Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Since I have been to almost every agency in Sydney, that does not really say much :lol:

They are all bottom feeders or sharks.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

That's exactly right. A good, placeable candidate is like gold to a recruiter and they should be treated as such.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

If you've been to them all are you sure the problem lies with the recruiters and not a bit closer to home?

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Gosh - you seem a bit sore about the whole thing. Settle petal.

I only realised that she was a nutter after our 3rd contact.

I have been trying to extract myself ever since but without trying to seem rude about it.

Still would like that job, just don’t know if it is real or not. I doubt it from how things are panning out.

Lucky I am in a long term secure job, so not too stressed about the whole thing. I pity the people who have only had limited dealings with these reptilians.

Its my own fault anyway. I have not used a recruitment agency for 4 years, as after my last experience with them I vowed never to use one again. Broke my own rule 2 weeks ago and have paid the price again. Why I thought they would have changed or things would be better this time, I will never know.

Newspapers and door knocking are the way to go.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

No problem with me.

I don't tell downright lies by getting people in for an interview only to say the job has gone when you get there......"but why don't you sign up anyway now that you are here".

I don't advertise the same jobs over and over and over again - one local firm has been advertising the same job (slighly different wording) for 5 months now. Which leads me onto....

Nor do I advertise false jobs.

I don't change my mind more often than I change my knickers.

I don't ignore calls or only return calls when it suits my aims.

Nor do I send people for jobs that they are plainly not suited for.

Nor do I send people for jobs that they are not qualified for.

And these are very well-known big agencies - would you like me to name and shame?

All those tricks that have been previously mentioned – do they go to recruiter’s night school to learn them or something? They must have a text book, as everyone in the industry does the same thing.

As I said, only met one decent person in the whole industry. Everyone else has been tricker than an Alsatian with distemper and were shallower than a toddler’s paddling pool.

Sure there are some gems in the industry, but lots of unpolished worthless rocks too.:lol:

To those of you starting out, here is a friendly hint: if you find a decent and honest agency – stick to them like glue. Work your arse off for them and generally be an excellent candidate with a can-do attitude. And in turn, they will look after you in the long run. Agencies are always looking for temps, so the more assignments you are willing to do, the more you will get. Prove your worth and temp could easily turn into full time.

Another tip: when you go for the interview – make sure you dress smartly. People make the mistake of assuming that temp work at agencies means casual work and casual work = casual dress. My nice recruitment agent was always mentioning how shocked she was at the way some candidates dress.

I actually worked in a recruitment agency on reception once for around six months in the early years. I saw people turn up for interviews for professional type jobs (IT, accounting, etc...) in all sorts of wonderfully weird ways like flip flops, shorts, tee-shirts, unshaven and one guy even turned up with a skateboard under his arm and a VB can in his hand!!

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Hi Kayelem,

What you and your OH are going through is by no means unusual.

The IT market in Perth is fairly small and it is rather insular so it can be difficult for a new migrant to break into. I know from first hand experience that it can be very demoralizing to apply for so many jobs and not even get a "real" interview. This happened and I know how it feels but you must persevere

In my case I got a job outside of IT and then worked my way into an IT job once I was already in the organisation. There are employers in Perth who are reluctant to be the first ones to take a chance on a new migrant. If you already have a job (of any description) you can then move yourself into a better one - this is how I eventually got a job as an IT Manager. It does seem to eb a case that "if you have one job you can get another" so it migth not be abd idea to take a job "beneath" what you are qualified for just to make a start?

I will send you a PM with some information that you might find useful.

Good luck!

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Hi Kayelem

Turns out that I can't PM you until I have posted at least three times - so here is another post!

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

And here is another....

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Getting a job in IT is probably just the same as getting any other job, if you can tick all the required boxes then your laughing.

The thing is the boxes are not necessarily just Qualifications & Experience

Employers often require applicants to possess other qualities, such as

Clear communication....
Cultural Assimilation....
Local Experience...

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

There's some truth in what you say but the boxes will be slightly different depending on where you are located. The Perth IT market is a lot smaller than the Sydney IT market and its a lot more insular so its harder to "catch a break". Local experience and being part of "the in crowd" is more important in West Australia so you have to be more persistent and flexible. It sucks but there it is....

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Thankyou for your help. I have applied for a job at Kmart but appears that I even need to be experienced at that. OH is looking at other options too. We really feel that we are going to like it here but as you can imagine feeling a little disheartened at present, but at the same determined to get any job to make ends meet until something comes up.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Kayelem, have you looked into carers who help older people stay in their own homes? You might have to take them shopping, help them pay bills, or cook some meals, sometimes help with showers, etc. Some of these jobs might be workable around school hours. Several groups have these contracts with govt, such as Amana Living, Baptistcare, etc.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

WooHoo OH has got an IT job, only a few months contract but it feels fantastic. And me, I have interveiws with 2 nursing agencies. Things are looking up.

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Excellent news !

Really pleased for you guys. It won't matter that the contract is only for a matter of months - it is a start and the next opportunity will be easier to find as a lot of Perth employers don't want to be first to take a chance on someone.

Well done.

Gareth

Re: How long before getting a job (IT)
 

Congrats!

Great news, and good luck.