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I'm probably not a good example because I stay at firms a long time. I tend to only move when external factors are pushing me and I've turned down numerous opportunities to do contracting or work abroad.
* 2020 - Contacted via Linkedin, internal recruiter (actually had 2 firms do this at the same time)
* 2011 - Saw advert on firms website job section, contacted it
* 2005 - Advert on [https://www.prospects.ac.uk/](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/)
I don't apply for jobs - they apply for me!
Replying to recruiters on LinkedIn. I’ve never been desperate though so I’ve been able to only go for jobs which suit me (a job I want, and a job I have good relevant skills for) so I’ve always been pretty successful. I’ve had 3 jobs out of 5 I’ve applied for.
Job 1:
We were implementing a new HR system at work, and I volunteered to head up the admin for the project. Once it was implemented, they realised they would need someone to support the system, and I was the obvious choice.
I had zero technical experience at this point.
Job 2:
At the same place. We were acquired by a US company. I moved in to a different team / job on a new (but similar) system, rather than then make me redundant. They were down some team members so gave me a punt.
Job 3.
At the same place. I was promoted to a Consultant role based on my performance on picking up the systems and owning configuration and processes.
I've always stuck to the good old-fashioned way - putting myself out there. Kept my LinkedIn profile updated, and let recruiters do their thing. Found quite a few good options this way!
Job 1: applied through NHS jobs. Job 2: kept applying directly on the companies website Job 3: applied through indeed.
I’ve been contacted via LinkedIn before but I prefer to work locally, and there isn’t that many jobs round me that are local. An old colleague approached me and asked me to apply for a job with them. But the commute was 2 whole hours?! So turned it down.
Word of mouth. I'm coming up to 20 years in the area I work in and haven't done a proper interview in all that time. Promotions and then after I left that company work has always been a phone call asking if I have anything on and if I fancied doing X. The longest I've been without work in all that time is two weeks. I normally get a "are you free?" type call every couple of months.
TLDR: You reach a certain level and reputation is everything.
Linkedin, always head hunted on Linkedin.
A decade of being hired through Linkedin and since COVID, the amount of recruiters messaging me directly in my inbox has gone up massively, I tell others on here in my sector to try help them out, but I get a message every 1-2 weeks from a headhunter.
For those who don't know or don't set up Linkedin and interact.
1) Have an account
2) Upload all relevent job experience, eg if you work in marketing, make sure your job titles and job experience include keywords that are relevent for recruiters to find you
3) Make sure your profile is set to "open for work" - Don't worry, your current employer won't be able to see it unless they have the same account as a recruiter and even then, just say that you've always had it set to "open for work"
4) Follow recruitment agencies in your field pages on Linkedin and then connect with recruiters who work for them companies.
5) Sit around and wait for your inbox to start filling up with requests or watch roles be posted on your timeline.
If you don't get any messages after a month or so, it's either you don't have enough experience, the job market really is deader than dead (I don't believe it is right now, I still get messages weekly) or your profile is poorly written and you've not set it up correctly to be found.
My last couple of jobs have been from people I’ve worked with before. Other than that, get friendly with the recruitment agencies and post on LinkedIn.
I'm still at university, so I've only done 2 internships so far.
I applied via their websites. I had a few referrals for some of the interviews I got, or talked to a recruiter who came to my university campus - but the internships I ended up accepting were all through applications on their website.
**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm probably not a good example because I stay at firms a long time. I tend to only move when external factors are pushing me and I've turned down numerous opportunities to do contracting or work abroad. * 2020 - Contacted via Linkedin, internal recruiter (actually had 2 firms do this at the same time) * 2011 - Saw advert on firms website job section, contacted it * 2005 - Advert on [https://www.prospects.ac.uk/](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/) I don't apply for jobs - they apply for me!
Replying to recruiters on LinkedIn. I’ve never been desperate though so I’ve been able to only go for jobs which suit me (a job I want, and a job I have good relevant skills for) so I’ve always been pretty successful. I’ve had 3 jobs out of 5 I’ve applied for.
Job 1: We were implementing a new HR system at work, and I volunteered to head up the admin for the project. Once it was implemented, they realised they would need someone to support the system, and I was the obvious choice. I had zero technical experience at this point. Job 2: At the same place. We were acquired by a US company. I moved in to a different team / job on a new (but similar) system, rather than then make me redundant. They were down some team members so gave me a punt. Job 3. At the same place. I was promoted to a Consultant role based on my performance on picking up the systems and owning configuration and processes.
I've always stuck to the good old-fashioned way - putting myself out there. Kept my LinkedIn profile updated, and let recruiters do their thing. Found quite a few good options this way!
Job 1: applied through NHS jobs. Job 2: kept applying directly on the companies website Job 3: applied through indeed. I’ve been contacted via LinkedIn before but I prefer to work locally, and there isn’t that many jobs round me that are local. An old colleague approached me and asked me to apply for a job with them. But the commute was 2 whole hours?! So turned it down.
contractor so either recruiters chase me when the market is good, or i chase them when its not, like now.
Word of mouth. I'm coming up to 20 years in the area I work in and haven't done a proper interview in all that time. Promotions and then after I left that company work has always been a phone call asking if I have anything on and if I fancied doing X. The longest I've been without work in all that time is two weeks. I normally get a "are you free?" type call every couple of months. TLDR: You reach a certain level and reputation is everything.
Linkedin, always head hunted on Linkedin. A decade of being hired through Linkedin and since COVID, the amount of recruiters messaging me directly in my inbox has gone up massively, I tell others on here in my sector to try help them out, but I get a message every 1-2 weeks from a headhunter. For those who don't know or don't set up Linkedin and interact. 1) Have an account 2) Upload all relevent job experience, eg if you work in marketing, make sure your job titles and job experience include keywords that are relevent for recruiters to find you 3) Make sure your profile is set to "open for work" - Don't worry, your current employer won't be able to see it unless they have the same account as a recruiter and even then, just say that you've always had it set to "open for work" 4) Follow recruitment agencies in your field pages on Linkedin and then connect with recruiters who work for them companies. 5) Sit around and wait for your inbox to start filling up with requests or watch roles be posted on your timeline. If you don't get any messages after a month or so, it's either you don't have enough experience, the job market really is deader than dead (I don't believe it is right now, I still get messages weekly) or your profile is poorly written and you've not set it up correctly to be found.
All been network: people I'd previously worked with either hired me or knew and put me in touch with senior leadership at the company.
My last couple of jobs have been from people I’ve worked with before. Other than that, get friendly with the recruitment agencies and post on LinkedIn.
Speaking with recruiters and using Indeed. I have LinkedIn but I hate it and never use it.
I'm still at university, so I've only done 2 internships so far. I applied via their websites. I had a few referrals for some of the interviews I got, or talked to a recruiter who came to my university campus - but the internships I ended up accepting were all through applications on their website.
Networking, networking, and networking. If you're talking to a recruiter, things have already gone wrong.