The dearth of talented bilingual workers in the UK is one of the biggest gripes of many businesses. Figures from the government show that the British economy loses about £50bn a year in failed contracts because of a lack of language skills in the workforce. But that’s not all that’s lost. A senior advisor from the investment bank UBS has said:

“A deep understanding of foreign languages is often essential to the combination of cajolery and seduction many companies require in their international negotiations.”

And frankly, we couldn’t agree more. But what can UK businesses do to bridge this skills gap? How about a little spot of talent pooling?

What is a talent pool?

A talent pool is a shortlist of candidates for roles that may not necessarily exist yet but who have the type of talent you need in your organisation. Whether that’s specific language skills, experience or hard-to-find qualifications depends on the particular challenges you face.

A talent pool can be made up of candidates who:

• You’ve interviewed before
• Attended events and careers fairs you’ve held
• Have contacted the business about prospective employment
• You’ve met at networking events
• Have been found by a previous executive or corporate search

Research has found that while only 30 percent of the workforce is looking for a new role at a particular time, 75 percent would be willing to talk about a prospective new role. That gives you the opportunity to sound them out and gauge their interest about openings you expect to have in the future.

What role can talent pools play?

Most managers will have a story about how an unexpected resignation or skills gap led to a long and potentially unsuccessful recruitment process. That’s why a more proactive approach can help to reduce the stress.

The impact of a sudden resignation, particularly by a member of staff with key skills, can be devastating for a business. Not only can it be damaging to the operations of the company, but it can also be difficult personally for other members of the team.

Having a talented pool of bilingual candidates to turn to can make it much easier to fill that gap and stay ahead of the recruitment curve. Rather than starting the process from scratch, you have existing contacts you can call on that have already shown an interest in working for your business.

When is the right time to build your talent pool?

There’s never a bad time to start building a talent pool, but conversely, perhaps the best time is when things feel the most stable. Not only is that when you’re most likely to have the time to dedicate to the process, but it’s also when growth is likely to lead to a new role opening up, or when an unexpected resignation could hurt you the most.

In reality, there’s always likely to be some disconnect between finding the perfect candidate and the right opportunity or time, which is why building a talent pool can make sure you don’t miss out.

How can we help?

At Linguistica Recruitment, we can help you find the talent you need to fill your linguistic skills gap. To find out more, please call our team on 02392 987 765 or email info@linguistica-recruitment.com today.

A YouGov poll of 1,170 British adults has found that getting a new job is seventh on the list of the most popular New Year’s resolutions for 2018. Perhaps many of us would have expected it to feature higher on that list given just how upsetting returning to a job you hate after the Christmas break can be.

While the abiding effects from the festive season fade all too quickly, the good news is that January is the perfect time to search for a new job. Before Christmas, we gave you a few top tips to help you beat the January job rush, but refocusing and setting clear new career resolutions is also a key part of making your job search a success. So what can you do to supercharge your efforts in 2018? Let’s take a look…

1. Set clear goals

The best way to tackle such a large and multifaceted task is to break it down into realistic and achievable chunks. Taking one step at a time and ticking that off your list, whether it’s updating your CV, overhauling your LinkedIn profile or making a list of dream employers, is an excellent way to kick-start the process.

You should set a realistic timeframe to complete each task and make sure you stick to it. This will keep you moving in the right direction and help you remain serious about your objective. It will also give a sense of accomplishment and make you feel more motivated about your progress.

2. Market yourself effectively

Blowing your own trumpet is something not everyone finds easy to do. It’s incredible how many times job applicants are unsuccessful, not because they lack the necessary skills and experience for the role but simply because their CVs are not an accurate reflection of their capabilities.

A CV is a document that represents you in your absence. There’s no point having years of industry-specific experience and an exceptional track record of success if this is not included, in detail, on your CV. You should be specific regarding your achievements and milestones in your career and highlight key interactions or partnerships you may have developed.

It also goes without saying that your CV should be customised to the requirements of the job you are applying for. That might be tedious but it’s absolutely essential.

3. Use your time wisely

When you spend all day in a job you don’t enjoy, all you want to do when you get home is relax and switch off. However, by taking the easy option, all you’re really doing is prolonging your dissatisfaction.

Next time you’re tempted to put your feet up and watch yet another boxset, think about how that will help you bring an end to your current career purgatory. You need to use your time more productively. The more work you do now, the more quickly you’ll find a job you love.

4. Refine your tactics

If you’ve applied for 20 jobs and not received a positive response from anyone then it’s clear that something you’re doing is wrong. As an ongoing process, job seeking requires regular review. It could be that you’re applying for roles you’re under- or over-qualified for.

Alternatively, you may not be effectively demonstrating how your skills and experiences are relevant to the role. With so many different ways to apply for jobs these days, there are plenty of strategies you can use.

5. Never give up!

Around one-third of job seekers give up their job search after two months if they have not been successful. Some candidates make the mistake of thinking that finding a new job will be quick and easy. For a lucky few, it is. However, researchers in the US have found that it takes roughly one month for every $10,000 you want to earn. That means, in the UK, it could take an average of three months to find a new job that pays £22,000.

The difference between successful and unsuccessful jobseekers is their refusal to give up. Walt Disney, J.K. Rowling, Thomas Edison and Vincent Van Gogh are just a few of the people we would have never heard of today if they had given up. In fact, poor Vincent Van Gogh sold just one painting in his lifetime but refused to give up his artistic career. Now he is considered to be a true master.

How can we help?

If you’re looking for a fresh bilingual role in the New Year, we can simplify your job search immediately. Just send your CV to our team and we will be in touch to discuss your requirements. We currently have dozens of employers looking for candidates just like you.