Direct contact or agency

[moosehead]

I've seen a job advertised on an agency site, have worked out the employer and checked their own website which mentions nothing about careers or the vacancy.

I'm pretty sure the agency would dismiss me as a suitable candidate as my CV and previous experience don't really match the position, however, I am confident that I can do the job.

Would it be seen as 'bad practice' to contact the company directly? At the moment I can only find the position advertised at just this agency so I'm guessing the company have put them in the frame to vet out the 'unsuitables' so would going direct be an issue?

[bad company]

moosehead said:

I've seen a job advertised on an agency site, have worked out the employer and checked their own website which mentions nothing about careers or the vacancy.

I'm pretty sure the agency would dismiss me as a suitable candidate as my CV and previous experience don't really match the position, however, I am confident that I can do the job.

Would it be seen as 'bad practice' to contact the company directly? At the moment I can only find the position advertised at just this agency so I'm guessing the company have put them in the frame to vet out the 'unsuitables' so would going direct be an issue?

If your experience does not match its a bit of a long shot BUT - Find the name of the line manager at the firm and contact them direct. You have nothing to lose.

[moosehead]

TBH that's what I was thinking. Its a pretty small company, I have the Managing Directors name, I reckon if I can speak to him directly at least I can put forward my case.

Getting to speak to him maybe my problem, not knowing the full circumstances of how the position has been created I don't want to say 'I'm phoning about the job' to someone who answers the phone in case its all a bit hush hush internally - guess thats a risk I take!

[bad company]

moosehead said:

TBH that's what I was thinking. Its a pretty small company, I have the Managing Directors name, I reckon if I can speak to him directly at least I can put forward my case.

Getting to speak to him maybe my problem, not knowing the full circumstances of how the position has been created I don't want to say 'I'm phoning about the job' to someone who answers the phone in case its all a bit hush hush internally - guess thats a risk I take!

You could get his email address & send him a note.

[moosehead]

Well that was a waste of time!

Tried the company first but no-one answering the phone.

Phoned the agency but the recruiter for the position was in a meeting so transferred to a collegue. Gave them the job title and reference but they initially seemed somewhat unsure of the details. Eventually they read out the job spec (which matched the advert) but the location was different. Told me the company name (different to the one I thought) so googled whilst talking and got no results. Cross referenced the advert details and all results pointed to 'my' company. Meanwhile the agency was telling me that I was late to the party as interviewing already taking place, when I queried that the ad was only posted on their site yesterday they couldn't explain that! Was obvious this was leading nowhere so gave up.

Finally got in touch with the company direct, as expected they wouldn't put me through to the MD so I asked about the position.......apparently already filled!

So I'm guessing the agency pulled the details from 'my' companies original request and sorta matched them to another position they may/may not have had and were just scouting for CVs.

[bad company]

moosehead said:

Well that was a waste of time!

Tried the company first but no-one answering the phone.

Phoned the agency but the recruiter for the position was in a meeting so transferred to a collegue. Gave them the job title and reference but they initially seemed somewhat unsure of the details. Eventually they read out the job spec (which matched the advert) but the location was different. Told me the company name (different to the one I thought) so googled whilst talking and got no results. Cross referenced the advert details and all results pointed to 'my' company. Meanwhile the agency was telling me that I was late to the party as interviewing already taking place, when I queried that the ad was only posted on their site yesterday they couldn't explain that! Was obvious this was leading nowhere so gave up.

Finally got in touch with the company direct, as expected they wouldn't put me through to the MD so I asked about the position.......apparently already filled!

So I'm guessing the agency pulled the details from 'my' companies original request and sorta matched them to another position they may/may not have had and were just scouting for CVs.

Most likely the job was filled by another agent and the one you contacted had not been informed. Online advertisements are routinely 'refreshed' around once a week, sometimes by the recruiters but often automatically by the job board.

I cannot understand why you and a few others seem convinced that agents advertise non existent jobs to scout for cv's. They don't.