Contrary to belief a professional IT recruitment agency and IT recruiter can add real value to companies existing recruitment and talent acquisition channels even in the current economic climate not just providing a CV and a candidate to interview but also providing a host of valuable information.
It’s true the UK is experiencing ever increasing rates of unemployment so many clients are looking to get their hands dirty and delve into the world of recruitment and source candidates themselves using online job advertising mediums such as www.monster.co.uk, www.jobsite.com, www.totaljobs.com and a host of other online mediums out there. Only last week I spoke to a client who was looking to hire a C# developer for their team in London. They were extremely pleased because their online job advert had netted over 100 CVs in a week.
However, the client wasn’t best pleased when I pointed out that fun had yet to start and out of those 100+ CVs he now had to whittle out:
Candidates not eligible to work in the UK
Candidates with no relevant skills
Candidates not located in required geography
Candidates too experienced
Candidates with not enough experience
Even if the time spent of each CV was only 30 seconds they have already lost 50 minutes removing the definite no’s from the maybes.
Then deciding out of the remaining candidates say 30% look good on paper, are you going to want to invite all 30 for an interview? Probably not, so you need to telephone screen each of these candidates. As the employer, you can’t just spend 2 minutes on the telephone with a candidate as this presents many dangers
1. brand damage
2. bad press
3. damaged reputations
4. disgruntled candidates who may be customers now or in the future
So if only 10 minutes was spent with each potential new hire, however 20 minutes would be a more realistic figure:
10 minutes X 30 calls = 300 minutes + 50 minutes = 350 minutes
Before the client had even met a candidate face to face they would have already spent almost 6 hours of their time! Being realistic this figure would be more like 11 hours, which ever way you look at it 6 or 11 hours could certainly be put to better use else where within the business!
A professional IT recruiter and IT recruitment agency can also offer knowledge of sensitive market information, market trends, salary banding as well as access to networks and inaccessible pools of talent.
During a recession the high calibre candidates companies are always eager to hire are less likely to be trawling online adverts or posting their CVs on online databases therefore making them inaccessible to employers. However a good IT recruiter or IT recruitment consultant will have built up relationships and methods enabling access to these high calibre “passive” candidates.
An experienced IT recruitment consultant or IT recruitment agency also provides an employer with a professional advocate who can understand the candidates’ wants and needs and acts as a third party negotiator. A good candidate who posses strong technical expertise within their field, coupled with excellent communication and client facing skills will always be in high demand! This calibre of candidate will always have more than one opportunity on the go at once and an experienced recruiter knows the most effective ways to deliver opportunities to gain an acceptance.
And finally a professional IT recruitment consultant can provide real value for money, Eventus IT work on a payment upon delivery basis, therefore limiting the risk for its clients.
Eventus IT has been helping companies across the UK and Europe source high calibre IT professionals by providing a competitively priced individually tailored staffing solution. To find out more information about our services feel free to visit our website www.eventus-it.com , drop us an email info@eventus-it.com or us on 0845 496 0000. You can also follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/eventusit
Thursday 21 May 2009
Thursday 16 April 2009
Professionalism in the Recruitment Process
You constantly read about unprofessional tactics employed by recruiters as they continue to chase the next deal and how contractors and permanent candidates are the innocent victims within the recruitment process, but from my experience as a recruiter it works both ways!
All too often candidates feed recruiters with a pack of lies regarding their experience, past roles and their current situation which makes a recruiter’s job almost impossible to provide a professional service to its clients and candidates alike.
Just yesterday I had a conversation with an unemployed IT candidate looking for a permanent role. I discussed the role and the client in great depth, ensured the opportunity I am recruiting for matched his skills, his salary expectations and the location he desired to work in. I then asked if he would be available for an interview the very next day which he agreed would be fine, so I passed on his CV to the client!
While discussing the candidates CV with the client, a few concerns emerged relating to the candidate’s previous experience so I suggested obtaining references from the candidates last few positions. The candidate agreed to this, but since that last phone call the candidate has not produced references as agreed and no longer returns my calls! Strange behaviour for somebody out of work and looking to get back into employment!
Another favourite of mine is candidates who cancel interviews the day they are suppose to be attending. I do ensure I call all candidates the day before interview to answer any last minute questions they have about the role and client so give them an opportunity therefore providing an opportunity to withdraw from the interview process. I just don’t understand why people are not open and tell you there and then, rather than send an email or not even bother to inform you at all!
Not for one minute I am saying all candidates behave in this manner, as the majority of people I deal with are professional and I am rarely let down, just as not all recruiters are sharks looking to line their own pockets. I just hope I am seen as a recruiter who provides a professional service to both the clients I recruit for and the candidates I represent.
If you are a candidate or client and want to learn more about the professional recruitment service Eventus IT aims to provide, feel free to visit our website www.eventus-it.com or email us at info@eventus-it.com. You can also follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/eventusit
All too often candidates feed recruiters with a pack of lies regarding their experience, past roles and their current situation which makes a recruiter’s job almost impossible to provide a professional service to its clients and candidates alike.
Just yesterday I had a conversation with an unemployed IT candidate looking for a permanent role. I discussed the role and the client in great depth, ensured the opportunity I am recruiting for matched his skills, his salary expectations and the location he desired to work in. I then asked if he would be available for an interview the very next day which he agreed would be fine, so I passed on his CV to the client!
While discussing the candidates CV with the client, a few concerns emerged relating to the candidate’s previous experience so I suggested obtaining references from the candidates last few positions. The candidate agreed to this, but since that last phone call the candidate has not produced references as agreed and no longer returns my calls! Strange behaviour for somebody out of work and looking to get back into employment!
Another favourite of mine is candidates who cancel interviews the day they are suppose to be attending. I do ensure I call all candidates the day before interview to answer any last minute questions they have about the role and client so give them an opportunity therefore providing an opportunity to withdraw from the interview process. I just don’t understand why people are not open and tell you there and then, rather than send an email or not even bother to inform you at all!
Not for one minute I am saying all candidates behave in this manner, as the majority of people I deal with are professional and I am rarely let down, just as not all recruiters are sharks looking to line their own pockets. I just hope I am seen as a recruiter who provides a professional service to both the clients I recruit for and the candidates I represent.
If you are a candidate or client and want to learn more about the professional recruitment service Eventus IT aims to provide, feel free to visit our website www.eventus-it.com or email us at info@eventus-it.com. You can also follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/eventusit
Wednesday 1 April 2009
IT Graduates in the Credit Crunch
It is well documented that the graduates of 2009 will not have it easy when looking to secure their first rung on the career ladder as graduate positions fall for the first time since 2003 with the Banking industry leading the way with a hefty 28% cut in graduate vacancies and for the first time a salary freeze industry wise.
All this makes for depressing reading for 2009’s graduates as they are the first to have contributed tuition fees for the full three years of their studies. However gloomy the news may seem, there is a silver lining for technology graduates, such as software engineering and computer science. Companies will continue to hire technical savvy graduates throughout 2009 to try and bolster a UK wise IT skills shortage.
However, don’t think a technical degree alone will be enough to secure that coveted first position since graduation. Today’s employers are looking for that little extra those graduates who as well as possessing strong academic skills can communicate both written and verbally.
As today’s graduates chase fewer graduate positions in 2009 what can they do to increase their chances of employment? The overwhelming consensus from the Head of the CBI, Richard Lambert says students should get first hand practical work experience while at university to complement their theoretical knowledge. Employers are not expecting graduates to be fully trained but they do value graduates people skills, their keenness and ability to problem solve.
Although the graduate market is not as buoyant as in recent years Eventus IT is still looking to fill graduate vacancies for clients across the UK these include:
Graduate Desktop Support-Middlesex http://tiny.cc/tvZ4C
Graduate Software Developer-Cardiff http://tiny.cc/YLZMf
Graduate Software Developer-Bristol http://tiny.cc/Ltz7D
Graduate Java Developer-Bristol http://tiny.cc/55PiW
Graduate Helpdesk-Aberdeen http://tiny.cc/PClqt
You can also view a list of other contract and permanent roles UK wide by visiting our website www.eventus-it.com. Also if you have any questions about the graduate IT market or the state of the IT market in general feel free to visit our site and leave us a message one of our consultants will be more than happy to speak to you in person to discuss any questions you may have.
All this makes for depressing reading for 2009’s graduates as they are the first to have contributed tuition fees for the full three years of their studies. However gloomy the news may seem, there is a silver lining for technology graduates, such as software engineering and computer science. Companies will continue to hire technical savvy graduates throughout 2009 to try and bolster a UK wise IT skills shortage.
However, don’t think a technical degree alone will be enough to secure that coveted first position since graduation. Today’s employers are looking for that little extra those graduates who as well as possessing strong academic skills can communicate both written and verbally.
As today’s graduates chase fewer graduate positions in 2009 what can they do to increase their chances of employment? The overwhelming consensus from the Head of the CBI, Richard Lambert says students should get first hand practical work experience while at university to complement their theoretical knowledge. Employers are not expecting graduates to be fully trained but they do value graduates people skills, their keenness and ability to problem solve.
Although the graduate market is not as buoyant as in recent years Eventus IT is still looking to fill graduate vacancies for clients across the UK these include:
Graduate Desktop Support-Middlesex http://tiny.cc/tvZ4C
Graduate Software Developer-Cardiff http://tiny.cc/YLZMf
Graduate Software Developer-Bristol http://tiny.cc/Ltz7D
Graduate Java Developer-Bristol http://tiny.cc/55PiW
Graduate Helpdesk-Aberdeen http://tiny.cc/PClqt
You can also view a list of other contract and permanent roles UK wide by visiting our website www.eventus-it.com. Also if you have any questions about the graduate IT market or the state of the IT market in general feel free to visit our site and leave us a message one of our consultants will be more than happy to speak to you in person to discuss any questions you may have.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Hot IT Sectors in the Doom and Gloom
If you are an IT professional and looking for companies that will continue to perform even in todays economic conditions then look for a position within the Telecoms sector. Demand for high calibre IT professionals within the Telecoms industry is rapidly increasing as the Telecoms industry as a whole is experiencing massive growth. Key areas that are in desperate need of high calibre IT staff include architecture and billing systems.
Despite all the doom and gloom associated with the credit crunch the last place you would expect to find a new contract position would be in the financial services industry! However, recent research by the Association of Technology Staffing Companies (ATSCo) has shown IT contractors are actually receiving 11% increase on their hourly rate over the last 6 months jumping from £45/hour to £50/hour. This increased demand for IT skills is most notable in areas such as equities and commodity trading.
Despite Lloyds of London submitting a pre-tax slump in profits of 50.6% to £1.89 bn the insurance industry is still in search of talented IT professionals in the UK. Key areas where companies continue to have budget include regulatory spend on areas such as compliance, insolvency II and IFRS Phase II. This has resulted in the need for both technical and functional staff both within the large insurers and filtering through to software and service providers. Eventus IT currently has a number of roles for both technical and functional IT professionals working in the insurance industry:
VB.NET Developer, Newport South Wales: http://tiny.cc/LafHO
C# Developer, City of London: http://tiny.cc/igWP8
Health Insurance Business Analyst, City of London: http://tiny.cc/7Zsct
Java/J2EE Developer, Cardiff http://tiny.cc/DbTeL
SQL Server DBA, Newport http://tiny.cc/PRZ1w
You can view a list of our current contract and permanent opportunities UK wide by visiting http://www.eventus-it.com/. If you can’t find a role that interests you feel free to call our office on 0845 496 0000 or emails us info@eventus-it.com.
Despite all the doom and gloom associated with the credit crunch the last place you would expect to find a new contract position would be in the financial services industry! However, recent research by the Association of Technology Staffing Companies (ATSCo) has shown IT contractors are actually receiving 11% increase on their hourly rate over the last 6 months jumping from £45/hour to £50/hour. This increased demand for IT skills is most notable in areas such as equities and commodity trading.
Despite Lloyds of London submitting a pre-tax slump in profits of 50.6% to £1.89 bn the insurance industry is still in search of talented IT professionals in the UK. Key areas where companies continue to have budget include regulatory spend on areas such as compliance, insolvency II and IFRS Phase II. This has resulted in the need for both technical and functional staff both within the large insurers and filtering through to software and service providers. Eventus IT currently has a number of roles for both technical and functional IT professionals working in the insurance industry:
VB.NET Developer, Newport South Wales: http://tiny.cc/LafHO
C# Developer, City of London: http://tiny.cc/igWP8
Health Insurance Business Analyst, City of London: http://tiny.cc/7Zsct
Java/J2EE Developer, Cardiff http://tiny.cc/DbTeL
SQL Server DBA, Newport http://tiny.cc/PRZ1w
You can view a list of our current contract and permanent opportunities UK wide by visiting http://www.eventus-it.com/. If you can’t find a role that interests you feel free to call our office on 0845 496 0000 or emails us info@eventus-it.com.
Friday 20 March 2009
First IT downturn since 2000
As the news that UK unemployment passed 2 million for the first time since 1997 and talk of the figure reaching 3 million before we leave the credit crunch behind us, where does that leave IT recruiters, IT professionals who feel redundancy isn’t too far off the horizon and those out of work and desperate to find new employment?
It may not be all doom and gloom for IT professionals! Certainly isn’t the case for interim IT Managers out of a sample of 9,000 recently surveyed are now on average able to command £697 per day despite this being the first market slow down since 2000.
All is not lost else where within the IT market, despite companies cutting back on IT expenditure software programming skills are still in demand with the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and KPMG UK Employment Report suggesting that .NET, C# and PHP programming skills are in high demand across the UK. I certainly see this to be true with many of our clients proactively looking to secure both VB.NET and C# permanent staff in London, Bristol and across South Wales, but on the down side salaries for these roles have seen a decline of 2.88% for VB.NET and 3.68% on this time last year.
I will aim to keep this blog updated with current market trends, hot technologies and sectors as well as providing tips on how to secure that elusive job. You can also view a list of our interim and permanent positions UK wide by visiting www.eventus-it.com.
If you wish to arrange for one of our consultants to discuss current IT market trends or advice on moving career feel free to drop us an email, including your name and contact number to info@eventus-it.com
It may not be all doom and gloom for IT professionals! Certainly isn’t the case for interim IT Managers out of a sample of 9,000 recently surveyed are now on average able to command £697 per day despite this being the first market slow down since 2000.
All is not lost else where within the IT market, despite companies cutting back on IT expenditure software programming skills are still in demand with the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and KPMG UK Employment Report suggesting that .NET, C# and PHP programming skills are in high demand across the UK. I certainly see this to be true with many of our clients proactively looking to secure both VB.NET and C# permanent staff in London, Bristol and across South Wales, but on the down side salaries for these roles have seen a decline of 2.88% for VB.NET and 3.68% on this time last year.
I will aim to keep this blog updated with current market trends, hot technologies and sectors as well as providing tips on how to secure that elusive job. You can also view a list of our interim and permanent positions UK wide by visiting www.eventus-it.com.
If you wish to arrange for one of our consultants to discuss current IT market trends or advice on moving career feel free to drop us an email, including your name and contact number to info@eventus-it.com
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