Are recruitment agents jobless in their job too?

MissSarah1972

Treehugged wrote: »

Try Harris Hill. I registered with them recently and they've been helpful. They specialise in Charity and NFP.

What's NFP? I don't have charity experience either.

NatNat1977

I work doing admin for a recruitment agency. It costs for us to advertise online so therefore we only would post 'real' jobs, we havent got time or money to post fake ones! The amount of applications we have we cannot respond personally to everyone and we dont get anyone to come in and see us until we have found them a role so we dont waste anyone's time.

I get abuse down the phone on a daily basis from some candidates and for those people we arent going to make a effort and help you if you're going to be rude!

I thank god that I only work part time whilst running my own business as quite frankly having people shout at me isnt my idea of fun!

Wellery82

It is hard to comment without having seen your CV or knowing the type of work you are looking for. It does seem though that list of websites includes those specialising in Catering, Hospitality, Accountancy and Retail. If you are applying across these sectors do you use different CVs, or do you speall out exactly what you want in your CV?

How many applications are you making, and are you getting no response, a rejection at application, a rejection at interview etc? That should be a good way to start breaking down what may need tweaking to help in your job search

Treehugged

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

What's NFP? I don't have charity experience either.

Oh sorry I saw this link in your post: http://www.charityjob.co.uk
and assumed you were also looking for work in the charity and NFP sector. :cool:

NFP = Not For Profit.

MissSarah1972

Jimavfc82 wrote: »

It is hard to comment without having seen your CV or knowing the type of work you are looking for. It does seem though that list of websites includes those specialising in Catering, Hospitality, Accountancy and Retail. If you are applying across these sectors do you use different CVs, or do you speall out exactly what you want in your CV?

How many applications are you making, and are you getting no response, a rejection at application, a rejection at interview etc? That should be a good way to start breaking down what may need tweaking to help in your job search

yes my experience is in catering and a bit of retain in accounts (20 years or so).

I use 4 different CV's and 2/3 cover letters.

I make up to say 60 a week and only had 4 interviews in 8 months.

Rejected at interviews for the following:

• overqualified
• not worked for a hotel before
• not worked in property
• not used a particular accounts system recently (they could have asked that before wasting my time).

Rejection at application:

• Overqualified
• Wrong industry background/wrong accounts system used previously (and I have used 9 different systems in my time)
• We never got round to reading your CV (too many applicants)
• You are not working so therefore will not consider you

billa_champion

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

They do not do coaching, improve interview skills or anything you list there. None of the ones I have ever been with have done that.

This has definitely happened to me!

MissSarah1972

Treehugged wrote: »

Oh sorry I saw this link in your post: http://www.charityjob.co.uk
and assumed you were also looking for work in the charity and NFP sector. :cool:

NFP = Not For Profit.

No just been told by the job centre to use this site to look for accounts work so I do what they tell me. All the jobs applied for however that I do get a reply from say I need charity experience.

Treehugged

billa_champion wrote: »

This has definitely happened to me!

And me. I've recently had a positive experience from a recruitment agency. I've already mentioned them so I'll avoid spamming.

Wellery82

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

yes my experience is in catering and a bit of retain in accounts (20 years or so).

I use 4 different CV's and 2/3 cover letters.

I make up to say 60 a week and only had 4 interviews in 8 months.


Rejected at interviews for the following:

• overqualified
• not worked for a hotel before
• not worked in property
• not used a particular accounts system recently (they could have asked that before wasting my time).

Rejection at application:

• Overqualified
• Wrong industry background/wrong accounts system used previously (and I have used 9 different systems in my time)
• We never got round to reading your CV (too many applicants)
• You are not working so therefore will not consider you

If you have made 60 applications a week for 8 months then this means over 2000 applications, a ratio of 1 interview per 500 applications.

I would definitely suggest reviewing your CV in entirety to focus on the points of rejection. Maybe a personal profile spelling out exactly the kind of work you are looking for and why (so they do not think you will leave straight away if over qualified).

Maybe showing with specific examples how you have adapted and quickly used different systems in old roles. Maybe mentioning in your profile why you wish to work in a specific industry sector, and reinforcing this in your cover letter.

If you keep on trying, keep taking feedback and changing your approach then luck will change at some point. Each application could be that bit of luck you need.

westv

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

I make up to say 60 a week and only had 4 interviews in 8 months.

Wish I had 60 suitable roles to apply for a week. At the moment I'm lucky to get 6!