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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].

Some interview questions seem straightforward. Some seem totally irrelevant and difficult to answer! Here’s some common interview questions – and how best to answer them…

Why should we hire you for the job? The key here is to link your experiences to the needs of the role, without where possible turning it into a sales pitch about yourself.

Tell me about yourself… A question that’s (worryingly) open. Keep it brief – a 2 or 3 minute overview of your experience and background is definitely more than enough.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Again, this is another question widely open to interpretation. You should tailor your response to the needs of the organisation, and demonstrate your passion and ambition for progression.

Why did you leave your last job? The key here is to NEVER criticise your previous employer. Be positive and talk about how you’d like to progress or develop.

What are your weaknesses? It’s normal to have weaknesses, everyone has them! When answering this question, name your weakness AND what you’ve done to try and improve on it.

Do you have any questions? YES, without a doubt – Ask questions demonstrating your interest in the role and company.

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

Forklifts are paramount to every warehouse – but used irresponsibly they can be hugely dangerous. Here’s a list of the things you should definitely not do when operating a forklift!

Forget or skip inspections. Conducting regular forklift inspections is vital to keeping a forklift working, but also keeping them safe. Inspections should be both visual, checking the forklift looks in top shape, but also operational too. Skipping forklift checks can endanger both forklift operators and warehouse pedestrians.

Lack of attention – and horseplay! It’s easy for operators to forget simple things like checking their surroundings before moving their forklift but it can be very dangerous – just as horseplay and fooling around rather than paying attention can be damaging too.

Speeding. Easily done when forklift operators are under pressure to deliver, but simply not worth it. A split-second decision to break the rules can have devastating consequences.

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

Post 2020 and life in lockdown we’re working more remotely that ever before, with video interviews becoming more common than they once were. Here’s our top tips for acing your next video interview.

Don’t get interrupted! Find a quite space at home where you can log on for your interview. Make sure the space is light, and if you can try to keep the space behind you clear and free of any personal items or information.

Test in advance. Check your computer is suitable for running the chosen video technology for your interview, and test your camera and speakers / microphone in advance to make sure everything is in working order!

Take it seriously. You should prep in the same way as you normally would for an interview, and make sure you dress to impress! Be personable and energetic.

Be ready for glitches. If you can’t hear your interviewer properly, let them know and work with them to adjust the equipment until everything is working correctly. If the video drops at any point, don’t panic! Make sure you have a contact number of the interviewer in advance so you can call them if necessary.

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