Bucking the Economic Trend

Despite plenty of talk about the ëcredit crunchí, it would appear that employment rates across the North West do not support the theories of inevitable recession.

The number of new vacancies placed with Crewe-based Absolute Recruitment UK Ltd has shown a steady increase month on month throughout 2008, with seventeen new clients placing multiple vacancies with the agency in June alone. The good news is that the situation shows little sign of slowing. Indeed, the Confederation of British Industry, the UKís leading employersí organisation, predicts continued economic growth through 2008 and 2009, albeit at a slower rate than last year.

Directors at Absolute are so confident that the employment market will be relatively unaffected by the slowing economy that they have recently appointed four new key members of staff to their Head Office in Crewe.

Karen Gojka joined the company in May after 20 years working for national recruitment firms Office Angels, Blue Arrow and Spring Personnel. Andrew Wragg, Mark Astbury and Liz Logan, who previously worked for a number of years for Advance Personnel Ltd in Crewe, all joined the company earlier this year. The appointments fall in line perfectly with Absoluteís culture of experience, adding 51 years of industry expertise to the company.

Managing Director Jessica Marshall urges companies considering using recruitment agencies to concentrate not just on price-savings but on the value that only experienced Recruiters can add to a company.

ìWhen we asked our Candidates and Clients what they were looking for in an agency, the overwhelming majority told us that they wanted to deal with Consultants who really knew what they were talking about,î says Managing Director, Jessica Marshall, ìThe day of the flash, pinstriped, fly-by-night salesperson is long gone for Recruitment. Careers are a serious matter, and candidates place their trust in Recruitment Consultants to ensure that their skills are expertly matched to positions which will further their careers.

Likewise, our Clients want to know that the Consultants looking after them are capable of delivering what they promise. Karen, Andrew, Mark and Lizís considerable experience fit well with our promise to Clients that their contracts will receive the best possible attention.

Recruitment agencies should not solely be sales offices. Sales ability in a Consultant is important but so is integrity, knowledge and industry expertise.î

In an industry where so many companies are concerned exclusively about making profits rather than also making the right decisions for their candidates, Absoluteís approach to Recruitment makes a real difference to the companies it supplies to.

ìRecruitment for many agencies is now a numbers game,î said Mark Astbury, who joined the company as Industrial Team Leader in June, ìand for such agencies, filling positions for Clients is often simply a quota-filling exercise.

This battery-farming approach to personnel supply is designed to achieve maximum profits for the agency but doesnít necessarily offer the best opportunities to jobseekers. Working at Absolute is refreshingly different, as the personal approach ñ the cornerstone of what we offer ñ achieves both.î

The company, whose Head Office is on Creweís Chester Bridge, was established in 2003 and, as a result of its ethical treatment of staff and its dedication to staying abreast of labour market developments, has grown to employ a team of fifteen Consultants and Administrators across three branches. The team boasts over 109 years worth of combined experience in the Recruitment Industry, and Directors believe this is the reason for its success.

Absolute co-owner, Dan Marshall says, ìOur advice to companies using recruitment agencies to source staff is to ensure firstly that the agency is a member of the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation), as member agencies must adhere to a strict Code of Conduct. But secondly, companies must ensure that the Consultant allocated to their contract has sufficient experience to cope with it. Any smooth-talking salesperson can fill a booking, but only an experienced Recruiter will find the best possible person for the job.î

For expert recruitment advice or to enquire about current vacancies contact Absolute Recruitment UK Ltd on 0800 083 5117.