Are locum agencies not interested?

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

Selena Carnell — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:48:33 GMT

thanks for the replies, for some reason didn't get notified this time. Ideally i don't want to locum as i need to organise permanent child care. nurseries are not keen on just odd days here and there. though i am looking to to part time nannies or something like that. i really want something permanent. The job centre were useless, and no one reponds to emails or cv's sent. i plan to send a cv and letter to all local centres, as some places dont even advertise.

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

Jacquelyn Smith — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:59:23 GMT

In response to your concern about people never letting you know either way, even for non veterinary jobs. Don't take it personally. I was unemployed from April to December last year. The job market is ridiculously competitive right now with the recession etc. After 6 months job hunting I checked the folder I kept in my email account, where I put all my sent applications. I had applied for over four thousand jobs (not including those I had to apply for by post) and I would say that no more than 5 had responded to say they didn't want me. A few years ago an average of 20 people would apply for each single position. Now there is an average of 150 applicants for every job(according to my old advisor at the job centre). Its just too much work for companies to send out rejection letters these days. Its hard work looking for work right now. All I can suggest is treat job hunting as your job. Get up, washed dressed, ready for an interview (you could get called up and asked to go in straight away). Sit at the computer 9- lunch, searching the millions of job sites (I really recommend 'jobisjob') have lunch. Head to the shops and scour the windows, then to the job centre. The machines at the job centre search in a different pattern to the website so often come up with a few different ones. Do some volunteer work too. Makes you look good and some can even give references (British heart foundation is one of them). When you're not working its really easy to slip into bad habits of sleeping until noon and not getting out of your pyjamas. But that's when its most difficult to keep your head up. Big hugs. Hope you find something soon. Enquire about work clubs run by the local authority too, being unemployed they may be able to get you some free evening courses, print off CVs, provide internet access if you haven't any at home. Etc. X

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:04:17 GMT

sometimes if you are too specific about what you are looking for and what you will accept you get passed over in preference for somebody who is more flexible (that was my experience) also if you are looking for part time work you arent as profitable for the agency.

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

Fuzzyduck — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:59:11 GMT

I get hassled regularly by agencies even though im in full time employment and have told them im not available for work!

Perhaps you are just registered with the wrong agencies, some are useless but some are really helpful

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

rachel smith — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:14:28 GMT

I have found it to be the same as you, registered with lots of agencies but they never inform me of any work!!

Re: Are locum agencies not interested?

Paulette — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:58:40 GMT

Hello :)

I tend to find the opposite! Agencies seem to hassle you if you let them and offer jobs that are over an hour's drive (with no traffic!) from where I want to be! (argh!) Have you told them you can be a little flexible on the distance? There are many many locum agencies and I've found they are free to join, most you can even register online. I registered with nearly all I could find-there's no obligation. Most of them do a weekly email update so make sure you're subscribed to those. I don't think any of the ones I am registered with work at the weekend but most will get back to me on the day or the next day during the week. Quite often ask them to leave a voicemail during work hours then I email back in the evening. Try and speak to the same person at each agency each time-I find this helps then they know what you're looking for and where and prevents miscommunications. Don't forget practices advertising for permanent positions aren't always necessarily looking for a locum in the interim but if they are advertising locum jobs in your area def email and leave a voicemail asking for someone to get back to you (I also find texting is helpful!). Good luck, let me know if you'd like me to pm you a list of agencies I've found. Also if you are Ltd or Umbrella company have you tried approaching practices yourself? Obv you must make it clear how you need to be paid and the practice and umbrella company if applicable need to agree this prior to the start of each assignment. Also be aware of the regulations/your agency contracts when applying for locum jobs on your own (ie you shouldn't approach a practice yourself if the agency have made you aware of the job-unless it's an introductory agency but then you must still tell the practice which agency found you the job). I have found though even with introductory agencies they will do a certain amount of the initial organising for you and the practice. Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs (I am assuming you haven't locumed before?) sorry if you have! if so, like i said normally they hassle you so maybe give them a call? Quite often more than one agency will have the same job too so make sure you know what rate of pay you can negotiate through each before making your decision! Good luck!