Finding a new job?

[Mike Hoxbig]

It's a lot harder than I thought it would be!

A bit of background - I work for a small company as a systems analyst. Love the work that I do, but have started feeling pretty stagnant in the sense that it's basically the same sort of work which is hampering my growth. So I've decided that I need a new environment and a fresh set of challenges, and started looking for alternatives since September last year.

Now the problem is this - I've registered on all the main sites, and received numerous calls from recruiters. They request a bunch of documentation which I provide, and then I never hear from them again! It's an incredible waste of my time, and it seems like these sites are basically littered with ads from recruiters - companies rarely advertise directly. I've tried applying directly with companies on their websites, but it's the same story - you never hear back from them.

The problem definitely isn't my CV, skills, track record or qualifications because I meet all the relevant criteria and have been told so by these same recruiters. Perhaps the work that I do is somewhat specialist in nature - I don't have much development experience but satisfy every other criteria of a systems/business analyst. It's the only thing that I can think of.

So basically what I'm asking is how do you guys go about finding a new job? How is it that some people seem to move so easily?

 

[GhostSixFour]

If you had posted this a month back....

In fact - come to think of it, our sister company might still be looking.

 

[Waaib]

I've always found that word of mouth and personal referral work more better and faster than using recruiters.

 

[Paul_S]

The feeling I get is that in the current economic environment a lot of businesses have battened down the hatches to weather the storm.
That means operational staff (cheap) are retained to keep the lights on and companies cut back on the planners and dreamers (expensive).
Just my hunch though - no hard proof to back it up.

 

[Drifter]

I agree with you Paul_S.

 

[TehStranger]

It's a lot harder than I thought it would be!

A bit of background - I work for a small company as a systems analyst. Love the work that I do, but have started feeling pretty stagnant in the sense that it's basically the same sort of work which is hampering my growth. So I've decided that I need a new environment and a fresh set of challenges, and started looking for alternatives since September last year.

Now the problem is this - I've registered on all the main sites, and received numerous calls from recruiters. They request a bunch of documentation which I provide, and then I never hear from them again! It's an incredible waste of my time, and it seems like these sites are basically littered with ads from recruiters - companies rarely advertise directly. I've tried applying directly with companies on their websites, but it's the same story - you never hear back from them.

The problem definitely isn't my CV, skills, track record or qualifications because I meet all the relevant criteria and have been told so by these same recruiters. Perhaps the work that I do is somewhat specialist in nature - I don't have much development experience but satisfy every other criteria of a systems/business analyst. It's the only thing that I can think of.

So basically what I'm asking is how do you guys go about finding a new job? How is it that some people seem to move so easily?

We've just hired a BA come to think of it. Haven't got any good advice to give, but best of luck!

P.S. - Add the fact that you drive a GT86 to your C.V., it can't hurt!

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I've always found that word of mouth and personal referral work more better and faster than using recruiters.

My mates all work in different industries though. The only network I have available to me for word of mouth references are clients, and I have a clause in my contract preventing me from moving to a client to work in a similar role

We've just hired a BA come to think of it. Haven't got any good advice to give, but best of luck!

P.S. - Add the fact that you drive a GT86 to your C.V., it can't hurt!

Yeah, because that'll get people to give more more money

 

[hsmnel]

register on LinkedIn and share your skills there

 

[Enzo Matrix]

PM me

 

[Nicodeamus]

I'm also in the same boat at the moment. My job started out fun then it just gets lame and boring.

 

[Merlin]

Be cautious when considering leaving a job these days...

In my last role I would have been considered as a 'niche specialist, in the IT industry'. It was a skilled role, but not one that is in real demand in this country. The firm that I was employed for was heading for a management and financial escarpment. This coincided with my family relocating across the country, so, with a bleak view at the office, I resigned and followed my family.

I've now been unemployed for 16 months, and counting. I've probably been 'out of the game' for too long for most employers and my location's opportunities have proven less than stellar. Trying to find work in another area, in a country with hundreds of applications per vacancy, is...problematic, especially when you can't finance job-less living somewhere else for at least a few months.

I'm trying my damndest not to lose hope, but it's tough. I don't, for a moment, regret leaving my last employer, or following my family, but I am quick to warn others to find something else before they file their forms these days...

 

[Chevron]

I am quick to warn others to find something else before they file their forms these days...

of course.

Always make sure you have the next offer signed before resigning.

 

[cguy]

The problem definitely isn't my CV, skills, track record or qualifications because I meet all the relevant criteria and have been told so by these same recruiters. Perhaps the work that I do is somewhat specialist in nature - I don't have much development experience but satisfy every other criteria of a systems/business analyst. It's the only thing that I can think of.

Perhaps you are emphasizing the wrong skill sets? If you have some development experience, emphasize it - going on about things that are too specific to your current job, or about the more "analyst" side of your job, tends to scream: not a coder, cannot directly effect change. If you really don't have dev skills, I suggest learning some, for this reason.

So basically what I'm asking is how do you guys go about finding a new job? How is it that some people seem to move so easily?

Personally, I got my last job because I was found on linkedin. Definitely worthwhile.

 

[TehStranger]

Yeah, because that'll get people to give more more money

"This man has good taste in cars, but we need to hire him and pay him loads so eh can afford something with a proper amount of power."

Be cautious when considering leaving a job these days...

In my last role I would have been considered as a 'niche specialist, in the IT industry'. It was a skilled role, but not one that is in real demand in this country. The firm that I was employed for was heading for a management and financial escarpment. This coincided with my family relocating across the country, so, with a bleak view at the office, I resigned and followed my family.

I've now been unemployed for 16 months, and counting. I've probably been 'out of the game' for too long for most employers and my location's opportunities have proven less than stellar. Trying to find work in another area, in a country with hundreds of applications per vacancy, is...problematic, especially when you can't finance job-less living somewhere else for at least a few months.

I'm trying my damndest not to lose hope, but it's tough. I don't, for a moment, regret leaving my last employer, or following my family, but I am quick to warn others to find something else before they file their forms these days...

Sorry to hear about the situation, hope it improves in the near future. This is why you have the next offer lined up before you resign.

 

[Chevron]

Perhaps you are emphasizing the wrong skill sets? If you have some development experience, emphasize it - going on about things that are too specific to your current job, or about the more "analyst" side of your job, tends to scream: not a coder, cannot directly effect change. If you really don't have dev skills, I suggest learning some, for this reason.

I had this thought as well, but wasn't sure how to phrase it.

probably too much/little jargon or just different wording needs to be used and emphasis changed slightly.

 

[Merlin]

Thanks, TehStranger.

I had begun the search prior to leaving, but the niche role I was in at the time didn't help my case much.

I have quite a varied skill set, but it doesn't seem to be helping me much these days.

The other thing that I've noticed is that if you're Single, you're screwed. The cost-of-living today is substantial and even basic living requires a fairly hefty sum.

 

[BobsLawnService]

Agencies often falsify job ads to get CVs for their databases so I suspect that a large number of positions being advetised don't actually exist. Times are hard and they are getting more desperate and less ethical.

 

[Merlin]

Agencies often falsify job ads to get CVs for their databases so I suspect that a large number of positions being advetised don't actually exist. Times are hard and they are getting more desperate and less ethical.

If that's true, it's disgusting.

 

[zolly]

I've always found that word of mouth and personal referral work more better and faster than using recruiters.

It's not what you know, it's who you know.

 

[Sonic2k]

let me weigh in here.
I will never ever use a recruitment agency again. Never ever, never ever, never ever.
LinkedIn has done wonders for my career prospects, as well as people networking with me. That was one of the best moves I ever made in my life. What also helped was I am experienced in a lot of different things and never stopped learning. These days people are more hard up for getting the work done, in that regard, it pays to provide tangible proof of what you have done previously. In interviews I usually arrive with a box full of products I have designed, and let them play, touch, feel. Most of the time, the issues with hiring come in with money, because SA companies have the cheapskate mentality