The Job Opportunities are still out there

In the present economic climate with companies either tightening their belts or going out of business all together, the competition for jobs increases. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation have announced that the demand for permanent staff fell last month for the first time in five years.
Kevin Green, the REC's Chief Executive said
“This is the first major sign that a slowing economy is starting to have an impact on jobs. The decline in the demand for permanent staff for the first time in five years indicates that employers are hesitating before making recruitment decisions.
The continuous growth of temporary recruitment shows that this is being used to meet peaks and troughs in business workloads. We anticipate that in this worsening economic climate, businesses will go to great lengths to retain the staff that they have worked hard to acquire in the last few years.
It’s also vital that jobseekers keep in mind that there are still numerous positions to fill and recruitment agencies will be working hard to search for the right talent to meet employers’ needs.”
As belts tighten, pencils need to be sharpened and the first area job seekers need to look at is the all important CV. This marketing tool needs to be as strong and clear as possible. Sir Alan Sugar’s Apprentice may have got away with lying on his CV but this won’t wash with most employers and could seriously backfire with long term implications.
“At Cummins Mellor, we see a lot of CVs and it’s clear that many people are just not presenting their skills and experiences in the best light. Common mistakes include spelling or grammatical errors and language barriers can be a problem. It makes sense to get someone else to proof read a CV before sending in an application. It’s something our consultants do every day. We offer free advice on CV and interview tips on our web site www.cummins-mellor.co.uk “Richard Mellor (Managing Director)
At Cummins Mellor Recruitment, specialist consultants have been available to work with employers about to make redundancies and have arranged visits within the work place to advise on job applications, CVs and interview techniques.
“We have access to lots of job opportunities both temporary and permanent and we can work proactively to source suitable opportunities, providing help, advice and support. It’s not all doom and gloom. Remember that there is low unemployment and a UK skills shortage – it is still a candidate driven market. “Richard Mellor (Managing Director of Cummins Mellor Recruitment)

Take Ten Tips

For CV and interview advice follow these ten pointers.

· CVs used to be a list of dates and facts, now they are marketing tools.
· Adapt your CV to suit each application; do not use just one standard.
· Look at the job description and make sure your CV matches that description.
· Do send a covering letter explaining how you offer everything they are looking for.
· Use bullet points to make the CV easier to read and list your best points first.
· Before an interview research the company and the people likely to interview you.
· How will you use your past experience to the advantage of the company?
· Dress appropriately for the interview, personal presentation matters.
· Watch your body language, especially if there are grey areas on your CV.
· Remember it’s not only candidates who may not tell the whole truth, that job may not turn out to be everything promised. For more advice on CVs and interviews visit recruitment specialists Cummins Mellor.

What do you mean you lied on your CV?

Lying on your CV has become all too common recently for a number of people. If you’ve been watching the apprentice lately, then you will have seen what potential questions employers ask about your experience. They’re interested in what you have done and that you have had the right amount of experience to progress in the role they are recruiting for.
I mean we all want to enhance our CVs, don’t we? Isn’t this just so we get a foot in the door and get that all important interview and chance? Absolutely, and the difference of not ‘tweaking’ your CV to make you an attractive candidate for the shortlist or not, could well be a major turning point. The importance of doing this cannot be underestimated, but blatantly lying about having a degree, or experience could end you up receiving a prison sentence for committing fraud – so you need to be careful.
If you’ve extended a 6 month placement to become 12 months, then I think you need to review what you’ve written – you’re not going to get anywhere if you’re doubling the amount of time you spent in different jobs – after all, you wouldn’t think of doubling your age now would you?
It’s quite common to slightly ‘beef up’ or ‘tweak’ your CV to ensure you have a fair chance against the competition, as you want to be able to get over the first hurdle of a shortlist. Be confident in your CV and your ability to write persuasively, you are selling yourself in your CV, but sell yourself the right way.

I always now go by what my Gran used to tell me – if you lie, then you better be ready for it catching up with you, because it will!

If you are looking for guidance on writing a CV, or just looking for a job in the UK, then Cummins Mellor is a great source for North West Jobs.

Equal pay and holiday entitlements for agency workers

Under proposals agreed by the Government and Trade Unions, the 1.4 million agency workers in this country will be given the same employment rights (excluding sick pay and pension entitlements) as permanent employees after 12 weeks into the job. The legislation is planned for this autumn, but will depend on a similar EU directive being passed before then. It is unlikely that any new regulations will come into force before April 2010.

http://www.cummins-mellor.co.uk/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7410127.stm

http://www.tuc.org.uk/

http://www.rec.uk.com/

http://www.cbi.org.uk/