Are you struggling right now to recruit and retain staff?

Why are companies finding it hard to recruit? There are a number of reasons why

The main reasons are as follows :

1. After the worst of the pandemic, many people have got used to flexible working, working from home and not prepared to work full-time in an office. They know they are just as productive, if not more productive, working at home with fewer distractions.
2. Employees want more flexible working, and those companies offering a hybrid option are more likely to retain top talent.
3. Employees are not prepared to travel when they know their job can be done without it. This puts more pressure on employers to re-evaluate working conditions.
4. There is still a skills gap and this needs to be addressed at an earlier stage from school, university, apprenticeships and career advice. There are a lot of jobs that people can create themselves that are never taught at school and people just fall into them. One of these would be online content creation from blogging to online selling via Instagram and social media.
5. Some companies are not reviewing wages and people who have been loyal to companies through the pandemic have reassessed this and moved on. I know it’s tough for employers; however, I am addressing why companies can’t attract good talent. Money talks at the end of the day and this needs to be addressed.
6. Companies need to listen to employees’ changing needs and consider offering improved pay, benefits and flexibility. They need to tune in to what their staff need and want and try to retain them. What drove people before the pandemic may not be what drives them now.
7. Candidates are now prioritising their mental health and wellbeing. Employees believe that work-life balance is important to them, and they now prioritise self-care, health and wellbeing. Companies who can relate to this have a better chance retaining candidates. While good salaries will always attract top talent, demonstrating care for their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing will play a key part in guaranteeing their commitment long term.
8. Some employers are now finding people accept jobs and then just don’t turn up with no explanation. They then have new candidates who start and leave early with no explanation. They just leave and send an email and don’t face their employer to let them know why they are leaving. Respect and common courtesy has gone!
9. From my own experience from interviewing numerous candidates and asking them why they want to leave their current employment, feeling valued and flexible working are their main reasons.
10. If employers want to retain good staff and attract new talent they need to reassess their current working hours, explore hybrid working and listen to what makes candidates want to show up daily.
11. Remember that over the pandemic things have changed and we need to move with the times if employers want to retain good staff.

If you are struggling to recruit and need advice contact Cathy by emailing cm@cathymoranrecruitment,com or call 07751 856436

Sales Executive – North West – 27.5k + 0TE 40K + Company Vehicle + Mobile

A well-established, successful, food wholesaler has a new opportunity for a target orientated Sales Professional who can sell!

If you are highly organised, commercially focused and looking to further your career this job could be for you.

This is a great opportunity for someone who has a proven track record in identifying sales opportunities, building rapport with customers and successfully closing them. Your role will be to initiate and grow sales with the North West.

If the thought of sitting behind a desk all day gives you itchy feet, this could be the job for you as you’ll be required to spend a large amount of time on the road.

An excellent renumeration package is on offer to the successful candidate and you will be well rewarded financially

The role

• Your job as a Sales Executive is to identify sales leads, pitch goods and services to new clients and maintain a good working relationship with new contacts.
• Your key responsibility will be establishing and successfully closing new business opportunities and delivering a high level of customer service and feedback at all times.
• Once sales are established you will develop strong customer relationships ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction from start to finish.
• Developing and delivering sales pitches to potential new clients.
• To work to targets and achieve agreed sales KPIs.
• Upselling new products to prospective clients.
• The ability to plan ahead

Qualifications and Skills

• The ideal candidate must have previous field sales experience, ideally in a FMCG, food or a related field.
• You must have a successful track record in business development with the ability to identify and seek out new opportunities and close sales.
• Experience in developing and maintaining excellent customer relationships that lead to sales success.
• Self-motivated and highly organised and well disciplined, are skills that are essential to this role.
• Proven track record of achieving/exceeding targets.
• Experience working in a target orientated environment to KPIs preferred.
• Working on own initiative, prioritising work, and working to deadlines are key attributes.
• You must be highly organised with good time management skills.
• The ability to be proactive and resourceful in prospecting and winning new business.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport with clients.
• Strong business acumen with commercial focus.

Accounting and Finance Manager c28.5k – Derry/Londonderry

A new role has been created for this community organisation based in Derry.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced Accounting and Finance Manager that is self-motivated with good organisational skills and experience in finance, budgets and funding.

The ideal candidate will have worked in a  similar role managing budgets with a finance department either in a community organisation or finance and accounting department within a company. Understanding of funding sources and financial reporting to funding bodies advantageous.

You will be responsible for the everyday financial and administrative function of the organisation including financial management and report to Project Director.

The role

• To deputise for the Project Manager on key aspects of funding, financial, administrative and other matters as directed by the Project Manager including overseeing all financial management .
• Ensure all statutory compliances are met including but not exclusive to company legislation.

• To process all documentation pertaining to incoming and outgoing and revenue funding related to the organisation. i.e., banking arrangements, funder’s requirements and maintenance of accounts records.
• To maintain all day-to-day financial records relating to the organisation and to its projects as required.
• To ensure that all financial and other returns are submitted to relevant funders as required.
• To prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial/budgetary control reports including Revenue and expenditure, Cash and funds flow and forecasting,
• To provide oversight of the financial management of all BST Projects.
• To prepare and monitor financial budgets, as directed by Project Manager/s and advise on expenditure of programmes and services.
• Provide a range of HR duties including managing attendances, absences and recruitment ensuring compliance.

• To maintain all day-to-day financial records

• To process all documentation relating to payroll/wages and process direct payment of wages and salaries.
• To process all documentation relating to invoices and statements, expenses and orders placed.
• To process, on a required basis, all Inland Revenue & Pension returns and correspond with them accordingly.
• To be responsible for petty cash controls.

• Work closely with the Project Manager to identify existing need and gaps in funding, while undertaking regular research using a variety of methods to identify potential funding streams and priorities opportunities based around organisational need and funding criteria/deadlines.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to prepare and write funding applications.
• Maintain and manage effective electronic and paper-based records and filing systems in support of all funds and manage the post-decision administration process for all funding applications.
• Take responsibility for drafting financial reports for all major grants, working closely with the Project Manager to ensure that these are produced in a timely manner and to a high standard.

Education & Qualifications

• The ideal candidates will have been educated to degree level OR hold NVQ Level 5 in business management/administration, human resource management, accountancy or  community development
• 2 years’ experience of office administration that includes financial recording and reporting and experience of community-based projects preferred.
• Consideration will also be given to candidates with 3 years’ experience of office administration that included financial recording and reporting and experience of community-based projects if not degree qualified.
• Knowledge of internal and external reporting on Project Progress
• Experience of financial monitoring and reporting on funding applications
• Experience of working with statutory and/or voluntary sector agencies to develop and enhance services
• Proven ability to work on own initiative, negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Resilient and able to respond positively to the pressures and demands of the role
• Working knowledge of relevant software packages such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Full driving license and access to transport

Reflections on Recruiting in 2021

The future is bright with opportunity!

As another busy year of recruiting comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on 2021 and look ahead to 2022.

Here’s to a busy and productive 2021 and I look forward to what 2022 brings.

Despite the pandemic and restrictions, job opportunities have increased. People are now having flexibility and able to work from home. Hybrid working is now the norm and flexible working is here to stay.

The good news is there are plenty of job opportunities for those that want to work. Businesses are still moving on and new opportunities have been created.

As a Recruiter, it’s important to hire the right people for the job. It’s more than just what their CV says, it’s also how their personality fits in with the rest of the team and company culture.

This has become equally important as skill set and relevant experience. It has to be a match for not just the employer but the employee too.

Companies are only as successful as their employees, without the right people they couldn’t accomplish anything. Recruiting is often what determines the long-term success of a company.

Recruiting the right people will continue to be of the utmost importance in 2022.

I would like to thank all my amazing clients who have supported me this year and look forward to working with you all again in 2022.

Here’s to a busy and productive 2021 and I look forward to what 2022 brings.

A very Happy Christmas to you all and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2022.

“People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” – Jim Collins

How to make your CV stand out : The importance of a summary profile

So, what is a profile summary?

A profile summary is a written statement located at the top of your CV that briefly highlights your experience, qualification, skills and achievements. It is usually written in a short paragraph or a few sentences or phrases and can be put in bulleted form.

Keep your profile short and concise and think of the summary as a snapshot of your skills, accomplishments, and knowledge.

Why is a profile summary important?

A profile summary gives you the opportunity to summarise your experience, qualifications and achievements. Crucially, it serves to convince a Hiring Manager that your CV is worth reading further, and that you are a worthy candidate to consider.

Therefore, it is imperative that it contains information on how skilled you are, and the relevance your experience and skills are to the particular job you are applying for.
Making sure that your CV stands out is important if you want to get noticed by the Hiring Manager, and this is where a profile summary can help.

What you can do

If you are looking for a new job or a career change, craft a powerful summary to highlight your accomplishments and skills. Show the employer at a glance why you are qualified for the job. Remember most Hiring Managers just glance through your CV so make sure your CV stands out.

What should a profile summary include?

An effective profile summary should be no more than 150 words and include up to 4/5 sentences.
It should include the following;

• Your experience summary (how many years, doing what, etc.)
• Your general experience (more specific skills, what’s your focus?)
• Your top achievements (career highlights, include quantifiable change and data)
• Your IT/Computer skills
• Think of highlighting your skills and use examples, leadership, sales techniques, marketing, training, time management and relationship building.
• Provide a statement that makes you stand out. Don’t be afraid to blow your own trumpet!

Tips to do:

• Tailor your profile summary and CV in general to each application.
• Be honest on what your skills and experience are and be prepared to back this up.
• Use the job description to help form your profile.
• Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. As your personal profile sits at the top of your CV any errors will be immediately apparent.
• Stick to limit of no more than 150 words and 4/5 sentences.

Tips not to do:

• Do not copy and paste from your covering letter
• Do not include unnecessary personal information such as your age, marital status etc.
• Do not use clichés, slang or jargon.
• Do not overuse buzzwords.
• Do not include long winded sentences with no full stops or commas.
• Read your sentences through, making sure it reads well and makes sense.

If you need further advice in helping your find the right job and making your CV stand out, please email Cathy at cm@cathymoranrecruitment.com