Recruitment agencies: a secret weapon in your job search

We are getting to the time of year when lots of people are looking for jobs, as the school and college holidays loom and thousands of students finish their degrees. It is a competitive market, so could someone else help you find a job?

The job market: the iceberg principle

Finding work is hard work in itself; all that time trawling the web for vacancies, filling out applications, writing covering emails and preparing your CV. If you get an interview, you need the time and energy to prepare for it. What if someone else could help match you to a suitable job?

It is widely reported that the majority of job vacancies never get advertised; in fact the job market is regarded as an iceberg – you only see the tip, and there is a lot more beneath the surface. Recruitment agencies will know about many of these jobs, and may offer you a foot in the door.

How do they work?

Although recruitment agencies can be your friend, as a job seeker you should remember that they are not working for you. They earn their money from the companies that might end up employing you. In simple terms, if you get a job via a recruitment agency, then the employer will pay the agency a fee for their services.

What do I need to do?

There are two ways you might come across an agency: you could approach them directly, which usually involves filling out a form on their website; or you might see a job advertised on the web, but it won’t tell you the name of the employer, just the name of the agency. Either way: you get in touch with them, they might ask you to submit a CV and maybe do some tests such as use of relevant software. If they think you are a good match then they might put you forward.

If you are applying for a specific job

If you are a good match, then they will pass your details onto the employer, who may ask to interview you and undertake some assessments. This is basically the same as a regular job application process, but the employer have asked the agency to help them get the ball rolling.

If you are registering with an agency

The agency will usually try to match you to a suitable job. This may be a permanent job role, a fixed-term contract, or on a temporary basis. The latter could be for a few days, a few weeks or even longer; I once had a temp job for two weeks, and ended up staying there for six months!

If you have registered with an agency, then stay in touch with them – if they don’t hear from you then they might think you have found a job and are not looking any more. All it takes is an email or a phonecall, and they will know that you are still searching for work.

How do I find the right agency for me?

Ah, this is down to you; there are different agencies for different types of work. For example, there are some who specialise in construction, hospitality, medical work and a variety of different sectors; there are others who might specialise in a particular city or region. Do your research and find the right agencies for you – why not start with a quick search on Google, Indeed or LinkedIn?

If you find the right agency, they will be keen to help you if you are a good candidate; they may offer you some industry-specific advice about CVs and interview preparation, and they may also be able to advise on the types of jobs that are coming up.

Do remember that recruitment agencies are just part of your job seeking toolkit; there is nothing to stop you from applying for jobs in more traditional ways, or indeed from registering with multiple agencies. If you want to have a chat to get started, or you want to get your CV job-ready, then do get in touch.

Starting your job search after redundancy

At the time of writing, the UK has called a one-month delay to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, and “Freedom Day” is now scheduled for 19th July. Underpinning all of this is the fact that some workers are still on furlough, some businesses are still at a reduced capacity, and some people will have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

Redundancy is hard for many people, but it is important to remember that your employer has made your job role redundant, and it is not a personal insult against you. It may also be worth remembering the “Serenity Prayer”; although it is often presented as a prayer, it is as religious as you do (or don’t) want it to be:

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the wisdom to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”

Put simply, if you have lost your job due to the pandemic, it was out of your hands; instead, focus your energies on what to do next. Back in the autumn, BBC Newsbeat spoke to some job seekers who had been made redundant and they had some great advice:

  1. Try and stay positive: there are jobs out there, even if they are not your first choice
  2. Be proactive: keep your CV and cover letter ready to send, but always tailor it for each application; also make sure your LinkedIn and social media are looking smart and professional
  3. Talk to people: keeping a good relationship with your bosses, friends and other contacts can sometimes lead to opportunities that you wouldn’t have heard of otherwise
  4. Be prepared: consider your strengths, and talk about them, either in conversation or as part of a job application
  5. Consider your options: if you can afford it, take a bit of time to think about what you really want to do next

As always, if you are not sure where to start then there are loads of resources out there to help; we can help you with your CV, LinkedIn and making sure that you are ready to make applications, and you might want to set up email alerts with job search websites relevant to your specialism. It may also be worth registering with some recruitment agencies who may be able to place you with an employer – this will be the subject of a future blog post.

[Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels]

Three top tips when applying for jobs (even if you don’t meet the requirements)

Applying for jobs can be daunting for a lot of people; even more so if you need a new job and are worried that you are not qualified. In this piece, we share some ideas to help you convince the employer that you could be the right person for the job.

How do job adverts work anyway?

Most job advertisements comprise three parts: a bit about the company, a job description telling you what you will be doing if your application is successful, and a person specification outlining the skills, knowledge and experience that they are looking for. Of course, you must remember our simple rule, but for the purpose of your application, you should also focus on the person specification.

Meeting their requirements

This is important: the employer will judge your application against the person specification, so don’t ignore their requirements! If you have the skills, experience and knowledge that they ask for, it is vital that you show them in your application. However, we know that this isn’t always possible so how can you overcome this?

Making your application – three top tips

There are lots of little checks that you should make when writing your job applications – definitely don’t leave it until the last minute! This article from The Guardian is old but has some good suggestions if you are applying for your dream job; in the meantime, here are our three top tips:

  1. Skills are transferable, so make the most of this! Just because you haven’t gained the exact skills that they are asking for, doesn’t mean that you are not suitable for the job. For example, if you are applying for a job as an administrator but have retail experience, you can clearly show that you have some of the required skills; anyone who has worked in retail will be able to talk about clear communication, problem solving, and working under pressure (all of which could be requirements for the admin job).
  2. Show the employer that you have done your research. Applying for jobs is hard work, but try not to fall into the trap of sending the same application for every vacancy. A little research can show that you are applying for this job, not just any job. For example, “I was really excited to read about [your company’s] commitment to sustainability” or “it would be great to work for a company who have a track record of training and developing their staff”. Even a quick glimpse at their website or LinkedIn page can help with this.
  3. Demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. If you like what they do, show how you would fit in. Try not to be a fanboy/girl, but do talk about your interests and personality. Do you know anyone who works there, or have you read anything about their workplace culture? Sometimes being the right fit is more important that ticking all the boxes.

Remember that there is both a science and an art to applying for jobs; match the person specification as much as you can, but also show enthusiasm and suggest that you would be the right person to join their team. If you want any support with your job applications, then get in touch with us.

[Cover photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels]

The most important thing to do when you are applying for a job

At the time of writing, the UK economy is starting to move again; you can go out for a meal or a drink, watch a film and fans are back in grounds again. This is good news for the job market, and in theory should make it easier if you are currently looking for work. However, there is an obvious error that many job seekers make when applying…

How to find work

Most people follow the same process when looking for work. You will see a job advertisement, decide whether it looks right for you, and if it does, then you submit an application. If things go well, you might be asked for an interview or even some tests, depending upon the nature of the job.

Of course there are execeptions to the rule; for retail and hospitality jobs, you can sometimes get work by just walking in and asking! Recruitment agencies may also place you in a job, matching your profile to the role – we might talk more about how this works at a later date.

Making an application

You’ve seen the job that you want, now what do you actually need to do to apply for the job? There is one simple rule that you must follow if you want them to look at your application: follow the instructions.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Except you would be amazed how mamy people don’t follow the rule, and this means that their applications end up in the bin, regardless of how well-matched they are to the job.

What do you mean, follow the instructions?

As we will discuss in our next blog post, job advertisements generally tell you a bit about them, and what they are looking for in their ideal candidate. At the end, they will tell you how to apply, for example:

  • “To apply for this role, email vacancy@karunacv.com with your CV and details of your suitability”
  • “Click here to apply – CVs submitted without a completed application form will not be considered”
  • “Please upload your CV and some examples of your work to our portal”
  • “Closing date is 30th June 2021. Applications received after this date will not be considered”

Simple, isn’t it?

You would have thought that this is fairly simple to do, but a surprising amount of job seekers get this wrong. Often, when I am advising clients, they will present me with a draft CV for their preferred job, and I will ask if they need to submit one. When they check the advert, the employer is actually asking for an application form instead. As mentioned above, all this means is that your application is unlikely to be considered, and your time and effort will go unrewarded.

Closing dates

Just a reminder that these are not advisory; if you apply after the closing date and time, you cannot expect that they will consider your application. Always try and apply ahead of time, and remember that (rightly or wrongly) employers reserve the right to close vacancies before the date advertised.

If you are having trouble with your job applications, or just don’t understand what they are asking for, then get in touch. We can support you with deciphering job advertisements, and we can also offer feedback on your CV, cover letter or online applications – but don’t leave it until the last minute!

[Cover photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels]

Covid-19: what difference has it made to your career?

At the time of writing, the UK is following its “road map” to ease lockdown restrictions; shops and bars are open again, many people are returning to offices and workplaces, and more people are coming out of furlough.

For many people, the pandemic has had a “feast or famine” effect on their working life. Some of us have found ourselves stuck at home with no work to do, either due to furlough or losing their job; others (including your author) have had to cope with increased workloads as our jobs have adjusted to the increased demands of working from home and changing working practices.

Change happens

You might even have found yourself thinking about your career, and whether you want a change in direction. In recent times, I have spoken to graduates who are considering starting their own businesses, an experienced marketeer looking for a change of industry, and even a fellow careers professional who has applied for a new job to develop his CV.

What is unusual about these interactions, is that many people are using the pandemic as a catalyst, rather than a reason for change. In simple terms, the effects of Covid-19 have made a lot of folk consider what they want to do, and whether they will achieve that sense of personal and professional development in their current role.

Overcoming the fear

For some people, the main reason they stay in the same job is because they are scared of making the change; I am sure that many people reading this have experienced that feeling. If you are thinking about making changes, the first thing to consider is what you what you want. Is the focus on the type of work that you do, the organisation for whom you work, or the way in which you want to work? Some people are looking for a lifestyle change, more of a focus on work-life balance, or there could be a financial motivation.

Advice on recalculating your career

Author Lindsey Pollak recently wrote a blog for the Institute of Student Employers which had a real focus on the actions that you can take if you are considering a change in your career. There are some great tips, many of which focus upon taking control of the things that you can, and understanding which things you cannot. Lindsey also recommends asking for help if you need, which we would obviously endorse!

Our tips if you are considering a career change

If you are thinking about a change in career direction, then we would recommend weighing up your own personal circumstances, the type of work you would like to do (including thinking about working hours and the money you could earn), and the jobs that are available in your chosen field. You should always do your research and consider possible backup plans.

Don’t forget that we can help you to get started – just get in touch for a free initial chat (we will never charge you until we have agreed a plan of action).

[Cover photo by Luis Fernandes from Pexels]

The job search: careers advice, guidance and coaching

One of the reasons I started Karuna CV was because I recognise the value of careers advice and guidance, and I also appreciate that many of you might have had bad experiences getting careers advice in the past.

I have worked in universities and colleges for over fifteen years, and one of the most common things I hear is “my teacher told me that I had to see the careers adviser”, or “I was told that the careers adviser would be able to tell me what I should do”.

It shouldn’t be like that

Careers professionals in the UK are trained to deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG), and in order to call yourself a careers adviser or career consultant you need to have a professional qualification accredited by the Career Development Institute (CDI). Our job is to listen to you and help you to explore the options, and often we may offer more practical advice such as how to construct a CV, write a cover letter, or prepare for a job interview. We are not there to tell you what you should do!

Bad press

Some of you may have read a recent article in The Observer, telling stories of people who have paid large fees to careers coaches who have not delivered. The article makes the point that anyone in the UK can call themselves a coach without necessarily holding professional qualifications or accreditations. Hmm.

Why am I telling you this?

Please don’t assume that your experiences at school, or finding guidance or coaching support via social media, are representative of what we do (and should be doing).

If you are seeking support with your career planning or loking for a job, then do ensure that you are contacting a careers professional who has a certified qualification – you can do a search via the CDI website (and yes, I am a Registered Career Development Professional).

If you are speaking to a coach, then ask to see their credentials – they should be accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), or potentially the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). A legitimate professional will never mind you asking the question!

The benefits of speaking to a careers adviser or coach

Just to finish, it might be worth reiterating how a careers adviser/consultant or career coach can help. A careers adviser or consultant will be trained in guidance, so will be able to listen to your situation and will also have some knowledge of job markets and useful resources and techniques to help you to help yourself. Coaching is similar, but may often have a specific goal in mind, for example, finding a job or starting your own business. Many guidance-qualified professionals will use coaching techniques (including me) and vice versa.

Have you ever spoken to a careers consultant, or used the services of a coach? I would love to hear your experiences by emailing hello@karunacv.com. If you would like to know more about how we can support you with your career planning, choices and job search, then get in touch – we will listen to your situation and advise on next steps (and we will never charge you until we have agreed a plan of action).

[Cover photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels]

When the job search goes wrong – my story

As the Founder of Karuna CV, it is my mission to provide you with impartial advice and guidance to help you with your career planning and job search. It hasn’t always been plain sailing though, so I thought I would share some of my negative job application experiences with you:

The wrong job

I was temping, and enjoying what I was doing, but was nervous about the lack of security that came with being in a week-to-week job. Looking for something more permanent, I answered an ad for people looking to get into marketing, with training offered and a good salary on offer.

I rang the number, had a quick chat, and they invited me for a chat. I took an (unpaid) afternoon off work, put my suit on, and then I couldn’t find the place. After knocking on a side door of a warehouse, I was shown into a dusty office, sat in a chair, and then I found out it was a job doing door-to-door sales for a double-glazing company.

Thanks but no thanks. I made a polite exit.

Badly prepared

There is a saying, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. I applied for a job at a university, and was delighted when I got selected for interview. I re-read my CV and application the night before, put my suit on and went for the interview.

I crashed and burned – when they asked if I had anything I wanted to add before I left, I said “that was one of the toughest interviews that I have had”. You know what? It was all my fault, as I hadn’t properly prepared.

Before any interview, don’t just re-read what you have already told them in your application (although that is not a bad starting point); do your research by revisiting the job description and person specification, so you know exactly what the job involved, and what they expect of you. Remind yourself of the key skills and experience they need, and be prepared to answer questions, giving examples of what you have done to prove that you have what they are looking for.

We will cover interview preparation in more detail over the next few weeks.

Right place, wrong time

Sometimes, it feels so right but it doesn’t work out. Another job at a university, and once again I was delighted to be asked for interview. This time I was better prepared, and although I was nervous, I felt confident that I could make a good impression.

I had to give a presentation and interview, and a group task with other candidates for the same job. At the end of the day I was satisfied that I had done the best I could, but although I had no idea if I had got the job, I knew that this was the one that I wanted.

When I got the call, it was disappointment. “Rish, we think you were really good, and really employable, but we need someone who can hit the ground running, and so we have given the job to someone who has more experience than you”.

Obviously I was crushed, but it was also exciting to be told that they thought I could do the job. I licked my wounds and moved on … but then two years later, another job came up with the same employer! I applied again, went to interview again, and I didn’t want to be disappointed again.

When I got there, one of the interview panel from last time was assessing again. She said that she remembered me and was pleased to see me again. When the call came through, I had got the job! My new boss said that she knew I had been disappointed two years ago, but I had made a really good impression and they would be delighted if I took their offer this time.

The moral of the story

It feels horrible at the time, but sometimes you need to keep plugging away. We all make mistakes and we all face rejection when we apply for jobs, but there are so many variables out there. You can control what to put in your application, how to dress for an interview, and how you prepare; but you don’t know who else is applying for the same job, or exactly what the employer is looking for.

If it doesn’t work out, it isn’t personal – keep your head held high, if possible stay in touch with them e.g. via LinkedIn, and you never know when the next chance may come.

The top five job hunting mistakes (and how to avoid them)

In our recent blog posts, we have covered how to get started when writing your CV; how to make it appealing to employers; and what else you can include to add value. However, your CV is only part of the equation, so what else should you think about? Here, we outline the top 5 mistakes that people make when they are looking for a new job:

1. Applying for every job you see:

When you are out of work, it is really easy to just apply for everything, hoping that something will come good. This is not always a good idea, and can be exhausting. If you can, try and shortlist the jobs that you are really suited to, and tailor your applications to show that you are a good fit. This will hopefully keep you motivated (as you are only applying for jobs that you actually want), and reduce the number of rejections or ghostings that you receive.

2. Sending the same CV to everyone

In big, bold letters, because this is important: Tailor every application that you send! This doesn’t just mean changing a few words in your cover letter to reflect the job title and company name, but you should think about rewriting your CV and cover letter each time – if you use our tips then this becomes much easier and less time-consuming.

3. Not following the instructions

It sounds simple, but you would be amazed how many people fail to do what they are asked when making applications. If they ask you to email a CV and cover letter, then do that; but many jobs ask you to fill out an online application form, others require you to upload documents to a portal. Whatever thay ask of you, make sure you follow the instructions; if you don’t then you are just giving them a reason to ignore your application and move onto the next candidate.

4. Relying on the same old job sites

Let’s start by saying that sites like Indeed, Reed and Total Jobs are great – a really good way to find out what is out there, make applications and get job alerts. Don’t just rely on these though; where possible, find out what other sites might be suitable for your sector (e.g. use mandy.com for stage and screen jobs, or NHS jobs for healthcare). This leads neatly onto:

5. Not looking for “hidden” jobs

This feels really daunting, but remember that the majority of jobs are not actually advertised, so where do you find them? Large businesses will usually advertise via their own websites and some of the job search engines listed above; but small and local businesses are more likely to hire on word-of-mouth, or to advertise informally via LinkedIn or social media. Get yourself online and start following and connecting with people; we will have more about the hidden jobs market in the next few weeks.

Remember that you we are here to support your job search and career planning! If you would like advice about your CV, cover letter or job applications, then get in touch.

[Cover photo by fauxels from Pexels]

What else should I put on my CV?

Have you ever been given a template to use to help create your CV? There are loads available on the internet, and readers of a certain age may have used in-built templates on Microsoft Word. They usually tell you to complete sections for Education, Employment and Skills, and some include “Hobbies” or “Interests” – but what should you write?

Our most recent blog posts have told you some of the basic principles that you should use on your CV, and also how to get your CV read by potential employers, but today we will focus on what to write under “Interests”.

This section won’t necessarily get you the job, but it could make a really positive impression with the person who is reading your CV. Remember that they are humans too, so if you play hockey at weekends, and that is their favourite sport, then it is bound to stick in their mind.

A quick tip to start

Try not to use the word “Hobbies” – this sounds like the kind of thing that you talk about when you are still at school. Instead, call this section “Interests”, or even better, “Achievements” – this sounds much more positive and creates an impression of you as a proactive individual.

What should you include?

As we mentioned recently, try and include evidence of what you have done, and if this shows off some of your key skills, then so much the better. If you have done something on the side, then it might be useful e.g. if you are applying for a role in marketing, then it might be worth mentioning your blog or Instagram feed; or if you have got a certificate from any courses your have done (including online such as LinkedIn Learning or Google Digital Garage), it cannot hurt to include them.

Information not included elsewhere

Sometimes, you just aren’t sure where to put something. Have you baked cakes for your friends’ birthdays and anniversaries? It might be worth including here. Don’t forget as well, that if you have a driving licence and any additional qualification e.g. First Aid At Work, you should mention them, either here or elsewhere on your CV.

Don’t be shy!

Make the things you have done count! Don’t just put “I like running and took part in a charity fun-run”; how about “I enjoy running to keep fit and managed to raise £140 in the 2019 Nottingham 5K Fun Run”? Definitely avoid bland phrases such as “I like reading and watching films”, instead try and add some detail such as “I particularly enjoy murder mystery novels and love visiting my local independent cinema”.

Don’t fake it!

Simply put, people who read lots of CVs can tell if you are just saying it to try and sound impressive. If you lie then you will probably get caught out. No-one expects you to have climbed Kilimanjaro or run the London Marathon, but try and make the most of what you have done.

If you are not sure how to make the most of your CV, then get in touch and we can help.

[Cover photo by cottonbro from Pexels]

How to get an employer to read your CV

Our last blog gave you some key principles for your CV; today we start to think about content – what should you include if you want to get that job?

As if applying for jobs wasn’t hard enough, these days you can never quite be sure who is going to read your application. In some cases, it is an HR department or Recruitment Team; other times, you should send it directly to the person who line manages the role. Just to make it more complicated, many larger organisations also use automated tracking software (ATS) to filter applications before they even get seen by a human being. Here are some top tips to make sure that your application gets read:

Personalise!

It sounds like a pain, but it makes a world of difference. Anyone who has to read a lot of CVs can tell if you have simply adapted from the internet, or if you are sending the same CV to loads of different employers. Even small adjustments make a big difference; if I am a hiring manager, I want to know that you are not just applying for a job, but my job.

Automated tracking systems? They sound scary!

It would be lovely if a human being was reading your CV every time, but companies receive hundreds of applications and so they may want to speed up the process. The good thing is that you know that the ATS is looking for – scan the job adervtisement (especially the person specification) and highlight the key skills. These are likely the words and phrases that the ATS is looking for, so if you can include these on your CV then you stand a good chance of getting though to the next stage.

Use strong headings and consider bullet points

Your CV needs to be easy to read; if I am a hiring manager with fifty CVs to read, I am not going to enjoy reading large chunks of dense text. Break it up by using headings, sub-heading and bullet points, and use these to help you avoid writing long paragraphs or stories.

Include evidence of the things you have done

Once you have got your headings sorted out, demonstrate what you can offer. Don’t just resort to narrative such as “in my previous jobs I have served customers, operated the till and restocked the shelves”. It is much better to lead with relevant skills, for example, “I have strong communication skills and flexibility, as demonstrated from my retail experience”. Remember, use the person specification to help you decide which skills are most relevant.

To whom should you address your covering letter/email?

Good question! Let’s start with something you should not do: “To whom it may concern” is not the best thing to write. If possible, find out the name of the person who will be reading your application; this might involve calling up the company, or doing some research on their website or LinkedIn. If you really cannot find out (or if they won’t tell you) it is usually safest to use “Dear Sir/Madam”*

I need to update my CV; I have had a few interviews but am not getting the jobs

Don’t worry, your CV is probably ok; it is a chance for you to show your suitability on paper (or the screen), and they wouldn’t want to interview you if you hadn’t done a good job with your CV. We will cover this situation in more depth in a future blog post.

* There is currently some debate as to whether “Dear Sir/Madam” is outdated, due to the binary gender distinction. At the time of writing there is no particular preferred alternative, but it will be interesting to see what phrases come into common usage over the next few months and years.

[Cover photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels]