Blog - Star Employment Services

Dedicated New Site Launched For Job Seekers

Job-seekers and recruiters are set to benefit from a new one-stop-shop for employment opportunities – thanks to the region’s largest newspaper group.

The new site starjobsearch.co.uk is being launched by Star Employment Services, the recruitment arm of the Midland News Association, publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star newspapers.

The site will replace the existing job sites run by the two papers, and give recruiters throughout Shropshire and the West Midlands one recognised platform to advertise their jobs to potential candidates. Those looking for employment opportunities will be able to access an extensive list of available jobs in the local area.

The new site has been created in response to demand from the market, and to capitalise on its unique position in the recruitment world.

Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services, said the site has been launched to bring all of the existing platforms for job adverts together, making one easy-to-use facility. It will enable employers to post their own jobs, access enhanced facilities for promotion, and link to external job boards such as indeed, total jobs, job site, cv library and many more to enable clients to have a wider reach of candidates.

“As part of the MNA we have access to strong print and digital platforms. This enables Star Employment Services to reach large-scale audiences of potential candidates.

“We are very proud of the work to date that helps deliver quality new recruits to regional businesses. As we move forward the new, one-stop-shop will ensure those looking to recruit, and people looking for work can access all of the available, up-to-date information as easily as possible.

“The website is easy to navigate for employers and potential employees, it has a self-service option, and enhanced facilities for those who want to create more targeted searches.”

New improved jobs site to be launched by MNA

Recruiters and candidates will have a new “go-to” destination for recruitment for the West Midlands and Shropshire with the launch of starjobsearch.co.uk.

The new site, launched by leading daily local newspapers the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, will provide recruiters with the ideal platform for reaching an engaged audience.

Starjobsearch.co.uk will also allow candidates to find their next role in the local area.

The site, from leading regional publishing group the Midland News Association, has been launched by the publisher’s recruitment arm Star Employment Services.

Star Employment Services offer business owners a one-stop solution to all their recruitment needs.

Through their mix of digital, print and recruitment services, they are in the unique position of being able to promote vacancies to a vast audience of job seekers.

The services on the new website include:

Online, self-serve job listings that post your vacancy on Star Job Search.
Enhanced options to promote your company and vacancy further, giving you more opportunities to attract the right candidates to your roles.
An extended network of job boards to bring a wider reach and offer increased value for money.

Candidates and recruiters can upload their details. To find out more, call 01902 319856 or email jobs@expressandstar.co.uk

Recruiters need to generate employee loyalty

Building on a recent discussion about the importance of generating employee loyalty, Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services, has some further guidance for prospective employers.

Employers need to
recognise that it really is a candidate driven marketplace at the moment,
especially for specific roles, such as sales.

There will always be more people to fill less
skilled roles, often on lower wages, and the difference between them staying
and showing loyalty to a company, rather than moving on could come down to as
little as an additional 20p an hour. The same is true for a more skilled professional
role – when recruiting anyone for any job it is imperative to offer the very
best salary your company can afford.

I always encourage employers
to offer the most they really can to candidates, even if that means a stretch. You
will stand a far greater chance of keeping a good, well-paid candidate, than
opting for a cheaper one who potentially will not have much loyalty towards you
and the business.

All too often I see
situations where a company might advertise a role at £20-25K, but when the
candidate asks for £25K the company is unable to honour it. Employers get
embarrassed about saying what they can afford but it is better to set correct
expectations from the start.

Companies need to have a
real look at the market and should expect to pay a bit more, especially for
sales roles when good people really do drive a business forward. It’s always
better to spend a bit more on a 10/10 candidate, than settle for a 7/10 person.
Especially if the difference between the two is just an extra £1,000 p.a. requested
by the better employee.

If you aim to get the
best person for the best pay that you can, it will save having to re-advertise
and re-hire.

It’s a challenging marketplace and here at Star Employment Services we’ve had to work at improving our own offering to keep good people, it’s important to stay inline with competitors and the general trends of the market.

Attracting quality
candidates to apply for a role could just be about increasing the offering by
£1,000 a year. Added to other benefits such as good holiday entitlement, a day
off on your birthday, or actively recognising the importance of a healthy
work/life balance are also key to attracting and retaining good employees. If
we reward our employees then there is a higher probability they will do well
for us. It’s a give and take relationship in the workplace.

It’s all about creating
a balance. Especially with millennials, they know what they want and what they
think they are worth.

Companies need to start
acknowledging that a bit more.

Doing what we can for local business

With the ever-present shadow of Brexit still looming, we have launched our autumn campaign to help local and regional businesses grow their workforce, despite the uncertain environment we live in, writes Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services.

Over the last three years we have seen many companies opting to delay recruitment of new staff. Recruitment agencies like ours, which enjoy strong relationships with local and regional employers, are still being asked to source new recruits, but the terms of contracts and salaries are in a state of flux.

We have decided to do what we can to support those businesses in our area who want to grow, but aren’t sure how much they can invest on finding the right person.

Our innovative marketing campaign includes a series of scratch cards that are available by registering on our website. Recipients will be sent a card – all of which contain a prize saving money on a recruitment package. They are valued at anywhere between £50 and £475, the higher being the amount of a Star fixed price package which includes the role appearing on national jobs boards such as Indeed, CV Library, and Total Jobs, as well as the Star’s own online jobs platform.

The job ad will also feature in the newspaper, and clients will be given a dedicated resourcer for their campaign.

There’s such massive uncertainty around Brexit and we’ve recognised the fact that not everybody wants to spend £3,000 on a recruitment campaign.

So we’re doing something positive to help local businesses and local people do what they need to do to prosper.

For more information on the campaign, which is running until 31^st December, visit https://www.staremploymentservices.co.uk/

Ways of keeping new staff engaged

Kylee Russon, Head of Star Employment Services recruitment agency, writes: All too often at the moment we are dealing with recurring situations where newly employed staff accept a role, but leave a week later when something ‘better’ arises.

This has a profoundly negative impact on everyone – the employee, the employer, and the wider team in the workplace. It increases admin and spend, creates uncertainty, and can impact on general business performance. But what can be done to address it?

Increasing loyalty from the very beginning of someone’s appointment is key to ensuring that money spent on the recruitment process is not lost. It is currently a candidate-driven marketplace, and an employer needs to do everything possible to retain their new appointment.

Things to bear in mind

• What sort of package are you offering? If it’s a short-term, temporary contract, what else are you going to give your new employee to make sure they stay for the duration?

• Holidays, days off in lieu, flexible working arrangements are all highly valued by workers and will make your company stand out against others.

• A subsidised in-house café, free coffee on tap, fruit for breakfast, or other simple ‘freebies’ can all make the difference between someone deciding to stay with your firm or not.

• Long-term job prospects, training schemes, generous pensions are again something to bear in mind. What are you offering your staff?

• Company bonus schemes are not as prevalent as they once were but small gestures like gifts for staff children at Christmas can again make a big difference to staff loyalty.

• Is your brand one that employees are proud to be associated with? Do you have a good social media presence? Are you talked about positively? Does your marketing and PR prove effective at selling your message? Employees are more likely to stay if you are considered a ‘good’ brand to work with.

Finally, when launching into any recruitment drive, make sure you work with an agency that cares.

A good recruitment agency will maintain regular contact with prospective employers and employees to keep everyone up to date with developments, progress, and expectations.
Building strong relationships, and making people feel valued, is critical to building and maintaining loyalty in the workplace.

Talk to a recruitment professional and find out what Star Employment Services can do for you, call us on 01902 319 856.

How to choose the best recruitment agency for your needs

Operations manager Kylee Russon writes: Whether you are leading a large company and need to recruit staff quickly, or a one-man operation deliberating the pros and cons of taking on an employee, there are many things to consider.

But the first thing you should do is involve an experienced HR professional in any recruitment process because it’s key to making sure you adhere to the law.

Avoid problems down the line by ensuring everything is done correctly from the start.

Recruitment agencies understand employment law and can manage as much or as little of the process as a business requires.

Choosing the best recruitment agency for your needs

If you are time-poor, worried about getting it wrong, or just don’t know where to start, get in touch with a reputable recruitment agency today.

Like anything, it is important to shop around when choosing which agency to work with. Larger organisations may offer a broader range of services, but a smaller agency specialising in a specific sector could benefit your particular needs more.

Recruitment firms operating on a national level may have a wider reach to fill a job role, but they do not know the demographic of your area as well as a local organisation does.

A recruitment consultant will be able to help you explore your options in regards to hiring permanent staff, temporary workers, part-time employees, or executive level board members.

A few things to remember

• A recruitment agency will ensure that the employer and employee are looked after properly

• If you are hiring someone on a temporary to permanent basis the agency will be able to guide you with regards to holiday pay, sick leave entitlement and applicable hourly rates

• You may have collected quotes from a number of agencies but don’t automatically assume the cheapest quote is the best. Higher prices can reflect an agency that looks after their clients and temporary workers in a better manner.

Talk to an experienced recruitment professional and find out what Star Employment Services can do for you, call us today on 01902 319 856.

Star Employment Services on show at festival expo

The Star Employment Services team were out in force to engage with businesses at a leading local showcase exhibition.

Recruitment sales executive Gemma Merrick and resourcer Rebekah Rowley attended the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Expo. The event attracted more than 200 visitors to GTG in Willenhall.

They handed out brochures and promotional material to promote the Star Employment Services current recruitment offer.

The expo showcased more than 50 chamber members and formed part of the second Black Country Business Festival. There was plenty of networking going on as businesses made new contacts at the four-hour event.

‘Laurel and Hardy’ turned up to promote the Funny Things Comedy Festival being run by exhibitors Creative Black Country from October 26 to November 2.

They also had caricaturist Pen Jones on hand to sketch those attending and invited people to submit jokes.

The expo had a special area to encourage firms to get involved in bidding for work on the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The festival ends on Friday (24) with the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley hosting the closing celebration from 12 noon.

Star Employment ready to join Black Country Chamber Expo

Star Employment Services will be showcasing their work at one of the biggest events in the Black Country business calendar next month.

The team will be exhibiting at the Black Country Chamber Expo at GTG Training Academy & Conference Centre on May 22 between 9am and 1pm.

The annual event, which is expected to bring together more than 60 exhibitors and more than 500 delegates from across the region, is part of the Black Country Business Festival.

Attendance as a delegate is free for both members and non-members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, which organises the festival.

This year will be the third in a row in which Star Employment Services has taken part in a Chamber expo, having exhibited at their 2017 and 2018 autumn events.

Star Employment will be promoting their range of services, including their recruitment offer whereby clients receive a minimum of three qualified candidates for just £475.

Star Employment operations manager Kylee Russon, said: “The expos always prove to be great events, with many different people showing what services they offer.

“It will be a chance to speak to a lot of different people in different sectors.

“Anyone who has not yet registered should sign up as it always prove popular. We look forward to meeting delegates next month.”

To find out more about the expo click here.

Star Employment Services three candidate offer proves popular with recruiters

A Star Employment Services offer to provide a minimum of three candidates for a £475 fee has proved popular with recruiters locally.

Companies looking to add new staff can find it tough to find an ideal candidate so Star Employment’s REC Gold audited team help give a candidate search maximum impact.

After an initial autumn launch, the offer is being extended to allow more businesses to benefit.

Star Employment operations manager Kylee Russon, said: “The three candidates for £475 offer gives clients transparency about pricing and allows us to give against an agreed objective.

“We pride ourselves on making recruitment easier and firmly believe that finding qualified candidates shouldn’t break the bank.”

Star Employment have proudly promoted the offer across a range of media throughout the West Midlands, including bus advertising and outdoor electronic billboards.”

What is the offer?
This special recruitment offer will provide you with a minimum of three qualified candidates, for just £475.

Our expert REC Gold Audited team will get your vacancy noticed across all major and local job networks plus print and social media. We’ll then shortlist the applicants so you don’t have to trawl through hundreds of unfiltered CVs, providing you with three qualified candidates – all for just £475!

What is included?
For just £475 our expert team will advertise your vacancy across all the major job networks, our own local job boards, in print and on social media. You’ll also get a dedicated account manager, a resourcer to help fill your vacancy and find you your ideal candidate, PLUS you’ll get our guaranteed to fill promise.

How does it work?
Step 1: Send us your vacancy
Send our expert team your vacancy. We’ll then turn it into an attractive job advert, optimised to get your vacancy noticed in print & online to find you your ideal candidate.

Step 2: Our team advertise your vacancy
We’ll save you time by using the latest recruitment technology to advertise your vacancy across all major job boards. Your job will also be promoted in print, on social media and our own local job boards.

Step 3: We shortlist applicants
Unlike many agencies we don’t just promote your vacancy. Instead of sending you the unfiltered applications to trawl through, we shortlist the applicants providing you with qualified candidates.

Why choose us?
As one of only 51 agencies in the country to achieve the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) gold status, we attract the best candidates.

Star Employment Services has been named as one of the top recruitment agencies in the UK for its ethics and commitment to professional standards.

This means that you can be safe in the knowledge that you, your brand and potential candidates will receive the highest level of service and professionalism from our expert team.

Find out more about why thousands of businesses choose to work with us every year.

Spend less, save time and hire better with Star Employment Services – fill your next vacancy with our special recruitment offer.

Michael Price named Star Employment’s volunteer of the year

A kind-hearted volunteer who helps those living with cancer has been handed an award for his efforts, sponsored by Star Employment Services.

Michael Price runs four successful cancer support groups and spent years as a volunteer driver for White House Cancer Support.

The 80-year-old wanted to give back and help others after he was diagnosed with skin and blood cancer more than 10 years ago.

After he was given the all clear, he became a volunteer driver to take cancer patients to and from their appointments and treatments across the Black Country and West Midlands.

Michael’s prostate cancer and skin cancer support groups meet monthly at the White House, based in Dudley, while he also runs two other groups in Stourbridge and Halesowen.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was sponsored by Star Employment Services.

The winner was presented with his award at a glittering event at Molineux stadium, Wolverhampton, last Thursday by Star Employment Services director Lee Smith, Hugh Porter MBE and Anita Lonsbrough MBE.

Michael said he always feels refreshed and “on top of the world” when he comes away from his support group meetings.

Michael, from Stourbridge, said: “I never thought this would happen. I thank all the people who nominated me and voted for me, that’s the main thing. I especially want to thank my wife for sticking with me through my troubles. It is very important to be recognised as a volunteer.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award was sponsored by Star Employment Services. Also nominated were Sarah Bell, who helps support the homeless living in Wolverhampton, and Mark Turton, who voluntarily teaches dozens of youngsters boxing every week.

Michael Price runs four successful cancer support groups and spent years as a volunteer driver for White House Cancer Support.

The 80-year-old wanted to give back and help others after he was diagnosed with skin and blood cancer more than 10 years ago.

After he was given the all clear, he became a volunteer driver to take cancer patients to and from their appointments and treatments across the Black Country and West Midlands.

Michael’s prostate cancer and skin cancer support groups meet monthly at the White House, based in Dudley, while he also runs two other groups in Stourbridge and Halesowen.

He said he always feels refreshed and “on top of the world” when he comes away from his support group meetings.

Also nominated were Sarah Bell, who helps support the homeless living in Wolverhampton, and Mark Turton, who voluntarily teaches dozens of youngsters boxing every week.

Read full coverage of the Great Big Thank You Awards on the Express & Star website: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2019/01/19/great-big-thank-you-awards-full-round-up-as-local-heroes-honoured-video-and-pictures/

Proud Michael Price looks back on his award win