Today I wanted to post about something that happened this week that should serve as a reminder to us all to think about how we look for jobs, and protect our details whilst doing so.

I received an email from a recruitment consultancy in my personal email account. It was attaching a CV of a candidate, with all his details and his full name. I have never been in contact with this recruitment agency - either as a candidate or from a previous life, when I was a recruiter. I was gob smacked! How many others had received this email? Why was I receiving it when I have never asked to and clearly have a personal email account (it’s a Yahoo! one). It even had this on close of the body text:

“Please be assured that your confidentiality will not be compromised at any time during your experience with XXXXX.”

I spoke to the MD, to complain. He did some digging for me and found out that one of his recruiters has called me to offer services in 2004, when I was a recruitment agent myself. Somehow that person had also got my personal email address. I was now on one of their mailing lists, and that’s how I received this man’s CV (along with no doubt, a few hundred/thousand others?). Having never ever worked with other recruiters when I was a recruiter myself, this claim is dubious in the least, and down right dodgy in the most.

So, to recap, from over 3 years of inactivity with this recruitment agency and never having being interested in their services, they’ve just sent me a guy’s CV with all his work details on (including his current company, and full name).

A quick Google search and I found the chap in question (within the top 5 Google results), and forwarded him the email to take up his own complaint. Whether he has or not I don’t know, but he wasn’t impressed.

So - word to the wise, really watch where your details are, make sure you meet every single recruitment agency before you choose to represented by them, and make sure they ask for your permission before sending out your CV. Otherwise, who know’s who might know far too much about you, and decide to hijack your identity, or your current position at work.

According to Recruiter Magazine the busiest two weeks of the year for the recruitment industry is about to be upon us starting this week! Managing Director Neil Wilson of Badenoch & Clark that put out the press release said:

“We’ve always seen a spike in activity throughout January as people resolve to build a better life in the New Year. But it seems this is compounded by the poor weather and in particular the lack of daylight at this time of year, which contributes to a poor sense of wellbeing. It seems depression is the motivating factor for many a job search: ‘I’m unhappy = perhaps a new job might make me happy’ seems to be the train of thought.”

We’ve certainly noticed an increase, but assumed it was down to the following that Chinwag Live is getting!

I’ve received my third press release today from various companies droning on about Blue Monday - the day when we’re all so depressed, apparently.  I’m not sure who thinks these things up but I reckon it’s a load of rubbish.  What do you think?

If you are someone that would get sad on Monday coming, I suggest a good movie with a friend and a bottle of lovely wine (or if like me you’re not drinking in January, a nice bottle of San Pelegrino!).

Life’s too short to spend any of it sad.  If you’re feeling blue this week or any other just drop us a line saying “give us a joke then” and I’ll send you a joke so awful you’ll have to smile, or in the very least - grin and bear it