For candidates

Candidates

We find people the jobs they want — not just the jobs they need. Permanent, contract or interim, across Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset and Hampshire area.

Job Search Submit your CV

Candidates looking for a job

Looking for something more inspiring, more satisfying — something that’s more ‘you’?

You’ve come to the right place. We specialise in getting our candidates roles they actually want and are suited to, with a varied range of jobs across Dorset and Hampshire. Whether you’re after permanent, contract or interim work, our experienced consultants will help you find the right one.

Time spent with you is time well spent. We sit down and listen to exactly what you’re after — from the type of work to the kind of companies you want to do it for. The clearer the picture, the sooner we can get you into a position that puts a smile on your face.

And we’ve been around a while. Over the years we’ve built great relationships with local businesses, so we hear about a whole variety of roles — and we’ll let our network know you’re available and an excellent prospect.

We can even help you change your career path — Read a candidate story

On your side

Dovetail Recruitment will:

More than a job board — a team that backs you from first conversation to first day, and beyond.

  • Support and make your strengths shine, to get you on the right career path
  • Help you with your CV so it gets you noticed
  • Keep you updated every step of the way
  • Coach you on interview techniques
  • Use our vast network of contacts to find you a suitable position
  • Keep in touch, even after you’ve got the job, to check how you’re doing
  • Help improve your knowledge of the vacancy and the company

Candidate Toolkit

How we help you succeed.

Everything you need to land your next role, in one place. Free guides, practical checklists and honest advice from our consultants.

10-point guide Interview Techniques Ten practical ways to walk in calm, prepared and yourself — and actually nail the interview. Open the guide How-to guide How to Write the Perfect CV The format, the language and the common mistakes that get good CVs binned before they’re read. Read the guide Free PDF download 32 Top Tips to Securing Your Next Job Our most-downloaded resource — a quick, practical checklist you can keep coming back to. Download free Questions u0026 answers Common Interview Questions The questions you’re most likely to face, with honest guidance on how to answer them well. See the questions Candidate story Change Your Career Path Thinking of a switch? See how we’ve helped people move into something more ‘them’. Read the story Career skills Handing In Your Notice Resigning the right way — ten honest, practical tips on when and how to hand in your notice without burning bridges. Read the tips
From the toolkit Interview Techniques

When you’ve applied for dozens of jobs, landing an interview can feel like the win. And it is.

But don’t just be happy to get one — work hard to make sure you nail it. Here are ten practical ways to shine.

  1. 1

    Be likeable

    Obvious? Absolutely — but you’d be amazed how few people really try. Make a great first impression and a real connection: smile, make eye contact, be enthusiastic, sit forward, use the interviewer’s name. We all want to work with people we like.

  2. 2

    Use body language to your advantage

    How you sit, stand and move can matter more than what you say. The right posture and gestures help you come across as smart, open, engaged and less stressed — all of which makes an awesome impression.

  3. 3

    Know the company — and the people

    Go beyond a quick Google. Look up current and past employees on LinkedIn, get a feel for the culture and career paths, and definitely research whoever will interview you, so you can build a genuine rapport.

  4. 4

    Set a hook

    Interviewers often don’t remember a lot afterwards — especially across several candidates. Give them something to anchor you to: an outside interest, or an unusual fact about your experience or career. Being memorable is everything.

  5. 5

    Be ready for unusual questions

    Standard behavioural questions are easy to prepare for. Go a step further and think about the odd ones too. And never be afraid to say, “give me a second to think about that” — quality, not speed, is what matters.

  6. 6

    Describe what you can offer immediately

    Researching the company is a given — go further and find a way you could hit the ground running or contribute to a critical area. Hiring is an investment, and everyone wants to see a return on it.

  7. 7

    Avoid negative sound bites

    People remember the negatives. Instead of “I’ve never done X,” share the applicable experience you do have and find the positives. No matter the subject, stay positive.

  8. 8

    Ask questions that really matter

    Never ask something a quick search would have answered. Focus on fit: the people you’d work with, who you’d report to, the scope of the role. Interviews should always be two-way.

  9. 9

    Ask for the job — with justification

    By the end you should have a good sense of whether you want it. If you do, say so — and use specifics about the role to prove you want it and deserve it.

  10. 10

    Reinforce the connection when you follow up

    Email follow-ups are fine; a handwritten note is better. Best of all, reference something from the conversation. And always say thanks — never underestimate the power of gratitude.

Your next move

Let’s find a role that’s more ‘you’.

Send us your CV or browse the latest vacancies. Friendly, honest and on your side — that’s how we’ve recruited across Dorset and Hampshire since 2013.

Job Search Submit your CV
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