Jobs - What am I doing wrong?

Chickandlamb · 2021-04-14T14:09:55+00:00

I keep applying for jobs, keep hearing from recruiters who s at I would be a perfect fit and they will arrange an interview and then never hear from the recruiter or company again. It is soul destroying.

cameocat · 14/04/2021 15:10

What sort of jobs are you applying for?

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 15:13

Jobs in financial services. I am well qualified and experienced for the jobs. (Sorry for typos on a rubbish phone).

OP posts:

Shoxfordian · 14/04/2021 15:14

Recruiters are rubbish
Have you applied for much directly?

saucermilk · 14/04/2021 15:16

Are you ringing them back to chase them up about specific roles?
Could you establish a rapport with them to show how interested you are?

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 15:16

It seems to be very difficult to find anything that doesn't involve a recruiter. I wish they would at least let me know if the companies aren't interested as the limbo is the worst.

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Ginuwine · 14/04/2021 15:16

That's an awful lot of recruiters in the same sector.

Have you identified which are the "big player" recruiters are, and formed a relationship with them? So they can keep you in mind/shortlist you for jobs as soon as they come in?

Replying solely to job ads with a recruiter behind them, in this market, is like solely watching Rightmove for property ads. As soon as you've followed up the ad, the estate agent has already had a conversation with one of the buyers who passed over a previous house, and it's done - sold.

saucermilk · 14/04/2021 15:17

Also pop in and see them to show how well you come across?

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 15:18

I have emailed after a few days for several jobs. I either don't get a reply at all or I am told I will hear back shortly and then I don't hear anything.

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Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 15:21

@Ginuwine

That's an awful lot of recruiters in the same sector.

Have you identified which are the "big player" recruiters are, and formed a relationship with them? So they can keep you in mind/shortlist you for jobs as soon as they come in?

Replying solely to job ads with a recruiter behind them, in this market, is like solely watching Rightmove for property ads. As soon as you've followed up the ad, the estate agent has already had a conversation with one of the buyers who passed over a previous house, and it's done - sold.

Hmmm I actually think this may be a bit part of my problem. Thanks. I just need to work out how to build a rapport and get them interested in my prospects I suppose

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KatherineJaneway · 14/04/2021 15:24

You mean recruitment agencies? I must admit I have a hard time with many of them as they sign you up then you never hear from them again! I'd rather they say no, you're not suitable for us, then you wouldn't consider them an option.

I found a great recruitment consultant the last time I was job hunting and he restored my faith. I'd almost given up looking for work and was going to take some time off but via him I had interviews within days and a job within a few weeks. There are good ones out there.

Ginuwine · 14/04/2021 15:24

@Chickandlamb

I have emailed after a few days for several jobs. I either don't get a reply at all or I am told I will hear back shortly and then I don't hear anything.

I'd pick up the phone wherever possible. They are only reading what you're sending and even then, they are probably already dealing with a shortlist.

Can you also pass your CV to a friend in your sector to take a quick whizz at in case you can improve it?

Lastly, follow up with those recruiters who said you were a perfect fit. Find out why they didn't shortlist you then. Presumably it was because they had another candidate, in hand, ready to go. But then, hey - that means you're surely next in line for the next position?

All of this might seem annoying but if you carry on doing what you're doing, you are asking your CV and email to reach into their minds and form a picture of you. Some people are time poor and they might just remember "Chickandlamb" as a person if you've been personable enough to be on their radar.

P.S I am not a recruiter and have had poor experiences when hiring the profession (half of them want to be 'HR business partners', another thing which makes me shudder a bit) but they need help in order to help you.

IfNot · 14/04/2021 15:25

You are probably not doing anything wrong. recruiters are fucking awful. How old are you? I found that job hunting at 40 was quite different to job hunting at 28, even though I had way more marketable skills.

TheDogsMother · 14/04/2021 15:26

Not all recruiters are rubbish OP and I am sorry you are experiencing this. I am a recruiter who will always get back to every single candidate even if the news isn't good. I agree that as an industry we have not generally showered ourselves in glory but as a previous poster has said try and find a contact at two or three recruitment companies, perhaps a large, medium and boutique type firm and connect with them on LinkedIn. Keep in contact from time to time. I hope you get something good soon.

DynamoKev · 14/04/2021 15:28

I don’t think you are doing anything wrong. The process of recruiting at present seems to include not being arsed to let anyone know anything 99% of the time. When they started to use computer systems I expected this to be easier - as in “send a no thanks email to all unwanted applicants” but they can’t even be fucked doing that. You have to just wait until you happen across a decent recruiter and/or employer.

TheDogsMother · 14/04/2021 15:30

@IfNot

You are probably not doing anything wrong. recruiters are fucking awful. How old are you? I found that job hunting at 40 was quite different to job hunting at 28, even though I had way more marketable skills.

There are very many recruiters out their and not all of them are fucking awful ! Its like saying ALL hairdressers are rubbish or ALL doctors are rubbish. This is a sweeping generalisation when you actually mean is 'in your personal experience' .....

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 16:01

I've just spoken to another recruiter about another job this afternoon. It's hard to keep sounding enthusiastic.

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jay55 · 14/04/2021 17:54

It isnt just the recruiters fault, companies are changing their minds, dropping listings, delaying etc etc.

You just have to keep on it. Do email the recruiters to ask if there is progress. Keep putting in the applications. And don't take any of it personally.

Best of luck. It totally sucks, took me a year to get my current job.

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 18:57

Well at 4pm I had some more positive news. A company wants to call me to discuss an application! I was told we would arrange something by email. No email yet but hopefully tomorrow. Even if no job comes of it at least I've gotten a little further than I had up to this point!

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TheDogsMother · 14/04/2021 21:19

Great news @Chickandlamb, good luck. Thank you for understanding the life of a recruiter @jay55

Original poster

Chickandlamb · 14/04/2021 21:22

Thank you @TheDogsMother that's very kind. Company still haven't been in touch yet. Hopefully tomorrow. This job stuff is so stressful.

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TedMullins · 14/04/2021 22:21

Where are you finding the job ads? There are loads of jobs posted on LinkedIn and lots of startups including in the financial sector advertise on a job site called Otta which I discovered the other day. I would also go on the websites of companies you’d like to work for, check their careers page and their social media channels as some companies post vacancies on there, and if there are direct recruiter contacts listed send them a speculative CV. Definitely call - don’t email - and pester (nicely) recruiters too. You’ve really got to big yourself up and show enthusiasm as annoying as it is, but building a rapport with them is important. Ask them to keep you in mind for similar roles.