Recruitment Agencies

Katapolt

Has anyone ever had a good experience with a recruitment agency for mid range jobs?

I'm currently looking for something closer to home, have a fair amount of experience and im not looking for anything mindblowing or rare - general admin for a company with other people within a 15 mile radius of my home.

I've found the 4 agencies i've been in contact with are all a nightmare. I'm being sent jobs 30+ miles away, £5k under what i requested, or saying they will only put me forward for roles once i've signed up with them fully (even the one i used last year, who know me well), but they are unwilling to work around my current long hours (i leave at 7:15am and return at 6:15pm) so i immediately cant apply for any jobs through them.

Does anyone have general advice? I'm not desperately looking, but it would be nice in the near future.

another_casualty

Have you uploaded your cv to sites such as indeed/ fish 4 jobs etc?

Katapolt

another_casualty wrote: »

Have you uploaded your cv to sites such as indeed/ fish 4 jobs etc?

Yeah, im on most of them, its just when actual jobs com up theyre advertised through an agent, who will then only put the application forward after you go in and discuss your requirements and sign up with them.

They seem to be a huge barrier

[Deleted User]

A lot of agencies are using the GDPR to cover themselves even on re registering. Had a lot of strange calls recently. One even got ratty with me yesterday when I attempted to follow up on something they cold called me about!

Even last week as nice as the recruitment agent seemed, I couldn!!!8217;t help but disbelieve they would still forward my CV as I kind of got the impression the criteria was very much around someone!!!8217;s availability more then anything, why a recruitment agent or employer wouldn!!!8217;t understand after nearly 6 months of working somewhere that my current employer is entitled to notice is just odd. I!!!8217;m grateful at being seen out of hours but the recruitment consultant could have drilled down the notice period before seeing me.

Katapolt

Thats so bad, i know they get a cut of whoever they place, but you cant help but wonder if there are other perks for them by getting a specific person in.

I've had the same, where i've been given maybe 2 days notice for an interview, which is almost impossible as the only project coordinator running 3 sites

Ozzuk

I have no links with them, but have used (and do use) Acorn for staff. Found them extremely good to work with.

Hays were good years ago as well but don't know if that is because I had a good agent.

lufcgirl

GDPR in a few months is going to make it extremely difficult to register and be put forward for agencies. No longer can they just download your CV from CV Library and send it to the manager - they have to get your written consent that they can keep your CV and then the Manager has to immediately destroy the CV from their computer too (well, this is what's happening at my company and I work in internal recruitment).

We are in the process of telling everyone that calls up they need to use our own Applicant Tracking System as that way you are giving your consent and we can share information between us and individual sites.

Historically however, agencies have a reputation for stat padding, and are targeted on how many people they get in to register with them before putting them forward for roles. It still happens now - my best advice is rather than waiting for agencies to find work for you to be a little more proactive and seek out the companies you want to work for. Maybe spend an afternoon driving around them and handing out your CV and telling reception what you're looking for. A lot will appreciate the direct approach and they don't want to pay agency fees if they can avoid it!

Fireflyaway

I've only had success with agencies whilst temping odd jobs when I was a school leaver. Recently I registered with agencies and had a few calls but just 1 interview. It was really odd ( the guy asked some weird stuff) and I never heard from the agency again although they obviously know I'm looking for employment. I don't think my cv is too bad. I've always worked and have some professional qualifications. It seems most agencies have more junior entry jobs. If you approach a specialist agency in your field that might work. In my experience applying direct is more efficient. Agencies will big up the most horrid jobs if they think they have a sale.