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How To Make A Good First Impression

How to Make a Good First Impression

Your first day at a new job can be a daunting and nervous experience, so Edge Careers have taken a look at how you can make a good first impression and ease your nerves.

Time Keeping

You should aim to arrive for your first day early, just to show that you are eager to start, plus it gives you a few minutes to compose yourself. It is also a good idea to leave a bit later as well, just to show that you are committed.

New Colleagues

You should make an effort to get to know your new colleagues and not shy away in the corner. This will enable you to build good working relationships and gain the assistance of your colleagues, some of which will have multiple years experience, which you will benefit from.

Be Proactive

You will most likely be given a small work load on your first few days to ease you into your role, but if you finish, don’t be afraid to ask for more work, this will reflect well on you and show your ambition for the role and that you are hard working.

Be a Team Player

If you have some spare time offer your help to your new colleagues. If there is a tea & coffee round join in and take a turn making a round. Though be sure to remember to remain focused on your work load and not get too distracted.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. If you don’t know how to do something or are unsure if you are doing something correctly, ask a colleague or your manager for help. It is better to ask for help and get it right rather than do it on your own and get it wrong.

 

If you are looking for a new career within the construction and engineering industries, register your details with Edge Careers here.

 

How To Make A Good First Impression

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Why Choose Edge Careers?

Why Choose Edge Careers?

Why Choose Edge Careers

With a number of recruitment agencies across the UK who all claim to be the best at what they do, it can be hard to choose the right agency for you.

At Edge Careers we prefer to let our commitment and expertise do the talking for us.

Our staff not only benefit from a number of years experience, some also come form the industries themselves.

But How Does That Make Us Any Different?

Our consultants invest themselves into the industry to gain the knowledge needed to recruit for all positions and with this gain a better understanding of our clients’ businesses. This knowledge, combined with our vast experience, means that we can offer advice to both candidates and clients on the best way forward.

How Do You Go About Finding Candidates?

We take a proactive headhunt approach to recruitment. We do not rely upon job boards to supply us with candidates because we believe that, in most circumstances, the right people for the roles aren’t actively looking for a new job.

Any Agency Can Submit CV’s, How is Edge Careers any Different?

Well, at Edge Careers we don’t just submit a CV, we take the time to interview our candidates and create a profile on them. This profile outlays how a candidate works and their ambitions for the future and also allows us to better understand why they are looking to leave their current role, so that our clients time is not wasted if a candidate is simply trying to get a pay rise at his current company.

If Your Candidate Gets the Role, Do You Stay in Contact?

Yes, of course. Our service doesn’t stop when a candidate starts their new role. We maintain contact with our candidates to make sure they are happy with the move they have made and that all the promises made at the job offer stage have been fulfilled.

But Please Don’t Just Take our Word for it, Take a Look at What Some of Our Candidates and Clients Have to Say:

“I have worked with Edge Careers for the past 10 years, both as a candidate and a client. Edge Careers are responsive, honest and straight forward in their approach, with a strong understanding of the construction industry. Time is taken to understand the business need, and therefore working in partnership with Edge Careers turns what could be a challenging process, into something enjoyable, efficient and positive.”

Andy Saul Commercial Director at Morgan Sindall

“Edge Careers spoke to me well before any interviews were arranged with prospective companies. I felt this was a good idea as it gave them all the necessary background information to put my name forward to the right companies to best fit with my skills and experience. They were very professional at securing a new job for me and I would thoroughly recommend their services”

Lance Collins Senior Development Co-ordinator at Lovell

If you are looking to recruit new staff into you construction or engineering company, then please register your vacancy with Edge Careers here. Similarly, if you are a candidate looking for a career move, register your details with us here.
Why Choose Edge Careers

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Why Choose Freelance Workers

Why Choose Freelance Workers?

In the construction industry there seems to be the perception that hiring a freelance worker is not the best option as it is thought that freelance workers are too expensive, have no loyalty and could move on at any point.

But Edge Careers believe that hiring freelance professionals can be beneficial to your business.

So What Are The Benefits?

As there is an ever increasing demand for construction professionals across the UK and a lack of skilled professionals available, finding a new permanent member of staff can be a very time consuming process. This is down to having to find the people that actually want to move from their current company and then them working their notice periods, which can often be anything from 1 – 6 months. So hiring a freelance option would be useful for you to provide cover whilst a permanent worker is ready to start.

Other Reasons to hire a freelance worker

You may have just won a new contract and you need to recruit for your team to ensure you can meet deadlines and deliver to your client on time.

Winning a one off project which is outside of your normal region of operation, so it would be unadvantageous to hire a permanent worker in the long run.

Construction on a project is starting imminently and you urgently need someone to lead the team.

You have just had a member of your permanent team leave the team at a critical time in a project.

For all of the points, the obvious solution is to hire a freelance worker so you can focus on driving your business forward.

Isn’t a Freelance Worker Only a Short Term Solution?

No, most contractors will employ freelance workers for the length of a project and if you then see them becoming a vital asset to your business for future projects, you can offer them a temp to perm deal.

 

At Edge Careers we have dedicated Freelance and Trades & Labour teams, who can offer temporary staff at all levels within your company.

If you are looking for freelance staff to join a live or upcoming project then register your vacancy with us here.

 

Why Choose Freelance Workers

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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What To Do After An Interview

What to do After an Interview

What To Do After An Interview

After you leave an interview you can be stuck in tandem and you may not know what to do. Edge Careers has taken a look at what you can do after an interview to get help you with your progression in the interview process.

Send an Email

One of the easiest things to do is to send an email to the interviewer just to thank him/her for taking the time to meet with you and for giving you the opportunity to apply for the position.

You can also go over anything that you may have forgotten to say during the interview or strengthen any points that you feel need to be reiterated.

Contact Your Recruiter

If you are at your interview through a recruitment agency then you should contact your recruitment consultant after your interview to give them your feedback. This will also then push them to get feedback off the interviewer so you can have more clarity on what is happening going forward.

They can also guide you through the process and give you advice on what to do next and answer any questions you may have come away with.

Make Notes

If you have left the interview and your head is a bit all over the place, then make a few notes. You may want to jot down some positives and negatives about the role and the company to give you a clearer insight into whether it is the right company and the right role for you.

Clear Your Head

If you are heading back to work after your interview, it would be wise to take a couple of minutes to just clear you head and make a few notes, so that when you go back into work you are not distracted.

Notify Your References

If you have been asked by the interviewer to provide references, then you should get in contact with them first so that they know that a call may be coming and will be prepared to sing your praises.

Follow Up With the Interviewer or Recruiter

If you haven’t heard from either your recruiter or the interviewer after a reasonable amount of time, don’t be afraid to chase it up yourself. It is important not to harass the interviewer though, as they can be very busy people, so if they haven’t come back to you they may have just been too busy. The last thing they want to see is 5 missed calls from you.

If you have had an interview through an agency, give your consultant a call and they may be able to tell you why there has been a delay in feedback from the interviewer.

 

If you are looking for a new role in the construction or engineering industry, register your details here.

 

What To Do After An Interview

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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Signs It’s Time To Change Your Job

Signs It’s Time To Change Your Job

There will always be times when we think “is this the right job/company for me?” Edge Careers has taken a look at a few signs that the time may of come to change your job.

You’re bored all the time

Although boredom is a very standard feeling, prolonged feelings of boredom while at work can be a warning sign that you are not doing being pushed hard enough or don’t have enough to do in your role.

If you’re spending most of your workday on the internet shopping or playing games, or if you’re checking the time frequently at work, those are key indicators.

Your skills aren’t being utilised

We all know that sometimes you have to take whatever you can get, stick it out for a while and, hopefully, prove to your boss that you’re capable of managing more responsibilities.

But if you’ve been doing this awhile, and you’re still stuck in a position that doesn’t allow you to utilize your skills, then it’s time to start considering changing your job.

You’re not growing

It is easy to stay in a job that you can do your everyday tasks without challenge, but by staying in this position you are not developing/growing your skills and thus your career prospects will be shrinking.

If you have asked for a change in your company to challenge and develop your skills more, but nothing has happened, it may be time to consider a new job.

You can’t picture yourself at your company in a year

When you think of the year ahead, are you still with your current company? Or do you picture yourself elsewhere? If your answer is the latter then you are not committed to your company and it is time for you to move on.

You dread Mondays

We all get the Monday blues, but for most of us it is not that we dread the thought of going into work, it’s just that we can’t have a lie in.

If the thought of going to work is what is causing your dread of Mondays, it may be that you don’t actually enjoy what you are currently doing and is a sign that you need to find yourself a job/company that will end the dreaded Monday feeling.

You just know

When it comes to knowing that things aren’t right, your gut is the best way of knowing. You know the saying “listen to your gut”.

If you’ve been actively job searching, talking about quitting and you feel it’s the right thing to do, it may be time to listen and change your job.

 

If you have found that it is time for you to move jobs, then register you details with Edge Careers here.

 

Signs It's Time To Change Your Job

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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How To Handle A Counter Offer

How To Handle A Counter Offer

Receiving a counter offer is a common part of the recruitment process. When you tell your boss that you are leaving, they may do what they can to keep you.

At some point in a career most people will have received a counter offer. It is a nice feeling to think your current company (which you may not be dead set on leaving) wants to keep you.

Once you have been counter offered you will be asking yourself the big question, do I stay or do I go? Edge Careers have taken a look at some points for you to consider when you’re trying to make this decision.

Delayed Offer

Why has it taken you to say that you are leaving the company for them to then offer you a pay rise or a promotion? Surely if they truly valued you in their business they would have already put you on the best salary and in the best position within the company.

You need to ask yourself, am I really valued and appreciated or am I just another body within the company?

Reason for Leaving

Why are you looking to leave the company in the first place? Is it solely for more money or is their an underlining issue?

If it was just for a pay rise then accepting a counter offer is probably the best thing to do as you are already in a job and company you know. If however there is an underlining issue it is important for you to remember that this issue will still exist even with the pay rise and/or promotion.

A lot of people who accept a counter offer usually end up leaving their current company anyway as the reason for leaving hasn’t changed.

Added Pressure

Yes moving to a new company is going to be a stressful and nervous experience, but thinking you are playing it safe by staying with your current company may not be as easy as you think.

Accepting a counter offer from your current employer could bring on additional stress with an additional workload and higher expectation. Also, you have now shown that you are willing to leave the company so your loyalty will now be in question.

 

Be careful when you come to receiving a counter offer and take these points into account. Also one of our Permanent Recruitment Consultants, Stuart Smith, wrote an article on accepting a counter offer which you can view here.

If you are looking for a career move within construction or engineering, register your details with us here.

 

How To Handle A Counter Offer

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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EU Referendum – Affect On The Construction Industry

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EU Referendum – Affect on the Construction Industry

EU Referendum

With one of the biggest votes in British history taking place this week, we take a look at the affect it will have on the construction industry.

In 2014, the UK construction industry directly employed 2.1 million people and contributed £103 billion to the UK economy. This equated to 6.3% of all UK jobs, and 6.5% of total economic output.

Infrastructure

As a member of the EU, the UK has access to European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF), who have invested €7.8 billion for major infrastructure projects, and lended €665.8 million to SMEs, respectively, in 2015.

These are significant sums of money that have driven infrastructure forward in the UK, and as an EU member state, the UK is eligible for bank financing operations.

A loss of both funding streams could have a significant impact on project delivery and start-ups across the UK, so they would need to be replaced in some capacity.

Imports and exports

China is the only non-EU state in the top five UK import markets, and EU imports accounted for 59% of total construction material imports.

The loss of free movement of goods, coupled with the potential introduction of tariffs, could either push construction sector firms to look inward and purchase domestic materials, or increase the cost of production through imported materials.

The free movement of goods benefits UK exporters selling their product(s) to EU member states when compared to non-EU states (without a pre-existing trade agreement in place).

In the event of Brexit, strict EU regulations, whilst not applying to the UK, would still have to be adhered to when exporting to an EU state.

On the flip side the UK would be able to develop and negotiate its own trade agreements with the EU and other large importing countries, such as China and the USA.

Labour

RICS’ Construction Market Survey indicated UK-wide increases in workloads, but decreasing number of skilled workers.

Construction firms have been looking to other EU member states to fill the gap.

If immigration is limited, particularly for skilled workers, the UK will witness higher project expenditures where labour demand outstrips supply.

Alternatively, a UK-set migration system could allow the UK to pinpoint the skilled workers it requires.

However, with the quantity of programmes and projects, the UK may not have an adequate level of investment and development that would necessitate a high(er) number of construction staff.

Procurement

EU procurement is now a stringent and obligatory framework of directives and regulations which inhibits bribery and corruption, and increases competition through the provision of best value for money.

All EU firms can bid for EU member state public procurement contracts free from discrimination.

A Brexit could allow UK public procurement to stipulate the use of “UK firms and materials only”, thus being a tool to support UK-based and enterprises.

VAT

EU statute imposes a VAT on the consumption of goods and services, with UK reduced rates relating to the built environment include 5% VAT on residential energy, insulation and renovations, and 0% VAT for new building construction.

VAT acts as a disincentive for works to be considered, with a cut aiding local SMEs and the wider UK economy: evidenced by additional jobs and economic stimulus it could provide between 2015 and 2020.

A post-Brexit Government could alter VAT arrangements to encourage purchase and investment – from a small to large scale – in specific goods and services.

 

*All stats and figures for this article come from a post by RICS.

 

EU Referendum

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Tricky Interview Questions and How To Answer Them

Tricky Interview Questions and How To Answer Them

Being prepared for an interview makes it easier for you to show what you are truly capable of. Edge Careers have taken a look at some of the trickiest questions asked at interview and how you should answer them.

What is your biggest weakness?

This question can be a difficult one as you are being asked about your shortcomings, when your instinct, in an interview situation, is to keep your weaknesses as well hidden as possible. What you can do is frame your answer to give it a positive spin.

Strengths and weaknesses can be switched into the same thing, so another way to approach this question is to think about how you overcome the potential downside of your greatest strength. For example, if you’re a natural teamworker, is it difficult for you to cope with conflict or assume leadership abilities? How do you cope with this?

Why do you think you will be successful in this job?

You should not use this as an invitation to boast – you are being asked to match your strengths to the qualities needed to do the job. Don’t forget, it’s a very specific question. Why are you suited to this job, as opposed to any other? Thorough employer research will help you answer this question, as it will enable you to match your skills, interests and experience to the job role and the company.

Have you ever had a bad experience with an employer?

This question is a test of your ability to think on your feet and come up with a diplomatic response. Whether you sidestep the question by saying you’ve always got on well with your employers, or describe a tricky situation you’ve experienced that highlights your potential, you need to avoid attacking your previous employers. Also, be aware not to incriminate yourself.

Give an example of a time when you handled a major crisis.

This is similar to asking ‘Can you give an example of a time when you had to cope with a difficult situation?’ or ‘Give an example of a time when you had to cope under pressure’. However, ‘crisis’ is a much stronger word. You may find it easier to give an example if you think back and come up with a time when you had to cope with an unexpected problem.

Where do you expect to be in five years’ time?

This is another question that allows you to show off your employer research and understanding of your chosen career path. You’ll want to come across as enthusiastic, but not arrogant. Tailor your response to reflect the nature of the organisation, the sector, and your own experiences and skills.

What motivates you?

You are particularly likely to be asked about your motivation in a strengths-based interview, which focuses on what you enjoy doing and what you do well. Your answer should draw on an example from your extracurricular activities, work experience or studies that suggests you would be strongly motivated by the job you are applying for.

How do you manage your time and prioritise tasks?

When an interviewer asks how you manage your time, don’t just give an example of a time when you did this successfully. Your interviewer wants to know your tactics and strategies for getting yourself organised, so whatever approach you use to prioritising and listing your tasks, you should be ready to describe it.

Give an example of a time when you showed initiative.

If an interviewer asks you to describe a situation in which you showed initiative, avoid giving an example of an idea you had but never put into action. It’s much better to talk about a time when you not only came up with a solution to a problem but also acted on it. Then you can explain the effect your decision had when you put it into practice.

 

If you are looking for a new job in construction or engineering, register your details with Edge Careers here.

 

Tricky interview questions and how to answer them

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Choosing The Right Recruitment Agency For You

Choosing the right recruitment agency for you

choosing the right recruitment agency

Working in the construction industry, where the need for quality staff is growing and the number of skilled workers is shrinking, recruitment agencies are playing a vital role. Love them or Loath them, recruitment agencies are key to the growth of your business.

If you require staff to work for your company, but you do not have the time or resources to find the perfect candidate, then a recruitment agency will be required and choosing the right one can be a hard decision.

Choosing the right recruitment agency will be the difference between receiving quality or unsuitable candidates. You will need to make sure to find one that will take a proactive headhunt approach and not just sift through job boards.

Most recruitment agencies will claim to be the best at what they do and understand the industry they are working in, but only a few actually do. It is key that when you select a recruitment consultancy, you test their knowledge so that you can be reassured that they do know what you are looking for.

The same goes for candidates. Choosing the right recruitment agency to represent you will be the key to how you are presented to a client. A lot of agencies will get your CV and shoot it across to every contractor they can think of, only a few will actually take the time to understand what you are looking for in your next career move. At Edge Careers, we aim to meet with every candidate to build a profile on exactly what you are looking for and we will agree a target list of companies that we will put your details forward to.

It is important that as a candidate you agree a list of target companies so that you can keep track of where your CV has gone. A company receiving your CV multiple times will devalue your position as a candidate.

A good recruitment agency will stay with you through the whole process to offer guidance and assistance, sticking with you after you have started your new job to make sure you are happy with the company you have moved to.

To work with a recruitment agency who does genuinely understand the industry they are recruiting for, register your vacancy with Edge Careers here.

If you are looking for a new role and want an agency who will take the time to understand what you are looking for, then register your CV with us here.

 

Why Are Recruitment Agencies Important

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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Stuart Smith Moves to Civil Engineering

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Stuart Smith has made the move from our Permanent team to head up our Civil Engineering team.

Stuart Smith BEng (Hons) – Resourcing Divisional Manager

Stuart who has been with Edge Careers for over 2 years, comes from a Civil Engineering background gaining a degree in the subject before working in the industry for 6 years.

Stuart is excited to be making this change in his career and looks forward to successfully leading our Civil Engineering team.

Our Civil Engineering team will be based out of our Head Office in the Midlands to provide a recruitment solution on a national basis, to all our civil engineering clients.

If you are a candidate in the civil engineering sector register your CV with us here.

To register a civil engineering vacancy with us click here or call Stuart on 01905 827207.

 

Stu Civil Engineering

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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