Employment Agency- What inform they need exactly?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I just received a call from a recruitment agency regarding a job (permanent) I applied last week. I was told on the phone that I needed to complete a permanent registration form with them and a test in advance of our interview.

Upon received the registration form, I found out the recruiters not only want Passport, NI information, they want to know my bank details somehow too.

Also in the registration form, I need to provide contact details of my referees, sign reference request authorisation form, without actually knowing which company they've forwarded me to (yet)?!! Moreover, things like equal opportunity survey.

I registered with other recruitment agencies before, however the only document I needed to provide was a copy of my Passport.

I always thought reference checks will be done after an interview and before the offer is made, and it probably will be checked by the company rather then a recruitment agency.

My question is that, it is common practice for a recruitment agency asking for references details before even getting me an interview? Also do they have the right to check bank details and contact my referees directly? Thank you for your input in advance.

brightonman123

shouldn't need bank details, for a permanent job? they get paid commission by client, then client pays your wages direct..?

[Deleted User]

brightonman123 wrote: »

shouldn't need bank details, for a permanent job? they get paid commission by client, then client pays your wages direct..?

Hi Brightonman123, thank you for your speedy response. I think if I do get employed, I will be paid directly by the company. This is why I do not get why they need such information.

Moreover, I do not get why they want details of my referees now? Why do I need to sign a reference request authorisation form with them? However I am really not too sure about the law and regulation. I do not know if these information is required by all agencies nowadays at registration? Can I just say NO?

CCFC_80

Shouldn't also need your bank details for a temporary job until it actually gets to the stage where they offer you temp work.

Refuse to give it as they don't need it at that stage.

[Deleted User]

CCFC_80 wrote: »

Shouldn't also need your bank details for a temporary job until it actually gets to the stage where they offer you temp work.

Refuse to give it as they don't need it at that stage.

Thank you for your help

[Deleted User]

I always found permanent position though an agency reared then hens teeth.... are you sure it is not long term temp or temp to perm?


I know when I was a agency worker I could see why they take bank details straight away to save you another registration trip allegedly.. (also means their confident you'll get the job so can be seen as only a good sign in my opinion) one time this didn't actually happen and the agency then commanded I make 2 trips to Southend I could have kicked myself and saved money if I had known this as would never have gone near job, in pure madness before I could take assignment on needless to say as I couldn't afford 2nd trip so had to let job go, they even had the cheek to turn 2 registrations and seperate interview into your 'commitment for work' as the temp!! - then the last role (still as a Temp) saw referee's being contacted before I started assignment, though the only thing I do totally refuse to hand over is the likes of bank statements. It can still be an out of door if a reference is not received to the company liking in any situation whether you have started work or not.


And in short least their telling you this now up front rather then after event. It also just cuts down on any employer having to have a long winded induction with form filling already done


Agencies are not obliged to tell you company names as it can be that an element of privacy and protection is required.

Willem-de-Blois

Is there a thread on this site that explains recruitment agencies, how they work and how to deal with them?

I receive a telephone call quite often for them and like the OP, I am concerned at some of the questions that I am asked.

CCFC_80

Willem-de-Blois wrote: »

Is there a thread on this site that explains recruitment agencies, how they work and how to deal with them?

I receive a telephone call quite often for them and like the OP, I am concerned at some of the questions that I am asked.

No not really there are many opinions expressed about recruitment agencies and how to deal with them. I personally hate them and don't understand why employers use them to recruit for your average 10 a penny permanent job.

As in this thread, I would never reveal to them my bank a/c number on registering until I had a definite job offer. Another opinion I have repeatedly stated on this forum is NEVER EVER tell recruitment agents any pending job applications and especially job interviews you have line up. This is because they will want to put up their candidates for the role up against you reducing your chances of getting the job. It's a complete no brainer and yes this has and does Happen:mad:

Pennywise

I've heard tales of recruitment agencies "harvesting" details of your previous employers/references etc to use themselves for marketing purposes, mailshots, etc - i.e. you give them the email address of a HR dept manager and they mailshot them offering candidates or touting for future recruitment work. I'd suggest you politely refuse to provide the more obscure details at this stage.

[Deleted User]

Deleted%20User wrote: »

I always found permanent position though an agency reared then hens teeth.... are you sure it is not long term temp or temp to perm?


I know when I was a agency worker I could see why they take bank details straight away to save you another registration trip allegedly.. (also means their confident you'll get the job so can be seen as only a good sign in my opinion) one time this didn't actually happen and the agency then commanded I make 2 trips to Southend I could have kicked myself and saved money if I had known this as would never have gone near job, in pure madness before I could take assignment on needless to say as I couldn't afford 2nd trip so had to let job go, they even had the cheek to turn 2 registrations and seperate interview into your 'commitment for work' as the temp!! - then the last role (still as a Temp) saw referee's being contacted before I started assignment, though the only thing I do totally refuse to hand over is the likes of bank statements. It can still be an out of door if a reference is not received to the company liking in any situation whether you have started work or not.


And in short least their telling you this now up front rather then after event. It also just cuts down on any employer having to have a long winded induction with form filling already done


Agencies are not obliged to tell you company names as it can be that an element of privacy and protection is required.

hi Deleted User, Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the recruitment agencies here. :T

"permanent position though an agency reared then hens teeth" Definitely cannot agree more. I think many agencies these day have faked jobs advertised and then when you registered with them, they will just offer you some temp positions.

Willem-de-Blois wrote: »

Is there a thread on this site that explains recruitment agencies, how they work and how to deal with them?

I receive a telephone call quite often for them and like the OP, I am concerned at some of the questions that I am asked.

Hi Willem-de-Blois, I think all of us are very concerned about identity theft and very worry that those agencies might contact our referees for whatever reasons which might eventually cause a lot of unhappiness between all of us. However, I think in the end many of us will still provide whatever information they want as we really want a job and many of them won't process our application until they get whatever they want from us. Nevertheless, in the end, we might still have got absolutely nothing from them. I came to this conclusion from my experience with the recruitment agency I visited today.

CCFC_80 wrote: »

No not really there are many opinions expressed about recruitment agencies and how to deal with them. I personally hate them and don't understand why employers use them to recruit for your average 10 a penny permanent job.

As in this thread, I would never reveal to them my bank a/c number on registering until I had a definite job offer. Another opinion I have repeatedly stated on this forum is NEVER EVER tell recruitment agents any pending job applications and especially job interviews you have line up. This is because they will want to put up their candidates for the role up against you reducing your chances of getting the job. It's a complete no brainer and yes this has and does Happen:mad:

Hi CCFC_80, Wow, the story of putting up other candidates to compete for the same role is absolutely shocking!! In fact, it is very horrible!! Thank you for sharing this information with us.

---

Okey, I think I should update my experience with the recruitment agency I visited today for all the people who have helped me in this post.
I went to the agency today at 10am and waited in a room for at least 50 minutes to be seen. When I arrived at the reception I was taken to a very small room and then a lady came and did 2 things: asked for passport and NI to photocopy, and told me to fill in the registration form again. I was then alone waiting in the room for at least 50 minutes. When an agent finally came, he just went straight to checked the registration form, and then he said I needed to complete all forms presented (Address, DOB, NI, at least 4 referees' details, reference request authorisation form, some equality survey and write down all employment gap etc). I enquired him about why I needed to supply those information, for example, referees' details to him as I believed that the information was not really required at this stage. However, he just kept saying that they needed the information and he said he will not contact my referees yet (I doubt that....)

When I was filling the form, the agent was very surprised at my education background. He did not even know which university I went to and what course I did before I wrote them all down in papers!!! Moreover, as soon as I completed all those forms I was told to go home?!!!! I got a call yesterday regarding a permanent role and went to see them today for it!! I did not go there just to fill some forms!!! When I asked him the role we talked about yesterday he said "oh, the position was filled!!" :rotfl: The job was advertising on a website at about 12pm yesterday and then I got a call at 2pm yesterday and had an appointment with them this morning at 10am. :rotfl: I then asked him whether he knew what kind of jobs I want? He said no, and then he asked me if I would be okey with a 1 or 2 weeks temp job?............:money::T I should have been more cautious when I received their call from a mobile number yesterday but well.... :undecided

[Deleted User]

Pennywise wrote: »

I've heard tales of recruitment agencies "harvesting" details of your previous employers/references etc to use themselves for marketing purposes, mailshots, etc - i.e. you give them the email address of a HR dept manager and they mailshot them offering candidates or touting for future recruitment work. I'd suggest you politely refuse to provide the more obscure details at this stage.

Hi Pennywise, Thank you for the tips. I think that's what happened today when they "forced" me to provide my referees' details, particularly their email addresses, and signed a reference request authorisation form in order to register with them........