Envision Launches New Online Resource Centre to Shed Light on Key FS Issues

Envision Financial Services Recruitment has launched a new resource centre as part of its recently redesigned website www.envisionfsr.com.

The companyís significant increase in turnover since 2004 ñ with growth recorded at 100% over the last 12 months ñ prompted the online relaunch. However, rather than simply redesigning the website, staff were keen to make more information available, in a way that was updateable, engaging and easily intelligible for web surfers. And so the idea for an online resource centre was born.

The resource centre, which is unique to the sector, provides the companyís two audiences ñ candidates and client companies ñ with detailed information and opinion on a wide variety of recruitment issues and hot topics within financial services. Unusually, access to this invaluable source of information is free with no need for log-ins or passwords. Recent subjects for the articles, which have been written by Envisionís recruitment specialists, include the shortage of paraplanners, the effect on recruitment of the increasing popularity of equity release schemes and the move by some stockbrokers to develop in-house IFA functions. Around 500 words in length, their aim is to provide both general and detailed information to candidates and clients alike, in an accessible and professional language that will appeal to casual web surfers and hardened job seekers alike.

Adam Maurer, Envisionís Managing Director, believes that the company is ideally placed to provide a genuinely unbiased view of the industry:

ìAs recruitment consultants, every change and trend in the market is witnessed first-hand by us. Our consultants are extremely knowledgeable and experienced people, most of whom have spent many years in financial services. Their combined knowledge represents an important source of information and guidance to clients and candidates alike. The resource centre is a natural step ñ we are simply making that information available on a wider basis.î

While being an excellent source of industry information, the centre also provides practical guidance to candidates who want to know more about current interview and employment practices ñ ëAn introduction to psychometric testingí, ëHow to ace case study interviewsí and ëHow to avoid the counter-offer trapí are just three examples of topics included in the candidate section of the resource centre. By publishing them online, Envision not only hopes to facilitate candidatesí experience of the recruitment process, but also to encourage them to get involved in the wider debate on their career paths and the changes to them that might be brought about by trends in the industry.

The topics for the articles have been identified by Envisionís team based on their observations of the industry and on feedback they have received from clients and candidates. Several new articles will be added every month and Adam Maurer is especially keen to encourage suggestions for topics from outside the company.

As one would expect from a newly relaunched website, the resource centre is but one of its new salient features. At any one time, the site typically carries in excess of 150 different vacancies covering Envisionís main product areas: asset finance and leasing, information and statistical services, regulated financial services, wholesale financial services and retail financial services, with the list of vacancies being refreshed every ten minutes. This is in addition to a powerful in-house database and intranet that is used to match applications with vacancies, giving Envision a unique perspective on mid-level positions in the Financial Services Industry.

Candidates can also register online and earn a possible reward of 250 or a state of the art ipod (terms and conditions apply) by referring a colleague.