Getting past the Agencies

sexki11en

Wakey2008 wrote: »

I don't really have any axe to grind on this as I've been in steady work for years, but reading your post gives me (and I'm sure others) the impression that it is you that has the attitude problem.

The fact is, the wrong people do apply for positions but the point of this thread is that the wrong people - ones that are very suitable - are turned away by jumped up little agencies lackies who think they are in a position of power but in reality have no clue what they are doing.

I see you were unable to respond to my previous post.:rotfl:

"One agency could have interpreted what was asked of them by the client differently. YOU could have presented yourself well to one agency, and not so well at another. "

I think if you read it all, you'll find I did answer your post. Although why you feel your post should be specifically answered when it wasn't even your thread I don't know

If we think you're suitable (based on what the client have told us and how we interpreted that) - you'll go forward. Otherwise you wont (whether you think you are suitable or not) It's not rocket science is it? We're just doing a job.

Just look at the recent example of recruitment I gave. Sadly it's not unusual - more like the norm for every round of recruitment we do. And that means I have a bad attitude? For stating cold hard facts?

And if I was a jumped up lackie who had no idea what I was doing 1) I wouldnt have kept my clients for so long and won new clients based on my reputation and 2) have earnt as much as I have. I certainly wouldn't still be in the industry after so long as that just doesn't happen in recruitment. Don't generalise. I'm good at what I do and there are others out there like me, just like there are bad agencies out there too.

SK x

liney

Wakey2008 wrote: »

I don't really have any axe to grind on this as I've been in steady work for years, but reading your post gives me (and I'm sure others) the impression that it is you that has the attitude problem.

The fact is, the wrong people do apply for positions but the point of this thread is that the wrong people - ones that are very suitable - are turned away by jumped up little agencies lackies who think they are in a position of power but in reality have no clue what they are doing.

I see you were unable to respond to my previous post.:rotfl:

The response to your previous post ie: The agency didn't put you forward but you got the job anyway directly through the client I assume?

One could make an argument that perhaps they chose you because you were cheap, even though you didn't actually meet all the criteria. They took a chance because they saved £X in fees so may as well give you a try. In a sense you were "good enough" considering there was no start up fee, and could be replaced if you didn't work out.

If the Employment Agency had submitted you, only meeting X and Y, but not Z they would respond with "Why would we pay for this person who does not meet the specifications I gave you?!" If the Client are paying they want Star Candidates, not "good enough"

Perhaps I shouldn't make so many assumptions, or generalisations, but what's good for the goose, and all that.:rolleyes:

lufcgirl

sexki11en wrote: »

"One agency could have interpreted what was asked of them by the client differently. YOU could have presented yourself well to one agency, and not so well at another. "

I think if you read it all, you'll find I did answer your post. Although why you feel your post should be specifically answered when it wasn't even your thread I don't know

If we think you're suitable (based on what the client have told us and how we interpreted that) - you'll go forward. Otherwise you wont (whether you think you are suitable or not) It's not rocket science is it? We're just doing a job.

Just look at the recent example of recruitment I gave. Sadly it's not unusual - more like the norm for every round of recruitment we do. And that means I have a bad attitude? For stating cold hard facts?

And if I was a jumped up lackie who had no idea what I was doing 1) I wouldnt have kept my clients for so long and won new clients based on my reputation and 2) have earnt as much as I have. I certainly wouldn't still be in the industry after so long as that just doesn't happen in recruitment. Don't generalise. I'm good at what I do and there are others out there like me, just like there are bad agencies out there too.

SK x

I have two years call centre experience, actually something like five...can I have a job?!

sexki11en

lufcgirl wrote: »

I have two years call centre experience, actually something like five...can I have a job?!

If ya want to work in Bristol PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE apply :rotfl:

SK x

Running_Horse

Wakey2008 wrote: »

What I did was approach the employer direct and guess what, I got the job.

I would recommend this as a first course of action, having found most agencies useless a couple of years ago. While agencies did nothing whatsoever, my 200 CVs with covering letters direct to every type of local company generated interviews and got me my current job.

secretspender_2

I'm a recruitment consultant and i agree with the majority of what sexik1tten as saying but:

- I hate my job
- I hate the industry
- I hate the people I work with as they are bullying and egotistical and arrogant
- I have recently taken a very large paycut
- I work between 8am and 6pm, very rarely get a lunch
- I have a mobile which all my clients have access to and no matter what time they call, I am expected to answer
- My number of temps has dropped by 75% in the last six months, so I have my manager constantly on my back to make cold calls to clients to get jobs. There are none
- My manager also tells me on daily basis how !!!!!! I am, how crap I am, how loads of people want my job etc and then tells me she says it to motivate me(:rolleyes:)
- I get daily abuse on the phone and I've been spat more than once because we have no work
- I get between 60-80 CVs in my inbox everyday
- I go home crying most nights due to all of the above

So I am not your average consultant to say the least. I understand peoples' frustration I really do.

I desperately want another job away from the world of recruitment, but even I can't get a job. I've been applying directly to companies rather than through agencies.

Just another POV:o

Cornball

I'm not a secretary but as my boss is primarily mobile he gives out my number and I get to deal with all the Agency calls.

'Is xxxxxxx in?'.

'I'm sorry, he's not in the office atm. May I take a message?'.

"When will he be in?'.

'I'm not sure (of course I know, but it's none of your business!). Can I help?'.

'Could you check his diary'.

'May I ask who is calling?'

'Could I have his mobile'. (Notice how they avoid indentifying themselves!)

'Who is calling please?"

'It's xxxxxx xxxxx.'

'From...?'

*mumbles something inaudiable*

'Sorry, I didn't catch that?'.

'Pxxxxx Rxxxxxxx'.

'Is that an agency?'.

*Long pause*...........................'Yes.'

And then they get DESPERATE, absolutely hammering me for his info. I for one am enjoying it. The inflated fees they charge us are shocking. Of course they aren't all like that and I have my favourites that I direct business too where possible. These are the ones that will survive the recession.

liney

secretspender wrote: »

I'm a recruitment consultant and i agree with the majority of what sexik1tten as saying but:

- I hate my job
- I hate the industry
- I hate the people I work with as they are bullying and egotistical and arrogant
- I have recently taken a very large paycut
- I work between 8am and 6pm, very rarely get a lunch
- I have a mobile which all my clients have access to and no matter what time they call, I am expected to answer
- My number of temps has dropped by 75% in the last six months, so I have my manager constantly on my back to make cold calls to clients to get jobs. There are none
- My manager also tells me on daily basis how !!!!!! I am, how crap I am, how loads of people want my job etc and then tells me she says it to motivate me(:rolleyes:)
- I get daily abuse on the phone and I've been spat more than once because we have no work
- I get between 60-80 CVs in my inbox everyday
- I go home crying most nights due to all of the above

So I am not your average consultant to say the least. I understand peoples' frustration I really do.

I desperately want another job away from the world of recruitment, but even I can't get a job. I've been applying directly to companies rather than through agencies.

Just another POV:o

And then you get to feel the love on the Jobseekers Board at MSE and it makes it all worthwhile

Chin up. You aren't a crap Consultant, it's the current market.

However, I think if anyone spat at me I may end up in front of a judge; but of course that would be because Consultants (and Ex Consultants!) have bad attitudes apparently.

CCFC_80

We out of work folks would all be better off and find it easier to find employment if agencies did not exist.
Lets take a reality check here as agencies are only in it for themselves to make money for their consultants and finding people actual jobs comes as second priority. If an agency is not making any money then they will close down the branch in your local town. In my town 4 leading high street agencies have disappeared due to the economic situation.
If agencies did not exist then all employers would have to advertise their jobs through the local papers and jobcentre plus giving in my opinion everybody an equal chance to apply for jobs.

jessicamb

In the industry I work in most of the recruitment seems to be done through specialised recruitment agencies. For the amount of commission on offer in this area (approx 20% of annual salary) so if there is half a chance of you getting the job there is no reason not to put you forward if you are suitable and what the client is looking for. Unfortunately the clients and their job specs now seem to be a lot pickier than they were a couple of years ago - which limits the likelihood of you meeting the criteria.

To those people who think it is a good idea to find out who the employer is from the agency and them approach them directly consider this - if a company would consider breaking a contract with an agency to employ you directly then would you trust them to be completely honest in their dealings with you?