Horror Movie Mantra’s: How to Avoid a Revolting Recruitment Experience

In 1996, Wes Craven brought us the satirical slasher ‘Scream,’ educating audiences on how to survive a horror movie. Keeping in the spirit of Halloween, Westray Recruitment Consultants will guide you through the equally scary world of recruitment…

Teamwork – never go it alone

We’ve all had that moment of screaming at the TV, when the pretty protagonist decides to go it alone in the creepy woods, or even worse, the basement! Whilst it can be empowering to stand alone, never underestimate the strength of a team. The importance of a positive working environment is becoming omnipresent, with market leaders around the globe investing time and resource to ensure the most productive team set-up.

With 67% of job seekers stating that they prioritise workplace diversity when looking into prospective employers, it is certainly something which clients and candidates alike need to keep in mind. Even more frightening, a recent Salesforce survey found that out of more than 1400 participants, 86% believed that lack of team collaboration was responsible for workplace failures.

With Glassdoor and Google Reviews readily available to prospective employees, businesses are having to be more aware of their market reputation. When researching a new job opportunity, it is vitally important to complete full due diligence; ensure that you make complete use of public resources such as Companies House.

Make sure it is really dead…

The cliché return of the monster at the end of a horror movie is a plot which never grows old, helping Directors keep the door open for potential sequels. It also allows for that ‘told you so’ moment from the audience, the sense of pride we all have when we guessed the twist at the end of the film. However, this rule is not only pertinent in the world of horror, when seeking a new career opportunity always ensure that your current role is completely ‘dead’.

With a rising number of professionals seeking continued development and progression within their career, the recruitment market is booming! Whilst this is fantastic for us recruiters, we also see the downside of candidates who ‘jumped ship’ a little too early and live to regret it. Before moving on from a business, ensure that all internal possibilities have been exhausted.

If you start to suffer from ‘itchy feet,’ speak to your Line Manager, you never know what opportunities could be opened up! Not only does this allow for a more transparent working relationship, it also prevents the infamous ‘job hopping’ curse – something which can put a black mark on any CV.

Never say “I’ll be right back”

Made famous as one of the original ‘Scream’ franchise rules, this statement has proven to be the most legit in the world of horror. The infamous line, which when spoken in any modern slasher is followed by a gruesome mix of blood and gore. Whilst the effect of this is not as ‘messy’ in recruitment, it can prove to be just as terrifying – especially when it comes to counter offers. Counter offers are becoming much more of a regular occurrence, with companies desperate to hold on to top talent.

Working in recruitment, the counter offer is our number one nemesis, rearing its ugly head right at the end of the onboarding process. The often-quoted statistic that 80% of employees who accept a counter offer will leave the business in six months, is ever more prevalent. There can be numerous factors for this, namely the lack of trust and soured working relationships which can occur once an employee’s notice has been handed in.

Counter offers will almost always include a significant financial increase. At the time this can seem a great temptation, but keep in mind it could also kill the opportunity for future pay rises or promotions. If the big boss feels as though you are a ‘flight risk’, they may resist putting any further investment into your career. All-in-all, counter offers act as a temporary plaster, when the real injuries just continue to develop underneath.

There is no ideal answer to creating the perfect career, but it can be a lot less scary the more information you have! Happy Halloween!