Recruitment agencies

Former Member

Hi everyone, hope its been a good Christmas and New Year.

This year for me is gonna be all about finding a new job and Ive been thinking about going to a recruitment agency. I just read up about them and it said that alot of them prefer for you to have an idea of what you want whereas I have no idea!! I just want to keep scanning jobs out there and applying for what i think i might like.

Has anyone used one before or got any words of wisdom for me?

Former Member

Also Id quite like to move away from the area im in but how do you just up sticks and move to a new place with no idea what you want to do or how you're going to get a job, if you do get one?

Former Member

I accidentally ended up getting my job through one. I applied for it through the directgov website which turned out was being advertised on behalf of the company through an agency. Then I got a call from them saying they had a job for me starting in a few days and if I wanted it (temporary for a month) and I said yes. So the next day I went to their office and did the paper work and there you go. I'm still there now as the company extended me twice and now I'm there til March. It all happened very quick in the space of a week or so. 2 other girls started a week before me through the same agency though they got permanent contracts. I think a lot of agencies have a specialist niche area that they recruit for. But it's always worth just getting in touch with them

Former Member

I'm an IT/Finance contractor, so all of my work comes from recruitment agencies.

In my experience, this is how it works:

1. You apply for a job/submit your CV on their website.
2. They call you up to discuss your CV and experience.
3. They invite you in for a meeting to sign some paperwork that says they can put you forward for jobs.
4. They work surprisingly hard to get you into a role. Mostly because they make money from having you in a job somewhere. Lots of money. So it's in their best interests to get you placed. It also means that you don't get put forward for jobs that you have no chance at.
5. You do the above for as many agencies as possible. And, if you're me, you casually mention that you've been speaking to other agencies. Just to keep them on edge.

As long as you bear in mind that they view you as a source of income (and you view them the same way), agencies work. I've gotten a lot of work from Hays Recruitment, for what it's worth

Danny!

Hi Lexi

It's impressive that you've got a New Year's plan in action already!

Do keep scanning the big sites like Reed, there's a lot of stuff on them. A lot of the jobs on there will be through agencies anyway, like in Ballerina's experience.

I think from a recruiter's or potential employer's point of view it might be a bit worrying you not knowing what you want to do. But they don't have to know how you're feeling! So maybe if you put together a CV with a bit of direction (it doesn't have to be really specific) in terms of your education, experience, personal skills etc then that would help.

If you want to talk through some career options, then the National Careers Service can be really useful. They have a free service where you can talk through your options and put together an action plan. Their number's 0800 100 900.

Moving areas can be tough, so it would be good if you have something in place before you go. Is there someone you could stay with in a new area while you find a job there? Can you find yourself a job while you're still living where you are, and then move when you start the job? You could of course claim benefits like housing benefit and or JSA while you're looking for a new job (although if you have a current job that you leave voluntarily you wouldn't be paid JSA for the first three months).

Good luck job hunting!

Danny

Former Member

I'll try and write a bit more later, but I've just upped sticks from Gloucestershire to Leeds without a job so if you need a chat about it let me know.

Former Member

I'm going to a Rec Agency tomorrow where my sister got her job from.

They are worth a try if people recommend them in your area.

Former Member

Oooh thanks for the careers advice helpline, thats just what i need!

Im not planning on moving anywhere in particular I just dont want to be where i am forever.

If you go through a recruitment agency, do you ever get a chance to discuss things with your employers one to one, interviews and stuff? Im thinking of maybe offering to do a couple of unpaid trial days so i can see how i fit in but obviously if a agency is involved they might just wanna get you employed as quickly as possible.

Former Member

It varies but in my experience you have to go for an interview with the potential line manager.

Lexi99 wrote: »

Im thinking of maybe offering to do a couple of unpaid trial days

:no:

Never work for free. There might be a probationary period but NEVER work for free.

Former Member

Im just absolutely terrified that I'll leave my shitty but very safe job, do something else and hate it without having had anything to try prior to moving

Former Member

Obviously you don't want to be working for free long-term, but I think trying to spend a few days working somewhere to see if you like it is a great idea. Sometimes the idea of a job and the reality is very different. Plus it'll show potential employers that you're pro-active.

Former Member

Thats what I mean, one, maybe 2 days before being properly hired

Former Member

Unless it's a government or charity job, it is straight up illegal for the employer not to pay you for doing work.

I've only really worked in white collar office jobs but I've never heard of someone being allowed to work for free for a couple of days before being hired. It would be an insurance nightmare if you were injured. A logistic nightmare too if you require system access.

In my experience there is a probationary period of 3 -4 weeks where you can walk away or be fired with any real consequences.

It's not a good idea. You're devaluing your work, your helping a company without getting anything in return, and two days is nowhere near long enough to properly assess a job.

Edit: Also, any recruitment agency would freak the fuck out if they found out you'd worked for free if they placed you. That's money they're not getting and probably constitutes a breach of contract on the behalf of the hiring company.

Former Member

Ok that makes sense.

I just want to get out of the job I doing right now, and in a way i guess its good if i end up hating the new job, leaving and having to find a new one as I dont have this job to go crying back to. I need the fear!

Former Member

I have secured myself 2 weeks work experience (unpaid) in London. The only reason this is acceptable is because I'll still be getting paid by my current employer during the whole period.