Archives 2024

Customer service is a vital department for any organisation, and as the public face of a company, you and your team need to ensure you are always performing at your best as much as they can. Burn-out in customer service and hospitality can be a real challenge to that – Here’s how you can avoid burn out when working in customer services and hospitality.

Patience is key. Absolutely, every customer service professional must develop a sound level of patience. Sometimes customers will be unhappy with the service provided and will need some extra support. Patience will help you deliver a better service and benefit your own wellbeing too!

Be open. Discussing customer issues with other colleagues and bringing up concerns you have within the organisation with management is important to your own wellbeing at work; it’s easy for managers to miss the small details and feedback is often appreciated.

Find a work/life balance. It’s good to offer a great customer service, but without time for yourself that great service will start to decline.

Learn about psychology. People are complicated, and having a basic understanding of the core principles of people psychology can go a long way in customer service and hospitality.

For more information about our customer service jobs, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Navigating the job search can feel overwhelming, but job boards offer an incredible tool to streamline the process. Using these platforms effectively can make a significant difference in your job hunt. But it’s not just about posting your CV and waiting—there are strategic steps you can take to stand out.

Firstly, tailor your CV to highlight key skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for. Job boards often use algorithms to match candidates with jobs, so incorporating keywords from the job descriptions can boost your visibility. And don’t just apply for roles—set up job alerts to ensure you don’t miss new opportunities that fit your criteria.

Furthermore, make use of the advanced search filters to zero in on the jobs that match your skill set and career aspirations. This can save you time and help you focus on roles that are truly worth pursuing. Additionally, regularly updating your CV and profile keeps your information current and can improve your chances of catching the recruiters’ eyes.

Networking remains essential even on job boards. Engage with recruiters and other professionals on platforms like LinkedIn after applying to build meaningful connections. Comment on posts, join relevant groups, and share your own insights. This proactive approach not only enhances your online presence but might give you an edge over other candidates.

Don’t forget to leverage the power of job boards’ additional resources—many offer career advice, company reviews, and even forums where you can seek guidance from other job seekers. Staying informed about industry trends and best practices through these resources can also be incredibly beneficial.

Good luck, and happy job hunting! For more information about our latest jobs, or to find out how South57 Recruitment can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Given the warehouse is a diverse place, it’s not hugely surprising that we often find different types of forklift in operation. So what are the different types of forklifts and what is their purpose?

Counterbalance

The most common type of forklift, the forks are fitted at the front of the truck and are fairly straightforward to operate. They can be petrol, diesel or electrically operated. Some designs are 3 wheel, meaning that the truck has maximum manoeuvrability.

Reach Truck

Reach truck forklifts are designed to reach into racking and as such can lift significant weights to great heights whilst working in a small warehouse environment if necessary. They work best inside on even surfaces, due to their low under-carriage.

Pump Truck

Hand and power pallet trucks are used to move products fitted to pallets in the warehouse. They work best on smooth surfaces and are an easy way to move products quickly.

Sideloader

Sideloaders, as the name suggests, pick up loads from the side, and are particularly effective at handling long or wide products.

For more information about our latest forklift jobs, or to find out how South57 Recruitment can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Securing a promotion is a critical milestone in one’s career. It signifies growth, enhances personal development, and often leads to greater financial stability. So how can you make sure you’re first in line for that next promotion?

Where are you now? Begin by evaluating your current position, responsibilities, and performance. Understand where you stand and what your short-term and long-term career objectives are. Identify the skills and qualifications you need for the next role by conducting a skill gap analysis.

Build your case. Documenting your achievements is crucial. Keep a record of your accomplishments, projects, and contributions. Quantify your success by using metrics and KPIs to demonstrate your impact.

Develop your skills and knowledge. Continuous learning is vital. Enrol in relevant courses, workshops, and certifications to stay ahead. Seek mentorship from someone within or outside your organisation who can guide you. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and advancements.

Get Networking! Building strong relationships is key. Network internally with colleagues, supervisors, and other departments. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with peers on LinkedIn.

Show your leadership. Taking on additional responsibilities and proposing new ideas shows initiative. Lead by example by exhibiting professionalism, reliability, and a positive attitude.

Speak up! Communicate your career aspirations with your supervisor. Schedule regular check-ins with your supervisor to discuss your progress and receive feedback.

Best of luck! For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how South57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Let’s face it, we all face problems at work now and then. But more often than not, there’s a way of overcoming those issues – Here’s some solutions to the most common work place concerns.

You’ve made a mistake! Mistakes can happen, we are all human after all! When you make a mistake, it’s vital you own up to it and try to rectify it. Ignoring it will only make matters worse. Explain what happened to your manager and make it right.

You’ve fallen out with a work colleague. The important thing here is to be polite and professional at all times. At the end of the day, you don’t have to like everyone, but you do have to work with people professionally. If you feel bullied, speak to your manager immediately.

You’re not being recognised. Do you feel like you’re going above and beyond and no one is noticing? Don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements and successes – And you might find yourself in line for a promotion!

You’re struggling with the workload. It’s time you learnt to say no! If you’re struggling with your workload, speak to your manager immediately and explain the situation. There’s always a solution!

For more information about our roles, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected]

Unfortunately, traffic jams are something that many of us, including those who drive for a living, can’t avoid for long. As our roads become more congested, it’s likely we’ll be hit with heavy traffic more and more. So how can you stay sane and safe during the next traffic jam?

Take a break! If heavy traffic is starting to gather, it might be time to take a break from the driving, especially if you’ve been on the road for a long time. A cup of coffee later, and you might find the traffic has started moving again…

Stay alert. Stop and start traffic can lead to drivers becoming distracted, especially as people are driving slowly. Even when driving slowly, accidents can happen – Make sure you’re paying attention to the road at all times and stay safe.

Take care of your vehicle. There’s a danger of vehicles overheating in traffic jams and delaying everyone else further – Keep an eye on your temperature gauge whilst in traffic. If your temperature gauge starts to rise, turn your heater and ventilation systems on and open the windows. Additionally, keep an eye on your fuel levels – If you’re at a standstill for a long time, turn off the engine and reserve your fuel.

For more information about our driving jobs and our current vacancies, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

There are plenty of ways to search and find a job, but with job searching being a big task, how can jobseekers ensure they go about it the right way? Read our top suggestions below.

Use job boards in their entirety. Not only can you use the online job boards to search for all jobs available, most offer tailoring solutions to target your search effectively, so you can search for jobs based on salary, location, education level, and more. Plus you can set up daily email alerts, so the job adverts you’re looking for are sent straight to your inbox. Perfect!

What’s the job title? You may be searching for a specific role, but bear in mind that different companies may name a similar or same job role in different ways. Consider this in your search to make sure you don’t miss that perfect opportunity.

What sector? When filling in your profile on a job board site, make sure you don’t limit your preferred sectors, as this could lead to your CV being overlooked when hiring managers or recruiters search for CVs. Keep it broad.

Adjust as necessary. You may find that your searches can lead to irrelevant results, or that a search stops bringing up the type of jobs you’re looking for. Make sure you adjust your searches accordingly so you don’t miss out.

For more information about job searching and our current vacancies, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Logistics is a 24 hour business, with HGV and LGV drivers often working night shifts to tight deadlines. It’s really important that drivers are extra diligent when it comes to driving at night, even if it becomes the norm – here’s our top tips.

Take refreshments. We recommend water and healthy snacks, and advise caution when reaching for the coffee. Caffeine may give you an instant energy kick but could leave you feeling more drained in the long run.

Keep your vehicle comfortable. Make sure all windows are cleaned inside and out to avoid dazzle; if you are struggling against the dazzle of oncoming headlights, try turning on your interior light to reduce the impact. Make sure your cab is well ventilated – plenty of oxygen will keep you feeling refreshed and alert!

Take plenty of breaks! Always take your break in full. Try to get out of your vehicle if you can safely to stretch out during your break. If you feel too tired to keep on driving, stop immediately.

For more information about our latest driving vacancies, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].

Forklift operation mistakes can be very costly. Regular training and maintenance can go a long way to preventing mistakes when operating your forklift, but also having a good understanding of the sort of mistakes that can be made and their consequences is important too – here’s our list of mistakes to watch out for.

The load – Loads that are too heavy or unsecured can be a real danger to both those operating the forklift and pedestrians. Make sure you know exactly how much weight your forklift can take and always secure the load properly.

Get inspecting! Missing inspections and maintenance on your forklift can be very costly, leading to broken vehicles way before their time. Make sure forklifts are regularly inspected and train teams to make sure they check their vehicles regularly.

Lack of care. It’s vital that forklift operators use their equipment properly – Speeding can be hugely dangerous for pedestrians, as well as a lack of attention to surroundings. Forklift operators must be diligent at all times, paying attention to signage and safe routes.

For more information about our latest forklift vacancies, or to find out how South 57 can support your business, contact us on 0333 344 6845 or [email protected].