Agency etiquette

LadyMayBelle

Sorry if this has been done to death, but I'm not sure who to ask. I have never used agencies before, and just started but not sure how it goes; I'm logging onto their site after seeing a job, I apply and fill out the registration, send off the supplementary documents (ID/ qualifications etc) and then....what?

Is it that I have to meet them first for 'interview' as a suitable candidate for their agency to market,, or just keep ringing them daily about jobs??

Sorry again if this is really obvious, I just feel like I am getting nowhere

LadyMayBelle

Anyone?

_Kaiser_

My experience with most agencies so far has been that if they think you might be suitable for something they'll be all over you looking for more information, clarification of elements of your CV etc. If not you'll be lucky to even get an acknowledgement of your application.

They probably won't bother bringing you in to see them at this stage - telephone/email seems to be enough. The other thread on agencies goes into more detail about how this step is mostly only for their own internal targets anyway.

If however the client then decides not to call you for interview, the agency will let you know and that'll be the last you hear from them.

They also don't seem to communicate internally. I've seen jobs with the same agency with different people as the contact, and even though you may have spoken with their colleagues (who also have your CV on file), they don't seem to bother using this database of CV's they've accumulated when looking for a candidate.

They also seem to get very huffy if you've already applied for a role with another agency. Even though they generally refuse to identify the client in the job spec they put up, they don't like to hear that you have already (unknowingly at that point) gone to the competition, in which case they won't want anything more to do with you.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but unfortunately the only way to get any sort of feedback is to keep chasing them like children it seems, and even then it's best not to get your hopes up.

Unfortunately the only way to get a job in this country seems to be either directly through the employer, or through someone you know

Ouchette

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

and then....what?

Is it that I have to meet them first for 'interview' as a suitable candidate for their agency to market,, or just keep ringing them daily about jobs??

Then phone them under any pretext like asking for more info about the job or wanting to talk through your cv. They'll ask you about your experience and what kind of job you're looking for and you take the opportunity to sell yourself and make a good impression. Otherwise chances are they'll never even look at your c.v.because they've got plenty already.

Next, they might ask you to come in for an interview with them. Sometimes that's just a general, quick interview that's
basically just a box ticking exercise, and sometimes it can be like a rehearsal for a job they want to send you to a real interview for.
The first kind seems like a waste of time.

Phone them every few days for an update. It reminds them that you exist.




All strictly imo, never having worked in recruitment.

LadyMayBelle

Cool thanks, I'm in the UK which makes it all the more crazy. One (big and popular) agency were fawning all over me for a day ringing me five days one morning, then I emailed them asking them could I come in person to present my documents as I didn't want to post my passport and driving licence and never heard form them again, even after emailing and ringing numerous people in there! it was like I got blacklisted!

Also normally do you pay?? Some people have told me that agencies charge but I can never see anything on sites about that..

Ouchette

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Also normally do you pay?? Some people have told me that agencies charge but I can never see anything on sites about that..

No, you should never have to pay. I don't think it's even legal to ask you to either in the UK or Ireland.

LadyMayBelle

Ouchette wrote: »

No, you should never have to pay. I don't think it's even legal to ask you to either in the UK or Ireland.

That's great, so basically you just get registered with as many decent agencies as you can, and keep applying for jobs on their sites..


and if say, three different agencies are offering what you know is the same job on their sites, do you apply three times, once to each agency??

Thanks everyone, perhaps these are really obvious questions for some!

donkey balls

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Cool thanks, I'm in the UK which makes it all the more crazy. One (big and popular) agency were fawning all over me for a day ringing me five days one morning, then I emailed them asking them could I come in person to present my documents as I didn't want to post my passport and driving licence and never heard form them again, even after emailing and ringing numerous people in there! it was like I got blacklisted!

Also normally do you pay?? Some people have told me that agencies charge but I can never see anything on sites about that..

never post your licence or passport to an agency unless your taking up a job that envolves driving. there is no requirment for either the employer or agency to ever have your drivers licence details and as for the passport thats a BIG NO NO :eek: unless your working in the airline biz as a flight crew member.

LadyMayBelle

I did think it was odd more so because it is a massive and very popular recruiter over here. Well hopefully Ill get better feedback tomorrow from the few I applied to today.

donkey balls

actually companies who employ non EU foreign nationals normally ask for that persons passport to make sure that they have a current work permit.
but since your a galway girl they should not ask for your passport:) saying that when i went for job here as a ops mgr i had a gap in my C.V(went travelling around the world for a year)which i had to prove by showing them my passport.

pollypocket10

Can I just ask, when you say agency, are you talking bout a recruitment agency for permanent positions or a nursing/doctors temping agency?

If you are doing agency work for example nursing they would have to keep things like photo id, registration details, garda clearance etc. on file for you as a legal requirement so that would be perfectly normal.

LadyMayBelle

pollypocket10 wrote: »

Can I just ask, when you say agency, are you talking bout a recruitment agency for permanent positions or a nursing/doctors temping agency?

If you are doing agency work for example nursing they would have to keep things like photo id, registration details, garda clearance etc. on file for you as a legal requirement so that would be perfectly normal.

Copies, I can understand but not the actual passport/licence. Sure you'd need those for other stuff.

Trashbat

Hi OP,

As your Location is london, I would advise you to take two different tactics with agencies. With smaller ones, applying on line is fine, but once you get in touch with a consultant, keep onto them and persist with them for suitable roles.

If you are dealing with high street recruitment agencies, don't bother applying online, the market is competitive and CV's get swallowed up. Go in in person, dressed to impress and show them that you'd be an asset and can win the right jobs. And don't assume that different branches of the one recruiter share info. Go to all of them.

Most importantly, don't listen to anything they say about your qualifications, references or experience. In my experience they will see you as an opportunity to bill a job and will bend the truth to get the commission. Only take on things that are satisfactory to you and don't become disheartened if they try to make you feel bad.

My OH was offered a job in a totally unsuitable role for terrible money, she rang them and turned it down becasue she had another interview that week for a job that paid £10k more. The recruitment consultant basically shouted down the phone at her about wasting the only opportunity she would ever be given and called her a liar, accusing her of making up the other interview to "try to hold them to ransom over money". She was really upset about it....... she got the better job though

Good luck with it, report back with how its going!

the_syco

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

They also seem to get very huffy if you've already applied for a role with another agency. Even though they generally refuse to identify the client in the job spec they put up, they don't like to hear that you have already (unknowingly at that point) gone to the competition, in which case they won't want anything more to do with you.

The reason for this is usually down to the way they get paid. They give a CV in to a company, you get hired, they get paid. If the company has already received your CV through another company, the other company can say that it was your CV from them that got the job. Thus, the other agency could get all or some of the money.

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

and if say, three different agencies are offering what you know is the same job on their sites, do you apply three times, once to each agency??

Pick the best looking/most reliable agency, and apply though them. Use a short covering letter stating in plain english why they should pick you.

=-=

The passport is a non-discrimination thing. If they just asked johnny-foreigner, they could get sued, but if they ask it off everyone, it's okay. It allows them to see if you have a Irish passport, and thus you can work in Ireland without any extra paperwork needed.

LadyMayBelle

Thanks everyone, I have a meeting with an agency this afternoon and one next week. Another probably obvious question, but how do I dress for this??


Also, one agency has asked for me to get a Garda Clearance to suffice until my CRB check comes thru (UK equivalent)...I think one was going through with an agency in Ireland, which I have decided to abandon as they have been useless; how can I check whether it's going or gone through, or do I have to contact the agency directly even if i don't want anything to do with them anymore??

Columbo

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I have a meeting with an agency this afternoon and one next week. Another probably obvious question, but how do I dress for this??

Dress to impress as though it is an interview with an employer. Show them you mean business and get them on your side. If they can see you are a professional, serious candidate that they can make a billing with, it will increase your chances considerably.