Where am I going wrong - help finding a new contract

[northernladuk]

Ouch!!

Ooops. If BB thinks it's a bit harsh I might have over done it sorry 😯

[rsingh]

As your last position was over 4 years in length, I would recommend that you add the number of renewals that you got for it. Otherwise it looks like it was a permie role.

[Boney M]

Hello all,

I would appreciate any advice as to how I can improve my chances of securing a new contract. I am unsure where I am going wrong with what I am doing. I have been out of contract for nearly 6 months and now open to permanent work as well. My experience is roughly 9 years working on central government programmes of work (i.e. planning, PM, project delivery focused roles) and I am looking for PMO/project management roles. I have been contracting for 8 years and have never had this type of problem securing a contract before.

So here is what am I doing:
1. I search relevant jobsites for my next role (i.e. jobserve, jobsite, cwjobs, etc). However before I just apply I call the agency and speak to the recruiter further clarifying the position, my fit and essentially 'selling' myself for the role. If it is a good fit then end the call with the recruiter sending me the job spec and I tailor specific parts of my CV to the role. Really? Not me

2. I then either apply via the job advert or more than likely get the recruiters direct e-mail address and send my CV directly. I then chase this up once sent and usually get an idea on timeframes and keep track of when my CV will be submitted to the client. I regularly chase the agencies and push for quicker progress. Never bother chasing up, so many false roles posted you are chasing your own tail, you cant push agencies for quicker progress, the client deems how quick this takes, they aren't going to call the client every time you call and push, they have a relationship to maintain and arent going to jeopardise it by calling the client every time you call them

3. I also regularly update my linkein profile, add new connections, actively 'like' and comment on relevant articles, etc and am subscribed to relevant groups/bodies (although I am skeptical of how much this will really help find a new role). I have been told I need to use the social networking sites more to sell myself to the market better and to use the 'hidden job market'! I use linkedin to search for new opportunities via agency contacts or other vacancies. Waste of time IMHO,better off searching for roles within Linkedin if you are going to use it

4. I have a rapport with particular agencies built up over the last few months. I proactively call them every so often and refresh their memories I'm still looking, etc.

5. As time goes on I am becoming more flexible with location, rates and type of roles too (i.e. I dont want to but seem to have to start applying for perm roles too)

6. I quite regularly keep in touch with former colleagues, with some hope of another route to finding a new role. there have been occasions where this has developed but for one reason or another the roles have not materialised

Here are the problems I am finding:
1. Even though my skills set are very transferable many of the roles I see are those asking for specific investment banking, retail banking, card payments or other type of banking/specific experience. Many of these also clearly note in the job spec CV's without this experience will not be considered. I used to apply but don't anymore as frankly it seems highly unlikely they will even consider my details. I have no banking experience whatsoever

2. Roles for public sector clients died down alot leading up to the May elections (understandably) and have now picked up. However even with this I apply for roles via the Capita framework which is something most government roles go through nowadays. Basically Capita further shortlist the CV's based on keywords/knowledge of the skills set and whatever other process they may use before final 3-4 CV's I sent to the line manager. I find this process highly irritating and cumbersome. There have been roles where I have not been shortlisted although a very good fit to the role. This makes me feel like this process is pretty useless and baffles me at times as to why I havent been shortlisted.

3. In the nearly 6 months of searching I have had just two interviews. One for RBS (they decided to offer someone with banking exp instead) and the other with a government body (they decided to offer someone with more programme management exp, my experience on this is limited at that level and more suited to project management level roles so I kind of understand this. the position was a bit of a hybrid project/programme roles). I have revamped my CV so more descriptive and explaining my achievements as I began to think it must be my CV that isn't working anymore. Although when asking agencies view it is generally positive although I dont hold this to great merit nowadays from the majority of agencies

n.b. My last contract finished in Dec 2014. This was after 4 years and 2 months. Is the length of this contract a problem when reviewing my CV/does this work against me?

Does anyone have any advice on where I am going wrong? What am I not doing and what should I do differently? Is this normal nowadays and should I just stop whining and get on with it!? Does anyone else have similar issues when searching for new work? The process is different to when I was last out of contract (for 2 months) and I seemed to get more calls from agencies then too. Albeit this was over 4 years ago. Plus there was no mention of a Captia framework working as a 'gateway' for the process.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Regards,

Also, get different CV's setup within the jobsites, name them

Joebloggs 4.1
Joebloggs 4.2
Joebloggs 4.3
Joebloggs 4.4
Joebloggs 4.5

Each CV above is written slightly different, familiarise yourself with them and when applying online send the appropriate one for that role.

There are so many applications for roles these days in the 100's, Most agents havent got a clue what they are looking for ina CV and what the role is about, they take the first 10 CV's IMHO and the ones with more of the essential requirements they fire 4 or 5 of them over. You need to be getting your application in ASAP. Setup RSS Feeds for the jobsites, notifications so as soon as the role is posted you've applied.

Never fails for me.

[MasterP0]

1. Upload CV to job boards every Sunday night and remove every Friday night, this way you have a better chance of being in the top search results when Agents search for candidates.
2. Revamp your CV, I've only got the one CV the displays both my PM & BA skills. So for example my last role was a hybrid role so in the bullets under the job description I have talked about the BA role (BA in bold) then PM role (PM in bold) separately
3. CV Title & Heading: Name + Mobile + Email
4. Title is for e.g. on mine "Lead Agile Business Analyst/Project Manager with XX years of experience"
5. I sometimes search for jobs look at the Agents name, find them on LinkedIn and email directly from LinkedIn. I've stopped calling, way too much effort and time and I found it didn't achieve much. I seemed to get a better response from emailing them on LinkedIn or googling them. Sometimes when you google Agents name, surname and company name you will find their email.

Table with 4 columns across the page:
| Methodology Experience | Industry Experience|
| Technology Experience | Skills|

Employment
Agile BA/PM (Contract) Jan 14 - Dec 14 Company XYZ
Then a short job summary paragraph with your achievements whilst in that role. (not in bold)

Followed by bullet points.

Bla bla bla bla

My problem this time round was I had no problem securing the interviews it was clinching the deal that proved to be the problem and what made it even more frustrating was that the feedback was "solid BA, great experience....she's too direct" SERIOUSLY, they need to grow some balls! Then the others kept coming back with "bla bla bla...not the right fit" which I knew as well because I just didn't gel/click with them at the interview.

So it sounds to me like you need to get your CV right, get the interviews and you'll be fine! Personally I wouldn't go back to premie land, just not for me.

GOOD LUCK!

[MasterP0]

Oh forgot to say, re: LinkedIn and you constantly updating it, WHY? Mine has only got the blurb (copied and pasted from my CV) in the summary, then each job just showing job title, duration and company name, then the usual recommendations and Skills and Endorsements.

Also I've found that because I'm LinkedIn with so many recruiters they post jobs throughout the day and I contact them there or like/tag a friend who's skills set match advertised job (of course I only do this with their permission once they've told me they are searching).

My ex-Colleagues/Friends do also give me leads which I've followed up and I do the same for them, so it's also down to Networking.

[pr1]

[LIST=1]
Employment
Agile BA/PM (Contract) Jan 14 - Dec 14 Company XYZ

!!!

[Elliegirl]

Also, get different CV's setup within the jobsites, name them

Joebloggs 4.1
Joebloggs 4.2
Joebloggs 4.3
Joebloggs 4.4
Joebloggs 4.5

Each CV above is written slightly different, familiarise yourself with them and when applying online send the appropriate one for that role.

You need to be getting your application in ASAP. Setup RSS Feeds for the jobsites, notifications so as soon as the role is posted you've applied.

Never fails for me.

2 bits of rather beautiful advice. The tailored CV, and getting your application in asap. I've had recruiters congratulate me on the speed of my applications, and more importantly, landed interviews/roles because I've been fast on the draw. Your CV could be bang on what the client is looking for, but if it's application No. 17 and there are say, 7 in front of you are that as good or close to, you can forget it. I have a friend who I gave similar advice to. I'd spot a role, send it and say 'APPLY RIGHT NOW!!' I'd get 'Thanks, I'll apply tomorrow'. Well you go right ahead and do that and see where it will get you.

[jas]

Transferable skills don't count for much in this market as there is plenty of choice for buyers. I presume you have more than one version of your CV? Are they focused and specific in terms of the skills/offer? Don't fudge or be ambiguous. Agents and hiring manager's are risk averse so they will generally go with the least risk option. CV's need to specifically address the requirements, have all the right keywords, etc. You need to tick 12 out of 10 boxes (without being overqualified). The CV needs to be close to perfect. Have you tried to develop a working relationship with a few choice agents? Availability and rate are important too. I don't think the gap is a major problem if you fit the role, but it might help to have a story. Against another similar candidate though, the least risk option is...

Plain vanilla project management is having a tough time at the moment. Try to elaborate what value you can bring to a role in through leadership and in terms that will appeal to the business. Do keep in mind that job boards are often a last resort and are routinely used to collect CV's. Have you uploaded your CV to TAS for companies you are interested in? Try to balance applications via job boards with LinkedIn, direct approaches to companies, etc.

Best of luck.

Yes I do have more than one version of my CV, also quite specific in terms of what I have achieved in my roles.


Unix - You have been contracting for 8 years but your last contract was over 4 years, you are a pseudo permie not a contractor. Do you have a lot of big names on your CV or does it look like a permies CV?

I started on a 3 monther and it got extended several times, roles before have been shorter. Home Office, MoJ, MoD & DWP a few other names on CV so yes fairly large government names

northernladuk - I stopped reading at the point you said PMO / Project Management. Probably the time the agent bins your CV. If you honestly don't know why then go permie. HTH BIDI

Ooops. If BB thinks it's a bit harsh I might have over done it sorry

Thanks and no problem but doesn't really help me

Yampy - Out of interest was your last contract direct with the client co or was it through an agency ?

Yampy, useful points I can take on board but not direct but through an agency.

rsingh - As your last position was over 4 years in length, I would recommend that you add the number of renewals that you got for it. Otherwise it looks like it was a permie role.

Have done this, thanks for input.

Boney M

Interesting and thanks for input. I do have more than one CV, one for PMO and the other PM plus one additional one. Interesting you say not to chase agencies up but sometimes I feel my details have not even been looked at until I speak to them and push them to check. I do agree though most agencies havent got a clue.

Common advice I have taken from this is the speed and to spend a little more time tailoring my CV to the role. I do this but maybe not enough. thanks for your responses.

Jas

[PerfectStorm]

I stopped reading at the point you said PMO / Project Management. Probably the time the agent bins your CV. If you honestly don't know why then go permie. HTH BIDI

Why? I work with loads of PMO people.

[northernladuk]

Why? I work with loads of PMO people.

So do I but the problem I find is they tend to be fairly distinct roles and more often than not when you come across someone that says PMO/PM they are not particularly good at either. A solid PMO can make or break a tough project and a quality PM makes all the difference between a successful project it a pile of tulipe. When someone comes along thinking they can do both I start to wonder. They OP did clarify he has a CV for each which kind of answers my point. I thought he might be combining them. Even having separate ones I would question how he represents himself for a gig he did the other. If did a PMO role for a gig how is he representing this on his PM CV? Is he being a bit liberal with the truth or is he being honest in which case anyone worth their salt will spot it and bin him for a through and through Pm. See what I am getting at?