Boyce Blog

Keeping your reputation

2010-02-08T13:13:00.001Z

A recent report suggested that over 65% of people working, would consider finding new employment as soon as the market turns. It really has never been more important for a company to focus on building the reputation as an employer of choice and make sure employees are aware of the positives of working for them .
Many disgruntled people feel that they have been penalised for poor company performance, bad management or just not been appreciated, and it is all too easy to apply for jobs with other firms these days instead of working hard to understand what the business is planning for 2010 and where they fit into this plan.
In addition if one person leaves a firm, often it makes others question their employment and can sometimes result in a mass exodus without any real single specific reason.
On a positive note one could argue that one person’s loss is another person’s gain. If we were to take this point of view then we could see the benefits of introducing fresh blood and new talent into a firm. This could give a boost to the business performance and bring in some fresh direction if the new hire was at Senior Strategic level.
Without fresh input there is often a danger of becoming stagnant .

Living and working advice

2010-02-04T10:37:00.005Z

We recently asked a few of our clients and consultants what single piece of advice they were given which stuck with them and they try to follow / or which has made them successful. Here are a few replies :

I have always been a firm believer that belief is what makes a difference to success and achievements :

If you think you can you will, and if you think you can not you will not,
although my family are true believers that there is no such thing as can not, it is just a question of thinking creatively or learning how to do something.

Many people said they lived by advice given about how people relate to others and also keeping an optimistic outlook in life:

Treat people how you wanted to be treated yourself

Its nice to be important, but its important to be nice!!

Be positive in outlook always, tomorrow will always be better than today.

And everything will be OK, no matter how bad it seems at the time…

Be yourself and do not try to be something you are not!

To dream of the person you wish to be is to waste the person you are

On a more work related front:

Given by manager: Always wait 24 hours before making a final decision.

Given to team: Time management – make a to do list, and then put everything that comes in during the day onto the list. That way you keep prioritising activities and do not just react.

Given by Manager : always treat clients like idiots (not in a patronising way) but to ensure you are being so clear in what you are writing/ telling them and
never to assume as it makes as ass out of u and me

Honesty is always best, although it may be difficult sometimes, it is not what you say but how you say it and being honest will always be appreciated.

Interviewing tips

2010-01-26T16:47:00.002Z

For the benefit of those graduates who are looking for advice on interviewing and also want examples of questioning techniques please visit our Blog archives August/ July 2007

I have copied a few of the tips here. There may be some valuable advice, especially if you have not been successful in interview but not had any feedback either. Here goes:

Many clients told us that they are increasingly using competency-based questions. These are questions that are designed to find out about certain skills and abilities (for example, team-work, ability to work under pressure, and customer service skills), and examples of times that you have displayed these skills. They are also called skills-based or behavioural questions.

Clients gave us examples of the most common competency-based questions. To answer these questions effectively, you must use an example from your experience. Don't be too scared though, it can be an example from any job, or your studies, or sometimes even from an outside activity.

The best way to answer these questions is to describe the situation, explain the action that you took, and then give details about the final outcome.

Next week we'll look at the lighter side of interviews, with some of the most unusual answers our clients have received at interview

Most Common Competency Questions

Examples of competency-based questions that some of our clients use regularly are below.
Can you tell me a time when you dealt with an angry customer? What was the situation? How did you deal with it, and what was the outcome?
Tell me about a time when you have changed a way of doing things? Why did you want to change things and how did you go about implementing this?
Can you tell us about a time when you have worked well in team?
How have you managed a situation of conflict within a team?
Can you give me an example of a time when you have worked well under pressure?
Interacting with others can be challenging. How would you go about managing a situation of tension within a team?
Tell me about a time when you solved a problem, and how you went about it?
Imagine you are working here already. Your senior managers are in an important board meeting and have asked not to be disrupted. An urgent call comes through for one of them. What do you do?
Can you give me an example of a task you have successfully completed that has benefited the company?
You have an angry customer on the phone - how do you respond?

Understand our service

2010-01-21T13:56:00.006Z

I am always surprised and disappointed when job seekers expect us to just send their cv over to companies, without meeting them, or verifying any of their details as they don't want to spend the time meeting with the recruitment consultant.

As the market is tougher, jobs are fewer and competition is fierce, surely it is important to make sure you are represented properly and correctly as any mistakes could blow your chances for a position which could be ideal. Also it is important to udnerstand that omce you are registered you may ahve the chance to apoply for other non- advertised jobs./

We ask that if you are serious about job hunting then please understand that we are paid for a servcie which includes acting as an extension to the HR departments with whom we work and, if we ask to meet you it is because this is an important way for us to make sure that you have the right skills.

Key drivers in 2010

2010-01-17T15:13:00.003Z

As the year begins we asked many of our clients what they think are the key drivers in 2010.

Whilst some are looking at retention, others are thinking of starting up new ventures but the majority of them intend to hire into key growth areas. The focus will be on growing their client base, raising their brand awareness and maintaining their profile as leaders within the businesses they work.
Whenever there is a downturn in the economy, there is always the opportunity to see who are the real market specialists, who are the industry leaders and who perhaps weren't so well managed after all. Bear this in mind if you are looking for a new job.

It is useful to know what the business track record of a company is, what its plans for growth are and not to base decisions on pure rumour. Many firms will be seeking out real talent in their quest to hire people and it is important as a candidate to make sure that your cv highlights the skills that a really aspirational business will look for. Make sure, however, that you are realistic in what you say.

Don't be completely wary of new start ups. They can be very successful. One of our most successful clients came to us before they had even found an office or any fully paid staff and grew to a multimillion ound turnnover business within a very short space of time.

Keep focused

2010-01-05T16:43:00.004Z

As the weather watchers gear themselves up for snowstorms it is worth keeping focused on the job market with an eye on the job boards. Whilst many people are preparing for a South East snow standstill, there are other firms very keen to recruit and fill positions as soon as possible.

Make sure your cv is up to date and also think about when you can attend interviews as many people haven't given this apect of job hunting enough thought. Saying you will not be available for interview for 2 weeks can affect your chances. You might be reluctant to give it a miss as the New Year starts but beginning of January can often be the best time to find new employment, as companies have new budgets to work with.

If you found job hunting a struggle last year then ask your consultant what you could do to improve and make your job prospects better in 2010. Remember to stay optimistic. Although the cold weather might make things seem glum in January, a good sense of humour and positive outlook will keep things moving in the right direction.

New year job roll

2010-01-04T07:58:00.002Z

An exciting start to the new year with a number of jobs and activity from a range of industries.

I think everyone is feeling optimistic about what 2010 holds. It can at least be better than 2009 and it may not be easy but many of our clients are feeling optimistic about the prospects this year holds.

The temp job market continues to hold its' own and the permanent job market is moving albeit slowly. Here's to a Happy 2010!

Last minute rush

2009-12-14T18:26:00.004Z

Wow ! What a busy week it has been, with a last minute rush by companies in a range of sectors to fill jobs ready for the January start!

December has always been a traditionally bouyant month when people rush to secure work or find employees so that they are able to approach the new year with a clear head and not have to be weighed down by the demands of recruitment.

Last year December was very quiet with many firms looking at where to cull rather than where to hire, although there were some expections to the rule, for example withinthe digital arena. I am pleased to see that confidence is returning, albeit slowly and what was one firms' loss has become another firms gain.

2009-12-10T11:58:00.004Z

As we are approaching the end of the year, more and more clients are looking forward to a restful holiday and also expressing signs of optimism about the job market and economy next year.

Could this be because we are accustomed to the trials and tribulations that working in a tight economic climate offers and so any difficulty in finding work is very much viewed as part of the norm, or is it because there really are more job opportunities in the market place. Who knows for sure?

Our clients predict that next year there will be improvement in some key job areas, but not dramatically so. The temporary and freelance job market will continue to hold its own and the need for expertise in businesses will increase the number of contract and permanent positions advertised.

Hopefully the frustrations that some business have felt this year in not being able to source the ideal candidate for their roles , particularly at the higher end of the pecking order, will be removed as confidence in finding work in the London job market is gradually restored and skilled candidates start looking to boost their careers again.

Best wishes for a happy and restful holiday from the Boyce team.

Social media is taking over

2009-12-01T15:00:00.004Z

Social media is taking over our lives . This was the heading in a recent article in New Media Age magazine.

This is certainly true when we look at the change of multilingual jobs in the marketing arena. Language jobs in marketing, especially in London, have been transformed and now over 90% of the positions we work on require an element of digital understanding and exposure to various social media elements.

During the recession many businesses cut costs and streamlined their business units. The areas where there has been growth in spend, however, has been predominantly within the online marketing and web presence. As a result of this we have seen an increase in multilingual online marketing jobs , especially as the online world enables businesses to work across a much wider geographical territory.

As the number of multilingual applicants for each bilingual job increases, many candidates have offered their services for free to get some good work experience within the online arena. This means that when they are applying for more junior roles they are able to give specific examples of work they have undertaken. It also beats sitting at home waiting for work to come in.

Keeping it digital

2009-11-15T10:52:00.004Z

The importance of social media as a means of communicating to key target audiences has exploded over the past year, as companies fight to maintain revenues and increase market share in a tight economic climate.

Already Facebook and Twitter have released data to show that they are attracting more senior members of the public and sites like Friends Reunited and the like, have been struggling to maintain market share . They are working hard to ensure that they get back the revenues they lost as a result of the emergence of free to use competition.

Online content and marketing strategies are criutical to most business' success. Many global organisations based in London have created multilingual jobs in their online departments, so that they can employ local people, sometimes freelancers with language skills, to develop their international marketing strategy and administer the language content / optimisation for their website.

Job types employed by businesses in the international digital arena include digital communications, localisation specialists, content managers, editors, and Search specialist or Affiliates , and these specialists are either employed directly by the company, or by using the services of an external digital agency. They key goal is to make sure that their presence is at the forefront of their targeted client base.

Anyone looking to work in the multilingual job market should think carefully about what skills they have and look at what their understanding is of the digital world. More and more roles have an element to them which needs to be involved in the online industry, especially within the areas of marketing and media.

Working with a digital agency recently, who was looking to recruit two graduate trainees as part of their plans to expand enormously over the next 24 months, the key deciding factor was the evidence applicants were able to produce about their passion for the industry. It was no longer enough to show some basic experience in an online agency, or to have studied the online module in a marketing degree and have had experience on facebook.

The successful applicants in this particular process, were able to take their skills to another stage and had their own blog, had set up their own website and had lots of opinions on other sites as to how they would improve their web presence.

The digital market has been seen as an easy place to attain a secure and interesting job , beacause of the increase in demand for digital skills in business and the rapid growth in popularity that this particular sector has experienced. Advice from this particular client , who were eventually successful in their hire, is to make sure your cv shows as much about your passion for the industry as your practical experience. With the emergence of free software to set up blogs and websites, there is no excuse for someone not to try out blogging or tweeting or writing site content.

How to improve your CV

2009-11-06T15:48:00.012Z

My name is Daniela and I am a job seeker like probably most of you. I moved to London 3 months ago from Germany and am looking for a job in journalism and media. Jobs in that area are really hard to find, which is why I am currently temping at the boyce reception.

Temping at a recruitment agency is a very valuable experience, since I can learn a lot for my own application process. As part of my job I see many CVs every day and noticed some really common mistakes. Registering with boyce and getting your dream job would be easier if you could avoid them.

Here are my tips for a more successful application:

Make sure that you include in your email/cover letter what kind of job you are interested in, especially when you send in speculative applications. Recruiters need to know what you are looking for, what you are interested in and where your talents are, otherwise getting your desired job will be tough.

Include your full contact details in your CV: address, email, telephone number. You would be surprised about how many people forget them.
Design matters. Avoid crude colours in your CV and keep it simple, tidy and eye-friendly.

Take care on formatting your CV. For example, use a standard font in reasonable size. And remember that if you are going to say that you have good computer skills, your CV should look like it.

Keep your CV as short as possible. Recruiters receive a huge amount of CVs everyday, so catch their eye by highlighting your skills and try to make it not longer than two pages. Say more about your work experience that matters for your desired position and less about any other jobs you might have had.

If you are new to the London job market, you might be surprised at how quickly you can get a job. Applying too early could therefore be a disadvantage. You need to be available for interviews immediately, so start applying once you arrive in London and are free for interviews.

Languages are always an important skill. Highlight them in your CV. When you are from abroad, take it as an advantage and look especially for bilingual jobs. There are plenty of them!

Great start to the week

2009-10-12T18:44:00.003+01:00

It has been a great start to the week with many exciting new projects to work on and some really interesting opportunities for qualified candidates.

I cannot believe it is October already, although I know many people will be keen to reach the end of what has been an extremely challenging year.

If you are applying for jobs, do not forget to sell yourself in your application letter and in interview. We have heard of many candidates who have become complacent about highlighting why they are the pick of the crop. You only really get one stab at making your mark and if you fail the first stage interview then you have to start all over again. And please remember, if the job turnsout not to be the right position for you, you may like a future role that the employer will offer and so it is always best to make sure the company knows that the role is not right, however the company is extremely attractive and you would welcome other opportunities.

On the up

2009-10-08T19:01:00.007+01:00

It has been a good week so far with lots of positive feedback from clients and candidates who are reporting a noticeable difference in the markets and activity.

We all know we are not out of the woods yet but the number of jobs being offered, within the areas of marketing, market research, broadcast and digital specifically, are on the up.

We are hiring too and this makes it positive all round. Any experienced marketing recruiters looking to move are welcome to call me for a chat.

Preparing your job application

2009-09-28T08:51:00.002+01:00

With the ever increasing accessibility of the internet for job applications it is essential that you spend time looking at your cover letter and also headings in your cvs.

Recruiters are faced daily with a deluge of cvs, mostly with generic covering letters, in response to specific jobs advertised. Many of these cvs appear to have no relevance to the job in question.

Our clients also feel the same way. Whilst they are pleased with receiving a large volume of job applications, once they start sifting through the cvs, the question often springs to mind as to Why on earth would this applicant apply for this job when there is clearly no relevant experience?

It is all too easy to send out cvs these days, via online job boards, without spending too much time on thinking about how the cv reflects the relevant attributes for the job in question. Worrying about where to find work often means candidates get desperate and apply to a broad range of jobs that they otherwise wouldn’t apply to. There is no harm in this, we often have the same applicant apply for 5 or 6 different jobs we advertised, however the cv is always the same and generally appear to be irrelevant.

As an employer the volume of cvs we receive per position can be frustrating and time consuming . Part of that frustration could be avoided if job hunters remember to highlight specifically the skills that they have which are relevant to the role being advertised,. Using key words in a job description to highlight skills within the body of a cv would automatically distinguish one applicant over another.

For example a recent ad we published which specifically asked for skills with specific technical systems had over 250 applications. 249 of those did not have those skills on their cv and of those 11 had actually got those skills but had sent out a general cv and so these skills were not highlighted. As a result only one applicant was immediately invited for interview.

So remember, no matter how easy it is to send out a cv, always make sure relevant experience is highlighted for that specific role. You may find that you notice an immediate difference to the response you get for the jobs you apply to.

Turning the corner

2009-09-18T07:04:00.001+01:00

This is a very exciting time to be working in recruitment with many areas of business starting to turn the corner and feel more optimistic about their staffing.

Do not get me wrong, we are not out of the woods yet, but at least we do feel that businesses are starting to hire although this is not at the pace we saw 18 months ago.

Job boards are starting to see a rise in positions being advertised, highly qualified people are still sought out, and for this reason it is important to remember that your cv has to highlight the relevant experience for each job you apply to as the volume of applicants for each role means that there is less time to spend on each pre-screening application than there once was.

On that subject the number of applications per jobs still seems on the rise, I would confidently say that we believe it has nearly trebled this year. Some applicants are applying to any job and often more than one job, without paying much attention to the actual job description. Whilst it is frustrating for the applicant to not be working, it is also important that the cvs that are sent for the roles are carefully constructed. At this competitive time, it is even more important to build close working relationships with your consultant to make sure that help and guidance is there at every step on the application process.

Is it really over yet?

2009-08-27T17:04:00.003+01:00

Now that the traditional holiday period is coming to a close many businesses are gearing themselves up for an optimistic quarter which will hopefully be the beginning of the end of a very difficult economic year.

It is now time to review your cv and career with a fresh pair of eyes and decide what you really want out of your job and work towards it. We are by no means out of the difficult period but it is a time to put the energy back into being optimistic and start aiming high.

Businesses that have ahd to make cuts in the past are starting to recruit again and slowly the confidence in the job market will start to restore. Still there are some areas where job opportunities have not been short particularly in sales and the online industry sector.

Media sales jobs in London

2009-07-23T15:59:00.000+01:00

Media sales jobs in London can be a great way to get a foot into the world of media whether it is within a tv, cinema or radio advertising sales , directories advertising sales jobs , outdoor advertising sales, magazine publisher , online media sales job and events or conference/ exhibitions sales . Effectively it is sales of either advertising space or airtime.
The London job market is always crying out for determined and ambitious sales people who enjoy new business development and love the idea of working in the media industry.
To get a media sales job you will need to demonstrate the ability to build relationships both on the telephone and face to face. You will have to have excellent communication skills and be a very good listener.
Many media companies like to recruit graduates for media sales roles so they can train them themselves . However key skills are negotiation skills, self motivation, resilience and be able to take the knocks, and competitiveness.
Most media sales jobs in London offer a basic salary with a high percentage of revenue based on commission. With the right approach and energy and drive the earning potential can be extremely lucrative.

Working as a Secretary

2009-07-15T09:40:00.004+01:00

The role of a secretary has evolved considerably over the past 20 years , with the evolution of computers and internet. In fact whilst some companies say they do not have secretarial jobs or secretaries or PAs (usually because they say their executive staff do their own admin work) anymore, other firms place huge value on their secretarial staff appreciating that they often bring skills which are invaluable to the success of the business.

Secretary jobs and admin jobs have merged roles in smaller firms. The role of a secretary is no longer just to copy type minutes or audio notes, it also involves arranging meetings, appointments for a boss or team of Executives, or preparing reports, dealing with clients or suppliers on the phone or in writing.

Many an Executive will say that their working life depends entirely on the organisation of their PA/ secretary and a good secretary is like finding a real needle in a haystack..

Key secretarial skills include strong organisation ability, good technical skills, ability to organise and be patient under pressure, able to deal with difficult situations calmly.

Some companies have spotted the business opportunity and offer outsourced secretarial services. This is attractive for the busy executive who may be in London for a short period of time and not wish to relocate the secretarial support they receive at home; or for the Executive who does not want to burden him/herself on the costs and legal implication of employing someone.

Most people, however, choose to keep their secretary jobs in house to ensure 100% commitment from their secretary and also to enable them to build a strong bond. .

There is, however, always a need for secretaries with strong admin skills in London.
Secretarial/ PA jobs are always in demand and the key for someone looking for work is to make sure that they are always updating their skills and using their spare time to explore what new technologies or skills are used and whether ethere would be any added benefot of adding their secretarial skills to other vicational qulifications such as accounting , translating or human resources.

26 miles later

2009-07-14T18:41:00.004+01:00

What a wonderful walk in Yorkshire. Last weekend we had glorious weather and the most amazing views whilst doing the Three Peak challenge. (26 miles) . Completed in just under 12 hours. The hardest bit was the 2 and a half hour walk at the end from the top of the third peak to the Village. Here we are with our feet firmly glued to the ground.
Definitely recommended to anyone who wants a change from the daily grind and a great way to fund raise for charity.

Keep on top of your recruitment processes.

2009-06-11T14:25:00.003+01:00

An article in this weeks press stated that many London based firms are struggling to find the right candidates for their roles, despite the volume of candidates available on the market at the moment.

In response to this I would ask the following questions

Are they clear about what they are actually looking for in the first place?

Does this candidate exist and if so, are they likely to be in employment, how many of them are likely to be around and how many people are looking for similar skills?

Are they approaching the whole recruitment process from the right angle? Do they recognise that good candidates will still be picky about their next career despite a tight economy and therefore the recruitment process should be managed appropriately.

Have they thought about why they are an attractive employer as opposed to other firms?

Many firms do not put enough thought into this pre recruitment process. For example, in a tight economy, good sales skills are often highly sought after. Often a company will have to work very hard at selling themselves to attract someone who is going to add hundreds of thousands to their bottom line.

Within marketing recruitment, particular areas of growth are within the online sector with many firms choosing to do business internationally for the UK. Good candidates with online skills and international outlook are in high demand.

Some companies still struggle to fill these roles and if they are not careful will continue to do so when the market has turned completely and when the competition for good candidates will become even more fierce.

A career in Sales

2009-05-30T08:14:00.001+01:00

Working in sales is not always the career of choice and if you speak to a range of sales people you will often find out that the majority fell into a career in sales and did not spend their life always aspiring to be a sales person.
Often a career in sales starts from a temporary assignment where applicants find out that they are good at it and enjoy it and are attracted to the possibility of being able to directly influence how much they earn.
Experience in sales is viewed as invaluable for someone who is ambitious and looking for a career where the long term aim is to achieve a higher level business management role . International business schools encourage experience within sales & marketing as an invaluable lesson for the executives of the future.
Certainly if you watch The Apprentice on BBC, you will hear Alan Sugar refer constantly to the importance of sales to the success of a business. Whilst he may not expect his apprentice to have come from a classic sales background he would certainly expect them to know how to sell.
A career in sales is a good way to build confidence. Sales people are judged exclusively by their results. They are expected to have high energy levels and perform consistently at high levels and be able to deal with the challenges that work throws them positively and confidently. However if you are the kind of person that takes rejection personally then a career in sales is not for you.
On the other hand if you are successful in sales then you can be confident about your position in the company as successful sales people are often paid more than other staff members and as long as they are producing healthy revenue for the business, the last to lose their jobs in a market downturn.

Working in sales you will be able to influence thinking, have the chance to travel; sometimes internationally; and you will develop many strong personal qualities along the way including presentation skills, time management, resilience, the ability to handle a variety of situations confidently and calmly and the confidence in being able to promote yourself.

It will also give you the chance to meet hundreds of other people and if you work with a good employer, the chance to progress into management positions.

Sponsor Manuela

2009-05-07T08:49:00.002+01:00

I have taken the plunge and signed up for the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge on 11/07/2009 to raise money for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity (www.rainbowtrust.org.uk). Any support that is given would be gratefully received as I am sure I will need extra motivation to complete the challenge.
I appreciate this is not the best year for fundraising but, any donation however small or big would make a difference and would be appreciated.
For your information Rainbow Trust charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. They support over 1000 families a year.

You can sponsor me online which is easy - just go to my Justgiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/manuelaboyce1

Justgiving sends your donation straight to Rainbow Trust Children's Charity and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. I hope you'll join me in supporting Rainbow Trust Children's Charity.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Working in Market Research

2009-04-22T10:33:00.007+01:00

Working in Market Research.
The UK is one of the world’s largest employers of Market Research professionals and hosts many of the most highly regarded and prestigious Market Research Agencies. These agencies work with a broad range of organisations and help them in their business strategy.
Market research is viewed as an essential tool for businesses and public sector organsiations when gauging the views of its customers, employees and also the markets. It is an invaluable tool for business planning whether looking at growth, reduction or expansion into new markets.
In a recession many firms need to use market research to find out what their customers want as this is a time when many companies need to be sure that they are doing what they can to maintain their revenue. This may result in sticking to what they do well, changing their strategy, lowering margins or even offering other products as part of their core service
Working in market research can be extremely challenging and interesting with opportunities for a broad range of individuals with strong analytical skills as well as interpersonal skills.
Market researchers collect and analyse information on behalf of organisations such as businesses, governments and charities. They analyse consumer opinions and collect data from a variety of sources to enable organisations to make informed decisions.
Market Research professionals often specialise in one sector, such as social or consumer research. They plan and implement research projects, and assess the results. They may also work with organisations, advising how to make best use of the information provided and are used often to shed light on trends in behaviour.
Examples of research include: who and why do people buy certain products, why certain products or events are more popular than others, what is the public opinion on government popularity , which media will be best placed to advertise certain products…
There are two specific types of market research :
Quantitative research which focuses on gathering and analysing information using techniques such as questionnaires and electronic data collection.
Qualitative research which focuses on people's attitudes and motivation, using methods such as focus groups and in-depth interviews.
Some MR roles use skills in both quantitative and qualitative research, however generally these are split and people tend to specialise in one or the other.
Market Research positions can be based within an agency or “client side” meaning employed within a specific organisation’s marketing department.
Where to get skills in market research
Market research can be studied at university as part of psychology, sociology, business management, geography, human sciences and as a module within a Marketing diploma. There are also specialist bodies like the MRS (Market Research Society) which offer courses to individuals looking to enhance their research expertise.
What are the typical job responsibilities?
 Developing relationships with clients including pitching projects ;
 meeting with clients to negotiate and agree research projects;
 researching a specific subject ;
 preparing briefs and commissioning research;
 formulating a research plan/proposal and presenting it to the client or senior management;
 writing and managing the surveys and questionnaires;
 briefing interviewers and researchers ;
 liaising with and managing survey staff including telemarketing professionals ;
 moderating focus groups;
 undertaking ethnographic research (observing people in their homes and other environments);
 conducting qualitative or quantitative surveys, which may involve field, interview or focus group assessments;
 using statistical software to manage and organise information;
 monitoring the progress of research projects;
 analysing and interpreting data to identify patterns and solutions, including surveys and focus group transcripts;
 writing detailed reports and presenting results to the clients;
 advising clients/senior management on how to best use research findings;
 managing budgets;
 working closely with colleagues on research projects;

Teamwork is key when working within market research. It is also essential to have strong analytical skills as there will always be a need for analysis of data even if the role is within Business Development. Research can be done online, face to face and through written questionnaires.
Working in market research also offers good career progression opportunities with many Market research agencies able to offer clear development plans as well as the opportunity for training and mentoring opportunities. In addition company benefits can be excellent with good holiday entitlements and flexible packages at all.

Happy Birthday!

2009-03-31T11:55:00.003+01:00

This week we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Boyce Recruitment.

For those of you that did not know Boyce Bilingual was set up in 1984 by Tony Boyce, a recruitment entrepreneur and business man who had set up and run a successful legal recruitment agency.

Operating from offices based in St Pauls, Boyce Bilingual provided linguists with secretarial skills primarily to international banks, law firms and media companies. Located in prestigious offices, with the latest single non electronic typewriter, audio machines and paper records of candidate and company details, Boyce Bilingual seemed well equipped at that time, to launch its services.

In 1994, celebrating its 10th anniversary, Boyce Bilingual was re-branded and re-launched to Boyce Recruitment. Our name was changed to reflect what we did best- Recruitment. To this day, we still work with many of the same international organisations however languages are considered a skill, like any other and are not always a prerequisite.

The use of languages in the workplace has changed dramatically since 1984. Many businesses operate globally and are able to do so confidently with the evolution of new technologies. Language graduates are now being offered a broader range of jobs with languages in every sector of business.

Technology has also evolved from working with a single typewriter in the 1980s to the use of mobile and web technologies. Job applications are now made online more than offline and nowadays it is rare not to be an owner of a mobile phone.

Legislation has also evolved with new acts including the EU working time directive, age discrimination laws, an extension of maternity rights and paternity rights and an increase in holiday entitlement as well as introduction of holiday pay for temp workers.

London has always been an international hub for business and this has been enhanced by the increase in number of EU member countries and opportunities for foreign nationals to work in the UK. In addition, the number of jobs with languages that were rarely heard of including Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian and Bulgarian are now commonplace.

The range of business that we work with has broadened and includes companies within the media and marketing sector, charities, NGOs, financial institutions, professional services firms and the roles we work on are much more diverse that yesteryear, including an expanding number of online job opportunities.

Tomorrow we will be toasting a new chapter in recruitment and look forward to what the future holds. With the approach of the 2012 Olympics and ever advancing technologies who knows what the picture of recruitment will be in 25 years time.

We would like to extend thanks to the many loyal candidates and customers who have worked with us over the last 25 years.