The skills gap we’re seeing across Parliament (and why AI isn’t taking the graduate jobs)
There’s a lot of noise at the moment about AI hollowing out entry-level work. Graduate schemes shrinking, first jobs disappearing, a generation locked out. Whatever the picture elsewhere, it isn’t what we’re seeing in Parliament. With around 650 different employers on the estate, most MPs and hiring managers only ever see the skills picture inside […]
What AI Misses in Recruitment
Recently, an AI trainer told me that the “best” way to run a recruitment process is to upload the job description, CVs and cover letters into AI and let it produce a shortlist. This is terrible advice, and really risky. There’s a lot of noise at the moment about using AI to make your recruitment […]
Are you thinking about restructuring?
Hive’s experience supporting MPs means we know that many will now be reflecting on their post-election recruitment decisions and wondering whether the structure of their team is right, and whether that team is working as cohesively as they could be. It’s very easy, as a new MP, to recruit in a rush. There is an […]
Why Use Hive For Recruitment?
There are so many good reasons to outsource your recruitment process that it’s hard to know where to start.
Whether you’re a new MP or an existing one, hiring new staff can be a very time-consuming process. Are you ready to open up your inbox to potentially hundreds of applicants
Structuring Your Office – What to Consider?
Lots of lessons were learned after 2019, including the importance of getting the structure of your staff teams correct. Hiring the wrong person for the wrong job costs time, money and potentially even your reputation. Don’t rush into decisions; we can help you get this right.
New Services for New MPs
As we head further into the year, closer to the inevitable election, Hive Support and many of the other service providers who exist to support MPs have been busy getting ready to welcome a new intake to Westminster. Transitioning from a candidate to an MP is a very unique, and quite weird, experience. You go […]
Why Training Your Current Staff Team is More Cost-Effective Than Hiring New Ones
As someone overseeing and running an office, you’re always looking for ways to improve the productivity and efficiency of your team. One question you might be asking yourself is whether it’s better to hire new staff or train your existing team members. While both options have their benefits, there are some compelling reasons to invest […]
Appraisal and supervision – the importance of both and knowing the difference
The majority of MP’s offices are very busy, often to the point of overwhelm. Deadlines are a constant and they get routinely moved up and down the list depending on things happening nationally and in the House. Bottom of the list for an MP are often staff supervision meetings and annual appraisals. If it’s an […]
Handling backlogs in casework
In our experience, this is a problem that occurs regularly in Parliamentary offices and can occur for many reasons. Staff absences, illnesses and general staff turnover are the usual causes for short term backlogs, as well as an increase in casework relating to specific issues. However, some offices may feel like they are permanently dealing […]
The Impact of Working from Home
As Coronavirus keeps spreading, working from home offers many benefits to both staff and MPs. Flexibility, less commuting time, better work-life balance – but there are downsides, particular for junior staff or those new to working in Parliament. When staff join Parliamentary teams, either in Westminster or in the constituency, they are often fulfilling a […]