South East Sales Jobs News

Firms 'not assessing impact' of training

01 September 2010 14:06:01

Many firms are failing to assess the impact that training is having on their employees and the organisation as a whole, it has been revealed.

A new report by Hays Senior Finance shows that, while multimillions of pounds are being spent on staff training across the UK, nearly one in seven organisations admit that they have no measurements in place to assess the impact of their programmes.

The survey also showed that coaching is often undertaken without evaluating the return on investment, while two-thirds of businesses fail to use coaching directly to address corporate objectives.

Chris McCarthy, director at Hays Senior Finance, said that in far too many cases companies are leaving it to individuals to set the framework for their own coaching or mentoring, with little or no reference to the business needs.

"They then fail to check the standards of their programmes and show little concern for the outcomes. Support can be extremely effective when a professional starts a new role, but it is essential it is carried out in the right manner," he noted.

Recently, a report issued by the Department for Work and Pensions showed that training is currently being most commonly received by younger people and women, particularly workers in large organisations and those with higher qualifications.

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Posted by John Oak

HR departments 'employing specialist brand managers'

25 August 2010 14:27:32

HR departments are increasingly employing specialist managers to run employer brand projects, new research into industry recruitment trends has claimed.

A poll carried out by specialist consultancy People in Business for its Employer Brand Benchmark Survey found that organisations are increasingly competing for talent, with the proportion of employer brand managers and talent managers increasing from ten per cent to 28 per cent in the last four years.

Sophy Pern, director of People in Business, said that developing and harnessing the power of the employer brand "helps bring focus to people management", which is enabling companies to get more with less.

"As the importance of having and managing an employer brand is increasingly recognised and its contribution is moving up the company agenda, we’re seeing an increase in senior management and specialist involvement," she explained.

Recently, a job market trends report issued by the Department for Work and Pensions found that training is being most commonly received by younger people and women, particularly workers in large organisations and those with higher qualifications.

For free information on sales industry trends sign up to the free Aaron Wallis fortnightly newsletter

Posted Nikki Barrister

Expert reveals 'smart moves and mistakes' for sales jobs recruits

20 August 2010 14:35:23

An industry expert has touched upon some of the biggest mistakes and smartest moves that sales jobs candidates can make during the application and interview process.

Renowned author and career columnist Alexandra Levit said that a mistake many people make is failing to use social networking sites effectively, with some candidates creating "information overload" by creating a presence on too many websites.

She added that many candidates often make the error of studying current jobs market trends rather than looking at the bigger picture.

Ms Levit explained that the long-term employment trends will give an indication of which sector they should be applying for: "Understand where the job opportunities are and will be by looking at statistics and broad trends."

Meanwhile, Mat Armstrong, writing for Human Resource Magazine, recently said that the same advice applies to recruiters – that all sales jobs candidates need to be checked out before being hired.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by John Oak

DWP report examines sales recruitment training trends

18 August 2010 14:50:30

A new report issued by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) has examined the training trends currently being seen in sales recruitment.

According to the study, training is being most commonly received by younger people and women, particularly workers in large organisations and those with higher qualifications.

The report also showed that training also seems to be more prevalent among higher earners, namely those in the top quintile, and staff who are relatively new to the job, which the DWP claims is linked to the provision of induction.

According to the department: "The report does find a small effect on wages of undergoing training, and also increases in the rate of retention and moving into paid work. However, the incidence of training appears to be falling, except among older workers."

Earlier this year, a study carried out by Citrix found that 88 per cent of employers believe on-the-job training is of significant importance to their organisation's wellbeing.

For free information on sales industry trends sign up to the free Aaron Wallis fortnightly newsletter.

Posted by John Oak

Background checks 'essential' before hiring

13 August 2010 14:40:19

It is essential that recruiters carry out background checks before taking on new staff, one expert has warned.

Mat Armstrong, writing for Human Resource Magazine, said that the same advice applies for sales recruitment as for any other sector - candidates need to be checked out before being hired.

He explained that the economic downturn has led to many people becoming "desperate" for work and embellishing CVs and falsifying applications to improve their chances of success.

"Businesses shouldn't take this surplus of talent for granted; they need to make considered recruitment decisions because some will do whatever it takes to secure employment," Mr Armstrong noted.

It follows research carried out by Accenture for a study entitled Onward and Up - How Marketers Are Refocusing the Front Office for Growth, which found that executives are blaming poor performance on not having staff who are equipped with the skills to drive their firms forward.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

World of employment 'will undergo major changes' by 2020

06 August 2010 15:05:46

The world of work as we currently know it will undergo ten major changes in the coming decade, according to the latest report.

A study carried out by industry analyst Gartner shows that organisations will need to plan for "increasingly chaotic environments" out of their direct control, as trends such as the 'de-routinisation of work' and 'work swarms' occur.

According to the organisation, work swarms occur when companies use every available person to focus on a task, and are likely to be far more prevalent in 2020 as firms look for cost-effective strategies.

Gartner added that the concept of 'my place' will also come to the fore in the workplace - which is the idea that the lines between personal, professional, social and family matters, along with organisation subjects, will disappear.

The research follows a study by Association of Professional Staffing Companies which showed that almost a third of recruiters intend to expand overseas in the next 12 months.

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Posted by Nikki Barrister

Employees 'burning the candle at both ends'

04 August 2010 14:16:19

Many employees are burning the candle at both ends by working an excessive number of hours, according to a new report.

Research carried out by Reed shows that the typical "nine-to-five" job is being shunned by many employees, who are instead putting in ten-hour shifts and relying on an "email culture".

According to the report, almost half of workers say they cannot live without email, with the majority citing it as "the biggest transformation in the world of work during the last 50 years".

Tom Lovell, group managing director of Reed, said that a trend towards a more connected and diverse working environment has gradually developed.

"Advances in technology have led to significant changes in working life, enabling people to have more control over the shape of their careers and ending more traditional, restrictive approaches to working arrangements," he explained.

Recently, Tim Vye, divisional director at Reed Finance, said that the dynamics of the job market are starting to change and are slowly beginning to come back to the middle ground, giving people looking for sales jobs a better chance of securing a position.

For free information on sales industry trends sign up to the free Aaron Wallis fortnightly newsletter.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Expert: Employees need to feel valued

22 July 2010 15:59:00

Too many people in sales jobs do not feel appreciated by their employees, according to an expert, who said that the difficult economic climate has left many staff feeling over-worked and under-paid.

Claire McCartney, resourcing and talent planning adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said that at the moment people looking for sales jobs want to be recognised for their hard work.

"Organisations need to develop the people management skills of their line managers and acknowledge the importance of saying thank you for a job well done," she said.

The employment expert added that workers want the truth from their companies about the safety of the position and also to feel like they can work together with management to overcome problems.

In a recent report by Reabur, 21 per cent of Brits feel 'bullied' by their boss at work, whilst a further 28 per cent feel picked on by a peer at work. However, only eight per cent admitted to reporting the incidents.

Aaron Wallis are a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales professionals.

Posted by John Oak

Anxiety can be a friend for sales jobseekers

20 July 2010 15:59:00

People trying to hunt down their perfect sales jobs need to use the anxiety and stress which come along with having an interview in order to do well, according to one website.

Helium.com reported that being stressed means that people going for an interview will be more motivated to research a company and ensure they are correctly prepared.

"The preparation starts the moment you know you have an interview ... go on the web and research the company. Find out what they produce and where, who do they sell to and how, how big they are and how many offices are there," it stated.

Not being overwhelmed by stress and anxiety was recommended by the website which stated that the feelings need to be turned into a positive in order to do well at interview.

A survey of more than 4,000 workers by Which? found that 26 per cent of employees only "skim read" their contracts after being successful at an interview.

Aaron Wallis are a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales professionals.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Unemployment falls to 2.47m

14 July 2010 18:12:04

Unemployment has fallen to 2.47 million in the second quarter of the year, which could be good news for those looking for sales jobs.

New figures published by the Office for National Statistics have shown that unemployment in the UK fell by 34,000 during the last three months.

They have also shown that the part-time employment level has reached a record high, with more than a quarter of the workforce taking this type of job.

The claimant count has also fallen by 20,800, which is the seventh decline during the last eight months.

Vicky Redwood, senior UK economist at Capital Economics, highlighted the fact that jobs growth over the next few months will be slow.

She said: "The UK labour market has perked up a bit, but we still doubt that private sector hiring will pick up strongly enough to offset the severe public sector job cuts."

Earlier this month, Graduate Recruitment Bureau co-founder Dan Hawes claimed that university leavers who put off searching for sales jobs until after they have left campus are at a disadvantage to those who prepare early.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Firms 'should offer more flexibility for hard-to-fill sales jobs'

08 July 2010 18:11:59

Companies looking to hire new staff should ensure that they offer sales jobs which provide flexibility if they are operating in sectors experiencing a skills shortage.

Mike Petrook, spokesperson for the Chartered Management Institute, claimed that this is "key" as Britain is currently experiencing a draught of talent.

"By being inflexible in terms of the type of employment that you're offering, your organisation could be shutting itself off to reams of top talent," he explained.

The key thing that employees engaged in the recruitment process should assess is the quality and quantity of the output that a worker produces, rather than the input such as hours that they put in.

Mr Petrook said: "It's not the hours that somebody spends at a desk or in their place of work; it's what results they deliver. Are they meeting the objectives? Are they helping the organisation? That's what really counts."

Recent research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG has found that the number of permanent and temporary staff appointments rose in June, albeit at a slower rate than in prior months.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Marc Bolland manages M&S surge

07 July 2010 18:11:58

The new chief executive (CEO) of Marks & Spencer has managed to live up to his reputation for success, which he earned at Morrisons, by delivering impressive sales figures for his new employer.

Marc Bolland took over from former CEO Sir Stuart Rose on May 1st and, since his tenure began, the household retailer has managed to record a third consecutive month of increasing sales.

"Marks & Spencer has delivered another good sales performance in the first quarter, continuing the progress made by the team over the previous year," said Bolland.

Overall UK sales were up 4.4 per cent in the 13 weeks to July 3rd and, excluding newly-opened stores, its like-for-like sales in the UK were up 3.6 per cent, according to the Guardian.

Another senior manager trying to do well in a new environment is John Murray, to whom Spar has given the task of improving sales after it appointed him as development controller for the area.

Aaron Wallis has a dedicated retail sales team filling sales vacancies across a wide spectrum of the retail industry. Offering a 12 month rebate scheme, Aaron Wallis provides a retail recruitment service that is second to none. Aaron Wallis is a UK based sales recruitment agency.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Jobseekers could be wasting time with internships

05 July 2010 15:55:00

People trying to capture that all important first sales job could be wasting their time by interning and completing tasks which they should be receiving payment for, according to an expert.

Johnny Rich, publisher of realworldmagazine.com, said that some companies exploit interns "horrifically" and basically treat them as extra employees, without providing them with a wage or giving them any additional expertise.

"We already have the minimum wage for employees, and a lot of interns doing work are actually taking the place of a paid employee and are not getting much out in return. It's ok if you are getting skills or money, or a combination of the two, but if you are not then you are being exploited," he said.

Jobseekers should spend their time hunting for sales jobs rather than interning until the government brings in legislation that would mean businesses have to pay interns, according to Mr Rich.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development recently recommended that employers should be forced to pay interns a minimum of £2.50 an hour to prevent exploitation.

Aaron Wallis are a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales professionals.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Research 'the key to interview success'

01 July 2010 18:11:55

Conducting thorough research of any company that those looking for sales jobs are applying to is the key to success, an expert has suggested.

Chris Morrall, director of Talent Transitions, has highlighted this as one of the top tips those looking to ace an interview should follow.

He said that they should also make sure they pay attention to the questions thoroughly and ensure they answer them in an effective manner if they want the best chance of success.

"Go through the job description of person specification and then go through a mock interview with somebody, either with a careers service, a friend or colleague and say the answers to the questions," he advised.

Mr Morrall added that it is essential that people fully rehearse the questions they are likely to be asked before going through the interview process.

Recent figures published by High Fliers have shown that the number of vacancies at some of the country's leading graduate employers have risen by 17.9 per cent so far this year.

Aaron Wallis offers one of the largest resources of interview advice and career tools available to UK jobseekers

Posted by Wayne Bly

Budget 'could lead to rise in SME hiring'

23 June 2010 13:09:32

The number of sales jobs available from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could increase in the wake of today's Emergency Budget.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed proposals to exempt small businesses from national insurance contributions but has called for this to be extended to all companies with the capacity to hire new employees.

It has also highlighted changes to the Small Companies Tax Rate that could see 850,000 small organisations paying tax at 20 per cent, making it easier for them to operate.

John Walker, the national chairman of the FSB, claimed that the announced measures will also go some way towards tackling the deficit.

He added: "We need to see a full reversal of NICs increases to fully offset the 'tax on jobs' which the previous administration initiated."

Earlier this week, British Chambers of Commerce director general David Frost announced his organisation's commitment to helping British manufacturers, which could be good news for those looking to enter a sales job in the field.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Budget 'could lead to rise in SME hiring'

22 June 2010 16:10:33

The number of sales jobs available from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could increase in the wake of today's Emergency Budget.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed proposals to exempt small businesses from national insurance contributions but has called for this to be extended to all companies with the capacity to hire new employees.

It has also highlighted changes to the Small Companies Tax Rate that could see 850,000 small organisations paying tax at 20 per cent, making it easier for them to operate.

John Walker, the national chairman of the FSB, claimed that the announced measures will also go some way towards tackling the deficit.

He added: "We need to see a full reversal of NICs increases to fully offset the ‘tax on jobs' which the previous administration initiated."

Earlier this week, British Chambers of Commerce director general David Frost announced his organisation's commitment to helping British manufacturers, which could be good news for those looking to enter a sales job in the field.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Interview blunders can happen to the best

22 June 2010 15:25:31

Putting your brain in gear before speaking might seem like an obvious step at a sales jobs interview, but according to one source, this is not always the case.

AZCentral.com stated that a lot of candidates do all the hard work, secure an interview and then panic when they are asked questions, often answering without thinking their response through.

"Listen to what is being said and asked, digest it and then make sure you have a thoughtful answer to all of the questions. Answer calmly, with conviction and most importantly, don't ramble," it stated.

Other blunders which the website advised against are being negative about current employers, being vague and general with answers, and candidates failing to review and if necessary edit social media sites they are a member of.

The Guardian's employment guru Jeremy Bullmore recently told one reader to ensure he made himself attractive to potential employees by getting as many impressive references as possible and developing his self marketing.

For CV hints and interview advice together with one of the largest information portals available to UK sales jobseekers visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk Aaron Wallis is a leading UK based marketing and sales recruitment agency.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Two-thirds say retirement age should be abolished

21 June 2010 15:50:06

More people want to stay in sales jobs for longer, which would be helped by abolishing the retirement age.

Charity Age UK carried out a survey which found that 70 per cent of workers think it is wrong for employers to make their staff cease working at a certain age.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the charity wants the government to end any confusion over the default retirement age by setting a clear date for its abolition.

It added that around £3.5 billion was wasted last year because many workers had to quit their jobs when they reached 65 years of age.

"Forcing people in later life out of the labour market when they want to work, save for their pensions and pay taxes is nonsense. It makes a mockery of the government's plans to help people work longer," said Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK.

Recently, the Confederation of British Industry said that there should be greater flexibility in the workplace, however, it opposed the scrapping of the retirement age.

Aaron Wallis is a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales professionals.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Looking further afield could be perfect for sales recruitment

17 June 2010 15:45:07

Firms looking to recruit sales staff could attract a wider variety of candidates and increased productivity if they looked further afield and allowed flexible working hours or working from home.

Hugo Harber, director of convergence and network strategy at Star (www.star.co.uk), said that by making better use of modern technology, sales staff can be recruited from all backgrounds and all areas of the UK.

"Phones, email, shared desktops, and web meetings can offer high levels of flexible working ... by providing integrated conferencing and collaboration tools you can reduce the need to travel and increase productivity," he stated.

The expert added that in exchange for more flexibility and less travel firms using sales recruitment can offer more modest wages and still attract new recruits.

A recent report by Frost & Sullivan found that conferencing services for marketing in Europe grew by 19.3 per cent in 2009, which supports Mr Harber's comments.

Aaron Wallis is a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers the UK’s most inclusive service offering that includes psychometric profiling and online skills testing. Your investment in new staff is backed by a unique 12 months rebate scheme.

Posted by Wayne Bly

TEFL can lead to sales jobs skills

16 June 2010 15:55:00

People returning to the UK after time spent abroad could be in a great position to start and succeed in sales jobs, according to an expert, who said getting to know another language and culture can pay dividends in the work place.

Marie Eichler, director and co-founder of Appointments Bilanguage, told the Guardian that for people coming back to the UK, having command of another language can make them a more effective sales person.

"Spend as much time as possible getting to know the culture of the country, possibly doing another job that isn't teaching so you can practice the language. You can also build up commercial knowledge and sales skills that give you an edge when you come to get a job back here," she said.

The Guardian's employment guru Jeremy Bullmore recently said that being able to market yourself well is a key part of being successful in a job search.

For CV hints and interview advice together with one of the largest information portals available to UK sales jobseekers visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk Aaron Wallis is a leading UK based marketing and sales recruitment agency.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Sports watches could be just the ticket for sales staff

08 June 2010 15:10:00

People in sales jobs with some commission to burn should consider investing in a sports watch, according to one magazine, which said that the accessory can look good in various situations.

Stuff magazine listed its top five sports watches, including the Jorg Gray JG1900 which benefits from green bezel hands and indices that are designed to make it easier to read.

"The great thing about sports watches is that they still look cool even when you're not being sporty. Try wearing a dress watch and acting sporty – just doesn't work," it stated.

Most of the watches come in at around the £200 mark, but sales staff who want to get a high-end watch could opt for Corum Admiral's Cup Deep Hull 48, which costs £5,250 and will work to 1,000m under water.

Sales staff with commission in their pocket could splash out on one of the new gold-plated iPads which Stuart Hughes, a designer of luxury goods, has put together and cost around £2,000 each.

Aaron Wallis is a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers the UK's most inclusive service offering that includes psychometric profiling and online skills testing. Your investment in new staff is backed by a unique 12 months rebate scheme.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Expert: Art of persuasion can be learned

03 June 2010 15:39:26

People gearing up for a sales job interview will need the power of persuasion to convince a potential employer that they are the right person for the role and one expert thinks the skill can be learned.

The Guardian's Steve Martin stated that although some people naturally have the power of persuasion he thinks it can also be a learned skill which can give applicants an edge in the interview room.

He said: "The ability to influence and persuade others is not gifted to a chosen few. Persuasion can be learned and researchers who study it have uncovered a set of rules for improving your powers of persuasion and moving people in your direction."

The employment guru added that to persuade, applicants need to admit weaknesses and try to find common ground with interviewers in order to win them over.

Being able to present impressive references from previous employers or clients will help jobseekers get that dream role, according to the Guardian's employment guru Jeremy Bullmore.

For CV hints and interview advice together with one of the largest information portals available to UK sales jobseekers visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk Aaron Wallis is a leading UK based marketing and sales recruitment agency.

Posted by John Oak

Self marketing is vital for employment success

02 June 2010 15:36:37

Experienced professionals looking for sales jobs need to ensure that they market themselves in the right way so they are as employable as possible, according to an expert.

The Guardian's employment guru Jeremy Bullmore told one reader, who found that his experience was stopping him getting job offers, to ensure he made himself attractive to potential employees by getting as many impressive references as possible.

"Make sure you've obtained as many glowing references from them as you can; they should more than compensate for the absence on your CV of any permanent role in a well-known company," he advised.

The expert also told the reader to hone in on his specific skills when writing a covering letter, which could be a good idea for people looking to get into sales jobs in a certain sector, like medicine or engineering.

When workers do find their perfect sales jobs they will not have to wait long until a pay rise, according to Duncan Brown, director of HR business development at the Institute for Employment Studies, who said that pay freezes are starting to be relaxed.

For CV hints and interview advice together with one of the largest information portals available to UK sales jobseekers visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk Aaron Wallis is a leading UK based marketing and sales recruitment agency.

Posted by John Oak

Sales staff should gear up for summer of sport

26 May 2010 15:37:46

This summer is the perfect time for sales staff with commission to burn to get out and experience some of the world-class sports events which the UK is hosting.

The British Grand Prix, The Open and Wimbledon are three of the events which could provide people in sales jobs with great entertainment and the chance to see some of the best sportsmen and women in the world.

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and more members of golf's top ten will all be trying to win The Open, which takes place between July 15th and 18th at the St Andrews course, which is celebrating its 150th year.

Wimbledon takes place in south-west London from June 21st to July 4th and could see more classic battles between players like Andy Murray, Rafa Nadal and 15-time major winner Roger Federer.

The British Grand Prix could be an ideal event for people in sales jobs to attend with both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in a good position to win the event and put an English winner on the podium.

To help your staff gear up for the summer of sport and to plan your annual leave don’t forget to download your 2010 free World Cup wall planner.

Aaron Wallis are a specialist sales recruitment agency that offers hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales professionals.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

John Carmody looks to boost Aviva's sales

25 May 2010 15:59:00

A former senior director at the asset and investment management firm BlackRock is set to join insurance giant Aviva and has been charged with working alongside the sales team to boost performance, according to one publication.

City AM reported on the switch that John Carmody has made and said that the former executive director of UBS Global Asset Management will work to safeguard existing business and secure new clients.

People looking for sales jobs will be able to see if the director can manage to boost the insurer's sales and partnerships.

"Carmody will work with Aviva's sales teams to develop new and existing relationships with financial institution clients and will help to facilitate cross-border business," the publication stated.

The former director of business development for the firm's Europe, the Middle East and Africa institutional wealth management division will also focus on partnering financial institutions seeking an asset manager with an aligned global reach.

Marc Bolland, the former chief executive of Morrisons, has recently been charged with bringing similar success to Marks & Spencer, after he took the same position at the upmarket retailer.

With consultants dedicated to insurance sales, Aaron Wallis has relationships with many of the major insurance employers and recruits insurance brokers, risk managers and corporate sales professionals. For insurance sales recruitment services visit: www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Posted by John Oak