​Nobody can question that the impact of COVID-19 has been significant across all areas of UK business, but how this will affect recruitment in 2021 is still open to debate. A recent report from CV library has found the following sectors will see high volumes of hiring throughout 2021:IT: With businesses forced to deliver their services remotely and learning, socialising, exercising and shopping all switching online, a spotlight on IT and digital solutions has shone brighter than ever. Social Care: The care sector has always been both a popular and rewarding area to work in and never more so than now. With 14% more jobs available overall this year, there's an increased choice for those looking to move within, and into, the industry. ​Online Learning and Education: As the UK schools closed, online education resources have become a necessity for pupils at every stage of the education process. Indeed, it's likely the transition to online learning will grow throughout 2021. ​Medical/Pharmaceutical/Scientific: With a Covid vaccine being rolled out, the need for ongoing investment and research, there can be little doubt that this sector will be at the forefront of any 2021 growth.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​We are now one week into a brand new year. However, it is yet again a very different start to the year – likely one that involves remote working, communicating almost entirely through phone and video chats and balancing home and family life in a way that seemed unfeasible just 12 months ago.2021, a year that shows the promise of improvement in the summer months, is currently as stressful and challenging as any period in the previous year. However, whilst every working day may feel reminiscent of Groundhog Day, there’s no reason why you can’t start your year with a few key changes.It’s time to accept that this year is a marathon, not a sprint and that your mental and physical health are more important than any work deadline – so with that in mind, here are five of the most essential mistakes you must avoid if you plan on making it through the year as healthy and happy as possible.Discounting COVID’s effectsRegardless of your seniority, it’s time to accept that simply powering through and throwing yourself into your work regardless of coronavirus is unsustainable. According to data released by Monster, 69% of employees have experienced some level of burnout whilst working remotely in 2020. Rather than pushing yourself to your limits, give yourself room to breathe and digest. This may mean that your output is lower, but all businesses must accept that the normal rules no longer apply. If you’re going to make it through 2021, accepting this is a must.Not building a support networkWhether it be a partner, a loved one, a friend or a boss, every professional needs someone to talk to about their struggles. In these times of isolation, maintaining deep and regular contact with a support network not only allows you to vent, but also aides in adding outside perspective. It may be that the one project that has been causing you so much grief has a solution that you just haven’t seen – and in discussing this with someone else, a feasible solution can be found.Never finding time away from workIt can be easy to maintain a cycle of eating, sleeping and working – however just because outside activities are not currently feasible, this doesn’t mean that you should spend your conscious hours working. In fact, this is counterproductive and only leads to burnout. Even if your relaxation time is spent watching films, carving out this allotted space each day to do something that settles your mind or prevents you from thinking about work is essential. There are plenty of hobbies that you can do from the comfort of your own home – in fact, a recent Metro poll found that the number one most popular hobby for many has been learning a new language in lockdown.Not considering othersOne of the few positives that has come from coronavirus is the way in which we’ve been forced to see others not just as professionals, but as complex people with challenges of their own. It is now considered totally normal for a working parent to be sabotaged in a group call by an indignant toddler, a stroppy teenager or an energetic pet. Just as you yourself face struggles, remember that everyone around you is fighting to survive in the pandemic, and is worried about those around them. Currently, one in 50 people within the UK have coronavirus according to the ONS. That’s a lot of professionals and loved ones suffering, which is guaranteed to have an impact on their working life.Being too seriousThis one sounds ridiculous, but it’s a poignant point that we cannot go through life with a frown on our faces. Yes, times are hard but finding joy, and spreading it to others, is absolutely essential to wellbeing. If you’re a manager, ensuring that you maintain a positive attitude and building some joviality and conversation into your daily meetings helps everyone feel better and could well be the boost that your people need. With casual office chit chat now a thing of the past, replicating this positive time for people to connect and spread some warmth and contact is irreplicable. For your own sake and the sake of your colleagues, don’t be too serious.Source: Executive Grapevine​

​Here we are again, Lockdown 3.0! Millions of people have found themselves working from home again and some never made it back to the office in the first place. ​​​​Levels of depression have increased, while in a recent survey by the Royal Institute of British Architects many people said working from home had made them more stressed. ​​​So what can we do to keep us happier at home?​​​​Let in the light​​"People vary quite a lot in terms of personality type," says consultant psychiatrist Dr TBS Balamurali. "But the guiding principles are very clear. Sunlight - alongside fresh air and access to nature - is fundamentally good for your mental health."​​​​Sunlight triggers the brain to release the hormone serotonin. It helps people to feel calm and focussed, boosts their mood and reduces anxiety.​​​​Architect Ben Channon, head of wellbeing at Assael Architecture, says "the benefits of daylight are huge".​​​​"Sunlight is the starting block because it has such a big impact on the way we feel about a space - and on regulating sleep. Dealing with Covid has been exhausting for everyone, so that's particularly important right now."​​​​The good news, says Ben, is that "people often have more control over light than they might think".​​​​He says, if you can, to put your desk near a window. Make sure you can draw the curtains back fully and clean the windows - inside and out. Dirt on windows can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight passing through them.​​​​Also, use mirrors to bounce light around the room, and paint the room either white or a light colour also to reflect the light. And choose an upstairs room if you can - they almost always capture more sunlight, as do rooms with a higher ceiling.​​​Shut out the noise​​​​​​​Dr Rebecca Dewey from the University of Nottingham, an expert in how the brain interprets sound, says different parts of your brain are constantly trying to recognise different noises and changes in sounds. "That can be hugely distracting from trying to work," she says.​​​​"Sharp noises are more of a problem than a low level babble." And as some parts of your brain scan for changes: "You might only get distracted when the noise stops."​​​​Fellow neuroscientist Professor Adrian Rees of the University of Newcastle explains: "Noise is tapping into your 'fight or flight' response."​​​​A stressful sound induces an area of the brain called the amygdala to send out distress signals. They're picked up by another area of the brain, the hypothalamus, which in turn prompts the adrenal glands to pump adrenaline into the blood. Your blood pressure goes up.​​​​"It's partly about what the noise means to you," says Professor Rees. So, for example, your own child crying will be much harder to ignore than traffic noise of the same volume.​​​​Earplugs might be a solution for some, but if you want to go further, soft furnishings, thicker carpets and heavier curtains to absorb the sound are some of the things architects suggest.​​​​If that doesn't do the trick, under-carpet boards, replacement ceilings, additional layers of plaster board on walls, and window shutters - without shutting out too much sunlight - can help.​​​Declutter​​Studies have found that clutter can raise your level of cortisol, a stress hormone. That may be because clutter delivers conflicting stimuli to the brain, which then has to work harder to filter out unhelpful signals.​​​​Environmental psychologist Dr Eleanor Ratcliffe, from Surrey University says: "The problem with clutter is over-stimulation."​​​​Normal levels of cortisol with occasional spikes are perfectly healthy, but chronically high levels of cortisol are associated with anxiety, depression, headaches and sleep disruption.​​​​"You need to think about your need state", Dr Ratcliffe says. While a certain amount of clutter in a relaxing home, may not be a problem, if it's now a workplace, "you're in a different need state, you need to cut down on distraction".​​​​So have a proper clear out, get organised, and get some proper storage if you can.​​​Stand up​​​​​​​​​If you're not going to work, you may not be walking to the bus stop or the train station, or up and down long corridors to meetings and so on.If your commute is now from the bedroom to the box room or the kitchen table, you're probably missing out on physical activity that can help keep you mentally as well as physically fit.Multiple studies have found that exercise is a natural anti-anxiety treatment, relieving stress, boosting physical and mental energy, and enhancing well-being through the release of endorphins."Lack of exercise can have a real impact", says Dr Ratcliffe. "If people are missing out on exercise, they need to think about how their day is structured - and start making an explicit effort."One option is to get a standing desk if you can - and use it properly. Stand some of the day, sit some of the day. But you can also take breaks and go for a walk."The commute was also a kind of decompression time for many people," says Professor Gail Kinman, a fellow of the British Psychological Society." It enabled people to put a clear boundary between their work and home life. When you're working at home the boundaries become permeable." Getting out for regular exercise can give many home workers the decompression they need, she says.​​​​​​​​Use plants​​​Many claims are made for the mental benefits of contact with the natural world: reducing blood pressure, anxiety, stress and rumination (endlessly going over the same thoughts) while improving attention, memory and sleep.Bringing plants and other natural objects and images into your home work space can have a significant impact.Dr Ratcliffe explains the theory of "attention restoration"."Looking at natural objects can give your brain a break - or a series of 'micro-breaks' from focusing. They take up your attention, but not in a demanding or over-stimulating way. That's helpful."We also associate nature with recreation and relaxation, so again that can help enhance our mood," she adds.​Social contact…and not just online​​Dr Balamurali says people who find themselves unhappy working at home need to think hard about what it is they miss about going to the office and try to compensate for whatever they've lost.Top of the list, for many people, is social contact. More of us than we might expect get the majority - maybe 80 or 90% - of our social contact from being at work, he says.Whether that's chatting with colleagues in the office or the lunch queue, in the lift or on the stairs, it matters to a huge number of people."When the lockdown came - all of that disappeared quite suddenly," says Dr Balamurali. "It does depend what kind of personality you are, but many people need to get more real social contact in other ways."So get out at lunchtime and in the evenings - connect with friends, family and neighbours - people you feel connected to."Meeting others is obviously much harder in lockdown, but he suggests meeting another person to exercise with, or to walk with."Humans are social animals," he adds. "Staring into a screen on Zoom is not enough." Source: BBC​ ​

When we were asked by our charity partners, Leonard Cheshire to participate in the Change Now Programme we jumped at the chance. The programme is aimed at school leaver and college age young adults and it aims to help develop their confidence and skills and support them as they step into the world of further education and work. For the first event in the programme, we were asked to provide volunteers from the business to provide a virtual workshop, Derek Skelton our CEO and Caitlyn Aitken from our National Recruitment Centre, were thrilled to get involved and share their knowledge and experience. They spent an hour presenting to a group of 47 about what to expect in an interview – everything from CVs and preparation to the sort of questions to ask the panel – they shared some of their experiences too, the message was that if you work hard and be yourself you achieve anything!Jen Sweeney, Regional Fundraising Manager said: I really enjoyed listening to the session, I loved the honesty about the speakers' experiences and the examples they used, I thought the session was really positive.We will be doing a second session on 5th January to the same group, which will be a mock interview so they can see how they work in practise. Derek is also doing another couple of sessions with a Can Do group of students at the City of Liverpool college on 14th January, which will be more of a meet the CEO and Q&A session. We have lots of other sessions planned in, which other people around the business have volunteered to support too. Watch this space for more information on this programme. If you would like advice on find your next role, please visit our Career Toolkit

​The jobs market can change in a blink of an eye and this year has demonstrated just that. Looking back to February 2020, employment was at a high of 76.5%, according to ONS data, making the market a candidate-driven one, however fast-forward to today, employment has sadly taken a nosedive.Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, 700,000 jobs have been lost, Government data has revealed, indicating just how quickly things can change. Not only that, but jobs have also come and gone depending on the era and what skills are required.For example, modern jobseekers looking through employment pages within newspapers from 150 years ago may struggle to find a role that matches their skillset, as job adverts would seek milliners, dressmakers and servants.This is a far cry from the most common role on job sites currently according to Resume.io, which is a gas engineer, compared to the position of a chandelier burnisher back in 1870. Menno Olsthoorn, CEO of online CV builder Resume.io, said: “Finding a job these days is a confusing business, but navigating the employment pages of newspapers from 150 years ago is like entering another world.”How British jobs have evolvedBack in 1870, the jobs market looked entirely different to today's, where more than a third of positions (36%) available in the construction and skilled trades sector, including adverts for a mortice lock maker, French polisher and Venetian blind painter. According to Resume.io, the number of jobs in this sector dropped to 17% by 1920, 11% by 1970 and made up just seven per cent of the economy in 2020.The importance of the domestic help sector has also shifted dramatically. In fact, a quarter of roles were for housekeepers, nannies, household cooks and servants in 1870, rising to a third in 1920. However, changes to society as a result of World War II saw this number dip to six per cent in 1970, and now make up just one per cent of roles currently.Similarly, changes occurred for secretarial and administrative roles. Positions started to spike with the rise of the typewriter, with copy-typists helping to make the sector a third of advertised job roles by 1970. Despite this, due to the creation of the computer, positions fell to just four per cent by 2020.Looking at the current jobs market, education and teaching assistants have grown from one per cent in 1870 to 10% today, health, nursing and social care has spiked from one per cent to seven per cent and manufacturing and industrial has grown form nine per cent to 15%.Equality and sexismAdvertisements shared from 150 years ago demonstrate the progress that has been made regards equality and sexism within the workplace. For example, it would not be unusual to see adverts from 150 years ago requesting for a ‘young man’, despite the fact the role could be carried out by either a man or woman.In addition, several positions would request for an office boy, with the advert specifically stating someone aged 13 would be preferred. Now, however, modern employment laws state that children can only take on full-time work once they have reached the minimum school leaving age of 16, which goes to showcase just how far the jobs market has evolved to the current day. ​Source: Executive Grapevine

​Headlines this year have been full of catastrophising statements about the volatility of the business landscape, and undoubtedly negative consequences have arisen as a result of coronavirus, not least the sheer volume of redundancies and furloughs inevitably needed due to lockdowns and changing consumer habits.However, has 2020 actually been the devastating business year that many perceive it to be? Maybe not. New research by recruiting firm Wade Macdonald found that nearly half of UK businesses actually outperformed their initial predictions for this year.The survey, which gained responses from over 140 business leaders from a diverse range of industries, sought to explore the disparity between financial and output predictions taken in early 2020, and compare them to a survey of the same group recently.The original report found leaders had a very negative outlook on the market; 71% of respondents expected that they would have to reduce their staff numbers whilst only a third of businesses felt it likely they would recruit. A massive 50% of leaders predicted it would take at least two years for the economy to recover.Since April, as predicted by many, the pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on businesses of all shape and size. However, while some areas will be harder to recover from than others, November’s research shows that the overall picture is far less distressing than anticipated.  Business resilienceThe results from the survey suggest that the majority of companies have been a lot more resilient than first expected. While half are down on last year’s figures, over a third 36%, of businesses have outperformed their 2019 results, with a further 14% remaining stable. And whilst much uncertainty still looms around 2021, this upward trajectory is tentatively expected to carry over into the new year. Nearly half of respondents expect their businesses to grow by up to 25% whilst 20% expect 25-50% growth. A small but significant seven per cent expect to grow by over 50%.RedundancyIn April, business leaders were extremely concerned about the high risk of redundancies. Nearly three quarters expected that they would have to reduce their staff numbers during 2020. While a large number of staffing cuts were made, the numbers were not as extreme as forecasted. 64% of leaders decreased team numbers but 36% of leaders reported that they had grown headcount since the beginning of the pandemic. The saviour of many jobs, according to the research, was the furlough scheme introduced by the Government, of which 70% of respondents used to help prevent the levels of redundancy expected in April 2020. Recruitment  When asked in April, just one-third of businesses were expecting to actively recruit over the coming year. However, this number grew exponentially over the course of the pandemic with 73% of respondents reporting to have recruited between April and November. The factors for this unexpected change vary; from outperforming financial expectations, improved candidate confidence and greater understanding and investment in remote working and virtual onboarding, companies were able to work, and recruit, more effectively and efficiently. ​Source: Executive Grapevine

Meridian is absolutely delighted to announce that we have been awarded Best Companies prestigious 2 Star Accreditation, which means that we have achieved Outstanding levels of Employee Engagement! Given the challenges of 2020 we are thrilled with this result and want to say a big thank you to all of our employees who completed the survey. Best Companies has four levels of accreditation with a 2 Star accreditation being the second highest standard of workplace engagement and represents organisations striving for the top. Achieving a score high enough to attain a 2 Star accreditation is made possible only through an 'outstanding' commitment to workplace engagement.Our people are at the heart our business and to know that so many are happy, engaged and love working at Meridian is of paramount importance to us. Click here to find out more about working at Meridian. ​

​More than maybe any other point in modern history, the jobs market is currently extremely competitive – largely due to the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus.The most recent unemployment rate – for June to August – was 4.5%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That is an increase of 0.4% over the previous three months and means that 1.5million people were unemployed in this period. With a second lockdown now confirmed, that number is expected to increase drastically.So, setting yourself apart from the torrent of good talent in the market at the moment is absolutely key. This means investing fully in every stage of the recruitment process and training yourself on the skills that you’ll need to succeed where others fail.But what do employers want to hear right now? What are the magic words to get you to the top of their list? According to CEO and business mogul Winston Ibrahim-Minutes, this comes down to four key areas.Demonstrate chemistry with the employer What you say is obviously extremely important, however too often people forget that how they say it is just as important. Interviewers aren’t just looking to tick boxes, they’re also looking to feel out the candidate and get a sense of who they are, how engaged they are and how they’ll fit in to the corporate culture. If you appear to be cold, or disengaged, this will significantly dampen your chances of getting the job. Instead, ensure that you’re coming across as enthusiastic and passionate – and that you try to connect with your interviewer. It could make more of a difference than you first believe.Demonstrate true independent thoughtWhilst practising for an interview and trying to anticipate commonly-asked questions is logical, interviewers know if you’re reeling off prepared answers, and it won’t impress them. In fact, to truly stand out from the crowd you must ensure that you’re truly considering their questions and giving insightful answers. They aren’t looking for the most logical answer, they’re looking for your unique take on their questions; they want to see you use your powers of persuasion and digest the information you’re being given. Sometimes, the best answer is the one they weren’t expecting, not the one that ticks all of the pre-conceived boxes.Truly show that you’re a self-starterOne of the age-old cliches of interviewing is reeling off the same old tired comment about being a ‘self-starter’. However, most people simply aren’t, and this is hardly a secret. So, instead of paying lip service to the concept of being a ‘self-starter’, how do you plan on showing it? You need solid evidence that sets you apart from the crowd. What have you done in the past to evidence that mindset? How have you added value to your company as a result? These are questions that you must answer if you plan on positioning yourself in this light.Show a deep understanding of expertiseEspecially at the moment, businesses are looking for safe hands to handle open vacancies. It’s likely they want to be able to drop someone into a role and have them able to navigate without needing too much handholding. As such, standing out from the crowd means being able to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the role and its requirements. If you really are the best person for the job, be conscious of its most channelling areas and ensure that you’re hitting these key points. Competency is a mix of knowledge and confidence; knowledge enough to do the job well, and the confidence to carry it out without constantly second-guessing yourself. Ensure that both are visible in the interview.​Source: Executive Grapevine

​There are many pitfalls jobseekers can face when attending a job interview, from not doing their homework to turning up half an hour late – recruiters have had to deal with them all.While these errors can easily happen in person, so too can a number of other pitfalls when candidates carry out an interview via video. Often considered far more intimidating than the regular face-to-face process, as a study by CV-Library in 2018 of 1,200 UK employees found 33.7% were most scared of video interviews, much more preparation is certainly needed.As such, Recruitment Grapevine has compiled a list of helpful suggestions for recruiters to advise candidates:Dress to impressCandidates will almost always don their smartest outfits when attending an interview, and one that takes place via video should be no different. Candidates thinking they can throw on a smart shirt and tie paired with boxer shorts because they think no one will see is a risky move, in case the camera moves or they forget and stand up – leaving everyone feeling rather embarrassed. To avoid such a scene, ensure you advise them to dress appropriately to make the right impression.Stop interruptionsCandidates do not want to appear distracted, so telling them to try and prevent all interruptions is a good idea. If they have children or pets, suggest they ask a friend or family member to look after them for the duration of the interview. Similarly, closing all background computer programmes will also limit any interruptions, while turning off a mobile phone will also stop candidates feeling the need to check notifications.Location, location, locationIt’s important for job hopefuls to pick a location that’s quiet and looks professional. If they opt to carry out the interview in a messy bedroom with a pile of unfolded laundry, this will likely reflect badly on them. Instead, suggest they set up on a kitchen dining table so they can sit upright using a sturdy surface, ideally in front of a blank wall to avoid any distractions for the hiring manager.Internet connectionImagine taking part in a video interview and the internet connection keeps breaking, leaving a blurry image and delayed responses – it’s perhaps one of the most frustrating things for all parties. Candidates should test out their connection beforehand and host a dummy run so they can smooth out any potential glitches before the video interview takes place. Practice makes perfect, after all.Acting too casualLastly, due to the nature of a video interview, candidates can often fall into the trap of acting too casual. This can greatly damage the interview process and result in a no hire for the interviewee – it’s therefore imperative that they take the interview seriously and act as they would during a face-to-face one. They should go in prepared having researched the company, keep their phones off and turn up on time.​Source: Executive Grapevine

​2020 has undoubtedly been an extremely stressful year for all professionals. According to the latest data released in the Government’s Labour Force Survey, over 828,000 UK workers are currently suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. That equates to a massive 17.9million working days lost due to stress this year alone.What’s more, these numbers represent a steep increase in cases of stress and depression; the largest increase since the report was first undertaken in 2001. And whilst poor health due to the coronavirus crisis has contributed to overall absence, stress, depression or anxiety actually accounted for 51% of all work-related ill-health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill health.It’s obvious that workers are feeling both physically and mentally fatigued by this challenging year, which makes taking time away from work to unwind and de-stress absolutely essential. So, how can workers ensure that they’re properly utilising the time they’ve been given off around the festive period?Remain as social as possible Whilst exhaustion usually couples with a will not to exert energy on social situations, Dr Katherine May, a Workplace Psychologist, recently told Fast Company that socialising is very a very healthy process that helps people unwind.“Even though everyone is wintering at the moment, we can feel isolated because we’re doing it individually and more cut off than before,” May noted. “We’re not used to a crisis where we can’t see each other, reach out and hug people, or solve the problem by going out for a cup of coffee together.”This, she said, is because it’s important to remember that the stress and anxiety of the pandemic is a shared experience and that it can be therapeutic to discuss this mindfully.Embrace the seasonThe long, dark winter can be a serious test of endurance, with short days and cold weather making mental health worse. Despite this, May noted that celebrating the milestones and embracing festivities can be a cathartic and rejuvenating experience.“Christmas is almost exactly in the middle of winter, which means that in celebrating this festive time with friends and loved ones, you’re also halfway out of the darkness. It’s beneficial to be able to distract yourself with merriment and focus on the positives of winter, rather than the negatives,” she said.Redefine restWe tend to think of rest as lying dormant, sleeping and not leaving the house, but rest is simply the process of recharging, which is different for everyone. Instead of striving to fulfil a generic concept of resting, ensure that you’re doing whatever you truly feel helps you to recover. This could mean long walks, it could mean sitting in front of the telly or even undertaking something as strenuous as home improvements.May noted that mental rest requires clarity that only comes when we’re doing something that makes us happy. “We need to take time to process the upsets we have in our life as well as the good things. Being productive is not where our worth lies. Make space for making space,” she concluded.​Source: Executive Grapevine