Kirsty Summers’ Post

Yesterday I attended the The Scotch Whisky Association's Spirited Careers conference, organised by dream team Kirsty Summers and Liza Vas, expertly chaired by Heather Pritchard, with Wendy Ellen MCIPD and Mark McKeown helping shape the content. What a brilliant event! Here are some of my key takeaways: 💡 *Recruitment Beyond Testing*: Recruitment should not be about testing candidates. Instead, focus on putting candidates at ease. When they feel comfortable, candidates are more likely to showcase their abilities. 💡 *Skills-Driven Job Adverts*: It sounds obvious, but when advertising a new role it’s essential to really think about the skills needed for the job. Emphasising the “nice to haves” risks discouraging potentially excellent candidates. 💡 *Challenging the “Good Fit” Paradigm*: Seeking a “good fit” for a team can inadvertently perpetuate bias. Combat this by training your staff on unconscious bias and ensuring diverse panels participate in recruitment decisions. 💡 *Neurodiversity*: Neurodivergent employees make up a significant proportion of the UK workforce, yet less than 25% of managers have received training to help manage them. Thanks to Nelly Whaley for your insights and check out the Mindroom for resources on how to create inclusive and supportive work environments for neurodivergent individuals. 💡 *AI in Application Writing*: Lots of debate around AI-generated cover letters and CVs. One interesting view was that it can help level the playing field. Candidates have used family and other industry connections for years by asking for help with applications; why shouldn’t everyone benefit from support? After all, AI is just one step in the process; it won’t secure the job. If you’re thinking about a career change in the #scotchwhisky industry 🥃, head to #spiritedcareers to see the latest vacancies …👇 https://lnkd.in/ehpN5xe9

Recruitment processes can be gruelling, so I’m a firm believer in celebrating success whenever possible. I like to take candidates to lunch or a drink, after a successful offer has been accepted. I really enjoy doing this for a couple of reasons - 1. It’s a great way to celebrate their success having secured a great career opportunity 2. We are in the people business, and I enjoy getting to know my candidates well 3. I love food and the social aspect of recruitment! I think that recruitment is a people business, so getting to know people, and building proper relationships is not only vital, but it’s what makes it interesting and worthwhile. It’s a good feeling to hear how excited my candidate is about the move, and what it means for them career wise and personally. PS Does anyone recognise this restaurant? The seafood linguine was excellent, and decor inside is pretty swish 👌🏾 #recruitment #cfo #financebusinesspartner #privateequity

Be sure to Follow @Kinsa Group for more #foodindustry #career and #hiringtips! This week our blog is focused on how positive energy can be a game-changer in your pursuit of a dream job in the #foodandbeverage industry. 

📢⭐️NEW PINT-SIZED PD BLOG | Baristas May Be The Best Employees In The Business 🖱 https://lnkd.in/gUgKFfDe Discover how the soft skills developed behind the coffee counter make baristas potentially exceptional hires for businesses and organisations. In an evolving job market where academic qualifications are no longer the sole indicator of professional success, baristas may actually be the best potential hires due to their exceptional soft skills. Beyond making coffee, they excel in communication, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. These skills, often overlooked, are crucial in any professional setting. From handling multiple orders to creating a welcoming environment, baristas master abilities that are highly valuable in the workplace. Consider how the skills learned behind the coffee counter can transform good employees into great ones, making baristas an unexpected but perfect fit for many roles. #notjustateacher #education #employment #emotionalinteligence #business #baristia

How sitting at the bar in a restaurant can maximize your career. 👇🏾 During a coaching session, I advised my client to go to the types of places that high-paying professionals visited. This could be upscale hotels, restaurant bars, or venues where meetings/conferences are held. He's in ATL so no shortage of places to go. My husband bartends at a friend's restaurant as needed. Sometimes, I go with him and sit at the bar to watch him work his magic. I’ve gotten business from my short convos with strangers. A few days ago, my client went to a well-known bar in his area and sat next to 2 gentlemen. They had small talk about where they were traveling from, the sports team they supported, and what they did for work. My client mentioned he was between jobs but explained his position target and the types of problems he enjoyed solving. Upon hearing this, one of the gentlemen asked for my client's resume since his company was adding a new business unit. We'd just finalized his new resume and discussed his value-added career stories, so it was ON. Email sent. They continued chatting and he's already gotten a call from HR about an interview on Monday. He did some quick research on the company to verify that the new contacts and the company were legit. Networking is THAT easy. You just have to get comfortable inserting yourself into spaces that A players in your industry visit. I prefer places where their guard is down and they're in the mood for good conversations. If no one talks to me, at least I've had a good cocktail and food. DM me if you're ready to invest in a new resume and career marketing strategy that positions you for higher-paying opportunities with the skills you already have. #NetworkingTips #ResumeTips #WriteStepResumes

📢⭐️NEW PINT-SIZED PD BLOG | Baristas May Be The Best Employees In The Business 🖱 https://lnkd.in/gNCs4Xw3 Discover how the soft skills developed behind the coffee counter make baristas potentially exceptional hires for businesses and organisations. In an evolving job market where academic qualifications are no longer the sole indicator of professional success, baristas may actually be the best potential hires due to their exceptional soft skills. Beyond making coffee, they excel in communication, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. These skills, often overlooked, are crucial in any professional setting. From handling multiple orders to creating a welcoming environment, baristas master abilities that are highly valuable in the workplace. Consider how the skills learned behind the coffee counter can transform good employees into great ones, making baristas an unexpected but perfect fit for many roles. #notjustateacher #education #employment #emotionalinteligence #business #baristia

We love a catchy title! The Shelf Life of Bananas & Candidates with Jennifer Leake. In today's competitive market, top talent is constantly on the move, sought after by numerous companies eager to snap them up. They're like bananas on the shelf - enticing, valuable, but fleeting. That's why it's crucial to act fast and seize the opportunity to recruit them before they're off the market. This interactive workshop will focus on ways to shorten the hiring process with more qualified candidates, so you don't get ghosted, rejected, or lose a good candidate. It offers guidelines and strategies for improving your interview process to prevent missed opportunities when your top talent accepts another job offer. Find out more and register for #PASHRM Annual Conference at: https://lnkd.in/d5caNwAW The speaker lineup is subject to change, so be sure to check back to the main conference page for the most up-to-date schedule. You won't want to miss out on any of the inspiring sessions and valuable insights from our incredible speakers! For the latest updates, visit: 2024 PA SHRM State Conference at https://lnkd.in/eqVXvnwv

As International Whiskey Day unfolds, we know that sometimes the best intentions can lead to unexpected challenges – especially when it comes to finding the right talent for your team. If you've found yourself sipping one too many whiskeys while attempting to solve your recruitment puzzle, it might be time to pass the torch to the experts. CRE & Co Recruitment offers invaluable insight and expertise to help you navigate the hiring process with ease. Let go of the recruitment-related headaches and enjoy a smoother journey towards finding the perfect candidate. We understand that no two recruitment challenges are alike. Whether you're struggling to fill a critical role or expand your team, we'll craft a customised solution tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Just as whiskey enthusiasts appreciate a diverse selection of spirits, we tap into a vast network of talent pools to ensure you have access to the best and brightest candidates, no matter where they may be. Don't let another sip of frustration cloud your vision – let us bring clarity and expertise to your recruitment process. Here's to International Whiskey Day and the opportunity to find your next star performer without the headache! #CRECoRecruitment #CultureRespectExcellence

"Tell me Richard, what really annoys you about job hunting right now?" - well - I'm glad you asked. Here's one big thing: terrible click-bait advice. You'll probably have seen it in the form of "this hiring manager won't hire anyone who doesn't do this", or "this candidate has never been turned down for a job when they said this thing". Well - it's nonsense, and if I was turned down for a job for not taking the coffee cup back to the kitchen to wash it post-interview (honestly, as if) I'd be glad that I'd not got that job. No serious person would fail to hire someone who did everything else right but wash a cup. Also, the next time I interview in our place, if someone makes it their mission to go into our kitchen and wash up I'd probably be concerned they spent too much time getting bad advice from social media, so Red Flag from me. There's no "one simple trick" in an interview, it's a complicated social interaction, so just do your research on the company, be yourself, remember to be confident but not brash, and aim to build a rapport with the interviewer. That's 90% right there. Anyone else had terrible interviewing advice? Or lost out on a job for insane reasons? #JobHunting #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #Interviewing #Recruitment #HRInsights #JobTips #CareerDevelopment #LinkedInDiscussion https://lnkd.in/eKEu9ixQ

Celebrate International Coffee Day ☕️ Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just love your morning brew, today is the perfect excuse to mix things up. Support independent coffee shops and enjoy a unique cup while helping local baristas.. Recruiting is a like brewing the perfect cup of coffee ☕: Sourcing: First, you need to find the right beans..! Some candidates are like an espresso: Strong, bold, and straight to the point—perfect for high-pressure roles. Others are more of a decaf: Seems promising on paper but doesn't quite give you the buzz you were expecting. (Great for low-energy environments, though!) Screening: Grind those beans just right—too fine, and you'll miss the good stuff; too coarse, and it gets messy! Interviewing: The brewing process—some drip, some pour-over, but everyone's trying to impress with their flavour. Hiring: Finally, you find that perfect blend, and voilà! You've made a hire... I mean, a latte! 🏆 Recruitment is a flavourful journey with new opportunities brewing all the time. How are you enjoying your coffee today? Let me know in the comments, and check out our latest job opportunities at FS1 Recruitment: 01908 870223 or faye@fs1recruitment.com. #InternationalCoffeeDay #SupportLocal #CoffeeLovers #RecruitmentJoys 🌟