Do you waste your time and your staff's time at Meetings?

Have you ever attended a meeting and instantly come out frustrated at the time that has been wasted?  This will be a good read for anyone who has, or for anyone who has ever caused an employee to feel this way.

The general goal of a business meeting should be to address current issues and updates within the company in an informative way, and notify colleagues of any future plans of action.

Think about who your audience is.  Everyone in attendance should benefit from being at the meeting.   For some reason, many companies get a bit too excited when sending meeting invites out to employees and instead click ‘send to all.’ All of a sudden the manager of the sales department suddenly finds himself in a meeting that is concerned with the creative advertising of the company.  Although it may be an interesting meeting, where biscuits and tea are on sight (if you’re lucky!), it is important to remember that a meeting should never be called if the decision can be made by an individual or a selective few.  Be specific and only invite key people.

The Success team attended the Chelmsford City Showcase for Businesses late last year where we were giving a talk by communication speaker Nick Looby on how meetings should resemble hyper-efficient pit stops, which are designed to make both a worker’s job and the outcome of the business better.  The pit-stops should contain a high level of productivity and instructions should be clarified.  Everything spoken about within the meeting should also be agreed on with a key focus placed on the new call for action; this is where people are told what to do with the information they now have. 

Nick stressed that the power of knowledge can only be exploited once the power of action is discovered.   And when it comes to meetings, we couldn’t agree more!

Why it’s important to meet your recruiter

As recruiters, we can only step into the shoes of match-maker once we know who we’re dealing with, right? Offering a service that is tailored to a candidate or client requires us to listen and learn about what your requirements are and from there we can begin to discover the best for you. This can only be achieved by gaining information that is more insightful than a phone conversation could ever offer (or a CV).

An informal discussion with candidates will allow our experienced recruitment consultants to understand your short and long term goals that could subsequently affect the jobs we short-list for you, making the pursuit for your dream job more precise.

A large majority of employers prioritise the culture fit between their company and employees highly. This is why we jump at the opportunity to go down and visit our clients at their place of business. It allows us to see how you operate and the style in which an employee is expected to work. From the perspective of a candidate, meeting with you will give us the chance to explore your personality- something that is hard to do when relying solely on a black and white document.  From there, we can pair you up with a job that is compatible and refer you to clients because we know you.

Building a relationship with our candidates and clients is not a chance for us to escape our desk duties, if anything; it’s an opportunity to make what we do at the desk even better! 

Do you have a lucky mascot?? We do!

“Holly the Lucky Mascot”

If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, then this little face should be quite familiar! It’s Holly, our lucky mascot! And also our famous team member who earns quite a living racking up Facebook likes.

It’s a great feeling walking into the office and seeing a jumpy cheerful dog, and I guess we’re not the only ones that enjoy some canine company on a Monday afternoon; research has proven that employees are happier when there’s a wagging tail in the office, and employee stress levels are often reduced.

If you have a pet at home, why not bring him or her into work? (With your manager’s approval, of course!) and embrace the happiness that your hairy friend will bring!

Are you prepared for job interview success?

Is your alarm clock set…and the snooze button deactivated?  Things to do before an interview:

·         Re-read over your CV to familiarise yourself with what you have noted down as achievements and valuable experiences.  It would be very unprofessional to be offering answers that do not correspond with your CV. 

·         Dress for success.  You would be surprised at how much the way we dress speaks volumes and influences the opinions of others.  In most cases, an interview outfit should be smart from head to toe.

·         There will not even be an interview if you don’t turn up! Set your alarm clock nice and early, giving yourself enough time for last minute preparation and to reach your destination.  Always consider traffic, as well as the possibility of public transport delays.

·         Catch yourself 50 winks.  The night before your interview, make sure that you allow yourself a nice long sleep so that you are refreshed and on best form for your interview.

·         Most interviews allow for a role reversal, which gives you the chance to ask the interviewer questions.  This is where most candidates get stuck and decline the opportunity.  But it is always best to have a relevant question at hand.  It shows that you are excited at the prospect of working for the company and take a keen interest in what they do.  You could perhaps enquire about the history of the company or the team that work there.  Just be careful not to ask anything that you should already know.  So check out the company’s website and social media networks beforehand!

·         Interviewers love asking their candidates what their Strengths and weaknesses are. This is your time to boast (tastefully) and share with them what qualities you have that would benefit the company- try to back up statements with examples.  When it comes to discussing your weaknesses, speak of them in a positive light.  For example, if you take pride in attention to detail which subsequently means that you can sometimes spend a lot of time on one task, say how you take great care in the quality of your work and how you are unhappy submitting work that is not of a high standard.  Never go in to an interview and say that you have no weaknesses, because everyone does.

·         Mock interviews are essential in the preparation of an interview.  Ask a family member or friend if they could ask you questions that are likely to be asked in the interview so that you can get used to answering them and build up your confidence.  Don’t make yourself a script to memorise because you want your answers to come across natural on the day, but the extra practice will help you.

·         Research. Going into an interview should be seen as a school project, in which you hope to be awarded an A+. With every great essay comes thorough background research.  Before you get into the interview, you should already know key facts about the company- when were they established? What is their mission statement?   It would be advisable to study their website to have a general impression of the company.  It may also be worth researching the job sector they operate in and where they stand in regards to competitors. Linked in is also a great chance to see your interviewer’s background and again mention you have looked at their profile during the interview.

·         It’s okay to ask ‘what happens next?’  If the interviewer doesn’t inform you of the next steps within the recruitment process, ask whether all candidates, whether successful or unsuccessful can expect to hear from the company at a later date.

·         Last but definitely not least, turn off your phone!  Having your phone ring in an interview will definitely not make a good impression. Make sure any electrical devices are switched off, and if possible, left in a different room.

When 9am meetings become an all-day event

Stand out from the crowd

Once being offered your new job, if you continue to work as hard as you can, then there is not much that could go wrong.  Show your employer that you are dedicated to your work and can produce results.  On completing all of your tasks, why not ask those around you if they need any help.  It’s not about being people’s ‘skivvy’ but it just shows that you are capable of being a team member and you are willing to contribute to the success of your team.

I started my career within recruitment over 10 years ago now and started as a Trainee which involved making cups of tea, keeping the office clean and tidy and answering all the telephones but having the passion as I do to ensure everything I do is to a high standard it was soon discovered I could offer more to the business! I was promoted several times within 3 years and eventually promoted to a Branch Manager which made me the youngest manager in the business! What a great achievement for someone who had no experience of the industry some years back!!

Hard work and dedication goes a long way and now as a business owner myself, employees that go the extra mile will be remembered at times of promotion, salary reviews etc! We have a number of candidates that look for jobs because they feel undervalued so a word of advice would be that you look after your employees that work hard! Why lose someone who is a hard worker to a competitor in the future?

#NEWSFLASH: Award Ceremony Announcement!!

Having won the title of ‘Highly Commended New Business’ last year, we are proud to announce that Essex Business Awards have shortlisted us to represent the following categories this year:

• Small Business of the Year- An award open to small businesses, including sole traders who employ fewer than 11 people.

•  New Company- Companies who have started operating in the last 1-3 years, and who shown significant progress and evidence of success against targets set.

The Success team are honored

to be considered for both awards, and we have our glam dresses at the ready for what we’re sure will be an evening full of celebrations!

We look forward to keeping you all updated on the night’s event.

All you need to do is ASK!

Ask, ask, ask!

It is important to understand that your employer won’t expect you to know everything, so if a situation arises where you are confused or need guidance, ASK!  Asking questions on your first day will help you to familiarise yourself with the company and help you to understand what is required of you. Every company is different, with varying cultures so make sure you're observing and asking the right questions so that you can tailor your methods to suit them.  However, make sure you’re also listening! Asking a lot of questions is understandable when starting a new job but you won’t make a good impression if colleagues have to keep repeating things to you. It’s a great idea to write things down so invest in a good pen and pad!!

As a business owner, I would rather an employee ask than to ever guess, get it wrong and have a detrimental impact to the business. From training various employers in the past the most frustrating thing is when someone says Yes, Yes to everything you tell them and within an hour they are asking the same question – remember everyone’s time is important within a business and to ensure everyone works well having an open door policy for questions is great, at the same time having the initiative to write things down when you are told is even better and trying to remember J

Success Recruit welcome Lian Van-Der-Kwast to the team!

Hi Lian, 

Q) How does your current role differ to your previous roles in recruitment?

My current role as a Relationship Manager is very different to my previous role, as here at Success I get to meet all of our candidates’ who we submit to our clients, it allows me to get a better understanding of what they are looking for in their next career move, plus I can pair them up to other opportunities’ we have. A Relationship Manager keeps in contact with all live candidates on a weekly basis to find out how their own job search has been going, doing this enables us to know who is active in the market and to build relationships.

Q) What attracted you to Success Recruit? 

I was attracted to Success as isn’t like other recruitment agencies, they truly listen to each of their Clients’ and understand exactly what they are searching for in their next employee, they also mirror this when speaking to candidates and understanding their requirements too. Knowing this information allows Success to place a candidate within a job role which is right for both them and the client. In addition, I wanted to be a part of an upcoming business and really wanted to utilise my London experience to help promote Success and to be an integral member of the team.

Q) What has been the most challenging obstacle you have had to face since being at Success Recruit?

My most challenging role I’ve had to face so far at Success is within my first week I had to get a group of 6 temps ready for a placement in Clacton, making sure all paperwork was filled in correctly and sent back to us, at least 2 references on each temp and all ID was scanned in.

Q) What attributes have you been able to bring to your new job role?

Having had 2 ½ years’ of recruitment experience in London I already knew how recruitment worked and what processes I had to go through. I feel this gave me an upper hand as I already knew how to speak to candidates and help them with their job searches. 

Q) What has been your highlight of being a Success Recruit team member so far?

My highlight of being a Success Recruit team member so far is within 9 days of beginning my career I landed my first placement. This was a real achievement for me as I’d not been at Success long and knew the importance of placing the right candidate within the right role for both them and the client.

Q) Tell us one interesting fact about yourself

One interesting fact about myself is that I enjoy exotic foods, the strangest thing I have ever eaten is Sea Urchin with my father. From a young age I was always taught to try things once then make up your mind if you don’t like it. Let’s just say it’s safe to say Sea Urchin is one food item I shall never eat again!

Success Recruit's #nomakeupselfie for Cancer Research!

It is likely that the #nomakeupselfie hashtag has made an appearance on your social network feeds this past week.  In an attempt to heighten awareness for Cancer Research UK, millions of women across the nation have been uploading bare-faced pictures of themselves.  So far, the trending phenomenon has raised an impressive £2million- and donations are still being made!

At Success, we were happy to ditch the foundation and eyeliner for a day, in support of a charity whose endless hard work is to be admired.  

Why not get involved! 

The art of preparation

I’m sure you are familiar with the well-known phrase ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’, a phrase appropriate from as early on as childhood, being told to pack your school bag the night before so that you didn't  forget your reading book.  Well this phrase still remains relevant even up until now, be it preparing for meetings, work appraisals, not to mention the preparation that stands in between you and your dream job.

Preparation before a job interview should entail background research into the company because it gives the impression that your decision to apply for a role at their company was a well thought through decision. It also shows the interviewer that you believe that your qualities and previous experience would complement the company, rather than just mass producing your CV and covering letter and sending them out to a number of different for pot luck.  Find out how long the company has been established for, what their mission statement is, and so forth. Most of this information should be located on the company’s website, have a look!  It may also be worth conducting research around the job profile you are applying for, as well as finding out about current trends and recent news within the job sector.

Prep should also involve you staging mock interviews.  This is where you pre-formulate questions that you anticipate will be asked.  The majority of interviews usually involve you having to discuss your strengths and weaknesses, so be sure to have some examples at the ready.  At the end of the interview, employers tend to give you the chance to ask any questions at, so prepare a response that is related to the job or to the company. 

An interview isn't just about what comes out of your mouth; an employer wants to see that you are a well presented candidate. So give those shoes a good polish, and have your outfit ready the night before. The dress code for an interview is usually dependent on the work environment, but in most cases, formal attire is the preference.  

On the day of the interview, be sure to leave plenty of time for your journey.  You should aim to be at the interview 15 minutes before you’re scheduled time. And make sure all your electronic devices are switched off!

Best of luck! 

Hire the best!

Hiring the wrong person for a job is always such an inconvenient.  Not only is it a waste of time, both for the candidate and the interviewer, but it can be costly too! A strong interview process will make sure that you get the best possible analyses of an interviewee to prevent you from choosing the wrong employee.

Skilled interviewers:

·         Ask questions that are specific- You tend to get those one or two candidates whose nerves results in them doing a lot of waffling.  Or the candidate who is so keen to make a good impression that they start talking about school achievements when asked about their last previous role . Specific questions will eliminate the problem of candidates going off topic, and will help you later on when you compare the answers of each candidate interviewed.

·         Ask questions smartly- There is a big difference between asking the right question and asking the question right.  By asking follow-up questions , you are giving the candidate a chance to expand on their answers, which in turn gives you the opportunity to conjure up a more in-depth view of the candidate.

·         Be human- There is already a clear hierarchy of authority in place in an interview room.  Try not to make this even more obvious, as this will only create distance between you and the interviewee.  If you offer a relaxed, yet professional setting, the candidate will feel more comfortable answering questions honestly and not feel the need to mask facts in an attempt to match your professionalism.

Our HR workshop will be taking place on Tuesday 18^th March 2014 from 8.00am – 10.00am and will be a great opportunity to hear some more useful advice and tips on what questions should be asked during an interview to produce the most effective results so that you can hire confidently! Book your place now!! http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/myevent?eid=10187494069

All eyes on you!

Congratulations! You got the job! But do not for a second think that the spotlight has left you.

Ever watched a real belter during an x factor audition then anxiously await their live performance to see whether they are able to live up to expectations?  Well this is somewhat the position you may find yourself in once offered a job, and now faced with ways to prove to yourself and your employer that you were indeed the right candidate for the job.

Out with the old, in with the new

Whether you had the title of ‘late bird’ at your old place of work, or maybe you were known more for your chitter-chatter, with your new job, you will need to quickly become accustomed to the new work environment. So be prepared to eliminate all of your previous bad work habits so that you are in sync with the new company.  It helps to identify the high achievers that you can learn from and mimic their performance.  

Time to communicate

It is always nice to get to know the people you are working with, so take time out to find out who your team members are.  Work lunch breaks are a great opportunity for you to get to know your colleagues and to find out who does what within the company.  Having a smile on your face (even on a Monday morning) will make you come across as friendly and approachable, and people will quickly welcome you in as part of the team, allowing you to quickly lose your title of newbie.

Newfound success!

Yes, there is a lot to take in when starting a new job, but don’t panic!  Overthinking things will cause you to be stressed and will hinder you from performing the best that you can.  Instead, take each day as it comes, perfecting your new skills.  Relax.  Remember, you were successful in getting the job so you obviously have great potential, so unleash it!

Go the Extra Mile!

It is important to have a can do attitude and be happy to help in your new position anyway that will benefit the business! Always ask for extra work if you have completed what has been asked of you!

Good luck in your new job! Show them you have the X Factor and who knows what the future will hold for you!!

#NEWSFLASH- Success goes Global!

Our recruitment consultant Ellie Dempster has been given the very exciting task of filling an international vacancy! Although Ellie will not be boarding British airways any time soon, our client’s request to have a French speaking personal assistant has seen Ellie broaden her search criteria and have relations with a variety of candidates who may satisfy such a particular requirement.

It’s only a matter of time before she starts greeting the office with a jovial ‘bonjour’!  

“I don’t know how to make tea. I'm an intern.”

Can an Intern really benefit your business??

YES!! They can!! At Success Recruit we have been lucky enough to have a second year intern support us with all marketing and creativity around the business…. Please read Gabriella’s story below on how she views her experience that she has gained over the last 3 months with us.

“I don’t know how to make tea. I’m an intern.”

With a summer spent congratulating friends who had graduated and been rewarded with credible degrees, I was devastated to hear of the trials the majority of them were facing when it came to finding a graduates job.  The prospect of life after uni became increasingly daunting when I returned back to university and accessed an inbox that had been bombarded with leaflets and newsletters reporting on how some new grads could only secure jobs in retail, as well as the staggering figures concerning student debt.  One solution to help dilute this fear was the reoccurring suggestion of finding a work placement.  I can remember during secondary school when getting work experience bagged you a ‘well done you!’ or ‘that’s excellent news’ from teachers, but at the same time you’d also receive a few raised eyebrows and smirks from people who would cheekily offer you advice on how to make a good cuppa or tell you to start reading up on ‘A Dummies guide on how to photocopy.’  But in today’s world where employers have discovered the potential and value that an intern could bring to their company, be it for two weeks or longer periods spent training them for a future role, work experience is now greatly upheld as a training scheme that should be compulsory rather than optional.

Having been under the mentorship of my colleagues at Success Recruit for roughly three months, I would firmly advise students to actively pursue the role of being an intern.  Engaging in the rituals of a 9-5 work schedule has opened my eyes to see things that a textbook is inadequate in teaching.  The endless academic theories and concepts we are encouraged to read about can only be truly understood when used to compliment the practicality that is needed in a work place, and the same goes for the ability to transfer workplace knowledge to our studies.

The admirable qualities that radiates from the team at Success only inspires me to want to work harder so I too can be as dedicated to a job I love and am passionate about; their dedication and hard work is contagious, and leaves me feeling as if I’ve been a Success team member ever since the company had been founded! I have had the pleasure of accompanying the team to business seminars and also had the chance to engage with clients and implement fresh marketing strategies.  This year, I also helped welcome Success’ new blog. Writing blog posts has been one of my many highlights, as it has allowed my creativity to flourish, whilst also helping with the company’s search engine optimization (SEO). The duties I have fulfilled whilst at Success are all things that are impossible to attain when relying solely on lecturers and case studies, yet, will play a major role when I dump my title as ‘university undergrad’ and fill the bigger boots of a white-collar professional.

I have also had the opportunity to contribute towards, and attend the launch of Success’ first ever networking session, ‘Success in the City!’ I have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to heighten my networking skills and indulge in great conversations with business owners from varying fields.

It is undisputable that my time at Success Recruit will provide as a blessing when the day comes for my CV to be scrutinised by recruiters of marketing companies, who when shortlisting candidates, will see that my free time has been productively spent working within the industry.  Some apprentices even get to side-step this stage because they would have already been offered a more permanent role after their brief stint as an intern.

In the jobseeker’s marketplace where nearly one in ten graduates are unemployed, it’s becoming even more clear that university is more than mastering the skill of Harvard-style referencing or having the local takeaway’s number on speed dial for those anticipated library all-nighters.  It is about engaging in experiences that can set you apart; and from my time as an intern, I’ve realised that learning comes in two forms- theory and the practical, and both are needed to help make the inescapable process of job hunting that little bit easier.   

Although this will be my last day as an intern, I am delighted to share with you that I have been offered an ongoing role and will still remain a team member at Success Recruit; so I look forward to expanding my marketing knowledge further and being part of a team that exudes enthusiasm and hard work.

To hear more about my internship experience, you can click on the following link to watch my YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1AICpqJh78

#NEWSFLASH - FREE NETWORKING IN CHELMSFORD

After hosting three great networking events, we are eagerly awaiting the fourth session of Success in the City!  

It has given local business owners the chance to engage with individuals varying from different industries in the relaxing setting that the Bay Horse offers. 

Success in the City takes place every other Monday, from 5-7pm. We intersperse our networking events with guest speakers who provide expert knowledge and advice. With a room full of wise professionals, it would be a shame to miss the chance to expand your connections for 2014.

Success in the City networking dates:

      Monday 24^th February

·        Monday 10^th March
      Monday 24^th March 

Valentine's special with Success!!

Who needs flowers or jewellery when you can have job success?

Relationships can be difficult at the best of times…but it doesn’t help when your relationship is unable to talk back and is just waiting for the ground-breaking moment in which you say ‘it’s not you, it’s me…’ (or something along those lines)

No, we’re not talking about the relationship you have with your partner; we’re referring to the spark that has withered out of the relationship you have with your job.  With Valentine’s Day now upon us, it would be a good time to reflect where you stand in terms of yours. If the spark has left and the fiery candle has blacked out, you may be in need of Cupid to strike his love arrow further afield.

Research conducted late last year by business magazine Forbes showed that more people hated their jobs than loved it! Unfortunately, many people are attracted to the salary package of a job, and therefore find that a sense of passion is absent.  A relationship based solely on materialism will never see you fulfilled. Your job may be able to buy you all the scented candles and roses in the world, but does it bring you joy and happiness? There should be more to your job than just the pay.

Of course, you need to make sure that you take time out to really evaluate your decision to leave your job before packing your bags and taking the leap of faith.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the grass will be greener, because you might find yourself at a job which just takes takes takes, with no giving.

Remember, a relationship operates on a give and take system. You need to be prepared to dedicate time and effort to your job search. A structured plan will always help, and will give you something to refer back to and remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. List the things you disliked about your previous job, and make sure they don’t appear in your future job search criteria. Make a separate list of your skills and qualities and make sure they are in-line with the job titles you shortlist. You may find it beneficial to undergo the necessary training/qualifications that will improve your desirability for your new career.

If you have thought long and hard about changing jobs and it is something you are truly set on, identify what career path you would like to go in, making sure that your skills and personal qualities are both compatible. However, never commit to a relationship until you are ready- Work experience and networking with people who are in the job you are pursuing will give you a great insight.

Going in pursuit of your dream job may at first require baby steps to be taken, but always remain focused on your overall ambition.

There may be times where rejection hits you and the feeling of being dumped leaves you questioning why you ever left your old job in the first place, but you need to keep persevering and remember that you are working towards something better- a job that brings you more smiles than tears J

#NEWSFLASH Happy Anniversary Ellie

Celebrations in the office today as our recruitment consultant Ellie Dempster reaches her landmark one year birthday with Success! After walking through the Success doors a year ago today, Ellie’s vibrant character has been infectious and her hard-working attitude has contributed greatly to the performance of Success.

Happy birthday Ellie and here’s too many more years!

(Surely this is a reason to indulge in some chocolate cake?)

Mondays

Find a job you love!

MONDAY!!

Monday means the weekend is over!

Monday means a full five days of work now commences!

Monday means that the dreaded 9am starts begin, and that's without considering the morning hustle and bustle of packed tube trains sandwiched in between commuters exhaling their coffee breath.  And on top of all that, and yes, it could get worse, you are spending an average of 40 hours a week at a work place you absolutely hate, where every day is a Monday! Sounds familiar? Well you are not alone!

A high number of people find themselves doing a job they do not enjoy, and therefore sadly never get to experience what true job satisfaction is.  But it doesn't have to be like this, honestly.  Just imagine for a moment that work, doesn't actually feel like work...

Of course every job brings its own stresses, but why spend the majority of your life doing something you absolutely hate?  If you find that your motivation for going to work has gone, or was never even there to begin with, why not discover where your true passion lies in and work towards getting your dream job.

Job fairs are a great opportunity to find out what the many different job sectors offer and the entry requirements.  Job exhibitions are advantageous when it comes to networking with business owners and speaking to representatives from highly reputable companies.  The internet is also a great resource when it comes to researching job titles.  There are so many jobs out there that go unheard of, yet there may be one that matches your personality and desires exactly!

And who said work experience was only for teens?  Nowadays you can find all ages partaking in on-the-job experience, as it offers a valuable glimpse into what life is like in the particular job role; and if you would like to pursue a career in the field, you can get advice or ask whether they have any apprenticeship schemes.  Or maybe you just want a challenge and would like to advance yourself within the same company?  Your company may have a HR team that are able to advise you on the relevant opportunities that will allow you to progress within the company, albeit promotional opportunities or a change of job role. 

Taking that first step to changing your job can be daunting, but you’d be surprised at how far determination and a strong action plan could take you, and it will all be worth it when you can wake up and go to work with a smile on your face.

At Success we would be happy to offer you advice and support on your next job search! We are honest and will always let you know if we can help!! If we can’t we know a lot of contacts within various industries and recruitment companies that can and are always happy to refer you on!

Going for Gold

With the recent buzz surrounding the glitz and glam that is the Golden Globe awards, we thought it would be a great time to announce Success Recruit’s recent award success. Although our team doesn’t behold the acting talent of Kate Winslet or Sandra Bullock, we are always glad to be recognised in the field that we are most passionate about- recruitment.  At the beginning of January 2014, we were awarded a GOLD title of best for recruitment in the South East, best for administration and secretarial recruitment agency as well!  We were also honoured with a SILVER award for our marketing and PR recruitment support. Both our new silver and gold medallions are being proudly displayed in our reception area.

We won’t even attempt to compete with Halle Berry's famous five minute award winning speech, but we would like to thank you all for your continuous support and we look forward to a year of more success!

Welcome new faces into your circle

Welcome new faces into your circle

This Monday saw the launch of our first networking event, ‘Success in the City’.  Thank you for all who attended! It was a great turn-out and we enjoyed the company of business representatives from varying industries. Having moved to our Chelmsford office ten months ago, we found that there were a number of local businesses within the area and the question was asked: how well do we all know our neighbours?

Whether you are a start-up or a well-established firm, networking offers great scope to meet and connect with new people.  It's almost like getting free education, you will come into contact with people who can give you expert advice on a field you had no prior knowledge on, or maybe some useful industry hints and tips based on their own experiences.  After all, no one knows everything, so a little guidance should always be welcomed.  Many network attendees even go on to find their business mentors  at networking events, when they engage in conversation with someone and realise that their company, or maybe even their personal life could benefit from receiving coaching.

Networking also opens the door for employers to find new employees because the majority of conversations usually involve asking the person about their work background, you may find that there is a chance for mutual benefit if you are looking for growth and there is someone who is able to offer you this without spending any money even!  

I have taken to the motto of one of Monday's attendees who told me that ‘no conversation is ever wasted’.  Although initially no immediate benefit may come from networking, every conversation has the potential to build your brand and market your company. You never know the person you are talking to may know someone who knows someone who knows someone, who may need your services, so always put your best foot forward. The most successful networkers always have their professional head screwed on when socialising, which in turn allows them to gain new business and form long-term relationships.

Success Recruit has been trading for 18 months and it is fair to say we would not be where we are today if we had not attended various networking events in and around Essex. There are so many different types of networking groups as well from informal events where you can turn up and socially network with a drink to more formal events where you pass referrals and spend one to one appointments with individual business – both add huge value to a business!

If you are reading this and thinking, I am shy and don’t feel comfortable walking up to a stranger then I would really advise to push yourself out of your comfort zone!! We all have at Success as none of us were classed as “networkers” before we worked here! Everyone once had to go to “their first networking group” and everyone would have been nervous so people understand and will always make you feel welcome!

Why not experience the success that could come of networking if you haven’t already and sign up to attend a local networking event? And for those of you who work in the Chelmsford area, why not start your weeks off with Success in the City at The Bay Horse in Moulsham Street?