ajm

Ok, I am being made redundant at the end of the year - I have been working for a large aerospace and defence company all my working life (5.5 yrs - currently an IT Manager)... and now for the the first time I am thrust out into the cold to fend for myself....

Fair enough... these things happen... BUT.... is it just me or are agencies useless scum?

I have spoken to quite a few agencies about various jobs and always get one of the following:-

"They are ideally looking for someone local/someone who can start immediately (delete where applicable)..... but I know of another job you may be suitable for, send me your CV (again - normally I already have by this time!) and I'll get back to you." They never get back to me.

"We have had about 150 applications for this job (even if I apply the same day its posted!) and they already have a shortlist"

"Oh that job has been filled - send us your CV and we will keep an eye open" - Never hear from them again, then see identical job posted again the next week despite it being "filled"

Does anyone know of any sites where employers advertise direct or any other tips? I have had enough of fricking agencies and its really starting to get me down

Dave P

ajm,

the problem is there are very few jobs. Agencies have always advertised jobs that don't exist purely to get cv's in the door. Problem is now there are very few jobs for them to fill.

Second problem is employers, certainly in banking, would still use an agency so the direct route seldom works.

Sorry not muche help I'm afraid. My brother also in IT went through this process late last year. Took him 4 months of this to find another job. It's demoralising but you just have to keep plugging away.

Just one other thing, a lot of companies don't employ near the year end because they are awaiting their budget approval for next year so don't be to down hearted.

Dave

MarkO

He's right though. Agencies are scum.

Flat 4x4

Approach several agencies that are supposed 'experts' in your industry / field.

- then ignore the ones that automate everything and never call you without you calling them.

- and make best friends with the one(s) that do

Common courtesy goes out of the window when you are treated solely as a one off sale.

Mungo

You do need to operate through agencies - most companies use them as an initial screening point.
99.95 of the jobs they advertise aren't real - they're just to get you interested, so don't get too excited about them.
Do send them your CV, and try to get an interview with the "consultant" at the agency. They'll want to see you before you go for an interview at one of their clients, so do this asap. If they're not interested in seeing you, they probably don't have any jobs that would suit you.
Start with as many agencies as possible, and get to a shortlist of 3 or so who take you seriosuly and have a godd client base where they can get you out to interviews.

Good luck!

Scooby_Loo

I am currently working for an agency and have no complaints. I got a job within 5 days of registering. They are top class. They have a rewards system, give you training if you need it, have a help line you can call whenever stuck on any software etc etc.

I am on contract to the government right now and have been there for 12 weeks now and the agency Im with check with me to make sure everything is going fine and the top dudes are treating me properly (I have been in situations where they took the mick with the work load because I was agency staff)

Visit www.kellyservices.co.uk and it will give you details of your nearest branch. Its worth a shot!



Loo

fast bloke

I wouldn't say 'scum' but they are not that useful at getting a single person a job.
They tend to get a person for a job, rather than a job for a person, otherwise they would go bust and be completely usless(er)

marty_t3

Scooby_loo,

I used Kelly's once before myself. Went for the interview at 2pm. Got the train home (1 hour trip) and had a message waiting asking me to start on a contract at 9am the next morning.

Chucked the job about a month later when i got a better job offer but wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

On the subject of other agencies... most are worse than useless. They just take up my time having to tailor CVs and cover letters for jobs that don't exist. I actually got a call back from one asking if i was interested in a job. The job they were offering was the job i was already had, same department, same office, same boss. I don't think they even read my CV.

[Edited by marty_t3 - 11/28/2002 1:51:48 AM]

Bajie

What else do you expect from a bunch of pimps?

scoob_babe

you have to keep phoning them every day to hassle them - they work on the process that if you just leave them to it, you aren't that bothered and they don't see a fat commission coming their way. I know that this doesn't always work but unfortunately most big firms outsource to agencies now

jasonwrxowner

AJM.....Go here and give them a call. Ask for Jez (The owner)and tell him I sent you. He will sort you out mate.

Good luck

chockymonster

I was in your position last year, made redundant from a .bomb
I knew I had 2 months salary to sit on, so used the first month looking for a job I wanted, the market was so dead I ended up taking a job that didn't suit me but paid the mortgage. I kept looking and eventually found a job I wanted.

There are a lot of agencies out there for not many jobs. I found 2 decent agencies that acutally lived up to their promises, actually had real vacancies and phoned me to keep me updated. The rest were a waste of space. I'm still being offered 1st line support contracts on £8 an hour by agencies that don't even read your cv

GarnetFox

Oooh, £8 an hour! *Dreams* £7.50 an hour was the most I have earned (mind you I'm 21 in a small town with no means of travel) and would love to get that again!

Viper

Guys

Unfortunately many are, but there are also some very good ones out there and some very good consultants. I have worked in recruitment for the last 7 years since University and it has always been very good to me, but I have worked very hard to achieve my present position.

People buy off people, recruitment works when relationships are struck up, agency to client and agency to candidate. It should always be a 3 win situation, the agency must be happy, making money on a fair percentage etc, the contractor working at a fair rate and happy and the client happy with the rate and the contractor that they have working for them.

This is the way I have worked since day one and it has always worked for me, I preach this process to all the people that work for me and hopefully they all try to do it.

You can make a load of money out of recruitment in the short term, my highest was well into 5 figures, this is why is attracts no marks after making a fast buck. I have worked with my present client list for over 5 years and they buy off me on a exclusivity basis.

It is never nice to see the profession that you work within 'slagged off' so I feel I have to stick up for it, although I can understand your concerns and views.

Any questions drop me a line via email profile.

Cheers

Phil

scoob_babe

Its the same case as being tarred with the same brush - and there seems to be a lot of recruitment agencies that are not as reliable as some of the better ones. There are good agencies and there are appalling agencies - just as there are good builders and bad builders.
PS - I'm employed by one of the biggies so I'm not going to be rude about them!

gravelexpress

Have to agree with Phil on this one!!

I have been contracting/freelancing for the last six years, with previous staff positions. You have to remember that the Agency is not there to be your mate and find you a job. They are marketing your skills. However, there are quite a few agents that very often ring me just to see what im up to and have a chinwag - they are not all leeches!!
However, you will often being dealing with an agent who is not an expert in your field. The best advise I can give is below:-

1) Know your going rate - usually hourly i.e. Systems engineer working in London £25 hour

2) Know what the hours are!! and the length of the contract

3) If you need work quickly - broaden your availability - i.e. consider working away from home, and look at both temporary and permanent jobs. temp jobs can lead to permanent jobs.

4) Get yourself down with as many agencies as possible - all the big ones usually have the bst contacts

5) SEND YOUR CV in and straight away ask for feedback - get a bite - make sure that YOUR CV is on the top of the pile when the jobs come!!

6)Make sure your CV is current and professional - NEVER have spelling mistakes - or its just rubbish bin fodder.

7)Dont forget that recruitment is a bit seasonal - after Christmas expect more positions to emerge.

Also there is nothing to stop you sending your CV on spec to the companys where you may get a job.

OH and lastly be a bit weary of the "smaller" agency - had a bit of trouble getting paid once - nasty business - not very pretty!!

jasonwrxowner

Sorry but I don't agree. I work for a small niche agency and we pride ourselves on our customer service, professionalism and integrity.

We reply to ALL candidates that send their CV’s to us even if it just to tell them that we will not be putting their CV forward.

We follow up all placements with a courtesy call and regularly take our contractors out for the evening.

We pay on time (Sometimes to our cost) and never need to market ourselves as our reputation for the above is that good.

Some larger agencies lose the personal touch and candidates just end up becoming a number.

There are some real Mickey mouse outfits out there but with a bit of common sense you can find an agent that will move heaven and earth to get you what you deserve, when you want it and without the headache.

Rant over.

ajm

Thanks everyone for the good advice, and apologies to those who work in recruitment, it wasn't a personal dig at you, just the bad ones!

I guess its the same as all professions, there are some good and some bad... the challenge seems to be to find the good ones - not an easy task... I havn't found any "national rankings" or similar for agencies, it seems the only way is to try them and see, or by word of mouth. To that end I shall be approaching those who you have recommeded above

thanks again

carl

Thinking laterally -- if you have some contacts in the industry (should have after 5.5 years) why not set up your own agency? You only need an office (can be in your house), e-mail and a telephone. If you're charging 20% of contractor's rate/permie's first year earnings, you only need to place five people in a year to make your own salary

jasonwrxowner

AJM...I don't know what skill set you have but it will be unlikley that I will be able to help you as I only work in SAP. However depending on where you live I do have a friend who runs a cracking IT agency but he is in Farnham in Surrey. Also go to my mate that I reccommended in a previous reply. He will sort you out.

Good luck mate.

ajm

Thanks Jason, I did actually mean I would be approaching the agencies everyone recommended, not approaching you personally, so don't worrry - I'm not going to stalk you or anything!

[Edited by ajm - 11/28/2002 5:43:47 PM]

gravelexpress

Jasonwrxowner

my mistake the phrase "smaller agency" was totally misleading. I agree that the niche agencies do offer a more personal touch - and you ussually end up on first name terms with the agent.

I will clarify - I once did a contract for a company that called itself an agency but was a small project management company. I once was waiting 7 weeks for a pay packet - bearing in mind this was a weekly salary. BUT this is no reflection on any of the 7 agencies i have used big and small.

In fact it was a specialist who got this position in Kuwait - sorry if i have misled.

as a recruiter what did you think of the rest of the advice?