Sigh . . agencies, agencies...

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I have always been a great advocate of agencies judging from my past work experience.

However.... I know things are tough but is it really that difficult to get things right in an agency just now?

Firstly I was invited to an interview for a really great role assisting a very senior person, given the date, advised what to bring etc.., however, not given the time.

Not to worry, I'll start preparing, spent a week really researching the company, going through the very detailed job description line by line, practising with my partner, purchased a new suit jacket....I emailed the agency and phoned a few times as the date was drawing closer and needed to know the time...

Cue frantic (non apologetic) phone call from the agency manager day that 'so and so has obviously jumped the gun and I shouldn't have been offered an interview in the first place'. Was told that feedback from their client is that my CV is very very strong however I wasn't been taken forward. The manager then went onto a ramble about how it is always best to go through an agency as they can 'not overstep the line' by getting proper and full feedback from each of my applications....Ok.. so not "sorry MissGJ we've made a mistake" . . just get over it MissGJ! Ok... bit !!!!ed off but can handle that everyone makes mistakes...

I asked if they had any other candidates going forward for this role and was told that only one candidate of the 8 they had submitted was. Was told the client really deliberated between myself and the other lady who was being interviewed.. I asked the manager for the proper and full feedback she would have obtained from the client that she had mentioned earlier in our call .... cue silence, rustling, umming and ahhing scratching of head.. 'um, well MissGJ, I don't really know, um, not sure... hmmm....all I can see is that she has a little more international experience'... oh, so 'proper and full feedback' pigs trotters you're just making it up!

There was nothing in the job descip that had anything about international experience or even alluding to needing this, and beside, I have worked in Australia (all over), Ireland, England and Scotland.

So... anyway, moved on.....

First thing Monday I was then invited to two interviews at 10am and 2pm at two separate agencies on Thursday for a great role (told not more). Great things are looking up, went over CV a few times, shined the shoes, double checked the agencies addresses... hmm, that's odd, same address.. oh well, companies do share buildings so maybe they're on different floors.... little more research, same floor... hmm very odd... phoned one of the agencies to be told they had made a mistake, they are the same agency just one had abbreviated their name (hugely) and it was for the same job . . however, that job had already been filled so they think both agency staff who had contacted me had both made the same mistake.......

It's a good thing I still have the ability to laugh at myself, have been up and down like a yo-yo this week, seriously, agencies... you're not painting a good picture of yourself....GET IT TOGETHER!!


I'm not having a go at all agency staff, just needing to vent over my exciting week... ;-)

hartcjhart

and breathe deeply

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

daveboy

When will people finally realise that agencies don't give a flying f*** about the individual, and are solely out to fill their own coffers.

They couldn't care less if they let people down - and in my opinion ANY individual that goes through an agency or works for an agency is extremely desperate for work and must enjoy being treated like an animal.

I have no sympathy if people get used for 12 weeks and then have no work. Remember, the agencies profits come before anything else. It's no wonder most of Poland lives in the UK, agencies have thrived on people who have no idea about rights.

It's not too hard to find a job directly with an employer. I've managed it many times and I have a disability which makes it harder for me than it is for others.

MoneySavingUser

One agency told me I had an interview on a Monday they would confirm the time. 4pm Friday no confirmation. They said they hadn't heard back from the company. Never heard from the agency again....

@daveboy - I think that is a bit unfair - lots of people are desperate for work and it isn't their fault that job openings are low and unemployment is high!

bevanuk

daveboy wrote: »

When will people finally realise that agencies don't give a flying f*** about the individual, and are solely out to fill their own coffers.

They couldn't care less if they let people down - and in my opinion ANY individual that goes through an agency or works for an agency is extremely desperate for work and must enjoy being treated like an animal.

I have no sympathy if people get used for 12 weeks and then have no work. Remember, the agencies profits come before anything else. It's no wonder most of Poland lives in the UK, agencies have thrived on people who have no idea about rights.

It's not too hard to find a job directly with an employer. I've managed it many times and I have a disability which makes it harder for me than it is for others.

Should they though? Care?

You're not paying them? And by giving them your CV you gain more exposure, if they have something great, if not then tough.

Everyone should use them but in conjuction with your own jobsearch - they are not to be relied on, remember they don't work for you.

westv

daveboy wrote: »

It's not too hard to find a job directly with an employer. I've managed it many times and I have a disability which makes it harder for me than it is for others.

On more than one occasion I have sent my CV directly to a company, not heard a word and then a month or two later got an interview with the same company via an agency.

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daveboy wrote: »

It's not too hard to find a job directly with an employer. I've managed it many times and I have a disability which makes it harder for me than it is for others.

Very nice. It is incredibly hard and if you're working just now, well done. I have pretty much always managed to get jobs directly wtih an employer also, until now. I am applying via many agencies plus directly to companies and have submitted over 200 applications for one interview. If you're not currently searching, try to be more tactful or just don't say anything at all. It is incredibly demoralising for myself and probably many others out of work. I am somone with 14 years experience, mid 30's ready raring to go and comments like it's not too hard to find a job don't help.