I would like to recommend the services of Gateway Career Management Limited and particularly Peter Wilford.  The four focused sessions provided a programme of supported self analysis to establish a new personal approach to the current recruitment market and to facilitate the career change I am wishing to undertake. The programme has enabled a new set of relevant CVs to be prepared, the development of a more challenging skills matrix, and a directional focus to my search for a new career.

I would add that I found the sessions that Peter facilitated were execellent and “homework of self assessment of true work values” an extremely positive exercise challenging self needs.  Session venues were located to suit and were conducive to maximising the benefits of the whole process

AP

Director

We worked with a Marketing Manager in the summer helping her review her CV and reposition it to specific positions that she was targeting.  She needed the input and focus and had taken the time during her maternity leave to get some external help.  This is what she said afterwards.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the help you gave me with my CV back in June/July.   I landed a new job a few weeks ago and start on 31st October (which marks the end of my year’s maternity leave).   I am going to be a brand manager for a major Cruises organisation. As you know I was very keen to move into a new sector and this job seems fantastic. I have you to thank.  I registered with one recruitment agency and 10 days later had an interview. 4 interviews and some online tests later I had the job.  Once again thank you for all your time and advice.”

With almost 10 percent of the population unemployed as of August 2011, the competition for top-paying jobs is higher than ever. Despite this, many people still neglect to involve recruitment agencies in their job searches. Some worry that a recruiter will put a strain on their budgets. Others think it’s a useless extra step.

The truth is that recruitment agencies, when approached in the right way for success,  are a valuable partner for anyone’s job search for a number of reasons.

1. Decreasing your research time Recruiters scour newspapers and online postings on your behalf, eliminating a step that can take hours.
2. The power of a network Reputable recruiting agencies know the big players at companies in their respective cities. Often, they receive phone calls from human resource departments long before jobs are even posted to the general public.
3. Positive feedback If you’ve been searching for a job for a while, your resume or interview skills may be partly to blame. Recruitment agencies will help you improve your CV and coach you for your meetings with prospective employers.
4. Having a built-in negotiator Once you find a job, your recruiter will negotiate your salary and benefits package, often resulting in higher wages than you would receive on your own.
5. Free service Recruiters aren’t paid by job seekers at all. Companies pay them to fill the openings on their job boards. Recruitment agencies don’t receive a penny until they fill those jobs either, giving them a sense of urgency to work hard on your behalf.

For help to make sure your job search is successful, contact Gateway for advice.

Finding a credible, experienced recruitment agency with connections to the biggest names in your field is only part of the process. Recruiters then have to match your skills and experience to available positions and “sell” you to employers. Ultimately, how successful your recruiter is depends on your level of openness and honesty during the process.

Recruitment agencies need to know the whole truth about your employment history, experience and abilities to find the best job for you. Avoid the temptation of embellishing, even if you think it may lead you to increased opportunities. Stretching the truth can come back to haunt you in an interview or even lead to your dismissal after you get your new job.

Also, be open with your recruitment agency about the types of schedules that you wish to work and what your long term goals are; don’t just tell them what you think employers want to hear. The goal of any job search should be long-term employment in a job that challenges you, but is ultimately satisfying. Only through complete honesty will you have the best chance of finding and keeping a job that you enjoy.

Find out how Gateway Career Management consultants can help you to succeed with recruitment agencies.

Here are our top tips to help manage your career, especially if you are looking to make a move to a different sector or industry.

Successful career change is based on first making an honest assessment of your skills and experiences. Then you match them against the current market conditions. Finally you set realistic goals. Here are five strategies to keep in mind when changing careers:

Plan for a longer job search.

Changing industries requires research, which requires time. Assess your financial situation and make realistic decisions. You may have to consider an interim position or part-time work or even volunteering to bridge to your new career and gain valuable experience.

Learn the business.

Read every article you can find on your chosen industry, so that you can leverage your skills in offering solutions to industry challenges and demonstrate the value you would add to an organization.

Find a coach.

Coaches can provide you with insights into your new career field. They can also introduce you to key people and give you success advice. Treat them well for they are valuable resources.

Forget about adverts and search firms.

With the exception of entry-level positions, companies run ads to recruit prospects with specific experience. This is also true of search firms, who are paid to find highly experienced talent that matches the job description exactly.

Network, network, network.

Networking is the key to any successful job search, especially in the case of a career change. The most effective way to transfer skills to a new field or new career is by using your contacts. Companies are more willing to take risks on people who are referred to them by individuals who can account for the candidates’ abilities and potential.