Changing jobs in IT - dealing with recruitment agencies

[caff]

I'm looking to change my job, I work as a software / website developer. I've got around 6 years experience.

Looking around for a new job seems to be a joke - no matter where I look, the jobs listings are crammed with agencies. Most of them seem to have the same attitude (i.e. shove you into any interview they can get you into), and all are very cloak and dagger about their clients. I suspect most of them don't have an exclusive deal with the employer. Most don't have a clue what different skills mean, and are simply trying to match keywords in your conversations with them to the job spec on their PC screen.

I feel sorry for graduates trying to get a foot on the ladder, but having to deal with these agencies seems worse than what I went through trying to get an IT job in the first place!

Has anyone else noticed this or been through it?

 

[caff]

I've been to quite a few interviews, but it always seems like the agencies have tried to rush it, or have embellished the truth. I don't really specialise in one area, because I've only worked in small-medium employers, but I think they promote me to the employer as being an expert in one particular field, which I'm not.

I'm looking to move again to a small-medium company.

Strange though, I got my present job through a small agency - I had a similar experience to Visage, ie. went to meet the agency face to face first, spent about 2 hours going through the role, he properly noted down everything, made a few recommendations about the interview, all very organised. Got the job no problems. I guess I must have got lucky that time.

Incidentally I tried Spring IT, who were pretty good about getting me in to meet face to face, but I failed a technical test (for a BBC role) - yet they didn't lose interest right away like most companies / employers do, they actually went through a few other roles with me there and then.

Anyone got experience of Spring? I might go back to them and see what the market is like now

 

[caff]

I just had a call from one trying to get me to apply for a Junior Firewall Engineer job in Kent, paying £20K. I pointed out that I'm currently an IT Director earning a little bit more than £20K and I clearly stated that I wasn't going to relocate

Haha

Actually it's not really a laughing matter, this happens all the time...

I think I'll give Spring another shot, they seemed pretty on the ball last time.

I've spoken to some absolutely atrocious agency staff from companies I've never heard of - "Oh yeah mate, yeah yeah this role is pretty ideal for you. What do you mean you don't want a 2 hour commute every day? You're a young guy! This company's looking for X Y and Z have you got all of them? (cue tapping of keyboard to filll in a checklist). Right great they want your CV and an interview. What do you mean you can't get time off work?" etc. As someone above said, bunch of shysters. Only in it for the commission, and not interested in trying to fill the role with someone suitable.