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With the arrival of #Halloween, there’s plenty to fear: Freddy Krueger, Chucky, Pennywise the Clown, the amount of money you will need to spend on sweet treats for when all the neighbourhood children come knocking. If you are looking for a new challenge or a route up the career ladder, one thing you should not shy away in terror from is using a recruitment agency to find you a job. To help crush those nagging doubts, we are going embrace the Halloween superstition surrounding the number 13 by outlining 13 reasons why you should use a recruiter. So, stop hiding behind the sofa or repeating the words ‘Beetle Juice’ in front of the mirror (seriously though, don’t do that!) and make sure you read on. This will change how you go about searching for a new job. 1. The best things in life are free Did you know that utilising a recruitment firm is completely free of charge? Well you do now. Our Recruiters will respond to your query, get in touch with you, provide an invaluable consultation, search for your dream job, walk you through the hiring and resignation processes, and provide support after you have been placed in a new role – all at no extra cost to you. 2. Opportunity knocks Working with a recruitment firm certainly has its perks. One major unique selling point of utilising the services of a Recruiter is that you can gain access to several unique job opportunities, many that will suit your specialist expertise down to a tee. Often, these types of opportunities are not available elsewhere. 3. A match made in heaven Recruiters will match your specific skills set with one of our highly-regarded client partners to ensure that your new role is a perfect fit for you and not to mention, the right move for our client. 4. Remove ambiguity Reaching out to a recruitment firm means that you have control over who sees your CV, with Recruiters obliged to share exactly who they will be circulating your CV with. This allows you to be judged more accurately as opposed to if your CV was posted online for anyone to see. After consulting with you, our Recruiters will portray you to clients exactly as you intended. 5. Less hassle than searching yourself Searching for a job is incredibly time-consuming, especially if you are the type of candidate we are looking to work with – one that is driven to succeed and therefore invests great time and effort in matching their skills set with a company to suit them. 6. Meet your career coach Our recruiters will provide you with their expert advice regarding interview tips and scenarios, the industry, the role and more specifically the client. 7. Network on a larger scale Utilising a recruitment firm with industry connections such as the ones that Hamlyn Williams boasts enables you to network with the right industry players. Therefore, not only can you get hired for a role that matches and even exceeds your expectations, but also enhance your industry knowledge in the process. 8. Become part of a valuable candidate network Consulting with a Recruiter means that, with your permission, your contact details along with your job requirements and any other relevant information will be added to our candidate database. This means you are saved for future positions that open and we can easily match you with a suitable role in the future, if not right away. 9. Knowledge of the market Our Recruiters are trained extensively, and many have years of experience dealing with both clients and candidates that succeed and continue to disrupt within many different regulated industries. Their knowledge of the marketplace gained from this will help you understand the market in which you are looking to be hired within. 10. Understanding of the role Recruiters are briefed by the client themselves on each role that is made available. We work to understand not just the job description but also exactly what type of person is required for the role and which skills and experience to highlight to the client when you interview with them. 11. Understanding of the client We work with our clients to get to know them, the role they are looking to hire within, exactly what type of candidate they are after, and their company culture. We will then relay this information to you, helping you tailor your CV and interview technique to what is required on behalf of our clients. 12. Hiring and resignation made easy Our hiring process consists of an in-depth consultation with you to pull together all necessary information, followed by providing a list of target companies that match your requirements, as well as resignation coaching and preparation. We guide you through each step so that you can focus on preparing for your new role. 13. Continued support even after you’ve been hired Our Recruiters will stay in touch with you for up to three months after you have been placed in your new job. We aim to help you achieve success in your role, not just to hire you for it. So, if you feel the time has come for you to take on a new challenge then it’s time to put yourself out there so you can discover your dream job. Please get in touch with one of our talented recruitment consultants who will help you guide your way into a new job. For more information contact us at info@hamlynwilliams.com, or find out more by visiting www.hamlynwilliams.com/job-search.

The world of recruitment is extremely fast-paced and ever-changing, with job searching for candidates becoming increasingly streamlined. In this article, we will outline 7 major trends that have contributed to the disruption of the recruitment industry. These trends are here to stay during 2019 and beyond, and will impact the recruitment. 1. Passive candidates are in demand If you are currently employed with another company then you fall into the category of a passive candidate. Passive candidates are increasing in demand for certain specialist roles as growing skills shortages means that companies seek very experienced individuals that are already operating within their industry. Even if you are not thinking of moving it's always beneficial to keep an ear to the ground just in case that 'dream job' comes up. We can help you make important decisions throughout your career, whether you are actively looking for a new job or just wanting to test the water and see what's out there. 2. The rise of AI Artificial Intelligence will play a part in the interviewing and assessment of candidates, particularly within the early stages of the hiring process. This popular new technology is set to streamline and speed up the recruitment process, with the latter stages still being people-led to gauge the cultural fit of a candidate. One prominent example of AI that many companies are implementing is chatbots, which interact with candidates at the beginning of the recruitment process. At Hamlyn Williams, we believe that human interaction is essential. We consult with our customers continuously as we believe that is the most effective way to match candidates with our clients. 3. The day-long induction More companies, just after the hiring stage are introducing one-day inductions for their new starters. This is said to increase probationary retention rates by 20%, allowing their new employees to get a feel for the workplace. These inductions involve explaining the businesses’ best practices, expectations, and then provides any clarification required. Hamlyn Williams remains in contact with candidates for up to 6 months after they are placed, providing support even after the induction day has taken place. 4. Data-driven hiring The use of ‘Big Data’ is becoming commonplace as firms are implementing certain algorithms on their CV databases that searches for key words and phrases that match their job descriptions. Companies believe that this will increase retention, help to understand what the candidate’s wants and needs are, and predicts candidate success within the role. Getting in touch with a recruiter rather than applying direct to a company has its benefits. We offer a 30-minute consultation to get to know our candidates, this allows us to properly assess whether candidates are a good match for our clients and vice versa. However, one issue with big data can be found in a case study of Amazon, where their recruitment software discriminated against women as previous employment records favoured men, which is what the system's algorithm based its results off. 5. Job searching on-the-go Mobile job searching is growing rapidly with these on-the-go experiences becoming more sophisticated. The ease-of-use for candidates, especially those with busy and proactive lifestyles, fits perfectly with the concept of mobile job searching. According to Glassdoor, 45% of candidates use their mobile to search for jobs daily. Most job boards now provide intuitive mobile applications with convenient ‘Apply’ buttons and bookmarking features. Furthermore, Google and Facebook are challenging LinkedIn as they now provide job searching tools. Hamlyn Williams offers an excellent mobile experience, try it yourself – www.hamlynwilliams.com. 6. GDPR The General Data Protection Regulation was enforced during May 2018 and seems to be everywhere you look on the Web. GDPR will continue to influence the recruitment industry, with many emails that recruiters send to potential candidates being treated as spam and many businesses needing to ensure that they become GDPR compliant. We ensure that all our customers’ data is protected, that we are fully GDPR compliant, and that email correspondence to customers is relevant, informative, and is not destined for a user’s spam folder. 7. Candidate experience Recruiters must ensure that the candidate experience during the entire recruitment process is a positive one. Making use of a recruitment company means that candidates are assisted with the job searching process and can focus on their interviews. We offer consultations, support, guidance, and post-placement care for our customers, thus ensuring that our service to them is of the highest possible standard. If you are interested in speaking to one of our Recruiters, please see the contact information below. Email: info@hamlynwilliams.com Tel: +44 203 675 2920 Website: www.hamlynwilliams.com

There are many characteristics that make up the ideal candidate, and these differ within each industry. To celebrate #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay, we wanted to embrace this. Here at Hamlyn Williams, our consultants are trained rigorously in gaining knowledge about our candidates and adhering to their needs, aligning those needs with that of each one of our clients. So, instead of finding out what makes the ideal candidate (because we already have a pretty good idea of that – with years of recruiting experience), we are going to tell you exactly what we look for in a job seeker. After reading this article, if you feel you fit this profile, why not get in touch with one of our consultants, so that we can match you with one of our clients and discover your ideal job. Details of how to get in touch with one of our recruiters can be found at the end of the article. Candidates who think and work progressively hold an advantage over their competition. Being able to think outside the box whilst maintaining efficiency is a difficult skill to master but the right candidate for almost any job out there must be able to adapt constantly. Industries constantly change and evolve to stay with the times and meet their customer’s needs. Therefore, our clients look for candidates who possess these qualities. Stagnant employees often struggle in any competitive working environment and our consultants can spot this right away as they are there to match the best candidates with their clients. Anyone who has climbed the career ladder in any industry knows that resilience is key to success. Our consultants look to hire not only promising candidates, but those who are willing to listen to their advice, take it all on board, and grow to meet the expectations of their potential employer. Therefore, candidates must be resilient in taking constructive critique, whilst maintaining a positive attitude throughout the hiring process. Any individual who is willing to open themselves up to new skills and the culture of a company is in with a great chance of landing the role they desire. Essential to our clients is for candidates to demonstrate a strong work ethic throughout their career. The willingness to make sacrifices in terms of prioritising deadlines, putting the needs of the company first, and perhaps even staying late on the odd occasion to finish certain tasks, is a characteristic that any employer would stop, admire, and consider for a role. Furthermore, our clients look for candidates who are a good cultural fit so when they ask questions to determine whether you are the right fit for them (which they will), be sure to answer them honestly. One example would be: Describe the work environment or culture in which you are most productive and happy. Finally, the differences between small and large organisations can be exponential, so it is important to determine whether you are the right fit for one or the other. Differences between small and large companies may include: politics, structure, employees, salary, and culture. Here at Hamlyn Williams, we are looking to hire candidates on behalf of our clients that ideally fulfil all of the above criteria and more. #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay is just an excuse for us to provide advice and guidance to our existing and potential candidates so that you can achieve your dream job and our clients can gain a valuable asset. If you feel you have what it takes to succeed, why not get in touch with us. Contact information can be found below. Email: info@hamlynwilliams.com Tel: +44 203 675 2920 Website: www.hamlynwilliams.com

Jumping like a kangaroo from one job to another? Looking to climb the career ladder like a spider climbs a web? Want to make sure you aren’t barking up the wrong tree? Seeking roaring success in your career? Read this blog post and you’ll be like a fish swimming in a sea of opportunity. Oh, and the puns don’t stop there… To coincide with #WorldAnimalDay, we’re going to let you know how to emerge as leader of the pack when you feel it’s time to start searching for another job. The early bird catches the worm Although some candidates submit their applications close to the deadline, we know that early applicants, for the most part hold an advantage. Furthermore, we know that early applicants are more: forward-thinking, analytical, motivated, outgoing, and persuasive; compared with late applicants. The saying “the early bird catches the worm” has never been more relevant when you begin an initial job search. Most candidates already within a role take 2-3 months job searching. Applying for jobs early can not only cut down on your search time, but also enables you to build up practice in job applications, as well as putting yourself at an immediate advantage over other applicants. When you work with a recruiter they can tell you about the best jobs on the market, letting you know about exciting new roles. Also, being responsive to recruitment consultants can help us get you shortlisted for employment quicker. Don’t go on a wild goose chase Mary Ellen Slayter, Career Expert at Monster.com once delivered this statement: "Quality over quantity. No one should be applying for 'thousands' of jobs... You're setting yourself up for disappointment." Constantly submitting applications for hundreds, even thousands of jobs may seem like a good tactic when you consider the law of averages. However, there are a number of downsides to conducting your job search in this manner: It’s extremely time consuming – the sheer volume of applications you are submitting is simply a waste of time, compared with the time you could be spending carefully applying for jobs more suited to your requirements It’s a self-esteem killer – applying for this excessive number of jobs will surely lead to many rejections due to the number of applications and the lack of care taken when aimlessly bouncing your resume around Feedback may be misleading – employers may negatively feedback to you if you take little care when applying for jobs, but when you take your time applying and give 100% effort, feedback (whether positive or negative) will be an accurate judgement Partnering with a recruitment firm can really help guide you through your decision from leaving a company to finding that perfect role. Be like a duck, calm on the surface but paddling like crazy underneath Here are some ways to stay under the radar when applying for jobs: If you are searching for a job whilst employed, it is of paramount importance to stay focused at your current job. Changing your behaviour or using the company’s time to search for jobs is (in lots of cases) unprofessional and it can also hinder performance and diminish your achievements at your current company. Not to mention, it encourages your employer to give you a poor reference if the time comes to move on. Finding a job can be time consuming, however using a good recruiter can help save you time as they do lots of the leg work for you. Our recruiters can guide you through the process, taking the time to set up a 30-minute consultation with you to understand your exact job requirements. We will then search for your ideal job and get back to you as soon as we can. LinkedIn has many useful features, not only for recruiters but for candidates who are searching for a new challenge. You can either make use of the ‘Open Candidate’ feature or privately update your employment status without notifying all your connections. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is looking good, that you've got a picture and the content is correct and up to date. So, if you feel the time has come for you to take on a new challenge then it’s time to put yourself out there so you can discover your dream job. Please get in touch with one of our talented recruitment consultants who will help you guide your way into a new job. For more information contact us at info@hamlynwilliams.com, or find out more by visiting www.hamlynwilliams.com/job-search.