Jim Gervaise Brazier's Posts - RecruitingBlogs2024-03-28T16:23:47ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazierhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1526990102?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1i1t68lam3pxu&xn_auth=no"I am not here to make friends."tag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-07-19:502551:BlogPost:17278312013-07-19T11:30:00.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p><a href="http://www.recruitingblogs.com/page/human-resources" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557518244?profile=original" width="225"></img></a> I have heard people say this in recruitment many times. It sounds like the kind of vacuous horse dung that comes out of the mouths of people who go on the apprentice and think that they are there because they are good at "business" and not just because the producers have deemed that they would make great TV (Really? surely not). The apprentice is a reality TV show, just like X factor. It is there to…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.recruitingblogs.com/page/human-resources" target="_blank"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557518244?profile=original" width="225" class="align-right"/></a>I have heard people say this in recruitment many times. It sounds like the kind of vacuous horse dung that comes out of the mouths of people who go on the apprentice and think that they are there because they are good at "business" and not just because the producers have deemed that they would make great TV (Really? surely not). The apprentice is a reality TV show, just like X factor. It is there to increase ratings. </p>
<p>This is the news Gordon Gekko, you are not a trader. Recruitment is a service industry not just a sales industry, it is no longer 2005. You are here to make friends. To make friends with as many people as possible, both candidates and clients. You are here to develop relationships, build trust and provide people with a service. Then you will be successful. What do people hate as a quality more than anything in a service industry? Arrogance. If you make friends and develop relationships you will fill jobs with happy people. </p>Canvas calling. Is it the way to get business in 2013?tag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-05-03:502551:BlogPost:16987972013-05-03T10:30:00.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p class="yiv1112133761MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367252140059_78359">Morning all, more of a rant than a blog. This morning I am rushing to jump on the tube, I am expecting a potential offer from a top client. My phone started ringing, it was a withheld number. I rush back up the steps at Stepney Green tube station out of breath pressed the green but and answer “JGB Partners” the voice on the other end “Hi Jim, how are you today? Would you be interested in outsourced RPO services?…</p>
<p class="yiv1112133761MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367252140059_78359">Morning all, more of a rant than a blog. This morning I am rushing to jump on the tube, I am expecting a potential offer from a top client. My phone started ringing, it was a withheld number. I rush back up the steps at Stepney Green tube station out of breath pressed the green but and answer “JGB Partners” the voice on the other end “Hi Jim, how are you today? Would you be interested in outsourced RPO services?</p>
<p class="yiv1112133761MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367252140059_78361">“ ARRRRRRRRGGHHHHHH” I just missed the Hammersmith and City line, I have to wait another 15 mins. Do I want to ever to ever ever ever use that company that made me miss the tube? No. Am I now furious, late and negative towards RPO’s? Yes.</p>
<p class="yiv1112133761MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367252140059_78365">It made me think, how many recruiters are out there doing exactly that to how many clients every single day fighting for that one scrap of business and how likely are they to get it by calling and annoying busy people and, worse, being pushy. Does this make them feel the same way about recruiters as I feel about RPO’s today? Does this method of business development still work? I guess people have to start somewhere by building relationships but is this really the way?</p>RFP Writers: Still some of the toughest roles to filltag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-04-04:502551:BlogPost:16851352013-04-04T10:39:19.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19898">I have been recruiting into Asset Management for nearly 9 years now, I have seen good times, bad times, average times and some down right terrible times but one thing is always constant. There just aren’t enough experienced RFP Writers out there.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19913">RFP writing in the past, at some organisations was seen as a “copy and paste” job. It was an area that people seemed reluctant to get into or work in.…</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19898">I have been recruiting into Asset Management for nearly 9 years now, I have seen good times, bad times, average times and some down right terrible times but one thing is always constant. There just aren’t enough experienced RFP Writers out there.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19913">RFP writing in the past, at some organisations was seen as a “copy and paste” job. It was an area that people seemed reluctant to get into or work in.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19902">Now things are different, with preservation and growth of AUM being absolutely vital to Asset Management firms in these tricky times the RFP team is often one of the most critical teams in any business.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19903">I have seen salaries increase by 100% in this area over the last 5 years. You can’t say that about many other areas of Financial Services. Still , we recruiters struggle to find people willing to do this role. Even though it can give you exposure to all areas of a firm, particularly the Fund Managers themselves.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19904">Any Distribution specialist recruiter will tell you that a good solid RFP writer looking for a move is an almost guaranteed placement.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19905">I recommend any graduates out there wondering which area of Asset Management to get into to have a serious think about RFP writing. At the right firm it is a rewarding and lucrative career path.</p>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365016957648_19907">On that note... does anyone know any good RFP writers? Send them our way!</p>How to get into Banking, Asset Management, Hedge Funds or any Financial Institutions. The first step.tag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-03-28:502551:BlogPost:16816952013-03-28T14:09:50.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p>The question that I hear the most from people every day is “How do I get into Finance?”. Pre 2008 pretty much anyone could get into financial services if they wanted to, be it an operations role at a custody house or in an investment bank, or even at a hedge fund. There were hundreds of recruiters making thousands of pounds filling these roles. If you had OK GCSE’s or the odd A level here and there you were fine. If you wanted to transfer from a different career to FS, as long as you had…</p>
<p>The question that I hear the most from people every day is “How do I get into Finance?”. Pre 2008 pretty much anyone could get into financial services if they wanted to, be it an operations role at a custody house or in an investment bank, or even at a hedge fund. There were hundreds of recruiters making thousands of pounds filling these roles. If you had OK GCSE’s or the odd A level here and there you were fine. If you wanted to transfer from a different career to FS, as long as you had good transferable skills it was fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now, even for an operations role at entry level, in order to go through an agency you need to have a 2:1 or a 1<sup>st</sup> class degree in a finance, economics of a maths based subject and at least one internship at a financial institution. You could always get a job at a dodgy land-broker phone selling to people during Eastenders but that isn’t really going to help you out long term. There is a reason why people who work in those places for longer than 3 weeks look hours from death.</p>
<p>But, it is not 2008 anymore (thank goodness) and the times are beginning to change again. My advice to anyone looking for a career in FS after leaving school or university is to work exceptionally hard, get A’s in everything, get firsts in all of your assignments and apply for internships everywhere you can during the holidays.</p>
<p>The other option is to move to Scotland or Manchester where some of the larger firms have moved their call centres and operations divisions. We do the best we can to help everyone out, but to get into Financial Services nowadays you need to have really worked hard at school and university to get a look in. Apply direct to everywhere you can and follow every application up with a phone call. Through friends and personal networks is a good way too!</p>
<p>People will very rarely come to a recruiter to fill a junior job nowadays. Do your research, be realistic and be as flexible as possible.</p>Don't shoot the messenger.tag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-03-21:502551:BlogPost:16785442013-03-21T10:00:00.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p><em><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557512338?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557512338?profile=original" style="padding: 4px;" width="250"></img></a> The most important thing to consider when applying for a job in Financial Services. (Don't shoot the messenger)</em></p>
<p>Morning all, 3 weeks into the launch of of our Financial Services division and one thing is more apparent than ever. Clients are more demanding now that they have ever been. When applying for a role you have to have exactly the experience that the…</p>
<p><em><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557512338?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557512338?profile=original" width="250" style="padding: 4px;" class="align-left"/></a>The most important thing to consider when applying for a job in Financial Services. (Don't shoot the messenger)</em></p>
<p>Morning all, 3 weeks into the launch of of our Financial Services division and one thing is more apparent than ever. Clients are more demanding now that they have ever been. When applying for a role you have to have exactly the experience that the client is looking for or they will not even see you.</p>
<p>I like to call this the whisk / food mixer scenario. You go into a shop to buy a food mixer. The shopkeeper says OK, no problem, here is a whisk. You say I wanted a food mixer, I don't need a whisk, I have loads of whisks. The shop keeper says, but the whisk is cheaper and it can do pretty much the same thing. You say, I haven't got time to whisk everything shopkeeper, that is why I came to you to buy a food mixer.</p>
<p>In this scenario, we, the agency are the shop keeper. I always do my best to help people and sell people in on their merits and transferrable skills but the bottom line is that the client has asked for something very specific and that is pretty much all that they will pay for.</p>
<p>Things are looking up however! There are more jobs available now than than I have seen since 2008. Things are definitely getting better but clients are even more demanding than ever.</p>JGB partners launches Financial Services divisiontag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-02-28:502551:BlogPost:16690132013-02-28T09:22:52.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557510133?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557510133?profile=original" style="padding: 5px;" width="250"></img></a> Good morning everyone,</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>We are delighted to announce the launch of our Permanent and Temporary Financial Services division. The last six…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557510133?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557510133?profile=original" width="250" style="padding: 5px;" class="align-left"/></a>Good morning everyone,</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>We are delighted to announce the launch of our Permanent and Temporary Financial Services division. The last six months have been unbelievable and we cannot thank you all enough for your support. We have built a Digital Media and PR Recruitment business starting from scratch, going on to be on PSL with several of the world's top firms and placing more people than we could have imagined. We could not have done this without your support. You know who you are and a special JGB Partners thank you goes out to you.<span> </span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>It is with great pleasure and total confidence that I now hand the reigns of the Digital and PR Division over to Christie Sproule who, having been involved from the start, is extremely well qualified to handle this area. Meanwhile, I will begin building the Financial Services area. Anyone who knows me well knows of my background in Financial Services Recruitment, particularly Asset Management and Hedge Funds but also Brokerage, Banking and Commodities. As of today I will be operating in this space again, re-connecting with old friends and contacts.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>Going forward, JGB Partners will focus on a range of areas: Operations, Distribution (Marketing/RFP and Client Services), Performance, Finance, Executive Support, Risk and Compliance. We have extensive experience in these areas but, as ever, if we can't help you we will always happily send you in the direction of people who can. For example, while we don't yet operate in these areas ourselves, we have excellent connections in Change Management and IT recruitment.<span> </span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>We will be offering the same high level personal and confidential service as always. You can see why at JGB Partners we are different. <a href="http://jgbpartners.com/images/blog/jgb-partners-usp.pdf" target="_blank">See our USP's here</a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>We look forward to working with all, including clients new and old. We are passionate about this business, and eagerly anticipate finding more great jobs for great people. Give us a call on 020 7253 5563 or e-mail <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy75405%20=%20'jim'%20+%20'@';%20addy75405%20=%20addy75405%20+%20'jgbpartners'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy75405%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy75405);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=/'display:%20none;/'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" target="_blank"> </a><a href="mailto:jim@jgbpartners.com">jim@jgbpartners.com</a><span> to get in touch.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557506599?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>Also, we have a brand new JGB Partners website <a href="http://www.jgbpartners.com" target="_blank">here</a> - check it out, maybe we're biased, but we think you won't be disappointed!</p>
<p></p>Nothing says 'Hire me' like 'Thank you'tag:recruitingblogs.com,2013-02-14:502551:BlogPost:16641292013-02-14T11:06:58.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557505967?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557505967?profile=original" style="padding: 4px;" width="200"></img></a> A very simple interview tip. How do you feel when you open a door for someone and they walk through it? Now how do you feel when you open a door for someone, they walk through it, turn and say “Thank you very much, no one opens doors for people anymore”. You feel good don’t you?</p>
<p>Well exactly the same goes for interviewers. They are definitely overworked, that is why…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557505967?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1557505967?profile=original" width="200" style="padding: 4px;" class="align-left"/></a>A very simple interview tip. How do you feel when you open a door for someone and they walk through it? Now how do you feel when you open a door for someone, they walk through it, turn and say “Thank you very much, no one opens doors for people anymore”. You feel good don’t you?</p>
<p>Well exactly the same goes for interviewers. They are definitely overworked, that is why they are hiring! They have taken time out of their day to potentially open a door for you. What happens? You say thank you, shake their hand and walk out. That is it.</p>
<p>A friend from the USA sent me an interesting article about this. <a href="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18e1uuthi8zgapng/original.png" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>.</p>
<p>It takes no time at all to send an email or a note thanking someone for their time and expressing your interest.</p>
<p>Not in a scary stalker way! Just a brief note to say “thank you for seeing me. After our meeting I am even more keen to work for you because…….”</p>
<p>It takes 2 seconds and could change your life!</p>
<p><strong>In JGB partners news, our new website launches early March, we are very excited!</strong></p>
<p><b>Read more JGB Partners Blog posts <a href="http://jgbpartners.com/jgb-partners-blog" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></p>12 Top CV Tipstag:recruitingblogs.com,2012-12-13:502551:BlogPost:16339482012-12-13T17:01:45.000ZJim Gervaise Brazierhttps://recruitingblogs.com/profile/JimGervaiseBrazier
<p>In the first part of the JGB Guide to CV's we give 12 top tips to getting your CV right.</p>
<h2>Part one – 12 Top CV Tips.</h2>
<h3>Think about what you are opening yourself up to:</h3>
<p>If you are of interest to an employer they may well decide to check out your online presence. Take 5 minutes and Google yourself, what comes up? Is it all good? Make sure your Linkedin profile says the same as the CV you have just sent them, make sure that anything personal on Facebook or whatever social…</p>
<p>In the first part of the JGB Guide to CV's we give 12 top tips to getting your CV right.</p>
<h2>Part one – 12 Top CV Tips.</h2>
<h3>Think about what you are opening yourself up to:</h3>
<p>If you are of interest to an employer they may well decide to check out your online presence. Take 5 minutes and Google yourself, what comes up? Is it all good? Make sure your Linkedin profile says the same as the CV you have just sent them, make sure that anything personal on Facebook or whatever social media channels you use is locked down and clean. Remember if you can find the video clip of what happened at that Christmas party 2 years ago, so can an employer!</p>
<h3>Short, sharp and to the point:</h3>
<p>Usually a CV should be no more than 2 pages of A4 paper. But consider that the average read time is a scan of 20 – 30 seconds, so you need to be clear and concise with your layout. Bullet points are a good way make things easier to digest. Print it out and glance read it. Are all your salient points there to be seen by a casual reader? If not change it.</p>
<h3>Proof read as well as spell check:</h3>
<p>“During my time at Global Multicore I was complemented on increasing sails 40 % threw my hard work.” Nothing wrong with that says Mr Computer! Getting somebody else to read through what you have written is a must. It is astonishing what your eye will miss if you know what it is supposed to say.</p>
<h3>Get the order right:</h3>
<p>Will go into this in depth in the next part, but long gone are the days of putting your academic qualifications first, these days you should, after your name, go straight in to a personal profile or personal statement. Employers want to be able to work out the kind of of person you are as much as possible, given that they are likely going to receive a plethora of CV's with very similar qualifications and seemingly little to choose from them on that alone, your personal statement is your main way of standing out.</p>
<h3>Talking of personal statements:</h3>
<p>When writing this, take these things into account: Consider your achievements rather than responsibilities.Try to avoid obvious CV clichés and and let the text flow as naturally as possible. Once again, brevity and succinctness are the order of the day, try and 'sell yourself' in under 5 lines, you can go into depth further into your CV if you need to.</p>
<h3>Hit your target:</h3>
<p>You should go over your CV every-time you apply for a job and change the content specifically to the application, tailoring the text should become second nature. Generic CV's will not show you at your best and can look like you are not that interested, and, after all, if you expect the company to treat you like an individual, you should treat them the same.</p>
<h3>Seriously, don't lie:</h3>
<p>Putting yourself in good light is one thing, out and out blatant lies is another, just don't do it. These things will always come back to bit you on the backside. Vagueness is also a CV crime. If you have a 2.2 degree, then put that, leave it vague and an employer is more likely to think you got a third than a first!</p>
<h3>Think about the keywords:</h3>
<p>This is mainly for submitting your CV online, but it is really relevant. Recruiters use search terms when looking for applicants, so your CV needs to include all things that you are looking for in a direct way – 'Middleweight Graphic Designer' for example, directly written is going place you higher in results than 'Design skills to a middleweight level'.</p>
<h3>Mention specific computer skills:</h3>
<p>Right, first off no one cares that you can use internet explorer or safari. If you can’t then you shouldn’t be allowed out in public on your own. What they do care about is relevant skill sets. You remember all that time you spent using SPSS at university? Unless you are in a research role it would have been better spent in the union bar. What we need is relevance. If it is a tech role, and I am not a tech recruiter so I am no expert, make sure all of the detail is there. Advanced (add program here) etc. Make sure you have all of the Microsoft functions labelled specifically. Particularly Excel - everyone loves Excel. If you have macros and pivot tables mention it! Don’t say advanced Excel if you only use it to work out your monthly bills. You will be found out. I am only joking but remember what I said previous, people search for words on CVs . If they need macros, you have macros but they aren’t on your CV it won’t come up in a search! Oh, also, do a typing test. Put your typing speed in!</p>
<h3>Keep it up to date:</h3>
<p>It easy to forget when something cool work wise has happened, so write down any work achievements etc, as soon as they happen and 1: you won't forget it, 2: your CV will be a lot less hassle to update when you need it!</p>
<h3>Make it compatible:</h3>
<p>Consider the format that you send it out in, if it is a Word document, there is no harm in sending it as an older .doc rather than .docx – just in case the company you are sending to has old software, and cannot open the .docx file. PDF's are great from the point of view of compatibility but not good in terms of search engines, so don't use them for ANY online submissions. Try to avoid Microsoft Works or Apple Pages files, as these create specific files that most people cannot open.</p>
<h3>Are your interests interesting?</h3>
<p id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355316039831_1610">Really, putting that you like eating, going out and reading isn't saying anything – you might as well put you enjoy breathing and being conscious! Again, this section should be about what makes you different and distinct from the rest, if you do something interesting then put it, if not maybe leave this section out. Also, you DO NOT like Travelling! That makes it look like you are going to up and leave in 6 months! Never mention supporting a specific team! What if you are a Spurs Fan and the employer is Arsenal? or worse - Man United / Man city!</p>