UK employers ‘intend to hire’ in 2012

The nation's employers are exhibiting a degree of caution but are still intending to hire over the coming months, according to the latest JobsOutlook from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Over the coming 12 months month, 98 per cent of firms said they are expecting to increase or maintain their workforce, with six in ten firms definitely intending to take on new staff in 2012.

Despite the dip in business confidence, it is interesting to note that a significant number of businesses plan to increase or maintain staffing levels in the short and medium term, said Roger Tweedy, the REC's director of research.

"It is important to note that this confidence index is still five points above its lowest mark last September and that a significant number of businesses still plan to take on new staff during the course of year, despite the slight change in mood," he added.

The survey follows the recent Global Snapshot poll carried out by Antal International, which quizzed 19,376 companies in 52 countries and found that the majority will continuing to hire new staff, including sales recruitment candidates, in 2012.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

John Oak and Wayne Bly

UK firms ‘confident about growth’ in 2012

The majority of UK firms are confident that they will experience growth in the coming months and expand their workforces, according to a new poll by Robert Half.

Results of the survey, carried out as part of Professional Hiring Index, shows that, despite the uncertain economic outlook, 72 per cent of UK executives are more confident about their company's growth prospects for 2012 than they were at this point in 2011.

Overall, 79 per cent of organisations are intending to either maintain or increase the number of people they employ, with the biggest drivers for increased hiring levels being rising workloads and business growth.

The data showed that 33 per cent of private companies are planning to add to their permanent headcount in 2012, while 42 per cent of publicly-listed companies are planning increases.

Phil Sheridan, managing director of Robert Half UK, said that both private and publicly-listed companies have above average confidence in their businesses' ability to grow this year.

"This positive belief in their future success is the main driver behind stronger predictions for new hires over the next six months: more than three-in-four private companies and 80 per cent of publicly-listed companies are confident in their businesses' growth prospects," he explained.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Attitude ‘a big factor’ in recruitment

The attitude of a job candidate remains a major factor in them gaining employment or not, one expert has noted.

That is the opinion of Roger Harrop, The CEO Expert, who said that companies are "very keen" to employ people but want candidates with "a sparkle in their eye and fire in their belly".

According to the specialist, in many cases it does not matter whether they have got a degree or not, as long as the individual has something about them and the right mindset for the job.

He explained: "If it is a position for someone highly qualified then it has to be someone highly qualified, but as a general rule, what one is looking for is someone who has got bags of common sense, and that is in very short supply – plus a real desire to make stuff happen."

Mr Harrop said he has seen evidence of school leavers "running rings around graduates", but also noted that there are many graduates with the correct mindset who are running rings around other people.

"I don't necessarily think it is to do with having a degree or not, it is an attitude," the expert added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

Talking ‘still the best form of communication’

The best way for managers to communicate with their staff is still through talking, despite the rapid rise of email and other forms of technology, one expert has noted.

Elizabeth Bacchus, director of thesuccessfulcv.com, said that the best way that managers can get the most out of people in sales jobs and other roles is for them to have plenty of face-to-face contact.

This will not only ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, but gives conversations a personal feel that is likely to leave the employee feeling they have a sense of purpose.

"Managers who provide regular feedback to their staff and an open door policy not only develop happier staff, but also long-term loyalty. Achievements need to be celebrated both on a department-by-department basis, but also as a whole company initiative," Ms Bacchus added.

The expert added that leadership by involvement is thought of highly by staff, so illustrating that managers are willing to "get their hands dirty" will also play a huge part in keeping workers onside.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak

Simple changes and flexible working ‘make a difference’

Managers can make a big difference to the attitudes and productivity of their staff by making simple changes around the workplace and introducing new ways of working, it has been claimed.

Carole Spiers, business stress consultant and author of Show Stress Who's Boss!, said that changing the layout of the office is a simple way that employers can combat low morale in the workplace, as it gives people different scenery to look at and different people to work with.

Another good option is to bring in flexible working, so that staff can start and finish at different times and plan their social lives more easily – something that is bound to have a positive effect on their attitude in the workplace, Ms Spiers noted.

"These are simple things – they're really not expensive. It's somebody thinking 'we care for the office,' and what I would say is that organisations need to try to make their offices like a family or community – it is a community," she added.

It comes after research conducting by Ambius in collaboration with the University of Exeter found employers who consult staff about their workspace and allow a degree of personalisation can reap rewards in terms of motivation.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Anonymous CV scheme ‘a step closer’

A new government scheme to ensure the nation's businesses only choose workers based on their skills and suitability for the job, rather than their social background, has taken a step closer after 100 major employers signed up to it.

The Business Compact scheme was launched by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and forms part of his social mobility strategy, which aims to create a "what you know, not who you know" recruitment culture in the UK.

Already, major organisations such as Barclays and Coca-Cola have joined the coalition initiative, one element of which is ensuring that people from all backgrounds and schools are aware of work experience opportunities, rather than places only being offered to people on the basis of their social connections.

"By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift among major employers, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege," Mr Clegg explained.

The scheme has also been supported by a number of employment organisations, with Jeya Thiruchelvam, employment law editor at XpertHR, noting that the anonymous CV plans were "a step in the right direction".

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Posted by Richard Esquilant

Flexible benefits ‘important to staff’

Recruitment candidates are increasingly seeking jobs which can offer them employee benefits, according to a new study by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Following a nationwide poll of UK workers for its Flexible Employee Benefits Survey, the CIPP found that 85 per cent of employee respondents rate employee benefits as either 'important' or 'very important'.

Of the benefits offered by the employer sample, the most popular benefit among sales recruitment candidates and other job hopefuls is pension contributions, followed closely by childcare vouchers, with healthcare rounding out the top three.

Diana Bruce, senior policy liaison officer at the CIPP, said the economic downturn has meant it is arguably more important than ever that individuals feel they are getting the maximum value from any benefits provided in the workplace.

"The survey results show that employees feel that benefits are an important part of the remuneration package, so effective communication of what is on offer is key to ensure staff feel valued during these stringent times," she added.

Recently, David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, said job seekers need to take all the factors of the role into account before deciding whether to apply for a position, not just salary.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

‘Keep staff involved’ to boost productivity

Companies can help to ensure their staff are motivated and engaged by keeping them updated about all aspects of the organisation through frequent communication, it has been advised.

That is the recommendation of Elizabeth Bacchus, director of thesuccessfulcv.com, who noted that communication is a key aspect of keeping staff motivated, through whatever means employers feel is right.

"Keep staff informed as much as you can on organisational issues, through clear and strategic internal communication initiatives. These can be through newsletters, the company intranet and focus groups - where staff can provide feedback and contribute to ideas on company development," she noted.

The expert added that getting staff involved in social responsibility not only builds on the reputation of an organisation but also enables staff to get involved in worthwhile causes and develops team-building skills.

In addition, introducing flexible working hours or working from home has been shown to increase not only staff moral but also productivity, which is a win-win situation, Ms Bacchus explained.

Recently, Hilary Jeanes, leadership coach and human resources consultant at PurpleLine Consulting, also said that employers hoping to get the best out of their staff need to communicate with them regularly in order to boost their workers' sense of purpose and motivation.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak

New employment models ‘a legacy of the recession’

The lasting legacy of the economic downturn in the UK will be new employment models and ways of working, one sector body has claimed.

After this week's employment figures from the Office for National Statistics highlighted the increased emergence of flexible working patterns, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said the shift towards different ways of working may become the norm.

Gillian Econopouly, the REC's head of policy, said the data reinforces trends seen through the Report on Jobs, that the market for temporary and contract staff is proving robust.

She explained that it will subsequently have implications for employers, workers and for government policy.

"One major challenge is to provide independent freelancers and contractors with some form of support network – for example through professional bodies or through specialist recruitment agencies," Ms Econopouly added.

Dr Clare Kelliher, senior lecturer in strategic human resource management at Cranfield School of Management, recently said that staff in the UK are currently working harder than ever in their jobs as they look to impress their employers in the current economic climate.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Private sector pay rises ‘the highest for 3 years’

Pay rises among private sector employees are the highest for three years this month, according to the latest industry report.

Research carried out by XpertHR shows that pay rises effective in January 2012, which were exclusively in the private sector due to a lack of public sector bargaining, were worth a median 2.8 per cent.

This is the highest level seen since December 2008 - well above the two to 2.5 per cent median increase seen through 2011 in the private sector, and above the 2.5 per cent median recorded in the three months to the end of last year.

The organisation noted that the increase in pay awards is set against a "marked fall" in retail prices index inflation and, if the pace of decline in inflation continues, there is a "real opportunity" for employers to make up for years of low pay rises with an increase that is worth more than inflation, noted XpertHR pay and benefits editor Sheila Attwood.

She explained that the data collected so far suggests that pay bargaining in 2012 has got off to "a good start" and that, for many private sector workers, pay rises higher than the levels seen in 2011 are "a real prospect".

"Over the past few months we have started to see evidence of a shift to higher pay awards than were made the year before. We now find that the majority of pay awards are at a higher or the same level as paid to the same group of employees the year before, with only a handful making lower awards," she added.

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Posted by John Oak

Focusing on young people ‘can stimulate UK economy’

Placing an increasing focus on preparing young people for the reality of the world of work and ensuring they are steered down the right career path can help to ensure a solid future for the UK jobs market, it has been claimed.

Dr Neil Bentley, deputy director-general of the CBI, made the comments after the publication of the country's employment figures, and said one of the main ways to resolve joblessness in the short-term is to "pull out all the stops" to get the economy moving and businesses growing.

He explained that specialist help for young people, such as the new 'Youth Contract', will help support them to make the transition into work, though more forward-thinking solutions will be essential to ensuring the employment market has a bright future.

"Over the longer term, the government must look at how our schools prepare people for working life through better careers advice, guidance, and skills that employers need," Dr Bentley added.

It comes after Ed McRandal, Recruitment and Employment Confederation policy advisor responsible for youth unemployment, recently said it is vital that careers guidance is maintained in the nation's schools if young people are to continue moving into the right roles, such as sales jobs, and driving the recovery of the nation's economy.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Fall in inflation ‘will benefit businesses’

The fall in inflation witnessed in the UK in recent months will have a positive effect on the nation's businesses and, subsequently, job creation, it has been claimed.

David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, made the comments after figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that annual CPI fell from 4.8 per cent in November to 4.2 per cent in December 2011, while annual RPI was down from 5.2 per cent to 4.8 per cent.

Mr Kern said that lower inflation will go some way towards "easing the squeeze" on businesses and individuals and also make it easier for consumer spending to stabilise and start increasing gradually later in the year.

He added: "It is also important to scrap the planned increase in business rates, follow through with reforms to our planning system, and make bold moves on reducing red tape, thus making it easier for businesses to expand and create jobs."

Lucy Armstrong, chair of the CBI SME council, said that small businesses are the key to helping drive the nation's economy, and it is vital they are supported so they can continue to create jobs.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Government ‘must incentivise job creation’

The UK government has been advised to incentivise job creation in a bid to help boost the number of people in employment in the UK, one sector body has claimed.

According to John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, the coalition needs to act on policies and initiatives already announced to help boost small business confidence so that they can invest and grow in the months and years ahead.

"If the government makes the right choices and puts action into words we can turn this around. The government has a good chance to make a real difference to the livelihoods of small firms when it reports on the Modern Workplaces consultation," he commented.

Mr Walker added that by putting simple measures in place, such as excluding micro firms from the right to request flexible working for all, businesses will be freed from the "shackle" of red tape so they can grow, innovate and take on new staff.

Meanwhile, John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, recently said that Britain can help to boost its ongoing economic recovery by recognising that the country's businesses are "a force for good".

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Psychometric testing ‘a useful recruitment tool’

Using psychometric testing to evaluate which candidates are suitable for a particular role is an effective method of recruiting new employees, one organisation has stated.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said that firms on the hunt for sales recruitment candidates will find that it can make life much easier.

"Clearly, it is a useful tool. It is something which has gained momentum probably in the last 15 years. When I was first introduced to it, there didn't seem to be many organisations actually doing it at the time. The key to the success of this is communication," he explained.

Mr Flaxton added that once the test has been completed, it is important to go through the answers with the candidates to ensure they understand the results and how it pertains to them and the potential role they are applying for.

It comes after a recent report from Talent Q advised that it is important to communicate sufficiently with candidates to let them know why they are being asked to undertake psychometric tests and how the resultant information is relevant to the job.

With consultants that are British Psychological Society (BPS) level A and level B accredited Aaron Wallis are able to offer a wide range of psychometric tools, personality tests, aptitude tests and ability tests.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Job hunting ‘should be taken seriously’

People on the hunt for a new job should treat the process of looking for the role like a job itself if they are to increase their chances of success, it has been advised.

Mike Barnard, product manager at Milkround, said that the entire process needs to be taken seriously if people are to enhance their chances of recruitment joy, as a lackadaisical attitude is unlikely to impress potential employers.

He did explain that if people get too sucked into job hunting it can get very "overpowering", and so it may be best to use the services of a recruitment agency, not only to provide peace of mind, but because their expertise can be vital in securing apposition.

Mr Barnard explained that people should consider many potential options when on the hunt for jobs, but it should not take over their life.

"That doesn't mean just sitting down in front of your computer and firing out applications. You have to stay positive and keep your life ticking over, rather than letting job hunting become your life," the expert explained.

According to a recent JobsOutlook survey, carried out by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the proportion of clients who are either satisfied or very satisfied with the work done by recruitment agencies now stands at 93 per cent.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by John Oak

UK staff ‘working harder than ever’

Staff in the UK are currently working harder than ever in their jobs as they look to impress their employers in the current economic climate, one expert has observed.

Dr Clare Kelliher, senior lecturer in strategic human resource management at Cranfield School of Management, said there is evidence that this has been going on for some time, with staff boosting their efforts at work to guarantee job security and also gain extra money from overtime.

"There's a general trend, not least for people who work in organisations where they have increased competitive pressures, that the recession has had an amplifying effect on that," she noted.

Dr Kelliher also predicted that "a number of factors" are likely to result in the decreasing of the formal working week, with many people working remotely outside of the typical nine to five shift.

Recent research carried out by Churchill Car Insurance showed that the traditional nine to five working day is now viewed as a thing of the past, with 51 per cent of motorists arriving at work before 08.30 and 21 per cent starting between 05.15 and 07.30 in a bid to beat the traffic.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

Managers urged to banish January blues

The nation's managers have been encouraged to do all they can to banish the so-called 'January blues' that some workers feel and help to stimulate their workforce to be more motivated and productive.

According to Carole Spiers, business stress consultant and author of Show Stress Who's Boss!, the winter months make it less conducive to working, concentrating and being motivated.

Therefore, it is up to bosses today to do their best to motivate their teams as well as they possible can, and to try to inspire them to ensure that the winter months are of no relevance, she noted.

"They need to inspire them, motivate them, assure them that everybody knows exactly what's going on in the business and that they're all working together as a team. Everybody is of value, everybody is recognised and [don't] forget those two little words – 'thank you'," Ms Spiers added.

Hilary Jeanes, leadership coach and human resources consultant at PurpleLine Consulting, recently said that employers hoping to get the best out of their staff need to communicate with them regularly in order to boost their workers' sense of purpose and motivation.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Private sector business activity rises across the UK

Business activity in the private sector rose across all nine regions of the UK at the end of last year, according to the latest Lloyds TSB regional Purchasing Managers' Index.

The report revealed that the rise in output was led by Yorkshire and the Humber, with the increase reflecting stronger new business inflows and stimulating higher employment levels in the majority of English regions, to cope with rising workloads.

The data also revealed that input price inflation was little-changed on the month in December and therefore still much lower than at the start of 2011, thanks to reduced cost pressures at manufacturing companies.

Additionally, service providers continued to report relatively strong rises in their costs, primarily linked to greater utility bills and staff wages.              

Commenting on the report, John Maltby, group director at Lloyds TSB Commercial, said English regions ended the year with an "encouraging" rebound in output growth and improved levels of incoming new work.

"The majority of regions saw an upturn in private sector employment alongside the latest rise in workloads. The latest survey shows that businesses are moving in the right direction across the English regions," he added.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK's most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly

One in five employers ‘prefer school leavers to graduates’

A fifth of the nation's employers believe that school leavers make better employers than people who have a degree, according to a new report by Adecco.

Although the survey found that the majority of companies would prefer to take on a graduate compared to somebody who only had school-based qualifications, some felt that graduates had unrealistic expectations of their first job.

The poll found that half of graduates admitted that their degree failed to provide the right skills to enter the world of work, with employers citing a lack of interpersonal and IT skills as a reason for this.

Chris Moore, a spokesman for Adecco, said Britain "undeniably" has one of the best and most advanced education systems in the world, but it needs to deliver a "talented and reliable graduate workforce".

"Although extremely valuable, a strong academic record is no longer a sufficient prerequisite for entry into today's working environment. Employers now hold attitude and personality in greater esteem than academic or even vocational qualifications when assessing new recruits," he added.

The poll did find that younger workers were highly regarded when it came to their entrepreneurial spirit, however, as well as being "drivers for change" with a view to changing the country for the better.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Older workers ‘have great interpersonal skills’

The interpersonal skills of older workers make them an excellent addition to a workplace environment, according to one expert.

Dr Dianne Bown-Wilson, chief executive of In My Prime, said that this is often due to the "pre-technological education" of this demographic, meaning they generally tend to have very good  written and spoken communication skills.

"They are most likely to be valued for their interpersonal skills in areas such as communication, empathy and patience, and also their attitude towards work which may be demonstrated in their commitment, stability and reliability," she explained.

Ms Bown-Wilson added that older people often have better-developed customer service skills, resulting from their experience of life and work, which leads to a certain "resilience and adaptability".

It comes after the latest research from Aviva found that 86 per cent of older workers believe they could do a better job than some younger people at their roles.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK salesjobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Wayne Bly