Recruitment Agency's

[Marmite]

I am currently employed but very unhappy with my job as a Manager of a company. I am forever applying for other positions on job sites such as Total Jobs, LinkedIn and Monster but all I seem to get back is a confirmation email of my application. 

 

My friend suggested a recruitment agency who search for jobs for you and worked for him. Anyone else used one to find work and if so was it successful for you 

[Kilworthfox]

I am currently employed but very unhappy with my job as a Manager of a company. I am forever applying for other positions on job sites such as Total Jobs, LinkedIn and Monster but all I seem to get back is a confirmation email of my application. 

 

My friend suggested a recruitment agency who search for jobs for you and worked for him. Anyone else used one to find work and if so was it successful for you 

 

Alright mate.

 

I used to work for a few Recruiters, 2 in Leicester. 

 

An agency will only be interested in you if they have a job on which they are looking for specific skills that you have, or if you have skills which they can sell in to a potential decision maker at a company who may be interested.

 

The e-mail confirmation is confirming that your c.v and letter has been received by a person at an agency, it will come with a reference number, but I doubt unless this is a specifically hard role to fill that they will pay too much attention to that.

 

Some (maybe all) recruiters, will post a job adverts, to get you to apply, just so that they can have your c.v, for when a job which requires certain skills needs filling. Not all job's on websites will be like this, some actually do exist.

 

If you have sent off many applications, then you could have been done by the senario above, or your c.v may need a review.

 

C.V tips:

 

Make sure that your relevant information is easily accessible in the c.v. For example put the most recent and relevant information at the top.

A c.v is only a tool for you to get an interview.

Be sure to set out how far you can travel, it was odd how many c.v's I used to receive, without your driving ability on it!

Change your c.v depending on the job you are applying for!

 

Golden Advice:

 

Rather than applying through an agency, try to find out the company where the job is at, now the recruiter will only give you this information after they have sent your c.v off to the company. However with a bit of intelligence and industry, local knowledge, you should be able to figure out where the job could be. If you look on companies websites where you believe that the job could be at, look at their current vacancies, and apply direct, increase your chances of an interview this way, and maybe obtain a pay increase, as the company do not have to pay a 10-30% of your annual salary for a fee.

[EastAnglianFox]

As a former recruitment consultant I would now advise caution, with so many agency's now about its all about ridiculous consultant targets in getting people registered and placed into jobs they are not really qualified for.

Be prepared for them to reel off various positions they have lined up and that "we really need to get you in and registered" which gets your hopes up and that they will be in touch daily, only to find your cv and details probably end up in a drawer for the foreseeable future unless you pester them constantly.

Of course they are the negative points, you could come across a totally honest, decent consultant who has a genuine interest in getting the right type of people into the right type of job (like I was, and is probably the reason I only lasted 2 Years)

If you have the time to be getting all of your documents together regularly, attending registrations and be able to follow up daily then go for it as you don't have much to lose.

And listen to Kilworths golden advice, it doesn't take much at all to find out the clients that are using the agency, and apply direct with them. I have done that twice since moving to Norfolk and both employers mentioned that was one of the reasons I had stood out is the fact I went to them direct.

[Marmite]

Brilliant mate thank you very much for taking the time to write that. Some excellent advise which I will be sure to take 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Kilworthfox has hit the nail on the head there, basically put some time in and find a couple of agencies with a strong reputation in the field that you work in, forge a good relationship with an agent there and stay in contact. If you're willing to let a recruiter work on your behalf then they can often put you in touch with companies that aren't advertising roles, which can put you ahead of the crowd.

I've been working a recruitment desk for a couple of years after leaving Uni, and the candidates who I enjoy working with the most (and therefore the candidates I have the most chance of placing), are the ones who get in touch, give me a really good idea of what it is they are looking for, and stay in contact over a period of time. Just becasue an agent doesn't have something for your right now doesn't mean they won't have something come up in a few weeks/months! A good agency will file your CV effectively so as soon as they have a new role come in they'll go straight to your CV and give you a call. 

[Kilworthfox]

Brilliant mate thank you very much for taking the time to write that. Some excellent advise which I will be sure to take 

 

No problem mate, I will help you if I am able! I am a bit negative towards agencies, I am unsure if it reads that way?

 

I am sure that there are some consultants like I was, who do try to do as much as is possible, however its a competitive industry, and candidates interests can be lost, make sure that you are doing what is right for you.

 

I would say try to search independently first for a suitable role, in an industry that you feel comfortable working in, if you get frustrated, then go to a specialised agency.

[DB11]

My only experience of an agency was the other way round - the company advertised directly and then when I was taken on they said that they would only be recruiting me through an agency so I had to go to that agency, sign up and do everything etc. and then I was 'placed' with the company that I'd already applied for and had the interview

 

Only thing was when I moved on the agency kept all my details and now try giving me rubbish jobs

[Sol thewall Bamba]

My only experience of an agency was the other way round - the company advertised directly and then when I was taken on they said that they would only be recruiting me through an agency so I had to go to that agency, sign up and do everything etc. and then I was 'placed' with the company that I'd already applied for and had the interview

 

Only thing was when I moved on the agency kept all my details and now try giving me rubbish jobs

This is where the poor reputation comes from, essentially someone has got paid a lot of money to do basically nothing, and then breaks REC guidelines by canvassing a candidate they have placed. 

[Guest CityFan 06]

I've just recently had experience with Recruitment Agency's for Apprenticeships. I found, they try to find jobs based on the fields you're interested in, and whether you're skills perhaps match what company's are looking for. They are helpful as I was set up for an interview a day after visiting an agency in Leicester City centre.

If you do get signed up for a few agencies, ensure you have your phone on you for a majority of the time if you can, because they tended to contact me regularly. Sometimes they can contact you on the day, then you might be asked to come in the afternoon for instance.

Hope that helps, that was my experience with Apprenticeships.

[Fox92]

I don't really like them but it's all opinions. They phone you all the time and, for me, were looking at jobs I couldn't do so when I said no they often just said "right we'll contact you with something else" and never did. Both my jobs, including my current job, I got from applying myself. In fact my current job I found on Indeed, which is the best job site in my opinion.

[m4DD0gg]

Recruiters can be very scumbagish especially in the IT space......glorified sales men.

 

A lot of the time in this space the end job may not even actually exist.

 

Your CV will be scanned for key words and if enough tick the right boxes in terms of matching to the job on offer you will get a call.

[Fox92]

Recruiters can be very scumbagish especially in the IT space......glorified sales men.

 

A lot of the time in this space the end job may not even actually exist.

 

Your CV will be scanned for key words and if enough tick the right boxes in terms of matching to the job on offer you will get a call.

 

I've found that. That's what I was referring to in my post. I'm a web developer so they see my set of skills and seem to just try for anything. I even got a call about software development which I wasn't interested in but they told me "some skills match".

[Kilworthfox]

I've found that. That's what I was referring to in my post. I'm a web developer so they see my set of skills and seem to just try for anything. I even got a call about software development which I wasn't interested in but they told me "some skills match".

 

This will be because the recruiter who calls you does not know exactly what they are talking about because they are not calling from an agency that specialises in a specific sector.

 

For example, I do not know much about IT, but I am positive that I could easily get a job to recruit, from a company looking for someone looking for a website builder for example, this doesn't mean that I know anything about building websites! Therefore I may sound stupid when I talk to someone who knows their stuff.

 

If you deal with someone who recruits often for specific industry roles, they will know exactly what they are talking about, rather than a 1 size fits all agency approach, which if you are able too, avoid!

[Sol thewall Bamba]

If you deal with someone who recruits often for specific industry roles, they will know exactly what they are talking about, rather than a 1 size fits all agency approach, which if you are able too, avoid!

[Fox92]

This will be because the recruiter who calls you does not know exactly what they are talking about because they are not calling from an agency that specialises in a specific sector.

 

For example, I do not know much about IT, but I am positive that I could easily get a job to recruit, from a company looking for someone looking for a website builder for example, this doesn't mean that I know anything about building websites! Therefore I may sound stupid when I talk to someone who knows their stuff.

 

If you deal with someone who recruits often for specific industry roles, they will know exactly what they are talking about, rather than a 1 size fits all agency approach, which if you are able too, avoid!

 

Ah right ok, yeah think you've probably got that right. Tbf when I was applying for previous jobs I have just put a CV online hence the calls from many different people...

[Adster]

I got my job in IT from an agency. But like others have said it was from an agency who specialise in IT jobs.

 

Agencies aren't always that bad, but I would advise as have others on here for you to look for agencys who specialise in an industry.

[Guest Manini]

I'm a recruitment consultant.

What I would say is, agencies can be good if you work in particular sectors. Industries such as IT, FMCG, Private Medical and life science industries can be so neich that there's no other way for companies in those sectors to recruit so therefor they have to use agencies.

You'll find that agencies that specialise in certain sectors, IT for example because that's what I work in, will have good knowledge of IT in general and it means you get a more tailored to you experience. We know our candidates well and also know their skills, we wouldn't dare think about putting somebody who isn't right for a certain role forward. It's our reputation on the line at the end of the day.

Your highstreet recruitment agencies such as Reed, Monster, Hayes, Michael Page etc don't specialise in anything in particular, it's very much a scatter gun approach to placing candidates. They're just trying to make as many placements as quick as they can and they think it's about quantity over quality of CV's they send.

Id say if you were looking for an agency, obviously look for who one specialise in what you want to do. Work with them as well, the candidates have to co-operate at the end of the day. Ask them questions, follow up yourself, don't just wait for the consultants to phone you. Also, if they suggest a meeting with one of their consultancy..GO! Companies are much quicker to consider candidates who they know have met with the consultancy their using.

[SemperEadem]

Do any recruiment agency deal only with the charity and third sector roles?

[Captain...]

The good thing about agencies is you can talk to someone face to face/on the phone, I've had positive and negative experiences once you build a rapport with an agent and trust on both sides it is mutually beneficial. I have experience in a fairly niche IT market so there are only a few agencies that really know what they are talking about and know the market so it makes it easier for me.

Do you know what you want to do or are you just desperate to get away from your current job, is it another management position you want?

[Wymsey]

It all depends on the recruitment consultant that is 'dealing' with your work interests.

You get some that will do their utmost to ensure you get somewhere not too long after you've signed with their agency. The ones that really want to listen and reach out for their clients.

But some just moan and say ''sorry, nothing at the moment, thanks bye!'

I can name a few agencies in Leicester that told me to meet them at their place (one even I met at a local Sainsbury's cafe) to write loads of forms detailing myself and background, insisting that I would get a role with their help - but never replied back, even after thanking them for meeting up with them.

It really took the mickey at times, as I gave them as much information etc as possible and the dedication to get there.

Won't name them as some on here could probably be working there - but most are smaller localised ones.

[Guest Manini]

I've found that. That's what I was referring to in my post. I'm a web developer so they see my set of skills and seem to just try for anything. I even got a call about software development which I wasn't interested in but they told me "some skills match".

Don't you live in South Yorkshire 92?

I'd be surprised if you weren't on our database to be fair

[Fox92]

Don't you live in South Yorkshire 92?

I'd be surprised if you weren't on our database to be fair

Yeah I'm from just outside Sheffield, so I can blame you then

[Guest Manini]

Yeah I'm from just outside Sheffield, so I can blame you then

Probably, id be surprised if our phone paths haven't crossed.

Although saying that I work with mainly C#, oracle and Java developers. Don't know if any of that is your bag. I also haven't been in the trade that long either to be fair.