Why are there so many recruitment consultant jobs around?

SideWinder · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:18

I always see hundreds and hundreds "recruitment consultant" jobs and other jobs in recruitment. Why is that? Is it simply because there is a large amount of unmployment thus there is a need for more people to process them?

My partner is off to an interview with one on thursday, just to see what happens but it seems like there is a massive demand. :confused:

meghatronic · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:27

I've noticed this too, they also seem to offer good salaries (even before OTE).

"andy" · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:33

after so long on the dole/JSA you get sent off to recruitment agencies who hold your hand like school kids and get a shedload of money to do what you should be doing anyway

guess they need more staff there

gord · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:34

High turnover. Target driven job, and extremely demanding targets to boot.

Can't maintain those targets.. prepare to be kicked out.

That said, I have 2 friends who took up recruitment consultant positions.. both doing very well.

jumpy · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:39

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[TW]Fox · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:41

Noticed this and posted about it in a thread where some guy thought he was on his way to an interview for an amazing job.

Fox said:
This is probably a waste of time. When myself and my mates went though the job hunting process for placements and later proper jobs we all had lots of 'interest' from recruitment firms offering interviews doh classy sounding jobs with silly earnings potential. In reality almost all are just rubbish call centre jobs where you sit on a phone cold calling etc. Whole thing is a waste of time and slightly scamlike. Everyone and his dog gets an interview and you will prob get an 'offer' as well.

mrk · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:43

Rec consultants make me sick!

They tossed me about for the 2 months that I was looking for work and in the end I found a job without them.

Scum of the earth who never get back to you on time!

SideWinder · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:44

^ I remember you typing that Fox. I am quite aware about things being "too good to be true" and my feet are firmly grounded. She is giving it a go out of curiousity more and she has a job at the moment anyways. The pay is is attractive, nothing to deny that but as gord rightly say it's a lot of targets.

Khaaan! said:
Rec consultants make me sick!

They tossed me about for the 2 months that I was looking for work and in the end I found a job without them.

Scum of the earth who never get back to you on time!

The recruitment agencies i have dealt with have treated me okay. Specifcally Brook Street and Gordon Yates. Perhaps you were unlucky?

darko · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:49

It's pretty simple. The fact is there is no job. The adverts are just a great way of harvesting up to date CVs for the recruiters. They will say to you "I'm sorry, you're not right for a role at this agency BUT I have all these other random jobs that I can get you interviews for..."

If the positions do actually exist, it's because the turnover of staff is very high. Few people can cut the ruthlessness and dishonesty that exists in this business.

IcE-ColD · 11 Aug 2010 at 19:55

Khaaan! said:
Rec consultants make me sick!

They tossed me about for the 2 months that I was looking for work and in the end I found a job without them.

Scum of the earth who never get back to you on time!

I just went for a meeting with one about a job that suited me well and was around £20,000. In the end she asked me to work for nothing just with my travel expenses paid....wait for it.... 3 months!!! who can survive with no money for 3 months. It does not take that long to evaluate if someone is a complete waste of space or can actually do the job. I told her where to go and left promptly.

mrk · 11 Aug 2010 at 20:02

SideWinder said:
^ I remember you typing that Fox. I am quite aware about things being "too good to be true" and my feet are firmly grounded. She is giving it a go out of curiousity more and she has a job at the moment anyways. The pay is is attractive, nothing to deny that but as gord rightly say it's a lot of targets.

The recruitment agencies i have dealt with have treated me okay. Specifcally Brook Street and Gordon Yates. Perhaps you were unlucky?

It's possible but I just found most of them to be unreliable especialy considering this is your financial future on the cards!

I have spent 2.5 years contracting before though and have had good experiences with 2 agencies, Matchtech and Huntress of Portsmouth. Huntress being the last one I went with who promised that the company I was on contract with would take me on permanently based on my experience and person if I carried on doing what I'd previously done (and they did!).

Swings and roundabouts, but more roundabouts than swings before something decent happens!