How to search for a job in a tough market

As with any industry, there are highs and lows in a recruitment agency in London. Some months, we have jobs coming out of our ears, and others it’s a little slower.

If you ever find yourself searching in a tougher market, the first thing to remember is everyone is in the same boat! Don’t take it personally if you have had real problems with your job search, sometimes it can be a result of market ebbs and flows and general economic changes.

The best way forward is to make sure you are presenting yourself in the best light. Make sure your CV is up-to-date and has no spelling or grammatical errors in it. Apply to roles that appeal to you, but don’t be despondent if you don’t get a response. Agencies can’t get back to everyone, even though they will do their best to.

When you visit a recruitment agency, be clear and concise about what you are looking for. The temptation is to say that you are interested to hear about everything, although you are actually better off being as specific as you can be. It means that when you are added to the agency’s database, consultants researching for a brief are more likely to be drawn into your profile if they are working on a job at a level and in an area that you have expressed an interest in.

If you are unsuccessful with the position you have applied for then keep an eye on the agency’s website and apply for a vacancy if it appeals. If you don’t hear back from them, despite that fact that your skills and experience matches the role, don’t be concerned. The secretarial market, as we all know, is so personality based and in a tough market like this, clients expect agencies to get this just right. It is not a negative if you are not considered for a role based on personality fit. It means the agency understands the type of company culture best suited to you and is trying to match you to that.

If searching for a job outside of an agency, look at the job boards once a day and apply for any direct adverts that look appealing. Speed is key here. Companies advertising directly usually do so because they want to avoid agency fees. What they don’t bargain for is the size of response they are going to get! Therefore you are far more likely to be considered if your CV is one of the first they receive.

Finally, use LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Companies will advertise jobs through these mediums.

For extra reach, try and connect with as many recruitment consultants that you can. Clients trying to avoid agency fees are also doing this and searching through consultant’s contacts when trying to fill roles. Consultants are in a difficult spot because they don’t want to decline an invitation to connect from a client, but at the same time don’t want to give them all their contacts for free. The former overrides the latter, so this is a great way for you to be found by employers.
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Tiger is always at hand to help you in your search. Get in touch today to see how we can help.

Author David Morel Tiger Recruitment Team