Graduate Prospects - September 5, 2007 - (Page 2)

2 PROSPECTS GRADUATE Issue 50 · 5 September 2007 · Fortnightly www.prospects.ac.uk BLOGGERS AT WORK ‘A tree had fallen on the line’ RACHEL’S DASH TO INTERVIEW ‘They never imagined doing this work’ KIRSTIE AND THE LOST GRADS ‘I made excuses and ran’ WHERE WILL NIAMH LIVE? Job found CAN AGENCIES HELP? Jennie Burbage used an agency to find her job as a fashion buyer. Here’s how. I contacted several agencies who specialised in retail and also buying - I found them on the internet but also from recommendations from friends on similar courses at uni. I met all but one agency face to face in London. Some of the agencies were quite dismissive as I had just graduated and only had limited work experience, which was quite disheartening but I think this can sometimes depend on their workload and the individual consultant rather than reflect the market and your skills. When I met each agent this was in an interview style which was quite relaxed but was good practice at selling yourself and highlighted any gaps in experience/knowledge which you could downplay when it came to the actual interview stage. All agents will ask you to sign up with them only as they don’t want to risk another agency getting the commission; as long as you don’'t let different agencies put you up for the same jobs or companies than it’s probably best to have two people working for you. I had two agencies at the start but one came back with nothing - the other agency was very enthusiastic and called every week for an update on what was about and sent a lot of information on the company before interviews. My biggest tip is to be focused in what you want to do and the type of company you want to work for - this sounds obvious but it’s hard when you’ve graduated and all your friends all seem to be getting jobs. The agency is ultimately interested in getting you placed (anywhere!) so they get their commission. They can also be very persuasive - I was interested in fashion and they tried to get me to go for a job at ‘Disney Store’ buying children's character costumes! Also make sure you get your recruitment consultant to work for you (you’re earning them commission by getting the job!) and be confident that they have researched the position properly (I’ve sat in interviews that I was told were for one position but they turned out to be for a completely different position very embarrassing!). If you feel they aren’t marketing you effectively then ask to change consultants or agencies. Work and career hopes often depend not just on impressing recruiters, but also on pleasing a third party – the agency. However, some graduates are able to make good use of agencies for career roles as well as temping. To get the best out of agencies candidates need to be clear about what they Over the past two years this magazine has want. They should try to build a good received many comments from readers about relationship with their agencies so it’s agencies, pointing to a basic principle: use the advisable to sign up with only a couple. The agency rather than be used by them. most promising agencies are those that are The agencies’ mission is to earn fees from interested enough in job-seekers to want to companies with vacancies; job seekers and interview them (though they don’t pay temps are the means to this goal. This expenses). shouldn’t prevent agencies providing a good The first step for using agencies is to do some service for those seeking work, but sometimes research. Agencies should be reputable as well it seems to, particularly for graduates looking as having the appropriate vacancies. The ideal for permanent jobs. is an agency recommended by another user. At a minimum the agency should belong to the Agencies’ consultants are paid for results so Recruitment and Employment Confederation they tend to forget about candidates who are (see www.jobseekers-uk.com). Checking an a challenge to place. For similar reasons, agencies are accused of pushing job seekers agency’s website will reveal whether it has the towards unsuitable vacancies. right sort of jobs. Agencies argue in their defence that there is nothing they can do if a candidate lacks the relevant experience clients often demand. Another way of finding suitable agencies is by looking on job boards for relevant vacancies often an agency will have put them there. HOW DO YOU RATE THESE ARTICLES? INFORMATION AND ADVICE Job-hunting tips www.prospects.ac.uk/links/jobhunt All about applications www.prospects.ac.uk/links/appsinterviews Graduate chat online www.prospects.ac.uk/links/gradtalk What job suits you www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pplanner http://www.prospects.ac.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_Articles/Feature_articles_2007/Niamh_s_job_log__14/p!eFjLklc http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_Articles/Feature_articles_2007/Rachel_s_job_log__28/p!eigdpmc http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_Articles/Feature_articles_2007/Kirstie_s_job_log__6/p!egicmpc http://www.jobseekers-uk.com http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_Articles/Feature_articles_2007/How_do_you_rate_these_articles_50/p!eeXlaLj http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/jobhunt http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/appsinterviews http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/gradtalk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pplanner

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Graduate Prospects - September 5, 2007

Editorial: Can Agencies Help? Editorial: Job Blogs R S Consulting Group 4 Securicor Editorial: Get into the Olympics Majestic Wine Warehouses Ltd First Conferences Granta Design Ltd O2 Conquest Research Ltd University of Brighton BSRIA Crouch Chapman Resin Express Matson Driscoll & Domico UK Perriam & Everett Recruitment University of Manchester QS Network Editorial: Climate for Study

Graduate Prospects - September 5, 2007

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