Light relief

This is definitely NOT the sort of behaviour we condone but we all need some light relief during a recession eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWbg4-dw1g

Key Skills around the world

To those lucky recipients of Key Skills apparel (hats, t-shirts etc) we are calling for a international photo extravaganza, have you picture taken in a foreign place (outside of NZ) wearing your Key Skills gear to be featured in the Christmas calendar.

Getting social

Key Skills are joining the social revolution by creating a page on Facebook. We encourage both temps, past candidates and employers to register as a "fan" for regular updates. Search for Key Skills Recruitment and you are bound to find us.

We are also available to talk to via Skype "key.skills"

Check out Ailsa's business credentials at http://www.linkedin.com/in/ailsamcgavin

Key Skills wins!

It may not be the grammys but we were very grateful to Natalie from More FM when she arrived this morning at our office in Lower Hutt with scones the size of frizbees and a tub of very creamy Mainland Butter soft. With that and the movie tickets Beccy won last week from a business card draw we reckon we should buy some extra lotto tickets!

http://www.morefm.co.nz/

http://www.mainlandbuttersoft.co.nz/about.html

Trademe agrees

Demand for flexible workers up

The number of permanent job vacancies has gone backwards at a rate of knots over the past year. In contrast, demand for part-time & contract workers has remained relatively robust, representing 18% and 19% of all advertised jobs on Trade Me Jobs respectively. With an uncertain outlook, it makes sense for employers to opt for a more flexible workforce. Ref. Trademe Jobs May Update newsletter, Fri 15/05/2009.

CV gold

Times are a changing!! We are being asked more and more to be given full histories of everyone we have registered with us by our employers and potential employers.

This means full, accurate CVs, skills summaries and references.

We realise that many Candidates have seen CVs as unnecessary as historically work comes through referrals and word of mouth but as I said at the beginning... times are a changing!

We can supply a blank CV format for anyone that has never made one of these up, if you don’t already have one this could be a good guideline. As the competition for available positions becomes tougher these will become more and more important to get your foot in the door, I can’t stress enough that time taken to do them thoroughly now will be well spent.

Applying for jobs

This is a contentious issue when unemployment is high but one we at Key Skills Recruitment have been analysing and debating about regularly over the past 3 months.

Firstly it should be noted that the number of people applying for jobs we advertise has risen sharply. Our vision is that everyone applying to our jobs should receive an answer, we hear all too often that recruitment agencies often fall down in this area.........but......... one Construction position recently advertised produced over 924 applications! There is a huge amount of working in replying to all of these before interviews are even arranged and references taken.

We will NOT fall into the same bad habits as our competitors however we make an appeal to everyone applying for positions to ensure their application is as accurate a match to the job outlined as possible. If you would like to know more about the job before sending your CV then call the consultant responsible, they will be friendly and as open as possible about the position.

Employers are being more discerning than ever about who they see for interview or accept for a temporary position. They are demanding that any CVs presented to them are a very accurate match to the skills profile they outline. They are much less likely to accept someone that for example is looking for a career change or a new start.

Please do not see this as discouraging, there is a job out there for everyone!