Recruitment agency question!

if you're struggling with getting put forward by an agency you need to work on the key words etc in your CV. The ideal situation is to get an agent working for you, if they think there's a chance of placing you they'll do their best because obv that means they get commission, but you'll only get there by making yourself known. Once you've gone a reasonable distance with one job you'll usually be considered for any others that come up.
 
Deep said:
I was always under the impression that they are legally required, thats why I thought I'd check on here.
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The problem is by the agency supplying you with the company information, which they will do (I've not had an agency refuse to say who their client is yet), they have acted as the introducing party which would probably entitle them to some form of commission anyway.

It's like when selling a house through an estate agent, if someone comes and views through the agent but then makes an offer direct to you trying to cut them out. The agent can take the seller to court for their fees and will likely win as they have acted to inctroduce the 2 parties.

Might sound crazy but it's true and happens a lot.

Companies use agencies to filter out the fluff to save them time, they would rather pay someone to do this than waste resource. The downside is the recruiter doesn't always get it right.

I can't stand them, but they are a necessary evil it seems.
 
Thanks for all the help guys, I will definitely be taking the advice on board.

The sites I'm generally using are Reed, Total Jobs, Fish4Jobs, Job Centre, CV library and Monster
 
Try Efinancial Careers, GAAPWeb and Accountancy Age.

Didn't realise it was Finance you were interested in.. I will have a word with one of the guys in my Newly Qualified team... Thing is I am thinking if you don't have ACCA/ACA min then we might not be able to help, but I will ask anyway :)

Are you a graduate? Can you remind me what stage you are at? Are you in Kent?

Think my email is in trust use the msn one.

BB x
 
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Ive had job agencies give them the name and details but only because a agreement was set up between the business and agency that only they can recruit people.
 
Most of the agencies are a waste of time however my last job is through an agency :) (first and probably last at the same time).

Also a lot of jobs being advertised on the biggest job websites are a scam, agencies just want as many CVs as possible in case a job comes along so they can act quickly.
 
I got my current job through an agency... but I didn't apply for the job -I had sent them my CV a while back and they contacted me. Hassled me till I resigned.

Since starting I haven't heard a dicky bird (which is shocking considering I work in recruitment and know how they should operate) - avoid them if you can, but they are sometimes a necessary evil :(

Other advice I would give is... apply for as many things as you can and if you get to interview go to as many as you can if you need the interview experience.

Also if you are speaking to rec cons never tell them your true current salary always say more.

BB x
 
BrightonBelle said:
Other advice I would give is... apply for as many things as you can and if you get to interview go to as many as you can if you need the interview experience.
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I think this is bad advice. Be selective and only apply for jobs that really suit you. If you apply for too many the agents are going to take one look at your CV and think "not this guy again" before hitting delete.
 
gambitt said:
I think this is bad advice. Be selective and only apply for jobs that really suit you. If you apply for too many the agents are going to take one look at your CV and think "not this guy again" before hitting delete.
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I disagree. Many agencies will look for you, so you only apply once and they will hold your CV.

Apply for jobs you want to do, but certainly apply for many. You want to open as many doors as possible.

If anything it is likely to show how keen you are. Many times I have been told by agencies to keep checking their vacancies and apply as and when I see something. It's their job to not take it further if they don't think you are suitable.
 
rodo said:
I disagree. Many agencies will look for you, so you only apply once and they will hold your CV.
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Actually these days the first thing they do is search CV library sites for keywords. Unless you are a regular with an agency then they won't call you just because you sent them your CV a few weeks ago and it's on their database.

rodo said:
If anything it is likely to show how keen you are. Many times I have been told by agencies to keep checking their vacancies and apply as and when I see something. It's their job to not take it further if they don't think you are suitable.
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Keep checking by all means but my advice is don't apply for as many as possible in the hope that if you fling enough mud that some will eventually stick. You want to appear selective and in control not desperate and agencies can smell desperation a long way off.

As I said earlier, if they aren't calling you back then your CV is not good enough.
 
I wasn't implying applying for as many as possible in desperation. But in difficult times you can't be too selective and look for that dream job. In broadening my criteria looking for work I found some roles I would never have looked at before, and am now starting work in one of these.
 
Is a covering letter important to an recruitment agency? Sometimes I get the impression that they don't even read it. Of course, I know this is different when applying direct as a covering letter is equally as important as the CV.
 
rodo said:
I wasn't implying applying for as many as possible in desperation. But in difficult times you can't be too selective and look for that dream job. In broadening my criteria looking for work I found some roles I would never have looked at before, and am now starting work in one of these.
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Sorry I know you didn't say that, I was originally replying to this:

BrightonBelle said:
Other advice I would give is... apply for as many things as you can and if you get to interview go to as many as you can if you need the interview experience.
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subbass said:
Is a covering letter important to an recruitment agency? Sometimes I get the impression that they don't even read it. Of course, I know this is different when applying direct as a covering letter is equally as important as the CV.
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Completely pointless if you ask me. Others will say differently. An agent will scan your CV for keywords before reading it properly. A covering letter is likely to do in the bin.
 
If an agent want's a covering letter they will normally expressively say so. If looking on Reed then you'll notice some ask for it, whilst others do not. If in doubt drop them an email and ask.
 
rodo said:
I wasn't implying applying for as many as possible in desperation.
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Neither was I. :) What I meant is if even if you are not 100% sure you would take the job if offered it, go for the interview anyway for the experience.

I got my current job because I registered with an agency (didn't apply for any jobs with them, they held my CV on file and contacted me months later) so it does work sending your CV to agencies.

Another thing I would say... if you want your CV to be searched by not only agencies but also employers - you need to keep uploading your cv - the searches that they do on CV databases are not only for keywords but also date ranges of last uploads. Yes they might think oh not that bloke again... but at least you are at the front of their mind.

Some ask for covering letters to support the application - keep it brief and do not use a standard cover letter - make sure you tailor it for the job you are applying for - obvious I know but still.

Also each industry is different - what works in one doesn't necessarily work in another.

BB x
 
rodo said:
If an agent want's a covering letter they will normally expressively say so. If looking on Reed then you'll notice some ask for it, whilst others do not. If in doubt drop them an email and ask.
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All job sites have a covering letter section for you to write your covering letter..so if they didn't ask for one, would be ok just to write a several lines saying "I enclose my cv blah blah" or along those lines?
 
My experience is in the IT industry so this may not hold true for other industries:

I honestly wouldn't bother. Agents are very busy since they work on commission. They search CV library sites for keywords and if they get the right hits they'll spend a minute scan reading your CV before giving you a call. Repeat 10 times per role until they have a list of candidates to put forward to the client. Either that or they will advertise the role on a job site where you apply by sending your CV in doc format to the agent.

The client will then come back and say "we'll interview these 3". Then they start again with the next role.
 
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