Considering all benefits on offer and not just the basic salary is crucial when evaluating a job offer because it allows you to make a more comprehensive assessment of the overall compensation package and the value that the job brings to your life. Here are several reasons why you should take into account all the benefits: Total Compensation: Many benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, stock options, bonuses, and allowances, contribute significantly to your total compensation. These can sometimes outweigh the basic salary and provide financial security and stability. Financial ..read more

Since I entered the legal profession 14 years ago, there have been many positive changes in recruitment processes with a view to improve equity and social mobility in the workplace. In the current market, firms are actively using data to learn new ways to level the playing field and asking recruiters to remove information from CVs that might trigger unconscious bias. Although steps are being taken, there is plenty of work to be done to in all areas of society. Social Mobility Awareness Day is an important initiative that aims to raise awareness about social mobility and promote equity for all ..read more

This International Women’s Day we interviewed Hazel Madden, Consultant on her biggest challenges, attracting more females into recruitment and what she is grateful for. What are you grateful for? I am forever grateful for my children, family and good health. I am also grateful for my friends: I am not sure if it is by luck or design but all my friends are strong, professional, hilarious women and we rely on each other for support, humour, honest feedback with zero judgement. What have been your biggest challenges in your career to date? My biggest career challenge to date has definitely been b ..read more

A good job interview gives confidence to both employer and employee that the candidate is a good fit for the job. The employer will feel confident that they have identified an individual with a good mix of skills, experience and personality to deliver against the role; while the prospective candidate should feel confident that they understand what will be expected of them, the key challenges they are likely to face and how success will be measured. A thorough examination will give the candidate confidence that the employer is satisfied that they capable reducing the likelihood of impostor synd ..read more

The insurance sector is currently as hot as I can remember with salaries spiralling as companies compete to try to replace staff they have lost and fill new roles. So, if you think you are underpaid, what is the best approach to get the pay rise you believe you deserve? Do your research Given how much salaries and benefits have changed over the last nine months it is often worth getting an expert view on what you can realistically expect to earn given your experience, skills and track record. In much the same way as you would look at rightmove and get valuations from a couple of estate agents ..read more

This is the second part of our list of favourite questions from interviewers and candidates. If you missed the first part you will find it here Ten other great questions interviewers have asked 1. What is your greatest achievement? The interviewer is giving you a chance to show the best of yourself. Try to use an achievement that shows how your skills and experience dovetail with the role you are being offered. The strongest answers will also show that you understand how employers judge and quantify success. 2. Tell me about your current job? And what you have achieved in it? The employer is l ..read more

Peter Oakes is a partner and counter fraud specialist at Crawford Legal Service with more than 30 years’ experience in private practice. He has worked with specialist legal recruitment consultancy Anakin Seal for more than 20 years. In this short profile Peter (PO) shares his advice for building a successful career and his insights into how the legal sector may evolve in the years to come with Katie Hawcroft (KH), a non-practicing solicitor who works in recruitment at Anakin Seal. (KH) Peter thank you for making the time to chat with us – I know how busy you are building the counter-fraud team ..read more

Across the Insurance industry candidate shortages are driving up salaries and creating a game of musical chairs as employers look to fill new roles and replace staff. Not only is the ensuing recruitment both time consuming and costly, but the disruption to operations as new staff get up to speed often slows down progress. While some staff turnover is inevitable, even desirable, no company wants to lose their best people and implementing a strategy that focuses specifically on identifying and retaining your top talent is a great way to minimise disruption and make best use of your budget. The d ..read more

Unsurprisingly, few companies have found the post pandemic return to offices seamless. While it would have been lovely to put everybody back behind desks and pick up where we left off that has rarely been realistic. The last twenty months have changed many of us as individuals and especially our relationship with work. People are feeling burned out, have had their egos bruised, are feeling professionally isolated, have settled into a new work-life balance etc. Trying to re-establish a cohesive team is far from straight forward. Understanding individual experiences of the pandemic As the market ..read more

While candidates may appear of similar calibre on paper, once at interview gulfs often appear between them. Frequently this doesn’t reflect their ability to do the job but simply how well they play the interview game. Some candidates lack confidence, others can be over-confident, while a number don’t prepare properly or feel uncomfortable in the interview environment. One of the jobs of a good recruiter is to help you give the best account of yourself so here are some pointers to get you started and if you want some interview practice, please ask us. Preparation is key Both face to face and on ..read more