Welcome to a second newsletter from PSS-Europe.

The recruitment market continues to change and with the number unemployed going past the two million mark this month for the first time in twelve years, competition for vacancies continues to increase. Two effects of this are covered in the Industry Comment, rates are coming under pressure and the option of working abroad looks more appealing.

The increase in the number of candidates applying for each position means that pre-selection has become more critical to ensure that only the best are put forward. PSS-Europe continues to grow because of its focus on a personalised service ensuring only the best candidates are put forward, developing the relationship with a large organisation in Leicester having recruited the Project Management Office manager and submitted tenders for consultancy work.

This month the newsletter Consultant Availability is slightly different as it features Gregor Hoefter (Marketing Manager) and John Shardlow (Project Manager), who are now looking for their next career opportunity. They are featured as I have worked with both Gregor and John at different times and can recommend their work.

Gregor Hoefter - Senior Marketing Manager

Gregor and I worked together on a project to design and build a Vodafone store within a PC World outlet prior to a nationwide rollout. This was an exciting project as it was announced on 29.03.2007 and the store started trading on 16.06.2007.

Most recently he has worked as the Head of Marketing for Avenir Telecom following on from a successful engagement with Vodafone.

Gregor has experience in managing brands, budgets, teams and campaigns across all major sales channels, including indirect, field sales/account management, retail, telesales/customer service and online. Particular experience in customer acquisition, proposition development and product launches, through above-the-line (online and poster advertising, PPC, affiliates) and below-the-line marketing (direct mail, email marketing, customer magazines etc.).

More information on Gregors career.

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John Shardlow - Project Manager

John and I have worked together on a number of occasions over the last eight years. Initially working together on a B2B leasing application in 2000. From June 2004 until July 2005 John worked as as associate consultant for PSS-Europe.

Most recently he has been working at Camelot engaged in the capture and analysis of current working practices and business model to aid design of future business model allowing for a 25% reduction in fixed and variable costs whilst providing a framework for growth in the returns to good causes over the next 3 years.

John has over 17 years experience as a business analyst / project manager working in a variety of countries and industry sectors and has been responsible for the full project life cycle of million pound plus pan European projects, from Vision & Strategy to successful implementation. Managed teams of between 3 and 30 people in respect of recruiting, man management and resource allocation, including the management of third party resources. Qualified Association for Project Management (APM) Practitioner (Membership No. R23803).

More information on Johns career.