Key Personnel http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/ key personnel 13/02/12: NSPCC Burns Night Ball http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=35

On 26th January 2012, Mary Hendry, along with other members of the Birmingham business community celebrated the life of Robert Burns and helped raise money for Childline with a Burns Night celebration at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston.

The black tie event was organised by the Birmingham NSPCC Business Board, and featured a Ceilidh band, an auction and a three course dinner. 

All money raised has gone to the NSPCC's ChildLine 25 appeal, which is marking the 25th anniversary of the ChildLine service launched by Esther Rantzen in 1986.

For 25 years ChildLine has been a trusted friend that any child or young person in the UK can turn to when they need someone there for them: a friend that will listen, understand them, treat them with respect and offer help, advice and support in confidence.  In its first year, the service spoke to 23,000 children who desperately needed a voice. In 2011/2012 alone it is anticipated that the service will receive as many as 650,000 contacts from children online and by phone (as well as more than one million visits to the ChildLine website).

14/12/11: Salary Survey http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=34 This month sees the launch of Key Personnel’s Annual Salary Survey. Featuring salaries from a broad spectrum of professional service industries ranging from Marketing and HR Managers to Legal Secretaries and Tender & Pitches Executives, the survey highlights the top, middle and bottom bands of salaries for these positions in the West Midlands. To receive a copy of the Salary Survey in full please contact Oliver Martin. 14/12/11: Skills and Training for Candidates http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=33 At Key Personnel we’re passionate about finding our candidates the perfect job …but not only that … we are also passionate about training and development. Our team of recruitment experts are on hand throughout the year to offer advice and guidance on a variety of relevant topics and issues to assist you and your on-going learning – Do you feel the need to refresh certain IT skills? Do you feel you have the correct skills when it comes to Business Etiquette? We are always keen to keep you fresh and up to date and have the facilities to assist in your on-going development. The Key Personnel team can offer advice and guidance on a variety of training and development. In Feb/March 2012, we will also be launching a new PA/Secretary Network to encourage skill and knowledge sharing. Some of the best hints and tips come from those who work in the same environment. 23/11/11: The Key Personnel Promise http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=32 At Key Personnel we only register candidates of the highest calibre. Selected applicants are interviewed extensively by our team of recruitment experts and are required to undertake extensive literacy, numeracy and IT/secretarial skill assessments to ensure we deliver a consistently high standard. Our candidates are an extension of the Key Personnel family. They share our attitudes and ethos. We believe in our candidates and are confident in their skills and abilities however, if for any reason you do not share that belief and you are not completely satisfied with the quality of work they provide, we will offer you a full refund or supply you with an alternative candidate to take their place. We are calling this the Key Personnel Promise. If you’d like to find out more information about the Key Personnel Promise why not drop Managing Director Mary Hendry a line to discuss in more detail maryhendry@keypersonnel.co.uk 08/11/11: It's all about the 'Attitude' says survey http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=31 Employers are much more concerned with the attitudes, values and personality of candidates than their qualifications a recent survey has discovered. Leading Birmingham based recruitment consultancy, Key Personnel has undertaken a survey analysing the attributes that employers across a variety of sectors look for when hiring. A staggering 93% of all companies asked within the survey felt that a candidate’s ethos and attitude to work were equal or more important than qualifications gained at college and university. Skills can be taught, attitude cannot. Mary Hendry, Managing Director of Key Personnel said: “In today’s society, 44% of the country’s school-leavers are going straight to University, as opposed to 2% back in the 70’s, a dramatic increase. We need to establish areas of differentiation, and attitude is a key component. “In some industries, degrees are now seen as an ‘industry-standard’ and everyone has one. Employers are now looking for more from their candidates. They want someone with real drive, who they can give a task to and they will supersede it. Someone who can get the job done without any problems. This comes down to a person’s attitude. “When looking for candidates to place within the businesses we are working with, we have always looked at their attitude. It is important we ensure that candidates can slot into the make-up of a company with a minimum amount of fuss in order to save both time and money. If the wrong candidate is placed within a company, it will cost both money and time, proving detrimental for the organisation. “As part of the recruitment process, we have implemented new video CV technology which gives our clients a better grasp on the attitude and personality of an individual. You can’t tell how someone comes across from reading a CV so our system enables employers to look past that before deciding on whether to meet them in person. From past experiences we have seen good candidates slip through the net because they don’t stand out on paper whilst in person they do, hence why we have embraced this new technology. “Today’s businesses are becoming more and more tech savvy; the video CV is just an extension of the digital world embedding itself in the recruitment process.” The Video CV is available free of charge for both clients and candidates. For more information please contact maryhendry@keypersonnel.co.uk 18/10/11: Whatever the weather attitudes remain the same http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=30 Last year the UK experienced two weeks of heavy snow and cold snaps which took the country by surprise. As the UK attempted to return back to normal following the Christmas and New Year period, many businesses saw a fall in productivity as staff failed to arrive at work on time or even at all due to inclement weather conditions and perhaps a bit too much partying during the festive season. Key Personnel's temporary workers were an exception to this rule. 100% of all staff placed between Christmas, New Year and the first week of January arrived at work on time without fail. These figures come down to one thing; attitude. Key Personnel believe in hiring people with the right attitude. Someone who will go that extra mile to get the job done to a standard beyond that which is required. So next time you’re looking to make changes to your company structure, why not let Key Personnel help you find that golden nugget. With 30 years experience in the recruitment industry we know what to look for in candidates! 05/10/11: Key Personnel sees appointment of new Director http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=29 One of the West-Midlands leading recruitment specialists has this month seen a new addition to its senior management team with the appointment of a new Director. Oliver Martin has been appointed to the position of Operations Director at Birmingham based Key Personnel as a result of his commitment to the business and the strategic value he adds. His promotion within the business is the latest in recent developments for Key Personnel following a highly profitable first and second quarter in 2011. Since joining the Key Personnel team in 2004, Oliver has made a significant impact in the City, gaining an enviable reputation with candidates and clients alike. Oliver’s appointment at Key Personnel will focus heavily on growing the company’s already strong client base as well as developing the in-house team in preparation for the sector to fully come out of recession. In addition, he will continue to lead a strong presence in the legal support staff market. Oliver Martin said: “Having worked at Key Personnel for the past seven years I have witnessed the recruitment industry rise and fall with many of our competitors not being as fortunate as we have been.” “My new position will present many opportunities and challenges which I aim to embrace in order to continue strengthening the Key Personnel brand within Birmingham and across the region.” Mary Hendry, Managing Director of Key Personnel said: “Oliver has played a vital role in the continued success and growth of Key Personnel over the past few years, latterly, in very difficult trading conditions. His approach to work runs much deeper than the traditional 9-5 office role, with him having the attitude to see the bigger picture, developing strong relationships with new and existing clients and candidates as well as gaining the respect of his team. “Oliver is a true credit to both the business and the industry and I look forward to welcoming him to the senior management team.” 05/10/11: The Midlands Family Business Awards http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=28 In any industry it’s important that we celebrate the input people can give along with the achievements and accomplishments that businesses experience as a result of engaging the right talent. A start-up in the 80’s, Key Personnel understand how vital this is especially during the early years of a business’s life, that’s why we are proud to support the Outstanding Contribution Award at this year’s Midlands Family Business Awards. Now taking place for a second year, organised and hosted by Nottinghamshire family business, The Wilson Organisation, the awards aim to highlight the successes of the regions family businesses. This year’s ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category was particularly tough, with all five finalists demonstrating commendable commitment and dedication. This award encourages family businesses to nominate an individual or team that has made a significant difference to the business over recent years. Key decided to sponsor this award as it looks at individuals who have values which link closely to our own. There could however be only one winner …… who will be announced at the dazzling awards ceremony at Birmingham’s Town Hall on 17th November 2011. Watch this space… 27/09/11: Mary completes the HACK! http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=27

This weekend (Sat 25th September) our very own Mary Hendry, Managing Director of Key Personnel completed a gruelling 22 mile walk for the NSPCC. The event was the HACK (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) held in the Cotswolds.

Mary has already raised over £500... and the money is still flooding in!

The team at Key Personnel would like to say WELL DONE Mary!  We are so proud of you …blisters n' all!

 07/09/11: HR Forum - Appraisal Systems http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=26

Tuesday 27th September will see the return of Key Personnel’s increasingly popular HR Forum, which aims to bring together HR professionals from across the region to discuss the latest employment topics, exchange ideas for best practice and to help attendees build a valuable network of contacts and peers.

The session, which is being conducted by Key Personnel’s Managing Director, Mary Hendry and HR Today’s Tracey Sherwood, will discuss the appraisal process and what systems are put in place within organisations to ensure the continued development of its staff. Although appraisals are not a legal requirement, there can be legal implications if performed incorrectly which can result in tribunal hearings.

In addition to a lively discussion about the processes organisations use, we will also be announcing the results of the recent candidate survey ‘What would make people move from their current job?’, a highly topical subject for this time of year.

If you’re interested in attending the HR Forum or would like to receive further information about forthcoming events please contact Lucy Burton on 0121 233 2335 or lucyburton@keypersonnel.co.uk

07/09/11: Innovative technology enhances recruitment process http://www.keypersonnel.co.uk/news.asp?nid=25

With the UK economy showing signs of stabilising and unemployment dropping by 26,000 this year, Birmingham still contains three of the highest rates of unemployment within the country.

As a result those looking to advance up the career ladder are having to find new and innovative ways to engage with employers in order to stand out from the crowd. 

Key Personnel, one of the West-Midlands leading recruitment agencies has developed an innovative tool building upon current social media trends whereby candidates can demonstrate their attitude and personality which doesn’t come across in a traditional black and white CV. 

The recently launched Video CV allows employers to quickly assess what a candidate is like, going much further than their skills and achievements by looking at personality and attitude through both a time and cost effective state of the art video platform. 

Mary Hendry, Managing Director of Key Personnel said: “When writing a CV it’s very difficult to capture the attitude and personality of a person and as a result many good candidates slip through employers fingers. Recruiting can be an expensive process but recruiting the wrong person can often prove highly disruptive for an organisation. The Video CV enables employers to make the most of their time, something which is incredibly precious in today’s market. 

“More often than not, good candidates are discounted by employers because they cannot demonstrate their talents effectively. The Video CV system allows employers to identify not only if a person is capable of doing a job but also if they will fit into the existing team. 

“With social media becoming more prevalent in today’s society and being spearheaded by Generation Y (those born in the 1980’s and after), it’s vital organisations engage with these trends to aid them with their growth and expansion.”