensure that everyone is happy …
What’s the one piece of advice you would give one of your candidates today? Sell yourself, turn up on time and do an honest day’s work
Jobs aplenty, you have a lot of roles on just now with a lot of clients, what skills and trades and what types of candidates/skill sets are you seeking currently: I am keen to speak to Plumbers in and around the Aberdeen area, Electricians – Compex and Instrument Technicians in and around the Central belt Groundworkers in Edinburgh & Haddington, Estimators and Site Managers with water experience
To get in contact with Fiona and view her existing roles please click: https://avenuerecruitment.co.uk/consultant/fiona-hunter/
There’s only one sure-fire way to ensure you know exactly what an employer could find – completing the search yourself. By taking the time to filter through the first few pages of a Google search, you’ll be able to address any possible surprises before they pop up. This will also give you a good start point to have a look at how you appear today and then you can start your digital housekeeping journey.
All of the most popular social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram change their settings constantly (sometimes up to 15 times per annum per platform), so even if you think your privacy settings are high, things could have changed and being as the “devil is always in the detail” how many of us actually read the long and small text spiels that accompany application and platform updates?…statistics show that less than 3 percent of people in 2017 completed this fully.
On Facebook, the easiest way to check what other people can see is the ‘view profile as’ button – it’s hidden in the bottom right-hand corner of your cover photo.
Filter through your Instagram profile to check there aren’t any pictures that could appear compromising to an unknowing eye. If there are, and you don’t want to delete them, switch your settings to private.
Instead of scrolling through your entire Twitter feed, head to your settings to download your archive. It has a record of every single tweet you’ve sent out, meaning you can go through and delete any that you wouldn’t want your boss or colleagues to see. This includes any previous complaints or gripes about your previous companies – nothing leaves a bad taste in an employer’s mouth more than company criticism and bitter employees. Companies might also vet these channels to find out if you’ve adhered to company confidentiality agreements (this is applicable to all types of candidates)
You can also make your profile private by ‘protecting your profile’. This allows you to control who is following you and hence, who can see your tweets.
By now, it’s generally understood that recruiters will check a candidates LinkedIn profile whenever they apply for a role (and to add to this they’ll almost always have a paid subscription and will, therefore, appear as an anonymous visitor). Therefore, it’s incredibly important to make sure your profile is as current and professional as possible. Check that your profile picture is either a headshot on a plain background or a business casual shot of you in action.
Review your professional experience to make sure that all your job responsibilities, achievements and qualifications are up to date. Going forward, it’s also worth considering adding information regularly – it’s easier to do when fresh in your mind, instead of in bulk when looking for a new position.
Finally, don’t forget about the extracurriculars. It’s worth mentioning any volunteering experience and if you can speak any additional languages – they could be the elements that set you apart from other candidates when it comes to hiring time.
While you may love that shot of you with your favorite beverage in hand, it doesn’t scream professionalism. Ensure both your profile picture and cover photo don’t show you drinking alcohol or obviously drunk; lounging about in your swimmers; in a selfie, or most obviously, doing anything vulgar or offensive.
For other helpful advice on how to be “The Right Person for the Right Job” please visit our blog articles…https://avenuerecruitment.co.uk/blog/
If you’d like some help with any of this please get in touch with our consultants
The average person will change jobs 10 to 15 times during their working life. This means that you’re likely to come up against some serious competition when you’re job hunting. But fear not, we have three pro job search tips to help you get hired in 2018.
You will probably know about job boards, and you will be well aware that the vast majority of companies will advertise openings on these websites. But if you have seen these, you can bet your bottom dollar that a wealth of other job seekers have too.
So, you want to get ahead of the curve. And the best way to do that is through networking.
Networking is the best weapon you can have in your job-seeking arsenal. Recruiters are always nervous about hiring someone who has no connection with the company. Recruitment is a pricey business, and if a company makes a mistake in hiring the wrong person, it tends to be quite expensive. So, if you can get a personal referral, from someone in the company or even by a mutual connection (via LinkedIn, for example), that goes a long way to ease some of the burden from the HR department.
Approach networking with an open mind. You’re reaching out to friends, family, colleagues and industry professionals asking them to connect or introduce you to someone in the industry you wish to break into.
And from there you should aim to make it snowball.
Keep asking for another connection until you find someone who can help you, or who can give you the insider knowledge that you seek. The key is perseverance. Here are some tips for networking success:
Social media should never be underestimated. It is the key for HR, in today’s world of recruitment, to seek potential candidates for roles. You should be using all social media forums at your disposal to:
When you apply for a job, you typically send in your CV with the application and usually, only a few pairs of eyes see it. But by using social media to showcase your talent, you will open yourself up to a lot more viewings, particularly from recruiters from agencies with top jobs.
LinkedIn is the best social media site for job hunting. It allows you to display your CV clearly, reach out to people in your network, find new connections to add to your network, seek out potential job openings and connect with potential employers. Make sure your profile is the fullest it can be. And set it to ‘job seeking’ so that recruiters know to look at you.
Here are some top tips:
Look up companies that you would like to work for or using recruitment agencies and job boards to find roles and companies that interest you. Prospectively send in your CV and cover letter to the hiring manager or recruitment consultant for the job you would like. In your cover letter, don’t just state why you want to work for the employer, tell them what value you will add. To register with Avenue Recruitment please follow the steps in the link: http://ow.ly/GxNL30hluLp
By showing your initiative, you also display courage and enthusiasm for working for the company. These are key traits employers want to see in potential employees.
Finally, remember that finding your dream job in 2018 is more than likely going to take some time, so don’t just employ one of these tips, use all three simultaneously, and keep going. Your perseverance will pay dividends.
CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job board. For more expert advice on job searches, careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice pages.
