LEGO Hot Jobs

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Euro London

Another year has passed and it’s summer again which can only mean one thing – LEGO hot jobs have arrived! LEGO’s success spans almost 100 years, growing from making small wooden play toys in the early 20th century to the vast market of plastic building bricks that has been dominating the world markets for decades.

Once again Euro London will be working with the giant toy manufacturer in order to fill various Customer Service Advisor positions. Our temps division are currently working on recruiting a number of fluent Italian, Spanish, French and German speakers from now until October for the roles. All contract positions will run throughout the summer months and will finish just after the busy Christmas period.

Take a look at the job description here:

HOURS: Full-Time 37.5 hours per week

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 to 8pm GMT.

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%).

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.

Comprehensive training will be provided by LEGO for this opportunity!

How to apply: Please send your CV with a cover letter to v.mcguinness@eurolondon.com
LEGO customer service advisors have a duty to provide a premium experience to LEGO consumers at all costs. Therefore it is vital that you are enthusiastic, friendly and are natural rapport builders. The company strongly pride themselves on being a “premium brand toy company, where fun and creativity play a part in our everyday working lives.”

Does this sound like a perfect position for you? If you think you are fit to work with a well known worldwide brand and provide an excellent customer service then get in touch today!

The Future Is Bright For Britain.

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Euro London

Things could finally be looking up for Britain. Not only is the weather looking up for the UK after a disastrous and coldest winter for over 50 years, but the job industry (particularly in London) seems to be getting brighter too! Although job markets are set to pick up, it will be a marathon and not a sprint in terms of recovery.

The economy is set to grow at a steady rate over the next five years; one in every four jobs created will be generated in London. The main markets set to boom with over 300,000 jobs in professional services, law firms, accountant positions as well as hospitality.

The UK economy has avoided falling back into a recession after recording faster-than-expected growth in the first three months of the year. The Office for National Statistics said its first estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) showed the economy grew 0.3% during the first quarter of 2013. [1] Chancellor George Osborne sees this as an encouraging sign for the UK. Nevertheless, Britain’s growth will remain sluggish throughout 2013 due to the continued Eurozone recession and general uncertainty with the economic crisis. But looking ahead to 2014 Britain’s financial services alongside business services are set to help London’s economy bounce back. This should ideally result in a growth of 3-4% within 5 years.

Mark Boleat, policy chairman at the City of London, said: London’s position as a world leading financial centre is crucial to driving jobs and growth across the UK. Although parts of the City are downscaling, other parts including professional services are expanding rapidly. The capital is estimated to have grown almost twice as fast as the rest of the UK.

Dmitriy Gruzinov, an economist at Oxford Economics predicted that industries are most likely to have recovered satisfactorily by 2018.

Keep an eye out for Euro London Appointments Hiring Trends Report 2013 coming soon!

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22290407

A Rise In The Job Market for 2013 Graduates!

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Euro London

With the crisis that hit the worldwide economy over the past few years slowly getting better and the rise in student grades increasing, many employers have positively changed their perception when it comes to hiring. This positive change is to benefit fresh graduates from university.

In 2012 the number of graduates leaving with university with Firsts soared. According to figures, a staggering 64 per cent of students proudly graduated either a first or 2:1. However, this has caused some controversy as students now fear that their grades alone will not help them stand out from the crowd in the fiercely competitive job market. As a result students are now urgently seeking work experience.

There are a number of positive skills and career building attributes you can learn from an internship/work experience that will prepare you for the working world, these include: demonstrating effective critical thinking skills, demonstrating higher-order thinking skills, adapting to writing for different audiences in an effective manner, applying information and skills learned in the classroom to workplace situations, deciding whether a career in a given area is right for you in the long term, and developing project management, time management, and decision-making skills

Regardless of this news, there is some positive news for graduates in 2013 as employers are set to hire more graduates. According to High Fliers research graduate vacancies are set to rise by 2.7 per cent this year, compared to last. [1] This is brilliant news for graduates in the upcoming year.

Either as an employer or a student how much do you think internships can benefit students before contracted employment?

[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/jobs-boost-for-graduates-8450281.html

Embrace Multiculturalism

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Euro London

The Rise Of The Spanish, Portuguese and Italians.

The United Kingdom has for a long time been a diverse and multicultural country. After the Second World War there was a considerable amount of migration and therefore made the UK an increasingly ethnical and racially diverse country.

In 2005 a poll which was conducted by MORI found that 62 per cent of respondents agreed that multiculturalism made Britain a better place to live in, whereas 32 per cent of respondents viewed this as a threat. [1] Could the threat be due to the economic situation and the battle to find jobs?

Here at Euro London Appointments we have recently noticed the vast rise in applicants from multilingual candidates from Portugal, Italy and Spain. Many applicants seem to be in a rush to move and find a job, which isn’t surprising considering the troubles that these countries are facing. Many inhabitants from countries (Spain, Portugal and Italy) feel the financial situation is getting dire. For example earlier this year a staggering 75 billion euros [2] was removed from Spanish banks in fear that the banks wouldn’t survive the financial system. Many families are choosing to uproot to places such as England as they feel there are greater career opportunities for them there.

Do you know the saying ‘every cloud has a silver lining’? We do and we are embracing the positives that negatives can bring. Having a multicultural society not only brings peoples of different cultures together with diverse beliefs and values but also brings those of different languages together. So why not see a multicultural society as advantageous and not as a threat? This can be done by using different language speakers as an opportunity to perhaps learn a new language.

[1] “UK majority back multiculturalism” BBC News. 10 August 2005
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/business/global/money-and-people-leave-spain-as-economic-gloom-deepens.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1353690247-Yf/V8QmFRat6auP/D7n+PA&_r=0

English Language is Business Gold

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Euro London

Chinese Mandarin is not only the number one speaking language in the world with over 1.2 billion speakers, but China has the second largest economy in the entire world. Despite these facts, Mandarin is not a required business skill in the workplace in China; surprisingly English is as it is considered to be the ‘marker of the elite’.

In today’s economic world, the English language is thought to be the primary tool for international communication. Without English a number of resources would be unattainable to countries worldwide – the English language has an undeniable impact on the global economy. Dorie Clark believes that English will maintain and grow its dominance as years past to “a basic skill needed for the entire workforce”.[1] The British Council Further suggests that by 2020 a billion people will be studying English, possibly to fit into the growing trend of English spoken in business.

At present, English continues to remain the number one language for businesses. Hafrey, a senior lecturer in communications and ethics at the MIT Sloan School of Management, stated that English “will remain the preferred language for the foreseeable future” when speaking in an interview. However is the English language thriving in the business world due to what the world believes the English language symbolises. In a recent study among students in the United Arab Emirate English “is symbolic of modernity, work, higher education, commerce, economics and science and technology”.

Mandarin Chinese is the most useful language for business after English, followed by French at number 2, Arabic at number 3, then followed by, Spanish ranking fourth, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Italian, Korean, and Turkish following. [2]
Why do you think the English language is so successful worldwide?

Do you think English as a language will continue to dominate the economy, what are your views?

[1] http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/english-as-essential-language-of-business/4030

[2] http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/09/top-3-useful-foreign-languages-for-business-excludes-spanish/

Interview Tips

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Euro London

So, you’ve impressed with your CV and landed yourself an interview even though the odds haven’t truly been in your favour. As previously mentioned in our blog (Invest in Your Future Career By Using A CV Clinic); a staggering 53.7% of CV’s are thrown away [1] so ideally you want to continue in the winning streak by impressing your potential employer.

The next crucial stage is here – the interview! Now you may be confident in your approach when it comes to the interview process therefore leading you to have a successful interview. However there are some candidates that even though they have all the skills and qualifications needed for a job role they choke on the interview stage. The interview stage although initially positive can leave candidates to feel anxious, leave them with a blank mind or in some extreme cases even physically faint.

Is this you? Well don’t worry because we’ve decided to give you a few interview tips which will help you fly through your interview without all of the turbulence.

Do Your Research – Make sure you are entirely prepared for your interview. It’s almost a certainty that specific questions will be asked during interviews so make sure you expect these questions and you have a unique way of answering them in order to stand out. It is also important to know the ins and outs of a company before you attend an interview. Therefore why not look into the company’s history, what the company is currently up to and if there are any developments that are planning to become reality. Most importantly expect the unexpected. Employers can sometimes like to put interviewees on the spot to see how they cope in under pressure or in certain situations.

Practice Your Answers – As we all know interviews can be daunting leading us to develop a sudden case of temporary amnesia. However if you practice your answers you are more likely to remember what it is you want to convey. Remember to be careful though and do not make yourself sound like a robot, the interviewer will pick up on this and it won’t work in your favour.

Look The Part – Believe it or not your personal appearance does count for a lot in an interview. Just a few tips to take into consideration; tattoos should be hidden so your image looks professional, have a shower so you are looking and smelling clean and deter yourself from using too much aftershave or perfume as you don’t want to make the interviewer pass out. Further to this make sure you are groomed and dressed in a presentable manner (even if the job role you are applying for is informal).

Be Positive – Positivity will put you in a better frame of mind and can even alter your answers in an interview. If you go into an interview believing in yourself this will come across in not only your answers but your body language too which can have a positive effect on your interviewer.

Are there any tips that have worked for you in an interview, if so what?

[1] http://www.thecvclinic.com/

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

The complete guide to INTERVIEWS

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Euro London

A potential Ikea interview?

An important part of the service at Euro London is preparing our candidates for the interview process – a prospect that strikes fear into many and leaves others running for the door! By talking candidates through possible interview questions, as well as giving them tips on how to make a positive impression, we aim to make our candidates feel confident to tackle the real thing.

After all, interviews should be viewed as the perfect opportunity to show off your personality and make a positive impact.

Follow these simple tips and you may be one step closer to bagging your dream job…

Appearance – You’ve heard it all before, but it’s true! First impressions count. So, make sure to dress professionally. If you are unsure about the company’s dress code, always verge on the side of caution. After all, it is better to be too smart rather than too casual.

Timing – Set that alarm and find that watch, because being on time is essential. It may sound simple but lateness is the quickest way into the interviewer’s bad books. Plan your journey and familiarise yourself with the location to ensure that you arrive promptly. If a situation arises in which being late is inevitable, remember to keep the interviewer informed.

Research – Just like the well known Scout motto, always be prepared. Take time before the interview to research the company as much as possible. Information can range from the business’s main competitors to their core company values. The more clued up you are the better. Doing your homework will also highlight your enthusiasm and interest in the company, which can only be a good thing.

Mobile – Turn off your phone. It may seem simple but here at Euro London we’ve come across our fair share of interviews interrupted by bleeping mobiles.

Listen – Take time to consider your answers. Pacing yourself demonstrates thought and control, qualities the interviewer will value over rushed and confused answers. Keep information relevant and ask if you do not understand the question – this is particularly applicable if not being interviewed in your mother tongue.

Questions – Always ask questions. An interview is a two way process; not only is it an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you but also for you to gain information about them and the available role. Being inquisitive demonstrates a thirst for knowledge as well as an interest in the role.

Finally, remember to stay positive and do your best!

London calling

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Euro London

There are a lot of reasons to visit the UK approaching – the Royal wedding and the Olympics to name a couple. But what about getting a job?

We have a lot of international candidates applying for jobs in the UK, but we have found that in order to beat off the competition for jobs, moving to the UK first is highly beneficial.

For graduate or junior to mid level positions, employers are receiving a high number of applications. How do they choose a shortlist? They look at experience and skills but also location. A candidate applying from Spain could have great skills but if the employer has a CV of someone with the same skills that is applying from the local area, they are more likely to get an interview. The truth is that businesses want someone to start as soon as possible and if a candidate has to arrange travel for an interview and then has to relocate for the job, the employer may not be willing to wait that long.

Our advice? Come join us in the UK and then start applying! Living here will mean you’ll be able to attend interviews at short-notice, putting you ahead of the competition living overseas. Getting a part-time job in the UK and living with English speaking people will also enable you to improve your English skills if it’s not your native language, again making you a more attractive potential employee. If you need some advice on where to start, check out the relocation guide on our website. Good luck!

So you want to be a pharmacist?

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Euro London

Here is the next post in our ‘so you want to be a…’ series. Hope you find it useful!

What does the role entail?

This role that we recruited for recently was a Wholesale Licenser/Pharmacist, which required someone to work for a Japanese pharmaceutical company and trade medicines from suppliers in Europe to the UK wholesale market.

What languages are needed?

As this role was for a Japanese company, it required a Japanese speaker who understood how business operates in Japan and could communicate effectively with people at the company’s headquarters. However the person needed to liaise with suppliers in EU counties and so any European languages were also beneficial. Continue reading →