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| the word |
| the latest PR and communications career news |
What's the worst job interview you've ever had? The one where the interviewer walked out half way through? The sixteen stager? Or perhaps the one where you were asked whether you had 'a problem with food'?!
Nope, we couldn't believe some of the responses to our interview survey either and it seems that whilst many organisations and agencies are shining examples of best practice when it comes to securing the hottest PR and communications talent, there's still an appalling amount of shabby - bordering on illegal - interviewing techniques around.
Welcome to 'the word'!
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| the news |
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The best (and worst) interviews ever...
Multi-lingual interview panels, on the spot writing tests or presentations, interviewers leaving midway through (!) and almost missing international flights: when it comes to bad interview experiences, you've had them in spades according to the results of our interview survey.
Other clangers included: the interview room being double booked with rehearsing musicians (the interview went ahead regardless); an interviewer eating a cheese roll between questions; one respondent being interviewed for the wrong job; another kept waiting over an hour whilst another interviewer was so relaxed he wore no shoes throughout!
It wasn't just interviewees who could learn a thing or two about the interview process. Of the 175 communications and PR professionals polled, almost half each from consultancies or in-house, over 100 shared their insights and gave advice on how organisations and agencies could get more out of the procedure, providing a valuable blue print on 'how (and how not) to hire'.
Key findings: The 'ideal' interview would be 1-3 hours long (32.8%) and would provide the candidate with a clear view of the specifics of the role (83%), working environment (60.6%) and team structure (44.6%). 69% of those polled would be interested in company credentials in PowerPoint format, ahead of a standard company brochure or annual report. A whopping 94.3% cited meeting team members as an important part of the interview process.
Other findings:
The best: Whilst there's no prizes for guessing that interviews where candidates got the job were cited as 'the best' interview situations, other reasons for candidates giving a big thumbs up included: those where interviewees got to meet potential colleagues as well as management; where the interviewer was well briefed and allowed the candidate to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to their best potential - often 'discussions' elicited more illuminating responses than traditional Q&As; where the interview was a two-way exchange, allowing the candidate to learn about the business culture and role as well as interviewees being assessed on their suitability and; where good feedback was provided, either at or post interview. Respondents cited 'hearing more about the job (54.3%), the interviewer's personality (45.7%) and the interview getting the best out of the candidate (45.7%) as the top three things that attracted them to a prospective employer.
The worst: Perhaps most telling of all was that many respondents had been asked a question they felt uncomfortable answering, some of which seem to cross the line when it comes to legality. Top of the interview question flops were personal questions (ie marital status, family planning etc), but others included asking financial or political questions about current employers or clients. It seems the 'good cop/bad cop' scenario remains a firm favourite when it comes to corporate interview techniques but is almost universally poorly received from the other side of the interview table. Other interview no-no's were: lengthy, drawn out procedures - the record was 16 interviews for one position, irrelevant questions and hostile, confrontational interview styles - several candidates mentioned lodging complaints following their experience. Providing no feedback, particularly after written tests was also viewed very negatively. The top three things respondents cited as putting them off joining a prospective employer in an interview were the interviewer's personality (52%), the lack of future prospects (45.7%) and poor interviewer/questions (36.4%).
Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your valuable insights. The results will inform our planned industry workshops to help clients improve their interview technique. For more information about full and half day training workshops and costs please calls us.
Technology roles up by 50%
Could this be... wait for it? signs of returning market confidence? Less apathy? More ambition! Whatever the reason for the 50% increase in the number of technology roles coming online, we're not knocking it and, we suspect, neither are you. Other reasons to be cheerful:
- Certain corporate and financial consultancies are finally coming back with replacement roles for the first time since last year's meltdown.
- Increasing movement at junior to mid level.
- Increase in freelance assignments over the last two months.
- Retail, food & drink, technology and media sector in-house roles increasing.
- Fewer candidates registering recently have been out of work due to redundancy. In corporate and financial PR, for example, 41% were out of work due to redundancy in May/June '09 compared to 0% in June/July '09.
It's not time to pop those champagne corks yet, however. There are still around half the amount of job opportunities available compared to this time last year, so be warned! Competition is fierce...
Swine Flu Pandemic, or Panic? Beware the coughing colleague
It's been a week since Swine Flu metaphorically crossed The Works threshold (luckily, our afflicted colleague had the sense to stay home and is now fully recovered).
In the space of that week, however, it's been interesting to note that the threat to the NHS's ability to cope with Swine Flu is not because of the illness itself, but the fear of it.
In what's one of the biggest communications challenges of the day, the Government is working hard to quell the 'panic pandemic' in which hordes of 'unnecessarily anxious' people threaten to swamp GP's surgeries and health departments.
From behind our hankies we're watching with interest how the story (and the lurgy) develops...
Scroll down to 'The Rest' to find out more about proposed legislation changes as a result of the illness.
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| the rising star |
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PR Week's Powerbook described him as a "heavy hitter, doing serious work for serious clients, and one to watch," and it's clear from Andrew Robinson's profile that this month's rising star has achieved an immense amount in a relatively short amount of time.
Read on, be inspired...
Name: Andrew Robinson
Position: International Director, Board
Company: Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Can you summarise your career path to date? I began my career in Hong Kong with Gavin Anderson & Company; after four years learning the ropes on some great accounts including The Coca-Cola Company, Philip Morris and Morgan Stanley, I returned to the UK to work in Financial PR at Citigate. Starting in the Broadcast Unit, I worked my way into the Corporate team as a Director, leaving seven years later to work at Biss Lancaster.
Describe your role: I manage a team of 12 consultants working on corporate and government campaigns targeting a diverse range of stakeholders. I advise clients including BAe Systems, Standard Chartered Bank, The Government of Portugal and AirAsia.
What's been your career highlight to date? My work with Tony Fernandes, the CEO of AirAsia is constantly challenging and equally rewarding. Airline PR is not easy even when the economy is good, and the range of issues you have to deal with each day is immense. Advising the Portuguese Minister for Economy has been a real eye-opener into how far Government communications strategy has evolved over the past 3 years to cope with the financial, energy and environmental crises.
And your greatest challenge? As a manager, working with (Chairman) Tony Carlise at Citigate was unforgettable. Perfect was just about good enough.
What advice can you offer to other comms professionals who want to get ahead in the current climate? Whatever you are doing, do it very well!
How do you feel about what you have achieved so far in your career? To be working in an agency I am proud of, doing interesting work for great clients and still learning a great deal from my Chairman, Graham Lancaster - this is where I wanted to be at this stage of my career.
What recent current affairs issue are you most interested in, and why? Watching how the expenses scandal has swept beyond Westminster into the rest of the UK shows how powerful the media can be. It feels like open season on anyone with an expense account, except journalists obviously.
What challenges are you facing in your current position? Staffing always presents a challenge, finding good executives is hard work. Biss Lancaster invests a great deal in training staff, but many firms don't make the investment, leaving execs to learn on the job. It's not sustainable for companies to ignore training junior staff.
Do you have an unusual, impressive or inspirational career path? Are you able to offer sage career advice to other communications professionals? If so, we'd love to hear from you! To nominate a colleague or be featured as the next 'rising star' yourself, contact us at: sarah@the-works.co.uk or tel. 020 7559 6690. Alternatively, click on our website at: www.the-works.co.uk
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| the soapbox |
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You wouldn't rock up to an important job interview wearing a bin bag so why do the shooting-yourself-in-the-foot-equivalent on your CV? Considering it's such an industry standard, an essential marketing tool that is the first step in getting your foot in the door of a potential employer, we're constantly amazed (or should that be aghast) at how many people get it wrong. Whilst we love reading CVs, we have our pet hates. Here are just a few...
- photos especially those with a 'come-hither' look
- omitting your current place of work
- coloured fonts and backgrounds
- 8 page CVs = cross eyes and headaches for the recipient
- long, wordy paragraphs
- CVs written in the 3rd person
- pompous profiles
- typos which should have been proofed
How to get a recruitment consultant to pick up the phone straight away aka 'The Works' CV wish list'
- one or two pages
- clear and concise
- highlight key achievements
- an interesting and relevant profile
- include client names and what they do
- chronological order with your most recent experience first ? you would think this is obvious, but you'd be surprised!
- degree results ? organisations will assume a 2.2 or third unless otherwise specified
- engaging (but not too whacky!) interests?this does not include "reading and socialising with friends"
Are there any recruitment or communications issues that you'd like us to focus on in coming editions? Any burning issues? Let us know at sarah@the-works.co.uk or tel. 020 7559 6690. Alternatively, click on our website at: www.the-works.co.uk
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| the rest |
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Legislation changes: Additional sick leave for workers with Swine Flu
As the number of people struck down with swine flu reaches epidemic levels in London and the West Midlands, and predictions of millions being affected come autumn and winter, it has been reported that the Government is considering allowing people with swine flu to stay off work for 14 days before requiring them to obtain a sick note from their GP. Currently, the period is seven days.
Under current rules, employees are only allowed to be absent for seven days, inclusive of weekends and bank holidays, before they are required to get a doctor's note. In light of the swine flu pandemic, the Government is proposing to allow victims to take two weeks off before any proof of illness is required.
Business leaders are concerned that workers could take advantage of the relaxed rule and see the change as a "freedom pass" to taking time off. However, a spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We don't want people to feel obliged to leave the home or return to work when they are still unwell or put an unnecessary burden on GPs in a pandemic. Contingency plans therefore include the possibility of extending self-certification to 14 days for a limited period." (The Times, 11 July 2009)
Credit crunch PR - How to make every penny count
With British communicators working on restricted budgets, Sarah was asked for her advice about 'how to make every penny count' by Corp Comms Magazine.
Click on http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/news/412-every-penny-counts to read the article in full.
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| the job |
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Here's just a few of the top job opportunities we currently have on offer. For more, click on the link www.the-works.co.uk/08/works-recruitment-job-search.html
- Director - financial PR
this entrepreneurial consultancy means business ?neg + equity
Ref 2414
- Associate director
global consumer clients at prestigious consultancy ?neg
Ref 2463
- Associate director
corporate variety & impact at hot shot consultancy to ?70,000
Ref 2435
- Associate director
build new corporate revenue stream with strategists to ?62,000 + performance bonus
Ref 2456
- In-house PR manager (Europe)
asset management expertise for FS provider c?50,000 + bonus
Ref 2464
- In-house corporate communications manager
food glorious food - West London to ?45,000 + bonus
Ref 2470
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