Recruitment Agents = Rats

marybelle01

I am sure there are differences in the quality of recruitment agencies, bit I think the constant complaints about them largely come from people who misunderstand their purpose. They are not there to get you a job. They are there to make money, just like any other business, by providing the manpower needed to meet their clients requirements. Whether it is by placing you or somebody else isn't important to them, provided they win the contract and not another agency. This is no different from ANY business. Businesses are there to make a profit and at the end of the day that is all they care about. If you want to buy coffee then you go to a shop. You can shop around, yes. You can choose to buy fair trade product if they sell it. But they are ALL selling coffee because it makes a profit. Do you blame the shop staff or call them names on MSE because Tesco is making a profit out of you? Blaming the staff or calling them names just because they are doing their job and making a profit for their employer is senseless - whether it is Tesco or a recruitment agency. In the end if they don't make a profit then they will have no jobs and will be competing for jobs with you.

And I have used the same recruitment agency for 20 years quite successfully and without any complaints on either side. They find me contracts quickly and since I am a reliable and experienced person they know they will quickly turn a profit on me. I'm happy. They're happy. It's a mutually beneficial business arrangement. Like any other.

pompeyrich

As in all walks of life there are good and bad, but it's fairly easy to work out who can help and those that can't.

The good ones will spend time with you, advise on interview techniques, cvs, and in my case really boosted my confidence and even phoned up to wish me luck prior to the interviews, and always seem to provide feedback from the employer, when I didn't get the job. Obviously it is in their interest to get me employed, that's how they make their money. By going that extra mile and actually getting to know their client base, they can offer a tailored service that saves the applicant, the employer and the agency time.

The bad ones will just take your name and you probably won't hear from them again, no big deal.

RedSoleShoes

marybelle01 wrote: »

I think the constant complaints about them largely come from people who misunderstand their purpose. They are not there to get you a job......

BUT..... that is what they lead you to believe. And whilst it is the 'fault' of the individual if they are a little naive and believe this, it does not take away the fact that agencies DO behave in a ruthless and underhand way, generally much more so that other lines of business.

marybelle01 wrote: »

Businesses are there to make a profit and at the end of the day that is all they care about. If you want to buy coffee then you go to a shop. You can shop around, yes. You can choose to buy fair trade product if they sell it. But they are ALL selling coffee because it makes a profit. Do you blame the shop staff or call them names on MSE because Tesco is making a profit out of you?...

A bit different, you can't really compare buying coffee and buying your weekly shop to the importance of trying to find a job.

Finding a job is, for some people, the difference between whether or not they can buy their weekly shop.

freelancegal

Finding a job is very important and recruitment agents absolutely should act professionally and legally at all times. However, to echo another post, recruitment agencies are a business. Candidates don't pay them any money. So, whilst they absolutely should treat everyone with respect, candidates should treat them with respect too. They don't owe you anything. I don't understand why anyone would expect them to work on their specific behalf, free of charge? They aren't government or socially funded.

A courteous response is one thing, but expecting an agent to work to meet your needs seems rather unrealistic and unfair (unless you are paying them). At the end of the day the choice is the company's to use them and pay them. It is probably better to apply directly, where possible, but when not, it will just be a case of if they think you are suitable they will contact you. They work for the companies, as they pay them, not candidates.

marybelle01

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

BUT..... that is what they lead you to believe. And whilst it is the 'fault' of the individual if they are a little naive and believe this, it does not take away the fact that agencies DO behave in a ruthless and underhand way, generally much more so that other lines of business.



A bit different, you can't really compare buying coffee and buying your weekly shop to the importance of trying to find a job.

Finding a job is, for some people, the difference between whether or not they can buy their weekly shop.

Oh for goodness sake grow up. Nobody led me to believe anything. I am an adult and I fully comprehend that recruitment agencies are profit making businesses and not social services. If others don't get that then yes, they are naive. And that is whose fault? I fully understand that being unemployed is hard. But recruitment agencies are not in business to find you a job. Their business is their clients, not the unemployed. Reducing unemployment is the governments business. Not that I believe that they will, can or care to. But blaming employees for doing their job is pointless.

RedSoleShoes

marybelle01 wrote: »

Oh for goodness sake grow up. Nobody led me to believe anything. I am an adult and I fully comprehend that recruitment agencies are profit making businesses and not social services. If others don't get that then yes, they are naive. And that is whose fault? I fully understand that being unemployed is hard. But recruitment agencies are not in business to find you a job. Their business is their clients, not the unemployed. Reducing unemployment is the governments business. Not that I believe that they will, can or care to. But blaming employees for doing their job is pointless.

Calm down, I don't think I actually said anything about you personally! I was talking about how they treat everyone so you can pick your toys back up. I bet you are joy to work with if you fly off the handle like that all the time.

And I think you will find that no one is "blaming them for doing their jobs" at all. The complaint is about them being rude, disrespectful, patronising, telling lies and giving false hope about job vacancies they do not have.... do I need to go on.....

marybelle01

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

Calm down, I don't think I actually said anything about you personally! I was talking about how they treat everyone so you can pick your toys back up. I bet you are joy to work with if you fly off the handle like that all the time.

And I think you will find that no one is "blaming them for doing their jobs" at all. The complaint is about them being rude, disrespectful, patronising, telling lies and giving false hope about job vacancies they do not have.... do I need to go on.....

Well you do seem to go on, don't you?

You addressed my comments - personally and twice - and said that that is what they want me to believe. You were not talking generally, you were addressing me.

"People" are abusing them and calling them names - so yes I think you will find that people are blaming them for doing their jobs.

I don't find that agencies promise me anything at all that they can't deliver. The longest period I have been out of work when I wanted it was two days. Perhaps the problem lies not with the agencies, but with what you are offering them...

TrickyWicky

Just to clarify something here..

I am only blaming them for advertising jobs that don't exist and giving false hope to people whilst skewing the available jobs statistics. I don't exect them to go out of their way to find me work but I do expect some honesty from them.

Just wanted to set the record straight as the last few posts have become quite heated.

RedSoleShoes

marybelle01 wrote: »

Well you do seem to go on, don't you?

You addressed my comments - personally and twice - and said that that is what they want me to believe. You were not talking generally, you were addressing me.

"People" are abusing them and calling them names - so yes I think you will find that people are blaming them for doing their jobs.

I don't find that agencies promise me anything at all that they can't deliver. The longest period I have been out of work when I wanted it was two days. Perhaps the problem lies not with the agencies, but with what you are offering them...

*yawn*.....

LadyMissA

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

*yawn*.....

you tired? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: