Reply to: Applying for contracts via Job Boards.

[Svalbaard]

Am getting a few emails and calls from agencies for SAP PMs to work in the London / South East and South West areas.

If interested, PM me and I will endeavour to pass on contact details.

[saptastic]

Always follow up, hassle and put a consultant on the spot if it is a gig you want and the best daily rate. Waiting around means you may not get as good a gig as you could of had. Agents squirm when you put them on the spot and ask what are the barriers for putting your CV forward.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

and after all that....

staying permie it is!

[Glazza]

The usual advice is to phone immediately after emailing the cv or even before. But I tend to find it is a waste of time. If they think you fit the bill they will phone you although in this climate this is getting scarcer and scarcer. A lot of people dismiss Linkedin but there really is no harm in setting yourself up, contacting old colleagues and getting yourself recommended. You don't have to let agents into your space.

[pzz76077]

If there is a role where my skill set is an exact match for the role advertised I do try and call the agent after submitting my CV however I don't persist with e-mails and calls if I don't get hold of them or they don't return my call.

I have 2 interviews this week, however neither came from a job board application. Both came direct from agents I have been registered with for some time and have worked through before. One role I am certain has never been on a job board, the other was advertised by another agency.

Its is still the case that an agency is only as good as its database of candidates.

PZZ

[Ruse]

When you apply for a gig using, say, JobServe do you just sit back and wait for the agency to get in touch, or do you ring them, email them and basically hassle them into submission?

I sit back, but sometimes the phone is worryingly silent!

If there is a role where my skill set is an exact match for the role advertised I do try and call the agent after submitting my CV however I don't persist with e-mails and calls if I don't get hold of them or they don't return my call.

I have 2 interviews this week, however neither came from a job board application. Both came direct from agents I have been registered with for some time and have worked through before. One role I am certain has never been on a job board, the other was advertised by another agency.

[nomadd]

When you apply for a gig using, say, JobServe do you just sit back and wait for the agency to get in touch, or do you ring them, email them and basically hassle them into submission?

I sit back, but sometimes the phone is worryingly silent!

I only ever apply for jobs via Jobserve. But then I'm lazy. Mind you, when I've asked for alternatives around these parts they either just had the same jobs as Jobserve, or it's been useless "agency playgrounds" like LinkedIn.

Oh, and no, I never, ever chase agencies up. Waste of time and phone bill, IMHO.

Nomadd

[Kalinikta]

Once you have been in the contracting game long enough you will find
that you are contacted even before the JobServe advert appears.

This is also very true.

80% of my contracts hve contacted me, I havent even known about the job.

A few I have applied for and got when the going was a lot better; but yes if they want you; generally its a phone call, interview and in.

[Spacecadet]

Generally I fire and forget.
I might follow on with a call in about 1 in 20 applications if I think it's worthwhile or there is something else specific to the role I can add which might not be in the CV.

[pzz76077]

Sorry but this sounds like bulltulip to me. No team of agents would stay up half the night conscientiousy shortlisting the best of 4100 applicants for a role paying £11ph.

It was one of their key clients - 100's of placements over the years, millions of quid etc, not one they want to loose just right now....


PZZ

[Kalinikta]

this is on the assumption that the job isn't a work of fiction..

Haha, yes of course!, we already take into account that it probably is a Big Mac with no meat hahahaha

[stillooking]

I phone within 10 minutes of applying, dont wait, no one else does.
They then, if you are pressing enough find your CV.
Its then 50/50 to get them to put you across for the role.

this is on the assumption that the job isn't a work of fiction..

[George Parr]

Recently spoke with an agent that has also been a friend for over 10 years who told me they recently received almost 4,100 applications for a desktop support role in C London paying £11ph!
To make things worse, after his team had stayed up half the night sorting out a few likely candidates, the client co pulled the role as they had no budget to fund it!

PZZ

Sorry but this sounds like bulltulip to me. No team of agents would stay up half the night conscientiousy shortlisting the best of 4100 applicants for a role paying £11ph.

[Soled73]

http://www.jobstats.co.uk/images/cha...nth_smooth.png

Yes but the graph is irrelevant without knowing how many contractors are seeking work or already in work.

If there's only 200,000 of us then things are pretty good!

[Soled73]

Yes it's all very depressing at the mo.

I wouldnt say I'm a seasoned contractor, so Ive not built up a big enough circle of agent "friends" for them to contact me before things hit the job boards.

All this patience is causing havoc with the piles.