You have decided to move and you have a good idea of the type of role you want and the type of company you want to work for.
So what now? How can you get your details in front of the right people?
You can apply directly. However, this can take a lot of research to find out exactly who the right point of contact is, what process do they follow and importantly…are they recruiting? In addition, will you find out anything about the environment or culture of the firm?
Alternatively, you can post your details onto a Job Board. There are a growing number available; some are generalist covering every sector whilst some are specialist. However, whilst it will mean that many people will see your details, you will have absolutely no control over who sees it (your current employer may use your chosen portal) or what happens to your details and information. During a recent conversation with an applicant, she explained that she had been contacted by 45 recruiters within 12 hours of posting her details online. She then found out that some of these firms sent out her CV without permission to a number of firms without her consent, including her former and current employer! Needless to say it led to some awkward conversations.
Finally, you can conduct your search via a Recruitment Consultancy. You would expect me to say that this is the best option due to my vested interest. A good recruiter can be worth their weight in gold. Their knowledge of the market can give you access to roles which suit your needs as well as managing your expectation as to what is achievable. They can guide you on interview techniques and preparation and manage negotiations on your behalf. However, I am sad to say that for every good recruiter, there are many poor recruiters who only see the fee they hope to earn rather than your needs and aspirations.
Choose wisely!
We will cover the next stage shortly. Feel free to get in touch with any thoughts, comments or feedback.