meeting with recruitment agency

jillyb

hey there

its been so long since i've been on the job hunt (my last job lasted just over 3 years). Got a call to meet with a recruiter for a chat about two possible roles this afternoon.

I'm going to dress smartly but just wondering do I need to prepare answers like its an interview or will it be more relaxed?]

many thanks

Mr. Loverman

It will be more relaxed. Recruiters are sales people.

I am pie

It will be relaxed. You need to use this as an opportunity to see if the recruiters know what they are talking about and whether they can help you.

Plenty of time wasters out there in terms of agencies, grill them a little and make sure they know the field you're employed in.

juan.kerr

Don't be surprised if the 'possible roles' don't actually exist.

razor425

Be wary of recruitment agencies, many of them are absolutely useless. Which agency is it that you have a meeting with - someone may have dealt with them before and have some advice for you.

jillyb

thanks for the replies! Ya I agree I hate dealing with recruitment agencies.
My last couple of jobs were advertised by the company and I didn't have to deal with them

The recruitment agency is GHL in Dublin if anyone does have any experience dealing with them that'd be great.

De Hipster

I would be more inclined to think of it as you interviewing them - lead the direction of the questions and thoroughly grill them about prospective roles/interviews...manys a run around interview I've had as a result of recruitment agencies needing to provide numbers.

You're time is as valuable as their clients - neither of you wish to be messed around - ensure they are aware of this.

tempura

I would agree with most of the above posts. In my experience recruitment agencies are just trying to get you on their books. My last few experiences have been extremely disappointing. The roles I was seeing them about didn't actually exist and I was just directed towards other roles that I had no interest in ( mostly temping ) . There seems to be an awful lot of minimum wage temp jobs around, a week here, a week there, nothing anyone who needs a regular income can depend on. Don't want to be negative but be wary.

I am registered with a lot of them having been unemployed nearly a year and have had no luck with any of them despite keeping in contact and keeping an eye on what positions they have. To be honest I don't know how they can justify the staff they have working for them as as I would probably do a better job myself in relation to helping people getting a foot hold on the job market. Their methods and interview techniques seem quite generic, read from the big book of how to be a recruitment consultant .

Not usually one for the negative posts but have had it up to my eyeballs with false leads and cheesy promises from these people.

jillyb

Thanks for the replies

Good advice has been given and I definetly am more aware and won't be getting my hopes up.

She gave me the two companies names and the roles and said she is putting me forward for them but who knows what will come about.

First in a long road of job searching but least I am doing all i can!