From Detecive to Recruitment Consultant?

PlutoinCapricorn

I remember a few threads on here about companies that charge the candidates, so beware of companies that employ such unethical practices: recruitment agencies should get money from the employer, not from job-seeking people.

Such companies suggest that only they have access to a hidden job market, and that without them the candidates will not find anything suitable. They even want £5,000 for this! They do not give any examples of people they have placed.

It is true that many jobs are not advertised, but at one extreme they may be casual ones and at the other will apply to people who all know or know of each other. Top executives network; they know about LinkedIn.

PlutoinCapricorn

Transformers, that is a very interesting website. There is room for improvement in the grammar and spelling though, which if I were a potential employer would put me off.

tall_DC_Paul

Thanks for the info guys. The change of career is not something to take likely. I'm actually looking at the possibility of a career break which will allow the flexibility of to return to the Job if truly necessary.

As for dubious working practices, this is present in every arena - even those perceived as being 'pure' - teaching, policing, health, charity frequently engage in abysmal practices. It's a fact of life! Not just the recruitment industry suffers still somewhat from an image problem. Choosing a firm wisely will undoubtedly ensure a level of respect....

engineer_amy

Good luck if you do decide to go for it. I was going to write a response to all your questions but mikecc has done such a fabulous job, very thorough. The industry can be very different between agencies, and depends whether you are dealing with temp/fixed term or permanent vacancies, or a combination of both. Undercutting fees by other agencies is another factor, you do a lot of work then the company tells you they are going with another agency as they are cheaper.


In researching recruitment companies, google reviews for the company name, read any mentions on forums, find any news reports on cases, tribunals, etc. it gives so much more information than the "good" info spewed out by the company. You can get a feel for the ethical practices by the number of p!ssed off candidates (discount the ones who are just complaining about not getting a job)

kaflinkle

*very long hours
* extraordinary case-loads
* atrocious working environment - vermin infested buildings, broken computing systems, poor resources
* significant pension changes
* maddening and ever increasing bureaucracy
* unforgiving, out-of-touch, unappreciative management
* awful training
* staggeringly incompetent colleagues
* poor career progression due to significant cuts in management numbers

This sounds like a problem with most places to be honest. Just don't expect that everything will be rosy wherever you move to, you're still going to encounter many of the issues you listed elsewhere.

Saying that though, a friend of mine moved into the recruitment industry and did very well for himself.

Happychappy

How many years service have you got ?

Transformers

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Transformers, that is a very interesting website. There is room for improvement in the grammar and spelling though, which if I were a potential employer would put me off.

I've worked with members of EPIC in the past - it is a legitimate organisation which has very effective networking opportunities.

PlutoinCapricorn

Transf, EPIC are not doing themselves justice then. Why do you think so many directors have resigned in the last few years?

DC_Paul, your working conditions do sound horrific, but as others have said it is easy to get involved with something just as bad. Would it be ethical for you to sign up with some agencies to see how they operate and treat people who are looking for jobs?

It is quite true that shady practices are found in many professions, but in what proportion? MLM seems all bad for example. Is it really possible to succeed in recruitment without doing unethical things?

tall_DC_Paul

I've a total of 7 years service but of that only 2 as a Detective. There is no easy choice or option to make - job security, or heading out into the private sector that has its own set of challenges and risks.

To be honest I thrive on working hard, I don't mind long hours with pressure and dealing with complex issues/customers in a professional manner at all times. Its unfortunate because I, and like the majority of my colleagues here & now in the MPS, are often not felt remotely valued, understood, or appreciated by management or the wider public. Training is poor quality & frequently badly organised, bureaucracy is overwhelming even for the simplest of cases - and ever increasing, opportunities for personal development becoming an increasing rarity and people shunning looking for promotion due to compounded stress levels in managing a team (e.g. becoming a Sergeant responsible for a team of DC's will give you an circa £83 extra per month). Further inevitable cuts will increase pressure significantly and reduce the efficiency of an already cumbersome organisation. With a remuneration package of approx. £40,000 max (inc. employer's pension contribution & free travel allowance across London) it's patently obvious that this isn't competitive or attractive anymore.

All things considered, perhaps joining the police service was a poor choice for me personally and perhaps I'm simply better equipped for success in the private sector. I'm not a winger and don't like to grind axes at all - it's counterproductive and quite frankly boring. I'm very much one for improving situations.....perhaps the only way to improve my situation is indeed to leave making me number 28 having resigned in the last few months....

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tomtontom

I'm not convinced recruitment is for you. You're looking to that area for decent money and fast results, but it strikes me that in the longer term your goals are for something more intellectually stimulating, perhaps something more strategic.

Are you a graduate? There are schemes that would welcome your experience and offer far more challenges than recruitment, albeit with lesser returns in the short term.