Recruitment consultants

[Andy008]

Apart from advertising jobs that don't exist, what other dubious tactics do these people engage in?

[january_bug]

Just post your rant and we'll nod and agree with you... would that help. What has the world done to you this time Andy?

[WoWo]

They get you to agree a much smaller salary than your happy with on the "guarantee" that come your trial period being over you will get a a decent salary.

Then when the employer offers you the full time job they in fact offer less than the reduced salary you have been getting in the mean time.

They then of course blame the employer, even though you have worked closely with them for 3 months and know they are not the sort of people to do anything of the sort.

[january_bug]

Well I'm on �1.25 an hour higher than the minimum I asked for, and that was on the first job they offered me.

Another agency found me excellent work within 2 working hours (on �1 and hour higher than I asked for, plus travel expenses of �30/week for getting a lift 3 miles down the road with my Mum each day).

Ever thought that they only succeed in taking for a ride those people who make it easy for them?

[redhead]

Hi Andy

I have complete sympathy with you. Having been a client and a candidate for recruitment agencies I have become increasingly cynical about recruitment consultants. I cannot believe the low tricks they play.

However there are a few out there who realise the worth of forming good relations with their candidates and clients. January_bug has perhaps a point so remember most are in the business of making money, not ensuring their candidates get the most suitable job.

Hope you get your ideal job (if like me- loads of pay and few hours!) I know job hunting is depressing, but sometimes being your own recruiter works.

[sarahbowen82]

As a real life recruitment consultant, I can tell you Andy that it is fully encouraged to sell your own granny in the process of making a quick buck. Without exception every agency I have come across have cared nothing for their customers (businesses or candidates), preferring to concentrate on screwing over the competition, and making their millions. Same as every business though I suppose

[Andy008]

Is that sarcastic?

[Sasha13]

Depends, like all walks of life, which particular company you're dealing with. I've worked for both a recruitment agency (in the office itself, not just as a temp) and a recruitment consultancy. There is a world of difference between the two which unfortunately most people don't understand. If you choose to go to a tin-pot high street agency, you're increasing your chances of getting screwed. If you take the time to research the company that you choose to work with, they can offer lots of benefits, as january_bug says.

[Sasha13]

redhead - when I worked for the consultancy, we had to go to great lengths to ensure the job was right for the candidate - if the candidate quit within 9 weeks, we refunded our fee. Being your own recruiter is sometimes an advantage, but don't forget, if you go through a proper consultancy you get to hear about jobs that may not be advertised to the public, get someone to write your CV for you to show you in the best light, and get hints and tips on interview techniques.

sarahbowen82 - I'd be interested to know which company you work for, and if the culture really is like that, why are you still there?

[redhead]

Hi Sasha13

I did not slate every recruitment consultancy, just the majority!! I have been very lucky to find a few recruitment consultants who had my best interests at heart, when I was a candidate and also when I was a client. I am glad that you are part of this group. However, from personal experience I can say that this is about 1% of the consultancies I have dealings with.

[emie1977]

i am a recruitment consultancy and have to say that it must be nice for the majority of you to have a group of people in an occupation that you can hate.

i have never advertised a job that didnt exist - it is after all against the law.

its also in our interest to get you the highest salary that we can - we make our bonus (hard and honestly earned) from a percentage of the salary the candidate is offered.

you always find that the best consultants are the ones who make an attempt to get to know what there candidates and clients are looking for.

as someone has mentioned we offer a rebate facility so placing people that are not right does not work.

as for hating people for the job they do - get a life

[Andy008]

As regarding an occupation people hate, you try being a police officer.

[redhead]

Oh Gawd,

Wish now I'd kept my mouth closed, but I need to clarify a few points. On behalf of myself, I have not stated I HATE Recruitment Consultants, (in fact in no part of this thread has anyone stated that they hate a person because of their profession) and I would never judge a person by their profession (I'm in HR myself!). I did state a mistrust for recruitment consultancies. I have friends who are Recruitment Consultants, and I do not judge them for what they do for a living. Any comments I made were from first hand experience. And I did state that I did find some good consultants.

Sorry to be so pedantic, I honestly think it is being in HR that I hate to be misquoted/ misinterpreted/ misrepresented, so Emie1977 please forgive my final rant. And now I am going to get a life and stop replying to this thread... and good luck Andy008.

[tweenyb]

As an ex consultant and candidate you are far better off not knowing the tricks of the trade!

but I can promise you one thing - its not an easy job and not a particularly nice one either.

shouting and swearing and phones slammed down on you are a regular occurance so dont be too hard on them they are being pushed by the owners of the companies!