The Job Seeking Highs And Lows

On the whole I have been pretty positive about the redundancy thing. It's an opportunity - it's a great way to figure out what you really want to do - you can go to the gym whenever you want.

That's all well and good but there are certainly times when I just miss working. I was always a bit of a workaholic - you know I would always aim to get all that I needed to do done on time no matter what. Getting up and having somewhere to go and something to do each day and the social interaction with colleagues.

Oh and having a nice pay check drop into your account each month - would also be good. Would certainly help out the old finances and mean that I don't have to delve into my savings.

I think the most significant impact of being redundant is when you start to question your own self worth. Maybe there is something not right with me as I'm not securing that all important job. Will my luck ever change? Maybe I am on the scrapheap at 32.

Luckily days like these are few and far between at the 'mo. Should the job hunt thing go on - I fear they will become a bit more frequent.

Stats The Way It Is!

Nothing like a good pun to wile away a dull afternoon. My usual fortnightly visit to the Wood Green Job Centre Plus was today - whoopee. I didn't have to wait around for ages - at least I was seen promptly for a change.

Anyway, I was having a nice chat with the man who was signing off my form today. Turns out that whenever I sign in not only do I have to complete my form saying how I have applied for 3 jobs in 2 weeks (I can do more than that in a mere few hours but that's by the by). Anyway, it now turns out that when I go to sign in I must select 2 jobs from their job search points (basically an online job vacancy database that is so general that it has hardly any marketing roles let alone B2B ones so something that could be construed as rather pointless). I said this to the nice man that 'what's the point if I've applied for lots of jobs through other means'. He said that's what we've been instructed to do by the minister in charge.

So now I will have to go in earlier, scan through a pile of rubbish totally unsuitable jobs, select 2 and print off a slip of paper with them on. Another hurdle to go through and guess what if I don't do it - they'll stop my benefits. That will then mean that I will no longer be one of those unfortunate unemployment statistics and make Mr minister look better and hopefully stay in power for a few moments longer. Using stupid pointless exercises to try and cut the staggering rise in unemployed people seems rather ridiculous to me. Why doesn't Mr minister concentrate on sorting out the economy, providing jobs and proper support to those looking for work. That would be far more beneficial. There is no hiding from the fact that unemployment is spiralling month upon month even if they try and make so many ridiculous demands to try and encourage people to sign off from their books.

The nice man in the jobcentre agreed with my point and said that they had repeatedly stated that the hoop jumping exercises were pointless to the powers that be. Anyway, as I have time on my hands I might just start complaining to Mr Minister - nothing like a good rant.

Recruitment agents - friend or foe?

Hhmm - I am not entirely sure on the response to this question but currently am veering towards the foe sided response.

Having just completed week 3 of my hunt for work, I have seen more recruitment agents than you can shake a stick at. Looking for potential roles in marketing role (where I have traditionally worked) and ones in charity fundraising (a potential career I would like to move into) - I have 2 CV's. This means that I have to post applications to 2 sets of recruitment agents.

Not being wet behind the ears, I fully appreciate that agents ultimately need strong candidates to field to their employers and they earn lots of dosh for placing you in the process.

What I have learnt about recruiters?

Just because they call you in all excited to "come in for a chat", it doesn't actually mean that they have a potential role for you.

A few have actually interviewed me and then said "we have no roles for you. However, can you name your old employers competitors and then I can approach them on your behalf?". This line has happened quite a few times and worries me immensely as follows:

1. As a specialist recruiter in professional services I would expect you to know my previous firms competitors - esp as they were a large well established firm.
2. If you don't know that part of the market, you obviously would not have firmly established contacts in that firm. Where exactly would you be adding value to my job search? I am happy for them to approach competitors where they do have established relationships though as it may be beneficial. But I do object to them wanting to use my CV as a way to get their foot into new potential hirers. This smacks of them being desperate for new jobs and using any means they deem necessary to find new contacts in a fiercely competitive market place.
   
3. As a seasoned marketer I would hope that I had the skills and capabilities to approach the immediate competitor firms directly, if it's something that I want to explore.

Don't get me wrong there have been some lovely knowledgeable ones along the way who I am keeping in touch with on a regular basis. They give constructive feedback about your CV, know the market and understand what it is that I am really after. They're the ones who I am happy to put me forward for roles. Also, they're the ones that I will go to when I do have a job and am looking to hire new staff.