HR – PR Fire UK

Recruitment Experts Reveal the 10 Non-Negotiables for the Perfect CV

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:03:02 +0000

BEDFORDSHIRE, UK. March 19th, 2025 – Leading education recruitment company Teaching Tomorrow has collaborated with nine recruitment experts across education, marketing, hospitality, finance, tech and wider industries to reveal critical elements to write and format a CV to make candidates as hireable as possible.

Their collective insights, drawn from decades of industry experience, highlight recruitment best practices for crafting a CV that cuts through the noise.

The experts’ ten pieces of advice for the perfect CV are as follows:

1. Tailoring Is Non-Negotiable

Every expert emphasised adapting the CV to the specific role. Adam Shulman (Teaching Tomorrow) said: “A generic CV is a missed opportunity—recruiters want to see alignment with the job’s core requirements.” Joseph Berry (Stonegate Group) adds, “Relevance streamlines the hiring process and signals genuine interest.”

2. Clarity and Structure Win

The experts advised that a clean, logical layout is essential. Kevin Nixon (Partnerscale) said: “Use bullet points, clear headings, and a professional font. For non-design roles, avoid graphics.” Stephen Belcher (TeachingTomorrow) added: “A well-structured CV lets recruiters instantly grasp your career trajectory.”

3. Quantifiable Achievements Over Responsibilities

Recruiters prioritise measurable impact, according to the experts. Sam Pipkin (ReKinect) said: “Phrases like ‘increased sales by 34%’ prove value better than vague duties.” Rauiri Galashan (Lloyds Banking Group) added: “Focus on your contributions—use ‘I,’ not ‘we.’”

4. Demonstrate Career Progression

The experts claimed that unexplained job-hopping raises red flags. Stephen Belcher said: “Continuity and promotions within a company show adaptability and trust.” Jim Bluck (Quest Employment) advises addressing gaps head-on. He said: “Briefly note career breaks or upskilling periods.”

5. ATS (Applicant Tracking System) Compliance Is Critical

Pippa Owens (Bright Lights Experience) said: “If your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, it won’t reach human eyes.” Experts advised using standard headings (e.g. “Work Experience”) and avoiding columns or complex formatting.

6. Craft a Compelling Personal Summary

Kevin Nixon recommends a “super-relevant” opening statement. He said: “A concise, mission-driven summary grabs attention instantly.” For example: “Digital Marketing Manager with 7+ years in B2B roles, with demonstrable experience driving organic growth.”

7. Highlight Soft Skills

Jim Bluck said: “Teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability are vital in fast-paced industries like logistics.” Experts advised candidates to pair these with role-specific technical skills.

8. Two Pages Max

Experts unanimously agreed that brevity is key. Kealie Shulman (Teaching Tomorrow) said: “Overloading details dilutes your message.” Candidates are advised to focus on recent, relevant roles.

9. Consistency Across Platforms

Adam Shulman said: “Discrepancies between your CV and LinkedIn profile erode trust.” He urged candidates to check that dates, job titles and achievements match.

10. Proofread Relentlessly

Rauiri Galashan said: “Typos or formatting errors suggest carelessness.” He advised enlisting a friend or mentor to review.

Why This Matters

With hiring managers spending seconds per CV, the experts said these non-negotiables ensure the best applicants rise to the top. Adam Shulman said:, “Make your CV so obviously relevant, it’s impossible to ignore.”

ENDS

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Hanzure Secures £3.4M in Seed Funding to Bridge International Hiring Gaps

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:03:02 +0000

LONDON, UK. February 19th, 2025 – Hanzure, a startup transforming how companies access and engage with East Asian talent, today announced the successful completion of its seed funding round, securing £3.4 million in capital. With participation from angel investors specialising in HR technology and enterprise SAAS solutions, this strategic investment marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to develop its pioneering platform.

“This achievement represents more than just capital; it validates our vision for a future where hiring across borders is as seamless as hiring locally,” said William Ashford, Founder of Hanzure. “The global talent landscape is rapidly evolving, and companies need sophisticated tools to navigate the complexities of international hiring. Our platform will fundamentally change how organisations approach cross-border recruitment and immigration processes.”

The funding comes at a crucial time as businesses worldwide face increasing challenges in accessing and securing international talent. Hanzure’s innovative approach combines advanced AI technology with deep domain expertise in East Asian markets, addressing the complex regulatory and procedural barriers that often hinder cross-border hiring.

“The traditional methods of managing international hiring and immigration are no longer sufficient for today’s fast-paced business environment,” added Ashford. “Hanzure eliminates many of the friction points that companies currently face, allowing them to focus on what matters most – finding and securing the best talent for their organisations.”

With this capital, Hanzure plans to accelerate the development of its proprietary AI algorithms, expand its team of engineering and immigration technology experts as well as strengthen its market presence ahead of the platform’s anticipated launch.

The company has already achieved significant technical milestones in its platform development and has garnered interest from leading organisations seeking to streamline their international hiring processes. While maintaining its stealth status, Hanzure continues to work closely with select partners to refine its solution and ensure it meets the complex needs of modern global businesses.

“We’re building something truly transformative,” Ashford concluded. “This funding allows us to maintain our rapid pace of innovation while ensuring we deliver a solution that genuinely addresses the challenges of global talent acquisition.”

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Cybermindz and Gibbs Consulting Launch Mental Resilience Program for UK Cyber Security Teams

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:03:02 +0000

LONDON, UK. 6th December, 2024 – In a groundbreaking move to address the mental health crisis within the cyber security industry, Cybermindz and Gibbs Consulting have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate industry specific, military proven mental resilience training in the UK.

The partnership will offer 50 fully-funded places in Cybermindz’ BaseCamp program, providing a gateway back to mental resilience and fitness for cyber security professionals on the front lines of digital defence.

The initiative comes in light of recent UK research showing a disturbing trend:

Current 12-month burnout rates have reached a staggering 50% in the cyber security industry
35% of respondents believe they are going to cross the burnout line in the next six months and
80% of respondents estimate they will burn out within the next three years.

According to September 2024 UK Government research, the significant cyber security talent deficit is impacting both businesses and national security. Key findings include:

Approximately 44% of UK businesses lack employees with the confidence to perform essential cyber security tasks, such as those outlined in the Cyber Essentials scheme.
Around 27% of businesses report deficiencies in advanced cyber security skills, including penetration testing and incident management.
Confidence in handling cyber incidents has declined, with 48% of businesses doubting their ability to manage breaches, up from 27% in 2020.
The cyber security sector faces an estimated shortfall of 11,200 professionals needed to meet current demand, with women’s participation in key roles falling by 22% in the last three years.

According to the Gibbs/Cybermindz partnership, these statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted training programs, recruitment initiatives, and policy interventions to:

Stem the tide of skills loss
Improve individual and team performance, and
Bridge the cyber security skills gap in the UK.

What the Cybermindz Initiative Brings to the Sector

The neuroscience backed, military proven support program developed by Cybermindz utilises a tool called Integrative Restoration or iRest® developed by US mental health pioneer, Dr Richard Miller.The program—the first of its kind in the UK—is designed to give cyber security professionals a peer-informed solution to combat burnout and maintain peak performance under pressure.

Applications for the 50 funded places are open to cyber security professionals nationwide, with priority given to those in high-stress roles such as CISOs, SOC analysts, red teamers and incident responders.

Farida Gibbs, Founder and CEO of Gibbs Consulting, spoke on the urgency of the initiative:

“We are witnessing an unsustainable level of mental health challenges within cyber security. Our collaboration with Cybermindz.org is not just timely—it’s essential. By underwriting these training places, we’re sending a message that mental resilience support is critical, not optional. We want to ensure that those at the front lines of cyber defence are equipped not only to protect our digital assets, but also to safeguard their own well-being.”

Peter Coroneos, Founder of Cybermindz, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership:

“This partnership signifies a commitment to the health of the cyber security workforce. By offering these early adopter placements, we’re not only expanding Cybermindz’ reach in the UK but directly empowering those in critical roles and adding momentum to a growing movement that recognises the importance of mental resilience as a key pillar of cyber security.”

Two recent participants of Cybermindz programs shared their experiences:

Simon Orcsik, SOC Team Leader:

“Cybermindz offers crucial strategies to help people in the industry manage stress, improve their cognitive recovery and focus. I have not seen anything offered like this in the industry. The program has had a great effect on my burnout recovery; I highly recommend it as a very good addition to the cyber defender’s toolkit”.

Joseph Miller, Information Security Manager

“As an Information Security Manager who has battled severe anxiety for years, I am deeply grateful for the incredible support and services provided. This work is invaluable, and knowing there are people like you in the field gives me great hope and joy for the future. I cannot express enough how impactful your assistance has been; it’s helped me unwind and stay calm, using the techniques we discussed multiple times. Thank you for making such a significant difference in my life.”

Application Process

Cybermindz.org and Gibbs Consulting are calling on all UK-based cyber security professionals to apply for these placements. Applications are expected to fill quickly due to the high demand for mental fitness support within the sector. For more information or to apply for the program, please visit: http://cybermindz.org/basecamp-gibbs

ENDS

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Early-stage VC Emerge closes oversubscribed $73M second fund to invest in future of work and learning

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:03:02 +0000

LONDON, UK. November 7th, 2024 – VC firm Emerge has closed $73M for its oversubscribed global early-stage Fund II, which is backed by 100+ of the world’s best future of work and learning operators. The second fund more than triples the investment from its first, bringing Emerge’s total assets under management to $100M.

Emerge’s partners are immigrants, working-class kids and refugees, for whom education was the path to a better life. They are on a mission to democratise access to opportunity by being a catalytic partner for pre-seed and seed founders whose companies are revolutionising access to learning and levelling the playing field for kids, helping people navigate their careers, and empowering them to use AI at work.

Investors in this fund include KfW Capital, Laerdal Invest, Jacobs Foundation and Southern New Hampshire University. Over the past 10 years, Emerge has made 80+ investments in companies now valued at over $2bn and impacting more than 31M people worldwide. Emerge’s portfolio has had multiple exits and now includes AI-powered investments transforming how we learn, work and navigate careers, such as Solvely, Colossyan and Popp.

Emerge is a thesis-driven and community-powered investor. Unlike other VCs, Emerge is supported by 100+ Venture Partners – operators who have built the world’s most successful future of work and learning companies and providers, including the co-founders and CEOs of Udemy, Degreed, Trilogy, Beamery, Go1, Coursera, Busuu, Kahoot, Andela, Docebo and Springboard, as well as the CHROs and CLOs of Fortune500 companies such as Kraft Heinz, IBM, Boeing and McDonalds.

These Venture Partners engage with portfolio companies throughout their entire lifecycle, focusing on accelerating their journey to product-market fit and Series A and beyond. They inform Emerge’s market research, source deals, support the diligence process, co-invest as angels, become advisors to companies, and even join their boards and become customers. More than half of the Venture Partner community is based in the US, powering Emerge’s strategy to find the best founders in Europe and turbocharge their expansion into the US and global markets.

The closing of Fund II follows multiple successful exits for Emerge, including Zavvy’s acquisition by Deel earlier this year, as well as numerous portfolio companies seeing significant up-rounds from leading investment firms. Examples include Yoto ($22M Series B led by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative); Edurino (€10.5M Series A led by DN Capital); Mattilda ($19M Series A led by GSV); and Unibuddy ($20M Series B led by Highland Europe).

Investments already out of Fund II include Colossyan, the AI video platform for workplace learning that enables users to create videos from text with AI avatars. In June this year, Colossyan announced a $22M Series A with new investors including Lakestar (known for their collaborations with leading companies such as Revolut and Spotify).

“AI is reshaping how we learn, find and do our jobs, and the companies that harness this shift will define the future. With the expertise of our Venture Partners – who’ve built some of the world’s leading future of work and learning companies – we’re equipping founders with the strategic insights they need to seize this unprecedented opportunity.”

– Jan Lynn-Matern, founder and GP

“The choices we make now about how to move forward as a society – whether we take everyone with us or not – will determine whether AI ultimately exacerbates or reduces inequalities. Working with Emerge to solve these challenges is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life: I get to do what I do best, coaching world-class entrepreneurs who are building companies that will define the future of work and learning. And it’s a pleasure to do so alongside a team that cares deeply about its mission and has access to the best entrepreneurs on the planet.”

– Christina Sass, CEO, International Youth Foundation; founder, Andela; Emerge VP

“Emerge has unrivalled dealflow and insights in this space, not to mention lived experience, which they bring together with a unique approach to investing: a world-leading Venture Partner community, gathered to support companies that help every individual adapt and thrive in an AI-powered world. It’s inspiring to be part of this community enabling me to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to solve the biggest problems of our time.”

– Abakar Saidov, CEO, Beamery

“Emerge has been a great partner – their excellent reputation, deep understanding of the future of work and learning sector, ability to move quickly and the immense value added by their Venture Partners network were the main reasons we chose them over other funds at our Seed round.”

– Sean Hirons and Kharis Yanakidis, co-founders, MyEdSpa

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Job Board Launched with Opportunities in the Homelessness Sector

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:03:02 +0000

LONDON, UK. September 26th, 2024 – A brand new job board, Homeless Hostel Jobs (https://homelesshosteljobs.co.uk/), has been launched to connect talented individuals with a passion for helping others with rewarding career opportunities in the homelessness sector.

Homeless Hostel Jobs caters to a wide range of positions, from senior leadership roles like CEO, Director, and Trustee, to vital frontline positions like Support Worker and everything in between. This comprehensive platform aims to be a one-stop shop for both job seekers and employers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

“We understand the critical role the homelessness sector plays in our communities,” says Marlon Smith/HHS Group, founder of Homeless Hostel Jobs. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between passionate individuals and the organisations that need their skills and dedication. By providing a centralised platform specifically focused on the homelessness sector, we hope to streamline the hiring process and empower employers to find the best possible candidates while making it easier for talented individuals to find their ideal role.”

Key features of the Homeless Hostel Jobs platform include:

Targeted audience: Focuses exclusively on jobs within the homelessness sector, ensuring a pool of qualified and relevant candidates.
Wide range of positions: Caters to all levels of experience and expertise, from entry-level support worker roles to senior leadership positions.
User-friendly interface: Makes it easy for both job seekers and employers to navigate the platform and find what they’re looking for.
Streamlined search function: Allows users to filter jobs by location, job title, salary range, and other relevant criteria.

Homeless Hostel Jobs is committed to playing a vital role in supporting the homelessness sector by connecting the right people with the right opportunities. The platform is designed to be a valuable resource for both employers and job seekers alike.

ENDS

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Youth Voice Census 2024 Results Uncover Impact of Anxiety, Discrimination, and Economic Pressures on Young People’s Futures

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:03:01 +0000

KETTERING, UK. September 25th, 2024 – The latest Youth Voice Census results have highlighted the influence of anxiety, discrimination, and economic pressures on the futures of young people.

Over 5,000 young people in the UK, aged 11-30, completed the annual Youth Voice Census in 2024. This census is a deep dive into how young people in the UK feel about their lives, education and work experiences.

The report found that mental health is in crisis. Anxiety is at an all-time high, with 60% of young people reporting feelings of anxiety. Fear of falling behind in skills and opportunities exacerbates the mental health crisis, with anxiety now a top barrier to employment for 40% of respondents.

Alarming rates of bullying, discrimination and harassment persist, with 47% of those in education and 17% of young workers reporting personal experiences. Over 35% of young people cited discrimination as one of their top concerns for the country. Those with additional needs are sadly facing heightened discrimination and exclusion.

Economic worries and financial pressures also significantly impact young people’s decisions regarding education, training, and employment. 1 in 10 have skipped education due to financial constraints, while 72% of university students consider money-related issues a major source of stress.

Contributing to a sense of isolation is the limited access to enrichment and extracurricular activities. The biggest inequality in opportunities is for Black, African, Black British or Caribbean respondents, care experienced respondents, young people with additional needs, and those eligible for free school meals.

The report discovered that confidence in employment has also fallen, with only 26% of young people in education reported being confident about their skills and employment prospects.

Founder of Youth Employment UK, Laura-Jane Rawlings, MBE, DL, said: “Young people are feeling less positive about their future this year, with only 10% believing they can access quality work where they live. On top of this, they are being forced to compromise on safety, quality, cost or location to access education, training and employment opportunities. The sense of unfairness is being felt by all young people, whoever and wherever they are.

“Young people tell us that they don’t want to feel like this and actually would love nothing more than to have access to good opportunities; they just do not believe those opportunities exist for them.”

As experts in the youth employment landscape, Youth Employment UK recommends that access to youth provision is expanded. Local opportunities for enrichment and volunteering are vital for building confidence and resilience.

Support systems should also be improved. Key transition points are when young people need the most support. Reducing barriers to mental health services, housing support and financial aid is vital during these stages.

Youth Employment UK also recommends building a hyper-local young person’s guarantee by creating quality training, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities at the local level, and removing barriers such as transportation costs.

Finally, employer engagement should be encouraged and employers should be encouraged to adopt the Good Youth Employment Standards, ensuring young people have access to quality work opportunities that foster development.

The full Youth Voice Census report can be downloaded on the Youth Employment UK website.

ENDS

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HRIS Specialist Cezanne Announces Simon Noble as its new CEO

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:03:06 +0000

LONDON, UK. July 11th, 2024: Popular human resources information system (HRIS) specialist, Cezanne, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Simon Noble as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Simon brings with him a wealth of industry experience and a track record of success, perfectly positioning the company for meeting its ambitious growth and innovation targets for the years ahead.

Simon joined the business just under 18 months ago as its Chief Commercial Officer. With over 25 years’ experience in delivering digital transformations and people-orientated leadership at companies including Oracle, SAP and CoreHR (now Access Group), he’s since worked closely with Cezanne’s founder, Alberto Gabbai, becoming a key driver in the company’s continued success within the HRIS market.

Speaking about his appointment, Simon said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be stepping up into the role of CEO. There’s clearly a sense of responsibility given the expectations of both our customers and employees, plus the fact Alberto has created an amazing legacy in Cezanne.

“In the time I’ve been here, I’ve already seen first-hand that everyone in the business lives and breathes best practice in terms of what we do, our culture and our values. I feel there are exciting times ahead for everyone here in the company and I’m delighted to be part of that journey…and who doesn’t love a challenge?”

Speaking about his plans, Simon added: “I want to continue Alberto’s amazing legacy by helping Cezanne be the best possible version of itself; somewhere our people love to work, and that passion shines through to every aspect of our business from the products we offer, to the service we provide our clients. We already have the foundations for that; with a reputation for providing outstanding value, products and services, but it’s vital those foundations are not eroded or lost as we grow.

“As Cezanne continues its evolution, the needs of our customers will continue to sit at the heart of everything we do. We operate in demanding industry with a vibrant user community, so we want to grow the business to meet every need of our customers at every stage of their journey. And, thanks to our recent investments and ongoing successes, we’re brilliantly placed to continue to do exactly that in the markets we operate.”

Speaking about Simon’s appointment, company founder Alberto Gabbai said: “My goal with the creation of Cezanne was to create the most loved HR system in the market. With Simon’s expertise, enthusiasm and focus on the customer experience, I believe we have the perfect person to help Cezanne become a true market leader. I wish him all the best success.”

ENDS

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Visier Delivers Enterprise Level People Analytics to The Access Group Customers

Adelle Glance-Wilson — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:03:03 +0000

The embedded partnership brings world class people analytics at scale to businesses of all sizes in the first large scale deployment of its kind in the UK market

LONDON and VANCOUVER. 12th June, 2024 — Visier, the globally recognised leader in people analytics and workforce solutions for people-powered business, announced at CIPD’s Festival of Work event today an embedded analytics partnership with The Access Group, one of the leading providers of business management software to organisations in the UK, Ireland, USA and Asia Pacific.

Thousands of The Access Group customer organisations will soon leverage people analytics insights that were previously accessible only to large enterprise organisations. Visier’s Alpine platform and analytics engine is seamlessly integrated into The Access Group’s new AI-assisted PeopleXD Evo and PeopleHR Evo suites.

“Organisations who truly understand their people are best equipped to realise their full value,” said Zack Johnson, GM embedded, Visier. “At Visier, we strongly believe that businesses of all sizes should have access to people analytics. This partnership with The Access Group, our first of its kind in the UK, will extend in-depth employee data and insights to organisations who in the past may have primarily relied on intuition and instinct in their people related decision-making.”

CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, asserts that data is one of four types of evidence that people professionals need to be comfortable using to make sound business decisions.

“Regardless the size or geographic location of an organisation, businesses are all facing the same labour challenges,” said Charles Butterworth, MD of Access People, a division of The Access Group. “I’m confident that bringing simplified people analytics to our customers will level the playing field, help their HR teams design and implement appropriate programs, and measure their effectiveness in delivering against overall business objectives.”

To learn more about Visier’s embedded partnerships visit: https://www.visier.com/embedded/

To find out more about the Access Group PeopleXD Evo and PeopleHR Evo solutions: https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/hr/software/reporting-analytics/

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South African eLearning Content Developers New Leaf Technologies Enjoy Global Growth

Fri, 17 May 2024 14:03:02 +0000

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. May 17th, 2024 – New Leaf Technologies, an eLearning content development company based in South Africa, is enjoying a global expansion as it benefits from South Africa’s reputation as a favourite and trustworthy offshore outsourcing destination.

New Leaf Technologies provides “best of breed” learning software and services to corporations, training companies and educational institutions throughout Africa and the Middle East.

The company also offers over 30,000 off-the-shelf courses and tailor-made course content, shareable through these platforms, as well as turnkey design and production services to create holistic eLearning experiences.

South Africa enjoys generous local support from the government’s Global Business Services Master plan, which aims to create 500,000 new jobs in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector by 2030. New Leaf Technologies has benefited from this support as it now has clients from across the Middle East.

Michael Hanly, the managing director of New Leaf Technologies said: “South Africa has a highly skilled workforce with a neutral English accent, high levels of empathy, and a cultural affinity to their source markets.

“South Africans are also known for their niche domain skills, from IT, data management, technical and customer support to finance, marketing, and the whole spectrum of creative services. All of this makes South Africa a perfect fit for most companies and we are delighted to be reaping the benefits of this.

South Africa’s convenient location, low-cost talent pool, and cutting-edge communications infrastructure have given South Africans the edge when international companies (from Amazon and BMW to Vodafone and Samsung) look for offshore partners.

Michael Hanly added: “For those operating in the training and corporate learning spheres, there are numerous reasons to outsource instructional design and development to a South African eLearning content development service provider. These include lower costs, English proficiency and cultural alignment, high levels of education and experience of the workforce as well as a strong and agile work ethic.

“Considering these factors, outsourcing instructional design and eLearning content development services to a reputable South African company offers cost-effective, high-quality solutions while promoting innovation, creativity, and flexibility.”

For more information about New Leaf Technologies, visit newleaftech.com.

ENDS

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