UKC

I have been looking and applying for jobs online for close to one year, without much success. I have tried the applying on monster, jobsite, jobcentre plus, total jobs, hays, reeds.... you name it!! I have also applied directly to companies (large and little) without luck.

Where/what is the best way to apply for work online?
What is the best way to make sure my CV is the best that it can be?

Any help/advice/critique is welcome

In reply to goldmember:

I shall be watching this with interest, as I'm in much the same boat at the moment.

In reply to goldmember: worth looking at the reasoning behind the list made in this article particularly point 3.

http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/articles/article.php?art_item=024

In reply to goldmember: Quite specific to the 'Monster' sites etc I'd say that I had a professional CV writer look at my CV and his comment was that if I were to put it on internet sites, it needs to mention keywords as much as possible because in the searches done by employers, THEIR key words are what generates the replies. So for instance instead of just saying you have completed the Prince 2 project management course, you'll say things such as 'implemented blah blah using Prince 2 methodology a couple of times which would increase your strike rate.


Not related to websites, it's handy to talk to people you know/knew to see what's going on.

For instance in construction, there's little going on in the resdiential market, but commercial and particularly retail are doing well, so check, do you have the right qualification for what is current in your inudstry? If not, get on a government funded course. If you look hard enough, there's usually funding for anything if you're unemployed if you can prove it's relevence.

Tailor your CV to each application where possible.

Make your cover letter clear and concise. The presentation of the cover letter says as much as the letter itself.

Above all, don't lose heart. Dedicate an amount of time each day or every other day just spent looking at ads and replying to them. You can save off various versions of your CV as you adjust them ( no lying, just emphasising different points, lies will usually be found out in a good interview). That way you're not constantly re writing the whole thing.

Lastly, get some low paid cash work, I don't think many would begrudge that to someone who is trying hard to find work and use the dosh to get into a hobby cheaply, such as climbing or sailing, so when you look back at your time off, you have good things to look back at!

In reply to goldmember: any more advice

In reply to goldmember: yhm, sorry about the privacy, you wouldn't want to lose your advantage

In reply to goldmember: There are two types of job adverts online:

1. Adverts placed directly for companies in which case, the usual rules apply when applying.
2. Adverts placed by agents.

I only have experience of the latter, and one has to remember that agents are only in it for themselves, generally don't know much about the field they are placing you in and and probably don't care either so long as the cash is flowing into their account. There are exceptions but they are few and far between.

Because of the way in which agents operate, it is actually very easy to catch their attention. You simply have to include every buzz word in your CV that they have used in the job advert. It is often worth having a very short bullet point summary at the top of your CV to make this task even easier for the agent. Since your CV will be practically flawless (in the eyes of the agent) it will be guaranteed to go to the employer and it is at this point that you need to be able to justify the inclusion of these buzz words by showing relevant experience. Remember that experience counts for much more than qualifications unless a qualification is mandatory so accentuate this.

Don't be scared of agents. They lead a very simple life and once you have it sussed you won't get so offended when they don't return your calls etc.

Good luck

PS - I work in IT. Other areas of work may differ.

Keywords will make a big difference. Also don't assume because agent A has your CV and they have a job opportunity which fits that they have even looked to see if you are a match. Everytime you see one call them to see if you're suitable, you may find that you are but because your CV doesnt contain a certain line that you were ignored. Don't bug them too much, maybe one call a week about a few positions.

Get advice about your CV and dont trust all the advice, i was asked by one place to pad out my CV (general recruitment agency), another said keep it short (engineering agency). Personally i don't like seeing CV's which take ages to read, at stage 1 its all about box ticking; qualifications and experience and the odd piece of info that makes you stand out. Going into detail on every project is a bore to read and how much do you really believe of the quoted stories. I like seeing some personality on the CV but again dont over do it and remove the line about references available on request, it doesnt add anything.

I ended up going down the direct approach route, getting a job means being successful at a number of stages of selection, going direct cuts out 1 or 2 stages often filled by those who you can't trust to act in your interest, agencies have a surplus of CV's so they can afford to not treat you like an individual. It also shows you are interested in the company rather than landing any job.

Applying speculatively can work but the majority of the time you are 'kept on file' which means you'll never hear from them, i was ignored once from a speculative and then applied to the same company for an open position a month later and was interviewed the same week. Keep a list of companies you like the sound of and keep checking back every week.

Its demoralizing when its quiet but it'll happen its just a matter of time.

In reply to goldmember: it would help to know what job youre after....anything in particular