Are we getting it right?

RSTO blog - 7th September 2010

A look at our Recruitment process and where we are finding success.

Following on from our previous post, “Attracting and Securing Top Talent”, RSTO have been recruiting heavily across the whole organisation and have managed to meet tight deadlines and secure a high calibre of new employees. 

As is always the case when rapidly expanding, we have faced the usual challenge of finding good candidates in a highly competitive market.  With that said, we have realised that our strengths lie in how we portray the organisation to potential candidates and have therefore built our whole process around this.  In addition, we have realised that by being totally open and transparent, we are giving potential candidates a good insight in to the organisation and the role they have applied for.

Training, HR and Recruitment have worked hard to ensure candidates have a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout our recruitment process at RSTO.

At the end of each Assessment Centre, we offer candidates the opportunity to provide feedback about their experiences; these have been a good indication of whether we are getting it right. 

Here’s what some candidates have said about our Assessment Centre:

“Great company – emphasis on value, people management, training and being the best in the market and meeting objectives it sets.   Assessment Centre was interesting, engaging and the general structure was of high calibre”

“The Assessment morning was slick, no delays and very structured.  RSTO were very welcoming, candid, clear, concise and honest about the role.”

“Assessment morning was well structured and the morning passed very quickly.  I enjoyed talking to the staff and seeing how they worked together and with customers.”

“I enjoyed the entire process to be honest.  The Assessment Centre was very well laid out and ran at the correct pace.  It was very informative and allowed candidates to exhibit their strengths.”

Our aim is to present RSTO as a company people want to work for and therefore work hard to make them feel welcome from the outset.  Below are some comments from newly hired employees who have gone through our full recruitment process:

“I first heard about the Sales Executive role on Gumtree and then got in touch with RSTO to get more information.  From the initial point of contact to eventually starting with RSTO, I was in regular contact with Yvonne in Recruitment.  I was provided with good feedback and kept in the loop throughout the process.  The only negative was that it was sometimes difficult to get hold of Yvonne, but she always got back to me quickly.

The Assessment morning was quite intense and there was a lot to take in.  My first impression was that RSTO had a relaxed working environment, but they took the process very seriously and it was certainly designed to wean people out.

I started as a Sales Executive here in July and it has been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.  When I started, everyone was really welcoming, there was a good vibe and to me, what RSTO have provided is an excellent work/ life balance.”

Leslie Drennan, Sales Executive (Started July 2010)

“I first heard about my current role at RSTO through a friend of a friend and decided to apply.  I was kept informed throughout the whole recruitment process by email and telephone.

I felt that the Assessment Centre was a really good idea and a fair way to make the next decision.  I also felt that I got a better insight into the business and the role I had applied for.

The recruitment process reflected what it would actually be like doing my role and working at RSTO: During the Assessment Centre I listened to Steve’s calls and I heard him sell so I got to see how he worked and what the job entailed. I also felt that the role play helped me stay on my toes as people ask you so many questions throughout the day and I had to be prepared. I think that the recruitment process is really good and I think that it really helps with regards to preparing you for the job.”

Samantha Patey, Sales Executive (Started August 2010)

Finally, we interviewed one of most recent hires, Iain Martin, who joined us in August to perform a brand new role as a Web Technical Support Advisor.  Here’s what he had to say regarding his recruitment experience at RSTO:

1. How did you first hear about the job at RSTO?
2. I found the job online while searching through Gumtree

1. Do you feel that you were kept informed throughout the process and were you happy with the feedback and information you received?
2. I was kept informed throughout the interview process, and the feedback given after the interview was really good

1.  Please provide feedback on the interview process?
2. My interview went really well, it was nice and relaxed and nothing too complicated. I was asked about my experience and what I could bring to the company with only a couple of competency based questions at the end. The whole process was very quick from sending in my CV to getting an interview. I got a call back the same afternoon asking when I was able to come in for an interview and came in a couple of days later. The next day I was informed I had been successful and then I started the following week.

1. Do you think the recruitment process reflected what it would actually be like doing your role and working at RSTO?
2. As my role was something new I didn’t really know what to expect. During the interview  I was told what the role would involve and a bit more about the company but until I started and got to see the tasks I was going to be doing, it made a lot more sense.  My induction was good as well, as it went more in depth about the company and the types of services and products on offer. Since starting I have settled in really well and I am really enjoying it. It is nice and relaxed and the people are easy to get on with.