Some sneaky tips needed

**Menelaus** · 26 August 2009, 18:36

Originally posted by Belle View Post

I’m starting to get sick and tired of applying for jobs through job sites and never hearing from recruiters. Scenario: job posted, I fit all the criteria with 10+ years experience, I send a very tailored CV and Cover letter. Nada. Zilch. So I phone the agent directly only to be given the usual line of “He/she’s busy, can I take a message and get them to call you”. Which of course they don’t. So I use the old grey cells and try various email addresses until one sticks and send my CV through to the agent directly. Still nothing. I’m intrigued. Why do agencies post jobs in the first place at this present point in time – aren’t all the job boards crammed full with suitable CVs? And why post fake jobs – surely the agencies have enough CVs on their databases?

So, some tips please – what are some sneaky ways of getting my CV in front of the recruiter? And how do I bypass the junior answering the phone? Very happy to take advice for any members who are agents.

Make a pain in the arse of yourself. It's what I do and it seems to work!

**Belle** · 26 August 2009, 18:39

Originally posted by Menelaus View Post

Make a pain in the arse of yourself. It's what I do and it seems to work!

So just keep phoning? Will this not piss them off and finally seal the nails in the coffin?

**Menelaus** · 26 August 2009, 18:46

Originally posted by Belle View Post

So just keep phoning? Will this not piss them off and finally seal the nails in the coffin?

Most of the pimps I'm aware of are credulous enough that they'd have a chat first before chucking it out - getting to that chat is what you're aiming for.

**BolshieBastard** · 26 August 2009, 19:03

During the 2001 downturn when jobs were not plentiful, I started mailing agents with the line I was looking for a particular agent who would aggressively market me and my skills across the sectors that I specialised in.

I added if they were not prepared to invest the time and effort to do that, then please do not waste both of our time with phone calls asking where I had recently been submitted blah, blah, blah.

I also added that I was flexible on rate and location but told them I wouldnt work in London or the south east.

Within a reasonably short space of time, one agent phoned me and said he liked my approach. Within 2 - 3 weeks he'd found me a role in one of my preferred locations. Pay wasnt great (£200 pd) but it got me off the bench because the other 2 candidates I was up against wanted upto £50pd more.

Worked for me!

**KentPhilip** · 26 August 2009, 19:08

Why don't you send in a parcel bomb. That'd certainly get their attention

**Belle** · 26 August 2009, 19:18

Originally posted by KentPhilip View Post

Why don't you send in a parcel bomb. That'd certainly get their attention

The thought had crossed my mind.

**mace** · 26 August 2009, 19:53

At the moment, I have the opposite problem for some reason. Recently, I've had between 2 and 8! calls from agents per day. I've become fed up going through the same scenario with half of them just wanting to fish, so I leave them to go to Voicemail. If I identify that they're either agents that I've sent my CV to, or provide a clear opportunity then I return the call.

However, I have exactly the same problem getting an interview out of the dozens of phone calls I've had with pimps so far. I've been out of work for 2 months now and have managed to get interviews with 2 companies, neither of which I went via a pimp with. 1 of the companies I did a contract for a couple of years ago, and the other is in the same sector as my previous job. The 1st I applied to an ad they'd placed, and the 2nd was a result of spamming HR directors for the companies in my sector in my area. I've been turned down for 1 and am awaiting news from another. It's a numbers game at the end of the day, I guess.

**NotAllThere** · 26 August 2009, 19:56

- Can I talk to xyz?
- Hold on, I'll see if he's available... no, sorry, he's out at the moment, can I take a message
- no, I've only got ten minutes then I've got to go into a recruitment meeting...

...

- What's this about?
- I sent you my CV, you can read it later, but I've another headhunter for a role at fgh calling me in five - we need to talk now - are you putting me through to the client, or do I have to talk to Mr Better Than You at *some big agency*.

etc.

simples

**RichardCranium** · 26 August 2009, 20:55

Originally posted by Belle View Post

I’m starting to get sick and tired of applying for jobs through job sites and never hearing from recruiters.

That's probably because you are being too slow. For most roles they have found their 3 CVs within an hour of placing the ad.

Originally posted by Belle View Post

Why do agencies post jobs in the first place at this present point in time – aren’t all the job boards crammed full with suitable CVs?

Because most of those downloadable CVs are bollocks and lies, I'm afraid. People with no IT experience who have done a 5 day course in typing a document because the Job Centre sent them.

Originally posted by Belle View Post

And why post fake jobs – surely the agencies have enough CVs on their databases?

I haven't seen a fake job ad for a few weeks now. About 6 weeks ago I would have said up to half the PM ads were fake. Now theyre all for banks or insurance and look genuine.

Originally posted by Belle View Post

So, some tips please – what are some sneaky ways of getting my CV in front of the recruiter?

Be very fast.

Originally posted by Belle View Post

And how do I bypass the junior answering the phone? Very happy to take advice for any members who are agents.

In sales they are called "gatekeepers". Their purpose is to stop you hassling the agent who is trying to get through the 700 emails that arrived within 45 minute of the ad being uploaded to Jobserve, 650 of which are utterly useless.

Some sneaky tips needed