Agency or direct?
Discussion
WRT marketing, I always found that the huge agencies (Michael Page spring to mind) need a lot of nudging on a continual basis to put you up for anything, unless you're at a senior Marketing Manager or higher level. I used two agencies who were very small but experts in marketing only and their service was much, much better - got shortlisted for a couple of decent jobs quite quickly. Talk to people in your industry and search for small agencies who specialise in that kind of thing.
Having said that, every job I've got (just started my fourth in 13 years now) has been by either 'knowing' someone or looking in the decent local rag or marketing press and applying direct. I suffer in not having the final peg on my CIM qualification (although sorting that out next year) so my CV isn't as strong as others, but my experience is fab - give me an interview and I invariably get the job! Agencies tend to be very CV-lead and this doesn't help some people.
Having said that, every job I've got (just started my fourth in 13 years now) has been by either 'knowing' someone or looking in the decent local rag or marketing press and applying direct. I suffer in not having the final peg on my CIM qualification (although sorting that out next year) so my CV isn't as strong as others, but my experience is fab - give me an interview and I invariably get the job! Agencies tend to be very CV-lead and this doesn't help some people.
Safety Engineer said:
If you can try to find an agency that deals/specialises with your industry.
Yup, I work in a quite a specialised field and needed a job the other side of the country. Surfing Jobserve just isn't an option in that case as you need people who know where all the positions are.
se6b said:
[quote=xiphias]basically get paid a couple of grand for sticking a stamp on your CV to save you the bother.
nice to see you've basically hit the nail on the head. If that's all agencies do, then why not simply set one up yourself and make a fortune as it seems to be such a piece of pi55.
think about advertising, offices, rates etc before making sweeping statements like the one above.
Its not about agencies full stop, its about the ones you choose to work with. Like any industry, there are some good and some bad.
This topic has been done to death previously.
>> Edited by obiwonkeyblokey on Friday 31st March 11:42
obiwonkeyblokey said:
[quote=xiphias]basically get paid a couple of grand for sticking a stamp on your CV to save you the bother.
nice to see you've basically hit the nail on the head. If that's all agencies do, then why not simply set one up yourself and make a fortune as it seems to be such a piece of pi55.
think about advertising, offices, rates etc before making sweeping statements like the one above.
Its not about agencies full stop, its about the ones you choose to work with. Like any industry, there are some good and some bad.
This topic has been done to death previously.
>> Edited by obiwonkeyblokey on Friday 31st March 11:42
If I make sweeping statements its because that is my general perception accumulated through experience. Unless you can actually give me some convincing evidence of why I need your services then stop wingeing that I'm bringing the subject up. Perhaps you should use this as a constructive oportunity to illustrate why people benefit from your services rather than berating people for asking questions. Mentioning that you have overheads isn't really a convincing enough argument I'm afraid.
I have used good and bad agencies in the past. Unfortunately a bad agency can do so much harm I'm genuinely wondering wether I can take the risk any more. As I mentioned earlier, my prefered agent has become pretty useless and so I'm back in the situation of trying to tell a good agency from a bad one by the font on their advert. In the past I made the mistake of using an agency that actually had the cheek to use my work to get contracts in for themselves...they had hidden the fact that they were also involved in my line of business, and being a recruitment agency was a sideline!
Like I said there are good and bad agencies.
You said that all agencies charge a fee for basically sticking a stamp on a CV and sending it on. That is a sweeping statement and it's a shame that the experiences you have had have led you to this conclusion.
I am not denying that you are entitled to your opinion, its just a shame that through the experiences you have had, your opinions are negative.
Im not whingeing, just reacting constructively to your comments. Simple as that.
I would advise trying many agencies and filtering down to those that specialise in your technical or specific area. You never know I might even be able to help you! I have worked with a few people on here and successfully placed a couple who have been happy with the service. It or marketing only though i'm afraid.
Best of luck. but try to work with rather than against the agents that represent you.
You said that all agencies charge a fee for basically sticking a stamp on a CV and sending it on. That is a sweeping statement and it's a shame that the experiences you have had have led you to this conclusion.
I am not denying that you are entitled to your opinion, its just a shame that through the experiences you have had, your opinions are negative.
Im not whingeing, just reacting constructively to your comments. Simple as that.
I would advise trying many agencies and filtering down to those that specialise in your technical or specific area. You never know I might even be able to help you! I have worked with a few people on here and successfully placed a couple who have been happy with the service. It or marketing only though i'm afraid.
Best of luck. but try to work with rather than against the agents that represent you.
Hi ed
we don't look after that area i'm afraid, more to do with pure marketing ( in-house and agency) rather than sales focused. We wouldn't be as well placed to provide enough resource to provide the best selection of candidates.
There are a couple of agencies advertising on Monster that may be able to help.
Best of luck.
we don't look after that area i'm afraid, more to do with pure marketing ( in-house and agency) rather than sales focused. We wouldn't be as well placed to provide enough resource to provide the best selection of candidates.
There are a couple of agencies advertising on Monster that may be able to help.
Best of luck.
For permanent employment:
So long as it gets you the job, who cares? You don't pay any of the agents' fees - your prospective employer does.
For contract employment:
They act as an introduction service during contract negotiation, and a factoring service during the contract. Unless, of course, they refuse to pay because the client hasn't paid them and you have to sue their slimy arses.
So, basically, they are a necessary evil particularly with regards to the fact than many companies won't deal direct as they have essentially outsourced their HR dept. to the agency.
(Disclaimer: There are good apples in every barrel. Some agents are brilliant. Your mileage may vary. It's only funny until you have someone's eye out.)
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 4th April 19:48
So long as it gets you the job, who cares? You don't pay any of the agents' fees - your prospective employer does.
For contract employment:
They act as an introduction service during contract negotiation, and a factoring service during the contract. Unless, of course, they refuse to pay because the client hasn't paid them and you have to sue their slimy arses.
So, basically, they are a necessary evil particularly with regards to the fact than many companies won't deal direct as they have essentially outsourced their HR dept. to the agency.
(Disclaimer: There are good apples in every barrel. Some agents are brilliant. Your mileage may vary. It's only funny until you have someone's eye out.)
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 4th April 19:48
Yes, one of the things I was wondering was wether going through an agency meant that you are in effect reducing your salary by a couple of grand.
I have sent my CV out to an agency. They seem to be very good so far. I have turned down two interviews since Friday...which I hope isn't going to pi$$ them off. I will also be sending stuff out to a couple of places directly since they're local and renowned.
Thanks all. it wasn't my intention to wind anyone up who works in recruitment, just trying to get a picture. Thanks.
I have sent my CV out to an agency. They seem to be very good so far. I have turned down two interviews since Friday...which I hope isn't going to pi$$ them off. I will also be sending stuff out to a couple of places directly since they're local and renowned.
Thanks all. it wasn't my intention to wind anyone up who works in recruitment, just trying to get a picture. Thanks.
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