Trying to find a new job - My story so far...

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Jampy00 said:
I have spent hours making specific resumes and cover letters to highlight my skills
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Question, do you have a LinkedIn profile? Do your resumes and cover letters reflect what is written on your profile?
Potential employers / agencies will definitely look at your LinkedIn profile, if you pass the resume scan phase.
Be sure that there is no information on your resumes that conflicts with what is written on your profile or any other online resumes you may have.

If you haven't already, Google yourself.
 
SLaP said:
> Agency Person - "I guess you would have to give notice then if you decided to leave?"

What if you had said "no, I can start immediately"?
Perhaps with that question they were testing your honesty and level of integrity.
They might not be as clueless as it may appear.
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You missed the first line.

Agency Person - "so basically Mr. Jampy00 our client is look for someone who is honest and has a strong work ethic along with a high level of integrity"

That being said they really should not be looking for someone to bail on a management level job. And by management I don't mean Head Fry Guy and Super Burger.

My point was that it seems that being employeed may hurt your employment offerings.

Of course I am just suspectimng this at this point..
 
Jampy00 said:
You missed the first line.
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I didn't miss the first line. My point was that perhaps they attempted to see if you would conflict your first answer, where you stated you were someone that had those qualities.

I doubt that having a job currently is hurting your chances more than if you didn't have a job. It shows that someone thought you had skills enough to hire. And I don't mean Head Fry Guy skills. :)

Good luck on your job/career search.
 
Agency people are the worst. They'll be your best friend when they have a role they think you are a relative fit for, and then bail when they're done with you. I say relative, because they have quotas to fill as well, so they'll spin your resume to the employer if they think they can, so they can get their comish..

The trick is to get in front of as many of them as you can (agency flunkies) and get them working for YOU. Google talent agency, use it as a LinkedIn search term etc. and just mass mail them your resume. Doesn't hurt. On LinkedIn, you can just find them by job description too. Reach out and send them your res.

Remember, they're useless until they need you.
 
Jampy00 said:
Ha agreed, it has always been like that for me. I am in a niche market but many of my skills can be used in many businesses. I guess my frustration is just the lack of motivation or so it appears to me. I agree there is always competition but as it stands I am getting less than 1% return on my investment. Funny I am taking classes to continue my education and many people in the class are out of work and have been for years all of them in the I.T. field (which is not the field I am in) I sat there in the beginning and wondered how can someone be out of work for years!?! I am now starting to see the frustration of job hunting in Southern Ontario, we simply have an overkill of resources and I feel many companies are simply looking for the "cheapest" not the "best" suited person for the position. I could be wrong mind you, but it sure feels that way from where I am standing.
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You talked salaries with companies already?
 
To answer some of the questions above.

My LinkedIn profile matches my resume

I have no "raunchy" pictures of myself online so I think I am clear of any damaging content

My little conversation (posted above) is not meant to be taken literally, but more as the overall approach I am seeing/hearing from agencies.

I've talked salaries with a few places or met what they posted on job ad etc...
 
I've worked in I/T for 15+ years now. I am at a very senior technical position and am often asked to interview people and if the candidate doesn't make it past me then they have no chance of getting hired or another interview (sometimes I am the first interview, sometimes I am the last). So here's what I look for:
1) I never see cover letters for the most part. But if I get one and it has even a single grammatical or spelling mistake it's over the shoulder for me. So please ensure that someone who speaks English very well, and knows the proper use of "its" vs "it's", reviews your cover letter for errors. Fix everything they point out, and don't be offended.
2) Same spelling and grammatical rules apply for resumes, but I will sometimes get past the cringe-worthy errors if it looks like the candidate has some serious technical skill and experience.
3) If you do get invited in for an interview please keep in mind that the interviewer is most often begrudgingly there against their will, and would much rather be at their desk doing real work. So be happy, confident and relaxed. Don't be nervous. Try practicing being interviewed by your friends and family till you are really confident in the backstory behind why you've been unemployed for a while, or a story as to why you are leaving your current job. I won't hire anyone who is super nervous during an interview and this is because if talking to strangers stresses you out then you'll never be able to handle what terror my company is going to throw at you. keep in mind, there is a difference between confidence and swagger. I'm also not going to hire someone who walks in my door and acts like they are god's gift to I/T.

And I've had to deal with SNC Lavalin for a proposal and I'd suggest staying as far away from that company as you can. Just Google "SNV Lavalin bribes" and you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
I think everyone has dealt with the agency BS at one point or another.

Couple of points:
- Agencies are not "job finding clubs" - either they can make money off you, or you are non-existent to them.
- The quality of recruiter MATTERS GREATLY. Look up who interviewed you.. if they have been in the industry for 6 months, chances are they have 0 contacts, 0 pull and may be filling interview quotas.

Ask yourself this... if you were in Hollywood looking for an acting gig, who would you choose to be your manager? Ari Gold, or some nobody newbie?

I know my answer.

ari-gold-gtfo-o.gif
 
SNC has made it to the news that's all. There are tons of guys who just never got caught yet.
 
I am thinking of changing this topic to why I am start to hate agencies.

So this earlier this week had a call from a agency in regards to a job. half way through their explanation they said they would have to call me back as they did not have all the answers to my questions (very basic questions). Never called me back as they indicated, no big deal I called them back the follwoing day to continue out conversation. The job is far from me but sounded interesting so I agreed to a interview Friday @ 11:30 am and even the interview woudl take me 45 minutes to get to. So of course I made all the "creative" arrangments at work to obatin the time off for this event. Well today at 9:30 I get a call from the same agency but a different person saying they will have to reschedule to Monday, I asked why, they said they didn't know it just has to be Monday, I explained to them that this may be difficult as I do work and have already made arrangements for our original agreed upon time. "Oh, you work?" was the reply I received. God help me.... Unsure if I'll call back at this point..LOL

2nd call this week was from another angency, had the perfect job for me is how they started, asked me a few questions, then I asked about the position half way throught he explanation she says, this is not the right job for you, we'll keep your resume on file and says good bye almost hanging up on me in her need to get off the phone...maybe she had to poop ?

I just find it so strange that no seems to review the resume or at least it seems this way to me until they are already half way through the phone call with you, Also they all sound like they are about 18 years old and have little to know professional skills when speaking or communicating thought.

Growing weary...
 
Jampy00 said:
I just find it so strange that no seems to review the resume or at least it seems this way to me until they are already half way through the phone call with you, Also they all sound like they are about 18 years old and have little to know professional skills when speaking or communicating thought.

Growing weary...
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I think many agencies may be commission based. Kids out of school are having trouble finding decent jobs and the agencies promote 6 figures as an attainable goal. Most people wash out once they realize it's tough and the money is not there, but as the agency had little invested, they don't care. I could be wrong, but that explains most of the agency crap that I have seen over the years.
 
I don't disagree at all, but you'd think the companies that are shelling out money to these agencies would start to ask a few questions. maybe it is just the blind leading the blind.

I am at a loss
 
Jampy00 said:
I don't disagree at all, but you'd think the companies that are shelling out money to these agencies would start to ask a few questions. maybe it is just the blind leading the blind.

I am at a loss
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It is blind leading the blind. You need to have 10 of these monkeys working for you. And by working for you, they think you have something to offer that they need - otherwise they won't lift a finger. Then you can be firm with your availability (hey, I got 9 other guys batting for me..), and get more hits.

Agency is just ONE way to go. Network, network, network.

Also, go on company websites and find the 'contact us link'. You'd be surprised at how many replies you'll get when you address a generic email to them asking to speak to someone in HR about opportunities. Worked a few times for me.

Keep your head up, it's a long road.
 
estone said:
It is blind leading the blind. You need to have 10 of these monkeys working for you. And by working for you, they think you have something to offer that they need - otherwise they won't lift a finger. Then you can be firm with your availability (hey, I got 9 other guys batting for me..), and get more hits.

Agency is just ONE way to go. Network, network, network.

Also, go on company websites and find the 'contact us link'. You'd be surprised at how many replies you'll get when you address a generic email to them asking to speak to someone in HR about opportunities. Worked a few times for me.

Keep your head up, it's a long road.
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Trust me I always take the lead when it comes to my career. It is just when I am stuck using these guys it does not matter what agency they are all 100% fail. I am so pleased when I see a ad stating "no agencies please" that tells me the company really is trying to take control of who works there either that or they (like me) have grown weary..
 
Well, figured I would kick this thread back to life with a update.

Finally found a good agency (I hope) worked fast provided great communication and set up a 2 stage interview with a job that I am actually well suited for skill wise. First interview was with the agency and 2nd followed the next day with the company that was looking to hire. That was all last week, on Friday I hear rumour that a offer is pending so I am eager to hopefully hear some good news. The only big down side for me is I go from a 4km commute to a 49km commute as the job is in North York, the upside is, it is well suited for my skillset allows for personal growth within the company and some global travel along with a very handsome pay and bonus structure. I've had to commute in the past but this will be slightly further and I'll most likely take the 407 to where I need to go, (401&404) area. Now I just need to get and review a offer and submit my notice so I can get my affairs in order (including my trip across USA) fingers crossed.
 
Jampy00 said:
Well, figured I would kick this thread back to life with a update.

Finally found a good agency (I hope) worked fast provided great communication and set up a 2 stage interview with a job that I am actually well suited for skill wise. First interview was with the agency and 2nd followed the next day with the company that was looking to hire. That was all last week, on Friday I hear rumour that a offer is pending so I am eager to hopefully hear some good news. The only big down side for me is I go from a 4km commute to a 49km commute as the job is in North York, the upside is, it is well suited for my skillset allows for personal growth within the company and some global travel along with a very handsome pay and bonus structure. I've had to commute in the past but this will be slightly further and I'll most likely take the 407 to where I need to go, (401&404) area. Now I just need to get and review a offer and submit my notice so I can get my affairs in order (including my trip across USA) fingers crossed.
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Good luck!

How'd it turn out?
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