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Interview with Contract Options Recruitment in Reading

2008-06-12

 

 

Good afternoon Louise, thank you very much for inviting me for an interview. Mariusz Rapa from www.polishcommunity.net.pl website created for poles by poles, bringing all sorts of information about Berkshire. First of all how are you?

I'm fine, thank you and are you ok?

Yes. I'm fine, thank you.

Good.

Have you heard about us before?

No, never heard about you before?

Ok, so... what do you think now..?

Oh, Very good.

Very good?

Yes! Very good! I like the website, I like the way it is set up, and I look forward to seeing more information.

Ok, so how long have you been working here Louise?

Working at Contract Options for 4 years.

Some Information about the history of the agency?

History of the agency. We established in 1994 and we started off in one branch in Bracknell, which was our Head Office. We have now 7 branches. Which are located obviously here in Reading, Basingstoke, Camberley, Guildford, Bracknell, Slough and Stains.

Opening Hours:

7.30 - 5pm Monday to Friday.

Division of the agency?

Industrial, Driving and Catering.

How many polish people get jobs from your agency?

From my desk alone probably would say a good 60% of my work is work for polish. We also have a branch in Slough which has a big polish work force.

Do you support your employee to get National Insurance Number or Home Office?

Yes we do. We have a Home office registration fax on our system and we also provide our candidates with a National Insurance letter that confirms they are working for us.

Are most of the jobs located outside Reading?

No, most of the jobs are local.

That's great! So there is no problem for people without their own transport.

No, most of the jobs are in Reading and Central Reading or a couple of train stops away.

Can you tell me what sort of qualifications they need?

I think, what I prefer to have is some UK work experience. Warehouse or factory experience either here or back in Poland. With some general understanding of the English Language, even if it is minimal it is still acceptable.

So is this the main problem during the recruitment process?

Yes.

What do you expect from your candidates?

I expect them to be reliable and honest;

Location, is this office the only one in Reading?

Yes, this is the only office in Reading; it is also Head Office now.

Oh, I didn't now...
(Laugh)

Ok. Louise I feel that when I come to agencies in Reading I like to put myself in the employee's shoes. So let's say I am coming in here, look good, say hello and don't have any qualifications, but I am hardworking and willing to learn. Can you help me?

Of Course! We get such good feedback from our clients about polish workers. The reliability 90% of the time is very good. If they are unable to go to work they will let us know in good time and there general attitude towards work is very good as well. So the feedback we get is very good. When we get a polish candidate, coming through the door, looking for work, with relatively good English, he would probably be snapped up straight away and out to work.

Excellent! Can Self-Employed workers get a job as well?

Yes. They can get a job as well, they will also be paid a higher rate.

Good. Tell me more about the recruitment process here. Is there an application form to fill in?

Yes, they have to fill in an application form. They need to give us there name, address, and next of kin. They need to tell us what sort of work they have done in the UK before, and if they have any health problems. We also need Bank Details, Proof of Address and National Insurance number if they have one. We also require them to do test.

What kind of test's are they?

It is a basic manual handling and COSHH test, which they will do in the branch. There is a question sheet on each, and booklets with the answers in which they have to read. This will test there understanding as well as there reading skills.

Is it difficult?

No, it is very basic, and good that we can tell our clients that our candidates have done this basic test.

In your opinion who is the best candidate?

I think the best candidate should be someone with UK experience, reliable and honest. That's what I have learnt in the last 4 years, especially for this company.

Can I ask you what do you think about polish culture?

I think it is good, I don't know enough about it.

Have you tried any polish food or listened to any polish music?

No, well a lot of my work force is male dominated and I have a lot of polish guys working for me. I don't understand the culture fully, but we do get on quite well, I think.

Would you like to know more?

Yes, definitely.

Have you ever been to Poland?

No, I have never been to Poland.

What do you think it's like?

What do I think it is like in Poland?

Cold?

Yes, I think it is very cold. I have never been there before, and I don't know anyone who has been there. I don't really have an opinion to be honest.

I think you should go to Poland and experience the polish alcohol.

Oh, I have experienced polish alcohol! One of my candidates's bought me some polish vodka before and it was quite strong. I like it.

Do you have any polish friends?

I wouldn't say friends - more colleagues, they are my employees.

Do you speak any polish?

I know how to say black trousers; I think it is ‘Czarni Spodni'

I like that, the pronunciation is lovely, and who told you that?

I rang one of my polish workers and he translated it for me, as my candidates need black trouser for work.

Louise, thank you very much for the interview. It was a pleasure for me.

No problem at all, you are welcome!

The Interview with Louise Antolic, Senior Industrial Consultant of Contract Options Recruitment Agency with Mariusz Rapa

Contract Options
59, London Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 4EW
www.contractoptions.co.uk

 

 

 

 

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