Working for Candidates

Good candidates are in great demand as they can make the difference between success and failure, but finding a role where they can best leverage their skills involves much more than a crude numbers game.

We help candidates understand what they have to offer and where and how these can be applied to best effect. We give them:

Guidance on career options – opening their eyes to opportunities they may never have considered and helping them to understand the realities and possibilities of the current job market

Help with CVs – We help candidates say what they need to say, clearly, concisely and in a way that appeals to clients

Help with interviews – from pre-interview conversations with us to post-interview feedback from clients we help candidates understand how they’re coming across, identify issues they need to address and help them address them

We help candidates understand what they want what they have to offer and what they need to learn. We give them full and frank feedback on things that are working for them or potentially holding them back.

We help them identify and express their best; what makes them different and valuable. We use our knowledge of what clients want to help candidates fine-tune how they present themselves. We help them find the position that really suits them and the rewards they deserve.

CV Advice

Your CV is the first thing that employers will judge you on and it is crucial to create the most positive impression you can.

• Keep the information concise and check it is relevant to your application
• Divide the CV into sections such as Personal Information, Qualifications, Employment History and Interests
• Include your full name, address and contact details
• Begin your employment history with your most recent experience first and include your responsibilities, dates of employment, reasons for leaving and salary details
• Do not leave out any period of employment
• Include your interests and be specific about any clubs you have played sport for, charitable activities or entrepreneurial involvement
• Check your CV thoroughly before submitting it
• If you need help in preparing your CV, please click here for CV tips and a template you can use

Your consultant will be your point of contact for any queries you have and will be able to offer you specialised advice on that client and sector but there are some basics you should follow to ensure you create the best impression possible:

Dress smartly – regardless of whether the client is dress down or not you should always wear a suit (and tie for men) and be smart in appearance; having polished shoes and being neatly shaven are a must

Research the company – there is an enormous amount of information available on companies which means there is no excuse for not having at least some basic knowledge of them.

Know where you are going – understand how long it will take you to get there and aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before you interview. It is often useful to get there earlier and find a nearby café to have a coffee, read through your notes and your CV and prepare yourself to both ask and answer questions. Make sure you know who you are meeting, their job title and how to pronounce their name.

Think about your body language - you should aim to impress immediately, make eye contact, smile and shake hands firmly. Throughout the interview maintain good eye contact, be enthusiastic and open in your body language and remember to smile.

Listen – don’t jump in and interrupt questions, think about what they have asked and take time before you answer. Clients will always prefer to hear a well-thought out answer after a pause than the first thing that comes into a candidate’s head.

Give examples – clients will want to hear about situations from a candidate’s career where they have practiced the skills they are saying they have. Simply saying you have that experience isn’t enough, think about strong commercial examples you can talk them through to back your point up.

Ask questions – show that you have thought about the role, the company and how it fits with what you are looking for. Make sure you have a list of them with you.

Leave delicate negotiations to us – as your consultant knows, we can negotiate rates, salary and package better than you, it’s what we are paid to do. Focus on understanding whether you want the role, how it fits into your career plan and whether your experience is right. We’ll deal with the rest later. If a client asks then tell them you’d prefer to leave that to us.

Talk to us - we are here to help you make the right decision, we don’t want you to take the wrong role or feel pressured to go to interviews that aren’t right for you. The only way we can ensure that we are working in your best interests is if you communicate what they are and together we can find the roles that suit you.

Keep talking - your consultant will always want to know of any changes in your situation and consistent communication is essential to you getting the best you can from us.

Referral Scheme

If you have friends or colleagues who could benefit from speaking to us, please get in touch. Learn more about our referral scheme here.


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