Job agencies Good, Bad, Ugly ????

AHZB

I have recently . .well last year . . been made redundant .
Its just now that i am seriously looking for employment after doing some training off my own back.

Lawks alordy dealing with agencies its just like a spaghetti western (one in particular). I have encountered the ( in reverse order)

• Ugly - where there wasn't an actual job but they seemed to need a quota of folk on their books
• Bad - they just didn't seem to have a clue , didn't give feedback or ask any relevant questions
• Good - Told me that my cv wasnt up to scratch . .and i must admit i agree.

Anyhow i was just wondering what other folk have experienced ?
I am now tending to apply directly via firms websites where possible . .but am obviously sticking with my GOOD just for the plain and simple fact that they wre honest and could be bothered to be honest.

ellie101

It really depends. I'm in a sector where they drive me a bit mad. I go for jobs in IT/digital media.

The market is dire so they'll ring you and "fish" you for references. As in say "I need a reference before putting you forward for this job". They have no intention of putting you forward for a job/have a job, they just want to ring your ex-bosses to see if they are hiring. So generally I now say if you put me forward and I get an offer you can have a reference.

I don't mind the fishing so much though, what winds me up is when they say "who are you interviewing for, can you tell me so I don't approach the client again and you are already there?". This is so they can CV block.... send someone else in your place (as in one of their candidates). I spend ages telling 'em "it's really quiet and I have no interviews".

Btw, is your CV that bad? Just curious, as sometimes agents in my field don't get it right.

I've also had some good experiences, a few agents I deal with are good, upfront, and will tell you how it is while being polite, and really try to get you the best job. I'd register with a few to compare and get a feel, or use recommendations. Good luck. If someone is rude to you, ignore them/disagree and don't let it get you down, but I find most okay.

freefalling02

Hi.

I used to work in recruitment and like ellie101 says it can be sector specific. Can you say the type of role you are looking for?

AHZB

Yep indeedy in reviewing my cv it was dire . . . .ah well you live and learn
Think i've got it right now

Am from the IT persuasion

Gis a job someone *S* pretty please

freefalling02

Well firstly you need to make sure you dont just go to a High Street agency but a specialist agency. If your training is in IT but your previous work history is not you need to tailor your CV putting your personal profile first and your training 2nd. In the nicest possible way are you punching above your weight with the jobs you are applying for, i.e. you know you can do them but you dont have any previous experience??

A small high street agency may charge 10% of your annual salary as a fee, but a specialist agency may charge 25% so if your salary were going to be say 35k and an agency is going to charge over 8k for you then you are going to have to be worth it on paper before they will see you.

My brother used to be a security guard, but did training, like you and he got a temp job, worked hard and eventually was taken on full time and they are training him and so on.

Maybe you might want to look at getting in as 1st tier support, which is lower paid but a foot in the door. Another option would be applying for roles in an industry that you have previously worked in, so that perspecitve employers can identify with you.

Believe it or not, some employers look for the strangest things on CV's and will see people for the most bizarre reasons. A friend of mine applied for a job at a Uni having had NO experience and they saw her for an interview because she had 'smirnoff' in her email address and the person interviewing her liked vodka. She actually got the job, your CV needs to stand out as well as having the skills they are looking for.

Good luck in your search, keep positive and most importantly dont give up on what you want.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

EVERY agency will advertise for jobs that arent "there" - you cant have an agency without temps on stand by - you cant get temps on stand by if there are no jobs

keep naggng - it works!

AHZB

Yep thats what i have heard . . if you keep nagging and being a pain tis better than just standing back and waiting . . . .alas and alak if you shout the loudest it seems that you will be heard . . . .so much for true experience?!?!?!? ah well

freefalling02

Mommyme, as I read the the OP is not looking for a Temp job he is looking for a Perm and agencies should not, even though we know they do, advertise jobs that are not or no longer available.

Anthony, one other thing I thought of is if you go on sites like Total Jobs, they sometimes relist jobs with out the agents knowing. A site I have used a few times is Reed.co.uk you can filter by how long a job has been on there etc. I just did a quick search for within 20 miles of your home location in the last 3 days and there are 25 listed, now obviously not all of those you are going to be suitable for or even want, but worth a try

AHZB

Bring back the good old days i say . . . .if they advertise for a Gladiator to fight a Wild boar then tats what they want . . .!!!
Nowadays such a statement might mean
1. . . .you have to fight with a piglet (might not be your scene)
2 . . . you have to fight you mother in law (good shout)
3 . . . you have to spend the rest of your life sticking labels on very tame piglets
4. . . . You have to fight a wild boar . . . .but you pass away from the shock of actualy getting what you wanted.

Whats the answer to all this i wonder

freefalling02

lol.... The good old days were not so good, they just seem that way because you were younger.... I got a great job in December or so I thought and here I am two months on and my boss has not paid me because she does not have any money!!!!!! BUT, because I was looking at the right time I have now got my Dream job which I start monday. I had to go through the pain to get the gain and you will too.... just hang in there.

AHZB

CONGRATULATIONS
sounds like you've found what you are looking for
best of luck in your new job