Skillsearch IT recruitment agency

What are you looking for short and long-term?
What experience have you had across the key industry sectors?
What are the main skills you offer?
What are your best qualities, experiences and achievements in work?
What are your key areas of technical knowledge and at what level?
What are the areas that need improvement?
What are your main organisational, time-management and interpersonal skills that you feel contribute?
What would be an ideal payment figure/salary?
Which key hospital personnel do you deal with on a regular basis?
What would be an ideal payment figure/salary?
When are you available to start an assignment?
Do you hope to work in a large or small firm or organisation?
Do you consider yourself most suitable in a business development role or within account management?

When you feel confident about your aims, submit your CV to Skillsearch and one of our career consultants will contact you by telephone to discuss how to develop your career together with current suitable opportunities.

You will be assigned to a consultant who will work with you during the recruitment process and support you after an interview, successful or otherwise and offer advice when you start a new assignment.

What Skillsearch Offers Candidates

Detailed advice about CV production, presentation, and content
Updated information about suitable job vacancies
Support before and after interviews

The Relationship between the Candidate and Skillsearch

In an ever-fluctuating employment market, people change careers for a variety of reasons, such as improved job satisfaction, more training opportunities and proper career development or a more competitive salary structure.

If you have made a decision to change career paths, it is important to choose an agency that will give you support and find you that most elusive thing - the right job with prospects.

Skillsearch is a professional, well-established and respected agency that will share with you its expertise and opportunities for candidates. We are trusted by our many clients who agree that positive working relationships are fundamental to successfully placing candidates.

We constantly strive to: -

Invite candidates to develop a relationship with our consultants to discuss their career and training options.
Work closely with candidates to find suitable jobs in areas of specified work and only select them for appropriate interviews.
Offer a discreet and confidential service.
Offer support on and off site and maintain constant contact with our candidates.
Provide career consultants who understand specific geographic and technical areas and who are trained to keep up to date with relevant changes in your area.
Be aware of shifts in the market including salary changes and new products and releases etc.

We realise that the relationship is also about what our candidates can offer us and so we ask them to:

Keep their CV's updated so that contact details, personal circumstances, recently acquired or updated skills and relevant training and courses are all correct.
Be sure about their reasons for considering a career move.
Inform us if their needs change.
Be honest and upfront with us at all times.

What Skillsearch will do for you

To act for you in a professional manner at all times
Provide career consultants to brief you about all suitable job opportunities and help with the production, presentation and distribution of CV's
Deal with any questions you may have regarding the positions we offer you
Give full support in the work place, with regular contact to ensure an effective working environment

Discussing Vacancies That Match Your Skills

If your CV matches a job specification, Skillsearch will contact you to discuss the position and your suitability.

If you are interested in the job, we will give you the name of our client and clarify details about your current package details, your general availability and suggest suitable dates and times for an interview.

Skillsearch will then represent you for this position and in turn submit your CV to the client and pursue the application to arrange an interview. If you are not called for an interview we will inform you promptly and continue to search for a suitable opportunity.

Please be aware that certain clients can take considerable time to make final decisions and that there may be delays between first and second interviews. Please be patient and remember that your career consultant will keep you updated.

Please note that if you are registered with more than one agency, discretion about applications is necessary as clients often choose to remain anonymous. Therefore do not disclose your application to other agencies as this will lower your chances of success.

Permanent Work

In permanent work a contract is held between a candidate and employer with certain terms set out.

These will probably include:

Basic salary, car/car allowance and the overall financial package including how and when the salary is paid
Normal Working hours
Benefits offered by the employer such as pensions, holiday and sick pay etc.

The benefits of permanent employment include in-house training and technical skills development, career prospects through internal promotion and financial incentives for added responsibility in the job.

Permanent employees are protected by law and have rights within the company.

Our consultants listen to concerns about your employment and advise you on the best recruitment opportunities available.

To coordinate an effective and personal recruitment solution we ask you to consider the following: -

Why you are considering a job change?
Would you be asked to stay if you resigned?
If this occurred, what would your reaction be?
Are there problems at work and have you addressed them?
Have you spoken to a line manager or superior to discuss your concerns?
Can these problems be resolved?
Do you need further training?
What are your salary and overall package requirements?
What are you looking for in your next position?

Working Outside of your own country

We fully realise the benefits of working outside of your country and can offer a whole variety of opportunities to realise these notable advantages. Most important when considering a move abroad is to understand the tax laws in that country. Our consultants are briefed and fully aware of the International working conditions and will advise candidates about each country's bureaucracy. For more information about working abroad you can visit the Overseas Labour Service (OLS) web site on http://www.dfee.gov.uk/ols

Take into account potential language barriers, cultural differences and commitments you have in the UK before making a decision about working abroad.

Skillsearch can place you abroad effortlessly if you have UK or E.C. residency, are married to a UK or E.C. resident, or can legitimately work in the E.C. If this is not the case it is requisite to have a valid work permit, which you can apply for at the relevant embassy.

Talk to your Skillsearch consultant about the best option for you.

CV PREPARATION AND ADVICE

Your CV is a fundamental marketing tool used to make a compelling and lasting first impression.

It is vital to produce a CV that will reflect your whole self accurately and positively.

Your CV should be clear, concise and informative and be pertinent to an employer.

Presentation

Consider the following when compiling your CV:

Your CV should be professionally presented on good quality white paper
Use blue or black ink with a uniform font throughout that is no smaller than 10 point
Keep text justified
Make it no longer than 2-3 separate pages.
Each block of text should be limited to 5 or 6 lines to maintain readability
Spacing, blank lines and bullet points are effective and highlight content
Show your name and a page number on each sheet
The use of correct spelling and grammar is essential as is clear expression. Mistakes look unprofessional and will not impress an employer
Ask a friend or colleague to read your CV. A second opinion will highlight any discrepancies. If in doubt, ask a consultant at Skillsearch for advice.
A CV should be accompanied by a covering letter printed on the same quality paper and also in ink. The covering letter enables the candidate to suggest personal suitability for the job and to emphasise skills and experience that would be relevant to the position.
If you need to quote a job reference number put it in your covering letter.
Remember to sign and date the letter.

Remember: Clients receive many resumes every day. Make yours stand out.

Recommended CV Format

The format illustrated below is a guide to producing an effective CV and the design should include the following headings:

Personal Details:

Your full name, address, telephone and mobile numbers and email address. Also state nationality, marital status and specify if you hold a full UK driver's licence.

Career Summary:

Describe your career experience to date highlighting some of your achievements and significant points that you are particularly proud of. Make this prominent but don't oversell yourself. It should be no more than 1-2 paragraphs in length. Our client will automatically determine your suitability by assessing the level and range of skills stated within this summary so ensure it is clear, concise and well thought out.

Education and Qualifications:

In reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent first) state the schools and colleges/universities attended with dates and list qualifications and grades acquired.

Training:

In reverse chronological order, list relevant courses completed and dates.

Employment History:

Starting with you most recent employment:

List the company name, job title, a brief summary of your job description, stating your responsibilities for each position, the start and end dates and a reason for leaving. Incorporate examples of key project achievements/area and emphasise potential by highlighting any unsupervised and teamwork initiatives completed.

Interests and References

Interests are integral to your CV. They can be seen to enhance your at-work skills and develop interpersonal and communication skills.

You must provide a reference from your current and previous employer. Include a telephone number for each, this being the preferred method of contact. Skillsearch as part of its quality process will get in touch with referees you name on your CV.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION AND ADVICE

You have now discussed the job specification; location and rate of pay with your consultant at Skillsearch and have accepted an interview. You know you are the right person for the job and will need to convince the panel at your interview.

Research

Know some background to the company and the post so that you can speak confidently about both at the interview. Ask your consultant at Skillsearch for more information.Know some background to the company and the post so that you can speak confidently about both at the interview. Ask your consultant at Skillsearch for more information.

Consider what the interviewer will want to know about you in the interview.

Skillsearch will provide information about the client, but you should check the company website.

Knowledge of the company and their major competitors will show genuine interest and help you to gain an insight into the day to day running of their affairs.

Important things to do before the Interview

Confirm where the interview is being held and double check the date and time.
Plan your route in advance and allow plenty of time in case of traffic or misdirection.
Take the company telephone number and the telephone number of Skillsearch with directions.
Make sure you know the name and position of the person conducting the interview. If necessary, ring the company to clarify.

Dress Code

Dress smartly, even if the company is quite informal and wear suitable business attire to suggest a professional and formal approach. A first impression is a lasting one.
Allow adequate time for personal preparation and do not overlook anything that will enhance your appearance.

The Interview

Expect to be asked about personal, industry specific and general topics.
An interview should last between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.
It is unprofessional to be late.
Shake hands firmly, try to appear calm and maintain eye contact.
Always be natural in the interview.
Take a breath and think before you start to answer a question!
Answer questions clearly and precisely.
Never be negative about a past employer.
Identify weaknesses to show that you are aware of them but also discuss your strong points.
Try to ask questions and show a genuine interest.
Never discuss remuneration at an interview or with the client. Financial negotiations and considerations are always made through us. Refer questions of this sort to Skillsearch.
Thorough preparation is the key to a successful interview and a positive attitude reflects well on you.

Questions that might be asked at the Interview:

Tell me about yourself and your career to date?
Where are you working presently?
Why do you want to move?
Why would you like to work for this company and what do you know about us?
Why are you interested in this job?
Why do you believe your experience and qualifications match this job?
Are you a team player?
What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
Are you willing to relocate to other offices if necessary or work away for long periods of time?
Where do you expect to be in 5 years time? Describe your long term career aspirations.

Questions you may ask at the Interview

Why is the position available?
What are the key skills you require?
How is your company perceived in its market sector?
What are the career prospects within the company?
Will there be training opportunities?
How will I be appraised?
What is the company ethos and vision?

At the end of the interview, always shake hands with the interviewer and express your thanks. Enquire about the next stage of the overall process if you feel it is appropriate.

After the Interview

Ring your consultant at Skillsearch and report on your interview.

If you are successful our client should offer you the job within one week of the interview. If you are interested in the job and are offered the job, accept immediately. Indecision might appear unprofessional.

Your consultant will clarify any concerns or details about your offer.

Good Luck!