How do recruitment agencies work?

[bobmcgod]

As it says in the title really. I handed in my cv to one and gave them a brief description of what I'm looking for. They phone me back a few days later saying they've found something and I'm seeing them in the morning to give them passport/bank/reference details. Does this mean I have a new job? Does thins mean they've found something for me to apply for? Does this mean diddly squat?

[Stuart70]

Minimum - they want to chat to you to better understand you and your experience before pitching you to potential employers

Possible - they have a role which is potentially right for your experience and capability and they want to chat to you to better understand you and your experience before pitching you to potential employer

Maximum (pretty unlikely) - you have a new job

Remember a chat to a recruitment agent is an interview - they are the people who let you in the door with the employer. Also, depending on your field, there are a lot of frogs out there - pucker up and get kissing!

[Zad]

Passport and bank details to an agency? Blimey, things have moved on in the last few years haven't they. Agencies work by placing people in jobs, they don't (on the whole) care if you aren't suited or qualified, so long as you get the job and they get paid. Smaller agencies tend to care more as they rely on customers coming back to them, but the big ones will do whatever it takes, and will say whatever words are needed to get you in a job.

Don't be surprised if the first thing they ask is what jobs applications you currently have active, and who with. Ostensibly this is so they don't tread on any toes, but in reality they are looking for names to pitch their candidate list to.

[rog007]

Stuart70 said:

... there are a lot of frogs out there - pucker up and get kissing!

Top quote! And actually very good advice from the perspective that it would be unusual to get a bullseye on first throw. Network with as many relevant agencies as you can, don't take the first job that comes along, don't undervalue yourself and be sure of what you really want to do, where and for how much. Good luck!

[Bapple]

If you are going to be working through the agency (rather than them getting a finders fee), just be warned that there is benefit in them charging the client a high figure, low balling you and pocketing the rest. Also do your research as to what people with similar skills and experience are getting.

It can be mutually beneficial, provided you do your homework.

[TIGA84]

Not sure why they want your bank info?

Passport is pretty standard for registration/eligibility to work etc etc.

What sort of work have you told them you are looking for?

[TurricanII]

If you are being proposed for jobs at small firms then you will be a lot more expensive than the candidates that have not come via an agency. As an example, typical fees paid to an agency 10% of your starting salary. For a small firm to take you on, they have to potentially spend several grand in fees - and you might leave the job after a few weeks!

Can you identify your skills and approach potential employers directly? If you are relatively young, I would not just ask them for a job; you might offer to do unpaid 'work experience' there first which will allow you to demonstrate your fantastic work ethic - so much so that they create a role for you !

[phumy]

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

[spikeyhead]

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

Isn't it illegal for them to place a candidate without them having documentary evidence that you are eligible to work in the UK?

[TIGA84]

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

Bank details, Yes - No reason until you're at contract signed/starting job.

Passport, No. - Eligibility for UK right to work.

Perfectly standard for Temps etc proof of ID/photo.

Here and there with contractor staff, depends on your registration process/SLA with client if you're PSL and have to prove eligibility at submission stage.

I wouldn't ask for it until we're at offer/accept stage.

[bobmcgod]

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

The idea behind it was the employer pays the agency who pays the employee. The employee gets paid by the agency even if the employer doesn't pay the agency. So tbh it seems fairly reasonable.

Edit:
Also an update on how things went.
They offered me a position for a company that makes sandwiches. I currently work as a chef and am trying to get into some sort of engineering position (this is a very long term goal as if you see my other topic "is my situation impossible" you realise I've pretty much tried everything) so I turned it down.

Edited by bobmcgod on Wednesday 20th February 18:56

[phumy]

bobmcgod said:

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

The idea behind it was the employer pays the agency who pays the employee. The employee gets paid by the agency even if the employer doesn't pay the agency. So tbh it seems fairly reasonable.

Edit:
Also an update on how things went.
They offered me a position for a company that makes sandwiches. I currently work as a chef and am trying to get into some sort of engineering position (this is a very long term goal as if you see my other topic "is my situation impossible" you realise I've pretty much tried everything) so I turned it down.

Edited by bobmcgod on Wednesday 20th February 18:56

So they tried to recruit a "chef" to take on a new position making sandwiches!!!!!!! FFS thats like recruiting a Doctor as a push bike mechanic and then they have the nerve to take a percentage of your salary too. I would steer well clear of these crooked basterds, criminals the lot of them..

[edc]

If you want to get into Engineering then I may be able to assist with a paid internship. I don't have any vacancies right now but may have towards the middle of the year. Typically, we have hired Engineering grads with no practical experience or with some practical experience in a related field.

[bobmcgod]

edc said:

If you want to get into Engineering then I may be able to assist with a paid internship. I don't have any vacancies right now but may have towards the middle of the year. Typically, we have hired Engineering grads with no practical experience or with some practical experience in a related field.

Currently have no skills or experience. Studying a level 3 Btec which is just maths but that won't be complete until next year. Also I was planning on starting a level 2 nvq in performing engineering operations to try and get some practical experience as I can do this at my college.

But any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Especially a paid position!

[bobmcgod]

What double post? ;-)

[mph1977]

Zad said:

Passport and bank details to an agency? Blimey, things have moved on in the last few years haven't they.

more pointedly the fines for employing people who are not eligible to work in the UK are on limited working hours ( some student visas)have got higher and now UKBA do their own enforcement without PC plod to hold their hands ...

[mph1977]

spikeyhead said:

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

Isn't it illegal for them to place a candidate without them having documentary evidence that you are eligible to work in the UK?

exactly , especially if the agency will be paying the wages of the worker rather than legit ( or otherwise) self employment.

[TIGA84]

phumy said:

So they tried to recruit a "chef" to take on a new position making sandwiches!!!!!!! FFS thats like recruiting a Doctor as a push bike mechanic and then they have the nerve to take a percentage of your salary too. I would steer well clear of these crooked basterds, criminals the lot of them..

Can you tell me what you would call someone who would make sandwiches, if not a Chef of some level then?

Its not really a comparison to recruiting a doctor to be a mechanic is it?

Why are they criminals out of interest? You dont have to use them do you?

Edited by TIGA84 on Monday 25th February 13:09

[topless_mx5]

There is a lot of rubbish being quoted in this thread, and this guy seems angry at something:

phumy said:

So they tried to recruit a "chef" to take on a new position making sandwiches!!!!!!! FFS thats like recruiting a Doctor as a push bike mechanic and then they have the nerve to take a percentage of your salary too. I would steer well clear of these crooked basterds, criminals the lot of them..

Yes, we are all criminals - and as mentioned by another member above, your reference is hardly relevant. A chef to a sandwich maker is much more of a close match than a doctor to a push bike mechanic.

phumy said:

Thats absolute bks about giving passport or bank detail to any recruiting agent, they have no reason to ask for them whatsoever. Theyre full of st if they are asking for this information.....i have been contracting for 12 years now having used some agents for new contracts, never do they ask for passport or bank detail and if they did they would get it in the earhole from me. Thell them to fk right off, aholes.

I do not know whether the OP would be contracting through the agency as PAYE or through an Umbrella/Ltd company, but I am shocked that you have never been asked for that information. If they don't have your Bank details, how do they pay you?

Also, we are legally required to ask for certain documentation as part of the due dilligence process. If an Agency puts a convicted criminal in front of a client without doing any reference or background checks, and 1 week into the job that person makes off with a load of equipment or worse, guess who will be deemed to have been negligent? There are also a whole host of other reasons that we need documentation to be compliant, feel free to send me a PM if you'd like to discuss this in more detail

[Zad]

Chef simply translates as chief or head. Head of the kitchen. It does not mean someone who cooks. In fact a true Chef de Cuisine probably does very little cooking themselves. Compare with Chef de Partie, Chef de Mission etc. Just another case of job description inflation, see; technician / engineer / manager / analyst / consultant.

I'd be stuffed getting agency work now then, as I don't have a passport. Would a National Insurance number not serve as well?