Uncategorized - Kestrel HR

12th July 202412th July 2024

Before you hit the beach…

Did you know that September and October are often the busiest months for recruiting?

If you’re planning to hire new staff after your summer break, let us help you get ahead of the rush by starting the process now. We can assist with job descriptions, adverts, and more.

Reach out to us today, and we’ll get started right away.

5th February 20242nd February 2024

How Apprenticeships can shape tomorrow’s workforce

Apprenticeships combine on-job training with off-job learning and are fast becoming a popular alternative to uni for many younger people. Yet what exactly are the benefits for employers in embarking on this method of recruitment. Read on to discover eight reasons why your business should consider getting onboard.

Tailored Workforce – Apprenticeships allow employers to tailor training programs to meet their specific needs, ensuring that apprentices learn the skills and knowledge required for the business’ operations.
Cost-effective Recruitment and Training – Most businesses have access to Government-funded grants to cover some or all the training costs, and apprentice pay rates can be lower for the first 12 months. You may already be paying an ‘apprentice levy’, which you might as well make use of.
Retention of Talent – Apprentices on a programme are less likely to leave during the period of study, and those who complete their programmes often feel a sense of loyalty to the company for investing in their training. This can lead to higher retention rates and reduced turnover costs.
Increased Productivity – Skilled apprentices contribute to increased productivity in the workplace. As well as this, they can bring fresh perspectives and up-to-date knowledge, for example, digital skills, which can often be lacking in the workplace.
Succession Planning – Apprenticeships help employers develop a pool of talented people who can potentially fill higher-level positions in the future, aiding succession planning.
Improved Company Reputation – Investing in apprenticeships demonstrates a commitment to workforce development and social responsibility. It can enhance the company’s reputation, making it attractive to job seekers.
Diverse Perspectives – Apprenticeship programmes can attract a diverse pool of talent, bringing different perspectives and backgrounds into the workplace, which can be beneficial for creativity and problem-solving.
Compliance and Standards: Apprenticeship programmes are designed by employers within the sector, therefore they align with current industry standards and practises, and ensure the apprentice is armed with the best knowledge and skills. They may even be able to help upskill existing employees.

While there can be an initial investment in recruiting and training apprentices, the long-term payoff is a highly skilled and loyal workforce, contributing significantly to the business’ success and growth for the future.

If you’d like to find out more about the ins and outs of recruiting an apprentice, and discuss how to make best use of the funding available, please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.

2nd January 202421st December 2023

Make Sure Your CV Stands Out from the Crowds

With competition for job vacancies being so high, the thought of having to write a CV that stands out from hundreds of other applications can be daunting.

Here are some top tips to help ensure yours catches the eye of the recruiter, and doesn’t get chucked straight on the rejection pile:

The most important thing to remember is that your CV is designed to just to get the interview, not the job. You want the reader to want to meet you, and when they do, you can shine.

Tailor your CV to each role you apply for. The bones will stay the same, just make sure that the knowledge and skills an employer is looking for are mentioned first. It’s hard to reject an application that evidences the qualities the advert says they are specifically looking for.

For the CV itself…

Ensure it is up-to-date, clear and to the point
Limit it to 2 sides of A4, 3 at the most.
If you’re using a template, avoid any complex designs which could distract from the content
Choose a font that is easy to read, for example, Arial or Calibri, using size 10-12
Your name and contact details should be centred in bold, in a header
As an intro, research the role and summarise briefly, in 2 or 3 sentences, what relevant skills and experience you could bring to the company
List your work experience in reverse order, with most recent at the top. Ensure you explain any gaps. Include the Company name, dates (month and year) you were there, and a brief summary of role and responsibilities. Be specific when highlighting any achievements, using stand-out stats rather than over-used phrases/adjectives
List your education and any qualifications that are relevant to the role
If you have a LinkedIn profile, include the link, as this could highlight any professional experience and achievements, as well as connections you have. Remember, as well as enhancing your reputation, social media can also damage it, so be mindful of what you post
If you wish to include hobbies or interests, put at the end, and keep it simple. It can give employers a small insight into your personality, and they may use it to break the ice/relax you during the interview.
Proof-read before pushing send, checking for typos and grammar, and make sure the layout is consistent

If you’d like to chat through your CV, whether it’s writing for the first time, or updating to make it stand out from the crowd, please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.