How do employment agencies work? Are career advisors for adults a thing?

[JudgeRindersMinder]

Sorry for the stupid question!

I’m in the position of needing to find a new job, sooner rather than later. I’ve been in my current job for 20 years, and the previous one for 10 years, both public sector.

I have a degree and lots of skills, but I have no idea where to begin.
Do you just go to an employment agency and say “here I am, what have you got?”, how does it work, I really don’t have a clue.

I need to make a change, but obviously don’t want to jump from frying pan to fire

[KingCatMeowInSpace]

Where in the country are you? In Scotland there are free of charge careers advisers for all, no matter your age.

[JustMe9]

You dont have to physically go to them anymore. Just google your local employment agencies and either register with them on their website or email them copy of your cv. they will do the rest of the work and contact you. :)

[EBearhug]

Do you have any strong feelings about things you would like to - or wouldn't?

Take that down to the task level. Obviously any job will have a certain amount of admin and paperwork, but would you prefer a job with a lot of admin, or less? What about speaking on the phone? Speaking with customers? Do you want a practical, active sort of job, or desk-based?

Do you prefer set hours, or could you consider shift work or other irregular hours?

Would you rather be based in one office, or to travel around? Do you have a car or are you reliant on public transport?

What is the minimum income you need? Does that change if other variables like travel or childcare costs would increase?

Along with your existing qualifications and skills and experience, these sorts of questions and more will help you form a profile of your ideal job. You need to know what your personal redlines are, be it around hours, pay, travel or whatever - it also helps to work out where you feel more flexible - a longer commute may be acceptable for a significant wage increase, for example.

If you're a member of a union, check whether they offer any careers counselling - mine does. I still had to pay, but it was a reduced rate.

You can get adult careers guidance - there are a ton of sites online, as well as books like What Colour is My Parachute? but essentially, they can only work with you doing the work of thinking about your preferences and so on. However, once you've done that, there could be some use if it offers ideas you wouldn't have thought about - I suspect many of us don't consider particular careers because we don't really have an understanding of what the work would really involve and therefore if it would suit us.

You'll also be able to find a ton of info on job applications and CVs and so on, but again, you still need to do the work on your qualifications and experience that should be added.

Good luck!

[JudgeRindersMinder]

@KingCatMeowInSpace I’m in Scotland, so that’s really helpful, I’d no idea that was available, I’ll have a google x

@EBearhug That’s really helpful advice, thank you, much as I’d like it to, I know something isn’t going to land in my lap, so I need to get thinking and jotting down x

[KingCatMeowInSpace]

Great! Yes SDS (skills development Scotland) are the provider and they are all over Scotland and you can phone/visit to make a free apt with an adviser for help with generating career ideas/cv/job search advice etc.

[Piffpaffpoff]

OP I am in a similar situation and also in Scotland and went to SDS and didn't get much out of it I'm afraid. I felt that they were more set up for school leavers or long term unemployed. I was really disappointed. I felt that they were trying to fit me into what was available rather than give me development if you see what I mean. But that might just have been my location - it's free so worth a try, I think it all depends on who you get to see and what they know.
I'd do as EBearhug suggests and have a good think about whats next for you and then make an appointment at one of the big job agencies with a local office like Hudson or Morgan Phillips and have a chat. They'll have a better handle on which of your skills are transferable, what jobs and businesses are in the area and what's a realistic job type to apply for.

Good luck, I am in the same boat and feel directionless and rudderless. But we'll get there.

[JudgeRindersMinder]

@Piffpaffpoff, I’m keeping an open
Mind about SDS, but am taking on board what
@EBearhug has said, so will do some thinking first about what I want out of it before I approach them

[Letsnotargue]

Recruitment agencies aren’t necessarily set up to help you work out what you want to do. They will have a number of vacant jobs on their books, and they will earn a fee for placing someone into those jobs. If you are a good fit for the jobs they have in at the time then that could be good, but if they don’t have anything you like or are suitable for then they may not be able to help you much further.

If you do go in and register with them they will keep you on their books. If you make a good impression and seem like a good candidate they may well bear you in mind and contact you if something suitable comes in. But remember that they work for the employers, and not the candidates so that will be where their priorities lie.