When interviewing at agencies....

Lollipops23

I work as a receptionist/office support for a major recruitment agency, and while they're not perfect, they seem to be more ethical than a lot of other agencies.
Obviously I see a huge amount of traffic coming through each week, with people at varying levels of their careers coming in for interviews. Some of the stuff I have witnessed is just atrocious though.
- People showing up in jeans/hoodies for interviews. Seriously, all it does is say "I don't care enough about getting a job to at least change clothes from last night"
-People bringing their mate with them. I don't want to sit looking at your friend that brought for "moral support" in reception for the duration of your interview. It makes you look like you can't even wipe your own arse without a mate to help you.
-Same goes for kids. Even if you're just dropping in to drop off forms/ send in your application to us etc, leave the kids at home. They have no place in a professional environment and if you're filling something in or speaking to a recruiter, chances are you are not paying attention to your child.
-Please, please, please with extra cherries on top, don't show up more than 10mins before your scheduled interview. The recruiter probably won't be able to see you until the specified time, or we won't have a room available for you. There's a reason we schedule interviews for a particular time. It happens at least 4-5 times a day that someone is 30mins early. They usually expect that the recruiter will pop out straight away too.
These are just some of the mistake that seemingly normal and right-thinking people do on a daily basis in here. Please don't make them!!!:)

Oranage2

Lollipops23 wrote: »

I work as a receptionist/office support for a major recruitment agency, and while they're not perfect, they seem to be more ethical than a lot of other agencies.
Obviously I see a huge amount of traffic coming through each week, with people at varying levels of their careers coming in for interviews. Some of the stuff I have witnessed is just atrocious though.
- People showing up in jeans/hoodies for interviews. Seriously, all it does is say "I don't care enough about getting a job to at least change clothes from last night"
-People bringing their mate with them. I don't want to sit looking at your friend that brought for "moral support" in reception for the duration of your interview. It makes you look like you can't even wipe your own arse without a mate to help you.
-Same goes for kids. Even if you're just dropping in to drop off forms/ send in your application to us etc, leave the kids at home. They have no place in a professional environment and if you're filling something in or speaking to a recruiter, chances are you are not paying attention to your child.
-Please, please, please with extra cherries on top, don't show up more than 10mins before your scheduled interview. The recruiter probably won't be able to see you until the specified time, or we won't have a room available for you. There's a reason we schedule interviews for a particular time. It happens at least 4-5 times a day that someone is 30mins early. They usually expect that the recruiter will pop out straight away too.
These are just some of the mistake that seemingly normal and right-thinking people do on a daily basis in here. Please don't make them!!!:)

I think the problem here is that recruitment agencies are seen as a bit of a joke that just want a percentage of your income and not the real interview - Only recently did i realize how wrong I was and how much sway they had.

Lollipops23

Oranage2 wrote: »

I think the problem here is that recruitment agencies are seen as a bit of a joke that just want a percentage of your income and not the real interview - Only recently did i realize how wrong I was and how much sway they had.

I appreciate that it's not an interview with a direct employer, but the fact is that if you don't make an impression on the recruiter, you may not get put forward for the role (i have also worked in recruitment so I know the drill). It just blows my mind, I'd be bending over backwards for anyone who could affect my chances of getting a job that I want.

Chessala

Personally I have a tendency to be early too. For my interview with a company I was 1 hour early, spent 30 mins in a cafe outside and then went to the place of interview with 30 mins to spare. IMO it's never wrong to be early....I mean, you rather have the people being late?

I never expect the interviewer to be ready before the time (this being Ireland I usually expect a delay of 15min+ anyway)but it doesn't hurt to be there....

Lollipops23

Chessala wrote: »

I never expect the interviewer to be ready before the time (this being Ireland I usually expect a delay of 15min+ anyway)but it doesn't hurt to be there....

I see your point, and it's something I'd have done before getting insight into the industry. I can say though that it places a lot of pressure on recruiters to wrap up whatever they're doing and get out to candidates ASAP, as no one likes to think of people waiting around for them. It also clogs up an already very busy waiting room! (not so much a problem for you as for me:p:o ) 10 mins is the perfect amount of time tbh, shows that you're organised and enthusiastic without being OTT about it.

mikemac

Lollipops23 wrote: »

I work as a receptionist/office support for a major recruitment agency,

Out of interest, do you get input?
So if one person is ridiculously rude to the secretary and being an asshole in the waiting room do you pass that on and the consultant informs the candidate we won't deal with you?

At the same time if they are polite and friendly do you pass that on too?

I've heard about it happening in companies, don't know about agencies

Oranage2

I think a interviews with an agency is a little different then if you have a direct interview -

Usually agencies have no waiting around places(usually just an open plan office and 2-3 side offices) and also they usually have 3-4 recruiters assigned to the one office so time is a major factor -

When you have a direct interview with a company then you can wait in reception or the canteen and the HR person may even see you early




I think you should really name the thread what not to do for an agency interview

Lollipops23

mikemac wrote: »

Out of interest, do you get input?
So if one person is ridiculously rude to the secretary do you pass that on and the consultant informs the candidate we won't deal with you?

At the same time if they are polite and friendly do you pass that on too?

I've heard about it happening in companies, don't know about agencies

Ah informally and only really if the candidate is extremely rude. I have had a candidate yell at me over something that was nothing to do with me, she was very aggressive and intimidating and I did my best to facilitate her. In the end I had to ask her to leave. Obviously I reported the matter to her recruiter who made a note of it.

However, it's always nice to be nice I'd always try to make a nervous candidate feel at ease too, it's awful when you can see them freaking out.

kwalshe

In my current job of 12 yrs , I was originally selected by the receptionist after my 3 interviewers could not decide between me and 2 other candidates.
All 3 of us had similar experience etc. and did relatively similar interviews.
My boss told me the story after a few years of working with him, that he could not decide between the 3 of us.
He went to the receptionist and asked for her opinion of the first impressions , including friendliness, courtesy. I got the job , one of the other stank of BO, the other lad just did'nt connect with her.

Eoin

I know what you're saying, but I never dressed up to go an agency interview.

I explained in advance that we had a casual dress code where I worked, and I didn't want to raise suspicions by dressing up. I'd wear a shirt or something, but that's about it.

Lollipops23

Eoin wrote: »

I know what you're saying, but I never dressed up to go an agency interview.

I explained in advance that we had a casual dress code where I worked, and I didn't want to raise suspicions by dressing up. I'd wear a shirt or something, but that's about it.

and that's totally understandable- I had candidates tell me that when I was recruiting too. But the amount of people who come in having made zero effort (I'm talking about running a comb through their hair) is shocking. I find people who have a casual dress code in work normally keep themselves looking neat and tidy anyway on a day to day basis.

Eoin

Out of interest - does your agency specialise in any particular industry?

Lollipops23

Without giving too much away, no we work in a range of industries. The branch I work in covers 2-3 of them.

Eoin

Fair enough - I was just wondering if you got a lot of IT people in. IT can attract a lot of very "focussed" people who don't really get the point of dressing up and all that. Sorry for generalising, but that's my experience.

Lollipops23

Eoin wrote: »

Fair enough - I was just wondering if you got a lot of IT people in. IT can attract a lot of very "focussed" people who don't really get the point of dressing up and all that. Sorry for generalising, but that's my experience.

I used to work in IT recruitment (good while back) and I totally agree. The nature of those that IT attracts (on the whole) means that they can be very focused and sometimes won't have the best people skills in the world (sorry for generalising).
The scary thing is that the people interviewing for office-based/customer facing roles are the worst offenders.

mrgardener

Lollipops23 wrote: »

I used to work in IT recruitment (good while back) and I totally agree. The nature of those that IT attracts (on the whole) means that they can be very focused and sometimes won't have the best people skills in the world (sorry for generalising).
The scary thing is that the people interviewing for office-based/customer facing roles are the worst offenders.

I would've thought that you just look somewhat respectable for an agency. I've done a couple of agency interviews, but its hard to take them too seriously...
Better off trying to go direct to the company yourself and then wear the suit etc for the real interview.

Eoin

mrgardener wrote: »

Better off trying to go direct to the company yourself and then wear the suit etc for the real interview.

Some companies will only deal through agencies.

Lollipops23

mrgardener wrote: »

I would've thought that you just look somewhat respectable for an agency. I've done a couple of agency interviews, but its hard to take them too seriously...
Better off trying to go direct to the company yourself and then wear the suit etc for the real interview.

Way to degrade my job :rolleyes:
I was hoping to just tip people off to some really common mistakes people make that could be costing them jobs. Not just through agencies but in general.

Jim2007

Chessala wrote: »

Personally I have a tendency to be early too. For my interview with a company I was 1 hour early, spent 30 mins in a cafe outside and then went to the place of interview with 30 mins to spare. IMO it's never wrong to be early....I mean, you rather have the people being late?

Sorry but I have to disagree, people who turn up too early are a problem - you have to find them somewhere to sit, offer them a coffee and what not.

It also shows me that the candidate can not follow basic instructions and there is nothing as difficult to manage as team members who can't follow instructions - it means that your team mates can't rely on you and that is a show stopper.

If you are asked to attend at a certain time, then by all means be say 5 minutes early, but that is all. Other wise you are not impressing us, you are just causing us problems!


Jim.

Eoin

Jim2007 wrote: »

It also shows me that the candidate can not follow basic instructions and there is nothing as difficult to manage as team members who can't follow instructions - it means that your team mates can't rely on you and that is a show stopper.

I think that's a bit of a stretch in fairness, unless the candidate actually got the wrong time or something.

Chessala

I think it depends on where you apply and for what role to be honest. If you apply in a small corner shop you know you'll cause them trouble but in my case it was a large multinational company, very unlikely that they don't have a space for you to sit.

Anyway, I really doubt someone will count you as unreliable for being 30 mins early. As Eoin mentioned if you have the interview at 4 and arrive at 1, yes, that would be a different matter.

murpho999

Good Tips:

Now can I reverse it and suggest that:

Agency reps return calls and respond to e-mails.

Stop telling applicants that they will have an update in 'x' days and then never hear back from them.

Read people's CV's before ringing them. I have been asked by an agency if I am Irish as I have Dutch as a language on a cv.

Not make decisions for applicant. One agency decided that a job that was a 25 minute drive away from me was too far and did not submit me.

Actually match people when new positions come on line. The amount of times that I have had to ring agency to say that I think I am suitable for new advertised position but they didn't think of me.

Obtain proper feedback from employers regarding interviews.

Fair enough that you want applicants to look professional but I think agencies who often make a good first impression then fail to deliver and I am shocked at how incompetent most are and they would not survive in any other industry.

Oranage2

murpho999 wrote: »

Good Tips:

Now can I reverse it and suggest that:

Agency reps return calls and respond to e-mails.

Stop telling applicants that they will have an update in 'x' days and then never hear back from them.

Read people's CV's before ringing them. I have been asked by an agency if I am Irish as I have Dutch as a language on a cv.

Not make decisions for applicant. One agency decided that a job that was a 25 minute drive away from me was too far and did not submit me.

Actually match people when new positions come on line. The amount of times that I have had to ring agency to say that I think I am suitable for new advertised position but they didn't think of me.

Obtain proper feedback from employers regarding interviews.

Fair enough that you want applicants to look professional but I think agencies who often make a good first impression then fail to deliver and I am shocked at how incompetent most are and they would not survive in any other industry.

Strong words-

recruiters don't find people the right jobs - they find jobs the right people -

Also they're not going to remember everybody that walks through their door.

id imagine they get 4-5 jobs to fill from their boss then they just advertise online and just select a pool of people from the online applications. Then next week they get more jobs to fill and then advertise online and repeat.

Lollipops23

murpho999 wrote: »

Good Tips:

Now can I reverse it and suggest that:

Agency reps return calls and respond to e-mails.

Stop telling applicants that they will have an update in 'x' days and then never hear back from them.

Read people's CV's before ringing them. I have been asked by an agency if I am Irish as I have Dutch as a language on a cv.

Not make decisions for applicant. One agency decided that a job that was a 25 minute drive away from me was too far and did not submit me.

Actually match people when new positions come on line. The amount of times that I have had to ring agency to say that I think I am suitable for new advertised position but they didn't think of me.

Obtain proper feedback from employers regarding interviews.

Fair enough that you want applicants to look professional but I think agencies who often make a good first impression then fail to deliver and I am shocked at how incompetent most are and they would not survive in any other industry.

I really wasn't trying to make this about agencies exclusively, there's another thread for that with some great reviews about various agencies.

I was just trying to highlight some mistakes that are commonly made and that could make the interviewing experience go a lot more smoothly for people. We're forever seeing threads here wondering what someone could have done to make their interview go better, and I thought this could help given my insight into the workings of my office.

Also, I interviewed with a major IT company in Dublin abiut 3 months ago and found them to be far less professional than any agency I've come across. They also never came back to me:rolleyes:

filthymcnasty

kwalshe wrote: »

the other lad just did'nt connect with her.

Wow tough look on that guy- in the ten second conversation with the receptionist he failed to connect so didn't get job.
'im here for the interview'
'ok, sit over there'

what else should one do to to make an impact, crack a few jokes?

Anyway i jest: I take your bigger point, if all canididates are equally matched it can be hard to choose so unfortunately it can come down to the minutiae.

thebman

Oranage2 wrote: »

Strong words-
Also they're not going to remember everybody that walks through their door.

id imagine they get 4-5 jobs to fill from their boss then they just advertise online and just select a pool of people from the online applications. Then next week they get more jobs to fill and then advertise online and repeat.

I don't use recruitment agencies very much anymore because they never let you know what is going on. They have bad communication skills I find. What they need to realise is that the person that doesn't get back to you is also representing the agency and it sends across a very unprofessional message when they can't be bothered to get back to people as it only takes a few minutes. They don't remember everyone coming through the door is nonsense and screams of a disorganised organisation. It would take about an hour to get a system together to be able to track who got brought in about what job and then they could fire an automated email off afterwards to let them know or personalise it and give the person constructive feedback.

There are no real shortages of recruitment agencies and you don't really need them to begin with as you can apply for many jobs directly to employers. Recruitment agencies would do well to remember this. The manners, politeness and professional behavior thing works both ways.

In my experience, they are a bit like estate agents or used car salesmen TBH. Just look at this thread, immediately when feedback about agencies comes on, it is ah I don't want to know, go away this is about interviews in general yet agencies is in the title of the thread... and it is constructive feedback about what they do which would be welcomed by many other industries/companies as it gives an insight into how the service could be improved. However agencies in general, don't actually care about providing a good service I find. I have only dealt with one that I would use again and any jobs I've gotten, I got by applying directly to the employer.

Oh and I agree that HR departments can be terrible too. Very unprofessional a lot of them and don't actually have a professional approach to what they do.

Eoin

Personally I think it's interesting to read about the other side of the fence. Sometimes the problem isn't with them, and the candidate just hasn't put in the effort, and thinks it's all the agency's fault.

There are more than enough posts in the "name and shame" thread about problems with agencies.

If you never use agencies, then the odds are that you're limiting your options considerably.

thebman wrote:

However agencies in general, don't actually care about providing a good service I find. I have only dealt with one that I would use again and any jobs I've gotten, I got by applying directly to the employer.

They're not providing the service to you though. You are not their customer.

Lollipops23

thebman wrote: »

Just look at this thread, immediately when feedback about agencies comes on, it is ah I don't want to know, go away this is about interviews in general yet agencies is in the title of the thread... and it is constructive feedback about what they do which would be welcomed by many other industries/companies as it gives an insight into how the service could be improved.

If you'd actually read the thread instead of derailing it, you'd see that a poster asked me nicely if I'd mind changing the thread title. I didn't want to be misleading, so I complied. As I said before, there is a super-duper mega thread regarding good and bad experiences with agencies, all I ask is that you don't bung up and interview advice thread with your complaints about agencies.

Eoin

As I said before, there is a super-duper mega thread regarding good and bad experiences with agencies, all I ask is that you don't bung up and interview advice thread with your complaints about agencies.

I think that's a fair request.

thebman

Eoin wrote: »

They're not providing the service to you though. You are not their customer.

I am the product though....

Much like Facebook and advertisers are their customers and people that want to data mine. How far would Facebook get if they ignored their users and their feedback?

That'll be my last post on the issue.

COYW

I was notified of a potential job by an agency a few weeks ago. The agency staff member explained that there would be 4 separate interview stages for the position and we spoke extensively about the role.

2 days before the final (4th) interview with the company, the agency said that they needed to meet me in person before the final interview. As I am genuinely very busy in work at the moment, I questioned the purpose of the meeting. I was told that it was necessary as they wanted to go through some topics with me in person. Anyway, I travelled all the way across the city, in rush hour traffic for a 5 minute meeting with them in which they told me that :

- The people interviewing me, all of whom I had met in previous rounds, are very nice and enthusiastic about the company and me.

- They are a young company, which I already new.

- To relax, smile and be myself in the interview.

I then had to travel back across the city to my current job. A complete waste of time. Are agencies required to meet the candidate no matter what? Surely, it would have made sense to meet me before I sat the first 3 interviews with the company.

Eoin

Again, the general agency bashing stories are better for this thread.

Lollipops23

Eoin: If people aren't going to bother reading the thread posts regarding agency bashing maybe you should close it.
They don't seem to be able to follow basic instructions so it's no wonder their agencies didn't get them jobs.
Thanks for the interesting discussion at the beginning of the thread though;)

BostonB

I've often (in the past) ran into an agency for a meeting not booted and suited. Mainly because I've been asked to come in at short (usually inconvenient) notice. You might have no choice but to bring a child with you. And most of the time I've dropped all to come to a meeting it has ended up being so trivial, that it didn't warrant dressing up. (or a meeting quite often).

So I wouldn't be hasty about judging people who appear as such. You may not the circumstances in which they've been asked to come in.

sambuka41

I'm not working in a agency but I couldn't agree more with the advice not to arrive too early!!! I had someone arrive to an interview an hour early today. They sat there while two other people went in before them. I also noticed that these people tend to be more nervous because they have been sitting around for ages, letting the nerves build.

People have to be realistic, they will be judged on their appearance. I remember one interview I done a while back where a girl turned up with bruises up her arms, dirty hair, scruffy un-ironed clothes. Her attitude wasn't great either; but seriously wear long sleeves if you have bruises on your arm!!! Its not that hard. This person really gave the impression that she did not want the job, maybe she did, but it wasn't coming across like that.

Also 6 pages is WAY TOO LONG for a CV, 3 pages max. No one has the time to read 6 pages of stuff.

Oranage2

COYW wrote: »

I was notified of a potential job by an agency a few weeks ago. The agency staff member explained that there would be 4 separate interview stages for the position and we spoke extensively about the role.

2 days before the final (4th) interview with the company, the agency said that they needed to meet me in person before the final interview. As I am genuinely very busy in work at the moment, I questioned the purpose of the meeting. I was told that it was necessary as they wanted to go through some topics with me in person. Anyway, I travelled all the way across the city, in rush hour traffic for a 5 minute meeting with them in which they told me that :

- The people interviewing me, all of whom I had met in previous rounds, are very nice and enthusiastic about the company and me.

- They are a young company, which I already new.

- To relax, smile and be myself in the interview.

I then had to travel back across the city to my current job. A complete waste of time. Are agencies required to meet the candidate no matter what? Surely, it would have made sense to meet me before I sat the first 3 interviews with the company.

I'm sure these recruiters have bosses too so I'd imagine half their job is to look busy - So meeting people people that may or may not be suitable for the job - constantly ringing and emailing canditates -

thebman wrote: »

I am the product though....

Much like Facebook and advertisers are their customers and people that want to data mine. How far would Facebook get if they ignored their users and their feedback?

That'll be my last post on the issue.

Yes and if the product is faulty then it gets dropped!




I think the moral of the story is thread the recruiting agents as if a real inteview because they're the ones that put your name forward -

also I wouldnt take it personal if they dont get back to you - it's a business after all - Just like when a company doesnt get back to you after a direct interview

Finallly -a recruiters job isnt to find you a job so dont be fooled by the fake smiles and promises!