Back to Black........

The British economy has finally emerged from recession after 6 consecutive quarters of contraction

House prices increased by a further 1.2% in January, the 9th consecutive monthly increase

Unemployment figures reduced for the first time since early 2008

Are these signs that we have finally turned the economic corner? Well we, we hope so and if it isn’t the end, perhaps it is the beginning of the end of the slump. One statistic I am pleased to report (which can only be considered a good sign) is the increase in new sales, marketing and creative job opportunities we are being briefed on which is a clear indicator that some confidence is creeping back into the Midlands job market. We always experience a New Year job spike, but this year the upturn is definitely more pronounced and prolonged. Why not take a look at the latest jobs we have listed on our website and if any appeal get in touch. We have specialist sales, marketing and creative consultants awaiting your call

Seek and we will find.......

Midlands employers who are struggling to find good quality sales, marketing and creative job seekers should look to specialist recruiters for assistance. Well what else would you expect all at Swindale Parks to say! Except we didn't say this, these are the findings of a recent joint survey by the CBI and accountants KPMG. The research, conducted recently discovered that 40% of the Midlands businesses are having problems recruiting the right Sales, Marketing & Creative talent.

As it has been for a number of years a skills shortage remains an Achilles' heel for the region. Even though jobs are being lost and recruiter demand has fallen, Midlands businesses are complaining that whilst they aren’t short of applicants they are struggling to find the right calibre of job seeker to fill their vacancy.

Research aside and whatever the economic outlook at Swindale Parks we firmly believe that as a specialist Sales, Marketing & Creative recruitment agency we can bridge the skills gap and find the right candidates, whilst allowing our clients to do what they are best at focus on their business.If you have a sales, marketing or creative vacancy you would like to brief us on why not give one of the team a call on 0121 585 6079, alternatively you can email us your job description here.

ABC - Always Be Closing

"So, when do I start?" A question like that is about as blunt as you can get at the tail end of the interview and whilst it may not be subtle it certainly gets to the point of what the interview is really about. Closing an interview shouldn’t just be considered the remit of sales professionals; it is really an exercise in common sense, not clever sales technique.

Closing isn’t necessarily about walking away with a job offer; it certainly isn’t about brow beating your interviewer into submission! It is however about understanding how you have performed and what happens next – what could be more common sense than that? Having invested all that effort researching the company, money in getting to the interview and time preparing yourself to perform to the best of your ability, why would you walk away from the meeting without knowing where you stand? If you can do that, you are closing and if you are closing your taking positive steps towards securing the job you want!
For more advice or assistance with your job search contact a specialist sales or marketing consultant via email or on 0121 585 6079

Great First Impression.........

Swindale Parks' Top Tips to help you secure your next Sales or Marketing & Creative job...........
The interview is in full swing and having made a great first impression how do you maintain your momentum? Perhaps surprisingly we feel it’s not just about impressing your interviewer with your insightful answers to those tricky questions being posed, you can contribute to a successful outcome for both parties by taking a proactive role in the meeting. How? Firstly you may need to change how you view the interview process, think of it as a two way street. It is as much a chance for you to ask questions about your interviewer, the role and the company as it is for them to quiz you – more of an exchange of information than an interrogation.

Having made this change in thinking just how are you going to achieve what you want out of the meeting? Preparation is the key, arriving at the interview with a list of suitable questions is always a good start, by suitable we mean the kind of questions that will increase your understanding of the role etc and not “How long do I get for lunch?” or “What are the working hours?” Also try to integrate your questions into the discussion rather than treating them as a script, simply reading them out can effect the flow of the conversation and whilst help you gather important information may quickly erode any rapport that has been developed between you and the interviewer. Remember your objective as well as promoting your own features and benefits is to find out everything you need to know that will allow you to make a considered decision about whether you progress your application further. Your questions will not only do this but they also demonstrate your interest in the opportunity and say something positive about how you conduct yourself in a business situation.

For more advice or assistance with your job search contact a specialist sales or marketing consultant via email or on 0121 585 6079

Covering Letter.............

Swindale Parks' Top Tips to help you secure your next Sales or Marketing & Creative job...........

First impressions count

Your covering letter has captured the imagination, your CV has aroused their interest now all you have to do is back up all that you have promised at interview - unfortunately all of your hard work could be undone in a matter of seconds! It is a commonly held belief that the opinions we form about people are done so within a minute of meeting them, so this is a vital time in the interview and could determine whether you sink or swim.

So, first and foremost make sure you look and feel the part. Pride in your personal appearance will only have a positive effect on your confidence levels. Think about your introduction, and prepare to deliver it with confidence and with a smile – “hello………, it’s a pleasure meeting you” – is a safe bet. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early, having to start an interview with “I’m so sorry for being late”, is to be avoided at all costs. Of course if you are running late through no fault of your own then let your interviewer know.

Making a positive “first impression” is essential and will set the scene for a positive interview experience BUT alone it won’t secure you the role…….we’ll come on to that

For more advice or assistance with your job search contact a specialist sales or marketing consultant via email or on 0121 585 6079

Swindale Parks Recruitment's Top Tips

Swindale Parks' Top Tips to help you secure your next Sales or Marketing & Creative job...........

Some consider them old fashioned and unnecessary, but a well worded ‘covering letter’ can set you apart from your job seeking competitors. The trend it appears is to send out as many CV’s as possible with no real thought as to why you are suitable for each of the roles applied for. An effective covering letter should make it easy for the recruiter to understand why you are applying and why you are suitable for the role. If you aren’t able to justify this to yourself maybe you should reconsider your application (see Top Tip No. 2)

For more advice or assistance with your job search contact a specialist sales or marketing consultant via email or on 0121 585 6079

You're Hired..................

The Swindale Parks office is divided and I don’t just mean the partitions between the sales and marketing teams but over Sir Alan’s decision to utter the immortal words “you’re hired” to former Recruitment Consultant Lee McQueen to wrap up the fourth series of The Apprentice.

I don’t want to enter the debate about Lee’s honesty and integrity after his CV aberration was revealed in week 11 as the same concerns could easily be levelled at many of the contestants at some point or other during the interview process – I am sure you remember the ‘kosher’ chicken debacle!

Where we are united is in the sheer delight we take from watching the process unfold. Realistic selection process it is not, great entertainment it is. With the show it seems becoming less and less about business talent and more and more about entertainment, just like any other reality television show it offers us an opportunity to indulge in the guilty pleasure we take from watching people make a spectacle of themselves. A less than savoury aspect of the show is the back biting and infighting which has reached new levels this year. If the business wannabes aren’t spouting hyperbole about their own abilities they seem more focussed on undermining the efforts of others, rather than demonstrating their own business acumen to Sir Alan and the ever watchful and increasingly vocal Nick and Margaret. Will this stop us watching it again next year? Of course not, but maybe the BBC should consider call it “I’d do anything” or has that already been done?

Rejection Rate.............

Being rejected by companies is disappointing and frustrating. Reduce your rejection rate by applying for positions that fit your skills and experience. Don’t apply to be a head chef at a Michelin stared restaurant if you’ve got 6 months experience at a fast food outlet. Swindale Parks are all for ambition and career advancement but be realistic about the kind of jobs that you can and can’t do. You can waste a lot time and positive energy applying for jobs that you are unsuitable for. Recruitment is a costly process meaning most recruiters will work to strict selection parameters, giving them little room to think as creatively as you.

For more advice or assistance with your job search contact a specialist Sales or Marketing consultant on 0121 585 6079