I have news! Core Services is live for 2023.&nbsp; By <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryony-johnson-76a742143/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bryony Johnson</a> – Head of Core Services “Innovators are a breed unto themselves Bryony, just because someone has the same job title, it does not mean they can do the job within a start-up or innovator environment. Corporates and public sector cultures are completely different to innovators yet recruiters don't seem to recognise that when it comes to operations and support functions, I want you to come on board and build a core services division,” and that was that... A little over 12 months ago, a bite to eat at Prezzo with Mark focused on the fact innovators' needs are unique not just in terms of Software Development, Data Architecture etc. but also the core of the company that resides within operations and support functions. Think about it for a moment. Innovators are unique work environments fast-paced, changeable and in the case of young organisations, they often lack processes and governance. Placing applicants into the operations area of innovator companies is an art. A candidate that can perform in an established routine is one thing. Asking them to work with minimal guidance and little structure while also helping to create the environment they operate in is another, for the right individual it is a challenge they love, for another it is a nightmare resulting in a swift exit. And so, my journey with Hurren &amp; Hope begins. It was a bright summer's day…. Mark at Hurren &amp; Hope had reached out to me on the back of a recommendation to see if I would be interested in hearing more about how the Hurren &amp; Hope team are on a mission to move recruitment into the professional services space, with a real focus on exceeding client expectations. What was the harm in meeting for a drink was my thinking. Mark and I instantly clicked… same banter, same personality and many of the same interests (or non-interests, like tomatoes, we had pasta and pizza for lunch). Mark had a vision for someone to come on board and launch the Core Services division, and I knew at that point I wanted to be part of this journey with him. Joining at the end of 2021, I've always said it, but it felt like home. Different… but home. I know you're probably thinking "why was it so different?" – coming from a background of working within generalist recruitment "high street recruiters" and having a well-established desk where clients knew and trusted you, to joining a consultancy who are passionate about their values, with a benchmark far higher than any recruiter I had previously worked for combined with working for demanding start up founders on a brand new desk, was a learning curve. It can be tough! 2022 was a great year for me. I got engaged, I moved into my first home, and I built the foundations for the Core Services division. I focused initially on Sales &amp; Marketing, and it has truly been a great journey so far; with the support of the team, building relationships with candidates and clients and showing what makes us stand out. But 2023 is going to be even better… I get married in a couple of months, honeymooning to Mykonos. I'm most likely going to get a puppy, and on the back of a great 2022 and demand from clients to support them in other areas of operations, we are fully launching the Core Services division. Core Services focuses on operations, the hidden heroes, allowing founders to create their vision! Our Talent Pools are full of individuals who thrive in the crazy world of innovative, start-up environments.&nbsp; Combine this with our new <a href="https://www.hurrenandhope.com/fixed-fee/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Seed service</a> with Loyalty based pricing and we not only offer service that stands out, we also offer value that stands out.&nbsp; If you would like to discuss your hiring plans get in touch so we can meet up for a coffee 020 3833 0334 or <a href="mailto:Bryony@HurrenandHope.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bryony@HurrenandHope.com</a>

Core Services launched with Innovators Operations teams firmly in mind.

I know Simon Sinek is a world-renowned speaker and coach, his book sold like hot cakes across the globe, but hear me out first.&nbsp; Humans have been seeking out&nbsp;purpose&nbsp;in their lives for centuries, some of us use faith to provide that direction and fill the ‘purpose’ gap.&nbsp;Others are looking for more scientific ‘physical’ if you prefer ideas to plug that gap and set off reading self-help books and heading on ‘their journey’ others believe capitalism can fill the gap&nbsp;if I can just… earn X a year, buy that house, get that job title (insert your own trinket in this space) or for many, they live a life without intention seeking their next dopamine hit from the latest social media platform presenting an image to the world to validate their ‘success’ as a human being. As someone who has always been more about getting to the next station than actually enjoying the journey, ‘my why’ (to be clear my own personal ‘Why’, not that of my business Hurren &amp; Hope) would be a brilliant North Star for me to shoot for, so I set out looking for my ‘why’ 8 years ago, alongside peer groups, coaches, friends, family members, self-help books, Ted Talks and my many years experience of working with professionals and high performers through my work, some of whom claimed to be very clear about their ‘why’ while others had given it less thought, and here it is…. It’s a myth!&nbsp; Let me explain… No one has ever reached their death bed and whispered to those nearest and dearest to them, If only I found my Why!&nbsp; Life is made up of a series of events and it’s our role to make sense of it all and try and strive for the best possible outcome.&nbsp;Those of you with a faith are able to make sense of what is a random world of chance by putting your faith into a higher power, the dips are covered off by “through adversity, we grow” statements, and humility and gratitude are retained through the highs by placing faith in the fact the higher power has controlled those outcomes.&nbsp;It’s common knowledge people with a Faith are in general far more “Happy” (though Happy is a very elusive beast and one for another post)&nbsp; Control&nbsp;is a key part of ‘the why’ few people relish the prospect of living a life focusing on the fact the veneer of ‘life’ is a very fragile one that could be snatched away from us at any given moment, all the ‘trinkets’ the modern world claims we need to fulfill our lives mean little to those in Mariupol Ukraine right now. Far better to apply a sense of ‘control’ by having a clear guiding light as to what it’s all about, for me I believe this is the Root behind our need to have a purpose in our lives, the normal functioning human brain is wired to optimism it’s the reason the pain of childbirth becomes hazier over the years, and enables us to bounce back from setbacks and overcome our fears, we all live in hope for a better future, something else to strive for.&nbsp;Yet I’m sure we can all relate to points in our lives where you make it to that ‘next station’ (life milestone) the one that was going to complete your ‘Why’ and fulfill your every desire, yet we then set our sights on the horizon and decide we need something else.&nbsp;If we can underpin that sense of hope with a ‘why’ then it’s a very powerful tool to push us forward. So hold on Mark, Having a ‘why’ sounds like a great thing!&nbsp;Yes and no, if like those with faith you can commit yourself wholly to the idea of a why, believe it 100% no matter how your faith is tested, and more importantly live with intention (every day your making decisions to take you closer to your 'why') then yes it's useful, but unlike religious faith, a ‘why’ is often a far more narrow goal and often fails to remain relevant as we move through the chapters of our lives.&nbsp; I believe&nbsp;‘Why’ is in the moment, ‘why’ reflects a chapter in your life, to hold it up as a north star to guide you through your life is a fallacy.&nbsp;What many refer to as their ‘why’ is more to do with their values and their belief systems “ I do it for my family” that’s a paternal instinct to provide for your family, do your family need a mansion on the hill and four holidays a year?&nbsp;Or would they like to you sit with you every night to eat a meal?&nbsp;Both behaviors in an individual can be covered with a ‘why’ that focuses on your family but it’s more important to live a life with periods of reflection and self-awareness so you can&nbsp;live with intention&nbsp;and change what is no longer working, adapt to your changing environment. So what have I learned over my 8-year search for my 'why' and talking to others about theirs?&nbsp;In a very crude way, life can be split into three key areas, none are in isolation and I use the below categories only to try and bring some clarity to an article that could very easily become a novel. In the world of work: A career is made up of a mixture of chance, opportunities, relationships, hard work, and a roller coaster of emotions.&nbsp;Not all of these elements can be controlled but it's important to have a sense of direction (intention) as to where you are looking to take your career, this will ensure your efforts take you forward and opportunities that further your medium to long-term goals are not replaced with short term decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;How to live a career path with intention: Give thought to where you are in your flow, where do you feel your values are best utilised what do you enjoy?&nbsp;These areas are likely to be where you will find the most purpose in your working week and where you will likely find the most success. Struggling to work out what you enjoy?&nbsp;Start with what you don’t and work backward. Once you have clarity over these points target job roles and company cultures that will enable you to work in your flow for most of the week, though don't kid yourself the perfect job for you exists, every role has periods we all just need to grin and bear.Ambition and Endeavour are not directly linked to a ‘Why’ do you honestly believe Elon Musk has a ‘why’Focus!&nbsp;If you want to achieve something it’s going to be your actions that matter, not your intentions, it’s all very well talking about a good game, what you are “going” to do doesn't mean a thing in the game of life. Ultimately if you don’t focus on the work that’s going to bring you success you will not succeed.&nbsp;Find your ‘why’ should be replaced with find your ‘grit’ or as a famous sports brand put it, JUST DO IT! At Home <ul><li>Don’t spend too long focusing on the bigger ‘why’&nbsp;all the time you're comparing your life with others, seeking the big meaning of it all, obsessing about the great unknown you are missing out on spending time with loved ones or learning genuine life skills to further your personal growth.&nbsp;It’s okay to reflect on how you feel, what you want to improve on,&nbsp;the areas of your personality you want to change, etc.&nbsp;</li></ul> <blockquote class="ql-align-center">It doesn’t take a ‘why’ to be the best version of you.&nbsp;</blockquote><ul><li>The intention is less important than the action.&nbsp;In many areas of our lives, we make decisions based on previous experience, knowledge, advice, and intellect all of these decisions are made without thought to why we are doing it. Feeding our children, supporting our loved ones, sharing your time, etc.&nbsp;the lack of ‘Why’ attached to these activities makes them no less important.</li></ul> Mental Health <ul><li>Mental Health has fast become a new commercial marketplace with everyone claiming to have the answers.&nbsp;New labels exist for basic behaviors humans have exhibited for years, an unfortunate side effect is we have all become far more self-analytical looking for the key that will unlock Happiness, Purpose, and Fulfilment whatever label you wish to give it.&nbsp;Strive for contentment instead, Moments of happiness, purpose, and Fulfilment will follow but do not kid yourself the showreels we are bombarded with on social media are real or that you will constantly be happy and fulfilled, life will always offer you challenges, “without the dark, we cannot see the light.”</li><li>Help others... If you are craving a ‘purpose' fix then help someone, offer your time your skills your knowledge or just grab that heavy shopping for someone and take it to their car.&nbsp;Humans are wired to be part of a tribe helping others is the quickest way to feel fulfilled.</li><li>Picture your life as a book, there will be difficult periods of your life where you should be focused on making it to just the next page, if you are just keeping your head above water don’t overload yourself looking for greater clarity when there is none to be had.&nbsp;There will also be periods where you can look to write a chapter in one go, where you have a real sense of vision as to what you want to complete, don’t be foolish enough to believe your ‘Why’ will help you write your entire book.&nbsp;</li><li>Frame&nbsp;your&nbsp;version of success, not those that are presented to us by modern media.&nbsp;The world spins by consumerism, marketing bombards us with what success looks like, the car we should drive, the watch we should wear, how many bedrooms we have, recognise our modern lives are the cause of our mental health issues, and don’t get caught up with the promise of a perfectly fulfilling life that completes your ‘Why’.&nbsp;Material goods are an outcome, not a starting point.&nbsp;If your life goals or 'why' focus solely on “being Rich” I promise you, you will never be rich enough.&nbsp;After 21 years in talent, I have worked with the same people on many occasions throughout their careers I can hand on heart say every single one of them reaches a point in their career path where money is very low down on their list of motivations it can’t be a goal in its self.</li><li>Appreciate life is lived in chapters, change is constant, both inside you and your environment, be realistic about what you can control,</li></ul> <blockquote class="ql-align-center">the tallest trees got there by learning to bend in a storm, give yourself room to flex your life goals.</blockquote><ul><li>Your mind is a tool and like all tools, you should apply it to the job at hand and then put it down.&nbsp;Find some downtime, see friends, walk in nature, spend time with your loved ones, and be present in the moment.&nbsp;Your mind doesn’t need to be constantly obsessing about what might or might not happen next or looking for the eternal answer to your life.&nbsp;It’s okay to just ‘Be you’.</li></ul>

Find your why? - WHY? - It’s a myth

Happiness is a topic of constant debate, often elusive and frequently misunderstood.&nbsp;Work has a huge part to play in the happiness scale but does the remuneration we receive from it have a bigger impact on our happiness levels as you might think?Over the years I have coined the phrase ‘happy tax’ in the office, I have seen it used in other contexts as well but I refer to it with individuals we work with when they are seeking new opportunities or career changes and the topic of what they want to earn comes up.&nbsp; <img src="https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/D4E12AQHCBVhzU5g2_w/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1653650487160?e=1676505600&amp;v=beta&amp;t=w6Ez3qw2BSaZAm8JEfqAjvgQFD7xWRSy4k8Oyp-otLk" alt="No alt text provided for this image">Just as Maslow's triangle dictates the importance of money is very much a matter of perspective and at what stage in life you find yourself.&nbsp;If you are worried about putting food on the table and keeping a roof over your head then clearly money has to be a major factor in your work choices,At the opposite end of the spectrum if you are earning a six-figure sum and your basic needs are all catered for, then money is less…&nbsp;&nbsp;hold that thought.&nbsp;Experience has shown me that this correlation doesn’t always ring true, for many money still remains their primary driver and for a good proportion of the individuals I have spoken with over the years their sense of happiness historically was fleeting and elusive regardless of their paycheque so in an attempt to breathe some logic into the thought process ‘happy tax’ was born.The concept is simple and won’t blow your mind but how often have you actually sat down and approached a new opportunity or salary review with this level of thought and clarity?&nbsp;Just as life, work holds a degree of compromise. It’s human nature to desire what you don’t already have and in a world of social media that paints a wholly false view of the world, it’s very easy to think the grass is always greener and think the next shiny thing, pay rise, new partner, new house, relocation, emigration you name it will bring with it a renewed sense of ‘happiness’&nbsp;because well that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?&nbsp;Don’t confuse my comments with a lack of endeavour, striving for a better life for you and those you care about is a great cause and one you should push for but What if your ‘desire’ for those things is stopping you from being happy?Happy Tax+:-Weigh up what it is that you actually enjoy in life?Eating outTravelCarHome etc.&nbsp;Yep, all very easy, and I’m guessing you want more of it, a newer one and a bigger one but it's not as simple as that.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/blog/bid/101702/nurse-reveals-the-top-five-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">This article</a>&nbsp;was written by a nurse on an end-of-life ward she lists the top five regrets her patients routinely spoke of,&nbsp;Perspective is everything and actually had they lived the life they thought they wanted with the benefit of hindsight, perhaps they would have listed something different? The point is Money can only provide so much and if you&nbsp;choose&nbsp;to&nbsp;forego a promotion that comes with a pay rise or even heaven forbid consider a pay cut don't deem it as a step backward, Happy Tax will enable you to reason a little more clearly:What would you pay to spend more time with friends?What would you pay to have a little less stress in your life?What would you be willing to pay to have the opportunity to do more of that thing you love to do inside work or outside of it?How much is the relationship you have with your boss and your colleagues worth to you?flexible working, ability to see your kids sports day?The Satisfaction you get from completing your work?The maths is unique to you as an individual but the idea is you pay a degree of happy tax on your earnings to enable you to have more of the things you want, which may or may not be the same things that you desire.Money is often framed with the idea of Success but surely success is more about living the life you want to live?&nbsp;Yes money will be part of that and it does open doors to you and your loved ones, you should also be rewarded for your efforts, but before you take that extra 10K think about what it might cost you?&nbsp;What are you sacrificing for that additional income?&nbsp;Life is a compromise just be conscious of what it is you are compromising on to ensure the deal is worth it.<h3>Happy Stats:</h3>Nato conversations aside, the Finnish are officially the happiest nation in the world according to the 2022 UN Nations Happiness report&nbsp;<a href="https://worldhappiness.report/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Home | The World Happiness Report</a>, their society is built around a concept known as ‘Lagom’ the English translation is ‘just the right amount’&nbsp;<ul><li>Wayne State University did studies into why the Finnish were in general happier with their lives and one core element came out of their research.&nbsp;“if your basic needs are met, there’s no great drive to strive for more, which makes contentment and happiness more attainable.&nbsp;Their minimalist approach actually views having too much of something unseemly with a 'less is more approach' to material things being the societal norm.</li><li>Apparently how much sleep and sex your receiving is a better metric to focus on… I will leave you to discuss it amongst yourselves.&nbsp;<a href="https://metro.co.uk/2017/09/19/sex-and-sleep-are-more-powerful-than-money-when-it-comes-to-happiness-6938094/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://metro.co.uk/2017/09/19/sex-and-sleep-are-more-powerful-than-money-when-it-comes-to-happiness-6938094/</a></li><li>Believe it or not, 30K+ was the salary for the UK, as earnings increased beyond this point impacts on overall happiness were less and less, on a global scale it was closer to 65,000 dollars. Lots of studies out there so I'm sure you will find conflicting evidence.</li></ul>Everyone is different and what salary package works for one may not work for another that’s the beauty that is life, but I can guarantee Rockafella said it best…Answer: How much money is enough money?For John D. Rockefeller the answer was “just a little bit more.” At the peak of his wealth, Rockefeller had a net worth of about 1% of the entire US economy. He owned 90% of the oil &amp; gas industry of his time. Compared to today’s rich guys, Rockefeller makes Bill Gates and Warren Buffett look like paupers.<a href="https://eu.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/blogs/2017/12/10/how-much-money-enough/930449001/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://eu.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/blogs/2017/12/10/how-much-money-enough/930449001/</a>Potentially the recipe for happiness?&nbsp;Truthfully running a business is tough and I don’t always get this right, but we are all a work in progress!1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Find your click,&nbsp;Having people in your life makes the true difference in how much you’ll enjoy the daily grind of life, friends and family are the most valuable asset any of us can have, invest in them. -&nbsp;To my click, I'm sorry I know I have been consumed with work and I am trying to find a balance, I still love you all.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Relish the quest; don’t focus on just the prize: Seriously, the saying that "anticipation is half the fun” is a truth. Humans are designed by nature to master challenges and engage in problem-solving behaviors. Once you have amassed all of the “prizes” or “toys” you’ve desired, there’s little joy that the stack of stuff will provide once you own it. We need to continue to generate and refine our&nbsp;Goals and take time to appreciate the period before achieving them as much as we appreciate the satisfaction of the hunt completed.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Measure your happiness by the satisfaction you feel at the end of the day when you put your head down to sleep: Don’t get strung out on external markers that others try to convince you are the measures of success, do you really need all those social media feeds? Are they actually adding value to your life.&nbsp;Clearly, LinkedIn is, keep this one :)4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Recognise what chapter of life you are in, what worked for you then, may not work for you now, it’s important to take stock and assess what the next part of your journey looks like.&nbsp;

How much do you need to earn to be happy?

I'm a product of the '90s, Nightclubs, bad dress sense, Friends on the TV when you used to tape over your mum's labeled videotape because you couldn't find one to use. It was also a pre-requisite that the higher salaries and better opportunities were in London or Cambridge and other cities around the world so the daily commute was the sacrifice you made to benefit from the networking opportunities and career lift that came with City life.The Covid19 pandemic of 2020 has been the catalyst that has stemmed a new world of work, I'm more amazed that it's taken a once-in-a-lifetime event to bring about this change than I am the profound changes that have resulted since 2020. For the 21 years, I have been in the Talent industry this was always going to be the future.History has told us that the working masses always revolt when the divide between the haves and the have nots, becomes too great, and let's face it the dearth of skilled professionals in the IT and Scientific space isn't new. Despite this employers and companies have managed to have things pretty much their own way for years. Before company owners get on their high horse I recognise many of you have invested money and time in building cultures and environments to provide excellent employment experiences...BUT the rules of the game have changed.It's no longer the choice of the employer to decide what it is employees seek from their 'working week', and that phrase there is the issue. "the working week" for years it's been known work is the avenue to a better life, longer life expectancy, stronger economies, reduced call on social services, etc. The divide between work, family, and the plethora of elements that make up Human life has been blurred for years yet "the working week" has remained stubbornly oblivious to the growing discontent bubbling under the surface.Recruiters, internal and external are now in more demand than ever...that's great I run a business that helps companies find new talent, it's all gravy from here! Or is it...the world has changed yet companies continue to make the same mistakes doubling down those mistakes with huge internal recruitment teams or a scatter-gun approach towards the external recruitment partners they engage. STOP!"IF you take nothing more from this article than this...Ask yourself what are you doing differently today than you were two years ago?&nbsp;Different slogans, different recruiters, a move towards internal recruitment...It's the same approach under a different label...What's changed?".Recruitment is suffering from the same Isolation that IT departments suffered from in the 90's it's considered a tool to enable the rest of the business to function, A standalone process that operates in its own unique bubble, one that no one actually has much interest in until something breaks. Yet IT departments have come out of the basements and it's recognised the CTO needs to be in the C-Suite delivering towards the wider goals of the company; this broader approach to people is exactly what I have championed for years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bringing in large internal recruitment teams is simply doubling down on this idea that recruitment operates separately from the rest of your business, one view of the world repeated over and over again until you have a one size fits all approach to recruitment, it's not a reflection of the individuals in your department it's a simple truth that I learned during my time within the Financial services industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>"Tied agents will always sell you products from their own stable. Todays informed candidate knows that"</blockquote>This basic truth is why you go to an independent financial advisor or Wealth consultancy, you want to get the best of the whole marketplace and understand your options so you the customer can make an informed choice that's best for your personal future goals.Translate this to the jobs market, Candidates now have access to a host of information from multiple sources about your business, they are able to secure remote work from companies across the globe, work from anywhere and guess what, Supply and demand rules work exactly the same way they do in any other market, there is more demand than supply so salaries are up and in the same way the high street retailer is being threatened by new digital trends you to are at risk of becoming the next Debenhams from a Talent perspective. Candidates can turn on their PC and work with whoever from wherever they want, the Geographic reins that applied to salaries and opportunities are now removed.So what's next? It's not all doom and gloom, unlike retail environments and consumer purchases the human mind needs more from work than just a transactional way of paying the bills.<blockquote>Despite their being a perception that their is little loyalty from employees right now that's actually not the complete picture.</blockquote>Individuals are seeking 'more', not just salaries or flexibility in hours and work locations but 'more' and that is the element that you as an employer must seek to understand and engage with. So what is 'more'? How can we engage with it? this is the dilemma you now face 'more' is unique to the individual, to understand more you need to listen and you need to have the wisdom that comes from understanding the wider marketplace to meaningfully engage with individuals to deliver their version of 'more'Pushing individuals through poorly thought-through internal recruitment processes or engaging with recruiters with the usual first past the post approach to CV submission doesn't create an environment that has time for 'more'. It's the same approach that has reduced skilled individuals with minds of their own into nothing more than a product. Well just like Keanu Reaves character 'Neo' in the Matrix movie, people have woken up and no longer want to be a battery.<blockquote>The recruitment approach of the 90's that is still being deployed by most employers has no time for 'more'</blockquote><blockquote>it's far too busy transmitting white noise to hear the sound of the train that is coming down the tracks to whisk their next hire to pastures new!</blockquote><blockquote>Mark Hurren - Founder</blockquote>

London is no longer London as far as hiring is concerned.

Over recent months I have been speaking with both sides of the employer, and employee spectrum.&nbsp;Where ever you sit on the home working debate, the genie is out of the bottle and the work landscape is unlikely to ever return to its pre-pandemic form.&nbsp;I have always been a pragmatic individual so for me ‘do what works’ but please stop telling everyone about it&nbsp;🥱&nbsp;don’t feel the need to grab your soapbox and champion your particular view on the debate, it’s old and I’m bored of hearing it.A worrying side effect of the change in dynamics between employers and employees does have me more interested though, and that is the sinking feeling we are slowly drifting towards a gig economy. Job seekers empowered by the huge demand for talent in all sectors of the UK and beyond are emboldened it seems to demand things their way, clearly, a sweeping statement and a generalisation so don’t shoot me down in flames, but I think we would all agree there has been a shift in power towards the individual.&nbsp;A good thing 🎉🥂…hold your horses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Commitment levels from both parties anecdotally at least appear to be far less than before.&nbsp;The imbalance between employer and employee has company owners behind closed doors speaking with me about wokeism going beyond positive debate and creating a worrying mindset, and stating individuals “no longer want to work for a living”.&nbsp;On the other side of the debate job, seekers are running their own auctions between prospective suitors and their current employers demanding pay rises far outside of inflation but having learned precious new skills or being in a position to add any further value to a prospective employer since their last pay review, all while asking to work hours of their choosing on a four day week from the beach.One of my clients who sits within a head of talent role with a scale-up spoke of a candidate who had declined their offer 7 weeks previously only to make contact again as the other job wasn't as promised, he then proceeded to tell them the original 75K he was looking for is now 95K with a need for equity, I quipped he must have undergone some extensive personal growth in that 7 weeks 😲. That individual made himself look like an idiot and missed out on joining the company but was completely oblivious to how absurd his behaviour was.<blockquote>I get it!&nbsp;&nbsp;“supply and demand” and I also know the shoe has been on the other foot previously as well.&nbsp;The divide has never been so great though and we risk poisoning the well for all involved.</blockquote>So here is why I’m worried.&nbsp;In recent weeks I have seen redundancies happen overnight with little regard for the ‘person’ behind the job title.&nbsp;Offers of employment made only to be revoked 24 hours afterward or often after employees have given their notice to existing employers, "none of this is good!"On the flip side,&nbsp;I read a highly liked comment on LinkedIn intended to be useful advice to a victim of the ‘pulling offers’ after the paperwork is in place epidemic.&nbsp;The opening line was “never 100% commit to a company” along with some equally delusional statements of little merit.&nbsp;worryingly the LinkedIn crowd seemed to like the rhetoric of employers are the enemy! All the while taking a salary from their oblivious employer.Some employees are choosing to let work commitments slide with little regard to the impact on their colleagues or the company's future, potentially made easier because employees are sat on the beach posting selfies with their laptop banging on about work flexibility 🥳 and no longer have to see Mandy stressed out because she is picking up their slack.&nbsp;Within the contract space, Some contractors are choosing to accept more than one-day rate contract at a time without telling the parties involved.<blockquote>One of our clients was telling me about how one of their contractors&nbsp;through another consultancy&nbsp;dropped a clanger as he confused his meetings and screen-shared the other clients work!&nbsp;Clearly, he was told his services were no longer needed.</blockquote>So here’s the rub, do any of us want a wild west where we forget about the people behind the job title or the dream that the company founder had when they incorporated?&nbsp;Do we really just want our working lives to become transactional affairs where the minute either party has the slightest need to compromise they simply discard one another?&nbsp;Whichever side of the fence you fall contractor, employer, employee, freelancer, etc. like it or not we all need each other.&nbsp;In the same way, Boris Johnson's demise was cemented not by poor choices or a lack of vision but by an inability to hold himself accountable to human values. There is a danger the move towards fixed positions focusing on what ‘you’ want is likely to mean none of us get what ‘we’ want.

Remote Working, Gig economy by stealth.

The call came through from the recruiter or company owner, you got your foot in the door, great work.&nbsp;So... depending on the type of person you are you’re either planning on winging it (you know your stuff they are lucky you are attending!)&nbsp;or you’re going to diligently find out about the company and prep to ensure your delivery is flawless! Or perhaps you sit somewhere in between.&nbsp;Hold the phone! There may be something useful amongst the below.&nbsp;I should say for those of you new to my posts I have spent 22 years in recruitment and have carried out plenty of interviews myself and sat on the interview panel for many of our clients.&nbsp;Over that time some key elements have come through from the best interviews whether they were at Graduate level or for senior C-Suite appointments.&nbsp;<h3>Brass Tacks</h3>Here is the absolute crux of the matter, you were requested to come to this initial interview on the back of your Linkedin profile, recommendation, or your resume, whatever the path the invitation took, it boils down to your securing the invite on the back of your previous experience and qualifications.&nbsp;Ergo your best opportunity to land this gig is to make sure you can convey said skills and experience in a coherent manner.&nbsp;Sounds simple but I have honestly sat in interviews where an individual has researched the hell out of the company they are meeting with, they have looked at the website, read the blog, etc.&nbsp;What they failed to do was swot up on themselves.&nbsp;So how do you convey your experience in the best light?&nbsp;Try all or some of the below, and fit them in with your own personality, they form the skeleton of a great interview experience.<h3>Research</h3>Not what you think… yes you should take some time to understand the business model of the company you are meeting with and do enough to show you have a genuine interest in the company you are meeting with but, I would argue 70% of your time should be spent on understanding yourself.&nbsp;What skills do you mention in your resume?&nbsp;For every skill, you should be in a position to talk concisely about your experiences and skills with an example:&nbsp;Where did you use this skill?&nbsp;What was the context of the project?&nbsp;What was the benefit to the organisation you delivered it for?&nbsp;What challenges did you overcome?&nbsp;Why did you choose that particular approach/technology?&nbsp;The reason you are in the room is your interviewer wants to know more about your abilities, not the fact you are able to read a company website.&nbsp;The benefits of this approach are evident, you can display your value to the business in a factual way that doesn’t consist of hollow statements, and you also feel more comfortable in your conversations, with none of the sweaty palms that come with being put on the spot (why would an interviewer ask you about something not mentioned on your CV?)&nbsp;know yourself and you will nail your interview.&nbsp;<h3>Qualify the position</h3>It's no good providing stock answers to questions, we have heard it all before.&nbsp;If you don't have a clear understanding of what the interviewer is hoping to hear you can't tailor your response to ensure it addresses these points.&nbsp;Now clearly they are not going to show all their cards but as early as possible in the interview, you should be trying to get a feel for the position (not the HR job spec).&nbsp;"I have had a good read through the job spec but it would be good to hear what a typical Monday to Friday looks like from the people who are actually doing it"&nbsp;(or similar is a great opener)&nbsp;paraphrase so it comes across as natural but this will enable you to pick up on some key elements of the role so later in the interview you can give examples of where you have experience that is relevant to these elements.&nbsp;This approach also avoids a Gestapo-style question-answer session which is hard work for both the interviewer and the interviewee (I have sat through a number of them over the years!).<h3>Confirm your understanding</h3>Again another really basic thing but I see top-level executives get this wrong as often as Graduates.&nbsp;Answer the question you were asked.&nbsp;Sounds simple doesn’t it but I have been in interviews and received feedback from numerous line managers stating “they waffled”, “they couldn’t articulate their responses” “they spoke forever”&nbsp;I have even watched a fellow interviewer catch themselves as their eyelids became heavy as a potential employee danced around various topics hoping to get lucky.&nbsp;The above approach to research means you won't need to be a politician answering a question you weren’t asked.&nbsp;If you don’t know what you are being asked then seek to clarify, it’s a vital skill in any work environment and will make you look far more credible than a waffling response that doesn’t respond to the question you were posed.&nbsp;<h3>Qualify your answers:</h3>Stating you are good at something or have knowledge of a particular skill set is of little use if you don't back the claim up with examples of where you have experience or academic knowledge of it – hence ‘know yourself and you will nail it’.&nbsp;Without context (which company?, what end client?, spend, etc.) it is simply your opinion.&nbsp;Be wary of rambling, give a concise answer that responds to the question, if you need to take a minute before you respond (do it!) and if you need clarification of what you're being asked (ask!)&nbsp;better that than an irrelevant dialogue of some past event.&nbsp;Also, be sure to qualify your response to the interviewer:&nbsp;"does that answer your question?" "do you need me to elaborate?" or similar.&nbsp;All too often I have seen good candidates miss out on roles because they didn't showcase their skills effectively, qualifying your answers with the interviewer will ensure they have been allowed to explore your skills as much as possible.&nbsp;I&nbsp;frequently hear from applicants who attended interviews outside of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/hurren-&amp;-hope" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hurren and Hope</a>&nbsp;who failed to land the gig “they didn’t ask me about that” the truth is many interviewers are line managers who hire once or twice a year they are actually not very good at interviewing so it’s important you make it easy for them.&nbsp;They will only ask the same question in a couple of different ways before they feel embarrassed asking you the same thing again and move on.&nbsp;So qualify!<h3>Close your meeting:</h3>A simple tool but very effective.&nbsp;The likelihood is you will be asked if you have any questions at the end of the meeting.&nbsp;It's at this point a candidate will often sit there and think well I should come up with something!&nbsp;Usually something about holiday allowance, when will I hear, etc.&nbsp;This approach seems very simple but I have seen it work to great effect and used it myself on a number of occasions in meetings.&nbsp;When asked if you have any questions or at an appropriate point as your meeting appears to be winding down ask "is there any reason you won't be inviting me back for a 2nd interview?"&nbsp;or "Do you have any concerns over my ability to fulfill the role"&nbsp;whatever feels natural to you but effectively you are showing confidence in your abilities but also, more importantly, you are giving yourself a second crack of the whip if there were any elements they felt you were weaker on.It may have been a simple misunderstanding in how you conveyed an answer that results in someone else landing the role.&nbsp;If you don't ask you won't know!&nbsp;Caution against appearing arrogant, if this feels like something you wouldn’t ask normally it may not be appropriate.&nbsp;Go with your gut.<h3>Final thoughts</h3>A good rapport and genuine fit with a company is vital. Often the basis for a good interview is a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hurrenandhope.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">good recruiter</a>&nbsp;that genuinely wants to deliver against your requirements and those of the employer, so if you feel like a square peg in a round hole, it could very well be true and the fact you won’t be walking off to the sunset together is a good thing.&nbsp;The above will however give both you and your potential employer a fair shake in making sure you have both explored all the angles.&nbsp;Above all recognise an employer/employee relationship is like a marriage there is compromise but you are ultimately stronger together, being clear on what you need from the relationship though is vital so you may want to take a look at working out my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/working-out-your-north-star-mark-hurren/?trackingId=f5lIlBUoQh2gFVeDn2ai8g%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Working out your north star’</a>&nbsp;article.

So you landed the interview!

Having some direction in life is important for all of us especially when it feels like you have very little control over outside forces affecting your life.&nbsp;Your career is no different, how do you know what a good opportunity looks like if you have no idea what you want?&nbsp;This article aims to sow the seed of being able to get what you want from your career, it’s not intended to be a replacement for a coffee with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/hurren-&amp;-hope/people" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Quality Talent Consultant</a>&nbsp;but it will hopefully get your mind thinking about the right questions to be asking yourself.&nbsp;If this is the first article you have read from myself I should point out I have spent 22 years advising organisations and individuals on all things career and Talent related, the comments below are based on my dealings with literally 1000’s of individuals over those years as a recruiter and as the founder behind&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hurrenandhope.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hurren &amp; Hope</a>.<h3>Be Realistic</h3>As I highlighted in my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/find-your-why-its-myth-mark-hurren/?trackingId=dlkdxr1vRviJ9KOR%2FOewRQ%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Find out your why…why?’</a>&nbsp;article, life is made up of chapters and there will be times when you are making decisions for the short term, redundancy, health issues, etc.&nbsp;life will throw you a curve ball once in a while.This may be lost on the non-snooker players but when building a break you always play for space with several reds open to you, not a specific red, if the shot doesn’t quite line up for your preferred red you will have other options to fall back on.&nbsp;Similarly managing your career, in the same way, will ensure you can still move forwards, though like all things worthwhile it will rarely be a straight shot to where you are trying to get to, the trick is to avoid getting snookered along the way.&nbsp;So for a real-world example, a project Manager moving between change management or software delivery environments may not detract from them moving forward but choosing to make a move into Service Delivery would be questionable if it’s not the direction they want to take their career in.&nbsp;Ask yourself how many times have you moved into a role because your current company knows you are capable, but it’s ended up making you feel like a jack of all trades and master of none?&nbsp;Will the market view you in the same way if you continue to dilute your core skill sets?&nbsp;I’m not saying diversity is bad, what I’m saying is if you want to be hired as a programme manager in 5 years time, your stint in Service may go against your application.&nbsp;Did you take the choice to make that questionable move for a salary increase?&nbsp;If you did you may be interested to read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-do-you-need-earn-happy-mark-hurren/?trackingId=XuL%2BLbFCSZaMCIvzmcCGPg%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“how much do you need to earn to be happy”</a><h3>What do you hate?</h3>Often it’s easier to talk about what you don’t want to do than what you do, “I don’t want to be client facing” will rule out a large swath of career paths.&nbsp;“I don’t want to manage people” statements like this will require some thought as to how far you can take your career path Software Development manager Vs Lead Architect for instance.&nbsp;A useful approach is to draft a Venn diagram list on the left circle any tasks you do where you are ‘in flow' it’s easy and doesn’t drain you, on the right tasks you don’t enjoy ‘out of flow’ the middle crossover is for the tasks you don’t mind doing but wouldn't want to have a focus on.&nbsp;Don’t sit down and try and do this in one hit, fill it out over a couple of weeks and leave it somewhere near with a pencil next to it so you can fill it in as things come to you.&nbsp;By the end of the fortnight, you will have the basics for your north star, it will likely be useful to talk it through with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/hurren-&amp;-hope/people" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">someone</a>&nbsp;without the talk of ‘managing stakeholders’ and similar loose statements to distract you you will be able to cut to the chase.&nbsp;Do you want to put up with clients bending your ear for non-delivery?&nbsp;Do you see it as a challenge for you to solve or would you prefer to boil your head?&nbsp;It’s really basic, but we all lose sight of what we really are looking for when searching for work, this will keep you honest.&nbsp;The aim is to have 70% or more of your working week being spent doing tasks from the ‘in flow’ circle.<h3>What are your redlines?</h3>For all of us there are certain elements in life we will not compromise on, and should we lose sight of that our mental health, physical health, and or happiness levels will be impacted.&nbsp;Be clear about what yours are, they don’t need to be grand statements.&nbsp;“ I want to be able to have dinner with my family every night” may be one for example.&nbsp;“I’m not willing to work past 19:30 in the evening” whatever this is for you in your life, stay true to it.&nbsp;Playing the martyr and simply soldiering on will only in time make you resentful towards your employer.&nbsp;The reality is most of those redlines are perfectly acceptable you just need to adjust your working behaviour, are you working late because you procrastinated during your day etc?&nbsp;These redlines are non-negotiables if you choose to sell any one of them for an increase in salary, experience tells me it will not work.&nbsp;Try and reverse the thought process and ask yourself how much would you pay to be able to eat a meal with your family every night?&nbsp;It may be the right employer/role is actually not the highest paying.&nbsp;If you are crossing these redlines on a weekly basis the extra wage will quickly be of little interest to you. if you can have your salary expectations met and your north star on track then it's all gravy!<h3>Your label?</h3>The world of recruitment loves a label it’s a horrible state of affairs but it’s the reality of the game and if you want to play you have to understand the rules.&nbsp;Employers tend to think of skills and people as if they were a product&nbsp;( I know I hate it too, don’t get me started about employing people for the future not the present, etc.&nbsp;one for another post)&nbsp;but this is the game we are in so, back to the product analogy...&nbsp;You need to work out what superstore you are in, the department you are in, the shelf you are on, and what it says on your tin.&nbsp;You wouldn’t look for a tin of beans in the bakery aisle any more than an employer would look for a Project Manager in the Service Delivery sector.&nbsp;If you wear a label for too long you run the risk of being hard to find, so be sure you are mindful of what label comes with that job role.&nbsp;Worse still if you find yourself wearing lots of hats all the time with little definition to your role you could be starting from square one when it comes to your next move.&nbsp;Be proactive about what you say yes to, try and influence the shape of your working week by saying yes to more of the work you want to do, and seeking qualifications in the roles you want to do.&nbsp;All too often in the early chapters of our careers, we are swayed by circumstances around us at the time.&nbsp;<h3>Remote working</h3>The advice above has become even more important with remote working limiting opportunities to learn from others like we once did.&nbsp;It’s far harder to move across departments now we are less able to gain knowledge from our peers in the same way he would pre-pandemic.&nbsp;A contentious one I know, with the advocates for WFH selling the importance of Teams, Skype, etc.&nbsp;However, when did you last go on a teams call with someone completely unrelated to your current project, when did have a chat at the coffee point with an experienced employee and ask them about how their career enabled them to get to where they are now?&nbsp;Those interactions are far less than they once were so it’s vital you proactively culture the right contacts and give thought to your North Star so you can seek out the connections who can take you closer to it.<h3>Perception</h3>Perception is reality, lean on those around you, a trusted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hurrenandhope.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Recruiter</a>&nbsp;former boss, older friend, or family member.&nbsp;When you are stuck in the 9-5 of working life it’s easy to keep digging and working hard only to realise you just lost five years moving in the wrong direction.&nbsp;Share your goals for the future with people you trust and meet up with them regularly.&nbsp;When I was a full-time Recruitment consultant I frequently had 3-year reviews with professionals I had placed into job roles, "you told me you wanted to… is that still true?"&nbsp;"Do you feel you are still moving towards that?"&nbsp;A basic sanity check, taking a bad move in your career isn’t terminal, but staying in that role for too long could be.<h3>Be mindful</h3><ul><li>Check your redlines regularly have you sacrificed too much too often?</li><li>Surround yourself with the right people who can move your career path in the direction you hope.</li><li>Be proactive about what you say yes and no to.</li><li>Before you take that new role, ask yourself does it place you on the right shelf for the future.</li><li>Keep your Venn diagram, the likelihood of you having a personality transplant is unlikely so what you hated 10 years ago will probably still be true, check it before you agree to attend an interview and have it in the back of your mind when you are being sold the dream from your next potential employer.</li></ul>&nbsp;

020 3833 0334

01473 599009

News