What am I doing wrong?

**Sockpuppet** · 9 February 2007, 14:02

Just do what the rest of us do. Lie.

For most of the roles I apply for I have some but not a fantastic amount of experiance. So I lie on the CV and still use the same projects etc I used to work on just change my role slightly.

Now... I am 100% sure I can do these roles as I have the correct skills for it so only do this is you are sure it wont bite you on the ass.

**Lucy** · 9 February 2007, 14:12

I suggest you look during the day, some roles seem to close very quickly, maybe set-up some alert software on your laptop and check it every couple of hours. (I think Kojac mentioned some a while back)

Try to get some feedback (perhaps from a friendly agent) on your cv, there might be some small changes you could make.

Pursue the agencies, do phone them and you might come across some decent ones, although in London, I find this unusual.

Do some searches on here for the agencies to avoid, the ones who often post non-existent roles etc

**Bear** · 9 February 2007, 14:27

A lot of clients ask agencies to send in only a couple of CVs each, so if you're the 20th person to send your CV to the agent you've probably missed the boat.

Look by 10am as agents tend to start early and lots of roles go on Jobserve early morning. Keep checking throughout the day.

You have a lot of experience, don't look desperate by applying for everything. Someone with your experience I would expect to be doing PM work - you have a practitioner qualification - you can do it.

Apply for the roles that interest you (PM ones if you like) but tailor your CV to the role. You have loads of experience, put down the bits that are relevant. I have one CV for every role I have ever applied for.

There's stacks more of things - but that'll do for starters

**Spacecadet** · 9 February 2007, 14:29

register your CV everywhere

cwjobs.co.uk
jobsite.co.uk
jobserve.com
theitjoboard.com
monster.co.uk
even linkedin

Make sure that your CV is searchable by recruiters
Make sure that your email and phone number are clearly visible at the top of your CV and stored in the job sites databases

Go to agency websites and see if you can submit your CV directly on to their system even without a specific job in mind.

The 2 contracts that i've had through agencies i did not apply for after seeing a job advert. I was just cold called by the agent and the interviews were set up that day.

Also keep an eye on your emails and pick up and respond to any from agents. Again, i get a ton of these everyday either from agents having matched my CV online, or because I'm on an agents own mailing list.

If done properly you should be getting calls daily from agents. Some will be just fishing, others will have a role for you.

Finally, don't get too desperate

**BrilloPad** · 9 February 2007, 14:52

u r Richard Whitely

**BrilloPad** · 9 February 2007, 14:53

and i claim my £5

**BrilloPad** · 9 February 2007, 14:53

or is it £10

**DS23** · 9 February 2007, 14:54

Originally posted by Spacecadet

even linkedin

network baby - yeah! get in touch with anyone and everyone. there are jobs that are never advertised... some ex colleague may be on a job where a pm is needed and maybe you can be fitted in.

ex colleagues might have job offers that they cannot fill but could pass onto you. this kind of back scratching works both ways - when you finally get that contract the endless cv's that you will have sent out will mean that you will still get pestered for work long after you have found a role. the first thing to do is filter the good ones and forward them to your fellow specialist contractors.... it all comes round you know.

what else? do your searching early, keep a log of jobs & contacts, get some juicy references ready from your previous employers and send letters out to local firms.

good luck.

**[email protected]** · 9 February 2007, 15:42

Originally posted by twice_nightly

I was made redundant from my permie job last February and decided to go contracting, anyway long story but basically it took me ages to find that first contract which I started in July. Unfortunately that contract has now ended and I'm back looking again....

I'm looking on jobserve every night and applying for approx 3 contracts per evening with different agencies, so far this week I've sent my CV in for 20 roles but haven't heard from a single one. I'm just using the online application button and sending in my CV then waiting expectantly by the phone next day, which of course does't ring. Am I doing something wrong or am I just Cr*p!

My background is 23 years in IT, Operations Manager/Team leader when permenant, Desktop/Server support before that. Last contract was XP/Server 2003 rollout. I've got MCSE and also have Prince2 practitioner cert. As I don't have much practical experience of Project Management I've not been able to get a job as a PM/Jnr PM since passing the exam in January 2006, so I've been looking for Desktop support/rollout work which I'm comfortable with.

Depressing thing is I'm applying for anything really, I'm not bothered where the role is or what the title is etc, I've even applied for contracts that are half the rate I was getting on my last (first) contract, but still haven't heard back! I somehow thought that after getting that all important first contract, that the agencies would be banging on my door now....

Oh and I'm nearly 40 by the way but I still have all my own teeth and full head of hair.

Cheers

What you will find with agencies particularly round contract work they will have there favourites if hey have been done the role awhile. Advice, dont flood market with CV it makes you look desperate. I agree with previous comments regarding agencies although they should be working for you, you are a commodity simple as you have experience. It maybe that you just been unlucky with agencies. To give you an example the more people have your CV the more people send it in for a vacancy ie flood market, my experience is if they receive it from more than say 3 or so agencies they bascially discount it. Make yourself stand out re arrange your CV to certain roles (if you lie make sure you can back it up) I dont exactly know what your expertise is but on my profile is our website have a look if anything there is any good send in your CV....

anyway wish ya luck its dog eat dog on contract !!

What am I doing wrong?