The team are really excited to have had a successful start to the year with lots of positive changes and events taking place.
Earlier this month, our new recruitment consultant, Jody, joined the team and was quick to get involved with local networking events.
Jody attended the Nottingham-based charity, Forever Stars‘ Beyond Business networking event on the 1st of March in Beeston, Nottingham.
Speaking about the event she said, “It was great to hear how us as businesses can come together and support a wonderful charity so they can improve local hospitals and create a warm and welcoming place for families going through such a traumatic time when coping with infant loss. Forever Stars are amazing and contribute to making a massive impact on people’s lives.”
The following week, our Recruitment Manager, Laura took part in the Stran HR Line Manager Workshop, led by founder Francesca Sharp at Branston Golf & Country Club. The small group of local business leaders had a great morning learning in more detail how to handle challenging conversations with staff and promote a positive work culture.
The workshop was beneficial not only from a learning standpoint but also from a networking perspective – having the chance to connect with new and familiar faces.
Laura said, “It was lovely to be part of such a collaborative workshop and spend the morning discussing ways to be the most effective line manager possible. There were some great like-minded participants and Francesca delivered the content in such a warm and friendly way, whilst demonstrating her extensive HR knowledge and experience. I’m looking forward to the next session soon!”
Alongside attending the charity spa event, it’s been a jam-packed month for Twenty2! We can’t wait to see what April has in store.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Derbyshire-based HR consultancy, Stran HR, organised a charity spa day at Breedon Priory Health Club to support local charity, Women’s Work.
A: “I’ve been working in recruitment for nearly 6 years now covering both industrial and professional services sectors.
I began as an Apprentice Resourcing Administrator and went on to receive several promotions and recognition awards for my standout performance.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in recruitment?
A: “It gives me so much satisfaction when I successfully place a great candidate with an organisation I have built a strong relationship with and both the candidate and client are happy and excited to begin working together.”
Q: What’s a hobby you have outside of work?
A: “I enjoy going to the gym and going on walks at the weekend.”
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: “Me and my family have 4 tortoises!”
There’s the age-old saying that if you “do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Unfortunately, hearing it from a billionaire CEO or a podcast host doesn’t always have the intended effect.
But take it from us, your local recruitment experts, that finding a job you love is truly the key to happiness in all areas of your life.
If you love what you do, you’ll notice positive changes to not just your mental and physical health, but your relationships and finances too.
Now, that’s all well and good in theory, but how do we put it into practice?
Here are our top tips on securing your dream job…
Reflect on your interests, values, skills, and passions. What activities do you enjoy doing? What industries are you genuinely interested in? Research various job roles that align with these interests. Or if company culture is important to you, use this as a starting point for your research.
Connect with professionals in your desired field through networking events or even LinkedIn. Ask to arrange a chat to learn more about their career paths and gain insights into the industry. Building relationships can often lead to job opportunities or referrals.
Gain experience and skills relevant to your desired job through internships, volunteering, freelance work, or side projects. Try taking a short course on a topic you’re interested in.
This not only adds great experience to your CV but also helps you decide if the job or industry is for you.
Consider your own ambitions and non-negotiables. Write down a list of these. What do you value in your personal life? What would you like to do more of? If, for example, quality time with family is a priority, a flexible, remote or even part-time role might be ideal for you. If you’re looking for opportunities to study and learn within a role, career progression needs to be at the top of your priorities list.
Using online tools such as Indeed, CV Library and TotalJobs can give you an idea of what jobs are available right now. Setting up notifications on these apps can give you a head start on studying the latest job adverts and applying.
Another great way to utilise technology is to read what other people post on forums and social media to learn about the reality of working in your dream industry. But don’t be discouraged by one negative post – seek out a balanced review.
Finding ‘the one’ can be a tough and time-consuming process. Once we think we’ve made a decision on what path to go down, something can happen that makes us rethink our whole career. But don’t let it stop you from pursuing your dream. Remind yourself why you’re doing this and don’t give up. Good things take time (another great saying!)
If you’re looking for more advice and tailored support on your personal career path, reach out to our team. We work with some excellent employers across the East Midlands and Staffordshire to place exceptional candidates in a role they love. Could you be next?
Click here to fill out our handy contact form and take the first step towards your dream job today.
Don’t just take our word for it. Have a read of this article by Indeed all about how to find a job you love.
Twenty2 welcomed the opportunity to be part of a recent Daily Express discussion about the job market at the end of 2023 and predictions for 2024.
Our Founder and Recruitment Director, Hayley discussed the challenges that hiring late in the year can present. She adds that, despite this, businesses are often keen to hire in preparation for the new year and candidates shouldn’t ever wait to submit their applications.
Although the article was somewhat negative regarding the current state of the job market, the Twenty2 perspective stood out as a positive voice for recruiters and employers in the UK.
Our positive outlook is echoed by Adam Myers, Head of HR Consulting at Stellamar, who anticipates “a lot of optimism for recruiting and business growth going into 2024.”
Click here to read the original article.
The 2023 jobs market has seen a lot of change, especially in the last quarter and with the recent announcement of the Autumn Statement. With workers striking, job vacancies falling and wages increasing, the after effects of the pandemic and the economic consequences of this are still being felt.
But how will this change going into 2024? Take a look at our predictions for the new year including our thoughts on remote jobs, company branding and the threat of AI.
The world of remote working was embraced during Covid, but we’re now seeing a clear shift in employer mindset around working from home. Many employers are asking their remote staff to return to office working, at least on a hybrid basis. We are expecting this to continue to rise in 2024, with further emphasis on the importance of employee wellbeing and promoting a positive company culture.
Building office-based teams or bringing people back from remote working means that it’s vital that companies find staff that fit their values and work well together. We predict a rise in the importance of personality fit during the interview stages of the hiring process. Researching the company, looking at their social media feeds and utilising websites like Glassdoor can help you to understand the culture and decide if you want to be considered.
Further to this, we predict that the digital space for job vacancies and recruiters will only develop and transform further. The need to be present on social media (especially if you’re hiring) is imperative in this digital age. Building and maintaining your online brand will continue to be a top priority for businesses in 2024. For help with your company’s social media and online presence, contact our team who can offer advice, guidance and practical support.
Following the recent announcement of the Autumn Statement, we now know that big changes are coming up in 2024. This includes increases to the Minimum Wage in April and National Insurance tax cuts from January. The cost of living and job security are issues high on the agendas of candidates that we speak to, whether this will lead to potential candidates being less likely to make a job move, only time will tell. Learn more about the Autumn Statement by clicking here.
Finally, there’s the seemingly ever-present threat of AI and its impact on the jobs market. Do we think a lot will change in 2024? No, not really. Do we think that in 5 years’ time, AI will have an impact on our jobs? Yes, 100%. We know that there are a lot of flaws with AI-generated content, chatbots and automation online, so it will likely take a lot longer for AI to completely take over our jobs. So, if you’re reading an article about losing your job to a robot in 2024, close your browser and enjoy a nice long walk outside.
The world of recruitment is ever-evolving and employers can easily feel overwhelmed by the constant changes in technology, the employment landscape and the economy. The Twenty2 team are here to help you navigate this. We offer 1:1 meetings with our clients to discuss their requirements in detail and prevent any confusion around the hiring process. Ask us anything! Get in touch today.
If you’re a fully remote worker, seeing pictures and Instagram reels of office Christmas parties or roast dinners can create some intense FOMO (fear of missing out!).
But even if you’re based miles away from your team, this shouldn’t stop you from embracing the Christmas spirit while working from home.
Here are our tips to get you in the festive spirit while remote working…
When you work from home, it’s more important than ever to make sure the Christmas decorations are up! Being able to appreciate them and feel festive at all hours of the day is a huge mood booster when the gloomy winter weather kicks in.
Spice up your morning coffee or tea with a festive blend
Invest in an advent calendar that gives you a new treat every day!
Did you know that smells can boost brain activity? Treat yourself to some Christmas-themed aromatherapy to improve your mood and promote productivity this festive season. And relax at the end of the day with a calming scent to wind down.
If you can’t get together in person, arrange a virtual Christmas party where you can socialise with your coworkers, take part in fun activities or even exchange secret Santa gifts that can be posted in advance. A Christmas quiz always goes down a treat!
Using fun filters, props and costumes can bring some festive flair to regular Zoom or Teams meetings. It’s also a great way to take a festive photo of your remote team all together to share on social media.
Do you listen to music or the radio while you’re working? Make sure it’s Christmas-themed! Our top recommendations for Christmas radio are Heart Xmas (106.3) and Magic Radio (105.4). And you can also listen online or on your smart speaker!
Or if you’re more into podcasts, we love The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton – a wellbeing author sharing her insight into managing a stress-free Christmas. A very cosy, wholesome listen and perfect if you often feel overwhelmed during the festive season.
Christmas is also the perfect time to reflect on the past year and how far you’ve come. Make sure to express your gratitude for the hard work of your colleagues and team. Sending gifts or e-cards is a great way to personalise the experience.
But if you’re finding it challenging to juggle work and personal commitments, remember to take time for yourself and set those all-important boundaries.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, from the Twenty2 team!
Twenty2 are excited to be featured in a recent MailOnline article about flexible working and ‘Gen Z’ workers.
The topic of hybrid working is heavily debated and a popular, post-pandemic talking point. Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the world has seen a sharp rise in the number of workers wanting to work completely or partially from home. Businesses are learning that they don’t need to have staff in the office Monday to Friday and are benefitting from this. On the other hand, many businesses are encouraging staff to return to in-office working, sparking further debate.
Read the full article by clicking the link at the end of this blog.
There are many pros and cons of remote working that can’t be overlooked. Pros of flexible working can include increased employee retention, satisfaction and productivity. As a recruitment and training consultancy, we know that flexible working and the option of hybrid working are very desirable to most candidates and can lead to an increase in job applicants and a greater chance of successfully hiring into the role.
Reading the Mail Online article, there is a lot of discussion about the perceived negative side to homeworking. The article cites the opinions of Channel 4’s CEO, Alex Mahon who claims that Gen Z don’t want to work in an office environment and they lack the “skills to debate, disagree and work alongside people with different opinions” due to pandemic lockdowns. Whilst it is important to recognise and factor in this viewpoint when considering the option of hybrid and home working, our founder, Hayley Grange takes a more optimistic approach around Gen Z, offering a voice for young workers and an alternative viewpoint.
At Twenty2, we’re passionate about finding the role that’s the perfect fit for you and your career, whether that’s a fully office-based role, a fully remote role or anything in between. Likewise, we want to support businesses to make good, long-term hires. We know from experience that remote and office-based roles work well for all age groups and adopt an approach that is right for the individual
We pride ourselves on our honest, consultative approach to recruitment, consultancy and training working with candidates and clients to build strong and lasting relationships.
We’re able to support anyone searching for their dream role in the HR, Finance, Legal, Office Support and Sales and Marketing sectors across the East Midlands and Staffordshire. As well as offering advice and consultancy to businesses on how they can approach recruitment in a tight labour market.
Twenty2’s own Marketing Assistant, Lucy Moult, joined the team in 2021 after spending the final years of her university degree in and out of national lockdowns. She says, “It is hard to hear these negative stereotypes about Gen Z. I am happy we were featured in this article as a way of offering a different perspective on the debate. My personal experience and the wider experience of the recruitment team at Twenty2, has shown that some of the broad statements and generalisations about an entire generation are not only misguided but potentially damaging. The isolation of the Covid lockdowns arguably made me more interested in an office-based role with an in-person team but also taught me how to effectively work from home.”
Digital Marketing & Admin Assistant, Lucy recently celebrated her 2 year milestone with Twenty2
To summarise, flexible working is not an age-based issue. All generations have differing preferences and reasons for wanting to work from home, be in the office full time or adopt a hybrid approach, as do the businesses looking to recruit. The idea that Gen Z views office work as an “inherent negative” is simply untrue and could potentially lead to businesses missing out on top talent.
Our team are here to support you or your business whatever your working preferences. Looking to hire office-based employees or searching for a hybrid opportunity? We’re here to help. If you’re based in the East Midlands or Staffordshire area, reach out to our team today.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Growing your small business can feel daunting and risky, making hiring the right staff paramount.
Taking something you’ve spent so much time perfecting, from business plans to product development, to now handing part of it over to an employee or team. Ensuring you assemble a group of people that share your vision, passion and commitment is key to the success of your business.
While the process may seem daunting, we are here to guide you through every step, providing insights, tips and strategies to help you make well-informed hiring decisions that align with your business objectives.
Hiring the right people easily creates a positive work environment, boosts team productivity, and contributes to business success. We understand the challenges that small business owners face in a competitive job market which is why we have curated this list to equip you with the tools you need to begin growing your company.
Let us help you explore your next steps toward effective recruitment and retention.
Get in touch with our team of experts if you’re looking to grow your team and take your business to the next level.
Twenty2 operates across the East Midlands and Staffordshire areas, specialising in the Finance, HR, Accountancy, Legal, Sales and Marketing sectors.
