Suggestions for job hunting

Fireflyaway

I have decided to look for a new job and have been applying mainly from websites. My CV is registered on several sites and with several local agencies and also a few companies I'd like to work for.

My issue is I am just not getting anywhere. I'm starting to wonder if all these jobs exist or some could be generic to hook you in? Maybe I am unwittingly applying for the same job across multiple sites?

After 40 odd applications I have had 2 rejections but heard nothing from the others. I'm wondering why it seems so much harder than I remember.
What more can I do please?

[Deleted User]

Perhaps check out company websites direct of those companies you like look of?

Could be an odd time to recruit for some places just perhaps. I know from when I applied back end of last year/new year, it was taking companies longer to come back to me - one took over 3 weeks and another filled, told me I was actually unsuccessful straight away then weeks later returned to me as if I was still being considered. I think the longest wait to hear if selected for interview had been a record 4 months later!!! That was only last year.

Correct me if I'm wrong - you were wanting to get into HR? I wanted to say before I remember around June/July time last year a vacancy as an part time opening to HR was advertised for a hospice - maybe to get into something new try and see if the volunteer approach fits? (Where possible) Equally perhaps you have to get into 'Resourcing' before HR/Personnel? again sorry if I've got that totally wrong.

Fireflyaway

Thanks. Yes I was hoping to get into HR but I realise it might be hard with little experience so I have been applying for customer service / recruitment / volunteer management etc as well. I'm also prepared to take a pay cut and travel up to 1 hour so I'm not being too picky. Just worried I will be stuck where I am for ages...!

vqmismatch

My better half made a similar career change to an entirely new field last year. I worked my backside off whilst she worked for free for three months in the role for my employer to gain experience before walking in to a suitable post at another place.

If you have the reserve to fall back on, or enough leave you could use, biting the bullet and getting experience unpaid could be the way to go.

In her instance she also managed to negotiate to take redundancy and unused leave so the finances eventually ended up with the three months unpaid costing a grand sum of £20 all in, but it could easily have been expensive.

another_casualty

Hello firefly
Not knowing your age, location , salary expectations etc
Have you thought of contract work/ part time work?
Have you thought of similar roles , such as pensions etc?

Just a thought.

Good luck in your search:)

Sandhy

Not much about at the moment. I think a lot of companies are waiting for the new financial year and new budgets to utilise.

Fireflyaway

Thanks everyone. The unpaid route could be a possibility but I really need to be in work by sept when child starts ' big school' but could possibly fit in something between now and then as I currently work part time.
I live in south east. Quite a few jobs to apply for - there isn't a shortage, but no interviews yet. Maybe I'm being impatient or my CV isn't good enough. Will get second opinion on it.
I did also think after April there might be more around! I guess I feel a bit worried as I really can't stand my job anymore and want out, but without knowing how long I'm going to have to stay, its quite demoralising.

theoretica

I suspect one of the reasons job hunting seems harder now is, paradoxically, because some parts of it are easier. You say you are applying mainly through websites - and the jobs that are advertised that way are fairly easy to find, so will have lots and lots of applications, some at the click of a button to forward a CV.

Andrew_Ryan_89

I am in the same situation and I swear all these job sites are good for is clogging up your email. I decided to apply for places directly and got a number of rejections but at least I know someone is looking at the damn thing.

Best thing to do is see it as your CV may not be up to scratch. I had a look over my CV, redone it yet again and the responses were much better. I don't know much about the environmental industry but I am happy to take a look at your CV (just remove name, address and all other personal info) as it is probably that.

Assuming it isn't though, best to apply directly and use recruiters.

Fireflyaway

Thanks all. I am with you Andrew Ryan 89. Even a rejection would be better than silence! I sometimes wonder if the jobs even exist.
The tricky thing is, without the feedback from recruiters, its hard to know how to rectify the situation.
Re cv - How far back should I go with job history? Do you put everything? I have included a fair bit of detail about my current and previous job but just the title of the ones before that. Not sure if that's right?

Andrew_Ryan_89

It depends how many jobs you have had. I have had 3 professional roles and they fiy comfortably on my CV and make it two pages. All my previous experience was in retail so I just have a box saying "early career summary" and just list where I worked with no details on activities.