E-newsletter

1. Briscoe Bulletin
“PARTNERING OUR CLIENTS
WITH THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET”
Market commentary from Brian Briscoe
As the dust starts to settle on what has been the most dramatic of economic slowdowns, a number
of interesting, yet not totally surprising realities are starting to become apparent in the professional
and executive recruitment marketplace vis-à-vis Active and Passive candi-
dates. For ease of the bullet points below, an Active candidate has job-
hunting as part of their daily activities; a Passive candidate does not.
INCREASE IN ACTIVE CANDIDATES
The number of candidates per vacant role has significantly increased
since October 08, but the quality levels of candidates’ remains low.
This has led some experts in the industry to conclude that many or-
ganisations have used the recent slowdown to make non-essential
Welcome to the second positions redundant and in lots of cases, clear out poor-performing
individuals. As a result, many hiring managers who got excited about
edition of the Briscoe
a candidate supply have only been frustrated with the job of sifting
Bulletin. Since our last through a multitude of resumes that don’t fit their requirements, thus
wasting valuable management resources at a time when it is so important to focus on what
submission in December, I
will bring positive results to your organisation.
hope you and yours have
KEY
had O I N T S Christmas,
a fantastic RELUCTANCE OF TOP PERFORMERS TO BECOME ACTIVE CANDIDATES
P
A lot of the quality candidates with track records of success have become very cautious
got some time to ignore
about putting themselves out to the market, hence are often not responding to job advertise-
Briefly highlight your point of
•
interest here.
the media drama that ments or registering with agencies. In effect, this has created a short-term false market, where
Briefly highlight your point of
•
interest here.
most job board statistics will report a large decrease in advertisements and an equally large
surrounds us at the
increase in available candidates – however, for most companies, quality remains the issue.
Briefly highlight your point of
•
interest here.
moment and came back to
Briefly highlight your point of
•
work with a renewed SUCCESS THROUGH TARGETED SEARCH
interest here.
Even though the comprehensive “targeted search process” has represented our core service
sense of optimism to the
offering, recently it has become even more popular, accounting for over 75% of our new as-
opportunities that ’09 may signment strategies since Christmas, up from 47% in 2008. Our reading of this large increase in
demand for our search approach is clients’ realisation that this represents a phenomenal op-
present us in Western
portunity to snare excellent performers given the uncertainty over the marketplace, but also
Australia. the knowledge that these candidates may not be active.
The exhaustive, external search process has often proven to be the only successful solution
in sourcing business champions and the current economic climate seems to be pronouncing its
Positive Phrase of the
value. Unlike database / advertising, search is a proactive approach whereby the client organi-
Quarter: sation is able to partner with a search agency to map the ideal candidates skills, attributes &
experience and then go to the market to find the person, rather than wait for the market to
“I am choosing not to come to you.
participate in this
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES – a very interesting statistic!
recession!” One of the country’s leading economists, in a recent presentation, plotted the national unem-
ployment figure over the last 20 years. Most experts are predicting that the rate will go as high
How better off might we be as 7% within the next 12-18 months (although WA may only reach 5%). We’ve asked a few of
our clients when they thought the last time it reached that level was? Most are surprised to
if we all took this
hear June 2001. It didn’t seem that bad then, did it!? We definitely are in The Information Age
approach? when the bad news travels a lot faster, even 8 years on. We first started using the search ap-
proach to recruitment in 2001, when unemployment was at 7%, so our understanding
of its value at times of generous candidate supply suggests the next few years may see its con-
tinued popularity!

2. www.bscgroup.com.au PAGE 2
CANDIDATES Want to be
“The “U” Turn ahead”- WA Specific Good News found? Tips from an Ex-
ecutive Search Consultant.
The fact is, WA has gold, gas, oil, and a wealth
NAB ECONOMIST
When speaking to
of resources which will always be in demand. potential candidates I am
The NAB’s January
We also have only 10% of Australia's often asked the question-
economic outlook for
population and consequently, what happens how did you find me? Our
Australia has con- researchers utilise a
on a national economic front often carries a variety of methods to find
cluded that Australia is
degree of irrelevance to WA — hence caution the right person to call;
most likely headed for
internet searching is one of
in reading is vital when national stories run!
a “U” shaped recovery. Whilst some figures the techniques.
that have been appearing lately are negative, As the RBA awaits the effect of its monetary
policy and the government’s stimulus To increase your online
the evidence does point to an eventual
visibility, here are some
recovery, and that will most likely be in the package, Western Australians can take some tips:
second half of ‘09 and carry on into 2010. satisfaction from a depressed currency and a • Firstly, Google yourself
to see what your
unique situation that are both bolstering
PREMIER BARNETT
current presence is.
demand. A devalued dollar is making our
• Get a LinkedIn profile.
Notwithstanding the current state of the
exports, particularly minerals and energy, Linkedin.com is an
Australian economy, there do exist stark
online networking tool
affordable to the rest of the world.
contrasts between WA and the rest of used globally.
The SEEK Employment Index for WA which
Australia. Premier Colin Barnett going so far • Put your resume
represent the ratio of new ads placed to online, create a
last week as to say “We can be a
VisualCV, and Blog.
applications in WA shows a fall of 6.2% in ads
counter-cyclical force in this recession.”
whilst applications rose 9.0%. Despite these • Present at a
China’s latest growth forecasts (8% quoted in Conference
recent changes WA remains a cut above the
the headlines last week) also show some • Endorse others that
nation in the ratio of new ads to applicants. have published online.
realistic reason for optimism with the WA
• Get involved in online
economy.
forums in your area of
expertise.
• Show you are a
thought leader in your
field by publishing
articles or being
quoted in articles.
The Team at Briscoe Search and Consulting is their people
pleased to announce that Brian Briscoe, decisions. Brian
Shireen DuPreez is a
founder and Managing Director of Briscoe has grown Briscoe Search & Consulting by Consultant with Briscoe
partnering with SME’s in a wide range of Search and Consulting.
Search and Consulting has been honoured at
She has worked as an
the annual 40 under 40 awards hosted by the industrial and commercial sectors and by
Executive
WA Business News. The 40 under 40 awards building strong, personal relationships with Search
them all.” It’s fair to say that the award is also Consultant
are an annual award evening to honour
in the US,
Perth’s top business achievers under 40 years great recognition for what the company and
UK &
of age. In recognising Brian’s achievement, team are committed to, as well as our Australia.
WA Business News stated “Starting from fantastic portfolio of clients!
humble beginnings, no support network or Many outstanding figures were
Suite 8/281 Hay St
prior experience in the recruitment industry presented with awards and the
Brian has successfully grown a phenomenal calibre of each and every winner Subiaco WA 6008
network of decision makers in Perth who trust was outstanding — so congrats to 08 9489 3333
his business with their most important asset; all the high achievers.