How have you found employment?

Thomas. PLease. · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:30

I'm curious as I'm considering moving to London and am obviously looking for employment. I've got a skilled job in the financial sector but I've worked for the same company since I left uni, and have never really had to apply for jobs on the open market as it were.

Just curious how you guys have found jobs in the past? Mass website like reed.com, or by sending out CV's direct to the senior managers in areas of specific companies you'd like to work for?

Which has been best and why?

dfarrall · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:31

Job sites, company websites, recruiters. All good for varying reasons.

RedvGreen · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:32

CVs to prospective employers (big companies/blue-chip companies) was the main one for me.

robgmun · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:33

dfarrall said:
Job sites, company websites, recruiters. All good for varying reasons.

+1

J-FRO · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:35

Don't waste time on applications, call them first, ask to speak to HR and check to see if there is even a job available.

If so, then do the application.

dfarrall · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:36

J-FRO said:
Don't waste time on applications, call them first, ask to speak to HR and check to see if there is even a job available.

If so, then do the application.

Recruiters will do this for you if you put your CV out on big job sites.

Will Gill · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:37

word of mouth since my first ever job, never once been asked for references, exam certificates, degrees etc... (good job too as I have none!)

but maybe I've been lucky but thats been my experience

AtreuS · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:37

Just stood down the docks with a "get it here" sign... seemed to work

WillyNelson · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:40

What exactly do you do Thomas?

I'm a management accountant and I've found my jobs through specialist finance recruitment companies.

Kishywish · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:42

Specialist recruiters are the way to go - let them do the legwork.

Thomas. PLease. · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:45

I'm currently working in savings pricing. Is it just a case of googling for specialist recruiters or are there any particularly good agencies?

FoxEye · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:46

Pretty awful, to be honest.

Oh, you mean how did we get our jobs?

andy_mk3 · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:47

I found it best going to companies and applying direct.

HangTime · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:52

I found my current employer by scouring job sites and then applying direct. I've subsequently changed role within the company 3 times and only one of those involved a proper interview.
Nowadays when job hunting I use an aggregator like www.indeed.co.uk.
The impression I get is that being 'head-hunted' (I use the term loosely.... spammed might be more appropriate!) on LinkedIn is taking off a lot now as despite having very few contacts I get messages from recruiters every now and then.

dowie · 28 Oct 2013 at 21:55

First job was at a brokerage - got it via a recruiter... second job was at a trading firm, called up and spoke to them directly. Third job is currently at a FinTech vendor - was via a recruiter.... currently considering another move.

do you have a linkedin profile? I'd suggest setting one up, joining a few relevant groups to the area you're in and you'll find recruiters will regularly contact you.

Thomas. PLease. · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:03

Ah ok, I do have a profile but had never really used it. I'll look into setting it up properly. Thanks

PooBrain · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:19

Do not come here to London. I repeat do NOT come here! This city will swallow you up like it does to everybody else below the upper-middle class.

Dr.EM · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:23

Most recently, via an agency. An uncommonly helpful one too, but specialist.

Nitefly · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:26

PooBrain said:
Do not come here to London. I repeat do NOT come here! This city will swallow you up like it does to everybody else below the upper-middle class.

Loads of my friends love it and some of them are work below average wage jobs.

Thomas. PLease. · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:26

PooBrain said:
Do not come here to London. I repeat do NOT come here! This city will swallow you up like it does to everybody else below the upper-middle class.

What makes you say that, and you mean what by being swallowed up?

Dr.EM said:
Most recently, via an agency. An uncommonly helpful one too, but specialist.

Mind me asking which one? And in what sector did they specialise?