As a recruitment consultant or headhunter for the financial services industry in the United Kingdom I get the feeling we're a little behind in comparison to our friends in the States with regards the power of web marketing. Its been widely acknowledged that the financial services industry at the moment is suffering, not just in the UK but across the western world. Candidates are getting harder to pick up as they are bombarded by consultant after consultant, historically large scale employers are no longer recruiting with the free abandonment they did last year. We need to try new things to get the same results. I know its now a global market but with a regulated market like the British banking industry and the standardized UK qualifications required, is the effect of the web diminished for UK Recruiters? And how can we use it to get the best results?

Of course, every FS recruiter in Great Britain uses it as a valuable resource to advertise job roles and every company has a website but how else should we use it to get brand recognition in the market we operate in? With the economic climate in freefall, conversely more and more financial advisers and regulated sales staff are being displaced and the market is contracting at a scary rate. We need to get our message across, 'Use a Recruiter'. Whether client or candidate, the value of a professional, skilled in finding the right role or the right staff, especially with the market awash with advisers of varied skill and qualification, is immeasurable.

I need help from someone with UK specific knowledge of the banking industry or financial advisory arena who can give me an idea of how much value, not just in terms of revenue, the web has to the recruitment market in the Uk. So, any ideas?

Wayne Clist
XL Recruitment