Pictured above: Yvette Hall - Administrator, Chris Pearson - Senior Consultant, Julie Brown - Accountants Administrator, Justin Weir - Director (centre back), Charmaine Welch - Online Sales Manager (centre front), Sophie-Dee Thomas - Consultant, John McGallan - Director and Chairman and John Smedley - Managing Director

Just a year after expanding its operation and relocating to Pride Park, a Derby recruitment firm has launched an innovative online service that is set to take the industry by storm.

Specialist East Midlands recruitment firm Optus Consulting, has launched Optus Online, a new recruitment service, which aims to reduce the cost per hire by utilising the extensive range of on-line recruitment services that are currently available.

Businesses employing the new service will have guaranteed placement on the leading job boards and social media sites as well as their derivatives.  Primarily geared towards businesses in the Midlands, the job placements have the potential to reach a wide and specific online audience, whilst enabling businesses and candidates to specify their location of choice.  

Charmaine Welch has been appointed to head up the new division.  Online sales manager, Charmaine, has more than 15 years' experience in regional digital and print media sales, specialising in recruitment advertising.

In her new role, Charmaine will be responsible for developing client relationships and overseeing effective vacancy preparation and candidate screening. Additional services are available including metric testing, which are available at a supplementary cost.

Commenting on the new service and the appointment of Charmaine, John Smedley, director of Optus Consulting, said:

"Optus Online is an intelligent solution to businesses' recruitment needs.  With the advent of social media and the diminished resources for recruiting, we decided it was the perfect time to launch a new service that will tap into the increasing number of online opportunities.  

"And whilst this isn't a service that will suit businesses seeking highly specialised skills, it will meet the needs of a large proportion of the job market.

"Since the service was piloted, 93% of our vacancies have been filled. Charmaine's skills are set to propel Optus Online into the mainstream and help businesses attract and hire the right people for the vacancies."

Charmaine added: "An integral part of my role at Optus will be to help us build on our existing portfolio of clients whilst promoting our ability to provide a complete recruitment service."

Over the years, Optus has established a reputation for matching candidates' needs to clients' requirements and forming partnerships with clients in order to maximise business opportunity and reduce recruitment costs.

The company serves a range of private sector organisations - from companies with their own infrastructures to small, owner managed businesses and large blue chip companies, including BMW, the British Standards Institute and locall, leading IT company Orchid IT.

It handles vacancies from a variety of market sectors - including automotive, engineering and manufacturing sectors, professional services and senior and middle management search and selection.