Rank: Forum user 
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Hi everybody, thanks for the replies. What is the state of play out there. I`m now into my 3rd month out of work, I've signed up with quite a few agencies applied for many jobs (approx 70 to date) not a sniff. Is it the time of year, lack of openings v`s number of safety professionals also out of work, age (55) or a combination of all of them? Any suggestions?
Regards
Harry
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Harry, sorry to hear about you’re position.
This is a sign of the times, due to the economic climate. Many people applying for the same jobs, as a result the potential employers are offering lower remuneration packages (supply and demand).
Unfortunately quite a few of the jobs advertised never even come to fruition. Quite a few agencies are also fishing for CV’s and don’t have the jobs available that they are advertising (even the well-known names!).
It’s not you Harry, it’s just the way things are currently.
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Rank: Forum user
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Harry.
I was out of work for all of September and finally got a job quite close to home.
I echo a previous contributor regarding jobs not coming to fruition or "being withdrawn"......very frustrating.
What I did find, was that 95% of the contact with recruitment consultancies was instigated by me, so you may have to go through the daily/weekly chasing routine. (I started my new job in early October and have only had 2 phone calls from recruitment consultancies since then, which emphasises the need for the candidate to be the pro-active party.)
Keep at it Harry.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Harry, I am sure you may have already been advised this but how about going to the local branch meeting and all of the SIGs and letting the branch know that you are looking. It may get you something permanent or you may be able to get some short term or consultancy work.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Agencies cost employers money. As do adverts in SHP or even the local paper.
If I were to need someone, I tend to ask my contacts if they know of anyone.
Costs very little, is very quick & comes with a personal recommendation from someone I already trust.
Last 5 people (in 3 years) have been recruited like this.
As others have said go to branch meetings. Make sure anyone in work of any kind, who rates you, knows you are on the market.
Having said that times are tough.
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Rank: Forum user
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..times are hard for everyone...try Jobcentre plus...for Health and safety related work..they tend to be real job opportunities rather than agencies fishing and you will have heard the rest ...... good luck
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Rank: Super forum user
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Judging from my recent conversations with recruitment consultants, agencies do not need to fish for recruits at the moment as they are inundated with excellent candidates seeking work.
Under the REC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (Respect for Honesty and Transparency), agencies who belong to this body are not permitted to advertise ghost jobs, however because the long lead time through advertising in publication such as the SHP, in the current climate these jobs can evaporate or close before these are finally published.
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Rank: Forum user
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To let you know i was actually recruited from this site since June this year and echo that the agencies are a big let down in my own humble opinion (in my case) good luck
Jurgen
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Harry, Network as long and as hard as you can with friends, family, neighbours, branch meetings, the pub, former colleagues, friends of friends etc. Relying on an agency to find you work may eventually work, but remember who is paying them: not you!
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Rank: New forum user
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Have you considered travelling. a colleague of mine was out of work, but is now doing consultancy in London and the South East. Does not seem to be struggling for work.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Many public sector jobs are set to go [despite us not being in a double dip recession] this is bound to impact on public sector safety people.
There is a rumour of a big reduction in HSE staffing coming as well.
Stay positive mate this forum will have a lot more postings on this yet.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If you are like me then you will have a good collection of business cards from contacts you have made. I would put all those e mail addresses into the BCC field and tout for job opportunities from them or their contacts. Most of our new recruits are on LinkedIn. I have never used it myself but it does seem to be the business version of FaceSpace and it's clones so that might be worth a look too.
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Rank: New forum user
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hello Harry i am in the say position as yourself i have been out of work since the end of August made redundant from the prison service. i have sent out letters offering to work for free just to keep busy had nothing back at all so have began to retrain in NDT to give myself another avenue to get work and then possibly work in the H&S area later on, but keep your head up as things will improve after Xmas be assured.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Harry, i have just got confirmation that my 6 month fixed term contract is not to be extended meaning i am out of work come Jan19th next year. I was out of work for almost 5 months after taking VR from my employer of 17 years. I went with recruitment agencies for the first few months but only got minimal interest from employers in all that time.
I don't want to sound negative but i will be in your shoes come new year and know it will be tough. If we go to the meetings, drop our names in to conversations, let people know we are in the market, and keep plugging away with the dreaded agencies (and be willing to travel) i am sure we will be fine (the eternal optimist).
Chin up
Steve
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Rank: Forum user
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My advice is to get to know the H&S contact at the recruitment agencies and ring up weekly to let them know you are still around.
In addition, I re-wrote my CV for each job I applied for and never cut and pasted a thing. With 5 interviews out of 9 applications and three job offers I think that might have been a good way of doing things.
Oh yes, SHP's online jobs site is a good starter but misses many jobs. I used Reed successfully. Never spoke to anyone just used their site to find jobs.
Good luck!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Make sure your CV is very clear on your qualifications and experience. I applied for a part time post at a leading University. I was not invited for interview so I asked for feedback. I was told that I did not have NEBOSH qualifications! I am CMIOSH and I do spell that out as chartered member of IOSH. However I do not include my NEBOSH qualification since it is the old pre 1990 higher certificate.
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