Decent job agencies
Discussion
I have found the best way to get lots of responses is to post your CV onto the job web sites (eg jobserve, jobsite etc). There is no one agency that has all the jobs available and these sites get your CV seen by lots of agencies.
Yes, some will be rubbish but you get lots for very little effort. You can then take your pick from the ones that phone/email you as to which you want to work with.
You might find your ideal job is only going through an agency that is not very good but do you want to be picky about the agency or the end company?
Yes, some will be rubbish but you get lots for very little effort. You can then take your pick from the ones that phone/email you as to which you want to work with.
You might find your ideal job is only going through an agency that is not very good but do you want to be picky about the agency or the end company?
I've been contracting for over 5 years and as such have to deal with a LOT of agencies.
Generally it isn't a case of choosing an agency, rather choosing a job / contract and then just dealing with whichever agency happens to have that job / contract.
I find it frustrating that even if you do establish a rapport with an agent to the extent that you'd work through them again, when the contract ends they never seem to be able to get you another and you have to choose any old agency anyway as above.
Worse, I've talked to agencies that I have worked through before about a contract and it isn't until I point out the fact that they realise.
There are good agents out there, but they're unfortunately a minotity.
Generally it isn't a case of choosing an agency, rather choosing a job / contract and then just dealing with whichever agency happens to have that job / contract.
I find it frustrating that even if you do establish a rapport with an agent to the extent that you'd work through them again, when the contract ends they never seem to be able to get you another and you have to choose any old agency anyway as above.
Worse, I've talked to agencies that I have worked through before about a contract and it isn't until I point out the fact that they realise.
There are good agents out there, but they're unfortunately a minotity.
icamm said:
I have found the best way to get lots of responses is to post your CV onto the job web sites (eg jobserve, jobsite etc). There is no one agency that has all the jobs available and these sites get your CV seen by lots of agencies.
Yes, some will be rubbish but you get lots for very little effort. You can then take your pick from the ones that phone/email you as to which you want to work with.
You might find your ideal job is only going through an agency that is not very good but do you want to be picky about the agency or the end company?
Although I didn't start this thread, thanks to everyone for the advice so far, its really useful.
I have taken your advice icamm and posted my CV. I have been doing I.T in the Military for 7 years now and I'm leaving next year or as soon as I get a job, so what I'm saying is I'm pretty clueless about the recruitment process for civilian jobs!. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again to those who have posted advice.
Lee.
Good luck Lee, I hope my advice works for you 
. It was the advice I was given when I was made redundant and has, so far, worked for me.
One other thing. Don't get down hearted if you get lots of calls from agencies that don't seem to follow them up. Alot of companies are very poor at giving feedback. Just keep looking until you find something. The less of a rush you are in, and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to pass the interviews when they come along.
One thing I have found is that for contract work it is easier to find a job when you are "immediately available" than when you are on a notice period.
Also, consider doing some courses on relevant subjects. This always looks good that you are willing to train an learn new things.
. It was the advice I was given when I was made redundant and has, so far, worked for me. One other thing. Don't get down hearted if you get lots of calls from agencies that don't seem to follow them up. Alot of companies are very poor at giving feedback. Just keep looking until you find something. The less of a rush you are in, and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to pass the interviews when they come along.
One thing I have found is that for contract work it is easier to find a job when you are "immediately available" than when you are on a notice period.
Also, consider doing some courses on relevant subjects. This always looks good that you are willing to train an learn new things.
adrianr said:
Lee (& any others in a similar position)
If you're thinking permie, the company I work for employs a fair few ex-military folks - part of the business supplies s/w to the MOD so we like the shop floor view of what's required.
Mail me through my profile if you're interested.
AdrianR
YHM.
Cheers,
Lee.
My husband has been inundated with calls over the last month after putting his CV on both www.jobserve.co.uk and www.cwjobs.co.uk.
He's a senior solutions architect and has been amazed by the number of suitable jobs that have come up, although we did eventually have to remove his CV from those sites as he was finding it impossible to get any work done, with the constant phone calls and interviews !
Has been very worthwhile.
He's a senior solutions architect and has been amazed by the number of suitable jobs that have come up, although we did eventually have to remove his CV from those sites as he was finding it impossible to get any work done, with the constant phone calls and interviews !
Has been very worthwhile.
JonRB said:
I've been contracting for over 5 years and as such have to deal with a LOT of agencies.
Generally it isn't a case of choosing an agency, rather choosing a job / contract and then just dealing with whichever agency happens to have that job / contract.
I find it frustrating that even if you do establish a rapport with an agent to the extent that you'd work through them again, when the contract ends they never seem to be able to get you another and you have to choose any old agency anyway as above.
Worse, I've talked to agencies that I have worked through before about a contract and it isn't until I point out the fact that they realise.
There are good agents out there, but they're unfortunately a minotity.
Thats what I did and I have landed a good job working for fantastic people (altough the boss has a liking for MINI's - trying to change his mind
) and I don't have an amazing skill set (helpdesk/desktop/sap) The agency are ok - ie I dont bother them and they leave me alone which IMHO is great.
Get your CV onto jobsites and apply for a few to get your name known.
Good luck
Claire
>> Edited by Gaffer on Monday 29th November 17:56
Not sure why you're quoting me there, Claire, but never mind.
Notice you're not listing Cheltenham in your profile any more - have you and Roop moved away?
Anyway, back to the topic, I agree that JobServe and CWJobs generate a lot of calls. PlanetRecruit and JobSite are also good for getting your CV distributed too - I have a lot of calls from agents who say they've picked my CV up from there.
Notice you're not listing Cheltenham in your profile any more - have you and Roop moved away?
Anyway, back to the topic, I agree that JobServe and CWJobs generate a lot of calls. PlanetRecruit and JobSite are also good for getting your CV distributed too - I have a lot of calls from agents who say they've picked my CV up from there.
Mrs BlueCerbera said:
My husband has been inundated with calls over the last month after putting his CV on both www.jobserve.co.uk and www.cwjobs.co.uk.
He's a senior solutions architect and has been amazed by the number of suitable jobs that have come up, although we did eventually have to remove his CV from those sites as he was finding it impossible to get any work done, with the constant phone calls and interviews !
Has been very worthwhile.
Thanks Mrs BC, I posted my CV on those websites and Jobsite, and now I have 5 interviews this week!
and they are all really good jobs and paying a lot more!. I can't believe how many calls I'm getting!. I really didn't think this many people would be interested with me having a military background and no civillian experience. Thanks to everyone else for there advice as well!.
Lee.
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