Recruitment Consultants, what the job like?
Discussion
dick dastardly said: Recruitment agencies are viewed as scum by most companies (rightly so in many cases).
Dick, slightly harsh don't you think.
I run my own agency and have worked in the industry for 6 years and no one has ever called me scum (if they did they would quickly find themselves on my bad side).
My clients feel I provide them with a valuable service.
If you have worked in IT recruitment for 10 years and still know so little about the job you are right to look for other avenues to explore.
Sam
gargamel said: Umar B
I have been in Recruitment (finance) for ten odd years now.
Forgive me for being a little blunt here - but I recall a post from you mentioning that you were a little short of confidence. ? Is that fair ? if not I apologise
Anyway - Recruitment is a sales led role - you need to make between 20 - 25 cold calls a day - mostly to people who don't want to hear what you have to say
You need a thick skin and to be able to take it on the chin. Good people are still making money in the business - but they tend to be more experiencd and have a network of contacts already established.
Also - you need to believe in what you do - I charge 30% of first years salary for my services. So it is expensice - but I KNOW the service I deliver is well worth the money.
If it wasn't I wouldn't get repeat business. To get repeat business you need to inspire confidence in your clients and candidates - interpersonal skills are absolutely critical.
If you are still interested - and beleive me Consultancy WILL draw you out of yourself and I have seen many an Introvert become an extrovert in this business - then why not apply to some of the ads and have a look
Good Luck whatever you decide - mail me offline if you want any specific questions answered.
You're right , i did start a post related to shyness, but the weird thing is that even though i have a slight problem with speaking to people face to face, i am OK when it comes to talking with people on the phone or when posting on a forum. Its just the way my fic head works! slowly, but surly, i have started to come out of my shell, as it were, but need to keep at it.
Like i said in the begining, i am seriously getting p155ed of at my current work place as ther are no prospecs for me there and was just wondering what the recruitment job was like. All i need is a career change but deciding on one will take time i think.
Anyway thanks for the input
Dick, slightly harsh don't you think.
I run my own agency and have worked in the industry for 6 years and no one has ever called me scum
No I don't think. I have had people shouting down the phone how much they hate agencies and have read numerous articles in business papers and online about the general disgust lots of people have for them.
Agencies are viewed as the new second hand car salesman or estate agent. Just because nobody goes upto an estate agent and calls him a liar to his face, doesn't mean it's not what everyone is thinking.
I will gladly say that two of our main competitors are pieces of shit and have screwed over their clients for a few quid, people who have dealt with them have told us that since their bad experience they will no longer deal with agencies.
If you have worked in IT recruitment for 10 years and still know so little about the job you are right to look for other avenues to explore.
I have worked part-time for my parents cold calling and taking care of marketing. What do you mean know so little? What do you know which I don't?
I am just trying to give Umar some advice, the industry is not what it used to be and is overcrowded. You are in London, I am in Cardiff. I know that down here it is that way but doubt that it is so different where you are.
>> Edited by dick dastardly on Monday 19th May 14:26
dick dastardly said:
No I don't think. I have had people shouting down the phone how much they hate agencies and have read numerous articles in business papers and online about the general disgust lots of people have for them.
So, thats part of the job, deal with it, you'll get used to it, any one here worth their savvy would make it a mini mission to turn that client around, i know i would, perhaps you should give IT Recruitment a miss, perhaps you should try being an estate agent instead, they just walk through your door, then you wouldnt have clients shouting at you down the phone
I will gladly say that two of our main competitors are pieces of shit and have screwed over their clients for a few quid, people who have dealt with them have told us that since their bad experience they will no longer deal with agencies.
So why lower yourself to their standards, surely rising above it and proving to a client how different you are is what this game is all about, making a difference and providing a quality service that they come back to, again and again...
If you have worked in IT recruitment for 10 years and still know so little about the job you are right to look for other avenues to explore
I have worked part-time for my parents cold calling and taking care of marketing. What do you mean know so little? What do you know which I don't? [qoute]
10 years, part time, you started when you were 12 ??
I'm not surprised you were shouted at down the phone... personally i would have pi55ed myself, not shouted at you...
Hughesie2 said: So, thats part of the job, deal with it, you'll get used to it, any one here worth their savvy would make it a mini mission to turn that client around
I don't have a problem with what people think about me, but most people still don't want to go into an industry where they won't be liked.
perhaps you should give IT Recruitment a miss, perhaps you should try being an estate agent instead, they just walk through your door, then you wouldnt have clients shouting at you down the phone
When's the last time you cold called? Doesn't work anymore. Why an estate agent?
So why lower yourself to their standards, ...
Did I ever say that I did?
10 years, part time, you started when you were 12...
Yes just data entry, I never said I phoned people then did I?
Want to know what the problem is with agencies and why they have such a bad rap? Mouthy little ***** like you who think they are better than everyone.
You want a dick measuring contest, let's go ahead. I was simply trying to advise Umar. You couldn't deal with the fact that i said most people view agencies as scum (even though my family and I are a part of the industry) and had to start insults.
dick dastardly said:
You want a dick measuring contest, let's go ahead. I was simply trying to advise Umar. You couldn't deal with the fact that i said most people view agencies as scum (even though my family and I are a part of the industry) and had to start insults.
Unfortunately UmarB, the industry is full of people like this, a lot of us are different though, you just need to find the right company.
The rest of Dicks post doesnt even warrant a response...
>> Edited by Hughesie2 on Monday 19th May 14:45
dick dastardly said:
10 years, part time, you started when you were 12...
Yes just data entry, I never said I phoned people then did I?
Want to know what the problem is with agencies and why they have such a bad rap? Mouthy little ***** like you who think they are better than everyone.
You want a dick measuring contest, let's go ahead. I was simply trying to advise Umar. You couldn't deal with the fact that i said most people view agencies as scum (even though my family and I are a part of the industry) and had to start insults.
You need to calm down a bit, recruitment can be stressful but not that stressful....You are the one who has just started with insults not Hughsie.
Oh.... and wake up, Data entry.... age 12 for mum and dad - Does not count as IT recruitment experience for gods sake...and you expect to be taken seriously....OK.
Have you even ever worked full time for an IT recruitment agency? if yes apart from your mum and dads?
Lets leave this here and move on with our lives shall we.
Sam
Now I’m obviously a bit of a weirdo because I’m an IT contractor that thoroughly approves of IT recruitment agencies.
I am no good and have no desire to get involved in some of the things they have to do to pin down a contract. i.e. spend hours on the phone chasing up rumours of a job, cold calling companies and asking for “The IT Manager” or “XX Project Manager” and then trying to talk you way into supplying a CV. I’m good at what I do and the aforementioned isn’t one of them so I’m quite happy for someone to put an 14%-18% mark-up on my rate and do it all for me. And as someone else has said they will also usually pay more promptly than a direct client. At the end of the day I’m still getting more than three times what I’d earn doing the same thing as a permie. The client is still getting an experienced consultant for about 30%-50% less than they’d pay for a graddie from one of the big five, I’ve cut a lot of hassle out of my life and the agent gets their cut. Everyone’s a winner! So fair play to them.
I have to say that there does seem to be a lot of cowboys in the industry now but the best thing is just avoid them. You can usually tell pretty quickly. Ask a few key questions about the role (not technical – things like, is it an upgrade or a new implementation, is it direct or through a 3rd party consultancy, when’s the start date etc). If they can’t answer them it’s probably not a real lead and they’re just fishing for a CV to forward to a company where they’ve heard a rumour of a project going on.
I use a core of three to four very good agencies with whom I’ve built up a relationship with individuals at the agencies concerned over the years and I don’t begrudge what they do at all. After all they’ve effectively kept me in work for the last six years including through the recent economic downturn.
I am no good and have no desire to get involved in some of the things they have to do to pin down a contract. i.e. spend hours on the phone chasing up rumours of a job, cold calling companies and asking for “The IT Manager” or “XX Project Manager” and then trying to talk you way into supplying a CV. I’m good at what I do and the aforementioned isn’t one of them so I’m quite happy for someone to put an 14%-18% mark-up on my rate and do it all for me. And as someone else has said they will also usually pay more promptly than a direct client. At the end of the day I’m still getting more than three times what I’d earn doing the same thing as a permie. The client is still getting an experienced consultant for about 30%-50% less than they’d pay for a graddie from one of the big five, I’ve cut a lot of hassle out of my life and the agent gets their cut. Everyone’s a winner! So fair play to them.
I have to say that there does seem to be a lot of cowboys in the industry now but the best thing is just avoid them. You can usually tell pretty quickly. Ask a few key questions about the role (not technical – things like, is it an upgrade or a new implementation, is it direct or through a 3rd party consultancy, when’s the start date etc). If they can’t answer them it’s probably not a real lead and they’re just fishing for a CV to forward to a company where they’ve heard a rumour of a project going on.
I use a core of three to four very good agencies with whom I’ve built up a relationship with individuals at the agencies concerned over the years and I don’t begrudge what they do at all. After all they’ve effectively kept me in work for the last six years including through the recent economic downturn.
The trouble with building up a relationship with an agency is
1) It is usually with an agent, rather than the agency per se, who then leaves and you have to start all over again.
2) I haven't had an agent yet who has managed to get me a new contract after the existing one ends. Either they aren't on enough PSLs or they're dragging their feet holding out hope for a renewal, I dunno.
I'd love to stick with a few trusted agencies but unfortunately it hasn't yet worked out that way for me.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 19th May 14:56
1) It is usually with an agent, rather than the agency per se, who then leaves and you have to start all over again.
2) I haven't had an agent yet who has managed to get me a new contract after the existing one ends. Either they aren't on enough PSLs or they're dragging their feet holding out hope for a renewal, I dunno.
I'd love to stick with a few trusted agencies but unfortunately it hasn't yet worked out that way for me.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 19th May 14:56
t1grm said: Now I’m obviously a bit of a weirdo because I’m an IT contractor that thoroughly approves of IT recruitment agencies.
I am no good and have no desire to get involved in some of the things they have to do to pin down a contract. i.e. spend hours on the phone chasing up rumours of a job, cold calling companies and asking for “The IT Manager” or “XX Project Manager” and then trying to talk you way into supplying a CV. I’m good at what I do and the aforementioned isn’t one of them so I’m quite happy for someone to put an 14%-18% mark-up on my rate and do it all for me. And as someone else has said they will also usually pay more promptly than a direct client. At the end of the day I’m still getting more than three times what I’d earn doing the same thing as a permie. The client is still getting an experienced consultant for about 30%-50% less than they’d pay for a graddie from one of the big five, I’ve cut a lot of hassle out of my life and the agent gets their cut. Everyone’s a winner! So fair play to them.
I have to say that there does seem to be a lot of cowboys in the industry now but the best thing is just avoid them. You can usually tell pretty quickly. Ask a few key questions about the role (not technical – things like, is it an upgrade or a new implementation, is it direct or through a 3rd party consultancy, when’s the start date etc). If they can’t answer them it’s probably not a real lead and they’re just fishing for a CV to forward to a company where they’ve heard a rumour of a project going on.
I use a core of three to four very good agencies with whom I’ve built up a relationship with individuals at the agencies concerned over the years and I don’t begrudge what they do at all. After all they’ve effectively kept me in work for the last six years including through the recent economic downturn.
well said...
I help out with my wife's recruitment consultancy business so I have a fair idea of what it entails.
If the firm you are looking at is large enough it will have a sales department developing relationships with clients and offering to find them personnel on a fee basis. This is normally paid two ways: 1) retainer, 2) contingency. Payment by retainer means that the post is paid for by the client in advance and the recruiter finds suitable candidates. Contingency fees are paid only when somebody is placed. No placement, no fee.
With a glut of people and a slow economy more firms are using consultancies on a contingency basis. Additionally most recruitment jobs are paid on the basis of basic plus commission. Assuming the sales part is done for you the role you would perform is that of telephone slave and cv reader. You will basically be a private detective looking for leads to find the right people. If you see enough cvs you will know who is marketable and who isn't. You then encourage the people you find to send in the cv and you submit it, coach them on interview thechnique and send them. Then it's a case of getting feedback on who you sent out and matching the person to the company better. Or not bothering. If the company wants grade A people at grade E pay they're never going to hire anyone, and time is money on a contingency basis. To succeed you must be very highly driven (ultra competitive), willing to not make face to face contact for days whilst chained to the phone, be able to multi task and be able to work to reasonable detail.
I'd interview and find out more before changing careers.
If the firm you are looking at is large enough it will have a sales department developing relationships with clients and offering to find them personnel on a fee basis. This is normally paid two ways: 1) retainer, 2) contingency. Payment by retainer means that the post is paid for by the client in advance and the recruiter finds suitable candidates. Contingency fees are paid only when somebody is placed. No placement, no fee.
With a glut of people and a slow economy more firms are using consultancies on a contingency basis. Additionally most recruitment jobs are paid on the basis of basic plus commission. Assuming the sales part is done for you the role you would perform is that of telephone slave and cv reader. You will basically be a private detective looking for leads to find the right people. If you see enough cvs you will know who is marketable and who isn't. You then encourage the people you find to send in the cv and you submit it, coach them on interview thechnique and send them. Then it's a case of getting feedback on who you sent out and matching the person to the company better. Or not bothering. If the company wants grade A people at grade E pay they're never going to hire anyone, and time is money on a contingency basis. To succeed you must be very highly driven (ultra competitive), willing to not make face to face contact for days whilst chained to the phone, be able to multi task and be able to work to reasonable detail.
I'd interview and find out more before changing careers.
Well, I've worked within a recruitment company for a few years now, and I've got to admit that the business certainly DOES come with some challenges... however, it's how you tackle those issues that matters.
Like many recruitment businesses, we've had many issues to handle, the most common one of course people that contingency doesn't work in recruitment anymore (a rather big issue for recruiters). What we actually did was create an article explaining the major issues in recruitment, so it's worth a read if you're going to get into it as a career/job: https://www.ljdoulton.uk/blog/contingency-why-it-j...
I guess long term, recruitment is a fantastic experience, and you certainly get to meet some really interesting people (including people who love to lie on their CVs, heh). But I guess the best advice I can give about working for a recruitment company is to find somebody worthy, and who actually knows what they're doing like thankfully the one I'm lucky to get...
Like many recruitment businesses, we've had many issues to handle, the most common one of course people that contingency doesn't work in recruitment anymore (a rather big issue for recruiters). What we actually did was create an article explaining the major issues in recruitment, so it's worth a read if you're going to get into it as a career/job: https://www.ljdoulton.uk/blog/contingency-why-it-j...
I guess long term, recruitment is a fantastic experience, and you certainly get to meet some really interesting people (including people who love to lie on their CVs, heh). But I guess the best advice I can give about working for a recruitment company is to find somebody worthy, and who actually knows what they're doing like thankfully the one I'm lucky to get...
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff