Best jobsite

[tractor]

LinkedIn

Agree - dont link to agents on Linkedin, unless you have a genuine personal relationship with them. They add no value, and they will raid your contact list. You want everyone you have ever worked with in there - last gig I got via Linked was from a guy I didnt get on with particularly, but he needed someone and new via Linkedin that I was available. Saved him a fortnight in interviewing etc.

Having spent the day taking the advice and updating LinkedIn, I did wonder how people manage this situation. I'm sure we all have the odd person that we didn't get on with particularly well. Do you just front it out and recommend them anyway in the hope that they will appreciate the old boys network aspect and recommend you in return and vice versa? If you recommend someone and they don't return the favour do people delete recommendations and so on....

[v8gaz]

Having spent the day taking the advice and updating LinkedIn, I did wonder how people manage this situation. I'm sure we all have the odd person that we didn't get on with particularly well. Do you just front it out and recommend them anyway in the hope that they will appreciate the old boys network aspect and recommend you in return and vice versa? If you recommend someone and they don't return the favour do people delete recommendations and so on....

I didn't say anything about recommending. I do very little of that, unless it is really justified, or done in a very subtle comedy manner (you won't spot which ones these are unless you were on that particular gig )

The guy simply put me in touch with the hiring manager and said 'hire this guy'.

Simples

[cojak]

I think reciprocal recommendations devalues the whole idea so I don't.

I take care to thank those people who do recommend me and I do occasionally recommend others.

[KentPhilip]

You can't sit back and wait for the jobs to come to you (via Jobserve and the rest).

You've got to hustle a bit.

Put yourself about on LinkedIn, tell people what you're doing/reading/learning. Answer questions on your specialty.

And update your CV with the latest fad/method/language - go on a course that contains the flavour of the month keyword (which is what I'll be doing ready to go hunting in the New Year).

I like all that..

I wonder whether it is worth keeping up with ex-colleagues for the purpose of getting contracts. I don't know, but surely the problem is that contracts would come up when you are half way through an existing contract, and are therefore unavailable.
Or perhaps the real benefit is that they would come up when you are on the bench, and available all the time.

Have you got any more tips cojak?

[SueEllen]

I like all that..

I wonder whether it is worth keeping up with ex-colleagues for the purpose of getting contracts. I don't know, but surely the problem is that contracts would come up when you are half way through an existing contract, and are therefore unavailable.
Or perhaps the real benefit is that they would come up when you are on the bench, and available all the time.

It is, as eventually it will coincide with when you are on the bench.

[saptastic]

Thanks Cojak,

I am doing those things. I also change my cv ever so slightly on Jobswerve every couple of days. I simply wondered whether it was still the best place or whether there were better options that had become available in the last couple of years.

Apologies too, I don't normally feed the trolls but there is really no need for Northern to insult everyone who asks any kind of question here. He could have easily resisted the temptation to troll.

IMO Jobserve is easy to use but not at all what it used to be. Remember many jobs dont get advertised so try and get in with a few agents who may speciliase in your skillset or sector experience. Move beyond Jobserve....try newer jobsites such as Technojobs and maybe also CW

[SueEllen]

IMO Jobserve is easy to use but not at all what it used to be. Remember many jobs dont get advertised so try and get in with a few agents who may speciliase in your skillset or sector experience. Move beyond Jobserve....try newer jobsites such as Technojobs and maybe also CW

Technojobs and CW jobs aren't new.

One way of using job boards is to make links with agencies so when you are on the bench you can get another role by just going through your emails. Unfortunately too many agents are lazy and can't be bothered to dig their pool of known contractors.