A Good Employment Agency In Melbourne and Is This The Right Decision????

[Bathsheba]

Hmmm. Ok thanks Kelly. Maybe an agency isn't the right thing then afterall if they only want to place me anywhere just for the money. I thought that there were places that would carefully match job and candidate. I'm probably better going direct to the companies I'd like to work for.

Liz: See I'm not sure. I have a very broad work experience. I know more about what I DON'T want to do than what I do. I don't want to work in child-care or hospitality even though I have done mostly that. I'd like to start as an office admin assistant I think... I've done that before and it was one of the better paid and less physically demanding roles I have done. With my thyroid condition i don't have the physical energy to be on my feet all day. Filing, data entry, reception, taking phone calls I think would be the better direction. I can present very well... have excellent communication and people skills... I think I could capitalise on that. Someone suggested working in a museum or art gallery... maybe I could do that... have a Fine Art Degree...

I guess I'm lucky in that I'd be working for my own sanity, rather than desperately needing the money. I'm not going to put up with pettiness and/or little Hitlers like I have before in the work-place. If it's a toxic environment I'm not going to stick around like i have in the past. I'm not going to work for people who are awful. Maybe it's best i choose the organisation after all. A lady at David Jones once told me to put in an application to work with her (she worked there... I didn't know her until that day) ... we got talking and had great rapport...

[Indadhanu]

Bath, definitely give it a go contacting the companies directly, this is how I got my job at Montessori. It was a 'cold call' basically, I sent them a resume at the end of October and a letter letting them know that I am really interested in Montessori as a long term career and viola! I start in 10 days!!

[Bathsheba]

Ah is that how it happened Leasha!? Yep, it does saound like the way to go. Well done!

Even though my resume is sparce (for the past 7 years) what I have done I have excelled at. I have done a few short courses (first aid) and volunteering too (Sunday school... but maybe it would be best not to mention that... they might think I'm a religious nut). If I show them my academic record for my degree they will see I had a Distinction average. I also worked at my last job for 6 years... and will have excellent references from my ex colleagues there (who I am still in contact with). I just want to work in a place where people are treated respectfully... is that too idealistic?

[HotI]

I recently hand delivered my cv and a cover letter to 6 places that were in the area that i wanted to work in. Although, i wasn't so sure about doing it personally at first, i think it was the best thing. i got to chat to a few people and check out the atmosphere.

One place had a job advertised that i hadn't seen, and so i picked up a position description and sent an extra page addressing the selection criteria. I was offered an interview the next day. Another place, called me and said although they didn't have any permanent positions they had plenty of casual work (better for me anyway at the moment) and i was invited in for interview.

Turning up to the interview is also easier if you have been there before, and know some familiar faces.

good luck,

k

[Bathsheba]

Yes, I think that would be a good idea Kate. Friends of mine have suggested I go up to the hospital near us and hand in my resume... they have so many different roles there... from going around the wards collecting lists of patients who want the TV turned on in their room... to assisting the occupational therapist (I would love that role). I agree that doing that gives you a chance to make an intuitive judgement about the place...

ETA: thanks Leasha... i guess from my experience people don't always value spirituality... they think that you will try to convert them or something I think I'll mention it though, and only apply to places with a community focus... to increase the chances of them valuing it.

[fionas]

Bath - also have a look at jobs.vic.gov.au - it's all jobs with the State Government and they tend to do the recruiting directly rather than through agencies. Huge variety of jobs and because you're dealing with them directly it's no biggie if you get a bad vibe and turn down a job offer - rather than turning an agency down a couple of times and then being put into the "too hard to please basket" IYKWIM.

Having said that, if you're looking for admin work then what about temping? That way, with short-term assignments it's no big deal if you don't like the place. Next week, you're on to something else. And it's quite exciting too. If you go through an agency, they'll want to test your typing/software skills as a matter of course.

Also look at the websites of your local council(s) - again, they put jobs up there that they don't advertise in general media. I'm thinking you might like something like working in a library maybe?

I'm also thinking that working in a not-for-profit might suit you where you feel that what you're doing is actually worthwhile so no reason why you couldn't approach them directly.

[Astrid]

My experience matches what Kelly has said. Basically it took me applying for a job for the agency to take any interest in me and if they thought there was another job that was better suited they put me in for that.

Inside connections seem to work the best though, so do not hesitate to let someone recommend you for a job. My last full time job I had applied to the agency via an ad and as a coincidence my manager had also recommended me to this agency (I was honest about moving on). The job I applied for happened to be at my managers previous work. So I was a shoo in for the job. It is funny how things all tie together. Also the job I was leaving I got due to a friend getting me to call up and she put in a good word for me.

[Muppity]

There are often specialist recruitment firms for professional industries like law and accounting.

Generally they are smaller recruitment firms and have a good grasp of a particular market and are willing to have you come in for a chat and see if they have anything that you fit into.

Maybe think of what sort of industry you work in and then have a look.

I know that law firms are always looking for more mature reliable administrative assistants.

Also tell all your friends that you are looking for a job and get DH to tell everyone he knows too - it is amazing what comes out of the woodwork if people know that you are looking.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks again girls. Fiona: yep, I've done temping... was tested like you said through an agency but I wasn't really keen on going through that particular agency again... they put me in some horrid jobs... one was with Victorian Transport right before it was privatised... the whole mood of the office was AWFUL!!! I was warned that it was going to be a tough role (receptionist) the agency girl said to me: "you can give them a go but they are going through staff like tissues... they want someone tomorrow though... so i took it. I lasted about a month... it was the longest of any receptionist but in the end some woman decided she wanted a change again so (it seemed) took great delight in "sacking" me. I had never been (and never since) been sacked before. Even though i was warned, it was awful to go through...very demoralising. It has kind of put me off temping. But thanks for the suggestion.

I agree Astrid, it's "who you know". I know a security guy and a nurse at the Austin... they're trying to get me a job there... at the moment this is my best lead.

[Indadhanu]

Definitely mention the Sunday School, its a great example of YOU! Besides, it shows committment and that you have 'community' interests KWIM? Giving nature and all that!