Are agencies a waste of time?

falko89

I've got a call from a couple keen to get me on their books however they only seem to have a couple of days work here or there, nothing perminant, and by the time you factor in the cost of getting there etc I can't see it being worth while. Maybe if I lived I lived in London or somewhere it would be useful, I live in the sticks unable to drive with a poor public transport system

DKLS

Not in my experience, I have found agencies very useful and I enjoy the service they offer. I will counter this by stating that it depends enormously on the recruitment consultant, some are dire beyond belief and some use some very dodgy tactics, advertising jobs that dont exist and fishing for CVs and your contacts.

Learn the rules of playing the agency game it will serve you well.

Carl31

They're not a waste of time, after all they find you work whilst you do other things, however dont be fooled they're in it for your benefit, your CV is potential commission for them, and that's all it is. They want to get you placed and keep you there until you're paid, nothing more

As the above poster says, you need to play the game with them. Use them as they would use you, a means to an end

Mrs_Arcanum

Managed to get some great work from an Agency and as a direct result of my placement I now have a permanent Job.

You may have to do some "scut" jobs to start with but if you get good feedback from your placements it will stand you in good stead.

Evilm

Agencys have provided me with numerous short term roles (2weeks - 3months) and numerous permanent opportunities.

If you realise that they aren't going to treat you like a client and bend to your will then they are useful. They do only care about you for how they can make use of you and have no interest in you and your aims.

I generally tell the agencies that I don't want days that are only a few days and can they only put me forward to work that is a week at the minimum and that sorts it out. This might be easier in my area of work than yours though - Accounting temps are usually only brought in when there is at least a weeks worth to do.

Notmyrealname

I live in the sticks. Used to be a lorry driver through agencies. Roles were all short term 1 day to a week and to get a 2 or 3 week booking was a rarety. Kept me in almost fulltime work for over a decade.

The problem is if you're doing a job that world and dog can or do do, you're not going to get a lot of work until you've proven your worth.

Gleeful

Not at all. I'm a 'success story' for my agency. Started in a junior role as agency staff, six weeks later I was permanent and running the department I had joined. I know this because the agency reps came in yesterday to see how my staff were doing and told me that they tell everyone they place there about it.