Set Your Team Up for a Successful New Year

As we enter a new year, it’s key to ensure that your team are clear on business expectations and how their performance will tie into company objectives. This is a great opportunity to reassess priorities for the year and make any necessary adjustments to your team’s focus over the coming months.

Whether you’re looking to further expand your team or develop your employees for internal progression, it’s important to have a clear plan of action.

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals will help you stay on track. Setting SMART goals is a proven strategy to achieve success. By making your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you can help yourself and your team stay on track. Specific goals give you a clear target to aim for, while measurable goals allow you to track your progress. Achievable goals ensure that your targets are realistic and attainable, while relevant goals keep you focused on what truly matters. Time-bound goals create a sense of urgency, helping you to stay motivated and committed to achieving your objectives. By setting SMART goals, you can increase your chances of success and ensure that you and your team are working towards a shared vision.

Investing in professional development opportunities for yourself and your team can go a long way in ensuring that you all have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in your respective roles. This can involve attending relevant seminars, workshops, or training sessions, or even pursuing additional education or certification. By doing so, you can stay up to date with the latest industry trends, learn new techniques and strategies, and develop your leadership and collaboration skills.

Additionally, investing in your team’s professional development can foster a sense of loyalty and commitment, as well as promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Ultimately, by prioritizing professional development, you can position yourself and your team for long-term success and growth.

Remember, Planning and investing in your team can have a significant impact on your business’s long-term success and employee fulfilment. By dedicating time and resources to training, professional development, and team-building activities, you can foster a positive work environment and improve overall performance. When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to remain loyal to the company and strive for excellence in their roles. This can lead to increased productivity, higher quality work, and ultimately, greater success for the organisation as a whole.

As a leader, it is crucial to recognise the importance of investing in your team and to make it a priority in your business strategy. By doing so, you can create a culture of growth and achievement that benefits both your employees and your bottom line.

How to maintain staff motivation over the festive period 🎄

Maintaining staff motivation over the festive period is tough! Follow these simple steps to keep productivity levels high…

Firstly, it’s important to recognise the hard work your team has put in throughout the year. Consider hosting a holiday party or giving out personalised gifts as a token of appreciation. Hosting a holiday party or giving out personalised gifts can be a great way to show your appreciation. These gestures can boost morale and foster a sense of camaraderie within the team. It’s also an opportunity to express gratitude for their contributions to the company’s success. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in retaining talented employees. Your team will appreciate the effort and it can lead to increased productivity and a positive work culture.

Christmas work incentives can be incredibly effective in boosting staff morale and motivation, which in turn can lead to better performance and productivity. By offering incentives, companies can show their appreciation for their employees’ hard work and dedication and encourage them to continue contributing to the company’s success. These incentives can take many forms, such as bonuses, extra time off, or even small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Whatever the incentive, it is important to make sure that it is meaningful and relevant to the employees, and that it is communicated clearly and effectively.

Try to maintain a sense of routine and structure in the workplace, even during the festive season. This will help employees stay focused and motivated. You could also consider offering flexible working hours or allowing employees to work from home, if possible, which can help alleviate stress during a busy time of year.

Finally, keep communication open and transparent. Make sure employees are aware of any changes to working hours and any upcoming events. Encourage them to share their own ideas and suggestions for how to keep morale high during the festive season. By prioritising their well-being and engaging with them as individuals, you can create a positive and productive workplace culture throughout the holidays. Motivated employees are also more likely to provide excellent customer service, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Connect with us on LinkedIn to see how we’re keeping our staff motivated over the festive period! 🎄

Unlocking Success: The Power of “Togetherness” at First Base 🚀

Are you curious about the key ingredients that make our team truly successful? 🤔 Look no further, because today, we’re diving deep into the art of teamwork and collaboration. 🤝

In the fast-paced world of recruitment, success isn’t just about individual talent; it’s about harnessing the collective power of our team. Here are some insights into what helps us to thrive :

1 Shared Goals and Vision: We share a common vision and set clear, achievable goals. When everyone is aligned and understands their role in the bigger picture, the magic truly happens

2 Effective Communication: Communication is the lifeblood of our team. Transparent, open, and honest communication helps in avoiding misunderstandings, fostering trust, and ensuring everyone is on the same page

3 Collaborative Mindset: Our team members actively support each other through mutual respect and trust. When one wins, the team wins

4 Celebrating Wins and Learning from Losses: We recognise and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. And when things don’t go as planned, we view them as learning opportunities rather than failures

5 Flexibility and Adaptability: The recruitment landscape can be unpredictable as we’re dealing with human beings. We pivot and adapt to changing circumstances swiftly

6 Empowerment: Our team are given autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Empowered team members are more motivated and creative problem solvers

7 Safeguarding: We do not tolerate poor behaviour. We take action as soon as we become aware of toxicity in the business and protect our team ferociously.

8 Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse team brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table. Embracing diversity, leads to innovative solutions and better customer relationships

To us, team doesn’t mean just working side by side, knowing that our peers have our back. It means working collaboratively towards a shared goal, leveraging each team member’s strengths, and supporting each other through the ups and downs

Together, we can achieve remarkable results that surpass what any one of us could accomplish alone. We harness the power of teamwork and unlock the true potential of our sales team! 💪💼📈

#Success #Teamwork #Collaboration #Teamwork

How does your sales team embrace teamwork and collaboration? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 👇

Want to work in Recruitment? Do you know what it really entails?

At First Base, our team works tirelessly to match the right people to the right job roles but much of their workload is as much about rejection as it is about placing candidates. They speak to hundreds of people each week to ascertain their right to work, suitability for a job role, personality, and cultural fit for the companies we work with.

When they find just the right person it all seems so easy (even more so when they can identify the right person off the top of their heads), however, the role of recruiter necessitates a broad skillset.

We’re always looking for great candidates to bring on board as recruiters, so here’s a snapshot of just what a typical day in the life of a recruiter entails:

Speaking to and visiting new* and existing clients in order to take a brief on open job roles, to check in or to discuss future business growth plans and issues the client may be facing.
Managing their diaries to ensure the right mix of time spent with current clients and those who have expressed an interest in recruitment services, following up on leads, and reaching out to prospective clients.
Taking detailed job briefs including shift patterns, overtime rates, facilities on site, opening hours, lunch breaks (paid or unpaid), skills required, salaries being offered, and timescale (you must be bold enough to ask every question you can imagine ensuring you understand).
Speaking with clients clearly about ways to recruit and the associated fees.
Reviewing CVs and job applications from potential candidates is a key part of a recruiter’s day. They will assess candidates’ qualifications, skills, and experience to determine whether they are a good fit for the role (or any other role currently available). Utilising tools to remember those candidates very very well.
Sourcing active and passive candidates through a variety of channels such as a CRM, job boards, social media, referrals, and professional networks.
Screening and interviewing candidates both by phone and face-to-face to assess their qualifications, skills, and suitability for each role. This means being resilient enough to keep reminding** people if they forget appointments / a call with you.
Detailing rates of pay, shift premiums, and holiday allowances to candidates.
Coordinating interviews (virtual, phone or face-to-face) with hiring managers, setting up times and dates, locations, and instructions to enter sites or join virtual calls.
Following up with all parties concerned to provide feedback and agree on next steps***
Negotiating offers with candidates and communicating the details of the job offer.
Gaining references.
Keeping accurate and comprehensive records of all recruitment activities, including CVs, relevant licences, RTW, job roles, hiring managers, HR managers, finance contacts, interview notes and communication with candidates ****
Our Recruiters stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to ensure that their recruitment methods are effective and are always abreast of changes in their given sector***** in order that they can speak with both clients and candidates proficiently and professionally.
Networking with industry professionals, attending job fairs, and other events to build relationships and expand their knowledge of available candidates.
Managing their time to ensure they have the right people when clients need them.

This is a general overview of a typical day in the life of our recruiters – it seems a lot but when you get it you get it. If you’re ultra organised, great at admin, naturally interested in learning (everything) and personable enough to chat to everyone, then it can be a fantastic career with bags of variation and the opportunity to progress quickly onto a more senior role.

*The role of recruiter will mean you’re speaking to a variety of clients on a daily basis and traveling to meet with them in order to fully assess the role and work environment where possible.

** People are busy, but sometimes, they’ll change their minds and not tell you.

*** Having to give bad news as well as good news and doing this sensitively whilst protecting the reputation of all parties.

**** When people are taking holidays, what they do and do not want to do, how flexible they can be, why they want to work a particular work pattern or leave their current job role.

*****They are able to advise on salary rates being offered, shift patterns that work and can suggest ways to improve on the success of a recruitment drive that is struggling.

How can I find the right people in 2023?

How to navigate a shortage of candidates in 2023.

The need for the right staff has never been more apparent. Being on the front line, where candidates are moving so quickly (and sometimes disappearing off the face of the earth) we put our heads together and came up with our top tips for navigating this challenge.

Expand the recruitment pool: Look beyond traditional recruitment sources and consider candidates from a wider range of backgrounds and industries
Offer flexible working arrangements: Attract a wider range of candidates by offering sustainable flexible working arrangements such as remote work, part-time work or flexible hours (always consider business needs and the needs of new recruits/those training)
Improve employee retention: Reduce the need to bring in new staff by looking after current employees. This can be achieved by offering competitive remuneration packages, career development opportunities, a positive work-life balance and a safe environment in which to learn.
Invest in Tech: Analyse processes and invest in technology to streamline and or automate.
Build a strong employer brand: Build a strong employer brand to attract top talent. This can be achieved by promoting the company’s culture, values, and mission, and by highlighting the benefits of working for you (including the location of your business, ease of transport links, cities, and towns of interest: the lifestyle will be important to some).
Leverage Recruitment Agencies and headhunters: Leverage recruitment agencies and headhunters to find the right calibre of candidates for the job. Build a relationship and be safe in the knowledge that a great recruitment agency will have ears and eyes to the ground to find you the right people. Be open and honest, let them learn about you and the business and they will be out there acting as advocates.

These are some of the strategies that can be used to navigate a shortage of candidates in 2023. It is important to consider which strategies will be most effective for your company based on your specific needs and resources.

Top tips for attending an interview on zoom in 2023

How to smash your next online interview

I was privy to a recording of a highly professional zoom* interview yesterday, and one which was… not so polished.

For anyone undertaking an interview for a job you’re keen on here are some tips on how to prepare for a Zoom interview in 2023:

⚡Test your equipment: Make sure your computer or device, internet connection, and camera are in good working order beforehand. Test your Zoom connection and familiarise yourself with the platform’s features.

⚡Dress professionally: Even though you will be interviewed remotely, it is important to dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview. This shows respect and professionalism to the interviewer.

⚡Find a quiet and well-lit location: Find a quiet and well-lit location for your interview, free from distractions and interruptions. Make sure your background is tidy and professional.

⚡Be on time: Be on time for your interview, just as you would for an in-person interview. Log in to the Zoom call a few minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure that you are ready to begin on time.

⚡Have a copy of your CV and any relevant documents: Have a copy of your CV and any relevant documents easily accessible, in case the interviewer asks to see them.

⚡Keep a positive attitude: Keep a positive attitude and maintain good eye contact with the interviewer by looking directly at the camera, not just the screen.

⚡Be ready to answer common questions: Practice answering common interview questions and have some questions ready to ask the interviewer – things that are important to you in ascertaining if this is the right job role for you.

⚡Follow up: Send a thank you note or email to the interviewer after the interview to express your gratitude and reiterate your interest in the position.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared for your Zoom interview and can feel confident in your ability to make a strong impression on the interviewer.

If you’d like more tips and advice on ensuring your next interview goes well, watch out for our new website – brimming with ideas to ensure your next interview (on or offline) goes well.

www.first-base.co.uk

*zoom is one of many online meeting providers

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

This time last year I certainly did not envisage 2020 playing out the way it did for thousands of companies and for many, the full extent of the pandemic came as a complete (and prolonged) shock. Our first concern was, of course, the spread of the virus and looking after our people’s health. For many of us, this has now settled down as we know our teams are safe, staying inside and are successfully adapting to remote working life. Now that we are in 2021, our understanding of the virus has somewhat changed and the vaccine provides hope that we will return to some form of normality.

Most organisations we have spoken have had to make decisions over the last year which they could not have foreseen. Many have utilised this time to review their forecasts, look at streamlining where possible and putting plans in place to grow, as we begin to return to some form of normality.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting some helpful tips to continue to help you through this challenging time.

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

To help business through the pandemic the Government created the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows employers to Furlough their staff in return for 80% of peoples wages*, up to a maximum of £2,500 and was further extended until the end of April 2021.

If you currently have staff on Furlough, one of the best ways to retain your employees is to continue to communicate and check in on them from a well bring perspective. Check-in and remind them that you are available for support and advice if they ever require it. You could provide them with well-being tips such as healthy eating, exercising regularly and the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family. You could also direct employees to external sources of support such as Charity Mind, the Mental Health UK Website Headspace and Future Learn.

We also have some great blogs on our website that may help around identifying and managing stress.

Communicating with your staff during Furlough will help you identify any issues that they may be facing and help them through this difficult time. A good communication strategy will also minimise the risk of losing members of your team due to any perceived lack of engagement. Surprisingly, we have continued to see a high degree of movement in the market as people continue to look for alternative employment.

David Thomason, Hospitality Business Manager

*Now excluding NI and AE contributions.

Office management and support

Did you know that we place candidates into HR, Sales, IT, Finance, Marketing and Financial Services roles?

Our commercial team have continued to source, engage, shortlist and propose only the best candidates for any and all office-based roles during lockdown (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0).

Roles recruited to date this year include: Software Developers, HR Managers, Customer Service Administrators, Finance Managers, Mortgage Advisors, Service Desk Technicians, Events and Training Administrators and Marketing Executives, to name a few.

The team have built up a solid reputation in the market place and have a fantastic retention rate, whereby 90% of the candidates placed remain in post at their first years anniversary. Their mission? To offer an exemplary experience to both candidates and employers, an experience that they enjoy from start to finish.

Don’t take our word for it – head on over to google and see what our clients have to say.

Lilly and her team are available on 01453 755330 or by emailing commercial@first-base.co.uk or by utilising our chat box at www.first-base.co.uk

Video Interview Tips: Tips for a Successful Interview

The use of video interviews has soared during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being around for many years, the reliance on video platforms is a fairly new phenomenon for many businesses and candidates. While interviewing from home can create an element of uncertainty, it’s important to remember the basics of any in person or telephone interview. These resources can help, should you get stuck:

Telephone Interview Tips

22 Tips for Making a Great Impression At Your Next Interview

What do Employers Want?

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

How to Answer The Tell Me About Yourself Question

If you haven’t taken part in a video interview before, you can expect it to become a normal step in the recruitment process for more and more job roles in the future. Whether it’s new to you, or it’s been while since you last took part in one, this First Base video interview guide will familiarise you with what to expect from a video interview, what to wear, body language, eye contact and some technical tips.

5 Video Interview Tips to Remember

Preparation is key

While you don’t need to worry about getting caught in traffic, it’s important you find a quiet location with a good internet connection. Ensure your computer, tablet or laptop has a webcam that works and the audio input/output mic is correct. If you have children or family at home, you will find interviewers are more understanding than usual – they may be in exactly the same situation!

What you will need:

• An internet connection with a speed of at least 1 megabits per second
• A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam, a tablet or smartphone.
• Headphones with a built-in microphone or headphones and a separate microphone (there may be one on your device – check)
• Ideally a quiet, private and well-lit place where you won’t be interrupted by other people, pets or noises.

Note: When we have our ‘normal’ lives back – try to avoid coffee shops and other communal spaces.

Position your webcam so that you have a neutral background that’s free from distractions and is angled level with your face. That ‘up nose’ look we are seeing a great deal of on the TV news interviews, isn’t a great one! Remember to close unnecessary apps that might slow down your connection or interrupt you.

If the employer is using their own video software provider you will be sent a link to join the interview at a pre-arranged time. As for any interview – don’t be late! If you will be using a personal Skype or Google account, make sure that you have a professional username and check your privacy settings. If you have any concern about whether your username is professional enough, you may want to set up a new account for your video interviews just in case.

Be prepared for pre-recorded questions

Sometimes an employer might use pre-recorded questions that you will have to answer during your video interview. In this format, position your webcam so that you have a neutral background that’s free from distractions.

Instead of being connected with a person, you’ll be prompted to answer interview questions that have been pre-recorded or appear in writing on the screen. You record your answer to each question and the employer will review the recording later. There is often a time limit for your answers, and you may be given more than one chance to record each answer.

The pre-recorded format can feel unnatural. Try to imagine that you are speaking directly to a real person. Preparation for this type of interview will be especially useful and make sure you anticipate what questions you will be asked and have your answers ready.

Dress for the occasion

For your video interview, you should dress professionally, as you would for a face to face interview. Research the company culture before your interview so you have a good idea of what’s appropriate.
To look your best on camera, avoid bright colours and patterns, opt for softer colours instead. If you are wearing a tie or scarf, wear a solid colour rather than a patterned one. If you wear glasses, adjust the lighting in the room to reduce glare from the lenses and be aware of any reflections.

Position the camera so that you are looking up slightly and centred on the screen.

Have positive body language

Eye contact is very important during an in-person interview and you want to convey that same level of connection during a video interview. Avoid the temptation to look directly at your interviewer on the screen while you’re answering a question. Instead, when you speak, direct your gaze towards the webcam. When you do this, your eyes are more likely to align with the interviewer’s eyes on the other end. When you are listening, look back at the screen.

Throughout the interview, it is important to keep your mood upbeat and convey enthusiasm with your body language. Good posture will help. Sit in your chair with your back straight and your shoulders open. Feet should both be planted on the floor, resting your hands in your lap or on the desk.

When you’re listening, nod and smile when appropriate to communicate that you’re giving them your full attention. Use hand gestures when it feels appropriate, keeping your movements close to your body. Avoid fidgeting or letting your gaze drift away from your device.

Practice makes perfect

To get used to the technology and body language of a video interview, do some practice video calls with your recruitment consultant, a friend or a family member. Ask them to give you feedback about your appearance and eye contact. Rehearse a few times until it all starts to feel natural.

Ask any professional interviewer, presenter or speaker and they will tell you that practice makes all the difference. Set aside time in your schedule in the days leading up to your interview and you’ll find that your confidence will grow as you become more comfortable in front of a camera.

On the day of the interview, review this video interview checklist:

• Ensure that you won’t be interrupted, either by locking the door or by alerting others that you can’t be disturbed.
• Clear your desk space; except for a notepad and pen/pencil for you to take notes.
• Have a copy of your CV and any other notes ready for you to refer to.
• Have a glass of water ready.
• Check that your webcam is working.
• Check that your audio is working.
• Close any windows, tabs or apps on your computer that you’re not using.
• Check your internet connection and make sure you’re not downloading anything in the background.
• Set your phone to silent mode.
• Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter.
• Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark or dim, think about bringing in an extra table or desk lamp to brighten the area.

All you need to do next is make a great impression!

The First Base team can help you with video interview preparation and many other aspects of your job search. Call us, email or contact us on social media.

8 Telephone Interview Tips to Help You Get Hired

Telephone interviews have been around for many years, however they have become more and more popular as a first step screening method Over the last couple of weeks their use has seen a massive increase, for obvious reasons.

Pretty much all screening is now carried out on the telephone, with video conferencing often being employed for short listed candidates and even final interviews. If telephone interviews are new to you, or it’s been sometime since you took part in one, take a look at our top tips below, to help you make the right impression during your next telephone interview.

Telephone Interview Tips to remember

Research

Thoroughly research the company and the interviewer (check profiles on LinkedIn), just as if you were preparing to meet in person. Expect some variation on the question, “What do you know about us?”. If you are not able to state the company’s key figures, strategy and markets, the interview might be over after three minutes. One of the nice things about a phone interview is that you can have your reminder sheet in front of you.

Prepare your questions

These can make or break an interview. Design insightful questions with two goals in mind: To give you the information you need to determine if you want to go further; and to show you are perfect for the job.

Be comfortable

Some people find telephone interview more stressful than the usual face to face meeting.

Do everything you can to make sure you feel at ease. Shut out distractions and eliminate background noise if you can. Explain if you have children in the house right now – many interviewers are in the same situation and will understand. Have a glass of water handy, print out your CV and mark key parts that you want to highlight during the conversation.

Be ready 10 minutes early, you don’t want to sound rushed. If you will be talking on a landline, turn off your smart phone; if you plan to do the interview on a smart phone, make sure it is fully charged.
Have a paper and pen handy, so you don’t have to take notes on your computer during the call — the keyboard clicks can’t be distracting for the interviewer.

If your computer makes audible pings as you receive email, turn off the sound. Think of all those TV interview where we see experts being interviewed during the Covid-19 emergency – often interrupted by mobile phone ring tones and computer alerts.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW TIPS FOR DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

Listen

Usually, the interviewer will set the scene. They will talk about expectations, maybe why the person before you left the job, what it takes to be successful in their company, the culture and what the main challenges will be. Make notes so you are can respond to all these points when it is your turn to talk.

When it’s your turn

When we are face to face with someone, we send and receive visual cues. On the phone, we have to make a good impression purely with our voices. Before you start, take a drink of water to avoid having to clear your throat. If you haven’t talked for several hours, think of doing some voice exercises before the call. Posture is important, even on the telephone, and has a big impact on your voice. Standing up sitting up very straight, will help to make your sound more confident and enthusiastic.

Try to smile as you speak. If you don’t believe the difference this makes, test it by leaving yourself two identical voice messages — one with and one without smiling. During the phone interview, good times to smile are when you talk about the work you’ve done, ask questions, or express your enthusiasm about the company.

Create a positive ending

If you really want the job, end the call on a positive note. Say something such as, “Thanks for the call. I like what I heard and I’m confident I could fill the role. I am very interested in this job and would be really pleased to move on to the next stage. What is the next step?”

Post interview

Send a thank you note. Your email should arrive on the same day, but not immediately after, the call. Confirm your interest in the company, your ability to do the job and desire to take things to the next step. If you are working with a recruitment agency update your recruitment consultant. They are there to help you find the right job.

Patience is a virtue

You won’t necessarily get a reply to your thank-you message. Follow up a week later, and again after two weeks. Don’t keep ‘chasing’ – remember that everyone is under extra pressure with new challenges in these extraordinary times. As we keep hearing in the news, these are all an unprecedented situation. Stay optimistic, there are still companies recruiting and the present situation will pass. In the meantime, build a strong and trusted relationship with your recruitment consultant and keep doing your best at interviews presented to you.

Contact the First Base team if you would like help with your next career move or advice and support through these challenging times.