The Recruitment Issue by Ruari Phillips

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Issue 03 The Recruitment Issue March/April 2009

Inspiring Young People to Achieve

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DAN & THE BEANSTALK 14

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! 10 / 18 / 24

RECRUITMENT - WORTHY CAREER? 06

HOW TO MAKE A MILLION QUICK!

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GRADUATE SALARIES WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? 20

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EDITOR’S LETTER EDITOR

STAFF LIST

WELC WELCOME TO THE RECRUITMENT ISSUE OF $UCCESS MAG

RUARI PHILLIPS – EDITOR

This issue of $uccess Mag is all about recruitment and its merits as a graduate career-choice. As ever, it’s packed full entertaining and useful information. of enterta With the aid of our knowledgeable writers, we truly hope everything you find within these pages and on our website everythin inspires you y to become great in your chosen field. Whether you’d like to start your own business, or it’s just job you’re after $uccess Mag is here to help. a good jo

D E V R SE

online community of young, ambitious people is Our onlin building vvery quickly so, if you’re under the age of thirty, would like to appear in the “It’s All About YOU!” and woul the following to editor@success-mag.co.uk section, email e • • • •

Name Age University (if applicable) Unive Where you’re from

• • •

Contact details 100-word biog Photo (preferably JPEG)

profile will appear on the website and a select few Every pro in the magazine. ma $uccess Recruit are currently interviewing for a top financial recruitment firm based in Green Park/London. One of their recruitme recruits took home £56k in a single month – but you new recru do need to t be very good. If you are interested, or know of anyone who may be, email all CVs to graduates@success-recruit.co.uk regards, Kind rega RUARI PHILLIPS PH EDITOR

Ruari Phillips, 24, has written for a number of national publications. After undertaking a post-graduate course in magazine journalism he decided to start his own publication and hasn’t looked back since. REBECCA O’CONNOR – STAFF WRITER Rebecca O’Connor is personal finance reporter for The Times. She has been writing about money for the past two years. SCOTT KEIGHTLEY DESIGNER After four years working in leading design industry studios, Scott Keightley has built a client list including Gordon Ramsay Holdings and BMI (British Midland Airways). DAMIAN WATSON – WEBSITE DESIGN In just five years, Damian Watson’s business, Greenhouse Design, has grown into a thriving limited company. They specialise in the Public Sector. BRYCE LOWRY – ADVERTISING MANAGER With 8 years experience in print and online advertising sales, Bryce has worked for such titles as In London and The Australian Times. His key accounts have included high profile recruitment agencies and financial services companies.

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CONTENTS

RECRUITMENT - WORTHY CAREER?

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU! PART ONE

WHAT NO-ONE EVER TELLS YOU ABOUT JOB HUNTING

DAN AND THE BEANSTALK

DAN MCGUIRE IS A TRUE GIANT IN THE WORLD OF RECRUITMENT AND ONLINE JOB ADVERTISING. AT 28, HE HAS REVOLUTIONISED AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY THROUGH HIS COMPANY BROADBEAN TECHNOLOGY AND WAS AWARDED YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AT THE 2007 GROWING BUSINESS AWARDS.

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IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU! PART TWO

GRADUATE SALARIES – WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?

FEEDBACK

FLYING START NEWS

FLYINGSTART ONLINE TOPS 12,000!

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU! PART THREE

SELBY JENNINGS – LIVE THE DREAM

SHOW YOUR TIME WHO’S BOSS

WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT TIME MANAGEMENT. WE, AT LEAST, PAY LIP SERVICE TO IT BY SAYING WE ARE EXCELLENT TIMEKEEPERS IN JOB APPLICATIONS.

RECRUITMENT - WORTHY CAREER?

‘Start ’ out right

STARTING ON THE CAREER LADDER IN 2009 IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING NO MATTER WHAT DIRECTION YOU TAKE. WITH ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS OF RECENT MONTHS, MANY ‘SAFE BETS’ DON’T, PERHAPS, FEEL QUITE SO SECURE ANYMORE. But did you know that in turbulent times, recruitment decisions are increasingly vital to the financial and operational health of a business and its future? Did you also know that the sector is worth over £26.5 billion to the economy in the UK alone? Good recruiters will always be in demand for their ability to attract, and secure, the very best key staff for clients and the industry offers a wealth of opportunity to bright, talented individuals.

No matter what you’ve studied, or where you’ve worked up to this point, you can find a home in recruitment. Specialists, with a deep knowledge of a particular industry or skill-set, excel at using this experience to recruit others in their field and are highly sought after. Marketers and managers will similarly be a good fit, either recruiting for their sector or using their knowledge to drive and evolve the success of a recruitment business. Even those who have no previous work experience, generalists or people who want to embark on a new journey, will find recruitment can be a springboard to a new, and prosperous, career. There are no barriers to entry - and no limits to

success – if you have passion, personality and proficiency you’ll fit right in and thrive at what you do. The skills you learn as a recruiter are transferable and offer a solid foundation for the future. You’ll get a decent grounding in general business management and communications as well as sales, negotiation, assessment and decision-making. An understanding of the recruitment lifecycle and dynamics will also stand you in good stead for your own career as people who understand how recruitment works are much easier to recruit than those who don’t!

If you’re not yet convinced, just take a look at the many different ‘best company’ and ‘rich lists’ in the press to see just how many recruiters and recruitment businesses feature. If they can make it to the top, and in such high numbers too, just imagine what you could achieve. So, now your interest is piqued, what’s the next step? How can you make this the best career choice for you for years to come? And most importantly, what are the tricks of the trade that will really help? ‘Start out right’ by carefully choosing the organisation you will begin your career with. Give yourself the best possible induction to the industry by going for a company that invests in your training and ongoing development. Ask how much they commit per person per annum – showing an interest in your career development is never a bad thing. The best recruiters won’t rely solely on their employer’s ability to help them grow so, ‘sharpen your saw’ and invest in your own career too by learning from well-respected training programmes, reading the important blogs and going to the right business and social events to meet others in your field.

Understand ‘how not to do things’. Go to www.recruitmentjuice.com and meet Wayne from Sunshine Recruitment, a fictional agency we created that encompasses the good, the bad and the downright dismal of recruitment. Seeing the mistakes that are made will really hit home about the importance of getting it right and the opportunities that creates. Picking up good habits from the gurus is another vital tip – never forget that ‘success leaves clues’. Find out who the ‘big billers’ are in your sector or location, figure out how they have succeeded and replicate everything you can. You’ll be amazed at how even the smallest adjustment of behaviour, language or activity can make a big difference to your placement tally.

Launching in February 2009, 'The Juicy Bits of the Recruitment Process' is the fresh, new DVD training programme from Recruitment Juice, covering each element of the complete recruitment process in twelve simple steps. The six DVDs and comprehensive workbook are suitable for both experienced recruiters and trainees and will provide all the skills, knowledge and latest strategies essential for success in recruitment. Success Mag has secured you a special £50 discount on all Recruitment Juice DVD training programmes. Simply enter 'success' in the promotion code box on www.recruitmentjuice.com when making your purchase.

Finally, ‘appreciate your impact’! Good recruiters make a real difference to their clients’ businesses, build relationships that last a lifetime and play a very important role in industry and commerce. Remembering this gives you more confidence to get out there and keep succeeding.

WORDS - ROY RIPPER AND MATT TROTT OF RECRUITMENT JUICE

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

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HOW TO

$uccess Mag / The Recruitm Recruitment uitm ment Issue

T R A P ! K C I U Q N O I L L I M A MAKE

S S E R G O R P THREE IN

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ITS ALL ABOUT YOU! PART ONE

THE WORLD IS FULL OF YOUNG, AMBITIOUS PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO DON’T SIT AROUND WAITING FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN – THEY ARE OUT THERE, MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. This section is dedicated to letting you know who they are…

Pauline Clifford, 26

Designer/creator of StarSparkles Neilston,Glasgow

In 2006 I created my business StarSparkles. I offer a unique service of hand customising shoes using Swarovski crystals. I've always been creative and loved things that were different! Little did I know that my hobby of customising shoes would turn into an award winning successful business. My dreams became reality when Paris Hilton was photographed wearing her own pair of StarSparkles! Since then I've also Sparkled shoes

Oliver Sidwell, 24

(Loughborough University Graduate)

Co-founder of Rate-My-Placement Tring, Herts

Co-founder of RATE-MY-PLACEMENT Tring, Herts

I'm the co-founder of the student work placement and internship website www.RateMyPlacement.co.uk

becoming the number one resource for all parties involved in work placements and internships.

The website was launched in 2007 while I was still at uni and upon graduating I worked on the website part time until Peter Jones recommended we go full time!

I'm also a MakeYourMark Ambassador and have just been appointed a trustee of a new student focused charity called genYus.. in my spare time I play cricket!

Two weeks later in May 08, two of us went full time and we are fast

To contact me email oliver@ratemyplacement.co.uk

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

Corinne DamasSandiford, 28

CEO of Wantok Production Paris

I run Wantok production which aims at strengthening clients' internal and external communication thanks to a deep dive anthropological approach based on a close relationship with the company culture and its employees' unique identity. Wantok production revisits the classical approach of

institutional films and contributes to its clients' corporate citizenship.

for Pharrell Williams, Fergie and Justin Timberlake. I love what I do and I'm so humbled and appreciative that StarSparkles has been well received by so many people! Be passionate, positive and never give up on your dreams! To contact me visit www.starsparkles.com or email pauline@starsparkles.com

To contact me email corinne@wantokproduction.com Here's the website www.wantokproduction.com

Chris Tew, 24

(Plymouth University Graduate)

CEO of TVADIO Plymouth, Devon

I have a strong passion for independent media and easing the flow of information. The internet is the ultimate medium for this.

magazines. Site writers were given an emancipated voice, breaking traditional editorial standards that are so common in the mainstream media.

After leaving uni I pursued the idea of independent media and internet TV and won Plymouth University’s Business Ideas Challenge.

In 2008 this small network of sites received over 4 million visitors. This was done without investment or bank loans. 2009 looks even better!

tVadio.com was born along with a small number of independent online

To contact Chris visit www.tvadio.com

Alex Pryce, 20

CEO of www.poetcasting.co.uk University of Leicester

Alex Pryce has been dubbed the ‘one to watch` in the art world by judges of the Women of the Future Award. The youngest category winner at just 20 years old, Alex picked up the Booz & Company Art and Culture Woman of the Future Award for her work conceiving and launching PoetCasting, a podcasting enterprise which secured Arts Council funding earlier this year.

PoetCasting (www.poetcasting.co.uk) features poets reading their own work. Alex has already been recognised for her creative potential by Ignite! and NESTA. Alex is also a full time English student, Treasurer of the Bright Futures Society and a poet. To contact Alex visit www.alexpryce.com

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WHAT NO-ONE EVER TELLS YOU ABOUT JOB HUNTING

THE BRIGHT FUTURES SOCIETY IS ALL ABOUT HELPING OUR STUDENT MEMBERS AT UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE UK STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION FOR THE BEST GRADUATE JOBS. So, we thought we’d start a series of features in $uccess Mag telling you the stuff no-one ever really does; what really matters most when it comes to successful job hunting. There are, of course, some fundamentals which you will already know:

(A) Find out what the job & industry is really like. (B) Ask them what they believe it takes to be a success in that organisation. If that sounds like you - then apply.

1. Do not take job-hunting lightly; it’s almost a full time job in itself. You will have to commit time to it to get the results you want; emailing the odd CV just won’t cut it! 2. Be clear in your mind, and on your CV, exactly what kind of a role you are seeking and why. 3. There are three typical places to go to find out about vacancies: a. Your Careers Service b. The Web c. Newspapers / Journals etc. But the most missed opportunity when it comes to job hunting, and what no one ever tells you, is using your ‘network’. Your network works in two ways… 1. It is not who you know, but who the people you know, know! In other words talk to people (friends, family, past employers, academics etc.) not about jobs they might have (as they rarely do!) but who they know who might recruit graduates; then contact these people. When you do speak to them the best two things you can do is –

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

2. Proactively build your professional network - those people who can help with your career – and your network is on AND offline. So how do you do this? Online – Engage with people who work in the company or industry you want to be part of. There are some new interactive technologies coming onto the market – one of which we, in Bright Futures, are currently developing to help you do that. Offline - Attend the events that organisations run on campus – again, Bright Futures runs hundreds of these a year; after the main presentation go up and speak with those people from the business.

Building your network also has another advantage, for the truth is too many undergraduates apply to companies because they are big, have good training programmes or pay well! This is, of course, the case with lots of organisations and they know that already; so, telling them that’s why you want to work for them does you no good. But if you can tell them you want to work with them because you have spoken to people in their company or industry you will create a better impression because you will show you have done your research and that you are better informed about the company and the role you want to play in it. All this means you are much more likely to succeed in that organisation. In today’s tough competitive world what you know, and who you know, both matter; have both and you will stand out in a very crowded graduate market.

Introduce yourself to them. With both these approaches make sure those you speak with know your name; get their business card and/or contact details and follow up with an email the next day – this is how you build your professional network.

To get involved in Bright Futures contact Eve at eve@bright-futures.org.uk or go to our website www.bright-futures.org.uk

D E V R E S E R

DAN AND THE BEANSTALK

“So much has happened in the last six years,” says Dan. “I remember when it was just me and my business partner, Kelly Robinson, in an office with an IT contractor working from home. I did absolutely everything except coding. Now I focus on developing the management team and the ongoing strategy for the business. We used to dream about becoming the number one player in the UK. Now we’re in the process of becoming number one in the world.”

The thinking behind Broadband is easy; a recruiter goes to www.broadbean.com writes up the position available which is then posted to multiple job boards relating to that particular sector. A trusted provider to 72 of the UK's top 100 staffing businesses as well as recruitment advertising agencies, technology vendors, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) businesses and major employers – Broadbean has a dominant market leading position in the sector in Britain. Each month over 30,000 recruiters use the website to distribute 1.5 million adverts and they process two million job seekers generated by this advertising. Cutting-edge technology records the source of every application and the resulting management information allows clients to calculate the exact returns on investment from their online spend. This facilitates better buying decisions and is proven to save users money. “It sounds simple enough I know,” Dan explains, “But the work we have put into perfecting this product doesn’t bare thinking about. The first few months were the hardest as we just weren’t making any sales. We had more than 10 competitors, all about the same price and we were viewed as one of the same crowd. I had to

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“Broadbean is my passion and my hobby and I think my enthusiasm rubs off on my team. I treat all my employees with respect. Hard work is well rewarded, a good work-life balance is encouraged and I’m happy to listen to criticism or advice from any of them. People spend so much time in the office so I want them to enjoy it and reap the benefits. Only 5 people have ever left this place so we must be doing something right.” give us an edge. We believed we had a better product and service so I took a decision to triple the price. Kel nearly fell of his chair when I told him. Suddenly people were interested in why we were so expensive, their curiosity got us through the door and we started doing deals. There were times when my partners wanted to call it a day but I genuinely believed we could make it. They deserve a lot of credit for having so much faith in a 21 year old with big hair and a tasty mullet! The first two years were really tight but in November 2004 we cleared our overdraft and the risk paid off. It was all worthwhile.” Having conquered the UK and much of Europe, McGuire has set his sights on the US and his primary objective remains the same: “To post the world’s ads”. “That slogan came about in 2002 when I began working with Kel. He wrote it on a post-it note and it was our business plan! I had worked for him in his other business so after he founded Broadbean and I decided to get out of recruitment he started talking to me about this little web start-up with no revenue and virtually no budget which was almost certainly the only internet company in the World without a website. It sounded perfect! He already had fifteen years

experience in running and owning businesses and I was hungry to prove myself so we were a good match. Being the sort of person who spent money before I’d earned it, I had no cash to put in so I took out a loan to support myself and worked for free in return for a 25% share in the company.” Dan and Broadbean went from strength to strength and he single-handedly generated over £100k’s worth of sales in year one. This more than doubled in year two and by 2005 Broadbean had reached its £1million target. Now, in 2009, Dan is on track to generate an annual turnover in excess of £4 million, and manages an office of nearly 60 employees. “The first year was definitely the hardest. I was always confident the product would do well. If I hadn’t been utterly sure this would fly I wouldn’t have sacrificed so much of my time, money and effort. Being an entrepreneur is about taking risks, but they have to be calculated. You have to be honest with yourself. It’s one of the things that separates those that make it from those that don’t – measured risk taking and admitting to yourself when something’s not working.”

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In October last year Broadbean Technology was sold to DMGT (Daily Mail General Trust) in a bid to drive expansion. Although the sum paid was never released, by the look of Broadbean’s Canary Wharf office, it was anything but modest... "This is a very exciting time for the business, says Dan. “We have an ambitious international strategy and our Board felt it was the right time to sell. After many discussions, it became quite apparent DMGT was the ideal group to help accelerate our global expansion plans. Not much has changed though, I still love coming to work every day and I’m just as enthusiastic as before. ” “Broadbean is my passion and my hobby and I think my enthusiasm rubs off on my team. I treat all my employees with respect. Hard work is well rewarded, a good work-life balance is encouraged and I’m happy to listen to criticism or advice from any of them. People spend so much time in the office so I want them to enjoy it and reap the benefits. Only 5 people have ever left this place so we must be doing something right.”

It shows from the general attitude inside “Broadbean Towers”: employees are happy. Plasma screens dotted around the offices blare out MTV and there’s a general air of fun. The word “love” is also written on the walls inside a Broadbean logo, something Dan believes to be important in anything you do. “It’s from our Love the Bean campaign – we love our clients and, hopefully they love us,” he smiles. “If you’re really going to give something 100% you’ve got to love what you’re doing, where you work, the people you work with. If you’ve got a smile on your face and you’re enjoying yourself life is so much easier. If you have a purpose in your life you have focus. When you’re focused and in the zone nothing that you do is hard, you never feel tired and you’ll never give up. That’s the message I’m trying to promote at schools, colleges and universities as well.” Dan’s entrepreneurial skills have well and truly been recognised: in 2007, at the Growing Business Awards, he was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year; he was highly commended in the Lifetime Achievement category at the London and South East Recruitment Awards, aged only 26, and appeared in Courvoisier’s list of Rising Stars in Business.

‘We have an ambitious international strategy and our Board felt it was the right time to sell. After many discussions, it became quite apparent DMGT was the ideal group to help accelerate our global expansion plans. Not much has changed though, I still love coming to work every day and I’m just as enthusiastic as before. ” 16

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

A well-known figure in the recruitment industry, Dan is a confident public speaker and writes a monthly column for Real Business Magazine. His desire to inspire young people to follow their business dreams is more than apparent and he recently joined the leading charitable board Young Enterprise and advises the Aldridge Foundation. “Entrepreneurship must be encouraged wherever possible. That’s why I like to get into schools and colleges and talk to young people about the potential they have. I recently set up “The Two Hour Initiative” (www.twohourinitiative.com), which I created to urge entrepreneurs to give up two hours of their time every quarter to do the same.” “Being an entrepreneur was never even mentioned as a choice when I was at school and even now, too many kids don’t believe enough in themselves and aren’t encouraged by the education system to consider going it alone one day. There’s enough successful, charismatic entrepreneurs in this country to make a massive difference. I'm only asking for two hours every quarter and it’s not for any profit whatsoever…” As the MD of a company that has continually doubled its turnover every year since its establishment in 2002; that services the top recruitment businesses in the UK and that caters to global clients such as Google and Manpower, Dan is in prime position to be one of the business leaders of his generation. Just as Jack climbed the beanstalk, so Dan is climbing high with Broadbean and it doesn’t look like he’s coming down anytime soon.

WORDS - RUARI PHILLIPS

DAN’S TOP FIVE BUSINESS TIPS 1.

Have fun - If you’re not having fun in your business you’re in the wrong game. For a lot of entrepreneurs making money is a nice side effect of success, it’s not the key driver. You can’t bust a gut doing something you hate just for the money. The day I stop having fun is the day I’ll do something else. Be honest - Be honest with your staff, your clients, your suppliers and most importantly yourself. You will inevitably have to make difficult decisions and sometimes what you say will upset someone. If you’re always honest people will respect you even if they don’t like what they’re hearing. Don’t forget to continually look at yourself and your business and don’t be afraid to admit if you’re on the wrong path. Recognise it and make a change. Set targets - It’s vital to have goals, both professionally and personally. That doesn’t mean writing down “I want to be a millionaire” on a piece of paper! What do you want to achieve with your business in the short, medium and long term? What are your personal targets? How can you ensure you meet them? Constantly review and revise them. Having a purpose

gives you focus. If you’re truly focused you will have the energy, desire and commitment to achieve anything you set your mind to. 4.

Provide the best service - That means to your clients and your employees. There’s no point trying to provide a great service if you’re team isn’t totally bought into what you’re trying to do. There’s no excuse, none at all, for not providing an out-of-this-world service. When it comes to staff give them a great environment to work in, reward them for success, trust them with responsibility and encourage them to use their own initiative.

Watch the cash - Get the finances wrong and you’re dead. You have to plan for the worst and make sure you’ve got the cash flow to get you through a tough time. How many companies didn’t do that and have gone bust in the last few months? One of the best moves we made was bringing in a Financial Director in once a month to help with our financial planning. It revolutionised our business and set the foundations for growth. He works full time for us now.

D E V R E S E R

ITS ALL ABOUT YOU! PART TWO

Sophie Hughes and Lucy Cohen, 26

MDs of Mazuma UK Ltd. Cardiff

Award winning Accountancy practice, Mazuma, was born of the friendship between accountants Sophie Hughes and Lucy Cohen. Launched in 2006, Mazuma has rapidly grown and recently expanded nationwide with 8 new branches set to open in 2009.

small businesses received was not as good as it could be so simplified the process. With easy to use monthly services such as Purple force and Platinum force, clients have a fast, reliable and affordable service from the dynamic and innovative firm Mazuma.

Sophie and Lucy saw a niche in the market, with small businesses being poorly serviced by other accountancy firms, and noticed that the service

Nadeem Sham, 23

CEO of Agency Global Middlesex

Agency Global is an integrated media and entertainment company involved in artist management, music recording, film/video production, publishing, event management, show coordination and public relations.

cover music in French, Indian, Arabic and Spanish of main genres which is why all our artists have truly unique sounds. We have developed various types of music and fusion beats with global appeal.

As a record label and publisher; while we are mainly concentrated on English mainstream music, we also

Why not visit the website www.agencyglobal.co.uk

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To contact either Sophie or Lucy visit www.mazumamoney.co.uk

Scott Woodhead, 26

(University graduate of MMU)

MD of fitgencY Manchester

My name is Scott Woodhead and I am the Founder and Managing Director of fitgencY. fitgencY is a leading supplier of recruitment solutions to the fitness, health, sports and leisure sectors. We have years of specialist experience in these sectors and can deliver recruitment solutions to meet a business’s needs.

Customers can also book one of our many qualified FITNESS, HEALTH or SPORTS INSTRUCTORS directly online or over the telephone for them to meet you at a time and place that is convenient for you. To contact me email scott.woodhead@fitgency.co.uk

GRADUATE SALARIES – WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?

FOR AMBITIOUS RECENT GRADUATES WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THE COLLAPSE OF GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME. In an economy when hiring freezes, and salary freezes, are fast being adopted by companies desperate to cut costs, hopes of making shed loads of cash in your first job somehow seem pretty unrealistic. After all, if even seasoned investment bankers are struggling, what hope is there for fresh-faced bright young things? There‘s no doubt about it, graduates looking for plum jobs that pay mega bucks face an uphill struggle in today's more straitened climate. The good news is that the jobs are still out there. Employers see graduate trainees as a long-term investment that will pay off in a few years and are, therefore, keen to keep the doors open. However, the recession means that once you are in the door the chances of a pay rise are somewhat slimmer. First pay cheques make for depressing reading at the best of times. The average graduate starting salary is £24,000, equal to £18,368 a year after tax - or £1,530 a month. Once you have subtracted student loan repayments, rent (about £600 a month in London) and bills, you’ll find that there’s not much left over for either spending or saving. salary for one or two years so it’s always worth finding out from your employer when you apply what to expect on this front. Some will have performance-related pay scales that are reviewed at fixed intervals. The

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

Civil Service has the most dependable future earnings structure, though money-minded graduates may be dissuaded because the maximum you can earn working for the Government is capped. For fast-streamers - those who are accepted onto the Civil Service's accelerated progress stream, £24,500 is a typical starting salary, rising to £36,000 after four or five years and then to £51,000. Pay for senior Civil Servants are then divided into

"bands", ranging from £56,100 to a maximum of £205,000. Servants are then divided into "bands", ranging from £56,100 to a maximum of £205,000. The more qualifications you need for your first job, the higher the starting salary is likely to be. Newly qualified city lawyers earn more than £60,000 in their first year, according to Hughes-Castell, a leading recruiter. If you decide the City is for you, don’t expect to be an instant millionaire. The starting salary - is still higher than the UK's average salary (£32,785.85), but relative to potential future earnings – it’s a "modest" £35,000 for investment banks or fund managers. In a couple of years, this can double, but be warned - you will have to put in the time. Investment bankers routinely work more than 60 hours a week. If you want a life outside work, a lower paid job is probably for you. Small to medium-sized companies usually have a less structured approach to the progression of your pay than large corporations, which may mean you have to negotiate rises. There is a difficult balance to strike between being assertive and annoying your boss here. The salary offered for your first job as a graduate is usually non-negotiable, unless you are bringing something exceptional to the position, and it might appear like bad form to try to haggle over your salary.

However, once you are in work, most companies have annual reviews for employees. This is an opportunity to reflect on your performance and goals and a good time to ask for a pay rise. But there are ways and means of doing this - don't just come out with it. Highlight your achievements, the different ways in which you have performed above and beyond your call of duty. If your employer asks you to suggest an amount, be realistic. If you are earning £26,000 for example, do not suggest £40,000, maybe suggest £32,000, and see if you can settle at £30,000. If your employer says no, don't huff about it - ask if you could broach the subject again, in say 6 months, when your skills and experience will have developed further. If you are not sure what you should expect to be earning in your industry, you can check, using the calculator at www.mysalary.co.uk. The limitations of a salary make jobs with bonuses or commission look much more appealing. Prospects for big earnings from the former have been dealt a blow over recent months as the City bonus culture has been forced into hibernation by the financial crisis, but commission is still there for the taking - provided you work hard. Jobs in marketing, sales, advertising and recruitment are mostly commission-based. Joe Booth, an executive search consultant at the SOLA group, a recruitment consultancy, says: "Commission based jobs mean you are rewarded and recognized in a very tangible way that actually helps to improve your quality of life. You are rewarded in direct correlation to what money you make for your company which means consultants know exactly what they are making and have complete control over their earnings. Much more satisfying than woolly discretionary bonuses."

Although there is a lot of money making potential, commission is not easy money. "There is a popular misconception that making money from recruitment is easy – this is totally inaccurate," says Booth, "The people who earn the most are driven, ambitious and extremely hard working. The sky really is the limit, it is possible to earn £250,000 in a year but the caveat to that is that you have to be in the right company and market with an infrastructure that will be able to support you and you have to work ferociously hard. For every one person earning six figures there are hundreds who aren’t." Choosing a company is critical. Get a feel for the people and the culture, and how long people typically stay at the firm. The longer employees stay, the happier they usually are. Naturally, in an economic downturn, when everyone is spending less, commission is harder to come by. The price you pay for high potential earnings is a low basic salary, often as little as £15,000 a year. However, the industry has been shifting on this slightly, and some companies have been prepared to pay more as the war for the best talent becomes much more significant. Typically, you can expect to earn three times your basic salary in an average year. Booth says: "Recruitment really is a meritocratic industry – generally the more successful you are the more you will be given, longevity counts for nothing." It’s not all about your earnings, though. When choosing jobs consider the other benefits. While a pension might not seem like a massive perk

at the moment, the earlier you start saving into one of these, the better. With occupational schemes, employers usually match your contribution, typically around 4 per cent of your salary. Employers pay this money into a pot for you and it grows over time, so that when you retire, you are not living solely on the state pension. Other benefits worth considering are private health and dental care and legal insurance. When deciding whether you are being offered a good deal, also take into account the number of days holiday written into your contract. If two identical jobs pay the same, but one offers 20 days and the other 30, it’s a bit of a no-brainer. You may think it is too soon to be thinking about your second job, but after a year in your first, it’s not a bad idea to consider your next move. Would you like to stay at the same company but change role, or move to a different employer? Would you take a pay cut for a job that will broaden your experience, or is money your only criteria? Whatever your reasons for moving, be aware that your next employer will want to know lots about your previous job. The longer you have been there, the better it looks. It shows commitment on your part, and is evidence that your employer thinks you are a good worker. And this is perhaps the golden rule. If you want your career to progress and your pay with it, work hard and be indispensable. Nothing beats this formula for improving your earning potential.

WORDS - REBECCA O’CONNOR

"Recruitment really is a meritocratic industry – generally the more successful you are the more you will be given, longevity counts for nothing." www.success-mag.co.uk

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FLYING START NEWS

It’s the third year of the prestigious international NCGE (National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship) Flying Start Global Entrepreneurs’ Programme designed to find the graduates in science, technology, engineering and maths with the best prospects of becoming high profile entrepreneurs.

features ideally suited to the interests of entrepreneurial students and graduates." SIMON BUTT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, WWW.NCGE.ORG.UK

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FLYING START Global Entrepreneurs 2009 www.flyingstartonline.com www.ncge.org.uk FlyingStart Online tops 12,000! FlyingStart’s relaunched online support system for student and graduate entrepreneurs has grown its membership to over 12,000 since it went live during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008 last November thanks to everyone who signed up and created profiles. It’s free to register if you’re a UK student or a graduate who left university less than five years ago. Once you’re a member it’s up to you to get the most from our FlyingStart mentors, experts and the other entrepreneurs who create this formidable network. Look out for the latest programmes and events as well. We may be running something in your sector that could give you three days intensive training followed by a year’s mentoring to support you as you set up your business. Bournemouth’s Creative FlyingStart to 2009 A talented group of 34 graduates and final year students, more than a third

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

already trading, experienced three days of intensive entrepreneurship training in Bournemouth in January. Focused on what they needed to know as ‘creative industries entrepreneurs’, they will now benefit from a year’s mentoring to help them develop their businesses. Companies like Squid London, run by Emma-Jayne Parkes and Viviane Jaeger, are already attracting attention for their revolutionary use of smart materials in umbrella designs. Their hi-tech brollies change colour and reveal hidden designs when the weather strikes them! Versions were used for the closing “Handover’ Ceremony” at the Beijing Olympics last summer. New Year, New President, New Global Entrepreneurs Our 11 Flying Start Global Entrepreneurs for 2008-2009 arrived in Kansas City, Missouri to start their six months in the United States just in time to enjoy the excitement surrounding President Barack Obama’s inauguration. They will have the opportunity, during their stay, to visit some of America’s most active entrepreneurial universities, and their enterprising environments; including Harvard, MIT and Stanford.

This year, 2008-2009, 11 Flying Start Global Entrepreneurs were selected from England and Northern Ireland – three women and eight men. They are: •

Dr Steven Abbott, Anglia Ruskin University

•

Franziska Conrad, Bournemouth University

•

Robin Dodwell, University of Portsmouth

•

Dr Daniel Hulme, University College London

•

Peter Johnson, University College London

•

Jonathan Lloyd, University of Portsmouth

•

Richard Mairs, University of Teesside

•

George Mills, University of Bristol

•

Dr Thomas Whitfield Oxford University

•

Lyndsey Bond and Shauna Ward from the University of Ulster are sponsored and supported by Invest Northern Ireland.

Flying Start is dedicated to getting student and graduate businesses started. Whether it's just an idea, an international hi tech venture, a social enterprise or a small consultancy Flying Start is geared up to support graduates, up to five years out, realise their ambitions and support new businesses. Visit www.flyingstartonline.com TODAY!

www.success-mag.co.uk

ITS ALL ABOUT YOU! PART THREE

Alex Griffin, 27

Tom Bool, 28

CEO of Bouf.com Kennington, London

(graduate of Anglia Ruskin University)

(Arts Institute Bournemouth)

MD of Integro Languages Norwich

Alex Griffin setup Bouf.com after realising how difficult it was to find unique home furnishings and inspirational gifts. Having worked in the design industry, Alex knew that designers with highly original products found it impossible to penetrate the fiercely competitive high-street, while consumers increasingly preferred distinctive products. Bouf unites consumers with the world’s most

incredible designers, making it simple to find inspirational homeware and gifts. Bouf’s success has led to the recent launch of sister-site, Joolia.com, the global Jewellery and Accessories marketplace. Alex won the Shell Livewire Entrepreneur of the Year award for London and the South in 2007.

Tom Bool is the Managing Director of Integro Languages, a full service multi-language translation and interpretation agency. After his BA (Hons) European Business degree, Tom spent two years in France in various work placements and jobs, developing his French to near native fluency. He immediately set about improving his Spanish too, while qualifying as a language teacher in Spain.

Tom then set up Integro Languages; a translation agency providing translation and interpretation services in discerning niche-markets. With the support of a network of professional translators, Integro Languages handles documents in over 140 languages, with a client base growing fast throughout Europe.

To contact alex visit - www.bouf.com

Gemma Bubb, 20

(Swansea University)

Samantha Waine, 23

Student West Wales

CEO of Dirty Pretty Shropshire

I am President of the Bright Futures society in Swansea University, and the committee and I help students here see that it is more than a degree that is going to get them that dream job. I am in my final year myself and currently applying for jobs at a recruitment consultancy in London.

I set my aims high and keep pushing myself in order to get where I want to go. I know that getting involved in as many things as possible will give me the best chances for my career. All students should know this!

Dirty Pretty is a luxury recycled fashion brand which fuses authentic vintage fabrics with hand-picked reclaimed clothing to make one-off garments and accessories which are unique.

My aim is to offer an ethical alternative to the high street as well as providing beautiful fashion for everyone to enjoy.

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

To contact Tom visit www.integrolanguages.co.uk

To contact Samantha visit www.dirtypretty.co.uk

To contact Gemma email gemma_bubb@hotmail.com

Simon Phelps, 25

Scott Woodhead, 26

(Bournemouth University)

(University graduate of MMU)

CEO of Fluvial Innovations Bournemouth, Dorset

MD of fitgencY Manchester

I started my own company, Fluvial Innovations, to commercialise an innovative flood barrier concept I developed at university. After many years of R&D we are now selling the award-winning FLOODSTOP barrier throughout the UK. More importantly our patented technology, which is far superior to sandbagging, has already saved householders from the devastation of flooding.

I was lucky enough to be selected to go on the prestigious Global Entrepreneurs Fellowship set up by the NCGE and BERR. Our technology has been included in The Financial Times, Sunday Telegraph, The Independent and on BBC television. To contact Simon visit www.fluvial-innovations.co.uk

Mark Sekula, 24

Entrepreneur/CEO Sevenoaks in Kent

I’ve always worked from a young age and wanted to be the best at what I do. I’ve learnt that in a short space of time much can change and it’s important to be able to adapt to changing market conditions. The key is always to work hard and stay positive, you must always believe in what you are doing. I am a director of www.TheCarSpy.net, an up-andcoming exclusive car sourcing and brokerage business, 90% of our clients are high-net worth individuals. I also source and supply new and

used cars to Europe and the rest of the world. I am also a co-director of Solution Projects Limited (a marketing company) and BoDoMo Chandeliers and Bespoke lighting (www.BoDoMo.com), some of our clients include, Diesel, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, Glamour Magazine, the BBC, Ralph Lauren…and the list goes on! If you would like to know more then feel free to drop me a mail mark@thecarspy.net

www.success-mag.co.uk

SELBY JENNINGS – LIVE THE DREAM

BASED IN THE HEART OF LONDON’S MAYFAIR, SELBY JENNINGS IS A BUZZ OF YOUTHFUL ENERGY AND UNINHIBITED DRIVE.

Much of this positive, reward-reaping culture comes from Adam Buck and his broad experience of what works. He set up Selby Jennings in 2004 after working in recruitment and banking. His first job was at the respected financial recruitment company, Huxley Associates. With over 1000 consultants, he was the top revenue producer within two years and, at 23, he established his own brand within the company which later floated on the FTSE.

appetite returns, the company plans to utilise and acquire people to establish new departments under the Selby Jennings umbrella. With equity stakes currently owned by several individuals within the company, and

“Believe it or not, the company is currently enjoying good times!” JON DURRANT BIOG

After this he ran a successful derivatives trading desk for two years being promoted to Head of Trading. These jobs gave Adam a fantastic wealth of knowledge regarding the banking and financial sector. Combining the two – Selby Jennings was born. ADAM BUCK Managing Director of Selby Jennings

With an average employee-age of 24, this financial-recruitment firm certainly stands out as a seriously good place to work. With top billers receiving Rolexes, shares in the company, lunches at Michelin starred restaurants and holidays – no wonder people are literally knocking down the door to get in. $uccess Mag caught up with Managing Director, Adam Buck, to discuss why, especially in the current economic climate, they are thriving … “Believe it or not, the company is currently enjoying good times!” Adam smiles. “Despite our competitors struggling, November 2008 was our record month. Everyone else is making cuts and redundancies. The only thing is, they will all have to try to re-recruit when the market picks up - leaving us able to capitalize on the increase

$uccess Mag / The Recruitment Issue

in recruitment needs with established recruitment teams.” One look at Selby Jennings is proof of how business here is booming. With satellite offices already in Dubai, New York and Hong Kong to support the main London office, the company plans to expand massively over the next five years. Not only that, new graduate employees will have opportunities to become a director within twelve to eighteen months dependent on performance. Jon Durrant joined the team in 2005 as a university-leaver. Three years on, and still only 25 years old, he’s now a director earning more than £100,000 a year. Soon to head-up a new Selby Jennings’ brand, he’s proof that with enough hard work and determination, recruitment really has the potential to pay as a career.

“It’s been a fantastic journey,” he says, “If you’d have said three years ago I’d be earning the money I am now I would have laughed in your face! But, as Selby Jennings now moves into recruitment areas such as HR, legal, audit and accountancy – it will be my job to take one or more of these new areas to market”. Selby Jennings is clearly a fun and lucrative place to work. Like any goal-orientated environment, there is pressure and targets must be hit but members of staff clearly enjoy themselves too. There’s a bell on the wall and they play the Rocky theme tune whenever a deal is made! The company is run along similar lines to that of a sports team or band. Everyone has a role to play and commission is earned by each individual - but, at the same time, they succeed together and are encouraged to help each other.

09/05 Joined Selby Jennings 12/05 First placement made 06/06 First £10k pay cheque 07/06 Team leader target achieved 09/06 First team member joins, promoted to principle consultant

“My previous experience has proved invaluable when running this company,” he explains. “I know what it’s like to be on the front-line, and I empathise when people have difficulties. As long as those who work here are willing to learn, and most importantly listen – they’ll make money. Be warned though, we don’t tread on eggshells! We tell employees how it is and how they need to change in order to reach maximum potential.” Selby Jennings doesn’t want employees who are happy earning £40,000 a year as there are plenty of other recruitment jobs out there offering that. £100,000 a year is what they are expected to aspire to and many workers earn more. People who think they have “arrived” on £40,000 a year, and strut around like a mini Alan Sugar are not the caliber of employee the company wants. In the next five years Selby Jennings is planning to float on the London Stock Exchange. When the market

the equity share scheme already under-written by Deloitte and Touche, this is one company with serious plans for expansion. Not only that, it’s recruiting graduates – so now couldn’t be a better time to get involved…

02/07 Two new consultants join his team 04/07 Tax year earnings of £109,000 05/07 Promoted to managing consultant 10/07 Team grows to six consultants 12/07 Top revenue producing team for the year, skiing weekend in Chamonix, also seven lunch clubs achieved across the 12 months 02/08 Team grows to nine people JON DURRANT Director at Selby Jennings

04/08 Tax year earnings of £132,000 09/08 Promoted to Director and setting up the first of the new Selby Jennings departments

GRADUATE PACKAGE 1st year: £18k basic £70k OTE 2nd year: £100k OTE 3rd year: over £150k OTE + bonuses, trips abroad, healthcare, lunch-clubs and much more.

For all enquiries phone 0844 357 0215 or send your CV with a covering letter to graduates@success-recruit.co.uk

www.success-mag.co.uk

SHOW YOUR TIME WHO’S BOSS

WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT TIME MANAGEMENT. WE, AT LEAST, PAY LIP SERVICE TO IT BY SAYING WE ARE EXCELLENT TIMEKEEPERS IN JOB APPLICATIONS.

But, without deadlines and bosses watching over us, life outside work can quickly get pretty chaotic. Friends to see, bills to pay, errands to run and families to visit are just a few of the regular commitments we have. That’s before we even think about the other stuff such as pursuing hobbies, developing relationships and last, but not least…relaxing! How can we fit all this in and remain sane? It’s not easy. Spread yourself too thin and you won’t end up doing anything properly. Approach the situation too haphazardly and you might not end up getting anything done at all! By applying some time management principles to your free time you could end up being more productive and less stressed. And don’t worry - you won’t have to go near an Outlook calendar!

PRIORITISE Think about what you actually want to get out of your free time, before the time runs away with you. Think about something you want to achieve, improve or change and preferably set a mental timescale to achieve it. For example, you might want to learn a new language, spend at least one full weekend each month with your partner or even work on setting up your own business venture. Once you have a goal in mind, you can break it down to see how you’re going to get there. Actively thinking about what you want from your free time will help you sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to ways to spend your time. If you’re working towards building your business empire you’re less likely to end up spending wet Saturday afternoons wandering aimlessly around a shopping centre. Similarly if you have decided you are going to be the next J K Rowling by 2009 watching a fourth episode of

America’s Next Top Model in a row might not be quite as appealing (although a big chunk of willpower will still be required here!).

BE SELFISH ….sometimes anyway! Every now and then you have to put yourself first. This doesn’t mean becoming selfcentred, but it does entail accepting that you can say no sometimes. For example don’t agree to a third night out in a row just because you don’t want to appear anti-social. If you’d rather stay at home and work on your latest invention allow yourself to do just that. Be firm and explain you have something to get on with and schedule a more convenient time to meet. The being selfish approach doesn’t count when it comes to visiting grannies or when it’s your turn to clean the loo. Sorry.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE Boring stuff has to be done - end of! Bills have to paid, rubbish has to be taken out. When you procrastinate you are unlikely to avoid doing the washing up in order to work on your latest masterpiece painting. Let’s be honest: you’re more likely to be found checking your email for the thirtieth time or staring aimlessly at the fascinating pattern on the carpet. Nike has it right. JUST DO IT! There’s no way around it – just get on with something you really want to be doing! If you’ve been reading this as a way to procrastinate, sorry time’s up! Time to put that plan for world domination into action or, at least, put up those shelves for your mum as promised…

WORDS – SARAH WRAY

MULTI TASK Vodafone’s ‘Make the Most of Now’ ad campaign, advocating spending every free second between work and fun cramming in an office task or surfing the internet is frankly a depressing vision, but there is definitely a grain of truth in the idea. Use time that is ‘just there’ to get some boring stuff out of the way or sneak a bit of fun in. Fancy a night in front of the telly but feel guilty about the state of your flat? Set the alarm for 15 minutes, clean like a mad person, then sit down and put your feet up. It’s amazing what you can get done. Get up and do a bit of washing up or clean one room in the ad breaks. Try it for one night and you’ll be surprised. If you sit on the bus to work aimlessly staring out of the window, take a book or download some podcasts. You’ll get loads more reading in and probably arrive at work looking a bit less miserable than usual.

www.success-mag.co.uk

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