Command News & Views

What you should not include in your resume

Wed, 12 May 2021 12:08:31 GMT

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Command opens new Saudi Arabia Office in Riyadh

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:56:00 GMT

Prime People PLC is pleased to announce the official registration and opening of our first office in Riyadh. The establishment of our presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be led by Command Recruitment and Prime RPO, with support from our other brands Macdonald & Company, Prime Insight and Prime Energy.

Daniel Moussa, Head of Country, has been working in the Kingdom for the past twelve months on major projects and has delivered recruitment advisory services, implementation and delivery of RPO Solutions and fulfilment of Saudization targets.

This year we will strengthen our position as a market leader offering:

• Recruitment advisory services

• Executive Search

• Contingent Recruitment.

Prime RPO will continue to deliver on-site RPO Solutions led by Juan Dorfling who is currently mobilising the third project in the Kingdom.

Command Recruitment has been working actively in the Kingdom since 2016 with active plans to expand to Eastern & Western provinces in the future.

The group are fully aligned to the 2030 Vision and have helped our clients exceed their Saudization targets as well as attracting best in class global talent to come to one of the fastest developing and beautiful countries in the world. The Group is proud to be part of the phenomenal development and enrichment that is happening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.New Paragraph

Command Recruitment becomes part of Prime People

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:00:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce that as of 11th October 2017, Command Recruitment Group (HK) Ltd. has joined the Prime People Plc Group.

Prime People PLC is a group of specialist recruitment businesses operating in depth, across selected industry sectors from offices in the UK, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. The Group’s distinctive approach connects those who will make a difference with high quality, inspirational employers. The operational brands and their markets are:

Macdonald & Company
Real Estate & The Built Environment.

Command Recruitment
Construction & Engineering – Infrastructure – Design & Development - Real Estate - Professional Services.

Prime Energy
Renewable Energy - Environmental.

Prime Insight
Data & Analytics, Market Research, Technology & Digital.

You can find out more about Prime People at www.prime-people.co.uk.

What this means for our Clients & Candidates With Command as part of the Prime People Group you will have access to unmatched capability as part of a global network of recruitment specialists better able to serve its clients in real estate, architecture, design, construction, engineering, infrastructure and professional services. With Command as part of the group we have enviable breadth, depth of knowledge and networks that exist across our businesses allowing us to better connect people.

What you can expect

You will have the same contacts as you do now and there will be no change to the way we manage our relationships. Both Command and Macdonald and Company will continue to operate as separate businesses but with a stronger international network. This will enable our people to do what they do best – Provide you with great service that results in creative, time-effective and successful outcomes.

Peter Moore MRICS
Group CEO

What questions should you ask at the interview?

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 14/09/2015

What questions should you ask at the interview?

When preparing for an interview, jobseekers put most of their effort in formulating answers to the interviewer’s questions. What a lot of people forget, is that it’s equally important to prepare questions to ask during the interview. According to a lot of interviewers, not making any inquiries about your job could mean losing your opportunity to another jobseeker who is more inquisitive and proactive.

Companies want to hire people that are genuinely interested in the company and not just interested in having a job. By asking the right questions, you are demonstrating that you are curious about the company and have a strong desire to be part of the team.

Previously in my blog on how to make the best of the “tell us about yourself question , I showed you how to strategize your answers to create a good impression at the interview. In this article, I’m listing some great questions that you should ask to help you stand out more!

Could you give an example of a typical working day? How many people would I be working with? What is the company culture like?

By asking questions about what it is like to work in the office, you gain some insights about what goes on daily in the office, the management style and whether the company culture is suitable for you. This may also open further to topics such as the team you will be working with or what kind of training you will receive and this allows the interviewer to visualize you doing the job.

What areas have people had trouble with in this role in the past? What traits have made someone excel in this role?

Companies hire people that are able to fill in the gap of the company. This question directly addresses the concern of the employer and demonstrates that you are willing to improve and avoid mistakes committed by the previous employee.

Ask about a specific project they are working on right now or have worked on in the past.

This questions shows that you have taken time to research about their company . Make sure you are 100% sure it was their project!

How long have you been working here? Why do you like working for this company?

A lot of interviewers prefer this question because it gives them an opportunity to sell the company. By asking something moderately personal, you may also be able to lighten the atmosphere by allowing the interviewers to talk about themselves. This is especially effective in the creative industry where many people are passionate to discuss about their their work and style.

If you have absolutely have no idea what to ask at the moment, you can always ask the interviewer to elaborate on a topic or issue they have previously mentioned.

The point of asking a question during the interview is to demonstrate that you are interested in the opportunity and have some depth in your personality and experience. Obviously if you are not interested in the role, do not ask any questions.

Of course you should formulate relevant questions depending on the nature of the interview. The rule of thumb is to be prepared to ask questions as much as to prepare to answer questions.

How to make the most out of the “Tell us about yourself” interview question

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 19/06/2015

How to make the most out of the “tell us about yourself” interview question

One of the questions you can expect in the during an interview if it is going well of the interview is “tell us about yourself”.

A typical response sounds like this:

“ I graduated with a Master’s degree and have 10 years of professional experience as a project manager in the industry. In my previous role, I led a team of 5 people and consistently met targets under tight deadlines as well as initiated several cases of successful business development… ”

The interview knows this as they have reviewed your resume or your LinkedIn profile.

In a competitive job market where employers have to choose the best fit culturally as well as professionally for the position they are recruiting for and their company from a large number of equally qualified candidates. Simply paraphrasing your CV as a self-introduction is not the best way to stand out of the crowd and catch the interviewer’s attention. This is especially true as companies are now starting to value creativity and innovation as an important asset of a good team player.

Remember you only have one chance to make a good first and lasting impression.

So how do you differentiate yourself from the crowd?

The best response to the “tell us about yourself” question is to let the interviewer know more about you in a personal level such as interests and life experiences that are relevant to the role and explain how it relates to the passion for what you do.

For example, a jobseeker told us he once said to the interviewer (for a Sales Manager position) that his hobby in traveling and that he was driven financially in order for him to travel to many weird and wonderful places in the world. It turned out the interviewer was an avid traveler as well and subsequently, the interview transformed from a rigid, corporate atmosphere into a friendly conversation where both the interviewer and interviewee were comfortable.

Self-introductions are usually the first question to be asked in an interview, and it is a great opportunity to create a great impression and set a positive atmosphere. Here are some ideas to inject some personality in your statement:

Employers already know your work experience from your resume. The point of an interview is for them to see whether you have the soft skills they are looking for that fit in the company’s culture and how you compare to their current staff and fellow applicants. This is a time when the employee is judging if you are a cultural fit as well as if you can do the job.

Make sure you communicate clearly and are confident in your answers and your questions. Don’t use buzzwords unless you actually know what they mean and they are used in context.

The rule of thumb in making a great self-introduction at an interview is to be confident in showing your personality. You will find greater career satisfaction by working in a company that allows you to be yourself.

Succeeding in Skype Interviews: 6 things to keep in mind

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 10/06/2015

Succeeding in Skype Interviews: 6 things to keep in mind

If you are applying for a job from a different country or somewhere you cannot easily travel to, the chances are you may be asked to interview for the position over Skype.

The purpose of this interview is much the same as the traditional face-to-face interview: to allow the employer to assess whether the candidate is suitable for the role and the business.

The big difference is you cannot convey body language effectively when you are not meeting someone in person. On a positive note though you will be able to choose the best location to be seen by the employer. This involves having good lighting and no outside noise or distractions.

Some people who are normally confident speaking in interviews may not find it as easy communicating through a computer or smart phone.

Here are some easy steps you can follow to help you succeed in your Skype interview:

Make sure the internet connection and the video quality is excellent

Practice interviewing over Skype with a mock session involving a friend or family member. This way you can test your internet connection and video quality, giving you a chance to prepare ahead.

To get a better internet connection and sound, you can turn off the Skype audio and speak with the phone instead. Leave the video on of course.

Make sure your place is quiet and free of noise and distractions

Choose a place that is quiet and has no distractions. Let people know that you are interviewing for a job so they won’t accidentally disturb you.

Dress professionally

Wearing a suit or professional dress may be odd at home, but dressing well for the interview will also allow you to be mentally prepared for the interview too.

Prepare as you would for a normal interview

Just like a regular interview remember to have prepared questions, a paper and pen for taking notes and your CV to hand. If possible, stick your notes on the monitor so you can quickly look at it without requiring your eyes to wander too far from the camera.

Look into the camera!

Many jobseekers make the mistake of staring at the screen. The only way to make proper eye contact with the interviewer via Skype is to look into the camera.

Be ready on time!

Make sure you are online and ready to start the interview 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time. This will help illuminate any last minute technical hitches.

The content of a Skype interview and a traditional interview will be very similar and you will still need to prepare well to get through this stage of the interview process. Many companies are starting to adopt this method for first round interviews as a time-efficient way to screen suitable candidates.

Follow these easy tips and succeed in Skype interviews. Good Luck!

Are you using too many buzzwords during the interview?

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 02/06/2015

Are you using too many buzzwords during the interview?

“A word or phrase that becomes very popular for a period of time” - Merriam-Webster

We hear buzzwords every day. Marketers make profit by using technical, important-sounding phrases to uninformed consumers which creates a positive impression. For example, “detox” was a popular buzzword in 2014 that magazines and media used to promote a dieting fad which it's basis has yet to reach wide scientific consensus. Job seekers too use buzzwords during the interview, but these phrases often carry no meaning to the interviewers. Here are some words that are overused:

Results-oriented

Work Well under pressure

Can-do attitude

Team player

Work autonomously

Strategic

Solid experience

Seasoned

People Person

Proactive

Responsible

Ambitious Focused

Using buzzwords won’t necessarily get you a job. In order to stand out in a competitive job market you have to describe your skills more specifically and explain to the employer how this is useful to the business. Try using an actual scenario that happened as this will make you speak more fluid with confidence as it was a real event.

Another great way to translate your strengths and achievements into transferable skills is to apply “action words” which the University of Kent has described perfectly in this article . Here is their example:

Rather than writing:

"For my final-year project, I had to carry out a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly. This involved interviewing patients in hospital and in their homes. A database was used to keep track of data collected. This project was finished on time and was awarded a 2.1 grade."

You should instead write:

" Devised and prepared a survey of patients' attitudes to health care services for the elderly as my final-year project. Interviewed 70 elderly patients and obtained a substantial amount of data. Created a database to analyse and interpret this material. Completed this project three weeks ahead of schedule and achieved a 2.1 grade."

In conclusion, simply telling your interviewer that you are hard-working, focused or ambitious won't convince so. The most effective way is to tell them specific details of your experience and achievements. Use this on your resume too!

How to create a good impression at the interview (INFOGRAPH)

Thu, 28 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 28/05/2015

How to create a good impression at the interview (INFOGRAPH)

How to explain to the interviewer that you lost your last job?

Mon, 18 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 18/05/2015

Losing your job is not always the end of the world.

Did you know that...

Steve Jobs of Apple was let go from the company he created but came back with added drive and passion that brought us the world of i (iPod, iPhone and iPad).

How to explain to the interviewer that you lost your last job?

Don’t lie…..Have you ever lied to someone and then struggled to maintain consistency with the lie? Or even worse, got caught red-handed?

Many jobseekers left their previous job because they were let go but tried to mask it during the interview by deceiving the interviews to believing that they left the job by choice.

If you were let go, what should you say when interviewers ask why you have left your previous job?

Lying is never a good choice during an interview. Instead of making up something that never happened, why not rephrase your situation differently in a positive way?

Why were you let go?

There are many reasons as to why you were let go. But no matter what it is, it’s always best to be honest because there is a high chance that the employer will call your previous employer for a background check.

Sometimes the interviewer might omit that step but rumors spread easily and the fact that you lied will eventually reach your work, resulting an embarrassing and lasting damage.

What you really need to do is ask yourself whether your work goals align with your previous employer. Tell the interviewer honestly that you have been fired. And explain to him/her that you work best in an environment that allows your valuable skills to apply and how it will benefit your future employer. If you have positive work experiences in jobs other than your previous one, do let the interview know and demonstrate that you have made considerable accomplishments in the past.

It's not the end of the world.

Steve job's story should inspire you that even in the worst case scenario that opportunity is around the corner

Our advice is to be honest and tell the truth why you left your last position “What can be found out, will be found out” – Marco Cassandro 5 mins ago, so why bother fabricating something and be honest just like we were taught when we were kids “Honesty is the best policy” – my mom.

Even in the worst case scenario where you didn’t get the job, it always feels liberating to tell the truth. Honesty is always the best way to present yourself at the interview.

How Command supports jobseekers (an infograph!)

Tue, 12 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 07/05/2015

Committed to providing the best job opportunities that match your background and aspirations (INFOGRAPH)

What you should not include in your resume

Thu, 07 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 07/05/2015

What you should not include in your resume?

As a recruitment consultant specializing in a specific sector, part of my job includes going through hundreds of resumes a day by making decisions whether the jobseeker is suitable for the role they are applying to and or our clients.

To get the attention of the reader, it’s smarter to condense the information of your resume into bite-sized “snackable content” that is quickly “consumable” by the reader. To do so, you should cut down content clutter in your resume by omitting the following information.

High school

Including the name of the high school you went to in your resume is becoming severely outdated, most employers are more interested in your tertiary education or specific qualifications.

Irrelevant work experiences

Other than cluttering your resume with too much information, it also distracts the employers focus making you look less specialized in your career than you are. Don’t omit information however do not expand on irrelevant positions .

Interests

The interests you include in your resume would either be perceived as strange. Think about it from the employers point of view, What good is it for the employer to know whether you like to read fiction or watch cat videos?

Physical description / inappropriate personal information

Information such as how you look, your religious beliefs, your marital status shouldn't represent how well you work. So it wouldn't make sense to include it in your resume.

Unprofessional email address

People are able to create a mental image of you simply by your email name. Save your goofy or playful email address for personal use and adopt a professional email address with just your name or something simple defiantly not a business name.

In conclusion, your resume should allow your audience to understand your professional background, qualification, relevant achievements and basic contact information by a glance. Keeping it simple is the best way to go!

What should you do after your interview?

Mon, 04 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 04/05/2015

What should you do after your interview?

Whether you have breezed through your interview or you just survived it, it’s always a relief when it’s finished. You may be wondering what you should doing afterwards. Here are a few things you should consider:

Get in touch with your recruiter.

Get in touch with your recruiter immediately after your interview and let them know how it went. Things like the duration of the interview, who you met, were you shown around the office, did they discuss start date are all key pieces of information. This way your recruiter can go back to your prospective employer quickly to get their feedback. Do yourself a big favor by keeping everyone informed, you will be surprised that you will get much quicker response this way. Strike while the iron is hot!

Reflect and Improve.

Think about your performance during the interview. Were their parts that could have gone better? Were there any skills that you felt you should’ve elaborated more? Evaluate yourself so you can improve on your next interview. Practice makes perfect!

Pat yourself on the back.

Interviews can be stressful, you may have spent a lot of time and effort preparing for the interview. After the meeting you should give yourself some credit. Lose the business attire and do activities that you find relaxing. Unwinding after an interview allows you to conserve your mental energy for the next interview, which may just be around the corner. Positive mental attitude really works when it comes to interviews!

Hong Kong Careers: Should I send a courtesy letter / email to follow up after the interview?

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 28/04/2015

Hong Kong Careers: Should I send a courtesy letter / email to follow up after the interview?

Hong Kong is a city with a total population of 7.2 million and has a very competitive job market. As a result many jobseekers are beginning to put more effort into making a good first impression on potential employers.

One of the widely known but not commonplace pieces of advice is to send a thank you / courtesy follow-up letter or email to your interviewer(s) after the interview.

We have asked job seekers their personal experiences and the following points should help you determine whether or not you should send a follow-up after your interview.

Could this simple gesture really be the difference between you getting the position or falling just short of the mark? Lets find out!

Company size

The size of the company effects whether your letter will actually be seen by the person you wish to reach. Larger companies often have complex HR departments and there could be a high chance that your letter will not even pass through the mailroom. With large companies a personal email to the interviewer will be more effective method of communication.

Consider carefully if an informal email or a more formal letter will be more effective. Asking for your interviewers business card after an interview is always a good way to indicate your interest in the company. The card will almost certainly contain the email address you need to send your follow up to them!

Level of position

One of our clients indicated he felt it was a nice gesture when they received direct appreciations and follow-ups from low-level applicants. They felt this showed good initiative and attention to detail and overall left a better impression of the candidate. However, another employer when asked felt that thank you / follow-up letters were a little over-the-top from a junior applicants but more appreciated from senior applicants. An email can be just as effective and is a less formal way of communicating with any potential employer after the interview.

Whether you are the candidate they are looking for

Some employers are often very matter of fact and straight to the point. Put simply if you are not the candidate for the role, a thank you letter won’t help you get the job. If you felt the interview went badly or if they indicated you were not successful in your interview a follow up email / letter will not be necessary.

There are often a lot of applicants applying to the same job. When there are other applicants that are equally qualified for the role an appreciative note could be an extremely helpful differentiator for you and could be a difference maker to you helping you secure the position.

In conclusion, you should write thank you letters / emails to employers if you felt the meeting went well. Please do not write expecting that it will get you the job although it could help you. Your focus should always be preparing well for a quality interview performance.

How to prep yourself mentally for the interview?

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 10:00:00 GMT

by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 20/04/2015

Research about the company, dress well, rehearse your answers, etc. Check!

We are sure that you have read enough articles on how to prepare for the technical aspects of the interview. But all of it is just half the game.

Being mentally prepared is fundamental in exuding a professional attitude and helps you deliver speeches with confidence in a natural and effortless way. Keep nervousness at bay and give yourself a mental booster before any interview by following our tips below.

1. Get plenty of sleep

A good night’s sleep helps to increase productivity at work. Having at least 7-8 hours of sleep allows us to wake up in a good mood, generate creative ideas which enable us to sail smoothly through a hectic day of work. It’s not surprising that the same can be applied to preparing for an interview.

2. Honesty is always the best policy, be confident in the experience you have.

If you don’t have all the experience required always be honest. Be confident and clear with the experience that you do have: good posture, no fidgeting, well-articulated, etc. Timid and nervous interviewees will notice that when they act confidently their interviewer will listen with more intent and exude positive body language. This is a real positive and a tell-tale sign that the interview is going well.

3. Picture yourself

Before walking into the room, take at least half an hour to visualize how you will succeed the interview. By rehearsing beforehand, you can decrease anxiety and execute your actions more smoothly. Many industry leaders and public speakers utilize this skill to deliver compelling speeches.

4. Slow down your movements

Some interviewees say that one of their tricks to calm down nervousness is to slow down body movements. People are likely to be perceived as anxious when their actions are rigid such as twitchy hands and quick neck turns. In contrast, slower movements exude calmness and collectivity. Various books and articles had also written that slower smiles can even increase your credibility.

Currently Hiring for a Recruitment Consultant in Retail

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:00:00 GMT

Currently Hiring!!

We are seeking for an enthusiastic Recruitment Consultant to join our Hong Kong team! Looking for someone with at least 1 year of experience in retail recruitment.

Please send your resume to oleviay@commandrecruitment.com to apply.

Promoted!

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:00:00 GMT

Richard Hughes has been promoted to Managing Director – Asia responsible for all business operations for the region. Richard has been with Command Recruitment since 2010 and has been a major part of the company’s international growth.