Has anyone had experience working with La Creme?

icywind1980

They are a recruitment company in Dublin. I was supposed to have an interview with them, but it was canceled at the last minute due to being "double booked". I think that's in poor taste, as I was more than half way there. I even offered to wait around or somewhere else until the other interview was over, but was asked to reschedule it. The recruiter said she'd call me back to reschedule this morning, but has failed to do so. I have a call in to her now, but am a little concerned about the way they conduct business.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

ABajaninCork

Yup! If they're anything like the crowd in Cork, they're an absolute shower of ****e!:D

Very unprofessional in their approach, lie about jobs (that is to say, they don't exist), never call you back, never take your calls either. Looking on their website for jobs is a joke as most of the links are broken. Hays are another of the agencies I can't stand either.

Trouble is, we're reliant on these vermin therefore we have no choice but to jump through their ridiculous hoops knowing full well nothing will come of it.

If anyone knows of a good PROFESSIONAL recruitment agency that knows their stuff, the ability to tell the truth and has good people skills then I'm all ears.

Mr. Loverman

When you say "working with" La Creme, do you mean working for them or do you mean they are going to send your CV to a company on your behalf?

If it's the latter, they are the same as every other agency: they don't really do anything except e-mail your CV to employers and then take a huge fee for it...

ABajaninCork

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

When you say "working with" La Creme, do you mean working for them or do you mean they are going to send your CV to a company on your behalf?

If it's the latter, they are the same as every other agency: they don't really do anything except e-mail your CV to employers and then take a huge fee for it...

Looking at the OP's post I took it to mean they'd got the interview to register. I doubt even La Creme would be that unprofessional when interviewing candidates to work for them.

icywind1980

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Looking at the OP's post I took it to mean they'd got the interview to register. I doubt even La Creme would be that unprofessional when interviewing candidates to work for them.

What happened was this: I was called on Monday to setup an interview today, with La Creme regarding a job I applied for on jobs.ie. They called me on my way to the interview this morning and canceled it when I was half way there, approx. 50 mins before the scheduled interview time.

popcorn1986

I am temping with them and think they are the business, really professional always available to take my calls.

icywind1980

popcorn1986 wrote: »

I am temping with them and think they are the business, really professional always available to take my calls.

Huh. Just curious, but you must be from here, right?

I have a sneaking suspicion that I won't ever find work here since I'm not from here, even though I have every legal right to live and work here.

pow wow

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Yup! If they're anything like the crowd in Cork, they're an absolute shower of ****e!:D

Very unprofessional in their approach, lie about jobs (that is to say, they don't exist), never call you back, never take your calls either. Looking on their website for jobs is a joke as most of the links are broken. Hays are another of the agencies I can't stand either.

Trouble is, we're reliant on these vermin therefore we have no choice but to jump through their ridiculous hoops knowing full well nothing will come of it.

+1 on the Cork crowd. I feel like I could have written that post myself! In their 'defence' though my sister gets a lot of work through them but imo they're terrible to deal with. Recruitment consultants are the worst kind of salespeople.

icywind1980

popcorn1986 wrote: »

I think that's an ignorant statement to make, I'm American and have lots of friends of all nationalities working with them. They're only one company and can't help everyone

It feels like I've gotten the same kind of response from many staffing companies, not only La Creme. I'm having a professional agency read over my resume now to determine if there's anything wrong with it, and I've signed up for online interview assistance tutelage to see if there's something I'm saying wrong, but I do honestly think it has a lot to do with the fact that I don't sound Irish. I sound very southern, but not at all unprofessional. And I'm just trying to get a grasp on why I'm not getting any response back from them.

ABajaninCork

icywind1980 wrote: »

It feels like I've gotten the same kind of response from many staffing companies, not only La Creme. I'm having a professional agency read over my resume now to determine if there's anything wrong with it, and I've signed up for online interview assistance tutelage to see if there's something I'm saying wrong, but I do honestly think it has a lot to do with the fact that I don't sound Irish. I sound very southern, but not at all unprofessional. And I'm just trying to get a grasp on why I'm not getting any response back from them.

Yeah - been there, done that, got the t-shirt...:pac:

ABajaninCork

Originally Posted by popcorn1986
I think that's an ignorant statement to make, I'm American and have lots of friends of all nationalities working with them. They're only one company and can't help everyone

Yes - we are well aware La Creme, are only one company and can't help everyone. We get that! But how can so many people - not just on this thread and Boards.ie come up with the same conclusion??

But it's equally ignorant to put down someone simply for stating their views...

Darragh

Hello folks

La Créme have been in touch with us about this thread and have agreed to have a representative on to answer any questions or clarify any issues there may be. Ann will only be dealing with La Créme related issues.

Needless to say, personal abuse will absolutely not be tolerated.

Thanks

Darragh

La Creme: Ann

As a Director of la creme, I appreciate all the feedback in this discussion thread and take it very seriously. At la creme we are very keen to hear directly from anybody who is unhappy about their experience with us to see how we can resolve your issue.

If you would like to discuss this further or to continue your job search with la creme, please email dublin@lacreme.ie or cork@lacreme.ie with the best telephone number for us to get back to you.

Kind Regards,

Ann

ABajaninCork

Hi Ann

It is encouraging to read that you are interested in our comments. Hopefully, this will be taken seriously. I have just looked at the website for the first time in ages. It's better presented and looks as though the links actually work this time...

Are the same personnel still in the Cork office?

La Creme: Ann

Please drop us an email to cork@lacreme.ie with your phone number.

icywind1980

I am also encouraged by an admin coming here to answer our questions.

Ann, will you comment on the original post? Is this just an unfortunate happening, or do things like these happen often? Do you agree that it was less than professional?

icywind1980

icywind1980 wrote: »

I am also encouraged by an admin coming here to answer our questions.

Ann, will you comment on the original post? Is this just an unfortunate happening, or do things like these happen often? Do you agree that it was less than professional?

Bump! Ann, are you still here?

dudara

I worked for La Creme for approx 9 months in 2006 as a temp, and have nothing but good things to say about them. Professionally handled by my contact in the Cork office and lots of work came my way.

However, I appreciate that there may be different experiences if you are actively seeking recruitment via La Creme.

La Creme: Ann

Please drop me an email to dublin@lacreme.ie with your phone number and I will call you to discuss further.

Dermo

Ann,

The purposes of boards.ie is mainly for public discussion. Can you answer icywind1980's question here?

ABajaninCork

La Creme: Ann wrote: »

Please drop me an email to dublin@lacreme.ie with your phone number and I will call you to discuss further.

You told me this too. I am still waiting for you to call one week later...

icywind1980

Dermo wrote: »

Ann,

The purposes of boards.ie is mainly for public discussion. Can you answer icywind1980's question here?

Thank you Dermo. I was going to reply with the same request. I believe this subject matter should be discussed publicly and respectfully.

Darragh

For what it's worth, we'd also be of the same opinion and it's why we invited La Creme on in the first place.

I'll drop Ann a line and see what happens.

ABajaninCork

Darragh wrote: »

For what it's worth, we'd also be of the same opinion and it's why we invited La Creme on in the first place.

I'll drop Ann a line and see what happens.

With all due respect, I do not believe La Creme will ever answer any questions, either here on Boards.ie or in private. I had a feeling this would happen.

Just keep plugging away, and I'm sure something will turn up...

snooper

this is becoming an epic PR fail for them!

icywind1980

snooper wrote: »

this is becoming an epic PR fail for them!

Agreed. @ Darragh- Has La creme gotten back in touch with you yet?

ABajaninCork

Yup....Clearly PR is not high on their list of priorities!

MagicMarker

Wow, I'd expect more from the Director of a company tbh. I think Ann needs to seek advice regarding customer satisfaction from Declan over in the PC World/Currys forum.

Kinetic^

La Creme: Ann wrote: »

As a Director of la creme, I appreciate all the feedback in this discussion thread and take it very seriously. At la creme we are very keen to hear directly from anybody who is unhappy about their experience with us to see how we can resolve your issue.

If you would like to discuss this further or to continue your job search with la creme, please email dublin@lacreme.ie or cork@lacreme.ie with the best telephone number for us to get back to you.

Kind Regards,

Ann

La Creme: Ann wrote: »

Please drop us an email to cork@lacreme.ie with your phone number.

La Creme: Ann wrote: »

Please drop me an email to dublin@lacreme.ie with your phone number and I will call you to discuss further.

Well played! The poor perception of your company has been justified due to the fact that you're incapable of returning an email or phone call.

seadnamac

Applied for a position with this helpful little agency in Cork recently and a few days later gave them a follow up call to check the status of my application. Girl on the phone told me 'oh that's no problem at all just give me your mobile number and I'll find out and get straight back to you'. That was two weeks ago. They don't give a sh*te.

La Creme: Ann

Dear members,

We do appreciate all your feedback on this issue, and would like to clarify that we can't go into detail about individuals' situations on this forum due to client and candidate confidentiality; it is company policy never to comment publicly on matters concerning clients and candidates. We do want to resolve any issues that you may have with la creme, and to do this, we will need details of your name, appointment details and the exact circumstance, which we have asked for by email to: dublin@lacreme.ie or cork@lacreme.ie. We will contact you once we have your telephone number to resolve your issue.

Specifically in response to ABajanin, we haven't received your email and would urge you to re-send or to call us on 00353 (0) 1 432 1500 and ask for me directly referencing boards.ie.

I hope you understand that this is the best way for us to help you.

icywind1980

Ann, I can understand your position on confidentiality, but I do not think that you should be listed as a representative of your company on boards.ie, if you cannot viably represent your company.

ABajaninCork

Ann: You've missed the moment. Went to forward the mail I sent to the Cork office, and rapidly got bored...

If it's taken the best part of three weeks to even post a reply on Boards.ie, then please tell me why I should run up my phone bill trying to get through to you?

snooper

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Ann: You've missed the moment. Went to forward the mail I sent to the Cork office, and rapidly got bored...

If it's taken the best part of three weeks to even post a reply on Boards.ie, then please tell me why I should run up my phone bill trying to get through to you?

Right so you'd prefer to just moan anonomously, sorta defeats the purpose of complaining about there lack of response (which was pretty crap to be fair).

Ann if you really were concerned you would have taken accountability for this and given YOUR email address not some generic one.

Should people complain at group level?

mrgardener

Just been reading this post and am not surprised by La Cremes unwillingness to discuss or even defend their behaviour. My experience with them was disgraceful, posting jobs that don't exist just to "harvest" CV's.

I know some people might come on to defend their position, but after hearing what the industry is like from someone who worked in it, its near enough a complete sham!

The sooner this industry dies out (which I believe is happening, regardless of what they tell you), or gets regulated properly with honest, upfront people, the better.

ABajaninCork

snooper wrote: »

Right so you'd prefer to just moan anonomously, sorta defeats the purpose of complaining about there lack of response (which was pretty crap to be fair).

Actually, there was NOTHING anonymous about my complaint. I should tell you at this point, I am well known to the good people in the Cork office having complained about the self-same thing before. And I got no answer from them then nor now. Have a look at my previous post. I sent them a mail as requested. That was three weeks ago. Ann only roused herself to answer on Tuesday, hence my last post.

I have a sneaking feeling the e-mail WAS seen by the Cork office, they recognised the name, but didn't bother to pass it on as they failed to see the 'significance' of it, even though I told them exactly why I had mailed.:cool:

La Creme didn't give a **** then. They certainly don't give a **** now.

That's my honest opinion.

snooper

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Actually, there was NOTHING anonymous about my complaint. I should tell you at this point, I am well known to the good people in the Cork office having complained about the self-same thing before. And I got no answer from them then nor now. Have a look at my previous post. I sent them a mail as requested. That was three weeks ago. Ann only roused herself to answer on Tuesday, hence my last post.

I have a sneaking feeling the e-mail WAS seen by the Cork office, they recognised the name, but didn't bother to pass it on as they failed to see the 'significance' of it, even though I told them exactly why I had mailed.:cool:

La Creme didn't give a **** then. They certainly don't give a **** now.

That's my honest opinion.

Fair enough AB - missed that bit!

Irrespective of your plight with them they've screwed up what was meant to be a possitive PR spin

ABajaninCork

Totally agree Snooper.

It's such a shame, as both IcyWind & I were willing to give them a shot at responding/defending their stance. I even gave them props for fixing the website!

icywind1980

This is becoming such a self-made disaster for them. *shaking head*

Eoin

La Creme: Ann wrote: »

which we have asked for by email to: dublin@lacreme.ie or cork@lacreme.ie. We will contact you once we have your telephone number to resolve your issue.

Ann, you're giving the same contact details that anyone can find on your website.

Given the amount of unhappy people here, I think you should consider taking the initiative and you contacting each disgruntled person on this thread, giving your direct email address and contact number and guaranteeing that you personally will do your best to get to the bottom of their issues.

To be honest, your posts are just like answering machine messages - there is no interaction going on here.

(mod hat is off for this post btw, just a suggestion)

ABajaninCork

I totally agree with you Eoin. Several times Ann was asked to specifically comment to IcyWind. She didn't bother. Just repeated the mantra of e-mailing her Dublin or Cork offices.

La Creme are never going to answer or deal with any issues we might have.

It's typical of the arrogant and high-handed behaviour displayed by recruitment agencies. They don't see the 'bigger picture' as they are only interested in getting paid. That's fair enough, but don't trample on the people 'below' you. I was always taught to be nice to people and treat them fairly. You never know when you'll need their help. They try to insult my intelligence which I won't stand for. And they don't like it. Which is probably why I don't get too far with recruitment agencies.

I worked in Sales for over twenty years, so I know all the moves. I could probably teach THEM a few things!:D

I'll leave it there...

tricky D

Wow, this thread is a brilliant example of how to screw up PR. Must bookmark it as a case study.

One of the complaints on this thread is about La Creme not getting back in touch. La Creme's proposed solution is to say get in touch and we'll sort it out. What do they then do? Not get in touch.

Then La Creme send 'a representative on to answer any questions or clarify any issues there may be. Ann will only be dealing with La Créme related issues.' What do they do? Don't answer questions or clarify issues.

They also come to a public forum to do this, then insist on doing it privately. Basic concepts of Public Relations seem to be lacking.

So what have they achieved? They've raised the expectations that they are really interested in upping their game, then spectacularly lower it.

You couldn't make this up and all the while this thread will creep up the Google rankings the more times La Creme gets mentioned.

aleybert

Glad I spotted this thread. Doing up my CV to apply a job that LaCreme has, but after reading this I'll send it to another agency that has the same job. I have great experience for this job so I'm feeling confident!

aine92

I recently sent my CV into La Creme and needless to say, I haven't even heard back from them and I must have sent it two weeks ago. After hearing all this, I definitely won't be looking to be on their books under any circumstances and I will not be recommending their crap service to anybody. Why bother dealing with such crap service when theres others out there who are so much more efficient.

Good job Ann-great reflection of La Creme. Clearly not La Creme de la Creme, are ye :rolleyes:

So why are you here, Ann, if you can't do anything but tell people to e-mail you? PR fail or what! You actually managed to make the situation even worse. Amazing stuff.

mrgardener

This pretty much sums up the recruitment industry imo.
People chancing their arm at trying to make money by calling themselves a recruitment company.
I've always thought that if people like that LaCreme woman went to a respectable recruitment company, she would be shown the door..........

Darragh

Hey all

After some thinking about this, I'm closing this thread as it is.

When La Creme came to us about this thread, my first instinct was (and always will be) that a conversation on thread happens openly and transparently.

I'm well aware that sometimes people use websites like Boards.ie to damage companies reputation with anonymous posts specifically designed to cause trouble. We are working hard to get rid of these kinds of posts.

This is NOT one of them - an established member chose to share her experience with others on the forum. Boards.ie is a platform for discussion and we welcome honest posts here.

We also believe that companies should have a right to reply if there are issues that come up that need a response. That is why we introduced Verified representatives and our Talk to... forums where companies like ESB, Eircom, Vodafone and more are answering questions and engaging honestly.

We are aware that there are confidentiality issues and that not every company can engage as openly and as transparently as might suit us, especially if they don't have people's names and addresses, but we also believe there is a happy medium to be reached here and that if a company is prepared to engage and committed to, with appropriate resource, they should do so.

While I was happy for La Creme to engage (on my advice) on this thread, I personally don't believe that it should have taken them so long to respond in the way they did. This is a personal opinion.

Admittedly they may not be familiar with this style of communication - not many companies are - but given the amount of emails that have gone on behind the scenes too between the PR department and myself, I personally am sorry that it has turned out as you can read it above when so much more could have been done. I had advised La Creme on several options. I realise though that this is a very new thing for some companies, which many cannot do yet.

I am removing the "Verified representative" status of the La Creme account since it won't be used, but hope this post serves to show that Ann was from that company.

However I am also aware that La Creme do have a good reputation from people who have got jobs from them and hired with them, so I'd urge you to bear in mind that this thread is only the experiences of SOME people. As they've said, the best way to talk to them is to email or call them. This thread should only reflect on their interaction on this thread and not on their employees or work practises. Let your own experience guide you on this.

If there's anything I can clarify for you, contact me on hello@boards.ie.

Thanks

Darragh