Production Executive

Production Executive

Worcestershire

c£16k Ref: PE1

A leading and well established integrated marketing communications agency offering a full range of marketing solutions in Worcestershire is undergoing a period of growth and is currently looking for a Production Executive. This role will see you play a pivotal role within the agency, liaising with the studio, client servicing team and directly with clients occasionally. You will attend creative briefings, print management responsibility including estimating, print buying and building relationships with printers. You will traffic work through internal departments ensuring all projects meet deadlines and projects are in line with the client's original brief. You will be a well organised and pro active individual, have an excellent eye for proof reading. Successful candidates will have 1 year’s proven experience of studio traffic systems, press and pre-press.

Please forward your CV & work samples & URL’s to ann@greensr.co.uk

On this cold Autumnal Day

Just been out for a cold walk in the wind with my dog. Feels like I've really blown the cobwebs away. Got back feeling all positive, which got me thinking about anyone who is facing the Monday morning blues, going back to a job they dislike or facing another week out of work. Things are looking up, we are working through the recession, there are more vacancies about signs are all there for better times. So why not do something positive, go for a walk on this cold Autumnal Sunday, then why not snuggle up in front of your computer, with a hot drink and browse the latest vacancies on www.greensr.co.uk You'll feel better for starting the week on a positive.

Job Vacancy Web Designer

West Midlands c£25k

Web Designer required for a Web Design Agency with a client base stretching the length & breadth of the UK ranging from start ups to FTSE 250 businesses. Offering services such as static websites, CMS, shopping carts, SEO, e-marketing, hosting, etc, the successful candidates will have experience in as many of these areas as possible. You will also have a strong web design portfolio, a few years previous website design agency experience and excellent communication skills to liaise with clients directly. http://www.greensr.co.uk/digital.html

There are threats of redundancy in your current role; you are in an interview how do you answer the following question

Why do you want to leave your current employer?

You may want to drop to your knees and plead please take me on or run down your current company but this isn’t going to impress the interviewee!

It is a balancing game between remaining positive about your previous employer whilst appearing keen on the new role for positive reasons rather than - I could be unemployed. You've got to give the new employer the impression you want to join them because they are better than your current company and this is career progression for you.

You also have to think about what's on offer by the new employer, such as career progression, client diversity, work type, agency creative style, Big team versus small team, hands on responsibility, I liked working for a smaller/larger organisation in the past because.....

There are lots of factor to take into account when in an interview but here are a couple of suggestion that may help you work out your own answers to this difficult question

Here's a fairly neutral answer

"I've been with my current company for ________, although I've enjoyed my time with them, it feels like the right time to move on, I'm ready for a new challenge, in an organisation where I can really make a difference."

Or

"I've been with my current company for _________, although I've enjoyed my time with them, there are rumours of redundancy, due to the recession, so I thought it would be sensible to keep a look out/options open. I am very keen to make the right choice in my next move, so by looking now I can take my time to find the right role for me rather than take the first thing that comes along. I was really impressed with your website, like the variety of clients you have, I enjoyed working for clients similar to your own because....... Having previously worked and enjoyed working for a smaller/larger organisation, you appear to be just the sort of company I'd like to join. I'm feeling ready to take on more responsibility, but there appears to be no chance of that in my current role." Obviously too many words here but just think your circumstances and use your words.

This situation will be unique and individual for your circumstances. This is intended purely as a guide to help you put your own words together. I usually find the more honest you can be the better you will come across and the better you will feel about your answer, but try to positively spin any negatives or you will sound like you are complaining. Try to make negatives appear more positive. “So I'm really worried I'm going to be out of work” - not good! Whereas “I’m using this situation to improve my career” sounds better

Also have a think about.

Some questions to think about and difficult interview questions you may be asked.

What do you know about us?

Why do you want to join us?

Why should we employ you?

What changes would you make, if you were offered the role?

Do you think any of your clients will move with you? Never promise this.

What are your weaknesses? Again a positive spin (I can work a bit too hard) (Or pick something that's not relevant to the job - I used big maths problems (basic math percentages etc I'm good at but big maths problems aren't me I'm more of a people person) negative into a positive.

What are your strengths?

If you were an animal or sweet what would you be and why? Yes over the years, I've been asked both these questions at interview.

I hope this guide helps, don't worry too much about it, be yourself, but it is good to have some idea of how you'd answer more difficult questions.

All the best

Ann

www.greensr.co.uk

Job Vacancies

Check out Green Shoots Recruitment for the latest vacancies see the vacancy page on www.greensr.co.uk

Flash Designer/Developer required

Flash Designer/Developer Ref: WD1 Worcestershire Salary 18-24k

Joining a creative team, within a successful integrated media agency, you will be responsible for, and have experience of, producing high quality interactive design and animation from working on a wide range of digital projects. The successful candidate will understand the power of online advertising, be a real whizz with flash and above all - love thinking up new and exciting ideas. You will need an awareness of current web trends and technologies, excellent flash animation skills and a good working knowledge of Actionscript is essential. Please send CV’s & work samples to ann@greensr.co.uk

Positive News!

The UK jobs market is starting to show signs of recovery, according to a survey of recruitment agencies.

The monthly research from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found "marginal increases" in appointments in August". This is first time we have seen really positive news for the UK jobs market in 17 months," the report said. To read the rest of the article please seehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8245352.stm

It's good to see some positive signs of an upward turn in relation to the recession. There are flickers of hope appearing in many different sectors in addition to recruitment, such as construction, retail and housing - Long may it continue. Ann

JOBS TO SHOUT ABOUT!!!!

Jobs to shout about - check out the latest Account Management & Business Development & Web Development vacancies in the West & East Midlands on http://www.greensr.co.uk/page8.html

I'd just passed this information on to one of my registered candidates who was reluctant to claim Job Seekers Allowance, so I'd thought I'd share the information.

I'm no expert on the benefits system but I was listening to the Jeremy Vine show on radio 2 last week and there seemed to be a few people who couldn't claim benefit after 6 months of unemployment. They'd decided to do the noble thing and survive on their savings. As this money dwindled after 6 months, it appeared that they'd left it too late to make a claim. I'm not 100% sure if this fact but it did make me wonder and as I had a candidate who was reluctant to claim I thought I'd share my recent short term experience of Job Seekers Allowance.

Job Seekers Allowance is £64.30 which is not a lot to survive on but is better than nothing and eventually your saving may run out. You also get national insurance payments made whilst unemployed so it will not affect your state pension NI contributions. You also may get a reduction in council tax whilst claiming Job Seekers Allowance. You register over the phone, which was a long call only because they have standard system for everyone, the call taker was polite and patient as I located the information. They even called me back when they experienced a computer problem. Then they book you a meeting at the local job centre. First half of this meeting is claim checking and the second half is job search advice. My adviser was helpful, appreciated my recruitment experience and understood I'd be applying my skills to myself. I think that as long as you can show you are genuinely searching as hard as you can to look for work, you will be treated with respect. You then have to sign on at the office every 2 weeks, where you will need to show evidence of your job search. They were always positive and pleasant with me. They can give you advice on your CV & any job searching tips. There is also a reimbursement scheme if you have to travel a distance to interview. The local job centre was attended by a cross section of people most looked employable. Once I decided I no longer needed to claim Job Seekers Allowance when I set up Green Shoots Recruitment, both the telephone operator and the advisor at the Job Centre were very positive and wished me the best of luck, when I signed off.

The Job Centre also put me in touch with a free local New Business Advisor, whose help & advice has been invaluable, when I decided to set up Green Shoots Recruitment. I felt awful for candidates I'd registered in the past who were relying on me finding work for them. For Clients I recruited for to lose someone who totally understood their industry, they been used to phoning and brief me with a vacancy instantly, knowing I'd forward candidates who actually matched their requirements. Making it a successful, professional and friendly recruitment service. I felt that both candidates and clients would miss my 15 years recruitment experience.

The way I see it most people are using the benefits system for what it is intended, a bit of support, when you most need it. By the way, as long you've worked for a while, you can get 6 months Job Seekers Allowance without them knowing about any saving (if you are lucky enough have any).

I found the whole process Ok and not the horror story I was expecting.

Based on my knowledge I think we will start to see an increase in job vacancies as we progress through the Autumn.

Ann Downs

www.greensr.co.uk

With over 15 years experience Ann Downs is a Member of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals.

IRP Membership demonstrates to fellow recruiters, clients and candidates that Ann Downs is:

- Dedicated to best practices and results
- Committed to the industry's Code of Ethics
- Serious about own career
- Able to deploy the highest standards in recruitment practice

Green Shoots Recruitment

A refreshing approach to your recruitment needs, Green Shoots Recruitment is a positive, personal, honest, genuine and friendly recruitment service - whether you are hiring or job hunting. Based on 15 years recruitment experience. Permanent recruitment knowledge across many sectors, specialist in the creative & marketing sectors, within creative, design, advertising and digital industry.