Colchester-based Trade Plumbing has launched a recruitment drive with a difference, as job hunters are urged to get creative with a video camera in their bid to secure employment.

The Harwich Road bathroom, plumbing and heating merchant has six job roles on offer through its Big Recruit programme.


Applications are being sought for the positions of market researcher and online marketing and PR manager, plus two growth marketers and two customer advisors.


The twist is that candidates must submit a video clip of themselves during the second part of the process.


“While a CV is an essential part of any job application, it doesn’t always show off a candidate’s creative, imaginative or resourceful side,” managing director Peter Clayton explained.


“So we’re asking applicants to send in a short video of up to two minutes in length where they answer three set questions. We’d like them to describe their main strengths and weaknesses, where they see themselves in five years’ time and what they would call a book about themselves.”


He added: “We know this is an unusual way of recruiting staff, but we think it will really highlight their personalities and their passion for becoming part of our team.”


Candidates can use video cameras or the video functions on their smartphones, or they are welcome to pop into Kat Creativ on Butt Road in Colchester to borrow equipment.


Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live selection process, which will include a series of activities designed to test candidates’ technical skills, personal attributes and compatibility with the Trade Plumbing team.


Trade Plumbing is a division of Clayton Horsnell Ltd and has been operating for six years. For more information about the job roles on offer or to apply, visit the website or call 0844 504 4499. The closing date for applications is January 25.