Apart from the "unadvertised job market" which is best accessed (for a fee) via outplacement companies and specialist recruiters or "career planners", the vast majority of vacancies in UK are handled by one or more recruitment agencies. There are about 15,000 of them in UK. Most agencies hold a database of candidates and often use this as the first port of call when they are filling a client's vacancy. Hence it is worth registering with reputable agencies in your locality and providing them an up to date CV and indication of what role you are seeking, why and what salary you expect. Agencies also add to their database by accessing candidate data from on line job boards and hence it is useful to upload at least one version of your CV to job boards appropriate to the role you are seeking and select the option that makes your CV visible to agencies and employers.

Agencies and sometimes the employers themselves place advertisements in newspapers, industry publications and post their vacancies to one or more job boards. Job Boards give the widest coverage of vacancies and it is easy and quick to apply via them on line. However, dozens perhaps hundreds of other people are doing the same thing so it pays to have a CV and covering message that stands out from the crowd. It is also worthwhile registering with those job boards that offer a "jobs by email" service. Essentially you define what you are seeking and where; then let the agencies find you. Some boards place as many as 60% of their candidates via this route but if you go this route make sure your CV is optimised with keywords that make it highly visible for the type of jobs you are seeking.

Social and business networking sites such as Xing, Bebo, Linkedin are increasingly being used by agencies and some employers to search for candidates. A referral is often the mechanism by which you are likely to win an interview and hence using these channels and using your network of contacts can be beneficial. Make sure your profile on these sites is up-to-date and really describes you.

Making an unsolicited approach (usually by letter to HR) to an employer can also reap rewards but the letter needs to be constructed very carefully and frankly its timing that has proved to be the success crucial factor in most cases.

Finding a new job is a not an easy process and should be regarded as a marketing project with you as the subject matter. If you are not comfortable "selling", then get some help to put together a plan of action and get a really good quality CV that really describes your skill set and experiences in a manner that makes you "real" to a recruiter. Whatever you do try and avoid a hit and miss approach and dont get discouraged if you never hear from those to whom you apply. Good luck

Credit Crunch Impact on Job Applications – "keep the quality high" says the employers

The shortage of some types of jobs in UK is having an unexpected effect on job applications. HR departments in some of the country’s main corporate Companies are reporting that the quality of job applications for all posts is falling alarmingly as candidates trade quantity for quality, particularly making bulk applications on line. The real value of these job seekers to an organization is often very hard to determine from their applications.

Getting a new job is a sophisticated marketing project even when jobs are reasonably plentiful. There are still vacancies at most levels and in most industry and commercial sectors in UK but the competition, not surprisingly, is fierce. Hence, it’s understandable why job seekers, desperate to get themselves in front of a recruiter are applying for anything vaguely relevant in volume and sacrificing the quality of their applications. Whilst there is nothing wrong with casting the net far and wide, the clear message from recruiters is “keep the quality high”.

What recruiters want to see is unambiguous evidence of relevant skill and experience supported by real life examples, an aptitude for the job and a motivation and personality that is likely to provide a good “fit” with the recruiting Company and the environment in which the job will be performed. Hence, at the core of the project to win a new job, a CV and application letter, email or job board upload need to be compelling personalised marketing documents.

A CV will typically spend approx. 20 seconds being viewed by a recruiter or may even be scanned by software to determine  a candidate’s suitability; what is more, it is likely to be amongst probably hundreds of other CVs undergoing the same process. Which is why its content, style and presentation has to create an instant picture of a candidate actually doing the job for which an application is being made. This just cannot be done in bulk with any real hope of success and what it means in UK right now is that job seekers will need to spend a huge amount of time writing individual application letters, emails or uploads to job boards and tweaking their CV  to tune its relevance for each application. Whilst this is a task that can be successfully completed by most individuals, and there is plenty of good advice on the internet (and some dubious advice as well!), it’s really a job for experts who know what gels with recruiters in specific industries and for different types and levels of jobs; and know how to present a candidate and their skill set and experience in a manner that will result in interview invitations. The message from HR is that if a job seeker is at all uncertain of the impact their CV will make, get professional help.

Unfortunately the best written CV is not all you need to land the job! The impression created at interview is equally important and its certainly not enough to turn up without preparation and answer a few questions. Learning the techniques that interviewers use, knowing how to present yourself most dynamically, knowing how to project your natural personality are essential skills that once mastered will set you out from the crowd.

Using Job Boards

Job Boards give applicants far greater access to vacancies but the ease of application also results in greater competition. The majority of recruitment agencies post at least some of their vacancies to on line boards, often several, so its a good place to start your search. Use the search box below to define your ideal role, In the "keywords" box use single words or a small string of words relating to the role you want e.g. office manager, accountant, sales director, PA, retail. Narrow down your search by entering the town or city or county where you want to work in the "Location" box. The links on this page will provide direct access to vacancies which are live and to which you can apply on line, but before applying for any job make sure that your CV and Application / Cover letter are absolutely right!

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