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Is this what really goes on?

17 replies

unimagmative13 · 05/10/2016 08:51

Just had a stint as a SAHM and now returning to work. In my field I am very experienced, and have niche qualifications (also have very relevant specific experience for certain roles)

I looked at both jobs in and out of what I used to do ( a part time local job in and office would have been fine but accepting low pay seemed really hard to accept for employers)

What struck me the most is people not even bothering to read CVs properly, having to arrange childcare for interviews, then having to point out I'd specified part time or even that they were interviewing for the wrong role! ( this wasn't why I've written this post)

My main issue is recruitment agency's, a few have posted positions really relevant to my experience, I've applied, heard nothing. I always follow up even when it says not to. The adverts close then weeks later you get a email asking you about something in another field unrelated.

This week I've come to the conclusion these jobs don't exist, am I right? I get my hopes up as they are what I'm looking for! Is it common for them to post non existent positions?

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HeadDreamer · 05/10/2016 08:57

Are you applying for office admin jobs? Then that's what you would expect. They would have hundreds of applicants. If you hear nothing from a recruitment agent a day after the application, you can assume you didn't get it. Also, like you, I suspect there are job ads that aren't for real jobs but just to get CVs. It's usually quite easy to spot in my field. Many recruitment agents like to describe a bit about the company they are recruiting for. If it doesn't, then it's most likely a generic ad.

They always contact people speculatively. I get them all the time on linkedin. You don't even need to be actively looking for a job for them to bother you. And once you get a job, expect to keep getting calls for the next 1-2 years about new vacancies.

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unimagmative13 · 05/10/2016 09:09

No the recruitment agencies are advertising for jobs in my field that I have experience in and they are quite specific in regards to qualifications. It's annoying, but I guessed they weren't real as usually you will see adverts in a few places also the company websites but it seems it's just this recruitment agency is advertising.

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GnomeDePlume · 05/10/2016 12:21

unimagmative13 have you posted you CV in places like Monster, CV Library etc?

My experience has been that CVs posted in these places will be seen by lots of recruiters. I may be wrong but I suspect that a lot of the jobs on agency websites are a bit like shop dressing. They are there to entice you in.

Keep updating, refining your CV that way it does pop up as a 'recently added'.

Have you had your CV reviewed by someone in your skill area? You may be inadvertently getting your positioning slightly wrong.

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EBearhug · 06/10/2016 15:41

Are you on LinkedIn? If you're not, that seems to count against you here, even for internal candidates.

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unimagmative13 · 06/10/2016 18:40

No I'm in LinkedIn, why would it count against you if not??

And he's my CV is well written it isn't the fact of not getting the job it's that I believe agencies don't actually have the jobs!

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EBearhug · 06/10/2016 18:59

I don't know, but apparently they like people to have a LinkedIn profile. They also like people to have degrees, despite it not being necessary for many roles.

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trashcansinatra · 06/10/2016 19:05

Yes, some jobs won't exist. Or rather, that consultant won't have been hired to fill those jobs. They are hoping to get some impressive cvs to go to the company and create business for themselves.

Also agencies can be ruthless (heartless) about criteria, and being out of work at present may unfortunately make your cv less attractive.

Definitely get yourself in LinkedIn though.

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unimagmative13 · 06/10/2016 19:35

Yes I have LinkedIn. Good point about them wanting decent CVs!!

I've been on maternity so technically still employed most of this year.

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yeOldeTrout · 06/10/2016 19:41

Recruitment agencies are crap, they generally provide a crap service. Yes that really goes on. :)

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GnomeDePlume · 06/10/2016 20:00

It is worth your CV being on the various CV sites. I know my company recruits through these as it saves a small fortune in recruitment fees. This is for specialist professional roles as well as more junior roles.

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unimagmative13 · 06/10/2016 23:02

People are missing my point, it's not my struggle to get a job. I now do some work but looking for whatelse is out there too. (Possibly having 2/3 jobs) my CV is on all professional sites and I check daily all my jobs apps. As I said my qualifications are niche.

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Loaferloveforyou · 07/10/2016 18:55

I have called specialist recruitment agencies regarding jobs in my field and have been told on a few occasions 'oh yeah that's not a specific job, we have a number of roles which we collect CVs for and just put one generic job spec online'.

It's annoying and time wasting but for my field there are a couple of agencies and after years in the field you get to know a few of the recruiters personally. One has become a legitimate 'real life' friend which is handy Grin

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unimagmative13 · 07/10/2016 20:17

Yes I am in contact with a specialist recruiter and am doing some consultancy work for a company through this, but look for something to combine with this maybe teaching or something. Hence the agencies.

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flopsypopsymopsy · 08/10/2016 20:10

Yes, avoid them like the plague if you can.

Use LinkedIn and check employer websites directly. It's far less painless!

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user1468321775 · 10/10/2016 07:51

Agencies are only good if you can build a one to one relationship with one good consultant. They often post 'dummy' jobs so they can build up a CV file when jobs actually do come up. Anytime I've got a job through and agency it because they've called me about a specific role. The other thing to look out for is the 'touch base' calls they do - the ones asking if you've gone for any interviews or applied for jobs yourself - that's then trying to poach jobs to advertise too! These guys work heavily on commission so tread carefully!!

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purplemunkey · 10/10/2016 08:15

I don't know how niche your roles are so this may not apply but I discovered on my last job that no, agencies don't read CVs in the first instance. They all have software that filters CVs for them, they scan all the applicants CVs for defined keywords and then the highest matches get filtered through to the agent to actually be read. I made sure I adapted my CV for every role to ensure it had key words from the as and/or job spec.

Also, if you are mentioning part time on your application for jobs not advertised as such I'd stop. Agencies will dismiss you as a candidate straight away, I'd save these conversations for after interview once they've met you and want you - it then becomes negotiation of employment terms.

This may not be entirely relevant for you but definitely two things I learned on returning to work from mat leave.

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purplemunkey · 10/10/2016 08:17

Should read 'on my last job hunt' and 'from the ad and/or job spec*

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