Looking for work can be a difficult experience and sometimes recruitment consultancy staff are not as helpful as you might have expected. Something to keep in mind is that you are using their service for free. They are paid by the employer and will put more effort into communicating with them than you. However, all is not lost. You can find a new job with the help of a recruitment consultant.

Tip 1: Ensure Your CV Is Up-To-Date

Ensure your CV has accurate and up-to-date information that is going to sell you.

This includes:

• your contact details such as email address and phone numbers
• current organisation and role
• skills, talents and achievements

And any other relevant information.  This can include key words from the job description for the role you are applying for.  Here I am talking about the role competencies not the personality traits.

Tip 2: Ensure Your CV Sells You

To ensure your CV sell you include your skills, talents, experiences and achievements for each role.

It is important to include achievements for each role as these are what make you stand out from other people.

Recently a policy advisor asked me "why should I go into detail about what I have done and what I have achieved.  An employer should know what a policy advisor does already."  I explained to her that the person reviewing the applications may be in HR and has not actually been in a policy role. They have an understanding but not indepth knowledge.  Also, policy roles differ from organisation to governement agency.

By listing your achievements it allows the person readying your CV to gain an insight into who you are as an individual.

Also include any voluntary work you may do.  Whether it is training guide dog puppies, collecting for the Cancer Society or a member of a community committee.  Include what your role is, how long you have been there and what you are proud of.

If you are a member of organisations like Rotary, Lions or Toastmasters and hold a leadership role such as Vice President of PR or Membership; please note this is not classed as a job.  It should be listed in your voluntary listing.

Tip 3: Communicate Regulary

You need to take control of your job search.  This includes contacting the recruitment consultancy's you are registered with on a regular basis.

When you first meet a representative of the recruitment consultancy ask them how often they would like you to make contact.  And how - by phone or email.

Please note there is a difference between being proactive and annoying.  Making contact once a day may make sence to you if you have been made redundant and need to find a job yesterday.  However, calling / emailing once a week is what it takes to stay front of mind.

Remember recruitment consultants are only human, and like you sometimes are not always at their desks or able to respond to your message within a couple of hours.

About the author

With Tracy you can be sure that your career goals, whether you're changing jobs mid career or later in life, will be met with a customised career coaching programme. Coaching opens the mind to alternatives, new thinking, solutions and different ways of approaching situations. It is also a time of reflection, self-evaluation and big picture thinking.