Sourcing the best talent is a never-ending challenge and in today’s skills-starved job market it’s a task that isn’t getting easier.

We believe that agribusiness and the allied agricultural and horticultural industries need their own dedicated and specialist recruitment service – a resource that can find the staff you need in the most efficient way possible, allowing you to get on with business.

Agricultural Appointments was formed in 1979 with this specific purpose in mind. We understand your business and know the environment in which you operate. Our recruiters are all specialists in agribusiness, with access to our own industry-specific database of skilled candidates; 70% of whom are tertiary qualified and a further 20% holding post graduate qualifications.

Agricultural Appointments is recognised for its work across a broad spectrum of agribusiness, including companies specialising in:

We have successfully assisted our clients to fill a variety of important positions including general management, sales and marketing, retail and branch management, purchasing, administration and accounting, technical services/agronomy, viticulture and wine making,    R & D, transport and distribution, manufacturing, production and farm and station management.

How Do You Benefit?

The success of your company depends greatly on having staff at all levels with the right skills, qualifications, personal qualities and experience. As specialists in agribusiness, you can rely on the services of Agricultural Appointments.

Our service is second to none because we:

Understand your needs: Our partners have extensive personal experience in the agricultural environment. They understand the demands placed on companies in the industry and appreciate the type of people required to meet those demands.

Save you time: We work closely with you to prepare position descriptions, select advertising media, handle applications, answer queries, interview candidates, check references and advise them of the results of their application.

Save you money: Our procedures have been designed to attract only the most suitable candidates for job opportunities within the industry. There is no wastage and no unnecessary expenditure.

Provide you with better candidates: Our experience shows that many candidates prefer to find jobs and make contact through agencies that specialise in their field of employment. They choose Agricultural Appointments because we are recognised through our familiar advertisements as leaders in the field. Many candidates may also feature in our extensive database.

Ensure your peace of mind: Agricultural Appointments provides a secure and highly confidential service. This is extremely important in a competitive commercial environment, to avoid alerting your competitors to your needs or plans.

Our Services

Agricultural Appointments has been recruiting permanent staff for a range of prominent Australian agribusinesses since 1979. Our approach has developed through extensive experience and yet uses the latest in computer software and internet technology.

We firstly work with you to define the requirements of the position. This will include technical needs i.e. those specific to an industry or a position, and personal requirements such as communications or people management skills, problem-solving ability etc.

We then agree the most appropriate method of recruitment and decide which services should be used to fill your requirements. Our services are specifically tailored to each individual employer and may involve any or all of the following:

·       Deciding on the most appropriate recruitment method: print advertising, database search, internet or a combination of methods

·       Help creating job descriptions

·       Preparation of advertising copy

·       Selection of the right media, booking and lodging copy (note that clients automatically have the option of a free-of-charge listing on the Agricultural Appointments internet ( www.agri.com.au ) site as well as the CareersMultiList site)

·       Handling all replies and queries from applicants

·       Screening and prioritising responses

·       Conducting initial interviews and dealing with those rejected

·       Checking references and previous employment details

·       Arranging psychological or behavioural testing if required

·       Preparing detailed reports on short-listed candidates with recommendations where appropriate

·       Giving advice on salary packages

·       Negotiation of employment terms

Agricultural Appointments has an extensive database containing the resumes of many thousands of potential candidates. A database search may assist in those circumstances where an especially speedy placement is required or if, for whatever reason, a client may not wish to undertake an advertised search.

The recruitment procedure for a database assignment is essentially the same as for the full recruitment assignment, with the exception of the need to advertise.

Your Investment

Your final investment in the recruitment process will depend on the combination of services supplied by Agricultural Appointments. For a fully comprehensive service, our normal fee is based on the successful applicant's first year’s remuneration package.

Additional charges such as advertising, travelling and psychological testing will only be incurred with your specific agreement and will be charged at cost.

Your Guarantee

Agricultural Appointments offers absolute confidentiality in all negotiations with both client and candidates.

We will not accept an assignment that would involve a conflict of interest.

Agricultural Appointments will be happy to put you in touch with clients for whom we have completed recruitment assignments. You can ask them about our effectiveness and discuss the benefits and satisfaction they derived from using our services.

Please contact us for more information on our company and its services.

Agricultural Appointments also provides employers with a comprehensive range of more specialised recruitment and human resource consultancy services, including:

• Executive Search and Selection
• Psychometric Services
• Outplacement Services
• Management & Employee Development Advancement Programme

For further information on any of these services please click on the subject line above.

Executive Search & Selection

There are times when an advertised search or database search is inappropriate to the needs of a client or unlikely to yield a result appropriate to the circumstances.

In these situations we can offer a targeted search that is conducted under a set of strict and confidential guidelines.

This type of search is commonplace in highly competitive situations or for filling key positions with executives who may not be actively looking for a change at the time.

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Psychometric services

Psychometric instruments are powerful tools used increasingly to enhance the quality and quantity of information available for selection. Research shows that well-constructed, relevant psychometric tests can aid the prediction of job performance and considerably enhance traditional selection techniques such as interviews and references.

Psychometric testing also ensures that all candidates are measured by a common benchmark and can help to challenge stereotyped judgements made by interviewers. In short, psychometrics can reduce the risk of a 'bad hire' by providing a better-matched and more motivated candidate.

Psychometric tools may also be used to aid in promotional decisions, management leadership programs, team assessment and team building, outplacement and redeployment plans and for organisational development programs.

The benefits to you include: 

• Provides a candidate's psychological profile matched precisely to the job role 
  
  
• A totally objective candidate evaluation free of any interviewer bias 
  
  
• Identification of a candidate's strengths, areas for development and best management 
  
  
• Gives unique information to assist with the employment decision not available from other sources
  
  
• Test results are individually interpreted by a qualified registered psychologist and benchmarked to the specific position prior to being sent to you

Our accredited psychometric tests and personality profile tools are used extensively by such notable companies as Australia Post, Hills Industries, Liquorland, National Foods, Seeley International, Southcorp Wines, Work Cover, Angus & Coote, Colliers Jardine, University of Sydney, Coca Cola Amatil, Harris Technologies, Bayer Australia, CGU Insurance, Pilkington Australia, RACV, Boral Construction, Wesfarmers, BM, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Vodafone, HJ Heinz & Co, British Aerospace, SmithKline Beecham and British Steel.

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Outplacement Services 

Clients wanting to provide support to employees undergoing the separation process can offer them an outplacement service that gives comprehensive advice on their abilities, prospects and alternative career directions, all designed to make their transition as smooth as possible.

It is becoming increasingly common for organisations to allocate a fund or dollar amount per person as part of a restructure programme or as an ongoing policy to teach leaving staff effective job searching strategies, interview skills and how to market themselves. Advice on financial planning can also be incorporated.

Agricultural Appointments can offer a range of tailored programs:

• Level One - includes psychological profiling, a written report, feedback and limited marketing advice
  
  
• Level Two - includes all Level One services plus a session on career options, financial planning, an interactive workshop on interview skills training and further marketing support to help develop a new employment portfolio
   
• Level Three - includes all Level One and Level Two services plus job search assistance provided for one month
  
  
• Level Four – a premium service that includes all Level One and Level Two services plus job search assistance provided for three months 

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Management & Employee Development Advancement Program (MEDAP)

MEDAP is a powerful development tool aimed at changing key behaviours which ultimately affect performance in the workplace. It is suitable for: 

• Employees wanting to advance themselves into management roles 
• Managers wanting to further advance themselves into more senior roles 
• Employees having difficulty in one or two areas of their work or role 
• Organisations wanting to tailor a training program specifically for their workforce

How does MEDAP work?

MEDAP is usually delivered as a one-on-one process, running for up to six months. This enables individuals to identify long-term negative behaviours, trial strategies, discuss effectiveness and further refine strategies with coaching and feedback. Due to ongoing support, the program is therefore successful where traditional training often fails.

The program can also be delivered to a client group on-site and be linked to Benchmarking and Profiling Projects.

Program Structure

The program objectives are jointly developed by management, the participant(s) and as a result of Self Awareness Profiling. All aspects of the program are related back to the workplace, position responsibilities and desired outcomes and typically include four of the following modules:

·         Goal Setting

·         Managing Time and Stress

·         Self Awareness

·         Leadership & Empowerment

·         Problem Solving

·         Group Presentation Skills

·         Managing Conflict

·         Team Building

·         Communication Skills

·         Delegation

Programs are professionally presented by experienced and qualified members of the Organisational Psychology Services team headed by our qualified Registered Psychologist.

All programs take into account the diversity of work places and the significant differences that exist between employees, even in the same work place or between similar groups.

Adult educational models are employed which ensure active participant involvement. All application tasks are relevant to job responsibilities and the program includes a focused process for feedback, evaluation and realignment of programs for maximum effectiveness.

Most programs require an initial audit or needs assessment to be carried out to ensure the program is focused on critical areas for development.

Other services include:

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
• Team Development
• Benchmarking & Profiling
• Change Management 

We are able to tailor specific training courses for your staff to ensure they keep their skills up-to-date with the latest software programs that will be driving your business into the future. We can accommodate small groups in-house or training can be provided on your site or at a venue to suit you.

We would be happy to discuss your training needs and our courses in more detail. Please contact us for more information.