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guest blogger, Job Hunting, Recruitment Agencies

How to Make the Most of a Recruitment Agency

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When we enter the job-seeking market, our first port of call is usually a recruitment agency. It may be tempting to let the recruiters do the donkey work for us and sit back and wait. However, utilising a recruitment agency to our best potential will have more impact on what is offered by way of a job. Recruiters will always want to protect their business and offer what their clients want, but, they need us to fill the positions so they can get paid for their services.

Be Your Own Best Advocate

We are responsible for how we market ourselves, not the agency. The agency will promote what we promote to them. They will advise on CV writing techniques, give plenty of job leads, however, it is up to us how they will promote what we have to offer a potential employer. Using a recruitment agent is not the middleman, treat the agency as if they were employing directly. We want the agent to find us the best role, we want them to place us and we want them to use us.

Do the research

Widen the Net & Register with Various Agencies

We don’t have to place all our eggs in one basket. Registering with different agencies will spread our details far and wide. While there are many smaller agencies who offer a more bespoke and localised service, national agencies are suitable for a wider recruiting audience. Other benefits of this, are we can tailor-make our CVs and covering letter exactly the same which reduces the chance of cross-recruiting and companies seeing the same name with different details if registering with various agencies in our sector. Now, this doesn’t mean we are telling fibs on our details, but it is no secret that people have a tendency to embellish the truth on job application forms. There is little worse than a potential employer faced with the same name but two completely different CVs.

Agencies Which Offer Jobs in your Niche

If we are in a profession then registering with agencies which deal particularly with our sector will be a more suitable option. There is little point in a medical secretary registering with an accountancy specialised agency. Utilising an agency which specialises in the sector we are looking to work in is essential for securing the position we want. All sector agencies are all well and good, but the chances are we will be up against a much bigger crowd.

Keep It Simple

We want the agency to promote us well. Don’t make the mistake of over-loading them with information that is completely irrelevant. Utilise the agency for employment techniques, not golf skills or how we can run up a pair of curtains in an hour. In this age of ‘tell all’ with social media networks and varying advice on how to ‘get the perfect job’ recruiters will be interested in our work skills, not our recreational skills. We are not looking for new friends, we are hoping to seek a fabulous job. Always be professional and alert, we don’t have to be shy, but we don’t have to shoot ourselves in the foot either and end up in the bottom of an in-tray.

Work as a Team

When looking for a job, we need to be pro-active and help the agent to find us employment. Jobs are hard to find in this climate and we need to respond to calls, emails and letters in a professional manner. Remember, agents are busy people trying to run a business and we have to be pro-active in helping them and we are in essence, representing the agency to their clients. We never know when we might need the agency again, so we need to mind our Ps and Qs.

One Last Piece of Advice

Recruitment agencies are a fantastic way of finding new employment on both a temporary and also a permanent basis. It can be especially useful to use an agency that specialises in your niche area of recruitment.

When I was in further education I used to use recruitment agencies when looking for temporary childcare work during the summer break. I always preferred the temporary work offered through the childcare recruitment agency I used rather than the more general agencies I was also registered with.

Ros Davies writing for Lebreton Recruitment the leading staffing agency for childcare recruitment is the UK.

Careers Advice, guest blogger, Job Hunting

Get back to work! Tips for the long-term unemployed

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The reasons for which people find themselves out of work for long periods are many and varied. Whether you have been out of work for personal reasons (illness, family crisis, raising children) or by choice (ski seasons, summer seasons, an unintentionally extended career break), the results are always the same: a great yawning hole in your CV. Getting back to work can then be considerably trickier since you now lack recent and relevant experience, and most companies seem incapable of taking a chance on their next recruit. However, an incomplete CV may not be the sole cause of the problem. For instance, many job seekers target niche markets or simply aim too high, while others have not yet discovered that they interview poorly or have bad references. Fortunately, these are all factors which can be improved with a little perseverance and some external careers advice.

If you feel your CV is holding you back, there are several ways in which you can fill in the gaps. Consider further education, which either adds another academic qualification or provides you with a trade skill, putting you a step ahead of the competition, though beware that this could be a costly affair. Volunteering and charity work are great ways to keep active, meet people and make job networking links. If possible, subscribe to a temping agency and take on any part-time work you are offered. This will prove that you do not wish the grass to grow under your feet any longer. Try not to lose any existing skills you have, such as languages and sports, so your CV remains up to date.

Back to work

Once you are happy that you are doing everything possible to enhance your CV and your employment chances, it is essential to keep the job hunt going. The first step is to subscribe to a recruiting agency, which will help link your CV to relevant job descriptions while you search yourself. Spending 20-30 hours per week looking for work is recommended, time which is best spent targeting jobs you are truly qualified for or writing to your most desirable employers. In applications, always try turning a negative into a positive. For example, your long-term unemployment means you fully appreciate the value of a job. You can get further advice from careers centres where advisors provide interview coaching and often highlight strengths which you had not seen for yourself.

It can be an emotional and difficult time but it is essential to remain positive and not become despondent or desperate. Do not isolate yourself from friends and family (nor burden them continuously with your problems) but keep enjoying doing the things you can afford. When you find that much desired job, everyone will be delighted for you and you can really thank them for their support.

http://www.itris.co.uk/

Business Networking, guest blogger, Networking

How to Network at Conferences

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Attending conferences is a great way to stay current with the latest happenings in your industry. While internet research and discussions with partners and suppliers can be beneficial, there is nothing quite like joining a large group of professionals in your field.

Presentations by experts may be infrequent in your area, but at a conference you’ll have access to a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.

Conferences are also great places to be inspired- the simple act of leaving, for example, your cheap wholesale products warehouse, and travelling to meet with others who have done the same can provide you with a grand new perspective.

You will also be in a position to connect with many potential partners in business, as well as collaborators, suppliers and, most importantly, new clients.

However, going to a conference and attending seminars is not enough. In order to make the most of the experience you’ve got to network and make the rounds. So how does one meet new people and forge the right connections at one of these events?

Before the Conference

Try to define your goals for this event. Instead of just having a vague idea that you’ll be going to learn new things about selling cheap wholesale products and maybe meet a few people, make it your mission to connect directly with potential business partners and clients in your industry.

Connect with other conference goers and presenters as much as possible. See if your conference has a hash tag to follow on Twitter, or an official Facebook page. Contact speakers on their websites and let them know that you are looking forward to their seminar.

Networking

Carefully review the conference agenda and plan to attend the seminars and workshops that specifically apply to your industry and goals.

Prepare your response to the question “What do you do?”  Instead of simply responding that you buy cheap wholesale products and then sell them, have a thorough but concise explanation of what your line of work is and who your clients are. You may also want to add information about your goals for the event.

During the Conference

As you attend each seminar (as many as possible), be ready to meet people. Have business cards with your up-to-date contact information and photo on them and be ready to hand them out. If you’re not comfortable giving out business cards, practise with a family member or friend prior to the event.

It is also a good idea to plan several conversation starters or phrases to continue conversations, so that your interactions don’t fizzle out after small talk. Be ready to ask questions about others and then confidently share information about what you do and what you have to offer.

After the Conference

Go through the business cards you receive and connect with the appropriate people. Very important connections may warrant a phone call, while others may do best with an email or friend request on social media. Plan to stay in touch, and be sure your connections know where to find you if necessary.

This article was contributed by Wholesale Clearance in the UK.

guest blogger, Project Management Certification, Project Management Training

Why PMP Designation will Definitely Add More Weight to Your CV

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With companies across the world looking for smart, cost-efficient and time-saving options for their projects, the project management professional (PMP) certification has become a must for the professional planning to build a long-term and successful career in project management fields. You may be already working as a project manager or aspiring to become a project manager, the PMP designation will help you in getting both lucrative job offers and recognition from the prospective clients and employers. You have to invest some amount of time, efforts and money to clear the professional certification exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). But once you clear the exam and obtain the certification, it will definitely make your CV more impressive and weighty.

Beat Your Competitors: Nowadays, thousands of jobseekers apply for a single job vacancy. So you must possess professional skills and expertise that differentiate you from others. When a prospective employer is interviewing you for a job opening, you can use the PMP designation as an advantage. As many professionals find it difficult to pass the certification exam, the designation will highlight your skills and knowledge on key project management topics. So you can use the PMP certification as a smart tool to beat the stiff competitor.

PM people

Global Recognition: Each professional has to frequently explore options to get appreciation and recognition from his employer, client and peer. The PMP designation is recognized in various parts of the world. Also, the credential is considered as the global standard for the project managers. So the professional credential will definitely help you in getting recognition from various sources. As you have to prepare thoroughly to clear the tough certification exam, the process will give you confidence to meet various job interviews.

Acquiring Fresh Skills and Knowledge: Once you obtain the PMP certification, it will remain current for three years. You have to complete continuing education training requirements to maintain and renew the designation. As per the PMI guidelines, a PMP designation holder has to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years to keep his credential current. So the certification will indicate your knowledge on some of the latest project management concepts and methodology. When your mention the professional certification on your CV, it will convey your professional skills and advanced knowledge.

Better Marketability: Despite possessing adequate experience and skills, many project managers fail to negotiate for a higher pay package. Many employers will hesitate to hire you for the managerial positions, if you are not able to convince them about your ability and skills to manage projects. But the PMP credentials will make it easier for you to market your skills. As the designation is recognized as a global standard, you will not be required to put extra efforts in convincing your employer or client. The designation will further help you in offering your professional services as a consultant or freelance project manager.

Added Experience and Competence: The pay package of a professional increase with his experience. But often experienced professionals fail to negotiate for the desired salary. Many employers consider the job aspirant has expertise on certain aspect of project management. They also feel the candidate lacks adequate skills to manage a wide variety of projects. But when your professional experience is backed with the designation, you can definitely negotiate for better position and salary.

Contented by Proxalt.com