Recommended online sites and Application Interview Hit Rate

[LondonManc]

I would seriously hope not.


You don't really. It's part of the game. It does appear to happen from time to time looking at the threads on here where agents have messed contractors about but it's something you just have to try manage


Reputable agency lists don't work. An agent wins the work to supply the client. It's not often multiple agencies get the same role. It does happen for Public Sector work where the same role appears multiple times I guess but on the whole it's often one agent for one client so you don't get a choice.

There is a thread about tricks agencies play. You just have to play them at their own game. Being a good contractor isn't just about being good at a client, it's about finding and securing the work which can be a bit of a minefield at times.

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...eferences.html

It is in IB - internal agency get first dibs based on their candidate base (including previous contractors at that IB); if they've got nothing, it's released to the PSL (typically three agencies per IB and tech v business generally have three different agencies).

Once you get to know which banks have which agencies on their PSL, you know whether to entertain the call for long or not.

[northernladuk]

There seem to be the option on some sites to select 'Direct Employer'- like on totaljobs and Linked in seem to have direct jobs advertised sometimes.

I would seriously hope not.

Thanks @simes for the info, how do you know the CV gets to the end client ?

You don't really. It's part of the game. It does appear to happen from time to time looking at the threads on here where agents have messed contractors about but it's something you just have to try manage

I am a little suspicious of agents and part of me thinks some of them don't actually have a relationship with the client at all and sometimes just want to fish for info/data mine and get you on their database.

With the huge growth of number of agents around, I was wondering if there a list around of really reputable agents (or is that an oxymoron), maybe something you guys have compiled ?

Thanks again

Reputable agency lists don't work. An agent wins the work to supply the client. It's not often multiple agencies get the same role. It does happen for Public Sector work where the same role appears multiple times I guess but on the whole it's often one agent for one client so you don't get a choice.

There is a thread about tricks agencies play. You just have to play them at their own game. Being a good contractor isn't just about being good at a client, it's about finding and securing the work which can be a bit of a minefield at times.

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...eferences.html

[simes]

Thanks @WTFH for the advice, I have been doing this but in a more casual fashion.

Thanks @simes for the info, how do you know the CV gets to the end client ?

I am a little suspicious of agents and part of me thinks some of them don't actually have a relationship with the client at all and sometimes just want to fish for info/data mine and get you on their database.

Thanks again

Well, fair point. Perhaps I should caveat that with a 'statement of belief' that I have got the CV past the agent and into the client. Once the CV is emailed, a follow up call to get the agent on the end of the phone, take him/her through the CV, convince him/her that I am a fit and a subsequent email that I am happy to be represented by them alone etc.

Thereafter, one is in lottery land.

Good luck.

[gables]

Outside of personal network I only bother with Jobserve, mainly due to roles being duplicated on other sites and I prefer Jobserve's layout, maybe I'm limiting my exposure?

[hairymouse]

Thanks @hairymouse - do you revise the CV version or modify the info a little (in-case they use a checksum on the file), or just overwrite the original - each time you upload.

A little of both. Sometimes I'll add a small tweak, like if I've finished a new training course. Otherwise I just overwrite one version with an identical version. I've never seen any evidence of using checksum.

[BlueCloud]

I've found that is't useful to upload a new CV on every job site once or twice a week. Even if your CV hasn't changed, it still seems to get distributed or moved to the top of some lists. I notice an immediate increase in calls afterwards.

I'll second the idea that it's worth posting your CV to other job sites and I've gotten a lot of calls that way, but jobserve is the only one with actual ads worth applying for.

Thanks @hairymouse - do you revise the CV version or modify the info a little (in-case they use a checksum on the file), or just overwrite the original - each time you upload.

[hairymouse]

I've found that is't useful to upload a new CV on every job site once or twice a week. Even if your CV hasn't changed, it still seems to get distributed or moved to the top of some lists. I notice an immediate increase in calls afterwards.

I'll second the idea that it's worth posting your CV to other job sites and I've gotten a lot of calls that way, but jobserve is the only one with actual ads worth applying for.

[BlueCloud]

Welcome, BlueCloud. 16 years and never had to look for a role? That’s pretty good going. Most of us have had some time searching, applying, etc.

Websites such as Jobserve and LinkedIn are a starting point. There isn’t one particular website that is great, none of them are that good because the same job will be advertised multiple times by different agencies.

It depends on how much effort you put in. Talk to the agent before submitting your CV. Tailor it to the role. Submit it. Talk to the agent after submitting. Etc.
If you just email in a CV and do nothing, don’t expect a high hit rate.

Clients do not advertise directly on websites. That’s what they pay agents to do.

Thanks @WTFH for the advice, I have been doing this but in a more casual fashion.

There seem to be the option on some sites to select 'Direct Employer'- like on totaljobs and Linked in seem to have direct jobs advertised sometimes.

For my part, I;

1. Stick the CV up at Jobserve, Jobsite, Monster, Reed, CW Jobs and make it searchable.
2. Apply only via Jobserve because, a) I prefer the look(!), and b) as said elsewhere, all jobs are duplicated everywhere else.
3. I aim to get a hit rate of two CVs per day past the agent and into the end client. Irrespective of whether from an application or a contact.
4. As to interview hit rates, no idea. Thereafter the whole thing is a complete lottery.

Your own network being the real way in, as you have evidently and ably demonstrated.

Thanks @simes for the info, how do you know the CV gets to the end client ?

I am a little suspicious of agents and part of me thinks some of them don't actually have a relationship with the client at all and sometimes just want to fish for info/data mine and get you on their database.

With the huge growth of number of agents around, I was wondering if there a list around of really reputable agents (or is that an oxymoron), maybe something you guys have compiled ?

Thanks again

[simes]

For my part, I;

1. Stick the CV up at Jobserve, Jobsite, Monster, Reed, CW Jobs and make it searchable.
2. Apply only via Jobserve because, a) I prefer the look(!), and b) as said elsewhere, all jobs are duplicated everywhere else.
3. I aim to get a hit rate of two CVs per day past the agent and into the end client. Irrespective of whether from an application or a contact.
4. As to interview hit rates, no idea. Thereafter the whole thing is a complete lottery.

Your own network being the real way in, as you have evidently and ably demonstrated.

[WTFH]

I have been contracting for the last 16 years, but all roles have been through contacts that have worked with me previously.

Welcome, BlueCloud. 16 years and never had to look for a role? That’s pretty good going. Most of us have had some time searching, applying, etc.

- Can you guys recommend the main ones used these days, ideally ones where you have obtained contracts from

Websites such as Jobserve and LinkedIn are a starting point. There isn’t one particular website that is great, none of them are that good because the same job will be advertised multiple times by different agencies.

- Also in terms of applications applied for and the number of interviews obtained, what kind of ratio or numbers do people seem to get. ( I know everyone's situation/skillset is different)

It depends on how much effort you put in. Talk to the agent before submitting your CV. Tailor it to the role. Submit it. Talk to the agent after submitting. Etc.
If you just email in a CV and do nothing, don’t expect a high hit rate.

- Also any sites specialising in direct contracts without any agents involved - (as finding it hard to trust anything they say).

Clients do not advertise directly on websites. That’s what they pay agents to do.

[northernladyuk]

Just be thankful NLyUK doesn't share her experiences.

How's your hit rate now?

[northernladuk]

Just be thankful NLyUK doesn't share her experiences.

[BlueCloud]

Hi,
I just joined today the forum, thanks goes to the site creators, Admins and all the contributors for sharing their experiences.

I have been contracting for the last 16 years, but all roles have been through contacts that have worked with me previously.

I am now looking, using online channels, linked in etc.

Currently there are so many online recruitment companies and websites (10 years ago - it was just jobserve and a few others).

- Can you guys recommend the main ones used these days, ideally ones where you have obtained contracts from

- Also in terms of applications applied for and the number of interviews obtained, what kind of ratio or numbers do people seem to get. ( I know everyone's situation/skillset is different)
- Also any sites specialising in direct contracts without any agents involved - (as finding it hard to trust anything they say).

I am trying to work out if I am been too selective and need to play more of a numbers game, currently I have only really been casually looking.

I did read the comments on the 'state of the market', doesn't seem that good for most.

Thanks