| Author |
Message |
MimiG
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Location: Hammersmith
|
 Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:43 am Post subject: |
 |
|
I had a bad experience with Reed yesterday.
They asked me last week if they could put me forward for a job which they said was based in Vauxhall. Fair enough, I thought as I live less than a 10 minute tube ride away. I'm not registered with that particular branch, but presumably they found my details on their website where I am registered.
The consultant was very reluctant to send me information regarding the company. I checked out their website and couldn't find an address for them in London. When I finally received their details yesterday (interview was meant to be this afternoon) it turns out that the company are based in the arsehole of Battersea, on the left side of Battersea Park so probably a good 20 - 30 minutes walk minimum from Vauxhall.
I'm sick of pushy, almost aggressive consultants like this, trying to make a "sale" to boost their salaries. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
amberjade
Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| recruitment consultant looks like the easiest job in the world, coz they do fuck all!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MBN
Joined: 18 Apr 2008
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've registered with dozens of them and they're all terrible.
Blue Arrow -- I have a university degree and have done professional jobs in my home country. So they sent me to mop floors in a school.
Makes sense.
Best Connection -- Sent me to a midnight to 8am typing job two hours from my home which was in a warehouse. Everybody working there was from this agency. The supervisor was sadistic because he knew everybody there was desperate for work (most were recent immigrants from India). Very low pay. I put up with it for about six days.
Quay Education -- Flaming homosexual agent. This in itself isn't a problem, I guess but he was a creepy guy. Sent me to a few horrible "special needs" schools before I had enough of this. All of these education agencies only send you to places two days a week as best, by the way.
Tradewind -- The worst of them all. Turn down a job and they'll say "we have nobody else we can send". Sent to schools allegedly "nearby" that turned out to be two hour treks across the country. Sent to allegedly "mainstream" schools that turned out to be "special needs". They also don't pay.
Then there are dozens of agencies I registered at and never hear from again. Here's a small sampling from my experience.
Julia Ross
ROC
Kelly
Loads of smaller ones that I can't think of.
My advice is to not bother with these agencies. They're for recent immigrants who don't know any better and barely-literate English people who are all but unemployable.
Just look for jobs directly with a company. You'll get more money and have actual employment rights that way. The job will almost certainly be better as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Foxy79
Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 32
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I actually agree with MBN. I get more calls when I apply to the hiring companies directly! They are at least willing to give me a chance. The agencies are horrible. They filter everyone!! What are they looking for ?? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
amberjade
Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
i knew that the job centre wasnt an agency (doh!) but i was so desperate after i graduated that i even went there for help. I had just attained a ba in history & what did they say to me? "we dont do grad jobs but we can easily set u up witn interviews for cleaning roles, beggers cant be choosers so ur options are to clean toilets in offices, i (the job centre lady) really think u should go for it"
erm....sod off! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lilly Ann
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 139
Location: london
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That's weird. When I first came here I literally had no experience whatsoever in admin work and still managed to find decent jobs throughout various agencies.
I have a degree and three years experience in the media industry in my homeland, but I knew I needed to gain some UK experience in order to go up the ladder in my career so just went to the first recruitment agency I came across (Keystone in Kings Cross), and they found me a cool secretarial job within 3 days that paid around 22,000 per annum.
I understand the frustration and personally don't think I'd ever approach an agency again (after one of them refused to pay me for around 4 weeks because I went for a job interview whilst temping for them and took a day off), BUT think that if you do go to an agency, the small ones have a lot more patience and interest in you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Foxy79
Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 32
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Lily,
I am an IT graduate trying for admin jobs but they keep telling me that I am overqualifed and never call me back!! You are so lucky to get a job within 3 days!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lilly Ann
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 139
Location: london
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Foxy, maybe you should try a small agency?
I personally applied for a few jobs through high profiled recruitment agencies and didn't get a response and rightly so, I don't have the right experience and they are looking for PA's with over 600 years of office work in blue chip companies.
Go to recruitment agencies with only three or four branches, not Reed, someone who can treat you personally and actually value your academic background. It's not impossible. I came across a lot of secretaries/receptionist who had no admin background and on top of things, didn't really speak english. You're more than qualified, it's just a case of knowing where to look. I didn't really know, I just came in cause I had nothing to lose. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Foxy79
Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 32
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Lily! I think u are right about registering with smaller agencies. I have come across some Polish workers who speak very bad english and yet they seem to be getting the jobs! I got nothing against them but I am just frustrated because I am qualified and I have excellent communication skills and yet nobody wants me LOL!
I guess its a matter of time! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
castlelgr
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 60182
Location: southampton
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Foxy79 wrote: | Hi Lily,
I am an IT graduate trying for admin jobs but they keep telling me that I am overqualifed and never call me back!! You are so lucky to get a job within 3 days!! |
Bit odd dont you think, Why not get an IT job as that is what you studdied for |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Suzan0912
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I agree agencies are shite!
They're interested for about the first two weeks after you register then lose interest and don't contact you again. Or else they spam your cv out everywhere so when the firms have live vacancies you're not included in the list. I've attended interviews and haven't received any feedback, even when you phone or email, the consultants don't contact you! 
I get told I'm over qualified when I go for interviews. "You'll be bored", is mostly what I get told. Legal secretary/PA with over 20 yrs experience so can't get a job. I'm now temping in the city and all I do is print out emails and attachments, photocopy, scan or sit and do nothing!!! All the agency say is "money for old rope, at least you're getting paid"!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I completely agree that most recruitment agencies are crap.
Only thing to try is to register with ALL of them. And pray it works.
I have personal experience of agencies calling me in order to check personal details. It is not bad however.... Their questions were based on a YEAR old CV and besides since then I actually moved to London (was in Scotland before).
Problem is that agencies never work fast. They also do NOT properly read CV. THEY USE KEYWORD SEARCH, BE AWARE!!! They will send you job for liek full-time trainer in college although you mention in your CV that you have experience in training two people how to use powerpoint once...
Agencies [b]do NOT posses ANY serious technical knowledge whatsoever so they have not a slightest clue which candidates fit and which do not. I was actually under impression that this is what employers pay them money for.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
castlelgr
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 60182
Location: southampton
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Egh wrote: | I completely agree that most recruitment agencies are crap.
Only thing to try is to register with ALL of them. And pray it works.
I have personal experience of agencies calling me in order to check personal details. It is not bad however.... Their questions were based on a YEAR old CV and besides since then I actually moved to London (was in Scotland before).
Problem is that agencies never work fast. They also do NOT properly read CV. THEY USE KEYWORD SEARCH, BE AWARE!!! They will send you job for liek full-time trainer in college although you mention in your CV that you have experience in training two people how to use powerpoint once...
Agencies [b]do NOT posses ANY serious technical knowledge whatsoever so they have not a slightest clue which candidates fit and which do not. I was actually under impression that this is what employers pay them money for.... |
you find that you have been dealing with the wrong agencies.
The good agencies that know what they are doing, only employ specialists in their fields. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| castlelgr wrote: | you find that you have been dealing with the wrong agencies.
The good agencies that know what they are doing, only employ specialists in their fields. |
Names and contact details m8, citizen demand the names!  Try to find at least one.... Working in the it industry that is. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
castlelgr
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 60182
Location: southampton
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Egh wrote: | | castlelgr wrote: | you find that you have been dealing with the wrong agencies.
The good agencies that know what they are doing, only employ specialists in their fields. |
Names and contact details m8, citizen demand the names! Try to find at least one.... Working in the it industry that is. |
where do you live and where do you want to work? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| castlelgr wrote: | | where do you live and where do you want to work? |
Soz, I just decided not to spam as I already posted about myself in a separate topic.
In short -- London, IT/Support Admin, EU resident, 3 years in uk and currently working in IT admin position. However current contract position is to expire within two weeks. So atm I'm unable to look for jobs myself much, I'm working full time + have my own private clients. However I wouldn't like a huge gap between jobs (it is always bad in your CV anyway) and would like to start new contract asap. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
castlelgr
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 60182
Location: southampton
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
the best thing to do is use google to find out the biggest IT agencies in london, or just approach large companies direct
you need to be carefull with agencies, propper recruiters are a dying breed, but there are still some of us that takes it seriously. I would help, but IT is not really my thing.
If you deal with some lady who sounds under 30, more than likely they are not very good at recruiting, if you sign up with an agency try a specialised one, not a general one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gum
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 30
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
La Creme...fucking shit!
I went to register a few weeks ago...the fucking receptionist is retarded, put me in a hot smelly room, and was supposed to bring me water but never did...all she did was gossip!
.I filled out the form and waited about 20 min for this bitch to come....She was rude, stuck up and kept demanding things...even rolled her fucking eyes..lol...wtf....
...I brought a few reference letters that I had, she actually threw them back at me saying she needs references for the last 2 years, some of which were....That bitch is still waiting for a reply from me cause I dont want to deal with such an unprofessional bitch...their agency is shit and they are very rude and dont find jobs, just talk alot of bull!
And why do recruitment agents act like they are ceo's?....lol...its such a crappy job that they have, yet they look down at people like they are scum...i find that so funny!...  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| castlelgr wrote: | the best thing to do is use google to find out the biggest IT agencies in london, or just approach large companies direct
you need to be carefull with agencies, propper recruiters are a dying breed, but there are still some of us that takes it seriously. I would help, but IT is not really my thing.
If you deal with some lady who sounds under 30, more than likely they are not very good at recruiting, if you sign up with an agency try a specialised one, not a general one. |
However majority of these agencies are bad and have incompetent staff. That's the real point of me asking -- which agencies to use, which not to, so not wasting time.
I also think about making "name and shame" website dedicated specifically to recruitment agencies P |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
castlelgr
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 60182
Location: southampton
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
like I said google them. There is a ranking for agencies. Most of the ones with decent websites who let you know what they are and what they specialize in are good.
however they will not forward your CV if they think you dont suit any of the roles they have. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| castlelgr wrote: | like I said google them. There is a ranking for agencies. Most of the ones with decent websites who let you know what they are and what they specialize in are good.
however they will not forward your CV if they think you dont suit any of the roles they have. |
they keywords are "they think". If they are incompetent what they think is wrong.
Any actual link regarding unbiased agencies ranking? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FannyAdams
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Herts, England
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Avoid agencies at ALL costs!
Adecco are shocking and for all the other agencies on line, they advertise jobs just to get you on the books to make them look like 'the most popular recruitment company'.
99% of the time the jobs advertised do not exist!
I'd advise that you google the names of companies you want to work for or the industry you want to work in and look up their 'contact us' section to get email/contact details.
If you do decide to go for recruitment agencies make sure you note all the details so you can follow up! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Egh
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| FannyAdams wrote: | Avoid agencies at ALL costs!
Adecco are shocking and for all the other agencies on line, they advertise jobs just to get you on the books to make them look like 'the most popular recruitment company'.
99% of the time the jobs advertised do not exist!
|
That thing I knew already, it is a scum in many cases indd, however that doesn't happen 99% of the time. Also depends on the recruiter itself.
and yes, and I always try to persuade other people and sometimes, amazingly, without any success that adverts by recruiters are not trustworthy. The vacancy might to exist, however they might already have a suitable candidate to fill it. However they advertise it online (reed, jobsite and other websites, effectively rendering them to mostly junk) so they can grab more "candidates" to their databases. The more they have the merrier, and they don't really care about employing people, as agencies compete between themselves not to provice service to people but to commercial entities.
| Quote: |
If you do decide to go for recruitment agencies make sure you note all the details so you can follow up! |
How do you mean?[/b] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FannyAdams
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Herts, England
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
[quote="Egh"] | FannyAdams wrote: | Avoid agencies at ALL costs!
| Quote: |
If you do decide to go for recruitment agencies make sure you note all the details so you can follow up! |
How do you mean?[/b] |
It means that I have spent 4 MONTHS online looking at agency websites and potential jobs and I didn't get 1 single interview. I got many calls back with regards to 'alternative' jobs or didn't hear anything back at all.
So it means when you apply online, note the agency, the job title and contact information to call back within a few weeks if you have not heard anything back!
Dont mean to float my own boat, but I have a good CV, a degree and was applying for jobs left right and centre that I would never hear back from!
So just be careful who you apply with! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Foxy79
Joined: 04 Apr 2008
Posts: 32
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey Fanny,
I know exactly what U mean!! I am going through the same thing as u, Been looking for 4 months now. Only recently I started getting job offers from employers directly. I never got any help from the job agencies |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Gumtree
Search
Register
Log in
Profile
Memberlist
FAQ
