[BrensBenz]

I’m a degree-qualified, experienced manager with a wide-ranging CV and good references but, during my last enforced inactivity, NONE, that is NOT ANY application to an Irish agency, including state-run agencies, received ANY response. UK agencies responded quickly and with specific (not cut and paste) replies. Guess where I work now?
I may be wrong but I think the caliber and training of agency personnel varies greatly, from professional to dufuss and, if you keep that in mind, you can avoid becoming upset or depressed with their performance. Competition is fierce so I suggest that, if a job you are really interested in is being handled by Dufuss, go around him / her. Be polite…..but determined, i.e. demonstrate some innate qualities that can be added to those listed in your CV. After all, when you get a job, you will have to deal with a range of situations, IQs and abilities that may not have been covered by your syllabus.
Best of Luck.

[zweton]

So whats the best way to approach them guys,phone straight away?

[markfdrums]

There is no best way of dealing with them. You will most likely get a receptionist who takes 50 calls an hour. Call in and make an appointment

[karl bracken]

I usually send in CV and then call the next day looking for who evers name is on the bottom of the add. If you see the company name on the add call their HR.

applydirect.com.au cut out the middle man

[universe777]

Originally Posted by karl bracken

I usually send in CV and then call the next day looking for who evers name is on the bottom of the add. If you see the company name on the add call their HR.

applydirect.com.au cut out the middle man

It is rare for them to put their name on the ad these days. I heard that is a good way to pick out the real ads from the fake cv fishing ads.

applydirect is a nice concept but it doesn't have much on it apart from retail, medical and govt jobs. Govt jobs are already listed on the govt job page daily.

[markymark21]

Me and the GF applied for around 6 or 7 jobs on gumtree and a couple on Seek. Got replies from nearly everyone and had 7 interviews (each) lined up over two days

Needless to say I reckon you better off cutting out the middleman!

[Readyhed]

Despite all the modern technology we now enjoy the best way to get you cv on the top of the pile is by using the "personal touch". Nowadays it is called networking but it means the same thing.

Always try to get to talk to someone on the phone. Meet them face to face is even better. A guy wadeing through CVs will say "Oh Yeah- He's the guy I spoke to on the phone- seems clued in".

Agency recruiters are humans and humans feel empathy. Get to know them, cultivate them and you will be on their mind when a job comes in.

People here have criticised Hays. I got loads of contract work through them but every time it was the same recruiter. I would talk to him for ages, about the economy, family anything. We had lunch a couple of times. If a job came up he wanted me to get it. He knew I would not make a show of him at interview. This is how it worked 30 years ago and not much has changed since then.

One day I rang and was told he was gone and I was put onto a woman who was totally dis-interested. Since then I have never heard from them with a single job.

Any time I ring they give me a cock and bull story and ask for an updated CV. They are now crap but the employment situation is dire also. Any edge you can get could be the difference between success and failure.

[karl bracken]

Originally Posted by universe777

applydirect is a nice concept but it doesn't have much on it apart from retail, medical and govt jobs. Govt jobs are already listed on the govt job page daily.

Sorry i forgot how small the retail and medical market was, probably a waste of a website...

There are lots of jobs on seek that have contact info be it recruitment companies or the employer themselves at least you have somewhere to start.

The glass is half full bud, were here to help people not debate information thats correct

[zweton]

Anyone been successful with geting support/helpdesk roles through seek? Or if anyone
knows any good agencies specialising in this area could you let me know.

Thanks guys

[karl bracken]

To be honest it comes down to experience and visa status, fresh off the boat i got lucky with Command recruitment and Hays but it comes down to how hungry is the Recruitment Consultant and are they bothered with people on a WHV because i dont think they get much commission for that

[zweton]

ok cool siting here on me laptop now going through the different rec agencies!

[amybabes]

While I agree with a lot of what has already been said on this thread, being honest - it is sometimes the only option to get work if you are not in a trade -to go through agencies.

My 2 cents:

Register with as many agencies as you can, I registered with about 12 over a few months. Its annoying, you go in, fill out the same paperwork, answer the same questions etc etc - some agencies will be really positive and fill you with **** and you will never hear from them again, others you will strike lucky with and will really look after you.
Some in Sydney I have found good for getting me work: SMF Recruitment, Julia Ross, Orbis.
Worst - Officeteam - they call you alot about jobs, but mostly crap ones with CRAP PAY. I once told the girl i would accept minimum $28 an hour for temp work and she still rang me several times a week about $20 an hour jobs or asking what was the minimum i would work for. WTF - they are supposed to get you as much money as they can!

Sometimes it is the only way companies will take on people on working holiday or non permanent visas. I am sponsored (de facto) and over the last year got a temp contract that has turned perm. Would never have got it only for I temped first and got the job through an agency. I know for a fact that our company doesn't advertise jobs themselves and only go through agencies.
It is a good way to get your foot in the door as they say!