holiday

Guide to Annual Holiday Entitlement.

Annual leave entitlements should be agreed when an employee starts work, details of holidays and holiday pay should be found in the employee’s written statement or contract of employment.

key points
• Most workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year (this is known as statutory entitlement).
• Part time worker are entitled to the same amount of holiday (pro rota) as full time colleagues.
• Employers can set the times when workers can take their leave – for example a Christmas shut down.
• If employment ends workers have the right to be paid for any leave due but not taken.
• There is no legal right to paid public holidays.

Once an employee starts work details of holidays and holiday pay entitlement should be found in the employee’s written contract, where there is one, or a written statement of employment particulars given to employees by their employer.
Note: The written statement is required by law and must be given to employees by the employer no later than two months after the start of employment.

Additional annual leave may be agreed as part of a worker’s contract. A week of leave should allow workers to be away from work for a week – i.e. it should be the same amount of time as the working week. If a worker does a five-day week, he or she is entitled to 28 days leave. However, for a worker who works 6 days a week the statutory entitlement is capped at 28 days. If they work a three-day week, the entitlement is 16.8 days leave. Employers can set the times that workers take their leave, for example for a Christmas shut down. If a worker’s employment ends, they have a right to be paid for the leave due and not taken.

Public holidays
There is no legal right to paid leave for public holidays; any right to paid time off for these holidays depends on the terms of a worker’s contract. Paid public holidays can be counted as part of the statutory 5.6 weeks of holiday.

Carrying leave over from one leave year to the next
Workers must take at least four weeks statutory leave, they may be able to carry over the remaining leave if their employer agrees. Workers do not have an automatic right to carry leave over to the next holiday year.

This information was supplied by Acas

appBeing the proactive, finger-on-the-pulse Recruitment Consultants that we are, we’re very happy to announce the birth of our new baby: the Financial Staffing Solutions Recruitment App!

This App can be downloaded onto your iPhone, Tablet or Android phone. It’s packed with our latest jobs which you can apply for via the App. Latest market news and salary surveys and our must read blog. All of which you will be able to access anywhere you have an internet connection on your device.

You can download the App free of charge using the links or QR code below.

Android App on Google Play Android App on Google Play App QR Code

The App is completely free, download it and you can start look for new career opportunities.

The Financial Staffing Solutions app makes it easier for you to find your next accountancy or finance position. Developed especially for mobile or tablet platforms our “job push” function allows you to apply to a vacancy as soon as it goes live.

Financial Staffing Solutions is a leading finance & accountancy recruitment agency covering positions throughout London and the South East.

Our app will forward our latest jobs, give you the opportunity to upload your CV, track your application and get advice via our blog, tips and salary surveys all by the tap of a finger.

Specialising in Accountancy and Finance roles ranging from bookkeepers to qualified Finance Directors, we take pride in treating each applicant as an individual. Supporting the talented and ambitious with introductions to the very best career opportunities, as well as providing guidance and support throughout the selection process.

Offering unique job opportunities and providing advice, ranging from CV presentation to interview techniques, our approach ensures you have the best team behind you to help make that important career move.

We are always pleased to hear from people who looking for a new career opportunity.

 

 

We’re delighted to welcome Darren Hymos to our head office team!

Darren joins us with a strong financial background – 28 years’ experience, mainly in corporate roles including both sales and management.  So he’s perfectly placed to understand your financial recruitment needs.

Financial Staffing Solutions | recruitment | accountancy recruitment | interviewKeen to be part of Financial Staffing Solutions’ growth, Darren has quickly recognised that our main strength is our people.  Aside from our dedicated recruitment team, we’re proud of the strong calibre of our applicants.  Darren’s looking forward to helping this talented workforce enhance their careers in the financial field.  He’ll also be working closely with clients to ensure a complete understanding of the businesses we recruit into and the vacancies we secure.

Within a broad range of relevant qualifications, Darren holds various chartered business and finance diplomas from his corporate days.  He’s highly skilled at helping businesses to reach their potential, and this is an area of his expertise that he’ll transfer to helping jobseekers achieve their dream roles.

Outside of office hours, Darren enjoys playing football, golf, squash and boxing – with several shiny trophies to boast about!  He’s also a talented musician, gaining singing and trumpet awards from the Royal Academy of Music.  And to top it off, he enjoys cooking!  But don’t expect a three course meal when you call in for your interview – although you can expect to see a jar of jelly sweets on his desk if you visit our Chigwell office – he can’t resist them!

Darren’s a fantastic financial mind, a brilliant advisor and an exceptional father.  What more could we ask of our new recruitment consultant?!

Financial Staffing Solutions | recruitment | accountancy recruitment | interviewWe’ve looked in depth at a couple of key interview questions: why should we hire you? and what can you do for us that other candidates can’t? The third question you must be prepared for relates to how well the interviewer feels you’ll fit into the team, company and overall culture of the organisation.  So, what are your key strengths? This question explores your personality.  Each company has its own culture, leading to a style of working and staff behaviour.  It’s like the proverbial jigsaw – this is the part of the interview where you can show you’re a perfect fit. Having done your homework, you’ll hopefully have gained at least a little knowledge about the company’s culture.  So thinking about your own personality, you can plan your answers in line with your interviewer’s expectations.  The following are typical examples of questions you can prepare for in advance.

  • How would you describe yourself?
    Show your passion for your work.  Describe yourself from a business perspective so the interviewer can feed off your enthusiasm. Focusing on your employment skills gives you the chance to show off the traits they’re looking for without taking it to a personal level.
  • How would your colleagues describe you?
    This is especially good if you’re shy about blowing your own trumpet. You can raise the key points of honesty, efficiency and a hard working ethic without feeling embarrassed.
  • Why do you think you’ll fit into our company?
    Having researched the firm, apply your strong personal skills to what you’ve learned about them.

Remember throughout that you need to build rapport with your interviewer. Demonstrating your enthusiasm for your work and the company will create a memorable bond that can score you interview points.  Give tangible examples of your knowledge and/or experience, show that you’re genuinely interested in working there, and – very importantly – smile! We’re always happy to offer advice on interview skills – call us before the big day on 020 8532 2644

Financial Staffing Solutions | recruitment | accountancy recruitment | interviewLast time, we looked at the first of three important interview questions.  This week focuses on the second:  “What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?”

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer how enthusiastic you are!  Show them that you love the sound of the job, you’re interested in the company and you can’t wait to work there!  Any potential employer wants to see how excited you are about the prospect of joining their firm.  So give them what they want to see!!

The truth is, other candidates probably have similar financial skills and accounting experience to you – so you need to really set yourself apart.  And a great way to do that is to gather as much knowledge about the firm as you possibly can.

Do your homework before the interview so that you’re really clued up.  Then you can confidently demonstrate that you’ve researched the company – and the relevant department, if possible.  Show an understanding of its strategy, structure, history and how it’s currently performing.  Tell them how much you love their products or can relate to the services they offer.

Other candidates might not have bothered to prepare themselves well, so you can shine using your knowledge of what the company offers.  And when asked what you can do that others can’t, you’ll be able to relate your financial skills and experience to the insightful company knowledge you’ve already gained.

Enthusiasm is contagious!  If you can speak about the company with authority as well as showing that you really can’t wait to join, your passion will certainly impress them.

If you’re not sure how to relate your skills and experience to a new position, ask us about interview prep advice…  Email info@staffingsolutions.co.uk.

Financial Staffing Solutions | recruitment | accountancy recruitment | interview

There are three key things an interviewer wants to establish. If you can master your answers to these questions, you’re half way to landing the job!

1. Why should we hire you?
This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have the skills, expertise and experience to perform the job.

2. What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
Show your enthusiasm for the job and your interest in working for that particular company.

3. What are your key strengths and weaknesses?
Let the interviewer see how well you would fit into the team, culture and company.

This blog focuses on the first question – why the company should hire YOU rather than someone else!

When asked why the company should hire you, you must show them that you have the skills, expertise and experience to carry out the job you’ve applied for.

Think about how your experience and skills (including transferable skills) tie in with the job description.  Start with any specific or technical skills that the role requires and give examples of how you have tackled similar tasks.  This is your chance to let them see that you CAN do this job – and do it well.

If you don’t have relevant experience but can demonstrate that you’ve done something similar and you’re competent to learn quickly, that’s fine too.  This is your chance to explain why you can do the job as well as – or better than – the next candidate.

Next, consider the general skills that make a good team player, such as communicating well, being competent on the computer and so on.   Focusing about these points that everyone can relate to will stop you from getting sidetracked into talking about things that are not relevant.

Relate back to these key skills and your own experience when answering questions about yourself.  These examples will help to get you started…

  • Tell me about yourself?
    Tell them why you enjoy this kind of work.
    “I’m passionate about…”  “I’ve always loved working with….”
  • What are your greatest strengths / weaknesses?
    Focusing on your work experience is less daunting than simply discussing your personal strengths.
    “I successfully completed project X because I’m tenacious, motivated and work to deadline.”
  • What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
    Don’t be shy!  This is your chance to shine.
    “In my last role, I implemented new systems that have proven beneficial to the whole team…”
  • Why do you think you are right for this job?
    Why do you??  Make sure you have an answer prepared.
    “I have the expertise you need to hit the ground running…” “My experience has proven I can do this job well, and I’m quick to learn new systems…”
  • What do you think the main challenges will be?
    All jobs come with challenges; don’t be blasé, but end on a positive note.
    “Adapting to your systems, but I’m sure I’ll pick things up quickly…”

Next blog: what can you do for us that other candidates can’t?

new

Local job, city salary

You may already know that we’re recruiting a consultant to join our successful team in Chigwell.  In fact, we’re seeking TWO more people to come on board and give their careers a rocket launch.

Why Chigwell?  Being on the edge of the hustle and bustle means we have more quality time to interview candidates and build relationships with our vast client base.  Our lovely offices are well located right by the central line, with fast and easy access into town.  So one day we might be taking a leisurely drive through beautiful countryside to visit clients in the heart of Essex, and the next we’re whizzing up to Liverpool Street to provide our first class service to our clients there. Just 30 minutes door-to-door gives us valuable time to review CVs and match them to job specs.

A good deal of our clients are in docklands, the city and dotted around the west end, so we enjoy the dynamism of the capital when we visit, without the stress of the regular rush hour commute.  Doesn’t that sound great?

So if you’re an experienced recruitment consultant ready to take a step up, earn a city salary from the lovely suburbs and bring a new level of excellence to the business, call us today!

We’re offering…

  • An excellent package, with a competitive starting salary and benefits
  • Uncapped commission
  • Ongoing training and career development
  • The opportunity to run your own team
  • Share option plan

Please send your CV to Paul Gladstone at paul@staffingsolutions.co.uk, or call 020 8532 2644 to find out more.

 

hiring

As our success at placing staff in financial positions has increased, so must our happy team!

So we’re pleased to announce that we’re now recruiting for a senior consultant to join us in Chigwell – right opposite the central line tube station.

Ok, time to blow our own trumpets…!!  As a specialist financial recruitment consultancy, we’re proud of our impressive array of clients – commercial, public practice, legal and insolvency. We provide them with a service that’s nothing less than excellent – and the same goes for our candidates. Registering with us means exposure to the top jobs in the best firms, plus the help jobseekers may need to succeed: interview practice, CV writing, professional appearance and so on.

The person who joins us will be fantastic at building business relationships, great at negotiating and determined to succeed.  Is it you?

This is what we’re offering…

  • An excellent package, with a competitive starting salary and benefits
  • Uncapped commission
  • Ongoing training and career development
  • The opportunity to run your own team
  • Share option plan

Fancy it?  Well, if you’re currently working in recruitment and ready to climb the career ladder, we’d love to chat to you.  Our established brand and access to our extensive client and candidate database are just waiting for a super-smart, experienced person, ready to jump on board and watch their career soar. Is that you?

If you have a history of success within the industry, particularly with experience in accountancy or IT, call us today! If you’re still reading, we hope it’s you!  (And if it’s not you, but you know someone who might be interested, feel free to share.)

Please send your CV to Paul Gladstone at paul@staffingsolutions.co.uk, or call 020 8532 2644 to find out more.

 

 

Ten top tips for your LinkedIn profile 

At some point during your interview process, it’s likely that your prospective employer will peek at your social media profile.  After all, the way we present ourselves online gives a more realistic picture than a simple CV.  LinkedIn is the number one site for professional people – make sure you’re on it, and showing yourself at your very best.

1.      Create your profile giving as much relevant information as possible. Your summary needs to show what you can do that will benefit your next employer.

2.      Focus on an outline of your skills and avoid the mistake of describing your present firm rather than yourself.  This is about you, not them.  State clearly what your role entails but keep it concise.

3.      If you’re looking to move up the career ladder, give examples that show you’ve achieved beyond your current level.

4.      Include a photo where you’re smiling!

5.      The experience section allows you to expand on your summary information to detail what you’ve covered in your current and previous jobs.  Use lists to keep it concise and focused.

6.      Ask colleagues and clients to provide recommendations to support your profile; these are far more valuable than endorsements, which are meaningless to prospective employers.

7.      As with your CV, you must account for any gaps in your employment history.

8.      Ensure your education section is fully completed and include any business awards and accolades you’ve collected along the way – it’s surprising how many people fail to mention them.

9.      Be selective about what you post – this isn’t Facebook and statuses should be professional at all times.

10.  Remember, your goal is to set yourself apart from everyone else and show that you’ve got an edge.

Your LinkedIn profile should reflect a superb CV.  If you need a little extra help to sharpen them up, call us for advice on 020 8532 2644 and don’t forget to connect with us on Linkedin.

 

tips

We’ve had some excellent feedback from our recent blog giving you advice on body language during your interview.  So, we thought we’d follow this up with these hilarious job interview tips by a super-funny man named Michael Spicer, which he originally posted on his own blog and we shared from www.accountingbites.com.

  • Bring a box to the interview, point at it and say “I do all my thinking outside of that.” Then open some champagne.
  • When asked if you want anything to drink, say “Just a glass of job please!” Then laugh for 15 minutes. No less.
  • When shown to the interview room, walk further up the corridor & say “I always go the extra mile!” Then click your heels.
  • Show you give 110% by pouring 10% too much water into your glass. Smile knowingly.
  • Wear a sock puppet on one hand, make it whisper in your ear and say “What’s that, Mr Wuzzles? I seem ideal for the job?”
  • Loosen your tie as you enter & say “Phew! Is it me or did it get 100% more dynamic in here?” Then reverse high five them.
  • Tell them you won’t need a lunch hour because you’re powered by results. Then make a powerboat noise for about 8 minutes.
  • Dress as an American footballer to show you’re a team player. And have ‘Sustained Growth’ written on your football.
  • Show you’re a fast learner by wearing an L plate round your neck & a Usain Bolt face-mask. Don’t speak. They’ll get it.
  • When asked if YOU have a question, reply “Where do you see YOURSELF in 5 years’ time, nosey?” Laugh. Pass around some mints.
  • When asked where you see yourself in 5 years, say “owner of a B&B for cats” and tap your nose like you know the market.
  • Give your interviewer a hollow pork pie. Then lean back and say “That’s your company – I’m your pork.”
  • Get a friend to call you during the interview and say “I can’t talk now, I’m on a date. With destiny!” then wink at them.
  • Guarantee a second interview by wearing clown shoes at the first interview and not mentioning it until the second interview.
  • Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview. If you’re not sure what it is, call them “Jobsy” or “Jobbo”.
  • Tattoo your limitations down one arm. Interviewers admire honesty.
  • As you walk to the interview room with the interviewer, try to make small talk such as “You look like my real father.”

Brilliant – advice, although not for when you’re at an interview arranged by Financial Staffing Solutions…

We do love this, but for some real advice on performing a knockout interview, call us on 020 8532 2644.

 


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