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Original poster

Job hunting- I could scream!

23 replies

Oddcat · 31/01/2019 20:32

I’ve decided to go all out and find a new job , but Jesus Christ it is so frustrating.

Agencies that , unless your cv matches the job description word for word , seem unable to see that my skills are what the job requires.

And don’t get me started on the spelling and grammatical errors in their ads - especially when they state they need someone who is accurate and pays attention to detail!

I guess I’m stuck with using them - but my jaw aches from gritting my teeth every time I see another bloody spelling mistake.

OP posts:

yips · 31/01/2019 20:35

Recruiters see dozens of CVs every day, and get very good at finding the required info quickly. Are you sure your CV is showing your full potential?

Original poster

Oddcat · 31/01/2019 20:41

Yes, I used to be a recruitment consultant many years ago . One more mature lady I saw today admitted that it’s a bit more like a game of snap these days and it’s a shame that it all seems to be done on line .

Back in the day we used to get all candidates in for an interview before sending their cv’s off to clients.

OP posts:

yips · 31/01/2019 21:05

Face to face interviewing every candidate sounds time consuming! Why don't you find out who the job is for and then apply directly, if you don't trust recruiters?

Original poster

Oddcat · 31/01/2019 21:39

It’s all on websites and the employer isn’t mentioned in case candidates bypass the agency and go direct , which would mean they miss out on their fee.

If companies accept direct applications from candidates, they wouldn’t have put the job with an agency in the first place .

OP posts:

BloodyBosch · 01/02/2019 00:48

It cuts both ways recruiting atm and the number of time wasters is unreal.
Arrange interviews and don't turn up, lie about experience, fail to read the job spec 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 01/02/2019 01:09

I feel you OP. My job is at risk so I’m job hunting. Got all excited on Monday when I saw a job that could have been written for me - ion early the description was practically my cv.

So I emailed via the website. Got no response. Called and the recruitment guy wasn’t there so I emailed again and included my cv this time.

I got an email back at 16:59 to say my cv looks like an amazing fit but the the job has gone to someone else! I’ll contact the employer to see what their situation is!

The exclamation marks pissed me off a lot, and I’m even more annoyed that this job is still not only on Indeed but also on the recruitment site too. So either he lied or they’re shit at updating stuff.

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 05:09

BloodyBosch I’ll send you my cv , I promise to turn up

Bloody Indeed , I’ve had the same experience, been told the vacancy is closed but it keeps being reposted . If I do get to speak to the agent , it’s quite clear they have no clue what it is they are recruiting for , I have been told by someone that my skills don’t match the job spec , but it’s the exact job I’m doing now !

OP posts:

Vividdreaming · 01/02/2019 07:38

If companies accept direct applications from candidates, they wouldn’t have put the job with an agency in the first place .
*

Op this is not correct. Most companies will do both.

The best way to find a job is to make a List of the companies you want to work for and spend time approaching them. This is how I have got my past 3 jobs.

I also used to recruit and left because it is not longer about recruitment quality but about getting the fee.

Sarcelle · 01/02/2019 07:48

Recruitment agencies are a waste of time, sales people trying to reach targets.

Do what others have said, find out the name of head of HR at somewhere you want to work, or the head of the sector you want to work in and send your CV to them.

Try sending by post on good quality paper with a great covering letter telling them why you want to work for them and what you can bring them, and a not too long CV. Posted docs might be outdated but it would make you stand out. Nothing ventured and all that. Choose at least 10 firms and see what happens. If nothing, follow up with email versions.

DelurkingAJ · 01/02/2019 07:55

How specialist are you? I found that the general recruitment agencies were pointless (handle cranking...sending my CV without checking I was willing to commute to the location) but a couple of more specialist outfits were fab. Did have to deal with a lot of them to find the decent ones though. But I’ll know who they are as and when I want to move again.

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 10:08

Good idea about contacting companies directly , I’ll give it a go . It’s been 18 years since I last job hunted and it seems to have changed dramatically.

I got my present job by phoning the head of department so I have done it before.

OP posts:

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 15:45

Yay , got an interview on Tuesday!

OP posts:

Want2bSupermum · 01/02/2019 15:48

LinkedIn is great for building your network with people you want to work with/for. Current job was previously my client. Everyone was comfortable with the decision to hire me.

DarklyDreamingDexter · 01/02/2019 17:03

Tweak your CV for every job you go for. Don't just send a generic one. If they want to play 'snap', tweak the wording to use the same words they have used (to describe skills you already have - don't make the, up!) You can't rely on the recruitment agencies to see through the many skills you have and match them to what the job spec is looking for. You need to do that. Make it easy for them to put you forward for jobs you know you can do.

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 19:23

Tweak your CV for every job you go for.

I do !

OP posts:

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 19:25

I find it’s better to go in to see the agency, which is what I did today - they may have an opening in their company that the manager said I’d be perfect for .

OP posts:

ssd · 01/02/2019 19:29

Same here
I was wildly excited to get an interview at last, I'd applied through indeed, tried to arrange interview but turns out the job was 300 miles away, indeed fucked up the location....

Could bloody cry

Confuzzlediddled · 01/02/2019 19:34

I hear you, i also have a disability which makes it even harder.

In the last 10 days I've had the results of 2 interviews, one I was above the benchmarking but wouldn't be able to do the job due to my disability (this wasn't clear in the advert) so they have said they are trying to create a role for me but no idea how long that would take, the other again I was above the benchmarking but they don't have a job to offer me so I'm on a reserve list!! Not to mention jobs I should be able to do in my sleep that I'm not even able to get shortlisted for...

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 21:03

ssd Indeed isn’t very good I’ve found. Probably better to contact local agencies directly or do what a pp said and go straight to any companies that you’d like to work for.

Good luck xx

OP posts:

53rdand3rd · 01/02/2019 21:19

Good luck for Tuesday, @Oddcat

Original poster

Oddcat · 01/02/2019 21:22

Thank you, fingers crossed.

OP posts:

ssd · 02/02/2019 00:08

Thanks odd at and the same to you

ssd · 02/02/2019 00:09

Oddcat..... bloody autocorrect...

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