NEWS & Faq’s

news

The World Trade Center in Lausanne, where we are based, has changed its name : the Business Center is now called Bloom.
The Business Center will be undergoing major renovation work for several months. If you have an appointment with us, please follow the signs to the Business Center’s new reception, which is still located on the ground floor. If you are coming by car, please go to level -1 of the underground parking lot (currently free).
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause during interviews and we thank you for your understanding.
Notice to candidates who have entrusted us with their personal files : for management and space reasons, any file for which our last contact dates back 10+ years may be removed from our database. The paper version is schredded in our offices, the digital version is deleted from the memory of our computers and backup systems. However we will be happy to deal with any file updates or contact renew.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR COMPANIES

Why work with an external consulting firm ?

A recognized consulting firm brings expertise and advantages on several levels: extensive knowledge of the business world, the various economic sectors and the job market (national and international); proven research, selection and evaluation methodologies; the assurance for the parties of a neutral, systematic and impartial process; contact with high-value candidates via solid databases and a large professional/personal network; control of deadlines and direct and indirect costs.

Why VON DER WEID CONSULTING ?

This question immediately prompts one from us : what are you looking for ? If you’re looking to work with a consultancy that offers you proven professional expertise in the main economic sectors and types of Senior and Middle Management positions, a proven working methodology both in the search and in the selection or evaluation of candidates, speed of action, flexibility, transparency on the work accomplished, placement guarantees and absolute professional ethics, then yes, we are your potential partner.

How do you know if you’re dealing with a reputable, serious HR consulting firm ?

Although it’s a recurring question, it’s a legitimate and essential one (as much for a company as for a candidate). While a consultancy’s reputation is built up year after year through its activities and contacts, there are a number of points that can be identified – even before any contact is made – by the company or the person in doubt. Did you know that, in Switzerland :
– a HR consulting firm is a company that must be duly registered in the Commercial Register (RC) of the canton in which it is established.
– there are two levels of authorization : cantonal authorization for placements in Switzerland (issued by the cantonal employment office) and federal authorization for placements from Switzerland to other countries and vice-versa (issued by SECO).
– a HR consulting firm must have at least one official and public office reserved exclusively for “private placement” activities, in order to receive its clients and candidates in an optimal professional setting and to ensure the quality and integrity of interviews with candidates; in this respect, certain elements can testify – at least partially – to the quality and level of services offered : location of offices (in a professional environment or “at home”), size of offices, quality of telephone and personal reception, quality of furniture, interview location,… ).
– Researching information (word-of-mouth, website, various publications) about the quality/reputation of the firm, the training and professional background of its managers and consultants, and membership of professional associations will also provide you with valuable additional information.

VON DER WEID CONSULTING is a company duly registered with the RC of the Canton of Vaud. Our consulting firm is authorized by the SECO and the Service Cantonal de l’Emploi of the Canton of Vaud to practice private placement. It celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 and is a member of numerous professional associations and chambers of commerce (e.g. CVCI, Centre patronal vaudois, cantonal economic development offices, etc.). It also collaborates with all recognized outplacement firms.

questions and answers to candidates

How can I find names of serious HR consulting firms ?

Since the Internet and the development of search engines and specialized sites, finding us is a lot easier than it used to be. Type in keywords such as business consultancy, recruitment, executive search or directly a job title. Ask colleagues and friends, too, because nothing beats word-of-mouth and the personal exchange of information.

How do I get in touch with a HR consulting firm ?

By telephone, post or e-mail. A serious firm will always respond to your contact, even if it has nothing to offer you. On the other hand, they are free to decide whether or not to keep your file. There’s nothing to stop you contacting them again in the future. Finally, forget about those who don’t get back to you !

What is a complete personal file ?

For a professional recruiter, a complete file consists of a cover letter (1 page maximum !), a CV (1 to 2 pages maximum !) and copies of work and training certificates.

Do I still need to send in a complete file ?

In response to an advertisement and if requested (as is the case with our consultancy) : yes, always, because you save the consultant time, which he will need anyway to make an initial complete analysis of your file. If you’re making an unsolicited application, you’ll need at least a covering letter and a CV, although certificates can be sent later if you’re interested. Beware, however, of scanned documents, which can sometimes cause problems when sent by e-mail.

Do I need to attach a photo ?

Yes, if requested. But in any case, if you attach a photo, it must be irreproachable and professional (pay attention to clothing, personal look and background). Indeed, given human prejudices (we all have them), the positive image we think we’re conveying of ourselves may be perceived negatively by the person receiving it; so you need to be careful with this element, which remains highly subjective. Another advantage of a photo is that the recruiter can put (or put back) a face on a CV; it can therefore help to humanize/personalize the CV.

What are the essentials of a CV ?

An up-to-date CV is made up of several sections. Here we present the order we like best :
1. header : surname, first name, address, personal data (age, marital status, nationality) and photo (it makes it easier for us to remember you)
2. professional experience (make sure the chronology is clear: dates, company X*, functions Y and Z with a few precise, succinct details**),
* don’t forget to indicate in which field(s) the company in question operates – contrary to what you may think, a consultant isn’t aware of everything, we don’t know all the companies on earth, we sometimes forget information and a little refresh is therefore very useful rather than letting us go and look it up ourselves on the internet.
** 2-3 bullet points by function
3. education (get to the point – e.g. level achieved and training in progress)
4. language and IT skills
5. miscellaneous (hobbies, special interests, membership of associations, etc.)
If not mentioned in the cover letter, professional objectives should be added (what do you want to do or no longer do, which sectors, which functions, etc.). If you mention references, make sure these people are aware of what you’ve done, as they may be contacted by the consulting firm or future employer.

And always keep in mind the following points:

To find out whether your CV is attractive (form and content), take a step back, put yourself in the reader/recruiter’s shoes and have it reread by one or two people you trust.
Would you prefer to read 30 CVs with 1 page or 30 CVs with 5 pages each ?
A professional, experienced recruiter gets to the heart of the matter and knows how to read between the lines; if your CV interests them, they’ll be sure to ask you for further information (but give us information that is relevant to the job application, because we’re not mind readers!) At the risk of shocking you, applying for a job is an act of selling yourself (and your abilities in relation to a position), so it’s up to you to promote yourself (honestly and transparently), and then it’s up to us to select or reject your application on the basis of the required criteria and the other applications received.
be absolutely honest about your real knowledge (e.g. languages and IT), because if a recruiter has doubts about one element of your CV, the whole profile of the person will be called into question. And recruiters hate lies or untruths.