Overlooking Temporary Positions? Don’t!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Euro London

The job market over the last few years due to the financial crisis has been somewhat, unreliable. Europe has witnessed first hand some of the highest unemployment figures it has ever seen accompanied, every so often, by shiny glimmers of hope as the job market rises. So why is it that a number of job seekers seem to be letting countless, (perfectly good might we add) jobs slip through their fingers when it comes to temporary roles?

Now we’re not on a different planet and we do in fact understand why a number of people tend to overlook temporary positions; one of the main reasons usually being the lack of stability due to short term contracts. However, by skimming over these positions you could actually be missing out on some fantastic opportunities within your career and here’s why…

Whether you’re in-between jobs trying to find a new career path or job or even a student looking for a foot in the door, temporary job positions allow you to gain some valuable work experience. A temporary job can range from any time frame from 1 day to 6 months. It is important to remember that at the end of the job you will be able to add a new set of skills to your resume and build upon your employment which can ultimately help shape, or even change your career path.

Not only can you gain experience from working in temporary positions but you are able to network within the industry you are in. Meeting, working and even socialising with professionals within work can generate references for the future or further networking connections or opportunities when you’ve found a more permanent job.

Due to todays current economic crisis many companies take on temporary recruitment in order to test the water in order to see how well the job can be done. Always go into a new temp job with an open mind set as it is a possibility that you can be called back if another job becomes available again or even offered a permanent position within the company! Even if the company doesn’t have a position that is available immediately, if you prove yourself to be a hardworking individual it is possible the company would think of you straight away once a position becomes open.

When it comes to employment (and your CV for that matter) there is nothing worse for an employer to see than long periods of time where you have been out of a job. As a result temporary positions can be a brilliant way of filling gaps between you trying to find a more permanent position. Temp jobs show other potential employers that you are actively seeking a new position. It also helps keep your skills up to date so you are ready for the next opportunity.

Temp jobs can keep your perm job hunt alive as finding permanent positions for some, can slightly more difficult than others. It can also keep your interpersonal skills alive – being in a working environment and mind frame instead of being at home watching mind numbingly dull afternoon TV is a far better situation (although some may still disagree).

So, remember to keep the focus on the job and not keep the emphasis on the temporary. Whether or not it is temporary or permanent, in some form or another whether it is getting out of the house or having some form of an income, it is aiding you.

Why Are Career Events Important?

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Euro London

Euro London values career fairs immensely as we believe them to be of high importance, not only us as a company but they are advantageous for candidates in regards to their future and career.

On Thursday 20^th February Euro London Appointments attended a Careers Fair hosted by Hult International Business School – The World’s Most International Business School with seven campuses scattered around the world. We were lucky enough to exhibit alongside large multi-national organisations (such as Apple and Allianz) and also to meet a number of Hult’s multi-national students. With approximately 90% of Hult’s 2,200 students speaking at least two languages this was an excellent chance to meet future banking, sales, marketing and IT professionals among others. It was a great experience to speak with current MBA students who have already experienced full-time working life all across the globe and who at the Careers Fair took the time to ask our Consultants for advice on the next steps in their careers. Overall it was an excellent experience for Euro London to partner up with Hult due to the multi-national and multi-cultural element that both parties are proud to possess.

At Euro London we see everything as an opportunity and so should you. Here are just some of the reasons why:

-For candidates, it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet a number of potential employers under the same roof, all in a short amount of time. This is also the same case for recruiters, it allows us to meet hundreds of candidates in a day, speak and advise candidates about roles we have.

-Many people tend to look at the negatives of job fairs, especially at the likelihood that they won’t get a job offer right then and there. However what people tend to forget is that job fairs allows you to gain contacts, something that is so valuable in the job market as these contacts can come in handy in future job searches.

-Job fairs introduce you to the reality of job searches. When you’re standing in a room full of candidates it suddenly dawns on you what you’re up against. As a result it should make you more determined and focused on a job search.

-When you’re at a job fair you might speak to employers in a sector that you had never thought about a career in before. It opens up opportunities that never crossed your mind, adding another possible prospect to your job search.

-Face to face networking can be crucial in such a competitive job market! Even if you’ve sent out hundreds of emails and resumes just speaking (even for a short amount of time) to an employer can be extremely beneficial.

When was the last time you attended a jobs fair and what did you find useful about it?

A special thanks to Michael Classen and Mary Ann for attending the Hult Business School Careers Fair on behalf of Euro London Appointments

Bilingualism At Work

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Euro London

Apparently workers who speak more than one language are in greater demand in the job market. Communication is a necessary component in any workplace whether it is with colleagues or clients. Multilingual employees are vastly becoming more and more popular with employers as they offer advances on communicative skills by possessing another language. Being bilingual can be beneficial to both the multi-lingual’s career as well as the future for the company.

Here are some advantages of being bilingual when it comes to the workplace and careers.

Expanding Markets – Companies cherish bilingual speakers if they are in expanding markets. Having employees that are from the countries that a company is trying to reach gives them a number of advantages, one offering your language skills to a client that may only speak one language – bilingual employees can open up opportunities for the company to expand simply by being bilingual. In addition to helping the company reach its organizational goals, bilinguals can develop their own career opportunities. More Career

Opportunities And Money – Job seekers who are looking for opportunities to use their language skills may have more career choices than those who speak one language.

Workforce Demographics – The demographics within the workforce are changing with more employees coming from various backgrounds, therefore have different cultures and speak various languages. A recruiter is more likely to hire a diverse applicant, therefore meaning if they have a second language.

Improve Performance – According to research conducted by York University psychologist Ellen Bialystok people who are bilingual are smarter than those who are monolingual. She stated from her findings that “Bilingual speakers have been shown to perform better on a variety of cognitive tasks”, and in one study, Bialystok found that dementia set in four to five years later in people who spent their lives speaking two languages instead of one. [1] Therefore if this is true, having a bilingual employee who can perform better can help to generate even greater success for employers.

A number of people are now taking the plunge in boosting their career opportunities by taking on a new language, so why don’t you take up a language today and heighten your opportunities?

[1] http://m.npr.org/news/front/135043787?singlePage=false

US Elections Offer Body Language Tips

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Euro London

With the American elections just finished, Euro London takes a look at what advice the running candidates, Obama and Romney, can provide us when maintaining composure when it comes to body language.

In 2012, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney went head to head for the top job in the USA, providing the world with some useful body language tips. Politicians are more than aware that not only are they judged on their verbal messages and what they propose to better a nation, but just as importantly they are judged on their non verbal communication. Non verbal communication can be the deciding vote on whether the public votes for one politician or another. Suggestions said that Obama was elected as he made a stronger emotional connection with the audience, [2] which was assisted via his body language.

Research has suggested that between 60 and 70 per cent of all meaning is derived from non-verbal behaviour. [1] The body language tips from the 2012 US election can be useful for those attending interviews in the future as first impressions count for a lot. Within a small time-frame as little as 30 seconds someone can generate a perception just based on body language.

Body language can be judged on eye contact, handshakes and even the way a person is sitting. Indications show that body language can be responsible for as much as 90% [3] on a person’s first impression of another person.

We’ve related some useful body language tips from the election to keep in mind when it comes to interviews:

Smile - This assures the interviewer that you understand what is being asked, as well as during your responses. This generates confidence.
38% of employers cite a lack of smile as a key interviewee mistake. [4]

Eyes – Averting your gaze makes you seem less certain, trustworthy and truthful.
67% of bosses cite that a failure to make eye contact is a common non-verbal mistake. [4]

Posture – Keep your back straight, head up and with your arms at your side or hands clasped below your waist.
33% of interviewers cite that bad posture is a key interviewee mistake. [4]

Focus - If part of the interview is conducted while walking and talking or standing, be careful not to shift your weight or rock.
33% state that fidgeting too much is a common interview mistake. [4]

[1] http://www.bodylanguageexpert.co.uk/bodylanguageandfirstimpressions.html
[2] http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local/facial-recognition-technology-shows-president-obama-better-in-second-debate
[3] Engleberg, Isa N Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies. My Communication Kit Serioes, 2006. Page 133.
[4] http://thecareercafe.co.uk/blog/?p=3922

Invest in Your Future Career By Using A CV Clinic

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Euro London

Do you realise 53.7% of CVs are tossed straight into the bin without more than a 30 second glance from recruiters? Your CV should be your marketing tool that showcases your relevant skills, abilities, and accomplishments, expressing your credentials in a way that allows employers to truly notice you. The professional job market is highly competitive hence why you should refrain from using CV templates as it’s unlikely to help you in your application. Some may argue that CV templates are a good idea but why you would want to have a document that looks exactly like everyone else’s is beyond us.

The negatives of using a CV template can include:
Your CV will not be unique enough as hundreds of people have access to the same template. A unique and individuality needs to be expressed via your CV as it is the first impression an employer will receive of you.

By using a template it simply communicates to a potential employer that you are unable to format a document yourself which in many cases will not work in your favour as it may imply that you have a poor work ethic.

There are a few websites that offer help when it comes to writing up a CV that offer their own qualifications. For example if you are a bilingual speaker they rate the level of your language. Now when you hear this you may think ‘What a brilliant idea’ however this is not the case as employers do not know the marking criteria or what each level even truly means which can be off putting and time wasting.

However it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to CV templates, they do offer the absolute basics when it comes to writing a CV – something which might be a lot of help to people. On the other hand we highly suggest CV clinics are used. CV clinics can indeed be the better option when it comes to your CV. Not only are clinics better than a generic template but they offer a personal touch, an opportunity that allows the clinic to see the type of person you really are when it comes to the working world and are able to put this across via your CV.

Euro London Appointments is attending the language live show from the 19^th October until the 21^st October [1] where we will be holding our very own CV clinic for language candidates. So why not come and join us – it’s free!

[1] http://www.languageshowconnect.co.uk/Content/Welcome-LS-LIVE-Homepage

Why A Recruitment Consultancy Is Better Than Flying Solo.

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Euro London

Technology VS Human Interaction.

Technology, what would we do without it? The vast development of technology has enabled businesses to accomplish what was once considered unthinkable. With travelling being more accessible than it’s ever been, to the invention of the internet; the rise in global technology is allowing businesses to connect at an easier rate than ever. Nevertheless, the power of technology can be lost in value almost instantly in virtual space if you aren’t articulating human interaction alongside it.

As a multilingual recruitment consultancy we liaise with candidates and clients across the world so technology is something we value greatly. However, in saying this it does not detract our attention from having real human interaction. Whether communication is over the telephone, via email or face to face meetings with clients or candidates we as a consultancy can provide it.

There are further downfalls with the rise of technology which is automated services; having to speak to a robot like voice rather than a real person. Recent research from our candidate’s shows that they believe the ‘human touch’ is a necessity in today’s job market rather than CV’s collecting dust virtually online. If recruitment consultancies articulate the balance of technology and human interaction everyone (businesses and applicants) can benefit. Further to this consultancies can (particularly in the on going economic crisis) be a great asset to companies and candidates looking for the right person to hire. In August 2012 Eurostat estimates that 25.466 million men and women in the EU-27, of whom 18.196 million in the euro area (EA-17), were unemployed. [1] With the current economic crisis employment rates are at their highest in Europe making it very difficult to find a job. It could be argued that with the help of consultancies unemployment rates could drop as recruiters can filter the right candidates with the skills and attributes needed for job positions while the business hiring can focus on the interview process.

Top tips when working with a recruitment consultancy; be truthful about your experiences, credentials, income, career goals and reasons for leaving your prior employment.

[1] http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Recruitment Consultant?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Euro London

Here at Euro London Appointments we are always looking for brilliant new Consultants to fill positions throughout our European offices. So what makes a good Recruitment Consultant? We’ve outlined 10 characteristics.

You are enthusiastic and positive – Your ability to stay positive and enthusiastic as a Recruitment Consultant will be what makes you successful, a positive mental attitude will be indispensable to the route of your success.

You keep your word – In recruiting you’re only as good as your last placement, if you’ve gone back on your word it won’t only give you a bad name but also that of your company. If you can’t do something, don’t promise that you can.

You have a competitive nature – Recruitment Consultants generally have a competitive nature and want to be at the top of their field, your drive and determination will be what makes you successful.

You have a friendly manner – Don’t let your competitive nature override your friendly manner either on the phone or face to face, arrogance is best left at home as you connect with people all over Europe and around the world.

You are organised – If you don’t know who you’re calling, who you’re currently interviewing or who you’re currently working with you are probably in the wrong position! Recruitment Consultants aren’t only organised, they’re efficient and great multitaskers who look to be as productive with their time as possible.

You have excellent listening skills – What is the Client asking you for? What skills, experience and qualifications will be necessary to find them their perfect Candidate? It’s important to act on what the Client has asked for without making assumptions, to fill the role with the perfect Candidate.

You care – The art of being a good business man is being a good middleman! As a Recruitment Consultant you will be working with both Candidates and Clients to fill job placements around Europe. What differentiates you from another Consultant will be your ability to treat people with kindness and courtesy

You have great language skills – Here at Euro London we are very proud to focus on multilingual roles, this means that our Consultants not only have excellent English skills but can also speak a second, third or fourth language.

You never give up – Recruitment isn’t an easy job, if it was everyone would be doing it! Your determination, enthusiasm, positivity and competitiveness will all drive you to success as a Recruitment Consultant.

You go the extra mile – The extra mile to us is ‘going above and beyond’ your daily activities. Your commitment to both Clients and Candidates will be what determines if you make a successful Recruitment Consultant.

Do you feel you have what it takes to become a Euro London Recruitment Consultant? If so why not send your CV to recruitmentconsultant@eurolondon.com to apply.

Lego Hot Jobs

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Euro London

This summer we’re working with the giant toy manufacturer Lego to fill various positions during the summer months and on the run up to the Christmas period.

Lego began business in 1932 producing wooden toys before expanding their toy base and starting production of their world famous interlocking plastic bricks in 1949. Today, Lego entertains families in over 130 countries worldwide.

We’re working closely with Lego to recruit 72 candidates to fill fixed term contracts over the Christmas period, starting as early as July until January the 31^st – with various start dates during July, August, September and October. Prospective candidates need to be able to speak Native level German, Native level Dutch or be Trilingual in Italian or French to fill this contract. There will also be some Nordic language roles available.

The location based in Slough offers excellent access opportunities to Central London, without paying London prices; (20 minutes from Paddington station). This is a great opportunity for candidates to gain experience in a market where current employers are looking to fill their roles with experienced candidates.

Job description:

Shift Hours: 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week. Some weeks will include a weekend day (those weeks you can choose to take a day off the following week or receive additional pay). Your shift will be scheduled sometime between the hours of 7am – 8pm GMT.

Salary: £18 000 p. annum, paid monthly / 9.23 per hour.

Benefits: Staff discount, free on-site gym, free shuttle to bus station, pension scheme (5% company contribution), social events calendar, subsidised staff restaurant, and more.

Tasks: The Lego Consumer Service Advisors are the first point of contact for consumers right the way across Europe. We are an inbound call centre, which means we only speak to our consumers when they contact us. Consumers mainly contact us in two ways – by phone (50%) or by email/letter (50%).

Comprehensive training will be provided by Lego for this opportunity!

How to apply: Please send your CV with a cover letter to lego@eurolondon.com

Researching Potential Employers

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Euro London

Being interviewed for a new job is a strange experience; no matter how many interviews you have been to before, it can be both nerve racking and exhilarating at the same time, so you’ll need to keep a level head.

Getting the right job can determine a lot of your life circumstances including the amount of personal time you have, where you live and of course how much money you bring home at the end of the day, not a lot of pressure then. The best thing you can do is practise and research.

Research your role – Read the job description and skills and attributes required in detail, make sure you can then think of what you can link this to in your life events. If the job description requires a good communicator, think of an example where you have had to communicate at your previous job and explain what the outcome was, (please don’t say I’m a good communicator at the pub). Use the CAR response: Context, what was the situation? Action, what action did you take? Response, what was the overall outcome? Researching the role will also give you an opportunity to think of questions to ask at the end of your interview, the interview process is a two way process after all.

Research the company – A good company will want to know that they are more than just a job to you; they will want you to know about their history, their brand and their services. Whether you know a lot or a little about the company you are interviewing with it is always a good idea to brush up on your knowledge before a big interview. This can by done through a variety of mediums but the most obvious and smartest choice is the internet, “Google it”! Companies big and small have websites nowadays; corporate websites usually show information and history of the company, useful to research the company and their culture. As well as Google search use Google news to find up to date news articles on the company and use the professional network of LinkedIn where you’ll be able to see new hires and company statistics. Ask your Recruitment Consultant for some information on the company if possible.

Research the selection process – will it involve any tests or exams? Do you have to prepare anything or bring something to the exam? Don’t get caught out by a test you weren’t expecting or a presentation you were supposed to bring.

All of this research will prove invaluable in the hiring process and should allow you a great chance of landing the role with knowledge of what’s coming and enabling you to keep a level head.

Using Your Languages In The Workplace

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Euro London

Here at Euro London Appointments we specialise in multilingual and international recruitment, therefore the vast majority of our roles require knowledge of at least one other language.

There is however a common misconception that if you can speak more than one language there are only two careers you can go into; teaching and translating. I can assure you this is not true, the success of Euro London Appointments over the last 22 years can vouch for that.

There are a range of opportunities in the jobs market where knowing a language will be a distinct advantage, if not a necessity for your career.

Over the last 22 years we’ve not only opened offices around Europe, but also new departments to deal with the demand in multilingual job opportunities as well. We currently have ten departments covering different work sectors around Europe and other parts of the world.

Whether you’d like to work in the public or private sector, being multilingual will certainly open doors.

Knowledge of a second language in the public sector offers you opportunities to gain employment in Government departments, Diplomatic positions and working directly within the European Union itself.

In the private sector there are a much wider range of job opportunities involving languages; multinational companies are embracing the use of languages to help improve their business forward through increased communication. Nowadays a car may be made from parts from one side of the world and those parts built from raw materials sourced from another side of the world; businesses need communication to survive, function and thrive in this ever globalised world we live in, something that multilingualism plays a vital role in.

You will find roles for all types of jobs through our various departments whether you’re looking for work in Banking and Finance, Sales and Marketing, Engineering, Human Resources, Accountancy and Law, Betting and iGaming, IT and Telecoms, Call Centre and Customer Service, Secretarial and Support, Interim and Executive Management.

The knowledge of a second, third or fourth language will unlock a wealth of opportunity for you and your career.

You Know The Language, But Do You Know The Culture?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Euro London

Throughout the world we all speak different languages and live by different cultural norms. To this end, it is not only important for us to learn the language of the country we are visiting, but also taking into account their way of interaction.

There are various social norms upon first meeting and greeting someone within a business or social environment. In much of the West a handshake is the culturally acceptable normality upon meeting someone, however even here there can be differences. In Northern Europe, a quick handshake of only a few seconds would be considered normal, whereas, in Southern Europe and Latin America, a longer warmer embrace will take place and cheek kissing may also occur as a welcome. In Africa, the normality is that handshakes vary on time, but the strength of the grip is usually softer and in Japan the greeting is normally a bow.

You may also want to check what the normal amount of eye contact should be. In Europe and North America showing eye contact is important! Whether it’s intermittent or continuous; it’s important at conveying your attention and interest to the recipient of your conversation. However, in many African, Asian and Latin American cultures it is traditionally considered that continuous and extended eye contact is rude and that it should be kept brief; the opposite of what can be considered of the Middle East where holding each others gaze conveys trust and sincerity.

Taking note of the different gestures in cultures should save you risking offending someone or misinterpreting what they are saying! Nodding your head may be seen as acknowledgement, acceptance and agreement in most countries; however, in Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey it often means the opposite. What you consider harmless may be considered rude by certain cultures. Making a circle with your thumb and forefinger, widely acceptable in Europe and North America, indicating the “O.K” gesture means something totally different in Brazil, where it can be considered on a par with giving the middle finger, from a European point of view.

Most importantly remember that interaction varies from country to country, continent to continent and culture to culture, so reading up on different cultures before a visit is advisable; don’t risk offending someone unintentionally. If you are not sure on how to act, let the other person lead the interaction and follow their lead.

The Bucket List

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Euro London

I recently read a blog about kicking the bucket, a phrase that is widely known around the world due to its use in popular culture. It got me thinking about what most people’s ambitions in life are and what we sometimes say but sadly never accomplish. For those of you who may not know what a bucket list is, it’s a list you compile of things you’d like to do before you die, or kick the bucket. Many people’s ambitions and dreams are fulfilled by making sure that they know what they want out of life, they have a target they aim for and they go for it.

This could be a whole multitude of activities and ambitions, from doing something thrill seeking to doing something self enhancing.

Bucket lists are like New Years resolutions, we make them so we make sure we have an impetus to act on something, it gives us the little kick necessary to strive to better ourselves.

Activities on the peoples bucket lists range from Skydiving to travelling to a certain place on the planet or swimming with sharks and learning a second language (something most of you reading this will have already accomplished). But these are often pleasure and not business, with people often leaving their career to grow naturally instead of chasing opportunities. The use of languages in the workplace is on the up and up. The realisation of what a multilingual person can bring to an international company is growing everyday! So why not look to progress your career through opportunity? Here at Euro London Appointments we get jobs in everyday we look to fill with the best possible candidate, do you feel this is your chance?

What activities would you like to accomplish in life?

A New Year, A New Website!

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Euro London

Over the last month we’ve celebrated Christmas and welcomed in the New Year, now here at Euro London, we have one more reason to celebrate – our new and improved website.

We first joined the World Wide Web 1996 with the initial Euro London website, a big deal in those days and a testament to our commitment to advancing technology (well we think anyway). Armed with a “Teach yourself HTML” manual, a dial-up modem and an impossibly long URL, we reckon we were one of the first recruitment consultancies in the UK to have their own website – and a quick check on the http://wayback.archive.org shows we were “crawled” prior to the first major jobboard to be launched in the UK.

The site underwent 5 updates following 1996, until our last update in 2006. Gone are the days of “Frames” and “Non-Frames” sites, and UK only domains. We now have a slick interface centered on our international jobs database and a strong presence in Germany, France, Switzerland and Luxembourg along with the UK.

Our improved website offers new features such as the job map; enabling you to view our current roles and where they are located through Google maps. It will provide you with our latest jobs via RSS feeds or emails, and you can view our latest social media updates so you can engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Xing and YouTube, you can also read some of our fantastic testimonials from candidates and clients alike.

Our old interface has been completely redesigned, without hindering our basic principle of functionality. The help and advice that could be found on our old website, including our latest CV advice and interview techniques, is still here for you to use, as is the ability to search our current jobs by their relevant sector and location. “Hot Jobs” are featured on the homepage, making it easier for jobseekers to search, apply and get the great job you want!

Some of you may have already seen and even used the new website, so what do you think?

If you haven’t had the chance, follow the link at the bottom to go to the new website, it’s pretty good, even if we do say so ourselves!
http://www.eurolondon.com/

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Euro London

Last week we celebrated Christmas, now it’s time to conclude the festive season! After eating all the food, opening all the presents and drinking all the champagne, it’s now time to welcome the New Year!

So let’s celebrate what we’ve accomplished and plan for what we want to achieve. The New Year is synonymous with doing something new. Resolutions; be it joining the gym, giving up a bad habit or taking up something new, are made around the world.

What do you want to achieve? Perhaps one of the options above, perhaps you’d like to shed a few kilos or perhaps you’d like to start a new job or career path and if you do, we’re here for you.

Wherever you are in the world on New Years Eve, have fun celebrating the start of the 2012!

These are some spectacular scenes from around the world last New Year! Where is the best place you have spent new years?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2WNK0_mbCc&w=560&h=315]

It’s The Season To Be Jolly

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Euro London

It’s that time of year again!

The time of year when you wake up hoping today’s the day, the time of the year that it’s socially acceptable to wear the jumper your auntie got you four years ago, the time of year when the airwaves are filled with those songs that get everyone singing along and evoke the memories of your childhood.

That’s right, as the great Noddy Holder would say; “It’s Christmas!”

So hang up your stockings, write your Christmas cards and enjoy the Christmas markets. The last two months of planning and preparations have come together for this day! This one day; where the family get together, Christmas crackers are pulled and the Christmas dinner is carved. So enjoy it! For this day comes but once a year. So from Euro London Appointments Joyeux Noel, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

We’ll be asking what your new year’s resolutions are going to be next week. So put your thinking camps on and ponder what you’re going to change next year! Whether it’s losing a few kilos or finding a new job we want to know what you’re going to do differently.

Merry Christmas!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG4BPNvayWo&w=420&h=315]

What Impact Is Social Media Having On Your Job Hunt?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Euro London

If you look back at the last few years, there has been a growing buzzword used by businesses, organisations and individuals situated all over the world. This word is Social Media! The amalgamation of two very different words, social media was born out of the World Wide Web.

It has the ability to report the news to you, live and uncensored, the ability to bring down governments and the ability to get you a job!

In a recent survey of employers, 90% would check a social media network before or during a candidate’s interview process. These include Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, so if you’re on any of these networks, which statistically you probably will be; you’ve been warned!

Tweets on Twitter, Photos uploaded on Facebook and updates posted on LinkedIn may not be as private as you think and could unfortunately damage your job hunting opportunities and career prospects.

However, if you manage your social media networks right, far from being damaging, they can enhance your job hunting opportunities and it’s not as if it’s hard to do, you do it on a daily basis after all.

Check your privacy settings and what groups or pages you may like! More often than not you may have set your photos to private, but not any groups you may be a part of and these can show up on your flashcard page. If you don’t want recruiters/employers to see this, either leave the group or look to change your privacy settings.

Be careful what you say and to whom, Twitter is a prime suspect for this point. Twitter can turn from a friendly micro-blogging device into a disaster for your career opportunities very quickly, with one rash tweet.

Apart from taking care of your social media in a reactive role, you can also take a proactive position! Joining professional networks to interact with possible contacts, making sure you keep up to date with latest industry news and developments within your field can really show your commitment to any potential employer to your ambition and commitment to any career.

Social media is the new kid on the block and it’s got lots of friends in high places, be aware that recruiters no longer rely on just the interview to hire someone anymore.

First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Euro London

Whether you are going to an interview or starting your first day at work, it’s important to make a great first impression! Of course, you’ve heard it all before, but how can you be sure your first impression is a positive one? Studies show that a lasting impression will be formed of you within 30 seconds to ten minutes of meeting you, and this impression will last!

So what are the tricks, tips and all the good bits that can be shown off about your personality in these ten minuets to make a great lasting first impression?

Firstly let’s get rid of the clichés in this scenario! The strong handshake and not arriving late are the bear basics of the first impression and hopefully you know them already!

Your body language is the most important part to the art of a good impression! Studies show that 70 % of what you say is conveyed by your body language and a further 10% by the tone of your voice. This means that 80% of what you’re actually saying isn’t the words you are speaking at all. Standing tall, not slouching and making good eye contact is a great place to start when meeting someone new, as this will convey confidence and ability. If you are sitting down, don’t fold your arms or create what is called a unconscious barrier to you. Sit with your hands out and have an open, welcoming posture; smile and listen – we were given one mouth and two ears for a reason! This will lead you onto the second part to help develop a great first impression.

Making good conversation! You may have already accounted for 80% of a conversation, but you’ve still got 20% to fill. This is a virtuous circle, the more conversation you make, the better you get at it and the more you will converse, so everyone is a winner, but remember that there’s a difference between good conversation and small talk! It’s very easy to spot small talk, it’s irrelevant and forgettable, an engaging conversation will leave a positive lasting impression.

Whether it’s a job you are going for or your first day; Research the company! Know what they do, how big they are, where they have offices etc, you don’t want to be left looking dumbfounded if someone asks you a question about the company. It takes 10 minutes to look into a company’s profile and shows that you are committed to the company from an early stage.

No matter how advanced our technology may be getting, it will always be important to make a personable good first impression! So make sure you’re prepared for your first interview and your first day.

Cover yourself with your Cover Letter

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Euro London

Over the last few months we’ve given you some of our best advice on how to land that dream job of yours. We’ve given you great advice (well we think anyway) on how to write a CV, but what was missing from that advice is the obligatory Cover letter you need to send in with that brilliant CV of yours.

Cover letters are short articles, no more than one A4 piece of paper long, you write about yourself to send in with your CV. They don’t need to be long, they don’t have to be fancy, but they do have to explain why you are perfectly suited to the job. This means tailoring each and every cover letter to the job you are applying for. Whilst the jobs you apply for may not be that different to each other and you may not feel the need to change your cover letter, every hiring manager; no matter how similar the role, will have a different idea, a different set of attributes they will be looking for. It will therefore be up to you to demonstrate these indirectly through your actions written out in both your CV and your cover letter. Do your research on who they are looking for.

You may have heard the famous John Kennedy quote: “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”, the same can be said about going through the interview stages of an organisation. Incorporate the research you have done for the position into this covering letter and emphasis what you can do for the company.

Often if you are emailing or sending a CV to a recruiter the covering letter will be the first information they see about you, it’s so important to make a good first impression! Like previously stated in our blog on how to write a great CV, check for spelling and punctuation mistakes, make sure what you are sending out is literally perfect.

Overall cover letters should complement not duplicate your CV, if you find you’ve repeated the same points on both your CV and your cover letter, have a second look at what you’ve written.

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Euro London

The UK jobs market has seen one of the biggest squeezes in recent times with the decline in the availability of jobs, which is being matched around Europe. Even Germany, seen as the steady ship of Europe, is seeing a contraction in the number of jobs available and a rise in the number of people who are unemployed.

Being a multilingual recruitment agency, we often place people of various nationalities from around Europe into another country in Europe for a role, most are happy to relocate.

But it seems that in the UK, this option is extremely limited by the lack of ability to learn or even try and learn another language. A report out last week [1] states that two in three Brits can’t speak a single foreign word! We think that the report may be over exaggerated, but we know that other points were re-iterating what we have always known; that the majority of the British public’s attitude to want to learn a language is abysmal.

Without the possibility of relocating abroad to work, apart from the obvious British tourist hot spots, there is a very slim chance of finding work in a non English speaking country, vastly narrowing the number of job opportunities.

We often find that many of the companies we are working with to place staff, here and elsewhere around Europe, desire English speakers. But native English speakers more often than not, are not able to speak another language.

It’s not only the lack of experience and language ability that can hold someone’s job search back, but the lack of will to relocate or commute to any job that is not located on their back door.

It’s a global world; it’s time we all started thinking global.

Have a nice day! Goodbye! Au revoir! Auf Wiedersehen! Arrivederci! ¡Adiós! Ok, you get the point.

[1] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2062982/Two-Britons-speak-SINGLE-foreign-word.html

Equality – Is it just a word?

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Euro London

It’s been decades since most states within the European Union developed legislation that protect men and women from discrimination in the workplace on matters such as pay and promotion. However, this week new statistics out have showed a worrying trend. All three of the top stock exchanges of Europe; London’s FTSE, Frankfurt’s DAX and Paris’s CAC, have Less than 20% of the seats on the board of directors occupied by women[1]. This week, Theresa May, the United Kingdom’s home secretary, stated that she thinks the UK alone is missing out on £21 billion a year in growth in the markets through a lack of female leaders and a further £42 billion a year would be produced if there were as many female entrepreneurs ran businesses as men [2].

So why is there still the fabled “glass ceiling” for so many women, when not only is there legislation to prevent discrimination, but also groups set up to help, such as the 30% club on the FTSE which hopes to see 30% of the number of the seats on boards taken by females. (I’m not sure why it’s not 50% to be honest, if you’re going to aim to make a difference, why not aim for equality?). There is also a general consensus that female board members are greatly beneficial, bringing a type of process and calculation to situations where a man’s pride may have taken over in a male dominated environment.

So is it a lack of ambition? Perhaps; But the world has turned into the most equal it has ever been! Where before the norm would have been for a daughter to cook and clean, to be the doting wife to the husband who would go out to work, nowadays a daughter is just as encouraged and supported as a son to go out and aspire to be all they can be.

Perhaps then women don’t want to fall into the stereotypes of a leading woman “conniving…ice queens…single…a token…a cheerleader”, but are these stereotypes still relevant today? Were they ever truly relevant at all…apart from in the films? The female leaders of some of the worlds biggest companies, such as Indra Nooyi, the chief executive of PepsiCo, has never lived up to any of the previously stated stereotypes.

So why do you believe there is still a disproportionate amount of men in positions of leadership? Especially in industry, the lucrative banking and petroleum companies etc. When do you think we will be equal? Will we ever?

[1]http://www.corpgov.deloitte.com/binary/com.epicentric.contentmanagement.servlet.ContentDeliveryServlet/USEng/Documents/Nominating-Corporate%20Governance%20Committee/Board%20Composition%20and%20Recruitment/Women%20in%20the%20Boardroom_Deloitte_012011.pdf

[2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2057723/Theresa-May-Female-talent-boost-economy-60bn.html

How Much Trouble Is Europe In?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Euro London

This week has seen a culmination of the troubles that have been brewing for months within the economy of Europe. All current decisions made now, are being made to avert what would only be described as financial recession; it seems that the future of Europe is hanging on a knife edge.

There have been some quite considerable changes within EU member states; Italy and Greece have both appointed new leaders to try and stem the flow of ever growing worries within their economies, whilst Spain appears to be heading for a change of leadership.

Interest charged on government backed bonds is hitting unprecedented levels; these rates indicate the risk perceived on the ability of the country to pay it back, the higher the interest, the higher the risk. Earlier this week Greece was faced with having to pay back 22% on top of what it initially borrows over the course of 10 years, and there is a very high fear that Greece won’t be able to meet its commitments and that is worrying the financial markets. To put that 22% in perspective, Germany’s interest on a 10 year bond is just over 2%.

However, positive news can be found in the consolation that the economy of the 17-nation Euro Zone grew by 0.2%, between July and September, not much but at least it has grown, kept buoyant primarily by the German and French economies after several other countries including Greece’s economy shrunk.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the ongoing Euro Zone situation as the continents toughest hour since World War Two, a highly charged use of words that was sure to grab the headlines across Europe and highlight how serious the predicament we are faced with.

What are your views on the current situation around Europe? Have the EU leaders got it right?

CV Spelling Mishaps

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Euro London

Here at Euro London we applaud Kent’s mystery spelling superhero, dubbed ‘Grammar Man’ in a recent article. Ok, so he may have a loose grasp of capital letters but his campaign to correct the bad spelling and grammar of Kent’s graffiti is nothing less than admirable. On a similar theme, and following on from our blog Spelling Faux Pas, we wanted to bring you the funniest, silliest and most bizarre bad spellings that we could find.

Our main sources for misspellings were the many CVs sent into our offices everyday. Although candidates know that their applications are going to be scrutinised, spelling slip ups still manage to sneak their way in.

Here’s one way to make a bad impression – a candidate once boasted of ruining the sales department as opposed to running the sales department, proof that one letter can drastically change the meaning of a well-intentioned sentence. Another claimed celery reasons as the rather novel explanation for why she could not accept a job role –she must have had her weekly food shop on her mind. The list goes on, with one of the most common mistakes being costumer services instead of customer services. If an applicant is unable to spell their own job title, it is a definite way to set alarm bells ringing regarding their employability.

So here is some advice for when you’re sending off your next CV…

Firstly, please don’t rely on your phonetic understanding of language to determine its spelling – this can only lead to spelling disasters such as qcumber instead of cucumber and noledg instead of knowledge. Not only is it confusing to read but it can also undermine any claim made to fluency in English and good attention to detail.

Instead, use a reliable English dictionary to verify all spellings or grab a friend to proof read your written work. Often having someone to take a fresh look can uncover mistakes you may have overlooked. Sticking to these principles should help you avoid any spelling set backs and ensure your CV makes the best first impression.

Looking for a job opportunity that will utilise your language skills? Then visit our website www.eurolondon.com for all our vacancies. Just remember to proof read that CV!

Munich’s First International IT Networking Event

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Euro London

Social networking is the talk of the town and more and more companies are jumping on the metaphorical bandwagon to reach customers in new, innovative ways. Whether it is via Twitter or Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube, the methods are constantly diversifying. But while we support the social networking revolution and its importance in relationship building, here at Euro London we also believe that it is vital to meet people face to face to build lasting connections.

After all, we should not forget that all business, especially recruitment, is all about people. And while a tweet, a Facebook message or a Google+ post can keep you in touch, building a solid and long-lasting relationship requires a good old-fashioned personal meeting. This is why at Euro London it’s not all about social media and networking 2.0!

Our Munich office has been holding its candidate networking events regularly ever since it opened back in 2006 and this July saw the launch of its first ever “International IT Networking Event”. The event was a huge success and saw Munich IT specialists from all industries come together to network. It was the perfect opportunity for those involved to relax with a beer, build relationships and catch up on the latest industry news. The candidates who attended emailed us the day after to say what a successful networking event it was and even asked us to exchange their contact details so they can stay in touch with each other.

Euro London will now continue to hold it’s newly established “IT Stammtisch” on a regular basis to expand Munich’s Information Technology network.

Spelling Faux Pas

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Euro London

Bad spelling – the cause of feverish frustration for some and immense hilarity for others. Whether it be on posters or menus, food labels or road signs; spelling mistakes can be found everywhere – just take a look at these examples found throughout the UK.

However, in a recent BBC article it was the impact of misspelling on internet businesses that took the focus. Charles Duncombe, the online entrepreneur, found that dodgy spelling had the power to reduce online sales by a massive 50% – wiping out both website credibility and customer trust.

With the need for international businesses to reach out to a global audience, a multilingual online presence has become increasingly necessary. This is in line with research that shows consumers spend more time on websites that are in their own native language.

However with the introduction of multilingual websites, the scope for mistranslation has also soared – pathing the way for inaccurate accents and grammatical gaffes. A rather amusing example highlighted in a recent article, saw Braniff Airlines offering Spanish customers the chance to ‘fly naked’ with their airline rather than on their leather seats!

In light of research conducted into the impact of misspelling on website sales, it is therefore more important than ever to recruit individuals that have an accurate grasp of the relevant foreign language to provide good quality translation. It again reinforces why languages are such a valuable commodity within a global business and why Euro London’s clients are constantly seeking multilingual candidates.

What could your language degree do for you?

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Euro London

This article will be part of a series of blogs focusing on language graduate employment.

Here at Euro London, we often encounter students who are unaware of the career opportunities available to language graduates – with many perceiving translation or teaching as the only options to utilise their language skill. We aim to dispell this myth!

Although a career in translation is a viable option for many multilingual individuals, it only represents a small minority of the employment opportunities available. We deal with companies that want multilingual individuals for a diverse range of sectors, recruiting professionals with languages into banking, office support, igaming, HR, marketing, sales, IT and customer service – proof that languages are a valuable commodity within a wide range of careers!

While a language will not always be advertised as essential to a role, it can be advantageous to an employer. In particular, languages provide an important means of communication to businesses with overseas clients. Within international businesses it is also increasingly expected to trade in the buyer’s language, therefore fueling the need for those with language skills.

So whether you wish to to be in HR or PR, an accountant or an actuary, your language may have a niche value. Taking a look at these broader options will enlighten you to the alternative career choices that your language degree could hold!

Don’t forget to check out next week’s blog for ways that you can add value to your language degree…

So you want to be a…?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Euro London

You don't have to be a teacher!

At Euro London, every day we’re recruiting for a wide range of jobs involving languages. Yet we’re often surprised at the fact that many people don’t really know what opportunities are out there. Time and time again, we hear that people think their only option is to become a translator or teacher. We have run workshops with school students who didn’t realise what great jobs they could do if they continued to study languages and this proved to be one of the most popular discussion points among graduates at the Language Show, which we recently attended. Plus in our recent poll you told us what you wanted to hear about most was what jobs you could do with languages.

If there was more awareness about what exciting jobs multilingual people can do, in which you can really make a difference and more importantly earn good money, would it encourage more young people to learn languages? Well, we hope so, which is why we’re starting a series of blogs profiling some of the interesting jobs we’ve recruited for. If there are any you have in mind and would like more information on, just leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to cover it!

Look out for the “so you want to be a…” posts coming soon. We’ll also be posting links to the blogs on Twitter and Facebook to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Job of the week!

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Euro London

Are you multilingual? Do you fancy a career in PR? Then check out our job of the week:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxj5jgEUUuE]

Try Life in Another Language

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Euro London

The National Centre for Languages in association with the Department for Children, Schools and Families launched the ‘Try Life in Another Language’ campaign. The campaign is designed to get as many kids learning a second language at school so that they are better placed to get a job when they reach the beginning of their careers.

The campaign was launched following a survey of 500 employers which found that other than I.T, the most important skill for jobseekers was to have a second language on their CV and this really set them aside from other candidates and furthermore, salaries for people with another language was higher.

As we all know, the job market was greatly affected by the recession so this got me thinking about language skills and the recession – were those candidates that did not have a second language simply unemployable? Of course not – but clearly those that did were at an advantage and having a second language can help candidates get a foot in the door at a time when competition for jobs is particularly high.

We recently blogged about a petition which calls for the Prime Minister to reinstate the compulsory teaching of modern foreign languages up to the age of 16 – we hope you all signed this petition and fingers crossed we will soon know that all kids at age 16 will have some grasp of a foreign language and, if they choose to pursue this – a good chance at getting the job they want!

New year, new job

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Euro London

Back in January we asked readers of our blog what their career plans were for the year ahead. Not only is it a new year, it’s a new decade; and it’s a time when this question is even more vital than usual – if confidence in the jobs market is increasing after the long recession then that’s a very positive sign. And luckily it is!

57% of respondents said they had already started job hunting and another 29% said they were considering a move in the near future. Just 14% said that they were staying put for the time being and not one person said that they were staying in their current job because they had their eye on a promotion.

These results seem to mirror opinions reported in the press, and also in our European Hiring Trends report, that economic conditions are improving, confidence is returning and the jobs market is recovering slowly but steadily. It also shows that although more people are looking for new positions, the optimism when it comes to promotion and pay rises is still relatively low – or perhaps it’s that all the people that have wanted to move over the last year or two but sat tight are now all ready to move. Either way it’s good to know that the future is looking bright. If you’re looking for a new job with languages, get in touch with us at Euro London!

Join Euro London!

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Euro London

Graduates! Want to use your language in your career? Like the idea of working for a multi-national company?

Recruitment Consultants! Are you reaching your potential? Are you frustrated at the lack of progress in your current role, investment in your professional development and interest in your ideas?

Then perhaps we should be talking!

Euro London Appointments is the largest independent multilingual recruiter in Europe and has offices in London, Manchester, Windsor, as well as France, Germany, Luxembourg and Zurich. We recruit professionals with languages into a range of sectors from banking to office support and from igaming to marketing, dealing with a wide range of clients, candidates and international markets on a daily basis.

We have ongoing business improvement and development plans, which means that we can offer exceptional career opportunities to both graduates and experienced recruiters. You’ll get to join a diverse team, a true meritocracy and a company that passionately believes in investing in is people, along with great incentives and a formal structured training scheme for graduates to ensure that you develop all the business skills necessary to become a successful consultant.

But don’t just take our word for it. For a flavour of what it’s like to work at Euro London, read our case studies: http://www.eurolondon.com/content_static/careers.asp

If you are confident that you have what it takes to succeed then prove it by sending your CV with a covering letter explaining what attracts you to a career in recruitment to Dawn Nell at Euro London d.nell@eurolondon.com or call 0208 974 6843 for an informal chat.

At Euro London we’re going places – don’t get left behind!

The languages bandwagon

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Euro London

2009 – it has been a tough year for the majority of us recruiters. And when times get tough, business development becomes a priority. Where can we get new business? What other markets can we tap into? Over the past year it seems that a lot of recruiters have been asking themselves these questions and coming up with the answer – languages.

Over the past year we’ve seen a lot of generalist agencies set up language divisions in the hope of getting some new business in what has been a long and difficult recession. Too many consultancies are jumping on the bandwagon and professing to recruit linguists when in fact they don’t have the expertise to do this.

At Euro London, we specialise in languages because that’s what we’re good at. All of our consultants are fluent in at least two languages, which range from Japanese to French, to Italian, to Polish. They have also spent time living in the countries where those languages are spoken. But why does this matter? It means that whatever the role and whatever the language, we can source the ideal candidate – and we have the resources to test their language ability. Not only that, but our consultants have the cultural knowledge, allowing us to understand our clients and our candidates. How else would we have advised our client about IT qualifications in France? Or educate our candidates about working in the UK?

We have definitely entered the age of the specialist. At the moment when time to hire has reached several months, it’s crucial that organisations are hiring the right people with the right skills. And the only way to make sure you’ve got them is to use a specialist agency that has the facilities, the expertise and the experience to do this.