Cast Metal and Die Casting Times Jan/Feb 2005
A Working Day In The Life of Philip de Belder
Philip de Belder is the Director of de Belder Associates Ltd, a recruitment company specialising in the search and selection of personnel for the foundry and metals markets.
When I was asked to write this article it was difficult to describe any particular day, as they can be so very different and diverse. We could be assisting a small jobbing foundry with the recruitment for a Junior Metallurgist and the next day visiting overseas clients to recruit a Production Manager for their fully automated, high volume iron foundry. No day is the same, which I find to be most appealing particularly as each client has a distinct recruitment requirement and level of urgency.
Our business has developed considerably during the past years and there are career opportunities within the industry, both within the UK and overseas. As a result, foundry companies and candidates have approached us from throughout the world, in particular mainland Europe, South Africa and the Middle East.
My day can commence as early as 06.00Hrs, depending upon the day’s schedule but I always try to be at my desk by 08.00Hrs with a strong cup of coffee. Our business covers the whole of the UK and it is not unusual to travel to Edinburgh one day and then to Kent the next, subject to the urgency of the appointment and availability of interested candidates. I do remember however, having to interview a candidate who was of particular interest to our client but was only available at the beginning of his shift, which started at 07.30Hrs, which meant it was necessary to have a meeting in Birmingham at 06.00Hrs. It was a worthwhile interview ultimately as the candidate decided to accept the new career opportunity.
I usually try to complete and return any telephone messages before 10.00Hrs particular to those overseas clients and candidates in forward time zones such as Egypt and the Far East. All incoming emails are actioned and I verify the list of activities for the rest of the day. Today is a combination of interviewing selected candidates and visiting a potential new client.
We have been very pleased with our web site, as the number of ‘hits’ we receive is now approximately 18,000 per month. Some years ago we invested in our own web site software and so I can update our list of advertised appointments myself and at any time. Not all of our assignments are advertised on the web site in order to comply with clients’ requests for confidentiality.
I have a short drive along the M56 to interview two interesting candidates for the appointment of a Production Manager for a UK based steel foundry. Each interview usually takes approx 1.5 hours, where a discussion is held regarding the candidate’s career and experience to date. It also allows us to advice candidates in more detail the roles and responsibilities of the vacancy, to explore all aspects of the candidate’s career and to complete a full candidate appraisal. We would confirm the suitability of the candidate and prepare a detailed candidate report for submittal to our clients complete with any of our recommendations. I always enjoy meeting candidates from the industry and continuously surprised at the high levels of expertise and experience, which the majority of candidates have to offer.
We always maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality with each of our candidates. We have been very pleased to receive comments of how our knowledge of the industry and individual attention to have been a refreshing change; a factor, which I think can sometimes be lost with other larger recruitment companies. This is most welcome as we endeavour to ensure a satisfactory result is achieved for everyone concerned.
After checking with the office regarding the progress of the candidate search for a senior Foundry Executive Manager and for any further mail or telephone messages, I attend a lunchtime meeting with other members of the Recruitment Society in Manchester City Centre. We are a group of professional recruitment managers who meet to exchange views, news, and contacts and operate in a wide diversity of industrial and commercial recruitment market sectors. Although meetings can be informative with lively discussion groups and debates, we do maintain a sense of humour, which can certainly ease the day.
A meeting with a new client in Sheffield has been arranged for the afternoon and we have been asked for assistance in recruiting a new Technical Manager for an iron foundry. I always consider it to be essential to meet all new clients face to face and to have an initial discussion about their requirements. It gives me the opportunity to verify candidate specifications, any future plans and to usually have the opportunity to tour the foundry. It also allows me to confirm areas of the business relevant to the new appointment and to enable me to relay any appropriate information, in confidence, to a short list of interested and suitable candidates.
The return journey over the Pennines to Manchester is, as usual, slow and congested but I arrive in time to complete the Appointment Specification ready to be emailed to the client the following day. After a few more telephone calls to various candidates and contacts, I have a discussion with my team regarding future candidate interviews and the initial design concept for our stand at the Foundry International London Exhibition in October this year. The day is almost complete.
The final phone call of the day is not regarding a recruitment issue but from a Buyer of a company who has asked us to help him source a UK supplier of castings. After referring him to a selection of foundries that we think can be of assistance, it is time to switch on the answer phone and switch off the computer.
However, I do have the final routine of completing my ‘checklist’ for the following day before I leave the office, as I’m sure it will be another busy and eventful time.
To totally unwind from the responsibilities of the business, I play trumpet with an 18-piece Swing Big Band performing all the classic swing, jive and jazz numbers. We usually play at weddings, dances and charity events and tonight is no exception. It could be a late night!
