View from the Hill

Not just a new year but a new decade too! A look back on the old.

It's that time when one tends to reflect on the year gone by. In this case, not just a year but a whole decade. It seems only yesterday that I was standing out in the cold waiting for both the start of the new millennium and the famous 'River of Fire'. Many of us will have made predictions then for the first few years of the millennium but I doubt that we would have predicted the steep rise in all things financial (bar interest rates) that pushed house prices into the stratosphere and also encouraged many to think there would never be a down turn!

In the latter half of 2008 there were rumblings and we heard the words credit crunch for the first time. BBC News became almost unwatchable - the graphics dominated by a vibrant red graph in free fall. The word recession was whispered but quickly replaced by credit crunch if anyone in any sort of authority was listening! Lehmans became a notable casualty and then it became clear that all was not well in the world of work.

Recruitment business that weren't operating in relatively recession proof areas (social care, nursing, midwifery) certainly noticed a change. We did. Almost as if a tap were turned off on 1 January 2009 temporary jobs dried up as organisations thought very carefully about whether they need to replace leavers, cover for absence or start new projects. (There are many reasons to have a temporary worker - not just for holiday cover!) Soon our broader client base cut permanent recruitment. Posts were frozen and there was little activity in any of the varied sectors in which we work. March, usually a busy month as clients use up budget allowance was quiet and in April all recruitment activity was down by around 75% on the previous year.

So what has happened since? I hear you ask.

Well things have changed slowly and are much more positive now as we head for 2010. (I don’t want to hear the word double dip - but it is still feasible that things could recess again). Jobs being notified to us are twice that of March and April, but still forty or fifty percent down on the average for 2008. Interestingly though, the jobs are different. They tend to be 'one offs' - come from different clients and are often at a much high level than our average roles. Temporary contracts are being offered for longer periods of time again.

We certainly had to make changes, after so long desperately seeking candidates it was a novelty to have too many and to be in the situation of sourcing roles that they could fill. We turned our business processes around and found new ways of working that accounted for the different emphasis. Additionally we examined everything we did (and bought) carefully and realised that in good times organisations carry far more fat than they realise. There is no shame in that as much of it is not wasted, just not totally necessary to run the business. My aim was not to shed staff as good trained people have a value that is inestimable. So we cut elsewhere. We found creative ways to market and advertise at no cost (that saved two peoples wages), and we forwent our weekly desk massage, reverted to tap water, renegotiated the electricity, changed phone suppliers, the rent and other 'fixed' costs thus saving two more people. Fizz on Fridays and fruit on Mondays remained sacrosanct, however.

When the words credit crunch first appeared back in 2008 we made the decision not replace anyone who left. In hindsight that was a good move. We were not put in a position of enforcing departures to trim numbers. In fact we kept our faith and launched a new division - market research recruitment - bringing in a new team member to develop that.

I'll always be glad that we had no debt as it meant we were able to make our plans on our own terms, not those of others - who ironically in times of hardship are reticent in declaring what they will do for you.

We look forward cautiously to welcoming both the new year and the new as yet un-named decade. We've had a great 'naughties' albeit with the gloss taken off somewhat in the final year. We've kept our team, our clients and our candidates and hope soon to see the balance tilt in favour of the job seekers. It will be with Prosecco not Champagne that we toast as the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. But we're not proud and good Prosecco is just what we like. If 2010 is half as good as the Prosecco then we will all be happy

Season greetings to you all and our very best wishes to you for 2010. - Sue

Explorations in healthcare

I feel there is a certain irony in me writing on the topic of health having spent the last week fighting the dreaded December sneezes and sniffles. Luckily for you, you haven't had to sit next to me (sorry Cameron!). Still, I'm on the mend now.

So it is with a wry smile on my face that I'm writing about our new newsletter on the Healthcare sector. It comprises three interesting articles about different aspects of the sector. Our very own Nicola Franklin discusses a research project, carried out in conjunction with the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, on the topic of job advertisements. It has thrown up some interesting stats including one telling us an alarming 23.8% of posts that are advertised do not lead to an appointment. What happens to them?

The next article gives a great account of how to do that most tricky of manoeuvres - changing sectors. Kate Arnold writes positively about her experiences and how going outside her comfort zone has been challenging but worthwhile. The newsletter finishes with the SHR Recruitment Manager Damon Thomas talking about market research in the healthcare sector and the vital part it plays in ensuring a safer, more efficient and more convenient NHS for patients.

I will stop there as you've probably already clicked through to the newsletter. Happy reading! If you have any colleagues who might like to read it, please do forward the link.

Now, where did I put my lemsip...

- Suzanne Wheatley

From Libraries to the Grave

I read with interest a recent article about job opportunities and dead bodies and got me thinking about transferable skills.  Companies are often closed to the idea of interviewing someone with a completely different background to the job spec and as a recruiter this often frustrates me, as the candidate often ticks all the skills required.  That said, the list of jobs here are not asking for experience of the task in hand but the skills and tenacity to do the job.  Okay not everyone wants to be a gravedigger or embalmer but you may just have the right skill set.   The one that really struck a chord with me was the Funeral Director.  Skills required - a head for business, great people skills, management, being organised, information processing and having the ability to listen - a similar set of skills required for a library manager.  So if you were looking to change careers and utilise your skills and you are fed up of getting 'does not have the sector expertise or industry knowledge', here is a career that will embrace your skills - but clearly not for the faint hearted.

- Damon Thomas, Recruitment Manager - Market Research

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
      What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
      Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
      Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
      What's in a name? that which we call a rose
      By any other name would smell as sweet;
      So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
      Retain that dear perfection which he owes
      Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
      And for that name which is no part of thee
      Take all myself.

The passion that a name commands lies dormant until such time as someone acts.  SLA (Special Libraries Association) have spent a considerable amount of time, effort and money to carefully research a potential new name to reflect the values of their vast collective store of talent and skill.  This comes under the classification (there I've used a library word) of Alignment.  Kate Arnold, SLA Board Europe member is one of the Alignment Ambassadors for SLA Europe.  She is keen to encourage debate on the suggested name.

The name put forward for a deciding vote is Association for Strategic Knowledge Professionals (ASKPro).  The blogs are overheating, (SLA blog), the SLA Europe discussion list has woken from a slumber.  It is good to see debate and feel that passion of others.  We pray a happy ending for all who care and have put such effort in.  A thankless task.  Or Not?  Go have your say.

For never was there a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. 

- Sue Hill (and our Will!)

 

Commonality in Diversity - The Big Issues

We all face the same challenges. Who is “we” and what are the challenges? The latest, and very delicious, SHR Breakfast today brought together public and private sectors, knowledge, information and libraries. Despite the external challenges of financial constraints and ever increasing regulation, one of the biggest challenges facing our profession might be summed up in the word “perception”. Does your CEO know what you do? Shouldn’t it be your responsibility to change that? Looking at our guest list today you would perceive that the issues faced by each organisation and company would be wildly different but to our surprise, and pleasantly so, there was a lot of commonality and a lot to be learnt from each other.

In discussion, we learnt that one of the major impacting factors on knowledge and information services is the expectation to do more and do better with less – less funding, less time and less resources. Looking at your existing resources, the most valuable of all, your staff, there is a need to employ the very best. Would it surprise you to hear from employers that job applications have doubled, but the quality hasn’t? Sadly, I suspect not. We not only have to justify our services, but we have to justify ourselves in jobhunting. Simply sending a CV will not work!  

What struck me most about our fascinating round-table discussion was the passion to break down the silos, to share, to learn from each other and to cross-fertilise. How do we do this? By networking, joining together to find our voice. Without exception there were nodding heads when Sue Edgar raised the notion of the need for good leadership in business and that it is vital to get a mentor or a coach, it being critical to keep you moving. By getting a role model or mentor outside knowledge & information, you are already well on your way to encourage the move away from silos.  

And whilst we didn’t have time to answer the question “where is the future of the profession”, we did agree that we need people who have worked across all silos and that we urgently need to connect our "different" professions.   The thought of an Umbrella organisation providing services and a central voice for the many and diverse information groups to rally around was mooted and generally liked.

- Suzanne Wheatley, Recruitment Manager

Networking across government

Last Tuesday I attended a 'Getting to know you' day organised by NGLIS (the Network of Government Library and Information Specialists) and I wanted to report on some of the opinions and experiences which the speakers shared with the group.

First off the bat a very entertaining and interesting talk by James Denmead from the MoD whose time in government libraries has provided him the opportunity to become informed on subjects many and varied (from submarines to dwindling global resources), as well as amusing anecdotes as many and as varied.

As the morning went on we also saw talks from Tony Worron and Diane Murgatroyd, both of the FCO, reporting on recent changes undergone by the information department in order to meet changing organisation demands.  These very informative talks show us all that while organisational changes can be difficult and at times emotionally charged, the new challenges created can inspire a team to develop their potential, both as a collective and as individuals.

Between these two speakers came a talk from Janet Cockayne which captured the imagination and encouraged us all to always look for a challenge and not shy away from the unknown and the scary.  Janet also reminded us to think about how new skills can be transferred from one role to another and how seemingly unrelated roads along a career path can complement each other.

After lunch the group, full of friendly and familiar faces, took part in a panel discussion about skills and competencies in the government sector. This is an interesting and tricky subject which we were guided through by Alison Raisin of BIS (whose substantial knowledge of the subject was evident), me adding my two-pence worth and facilitated by Katharine Schopflin who organised the event. What we learned from this session; CPD is important throughout your career and you must be prepared to drive it yourself as well as seeking support from your manager, the importance of a head of profession or other mentor figure in career development, and much more.

A good day and a great example of a special interest group supporting its members.

- Jeremy Clarke

Time Out

So you have just been made redundant.  What now?  Have you thought about having a gap year?  A recent survey conducted by Travelex, the foreign exchange company, conducted a survey which showed that 78% of people who have recently been made redundant have taken the decision to take time out and travel.  In fact the 30-55 age bracket are twice as likely to travel that the 18-24 year olds.

But what about skills and continuing professional development?  Well you can take the opportunity to volunteer, whether overseas or closer to home.  Freepint have produced some helpful information on how to keep your skills up and how to stay in touch with the information world. 

Whether you have taken a self-imposed time out or you had no choice in the matter, you have options.  All doesn't have to be lost.  It can be an opportunity and the advice and guidance is out there and available.  And we, being information professionals, will be able to find it.

 - Katharine Liu 

 

Ce n'est pas sur mon CV?

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it's so important to ensure that your salable commodities (excellent skills if you will) feature on your CV.

Last time I was banging on about niche IT skills, well now I'm on languages.  Rarely am I more impressed than when I ask someone in an interview whether they have any foreign language skills and they reply, 'only French, German and Dutch' - is that all? I struggle with the one and there are people out there with two, three, four (house!).

However these skills are only useful if other people know about them, and in this case those people are potential employers.

Yesterday I was asked by a client to find a Hebrew and Russian speaking researcher for a home-working job with flexible hours.  The only thing drowning out the joyful whoops of Hebrew/Russian speaking Librarian I called was the little voice in my own head shouting 'why didn't you take that Russian exchange trip?'

This lucky individual had the foresight to include her wide ranging skills on her CV. Can we all say the same thing? 

Let's put it to the test, if you can read the following, ask yourself, does it say so on your CV?

Ce n'est pas sur mon CV?

No esta sobre mi CV?

- Jeremy Clarke

Feeling litigious?

Is it the responsibility of your university to find you a job as well as to educate you? Trina Thompson certainly thinks so. She is a graduate of Monroe College in New York state and has sued the college for not making enough effort to find her a job.

Thinking back to my university days, I took it upon myself to visit the careers centre, to talk to the careers officer and generally to do my own research into potential career options. It was/is my life, after all and I've always been of the opinion that you have to make your own way. I found my own job after graduating. As it has been noted in the article, a college degree does not guarantee you employment.

Is it right to expect someone else to plan your career for you? Or should you take a proactive approach to secure employment and, ultimately, happiness and satisfaction in your life?

- Suzanne Wheatley

Credit Crunching

Last week saw the closing session in the recent series of Credit Crunch lunches, although there was less sandwich munching and more idea scribbling to be heard.

The topic, an old favourite, Filling in that wretched application form / application letters.  Everyone had experiences and opinions to share and as usual the session turned into free-flowing exchange of ideas, so a big thank you to all who attended.

Now the holiday season is fully upon us and the CC sessions are taking some time off too, to return later in the year.  If you have any burning topics which you would like to find out more about or subjects which you feel could produce interesting discussion, why not drop us a line at jobs@suehill.com.

For now though ‘bonnes vacances’ and good vacancy hunting.

- Jeremy Clarke