CV Dragon

Breathing fire into your career

Potential Job Sources
Less obvious sources of opportunity can sometimes be more fruitful than traditional routes.

Familiar sources include:
On-line Job Sites – in recent years the web has transformed the way many of us recruit or are recruited. You can now search for openings across the globe with search criteria to suit you, from salary required to hours or location. There are sites where you can advertise your skills, practice psychometric tests or explore career paths.

Source & Selection Consultants – commissioned to undertake recruitment activity of a specialist nature, ad-hoc applications likely to be restricted to executive levels only.
Recruitment Agency – split between ‘high street’ & niche market operators. A number of consultancies on the high street have national agreements with large organisations so may occasionally source for specialised or senior positions away from their core business. Be selective in who you register with, to build up good relations between you and your consultant.
Professional Organisations - bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing usually offer a programme of events to its members, useful for networking as well as keeping up to speed with sector developments. Also offer an advertising facility for employers.
Trade Journals – same principle as the business press but industry specific, in keeping with your experience. Many have an on-line presence, often with a dedicated job section where employers can advertise.
Local Media – newspaper & radio advertising
Job Centre – once used predominantly by third sector organisations, or smaller businesses with low recruitment budgets Job Centre Plus now has an established network of employers across the UK. Whilst executive vacancies are few and far between it’s still worth visiting the site periodically.


Less familiar sources include:

Social Media - in keeping with the rising popularity of sites such as Facebook and Twitter, social media has become an unlikely source of job opportunities. Professionals should look to LinkedIn to build their on-line network though in 2009 Twitter generated thousands of vacancies between its uses so should not be overlooked.
Interim/Consultancy Work – those with advanced skill levels may find that a speculative enquiry showing a willingness to work on something other than a full-time basis may be beneficial. In addition, the internet has had huge impact in this area with the launch of sites such as People Per Hour, where users bid for project work.
National Media – broadsheet newspapers carry both prestigious and more humble openings for UK positions, often having specific roles on a particular day.
Business Press - study the Financial Times & The Economist where growth activity by specific organisations may mean additional resource requirements. Before such a requirement hits the job market, get your details in first.
New Appointment Announcements – identify where the incoming executive has come from as his/her previous position may be ripe for timely intervention. Or a new leader may make changes across the board resulting in an opportunity. Identify synergy between yourself and the other party then highlight it in your call or letter.
Local Development Agencies – can spend years nurturing and attracting new business to the locality. Establish network contacts to keep up to date with potential inward investors. Not only will you have a warm lead into the company but you will have plenty of historical information to take to an interview.

Voluntary Work - often a useful way of keeping your hand in the employment market, learning new skills or opening doors that may otherwise stay firmly shut.