I thought for this week I would perhaps put forward some advise for recruiting new team members.   I have had a number of calls recently from employers who have recruited, but ended up with the wrong person.

Here are some suggestions on how to increase your chances of recruiting the right person.

Have an accurate idea of who you are looking for and what you expect them to do.  Write your list down to act as a base for your job description.

• Job Title.  Look for a job title that accurately reflects the bulk of the duties involved.
• Job Description.  This should include the Job Title, the person they will report to, the locaton, a summary of the general duties and objectives.
• Specific requirements.  This should include a list of skills that are essential and a separate list of those which are desirable.  Write as if you are speaking and explaining to an individual, this will draw the candidates in.  Be clear about the level of qualification and experience you require.  This will discourage those who are currently applying for absolutely every job they see.
• Managers.  If you are looking for a Manager, clearing identify the level of responsibility they will be expected to carry.  Remember you are looking for someone who can demonstrate leadership and strategy to move your company forward.
• Directors.  When looking to appoint new Senior Executives and Directors, you are looking for someone who can demonstrate a real passion for your company and business and who has taken the time to research your company and already has some ideas to put forward.
• Clearly indicate what you are offering the candidate in return for their skills and experience, any vehicles, bonuses, Private Medical Insurance etc.  Salaries can always be negotiate once you have found the right person for you. 

Choose the right place for your advertisement, the internet is much faster and now used as the first choice by the majority of the 20 – 35 age group, and now the over 35 age group are also logging on and surfing the net for their new jobs.

www.land-force.com can offer a targeted site for any job in the land-based sector as set out by Lantra.  Categories include:  Agriculture, Horitculture, Landscaping, Animal Care including Veterinary Nurses, Forestry, Aquaculture, Sales/Admin, Grounds Maintenance/Amenities Fencing, Agricultural Engineering, Senior Appointments and Bio Energy.

We are happy to answer any questions related to Recruitment, so call on 0870 770 1107 if your get stuck.

I managed to catch the second episode of Jimmy Doherty’s Farming Hereos this week and I must say the content was not what I had expected.  I had antiscipated organic, niche and top range products only.  Whilst we would all love to be buying the very best on a daily basis, let’s face it most of us have to compromise as the budget just wont stretch that far.

I was very pleasantly suprised by the realistic and balanced approach taken by Jimmy, his relaxed style of presentation conveyed a very important message about the reality of farming in 2008.

With the renewed interest in where our food comes from and how it is produced which has been spearheaded most recently by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the farming industries need heroes to project a more positive image of farming.

Do you think he’s doing a good job?

Well done Jimmy, you are one of my hereos.  http://www.jimmysfarm.com/