Thu, 31 May 2012

Business-to-business trade exchange Bartercard is looking to soft skills first in its new recruits as it creates 400 field sales and business development roles nationwide.

The firm, which allows member companies to trade goods and services with other members, says that new recruits could earn up to £50k in their first year. It currently has 4,000 UK members, having formed in Australia and moved to the UK in 1996.

Managing director Tim Ashley Sparks explains that while formal qualifications and experience are valuable, “for us, excellent soft skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, forge strong relationships and use your initiative are even more important. These are qualities that people either have or they don’t”.

He adds that the company is in particular looking for recent graduates or ex-military and ex-forces, “because we know they boast skills of self-discipline, organisation and motivation, which are key for the roles at Bartercard”.

The role of field sales executive will see vacancies in several regions across the UK, with the business development manager role based in either York or the South of England.

Bartercard was founded on the Gold Coast in Australia over 21 years ago and the parent company moved to the UK in 1996. There are now more than 4,000 UK members offering around 10,000 different products and services on Bartercard.