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Do you have any questions?
At interviews candidates expect, and are hopefully prepared to answer questions. However are we prepared to ask questions as well?
And as hirers and recruiters are we prepared to turn the tables and be the ones answering questions for a change?
8 ways to help recruiters find you (and your CV!)
As recruiters we always look to connect with individuals who are interested in new career opportunities and have the skills, experience and qualifications our clients are looking for. So whilst we search through databases, build our networks and connect with jobseekers, how can you make sure that we find you…..and your CV? Read the rest of this entry
Spring Clean Your CV
It’s that time of year when many of us spring clean our spare rooms, attics, cars, garden sheds and, if you’re like me, your office desk! But what about your CV?
Very often we simply keep adding information to our CV with each new job or qualification we gain but few of us seem to really clear out old or irrelevant information, give it a really good tidy up or dare I suggest even start again! Read the rest of this entry
10 Tips for Taking Ability Tests
Having administered ability tests for jobs ranging from call centre staff, sales advisors and graduates to finance, HR and technical professionals I know that very few of us (if any!) look forward to sitting a test as part of a job application process.
However with studies just last year showing that “80% of FTSE 100 companies use aptitude tests in the recruitment process” and “8 out of ten facing psychometric tests” at managerial level, it’s something many of us these days need to prepare ourselves for. Read the rest of this entry
Escape’s Guide for Jobseekers: Use STAR to help you shine at interviews!
I was recently involved in an interview training session with Young Enterprise Lothian, a programme which encourages students aged 16 to 18 to set up and run their own company over the course of one academic year.
At the moment the students are busy preparing, not only for their prelims but for their end of year company interviews. For many participants this is the first interview they have taken part in and as anyone who has been interviewed knows, they can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you’re not sure what to expect.
One of the most popular tips the group picked up was the STAR interview technique, a useful tool to help interviewees effectively talk through an example or scenario in an interview. Read the rest of this entry
Dear Santa…
What would you put in letter to Santa if he could bring you your dream job this year?
We’ve always known that salary is just one factor in whether people are happy or unhappy in their job and only one of the things people consider when accepting a new job offer.
We also know that what’s important to one person might not be of interest to another but after reading various surveys, blogs and polls online and speaking to our colleagues about what jobseekers and employees value in their job here’s what we think might be in many jobseekers’ letters this Christmas….
Why not vote for what you’d wish for in our poll at the end of this post. Read the rest of this entry
West Lothian Economic Conference 2011
This Tuesday, 15th November, saw the annual West Lothian Economic Conference 2011 take place at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston. Organised by the West Lothian Economic Partnership, a group of organisations who have an interest in the West Lothian economy and includes: West Lothian Council, Scottish Enterprise, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, West Lothian College, Jobcentre Plus, Skills Development Scotland and the Federation of Small Business.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Growing in West Lothian” and aimed to look at “West Lothian’s place in the current Scottish Economy and identify the growth opportunities for local firms to continue to drive the economic recovery in West Lothian” Read the rest of this entry
6 tips for jobseeking in the snow! (or wind!)
Jobseeking in the snow.*
(*advice also relevant for high winds!)
How can you make sure your job search keeps going no matter what the weather this winter so you can start 2012 with a new job?
Thanks to the wonders of technology many companies (including Escape!) have got plans in place to make sure they can keep recruiting come snow or shine but what can you do? Read the rest of this entry
It’s a CV but not as we know it!
A template with individuality
Whilst most jobseekers may stick with the traditional CV there are some who prefer a more individual format such as the ’Video CV’. Now, not everyone will necessary feel comfortable in front of the camera or feel they have the technical or creative know-how to make an effective Video CV (unlike Graeme Anthony who made headlines earlier this year with his Video) but after spotting Prezi’s new CV template I wondered if there is something which offers the familiar content structure and allows candidates to show their individuality, creativity and personality. Read the rest of this entry
Escape’s Guide for Job Seekers: How to Write a CV
Escape Recruitment’s CV Template: 
This is a question we are asked often and the biggest problem we have when answering it is that there is no one right answer. At times it may be best to focus and promote your qualifications, at other times the achievements you have gained in your career are more important.
The content, style and focus of your CV can depend on a number of other factors including: Read the rest of this entry
