Job announcements for March week 2 ... before the job ads are written

Opportunities for professionals have boomed to the highest levels since 2010, according to the Reed employment index. The issue remains that by the time the job adverts are published, candidates often apply in high numbers. So, what better tactic than to jump ahead of the queue by proactively approaching companies who have received press coverage for their rapid business expansion, and suggesting how you can help them to continue their success? Examples:

Whitbread
Whitbread Plc is creating 10,000 jobs across the UK over the three years to 2015, as part of a major expansion of its budget hotel chain Premier Inn, and Costa coffee. Whitbread recorded a 1.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales for the 11 weeks to 16 February 2012, slower than 2.4 per cent growth in the previous quarter.

Center Parcs
Holiday firm Center Parcs is to build a new resort in Bedfordshire, creating 2,700 new jobs. This will be the activity holiday group's fifth site and is expected to open in spring 2014. 1,500 permanent jobs will be created at the new resort while another 1,200 contractors will be employed during the construction process. The development is expected to inject over £250m into the British economy.

Tesco
Supermarket giant Tesco is to create 20,000 jobs in the UK over the next two years through investment in customer service, central management, refreshing existing stores and opening new ones. The 20,000 jobs include full-time and part-time roles, including some apprenticeship placements.

Smooth Financial Consultants
Debt management firm Smooth Financial is to create more than 40 jobs by September 2012, to meet growing demand for its services. The company, which employs 85 staff, recently moved to new premises in Sale. It is establishing an in-house academy to train the new recruits.

Rwe Npower
Npower is recruiting 30 new team manager positions in the North East. This follows the recent recruitment of more than 200 new staff across the company at a wide range of locations.

Gazprom Marketing & Retail
Gazprom Energy, Russian group Gazproms UK retail division, is recruiting 30 more staff at its headquarters in Manchester, following significant business growth. Gazprom Energy has grown from 10 people in 2007 to 190 in four countries in 2011. The new roles include a communications director, IT roles and apprenticeships.

Clarenco
Property developer Clarenco LLP is recruiting 26 staff for a luxury tourism development in Beaumaris, Wales. Plas Rhianfa, a chateau-style mansion, was acquired by Clarenco in 2011 for £2m. It has been restored and will be used for weddings, corporate events and special occasions. In 2010 Clarenco's turnover was £2.59m and staff headcount was 73.

Kenyon Fraser
Marketing and communications consultancy Kenyon Fraser is opening an office in Leeds. The new office will be run by managing director Richard Kenyon and four new employees will be recruited. The firm achieved record turnover in the final quarter of 2011 and is expanding to serve clients in Yorkshire and the north east.

Strutt & Co Solicitors
Cumbria-based Strutt & Co is planning to expand and recruit at least two new lawyers. The firm, which specialises in corporate and employment law, is planning to develop new clients. It has launched an Employer Protection Scheme, which offers legal advice to businesses for a fixed cost.

Abintegro
March 12