36 Issue 254 - August / September 2024 www.signlink.co.uk Open-minded and Creative Recruitment Introduce yourself and how you came to be in the print/ sign industry I am Izabella from INV Recruitment, and I specialise in recruitment across the industry. Like most people, I fell into it. I applied for a recruitment job with a business that happened to recruit across the sector. It was an eye-opening experience, as I didn’t know how big of an industry this was. I have since enjoyed the people and the challenges this industry has to offer. Tell me about INV Recruitment, how it came to be founded, and the services you offer INV Recruitment began in February 2020 amidst challenging industry conditions, but it successfully navigated multiple lockdowns. The business started with a passion and a desire to do recruitment differently. Having worked in recruitment agencies driven by numbers, I felt I couldn’t offer the service I wanted and had restrictions in terms of the areas and businesses I could work with. What are some of the challenges you’re seeing at the moment in terms of recruiting in the industry? One of the biggest challenges the industry is facing is the reduced number of candidates across production, installation, office, sales, etc. This is when we need to be creative and think outside the box when recruiting. Getting people with the exact experience who can hit the ground running has always been my aim, but now it’s important to look at similar industries, consider people with transferable skills, and invest in training and development. What are some of the common mistakes you see people making when it comes to applying for jobs? Some of the most common mistakes people make when applying for jobs are using generic CVs, not focusing on their strengths, and not following up and communicating effectively. What advice would you give to these people? I would recommend highlighting their strong points and talents as much as they can, and really emphasising their communication abilities. Are there any positions within print and signage that are particularly hard to recruit for, and where are the biggest skills gaps? I think the biggest skill gap is across installations. Many installers and wrappers left the industry during Covid-19 and never returned, and many have started working freelance, which has been great for them. However, this has left the industry in a difficult position when it comes to permanent staff. The industry overall needs to invest in training and development across all areas but with a focus on installations, production, and sales. What advice would you give to anyone who is unemployed and looking for a new role within the industry? We speak with Izabella Ivanovici, founder of INV Recruitment who offers her advice on recruiting and applying for new roles within the print and signage industry, and how we can attract new talent to fill skills gaps I recommend staying openminded and engaging in as many conversations as possible to discover your next challenge. However, when you come across a great opportunity, don't overthink it; just go for it because such opportunities can be rare. I've seen many individuals overthink, miss out on great opportunities, and later regret it. How can INV Recruitment support someone looking for work and what’s involved in the process of working with you to find a role (for both companies hiring and people looking for jobs)? I believe that effective communication is crucial, with both clients and candidates. It's important to understand the candidate's needs early on and ask challenging questions. I always ensure effective communication and keep candidates updated on the search progress and feedback. A big challenge at the moment is recruiting young talent into the industry. How do you think we, as an industry, should address this issue? I strongly believe that the industry should prioritise training and development. It's crucial to look beyond our current pool of talent and consider bringing in new people. Embracing young talent and providing necessary training is essential at this point. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! Do you have anything to add? The industry is exciting, and it's crucial for us to convey this to potential candidates. That's why it's important for recruitment agencies and businesses to collaborate closely. Sometimes, we are the first point of contact for a candidate with a company, so making a good impression from the outset is vital. By working closely with a trusted recruitment partner, a company can significantly increase its chances of attracting the best talent in the market. Q&A / IZABELLA IVANOVICI, INV RECRUITMENT
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