So you decide it’s time to start applying for a new role; you are excited about the prospect of starting a new job and all that it holds. You get your CV sorted and start applying for jobs which look interesting; some go direct to employers but a lot go to recruitment agencies. What does this mean? On the whole, most reputable recruitment companies are honest in that they often state they cannot respond to every application. They also encourage candidates to keep applying for roles as the sheer volume of candidates getting in touch means their databases are overwhelmed. Others say they respond to every application with individual feedback. I have yet to see this and if you think the rejection email you received was written just for you, it probably wasn’t. Apply for another role and receive an uncannily similar response to your application. These types of agencies also claim to place you in a database which is being managed effectively; so you do not need to apply for every role which comes in, that is relevant to you as they will “find” your CV and get in touch – a rarity. So what is it these recruitment businesses are doing with your CVs, yes all your information is sat in a database – all the effort made on your part as a prospective revenue earner for an agency is often dismissed and even when chasing up applications you are palmed off with generic spiel (if you can even get to speak with the recruiter). Have you ever started getting e-shots randomly shortly after applying for roles?

Unfortunately you are in a catch 22 situation with recruitment agencies – they form the interface to the employer.

However you can bypass the recruiter, as the reality is that only a very small percentage of jobs are run through them (only 10-20%). Saving the employer £’s you can do a few things to increase your chances of success and avoid giving all your details to a database which claims to only have your best interests at heart.

• Ensure you have a LinkedIn profile which is up to date and reads more like a CV than a sparse profile. That way, employers can see what you’ve been up to and make contact should they feel you may be of interest based on the info supplied.
• Create opportunities – networking and research are key to finding that next role.
• Research organisations you wish to work for and set up searches to keep an eye on movement; you do not need to wait for a role to be advertised. Go one better and identify change within the organisation, as project management is all about change you are likely to hit on something which you could apply for speculatively – well before the organisation has even considered advertising for a role.
• Make sure your speculative applications are tailored to the organisation and any changes in the news (see above comment). Take time to match up your skills and expertise to the potential role and needs of the employer.

As the employers are becoming more frugal in how the take on recruitment campaigns it is a prime opportunity for you to approach them, saving valuable time and money for the employer can stand you in good stead.

It is important to make sure you are moving with the times and as recruitment agencies are increasingly coming under scrutiny for how they treat their candidates coupled with employers’ wishes to reduce recruitment costs, there is prime opportunity to divert to a more effective way of applying for work.

The CV Righter not only provides a professional CV writing service – we also provide careers advice to candidates which is tailored to your needs and with our insider knowledge of how employers view varied approaches, we can advise on what works best. www.thecvrighter.co.uk