job hunting - websites?

[tommymooney]

I'm scouting around for work at the moment (mainly public sector). I know about all the major job websites - but does anyone know any interesting, more obscure places to look for employment that might not be obvious from a straightforward google?

[Richt]

Im quite partial to the good old fashioned job centre plus website.

Far less recruitment company adverts as its free for companies to advertise on.

[tommymooney]

yes, cheers, I sometimes use it - perhaps I'll focus my search on there.

Don't you work in recruitment Rich? Is it just me, or is the job market dead as a dodo this August - usual holiday's thing + impact of the olympics?

[Richt]

Used to work in recruitment but was made redundant just over 18 months ago. In hindsight i am glad about it as i hated the ethos. Now working as a biz dev manager for an office furniture company.

Re your comment about the state of the job market currently, i guess it depends on what work you are after (there's quite a lot of sales jobs out there)

[Richt]

I'm scouting around for work at the moment (mainly public sector). I know about all the major job websites - but does anyone know any interesting, more obscure places to look for employment that might not be obvious from a straightforward google?

I assume you have tried the following?

Monster
FISH4JOBS
CV Library
Even tried prostituting yourself on Linkedin?

[Knulpuk]

TM if its finance try the GAAPWEB site it pulls together loads of adverts and you can filter on sector.

August is the worst month for looking so dont be disheartened!

[tommymooney]

thanks again for the tips. Bearing them all in mind!

[Jonathan]

Monster
FISH4JOBS
CV Library
Even tried prostituting yourself on Linkedin?

Does anyone have a real experience of putting themselves onto such sites. I have heard one or two stories of being bombarded with all sorts of spam and phone calls after the data is used elsewhere?

I think the time is right for me to put myself out there again after nearly 16 years at the same place. I just can't take any more, but I don't really know where to start.

[The Councillor]

although not actively looking for work presently, i get daily/weekly selctive email alerts from monster & totaljobs to my private email address just to keep an eye on the level of activity in my field which i find extremely useful. i generally get itchy feet every 2/3 years and the time will be approaching shortly to freshen up the CV !

good luck !

[tommymooney]

a little bit of email spam J, not any phone calls. So, not too bad.

The job market has changed a lot in 16 years, but in some ways not at all - i.e. who you know not what you know is still the most important thing.

[Knulpuk]

Interesting re Linked in. I have a Dutch friend who was recently made redundant - the Dutch allow you to do a number of courses paid for I think by your ex employer and one was a Linked in course - it's all taken very seriously.

Anyhow today he got called by a potential employer for a position from his Linked in profile. Powerful thing.

Jonathan have you thought of becoming a professional golfer - good starting point here.

Turning Pro

[Richt]

LinkedIn is a fantastic tool.

[Jonathan]

Well that's reassuring to hear so thanks for the replies. I will aim for the Champions Tour in 6 years Knul... Thanks

[Shaggy365]

One that might have passed you by is "Third sector jobs". Charity jobs. There are a lot of volunteer positions, but there are quite a lot paying a decent £££.

[mike_d99]

Monster
FISH4JOBS
CV Library
Even tried prostituting yourself on Linkedin?

Does anyone have a real experience of putting themselves onto such sites. I have heard one or two stories of being bombarded with all sorts of spam and phone calls after the data is used elsewhere?

I think the time is right for me to put myself out there again after nearly 16 years at the same place. I just can't take any more, but I don't really know where to start.

I was on ten job sites for eight months or so. I used my old mobile as I didn't want my current number online for the same reasons you state, but I never received a single spam call in all that time. That said, I'd still recommend using an old mobile if you have one.

Hard to say about junk mail as I used my hotmail address, which gets a certain level of spam anyway. Didn't notice any increase though.

If you join job sites, then watch out for 'phantom jobs'. You might be aware of this already, but some agencies post jobs that don't actually exist in order to boost their roster of contacts. I wish I'd known about this earlier in my job search. It's not always the case, but as a rule of thumb if the advert doesn't tell you the company name then I'd be dubious.

Another thing I found is that if there's an opportunity to apply directly for a job on a company website, then always do that rather than apply through an agency - you've got miles more chance of getting an interview in my experience. Even if you don't get that particular job, then they will keep your information on file and may put you forward for other positions. I got my ideal job this way!

Another benefit of this approach is that you have to deal with less recruitment agents, and believe me, that's a blessing.

Hope it goes well for you

[Richt]

Monster
FISH4JOBS
CV Library
Even tried prostituting yourself on Linkedin?

Does anyone have a real experience of putting themselves onto such sites. I have heard one or two stories of being bombarded with all sorts of spam and phone calls after the data is used elsewhere?

I think the time is right for me to put myself out there again after nearly 16 years at the same place. I just can't take any more, but I don't really know where to start.

I was on ten job sites for eight months or so. I used my old mobile as I didn't want my current number online for the same reasons you state, but I never received a single spam call in all that time. That said, I'd still recommend using an old mobile if you have one.

Hard to say about junk mail as I used my hotmail address, which gets a certain level of spam anyway. Didn't notice any increase though.

If you join job sites, then watch out for 'phantom jobs'. You might be aware of this already, but some agencies post jobs that don't actually exist in order to boost their roster of contacts. I wish I'd known about this earlier in my job search. It's not always the case, but as a rule of thumb if the advert doesn't tell you the company name then I'd be dubious.

Another thing I found is that if there's an opportunity to apply directly for a job on a company website, then always do that rather than apply through an agency - you've got miles more chance of getting an interview in my experience. Even if you don't get that particular job, then they will keep your information on file and may put you forward for other positions. I got my ideal job this way!

Another benefit of this approach is that you have to deal with less recruitment agents, and believe me, that's a blessing.

Hope it goes well for you

It's very very rare for a recruitment company to state the name of the company they are recruiting for in an online advert (even in a "shop window ad") as otherwise rival recruitment companies will call said firm and try and fill the position instead.

[arsene doesn't know]

Admittedly I've not changed employer for approaching 10 years now, but whenever I fancy a look at what's about I go for the local 'this is' website - for me thisisbristol, which is effectively the regional paper on line.

Am sure you've done similar, but thought it worth mentioning just in case.

[Jonathan]

Thanks for the recent contribs. I hope to be able to spend some time this weekend, providing I am not working, looking into this sites. Not so sure about LinkedIn because I don't want to risk my bosses seeing me on these sites...?

[Knulpuk]

Thanks for the recent contribs. I hope to be able to spend some time this weekend, providing I am not working, looking into this sites. Not so sure about LinkedIn because I don't want to risk my bosses seeing me on these sites...?

Tricky especially as they may see updated experience etc as a red flag - but then I think its becoming the norm to keep that up to date - depends how into that sort of thing your employer is I guess.

But I would have thought prospective employers might check you out and having an up to date profile may be a tick in the box and vice versa

[Richt]

Jonathan, I use Linkedin predominantly to scout out new opportunities or to find names of facilities managers/directors who work for companies with a no name policy if phoning them up.

Is there a legitimate reason (in your bosses eyes) that you could be using it for?

[Jonathan]

We are starting to look more into LinkedIn because a client has asked to look into how it may help them. My bosses know I am fairly wary of such sites, so it would perhaps be a little unusual if I was on it. That said, they are the reason I am feeling how I feel, so....

[Richt]

ah. Could be an issue then......

[Archy]

These guys specialise in public sector recruitment, could be worth giving them a try

http://www.allenlane.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can give you specific contact details of someone I like there if you're interested (That's saying something because there's not many recruitment consultants I'd describe as likeable; they're generally on a par with estate agents lol )..

[Ashers]

http://www.reed.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has always done me proud.

[stuboy]

If you join job sites, then watch out for 'phantom jobs'. You might be aware of this already, but some agencies post jobs that don't actually exist in order to boost their roster of contacts.

Back in my early days I worked in recruitment for 7years. The reason for phantom jobs is more than just boosting roster of contacts. What some agencies will do is either:
1) track your progress of finding a job, through another agency and then try and backfill your job
2) more sinister is asking candidates where else they are interviewing at (a favourite line being "to ensure we don't send your CV to anywhere you've already applied, can you tell me which companies you are interviewing with currently") and then calling that company and trying to place their own candidates

So never ever tell an agency where you are interviewing. Just say you've just started your search, or words to that effect

[Darbyand]

For whoever mentioned public sector jobs:

http://www.jobsgopublic.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and of course:

http://jobs.theguardian.com/?CMP=PPC_GG ... tAodQHAAxg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Anou]

you can also check this https://uk.jooble.org/

[Gru]

Indeed! is a good jobs website.