Job in 'remote' location

spectacularkneepads110

More a curiosity than anything else....

Can a job agency refuse to allow you to apply for a job because they believe it is too far for you to travel without your own transport?

In my opinion it is not too far as public transport would still be available despite the late finish, and frankly in the current climate if I had to walk 90mins to find work, I would!

(Note that transport nor a driving licence is a requirement of the actual job, merely in getting there and back)

I would guess the answer is they can pretty much refuse to allow me to apply for any job (providing they are not discriminating on grounds of race, gender etc).

Just Interested to hear opinions of the more knowledgable members of the board though.

Thanks
SK

UsernameAlreadyExists

The job agency wants the commission on a quick and easy placement. If you're miles away ... then meh, others will be "more suitable".

What's your left kneepad like?

/not knowledgeable!

The_ICT_Engineer

I often had this comment from employment agency's when it came to transport to the place of employment. These people seem to think that buses and trains are always late or breaking down. In 30 years, I yet to have traveled on a train that has broken down when on it.

spectacularkneepads110

Who's more suitable than the guy who's willing to put in the extra miles every day to get the job? Ah well, I guess I'm too naive

Left kneepad is ok, right one is ok too. Together though, they are spectacular.

getmore4less

Unless they have exclusive recruiting rights apply directly or through another agent.

If happy with the cost and time involved or even a relocate(partial or full) go for anything you want.

(the agent might have local only in the recruiting brief)

liney

If it's that remote then I guess you have worked out who the employer is, so why don't you send a CV directly?

Checkmate_2

Do you really believe you can commute to work 180 minutes every day, without arriving to work physically and mentally fatigued? 90 minutes for one way takes its toll and is not sustainable. Be realistic.

eamon

90mins walk is approx 6 miles for a reasonably fit person, this is not far. However I do recall that many employers will restrict the geographical boundaries of new employees if there are restictions imposed by grants, tax breaks and other such measures.

view

90 minutes is doable. I did this for a few years. Books, ipad, phone etcc., amuse yourself.

Why on earth are you letting an agency tell you what you can and can't go for!?! Contact the company directly, send your CV and cover letter direct.

If you are taken on and the agency tries to be funny re they should get a commission, tell them to take a hike. They rejected you.

Checkmate_2

view wrote: »

90 minutes is doable. I did this for a few years. Books, ipad, phone etcc., amuse yourself.

Why on earth are you letting an agency tell you what you can and can't go for!?! Contact the company directly, send your CV and cover letter direct.

If you are taken on and the agency tries to be funny re they should get a commission, tell them to take a hike. They rejected you.

Books? How did you manage to walk 90 minutes whilst reading a book? Sounds like you're lying.

InsideInsurance

spectacularkneepads110 wrote: »

Can a job agency refuse to allow you to apply for a job because they believe it is too far for you to travel without your own transport?

As you say, as long as it isnt breaching any of the legislated against "isms" then it is purely at their discretion who they put forward or not.

Personally, as a hiring manager, I only ever want to see 2 or possibly 3 CVs from any agency. They are supposed to be doing a job of filtering candidates and if they send me 40 CVs (and I have had more before) then they arent doing their job and I may as well have just advertised it directly on Monster and paid a lot less money.

Agencies will look at a number of factors in deciding which of their candidates they'll put forward and inevitably one of the criteria is how long the person will stick around for as for temps they get paid for every day and for perms there is claw back for fees if they leave in under X months.

Realistically, long commutes are difficult to sustain and if you've not got a track record of doing it for years then that may be something that tips another candidate in favour of your as they're concerned you'd leave as soon as you found something closer to home.