• SFR RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS

Category: Blog Post

Blog Post

Onboarding is a Strategy, not a Checklist.

Oct 13, 2025 , by sfrrecruitment

Don’t let a great hire fail because of a poor start.

 

The cost of a failed hire is enormous—not just in recruitment fees but in lost morale, productivity and time. So why do so many businesses treat onboarding as an afterthought?

 

Handing someone a laptop and a password isn’t onboarding. It’s an administrative task.

 

🚀 True onboarding delivers long-term success by…

  1.  Setting Clear Expectations: A structured 30-60-90 day plan that outlines what success looks like.
  2.  Building Connections: Assigning a mentor or “buddy” to help them navigate the social and cultural landscape of your business.
  3.  Integrating into the Culture: Purposefully introducing them to key people across different departments, not just their immediate team.
  4.  Creating a Feedback Loop: Scheduling regular, informal check-ins to address questions and ensure they feel supported.

 

Investing in a seamless onboarding experience is the single best way to protect your investment and turn a promising new hire into a long-term, high-performing asset. Don’t skip the important bits.

 

Blog Post

Before Day One

Oct 13, 2025 , by sfrrecruitment

The most overlooked part of recruitment? The time between “Yes” and Day One.

 

You’ve found the perfect candidate. The offer is signed. You breathe a sigh of relief. But the journey isn’t over; it’s just begun.

 

This crucial waiting period is when top talent can be lost to counter-offers or second thoughts. How do you ensure your new recruit feels valued before they even start?

 

🤝 Build the bridge:

*   A welcome call from their manager.

*   An invitation to a casual team lunch.

*   Sending over some company literature or a welcome pack.

*   Sharing an exciting piece of company news.

 

These small gestures transform the experience from a transaction into a relationship. It shows you’re invested in them as a person, not just a number.

 

Remember, no one hires for the short term. Start building the foundation for long-term loyalty from the moment they say yes.

Blog Post

This is what recruitment is all about

Sep 15, 2025 by sfrrecruitment

It’s not about keywords on a CV or hitting placement targets, it’s about the phone call I just made to a candidate to tell him he got the job.

And in that one call, we didn’t just secure him a new position. We secured him:

🔹 A shorter commute.

🔹 A more strategic career move.

🔹 More time with his newborn child.

 

Anyone can match a CV to a job description. It takes listening and patience to understand what truly matters to someone.

The right role isn’t always the first one we discuss. The market changes, priorities shift. But we remember the conversations about goals, aspirations, and what “a better life” looks like for you.

When that perfect role finally appears, our job is to connect the dots.

Are you looking for a recruiter who understands that your career is about more than just your job?

 

#RecruitmentSuccess #CareerGoals #TalentAcquisition #LifeChanging #WorkThatWorks #Hiring

 

Blog Post

Where can you find your Dream Move

Sep 15, 2025 by sfrrecruitment

If you’re a talented professional, you’ve been there. You’ve polished your CV, you know your industry inside and out, yet you find yourself scrolling through crowded job sites, feeling like just another number. You apply and your application vanishes into a digital black hole.

It’s a frustrating process and we’ll let you in on a secret: it’s just as frustrating for the companies trying to find you.

The truth is, the most career-defining opportunities—the roles that truly match your skills and ambitions—are rarely found on traditional job boards like CV Library or Indeed. Those platforms are built for volume, not value. They are flooded with active applicants, but the game-changing talent is often somewhere else entirely.

 

The Shift from Application to Connection

At our core, we believe that recruitment isn’t about sifting through applications; it’s about cultivating a community. Our experience is backed by undeniable results: the best, most successful placements come not from a job board but from our trusted network, personal referrals, and above all, from the vibrant professional ecosystem of LinkedIn.

This is our primary focus because it’s where true experts live. It’s where the most sought-after professionals—the ones excelling in their current roles but are passively open to the *perfect* opportunity—are building their reputations.

This is the key distinction. We are building relationships with the people who will define the future of their industry.

 

Why This Matters to You (and Our Clients)

Our approach is designed to benefit everyone.

For You, the Candidate: When you connect with us, you move from the chaotic open market to an exclusive, curated one. You gain access to a hidden stream of opportunities—some are live and advertised, but many more are “pipeline” roles. These are positions for which our forward-thinking clients are always seeking top-tier talent, even before a formal job description exists.

For Our Clients: This strategy is our commitment to delivering excellence. It’s how we find the candidates they can’t find anywhere else—the high-impact, passive talent that isn’t actively applying but is ready to make a move for a role that offers genuine growth and challenge.

 

Join a Growing Community of Experts

We’re not just building a business; we’re building a network of the best in the business. Our LinkedIn presence is growing daily, and our exclusive mail-out list is getting longer for one simple reason: professionals like you are realizing that the best way to advance your career is to connect, not just apply.

Don’t let your next career move be decided by an algorithm on a job board. Take control and place yourself where the real opportunities are born.

 

Ready to connect with what’s next?

  1.  Follow us on LinkedIn: Stay updated with industry insights and see our latest opportunities as they go live.
  2.  Sign up for our exclusive mail-out: Get first access to pipeline roles and opportunities that never make it to the open market.
  3.  Contact us today: Let’s start a conversation about your career goals. We connect great people with great companies.

 

Your next opportunity is a conversation away, not an application away. Let’s talk.

 

Blog Post

Celebrating Seven Years of Success

Jul 11, 2025 , by sfrrecruitment

🌟 Celebrating Seven Years of Success! 🌟

 

As we reflect on the past seven years, we are incredibly grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received from our candidates. Their success stories continuously inspire us and we cherish the opportunity to contribute to their journeys.

Here are just a few enduring testimonials from candidates who are thriving in their current roles:

 

Ifazaad Liaqat – Abloy UK – Technical Sales Manager

I would like to thank Matthew and SFR for helping me secure my current position.

Matthew has been speaking with me for over 3 years now and has always touched base with me to see how I was and what my career plan was. Matthew has always been very understanding and gave me confidence that he would search for roles fitting of my goals.

I can’t recommend Matthew and the SFR team highly enough.

 

Lee Mitchell. Regional Sales Manager, Mul-T-Lock

“I am currently about to start my new role which was advertised through SFR Recruitment Solutions LinkedIn Business page. I cannot thank Matthew enough at SFR for his help and support through the recruitment process to land my dream job.

Matthew was extremely professional and helpful and answered any of my queries regarding the post. He worked extra / after hours to accommodate my recruitment needs and always picked up the phone.

I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending SFR to anybody out there who is thinking about a change in career in the security products sector. My advice is if you are thinking about a career change, don’t think, just go for it!

SFR Recruitment Solutions will certainly help you achieve your goals!”

 

Pat Calvey – Sales and Operations Manager – Ironmongery Innovations

I’ve known SFR Recruitment for some years now, they have helped me out both as a candidate and as an employer.

I have used agencies in the past and Matthew and the team’s knowledge of the market sector has enabled them to put forward candidates who were a good “fit”for the role, they were selective and understood the requirements and the job specification, this was also prevalent when I was personally seeking a new role myself.

Matthew had recently contact me regarding a candidate, unfortunately we were not in a position to offer anything, however the candidate in question would have been an ideal solution, if there was a position available.

I would definitely recommend that you at least, have the conversation with them, I can assure you that they are extremely proficient and professional in the way they manage both candidates and clients.

 

Warren Baker – Area Sales Manager – Carlisle Brass

Thank you for your help and assistance in getting me in my new job with Carlisle Brass. I really appreciate your assistance and encouragement in getting this role.
I have provided a testimonial below:

Matthew at SFR is extremely knowledgeable about the company’s and the positions they need to fill unlike other agencies who call about job roles which do not suit. Matthew really understands what you are looking for and matches the right applicant and the right employer.
Thank you Matthew for your assistance in finding me a new role.

Gary Mcbride – Business Development Manager – Frisco UK 

I wanted to share my super experience with Matthew and SFR Recruitment Solutions, Matthew made the process easy from start to finish. He was informative, reassuring and thorough throughout the process. Nothing was too much trouble and I would highly recommend anyone looking for a new role or any business recruiting to give the guys a call.

 

Jaye-Louise Green – Sales Executive – Croft Architectural Hardware

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Jamie for been so supportive and helpful, I originally applied for a different job to begin with, but Jamie recommended another job he thought I would be suited to. Lo and behold with some phone calls, some wise words of wisdom and help I managed to get an amazing job at an amazing company. So, a big, massive thank you to Jamie and SFR.

If anyone is thinking of making the leap in to getting a new job, I’d highly recommend the SFR team.

 

David Knollman – Brio Business Development Manager – Allegion UK

After an initial call asking if I was interested in a new role, I was initially sceptical after making a terrible mistake in the past via an agency. However, Matthew took the time to re-assure me and go through the proposed role in a great deal of clarity. I’ve now been at Allegion one month and can honestly say It’s the best role I’ve ever had. Thanks again Matthew and everyone involved at SFR.

 

Luke Scott – Technical Support – Dom UK

I would highly recommend SFR to anyone. Jamie was extremely helpful and professional in helping me secure my new job role. With each conversation he was In-depth, clear and added a personal touch making me feel at ease knowing that he will find me the best role to suit me.

There was no stone left unturned, I knew what to expect during the interview. It took just over a week from our initial phone call to having an interview and job offer, with Jamie speaking to me on a daily basis keeping me updated and providing me with his expert knowledge.

SFR are like no other agency, they listen to your circumstances and explain everything in great detail. Unlike any other agency I have dealt with in the past, they are not pushy and do not come across like a sales pitch which most agencies do.

Thank you, Jamie, once again for helping me find my new job role. You are a credit to yourself and the company!

 

We take pride in all our candidates and their remarkable achievements. Here’s to many more years of success and impactful stories!

 

Blog Post

Steve Jobs 6 Rules of Presentations

Apr 10, 2025 by sfrrecruitment

These are the SECRETS behind Steve Jobs world-changing presentations

 

  1. Simple Is Sexy

Use simple, accessible, and third-grade language in your presentations. Avoid using jargon or complex terms so it’s easier for your audience to follow and remember your points.

Expert tip: Look out for acronyms, long sentences and clichés.

 

  1. Use Vocal Variety

Vary your tone, pitch, and volume when you want to emphasize different points.

For instance, during the 2007 iPhone release, Jobs repeated the phrase

“an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator” with increasing excitement.

Expert tip: Record your voice and experiment where you can add emphasis or change your pitch.

 

  1. Facts Tell, Stories Sell

People are naturally drawn to narratives because it allows them to imagine the scenarios you’re describing and reflect on the way we understand the world around us.

Expert tip: We are hard wired to listen to and remember stories. They connect with us emotionally and are much harder to forget than facts.

 

  1. Use Minimalist Slides

Simple slides with minimal text lead to a more natural and confident delivery. This creates a more immersive experience as you’re not constantly reading off the slides but instead engaging directly with the audience.

Expert tip: Limit each slide to one key idea and use a high quality visual with a large readable font.

 

  1. Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

This isn’t just memorizing lines but getting comfortable with the flow of your presentation. This way you can iron out any awkward transitions, so your key points come across clearly and confidently.

Expert tip: Aim to practice in the actual venue or a similar setting to get a feel for the space and acoustics.

 

  1. Own Your Space

Make full use of the stage – take time to settle in, walk around, and use open gestures. This makes your presentations more dynamic and conveys a sense of ease and confidence.

Expert tip: During your rehearsal, plan key points where you will move to different parts of the stage.

 

 

 

 

Blog Post

Giving more confidence around competence

Mar 3, 2025 by sfrrecruitment

The benefits of considering CPD logs when hiring, or job seeking.

 

Legislative changes have placed a heightened focus on competence in the construction sector. Whether you’re hiring or seeking a role, it’s essential to understand: the legal responsibilities tied to specific job functions, including the tasks, activities, and decisions involved. where legislation underscores the need to demonstrate competence and ensure that no one operates beyond their capabilities, particularly when making decisions about construction products, such as modifications, substitutions, or value engineering. As recruiters, we recognise that the landscape is evolving. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Safer Ironmongery Initiative, an awareness campaign coordinated by Iron Out, to explore how we can help both employers and job seekers navigate this.

 

 

What is CPD? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the ongoing process of formal and informal learning to develop professional skills.

What is a CPD Log? A CPD log shows a record of this ongoing learning. It includes activities that may not appear on a CV, such as reading industry articles, attending webinars, or a trade exhibition.

 

For Hiring Managers

Assessing a candidate’s suitability in terms of skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours can be difficult, especially in sectors like ours that rely on more experience based pathways. Many quality candidates who haven’t had the opportunity to pursue formal training still make up a significant portion of the talent pool. Reviewing a CPD log alongside a CV can help hiring managers gauge:

Understanding: how well a candidate grasps key industry concepts.

Engagement: their commitment to staying up to date in their field.

Support Needs: where additional training may be required.

 

For Candidates

A CPD log is a great way to showcase your suitability for a role and how your skills, knowledge and experience have built over time. Relevant activities could include: self-directed learning, such as reading, research, or attending industry events like webinars, conferences, trade shows, or factory tours.

 

This will help you

Stand Out: Showcase skills and knowledge that don’t fit on a CV but will help show how your experience is relevant.

Demonstrate Commitment: Highlight your behaviours through dedication to development & ability to demonstrate competence.

Highlight Adaptability: Show how you keep up with industry changes and new skills

 

 

In partnership with Iron Out Architectural Ironmongery Consultants

Contact SFR to lean more or to request your log sheet!

 

Blog Post

10 Frequently Asked Interview Questions & Your Answers!

Jul 9, 2024 , , , by sfrrecruitment
  • Why do you want to work for this company?
  • Show that you have done your research, mention things you really like
  • Related to the position of how you align with it
  • Be passionate and excited
  • How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
  • Share an instance when you remained calm despite the turmoil
  • Discuss how it’s being a continuous journey of improvement and talk about how you’ve learnt with every new experience
  • Why do you want to leave your current position?
  • Flip the question and talk positively about your current place of work
  • But highlight how you wanted a new challenge and to continuously improve all areas of your skill set
  • Discuss the importance of the opportunity to improve and take on new challenge
  • What sets you apart from other candidates?
  • Talk about your top strengths and you relate them back to the role
  • Discuss any unique strengths and how you built them
  • Even bring in your extensive research about the company
  • Tell me a time when you couldn’t meet a deadline and how you decided to handle it?
  • Discuss honestly how things didn’t go as you expected
  • Share how you reflected on this and learnt a lesson
  • Explain how you would have handled it with this new knowledge
  • What would you say are your weaknesses and how you improve them?
  • Be honest, share actual weaknesses
  • Ensure the weaknesses aren’t a core skill of the position
  • Show them the action steps you have taken to improve this weakness
  • What are the main strengths you’ll bring to us?
  • Discuss your main strengths in relation to the role
  • Talk about any experiences and how these developed over time
  • Share how you think these strengths will directly benefit them
  • What is the hardest problem you’ve ever tackled?
  • Explain the calibre of the problem and it’s in importance
  • Discuss how you approached it despite the difficulty
  • Explain clearly how you solved it and the impact it had
  • Share an example of when you were working with someone who is difficult. How did you handle working with them?
  • Explain how you communicated very clearly with them to ensure nothing was missed
  • Share that you went in with empathy as you never know what others are going through
  • Discuss the common ground you reached and what you learned from it
  • Describe a situation where you had to handle multiple responsibilities.
  • How did you manage your time?
  • Describe how you were organised and prepared
  • Discuss what techniques you used to multitask
  • Use a specific example and discuss the impact of the result

www.sfrrecruitment.co.uk

Ironmongery / Doors / Access Control / Door Hardware

#connectingpeople

Blog Post

Mastering the Art of Interview Preparation: “Your Key to Success”

Mar 19, 2024 , , by sfrrecruitment

Interview preparation is vital as it allows you to showcase your skills and qualifications effectively, understand the company and role better, anticipate questions and articulate your experiences concisely. By preparing thoroughly, you can boost your confidence, demonstrate your interest and suitability for the position and leave a lasting positive impression on the interviewer, thus significantly impacting the outcome of the interview in your favour.

Research the Company:

Researching a company and its culture before an interview is crucial as it helps you understand the company’s values, goals, work environment and expectations. This knowledge allows you to tailor your responses to align with the company’s culture, demonstrate your interest in the role and ask informed questions during the interview. It also helps you assess whether the company is a good fit for you professionally and culturally.

Understand the Job Description:

Thoroughly understanding the job requirements before an interview is essential as it allows you to showcase how your skills and experiences align with what the position demands. This alignment demonstrates to the interviewer that you possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities to excel in the role. By effectively highlighting this match during the interview, you can strengthen your candidacy, increase your chances of being viewed as a strong fit and ultimately secure the job opportunity.

Practice Common Interview Questions:

Role-playing can be a highly effective technique when preparing for an interview as it allows you to simulate the interview experience and practice answering common questions. By role-playing with a friend, family member, or mentor, you can receive feedback on your responses, work on improving your communication skills and increase your confidence in articulating your experiences and qualifications. This practice helps you refine your answers, identify areas for improvement and better prepare for the actual interview scenario.

Prepare Questions to Ask:

Preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role and the company is crucial as it demonstrates your interest, engagement and preparedness. Thoughtful questions can help you gain deeper insights into the company culture, expectations for the role, potential challenges and opportunities for growth. Asking relevant questions also shows that you are proactive, curious and genuinely interested in the position, which can leave a positive impression on the interviewer and help you make a more informed decision about the job opportunity.

Dress and Grooming:

When selecting interview attire, it’s important to consider the company’s culture and industry. For a corporate or formal environment, opt for a tailored suit or a professional outfit in neutral colours. In a more casual or creative setting, business casual attire like slacks and a button-down shirt or a blouse might be more appropriate. Research the company’s dress code and culture to gauge the expected level of formality. When in doubt, it’s generally better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed for an interview.

Follow-Up Plan:

Sending a thank you email after an interview shows appreciation for the opportunity, reiterates your interest in the position and allows you to express gratitude for the interviewer’s time and insights. It also provides a chance to emphasize key points discussed during the interview, showcase your enthusiasm for the role and demonstrate good manners and professionalism. A well-crafted thank you email can leave a positive lasting impression on the interviewer, setting you apart from other candidates and reinforcing your candidacy for the position.

Conclusion:

1. **Research Company and Culture**: Understanding the company and its culture helps tailor your responses and assess if it’s a good fit.

2. **Interview Preparation**: Thorough preparation boosts confidence, showcases skills effectively and leaves a positive impression.

3. **Align Skills with Job Requirements**: Matching your skills with job requirements enhances your candidacy and shows you are a strong fit.

4. **Role-Playing**: Practice with role-play helps simulate the interview experience, refine answers and improve communication skills.

5. **Ask Thoughtful Questions**: Asking relevant questions demonstrates interest, engagement and helps you gain deeper insights.

6. **Appropriate Attire**: Dress according to the company’s culture and industry standards.

7. **Send Thank You Email**: Express gratitude, reiterate interest and reinforce key points discussed during the interview to leave a positive impression.

Further preparation for interviews is crucial as it enhances your chances of success, boosts confidence, showcases your qualifications effectively and sets you apart from other candidates. It is a key step towards securing the job opportunity you desire.

We hope this helps you with your next interview. 

Don’t forget to reach out if you have any questions. 

Blog Post

Can AI help me write a CV ?

Jan 26, 2024 , , , , by sfrrecruitment

SFR has been asked recently, can AI help me write a CV?

So, who better to ask than AI itself? Here is what we learnt.

How can AI help write a cv?

AI can help write a CV by providing templates, suggesting appropriate wording, and offering tips on how to tailor the content to specific job descriptions. Additionally, AI can help by scanning the CV for common errors and providing feedback on how to optimize the document for applicant tracking systems used by many employers.

I want to be specific about my achievements and successes on my cv can AI help?

Absolutely! AI can assist in identifying strong action verbs and impactful language to highlight your achievements and successes on your CV. Additionally, it can provide suggestions on how to quantify your achievements and tailor them to specific industries or roles, making your CV more compelling and targeted.

I want anyone reading my cv to be able to easily identify my key skills, can writing my cv with AI help me?

Yes, writing your CV with the assistance of AI can certainly help you effectively showcase your key skills. AI can offer guidance on formatting, layout, and wording to ensure that your key skills are prominently featured, making it easier for readers to identify and understand your core competencies.

I want my cv to clearly show my values can AI help?

Certainly! AI can assist in incorporating your values into your CV by suggesting language that reflects your principles and beliefs. By providing guidance on how to articulate your values in a professional context, AI can help ensure that your CV effectively communicates the essence of who you are as a professional.

I thrive in fast paced and supportive environment. Can AI help me articulate this?

Absolutely! AI can assist in articulating your preference for a fast-paced and supportive environment by offering language that effectively conveys this sentiment. It can help you craft this preference in a way that resonates with potential employers, showcasing your ability to excel in dynamic and collaborative work settings.

Can AI take my CV and produce a cover note tailored to the job I am applying for?

Yes, AI can take the information from your CV and generate a tailored cover letter for a specific job. By analysing the job description and your CV, it can provide personalized content that aligns with the requirements and highlights your relevant experience and skills for the position.

Let us know how you get on 😊

📞 01522 452423

www.sfrrecruitment.co.uk

Ironmongery / Doors / Access Control / Door Hardware

🔑🚪🔓

#cv #ai #helpwithmycv

SFR Recruitment Solutions