Before you contact an agency try to have an up-to-date
general CV. CV’s are most effective when they are written
with a specific vacancy in mind as you can emphasise your experience and
qualifications that are relevant to that particular job and this in turns
keeps your CV concise. Highlight any training you have had especially in
personal development skills. Ask yourself the following questions “what
does the employer want?” and “what do I have to offer the employer?”
Always be aware your CV represents you and will make or break the opportunity of an interview. Check your CV for spelling and grammatical errors which spell checks don’t always pick up on. Also, be aware of wacky and weird email addresses you may have, as again they give a prospective employer an opinion of you, which may not always work in your favour.
The agency interview. A good agency will
always interview you before placing you on their availability register
or presenting your CV to a client. Treat this as a job interview, so arrive
on time and dress suitably. Be honest about your experience and any
limitations. Most agencies will also carry out some form of skills testing.
Keep in touch with the agency while you are waiting to be given work. A job could come up at a moment’s notice so if you don’t have a phone, ask a friend or neighbour to take messages for you. If you go away for any length of time, tell the agency when you’ll be back and available again.
Don’t take on a job you really don’t want to do. The agency should always give you the opportunity to say yes or no. It’s up to them to offer you work which matches your skills and you feel happy doing, never be afraid to refuse if you feel it’s not for you.
Be prepared to try anything first – you are more likely to secure further work. People who stick rigidly to one work area tend to restrict what the agency can offer. It helps if you can be flexible with your hours too.
Finally, keep a record of all of the work you do. Any new work skills, no matter how small, can be added to your CV.
