Blog

It’s a question that many job seekers have had to face – Do tattoos and piercings reduce your chances of advancement in your career?

The short answer is it really does depend on the hiring manager, recruiter and the requirements of the job.

For some jobs, if you’re not customer facing, you are likely to find hiring managers are more flexible in terms of your appearance (to a certain extent). The main concern for employers is the impression of their organisation given by their employees.

It may also depend on the extent of your tattoos or piercings. If your tattoos are easily covered up, for example, then it’s unlikely you’ll face any objections. However, if you are heavily tattooed, you may find more challenges ahead.

If you have concerns when looking for a new job, do your research into the company culture before your interview. At least that way you’ll have an understanding of what the employers find acceptable!

Realistically, the vast majority of employers will assess your abilities and skills sets – So don’t let your piercings and tattoos hold you back!

For more information on our latest vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

Finding a new job is a challenging business, and sometimes feels like a full time job in itself! Searching and applying for jobs can be time consuming, and that’s before you secure an interview! Finding time to interview can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you already have a job – here’s our top tips.

Does it have to be in working hours? In the first instance, try to arrange an interview outside of your working day – this could be around your shift pattern, or out of hours if you work a 9-5. There’s no harm in asking! An early morning or evening interview might be an option, and means you won’t have to take time out of your current role.

Be as honest as you can be. Lies to get out of work, including “pulling a sickie” is definitely not recommended and can cause more problems down the line. All parties involved deserve to be treated fairly.

Use your holiday. Whilst you might prefer to spend your annual leave actually on holiday, it can be used for other reasons – and you’re entitled to a certainly amount of day’s leave a year. If you are looking for a new job, using your annual leave for interviews is the fairest way to take time off work.

For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact Flexistaff on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

If you drive vans professionally for a living, it’s probable that you’ve loaded and unloaded your van more times than you can remember. However, it’s vital that drivers pay attention to the way they load their vans to avoid injury. Take a look at our top tips!

Know your strength! Be aware of what you’re able to lift and what you can’t. The use of lifting aids where possible will make a huge difference to your own productivity!

Clear the route. Make sure your route is clear before you start carrying your load, ensure you have a place to stop if your items get too heavy, and park as close to your parcel’s final destination as possible!

It is too heavy? If your parcel is too heavy to lift, see if the parcel can be broken up into smaller parcels to make things easier, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What about your shoes? Even if you’re strong enough to lift your parcels, slipping or inadequate shoes could make your life a whole lot harder.

Make sure you’re insured! You never know – make sure you and your van are covered!

For more information about our latest driving vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

These days the interviewing process can consist of a few stages, and the telephone interview is becoming a popular way to screen applicants in the early stages of recruitment. It’s vital you’re properly prepared for a telephone interview – So what are our top tips?

Take it seriously. A telephone interview might seem easy, but it’s important that you prepare just as thoroughly as you would for a face to face interview. Remember, you’ll need to perform well to get to the next stage!

Think about your environment. Make sure you are in a quiet place with no distractions or background noise if possible. Try to sit at a desk or table where you can easily take notes during the interview if needed. Concentrate only on the telephone interview; no food, no magazines, and definitely no background TV!

How should you answer? Make sure you’re prepared to answer the phone professionally when the call comes – it’s good to start the interview in the right way! Make sure you state your name when answering the phone so the interviewer is clear that they are speak to the right person.

For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

We all know that forklifts are designed to lift objects, not people. But in some cases, forklift can provide a temporary platform or stairs if required – and to make it safe it’s vital you use a forklift safety cage. But when should you use it?

Forklift safety cages should be used only in certain situations. It’s possible to use a safety cage when you need to carry out emergency repairs or for non-routine maintenance. In some cases it may even be safer to use a forklift rather than more traditional methods like scaffolding, and it may be the best option when specialist support is not available.

Most importantly, when using forklift safety cages you must have full training and be aware of all health and safety considerations. Even if you’ve had training  before, this training must be refresh on a periodic basis. Be aware of the load limit and make sure you communicate effectively with your team at all times. Proper protective workwear is an absolute must.

For more information about our latest forklift vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916.

Already retailers are preparing for Black Friday, the most competitive sales event ahead of Christmas. There’s been lots of successes on Black Friday for retailers over the last few years, but careful planning is a must. So how can companies ensure they are prepared for the rush of Black Friday?

Are you multi-talented? Companies should start thinking about training employees in multiple skills on the warehouse floor, to ensure that the demand for delivery times is met.

Ease the demand. Lots of companies are now engaging with Black Friday by holding sales for the entire WEEK of Black Friday, under the same banner. By making sales periods longer, companies can avoid the rush of a one-day sale which can put massive strain on the supply chain.

Value your employees! It’s a busy time of year, which can be made worse by employees leaving due to pressure. Companies should keep an open culture of good communication, and maybe consider employing temporary workers to support the team – they’ll appreciate it!

The key to success on Black Friday is good planning, preparation and flexibility – and in today’s competitive market, companies must make it count!

For more information about how Flexistaff can support your supply chain recruitment needs, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

Working is a huge part of our day to day lives, and sometimes, with our busy world around us, it’s hard to remember what we enjoy about our work. A positive attitude means great productivity, contentment and personal progression – so how can workers make sure they get their mojo back?

Surround yourself with positivity. Spend your time with those in your team who are passionate, positive and eager to make a difference – and who appreciate the role you play at work. There’s no better way to feel motivated when you’re in a motivated team!

Make time for yourself. Whilst at work, work hard certainly, but make the most of your downtime too, to ensure the perfect work/life balance.

What’s good about your job? When things are challenging, remind yourself why you applied for the role in the first place. If you had to sell your role to someone else, what are the positives you’d share?

Offer a helping hand. If you’ve been in your job for a while, why not offer support to new workmates joining the industry? There’s no greater reward than helping someone along their way, and it’ll give you a great feeling of purpose.

Keep learning. Find opportunities to grow your knowledge in your chosen industry; by finding new opportunities and ways to grow, your passion for your chosen industry will only grow with you!

For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

Here at Flexistaff over the years we have supported countless warehouse operatives in finding new work. Working in a warehouse is fast paced and hard work and a hugely important role in any supply chain. We also know the quirks of working in warehouse…so here’s a few, just for fun!

You know you work in a warehouse when…

You can instantly name an item by the stock code, even if you don’t know what it is

You sometimes find yourself having more conversations with the stock and equipment than your team mates

You can tell the pallet jacks apart, and have a favourite

Conversation and working go hand in hand and you can do both with ease

No one but you knows how to pack a box correctly

You crush cardboard boxes before throwing them out, in every part of your life

The hand cart belongs to you, and others must ask permission to use it. No excuses.

Like any job, working in a warehouse doesn’t come without it’s quirks, and we salute our hard working warehouse operatives! What other quirks have you noticed whilst working in a warehouse?

For more information about our current warehouse vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact Flexistaff on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

In today’s 24/7 world, many people all over the country work changeable shifts and many choose to work overnight. It can be a difficult change and it’s important that night shift workers stay healthy, so how can you make sure you’re fit for work when working the night shift?

Keep it consistent. Continuously changing your working pattern too much can have some side effects, so if you prefer to work the night shift, try to stick to it where possible.

Make time for a power nap. Night shift workers typically head straight to bed once they’ve finished work, unlike those working the 9-5. This means that, as it’s more difficult to sleep during the day, night shift workers can sometimes be awake a long time before their shift starts. Try to split your sleeping pattern and if possible aim to catch a few hours’ sleep before your shift starts.

Put down the coffee! Many people use caffeine to get through the day, but for those working overnight it can have a huge impact on their sleeping pattern. Night time workers are likely to grab a coffee towards the end of their shift when they are feeling most tired, meaning when they get home and try to sleep it’s even more difficult than normal. Leave well alone!

Change your lights. Black out curtains are a must for those working the night shift; it may not seem very significant, but too much light can dramatically affect the quality of sleep, so make sure the daylight is kept at bay!

Stay healthy. Eat little and often and eat well. Although it’s night time, breakfast, lunch and dinner are a must!

For more information about our current vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].

Working in a warehouse is a busy, fast paced job. It’s vital work, often including tight deadlines, but it’s crucial that you stay safe whilst working as a warehouse operative. Here’s how.

Get your safety gear on! Posters should advise you of what protective equipment you should be wearing when you’re working; make sure you wear the required equipment at all times – the signs are up there for a reason!

Get rid of hazards. If you see any items, stock or equipment left in an unsafe place, don’t just walk on by. Make sure you move the items to a safe place to avoid any tripping hazards.

Be a safe lifter. Lifting heavy boxes without due diligence is easily done but can have huge consequences to your health. Adhere to the correct manual handling procedure, take your time, and make sure the area is clear before you attempt the lift.

Always promote awareness. Make sure your training is up to date and ensure you inform your colleagues of any concerns you have to make sure they stay safe too.

For more information about our latest warehouse opportunities, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or [email protected].