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We asked Matt Williamson, who has been working with us on an internship at VisionFR over the past month, what he learned about the recruitment business during this time. Here are his thoughts…

Summary

1. Get free software like ChatGPT or Grammarly to check your CV for mistakes.
2. Understand the value of good recruiters – they’re free and can help you find the perfect job!
3. Don’t jump jobs too often, it can damage your long term marketability.  
4. Recruiters are your friends, relax and let your personality shine through when talking to them – this will lead to more suitable placements for you.
5. Don’t apply to roles that do not suit you, you will waste your time and damage your reputation with the recruiter.

1. Your CV Is Your Sales Pitch – Polish It

Your CV it’s your personal sales pitch. The amount of poorly formatted, typo-ridden CVs that come across our desks is staggering. Please, please, please check your spelling and grammar. A simple oversight can send the wrong message about your attention to detail and professionalism. A handy tip is to submit your CV to ChatGPT or Grammarly for a quick and easy spell check.

Also remember to put your most valuable skills at the top, especially under each job. Don’t bury them in the midst of a long list of other responsibilities. Highlighting key achievements and skills right away makes it easier for recruiters and employers to see your value quickly.

2. Recruitment Agencies Are Your Allies

I’ve come to appreciate how much recruitment agencies actually do for candidates. The best part? It’s free for you. We work tirelessly to help you find your next job because your success is our success. Recruitment specialists know the market inside out and can often be far more effective than candidates are at finding roles that fit. Specialisation is a time tested economic principle, leverage it and use the experts who are willing to help.

3. Jumping Jobs Hurts You in the Long Run

There’s a growing trend of candidates moving from job to job at a rapid pace. While this might seem tempting—after all, a higher salary elsewhere can be alluring—it’s not always the best move for your long-term career. Constantly switching roles can make it appear as though you can’t hold down a job, which can turn off potential employers.

Sure, as recruiters we benefit from more frequent placements and commissions, but I’ve quickly realised how short-sighted it is to chase salary bumps too soon. In the long run, stability and growth within a role make you more marketable to future employers.

4. Be Yourself on Calls with Recruiters

Relax when speaking with a recruiter. Remember, this is a professional call, but we aren’t your employer—we’re here to help you. It’s important to let your personality shine. Coming across as too formal or rehearsed can make you seem a bit rigid or even boring. Being personable, happy, and chatty helps recruiters gauge where you would best fit.

Ultimately, the more real you are, the better we can find the perfect role for you. It’s about matching you not just to a job but to a company culture where you’ll thrive.

5. Stop Applying for Jobs You’re Not Qualified For

Stop wasting your time speculatively applying to jobs you don’t have the skill sets for. We see it all the time—candidates applying for every single role we post, regardless of relevance. Be strategic. Apply only for roles where your experience, skills, and qualifications genuinely align. This increases your chance of success AND saves you time.

We understand that times can be tough, and people need jobs but doing this does more harm than good. Think about it this way: If you’re rejected for 5, 10 or even 100 jobs you’re not qualified for, do you think the recruiter’s perception of you will have improved? Now when the right role comes through, are they more or less likely to view you as a valuable candidate?

(Bonus) Work with Recruiters, Not Against Them

Using recruiters to your advantage means doing more than just applying to jobs. Get in touch. Pick up the phone, send an email, message on LinkedIn, attend networking events—whatever it takes to build a relationship with your recruiter. We live in an era of unmatched communication, so take advantage of it.

The more we know about you, the better we can help you. Setting up a video call, for example, can give us a clearer understanding of your personality and what you’re looking for in a job. Trust me, building a relationship with a recruiter will get you much further than just sending out endless applications.

Matt Williamson, Oct 2024