Modern job hunting

[Unravel_Morrison]

I've had a bit of a weird few years, worked all over and ended up with the same company I was with pre-pandemic. That means, thinking about it, I've had 5 jobs in 4 years after 3 in 22.

I still believe, outside of massive corporations and government that it is still down to people skills. You can be the best IT nerd or whatever but you always need to build a relationship with people. I am lucky in that I know my field of work and products inside out so that doesn't phase me but if I can't answer questions clearly then I dont get a job.

If you're applying for public sector stuff, all common sense, rationale etc forget about it. If you can get in then great, but its not for me.

 

[uncle_rico]

I was contacted by a recruitment consultant a couple of weeks ago regarding a position that I now really fancy. I was getting itchy feet anyway but hadn't really started looking. The consultant has put me forward for the job, a week or two ago, but it's also been advertised on the company's website.

Do I sit tight and wait to hear from consultant, or do I also apply direct, potentially saving the company from paying for the recruitment agency?

 

[BoroGold]

I was made redundant in November last year and have been looking for work since.

I have noticed a big change in recruitment processes (certainly within my current field marketing) and it slowly grinding me down.

Most notable changes I have seen are:

1. Recruiters next to impossible to speak to and when you do they are not as proactive as they used to be.
2. Video submissions, or asking for "creative videos" unrelated to the role you are applying for.
3. Companies asking you to complete tasks and create presentations on them (essentially getting work for free before you have even interviewed.)
4. Lots of bait and switch advertising of the roles. Specifically, specifying the job is remote (I need this as I have my autistic son 50% of the time and have no childcare or support network to assist with childcare) and then in interview saying its in office or hybrid.
5. Application forms sent to you asking for you to essentially write the same details that are in your CV, why not just specify that this is the process to begin with?
6. No salary range on job advert or some asking what my salary expectations are. This is a clear way of trying to minimise compensation for the role.

There are more but those are the most egregious that I am finding the most frustrating.

I have 20 years of experience and have other transferable skills from other job types I have done sporadically (financial research and teaching) and I am being asked to do a video submission showcasing how I am "different or a creative superstar" like I am trying to get on a reality TV show or just outright lied to about what the role is. I have never been this long without work and becoming more disheartened each passing day.

Am I just being left behind and not changing with the times?
Are other job seekers finding similar changes in their respective industries or is this just a marketing specific trend?

And that is only six of the many reasons this once great Country is going down the Pan.

 

[Malaguena]

I was contacted by a recruitment consultant a couple of weeks ago regarding a position that I now really fancy. I was getting itchy feet anyway but hadn't really started looking. The consultant has put me forward for the job, a week or two ago, but it's also been advertised on the company's website.

Do I sit tight and wait to hear from consultant, or do I also apply direct, potentially saving the company from paying for the recruitment agency?

Did you sign anything or formally agree to be represented by the recruitment consultant ?

If you did, he could (but probably wouldn't) take action against you and the company if you got the position directly. Even if you didn't, it's not really the done thing - but depends how you view these things I suppose (and no judgement from me)

 

[Carl1978]

Did you sign anything or formally agree to be represented by the recruitment consultant ?

If you did, he could (but probably wouldn't) take action against you and the company if you got the position directly. Even if you didn't, it's not really the done thing - but depends how you view these things I suppose (and no judgement from me)

I would ask the recruitment company to confirm if they have put you forward for the role.
If they don't confirm or don't come back to you - apply directly.

 

[uncle_rico]

I would ask the recruitment company to confirm if they have put you forward for the role.
If they don't confirm or don't come back to you - apply directly.

No, he's definitely put me forward for the role, but I haven't heard back after I chased him. I don't want to come across too keen, but I know what recruitment consultants are like.

 

[Carl1978]

When did you last chase him? Its not hard from him to reply to say "sorry, not heard back from the client yet".
I would chase again if its been a few days - at least then they know you are keen. Drop him a quick email maybe.
(I run a small IT recruitment company)