Recruitment agencies

book12

Is it true that online recruitment agencies (for example, Reed, Monster, and the like) are useless, as they rarely contact people? After putting the CV online, you don't hear from them...

If so, I guess I will go the recruitment agencies in town... As well as this, I will apply directly to companies.

sammiboo

Every agency I have been with have been rubbish.

A couple of years ago I was looking for a job as i was moving away from home so went through two agencies based near where i was moving to. One never contacted me. The other, i signed up with them in the august, they phoned me up in january telling me they had me lined up for a job and then heard nothing after that :rolleyes:

I am currently out of work, I was made redundant 6 weeks ago. I have found that the job centre website, and local papers to be best. I have had a few interviews from both those sources.

Good luck

jessbob

I've been with agencies for the past 3 months and none of them have been of any use whatsoever. they have done no more than give me the run around for jobs that I am sure do not really exist, and then they suddenly disappear off the face of the earth !

Reed tend to have other agencies advertising through their site, so not all the vacancies you apply for with Reed are actually with Reed themselves. It normally states which agency when you receive your e-mail confirming you have applied.

With respect, though, Reed did give me a call without me even applying for a certain position, as they felt that I would be suitable. After a few train journeys with identification etc it turned out I was not suitable in any event, so really wish they had checked what qualifications were required before having me running around.

CCFC_80

Employment agencies are really hard work to deal with and should stay well clear ! .Also find Monster rubbish !. When I first registered with them 6 months ago I received 4 calls from agencies first week and perhaps another 2 the following week. Since then no interest at all. I expect the agencies who use Monster after a while only like to look at recent/new candidates who register with them.

Philippa36

I've never managed to get a job through an agency. I don't apply for jobs that are obviously agencies generally advertising just to get hold of cv's either.

I check jobcentreplus and the nhs website everyday and have got several interviews through them.

freakyogre

I always thought agencies found you a job and then you worked through them as such (filling in timesheets etc). I didn't realise that the other type of agency looked for jobs on your behalf but you didn't actually work through them (if i'm making any sense!)

I was made redundant in March and while looking for jobs I applied for one through (I think) totaljobs which was through a local agency. They phoned me the following day asking me to come in and meet them/register, which I did. The job I had applied for had gone, but they said they'd let me know if anything else came up (and actually phoned me when I got home offering me a job, but it was no good).

To cut a long story short, they found another job which I had an interview for (didn't get). I then had 2 interviews which I arranged myself through the paper/job centre and on my way back from my 2nd interview the agency called offering me another interview. I had that 2 days later, got the job and started 3 days later! (been there just under 3 weeks now)

I never really thought much of agencies, but did have some joy with them this time. I wouldn't agree with everyone else and say they're all rubbish, but i'm sure there are some out there that can be difficult!

Dundunbanza

I have found the agencies I have signed up with to be very hit and miss, and more miss than hit. I also know that I have been asked to register with agencies and even attended an interview where a job didn't exist.

Keep a very open mind with agencies and don't rely on them to get you work - after all they are sales people with targets and they will use you as they see fit.

I have found it better to apply direct to companies and search the company websites for positions at least you are fairly certain these jobs actually exist and your time is not being wasted.

jessbob

I always thought that agencies only got paid when they actually filled a vacancy, but this can't be right if they are actually interviewing for non existent jobs. they are doing my head in !

BYALPHAINDIA

A good 90% of Agencies are total 'Rubbish' coming from past experience.

The out of town agencies are always the best to use coming from experience.

The City centre agencies - Leeds for an example are 8/10 staffed by young graduates some with little or no customer service skills whatsoever.

Some can also be VERY snobby and do not show any interest in the applicant desperate to find a job QUICKLY!!

They just stand/sit there looking nice in their suits and make up!!

These types of graduates come straight out of UNI and have may have never actually had a job themselves before?

I always found the best consultants to be the ones that had moved around the agencies and displayed respect and knowledge 100%

Some of the consultants I met were totally useless and I felt angry that they didn't have a care in the world to help people.

What did it matter to them if I got a job or not, They still get their salary at the end of each month!!

And when you ring them up, They never answer the phone themselves they always get the receptionist to tell you to ring back........!!

This recession could be a good thing for the Recruitment Agencies, By weeding out the rubbish agencies?

The best ones I found were - Reed 9/10, Hays 9/10, Manpower 8/10, Blue Arrow 7/10.

The agencies the worst were Office Angels, Search, taskmaster!!

The consultants do actually talk to each other at other agencies too!!

BYALPHAINDIA

jessbob wrote: »

I always thought that agencies only got paid when they actually filled a vacancy, but this can't be right if they are actually interviewing for non existent jobs. they are doing my head in !

That's just advertising for the Agency, The Agencies actually get money for signing new people onto their books!!

Good Luck With The Jobhunt.

GonzoAston

I will also say that from personal experience, ive found most recruitment agencies a load of rubbish.

Ive normally gone direct through job centre website, or in the job centre boards. Jobs boards (alot of agencies use these also though)

I couldnt stand Manpower, Adecco, Brook Street or Office Angels. They used to phone me, or send me to jobs I said I wouldnt do, or for far less money I wanted, or miles and miles away from where I could physically get to.