It was the first time at our new venue – Etc Venues in Eastcheap – would everyone find it ok? Of course they all did.
The room was buzzing with employers from diverse industries including Northbank BID, Crown Plaza Hotel, Portico, Red Personnel, Pertemps, Park Plaza Hotel, Ballymore, ConnectPlusServicesM25 and Baxter Storey. Armed with their ice breaker questions and summary profile sheets as well as their open minds, the conversation and laughter flowed.
Just some of the employers who joined us for our speed dating session in January………..
Antonia & Julie from Portico at PwC
Pedro of Pertemps 
Jamie – Red Personnel
Katherine & Gerald of Northbank BID
Cameron looking for talent for Ballymore
Andy of ConnectPlusServicesM25
Maria & Ebb from Crown Plaza Hotel
The format was 10 minutes at each employer table in small groups of 2-3. Following the ice breaker question would be ‘tell me a little about yourself’. Now all applicants had met with me first and been told to prepare an ‘eBay’ style ad on themselves ready for this question! A snapshot of their life – at work, at home and future career desires.
Employers would then select their shortlist of applicants they believe could grow into their roles over the six week journey to meet again on a 1-2-1 basis before provisional job offers would be made.
Everything ran like clockwork until one group went the wrong way mid-way trough causing laughter mayhem! Of course going out of sync meant an employer table was always left without any applicants! Great for coffee/loo breaks though.
Finally, the event was over. I’m not sure who was more exhausted – the employers or applicants! Even new employers agreed this was a unique and interesting method to secure new talent without a cv/traditional interview.
We ended with six people invited to go forward with provisional permanent job offers:
Charlene – Guest Services Agent with Crown Plaza Hotel
Kristina – Guest Services Agent with Park Plaza Hotel
Abraham – Resourcer with Red Personnel
Joseph – Commis Chef with Park Plaza Hotel
Estela – Welcome Host with Portico
Jess – Welcome Host with Portico.
Excited and ready for the challenge ahead, the new Growing Talent 20 Associates prepared for the Orientation Week before going on site to train in their roles……
Jane James's Consultancy Limited 