Permanent Recruitment
How Reed can help you
Reed provide a tailored service to help you recruit your next employee. So you can be confident you'll find an option to suit your needs, every time.
Expert advice on your job description, the salary you should offer and talent attraction strategy A vast range of compliance and screening checks Support with arranging interviews and ensuring follow up Guidance on offer negotiation and counteroffer scenarios Post-placement reviews and candidate check up
The Reed difference
Great service and excellent choice Our permanent recruitment services are customer focused and tailored to what you need. We offer you a choice of services so that you can choose the right level of support. Whether you require interview assistance and hosting, candidate skills testing, offer management, or expert advice on the recruitment market and salaries in your local area, we’re here to help.
In addition, our permanent recruitment services come with flexible guarantees of up to nine months, offering you peace of mind when selecting the next professional for your organisation.
Unmatched access to professionals Reed is the largest family-run recruitment agency in the world. This gives us the reach to assist you in accessing the best talent available on the market. We use both our consultants’ in-depth local knowledge and our access to our large CV database, to locate the candidates you need.
We were the first recruiter to pioneer specialist recruitment services, recognising the different approaches required for different sectors. To date, we’re experts in the 20 sectors worldwide we recruit for and have a network of quality candidates which reflects this expertise.
Purpose driven At Reed, we spend every minute of the day fulfilling our purpose of ‘improving lives through work’. And to do this, we operate by the following values:
When working with us, we provide a first-class service which incorporates all these values, so you can have confidence you’re working with a trusted recruitment partner looking to make a positive difference to both your organisation and the wider community.
We are fair open and honest
We take ownership
We work together
Unique guarantees We’re so confident in the service we deliver that our permanent recruitment services come with flexible guarantees of up to nine months, offering you peace of mind when selecting the next professional for your organisation.
Meeting all your recruitment needs Our unique end-to-end coverage means we can support you with a range of services, beyond that of a typical recruitment agency. Whether you need to hire talent, a range of workforce solutions, consultancy services, professional development support or pre-employment screening – we're here to support all of your needs.
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What's happening...
2 mins read
Five common mistakes interviewers should avoid
Improving your interviewing skills is essential for finding the best candidate for the job, as well as saving time and money. A LinkedIn survey found that 83% of professionals would change their mind about a role after a bad interview experience. To help you avoid this, here are five common mistakes that interviewers often make and how to prevent them.Making hasty judgmentsYou might be tempted to form an opinion about a candidate’s fit for the role based on their body language, voice or CV before the interview - but this can be misleading.Even if you have some doubts about their career choices or skills, don’t dismiss them or jump to conclusions before the interview is over. Give them a fair chance and try to see the whole picture.Showing a lack of interest or attentionRemember that interviews are not only for you to evaluate the candidates, but also for them to decide if they like you and the company.Therefore, you should act as you would expect them to act, for example by making eye contact, smiling and nodding as they speak and paying attention to what they say. By listening carefully and being present, you will make them feel comfortable and more interested in the role and the company.Not reading the candidate’s CVIt’s not enough to read the candidate’s CV once before inviting them to an interview. You should also review it again before the day of the interview. By looking at their projects or work samples or checking their LinkedIn profile for any topics they post about, you will be more prepared and able to establish a connection with the candidate, which can help you determine if they are right for the team and the role.Being too rigidIt’s good to ask all your candidates the same questions to compare them objectively, but sometimes this can make you seem too stiff and rehearsed.Instead of relying on pre-written questions that you read from a paper, try to talk more naturally and conversationally. This way, you will make the candidate feel more relaxed and not like they are taking a test, as well as get to know them better by asking follow-up questions or finding out more about their personality.Not being ready to answer the candidate’s questionsAt the end of an interview, it’s common to ask the candidate if they have any questions for you, but you might forget to prepare for this if you are too focused on your own questions.It’s a good idea to look at some of the typical questions that candidates ask and make sure you can answer them confidently and clearly.
6 mins read
Interviewer tips for conducting a perfect job interview
What is a job interview?A job interview is a formal meeting between a job applicant and an employer to evaluate the applicant's suitability for a job role advertised by the employer. Interviews are commonly used for employee selection.Conducting a job interview is a crucial part of the recruitment process as it allows employers to gather information about the candidate's skills and prior experience, providing insights into their potential performance in the role.So, how can you conduct a seamless and professional interview process?Here are some top tips for interviewers to help you conduct the perfect interview:Familiarize yourself with the job descriptionBefore the interview begins, it's important to thoroughly understand the content of the job description and the associated roles and responsibilities.By reviewing the job description, you can formulate relevant questions and gain a clear understanding of the qualities you are seeking in a candidate.Define your expectationsWhile a well-written job description is a good starting point, it may not be sufficient for conducting a comprehensive interview. It is crucial for interviewers to have a thorough understanding of the desired qualities in a candidate.Consider the ideal behavior and characteristics of an employee in the role. As an interviewer, you should ask questions that assess the candidate's alignment with your expectations and determine if they are a good fit for your organization's culture.Creating a checklist of these expectations will facilitate the comparison of interviewees and simplify the decision-making process.Prepare relevant questionsPreparing a list of questions is essential for a successful job interview. The balance of question types is equally important.Include competency-based questions to assess the candidate's approach to the role. Use character-based questions to evaluate how well the candidate would fit within your team. Inquire about their career goals to gain insights into their motivations. Remember to ask open-ended questions that encourage the candidate to provide detailed responses rather than simple yes or no answers.By following these tips, you can conduct an effective job interview that helps you identify the most suitable candidate for the role.”Preparation is key: from greetings to the final question, make sure you have all bases covered.”Be Prepared Beyond the Job InterviewDo not underestimate the significance of small details during the job interview. It is important for the interviewee to feel comfortable enough to express their true personality.For instance, check the interview room. Is it private and comfortable? Do you have water available on the table? If the interview is being conducted remotely, ensure that your sound and camera are working properly and that your Wi-Fi connection is strong. Introducing candidates to your team members on the interview panel before the interview begins is a great way to observe how they interact with people, while also giving the interviewee an opportunity to learn more about your company.Practice Makes PerfectGoing over your questions and expectations with a colleague before the interview will boost your confidence.It is worth considering having a second team member join you in the interview to take notes. This will give you more time to focus on the interviewee and respond to their answers.Colleagues can provide valuable tips on how to conduct a job interview. They may also be interested in receiving your interview advice!Foster a ConversationA job interview can be an insightful and enjoyable experience for both the interviewer and the interviewee.Help the interviewee make the most of the session by putting them at ease from the beginning. Asking conversational questions will allow you to get to know the candidate better and encourage them to speak freely before moving on to more challenging interview questions.“Follow the 80-20 rule of interviewing: let the interviewee talk 80% of the time.”Listen moreAs the interviewer, your focus should be on your questions and guiding the job interview.Keep in mind that your goal is to learn about the candidate. A commonly recommended rule is to speak only 20% of the time and listen for 80% of the interview. While silence may feel uncomfortable, allow the interviewee time to think and answer your questions. Resist the temptation to break the silence yourself.Encourage the candidate to ask their own questions during the interview and at the end.Expect questions from intervieweesIn addition to encouraging questions from the interviewee, anticipate that they will come prepared with inquiries about various aspects, such as company culture, development opportunities, and career progression.Take this opportunity to provide additional information about the company that the interviewee may not have discovered during their research. This can include details about the working environment and how the business has been affected by the pandemic. It's important to give interviewees insight into the company's purpose and how the team operates effectively.Be aware of 'unconscious bias'As the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover. Your first impression of someone is formed in just seven seconds, driven by your unconscious brain.During a job interview, it's crucial to be mindful of this bias. Remind yourself not to make hasty decisions. Stick to your planned questions and use a standardized checklist to ensure every interviewee has a fair chance.Do not make promises you cannot fulfillIt is natural to want to present a positive image of the job and company, but be cautious not to misrepresent the role.The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development refers to this conversation as a "psychological contract." If the actual job differs from the expectations set during the interview, the psychological contract is broken, which may result in the new hire leaving.Conclude the interview appropriatelyInform the candidate when they can expect a response and how it will be delivered. Provide or confirm the contact information they should look out for, and ensure that the contact information you have for them is accurate.Before ending the interview, express gratitude for the candidate's time. This leaves a positive impression of the company and acknowledges that the candidate is also evaluating you. It is important to present the company in a favourable light.What happens after the interview?Conducting a job interview does not end when the interviewee leaves the room. Following up with the candidate after the interview is a crucial, yet often overlooked, step in the process.Put yourself in the candidate's position and consider their experience during the next steps. Inform them of when they can expect a decision and communicate any delays in the process. Failing to follow up can harm your reputation and lose potential prospects.Avoid making a final decision hastily during the interview itself. Take the time to evaluate the candidates' performance before informing every one of the outcomes. Additionally, be open to providing constructive feedback if requested by the interviewee.In this competitive market, it is essential that your interview process, whether conducted in person or online, is effective, keeps candidates engaged, and ultimately helps you secure top professionals.
2 mins read
Conduct the best video interview possible
Given the rise in remote and hybrid working, it is crucial for employers to understand how to effectively conduct video interviews, considering the differences compared to in-person meetings.This blog aims to assist you in making a positive first impression and successfully selecting the ideal candidate.PreparationPrior to the interview, find a quiet, well-lit, and tidy space without distractions. Remember that this individual could potentially be your next employee, so it's important to present a professional environment. Remove any items from view that you wouldn't want them to see.Dress appropriately, just as you would for an in-person interview, to help get into the right mindset, even if the candidate can't see your entire outfit. Have your questions prepared and gather all necessary materials for notetaking.Technology reliabilityFirst and foremost, ensure that you won't be disturbed during the interview by turning off notifications and email alerts. Test your tech setup beforehand, as you may need to adjust your microphone and camera settings.In case of technical issues or audio problems, make sure you have the candidate's contact number to continue the interview over the phone. If possible, use a headset to minimize feedback and facilitate smoother communication.FramingPosition your webcam at eye level, so you are looking directly at the camera while speaking, rather than at the screen. Keep the camera at arm's length and sit in the centre of the screen, facing forward. This setup creates the illusion of eye contact with the candidate.Tone and body languageSince you are only visible through a screen, your body language cues will be limited. Make the candidate feel at ease by smiling throughout the interview and using a positive tone of voice. Avoid fidgeting, as it can be distracting for the candidate trying to answer your questions.Watch for red flagsA video interview can reveal a lot about a candidate, even if their resume appears impressive. Pay attention to their eye contact and body language for any red flags, such as checking emails or multitasking while you are speaking.By following this advice, you should be able to efficiently select the best candidate in a short amount of time.If you require a quick hiring solution, please contact the closest office.