Meeting the ONS Talent Acquisition team

I caught up with my colleagues to find out the important stuff

Who are you and what do you do here?

Darren

My names Darren and I lead our Talent Acquisition team at ONS, as part of the wider Recruitment team.?My team and I are focussed on sourcing, encouraging and supporting individuals to apply for our critical workforce roles.

Cynthia

My name is Cynthia Ojera and I work within the Talent Acquisition team focusing mainly on recruiting for Technical roles.?

Simmy

So I’ll start with a little bit of background on myself. I am CIPD qualified with over 4 years of experience working in the Talent Acquisition field. My career has led me to work in the private sector, retail, medical, healthcare and financial sectors. I specialise in IT, Technology, Product & design. My passion is making sure all candidates have a great recruitment experience.

I am currently a tech talent partner at ONS and enjoy every minute of it.

What do you like the most about working in TA?

?Darren

I was told I'm not allowed to say that every day is different! But it is so there Cath, I’ve said it anyway ??.?For me it is genuinely though about helping people in their careers.?I’ve been working in recruitment for over a decade and I still get that sense of achievement when I see a new starter that I know I talked to before they even applied, and I still remember names of people I placed way back in 2012 as an agency recruiter, I’m even still in touch with and friends with some of them.

?Cynthia

I like the variety of the roles I work on and at any one time

Simmy

What I enjoy most about working in TA is the fact no day is the same. I love to communicate and talk, and I’ve always been good at sales, so working in TA is all of that mashed together.

What advice would you give to managers to help them recruit the best people?

Darren

Get involved in the process and the campaign, recruitment is everyone’s responsibility.

It’s easy to sit back and let recruitment and TA do it all, but you are the hiring manager, chances are you have a network of people who would be interested, and know what attracted you to the job.??Potential candidates want to hear what the job or company is like from people doing the job, not from a recruiter who is paid to get them to apply.?

?Cynthia

Use Social media more!!

Recruiting via social media allows you to share job posting with your entire network and encourages a two-way conversation.

Even if the people you reach aren’t interested in the role for which you’re hiring, it’s likely they may know someone who is a good fit. Also, by sharing photos and videos from company events or day-to-day office life, you give potential applicants a good idea of the company culture.

Simmy

I always tell my hiring managers to treat candidates like customers. Candidate experience is everything In recruitment. Best advice I can give to hiring mangers is to know what your ideal candidate is, and make use of social media, the bigger the platform the more engagement.

If you weren’t a recruiter what would you be doing instead?

?Darren

Probably working in some mountain village as a guide, so I can combine my love of mountains, climbing and caving with making a living.?I’d guide during the summer months, then retire to my lodge in the woods for the winter so I can go and play in the snow.

?Cynthia

I would be a food and travel vlogger – eating amazing food and travelling the globe doing so.

Simmy

If I wasn’t a recruiter I think I’d be working in marketing or doing sales. But I do that here in TA anyways. I market a role and build engagement on social media and then sell it to potential candidates when head hunting

What advice would you give to someone wanting to apply for a role in ONS?

Darren

Do it, this is a great company to work for, I started as a contractor and became an employee the first chance I got as wanted to stay.?On an application note though, make sure you understand the job and what we are looking for before you do your application, to give yourself the best chance.?Maybe come along to one of our webinars that will support and guide you in doing just that – https://ons.eventbrite.co.uk

?Cynthia

Do it!

Simmy

Do it!

Why should someone want to work for ONS?

Darren?

We don’t fit the stereotype of a Civil Service department that people have, and I'm really proud to say we are a really inclusive and diverse collection of personalities and individuality.?We have a huge range of roles and projects that people can get involved in, and although it does sound like a cliché, the work we do really does make a difference.

We have won awards for work-life balance and we are seen as an organisation that supports all of our employees, encourages development and has a positive approach to wellbeing.?The pandemic has really shown what a good employer looks like, and I am happy to say ONS are one.

?Cynthia

The work that ONS do is very important and influential – the environment is also very collaborative and a great place to work and engage with people at all levels.

Simmy

It’s a great company to work for! ONS tops the list for one of the best places to work if you’re looking for a work-life balance!

We’re going for a night out, where are you taking me?

?Darren

So this will mean more to people who live in Southampton than anywhere else in the country.?But get ready for sawdust on the floor, live music with Derek on guitar, plenty of singalong classics from the last few decades, and everyone dancing on tables.?We are off to the Frog & Frigate!!

Cynthia

Amazonico?- it is a rainforest-themed restaurant?the dining experience is supposed to take you on a sensory journey along the Amazon River with menu inspired by Nikkei cuisine and Latin.

Simmy

My ideal night out would honestly be going out for a meal around 8pm and then hitting a rooftop bar at the end of it for some drinks -clubbing isnt my scene - I like to be able to sit and talk