Recruitment Agencies

projectmayhem

ok lads & ladettes, ole projectmayhem needs to stick his foot on some sort of ladder that involves a career and get out of the hole that is retail while on a "break" from college.

i did an interview today which went quite well, and would be a great step to my chosen career. but i need a backup plan if this doesn't go to plan... but i'm wondering if recruitment agencies are any use?

i was advised (by "herself") that they're alright, as her mate got a good job from one... but another friend just started a great job and said they're useless, and my best bet is to pick up the indo on a regular basis and check job listings websites...

but websites/newspapers won't be as specific with jobs as a recruitment agency, or are recruitment agents just going to shove me wherever they get commission?

The Hill Billy

projectmayhem wrote:

but i'm wondering if recruitment agencies are any use?

Despite the constant knocking they receive in this forum (some of it well deserved/some not) they do serve a purpose.

You really need to be more specific about what sort of work/role you are looking for. If you want to go into IT support - contact an IT agency. If you want to work as a storesman in a west Dublin industrial estate - get the Indo. If you fancy a stint as a farm labourer - you'll get FA out of either. It is horses for courses.

fret_wimp

depends on the agency. I got my job through an agency. Some are not worth the paper their letterhead is printed on. eg. Its up to them to bargan for the highest salary possible and that doesnt often happen. Also, if they put you up for an interview and you dont get the job, most will not let you know one way or the other, and you just have to forget about that role after a while. I would use them, but dont expect a lot from them. hey, they are free so send out your cv to them, it cant hurt. just expect a lot of bulls*it phone calls filled with buzz words. the more cv's you have out there the better chance you have of a job so use agencies, just dont expect a lot and dont depend on them.

hunnymonster

When you send a cv to a recruitment agency I guess you're not trying for a specific job. Normally I would tailor a CV to the job spec's. Do I send a longer version to the agencies including all my experience or how do I approach it?

Ishmael

I would say that it is best to do it as you would a normal C.V. but tailor it to the kind of job you want and indicate on the C.V. or on a separate note what particular kind of work you are looking for. Theres no real need to supply any more information to the recruitment agencies than you would to an employer as they usually just forward on the C.V you supply them with anyway.

The most important stuff is skills and work experience then education usually so have a few bullet points on each of these that you can expand on in an interview.

but websites/newspapers won't be as specific with jobs as a recruitment agency, or are recruitment agents just going to shove me wherever they get commission?

They will if you let them.