Recruitment Agencies

[Skaville]

Recruitment agancies are toss. They are run by people not good enough to get proper jobs for themselves. And don't get me started on headhunters
If I were you I would send speculative CV's to every company you would like to work for, the more the better. Most big companies will always make room if someone good comes along, and if they have a vacancy already you can bypass the agency monkeys.

Just wanted to remind you of your earlier quote (given that you are being all diplomatic now)

 

[Lokki 7]

Just wanted to remind you of your earlier quote (given that you are being all diplomatic now)

Me, diplomatic? Never! I still think the vast majority of recruitment consultants are talentless half-wits. And if your defence of your industry is that they are hated just as much as estate agents then I rest my case.
By the way, are recruitment consultants required to pass exams before they "advise" clients and ignore CV's?

 

[Skaville]

I mentioned a whole list of industries, you picked out estate agents. Hate all of them as well? Is your issue that we make money Lokki as I would be more than happy to try and find you a job.

I am also a member of REC - The Recruitment Employers Confederation if that would make you feel better about working with me. Anyway, I'm off to eat some bananas you tosser.

 

[WATFORD zero]

JS,

I am sure you are one of the good guys, but after dealing with (mainly IT) recruitment agencies for 20 odd years, i have to say i have found more bad than good.

But, having said that, i have a few agencies (mainly smaller ones) that i have been dealing with for years and do an excellent job and are worth every penny.

Back to Caz's question - i would advise to apply for anything that looks similar to your skills (some of the poor agencies won't know what the words they are using mean). Any that looks like a close match, try and get the consultant on the phone immediately before sending your cv and ask more about the role (shows interest and may mean that they will remember you when they receive the cv 30 seconds later).

Check websites regularly, a popular job may be advertised and cvs shortlisted within hours (if they get a lot of response).

And lastly don't take no response personally, a lot of poor agencies won't respond.

 

[Lokki 7]

I mentioned a whole list of industries, you picked out estate agents. Hate all of them as well? Is your issue that we make money Lokki as I would be more than happy to try and find you a job.

I am also a member of REC - The Recruitment Employers Confederation if that would make you feel better about working with me. Anyway, I'm off to eat some bananas you tosser.

1) I picked out estate agents but the same argument applies to some of the others too.
2) No. I don't hate all estate agents, or recruitment consultants for that matter. However I do stand by my earlier comments about their average levels of quality and service.
3) No my issue is not that "you" make money. It is the afore mentioned average levels of quality and service.
4) I am already employed but thanks for the offer. I also happen to be in charge of recruitment for my company (for my sins) hence my experience with recruitment consultants and head hunters.
5) You are clearly articulate, bright and good at your job. However it seems any bod can set up as a recruitment consultant which is why I asked about qualifications.
6) Enjoy your bananas
7) Now that I am officially a "tosser", can you detract your earlier statement about me being diplomatic as it caused great offence.

 

[caz99]

JS,

I am sure you are one of the good guys, but after dealing with (mainly IT) recruitment agencies for 20 odd years, i have to say i have found more bad than good.

But, having said that, i have a few agencies (mainly smaller ones) that i have been dealing with for years and do an excellent job and are worth every penny.

Back to Caz's question - i would advise to apply for anything that looks similar to your skills (some of the poor agencies won't know what the words they are using mean). Any that looks like a close match, try and get the consultant on the phone immediately before sending your cv and ask more about the role (shows interest and may mean that they will remember you when they receive the cv 30 seconds later).

Check websites regularly, a popular job may be advertised and cvs shortlisted within hours (if they get a lot of response).

And lastly don't take no response personally, a lot of poor agencies won't respond.

yeah see i got him on the phone and he said he hasnt put my cv forward as the companies he is dealing with pay him to find the right person for the job which means reinsurance. although the job advert says transferable skills with a view to train. i just find it very frustrating!
thanks for all your advice guys.

 

[Meade's Ball]

I'm with Lokki. I've met some thoroughly polite recruitment consultants in my time as an unemployable layabout, but not one of them saw me as anything other than a convenient pay-cheque and a cv with a footprint on it.
Now, i deal with them on the phone trying to get us to rush through the registration of international health professionals because it suits them and their pockets. It gives me great satisfaction to tell them that i cannot talk to them. Thank you data protection.

 

[Skaville]

Lokki, apologies about the tosser comment. I get very irate about these kind of comments as I work bloody hard to do a good job for companies and candidates alike. I do consider myself fairly intelligent, as are my colleagues and I do resent many of the comments on this thread - not just yours. You just took the brunt of it.

I hate the way people generalise about my industry as they do about many others. There are good and bad in every employment sector and company (compare Dan Harding and Adam Virgo for instance!)

Caz, you just have to seek out the right recruitment companies or insurance companies. Have you considered Allianz in Guildford? They are one of my clients and seem a great company to work for (although I do not think I can help you - I only work within a very narrow sector with them). They also have offices in Liphook.

 

[maffew]

Caz, is there much work anywhere in legal expenses insurance?
Seems very specific. Theres a danger of becoming too specialised in one area when theres not a lot of jobs in it, maybe worth looking at other areas of insurance?

 

[caz99]

thats the problem there is much legal expenses insurance work. however i dont have enough general insurance experience to get the money i am on. i would look at guildford but i dont drive so otherwise pain in the arse to get to!

 

[zefarelly]

I applied for a few jobs last month, took a call from an ultra keen agencie staff member, gave me a 20 minute interview/profile/bullshit questionaire ( I got the impression he didnt really understand half of what I was telling him) 2 weeks later I haven't heard a f***ing peep out of the Croydon scumbag

thats a regular agency thing though . . .

 

[caz99]

I applied for a few jobs last month, took a call from an ultra keen agencie staff member, gave me a 20 minute interview/profile/bullshit questionaire ( I got the impression he didnt really understand half of what I was telling him) 2 weeks later I haven't heard a f***ing peep out of the Croydon scumbag

thats a regular agency thing though . . .

thats exactly what i am getting! he is telling me i wont get the money etc etc

 

[looney]

Never! I still think the vast majority of recruitment consultants are talentless half-wits. And if your defence of your industry is that they are hated just as much as estate agents then I rest my case.
By the way, are recruitment consultants required to pass exams before they "advise" clients and ignore CV's?

I agree, when I speak to people envolved in employing people they say you should CV the particular person in the company you want to work at, ie head of IT. Avoid agencies and never go to HR, now they are the REAL retards.

 

[dwayne]

thats exactly what i am getting! he is telling me i wont get the money etc etc

have you, perhaps, considered that you won't get the money elsewhere unless you geographically move?

If so you might just have to change career plans

 

[caz99]

yes i have thought of that. i dont mind some travelling but i cant be bothered to make the effort to travel to london.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I've had dealing with a lot of agency people in my time, and I actually worked for Reed training all their staff on how to use Windows NT & Lotus Notes. In truth, they're a mixed bunch.

There's one guy over here who promised me the earth, and then I didn't hear from him for 2 months. He eventually rang me back to say he was going on holiday for a month! Like I gave a shit. Now I'm employing he wants me to use him, so I told him that he had been useless for me & he wouldn't be considered. You could see the $ sign flashing in his eyes far too much.

On the other hand, a couple of consultants from another firm were fantastic. They got me a job at my competitors & I even signed a contract. My company offered me some incentives to stay so I did - and they were really good about it.

That's the difference in this (and many other) industries. Good people actually care (or are very good at pretending to care) about you, the others only care about the money (or aren't good at pretending)

 

[ditchy]

yes i have thought of that. i dont mind some travelling but i cant be bothered to make the effort to travel to london.

There is the answer in the question !

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

Caz have you thought about taking Insurance Exams from the Chartered Insurance Institute?

That way you will be able to get knowledge of other insurance products, you could take the IF papers for instance. 3 of them gets you a recognised qualification in the industry - CertCII

 

[Brighton Boy]

f***ing hate agencies

started a job 3 weeks ago and got a call this morning saying that they had to downsize and me and the 3 others i started with had to go.....

Really pissed off

 

[Skaville]

f***ing hate agencies

started a job 3 weeks ago and got a call this morning saying that they had to downsize and me and the 3 others i started with had to go.....

Really pissed off

Wouldn't that be down to the employer rather than the agency?