Girls V Boys

This past month saw an Apprentice inspired Girls V Boys competition at Swindale Parks. I would like to say it was nip and tuck right up to the final whistle, but after an inspired start the boys dreams of tucking into an all you can eat feast at The Fountain Inn, Clent sadly faded like Andy Murray’s Wimbledon dreams!

The competition was conducted in a fantastic spirit bringing out the best in everyone, but in the end there could only be one winner. So whilst the girls claimed and consumed their well earned prize, the boys had to make do with sandwiches and manning the phones back at the office. Well done Girls, your victory was well deserved but you know what they say revenge is sweet and the boys will be looking to level the score at the next opportunity!

If good food, good service and good value is your thing, we recommend you try The Fountain (01562-883286) – you’ll be blown away by the Pan Fried Scallops wrapped in Parma Ham followed by Rum Truffle Torte. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

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