I meet so many people who feel so down in the dumps about agencies I am heartbroken for them. They think they’re applying for “loads” of jobs on a daily basis and either not hearing anything or getting an impersonal email rejection.
When probed (with questions – not a stick or anything similar!) most of these poor, down-hearted applicants turn out to have been spending their life online. Firing off CVs to electronic adverts, or sending them to info@... email addresses only to be lost in the ether. When I ask them what happened when they followed up they often tell me that they get an email back saying “In the current market we don’t feel that you are a suitable candidate for us” or worse – they just say “I didn’t, I just assumed the job had been filled”.
BEWARE - REVELATION TIME!!!!
RING THE &($*£%^" AGENCY YOU TWIT!!!
Seriously, though are you kidding me? How do you expect to make an impression if you don't connect with these people? They are people you know, they're essentially Sales People... but every now and then you will find one with a soul who is actually interested in helping you to find a job that you really want.
I know this, because before I was Devil-Wear's-Prada-ing my way around the City I was one... and I loved the thrill of getting someone a job they really wanted and of making sure my clients were well looked after.
You need to talk to them. It's pretty obvious that a confident telephone manner is the corner stone of being a crème de la crème Personal Assistant (for that matter I think email has a lot to answer for - make appointments over the phone - much easier that exchanging lists of dates with a stranger - go on - pick up the phone - make a friend!). Use this opportunity to show off one of your core skills.
If the relevant person isn't there and they don't call you back, call again. You are their only commodity, frankly if an agent isn't willing to at least telephone screen you - then they're not a very good agent.... If they can't sell you they might not be "interested" in you or your skills. But I can guarantee one will - and a good one will see your transferable skills and even tell you what they are!
As you know, I'm a career temp at the moment (and loving it) I'm with six agencies and in five months I have only worked for two - but when I'm looking for work I make sure they ALL know.
You should foster these relationships when looking for any kind of work, be it office based, temp or perm. Agencies are a great, convenient way for you to find a job. Trawling adverts is not.
You need to talk to them. It's pretty obvious that a confident telephone manner is the corner stone of being a crème de la crème Personal Assistant (for that matter I think email has a lot to answer for - make appointments over the phone - much easier that exchanging lists of dates with a stranger - go on - pick up the phone - make a friend!). Use this opportunity to show off one of your core skills.
If the relevant person isn't there and they don't call you back, call again. You are their only commodity, frankly if an agent isn't willing to at least telephone screen you - then they're not a very good agent.... If they can't sell you they might not be "interested" in you or your skills. But I can guarantee one will - and a good one will see your transferable skills and even tell you what they are!
As you know, I'm a career temp at the moment (and loving it) I'm with six agencies and in five months I have only worked for two - but when I'm looking for work I make sure they ALL know.
You should foster these relationships when looking for any kind of work, be it office based, temp or perm. Agencies are a great, convenient way for you to find a job. Trawling adverts is not.
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