The global economic recession is continuing to stifle many organisations. Growth and development plans have been put on hold and many have had to downsize due to the lack of business.
Phaidon Capital, an international staffing group whose Internal Recruitment team are actively hiring graduates for entry-level positions, believe that graduates as well as businesses are feeling the impact of the economic downturn.
Recent claims of youth unemployment do not come as a shock to Phaidon Capital, who’s Head of Internal Recruitment, Alice Carter, commented “it seems that the tough economic climate is having a negative effect on young people looking for work, the failing business markets seem to be leaving graduates with a bleak outlook and their drive and enthusiasm is dwindling.”
“Although the market is tough, there are still jobs out there, but in this climate only the determined will succeed, it’s important that grads make sure they stand out and get noticed,” explained Internal Recruiter Bernadette Watson.
The suffering market is not an environment in which you would expect to see an organisation expand and employ, however Phaidon Capital have done just that, bucking the trend against all odds.
Phaidon Capital are placing specialists in many of the suffering European countries with such success that the organisation is set to almost double in size, branching out into international waters with offices opening in New York and Switzerland in 2013, creating new opportunities for graduates and experienced professionals.
“The success of the organisation is built upon the drive and ambition of our employees, the market is tough and it’s taken an immense amount of hard work and dedication to achieve what we have,” said Adam Buck, CEO at Phaidon Capital.
This year the group has taken on 44 graduates and has expansion plans in place to hire an additional 100 over the next two years, however, they have found good graduates difficult to find, despite the number suggested to be looking for work at the moment.
Of the 14,000 graduates that applied to the company this year, only 5% were invited for interview and even fewer actually offered a position.
Carter, said that “many young people lack the drive to succeed and don’t have the skills and professional etiquette to pass successfully through the hiring process,” and described some of the mistakes graduates had made during the interview process.
“A candidate once took a call in the middle of an interview and asked me to step out of the room. I was shocked that they thought that this was acceptable.”
“A surprising number of graduates mention excessive partying and drinking; we know what goes on at University but an interview is not the time to tell drunken stories.”
“Despite the difficult market, the recruitment industry and many others do have positions to be filled, but only the best candidates who are driven to succeed will have a chance. It is important to make sure they have a well written cover letter, CV and are well prepared for interviews,” added Watson.
Phaidon Capital’s success in the market shows that it is possible to ‘buck the trend’ sending a positive message out to graduates seeking jobs in this turbulent time.
Phaidon Capital will be sharing their interview horror stories and providing young people with invaluable interview tips throughout October via twitter... follow @GradRecruitment or search #Interview tips for updates.
