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How to Make your Job Application Stand Out from the Crowd!

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Securing a new role in the IT industry isn't as easy as it used to be. If you have niche skills that are in demand, you can probably name your price, but applicants for roles such as helpdesk, IT Support and Network administration can sometimes struggle. There's stiff competition in terms of the volume of applicants and comparable skills sets. So when it comes to IT Recruitment, what action can you take to help your application stand out?     As a leading London IT Recruitment agency at HW Select, we've seen technology rolling in and out of fashion and jobs trending up and down. Given our industry experience and day to day interactions with candidates and clients, we are uniquely placed to offer an insight into what employers and IT Recruitment Agencies are looking for.   It all starts with your resume. Now we're not talking about how you present the information. That is, of course, important, and the presentation must be neat, clear and error-free but what mat...

Thinking About A Career Change?

London is one of the world's leading IT markets with plenty of blue-chip companies, head offices and tech start-ups. There's plenty of employment opportunities for technical specialists such as developers, business analysts, network support or cyber security across multiple different industry sectors. However, there is another IT-related career option most people overlook, and that is IT Recruitment. Given the number of ITrecruitment agencies in London servicing all these tech companies, there is huge career potential. IT recruitment in London offers an alternative career choice for skilled individuals looking for a career change or a new challenge. So what does the job involve?   How to Make The Change Moving from a technical IT role to an IT Recruitment career is not as difficult as you might think. Generally, IT Recruitment Jobs are sales-based roles where you need to bring in new client and job opportunities and identify suitable candidates. For an IT Recruitment Age...

5 Common Recruitment Mistakes

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There is no fail-safe process for successful IT recruitment, but knowing the potential problems that might arise can help you overcome them. When it comes to IT recruitment, experience is invaluable. So if you don't have hiring experience, it can help to engage with an IT Recruitment Agency . They can offer help and guidance as well as do the initial screening. You’ll not just save time and effort but only have to deal with qualified candidates.   1: Poor Job Description Too often, companies fail to develop clear and accurate job descriptions. Consequently, they fail to properly relay the job information to their IT Recruitment Agencies or include it in a job posting. Generic job ads attract generic skills. That may mean you get a high response rate, but many applicants won't be what you're looking for. It is far more efficient to invest time developing a good job description before you advertise than investing considerably more time sifting through resumes.   Whe...

Mistakes made when Hiring

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While there are problems that arise due to a company's recruitment processes, several additional issues stem from perception and attitude. These are often down to the individual hiring manager rather than a company policy or procedure.   Mistake 1: Discounting a Candidate Because They Are Overqualified Don't discount a seemingly overqualified candidate without talking to them. It is essential to understand why a candidate is interested in your role rather than make assumptions. Perhaps their previous job titles were misleading, and the work they were doing wasn't as senior as you think. Maybe some circumstances in their life require a less stressful and busy role. While they may be applying because there are no other roles in the area, that doesn't mean they will up and leave at the drop of a hat. Talk to them, establish their motivations and make an informed decision on the application rather than a guess. If you receive the resume from an IT Recruitment Agency ,...

Questions to Ask An IT Recruitment Agency

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When choosing a Recruitment Agency, it's important to understand how they operate and that their methods meet your expectations. The best way to qualify this is by asking the right questions. Here are seven targeted questions to help you build an accurate picture of potential IT recruitment agencies.   1. Do you represent Clients that require my skillsets, and if so, who? If you register with arecruitment agency that doesn't regularly deal with roles that match your skills, it is probably a pointless exercise. An IT recruitment agency might be reluctant to name its clients, but you should still be able to get a feel for how many IT Jobs in London they have to fill requiring your skills set. A quick check of their current vacant IT Jobs will also help build a picture of the roles they typically deal with.   2. Are you part of any preferred supplier lists? Many larger companies, now only recruit through a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) of recruitment agencies. Essentiall...

6 Tips for Remote Working in IT

Covid and extended lockdowns have forced many companies to make remote working standard practice. This change is likely to stay for the foreseeable future as companies realise it can increase productivity and reduce costs.   However, while remote working has a long list of benefits for employers, it can pose significant challenges for the individual. As an employee, what can you do to make working remotely an effective and enjoyable employment option?   Here are some tips to help you get set up and put you on the pathway to success.   1. Ensure You Can Access Systems Remotely A good internet connection is vital when it comes to working remotely. You must have a stable connection with good bandwidth. If your current internet package is insufficient, either upgrade it or switch suppliers. You should be able to claim at least part of your cost on tax or expenses, but even if that is not the case, don't compromise on speed. A slow connection will reduce your pr...

5 Tips for the Remote IT Job Search

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IT is the perfect industry for remote working. So-called Digital Nomads work from a wide variety of global locations picking up assignments when it suits them. Others choose to enjoy living in a rural area and work without the stress of commuting and high rents. There are many upsides to remote working beyond ditching the commute and a collar and tie. Remote working opens up global employment opportunities. You can be based in the UK and working for a US or Australian company. This gives you flexible work hours and greater employment choice.   That leads us to the first hurdle most people encounter, how do you secure a remote IT job?   1. Use Your Network Remote employment opportunities are far more common now than ever before. One of the best ways to secure a role is through your professional network. Use your network and social media to identify and apply for opportunities. If an existing employee introduces you to an organisation, it will increase your chance of s...