Recruit Mint: let’s get to work…

[prev] …he’d done previously. But as it stood, his CV wasn’t right for the role. So I spent another half an hour with him, going over a better way of postitioning his CV – rewriting his CV, essentially. I gave him some hints and tips and some tasks to do, and he came back four days later with a new CV, a presentation that he’d done about training modules at his previous job, a personal training plan that he’d put together for individuals there, and e-commerce training package that he’d put together. So, he’d done a lot of work, and provided me with documents that added real weight to his application. ‘When I approached the company with his details they said: “Oh, we’ve already had his CV three weeks ago and rejected it…” The CV that got rejected was the one that wasn’t right, and the candidate knew nothing about it having been sent. What’s happened is he has probably applied for the role online, an agency has seen his CV and forwarded it straight to the client hoping he’s successful. Now, even if I presented his new improved CV and materials to the company, if he then got the job, that agency would get the fee because they introduced him first. £6,750 for forwarding a CV. So that’s what we’re up against. I’m now working with him on another vacancy that is very specific, very targeted.’

‘Our new tagline is “Improving people’s lives” because we genuinely believe we do that’

Of course, targeting your efforts is simply good marketing, and good business – but some agencies, it seems, are still taking the easy route. ‘For one role – which is very niche, requiring a very specific skill-set – I’ve sent five candidates in the last three weeks, and all candidates are very strong. But from another agency I know they’ve received 16 CVs, and you can be sure none are going to be exactly right.’ With the shift in the market, it would seem the time is right for a new people-friendly approach, and a change of emphasis. Recruit Mint is currently undergoing a re-brand, and their new face aims to reflect their more enlightened offering. ‘Our new tagline is “Improving people’s lives” because we genuinely believe we do that – and when you start saying that and believing in it, it’s quite powerful. Most recruitment agencies just talk about finding the right person for the right job or something similar, but we really do believe we’re improving things. If we find them something that’s really right for them, then their life is better the day we find them that job. The responsibility that goes with that is quite vast. We don’t take it for granted.’

‘We are prepared to put our money where our mouth is. It shows we are confident that we can find the right person’

The rebrand means a new website, which will feature infographic videos explaining their approach, listings of current jobs, along with a range of fully interactive resources: how to build a correct CV, interview tips – essentially all the things a jobseeker will need. They’re also introducing Trustpilot reviews. ‘That means we get genuine reviews from candidates on our website relating to the level of service, in addition to the Facebook page where people can also leave reviews and feedback.’ It’s all about asking people what they really want, and listening to them. Again, simply good business. Recruit Mint’s market is in a 60-mile radius of Peterborough, and if the business continues to meet with user approval they’re looking to push further out into the real world as well as the virtual one. ‘We just got the keys to a new branch in Huntingdon, so we have a second branch open. In the next five years we want to have around five branches. If you look at a map of Peterborough, and draw a 60-mile circle, we’re looking at Cambridge, Bedford, Leicester and so on. Peterborough will be the main branch, but those will give us anchors in other areas.’ And if we’re talking about a new confidence in the market, nothing demonstrates that more clearly than Recruit Mint’s startling USP – what they call their Gold Leaf Service. ‘Generally speaking in recruitment, you charge the client a salary is £20,000, I might charge around 20% as a fee – so £4,000.’ Within that deal, there is usually protection built in for the client to cover them if the person leaves within the first 12 weeks. If that newly appointed employee leaves within the first two weeks, for example, they get 90% of the fees back, between weeks three and four perhaps 75% back, and so on – with nothing back after 12 weeks. ‘What we are offering with the Gold Leaf Service is basically a 6 month guarantee, so if the person leaves within a 6 month period, they’ll be rebated 110% of the original fee…’

Putting that into figures, if Recruit Mint bills the client £5,000 and the person leaves within the first 6 months, they’ll refund the client £5,500. ‘We have to be very confident in what we’re doing in order to deliver that,’ says Mark. ‘There are certain caveats, of course – criteria that the clients need to meet, and they pay a bit more for that level of service – but, basically, we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is. It shows we are confident that we can find the right person. And it’s beneficial to the candidate and the client, because both want to find a permanent solution to their problem – a person who is really right for that role.’ It certainly seems that Recruit Mint’s refreshing new approach is finding favour in the job market. ‘I had one guy last week who said to me: “I’ve been dealing with recruitment agencies for 15 years, and I’ve got more out of this last hour speaking to you than I have in all that time!” That’s the sort of thing we’re being told. We want people to know they will be consulted, they will be valued, they will be treated with respect.’

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