Your boss just called you. He has approved the new hire that you desperately needed. The COVID situation is pushing you to new limits and you have to do it right. There is no mistake here – its either you make your target or you are out! You tried hard to manage the team without John that left – but it is simply impossible. He was damn good….we should have tried to keep him. Ok…what’s next? I have the approval – but where should I start? Right….LinkedIn….I saw so many posts about hiring – I’m sure I can do this. I don’t want to ask more budget for recruiting agency….We anyway heard at All-Hands call that we are cutting costs. I have anyway Luis from HR department – he will surly help. Here, I’ll write few words about the job description. Easy. 15 days later, and still counting, the process is far from completion. What the hiring manager doesn’t know is, this process will cost him more than he thought: The time to write the JD’s The time to promote it at the media The time to review so many emails, messages and read so many CV’s Filter CV’s, so many of them The time to coordinate interviews To interview so many – also ones that are not the right fit To negotiate a package To coordinate until signature If you accumulate the time this process takes, you will realise that the money you are saving, actually will costs you more. Don’t do this mistake. Don’t waste your time. Be smart.

I wrote one day, after a long trip I had, a post about the importance of spending time with your family. I have decided not to publish it yet and waited for the right time. And then came 'Corona'. I was watching very carefully the numbers, since it all started, every day. I had a really bad feeling about it, especially because I'm at risk, but also, I had a very important trip planned in April and it felt unlikely I could fly. The situation, as you know, became horrendous and quickly half of the world population stayed at home. When you are an entrepreneur the rhythm you dictate is the path your company will go. In this very complex situation, I was just speechless. Are any of my words would be heard in such chaotic time? Do people have different priority in life since the Covid-19? Nevertheless, as an entrepreneur you have to keep up and find ways of being creative and invent yourself every day, even in very difficult times. I have decided to use this time to reflect. While working on my database of my candidates and customers, I have more time to pause and look after myself and my family. Without planning, the article of spending time with family, became irrelevant as we were gifted to spend more time together. I started to practice running, with the kids as well, cooking with the kids and just be together. It is not often we get a chance to spend so much time with our love ones without school, traveling, office time and inability to go out. I believe recruitment will be essential requirement, but not today when there is so much unknown of the economy and countries still fighting to prevail the virus. Recruitment, to re build the economy, will be important component and Pair will be here to assist. In the meantime I recommend all the many job-seekers, who had approached me or thinking of finding a job, please work on your CV (here are some tips from us: https://www.pairrecruitment.com/wrting-cv ) and spend your time in learning more about products, technology and the industry. Read as much as you can – and in your spare time – spend time with your family! God protect us all!

It was Monday morning. I got ready for a conference in London when my phone rang. It was early. I picked up the phone and it was an old friend. In our industry our colleagues are also good friends. 'Reuma, I need your help urgently. Someone left, and we need to replace him quickly. Can you do that?' I know this company for many years. I used to sell and buy from them. I know exactly what kind of people they are looking for. Job searching is not only qualifications. It’s also personality match to the company’s culture. Few days later I got the Job Descriptions. For me it's not the JD itself but basic parameters that I can't work without; salary, years of experience, location. The rest I know, as I have done those roles myself before. It was Monday night when I got the information, and I needed to go to another conference again the next day. Sometimes I like the journey to London. It's only me and my thoughts. Kids are in school and I have nowhere to go, just allowing the train to take me to my favourite town in the world. This trip wasn't as relaxed as I wished. I had a job to fill and I had a tight schedule. I have decided to write an ad and it was the right decision that morning. My phone started to get mental. Phone calls, emails. Everyone wanted the Tier-1-Good-Money job. I had to wait until I’m off the train as I hate talking on my phone during my commute. I find it rude and a bit annoying people managing their lives in front of everyone… Finally landed in Waterloo. Rushed to the conference, which wasn't exactly what I expected, but I met few good friends and had good catch up meetings. I Managed to make few more calls but during this chaotic time, I forgot to close properly the lid of my drink and within a minute I had aquarium in my bag. I only needed a straw...Luckily my MacBook survived the storm and my phone was in my hand, where unfortunately it always is…Running back to the train home, I was leaving a trail of coke all the way from Northern Line to Piccadilly Line. The funniest part was when someone told me on the tube, ma’am, your bag is leaking... I finally got home, picked up the princess and made few more calls. One of them was with her. She had a spark and very energetic attitude. She reminded me myself (how old of me saying that...). I have decided to put her through. No doubt. I already put through few candidates, but she was something the hiring manager should have seen. And I wasn't wrong. Tuesday, I have submitted her CV. Friday, she went for her first interview. Yesterday she went to the second interview. Been offered and accepted the job. In less than 24h I have submitted great candidates which one of them was the perfect match. Few conclusions. 1. Never leave the lid open in your bag. 2. Don't waste your time on too many conferences. 3. When you need to recruit, and you need someone good quickly, give me a call. I'll find you the one.