Agency can't put you forward as you aren't working?

LadyMissA

Red_Elle wrote: »

That is concerning. I would not work with a candidate who was registered with 12 agencies. Why so many? The market will be saturated with your details.

There are a lot of CV pushing agencies out there. They will have done your CV in their format and mass mailed it to 101 companies. Times that by 12.

Scenario - Company A gets your CV from 3 agencies.
Result - they worry they'll get 3 invoices if they take you on, so CV goes in the bin.

My advice would be to find out where your details have gone already for a start. Ask the agencies. Then, select the best 2 agencies that you've dealt with. The ones who return your calls and don't waste your time with jobs that aren't suitable. The ones who you've met. If you haven't met any of them then you need to. I wouldn't let anyone direct my career if I didn't know them.

People in jobs often look more desirable. If I was out of work I'd probably get a job cleaning or something to show willing whilst I looked for something else, but that's just me.

No agency can put you forward for a job unless they tell you who it is with so there is no way 3 will put you forward for 3 and still even if they did how do you think they will get invoiced 3 times?

I have met with all 12 agencies and not all get the same jobs and I have not told any agency who I am with so they do not know who I am with I just say a few.

LadyMissA

nearlyrich wrote: »

Some of the people who are out of work can't get a job cleaning or stacking shelves or any of the usual NMW jobs that used to be available, you might not find it so easy as you think.

I have applied for shop work - didn't even get past the selection questions

Red_Elle

nearlyrich wrote: »

Some of the people who are out of work can't get a job cleaning or stacking shelves or any of the usual NMW jobs that used to be available, you might not find it so easy as you think.

I agree. I should have said that is what I would try to do, as opposed to implying it would be easy to do so. Bad wording.

LadyMissA

lynzpower wrote: »

Am I the only person here who is outraged that it is legal ( if indeed it is) to discriminate against someone because they are unemployed, all other things being equal.

This is pretty common in the US as well from what I can gather.

Yes is legal and I hear Obama is trying to get a law in so employers can't use it as an excuse if you meet the criteria to not interview you just because you were made redundant

LadyMissA

Red_Elle wrote: »

I agree. I should have said that is what I would try to do, as opposed to implying it would be easy to do so. Bad wording.

I have been but if I can't get an accounts interview and NMW then not sure I'd get an interview for something I have no experience in and trust me I have tired

Primark
ASDA
Boots
Wilkinsons
TKMaxx
Tesco
TM Lewin
Superdrug
M&S

and lots more

Red_Elle

LadyMissA wrote: »

No agency can put you forward for a job unless they tell you who it is with so there is no way 3 will put you forward for 3 and still even if they did how do you think they will get invoiced 3 times?

I have met with all 12 agencies and not all get the same jobs and I have not told any agency who I am with so they do not know who I am with I just say a few.

Of course they can, unless you are working with agencies who do not adhere to the REC codes of conduct when registering you. You are required to fill in a form saying that you give them permission to work on your behalf and submit you for vacancies. There is no legal requirement to inform you of exactly where you are being sent sadly.

I come up against this, although rarely work on non-exclusive vacancies these days, because it's so frustrating. A lot of high street agencies send CVs over to companies for jobs without discussing the vacancies.

Doubling up is incredibly common and it's a big bugbear with companies. I pick up a lot of work because companies are sick of working with agencies that do it.

It disadvantages the candidate, but the agency just wants to make money and get you over asap if they are up against other agencies.

Anyone can invoice the company provided they have made an introduction and their terms of business class an introduction as a CV sent.

Red_Elle

lynzpower wrote: »

Am I the only person here who is outraged that it is legal ( if indeed it is) to discriminate against someone because they are unemployed, all other things being equal.

This is pretty common in the US as well from what I can gather.

In 11 years I've never had a client request that people are working. I find it very strange, but also difficult to believe it's not illegal. A more common request is for people who are available immediately.

LadyMissA

Red_Elle wrote: »

Anyone can invoice the company provided they have made an introduction and their terms of business class an introduction as a CV sent.

They can't invoice for a CV, they invoice for a job offer.

LadyMissA

Red_Elle wrote: »

In 11 years I've never had a client request that people are working. I find it very strange, but also difficult to believe it's not illegal. A more common request is for people who are available immediately.

trust me it's NOT illegal.

Red_Elle

LadyMissA wrote: »

I have been but if I can't get an accounts interview and NMW then not sure I'd get an interview for something I have no experience in and trust me I have tired

Primark
ASDA
Boots
Wilkinsons
TKMaxx
Tesco
TM Lewin
Superdrug
M&S

and lots more

When did you last work in accounts? The people I see who cannot get work in accounts are the ones who have no recent experience and are up against people who do have recent experience.
The other people who struggle are candidates whose CV has saturated the market.

It isn't always a good idea to use an agency. My clients pay me to find them the very best candidates, so I am selective with whom we chose to work. The best candidates though are not necessarily the ones that most people think are the best candidates. I have found work for plenty of people who have been turned away from other agencies because they:

1) Have no UK experience (maybe they're an Accountant in Lithuania)
2) Returning to work after having children
3) Are not qualifed
4) Painfully shy and struggle at interview

If they are hard working and reliable I will work with them. They might not have great CVs, but I don't always work with CVs anyway. You would benefit from working with a Consultant who has developed strong exclusive relationships with clients.