Can anyone recommend a recruitment agency or are they all bad?

familyguy12

I'm in a bit of crisis in terms of my career right now.

I'm 33, I worked from the age of 22 until 30 in an industry I loved, a bit of a niche industry (which I'd rather not mention) which I left because of being made redundant back in 2011. Due to an industry decline and a lack of opportunities at the level of management I reached I have been unable to get back into it and now 3 years on, following a handful of short term temping roles in admin and office jobs I find myself out of work since Xmas.

I've been applying for everything under the sun but like a lot of you out there I'm sure, getting little in the way or replies or interviews.

I have had a few interviews which I felt went well but such is the competition out there I was either unlucky or someone more skilled came along at the wrong time.

Bills are mounting and living on social welfare is not where I saw myself a few years ago, and I don't mean that in a condescending way, I wouldn't be able to survive without it.

So I am trying to reinvent myself and forge a new career because I don't think I'll ever get back to doing what I loved at this stage.

I don't have a 3rd level qualification but I do have considerable experience in admin, customer service, office support and also supervision and management of staff on a small scale, data entry and I have strong pc and typing skills. I don't have accountancy skills, I don't have a second lanaguage and I don't have P.A or secretarial skills so when job searching I'm on indeed and places like that looking up basic data entry jobs for which I feel I'm even over qualified for some, and perhaps that's the problem. But should I simplify my cv in order to get a job? Surely the point is to look as experienced and accomplished as possible.

I really genuinely don't have a keen interest in anything particular, I don't have trade skills, I don't have sufficient I.T skills that would enable me to pursue a career in computers or website design etc.
I was doing what I love but I have to accept those days are gone.
I have done some driving in the past, courier work and I have thought about doing professional driving, not as a taxi driver but perhaps chauffeuring. I'm not sure what the opportunities are like in that sector though but I feel I'm at the right age for it.

The point of starting the thread was to ask if anyone can recommend a recruitment agency who you might have found helpful when jobhunting?

I need some professional advice or help because I don't know what to do with myself.

DomRavioli

Recruitment agencies are a minefield - some specialise, some only work with certain sectors; it depends what you actually want to do for a job as to the agency you would be looking at.

You've mentioned at least 5 different careers in your post, so what is it that you want to do, and which area do you live in? These will affect your choices.

SeduLOUs

Remember that a recruitment agency is set up to fill jobs for clients with vacancies, NOT to find jobs for jobseekers.

If you fit a role they have, they great. If not, don't expect anything useful from them.

[Deleted User]

Have you got yourself on LinkedIn yet?

familyguy12

To answer all of the above...

I feel like a jack of all (well a few) trades but master of none.

That's the problem I don't know what I want to do. I don't have a natural passion for anything in particular, which is why I find myself basically looking to just find something to get my professional career back on track and start making a living again.

LinkedIn: I did join it but I didn't find it particularly helpful, I think it is overrated (in my opinion) and seems to be more about networking than for actually job hunting. It seems more geared towards the senior level of business than for people like myself. I also notice a lot of people using it to basically advertise their own business.

Also a few years back I went to a small recruitment agency office and they interviewed me, helped me with my cv and interview techniques and actively tried to find me work, I found them very good but unfortunately they have since closed which is why I was hoping someone might be able to recommend another outfit on here.

ableandy

Which area of the country do you live? Is it a big city? Have you tried Office Angels or Pertemps? remember, temping may not be what you are after but under day 1 rules you are entitled to apply for any internally advertised positions so you might get a step into a business through that route.

Also, as for your CV, it should be amended depending on the position that you are applying for.

Lastly, have you looked at LearnDirect (or similar) in order to formalise your experience? You can take IT courses / business admin - not sure if you can get funding but you won't know if you don't ask.

Good luck.