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17 04, 2023

Healfie Future Fit Vitality Program

April 17th, 2023|Categories: Articles|Tags: , |

Smelt has chosen Healfie   In our search for how we can make an essential contribution to the resilience, mental health and personal growth of employees, we came across the Healfie platform. The platform offers the perfect opportunity to get fitter in complete anonymity. Smelt does not receive any (progress) reports from employees via the platform, so in complete anonymity and according to personal needs. In addition, it is not an obligation but an offer.   How do our seconded, interim professionals and employees benefit from Healfie.   Everyone who is connected to Smelt, either through an assignment at one of the life sciences organizations or through a paid employment contract, is welcome to register on the platform. Here you can contact coaches who will start a process with you according to your own insight and needs. Smelt pays a monthly fee for Healfie and the use of the coaches. You will, therefore, not receive an invoice at the end of the process. All coaching initially focuses on online meetings. This can be deviated from individually. What kind of support can you think of? This varies from sleep coaching, moving more, eating differently, and processing grief. Everything is according to your own insight and needs.   Who is on the platform? On the Healfie platform you will find more than 250 registered coaches for lifestyle interventions. All these coaches are carefully selected for their certificates, the CVs are screened, and a Chamber of Commerce check is done.   "Leuk. Verrassend. Het gaat zeker bijdragen aan een vitale en veilige werkomgeving".  Check the platform here. 

21 03, 2023

10 benefits of job searching with a recruiter

March 21st, 2023|Categories: Articles|

In the digital era of today, many of us are capable of hopping online to search for career opportunities, send CVs, and set up interview meetings. This communication ease is wonderful considering the lack of obstacles for those in need of a job, but there are some serious benefits of using a recruiter that you may be missing if you search and apply solo.  10 reasons why you should use a recruiter during your next job search  Reason 1: Your success is our success  At the end of the day, recruiters are rooting for you. By successfully placing candidates we are providing professionals with exciting career steps and filling important vacancies for our clients. Your success is a win-win for us. We have the persistence and motivation it takes to get you hired.   Reason 2: We know what our clients want  Recruiters engage in regular communication with hiring companies, we understand the vacancies inside out. We know exactly what our clients are looking for and can help you communicate your value. We know the company culture & values; we can help you determine a match.     Reason 3: We will know if you are a good fit or not  If we approach you or suggest a job opportunity, we see potential in you. If you were job searching solo, you might have overlooked a position with an unfamiliar title or a company you have never heard of. Using a recruiter provides more opportunities with a higher success rate.    Reason 4: Some of our vacancies are not found online  Companies that are looking to hire specific professionals might not place their vacancies on the world-wide web. The task of looking through candidates and

7 03, 2023

What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) and why it matters

March 7th, 2023|Categories: Articles, |Tags: , , , |

  Diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI, is any practice that ensures candidates and employees from different backgrounds feel included and have opportunities to develop their careers in an organisation. DEI has become a core value of many organisations that work towards an inclusive workforce. But what does it mean to be diverse, fair, and inclusive in a professional setting? How can you tell if a company is really implementing DEI as part of its values or simply checking off a box?   Keep reading to learn the what, how, and why of DEI.  Understanding the terminology  What do diversity, equity, and inclusion mean? It might be easy to understand the general concept, but it can be challenging to understand what DEI looks like when successfully implemented.   Diversity   Diversity simply means the presence of many different things, people, or opinions. In the workplace, that usually refers to a variety of people’s age, socio-economic status, gender identity, ethnicity, race, etc.   Diversity occurs when companies make a conscious effort to practice unbiased hiring (read our blog) or if they prioritize finding candidates and leaders that will bring different perspectives /voices to the table. Other signs of diversity include companies that partner with under-represented groups.   Do you want to experience the hiring process with an unbiased assessment? Click here to view Smelt’s opportunities in the Life Sciences & Healthcare – we utilize unbiased assessments (created by Equalture) during the recruitment process to ensure a fair hire.  Equalture is a game-based assessment introduced at the beginning of the hiring process to see the true potential of your candidates. Based on science, not bias. Equalture’s games are non-trainable, non-manipulable, free from biases and very enjoyable, which ensures equal treatment

15 02, 2023

How you can stay motivated while working and studying

February 15th, 2023|Categories: Articles, Smelt Academy|

Finding the time and energy to prioritise learning is a challenge for anyone, but especially for those who are also working full-time. Despite these obstacles, upskilling and reskilling have become necessary for many employees. This requires life-long learning, which is all about self-initiation and self-motivation. Motivation to study while working can be found externally, but it is more often the personal factors of development that are most encouraging. This article will explore what motivates learners, how your employer can help, and tips & tricks to stay engaged!  Read more: Lifelong Learning: What It Is, Benefits and Habits | Indeed.com  10 top factors that inspire people to learn  Lifelong learning is the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Where do life-long learners find their motivation to study while working?  Expanding knowledge for personal development A passion for the subject, and they want to explore Preparation for the future Feeling accomplished  Self-reflection  Setting goals  Inspiring trainers  Connecting with others  Fun challenges and interactive activities  Accreditation and incentives  Read more: What Motivates Lifelong Learners (hbr.org)  What motivates you to continue learning? Let us know in the comments!  How your employer can help with your development goals  The role of the employer is an important one; they can be supportive by helping you realize your professional development goals. Your employer can also help you understand the trajectory of your career path and how you can reach your full potential. This is a big motivator that brings purpose and value to your development. Their support can bring motivation to study while working. Regarding financial support and allowances, your employer can grant you the following options if you apply and attend courses related to

16 01, 2023

What is a bias-free hiring?

January 16th, 2023|Categories: , Talent Sourcing|

We all have biases. Some are conscious, and some operate on the unconscious level. But what happens when our beliefs (even those we are unaware of) interfere in a hiring process? Bias-free recruitmentensures that all candidates are assessed similarly and based on the same criteria. This practice will consider their qualities, education and skills rather than their appearance or background. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 bias-free hiring 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬? 1️⃣️️️ It helps to create a diverse team or talent pool, including specific groups with various backgrounds. 2️⃣ Bias-free recruitment will rely on questions and analysis that prioritize the requirements and work experience asked for a job position. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬 👩‍🎓 Educate your team about biases and how to avoid them. 👍 Design standard interviews. 💖 Consider hiring an experienced and bias-free partner as Smelt, that will ensure an ethical hiring process based on evidence. 📑 Write inclusive job descriptions. 👩‍💻 Make data-driven decisions. Equalture: a game-based assessment  To ensure a bias-free hiring process, Smelt uses Equalture. Equalture is a game-based assessment, introduced at the beginning of the hiring process to see the true potential of your candidates. Based on science, not bias. Equalture’s games are non-trainable, non-manipulable, free from biases and very enjoyable, which ensures equal treatment of all candidates. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬? Contact Smelt to understand what we can do for your organisation! 📞035 543 00 21 💻 https://www.smelt.nl/en/ #hiring #biases #recruitment

10 01, 2023

Is your organisation prepared to attract and maintain talent in 2023?

January 10th, 2023|Categories: , Talent Sourcing|

According to a Forbes report, recruitment and retention activities will take centre stage as workers continue to have leverage in a tight job market. This can affect industries such as life sciences and healthcare. Is your organisation prepared to attract and maintain talent in 2023? Connecting with our exclusive network of candidates and experts, Smelt quickly presents precisely the people you need to complete your team and organisation. Discover our workforce solutions for life sciences and healthcare: https://bit.ly/3vFJ1ID 📰 Source: https://bit.ly/3vLvmzz

7 12, 2022

How businesses can make end-of-year performance reviews more meaningful

December 7th, 2022|Categories: Articles|

In a Forbes article, managers shared their best advice on how businesses can make end-of-year performance reviews more meaningful. We highlight a few: ➕ Actionable feedback: The feedback process should review the strengths and areas of improvement in the new year. Make sure to point out how your team can perform better by giving them actionable tips that they can use to improve their performance. ➕ Recap the past but focus on the future. Ask your employees what their aspirations are and learn what fuels your team. ➕ Two-way conversation: Do end-of-year performance reviews more like two-way conversations where both parties can share, discuss and find clear pathways to engage in the future. ➕ Ask your employees what they would like to learn in the year ahead. With this question, you can learn a lot about whether someone is interested in a promotion or moving to a new department. Need help training or upgrading your team? Discover Smelt solutions for education in Life Sciences and Healthcare > https://bit.ly/3gJSPxp Source: https://bit.ly/3VfhMjb 📷 Freepik

5 12, 2022

4 Benefits of hiring a recruitment partner focused on the life sciences industry

December 5th, 2022|Categories: Articles, Interim management, Talent Sourcing|

Partnering with a recruitment agency can be very advantageous for organizations in the Life Sciences industry, not only hiring managers. Keep reading to understand what you can expect from a recruitment partner specialized in the life sciences industry.     Benefit 1: Specialized recruiters  An agency like Smelt has specialized staff dedicated to recruiting in a specific sector, for example, life science and healthcare positions. As a result, we have better knowledge of technical or complex open positions that your organization may need.   At Smelt, our recruiters are dedicated to finding qualified candidates or interim professionals in the life sciences and healthcare industries located in the Netherlands.  Besides recruitment, we offer a full range of services for your organization. You can check our services here.    Benefit 2: Fast service   A recruitment agency can find the perfect candidate to fill your position much faster than your team. Why?   A recruitment agency like Smelt has a large network of experienced candidates active in our database. Our recruiters and consultants are trained to find the right candidate with the hard and soft skills you are looking for.  We will always present candidates that match your search criteria, speeding up the hiring process and saving you time.  If your organization is looking for an interim professional to join the team, we offer access to our interim database, where your hiring manager can select specific criteria and find the candidates that match their search. This tool will accelerate your hiring process.  You can check our interim talent pool here.    Benefit 3: Knowledge of the market   Understanding the market we are recruiting for is essential to a recruitment agency specialized in the life science industry.  When partnering with a

17 11, 2022

How to Choose the Right Training for Your Career

November 17th, 2022|Categories: Articles, Smelt Academy|

It is important to choose a training that aligns with your schedule. Understand what and why  Before looking into any training options, it is crucial to understand exactly why you are looking for a training course and what you are interested in.   What are your learning objectives, and why are they important to your professional development?   If you are in search of team training, then you might like to pin-point where your team could improve and which skills need to be developed to reach company goals.   Understanding the ‘why’ will help you align with training courses that have your goals in mind.   If you are having trouble with your decision, Smelt Academy offers a free consultation to provide advice on which training courses would fit your career or team development.   Research  Once you have decided what you want to learn and why you can dive into the researching process.  This does not have to feel like an overwhelming chore;  Narrow down your options by focusing on training that accommodates your specific career industry and field, as well as your goals and interests.   As an example, Smelt Academy provides training for sales, marketing, management and medical professionals in the Life Sciences industry. We would not be a smart choice for a professional working in luxury goods.   Once you have found a few options for potential training providers, compare them.   Check the training course description or one-pager  Does the course align with your learning goals?  What level of experience is required for this training?   Check the details!  It is important to choose a training that aligns with your schedule.   How long does the course last?  How many

27 06, 2022

Transagressive behaviour in the workplace

June 27th, 2022|Categories: |

Cross-border behaviour has been a hot topic lately. What exactly should be understood as transgressive behaviour remains a difficult question. Where exactly does that boundary lie? Is `you look good today` a sincere compliment or is there a different meaning? There is no clear-cut definition for the concept, also - or perhaps precisely - because subjective elements seem to be involved alongside objective factors. So, what is a compliment for one person, can cause a very unpleasant feeling for another. Smelt wants to draw extra attention to the payrollers, employees on secondment and independent interim professionals. To what extent do they feel safe to discuss transgressive behaviour and their experiences? Because this group is extra vulnerable since there is no permanent employment, it is essential to make this subject open for discussion and remove any uncertainty about it. As of today, a new protocol has entered the Smelt workforce and we have also thoroughly reviewed the processes. Our confidants Iris Calmes (The Netherlands) and Ellen Meeusen (Belgium) raise the topic "I feel safe as a flexible worker with the client" in all interim evaluations. If you have experiences that you would like to share with us, or advice that we could benefit from, please do not hesitate to share them with us and contact our colleague Iris Calmes. Do you want to read more about the topic of cross-border behaviour in the workplace and how to prevent it: Grensoverschrijdend gedrag op de werkvloer - Slachtofferhulp Nederland