Crazy Diamond Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Anyone know of any decent recruitment companies or specialists? I'm looking for a press/communications role and have been absolutely stitched up by a number of recruitment people lately. Either they don't read my CV properly and offer me roles that are nowhere near what I'm after, or they keep me waiting for weeks on end about jobs I've applied for or interviewed for without the common decency to tell me if I'm successful or not. Today I got fed up of waiting three weeks for an answer from one particular place - having been told twice to expect a call - and found that they just didn't fancy telling me my application wasn't being taken further. That was after a 20 minute call to one firm in which I said I specifically didn't want marketing roles, and later got a call from the same place asking if I was interested in a marketing specialist job. In October a recruiter flat out lied to me and told me I had a job when I didn't, the organisation didn't have a clue where the recruitment agency got that impression from. It's unbelievable. I'm sick to death of these people and just want to find a job...! Anyone got any recommendations or advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Any advice? Yeah, Don't use recruitment agencies. I've had similar experiences to you. Waste of space in my experience. I haven't applied for a job for years, got them all by recommendation. Although LinkedIn is worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Any advice? Yeah, Don't use recruitment agencies. I've had similar experiences to you. Waste of space in my experience. I haven't applied for a job for years, got them all by recommendation. Although LinkedIn is worth a look. Yeah I've pretty much come to that conclusion, however being out of work for four months means desperate measures. That and I can't seem to find the kind of job I'm after without a recruitment agency acting as a middle man. I keep an eye on LinkedIn but not found anything decent thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so22saint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 I own one. Some of the guys I've had on the books have been great. Some have been absolute lying shysters (and if they are lying to you, they're lying to everyone - one of them lied about making placements and then had to leave when it turned out they'd made it up - they didn't get paid until the invoice was paid anyway so god knows why they did it). Anyway, if you can find a good agent then in my experience they can make a difference but go by recommendation if you can. My company is in digital recruitment - web blah, so probably can't help - sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Any advice? Yeah, Don't use recruitment agencies. I've had similar experiences to you. Waste of space in my experience. I haven't applied for a job for years, got them all by recommendation. Although LinkedIn is worth a look. Agree - I haven't used one for years. Last two jobs have been by recommendation through the role I had at the company before that, which was a job where they approached me. I get recruiters spamming me for jobs that are not appropriate (they get pointed to my LinkedIn page) and also offering me made up CVs of fictional people to fill roles I don't have. They get blocked. So yes, Crazy Diamond, just use LinkedIn. It really is the best job-seeker tool and also I'd say to pick a company (or companies) you'd like to work for and look directly on their websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Any advice? Yeah, Don't use recruitment agencies. I've had similar experiences to you. Waste of space in my experience. I haven't applied for a job for years, got them all by recommendation. Although LinkedIn is worth a look. Yup, dump the recruitment agencies that just want you in a position no matter what whether you are a good fit or not. You'll also find your projected top end salary will be reduced by the amount they want to pocket. Sharks the lot of them, I had one phone me once when I was looking for jobs amd told me that he will get me exactly the job I wanted, all I had to do was become exclusive to him for 6 weeks. He couldnt comprehend why I asked him 'why the hell will I do that ?' His arrogance was admirable to be fair, he went through the whole shebang, telling me to disregard the three offers I already had as he had an excellent company to offer. When it turned out it was the company Id already started talking too he first tried to claim he introduced me, and so needed a cut, and after it was clear I wasnt playing ball he even told me he could negotiate a better salary. He then accused meof wasting his time Utter mongs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Well I'm glad I'm not alone in having bad experiences. Just had another look on LinkedIn and saw something I fancied, so there's a start... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Theres probably some good ones out there tbf, just never met one. They are just estate agents in different suits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coxford_lou Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Anyone know of any decent recruitment companies or specialists? I'm looking for a press/communications role and have been absolutely stitched up by a number of recruitment people lately. Either they don't read my CV properly and offer me roles that are nowhere near what I'm after, or they keep me waiting for weeks on end about jobs I've applied for or interviewed for without the common decency to tell me if I'm successful or not. Today I got fed up of waiting three weeks for an answer from one particular place - having been told twice to expect a call - and found that they just didn't fancy telling me my application wasn't being taken further. That was after a 20 minute call to one firm in which I said I specifically didn't want marketing roles, and later got a call from the same place asking if I was interested in a marketing specialist job. In October a recruiter flat out lied to me and told me I had a job when I didn't, the organisation didn't have a clue where the recruitment agency got that impression from. It's unbelievable. I'm sick to death of these people and just want to find a job...! Anyone got any recommendations or advice? Where are you looking? I'd definitely recommend Stop Gap in London. Depends mostly what sector you're looking in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 4 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Theres probably some good ones out there tbf, just never met one. They are just estate agents in different suits Was thinking just the same earlier - and believe me they've p*ssed me off too in recent months. Where are you looking? I'd definitely recommend Stop Gap in London. Depends mostly what sector you're looking in... Thanks for the suggestion, looking for specifically non-marketing roles though! I've got a few years of experience in communications and press officer work, degree in journalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Imagine most will see you as a glorified marketer, not least as a lot of pure PO/comms jobs aren't in the private sector. By all means, try lots of recruiters but effectively interview them and see if they genuinely understand your background before proceeding. Too often the shoe is on the other foot as the customer gets swept up in the flow and the big promises made by recruiters. Recommendations are the name of the game; but are extremely difficult to secure if you're just starting out on a career (anything less than 6-8 years experience). Ultimately, you might have to compromise - for instance, looking at marketing jobs that have a PO/comms dimension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Aim high, by which I mean find some very senior roles advertised which are exactly in the right area for you, but perhaps too senior just now. See which recruitment firms are handling these and then check them out to see if they are not exclusively dealing with mega £££ roles only. These firms are like estate agents. Almost anyone can set one up, most are somewhere between mediocre and terrible unless you want a very general, plain vanilla type role. Good firms do exist but they are the exception. I know the good firms in my sector but have no idea about yours sadly, hence my suggestion above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I've had to deal with the necessary evil of recruitment agencies for years. They don't give a f**k about you unless you're right for the role, and only give slightly more of a f**k once you're in the role. I really used to hate the ones that'd never call back, contact you for roles that are wholly unsuitable (either in terms of salary or prior experience). The "best" agent I ever had used to stutter when he was bullshítting. I very much enjoyed negotiating pay with him. Also worth remembering that despite their ills, they get you paid on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Saint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 There are good ones and bad ones - unfortunately even if you find a good firm there are still a rotten egg or two in there. The up side of using an agent for contract work is as pap said - you get paid much more regularly than if you had to deal with the clients accounts payable department. But yes, most consultants are interested in getting a fee - not your career. Tips 1 Never give them exclusivity - they dont work with every company so you are limiting your options 2 Ignore their advice about not negotiating salaries and letting them do it - they want control. They will tell you that they are paid based upon what they get for you, but in reality a consultant is likely to see 1-2% of any uplift he gets you so they will be more interested in closing the deal 3 They will ask you about interviews that you have currently having - be careful, they will call that company next and submit their own candidates - they might get some one in ahead of you (and get a fee) and you may then take their job (and get a fee) 4 Dont expect to be called back - saves disappointment 5 They will use fear of loss as a technique to close you - have clear objectives (money, hours, bonus role etc) and refer back to these if you start to feel pressured 6 Ultimately you need to be proactive in your job hunting - call companies yourself, use linked in etc. if you expect someone else to do it for you, unless you are a good match for one of their current roles, your cv will end up in their database collecting virtual dust. 7 Remember who pays the fees - that is where their ultimate loyalty lies I hope that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 For communications roles have you looked at the CIPR website? http://jobs.cipr.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 4 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Thanks everyone, some very good advice in there. It has got to the point where it was quite refreshing to talk to someone yesterday who said 'you're probably not right for it so I wouldn't want to pass your CV on' when I asked about a job I wasn't sure about...! For communications roles have you looked at the CIPR website? http://jobs.cipr.co.uk/ Funnily enough I've submitted my CV for a job with them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so22saint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Funnily enough I've submitted my CV for a job with them! I want a cut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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