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Author: Eventus

Eventus Recruitment Group > Articles by: Eventus
22Dec

A look at our Managing Director Siobhan’s career journey in Recruitment and why you should be a Recruitment Consultant

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A look at our Managing Director Siobhan’s career journey in Recruitment and why you should be a Recruitment Consultant

When I was a young child I wanted to be a news reader, not the norm I appreciate for a 12 year old. Instead, I joined the prison service straight from University and worked with murderers at Wormwood Scrubs, again not the norm I appreciate.

Fast forward 5 years and I joined a graduate training scheme in recruitment and 24 years later I am still here, still enjoying it (mostly) and still get the same genuine kick out of placing someone in a new role that they love. The fact I have an amazing dedicated brilliant team to work alongside is an absolute bonus.

Recruitment Consultant is not the sort of job you shout out in class when you are asked what do you want to be when you grow up. However, so many people make their life from it, make good money (some people make REALLY good money) and enjoy the work immensely.

So WHY be a RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT?

Salary: Firstly the money can be great, £100k a year OTE (on target earnings) I feel is a tad unrealistic for the first few years but still with commission the salary is incredibly competitive.

Genuine Career Progression: Most recruitment firms have a clear and comprehensive career path – Eventus Recruitment Group very much have this. You will know exactly what you need to do to achieve to reach the next level and it is completely fluid. My current team have seen their careers progress, which is a large reason why staff retention is high.

Competitive: If you were the child who always wanted to win at Monopoly (fairly) then recruitment could be for you. Those that are successful in recruitment are often fiercely competitive, friendly competition with your peers, team and individual incentives are also prevalent. The excitement of being the highest fee earner never goes away. I still compete with my Associate Director each year, although this year I am proving to be no competition!

Actually being a “consultant”: this is two-fold. You can change someone’s life and you can be influential in a firm’s direction. It is super exciting. When you get a candidate who thanks you for getting them their dream job and getting them a huge pay rise – there’s no feeling better. Likewise, when a company asks you your advice as how to develop their offering its wonderful to know they trust you enough to be a genuine integral Business Partner. I recently opened an office for a firm in a location they weren’t thinking about and the office is thriving and I placed all of the solicitors within the office =win/win.

Work hard/Play hard: (if you’d like to) Recruitment is a very sociable job, you meet so many people whether candidates or clients. You also get to attend networking events often at wonderful (and sometimes) fancy restaurants and venues. At Eventus Recruitment Group we have team soirees, and we are often found nipping for a “quick” drink after work despite having been with each other all day and week.

The main characteristics I think you need for this fabulously varied job are:

• Integrity                                                         

• Professionalism                                                         

• Dedicated                                                      

• Articulation                                                   

• Organisation                                                      

• Tenacity

• Determination

• Passionate

• Personable

• Compassionate

 

If you think this is for you or just want to find out more, please do get in touch. WE ARE RECRUITING, I would love to hear from you.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”View Our Job Vacancies” style=”custom” custom_background=”#83289b” custom_text=”#ffffff” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventusrecruitmentgroup.com%2Fwork-for-us%2F|title:Work%20for%20us” css=”.vc_custom_1640173117856{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1640173130908{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest jobs, careers advice and updates from us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

21Dec

We’re Hiring! Join us in Recruitment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’re recruiting! Fancy joining us?! Read on as to why we think you should ….

After an incredibly successful (and challenging!) year we are looking to expand our Legal Division, and we are open to applicants who wish to work entirely remotely, in one of our offices (Wilmslow or Lancaster), or a hybrid mix of the two.

Our legal team is incredibly hard-working, passionate, energetic and above all, genuinely cares about the work we do. We are an incredibly close team, despite having a mix of office, hybrid and remote workers, and we actively encourage our team to embrace flexibility and a healthy work life balance. I personally think we are a great place to work! But, don’t just take my word for it….

I asked the team to give me the one thing that they thought was the best thing about working for Eventus, and here is what they said:

“Working for a business that is supportive and encouraging for you to reach your best potential” – Shelley Gilchrist, Recruitment Resourcer

“We are a really fair company, with fair management and treated like adults and as a result we all genuinely like each other.” – Victoria Banks, Recruitment Consultant

“My favourite thing is probably the focus on our own development; having monthly reviews to discuss how to improve, how to assess and work on areas of weakness, and then be a good recruiter. All of this, rather than going though aiming to simply hit KPIs.” – Erin McKnight, Recruitment Consultant

“For me it has to be the flexibility. In order for me to avoid the crazy Lancaster traffic I start slightly earlier and leave the office at 430 each day so that I am home at a reasonable time for my son. It also means that on days where I have candidate calls after 5 I am not still in the office. I can get home, get dinner on and pick up work when I need to. That flexibility makes a real difference to me. I also like that half an hour in the office on my own… gathering my thoughts for the day and planning ahead. I’m trusted to work in a manner that makes me most productive and that’s one of the reasons I love working at Eventus Recruitment Group, not to mention the fabulous team I work with.” – Nikki Phillips, Recruitment Consultant

“I think the trust and honesty we have as a team, as well as being able to work flexibly if we need to. Also, the company team-building and social events are fantastic, and all employees are considered when the activities are chosen.” – Emma Guy, Marketing Executive

“Working for a business that recognises KPIs are important but treats them as a framework to work within as opposed to a beating stick. P.s The people I am working with is the main one obvs!!” – Jo Hood, Principal Consultant and Head of Eventus Recruitment Cheshire

For me personally  it’s the flexibility that I think is our main differentiator. We embraced remote working years ago (before it was cool!) but it’s not just that. We recognise that our employees have lives outside of work, and you are trusted to actually do your job without being chained to a desk rigidly – we treat our team as adults, they can decide how they work most effectively.

So, whether you are an experienced Recruitment Consultant, or just looking to start your career in recruitment, why not give me a call to discuss a little more about the roles we have on offer and what we could offer you in return for your hard work. 0113 418 2494. I look forward to hearing from you 😊

Amy Watson

Associate Director

Eventus Legal (Part of the Eventus Recruitment Group)

Email:               amy.watson@eventuslegal.com

Website:          www.eventusrecruitmentgroup.com

Direct Dial:      0113 418 2494

Mobile:        07787 131442[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”View Our Job Vacancies” style=”custom” custom_background=”#ff8200″ custom_text=”#ffffff” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventusrecruitmentgroup.com%2Fwork-for-us%2F|title:Work%20for%20us”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

08Dec

Opening up Eventus Recruitment Cheshire and being back in the Office

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638962975771{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638963048979{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]So September was a big month in the Hood household … for all four of us!  Mum and wife for the first time in about eight years was leaving the house to go to work! Now when I say that it sounds like I haven’t been working but I have, very hard in fact. I have been based from home for many many years. So those early mornings in September were scattered with screeches from me to ‘make your bed before you come down’ and ‘put the jam back in the fridge before you leave’ and yes my two sons and indeed my husband found it odd in those first few weeks that the goal posts had seemingly changed a little in our world.  You see historically we had fallen into the pattern that everybody would leave the house and I would then have half an hour dash and tidy round … not now though as we all leave at the same time!!  So initially a bit of a shock for them all … putting things back in the fridge and horrors such as that, but I can honestly say three months down the line there is no lasting damage. In fact, I think I would go so far as to say it has done everybody concerned a lot of good. Responsibilities have been shifted a little and I have two teenage sons who are a lot tidier!!

So now that morning routines were sorted the small matter of Eventus Cheshire opening and the first member of the team joining me, Shelley Glichrist. This felt huge … I was desperate for Shelley to feel the same about The Eventus Recruitment Group as I did. I wanted her to feel protective of it, to love it, to want with all her heart and soul for Eventus Recruitment Cheshire to fly. But I also knew this had to evolve for Shelley and to happen naturally, so I had to sit back and let this happen for Shelley as it had done for me back in my first few months with Eventus Recruitment. I was also so aware of the importance of Shelley and I working well together … would we have the same style, would we have the same ethics and morals, would we work well together and gosh would we genuinely like each other???  And yes, that felt so so important – we were going to be spending more time with each other than possibly with any others in our lives so yes it was imperative!  You know what three months down the line I can officially say yes Shelley does feel exactly the same about The Eventus Recruitment Group; yes, we do have the same ethics and morals and yes we do genuinely like each other!  I feel truly blessed to have Shelley on my team and knowing that she wants the same for Eventus Recruitment Cheshire as I do is wonderful. It makes me smile though how working so closely with just one other you fast become like an old married couple … the funny little routines we have very quickly got into, that’s another blog though!!

So I have got out of the house every morning and I have got my first wonderful member of the team … a pretty good start really. The market is incredibly busy and it feels like we are making really good progress. Wonderful relationships with both clients and candidates are being forged and we are both genuinely really enjoying life at Eventus Recruitment Cheshire, which ultimately is a must isn’t it?[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ff8200″][vc_column_text]

About Eventus Recruitment Cheshire

Eventus Recruitment Cheshire is part of the Eventus Recruitment Group, who are award-winning specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive.

If you are recruiting or are looking for your next role, get in touch for a confidential discussion. Alternatively, get in touch directly with Jo Hood, in Wilmslow, at jo.hood@eventusfinance.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” bg_type=”bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1638963599422{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}” bg_color_value=”#83289b”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

“I had a great experience with this agency. Jo, the consultant in touch with me for the job I have applied for, really made the difference and I do believe that her advice and assistance made the difference. Very professional, always available, 100% satisfied.”– Former candidate of the Eventus Recruitment Cheshire.

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Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, careers advice and updates from us.

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03Dec

How do you choose the perfect Recruitment Consultant for you?

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How to choose the perfect Recruitment Consultant to secure your next job

With the legal market crying out for quality legal professionals at the moment, you may come across a large amount of recruiters advertising roles in your area. However, registering with too many is confusing, difficult to manage and frankly a waste of time for all concerned. Therefore, deciding who to trust your job search to is a big decision. How can you decide which are the best ones for you? Read on for my tips:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638527208571{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  1. Choose a specialist

If you work in a niche industry (like legal services) it is worth choosing a specialist agency that has consultants purely working in this industry. The benefits are huge – specialists have a much more relevant network to find you a position and they are in a much greater position to be able to offer career guidance as well as placing you in a role. It’s likely specialist consultants have placed numerous candidates in a similar position to yourself and they know the approach that works best.

  1. Word of Mouth

Ask your friends, former or current colleagues or seek advice from peers as to who they would recommend. Online social networking sites like LinkedIn are also useful here because its likely that recruitment consultants have many recommendations posted on their profiles, and so you can see what their clients and previous candidates say about them.

  1. Track Record

Have a look at the recruitment agencies website. Are they recruiting roles that look relevant to you? Do they detail which clients they deal with (often by way of logo, or recommendations)? And are these clients the ones you’d like to work for. Again, another good way of seeing whether the agency is operating in an area you’d be interested in.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  1. Pick up the phone!

Once you’ve found a few you like the look of, give them a call. Focus on how this call is treated. Is it professional and friendly, or hurried and dismissive? These are all signs that should help you. If you don’t receive a response to an application, without even a cursory acknowledgement or honest feedback if it’s a rejection, then they aren’t the one for you.

  1. Proactive approach

When talking to the recruitment consultant ask them about their process of finding a role for you. Do they operate for a small number of clients just waiting for roles to be sent to them, or will they actively take you to the market, speaking to their clients to try and create a role for you? I’d want the more proactive approach if it was my job search.

  1. Added Value

What other help will the recruitment consultant provide for you? Do they offer CV writing assistance, interview preparation and coaching before your interviews? What about industry insights? These can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you have been in your current role for some while, or if you haven’t interviewed for a while.

  1. Personal relationship

Ultimately how you get on with the recruitment agency is incredibly important. A good recruitment specialist will want to form a relationship with you and guide you towards fulfilling your potential. You may spend a large amount of time speaking to them, and ultimately trusting them with one of the most important aspects of our lives. You need a decent relationship with them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638526151076{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Summary

One thing to remember is that it’s a two-way street. Simply hoping to let a recruitment agency do all the work for you is not a good way forward. You need to be responsive, available and if there are tasks that your recruitment consultant needs you to do, do them!!

It may take some time, but if the effort ultimately leads to the job you really want then it is time well spent. And don’t forget, once a recruitment agency has done a good job for you, you may also want them to help in the future when your career moves on. A long-term relationship will benefit both parties.

For more information on how a specialist legal recruiter can boost your job search please contact Amy Watson at Eventus Legal on 0113 418 2494.

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About the Eventus Recruitment Group

Here at the Eventus Recruitment Group, we offer realistic, honest and straight forward advice to enhance your career. We can help you to find your next opportunity at no cost to you as a candidate. We recruit for all roles within the legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. To view our latest jobs, please click here.

We also support you in applying for jobs through finding suitable roles that fit your requirements and skills, CV writing and preparing you for interviews. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

All our recruitment consultants are experienced and are experts in their fields. They will dedicate time to getting to know you and finding the perfect job for you.

If you would like help hiring for a vacancy, please click here to contact us.

By Amy Watson

Legal Recruitment Expert in North East and Yorkshire.

Email: amy.watson@eventuslegal.com

Telephone: 0113 418 2494[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” bg_type=”bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1638527159423{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}” bg_color_value=”#83289b”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

“I can’t speak highly enough of the service I was provided by Eventus, specifically Amy Watson. Amy kept me updated throughout the recruitment process, ensuring that I was well equipped and providing me with the confidence required to be successful in securing a new job. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Eventus again for in the future and would highly recommend them to both friends and family.” – Liz, placed legal candidate in the North East

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Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, tips and updates from us.

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01Dec

Top questions to ask in interviews

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Top questions to ask in interviews

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]So, you’ve been looking for a new role, you’ve sent in your application, and your prospective employer has asked to interview you – now what?

How do you feel? Are you nervous? Excited? Feeling confident?

All of the above are completely normal. I would be worried if you didn’t feel a little nervous about an upcoming interview – it suggests that you want to do well and that it means something to you. However, one aspect of the interview process that candidates tend to forget about is having questions prepared. I would argue that having questions for your interviewer is one of, if not the most important thing to be prepared for when interviewing.

When you are faced with the inevitable: “Do you have any questions for us?”, what do you say?

DON’T say: “No, I think you’ve just about answered everything.”

Use this opportunity to get to know your potential employer – what DO you want to know?

Here are some questions that are really useful to have up your sleeve in a pinch:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638371784574{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  1. “Where do you see the business going in 5 years from now?”

This is a good question because you can get a sense of what the long-term goals of the business are. Where they plan on expanding, what role you could play in the expansion, and how you could help to add to that progression. It will also give you a sense of job security.

  1. “What do you enjoy the most about your role in the business?”

This gives you a chance to hear from a current employee of a given business why they like their job. We all spend so much of our time at work, so it’s important that you can work in a role that you enjoy. This is the perfect question to give you some insider knowledge about the business, how it works, and how employees feel about working there.
This is a particularly good question because it gives the interviewer the opportunity to talk a little about themselves – remember, people enjoy talking about themselves.

  1. “What sort of skills are needed to be successful in this sort of role?”

This question gives you a sense of skill fit, and whether you can offer your potential employer what you need. Interviews are a two-way street; they are as much about you working out if you could see yourself working for the company as they are about the person hiring working out if you are the sort of person to hire.

  1. “What sort of personalities are the most successful in this role?”

Like the previous question, this gives you a sense of working out team fit, which is one of the most important aspects of hiring. Someone may be the best person in the world for the role on paper, but if they don’t get on with their colleagues, issues may quickly arise. Some roles are client focused, so people who get on well with others may find these sorts of roles more enjoyable than those who prefer to work alone, for example.

  1. “Are there training / progression opportunities within the role / company?” or “Is there a specific career path for those looking to progress in this department?”

Asking about developmental opportunities demonstrates to the interviewer that you will be committed to a long future with the organisation, and are dedicated to your career. It also will help you to assess whether a long-term career with the company is possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  1. “I’ve taken a look at your website and noticed the volunteering work you do with X. How often is the firm involved with such events and are you involved with any other charities?”

This question demonstrates you have researched their website and that you are open to volunteering or being involved with Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

  1. “How would you describe the firm’s culture?”

This will give you information to assess whether you’ll fit in, assess the working environment of the company and whether the company’s values align with your own.

  1. “What qualities or attributes do you think someone needs to be successful working for this company?”

Asking this question quickly allows you to identify the company’s expectations of their employees and whether your skills / qualities meet their expectations.

  1. “What do you think the greatest challenges are facing the organisation at present?”

This is a fantastic question to ask if you are being interviewed by senior leadership or managers. It shows that you think holistically and that you are interested in the performance of the company. It will give you insights into any challenges and, if applicable, you can follow up their response with any experience that you have that might help them overcome these challenges.

  1. “Is there anything else I could provide you with so you can assess my suitability? Or anything else you would like to know?”

This is a good question to ask if your other questions have been answered during the interview. It shows a good nature and restates your interest in the job.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638371795746{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4246″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]If ever you find yourself in a bind when being asked if you have any questions for a potential employer, give yourself a moment to stop and think before asking questions that you actually want to know the answer to. There are, of course, some taboo topics that I would suggest you steer clear from, such as the following:

  • “When can I start?”
  • “What is the salary/pay?”
  • “What is your sick-leave policy / holiday allowance?” – suggests you are already thinking about not being there!

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Would you like more interviews tips and tricks?

Our handy guide will give you valuable information regarding the format of interviews, questions asked and tips on how to prepare, including for competency based questioning.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download our Interview Guide” style=”custom” custom_background=”#ff8200″ custom_text=”#ffffff” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventusrecruitmentgroup.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FInterview-Tips-Downloads.pdf”][vc_column_text]

STAR Interview technique

The STAR technique is a very handy method to use when having job interviews, as it will help you to answer questions perfectly. In the video below our Recruitment Consultant Erin McKnight explains what it is and how to use it.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YaxsHqauxc” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1638373176892{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ff8200″ css=”.vc_custom_1638373297688{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Let us help you find your next role

Here at the Eventus Recruitment Group, we offer realistic, honest and straight forward advice to enhance your career. We can help you to find your next opportunity at no cost to you as a candidate. We recruit for all roles within the legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. To view our latest jobs, please click here.

We also support you in applying for jobs through finding suitable roles that fit your requirements and skills, CV writing and preparing you for interviews. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

If you would like help hiring for a vacancy, please click here to contact us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#83289b” css=”.vc_custom_1638375328024{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Eventus were great, I’d say I’d use them again but I don’t think I will need them for a long time. I’m very happy with the employer they recommended me to. I’m also extremely grateful for the help they gave me in negotiating my pay and helping me understand my value. – Ross, placed legal professional.

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Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, tips and updates from us.

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20Nov

Blurred Lines: How to switch off at the end of the day when working at home

Working from home – love it or hate it? Here are some tips to help you settle back into your home office.

I have permanently worked from home now for almost 5 years, so this aspect of pandemic life is no different for me, I’m a pro! Personally, on balance, the positives outweigh the negatives – flexibility, not having to commute in the dark, having the dog around during the day and mostly just the headspace to actually work, rather than being interrupted by office life.

But one thing that it did get me thinking about was how the separation between the workday and home life has become less defined. In my previous role I worked in Leeds City Centre and lived at that time around 15 miles away, a commute which could take me anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on how the M62 was behaving. And whilst this commute could be frustrating at times, the one thing it did give me was a defined END to the workday. I could get in my car, turn on the radio or a podcast, and just detach from the stresses of the day. It provided a very clear difference between being at work and going home.

Now due to the COVID restrictions, many more people are working from home and our homes have now become our everything; our workspaces, classrooms, gyms and places for entertainment. This means that when we’ve finished work, trying to switch off without a change in scenery can be difficult. Therefore, I thought it might be an idea to give my thoughts on what has helped me and which in turn may hopefully help you.

1.       Have a routine

One of the most important things that you can do is build a routine and stick to it. This means waking up, starting and finishing your work and taking your lunch at the same time. If you can, try not to start work early or finish late, still maintaining your working hours. Try not to work your “commute time”, do something fun or relaxing instead with that bonus time.

2.       Bookend your day

Try to get into a rhythm of doing an activity before and after you finish work. This will help you to know when you’re at work and when you aren’t. For example, you could use your time for exercise after work and take a stroll around the block as your ‘commute’ home. I am lucky in that I have a Labrador who needs a long walk at either end of the day, so this is what I use and on the occasions where I can’t do it, I really feel the difference.

3.       Define your desk 

It is important that we maintain the boundaries between our work and personal space. If you can, keep your work in an area that doesn’t intrude into the rest of the house. This means when you start work you are at work and when you are finished, you can move into a different space to relax and unwind. Shut the door! If you are tight on space, try and tidy everything away at the end of the day so that you don’t have visual reminders of your work or your to-do list.  

4.       Switch off your work phone

Try to not answer your emails outside of your designated working hours. When your working day finishes, put your work phone away and try not to check your work emails if you have them on your personal phone.

5.       Enjoy your evenings

It is important to try and clear your head in the evening. Try to do something each evening that you can lose yourself in and forget about the working day. Whether it’s catching up with a friend on the phone or video chat, spending the extra time cooking your favourite meal or even just zoning out in front of the TV, the most important thing is to enjoy getting lost in the moment and forget about the working day.

6.       Find another purpose

Having a sense of purpose that is separate to your work can help you switch off by focusing your attentions onto other things. Where previously we may have met up with friends and family on an evening, that’s not possible now, so why not look into volunteering in the evening, to help give you something to focus on outside of work? There are lots of volunteering options that you can do while still abiding by social distancing practices. For example, those that are telephone based.

 

We all inevitably have times when we think about work outside of our working hours, and that is okay too. Don’t be hard on yourself if you are struggling to switch off – it takes time to adjust. Hopefully my tips may help.

For me, this blog is a written promise to myself to practice what I preach. And whilst 2020 and 2021 have been probably the more stressful years of my working life, I need to remember that work is not my whole life, despite what it may seem like at present.

Stay safe everyone!

 

By Amy Watson – Legal Recruitment Specialist for the North East and Yorkshire

 

About The Eventus Recruitment Group

We are award-winning recruitment specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive across the UK. If you would like help with recruitment, submit a job to us here, or get in touch to discuss your recruitment needs. We offer bespoke recruitment solutions, which we will tailor to business goals.

Candidates

Here at the Eventus Recruitment Group we believe in strong workplace culture and that happiness at work is a must have for everyone. We offer realistic, honest and straight forward advice to enhance your career. Using our expertise, we can help you to find your next opportunity at no cost to you as a candidate. We recruit for all roles within the Legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. To view our latest jobs, please click here.

We also support you in applying for jobs, through finding suitable roles that fit your requirements and skills, CV writing and preparing you for interviews. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the service I was provided by Eventus, specifically Amy Watson. Amy kept me updated throughout the recruitment process, ensuring that I was well equipped and providing me with the confidence required to be successful in securing a new job. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Eventus again for in the future and would highly recommend them to both friends and family.” – Liz, successful legal candidate.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, tips and updates from us.

 

15Nov

How to stand out in the finance sector

How to stand out in the finance job market

By Head of Eventus Recruitment Cheshire and Eventus Finance, Jo Hood.

So, this statement has really had me thinking and also scratching my head. Initially I was a little stumped and for a short while I concluded that surely it was the same attributes that would make you stand out in any sector … commitment, reliability, loyalty, capability and so the list goes on. However, I knew I must be missing something and then it came to me …

Communication Skills! –  So, as a finance candidate you are used to dealing with numbers, you are happy with looking at a spreadsheet and can instinctively see the story that it tells. Numbers can be like words, colourful and very visual. However, to the vast majority of us a spreadsheet or a finance report can be similar to looking at a dense OS map. So, if you can be that person who can translate and relay this information to a lay person in a fashion that makes it comprehendible and easy to understand then you are potentially standing out from the start. In short be able to communicate your expertise to others.

Be Business Savvy! –  It’s great to understand the finance side of a business but if you can demonstrate a general understanding and awareness of roles beyond your remit and department this is fantastic and will automatically distinguish you from others. Companies want people who show a natural business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. Show that you have a genuine desire and yearning to help the business succeed.

Join Professional Associations! – Okay, so this may not sound an obvious one. However, this one is great because it allows you to stand out from your competition. You are immediately getting access to all others in your industry, experts, and professionals alike. This demonstrates your commitment to your cause and your desire for personal development. It enhances your network a hundred-fold and makes absolute sure you stay up-to-date on market trends. Not to mention the first-hand information you will potentially get on job opportunities.

Deliver Great Work! – Now this is ultimately what it all comes down to, regardless of what market we are work in or are moving into. We need to strive to consistently deliver work that reflects excellence. We need to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy, rise above the expected standards. In my very humble opinion, there is no substitute for hard work if you want to standout. Working harder than your competition, striving for excellence always will absolutely get you noticed.

About Eventus Recruitment Group

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning recruitment specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive. Based in Lancaster (Lancashire) and Wilmslow (Cheshire), we have regional specialists covering the whole of England and Wales.

If you are looking for your next role or are recruiting within the Finance and Accountancy sector, please get in touch with our Finance specialist and Head of Eventus Recruitment Cheshire, Jo Hood, here. To view our latest job vacancies, please click here.

“I had a great experience with this agency. Jo, the consultant in touch with me for the job I have applied for, really made the difference and I do believe that her advice and assistance made the difference. Very professional, always available, 100% satisfied.”– Former candidate of the Eventus Recruitment Group.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs and updates from us.

10Nov

Being Kind on Social Media – the rise of Defamation

Social media is a great tool when utilised correctly, but it can also be very dangerous.

We’ve all done it, when we’ve been ignored in a shop, had a disappointing meal at a café or restaurant, or someone has annoyed us and we want to rant. However, we all need to think before we turn to social media.

More and more people are using social media to complain about companies and air disputes with friends and family. It’s so much easier to type something behind a screen than to say it face-to-face.

Defamation

As a result of this, there has been a significant rise in defamation cases in recent years. Defamation is any statement that is harmful or damages the reputation of another individual or company.

Defamation can be broken up into two types: slander and libel. Slander is a false statement made through spoken communication (for example, giving a defamatory speech); Libel is a written or published false statement (for example, an online review or social media post).

Some law firms have noted a 90% increase of defamation cases since 2018. This increase is down to social networks and people not realising the consequences of what they post. More and more social media content is being used as evidence in court.

It’s important that before you post on social media or online, you consider the impact that it could have on others, but also the impact on yourself. Not only could you find yourself being sued for defamation, negative posts are also harmful to your current and future employment prospects. Your employer can use your social media content against you – more and more companies have a social media policy or include social media issues in their disciplinary policy and code of conduct.

Furthermore, employers on social media check your profiles before they hire you. We as recruiters do this too, before we accept you as a candidate to find work for you.

So, we would like to issue a gentle reminder to be kind on social media and to use it as a positive influence.

If you would like to find out more about using LinkedIn as a tool to stand out to employers, check out our blog here.

About The Eventus Recruitment Group

Here at the Eventus Recruitment Group, we offer realistic, honest and straight forward advice to enhance your career. We can help you to find your next opportunity at no cost to you as a candidate. We recruit for all roles within the legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. To view our latest jobs, please click here.

We also support you in applying for jobs through finding suitable roles that fit your requirements and skills, CV writing and preparing you for interviews. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

If you are an employer and are recruiting, get in touch to find out how we can help you find the perfect candidate to help your business thrive.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs and updates from us.

“I’ve worked with Nikki and Siobhan at Eventus and found them both to be, not just professional and helpful, but that they genuinely care about each individual circumstance. They listen and are empathetic and constantly made me feel like I had a good friend on my side during the recruitment process, always with my best interests at heart. I would recommend Eventus Legal in a heartbeat. Thank you for all you’ve done to help me!” – Sophie, successful legal candidate.

08Nov

Stress – practical advice for employers to help employees

Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure

Stress is a feeling of being under abnormal pressure. This pressure can come from different aspects of an individual’s day-to-day life, such as an increased workload, a major change in life or relationship or financial worries. A recent study by the Stress Management Society found that 65% of people in the UK feel more stressed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main issues reported were feelings of disconnection, uncertainty and a worrying loss of control.

During these situations a person may feel threatened or upset and their body might create a stress response. This can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, change the way they behave, and lead them to experience more intense emotions, which can often come out in the workplace.

Over the last few weeks we have all seen the posts on social media around Stress Awareness Month, highlighting that it is normal to feel stressed from time-to-time. It’s not a taboo subject and that it should be discussed more often, especially with your employees.

With so much going on outside of work that can add stress to people’s lives, it’s important that we are doing all we can as employers to reduce stress in the workplace. Some tips to try:

Encourage employees to take timeout

Whether it’s a holiday, a long weekend or simply a lunchtime stroll to recharge. Encouraging employees to take time out will help them to manage stress and be more focussed on their return to work. Also, put processes in place so that they won’t arrive back from leave with a huge workload that will erode the benefit of a break in the first place.

Create a designated lunch area

Provide an area of the office where people can eat lunch away from their desks. Eating “al-deskco” is bad for your waistline (mindless overeating), your posture, but also your mental wellbeing as your brain doesn’t get a break. It’s far too easy to “just read that last email” as you eat lunch.

Start the conversation around wellbeing

Ask your staff in appraisals how they are coping at present. Some questions to try: “How manageable is your workload at present?”; “What helps you switch off at the end of the day”; “how do you feel about your current deadlines – are they realistic”; and crucially, “What can I do to support you?”.

Encourage your employees to talk to each other about wellbeing and stress. This will help them feel less alone and have people to turn to in the workplace during stressful times.

Always plan ahead

Where possible, allow people time to plan ahead. Don’t drop last minute, “urgent” deadlines on them. This healthy habit makes it easier to deal with new situations.

Encourage your employees to develop outside interests that will help with stress

Eating healthily (swap the Friday “treat lunch” for something healthier), increasing exercise (perhaps suggest you do something as a team, we tried Couchto5K recently), and encourage other wellbeing activities, such as practising the art meditation and mindfulness. Building consistent and healthy habits can help us feel more grounded when things get tough.

Offer flexible working

Offering flexible working, both hours and location if you can. This will improve your employees work-life balance, meaning they are less likely to bring outside stress into the workplace. It will also help to better manage their workload and reduce stress levels in the workplace.

Create a supportive and healthy work environment

Supply fresh fruit in the workplace to encourage healthy eating, provide access to mental health resources and offer stress management initiatives. All our employees have access to Westfield Health, which gives them free eye tests, access to health checks, counselling sessions and discounts on some of their everyday spending to relieve financial stresses.

It’s natural to feel stressed at times, and a little pressure can help keep us focused on our goals, but as long as that is kept at a manageable amount.

What are your thoughts? Is there anything that you do with your team that you have found works? Please let us know by getting in touch with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

About Us

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive.

If you are recruiting or are looking for your next role, get in touch for a confidential discussion.

To submit a job to us please click here, or to view our latest job vacancies, please click here.

Blog by Amy Watson – Associate Director

Amy oversees legal recruitment in Yorkshire and the North East.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the service I was provided by Eventus, specifically Amy Watson. Amy kept me updated throughout the recruitment process, ensuring that I was well equipped and providing me with the confidence required to be successful in securing a new job. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Eventus again for in the future and would highly recommend them to both friends and family.”– Liz Winchester, successful legal candidate.

Further Reading

Managing Stress Linked to Work and our Careers

8 cost free ways to reduce stress

Keeping a Stress Diary

05Nov

A look into our Recruitment Consultant Nikki’s Self Care Sunday

A look into our Recruitment Consultant Nikki’s Self Care Sunday

Sunday, the day of rest, although I must admit that isn’t how it has always been in my house. I have “Sunday Jobs”, as I’m sure many people do, which includes shopping, ensuring all the laundry is washed and dried, ironing, making sure homework is all done for the week ahead and rustling up a lovely Sunday dinner to finish up the week.

Sundays are slightly different now; I still have the “Sunday Jobs” but I look at them differently. I treat the jobs as self care in themselves and add in a few little bits to make my Sundays more enjoyable.

I usually start the day with a little bit of a lie in, maybe until around 830 – 9am as I’m not a great sleeper inner. I usually listen to some Headspace before heading downstairs to make myself a nice frothy coffee to start the day, followed by a nice long shower whilst listening to one of my audio books (currently Windswept and Interesting by Billy Connelly – highly recommended)!

Sundays are all about comfy clothes for me. After applying my favourite moisturiser and smelling of roses, I get wrapped up in my comfies.

I then like to plan the meals for the week with my 12-year-old son. As we’re getting into the winter months this includes lots of comfort food right now! Then I get my shopping list done and head out to the local supermarket. Now, I appreciate this many not feel like self-care but it is a means to an end.

Homemade cooked food is one of the best self-care tips I can give. Nothing beats preparing a nutritious meal, the smell of comforting food wafting from the kitchen then sitting at the dining table with your family and friends, enjoying each and every mouthful. Yum. It’s a great feeling.

Whilst dinner is cooking, I’ll usually get the ironing done whilst my son gets his homework finished. Again, it doesn’t sound like self-care but feeling organised for the week ahead does wonders for me. Once we’re organised, we can truly relax.

Once my chores are done this is where the self-care really comes in. We like to get the candles on, especially in winter when it’s miserable outside. Sunday afternoons involve watching the football or a movie, playing board games or golf on the PlayStation.  If we’re feeling particularly energetic, we might go for a walk. Our Sunday afternoons are for time together and for us that’s self-care. It doesn’t matter what we do, as long as its together.

After we’ve had our Sunday dinner we like to snuggle up on the sofa and watch Catchphrase, Family Fortunes or something equally silly or fun whilst sipping a hot chocolate with our blankets and maybe some chocolate treats, before a nice early night listening to a Sleep Cast on Headspace ready for another busy week ahead.

I love Sundays now I look at them differently. Yes, I have to get things done but completing those tasks feels good. The remainder of the day is spent having that rest I mentioned at the very beginning.

 

Other ideas for Self Care Sunday

• Create something

• Do some exercise

• Try something that you’ve always wanted to

• Plant something or spend time in your garden or local park

• Catch up with someone who you haven’t seen or spoken to for a while

• Declutter

• Learn a new skill

• Do that thing that you have been putting off

• Make a list of goals

• Do some mindfulness colouring in

• Watch your favourite movie or tv programme

• Listen to music

• Look through old photo albums

 

About the Eventus Recruitment Group

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive.

If you are recruiting or are looking for your next role, get in touch for a confidential discussion. To view our latest job vacancies, please click here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs and updates from us.

“I’ve worked with Nikki and Siobhan at Eventus and found them both to be, not just professional and helpful, but that they genuinely care about each individual circumstance. They listen and are empathetic and constantly made me feel like I had a good friend on my side during the recruitment process, always with my best interests at heart. I would recommend Eventus Legal in a heartbeat. Thank you for all you’ve done to help me!” – Successful legal candidate.

04Nov

Why work in Recruitment?

A question I often get asked is ‘Why do you work in recruitment?’

It is an interesting one as from early on in my career, I always had a very keen interest in recruitment. I studied the CILEX course with a law firm in Ormskirk but always knew in the back of my mind, as much as I loved studying Law, that I wanted to do something else with it.

I wanted to be a part of contributing to a firm in a different way than ‘fee earning’ and more on the side of growing a department or adding to a team. I had a really strong grasp of what works well in a law firm, what ‘type’ of people or personalities are suited to different roles etc, and so I wanted to develop this further.

From day one of starting in recruitment (5 years ago!), I knew that it was the right career move for me. I thoroughly enjoy the procedure of handling the recruitment cycle from start to finish and watching a candidate go through this process. I genuinely love every stage, the feeling of finding a suitable candidate and starting the process off with them, getting to know them and finding out what makes them ‘tick’ in their work and then setting myself the challenge of finding them their perfect role.

The reward at the end of this is simply a ‘thank you’ from the candidate or when they go out of their way to tell you how well it is going in their new job, or how happy they are that they moved. There really is no better feeling than that!

So what is the key to being successful in recruitment?

I find that the key to recruitment is being a ‘people’ person, you certainly need to have that buzz about you on a daily basis and always be ready for a chat. The job is about relationship building and after all, ‘people buy from people’. The challenges that come with this is everybody doesn’t always feel ‘buzzy’ every day, we all have our down days or when we feel more tired than usual and so it is important and challenging to pick yourself back up when feeling like that as it does then resonate into your work. That is why recruitment isn’t for everybody, but if you can succeed at it, it really is one of the most rewarding careers out there.

And then there is the client side as well. We spend time developing and building relationships with our clients in order to make sure that they know they can trust us with the development of their firm. We are representing their brand and so it is paramount that they know we will do this well and the trust is there to represent them professionally.
A great feeling is once you start developing those relationships and then clients come back to you time and time again, a very rewarding feeling that you know that you have done a good job for them!

On the whole, I think that recruitment is a very rewarding job choice. It is challenging, you have to be resilient as things can’t go well all the time, but when they do (and it is down to  hard work!) the benefits far outweigh.

The main characteristics I personally think are needed to succeed in recruitment are:

  1. Resilience
  2. Bubbly personality
  3. Organised
  4. Professional
  5. Honest

If you think the above sounds like you, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend getting into recruitment, and please feel free to ask us any questions at all by contacting us here.

Work for us

We are hiring for a Resourcing Consultant to work in our head office in Lancaster. To find out more about this role, please click here. If you have experience of working in recruitment resourcing or are a graduate, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Established in 2009 we are recruitment specialists placing talented candidates in the legal, HR, finance and accountancy sectors.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, careers advice and updates from us.

03Nov

Q&A with the Head of Eventus Recruitment Cheshire Jo Hood

Back in September, Eventus Recruitment Cheshire opened up an office in Wilmslow. Cheshire has become an incredibly popular place to work in recent years. Not only is it home to one of the busiest train stations for business commuters, the tourist attractions are becoming more and more popular and impressive. It is becoming a great place not only to live, but also to work and explore.

In this Q&A we find out the motivations for opening up an office in Cheshire, and get to know our head of office Jo Hood, who has over 20 years’ experience in Finance and Legal Recruitment.

Jo Hood Eventus Recruitment

1. Why did you choose Cheshire for an office?

It’s an area that is close to mine and Siobhan’s (Director of the Eventus Recruitment Group) heart. We worked together in Cheshire for many years. From a business perspective, it’s a really good location, it’s well situated close to the airport and for Manchester city centre. So in terms of links, it’s a really good office to get to.  Not that anyone is going to fly into the Cheshire office, it’s just a good location physically and it’s an area that Siobhan and I hold close.

2. With working from home for 9 years, what made you choose an office to work from?

From a business point of view, by us opening up an office it shows commitment and an intention to stay. It’s very easy for businesses to say “oh we cover the Cheshire area”. When in actual fact, that could be fluid, and they could cover that area now but might not in 6 months’ time. So the physicality of having an office shows commitment for the long term. From my perspective there are many advantages to be in the office, but it is still nice to be in a business that offers the flexibility to work from home whenever required too.

3. What does The Eventus Recruitment Group bring to Cheshire?

There are many recruiters out there, but Eventus brings a true consultancy to Cheshire. We will genuinely guide and advise the candidates and clients instead of just placing bums on seats. A consultant – which I believe we are at Eventus Recruitment – will genuinely guide and advise the candidates who we they are finding jobs for, as well as the clients. We are not here to make a quick buck, or to quickly fill the job by shoe-horning a person into a role. We only place people into a role if it’s right. We genuinely care about our candidates and clients. We are true consultants not recruiters, we consult with our clients and candidates in order to get the correct fit for both of them.

4. What are your hopes and dreams for Eventus Recruitment Cheshire?

Overall that we are here for a long time! I hope that Eventus Cheshire can facilitate the careers of some really good recruitment consultants and resourcers in this office.  I hope that we can provide an environment for our staff to be really happy and fulfilled in their roles.  And on the flip side of that, by us having really happy people here that will in turn facilitate our candidates’ careers.

5. There has been a lot of discussions about work/life balance recently, how do you maintain a good work/life balance?

This is a great question and I think it ties in with working from the office. Working from the office really helps as it gives absolute definition between work and home. I’ve noticed that when I go home having worked in the office I naturally switch off a lot more than I did when I worked from home. As a family, what we started to do in Covid and we’ve continued, is walking on an evening after tea. An hour’s walk helps us all with our work life balance as a family and keeps conversation going.

Now for the quick fire round…

6. What is your favourite thing to do/ place to explore in Cheshire?

Definitely walking. There are so many beautiful places to explore in Cheshire, it’s too difficult to pinpoint one location. If you have never been to Cheshire I recommend that you visit.

7. Professional, casual or tracksuit? If there were no dress code, how would you dress for work?

Pretty dresses meets rock chick – good girl grunge is what my boys call it. My favourite look is pretty dresses with leather jackets.

8. If you could have any job in the world, what would you do?

Primary school teacher – it has a lot of synergy with this job though, in terms of guiding and walking people through things, as well as shaping people’s futures.

9. If you could time travel, which period of time would you go back to visit?

Where ladies wore long beautiful dresses or before social media.

10. This one has divided the office. Are you a cat or dog person?

Neither! Babies every day.

 

About Eventus Recruitment Cheshire

Eventus Recruitment Cheshire is part of the Eventus Recruitment Group, who are award-winning specialists in the Finance, Accountancy, Legal and HR sectors. We have an experienced and knowledgeable team of industry experts, who are passionate about finding the best candidates to help businesses thrive.

If you are recruiting or are looking for your next role, get in touch for a confidential discussion. Alternatively, get in touch directly with Jo Hood, in Wilmslow, at jo.hood@eventusfinance.com.

“I had a great experience with this agency. Jo, the consultant in touch with me for the job I have applied for, really made the difference and I do believe that her advice and assistance made the difference. Very professional, always available, 100% satisfied.”– Former candidate of the Eventus Recruitment Group.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest jobs, careers advice and updates from us.

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