Are recruitment agencies getting useless?

Londina

I have the impression that nowdays with the competition of Linkedin or online CVs, recruiters are getting desperate for candidates. However they don't even check the CV before contacting a person, for example I have been contacted recently for teaching or IT consultants roles, when I have never done these jobs in my life and there is no mention in my CV either. Would you trust them to place you in a role after this? mmm.....

Has something similar ever happened to you recently?

Christina

When my CV was on recruitment websites like Reed and Total Jobs I was contacted several times about 'care' jobs. I've never done that kind of work.

lulia

Hi, well, I have had a positive experience. I had registered myself with a recruiting agency, and had a pretty good experience. Now, I’m placed with reputed school, as a teacher, which was my passion , and what I had studied. I got through in the first interview itself. I don’t think all have will have bad experiences. They will choose the right jobs for you, according to your qualification, You have to be just careful while choosing the right recruiters. Anyway, Good luck !!

Neillaw

I recently was asked about a role within practice (Been in industry for the last twenty years). Placed my reservations with the agency who told me the client had asked to see me, turned up for the interview and they just turned round and told me they wanted someone with more practice experience! (clients fault not the agency)
Had to take the interview to prove to the job centre I was looking for work and not just staying at home watching the football, tour de france and Olympics.

garethtravell

I'm a specialist Finance and Accountancy recruiter and I always find it interesting to hear views on recruiters, especially from those whose opinions matter, you! I can never quite understand how recruiters tend to get matches so wrong. From my point of view, we're probably more relevant now than ever. While LinkedIn and online job boards make it easier for people and companies to connect this actually hinders the process due to the volume of applications.Typically, my clients will use my service because they do not have the time to review 50+ applications. The other reason recruiters are required is that by applying online, you have no voice, nothing to describe who you are and if the hiring manager doesn't see enough in your CV, there will be no interview. My advice is to find a reputable, local, specialist recruiter. They will help you with your CV and be able to represent you to their clients. If anyone would like help, clarity or information on recruitment - feel free to ask me.

blobbyh

High street agencies may contact potential candidates willy nilly without qualifying them first... but executive ones never will, it's simply not worth yours and ours time and effort. Just like plumbers, electricians, lawyers and landlords, there are good and bad workmen in every trade... recruiters are no exception even though some are exceptional.

(My first post in probably well over six years!)

Londina

garethtravell said:

I'm a specialist Finance and Accountancy recruiter and I always find it interesting to hear views on recruiters, especially from those whose opinions matter, you! I can never quite understand how recruiters tend to get matches so wrong.

I don't understand either @garethtravell ! I don't understand why some recruiters are calling me for totally unsuitable roles and yet, when I spot one which actually match my skills, they don't bother contact me?! How does this makes any sense? And these are agencies which I'm registered (very known high street ones) and met in person.

Neillaw said:

I recently was asked about a role within practice (Been in industry for the last twenty years).

The other way around for me, had 4+ years in practice and wanted to go to industry. Recruiters denied putting me through industry job because "my bulk of experience is within practice and therefore I should carry on in practice". I told them I am capable to work in industry but they didn't listen. Guess what? After two weeks I found a permanent role within industry, advertised directly by the employer. I then contacted the agency to tell them how wrong they were! hahaha

blobbyh said:

(My first post in probably well over six years!)

Welcome back @blobbyh ! Long time!! We're AAT forum veterans ;-)

blobbyh

Hi Londina, yep, think I first posted on one of the older forums way back in August 2006. I used to spend far too much time on here, especially in the off topic section discussing all kinds of inane crap - think between this and the old forums, I must have had over 5,000 posts!

burg

blobbyh said:

(My first post in probably well over six years!)

Welcome back! Most regulars from the old forums dissappeared so good to have you back.

garethtravell

Hi Londina, I'd suggest not using a high street recruiter. As blobbyh said they are about volume, getting as many candidates to as many business as possible. As around your area for a good specialist recruiter. These will really invest time in to helping you.

BeccaLouJ9

blobbyh said:

High street agencies may contact potential candidates willy nilly without qualifying them first... but executive ones never will, it's simply not worth yours and ours time and effort. Just like plumbers, electricians, lawyers and landlords, there are good and bad workmen in every trade... recruiters are no exception even though some are exceptional.

(My first post in probably well over six years!)

Welcome back @blobbyh ! It may look a little different here...
B x

Londina

garethtravell said:

Hi Londina, I'd suggest not using a high street recruiter. As blobbyh said they are about volume, getting as many candidates to as many business as possible.

They are indeed about volume, they don't care about the requirement of the candidates and their clients! The latest email I received last week is for an Estate Agent role (!??). Do they actually read people's CV? The description required "someone with 3 years experience". I don't have such experience in my CV, I'm an accountant and never worked in properties, so why are they contacting me?

This is a terrible service, if I was their client I woudn't pay them! and for this reason I'm thinking to search directly or just rely to an independent specialist.

Londina

mrme89 said:

As a candidate, you are not their client.

yes of course I'm the candidate, the recruiters contacted me for the job on behalf of their clients (the employer who pays them to find staff to fill their vacancies...)