Candidates - Things To Be Aware Of When Using A Recruitment Agency

oldandhappy

I am still amazed that agencies advertise for jobs that are make believe. Our SIL having moved here in June signed on with many agencies and his experiences have opened my eyes to the world of make believe jobs. My overall view of these so called 'Jobs' are...the agencies need loads of people on there books so when a job comes in they will always be able to fill that job whether its for a day a week or a month. There main business is surely to fill companies short fall on staff, for whatever reason they are short of staff that last minute vacancy must be filled hence loads of recruitments needed and you sit by/with the phone just waiting for that call.
Today my DD was telling me what occurred with our SIL this morning whilst on his long journey to his agency work via Bike Train and Bike. He was phoned by 'his' agency to say there was a problem with the new contract with the company he has been assigned with for the past few months and that he would not get paid today if he worked:eek:. He spoke with the assigned Co. and they said could he sign on with another agency that they are now going to use then they would get the agency to phone him to confirm that he is now with this said original co.Luck would have it that he had already signed up with this agency;) months back... Just a few weeks ago though when they realised he was actually signed up with other agencies and had been given this long term 'job' SIL had phoned them hoping to find a 'job' closer to home they just slammed the phone down on HIM...yet now it suits them with the new contract he is favor of the moment......When you actually have someone close to you that has dealt with these Job Agencies it sure does open your eyes. In his case its still luckily paying the morgage:). Dianne

diable

liney wrote: »

How do you suggest sourcing 15 labourers for tommorrow (for example) without advertising in the JC, or inviting people to register, just out of interest?

If you know the places where to pull up in your van and shout out that you need 15 bodies at £60 pd

diable

oldandhappy wrote: »

I am still amazed that agencies advertise for jobs that are make believe. Our SIL having moved here in June signed on with many agencies and his experiences have opened my eyes to the world of make believe jobs. My overall view of these so called 'Jobs' are...the agencies need loads of people on there books so when a job comes in they will always be able to fill that job whether its for a day a week or a month. There main business is surely to fill companies short fall on staff, for whatever reason they are short of staff that last minute vacancy must be filled hence loads of recruitments needed and you sit by/with the phone just waiting for that call.
Today my DD was telling me what occurred with our SIL this morning whilst on his long journey to his agency work via Bike Train and Bike. He was phoned by 'his' agency to say there was a problem with the new contract with the company he has been assigned with for the past few months and that he would not get paid today if he worked:eek:. He spoke with the assigned Co. and they said could he sign on with another agency that they are now going to use then they would get the agency to phone him to confirm that he is now with this said original co.Luck would have it that he had already signed up with this agency;) months back... Just a few weeks ago though when they realised he was actually signed up with other agencies and had been given this long term 'job' SIL had phoned them hoping to find a 'job' closer to home they just slammed the phone down on HIM...yet now it suits them with the new contract he is favor of the moment......When you actually have someone close to you that has dealt with these Job Agencies it sure does open your eyes. In his case its still luckily paying the morgage:). Dianne

That was hard reading...........

1984ReturnsForReal_2

andy46 wrote: »

Would have perhaps been a good idea prior to this thread, but now not so sure. Due to the responses and arrogance of mostof the RC's who have contributed on this thread, My opinion of them has sunk even lower and certainly would be one of those who wouldn't use it.

:rotfl:


I read your post that you deleted or the mods deleted.

That's why you can trust me about it being your signing on day tomorrow.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

LilyDeTilly wrote: »

It looks like a certain troll has now taken to actually changing the comments of others that he/she decides to "quote"

Very admirable, you have just made your opinions completely unworthy and have proven that you are deceitful and misleading. You must suit your job down to the ground

Says the woman with no credibility whatsoever. :T

Sammyantha

jay_1978 wrote: »

Congrats on the most ignorant post to ever grace this site, you should feel proud of your accolade.

Since you have neither read every single post on this site, or taken the time to look up the meaning of ignorance, I can't see how I could begin to address this.

RacyRed wrote: »

When it affects someone's ability to earn a living it is a very big deal indeed.

Are you still not getting that the impact of RCs can be life changing? When an RC's actions are unfairly detrimental to someone do you really think your attitude is appropriate?

Not being placed by an agency does not affect ability to earn a living. Nor does it prevent them from applying for further jobs.

"Unfair" is open to interpretation. To the candidate who feels hard done by, of course the actions of the agency will appear unfair.

Would you handle broken glass without wearing protection on your hands? The glass itself is neutral; how it's handled is what determines the outcome.

I understand that many people simply do not know how agencies work, and often get caught out because of this. It is a blow to have your hopes raised and then dashed. And it can feel like a betrayal when realization dawns that the friendly consultant they gave information to, is really just a business person, and not their new best friend. This highlights a lack of basic business awareness which can be improved upon.

A candidate going into the workplace will be faced with far greater challenges which they need to be prepared for. In an uncertain job market, with diminishing job prospects, they must be able to think ahead of the competition, stand out, and prove their worth. They may well be faced with colleagues who stab them in the back, employers who try to screw them over, and all sorts of other issues. They need the skills to cope within this corporate jungle otherwise they will not last. This applies in every industry and is simply part of the way things work. The most important aspect of surviving in this jungle, is being prepared for anything that may happen.

For those starting out in the job market, or those who are returning after a break it can be difficult to know where to start preparing, or even know that they need to. I'm aware that some of my posts may come across as sweeping statements which either ignore or negate this, and I'm prepared to admit that this is an oversight on my part which may have caused my tone to appear somewhat arrogant. Be assured that my intention on this thread was, and is, to address those aspects of the thread with which I disagree, and to give considered and constructive counter arguments where possible.

My own stance is that agencies work the way they work, and their methods will not change because people don't like them. I am much more interested in how job hunters can develop skills which enable them to deal with not only recruitment agencies, but the entire search and employment process more effectively.

RedSoleShoes

Sammyantha wrote: »

I understand that many people simply do not know how agencies work, and often get caught out because of this. It is a blow to have your hopes raised and then dashed. And it can feel like a betrayal when realization dawns that the friendly consultant they gave information to, is really just a business person, and not their new best friend. This highlights a lack of basic business awareness which can be improved upon.

Sammyantha wrote: »

My own stance is that agencies work the way they work, and their methods will not change because people don't like them.

Exactly. So in order for candidates who do not have the "basic business awareness" (as you describe it), this thread will serve to highlight the way in which agencies work. Hopefully candidates will learn how to deal with agencies and understand their "business" practices which perhaps appear underhand to the untrained eye (ie. any unsuspecting, trusting candidate who puts faith in their RC).

But once they have this "business awareness" that you speak of I'm sure it will make the job of an RC much harder. Perhaps this is why SOME RCs have got so disgruntled about this being publicised......

1984ReturnsForReal_2

LilyDeTilly wrote: »

Exactly. So in order for candidates who do not have the "basic business awareness" (as you describe it), this thread will serve to highlight the way in which agencies work. Hopefully candidates will learn how to deal with agencies and understand their "business" practices which perhaps appear underhand to the untrained eye (ie. any unsuspecting, trusting candidate who puts faith in their RC).

But once they have this "business awareness" that you speak of I'm sure it will make the job of an RC much harder. Perhaps this is why SOME RCs have got so disgruntled about this being publicised......

FM

Talk about being shoved up your own backside.

The only thing this thread serves a purpose for is showing readers how much of a muppet you really are.

It doesn't "help" anyone.

You are such an idiot.

Sammyantha

You make it sound like there is some big conspiracy here.

Lily it is a small minority who do not already know these things. The fact that they are made aware will not affect the recruitment industry one bit. Because you yourself have just realised this, doesn't mean it is a new thing. RC's know how to handle candidates, as most candidates know how to handle RC's. If a candidate doesn't know how to handle RC's, then it can only benefit them to learn. Not so they can use it as some kind of weapon, but so they can operate in a normal business environment.

LilyDeTilly wrote: »

Exactly. So in order for candidates who do not have the "basic business awareness" (as you describe it), this thread will serve to highlight the way in which agencies work. Hopefully candidates will learn how to deal with agencies and understand their "business" practices which perhaps appear underhand to the untrained eye (ie. any unsuspecting, trusting candidate who puts faith in their RC).

But once they have this "business awareness" that you speak of I'm sure it will make the job of an RC much harder. Perhaps this is why SOME RCs have got so disgruntled about this being publicised......

liney

diable wrote: »

If you know the places where to pull up in your van and shout out that you need 15 bodies at £60 pd

You would pay for a service that recruited people this way?

Interview... references... proof of elegibility to work in the UK. No?

A good agency will interview a candidate finding out exactly what they have been doing for the last 10 years, reference them, and have taken copies of their documentation proving their elegibility to work in the UK (Yes even if you are British, and yes i know you don't know why you should have to provide it, and yes I know you won't have brought it with you despite being told specifically to do so, and yes I know you will deny you were told....)

All this before they are sent on assignment.

Again without resorting to becomming an illegally operating Gangmaster, or ignoring all REC and Home Office regulations, how do you do it?