Firstly we should apologise, although you do not know it, we actually launched this competition a couple of days ago to candidates who have applied for one of our Academies. So….

… sorry.

£101 in cash could be on its way to you!

Now that’s out the way, you still have a great chance of winning our Summer Competition. We are giving away £101 to one lucky fan on either Facebook or Twitter.

All you need to do is make sure you are either following us on Twitter or Like our Facebook page. SIMPLES!

Have a great day!

The RTA Team

* Please email info@rawtalentacademy.com with Summer Competition in the headline for competition details

Despite the difficult economic conditions, there are businesses that are growing from strength to strength all the time. With success comes expansion and with expansion comes recruitment. Recruitment is of paramount importance to SMEs and startups, often there is not a huge amount of money to play with and companies must remember to keep as lean as possible to keep costs to a minimum and get their appointments spot on.

This article is taken from Talk Business Magazine, click here to subscribe today!

All jobs require different skills but across the board there are key qualities that SMEs should look out for when taking on staff. Small businesses should always look for people who are flexible. Flexible employees can take on more jobs for themselves and save the company £17k to pay an assistant to do it instead. Loyalty is also hugely important, you should look for people who are ambitious but want to move up the ladder and grow the business alongside you. Always ask people about their career objectives and find out what they want to be doing down the line, then think about how close those objectives are to your own.

With a lack of graduate jobs there are some talented degree holders out of work whilst equally with the rise in tuition fees there is a huge pool of talented young people without a degree. Companies should react to this and be more flexible about their recruitment as a result. Many have a rigid graduate scheme that has been in place for years, but perhaps now they should be looking to be more adaptable in the way they recruit so as not to miss out on the best.

Uncovering these sorts of people too requires flexibility in the approach to recruitment. At Raw Talent Academy we put people through a number of tasks in an audition for a job and auditioning is something that more companies can consider over interviews as it is a great way of finding out more about the contenders for a job. Often there is little scope for getting an appointment wrong and an audition process can help businesses make the most informed decision they can.

There is also often an apprehension amongst some companies about using a recruitment agency. Obviously they cost, but the benefits far outweigh the price. SMEs should not be afraid of recruiters, for their money they are getting experienced people that know what they’re looking for. One of the most important things too is that it allows time for the heads of small businesses to do their job properly.

In the current economic climate, companies do not have money to burn and recruitment is more important than ever. Never underestimate the importance of recruiting and make sure you invest the right time and resource to find the best talent to progress your company.

Find the latest digital copy of Talk Business Magazine here.

Following hot on the heels of us being named finalists at the Recruiter Awards for Excellence 2013, we are delighted to announce we have been shortlisted as a finalist for the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2013!

We have been named finalists in ‘The Oxfordshire LEP New Business Award’ category and will be up against 2 other finalists on the Awards Evening. With the awards attracting over 350 entries, a new record, competition for the awards was fierce.

The Awards will be taking place on the 21st June 2013 at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on Thames.

Our Director Lee McQueen commented on the nomination saying:

As a young and growing company with our base in Oxfordshire, we are thrilled to be recognised by these prestigious awards and are looking forward to the upcoming awards evening. Everyone at RTA has worked extremely hard over the past 2 years and this is deserved recognition for their efforts. We are proud to be based in Watlington and proud to be an Oxfordshire based business.

Raw Talent Academy are pleased to announce that Olympus KeyMed, an international leader in the manufacture and supply of specialised medical and industrial equipment, have hired 6 Medical Territory Sales Managers after a thorough application process.

Following the success of previous academies, one in 2012 and the second in January 2013, Olympus KeyMed partnered with Raw Talent Academy and their unique process for a third time.

This time round the Audition Day took place in Bristol on the 8th May 2013, with 37 of the top candidates from across the UK arriving the night before or early on Wednesday morning to make the 7:30 start time. The positions available were as far ranging as Scotland to Exeter, as well as the North-West, the Midlands and the South of England.

Raw Talent Academy Founder & Director, Lee McQueen, said after the day; “We have just completed our third academy with Olympus KeyMed and it has been hugely successful, yet again. We have hired our entire quota of 6 people, which has been absolutely amazing thanks to the high level of candidates who attended today, which even surprised myself. I want to quickly thank my staff and Olympus KeyMed, who I look forward to working with again in the near future.”

Gareth Walsh, Director of Olympus KeyMed’s Surgical & Medical Businesses shares his views on The Academy:

Talent Hub Website

While we talk about taking on ‘Raw Talent’ a lot here, we know that a sales team needs the right balance to be successful, the right blend between experience and the energy, ambition & hunger of ‘Raw Talent’.

After working with numerous companies who were struggling to find quality experienced hires we launched Talent Hub towards the end of 2012 with the sole aim of finding the best experienced sales talent available.

So if you need an experienced sales person, or someone to lead your sales superstars, then get in contact with Talent Hub today!

Following a gruelling 12 hour Audition Day, Capita IT Resourcing have told 11 job hopefuls the words they worked so hard to hear; “You’re Hired”. The candidates had just taken part in an Audition Day that saw them work together and individually in multiple tasks in front of Capita IT Resourcing’ Senior Management Team.

The Apprentice style process was run by Raw Talent Academy (RTA), a company founded by former Apprentice Winner Lee McQueen, at Royal Windsor Racecourse in Berkshire and saw the top 27 candidates from the local area attend following an extensive application process.

Capita IT Resourcing, part of the FTSE 100 listed Capita Plc., were looking to expand their team and, following the recruitment of two experienced recruiters, they turned to RTA in the search for the best local ‘Raw Talent’. Originally tasked with finding 8 Trainee Recruitment Consultants, RTA immediately implemented their unique search and selection process across Berkshire and the surrounding area.

Attracting hundreds of applications via job boards, local newspapers and social media, RTA whittled the candidates down to the top 27 who attended the Audition Day on the 29th April 2013.

Candidates at the Capita Audition Day

As the day drew to a close, Capita IT Resourcing had a tough decision to make with the high quality candidates in attendance. Eventually Capita IT Resourcing decided to offer a position to 11 of the candidates rounding off a hugely successful recruitment process.

Keith Speres, a Director at Capita IT resourcing commented on the Academy saying; “We have had a professional day with RTA, out of a huge amount of candidates we have selected 11 to join us at Capita… a fantastic day and enjoyed meeting everyone and going through a very different process of recruiting, it is not something I have ever done before and its not something I think Capita have ever done before.”

Capita IT Resourcing’ Academy Manager Richard Hunt, who will oversee 9 of the 11 Trainee Recruitment Consultants, shared his thoughts on the Academy as the day came to a close below:

Recently on this blog we have covered interview mistakes, LinkedIn profiles and how to stand out. Now we are going to provide you with a simple CV template to save you time while helping you to avoid some of the pitfalls of creating a CV!

While we do not want to scare you, we feel it’s necessary to let you in on a little bit of research carried out by a job board last year that showed recruiters spent just 6 seconds reviewing a CV! Yes that is not a typo, 6 seconds! The research also revealed recruiters rated CV’s with a clear format and simple layout as twice as easy to read!

Based on that research, our own extensive experience as recruiters viewing CV’s and other research, we have created a simple CV temple (you will not believe how simple it is!) that you can download for free at the bottom of this blog.

Before you hit download we have a handful of simple pointers for you to follow:

The research used eye tracking technology to highlight the ‘hot spots’ recruiters focus on

• Start with your name… in bold… be memorable!
• Use a professional email address – airhead@hotmail.com is a bad example
• Use the same clear, professional font throughout – Arial or Calibri size 10 or 11 are a good bet
• Justify your text
• Bold or underline your titles
• Do not use text boxes, lines or word art
• Use bullet points or numbering to keep the CV clear and concise
• Ensure there are no gaps
• Tell no lies
• Spell check
• Read the whole CV at least 3 times, get someone else to check it, another pair of eyes won’t hurt
• Do not go over 2 pages
• Tailor your CV to the individual role stressing any qualifications or attributes they are looking for

Now when it comes to the layout this depends on the individual but we have a general rule;

• If you have just left school, college, an apprenticeship or university, follow your personal statement with your education & qualifications
• If you have been in work for over 12 months follow your personal statement with your work history and then your education & qualifications

While there is no doubt that the job market is as competitive as it has possibly ever been, that’s no excuse for not standing out and being different!

Employers not noticing your CV? Maybe it’s time you stopped trying to get them to notice your CV and made them notice YOU!

At Raw Talent Academy we do not recruit based on an individuals CV, we recruit on the attributes that make someone good! When we bring candidates to an Audition Day with one of our clients, we give candidates the opportunity to showcase what they can do! If you want that chance then have a look at applying to us today.

BUT this article isn’t just about you applying to us, it’s about providing inspiration for YOU to get out there and get noticed! Below we list some of the most eye catching and original ways job seekers have secured employment.

Ceefax CV

Zeefax – A CV in the style of Ceefax

Probably our of my personal favourites, if only for the music (we highly recommend the sound option). Student Zef Cherry-Kynaston was looking to start their career after University as a designer and created a CV in the style of Ceefax (if you do not know what this is its a really bad version of the red button on the TV). Brilliantly originally and as you can see it achieved its purpose as Zef secured a dream job! http://zef.so/employable/

Adam Pacitti Billboard

Spend your last pennies on a billboard

You might of seen Adam Pacitti in the news earlier this year for his clever way of getting job, he spent his last £500 on a billboard saying just that! And surprise, surprise plenty of employers liked his thinking and showed an interest. He eventually went on to secure a position with KEO, and spent his first wage packet on another billboard thanking everyone! Nice guy!

Alex Kearns on plinth

Stand on a Plinth in Trafalgar Square

Back in 2009 one of the Plinths in the centre of Trafalgar Square, London was a piece of contemporary art that saw a different person have an hour to do what they wanted with it. University Graduate Alex Kearns, unable to get a job he decided to unfurl his CV on a banner from plinth. Again it was successful landing Alex with a sales job in London.

The Facebook CV

Sabrina Saccoccio got noticed when she made her CV look like Facebook, not sure if this one would work with Twitter but you never know!

Facebook Sabrina Saccoccio CV

Victor Rodriguez Cereal Box CV

The Cereal Box CV

Now this one has been around awhile and has been done by plenty of people, our example is by Victor Rodriguez from Canada. We present the cereal box CV!

The Amazon CV

And finally we have Philippe Dubost’s effort, a CV in the style of a product page on Amazon! Another one that’s a favourite in the office for originality! http://phildub.com/

Amazon CV

For the third time in just over 10 months, Olympus KeyMed have turned to Sales Recruitment and Training provider, Raw Talent Academy, as they look to hire Medical Territory Sales Managers across the UK.

An international leader in the manufacture and supply of specialised medical and industrial equipment, Olympus KeyMed have recruited a number of Trainee Territory Managers from the company founded by Apprentice Winner Lee McQueen.

The latest Academy sees Field Sales positions available across the UK, including positions in Exeter, Bristol and the South West, Surrey, The Midlands and Scotland. With the opportunity to work for one of the world’s most recognisable brands and an industry leader Raw Talent Academy are expecting hundreds of applications to the unique recruitment process.

Founded by Lee McQueen after he spent two years working for Lord Sugar, Raw Talent Academy invites the top 30 candidates to an Audition Day that sees them take part in challenging business tasks while being assessed by Olympus KeyMed’s senior management team. The Audition Day will take place in Bristol on the 8th May 2013.

Lee McQueen announced the latest Academy saying; “Candidates with a desire to work for an industry leader, in an exciting and cutting edge industry are encouraged to apply for the Academy if they feel they have the hunger and desire to prove their the right person for the job. The Audition Day is a unique process based on my time on the Apprentice, if you feel you have what it takes, apply today!”

Peter Hawkins, Head of New Business Development, Marketing & Professional Education – UK, MEA & Ireland at Olympus Medical, said; “This is our third Academy and, following the success of the first two, we are confident of identifying appropriately qualified and hungry individuals to join our sales force who will benefit from working for an Industry-Leading, Multi-National Organisation.

“These academies are an excellent and innovative way for sales organisations to see potential candidates perform under pressure in simulated sales scenarios and provides a mix of traditional interviewing processes and practical sessions observing applicants performing varied challenging tasks.”

Find out more about the positions available and what the Audition Day involves on the Olympus KeyMed Microsite.