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It’s crucial on your curriculum vitae (CV) and during an interview that you insist upon making an example of yourself!

Why? It’s so easy to make claims about being able to work in a team or work on your own initiative, (claims that 99% of administration staff make on their CV by the way), but it’s another thing to example these claims. So, if you’d like to make your CV stand out from the crowd and your answers to pack more of a punch during an interview, make sure you provide real life examples to back up your claims.

On your CV, provide a concise list of achievements under your personal profile. I’m amazed that more people don’t do this. If you believe that an interviewer will go hunting, on your behalf, to establish your achievements by reading and re-reading your CV, you’re mistaken! Your achievements need to be concisely typed and placed beneath your personal profile where they stand out.

Your personal profile may, for example, detail that you’re passionate about customer service and nestled below in your achievements you could , (if it were true), detail that you were given a Customer Service Champion award in 2012. This would be an excellent example of positive reinforcement through providing an example and would have massively increased your chances of being placed in the yes pile of CV’s.

Exactly the same is true once you have secured an interview. It’s absolutely crucial that you rehearse your answers to typical interview questions by practicing your answers which incorporate cast iron examples. For example, if, during an interview, you were asked what your biggest strength is, you could answer in these two ways:

You could simply state, “My attention to detail” or you could explain:

“My attention to detail. For example, in my current role I am responsible for collating the sales team’s data on a weekly basis for my sales director. It’s absolutely crucial that it’s accurate because it’s used to calculate their bonuses. My data is double checked by the Finance Director and I’ve got a 100% record for the last 4 years”.

Who do you think made the best example of themselves? Answer: The same person who just got offered a new job! Whether you are composing your CV or answers to interview questions make sure you evidence every skill with a cast iron guarantee.

For more help on writing a great CV, getting prepared for interviews and general recruitment advice for getting the Best Jobs in Milton Keynes, please go to our website: www.ascendantrecruitment.co.uk

Temporary workers can be beneficial for businesses looking to fill gaps without committing to extra headcount. Our Managing Director Nick Peacock explains the process of bringing temps on board.

There are many benefits of being a temporary worker, particularly in the current economic climate. Our recruitment consultant Maria works on the temporary side at Ascendant, here are some of her thoughts on life as a temp:

According to the latest news reports unemployment levels have risen across the UK, but is the situation in Milton Keynes really that dire? We don’t think so.

Our Managing Director Nick Peacock, recently appeared in a Milton Keynes Citizen article arguing this case, and here’s what he had to say:

We’ve had a real push on intelligence gathering and sales work and our findings are very positive, there appears to be a lot of optimism and hope in Milton Keynes in the Office Support Sector. Demand for permanent employees  is consistent but there is a surging demand for well qualified, flexible temporary office workers  within the professional environments that dominate the  Milton Keynes business community.

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, the combined unemployment figures reported for Milton Keynes North and South support this optimism. The BBC Economy Tracker which breaks down the employment figures reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that unemployment figures for Milton Keynes in January have dropped by over 1,000 since the same time last year.

The Milton Keynes economy is growing and there are a lot of opportunities around if you look in the right places – it’s really not all doom and gloom here!” Nick continued. “Only a few weeks ago I read another BBC article which suggested the economic gap between UK cities is ‘widening’. Whilst the headline made for miserable reading, the article itself featured some very good news for Milton Keynes.

According to research Group, Centre for Cities, the gap between cities is widening as the struggle to create private sector jobs plays out differently across the UK. The figures show however that Milton Keynes, along with Aberdeen, are ‘well placed to drive the national economic recovery, as they had seen a large number of business start ups and were highly innovative, with significant numbers of patents registered.’ Not only is this fantastic news for the Milton Keynes business-sphere, but also for Milton Keynes job hunters. With more business opportunities cropping up in the area we are likely to see an influx in local job vacancies.

Check out the full Milton Keynes article online and watch out for Nick’s monthly column in the printed edition http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/business/jobs/jobs-unemployment-situation-isn-t-all-doom-and-gloom-1-3584769

One thing I stress to the Ascendant Recruitment team, and in turn to our candidates, is the importance of preparation. Whilst we may be fully aware of the benefits of being fully prepared for an interview process, candidates in the job market might not as they will not be subjected to the interview process as regularly as recruiters are.

To counter this, and to ensure we provide the best service possible for our clients and candidates, we make it part of our role to give candidates everything we can to help them when it comes to interview preparation. This isn’t just the basic list of do’s and don’ts either. We provide candidates with interview notes for each stage of the process and then do our best to prepare them emotionally for the process.

Taking part in an interview can be a daunting prospect and it’s all too easy for a fantastic candidate to buckle under the pressure simply because they feel unprepared. Whilst it is easy to find out some of the more basic preparation required such as information on the company and the role itself, there are other areas which you may not realise you need to prepare for.

For example, do you know how you would explain why your skills and experience make you the best choice for the role? Sounds simple enough but so many candidates don’t think this through clearly before an interview and this will show to the interviewer. Before you go to the interview list your skills against the job requirements and make sure you take this note with you so you cover off everything. Think of examples to support this as well.

We’ll always go through interview tips with our candidates before they head to any interview, but there are five key points for everyone to remember:

1)      Enthusiasm is infectious – if you show you’re enthusiastic about the role and the industry, the interviewer will pick up on this and be more enthusiastic about hiring you

2)      Sell yourself in a confident, professional manner – It’s not about bragging or being modest. You need to find the balance between the two by giving examples of what you’ve done well in previous roles and highlighting the relevance of your skills to the role you’re applying for

3)      Never make an assumption – what you don’t tell the interviewer they will not know. Even if you’ve mentioned something in your CV or covering letter, mention it again in the interview.

4)      Do the confident thing to feel confident – offer a firm handshake and a warm smile. These small actions will make you look and feel confident

5)      Express your interest in the job – you may think it is obvious that you are interested in the job, but in this competitive candidate market you really need to make sure you stand out.

With levels of unemployment in the UK rising, many organisations are struggling to sift through the increasing numbers of CVs which land on their desks to find the individual with the skills and the drive to work in their organisation. Tailoring your CV can get you noticed at the first stage, but how do you continue to stand out once you reach the all important interview stage?

For me it’s all about a candidates passion and enthusiasm. Yes you need the right skills for the job, but skills can often be developed fairly easily. Having the passion and drive for what you do however is a valuable asset which companies cannot teach.

When I think about how we recruit staff at Ascendant Recruitment it is this passion which not only helps us to identify the right candidate, but also gives our clients the added value which will keep them coming back to us.

I myself am passionate about customer services (some may say obsessive) and will only recruit people who share my passion. For example, you’ll often find my consultant’s are more than happy to go the extra mile to ensure candidates and clients have everything they need for their interviews.

Equally everyone at Ascendant Recruitment embraces the environment which we have collectively created. They are dedicated to constant and never ending improvement and are willing and enjoy embracing continuous, on the job training.

The very fact I’m very clear as an employer what skills and attitudes I want to recruit to ensure the level of customer service we’ve developed continues, shows that I am only likely to recruit candidates who show the same level of enthusiasm and dedication.

If you consider this from the other side of the table as well, as a candidate, do you really want to be in a role which you are not enthusiastic about? Will this really give you the level of job satisfaction you’re looking for?

In Sally Hogsheads book, Fascinate, a quote from Maya Angelou summed up the importance of showing passion; “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

So when you go to apply for a job, ask yourself, “what am I passionate about in this industry or role?” If you can’t answer this question, chances are it’s not the role for you.

To find out more about job opportunities at Ascendant Recruitment or our clients check out our LinkedIn company page: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ascendant-recruitment

I’ve worked in recruitment for 15 years now and I’m often asked what it takes to be successful within the industry? I’ve always answered passion and persistence – in fact they are my two favourite words, I love them!!!! I use them all the time in Ascendant Recruitment’s office in Milton Keynes.

During the halcyon days of pre 2007 I began to question myself because I witnessed CV sprayers succeeding in the market. It took no passion or persistence to download CV’s and spray them out to unsuspecting clients but it seemed to be working for them! What was going on??

Fast forward four years and where have they all gone????? I don’t delight in any business failing but I’m pleased that the passionate and persistent in our industry, and that includes every member of the Ascendant Recruitment team, have been rewarded; they’re all still standing and going strong!

So having blasted our way through 2010 and 2011 I’m totally reinvigorated that passion and persistence are indeed the skills that I always believed them to be – the key ones to possess in order to survive and prosper in this great industry. But I’ve now learned that I need to add one more skill when I’m recruiting and that’s faith.

It’s easy to be upbeat and positive when everything is going your way, but battling through more sales calls, tough breaks, and clients squeezing margins and still remaining passionate and persistent requires faith!

If you need any direction on faith look no further than Mr. Will Smith. Go to YouTube and type in Will Smith motivational quotes – watch Will, he’s awesome!! Just awesome!

Ascendant Recruitment is undoubtedly, in my opinion the very best Independent Professional Recruitment company in Milton Keynes; others, namely our competition may disagree. But hey we’ve had a very successful 2010 and 2011 (so far) and I’m mad keen to find the next generation of Ascendant Superstars for this decade and beyond.

We intend to keep learning, improving and offering our candidates and clients better and better service; an unbeatable service offering based upon the simple promise that we’ll continue to offer our candidates the very best temporary and permanent office jobs in Milton Keynes and the very best people to our clients.

If you can demonstrate, (and that doesn’t mean just telling me meaningless quotes), passion, persistence and a clear understanding of what it means to keep going when there’s no good reason to – when it would have been easier to just go home, you could be just who I’m looking for.

My consultant’s are the best trained and most passionate and determined set of people you’ll ever meet. I’m proud of each and every one of them. If you’re not being fast tracked, developed and recognized for the Superstar you could be, call me to discuss our opportunities.

This decade could be the making of you, but you’ve got to be in the right place. If you’re not in the right place call me today. Nick Peacock – 0778000 2696. (24 hr mobile. If I don’t pick up, please leave me a passionate message!

Acing the interview

The similarity between sport and interviews is there for all to see.

Typically within the sporting arena one competitor isn’t beaten by another. The loser is normally beaten by himself whilst the winner triumphs in the internal battle with himself; a battle that is often far harder than so called real battle with his so called competitor. Jack Nicklaus said that he didn’t win golf tournaments he just waited for the other guys to lose them!

An interview is just the same.

There are two battles you will have with yourself prior to an interview and if you win those battles you will give yourself the very best chance of success.

Preparation

Failing to prepare thoroughly is one of the single biggest reasons for failure at interview. We have all listened to the guy down the pub for loves “winging it”; but do you really want to be like him? The most successful people in the world don’t “wing it” – they are fastidious planners with goals and plans that they review on a daily basis.

If you fail to plan for an interview you’ve just lost the first battle with yourself. Let’s face it I don’t know many people who love planning, so we know it’s going to be a battle. Losing a battle that you knew you were going to have is even worse isn’t it? So not preparing for your interview, is the equivalent of losing a battle with yourself, a battle you knew you were going to have!

But here is the good news, getting prepared is easy. You don’t need to suddenly become an expert; in fact that could be just as off putting for an interviewer as you being unprepared. That said you need a good grasp of the basics in your tool kit. The following will make you’re more than prepared:

• What is the correct name of the company!
• How do they make a profit? Or if they are a charity who do they serve?
• What’s the driving passion of the business? (Their website or a catch phrase should help because every little helps doesn’t it?!!!!)
• Who are the company’s main competitors? Gain an appreciation of where the competitor may be stronger (and what could your company do about it?)
• Has the company been in the news recently? If so, why?

Once you have this basic but solid understanding of the company, (which will take no longer than 30 minutes research on Google) the job description and the purpose of the role (you’re going to be interviewed for) will make far more sense – and so will you, when you confidently answer the questions in your interview!

Remember, talking endlessly about your past achievements will not cut it. Your interviewer will want to discuss what you’re both there to discuss; the job, the company, what’s currently challenging that company and the opportunity that now exists (possibly for you) and your relevant skills.

Anxiety

Ok, we all get scared at interviews. A few nerves are good; they show you care. But we want to avoid complete debilitation – don’t we?!!

Being prepared will give your confidence a massive boost and so will a little bit of positive thinking. You must not defeat yourself by allowing your “negative” self to play the tapes (in your mind) of when you last messed up! This is the equivalent of the golfer facing a shot over the water, who prepares for the shot by remembering the last time he hit this shot into the water! Guess what he’ll do the same again because that’s what your mind has just told your body to do. Don’t worry if you don’t play golf, we’ve all got examples in our life when we’ve focussed all our emotional energy on what we didn’t want to happen and brought into effect.

So it’s crucial that you develop a positive self-image. Belief is the thermostat that regulates what we achieve in life.* Remember that because we are what we think about, you can set your thermostat to whatever temperature you like!

If this all sounds a little be to airy fairy for you (it does for most people because we’ve all been told that things are just meant to be or not meant to be – this is all part of the “winging it” mentality; which should be completely discarded because it’s rubbish) hang in there. Spend the night before (the interview) playing the positive tapes in your mind – the ones where you confidently walk into the interview room (free of anxiety), ask great questions and give equally brilliant answers to the very nice person who is interviewing you!

If by now you’ve filled your mind with positive thoughts as to how your interview will proceed, once you’re actually in there you’ll achieve this confident persona by taking control in a positive and confident way. A great way to do this is to relax and speak first. Do your best to get the interviewer talking by asking questions about the things you weren’t able to find answers to in your research. This will be really easy if you’ve done your research. Most company websites will post news updates, so all you’ll need to do is pick a story and a sensible question relating to this story and ask the question as you walk towards the interview room.

*p24. The Magic of Thinking Big.David J. Schwartz.