Forgot how bad job searching was :(

PaulStat said:
Just been told I was pipped to the post by someone who has experience developing software for that particular industry. So close! :(
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that, my last two interviews I have been pipped by experience. Still gutted about one of them two weeks later so know how you feel.
 
As part of my redundancy package.. my old place paid for a month of unlimited credits for Penna. An organisation that helps those affected get back into work. I'd arranged to delay the start due to the december and then start in jan.. Last unlimited day is 12th but...

I've had a 1:1 industry coach (knowledgable about my industry area) work through ripping my CV apart, I've had a Linkedin workshop showing how to get the best out of it for job hunting.. I have a success at interviews and a networking event also booked..

My only concern is it takes time to get through it and to get the CV, linkedin profile tuned through a weekly iterative approach. However it's been good.. now I have to put some of that into practice and get hunting.. however the drop of momentum over the last two months has really needs an effort to get started. Sitting at home hasn't helped but the Penna office gets me out of the house.

Think I'm going down with a cold.. passed on by attending the courses!
 
Last edited:
PaulStat said:
Oh FFS, had an interview a couple of weeks ago, agent said at the end of last week I was still the strongest candidate they had seen but still had more interviews to conduct.

Just been told I was pipped to the post by someone who has experience developing software for that particular industry. So close! :(
Click to expand...

Whilst I realise it does vary depending on your speciality....Bristol has loads of developer jobs available at the moment so I wouldn't get too down about it, plenty more about to fire your CV over to.

I'm begining to think about looking again, from a quick search on ITJobBoard this morning I've decided it's going to be a hilarious few months ahead dealing with moronic recruitment agencies for me.

I think the best thing I did was get my CV looked at and sorted out properly, mine is quite simple in layout but seems to be strong enough to make getting into interviews fairly easy.
 
Done my CV again and started hunting once again for an engineering apprenticeship that doesn't pay £ 100 a week which isnt viable for me anymore. Any idea of good websites to locate such apprenticeships or courses I could potentially do whilst working? I know about indeed, Reed, an the national apprenticeships site.
 
InvaderGIR said:
Whilst I realise it does vary depending on your speciality....Bristol has loads of developer jobs available at the moment so I wouldn't get too down about it, plenty more about to fire your CV over to.

I'm begining to think about looking again, from a quick search on ITJobBoard this morning I've decided it's going to be a hilarious few months ahead dealing with moronic recruitment agencies for me.

I think the best thing I did was get my CV looked at and sorted out properly, mine is quite simple in layout but seems to be strong enough to make getting into interviews fairly easy.
Click to expand...

I used to work .net recruitment for one of the big recruiters in Bristol a few years back. Apologies for all the spam and bull ****!

It really was the worst job I've ever had.

My first week consisted of phoning people and lying about a perfect job for them in an attempt to get their references and then sell back to their line managers.

Not cool.
 
I'm very selective in when I'll give out my CV and also ensure I state that they are only to use it for the one job I'm interested in so generally hear back about booking a phone/face to face interview quite quickly.

Previously I've just let them go nuts with my CV and it's been awful hence my rather reserved approach now, plus I don't need to change so I have no rush and can be super picky. I also don't include my references in my CV, only previous employment so no worries for me on that. :p
 
InvaderGIR said:
Whilst I realise it does vary depending on your speciality....Bristol has loads of developer jobs available at the moment so I wouldn't get too down about it, plenty more about to fire your CV over to.

I'm begining to think about looking again, from a quick search on ITJobBoard this morning I've decided it's going to be a hilarious few months ahead dealing with moronic recruitment agencies for me.

I think the best thing I did was get my CV looked at and sorted out properly, mine is quite simple in layout but seems to be strong enough to make getting into interviews fairly easy.
Click to expand...

I had another interview this morning, pegged as the final interview to one I had attended at the beginning of December.

The recruitment agent failed to inform me however of the feedback, basically I'd been called back to be considered for a slightly more junior role as the role I had applied for previously I lacked experience in the mentoring side of things.

So they called me back as they liked me and what I demonstrated in a technical test and would I be interested in this new role, I think it went quite well. Never been interviewed by 3 people at once so that was a new experience.

Fingers crossed!
 
Good stuff!

Really do need to get on and apply for other roles again, missed out on one which would have been perfect, didn't get proper feedback and had rather strong words with the recruiter about lack of feedback which I suspect will have blacklisted me. Shame as the company I interviewed for would potentially have new roles later in the year.
 
soundb0y said:
I used to work .net recruitment for one of the big recruiters in Bristol a few years back. Apologies for all the spam and bull ****!

It really was the worst job I've ever had.

My first week consisted of phoning people and lying about a perfect job for them in an attempt to get their references and then sell back to their line managers.

Not cool.
Click to expand...

Yup.. all the recruiters want now is your linkedin contacts.. so I ignore all the invites - instead sending them a polite mail to discuss the opportunity they have for me on the number given.

Actually I went on a Penna course last week on linkedin.. not much new (for me) but some interesting answers from a recruiter perspective.

Got a couple more coming up - interviews and networking.. so should start to build my momentum.

At the moment I'm in the doldrums - I have CV almost finished and I know what I want todo for linked in but I just need the enthusiasm to do it. All part of the big R curve.. so I need to start somewhere to gain momentum :D
 
Last edited:
Well my most recent interview was ok.

Excel test was not too bad and interview was decent.

However was due to hear back early this week, so I gather I have not been successful.

The only other job I have an application in for I was due to hear by Monday if I had an interview.


So back to the drawing board.
 
PaulStat said:
I had another interview this morning, pegged as the final interview to one I had attended at the beginning of December.

The recruitment agent failed to inform me however of the feedback, basically I'd been called back to be considered for a slightly more junior role as the role I had applied for previously I lacked experience in the mentoring side of things.

So they called me back as they liked me and what I demonstrated in a technical test and would I be interested in this new role, I think it went quite well. Never been interviewed by 3 people at once so that was a new experience.

Fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

Wahey I have an offer which I've verbally accepted, just need to wait for paperwork to come through before I hand in my notice :)
 
Just finished my linkedin update :D (that is a big step for me.. as I hit the low point on sunday/monday). I have the CV updated with the help of my coach.. and I have a networking event tomorrow :D
 
Really need to find myself a long term career and make a life plan :( properly stuck in a rut at the moment.

Congrats to all WO are finding jobs and new opportunities :)
 
I put my C.V onto C.VLibrary and within 30 mins I had a phone call - 40 mins after that I'd had another 4 - I continued to recived offers of around 1-2 a day for the next few weeks but I found the job I wanted about 5 weeks ago and only just sorted everything out to hand in my notice. I've never had to wait so long to hear if I got the job or not.

I have to admit - it took longer than I thought and it was demoralising to not get a job when others are competing for the same one. I got feed back several times saying 'ideal candidate but gone with someone else.' Each interview was lost time at work and stressful in a unique way.
 
Quinnaay said:
Done my CV again and started hunting once again for an engineering apprenticeship that doesn't pay £ 100 a week which isnt viable for me anymore. Any idea of good websites to locate such apprenticeships or courses I could potentially do whilst working? I know about indeed, Reed, an the national apprenticeships site.
Click to expand...

You need to contact the AMRC in sheffield I mentor our apprentices from there and it is a good place to start. There is also Brinsworth Training - I did my apprenticeship there a few years back.
 
So after applying for jobs every day for about 2 weeks I was suddenly flooded with interview requests. I did 3 of them, was offered the job by 2 of them and had another 3 interviews lined up but I accepted one of the offers and so cancelled everything else :)

My experience in job searching this time around was much easier, once Christmas was out of the way and we were into the new year there were a lot of jobs being advertised and I had no problems getting interviews! I also didn't struggle at all on any of the interviews and from feedback i received it seems I was always at the top or near the top of their list of choices. All in all was a pretty easy experience.
 
Manbatius said:
It's a performance review advisor role for the police,.

The job description is rather generic though. "interpret statistics", "identify data", "produce reports"
oh and the key one "be experienced in advanced features of Microsoft Excel"
depends on their definition of advanced!

My current role is a data manager I use excel a lot, however once I set up my systems everything is rather automated so I worry I will feel rusty!

Thanks for responding btw.
Click to expand...

If your playing with statistics why the hell are you using EXCEL, learn minitab and do something useful.
 
The problem I found with hiding your C.V from recruiters is that you don't 'see' all jobs out there - some places like reed won't put all jobs on the website - they will cherry pick c.v's for the role and contact you directly. It may be a different experience in some jobs types idk, I'm told that my field (machine tool maintenance) there aren't too many people (I know lots of people in that field lol) so I suspect a c.v with that tag on it can be found quickly.
I did find it annoying that I stated 'no travel' (I hate driving to jobs with a passion and staying in hotels is torture for me - I did it for 9 month) and then get people calling to see if I would 'consider' changing my stance on this.
 
SPG said:
If your playing with statistics why the hell are you using EXCEL, learn minitab and do something useful.
Click to expand...

Hah, Will keep that in mind if I get the job.

In my current role I do not deal with statistics that much. Plus its nhs getting any software is nigh on impossible. I have to fill out a lengthy form just to get them to install drivers for my scanner.
I am looking forward to the IT team giving up on getting my scanner (manufactured 2001) running. Fully expect to get told I need a replacement and then the department won't be able to afford it. Software is as difficult to get unless its already there. So Msoft office is the main tool availible (pre 2003 if your on some machines)

If I get that new job and there are a lot of statistics I will look into minitab though! Had a quick look now seems good, Just hope I have more flexibility in what software I use. Using the right tool for the job helps!
 
They will have similar restrictions s in terms of software, of will need to be vetted and approved (security / vulnerability wise) I would have thought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom