The first time I read about unconferences three words sprang to mind – ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’



Those three words mean two things to me (and no doubt a lot of other rock fans) – an iconic song from the Velvet Underground debut album and an alternative music festival, which runs every year as an antidote to more corporate music festivals.



Both encompass the spirit of everything that I believe unconferences should be, and none does it better than TruLondon.



I will… Continue

We have just completed some research to find out what candidates find most frustrating in the current jobs market.



300 candidates gave their views on a number of scenarios in the current job market, and indicated whether they were satisfied or frustrated. We also asked them to grade their frustration…



The headline results are that the following had the highest percentages of ‘very frustrated’ or ‘quite frustrated’…



The overall lack of relevant job… Continue

Every morning I stop on my way to the station to get a coffee…my Soya Latte is very much a part of my commute, even in summer! I have stopped for a couple of years at one particular coffee shop (Cafe Nero, for those in the UK) initially for their loyalty scheme which basically gives you every tenth coffee free – a free coffee every other Friday seemed like a good idea!



I say initially because they started charging extra for soya milk. Other coffee shops didn’t, but I stayed loyal.… Continue

I’ve been reading some excellent forecasts for trends and developments in 2010 that certainly excite and encourage me to think that this could be a very interesting and challenging year. I’m too much of a social media and technology amateur though to try my own predictions!



I do know, however, that recruiters will need a whole different set of skills, goals and targets if they are to succeed and profit from all the predicted advancements and developments.



Building and… Continue

Candidates are the currency of any good recruiter. We get paid by a client when we deliver a great candidate, and let’s not forget that today’s candidates become tomorrow’s clients.



We need clients, yes, but then clients can also brief any number of recruiters…it’s the recruiters with the best candidates, the strongest community, who will ultimately deliver.



Yet most candidates you speak to have a common complaint…no feedback, I blogged about it before and it is something… Continue

Historically we have always seen 3rd party recruitment as a sales business. We employ recruiters who are rewarded for their ability to open doors and sell to clients and to place as many people as they can…irrespective of how they do it, and of what experience they deliver to their clients and candidates.



Social media is beginning to change that…whether on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, recruiters now have a relationship with their candidates and clients which is both visible and… Continue

There’s been a lot of debate recently about the future recruitment landscape, and how current events and technological advances will transform the way companies recruit. I took part in at least 2 separate discussions about this at London Unconference.



Certainly we 3rd party recruiters have many challenges ahead, and one the biggest, I believe, will come from the generational shift in decision makers from Baby Boomers to Generation X.



Over the last 20 years or so agencies… Continue

I had a great time at the Recruiting Unconference (trulondon) last Thursday…lots of interesting and thought-provoking debate and information. Over the next few blog posts I am going to write about some things that have had me thinking.



A key track for me was the one on Social Media…I have certainly tried to embrace LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogging over the last year or so and talk passionately to candidates about the need for them to get connected and get in the conversation. I was keen… Continue