Kameo’s News

Award-winning recruitment agency in Cambridge! 👏

Kameo Recruitment Win Gold! 🏆

We attended the Cambridge Independent SME Awards on Thursday 28th September and were delighted to take home gold for Business Person of the Year!

We are incredibly grateful for the recognition we received at the Cambridgeshire SME Awards on Thursday, September 28th. It was an absolute honour to be awarded the Gold for Business Person of the Year, which was won by our very own Director, Sharon Livermore. We are humbled by this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious event. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us throughout this journey and made this achievement possible. We will continue to strive for excellence in everything we do and remain committed to providing our customers with the highest quality service possible ✨

Here’s to our future as an award-winning recruitment agency in Cambridge 🎆

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our journey, without it would not have been possible! We are proud to be an award-winning recruitment agency in Cambridge who have been recognised for their commitment to the community and diligent recruitment service 👏

Award winning recruitment agency Kameo Recruitment win gold We are an award-winning recruitment agency in Cambridgeshire

Begin your New Year with a Bang… Hire New Starters Now! 🎇

It’s all about the maths! ➗

Did you know? The average interview process in the UK takes about 27.5 days to complete, that’s just over 5 weeks 😲

If you’re reading this on October 5th there are only 57 working days between now and Christmas Day.

3 questions for you. …

Are you thinking about hiring in January? ❄️

Why are you waiting until then? 🤔

Could you start the hiring process today? 😃

Below you’ll read why your future self will thank you for starting the hiring process in Q4!

  1. Your Q4 hire will be settled in and hopefully ready to hit the ground running in Q1.
  2. You’ll have reduced competition (the beginning of the calendar & fiscal year are typically the busiest hiring periods, so beat the rush!)
  3. Minimise Disruption
  4. Training and onboarding
  5. Lead Time

Your Q4 hire will be settled in and hopefully ready to hit the ground running in Q1!

Like it or not throwing someone in at the deep end and assuming anyone can hit the ground running from the get-go is wrong. Your new hire may have several years of experience doing the role already or maybe they’re just starting their career journey; in both cases one thing is certain, they will need to familiarise themselves with your business, the systems, and colleagues!

Each of these things takes time so we’d always suggest a “baby steps” approach to start with by giving each new employee time to settle, adjust and adapt to the culture of their new surroundings. It can take anywhere from three to six months to fully settle into a new job. If you hire in November, you’re looking at full steam ahead by February or April. Alternatively, wait until January and spend Q1 in the “baby steps” stage. (This period of the calendar year also coincides with the beginning of the fiscal year). Do you want to be in Q3 before they are fully settled???

You’ll have reduced competition (the beginning of the calendar & fiscal year are typically the busiest hiring periods, so beat the rush!)

Increased jobs on the market, plus a lack of candidates, could mean your vacancy sits open for a while! In January the recruitment sector usually experiences a “January jobs rush” and an influx of candidates jumping on the “new year, new career” band wagon. Research shows businesses are hiring at a much faster rate than they were a year ago, the number of jobs advertised in August 2023 was robust, and every region in the UK experienced growth. There were 28.8% more new jobs on the market than in August 2022 (Recruitment Market Update, September 2023).

Q4 is a unique window of opportunity to access top-tier talent, capitalising on this timing can help your business secure exceptional candidates who may be unavailable in the new year and/or face other competitive offers!

Minimise Disruption to your business / office / individual teams.

Remember when you were a kid, and everyone wanted to say hey to the new kid?! Well, that mentality extends well into our adult lives. Good thing too, it’s important to be inclusive!

But this may cause some disruption to your business as people spend more time introducing themselves and/or supporting the onboarding process. Now we know not all industries experience a slightly slower pace in the lead up to Christmas but if your business is one of them wouldn’t it be worthwhile to get this process done and dusted ahead of the Christmas break?

In addition, the new employee can overcome the information overload and lack of work / responsibility often associated with the first week or two. They will also have the chance to immerse themselves into the company culture, especially if you’ve got a Christmas party planned! Because there’s no such thing as a stupid question, we’re sure you’re no stranger to the sheer volume of questions every new hire can fire at you.

In short, hiring new employees can disrupt the workflow and productivity of existing teams. Plan ahead and complete the hiring process in Q4 ensuring you minimise disruption during the busy and ambitious period of the new year.

Training and onboarding

Planning for and hiring in Q4 allows you to coordinate training and onboarding activities, this ensures new employees are well-prepared to contribute to the organisation from day one of the new year.

Are you familiar with the 4C’s of onboarding? See here for our top tips!

Come January those November hires will be onboarded & relatively well internationally into the company culture, ensuring they are fully prepared to contribute effectively from Q1 onwards.

Lead Time

Coming full circle!

We began by discussing how lengthy a process taking on a new hire can be! It’s a multi-step process which involves writing a job advert, posting said job advert across multiple channels to enhance exposure and maximise the candidate market. Once CVs begin trickling through, you’ll need to contact applicants to arrange an interview or two (maybe even 3!) – to reiterate all of this can take 5 weeks, sometimes less sometimes more!

A few things to bear in mind 🧠

  • On average hiring managers interview 6 candidates for every 1 vacancy
  • On average a job applicant will meet 3 members of the employer’s staff (if they make it through the entire interview process)
  • The average job interview process has 2 stages & the average length of time per interview is 30-35 minutes.
  • Do the maths here: for your individual business, how much time is it going to take you to interview everyone? Now if time is money, is this the best use of your time in January, or is doing it early just what the productivity Doctor ordered? 🤔

(All stats from StandOutCV May 2023)

Give your business the gift of a new employee this Christmas! 🎁

Making a hire in the fourth quarter will enable you to thrive in Q1 and stay competitive, it’s about strategically positioning your company for the year ahead. The decision to go ahead and write that job description this month will address your staffing needs and positively impact your long-term success and 2024 goals.

Well, what are you waiting for?

How is Business Development Evolving?

Staying on top of the latest industry trends, news, software etc. feels like a full-time job at times! Fortunately, we’re here to do the hard work for you and in this article, we’ll be discussing all things Business Development!

Business Development has and continues to go through a remarkable transformation, we’re more rapidly seeing a huge shift from a traditional focus on sales and partnerships to a dynamic strategy encompassing market insights, innovative collaborations and harnessing cutting-edge technologies. Through the wonder of technology, the globe is fully connected, and business development has evolved into a multifaceted discipline that emphasises customer-centric approaches, data-driven decision making and the ability to respond to an ever-changing market!

It’s no wonder that the industry continues to boom; with a UK growth rate of 7.2% between March 2022 and March 2023 we’ve drawn the conclusion that businesses need to stay on top of BizDev trends to ensure they can continue to hire top sales / BD talent!

The pandemic changed the “BD Game Rules” forever. Long gone are the days where you scroll through the database and start calling; according to Forbes the average sales professional should have “an average of 10 or more [sales] tools to deliver on pipeline targets.” How many tools does your sales team have at their disposal?

Examples include CRM System e.g., Salesforce, Zoho or HubSpot, Sales Engagement Platforms e.g., HubSpot or MailShake, Lead Gen & Prospecting Tools e.g., SalesLoft, Sales Analytics & Reporting e.g., HubSpot or Zoho, Predictive Analytics Tools e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud, Contract Management e.g., DocuSign or Adobe Sign, Sales Performance Management e.g., Zoho, Virtual Meeting and Comms Tools e.g., Zoom or Microsoft Teams, Sales Training & Onboarding Platforms e.g., Allego

(We promise this is not affiliate marketing BUT we do want to provide you with some examples of brands you may recognise!)

All the tools mentioned above must be considered in their own merit, taking into consideration their integration capabilities (many of the above examples provide more than one function and could be a 3 in 1 tool) and how user-friendly the tools are. Is business growth on your horizon? Each of these things will influence the tools you select.

Try before you buy & get the team involved too!

A few other things to consider…

Has your BD team got the right tech stack?

It’s not an easy choice, the options are endless, and your tech stack needs to change as your business develops. There doesn’t seem to be a right size fits all and of course, everyone selling their product claims it’s the best! Not to mention choosing the wrong tools could cost you huge amounts of money! So, how do you choose what works for you?

A brief definition of tech stack: a collection of tools, platforms, apps, and software that a company uses to build its products, carry out its business operations and monitor performance metrics.

Here’s a mini guide to help you choose the tech stack that works for you!

  1. Define Business Objectives – What are your goals, and current and predicted challenges? E.g., expanding market reach.
  2. Assess your requirements – Consider factors like scalability, security, integrations, user experience and data analytics. Create a list of essential features and functionalities your tech stack should address.
  3. Research & then research some more – Read case studies, look at what your competitors are doing (if possible), consult with experts and stay up to date with emerging trends and innovations.
  4. Compatibility & Integration – Your tech stack ideally needs to work well together. Data silos and inefficient communication can hinder productivity.
  5. User experience – prioritise tools that enhance user experience both internally and externally.
  6. Future proof – Select technologies that are adaptable to future innovations, and avoid anything that you fear may become obsolete.
  7. Budget – Investing is crucial but so is your bottom line. Invest wisely and where necessary gradually, always consider the initial costs and ongoing expenses. Look for open-source solutions and cloud-based options that offer cost savings and flexibility.
  8. Test – don’t take a product because the person selling it says it’s good! Test it for yourself, ask for a trial, and extend where necessary. You’ll need to see some proof it’s going to work before fully committing.

Harmonise the link between marketing and sales!

Do you have a separate sales and marketing department? Do you treat the two like allies in your business? Because we’re here to tell you that sales and marketing collaboration is the cornerstone of a successful business development strategy. The synergy between these two functions creates a powerful force for growth and when their efforts are aligned, sales and marketing teams can seamlessly bridge the gap between attracting potential customers and turning them into loyal clients.

Your sales teams are your eyes and ears on the ground, the frontline soldiers if you like. Your marketing department should be regularly tapping into the unique insights of your sales team. Can you regularly hear ongoing conversations around…

  1. Emerging marketing strategies
  2. New / improved targeted and effective campaigns that speak directly to your customers and clients’ needs and desires.
  3. Up-to-date and relevant content that will spark engagement, educate & inform your customer base.

Targeted campaigns, content creation and strategic outreach attract potential customers and nurture them through the sales funnel.

Brand familiarity or the ability to see and become familiar with brands influences 80% of customers to purchase something (https://nealschaffer.com/social-media-marketing-statistics/). Who does your branding? That’s right the marketing team! Lean on them, encourage monthly meetings between the sales and marketing heads / full team, whatever works for your business, because what doesn’t work is continuing to treat the two functions as separate entities.

First comes sales proposition, next comes direct selling….

The difference is simple: a sales value proposition is a tight statement that outlines the unique benefits and value your product and/or service offers to your target audience, sometimes before they even know they need you. Direct selling refers to the process whereby a sales team or individual engages with potential customers either face to face or via another method of communication e.g., telephone or email.

In a world full of choices what makes you different from your competitors? Why am I buying from you over someone else? Your sales proposition must answer these questions, you must tell your customers how you’re addressing their specific needs or pain points and emphasise your competitive edge. This method is a strategic messaging tool that will influence how your brand is perceived and ultimately guide the sales pitch.

 

 

The direct sale aims at directly building relationships and very importantly trust, addressing objections, and tailoring conversations. Ultimately, both are important for driving successful sales outcomes, but we believe you should be using the sales proposition to frame the conversation and direct selling to drive the conversation.

 

Lastly, never stop relying on the Kameo 3 T’s!

Trust: Trust is the foundation of any successful sales relationship. Be honest, transparent, and reliable.

Technology: We may have mentioned it once or twice, but on a serious note it’s coming for you, and you need to be using it. The technologies you invest in will be your tools for showcasing how good you are.

Tailored Approach: We’re all unique, so tailoring your sales approach to specific needs and preferences is crucial for success. Listen actively to pain points, goals, and challenges. Use your value proposition and direct sales techniques to hone in on them. Always customise your solutions because it demonstrates you genuinely care about their success which in turn increases your likelihood of a long-term relationship (assuming you want one!).

For Kameo News – https://kameorecruitment.com/news/

For Market Insights – https://kameorecruitment.com/market-insights/clients/

 

 

Our Recruitment Consultants have made the “White Ribbon Promise”! 💪

We are proud of each and every one of our recruitment consultants. Still, in August 2023 we felt a deep sense of pride for our Sales & Marketing Recruitment Manager, Dan, and our two newest recruits, Associate Recruitment Consultants Kyran and Freddy who all made the “White Ribbon Promise” – To never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. 👏

Our sister company, Domestic Abuse Education, is a White Ribbon Supporter Organisation, and it is great to see that our Recruitment Consultants have decided to make a positive impact themselves under the Kameo banner too.

If you want to find out more about White Ribbon UK, please visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/

 

Recruitment Consultants Make the White Ribbon Promise

Have you just stumbled across us?

In a nutshell, we are a Cambridge-based recruitment company that recruits across East Anglia, we specialise in Office Recruitment, Sales and Marketing Recruitment, IT Recruitment, HR Recruitment and Finance Recruitment.

According to research carried out by StandOut Cv in 2023 60% of UK employees claim that a poor work-life balance has had a negative effect on their relationships at home, are you one of them?

So, why are we struggling? And why is a healthy work-life balance so important?

See our list of 10 struggles so many face coupled with a solution for each!

Struggle one: Constant connectivity through emails, messaging apps, and virtual meetings blurs the boundaries between work and personal life.

Solution one: Set clear boundaries: establish specific hours and communicate them with your colleagues and superiors. Stick to these boundaries and avoided checking work-related emails or messages outside of those hours. 

Struggle Two: Competitive Work Culture, the fear of falling behind colleagues or competitors can push people to prioritize work over other essential aspects of life.

Solution Two: Say no. It’s okay to decline additional work or social commitments if you feel overwhelmed. Saying no can help you protect your time and energy for more important tasks and personal activities.

Struggle Three: Poor time management skills can lead to inefficiencies, causing work tasks to spill over into personal time or vice versa.

Solution Three: Create a to-do list or a task management system to prioritize your work tasks and personal activities. Focus on completing the most important and time-sensitive tasks first. 

See our time management blog. 

Struggle Four: Failure to streamline processes and move with the times. This may leave you feeling inadequate and below the mark in comparison to your peers or competitors.

Solution Four: Utilise technology wisely: Leverage productivity tools and apps to streamline your work processes and save time. Automation can help you become more efficient and reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.

Struggle Five: Guilt & self-imposed expectations, do you impost unrealistic expectations of yourself? Are you striving to excel in both professional and personal spheres? When we put pressure on ourselves it can lead to feelings of guilt when unable to meet high expectations.

Solution Five: Practice self-compassion and acknowledge that it’s okay not to be perfect in all aspects of life. Set realistic expectations and recognize that achieving a balance is a process, not an immediate outcome. 

Struggle Six: Adequate rest throughout the working day.

Solution Six: Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to relax and recharge. Stepping away from work for a few minutes can improve focus and productivity when you return.

Struggle Seven: Unable to disconnect.

Solution Seven: Set aside time each day to disconnect from electronic devices and social media. Engaging in screen-free activities can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Struggle Eight: Not making time for yourself, your hobbies & interests

Solution Eight: Schedule regular time for activities you enjoy outside of work, such as hobbies, exercise, reading, or spending time with loved ones. Engaging in these activities can help you relax and recharge.

Struggle Nine: Do you have a designated work space?

Solution Nine: Having a designated area for work helps signal your brain to focus during working hours and allows you to mentally detach from work when you leave that space.

Struggle Ten: Unable to identify the problem, e.g., you think you’ve got a great work-life balance. Have you raised that question with your family / loved ones? Blurred lines between work life & personal life (especially for those who are fully remote) may go unnoticed, and responses like “I just need to take this quick call” or “it can’t wait” don’t scream out “I’ve got my work-life balance under control”

Solution Ten: Seek support from others: Communicate your work-life balance goals with your family, friends, and colleagues. Having a support system can encourage you to maintain your boundaries and help you find solutions when challenges arise.

What are the benefits of a healthy work-life balance?

  1. Improved productivity
  2. Reduced absenteeism
  3. A happier, less stressed workforce.

How can your business promote a good work-life balance?

  1. Lead by example – demonstrate the value of a good work-life balance!
  2. Offer flexible arrangements –  flexible hours, or compressed workweeks, telecommuting etc This allows employees to manage their work responsibilities while accommodating personal commitments.
  3. Create a positive work environment – share successes, promote well-being, emphasis work-life balance, and discourage overworking (and when required, off that time back). Can you offer a wellness programme? If not, utilise FREE options to encourage staff to de-stress, slow time and take time-out.

Remember, achieving a healthy work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires conscious effort and adjustment. Be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to reevaluate and make changes as needed to find the balance that works best for you.

So, what does employer brand mean and why is it important?

In 2022 75% of job seekers stated that they considered an employer’s brand before applying for a job! That’s quite a large number and a HUGE pool of potential talent.

How’s your employer brand?! Do you dedicate time to strategising and positioning yourself right?

What is employer brand?

Employer brand refers to the reputation and perception that a company has among current and potential employees. It represents the image, values, culture, and overall experience that individuals associate with the organisation as an employer.

Here’s why employer brand is important…

For onboarding:

  1. It differentiates you from your competition. In a competitive job market, a strong employer brand helps your organisation stand out from the competition. It differentiates your company as an employer of choice, making it more appealing to potential candidates. When candidates have multiple options, a compelling employer brand can be a decisive factor in their decision-making process.
  2. It makes you a talent magnet! A positive employer brand acts as a magnet, attracting top talent to your organisation. Candidates actively seek out companies that are known for their positive work culture, employee benefits, growth opportunities, and overall employee experience. An attractive employer brand increases the chances of talented individuals proactively applying to your organisation.
  3. Referral Network: Employees who are proud of their employer and have a positive experience at work are more likely to refer their connections to job openings. A strong employer brand encourages employees to become brand ambassadors, spreading the word about the organisation’s positive attributes. Employee referrals are often a valuable source of high-quality candidates.
  4. Social media and online presence: In the digital age, candidates often research companies online before considering a job opportunity. An employer brand that is well-represented across various online platforms, such as company websites, social media channels, and review websites, can significantly impact a candidate’s perception. Positive reviews, engaging content, and a strong online presence can attract talented individuals who come across your organisation during their job search.
  5. Long-term talent acquisition: Building a strong brand is an investment in long-term talent acquisition. When your organisation consistently maintains a positive reputation as an employer, it becomes easier to attract talent over time. A solid employer brand creates a positive perception that can continue to attract top talent, even when specific job openings are not actively advertised.

For retention:

  1. Retains employees: A compelling brand not only helps attract candidates but also retains existing employees. When employees are proud to be associated with your organisation, they are more likely to stay engaged, committed, and loyal. This reduces turnover rates and saves recruitment and training costs.
  2. Boosts employee morale and engagement: When employees feel proud of their employer and the work they do, it boosts their morale and engagement levels. A strong brand fosters a sense of belonging and motivates employees to perform at their best. This leads to higher productivity, creativity, and innovation within the organisation.

For business:

  1. Improves customer perception: A strong brand can positively impact how customers perceive your company. When employees are happy and engaged, it reflects in their interactions with customers, leading to better customer service and satisfaction. Customers often prefer to do business with companies that have a positive reputation as employers.
  2. Reduces recruitment costs: Investing in building a strong employer brand can lead to long-term cost savings in recruitment. When you have a positive reputation as an employer, you tend to attract more qualified candidates organically, reducing the need for expensive recruitment efforts. Additionally, lower turnover rates translate into reduced recruitment and training expenses.

Overall, an effective employer brand is essential for attracting talent because it helps your organisation stand out, aligns with candidate preferences, encourages employee referrals, leverages digital platforms and provides a competitive advantage! The best bit?! Other than time spent on strategy and implementation promoting your brand can come at zero cost!

Do you want to know how to create a positive first impression, generate interest in your organisation and increase the likelihood of attracting top talent to your team or business? Get in touch or reach out directly to Strategy Manager, Kayleigh via [email protected]

 

 

Careers, CVs & your personal brand are things we all think about on a regular basis. Our personal brand (LinkedIn), in particular, is something we should always be working on so when the time to find a new role, update our CV and prepare for an interview presents itself the base work has already been done!

The Kameo Recruitment team frequently support Cambridge Network with their virtual careers days and workshops and in February 2023 we completed our first of the year! As a Cambridge-based recruitment agency, we know there are a plethora of other agencies Cambridge Network could reach out to, it’s not a position we take for granted and we’re always so grateful to a) return to their careers events and b) share our knowledge and expertise with attendees on the day.

When it comes to your CV and personal brand it’s hard to know where to turn for the right advice, that’s where a trusty recruitment partner aka Kameo Recruitment comes in! Below you’ll find a small amount of the information we shared with those who attended the careers fair in February.

Here at Kameo, we read CVs on a daily basis; and whilst we’re rarely surprised by what we read these days we’re passionate about quality CVs and want to ensure every candidate who comes through our doors is proud of the CV they send out to potential employers if you’re looking to update or rewrite your CV altogether get in touch and/or read our CV tips here .

Did you know that 91% of all employers are currently using social media as part of their hiring process (March 2022)?! Honestly? we were surprised too!

Does your LinkedIn profile showcase the best professional you?

Follow these top tips:

⭐ Your LinkedIn profile is an extension or a digital version of your CV ensure it reads as such!

⭐ Write a solid summary the “about” section of your LinkedIn allows you to share your story/journey – people buy from people and we all relish in a bit of human-ness

⭐  Be present and have a voice – write content, share content, like & get involved in this incredible professional network!

There’s plenty more where that came from, get in touch or check out our jobs page, apply for a role and we’ll help your career, CV & personal brand, view our jobs page here.

 

Do you know how to provide a successful work experience placement?

In June 2022 we provided a Cambridgeshire secondary school student with an opportunity to learn first-hand what the world of work looks like; although her time with us was brief we hope the impact we made on her is lifelong! As a result of a short time spent with us, we boosted her confidence and at 15 she has already taken those first timid steps into the world of work; as she transitions from school to her first job, she can tick off a few things, including what to expect on your first day in a new job, how to behave and commercial awareness.

Did you know young people who have completed work experience tend to mature whilst they do so? Work experience provides the opportunity to put their social and employability skills into practice; and are better prepared to make informed choices about their future careers.

It’s no secret that work experience is hugely beneficial to the student as they get a grasp on career insights, an introduction to the workplace and all things this encompasses!

Our student stated:

“I believe that work experience is a good idea at this stage in my life because it teaches me how a business runs so I am not only prepared for when I’m older but that I can also gain an idea of what I want or do not want to be. I also believe it is good because we are expected to make so many decisions at a young age about our future in school, e.g., what courses we take, and if we do work experience and get a feel for a job it could entice us to certain subjects that would be more relevant to our ideal job”.

However, as the employer, you might be thinking: taking on a work experience student will cost the business money, it will mean allocating time we don’t have right now and how do we benefit as a business?

Well, let us enlighten you…

  • Access to new talent and/or ideas – you have a week (or two) to gain significant intel on what the next generation of workers considers valuable. Students are full of enthusiasm; ask them for their ideas – you never know where it might take you!
  • They were born and raised in the age of technology; they are naturally adept when it comes to technology and will likely have an abundance of skills that are advantageous to your business, especially if you’re a business with a smaller workforce.
  • The impact on company culture: working with work experience students can help foster a culture of mentorship and learning within the organisation, this can improve employee morale and engagement.

By the end of a week with us our student could independently navigate herself around our social media scheduling tool, CRM, and website back-end.

  • A work experience student can help you shake up “the way you’ve always done it”; new ways of working are what the labour market is crying out for, listen up and work on becoming a thought-leader in your industry.
  • Do you already offer apprenticeships? Or take part in a school leaver programme? If you’re already passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent, what do you have to lose by beginning your search a year or so earlier than planned? By offering work experience you have a genuine opportunity to source your next apprentice.
  • Offering work experience is great branding for the company. If you can provide a genuine and well thought through work experience week that is truly beneficial to the student, they are more likely to recommend people to your business.
  • Offering work experience helps raise your company profile and brand. If you are currently looking for staff, or simply want to highlight that you’re invested in people, offering a school student a work experience placement will certainly hammer that point home.

Our Top Tips for a successful work experience placement!

⭐ Organise and prepare a well-rounded induction for them and begin preparing this weeks, if not months, in advance! A) you want them to maximise their experience B) the world is a small place and word-of-mouth marketing is powerful; the experience they have with you will be shared, so make sure they’re sharing good things!

“On my first day, I thought I had so much to do which kept me busy. I did not have a moment where I was bored or where I ran out of things to do. They have lovely employees which made me felt welcome.”

⭐ Make sure they’re aware of all relevant health & safety policies and procedures!

“Before carrying out work experience at Kameo I had no idea how many health & safety procedures office staff needed to follow/be aware of.”

⭐ Involve your team; they know their roles best and are in the best position to tell you what aspects of their role best suit the pending work experience student. Within this, if you’re a small business let the work experience student get a feel for how the business functions and how each department operates; this ensures a well-rounded experience.

⭐ Think outside the box. Are there opportunities/experiences you can provide during their week or two with you that may surprise them e.g., our work experience student was offered the chance to attend an event hosted by Kameo, attend a meeting with a key client and explore the city with our Director, Sharon. Remember, they are doing this to gain experience so give them an experience!!

“I believe variation is the key because it allows people to get a real idea of what different opportunities there are in an office-based job. Many people think that an office job is just sitting at a desk all day replying to emails, but Kameo taught me that it is so much more to do.”

⭐ Not a tip but an important thing to note, saying yes to a work experience student is a seamless process; the school did the hard work. We had to have a short meeting earlier on in the year and sign some paperwork! The schools are also aware of how important this week can be in shaping the student’s future and thoroughly prepare them beforehand; each student was also given a worksheet to work through during their placement period.

Our student reported that her week at Kameo was a pleasant change; having recently completed two weeks of mock GCSEs it felt great to have some time away from school and ascertain a picture of the working world!

We hope offering work experience becomes embedded in the Kameo footprint and we recommend anyone who has the means to do so to offer a student the opportunity to kickstart their career!

On Tuesday 21st February Kameo Recruitment attended Form the Futures annual conference, it was their first in-person conference since 2019, and what an afternoon it was! Our volunteer work with Form the Future underpins our ethos and helps us live by our mission: to build genuine, long-lasting relationships to help people reach their potential. 

The turnout on the day was excellent, the takeaways were plentiful and it was very insightful to hear first-hand from the students currently benefitting from Form the Future and the hard work of their volunteers.

 

⭐ the future generation is fantastic

⭐ the vision for Form the Future is HUGE

⭐ the world of work will change due to artificial intelligence, we need to be prepared and simultaneously prepare the future world of work for this

⭐ we are only as good as our network & it’s through working together that we make a difference

 

Sharon & Kayleigh were asked to present on “How to Successfully Embed a Volunteering Programme”, it was as a popular workshop, with a high number of attendees, and we’re hopeful several businesses now feel better able to embed a volunteer programme in their business.

Post-event both Sharon & Kayleigh were able to network with like-minded professionals who wholeheartedly believe in the mission and future vision for Form the Future.

 

➡️To find out further information about Kameo Recruitment’s volunteer work click here.

➡️To find out more about Form the Future, or become a volunteer today click here.

 

We’ve all seen it “salary on offer: competitive” – does anyone else think, yawn?! What does this even mean?

Now, offering a competitive salary is possible assuming the hiring manager or talent acquisition team have done their research! When you advertise that you are offering a competitive salary what you’re essentially saying is: “we’ve looked at our sector/ industry, and your job title, and based on our findings the salary we are offering, inclusive of additional benefits, is equal to, or greater than, the average salary for the same or a similar role in the area”. If you do all the above each time you advertise a role, then chances are you really are offering a competitive salary, great stuff! However, the term “competitive Salary” has lost its competitive edge, and here is why…

It is everywhere.

Competitive in relation to what? Other salaries within the same company? The region? The industry you work in? A plethora of questions come to mind when we read “competitive salary”, and in a recent LinkedIn poll we found that:

🌟 38% of 64 people question why there isn’t a salary bracket

🌟 33% of question the transparency

🌟 22% won’t take the time to apply

🌟 8% are still happy to apply

Matt Freestone, the founder of Unmatched (Suffolk-based marketing agency), made a noteworthy comment on this pressing topic:

“Candidates deserve to know the bracket at least to decide if it’s worth their time applying.  Companies not offering the bracket or salary either have a pay transparency issue internally or are not actually paying a competitive salary.

I wouldn’t apply to any role where compensation isn’t shown in the job ad”

This comment perfectly attributes to the general consensus: show us the money!

Finding talented employees is a recurring challenge in the labour market, our advice; make your search more fruitful, ergo more successful by advertising the salary, or salary band.

Replacing competitive salary

Are the cogs turning? Are you currently thinking how do I replace “competitive salary” altogether to capture the skillset we require?

Well, here are our top tips:

⭐State the salary, or a salary bracket, above all else you’ll stand out from your competitors as a business who promote salary equality!

⭐Use the phrase “negotiable” but BE willing to negotiate. Negotiations are a two-way street; you can’t set all the terms. But you can be aware of your non-negotiables before you engage with any potential new hires, if you know skills are an absolute must you’ll identify the pool of candidates who are worth negotiating with.

⭐Does the salary depend on experience? If so, let the applicants know! But give them more than this, what experience are you looking for? Again, think about those non-negotiables. To add: tell them what experience you’re looking for sooner rather than later; you don’t want to miss your ideal candidate because you’ve written your ideal experience as your closing statement.

Eeek, we know our salaries aren’t competitive… what can we do instead?!

Firstly, don’t pretend it is, instead could you….

⭐ Create a working environment people want to be part of e.g., do you reward the small things? have you implemented hybrid or flexible working? Is it time to revamp your incentives? How do you acknowledge your unsung heroes? E.g., your support staff: administration, HR, marketing teams etc.

⭐Improve your employee well-being, this does not need to cost the earth, but this topic is a blog in itself; so, get in touch if you want further tips on this topic!

⭐ Assign a budget to professional development. Did you know Kameo are partnered with the Centre of Excellence? Our unique discount code can give you up to 70% off a range of courses, find out more here.

⭐ Create a brand so good, people can’t say no! Social media is a great medium for doing this. If people have enough to live on salary isn’t always the main driver! Honestly, people love working for a great employer, and this does, occasionally, supersede the financials.

⭐Can you offer a profit share? A profit share will offer you a competitive advantage and can save you money too! When you offer a profit share employees are likely to work harder, smarter, and be more loyal.

⭐Do you accept that the people within your business are human, and life happens? Do you let them take the morning off to see their son in the nativity, do you care if they book a dentist appointment on a Wednesday afternoon? Tell people this, it’s what they want to hear.

Candidates, we can help you combat this too

Candidates, our message to you is think greater than the salary and before you apply, or in the interview:

  • Discuss the salary, ascertain if it’s competitive to you
  • Look at the whole opportunity, not just the salary
  • Benchmark yourself against the opportunity, know your own worth! E.g., do you have desired qualifications? What is your previous experience/job title? How many years have you spent in the industry?
  • What vibe are you getting from your peers and leadership team? Can you see yourself working there?
  • How happy are you knowing you could be part of the business you’re interviewing for? Salary is great but happiness is more.

When the salary is a sticking point for you, we advise:

  • You speak to your recruitment consultant about the national / regional average and use it during your interview. Please note, smaller companies irrespective of region are likely (although not always) to pay less than your large corporate who are looking for the same person.
  • Know when to walk away – if your research and expertise demonstrates you are worthy of more, then it is important that you understand you can walk away and source a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere.

So, if all of the above is true why does “competitive salary” appear so often? Often it comes from not knowing that there are alternatives, it could be a “well this is the way we’ve always hired” culture, and sometimes it’s genuinely the truth. If you can, take “competitive salary” with a pinch of salt, be a bigger picture thinker and use some of the tools we’ve outlined above ⬆️

It’s also worth bearing in mind…

✔️Salary is often confidential

✔️It’s a way of companies filtering out those who are only in it for the money

✔️It gives you room to negotiate!

In a nutshell, if you’re a candidate or a client our message is this: if it feels right go for it, offer the job, apply for the job, say yes to the job, enjoy the journey; after all, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky.

 

East Anglian Salary Survey

Thank you, REED.co.uk, for showing up year after year with your salary survey! It helps us put “competitive” into perspective; clients if you’re offering equal to or below the salaries included in the segment below you cannot state that your salary on offer is competitive.

Marketing
Marketing Manager £41,400
Marketing Executive £26,900
Web Designer £34,300
SEO/ PPC Executive £27,200
Graphic Designer £27,800

 

Sales
Sales Manager £44,400
Sales Executive £29,300
Business Development Manager £42,300
Account Manager £33,300
Sales Engineer £36,900

 

Commercial
Office Manager £32,000
Executive Assistant £29,300
Administrator £25,400 (slight variation for sales & project administrators; £21,400 = sales and £20,400 = project)
Operations Manager £40,200
Personal Assistant £25,800

 

Commercial Continued
Purchasing Assistant £23,600
Warehouse Manager £31,00
Logistics Manager £45,700
Transport Coordinator £21,900
Category Manager £53,500

 

Human Resources
HR Manager £46,300
HR Business Partner £46,100
Recruitment Manager £34,400
Health & Safety Manager £43,200
Analyst £39,600

 

Engineering
Engineering/Technical Manager £45,100
Project Manager £50,400
Field Service Engineer £32,300
Systems Engineer £47,800
Mechanical Engineer £40,300

 

IT
Software Engineer £50,700
Web Apps Developer £38,700
Full Stack Developer £48,100
Automation Test Analyst £47,600
Software Development Manager £64,600

 

Source: https://www.reed.com/downloads/reed-salary-guides-2022