Going through recruiters

[Likesomemorecash]

I've never done this before, but think it's now time. I'm completely overwhelmed by looking online. How do you choose which agencies to register with/send your CV to? Is a two-sided, fit in everything you can type of CV best? Do they have access to jobs that aren't posted online?

TIA

How do I choose agencies - I send my CV to all the agencies I know of in my industry. Yes, not all companies will use online to recruit - especially for niche/specialist areas. They can also help you with awkward conversations like pay, flexible working - you tell them & they negotiate with the employer.

CV type - as a hiring manager, I judge people whose CVs are more than 2 pages. Type of CV (chronological, skills-based/functional) will depend on you, your experience & what you're looking for. Regardless, 2 pages is enough to get across your skills & strengths - recruiters don't want to spend hours learning what your spouse, pet or children's names are (yes, I have seen all of those, sometimes on the same CV...)

Thanks. I've done my CV as skills-based before ( to disguise my age) but for specific jobs so have used the headings from the PS to group my skills.

Will have a think about what headings to use.

There are specialist recruiters for many industries, I'd find the ones for your desired industry.
As for CV where I'd tweak it is the bullet points under each job. It matters less what I did and more what the new job wants, did I do something like it at any job? If so add it in there, even if it wasn't in my top 10 biggest focuses in that role.

Thanks. Yes, I get how to tweak my CV for different roles, more thinking about how to structure a generic one to send to recruiters.

Are you on LinkedIn? If not, get a profile set up with skills/job information and history. Recruiters will then contact you saying they wish to discuss a role and they get chance to discuss everything with you

Yes I am, but I need to update my profile etc. Good reminder thanks.

Depends on your sector/what jobs you're trying to get.

A proper recruiter would meet with you to understand your goals, strengths, experience etc and also work on your CV. They'd then discuss vacancies that would be a good fit for you before putting you forward.

Crap recruiters/agencies take your CV and fire it off to anyone with a vacancy. Which depending on your sector can damage your reputation.

Ideally choose a recruiter based on personal recommendation.

How do I choose agencies - I send my CV to all the agencies I know of in my industry

I would advise against this, unless you want to find that multiple agencies have presented you to the same employer and made you look desperate/unemployable.

I don't know anyone in my field who uses recruiters, possibly why I never have before.

Make sure you're open to work on LinkedIn.
Identify companies in your chosen field who you think you'd like to work for and find their talent acquisition managers and recruiters.

Thanks. Yes open to work and I've updated by profile.

I don't use it regularly, and didn't find it helpful when I saw looking last time, but may reconsider.

I can't remember how but there's a section where you list your skills. It then links those skills to advertised jobs. This helps you find them but also recruiters find you.

I'd be nervous about open to work. It's not meant to show to people you work with but for example if you work for EE and people within your company work at BT, they will be able to see it. Just trying to think of an organisation that works with another and may have colleagues under different umbrellas.

Thanks for the advice. I promise no-one is going to look at my CV and think unemployable 🤣🤣🤣 that's very funny. And obviously recruiters don't just bang your CV out to companies, they talk to me about vacancies to gauge my interest first - no point them putting me forwards for a role I'm not interested in.

But cheers for the laugh 😂