Diary of…Carl Booth
Managing director,
Swindale Parks
Recruitment

Monday
In at 9am. No team meetings as we all know what needs to be done. First call is to a client to confirm that a new starter has turned up. Great — he’s there. Then straight into a meeting with Business Link to discuss funding/grant availability which I’m looking to tap into to finance further work on our website. Spend afternoon catching up with my team and briefing three candidates on interview with a key client later in the week.

Tuesday
Breakfast meeting with my ad director to discuss our ongoing job board strategy and to finalise the design for a half-page ad that we are running in the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management magazine. Raised an excellent new vacancy from one of my favourite clients for a Russianspeaking export sales manager. Negotiated an offer for a candidate. Day ends with a board meeting to discuss company finances.

Wednesday
Offsite meeting at our web-developers’ offices in central Birmingham, which I always enjoy as they feed me croissants! We discuss improvements to our website and e-marketing initiatives, as well as a new website we are developing that is going to take the world of CV writing by storm! Interview two excellent new candidates in the afternoon, before finishing early (6pm) to pick my eldest up from Cubs.

Thursday
Good feedback from five candidates who have been on interview. Receive an email from another client wishing to interview candidates — a relief as the project was starting to drag its feet. Brief the team on a new ‘franchise’ client that I have signed up. Conference call with a client in
Houston to update him on sourcing a Russian speaker. Another early finish to pick up my middle child from Beavers.

Friday
A client is onsite conducting interviews so the place is buzzing. Leave the office at 10.30am to attend my three children’s school summer concert. Read with interest the latest REC survey reporting that it’s the 13th month on the trot that permanent vacancies have decreased. I take comfort in the fact that we set Swindale Parks up during the last recession. The good times will return and we’ll cash in when they do.

Saturday
I dedicate Saturday mornings to Swindale Parks Franchise, pitching new clients and speaking with prospective franchisees. 12.30pm — the weekend begins.

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