Finding new staff
I need a new personal tax specialist as one of my people recently died. Due to low staff turnover the firm has not recruited for many years.
The local papers around here no longer have as much job advertising by employers as you used to see. When I look on the accounting related web sites such as this one and accountancyagejobs.com almost all the jobs are via agencies.
So I was wondering what other small (we are a team of 6) firms do these days.
Recruiting
OP - all the more reason to keep CV's on file whether you need them at the time or not!
Try asking peers, use twitter and ask people to RT, as suggested use your website, put the word around, use Aweb etc.
Have you considered advertising with ATT / CTA magazine? Cheaper than recruitment agencies and you could more carefully select who you interview.
If you do try and recruit without third party help then make sure that you are not exposed with the wording of you adverts with regards to age, sex, disability etc. In todays world it is easier to fall fail without even trying.
Do you spefically want another employee or would you use a subcontractor? I ask as if the latter we may be able to put you in touch with one or two of our members who may be interested.
Jason Dormer
Seahorse (UK) Ltd - For accountants and bookkeepers
How times change - but is it always for the better?
If you do try and recruit without third party help then make sure that you are not exposed with the wording of you adverts with regards to age, sex, disability etc. In todays world it is easier to fall fail without even trying.
Jason Dormer
Posted by Jason Dormer on Fri, 19/03/2010 - 17:44
Jason, do you mean if I advertise for a new secretary I can't put - " Secretary/shorthand typist required - must be good looking, long legs preferred, and must have a "willing nature" ? And before someone blows up - I actually saw that advert used, admittedly back in the 60's, and he got plenty of applicants.
Can you imagine the howls of protest nowdays.
Times a changing
Long legs and willing nature?
Is that not allowed anymore?
Best reword my latest ad!
Racism pays
Judging from the newspapers this week try advertising that "only Polish speakers need apply" or that you need staff "preferably of Indian origin". That way your vacancies end up being "advertised" for free on all the front pages :)
Never been easy
The other extreme is being swamped by candidates and I've never known a period in the middle.
I agree with another poster that word of mouth is a good starting point, someone may know someone. Years ago I attracted someone I knew by arranging for a recruiter client to call them with an anonymous proposal, ie just to see if they would be interested in moving, and it worked.
Having said that good agencies can be worth their weight, they will get to know you and your firm and should only try candidates who are within 5% to 10% of your job spec, saving you hours of wasted time. I have used Reed in the past and had no complaints.
If cost really is a prob the web or a local ad are worth a try, I was surprised a couple of years ago when, we tried it the local paper and attracted 2-3 worthwhile candidates who had got fed up with being treated like fodder by agencies.
Good luck.
PS: CD even with a smile, your last posting was unnecessary, if you have nothing constructive to say then please just read and move on.
Hypocrisy - try taking your own "advice"
PS: CD even with a smile, your last posting was unnecessary, if you have nothing constructive to say then please just read and move on.
Posted by Paul Scholes on Sat, 20/03/2010 - 01:26
And when you are appointed moderator - I might listen to your opinion. Until then as someone cerainly far more experienced (and more qualified) than you, who has 40 years experience of employing staff with more success that most (as my staff simply dont leave), I will post when, where, and what I wish. Perhaps you should take your own "advice" and "read & move on". YOUR comment was certainly unnecessary. (And deliberately inflamatory).
Job ads on LinkedIn
You can also put something in your status about looking for staff and the job ads in discussion groups are free. And I would agree with others - ask staff; put on your website; twitter etc
Sue
Website
I have recently recruited using our website. Completely free and I received some very good applications.