banner image
03.12.2020

GET SAFE AND GET EMPLOYED WITH CONNECT APPOINTMENTS

Safety is at the front of everyone’s mind at present due to the ongoing pandemic, and at Connect Appointments we’re changing how we work to keep our candidates and clients safe. Grangemouth branch manager, Julie McAllister explains how.
Julie in our Grangemouth branch

How have interviews changed due to social distancing restrictions?

 

With face-to-face interviews not being an option at the moment we’ve had to adapt to the new way of hiring. Obviously, the introductions are now over video interview so it is important for us to have the correct tools. 

 

Some candidates can be uncomfortable with video interviews, so we make sure to talk them through the process and help them to relax. We’re all adapting to the new ways and we’re keeping our service levels as high as they were prior to the pandemic. 

 

When a candidate is placed with a client what can they expect from the induction?

 

You will have to go through a PowerPoint presentation, at the end of this there will be various questions about the presentation from what happens on site, what you can and cannot bring on site. There is also a general competency test at the end. There will be no need to type during the test as all the answers are in drop down format.

 

What do candidates need to be conscious of when in employment?

 

For candidates, you will have to be more aware of health and safety on site now. That is something we have worked closely alongside our clients to provide COVID-19 inductions, which can be packs before candidates go on site, for example. 

 

One of our clients has a strict one-way system, so we will take candidates through this system prior to them starting thus people are not walking into something where they have no idea what they are doing.

 

What can people who have never used a recruitment agency before expect?

 

We’ve had a lot of people reaching out to Connect Appointments who have been in the same job for a long time; most have never worked for an agency. 

 

First of all, we talk candidates through our process from start to finish, we match a person up to the best job we can, and we discuss weekly wages – we will talk you through the process, you will not just be placed into a role. We understand this is all new for you.

 

From a recruitment perspective, what challenges have you faced in your role and how did you overcome the hurdles?

 

The most challenging was the fact that we couldn’t get on site with clients as much as we did before. Prior to the pandemic we were incredibly active on site. 

 

From a Grangemouth point of view, we sat with our clients and our IT department to discuss how we could make the induction process easier without having to go on site. 

 

Our IT specialists designed an electronic induction, which works fantastically well for the client and the candidate, so instead of organising a safe time on site, candidates can now do this from the comfort of their own home and it comes back to us a lot quicker.

 

What makes Connect Appointments stand out from other recruitment agencies?

 

Having done research on other agencies, especially in the climate that we’re in at the moment, Connect Appointment consultants are available 24/7. 

 

We’ve had a lot of candidate feedback expressing that many agencies don’t answer the phone or don’t get any contact, but we are available. Candidates have expressed that, especially in this area, Connect Appointments is the best agency for local work.

 

Finally, what are your top interview tips?

 

Prepare well, be confident, make eye contact, smile, present yourself well and, of course, be enthusiastic about the job you have applied for.                                        

 

Stay connected on LinkedInInstagramFacebook and Twitter

Posted by: Connect Appointment 0 comment(s)

Add your comment.