How did you find your job?

[GlitteryPink]

I am a graduate looking for a job and am wondering if anyone has actually got a job from one of those websites which offer 1000s of jobs (total jobs, monster, Reed etc) In my experience, recruitment agencies have been a bit useless...most people I know have got their job through applying to companies direct. What has everyone else found?

[Andy008]

I would advise applying to companies direct and avoiding agencies unless absolutely necessary.

They are focused only on their commission like any other sales persons - that they are selling jobs is just a relevant circumstance.

[WoWo]

The job websites are fine if you apply for advertised jobs but I wouldn't put your CV on there waiting for people to contact you.

[loobie]

When I left uni I put my CV on loads of job websites. It took a while but a lady contacted me who owned her own recruitment company. She had seen my e-mail and thought I would be suitable for a job she had on her books. I didn't get that job but I got the one after through her and a year later I am still here. She was a wonderful lady and really cared about me getting a job not just for the comission. We met for coffee before my first interview to go through techniques and stuff. she was a great help so sometimes it does work out by posting your cv on websites. Plus it only takes a few minutes so it's worth a try anyhow.

Good luck in getting a job. It is hard but something will come up.

[chazza]

I found mine in the jobfinders section of the local paper

[gammaray]

I worked for a few people.... then started my own company. That was 25 years ago. Most of the people I employ (in senior positions) I already new about, and I poached them or have written specifically asking to work for me.

[Bohne]

My first job after graduation I got by replying to newspaper adverts.

Four years ago, when I changed jobs, I actually got two offers from companies I found via one of those websites, however, the one I took, I got through personal recommendation.

[theo_wyvern]

i would use the following methods

job websites

recruitment agencies

newspapers

apply directly

This is not a faceious(?) post, it will simply open you up to more opportunities. Job websites are fine to use, post your CV but keep searching yourself.

[Karen2005]

A friend recently put her CV on Monster and was contacted by two agencies as a result. She met both of them, one put her forward for a job which she was subsequently offered, so it does work sometimes!

I have also recently applied for a job via Reed. I get the impression that they act as a large search database which other agencies post jobs to. I was contacted by an agency yesterday who want to put me forward for the job I applied for, so again it can sometimes work.

I have found agencies to be rather hit and miss in the past though. Some have been great and are in frequent contact, but others are worse than useless. Agencies can be rather frustrating if they refuse to put you forward for a role they don't think you are suitable for. I guess that is what the company is paying for (someone to sift through the CVs for them), but it can be annoying. My current job was advertised through an agency I was registered with at the time, but they didn't put me forward. When the job was advertised in the main press, I went for it and was offered the job!

As theo_wyvern says - cast your net as wide as possible and you'll find something. No harm in putting your CV on the site and seeing what comes of it.

Good luck!

[c00ky83]

Graduate Recruitment Bureau. www.grb.uk.com

I can't speak highly enough of them - I was going nowhere until they got me a job I never even knew I wanted and it couldn't be better!

[eash]

i have had three different jobs and i got all of them through accountacy additions. Very good service and can be very discreet if need be. One of my friends recommends Hays as an agency.

[sweetsal]

In response to Andys answer I have been working as a recruitment consultant for the last 5 years with a well established recruitment consultancy. I do not work on commision nor do my colleagues. We do not sell jobs we provide a recruitment service to our clients. They are the ones who are payng us.

To glittery if you are going to work with an agency use a reputable one that you feel comfortable with that you think will represent you well. Agencies have the ability to sell your experience to the company before you meet with them so can be good.

[sammd]

I found those websites and agencies to be a waste of time. I used the Yellow Pages and phoned up every company in my area who did what i wanted to do and sent the interested ones my CV. I started my job the day after i finished uni. Definitely worthwhile trying, although i guess it depends what type of job you're looking for and therefore if the companies are all listed in a certain section.

[Zorr0]

Through recruitment agents

[funkymoped]

cold calling. knocking on doors !

[valleyman70]

I have found the job websites to be a bit of a waste of time - I had more luck firing off my CV to companies directly. Good luck.

[??!]

I registered with numerous agencies with specific job requirements. They send me SO many jobs but none of them are close to being near what I wanted to do, until I signed up with a small, specialist agency. I would find one that only deals with jobs in the field you want to enter. If you can't find one...applying directly is the best way forward, it can just get frustarating when you don't get an answer either way!