So now that you have created a perfect CV that highlights your strengths, downplays your weaknesses and makes you look like a superstar employee, the next step is to make sure employers know about you. The following are some of the principal channels that will help you do this.
Recruitment agencies
Traditionally this was the default option for getting your CV in front of employers. There are an estimated 10,000 employment businesses and agencies operating in the UK, covering pretty much every sector and industry imaginable. Agencies range in size from large nationals that cover the whole of the country and a range of role types to smaller, independent agencies that specialise in a certain sectors or regions.
Avoid falling into the trap of thinking that only large, well-known brands will have access to the best jobs and are your only option. They don’t, and smaller agencies often have closer relationships to key decision makers. Look at which agencies are advertising the types of roles you are interested in and then call a few. Some will give you confidence in their ability to deliver – commit to those who seem best placed to help you.
Job boards
There are more than 1,000 job boards in the UK and many highlight their huge access to jobs and large numbers of CVs in their databases. Again, this is not really the best guide – advertising a headline figure of 50,000 vacancies is meant to impress candidates and make them think the site has all roles covered. How many of these are active or relevant to you?
Aim for quality over quantity. This means spending more time registering your profile on one or two sites. Put some thought into your profile and include relevant keywords that will make your CV appear on recruiter searches – particularly professional qualifications, specialist IT skills and sector.
Then apply for a small number of targeted roles and keep a spreadsheet with the details of your applications. It is ridiculously easy to apply for thirty different roles and then not remember any of them. In a few days or a week’s time when a recruiter calls you up, you are bound to find yourself struggling to recall the details.
Direct to employers
This has the benefit of going straight to the source and can be more effective than using agencies or job boards. However, when approaching companies it is important to tailor your approach. Personalise your application so that your interest in working specifically for XYZ Ltd. comes across clearly. A cover letter will help you do this (pasted into the body of an email if you are sending your CV electronically). Find out the name of the most appropriate contact and address your application to that person.
Social networks
Recruitment has changed radically even in the last five years and social networks are becoming increasingly important for both employers and candidates. LinkedIn has more than 9 million UK members and is used by most companies to find staff – sometimes by advertising vacancies and other times by referrals. Some tips for using social networks to find a job:
- Work on your social media profile (particularly LinkedIn) and ensure it highlights your strengths and really promotes you as a top quality candidate.
- Grow your network by connecting with people you know.
- Join relevant groups and engage in discussions; responding to articles and posting comments – this will help to raise your profile and increase your contact list.
- A bigger network will also ensure you learn about vacancies.
- Identify companies that you would like to work with and then follow them so that you hear about any new jobs.
So now that you have created a perfect CV that highlights your strengths, downplays your weaknesses and makes you look like a superstar employee, the next step is to make sure employers know about you. The following are some of the principal channels that will help you do this.
Recruitment agencies
Traditionally this was the default option for getting your CV in front of employers. There are an estimated 10,000 employment businesses and agencies operating in the UK, covering pretty much every sector and industry imaginable. Agencies range in size from large nationals that cover the whole of the country and a range of role types to smaller, independent agencies that specialise in a certain sectors or regions.
Avoid falling into the trap of thinking that only large, well-known brands will have access to the best jobs and are your only option. They don’t, and smaller agencies often have closer relationships to key decision makers. Look at which agencies are advertising the types of roles you are interested in and then call a few. Some will give you confidence in their ability to deliver – commit to those who seem best placed to help you.
Job boards
There are more than 1,000 job boards in the UK and many highlight their huge access to jobs and large numbers of CVs in their databases. Again, this is not really the best guide – advertising a headline figure of 50,000 vacancies is meant to impress candidates and make them think the site has all roles covered. How many of these are active or relevant to you?
Aim for quality over quantity. This means spending more time registering your profile on one or two sites. Put some thought into your profile and include relevant keywords that will make your CV appear on recruiter searches – particularly professional qualifications, specialist IT skills and sector.
Then apply for a small number of targeted roles and keep a spreadsheet with the details of your applications. It is ridiculously easy to apply for thirty different roles and then not remember any of them. In a few days or a week’s time when a recruiter calls you up, you are bound to find yourself struggling to recall the details.
Direct to employers
This has the benefit of going straight to the source and can be more effective than using agencies or job boards. However, when approaching companies it is important to tailor your approach. Personalise your application so that your interest in working specifically for XYZ Ltd. comes across clearly. A cover letter will help you do this (pasted into the body of an email if you are sending your CV electronically). Find out the name of the most appropriate contact and address your application to that person.
Social networks
Recruitment has changed radically even in the last five years and social networks are becoming increasingly important for both employers and candidates. LinkedIn has more than 9 million UK members and is used by most companies to find staff – sometimes by advertising vacancies and other times by referrals. Some tips for using social networks to find a job:
- Work on your social media profile (particularly LinkedIn) and ensure it highlights your strengths and really promotes you as a top quality candidate.
- Grow your network by connecting with people you know.
- Join relevant groups and engage in discussions; responding to articles and posting comments – this will help to raise your profile and increase your contact list.
- A bigger network will also ensure you learn about vacancies.
- Identify companies that you would like to work with and then follow them so that you hear about any new jobs.