Have you an interview scheduled? Congratulations! – Now it’s time to prepare, and we’ve got you covered. Our team of experienced recruiters gave their top tips to help you impress your interviewer and get the position you want.

Remote Interviewing

In the current climate remote interviewing is far more common than in person, before you sit down to begin your interview here are some tips to ensure you make the best possible impression. Make sure you test the link you’ve been provided with and ensure your laptop is compatible with any software they might need for it as well as familiarising yourself with that software rather than in real time, especially if you are doing any interactive coding or whiteboarding. When something like that goes wrong, people often get flustered and make mistakes.

It’s also important not to dwell on anything you got wrong or didn’t know. It can play on your mind for the rest of the interview, instead just accept it’s happened and do your best for the rest of the interview as it may not be as costly as you think.

If you’re interviewing in person, make sure you have left enough time in your journey to get there in-case something goes wrong. First impressions count, so try your best to arrive on time.

Star Method

Using the Star Method throughout your interview is valuable, for those unfamiliar with this term it stands for;

S = Situation (What was the situation?)

T = Task (What goal were you working toward?)

A = Action (What action did you take?)

R = Result (What was the result of your action?)

In preparation for an interview, take time to develop responses to anticipated interview questions. STAR is a structured approach to answering interview questions, responding to interview questions with STAR examples can help illustrate your fit with the opportunity. With just a little preparation, and practicing this method you’ll soon view this style of answering as a great opportunity to emphasise your qualifications and skills.

Research the company

Before your interview, find out as much as you can about your interviewer(s) – anything that might help build rapport, this is one of the best ways to become a stand-out candidate during the hiring process.
Always remember to research the company values, you should know what the company looks for in a qualified candidate, this enables you to position yourself as the best candidate for the position. They’ll be marking your answers according to how you’ve demonstrated those same values. Don’t forget the first impressions are huge, 90% of people make up their mind about a person within the first 90 secs of meeting them so make that first min and a half is a good one.

Back up your points

When talking about your experience try and talk about it in terms of deliverables or outcomes instead of just spewing out buzz words. In order to stand out in a competitive job market you have to describe your skills more specifically and explain to the employer how this is useful to the business. Try using an actual scenario that happened with data to support your points, as this will make you speak more fluid with confidence as it was a real event.

Ask questions at the end

Always have some questions to ask at the end of the interview. By asking the interviewer questions, you’ll able to walk away from the interview with a better idea of whether or not the job is a good fit for you, while also showing the employer that you’re engaged in the process and that you care about the position.

Finally, finish the interview by summarising what you like about the company and the opportunity and feel free to ask if the interviewers have any reservations.

Technical Pairing Exercise

If you have a technical pairing exercise here is a list of our top tips in preparation for it;

1. Make sure you fully understand the problem you’re trying to understand – ask as many questions as you need and don’t make assumptions.

2. Talk through your thought process – that will help them to understand your logic and they can steer you in the right direction.

3. Pair programming is supposed to be collaborative. Interviewers will chip in with help and ideas, so let them. Don’t interrupt and actively listen to their advice.

For more interview advice or to discuss your hiring needs, contact one of our team of experienced recruiters today to see what we can do for you, and good luck!

When negotiating a pay rise, it is critical you don’t approach your meeting unprepared. A lack of research will lower your confidence and will likely result in an outcome you’re disappointed in. It’s extremely important to know the market value of your role, understanding your contribution to the company, and having a clear idea of what you want, is essential for a successful negotiation.

Market Research

Start by researching your market and understanding how your current salary measures up against the average in your sector. There are several ways of doing this;

Use an online salary calculator, based on industry averages, to show you what you can reasonably expect to be earning.
Research open roles available with your job title, to see what other companies typically offer to candidates with your skills, experience and location- Check our job page for open roles.
Contact recruiters, they are experienced and will have a strong idea of what businesses nearby are willing to pay. Reach out to our team of experienced recruiters to discuss salary rates, so you can ensure that you are getting paid what you deserve.

Performance reviews

Keep track of your accomplishments and check every month or every one-to-one with your manager to see how you are performing against your target i.e., are you below, on, or above target. Is there anything that you can improve on? Get as much of it as possible and record it somewhere.

Keeping a record of this throughout the year is important for when it comes to appraisal time, you can say to your manager – ‘this is how I’ve performed against my target, this is how consistent I’ve been, and I’ve done everything asked of me.’

Building a Business Case

Once you have your records of your successes, be clear about the value you add to the company.

Don’t forget to highlight the key skills you possess that are in short supply, or otherwise entirely missing in your organisation. The more you can prove that you are indispensable to the business, the more likely you are to land that pay rise. Have you had any recent training or qualifications you have completed? Identified a new tool or process to drive efficiency? Been praised by clients or senior management for the quality of your work?

These are all major factors with building your business case, and most importantly be confident and prepared with data to back up your points.

For more career tips, browse all of our advice here or get in touch with one of our expert consultants to discuss your career options.

Get in touch today:

https://www.trg-uk.com/
enquiries@trg-uk.com
020 7382 8100

We’d like to wish all of our clients, candidates and employees a Happy International Women’s Day!

This year, March 8th 2022, the theme has been announced as #BreakTheBias.
The values of this years theme are explained as, “A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”

To celebrate such an important day of the year, we sat down with the amazing women in the office, and asked them to share their insights in to their everyday and work life, biggest inspirations, and any advice for women trying to land a role like their own.

First up, we have Salsabila Saika;

What is your role at trg.?

I’m a Delivery Consultant for trg., and I’ve been here for 6 months and I’m loving every minute of it.

What is your favourite part of your job?

There are so many elements of the job I love it’s difficult to pinpoint just one. But if I had to, it would be speaking with different people every day, learning about them, their experiences, and different skills. It’s such an interesting part of the job.

Who inspires you?

My mum, she’s my biggest hero and inspiration.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love scuba diving whenever I’m abroad, and I’m a huge fan of karaoke. I’ve been in a choir since I was young, so any chance I can get to sing I’ll take it as it’s my passion.

Any advice for women looking to get into your position?

Reach out to hiring managers, work hard, be confident, and above all know your worth.

Next, we spoke to Beth Hillman;

What is your role at trg.?

I’m the Operations Manager, and I’ve been with trg. for 6 years and counting.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Definitely the people. It’s so important to work with people you like and I consider myself really lucky that I get to work with a team that I enjoy spending time with in and outside of the office.

Who inspires you?

My older brother. He hasn’t always had it easy but has shown me that life is what you make it.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, meditating, walking, and being creative.

Any advice for women looking to get into your position?

Be assertive with the staff you’re supporting and realistic with what you say yes to.

Neshe Servi had this to say;

What is your role at trg.?

I’m a Delivery Consultant, and I’ve been here for 5 months, it’s been a fantastic few months so far.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I’m such a people person, and this job allows me to speak with different people from different industry backgrounds on a daily basis which is perfect for me.

Who inspires you?

Definitely, my mum, she is the most hardworking person I know. Watching and learning from her growing up has definitely made me the person I am today.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I’m such a foodie! I love eating out and exploring the weird and wonderful food that London has to offer.

Any advice for women looking to get into your position?

Just do it, be the change you want to see. Don’t let anyone stop you or get in the way of your dreams.

Finally, we spoke to Cliodhna Scully;

What is your role at trg.?

I’m the Marketing Manager, and I’ve been here almost a year now.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Social Media Marketing. I’m extremely lucky that I have the freedom to be as creative as I want, whether that is content creation, copywriting, or storytelling. I love all things social it’s my favourite part of my job.

Who inspires you?

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the CEO of Bumble.

Whitney’s story about her hardship working in Tinder and the platform she created because of it in Bumble, is truly inspiring to me. I hope someday to become as influential as she is.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy being as creative as possible, any sort of art form, reading, and long walks.

Any advice for women looking to get into your position?

Be proactive. Create a portfolio, reach out to hiring managers, don’t wait for an opportunity to come to you, go and get it yourself.

We’re extremely lucky to have such fantastic, hard working, driven and inspiring women in the office. If you’ve any questions for them or want to learn more about what they do reach out to us today: enquiries@trg-uk.com.

Recruiters see hundreds of CV’s a day, and have a trained eye when it comes to evaluating a CV and deciding whether or not it’s worthy of a call back for an interview. Making sure your CV is formatted correctly and reads well is vital, our expert consultants gave their top tips on how to make your CV stand out from the crowd.

Formatting

-Keep your CV to two, max three pages.
Keep it short and sweet, with the revelent skills needed and information needed for the parricular role you are applying for.

-Format your CV as follows:

Profile: 3-5 lines in summary of the candidate and what they’re looking for.

Skills: Make sure to keep these to the core skills used on a regular basis.

Career history: Starting with the most recent position. Any roles more than 6 or 7 years ago needn’t be on the CV.
You can put a line to say that further roles are available upon request if need be.

Education/ Certifications: Again, keep this relevent to the role you’re applying for.

Interests/ Hobbies: To finish off the CV.

In general try to keep things as concise as possible, keeping the CV as clean as possible– nothing worse than a busy CV without flow.

If you have an outdated CV, and are not sure where to start reach out to our team today to see what we can do for you.

Or, if you already have landed an interview and aren’t sure of your next step read our blog with our Interview top tips to make sure you land that dream job.

Have you ever considered a career in recruitment? Not sure where to start and are looking for some advice?

We sat down with trg. recruitment’s director, Rob Dawson to answering all of our burning questions. He gave his expert advice about his experience in recruitment, what he loves most about his job and his advice about getting in to the field.

How did you get into recruitment?

Like many people, I fell into it. I desperately wanted a job in London, ideally in advertising but when nothing came through I switched to looking for sales jobs. I was scheduled to have an interview for a software company in Ruislip but a uni mate convinced me that I would hate working so far out of town so suggested I go and have a chat with someone he played football with – Phill. I went to meet Phill without any clue of recruitment or having done any research on trg. but we just got on and I thought to myself that the most important thing wasn’t the work itself but the people I worked with.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

Good question!

It would easy to becoming a director of the business but I rarely think about that. I guess it’s knowing that whatever success I’ve had came through really hard work – it didn’t come easy and I’m grateful that I pushed myself when it would have been easier to throw the towel in.

What area do you cover, why do you like it?

I cover data i.e. Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Data Analysts. Data is huge. I think everyone is aware now how important data is to every company now and the best companies use data to make their strategic decisions. It’s also an area where there’s a huge amount of innovation, so year on year the technology is changing.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with people. I like talking to different people and learning what interests them and trying to work out how I can best help them. As everyone’s different each day is different and we have to find unique solutions on a daily basis so it’s never boring.

Any advice for anyone looking at getting into recruitment?

A lot of people underestimate recruitment. They just see it as a get rich quick job but it’s really not. It tests you in so many ways and so you have be emotionally intelligent. I could write an incredibly long list of all the traits and attributes that I think are fundamentally important so the reality is that I would tell 9 out of 10 people not to do it because they won’t enjoy it. But if you’re little crazy, love being challenged and want to work hard then it’s worth it.

If this excites and interests you, why not reach out to us today to learn more? Our doors are always open!

For more career tips, browse all of our advice here or get in touch with one of our expert consultants to discuss your career options.

Get in touch today:

https://www.trg-uk.com/
enquiries@trg-uk.com
020 7382 810

Over the year remote working has grown steadily in popularity with it being heralded as a solution to some of the problems faced pre-pandemic. Across all sectors, companies ae embracing flexible working arrangements, and it is clear now more than ever that the digital lifestyle is definitely here to stay.

Recent analysis from the Office for National Statistics revealed that remote working in the UK has more than doubled to 9.9m people. For some, remote working provides the opportunity to spend more time with family, pursue hobbies that previously would have been unfulfilled, cooking healthy homecooked food, and being able to make the school run.

However, loneliness and isolation has become a major concern amongst remote workers. The physical separation of co-workers has led to more people feeling like they don’t have friends at work. Microsoft’s latest New Future of Work Report 2022, researchers found that whilst remote working can improve job satisfaction it can also lead to employees feeling “socially isolated, guilty and trying to compensate.”

Thankfully, there are numerous strategies to overcome loneliness and isolation whilst working remotely.

Regular check-ins with your team

Regular catch-ups are a great way to stay connected with your team. These check-ins can happen over video, online, or even in person.

By connecting with your team, it provides you with the opportunity to address any concerns or issues that you may be facing, in addition to building trust, rapport, and fostering collaboration amongst team members.

Virtually meeting up with fellow co-workers

Whist it may feel odd, virtual lunch or coffee date can be a great way to catch up with co-workers you haven’t seen outside the office.

Additionally, you could use social networking sites to find and reach out to others in the same position as you.

Utilise digital tools

Make use of video conferencing tools, phone calls, WhatsApp/text messages to keep in contact with your team members. Make sure to take advantage of Zoom meetings and discussions with your co-workers to shake off the feeling of loneliness.

Introduce breaks between work sessions

Taking breaks while working remotely may seem challenging, especially when you don’t have defined hours or a nearby break area.

Make sure to schedule breaks into your calendar. GO OUTSIDE! Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mental wellbeing. Use the small breaks to interact with other people or do something not work-related.

Participate in company events

Company meetup, parties, dinners or even team building activities are great for networking, connecting with co-workers, and even a chance to have fun and relax. Make it a habit to attend them.

Mix up your workspace

Spend at least one day per week working outside your home. It could be a coffee shop, a co-working space, or even at a friend’s home whose also working remotely.

Being surrounded by others will help you feel less lonely throughout the day.

When it comes to employment, a university degree used to be the gold standard, but as the world changes rapidly, so does the workplace too. The process of getting work done has evolved, and as a result the way companies screen and hire employees has changed too.

Whilst hard skills show your experience and understanding of a certain ability, soft skills have become crucial success factors.

According to Standford Research Institute International, just 25% of an employee’s performance is attributable to technical skills, whereas nearly 75% of an employee’s success is attributable to soft skills. These statistics clearly demonstrate how crucial soft skill development is for operating a successful business.

Why are soft skills important?

Hiring staff with developed soft skills can significantly impact an organisation’s ability to function efficiently and effectively. Soft skills offer many benefits including:

Increased productivity
More innovative solutions
Stronger interpersonal and professional relationships
Company growth

7 Essential Soft Skills

Employers value soft skills as it:

Demonstrates initiative, proactivity and confidence
Promotes better company culture
Helps them understand your professional personality

With that being said, here are 7 essential soft skills you should focus on acquiring to thrive in the workplace:

1. Emotional Intelligence & Empathy

Emotional Intelligence is a skill that once developed can serve you very well. By developing emotional intelligence, you are able to manage relationships better, avert potential conflicts, boost productivity, enable better listening leading to improved communication, and have an obvious advantage over their competitors.

2. Integrity

Integrity is not just about being honest, but also adhering to employee ethics, being dependable, and implementing good judgement. Integrity plays a big role in establishing a solid foundation for a successful relationship between employees and their employers.

A workplace with integrity has a culture where staff trust and respect each other, which in turn leads to improving productivity, and employee motivation.

3. Adaptability

At its core, adaptability is a readiness to learn new things and make adjustments as necessary. An adaptable employee welcomes change and innovation in the workplace.

Although new things can be intimidating, employers want to know that you won’t crumble under the pressure of any inevitable changes to the workplace structure.

4. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking entails using logic and reason to identify the root cause of an issue and creating viable solutions.

Our ability to solve problems – whether big or small – effectively depends on our critical thinking skills. The success of a company can be significantly impacted by having staff who apply critical thinking abilities.

5. Creativity

Creative minds foster innovation and improvement. Whilst you might not feel naturally creative, it’s a quality that can be found in all of us. We all have our own perspectives on the world.

In a professional setting, creativity entails using your unique lens to produce your best work.

6. Conflict Resolution

No matter how much you love your job and co-workers, you will inevitably get into conflicts at work. People with strong conflict resolution skills are often empathetic, rational and tactful, which allows the, to mediate with others.

Resolving conflict can be beneficial if opinions are shared through open, respectful communication. Employers wants to know that you are equipped to professionally deal with conflict in the workplace, and convert it into an opportunity for growth.

7. Teamwork

Collaborating well with your co-workers and employers is necessary for a business to run smoothly. Good team working is the backbone of all successful companies.

Have you received a job offer recently? Unsure on how to proceed next? Regardless of whether you plan to accept the position, you’ll want to conduct yourself in a way that won’t come back to bite you later.

Whilst receiving a job offer can be exciting, negotiating the offer can be daunting. We are to help you. We have put together some tips to ensure you’re getting the most of your job offer:

Don’t negotiate on the spot!

Wait a few days after receiving the offer before engaging in negotiations. Give yourself time to understand the offer in its entirety and come up with a strategy based on what you’ve learned.

Do your research!

Enter negotiations with accurate information about the current salary trends in the industry. Learn about the most desired skills, the market demand for your position, and compare starting salaries.

Prove your worth!

You need to show them why you’re worth the investment, so come prepared. Share concrete examples of your skills and the impact it had on your previous company.

Make sure to mention any additional certifications, specialised technical skills, training or experience.

Factor in perks and benefits

Whilst the take-home salary is clearly important, there are other elements to consider; extra vacation dates, pension, work-from-home schedule & more.

If you’re considering multiple offers, compare the perks and benefits.

Make all of your requests at one time

Make sure to present all your conditions at once.

Remember to practice your delivery and stay positive! A no for one condition is not a no for all of them. Good Luck!

LinkedIn is a powerful tool. If you don’t have a profile, you’re missing out!

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the internet. You can use it to find the right job, connect and strengthen professional networks, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. LinkedIn is also a chance for you to advertise your professional brand.

To really reap all its benefits, it’s important that you create a profile that attracts recruiters, fosters connections, and showcases your unique professional story. Research found that 40% of B2B marketers say that LinkedIn is the most effective channel for driving high-quality leads. By looking at your profile alone, hiring managers and recruiters can gather a sense of who you are.

We have put together some tips to ensure your LinkedIn profiles make a strong first impression:

1. Keep it up-to-date

Remember to update your profile often. You’re aiming to make your profile stand out and encourage people to engage with you. Think about if you’ve created a new social media account, of if your employement history has changed.

2. Fill out every section

There are many different sections in a LinkedIn profile, all of which is highly valuable. However, pay attention to these sections:

Headline: Be clear and concise. Describe your work in fewer than 10 words & be specific.
Profile Picture: Use a simple and professional photo. Many use professional headshots.
Job Status: Make sure this section is accurate.
Introduction: Your introduction must fit a lot of information in a small space, so be specific and make sure the information counts. Think about mentioning your industry, pronouns, and location.

3. Create a custom URL

Customising your LinkedIn profile URL will make it more easier for people to find you, as well as it being more personal. Avoid using any unnecessary numbers or symbols. Add your profession or industry if you have a common name.

4. Make connection requests

Increasing your network exposes you to fresh concepts, viewpoints, and methods. A profile with more connectins gets boosted by the LinkedIn algorithms, and thus giving your profile higher visiblity. You’ll be more likely to show up in recommendation tabs for other users to connect with.

5. Share relevant content

Share content that is pertinent to you, your profession, and industry. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share fun content, but make sure each post has a purpose and is relevant to your LinkedIn network.

6. Make your page public!

A public profile will help you get noticed faster and more accessible!

The benefits of LinkedIn are hard to ignore. It’s a professional tool right at your fingertips. A great profile will attract like-minded people. You’ll inspire one another, learn new thing, and most importantly grow together. Follow these tips and soon enough you’ll be able to achieve your career goals, and become the professional you’ve wanted to be.

Happy New Year!

The holiday season has come to an end, and it’s time to return to work. For those looking for new jobs, 2023 brings new beginnings, new opportunities, and a year full of potentials.

January is a perfect time to reach out to companies to inquire about potential positions as recruiters and hiring managers validate their hiring budgets for the year. Up to 85% of positions are filled by networking, according to research from Zippia, especially in the first few weeks of the new year.

How should you go about reaching out?

“Happy New Year” is a perfect conversation starter, an easy entry point. When contacting someone, whether they are someone you have close ties with, or an acquaintance, it is important that you are strategic in who you contact. Target the right people for the right reasons!

Rather than saying “I’m looking for opportunities”, try to be more specific, i.e. “I’m looking for opportunities within the energy sector, specifically product manager roles.” By being detailed, the person you’re speaking to may think of an opening quicker.

Feel free to personalise the message. You could remind them of when you last met them, or mention that you’ve been keeping up-to-date with their work.

If you are reaching out to people you don’t know. getting noticed often causes many difficulties. The solution?…draw them in with a catchy or relevant message. Don’t make up fake interests just to start a conversation, be true to yourself. There will be undoubtedly be a common theme or subject you both can relate to.

Remember!

Timing is key.
Aim to send a message between 10:30am and 2:30pm, during the middle of the week, ideally Tuesday and Thursday.
Keep in touch.
Remind people of your existence. A quick check-in will go a long way – it’ll keep your name at the top of their minds and increase your visibility.
Be precise!
Being as detailed and precise as possible will allow the person you’re reaching out to associate your name with specific keywords.
Keep it simple, short and sweet.
Focus the attention of your message to the person you’re speaking to. We are naturally selfish creatures – so make them feel special.

Make sure to utilise this month to network, you never know what opportunity might arise from it.