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Please Don’t Shy Away from Saying “No”

“No” can be a scary word. As youngsters we’re conditioned that no will lead to conflict against the powers-that-be (parents, teachers etc.) In adult life we often bring our childhood conditioning with us and when confronted by a situation where only a “no” will suffice, it’s not uncommon for people to shy away from the responsibility to say it.
Another trait …

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Hot Jobs in Accounting & Finance this Summer!

Covid-19 was a shock to the international system. The pandemic caught us like rabbits in headlights, collectively dazed. As the world around us changes so does the world of accounting. With each year comes new challenges that drive demand for specific skills. With this in mind, and as we reach the middle of the year, we thought it the perfect …

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LinkedIn Vs Recruiters

LinkedIn is the social network for the serious. With over 300 million users, two new users signing up every second, and a goal of attaining three billion members, LinkedIn is going to get a lot more serious. What started out in 2003 as a great way to professionally network, LinkedIn has transformed into the online CV website and shopwindow for …

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Women in Accounting

Accounting has historically been a regarded as a more masculine profession and, to this day, it is still thought of by many as male-oriented. As we move closer to a more equal society, surely this stereotype cannot endure. At Holden Jones we thought it time for an exploration into the reality of gender balance (or imbalance) in the accounting world. …

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The Communication Paradox

Our question to you: why is it so difficult to speak to people over the phone? We are recruiters and we love talking to people, but in a world where communication has become so easy that everyone has a mobile phone with multiple messaging opportunities, are we losing the art of conversation or just becoming a society dismissive of verbal …

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The CV Battle Royale

Two recruitment Titans stand on opposing sides of a client, each brandishing the CV of the next big placement. One has the permission from the candidate to submit the CV, the other doesn’t care. The second agency just wants to beat everyone to the punch, sending every semi-suitable CV, hoping one might stick. A little commercial rivalry, yes, but serious …

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We Like How People Smell

At a recent board meeting, held in the quiet part of a reputable establishment, both Holden Jones’ directors wistfully recalled the days of meeting every candidate face-to-face, the memories having been invoked by strong olfactory recollections. Pressing the flesh, looking them in the eye, smelling their fear! That’s what happened with every candidate for every vacancy. Okay, maybe they didn’t …

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The Death of Professional Courtesy

Why is ghosting (vanishing from a professional or personal relationship by not responding to communication) becoming such a problem? We are struggling to comprehend the cause and where this problem could lead us. Let’s provide a little context; Holden Jones is a recruitment agency and yes, we know the terrible reputation recruiters have for dodging and hiding from candidates. It …

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How Confidential is your CV?

A curriculum vitae (latin: course of life) is the intimate documentation of your education and work histories as well as a potted summary of your extra curricular activities, hobbies and interests. Your CV contains not only your work chronology, it also has your personal contact information. This is an extraordinarily private document, but so few people pay any notice to …

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5 Reasons You Are Losing Money by not Using an Accountant

The common perception of accountants is that they merely “keep accounts”. They work retrospectively, analysing and reporting on that which has already happened. Few people are aware just how important the accountant’s role is for the health and development of a company. The sort-sighted see the expense of employing accountant as unnecessary or as something that can bypassed. Those with …