Already exhausted with online jobs search

Already exhausted with online jobs search

Didn't find your answer?

I just came back from holiday and I feel I need another holiday. I had spent the last the two days searching for on-line jobs. It requires a full time job to go through if you Google “Accounting jobs in London. I suspect 99% of jobs advertised are from recruitment agencies. How one tells which jobs are real? In addition, the same job position is advertised in hundreds different sites.

If you go to the small recruitment companies sites, most of their jobs are found in the big companies (the same jobs), such as Reeds and Hays. I also suspect that most of the positions advertised are not real jobs. They just wanted to get your CV on their database.

So only on my third day of job searching, I am overwhelmed with information and struggled to make any sense of it. I feel I need another break.

What do I need to do in order to be a savvy job searcher? What are the tricks in the market? Is it a waste of time to go after the big players, such as Reeds and Hays, instead focus on the small local ones? Apart from the recruitment agency route, is there any other way to find a job?

Any help and suggestion would be much appreciated.

Replies (17)

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By WhichTyler
19th Jan 2012 10:33

Be more specific

It might help narrow the field if you think about what area you are interested/keen to work in, or think your skills best suit you for. Do you want to work in practice or in business? Big business or small? Charity or public sector? Taxation, compliance, risk, financial or management accounting? What business sector are you interested in (then read the trade mags/sites for that area)? How senior?

This will help you narrow your search on the big sites, and might point you towards some more 'niche' sites if that's where your interests lie. As an employer I would prefer to see candidates who have some sense of why they chose the job I'm offering beyond 'I am looking for an accountancy job in London'.

 

 

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By listerramjet
19th Jan 2012 13:22

you are tired after just 2 days!!!!!

are you on linkedin?  If not you should be.  If you are then make sure it is working for you.  Get your skills and experience up to date and build up your network.  Make sure your USP is clear, and get some recommendations.  Also join some relevant groups, and contribute.

Is your CV up to date, and written properly?  What is your covering letter like?

Agents will be a likely route for you, but what are you doing apart from google to identify and approach likely employers?  Google is just intelligence.  You have to put in some footwork if you really want your claims for exhaustion to be taken seriously.

Job search can seem like a full time occupation, but if you are between jobs then what are you doing to keep up to date and relevant?  Temping and voluntary work as a fill in is worth considering.  It is always easier to get a job if you are in a job.

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By Cantona1
19th Jan 2012 14:46

Already exhausted with online jobs search

Thanks for your help!

I had worked in business for over 12 years. I had a brief spell with a firm  of practice before that. Ideally, I would like to work for small company in a private sector.

I believe I have broad skills in Management/Financial Accounting. I also worked as Financial analyst during my last two years with my ex company.

Since I have not done any job searching for over 13 years, I need some direction on job hunting. Yes, I have my CV and covering letter ready. I have not sent out to any one yet. I do not want to send my CV to unknown faceless recipient at some recruitment agencies.

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Replying to bernard michael:
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By listerramjet
19th Jan 2012 16:12

faceless recipients

quite right - so go and get to know some.  After which you will at least be able to judge which ones you want to do business with!

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By andy_north
19th Jan 2012 17:32

Recruitment

Most of us have at least one 'recruitment' story - a friend of mine used to spend most of his days making jobs up on behalf a recruitment company!!

At AccountingWEB we'd love to hear your recruitment experiences - both good and bad as well as your thoughts on how we might be able to help the situation.

For example - is there a demand for careers advice (perhaps focussing on a particular area of the country at a time)?

Andy North

(Publisher of AccountingWEB)

 

 

 

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By accountsdragon
19th Jan 2012 17:54

I have given up on them

I went down the self-employment route after the last redundancy as I simply could not face the rounds of recruitment agencies.  I have found them to be a necessary evil, who promise everything and rarely deliver.  Yet they wondered why they got short shrift when I was an FD and they were touting for business. 

So I decided that I might as well use my time chasing new clients as wasting time with recruiters.  It's still hard slog, but less de-motivating.

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By taxhound
19th Jan 2012 19:04

sent my cv to my boss

I would particularly like to thank the company that sent my cv to my then boss.  It was only a summary cv, but it was so clearly mine that even my boss spotted it.

So don't trust them as far as  you can throw them.

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By Kazfoster1
19th Jan 2012 19:20

Recruitment Agencies

I went with Hays when I was made redundant near Brum a couple of years ago and was back working again within a month.    Most agencies switched off when I mentioned I was part time, I got despondent and then just happened on a great consultant.

He checked out my cv, contacted all of his recent clients and talked them into interviewing me...  and you know what they say about a foot in the door.

The moral being, I suppose, is you have to kiss a lot of frogs ..........

 

Keep at it - all you need is an interview and accountants are always needed.

 

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By Albert Camus
19th Jan 2012 19:36

Getting a job...

Sorry if I missunderstand this posting, but I have no sympathy for you looking for 2 days and giving up.

I built a business from nothing to be worth over £!,000,000. I then had it taken from me becuase I became ill - look at my previous postings if you want the full story - I was bankcrupted and I lost my qualifications.

I took a job lifting boxes and worked it hard rising to be a senior store manager for a national retailer (not just any retailer, but... you know the one!) in 20 months - I was told this was the fastest this had ever been done.

I then used this job as the basis for 600 applications over three months for roles cloaser to that of which I was capable of and trained for.

I landed 6 interviews and was offered three roles.

I accepted one in an industry I never head of before, but which I see a huge future in.

My boss admitted he took "a punt" with me becuase of my history, but that I am the best business manager they have.

You have everything going for you. Get up, get out and get on with it.

 

Albert

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By Richard Willis
19th Jan 2012 22:58

Albert

Here Here!

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By Cantona1
20th Jan 2012 09:37

Already exhausted with online jobs search

Thank very much all for taking your time to reply!

Most of the comments are positive and encouraging.

Albert, yes, you completely misunderstood my post. How can any sensible person who is looking for a job give up in two days? My issue is I am overwhelmed with information over load and need some help on how to filter them. I may be wasting my time if I am looking at the wrong information. Can I possibly find a job without the use of recruitment firms? If so where do I start? Yes, I can ask if all employers in the UK have a job vacancy,for me but this is not practical. I can look at ACCA’s job site. Accountancy age, magazines and so on, but these sites direct me to recruitment sites, which bring back to square one. I would rather go straight to recruitment sites instead of going though the intermediary, unless of course I am missing something.

Even Gumtree seems to have many vacancies, but difficult to know if they are genuine jobs.  I ask Gumtree whether the vacancies are from real employers, or recruitment agencies. Gumtree, however, is unable to give me a direct answer. If the Gumtree jobs are from employers, trust me, I would spend 24 hours applying for jobs, not just two days.

Any one with Gumtree experience?

I am just looking for a pointer.

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By Alan Davies
20th Jan 2012 10:27

Specialist accounting sites & networking

Its summed up in my post title really.  Use specialist accounting recruitment websites (i'm particularly keen on gaapweb) - they will point you to both 'real' companies and recruiters.  If you filter on the roles and areas that are relevant to you then and send your cv to them then you'll be in touch with all the right recruiters. 

If you have a high impact CV that hits the things that the recruiters are looking for you will get phone calls for the recruiters and they will want to meet you.  Go and meet them all.  Its good practice interviews, its good practice networking and if they have a face to attach to the name on a CV and you've created the right impression then they will work harder for you.  Its the recruiters job to get interview slots filled and if you help them by making it easy for them to see you can do the job they will send your CV to the right places.

Then get networking - get on the phone to all the people you have previously worked for/with. Be explicit that you are looking for a role, if one comes up they will think of you.  Network on line - this is a forum full of accountants - tell us where you are and what area you'd like to work in, your future boss may be here wondering how to fill the vacany they have.

Finally - what local companies would you like to work for?  List them down and get searching their websites for jobs.  If there is nothing listed but you really like the sound of the organisation give their HR dept a ring.

All these may not have instant results but will pay dividends in the end.

Good luck.

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By BigBadWolf
20th Jan 2012 10:30

Register with a few agencies

There are a whole host of agencies ..not just the large ones you mentioned ... there are a whole host of smaller ones out there.

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By Richard Willis
20th Jan 2012 11:30

Having been unemployed, on and off, for two years

the ONLY accountancy jobs I got, temp or perm, were via Reeds, Manpower, and Hayes!  Once you establish a rapport and a (hopefully) good reputation they WILL find you something.

I ended up registered with a HOST of smaller agencies, via applying for jobs on the Reed site that were not listed with the three above.  NONE of them EVER came up with anything.

P.S.  BTW do READ the job specs and only apply for jobs that you fit!  I have just advertised with Job Centre Plus for a post we need to fill and at least 90% of the applicants are chancers that in no way fit the bill.  The sad thing is that most of them say 'you will see from my CV that I fit your requirements' and when I look they don't!

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By Cantona1
20th Jan 2012 12:26

Already exhausted with online jobs search

Thanks again every one with your comments:

Alan: you are right with recruiters. They would not bother to look at CV unless it has colorful words. Jobs advertised are not real- They just want to increase their database for the rainy season. If you are lucky, someone will contact you. What is the point of pressing the apply button for thousands fake jobs? I am sure If I were to apply for these jobs and attach my CV, it will clutter their system.

If recruiters like you-for whatever reason, or motive, you are in a good position to get job interview. He/she is the one who sends you CV to prospective employer after all.

Richard: I do read the specs if I a job is from a real employer, and will try to match the  job specs with mine. If it does not, I do not apply-simple.

 

 

 

 

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By listerramjet
20th Jan 2012 15:59

to keep in mind

there are real jobs out there - some are advertised through recruiters, some on company websites, some in the local press, some in the specialist press, some on a mixture of these. 

recruitment agents are people, and they get paid by filling posts.  Your job is to make it easy for them.  Get to know them, and as Alan said, it will reap dividends.

work on your career.  Get to know the job market specific to your skills,. the employers, the specialist recruiters, what the market will pay, where the jobs are.  Network.  Buil your brand.  do some training, and keep your skills up to date.

work on your CV.  its not about jargon, its about how you sell yourself.

work on yourself as a salesman for yourself.  Not everyone is a natural salesman, but hey, this is your livelihood you are talking about, so its in your interest

and get a job, any job.  Its always easier to get a job if you have a job, and you never know, make a success of it and you might not need to find another.

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By Xabeo
11th Sep 2013 21:15

Alternative to agency recruitment
Sorry I know this is an old thread. I came across this forum after searching for "direct jobs with employers" and I have been encouraged by the number of people looking for the same thing.

Just to let you all know there is such a site that provides this and more, together with the real reason(s) why you didn't get an invitation for interview.

It also guarantees that all jobs are genuine and with a direct employer. There's actually a reward for reporting any recruitment agents that have managed to pose as direct employers.

Visit www.xabeo.com for more information.

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