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The best candidate screening processes not only identify the people with the right skills for the role but those who share your company culture and values. Candidate screening can be intensive and time-consuming, so it’s important to harness the right processes to find the very best candidates for the role. The most effective screening processes seek out informed candidates – these are the people who know more about your company, ask smarter questions, and are a better long-term fit for your organisation. But when you are faced with a pile of applications and limited time, it can feel tough to implement a smart screening process. Use these tips to identify the people who are the right fit for your business. Learn to Recognise Informed Applications Not all application forms are completed equally. Learning to recognise the signs of an informed applicant can help you to successfully identify potential hires at the very earliest stages of the search process. Informed candidates tailor their CV to match the skills required in the job description. They include a personalised cover letter that reflects on why they would be a good fit for the organisation, often with mention to values and mission. They may also identify a willingness to grow and improve their skills or come recommended through a high-value recruitment channel. Beware copy and paste CVs and application forms that are completed with minimal effort or specificity. Ask the Right Questions You are likely to have limited time with a candidate before you move to a face to face interview. Whether you have a short video or telephone call to screen a potential hire, it’s important that you make the most of it. These are the key areas you should focus on after identifying a potential new team member. Do They Understand the Role? The most switched-on candidates have done their research. They have a good grasp of the role and the skills they need to succeed. They can identify skills they may not have and outline their plans to improve. Are They Aligned with Your Mission? Informed candidates have done their research before they fill in their application form. Can candidates outline your values and mission and describe how their skills align to it? Will They Be a Great Fit for Your Culture? Questions about work style and career aspirations can help you get a good understanding of a candidate’s cultural comfort zone and identify those who are likely to be a match over the long-term. Where Do They Go From Here? Informed candidates are thinking beyond the right now. They should have a working knowledge of the market and be aware of the likely challenges that your organisation may face. What Questions Do They Ask You? You can tell a lot about a candidate from the questions they ask. Do they ask specific questions about the role and the organisation? Are they interested in the company’s social presence and recent product developments? A genuine interest is the mark of an informed candidate. The right screening process can transform the way you connect with candidates and help you to make better and more successful hires. Looking to discover informed candidates and expand your team? Speak to Henry Nicholas today.

The Creative Industries Federation values the creative contribution to the British economy at £101.5bn. The sector now employs more than 2 million people and is the fastest growing industry in the UK. Encompassing a wide range of specialisms, from marketing and PR to web design and television, the creative sector is expanding twice as fast as other industries according to data from Nesta and the Creative Industries Council. The South East is a vital part of this success story, home to 18% of all creative jobs in the country and second only in size to London at 29%. The ancient city of Oxford and the surrounding county of Oxfordshire are two of the biggest creative employers in the South East, acting as the base for 3000 digital and creative businesses who contribute over £1.4bn to the local economy. At Henry Nicholas, we are seeing a high demand for marketing and PR agency roles at all levels across Oxfordshire. Creative and communications professionals are seeking challenging roles with high-performing agencies, looking for the opportunity to grow their careers outside of the capital. Berkshire is another rising star in the UK’s creative and digital boom. Towns like Reading and Newbury are seeing an influx of digital organisations. This is, in turn, driving a rise in specialist creative and PR roles to support a thriving tech industry. Reading was recently named the third-largest digital ‘city’ in the UK after London and Manchester in the UK 2019 Digital Technology Census. B2B agency professionals are sought after as tech businesses search for creative support to grow their brand presence. The creative economy shows no sign of slowing and the South East looks set to play a key part in this growth industry. Contact Andy Midgley, Senior Consultant, to discover your next agency role or to discuss expanding your creative team.

HN Consultant, Andy Midgley, shares advice for those who are looking to build a career in Public Relations. PR is an incredibly exciting and diverse field to be a part of. One minute you could be shouting about a new technology and the next advising a client on how to craft a perfectly-honed social media message. But becoming a communications guru is tough. It’s a popular industry and getting that all-important first foot on the ladder can be difficult, particularly if you haven’t been able to get any previous experience in the field. If you’re set on becoming a PR superstar, explore the advice below and discover how you can brush up on your skills and improve your chances of success. Polish Your Communication Skills It sounds obvious but succeeding in PR is all about being a brilliant communicator. With that in mind, your writing skills need to be strong if you want to stand out from the crowd. Some of my clients tell me that they would rather see a candidate with an English or journalism degree over a specific PR degree. It’s vital you can demonstrate that you have a flair for the written word. Get Qualified A degree in a relevant field like English is going to help you to get your foot in the door. It’s also useful to explore the professional qualifications on offer from the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations). An industry qualification can help to demonstrate your commitment to the field. Be Socially Switched On PR has evolved enormously in the last few years and the pace of change shows no signs of slowing. One of the best ways to understand the way this world works is to immerse yourself in it. Consume as much digital media as you can and be conscious of the way this information is being shaped to target you and the wider online audience. Understanding the digital landscape is key for anyone who wants to make their mark in PR. Build Your Own Brand There is no greater shop window for your PR skills than you. Make sure your social media and online presence is clean, cohesive, and projects the type of image that you would like to create for your ideal client. Prospective employers will consider this stuff, so you should too. Get Experience PR is one of those industries where experience is key and that can make it hard to get your very first opportunity. Work experience and internships can make all the difference when it comes to applying for your first role, so make sure you approach as many agencies as possible to get even a small amount of exposure on your CV. If you're looking for your first steps (or next steps) in PR then contact Andy on LinkedIn or drop him a line via email.

Every month, we take time out to get to know one of our superstar recruiters a little better. This time, we sat down for a catch up with Andrew Midgley to find out more about his Henry Nicholas experience, and discover what marketing and PR candidates and clients are looking for today. Andy is a senior consultant placing marketing and PR candidates with agencies across the south of England. He is also the exclusive recruiter for a Bristol-based charity. He has been part of the HN team for 7 years. Hi Andy. Thanks for chatting with us today. Can you start by telling us about your role? I’m a Senior Recruitment Consultant, mainly working across Wiltshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire with marketing and PR agencies. I also work with a science-related charity here in Bristol. My role mainly consists of managing client and candidate relationships, advertising roles, and maintaining and building my network. I have been doing this for nearly eight years, so I know a lot of people in the industry! What are some of the common roles you recruit for? A key focus of mine is placing client services roles for agencies, so that could be, Senior Account Directors, Account Directors, Account Managers, and Account Executives. Then there are the roles on the creative and technical side, including, Digital Project Managers, Designers, Developers, people like that. A lot of my clients are working with big tech companies, so it can be focused on candidates with experience in that niche. Can you tell us about your career journey so far? Well, I went to Bristol Uni and did a drama degree. I originally wanted to be an actor, and then went on to do a cameraman internship at Granada studios – I’m originally from up north. That didn’t work out, so I decided to head back to Bristol and sort of fell into recruiting. My first role in recruiting was working in a huge firm and it had a very intense atmosphere that wasn’t really my thing. I knew Tony Allen, he was a good friend from uni, and I asked him if I could come and work at Henry Nicholas. He thought it would be weird to be my manager! When a position opened up in another part of the business, it was perfect timing. I haven’t looked back! What are candidates looking for in a role at the moment? It’s more and more about company environment for candidates, they want flexibility and the opportunity to work remotely. In my industry, people are also often interested in working for an established company, so a lot of it comes down to client reputation as well as the type of brands they work with. I do a lot of work with agencies in B2B tech marketing and although it’s not everybody’s thing, some candidates love it. One factor for junior candidates is finding a role where they can get a wide experience across a number of areas. It is quite easy to get pigeonholed at an early stage if you’re not careful. What about clients? What do they want from candidates? Most of my clients want someone with agency experience, they are also looking for relevant sector and campaign experience. Many of my clients are integrated, this means they wouldn’t be happy with just a social media specialist or someone who can just do video production – they want generalists who have experience delivering first-class campaigns across the full marketing mix. What do you love about working for Henry Nicholas? I really like the atmosphere. I love that everyone gets on and that, even though we are all quite different, we all have areas of interests that overlap. I like that we are a close group and tend to go out for a drink on a Friday night! What do you get up to in your downtime? At the moment, DIY. My girlfriend and I just bought a house, so most of my time is spent on that right now. Aside from that, I love football, and I support Leeds United in a big way. I also like socialising and going to gigs; I should probably get some proper hobbies! Thanks for speaking with us Andy! Looking for your next marketing or PR challenge? Or ready to find the talented candidates you need to grow your agency team? Drop Andy a line. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or by email at a.midgley@henrynicholas.co.uk.

Jess Ashley explores how Fintech is powering the capital’s jobs market. In July, Fintech professionals and experts from around the globe came together in London for Fintech Week 2019. This gathering of the best and brightest in an ever-growing industry saw more than 2000 attendees flock to the capital – a reflection of just how quickly the sector has grown since the first Fintech start-ups began to appear in around 2015. London has become a major hub for these organisations, who combine financial products with the latest tech, such as Blockchain, to change the way consumers and businesses interact with financial products. It is likely to soon rival San Francisco as a home for Fintech ‘Unicorns’ – privately held start-ups valued in excess of $1 billion. It’s a sector that is also seeing significant investment from ‘traditional’ banks and financial institutions as they compete to remain relevant in the future of finance. Start-up competition is disrupting the market with accessible consumer-focused tech, and established financial organisations are turning to Fintech to ensure they can offer the same seamless experience. But what does this mean for the London jobs market? In April 2019, Finextra reported a 61% rise in jobs in the Fintech space in London. These fast-paced and fast-growing businesses need talented people to scale up with them, and it’s not just tech roles that are on the rise. We are also experiencing a boom in marketing and PR roles, as start-ups race to ensure that they have the communication skills on hand to shout about the amazing work they are doing. These newly created roles represent an exciting opportunity for marketing professionals to be part of a rapidly evolving industry. If you’re looking for a challenging and ever-changing role, then this is the perfect sector to focus on. In terms of skills, you need to be highly adaptable, creative, bold, and able to hit the ground running, to make your mark in Fintech. I’m also seeing a rise in data-focused marketing and digital roles within the Fintech space, particularly in CRM (Customer Relationship Management). The use of data to segment and target key audiences is a vital marketing tool in an industry that is driven by advances in data processing and tech. If you're looking for your next role in Fintech, or you’re searching for people who could be your next Fintech superstars, Henry Nicholas can help. Drop me a line at j.ashley@henrynicholas.co.uk or get in touch on LinkedIn to talk marketing, digital, PR, CRM, data, or creative talent.

Make sure your first impression counts with our Digital Marketing Agency interview tips. Digital marketing experts are in high demand as more and more brands shift their budgets away from traditional marketing into the digital space. But having sought-after expertise doesn’t make the interview process any less daunting. What if you say the wrong thing? Or forget the answer to an important question? How do you make sure you are a candidate who gets remembered for all the right reasons? First of all, breathe – you wouldn’t have this interview if you didn’t deserve to be in the mix. Now, spend some time preparing to succeed, acing an agency interview is about demonstrating both experience and value. We have brought together 5 tips to ensure you impress on the day, below. 1. Do Your Research Every agency has a different ethos and specialism. It’s vital that you understand the brand and business before you step in the interview room. Research their website, projects they have been involved in, even how they leverage their social media. If you’re comfortable with who they are and what they stand for, it will be much easier for you to demonstrate how you could fit into their team. It’s also worth taking the time to get to know who your interviewer/s is/are and their industry background – doing your homework can be a great way to stand out from the crowd. 2. Demonstrate Experience (With Examples) Agency interviews are often focused on your portfolio of past work, this means you have to be prepared to highlight key examples and discuss past projects. Focus on the projects where you can discuss the skills most relevant to the role you are interviewing for and spend some time thinking about how you can communicate key examples. You could even run through some scenarios with a colleague or friend to help you better understand how to vocalise your thoughts. Remember to show enthusiasm and passion for the work you have been involved in – agencies are looking for candidates who can offer more than a skills match on paper, they want someone who really cares about what they do. 3. Focus on Results It’s important that you are able to connect your experience and expertise with tangible results. How did a campaign you were a part of impact monthly sales figures or visits to a website? Can you share some positive feedback from a client? This connection between what you have delivered and meaningful results is something that many candidates overlook and it can help to make you a memorable interviewee. 4. Showcase Creative Thought Most digital marketing roles require creative thinking, even if the role you are going for is not a directly creative one. This can be a difficult thing to demonstrate in an interview but one way to approach it is to prepare some examples of times when you thought outside the brief – when you approached a problem or project in an unexpected or creative way to achieve a goal. These examples can be invaluable in showing off your creative mindset. 5. Get The Basics Right You may be the most talented digital marketing professional in the world, but if you overlook basic interview etiquette then you are unlikely to be a contender for the role. Show up on time (or ideally a little early), dress smartly and appropriately for the role, and shake hands with everyone before the interview begins. Maintain appropriate eye contact and thank everyone involved for their time before you leave. It may also be sensible to send a short follow-up email thanking your interviewer/s for meeting with you. Looking for your next digital marketing or agency role? Get in touch with consultant Jess Ashley to talk about your next big move. Contact her via email at j.ashley@henrynicholas.co.uk or through LinkedIn.

Every month, we take some time out with one of our talented recruiters to find out what makes them tick. This time we sat down with Jess Ashley to talk about her Henry Nicholas journey so far, and why culture is a key draw for clients and candidates right now. Jess is a specialist marketing, digital, PR, and creative recruitment consultant focused on the London market. She has been part of the Henry Nicholas team since April 2019. Hi Jess! It’s lovely to catch up with you. Can you tell us about your career journey so far? I graduated two years ago and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had some friends who were working in recruitment and it sounded like an interesting challenge. I started out at a recruitment business in September 2018 doing marketing mix recruitment – PR, digital, creative – those sorts of roles. I joined Henry Nicholas in April 2019, and now head up their in-house marketing team for recruitment in the London area. Do you enjoy working in recruitment? Yes, I think because my degree is in English and Drama, I am quite a creative person, and recruitment allows me to use some of that creativity. It’s also a space where you are always learning. While the role stays the same, there is always a new role, client, or specialism to get to grips with. Marketing, especially, is always evolving – there is always something new to learn! What types of roles are you placing at Henry Nicholas? I’m focused on in-house roles in London in the creative, marketing, PR, and digital space. So, that could be anything from Marketing Assistant up to Head of Marketing or Head of Digital and PR Manager. I’ve also placed quite a few Customer Relationship Management (CRM) roles recently – I’ve seen a real rise in data-driven roles. That’s interesting – why do you think roles have become more data-focused? The marketing world has become a lot more data-focused in the last few years. The use of data analytics and looking at customer data in order to segment and target key markets has become a hugely popular way of getting your voice heard by the right people. Organisations are looking for specialists who can run these types of analysis and optimise their campaigns. What are candidates looking for in a role at the moment? Salaries and benefits are always going to be important, but I think overall culture is also a really key part of candidate attraction at the moment. More and more people are stressing that the environment they work in is important to them. Flexibility is another big one, if clients are able to offer some sort of flexibility, it can make a role very attractive. Career progression is something that is also a big draw, particularly for junior roles – people want to know if they will have the chance to grow and develop within a business. How about clients? What are they looking for in candidates? Similarly, clients want someone who is going to be the right fit, not only from a skills point of view but in terms of culture. They want the right type of person, someone who is going to be a good addition to their team. For senior roles, they are looking for people with the confidence and skills to inspire the people around them. We are also seeing lots of booming startups here in London, particularly in tech and Fintech, who are looking for candidates who are incredibly driven and can hit the ground running. Why do you think clients and candidates should choose Henry Nicholas? We definitely approach our candidates with care and we really want to know what drives them and what type of person they are. It’s not just about putting someone in a job because they have the necessary skills. It’s about getting to grips with what they are after in the short and long term, to make sure we are connecting them with the right opportunities. It’s really satisfying when you put the right person into a business and they come back to us down the line as a client. Finally, what do you love about working at Henry Nicholas? Everyone here is really, really lovely, really easy to get along with. It’s a great work culture, we have an autonomous approach to recruitment that never feels heavily target driven like other agencies – you have room to breathe. So far, I’ve loved getting to know our client’s businesses and getting to know what makes them tick. From a candidate side, placing someone in a role and seeing them excel is a lovely feeling. Thanks so much for taking the time out to talk with us, Jess. If you’re searching for in-house marketing, digital, PR, CRM, data or creative recruitment candidates, or you're looking for your next big move in the industry, speak to Jess. You can connect with her by email at j.ashley@henrynicholas.co.uk or on LinkedIn. .

Henry Nicholas consultants Poonam Thaker and Emma Whitting share their experience of partnering with the EY foundation at a local careers event for young people. Henry Nicholas consultants, Poonam and Emma, were recently invited to speak at a local EY Foundation event to support 16 to 17 year-olds as they considered their first steps into the world of work. The EY Foundation – a UK charity set up by international professional services firm EY – supports young people (especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds) to find alternative routes into work. The July event, held at St. Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Brislington, South Bristol, saw local businesses come together to share their skills and advice with young people. Poonam and Emma were thrilled to take part in the local event and provide targeted career and interview advice to the young people who attended. Poonam “It was a real pleasure to speak to a group of 16 to 17 year-olds, many of whom were searching for their first-ever step on the career ladder or in further education. I talked to them about interview techniques and tips, from how to physically present themselves in interviews, to answering with examples and sharing their strengths and weaknesses. We did some interview speed dating and it was really interesting to hear about their passions and what their career aspirations were after college. The session provided a great opportunity for them to practice their interview skills, and for many of them, it was the first time they had ever had to answer these types of questions. I hope the tips and advice we shared stay with them. I really believe that the ability to tell your story is a valuable skill in itself and something that will provide them with a strong foundation in their future careers. I love volunteering and sharing my experiences, I hope to be part of another similar event soon.” Emma “I was speaking to young people from a 6th form college, in their first or second year, thinking about moving into the workplace or further education. We were the only recruiters at the event and I believe we had valuable advice to share about interview techniques and more general guidance on starting out on their career journey. We facilitated some mock interviews and provided direct feedback which I hope was a useful learning experience for the young people who attended. It felt really good to use my expertise to help this next generation of candidates. I hope we gave them the confidence to reflect on what they want their career to look like and how they can start to build the skills to achieve these goals.” At Henry Nicholas, we are committed to using our skills and expertise to make good things happen in our community. Thank you Emma and Poonam for your support, we can’t wait to hear about the next event!

To learn more about Henry Nicholas and our service offering, clear here to download our Client Brochure. Make sure you’re ready for the next big thing in security tech. Cyber Security is big business. As systems, and the technology that powers them, become increasingly complex, it gets tougher to defend sensitive data and information from attack. Cyber Security experts are the front line of defence for organisations everywhere. Implementing the digital walls that allow companies to focus on what they do best, their core business. But what skills does a Cyber Security professional need to succeed in 2019? And, how can candidates and experts future-proof their CVs? We explore the top in-demand skills for Cyber Security professionals today, below. 1. Penetration Testing and Intruder Detection It’s impossible to know where a system’s weaknesses lie without regular and detailed testing. Penetration testing allows Cyber Security experts to find out where the weak links are before a hacker does. This is vital in maintaining an organisation’s long-term security. Intruder Detection similarly helps to prevent an attack from turning into a catastrophe. A specialised skill set that enables experts to explore potential threats from every angle is incredibly valuable. 2. Cloud Security In the days before the cloud, information was stored in a physical location. This made it easier to both control and defend. Today, cloud platforms are ubiquitous and that puts cloud security skills at the top of most-wanted lists everywhere. Roles like Cloud Security Architect have become increasingly sought after in recent years and remain a high priority for many organisations. 3. DevSecOps It may be a mouthful to say but DevSecOps roles are growing fast. This relatively new field is all about bringing security into the app development process at a much earlier stage. This helps to build stronger systems from the ground-up. Cyber Security professionals who have experience in development or who can show an aptitude for working in multi-disciplinary teams are likely to find themselves in high demand. 4. Encryption Encryption has been around forever but in a rapidly evolving digital world, it remains vital. The last line of protection for many cloud-based platforms, encryption is a skill that can’t be overlooked. As the focus of cyber attacks evolves and diversifies, we should expect a boom in the demand for specialist encryption skills. 5. Internet of Things (IOT) Security We live in a hyper-connected world. These connections, while incredibly useful, can leave systems and organisations vulnerable as hackers try to squeeze in between the gaps of myriad interconnected devices and networks. IOT security experts with specialist knowledge of IOT hacking, threats, and attack countermeasures are likely to find themselves on most-wanted lists. There you have it. The key specialisms that organisations need to be searching for. And the skills that could help you to stand out in a competitive talent market. Cyber Security never stands still and neither should you. Brush up on the latest security technology and skills to make sure you don’t get left behind. We are always ready to support your next move or on hand to help you grow your team. If you’re looking for Cyber Security and Cloud Tech talent or vacancies in London, Swindon, or the M4 corridor, get in touch. Reach out to our specialist consultant Graeme Einfelds on LinkedIn or by email at g.einfelds@henrynicholas.co.uk to find out more. To learn more about Henry Nicholas and our service offering, clear here to download our Client Brochure.

To learn more about Henry Nicholas and our service offering, clear here to download our Client Brochure. Consultant Graeme Einfelds talks about the tech explosion that transformed a once uninspiring stretch of motorway and the Cyber Security skills that are in demand for the organisations who call it home. London has long been a powerhouse for the world's biggest tech organisations. It’s a truly international capital that still dominates the tech landscape. But around 20 years ago, things started to shift. The easy transport links offered by the M4 started to attract some of the biggest and most groundbreaking companies in the world. The Thames Valley, Berkshire, and Swindon evolved into vibrant tech hubs, becoming home to Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, and many more industry giants. Sometimes dubbed ‘Silicon Alley’, this sprawling area – inclusive of London – is a key location for many technology professionals, including Cloud and Cyber Security experts. Cyber Security Skills in Demand Cyber Security experts are some of the most in-demand tech professionals in the world right now. In fact, TechRepublic named them as one of the 10 most-wanted roles of 2019. Much of this demand in the UK is being driven by London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. Last year, Crucial Academy released the 2018 Cyber Security City Rankings and Reading topped the table as the best city for Cyber Security professionals. It seems that Silicon Alley will continue to be a vital home for Cyber Security talent, and that’s certainly something that I see reflected in demand from clients and candidates. Competition for Top Tech Talent Despite the concentration of technology organisations along the M4 corridor and in London, and the growing digital skills gap in the UK, competition is still fierce for the top jobs in this booming area. Experienced security candidates with accredited certification are some of the most sought after. While candidates who are able to demonstrate a real passion for the rapidly evolving world of security technology are those who are most likely to stand out from the crowd. If you’re searching for great talent or your next big move in Cyber Security or Cloud technology, get in touch. I work with candidates and organisations throughout London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. Come say hello on LinkedIn or reach out at g.einfelds@henrynicholas.co.uk to find out more. About Graeme Graeme is an experienced recruitment consultant with a passion for all things tech. He has been working in talent for over 5 years and uses his impressive market expertise to connect the best Cyber Security and Cloud professionals with leading organisations in London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. To learn more about Henry Nicholas and our service offering, clear here to download our Client Brochure.