Why do Recruitment Agencies do this?

[Keepyourdistance000]

I had a call a couple of weeks ago from a Recruitment Consultant who had found my CV online and wanted to talk to me about a couple of temp jobs, one of which tbf was of interest, and we discussed my availability.

The following week she called back and said her client would like to take me on for said temp assignment, and could I start the next week - even though I had been told the start date was in June.

I said I was unable to start that week because of unchangeable plans (completely true) but June would be fine. Consultant was OK with this.

I have an idea of the dates I will be working/required to cover but still have no confirmation of my assignment, no confirmation of the hours discussed and have no idea who to report to etc.

The Consultant has not replied to my email or call, and I am getting nervous as due to start next week.

Haven't even been invited to interview with the client, so I don’t know what the work environment is like or who I will be working with.

I'm starting to wish I'd never said yes to this assignment

Ah, I'd probably assume they had someone who could start the original week and they are now 'ghosting' you.

Whatever shitty behaviour you can conceive of, believe that a recruitment consultant is capable of it.

Apologies to any decent ones out there but as far as I'm concerned they're the most unprofessional bunch of twats that ever walked the earth.

@HunterHearstHelmsley

Ah, I'd probably assume they had someone who could start the original week and they are now 'ghosting' you.

That's what I was thinking too. The Consultant told me to keep next week free to start the assignment, but I feel quite anxious about it now especially as I've never even met the client or visited their office.

Apparently this client doesn't interview temps - fair enough but I'd feel less uneasy if I knew a bit more about the client and offices.

Hound them via phone. Don't email.

I do various finance related tasks in one, honestly it's the only way you'll get a straight answer (sad but true).

@Wuurg

Hound them via phone. Don't email.

I do various finance related tasks in one, honestly it's the only way you'll get a straight answer (sad but true).

Yes I'll call again tomorrow. Also wondering why it's taking this long to send a confirmation of assignment - unless the assignment no longer exists.

Sometimes it's as simple as the client haven't finalised the terms and they need that before they can issue your contract, or the admin person's sick, or maybe they are being complete twats.

Probably ghosting you while they decide whether to keep on whoever they have temping this week.

My sympathies, I temped for years and absolutely loathe recruitment agencies.

@Tribblers

Probably ghosting you while they decide whether to keep on whoever they have temping this week.

My sympathies, I temped for years and absolutely loathe recruitment agencies.

She did say that because I couldn't start this week they may have to get someone else in.

I thought recruitment consultants were meant to 'keep warm' their candidates and temps in case said candidate or temp finds something else in the meantime

They have ridiculous targets and bosses breathing down their necks and their clients treat them like absolute shite. Most of the shitty behaviour is fuelled by the stress.

Email and ask for the details so you can prepare. It might be sat on a list of admin stuff they haven't got round to yet is my guess

My husband has had the displeasure of dealing with many many recruitment agencies for the past 9 years and they are the absolute scum of the earth. How they get away with treating temps like it I don't know, a lot of the stuff they do should be illegal.

They don't return calls
The lie about the wage
They don't reply to emails
They send you on jobs that are totally inappropriate to your skill set
When you ring and ask to speak to the person you've been dealing with the whole time they are always conveniently 'on the phone' and never return your call no matter how important
They make you spend money on expensive health checks for a job they are sending you on, go to the job to be told you haven't got the right qualifications. No refund for the totally wasted health test

I could go on....

It would be good to know whether or not I should buy a new suit ready for the assignment.

Feeling uneasy I haven't had even an informal interview so I can see where I will be working and who with/for.

Will call again tomorrow.

Still no assignment confirmation email from the consultant and not available when I called. How am I supposed to prepare for a temp assignment if I only know the role I'll be doing and the company?

No invite to go and meet the client so I can see where I'll be working/who with, no final confirmation of hours - yet expected to drop everything and work at short notice.

Thinking I should resume looking for something else...

How long is the assignment supposed to be for? I wouldn't expect to meet them beforehand unless it was 6 months+

It's really poor they haven't got in touch.

Yeah that's terrible. They sound shockingly inept.

@Reloxa

How long is the assignment supposed to be for? I wouldn't expect to meet them beforehand unless it was 6 months+

It's really poor they haven't got in touch.

It's ongoing for holiday cover - so various weeks and days here and there over the rest of the year.