Recruitment Agents

Danjamin1

Is it ok to work with multiple recruitment agents?

I've worked with one exclusively in the past, however I've been contacted by a couple of agencies recently with jobs that interest me.

Is it frowned upon to be working with multiple agencies or is this the most frequent way this kind of thing works?

Mr. Loverman

Do you buy your food in the same shop or do you use different shops?

What about your clothes?

Recruitment agencies are no different.

Danjamin1

That's what I though, just wasn't sure if there was some etiquette about the whole situation I wasn't aware of.

Mr. Loverman

They're just sales people, selling a product...

Any nonsense they say to you about working exclusively with them only is... nonsense.

Danjamin1

Never thought of it that way!

No one's mentioned exclusivity to me, I just wasn't sure myself so figured I'd ask the question

KTRIC

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

They're just sales people, selling a product...

Any nonsense they say to you about working exclusively with them only is... nonsense.

And one thing to remember is that you are their product.

dealhunter1985

KTRIC wrote: »

And one thing to remember is that you are their product.

exactly.
Look after yourself and screw the recruitment agents.

Sadderday

I was registered with two agencies and they both put me forward to the one company for a specific role.

The company obviously enlisted the two agencies to help with their search.

One of the agencies (wont name) rang me and really gave out about wasting their time for not telling them I had been applying with other agencies.

It was shocking. So I thought after that it wasn't the done thing

Danjamin1

Sadderday wrote: »

I was registered with two agencies and they both put me forward to the one company for a specific role.

The company obviously enlisted the two agencies to help with their search.

One of the agencies (wont name) rang me and really gave out about wasting their time for not telling them I had been applying with other agencies.

It was shocking. So I thought after that it wasn't the done thing

Yeah see that's the kind of thing I was wondering about, wasn't sure if you should at least tell the agents that your working with others as well. I think I'd always ask an agency to run a job past me before putting me forward for it though.

Sadderday

Danjamin1 wrote: »

Yeah see that's the kind of thing I was wondering about, wasn't sure if you should at least tell the agents that your working with others as well. I think I'd always ask an agency to run a job past me before putting me forward for it though.

Yeah both agencies rang and said they had a job but the job name was worded different - one was office admin and the other was office manager. They were both just listed as Dublin and only one of the agencies would disclose the name of the company... the other wouldn't unless I was called for an interview.

Confusing stuff !

Danjamin1

Sadderday wrote: »

Yeah both agencies rang and said they had a job but the job name was worded different - one was office admin and the other was office manager. They were both just listed as Dublin and only one of the agencies would disclose the name of the company... the other wouldn't unless I was called for an interview.

Confusing stuff !

I've never come across that before! Any agency I've called back has disclosed the name almost immediately, I wouldn't be comfortable applying to a company I didn't know the name of. That's the agency's own fault. Very annoying that the same job was described as two different titles as well, sounds like one agency beefing up the position!

Mr. Loverman

If the agencies are competing over the same commission... that's their problem.

Think of it like this:

They often don't want to reveal their hand (who their potential clients are) until the last minute because they don't trust you... so why shouldn't you reveal your hand until the last minute too?

Sadderday

Danjamin1 wrote: »

I've never come across that before! Any agency I've called back has disclosed the name almost immediately, I wouldn't be comfortable applying to a company I didn't know the name of. That's the agency's own fault. Very annoying that the same job was described as two different titles as well, sounds like one agency beefing up the position!

Absolutely, I came across it a few times. Sometimes they ask if you have been for any interviews recently etc and I would be honest about it

323

Yes OP.

Do register with multiple agencies.

Sadderday wrote: »

I was registered with two agencies and they both put me forward to the one company for a specific role.

The company obviously enlisted the two agencies to help with their search.

One of the agencies (wont name) rang me and really gave out about wasting their time for not telling them I had been applying with other agencies.

It was shocking. So I thought after that it wasn't the done thing

Most would like you to believe that

Have had similar more than once, short term contracts. One occasion one called with the same BS about a job they had put me forward for.

Then had a call from the project manager at the client company saying he got my CV from two agencies. Basically said, WTF's going on, but also mentioned it, it cost him the same so didn't care who I used, as long as the position got filled.
Strange thing was the other agency was offering me nearly 20% more (than the one who called giving out to me). Told me a bit of competition was healthy, stayed with him for about 6 years after that.

OP. Keep in mind, with a few exceptions these agencies are nothing but vultures and do remember to tell them from time to time "The work for you, not the other way round."
If they don't get you work they earn nothing.