What is Senior Management?

When looking at Jobs sites and recruitment portals you may have seen information on senior management recruitment and wondered what the job entails. Well senior management is a term that generally is a group or team of individuals who are at the top level of management hierarchies within a business or corporation. These individuals are usually only ranked higher by boards of directors or shareholders. They deal with the managing senior management rather than the day to day running of the business. These roles are sometimes referred to as upper management, higher management or top management.

If senior management is at the top of the tree, who is below it? Well our break down of management levels should help clear that up a bit.

Senior Management

As mentioned before, these people are at the top,  just behind owners and directors.  Senior management jobs require a large and extensive knowledge of management roles, skills and techniques. The decisions they take will need to factor in long term goals of the business and take in external factors such as markets. They will come to decisions using analytic, directive, conceptual and sometimes behavioural processes.

Senior management will be responsible for strategic decisions for the company and come up with plans and make sure they are effective for the future.

Middle Management

Middle management will have specialised skills in certain areas and have understandings of certain managerial tasks. They will take orders from top level/senior management and will have to implement them within the teams and areas they are responsible for.

Low Level Management

Low level or lower management are the people who will ensure the decisions and plans from middle management and senior management get carried out. The choices and decisions that lower management make will be usually short term and not of high importance.

Foreman

Foreman or lead hand are the people that are in charge or directly supervising the work force in either offices, factories or sales environments.

Rank and File

These people are even lower management that the foremen, they are responsible for smaller and more specific groups of people.

How to improve your career chances with social media

One of the biggest financial recruitment tips for 2009 is to watch your online behaviour. With the rise in popularity of social network sites like Facebook, Bebo and MySpace, candidates are now putting out a lot more information about themselves for anyone to see. Statistics show that around 44% of all adults have created and posted a profile of themselves in some form on the internet. The worrying thing for potential candidates these days is that recruiters and employers may look up this information and use it to help them form an opinion of you. So how can you help sort this out, well for starters you hopefully won’t have anything to incriminating on your profiles in the first place. But if there is anything you think may hamper your chances, simply remove it. But why not take this a step further, why not add a few more CV style bits of information that will help sell you if they are reading these profiles. But if employers do happen to read these profiles they should really take them with a pinch of salt as most people use social media sites to project an alter ego version of themselves. People will often exaggerate things or make boasts to make their lives seem whacky and zany.

If you would like to participate in social networking sites but help boost your recruitment chances then why not consider creating a more professional profile on a site like LinkedIn. Sites like these specialise in the career aspects of social media and your profile will allow you to communicate with peers in your field and even let people know if you are looking for work and what your credentials are. They are basically and online CV but with more interactive social aspects. You could find other people that have banking jobs or have jobs in finance and want to communicate and network.

There also maybe social networks that relate to your field of work that you may not of heard of. Some industry sites will have directories, profiles and forums where you can partake in more healthy social activities that will help boost your job chances. You may not directly find a job through them or your employer may not ever read them, but you may find that you will read some handy tips and advice.

So to conclude, make social media an advantage to your career prospects, remove anything you wouldn’t want an employer to see, promote yourself and look into new places to network with people within your field.

Reasons to work in the Public Sector

One of the great benefits of working in the public sector is that there are so many organisations offerings job opportunities that almost anyone can find a role suited to their qualifications or experience. So what are the factors that lead so many people into taking up public sector jobs?

Work/ Life Balance

Public sector organisations are known for being flexible with work hours and often operate work patterns that will suit different types of employees. Whether its flexitime hours or part time roles you will be able to manage your home responsibilities like picking up children from school while having a great career in your chosen area.

Some roles will also have the benefit of childcare options so you can either get childcare vouchers or use onsite workplace nurseries.

Salary

One of the benefits of working in the public sector is the competitive salary rates. These are often in line with what similar roles in the private sector will be offering. But one of the benefits is that the salary structures will always be available so that you can make career choices easier than you could in the private sector.

Training

Public sector organisations are great believers in training and personal development. The organisations will usually provide plenty of training opportunities that allow staff to develop both personal and workplace skills that will benefit them with their career.

Career Progression

The public sector differs from the private sector in that many employers progress their career by moving up structured levels within the organisation. Most public sector job opportunities will be offered internally before they are made public which encourages to keep hold of the staff they have spent time training and also maintains staff motivation by creating a family style environment.

Using a recruitment Agency to find you a Dutch job

holland

When looking for a job in the Netherlands it is very common to use a specialist recruitment agency, especially if you are looking for a banking job or an accounting job. Much like in the UK they have the expertise that will help you find the best jobs as they have well established contacts.

Most Dutch companies use recruitment agencies to help find suitable staff for their positions. These recruitment companies can offer you permanent contracts directly with the companies, temporary placements or detachering which are fixed term contracts. Detachering is a type of contract that is often used for things like replacing staff with long term illness or jobs that only last the span of a project, say four months.

Some recruitment agencies work so that they will actually be your employer and will pay you your wage. This has the means you will receive flexibility and good employee benefits.

So if you are planning to relocate to the Netherlands for a new career, it is best to contact a specialist recruitment firm that will help your on your way.

Consider a career in the Dental Profession

There are many reasons to consider a career in the area of dentistry, reasonable pay, social able atmosphere and good career prospects. Some people choose this career path as they like what the profession represents which is a continually evolving field which provides ongoing challenges not just in the form of ever changing patience’s but advances in technology that moves the industry forward.

The challenges that the industry brings to your knowledge is constant and the desire to improve and better yourself is essential. Providing a high standard of service and the best practices on a daily basis is undoubtedly at the forefront of your work.

What benefits can you expect while in a dental career? The ability to become self employed is a feature that draws many people in to the industry and intern allows them the freedom to work independently and be more flexible with life. As the business expands this will enable you to take on more help and generate more job openings for those looking to start in the industry. Each day provides a different challenge and the industry really allows you to grow. As with any profession there is a downside, and this comes in the form of children as patients. I’m sure they aren’t all frightened of some one looking at their teeth but with the stigma associated with the dentist, they will do well to keep their cool!.

Teaching people about the importance of oral care can be another benefit of working in the industry and with the public. A lot of people can be very grateful for additional advice when it comes to oral care. The advice you can give will allow people to understand the consequences of lack of care to their teeth and gums. The job is equally about prevention and cure of problems that may arise. It’s in the patients best interest to take care of themselves as this will inevitably lead to better oral health and regular check ups will address any problems that might occur before the become an issue.

Consider a dentist job for a long term career and a challenging job that will allow you to continue to grow.

Recruitment in 2009

recruitment services

So where does the recruitment industry find itself in the economic climate. Well experts are saying that companies should use job boards, websites and online recruitment companies to find new candidates. Managing Director of the IT job board, Alex Farrell thinks that online recruitment services should look to take advantage of the situations businesses are in.

Many companies will be looking to make savings and cut costs and recruitment will be one of the areas thought to be hit. Businesses are expected to use online services as they tend to be cheaper than traditional recruitment companies.

Mr Farrell also noted “Job boards are one of the most cost effective methods of recruiting, especially in comparison with the traditional media and recruitment agencies.”

But a lot of recruitment companies are said to be confident in the current market, but is this the case for 2009. Human capital consulting firm, Watson Wyatt has warned there maybe recruitment freezes in the New Year. Companies are expected to slow down recruitment and use restructuring within the business to help with the tough financial climates.

But one good thing is that according to a study of HR practitioners in the financial services industry, pay cuts or freezes are not to be expected. This is some slight good news considering unemployment figures have reached a 10 year high with numbers of people out of work expected to hit 2 million in January.

As well as company restructures, businesses taking part in the survey stated they will also try to cut costs with freezing hiring, restricting company travel, restructuring HR departments and reducing training courses.

No one knows exactly what will happen to recruitment for banking jobs and jobs in finance in the New Year. But hopefully things will have settled down this time next year.

Relocation relocation relocation

working abroad

People have been moving abroad for better career opportunities for a long time, but with the recent economic downturn insiders are expecting even more candidates to move abroad for career opportunities. But working abroad is not an easy task and requires a lot of planning and research to make it work.

One of the biggest issues that candidates need to get right is visas. The laws on working in certain countries can be confusing and so needs plenty of research to make sure you apply for the correct visa allowing you can legally work in your desired country. Different visas will determine the length of time you can work in a country, so bear that in mind while researching. Two sites that can help with visa information are the www.visabureau.com and www.fco.gov.uk/.

If economic conditions are the reason a candidate wants to move abroad to work, then research should be taken on the desired country’s situation as the British financial struggles are also happening in other countries such as the US.

Attention should also be paid to rates of pay in different countries. Recruitment companies who deal with jobs abroad can help you with rates of pay for various positions, so you can establish which country can offer the best opportunities. Housing prices should also factor into a candidates decision about which country to work in as markets can vary wildly compared to what we are used to in the UK.

After looking into pay rates and housing prices, candidate should also consider the tax regulations of the desired country. Especially so that they can make sure they will pay the correct rates and not get into hot water. This is a complicated area and expert advice should always be taken before making any decisions.

One of the best tips for candidates looking to work abroad for jobs such as important banking jobs is to visit the country for a holiday, so that they can get a feel for the country they are thinking about relocating to. This can also be combined with interviews with potential employers and looking at property to rent or buy.

Finding yourself a new job: Looking at Recruitment Sites

As with most things on the internet, there are plenty of jobs sites and recruitment agencies offering the latest up to date careers and openings on the market. But we thought we would have a look at some and see how they can help you find yourself a great new job.

recruitment

Monster.co.uk

One of the first sites that will probably pop into your head when thinking about job websites is monster.co.uk due to their unique name and advertising campaigns. Monster the company is a leading global recruitment company who give both employers and jobseekers the tools they need. They cite advanced privacy technology as a reason for consumers and businesses to feel safe through the recruiting process. The company has the Monster Employment Index which is a real time employment indicator and trend source.

The site apparently gets over 2.8 million visitors a month and hosts 2 million CV’s of jobseekers. Most expected features are present on the site, with searchable jobs, career advice and communities available to help potential job seekers. With over 1900 jobs posted daily on the site, monster.co.uk is one of the UK’s most popular job portals on the Internet. The company has a great reputation and the site design is very slick making you believe in them.

Jobsite.co.uk

With a cleaner yet less creative home page, Jobsite.co.uk looks a professional portal for job seekers. No doubt the company will be having a boost due to a nationwide television advert featuring TV and Movie star Max Beesley. Jobsite claims to be one of the first recruitment sites on the Internet in the UK starting up in 1995,

All the usual services are available on the site, with Searchable list of current jobs, featured jobs of the week and a great set of career tools. It seems that the lists of jobs are a given on these sites, but where they try and stand out from the competition is with career advice and tools. Jobsite.co.uk seems to be partners with some other companies that help you with tasks like CV writing. This may put people off using them as they are not part of the Jobsite itself.

Overall the site looks good and covers all sectors of the job market well.

Martinwardanderson.com

Martin Ward Anderson is a specific recruitment firm who mainly focus on jobs in the finance world. This makes them not as big as the other players on the internet but a lot more respected in their niche. If you are looking for jobs in accounting, public sector or other financial areas then they will be more suited than other general recruitment firms.

Like the other recruitment sites, Martin Ward Anderson offer career advice, CV guide, Cover letter guide and Interview Guides.

The site not only deals with Jobs in Finance in the UK but also International opportunities as well in such places as Paris, Toronto and Switzerland.

Martinwardanderson.com seems to know what type of information a job seeker will be looking for and provides it, I especially like their detailed break down of the recruitment process.

The importance of a Reference.

References are a part of recruitment that are often forgotten about by candidates and not seen as important as a good CV or cover letter. But with high profile jobs like public sector jobs or accountant jobs, every stage of the recruitment process is just as important. Recruiters will be keen on checking references from previous employment but references in the eyes of the law aren’t simple and can cause a lot of problems.

Employers are not legally obliged to give references for previous employees, but sometimes the obligation may be added to an employee’s contract.

You may wonder what a reference should actually contain, well an employer needs to be aware that they owe a duty of care to the employee. If you lie in a reference, a third party using the reference maybe able to take legal action against you. In a reference, you need to be truthful, accurate, fair and not misleading.

The best way to think of a reference is that old saying “if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.