Candidate Testimonial: Natasha’s Journey with Twenty2 Recruitment & Consultancy

When it comes to navigating the recruitment process, it can often be daunting particularly at the start of your career. However, for recent admin candidate Natasha, her experience with Twenty2 Recruitment & Consultancy was smooth and stress-free. Let’s dive into her journey and see how Twenty2 made the difference for her.
Feeling Supported from the Start
Natasha was searching for an entry level administrative role when she came across Twenty2 Recruitment, connecting with Recruitment Consultant Jody Blaylock. From the very beginning, she felt fully supported and, more importantly, free from the anxiety that often accompanies job hunting. She appreciated the clear communication and seamless process, which made the entire journey much more manageable. Unlike applying directly to companies, she found it easier to go through a recruitment agency like Twenty2 because of the constant updates and reassurance she received. According to Natasha, “It was much better having someone manage the process for me, keeping me updated and managing my expectations.”
Why Twenty2 Stood Out
For Natasha, everything from the initial communication to arranging her interview, flowed effortlessly. “It was all very easy,” she shared, adding that Twenty2’s ability to arrange interviews quickly and efficiently was a standout point. The ongoing communication and feedback after the interview made her feel confident and prepared at every stage.
Interview Preparation with Twenty2
Interview preparation can be nerve-wracking, but Jody ensured that Natasha felt ready. Through virtual meetings, they provided tips, guidance, and relevant questions to ask her potential employer. Natasha also conducted her own research to familiarize herself with the business and their services. “I made sure to have questions prepared and felt confident going into the interview,” she said.

Recommending Twenty2 to Others

Without hesitation, Natasha would recommend Twenty2 to her friends and family. The support, clarity, and ease of communication were unmatched, and she believes other job hunters would benefit just as much as she did from working with them. “They were so helpful with everything,” she emphasized.
If you are looking for a hassle-free, transparent, and efficient recruitment process, like Natasha, reach out to the team at Twenty2 to find your next role with confidence.

Twenty 2 Recruitment and Consultancy Sponsors Stran HR Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support

Twenty 2 Recruitment and Consultancy is proud to be sponsoring the Stran HR Coffee Morning, a fundraising event benefiting Macmillan Cancer Support. This special event will take place on Friday, 27th September, at Branston Golf and Country Club.

The Stran HR Coffee Morning is an opportunity for local professionals and community members to come together, enjoy a warm cup of coffee, and support a vital cause. Attendees will have the chance to network, share ideas, and contribute to raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides essential services and support to those affected by cancer.

“We are thrilled to sponsor this important event,” said Laura Armfield at Twenty2 Recruitment and Consultancy. “Macmillan Cancer Support plays a crucial role in the lives of so many people, and we are committed to doing our part to help raise awareness and funds for their vital services.”

Join us for a morning of camaraderie, compassion, and community spirit as we support Macmillan Cancer Support in their mission to make a difference. Proceeds from the event will go directly to supporting those facing cancer and their families.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, 27th September, 9am, Location:Branston Golf and Country Club

For more information, contact Laura Armfield, laura@22consultancy.co.uk

About Twenty 2 Recruitment and Consultancy:

Twenty 2 Recruitment and Consultancy specializes in connecting talented individuals with leading employers. Our commitment to excellence and community engagement drives our initiatives, including our support for charitable organizations.

March Networking and Training for the Team

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.”

 

Line Manager Training and Networking Blog

 

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.

Get To Know Our New Recruitment Consultant

It’s National Careers Week and we’re catching up with our newest member of the team to ask her about her role and career so far. 
Jody has a broad range of experience recruiting in and around the Derby area and we’re so happy to have her onboard.
Take a look at her Q&A below and find out more about Jody.
Jody Twenty2 Recruitment
Q: Tell us about your career so far…

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!”

If you’re looking to grow your team or you’re open to work in the East Midlands, connect with Jody on Linkedin or drop us an email.

How To Find A Job You Love

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…

 

How To Find A Job You Love

 

Tip 1 – Self-reflection

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.

 

Tip 2 – Networking

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.

 

Tip 3 – Experience & Skills

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.

 

How To Find A Job You Love

 

Tip 4 – Your Values

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.

 

Tip 5 – Get Tech Savvy

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.

 

Tip 6 – Stay Persistent

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.

Check Your Brand Reputation Before Recruiting

Online reputation is a growing concern for businesses as candidates take to the web and social media to learn more about the company they are applying to. This research can sway their decision when job searching.

Our Recruitment Consultant, Laura Armfield spoke to Cheryl Morris of Creative Word PR, based in Derbyshire, to discuss the impact that positive and negative PR can have on a business and how this can affect a recruitment drive.

 

Cheryl Morris – Creative Word PR

 

Award-winning, PR expert Cheryl has 15 years of experience in journalism, giving her a unique perspective on both sides of the industry. If you want your story to be noticed online, Cheryl can offer the advice and support you need.

Equally, with almost 20 years of experience in recruitment, Laura’s insights are invaluable to any business owner or hiring manager looking to optimise their recruitment process online.

 

Laura Armfield – Twenty2 Recruitment & Consultancy

 

Read the article by clicking below and discover how your business can take steps to improve its brand reputation and hire the right candidates, faster. Learn the key reasons behind why your business should always check your brand reputation before recruiting.

Click here to read the original article.

Creative Word PR offers PR support that is reliable, honest and tailored to you. If you need a helping hand with promoting your brand in a positive, effective way online, reach out to Cheryl Morris who can support you with blog content, SEO, branding, PR and much more.

If you’re looking to hire new staff to your team, reach out to Laura directly at laura@22consultancy.co.uk and visit our About page to learn more about Twenty2.

As Seen in the Daily Express | Our UK Job Market Predictions for 2024

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.

Recruitment in 2024 | Our Predictions

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.

 

Is this the end of Remote Working?

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.

 

Recruitment Predictions 2024

 

 

What does this mean for candidates?

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.

 

Social Media & Your Brand

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.

 

Economical Changes

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.

 

 

Recruitment Predictions 2024

 

 

 

Robot Recruitment?

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.

Hiring the Right Staff for Your Small Business

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.

 

Hiring the Right Staff for your Small Business - Thinking Image

 

How?

  1. Begin by evaluating your business’s financial stability and ensure that you can afford the costs associated with an employee, including salary, benefits, and taxes.
  2. Consider the long-term commitment of hiring and whether you’re able to sustain it.
  3. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the employee you intend to hire. Determine the specific tasks they will handle and the skills required for the position. This will help you to make the right decision when it comes to hiring.
  4. Try different strategies to attract suitable candidates. Leverage your existing network, advertise on relevant platforms such as job boards and reach out to a recruitment agency.
  5. Be prepared to check a large number of CVs and conduct interviews quickly. By using a recruitment agency, you’ll only receive qualified candidates – saving you lots of time!
  6. During and after the hiring process, communicate clearly with your new staff member. Set goals for their performance and growth within the company. Provide training and support to help them settle in and align with your company’s values and objectives.

 

Why use a recruitment agency?

 

Why choose Twenty2?

 

How to find staff for your small business?

 

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.

 

Additional Resources: