ScoobyDoo555

Not going to go into too many details, but is it usually a good sign when applying for a job that the recruitment agency almost contact instantly after application?

Also, upon reaching the closing date for applications, how long should it take subject to making it through to interview?

Is it poor etiquette to contact the recruiter to ask these potentially rude questions?

Only asking as I've always been head-hunted - never had to apply for any job..... (well, apart from my paper-round!!! But that was a LONG time ago )

Dan

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Depends on the amount of people applying.

Dunno if you saw my job thread a while back ... well it took 3 months for them to contact me and offer... and I still haven't got the contract.. so I wouldn't say time plays a major part in it.

If its a recruitment agency then phone them and ask away, if its a private company then I would wait as if someone emailed me asking what was happening, before an interview was offered I'd be inclined to reject them.

Maybe others will disagree but patients (sp) is a virtue ...

David Lock

Well if they want you to be an MP I would say you will hear pretty quickly

dl

ScoobyDoo555

lol!!!

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

See if you can claim back for travel costs, time off work, big screen tv, etc

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Well I applied for an apprenticeship in January this year, and after several stages of application and having a final interivew on april 17th, still awaiting a response. So I would agree with Pimmo re. timescale. A friendly call to show your keen isn't bad etiquette in my opinion.

AllanB

Agreed but start dates should be a question you ask in the interview and confirm what happens next, shows interest without being overly pushy.


AllanB

Spooky Mulder

It is totally variable.

Shortest I have had is getting an offer couriered to my house the same day; to getting a call from someone ten months after submitting my CV!!

ScoobyDoo555

thanks guys - will play it by ear then

richardg

re timescale - varies wildly.
i was unemployed for the vast majority of last year (and part of this), but self employed at the moment. in my experience, agencies who call you back immediately after you email an application tend to be those who don't actually have the job they are advertising....

....be careful - they advertise a job, you respond, they call you and you take the quick call back as a compliment and are ready to answer their questions. after a few softening questions - most of which you answered on the form you emailed - they'll ask who you have been to interviews with recently or who you have applied to. what they're hoping for is for you to tell them all about a company who are currently recruiting, but you found out through a friend (ie not one the other agencies know about), so they can call them and blah blah blah. you get the picture.

on the other hand, who knows, could be a genuine position. doesn;t hurt to ask who the company is - i used to do it all the time and then if they're didn't say i would ask if it was a general requirement for a certain type of person rather than for a specific company (ie building up their files). that tends to weed the bull5hitters out from the pro-active agencies IMHO ;-)

good luck, by the way

ScoobyDoo555

Thanks Will pass on the comments Not actually for me

Dan