Recruitment agency etiquette

[JambalayaC]

Hi all, sorry if this isn't the right forum, but hopefully there's people in the know!

I recently changed my LinkedIn profile.to show that I'm open to new opportunities, and that let's recruiters know you're on the market.

A recruiter contacted me via DM yesterday with a fantastic opportunity for a company I'm really interested in working for.

I am really well suited to this (relatively senior) position and feel sure I would at least bag an interview.

I replied that I was interested and sent my email and phone number with a request to discuss further. (Having worked in recruitment a whole ago, I know that it's key to lock down a good candidate quickly)

This was yesterday morning but by late afternoon, I'd not heard anything. I rang the number he'd given me (mobile number but a fairly well known agency) and left a polite, friendly VM further expressing interest and asked for a call at his convenience. (He's apparently director of the agency!)

By lunchtime today, I still hadn't heard anything, so I sent over my CV as a prompt. Still nothing by close of business tonight! So frustrating!

The job is being directly advertised on the company in question's own website. Should I apply directly and cut my losses with the agency?

I know this would be a no-no if the agency have agreed to represent for me, but they've pissed me off, frankly!

Is there any bad reflection on me if I go direct, do you think?

What do you think is going on?!

I did spell check everything much better than I have on here, BTW!

Oh God, is this a really boring question?! 🤣

Cut your losses and go direct, agencies often pretend to be representing a role to get candidates, then badger the company to say we've got excellent people on our books for this role so might be something like this but he's been told to jog on. Either way, cut out the middle man.

Friend of mine had an agency call offering work with 'company x' let's call them. Company x had advertised themselves and got no joy so gave it to their usual agency to work on. Who approached my friend but don't name their client immediately.
My friend asks if its with company x and explains about the first agency. Company x then found out the first agency were using their name when they hadn't engaged them. She now has a job offer.
So yes this does happen. He should not be sending your details to companies, whether invited to or speculatively without your GDPR consent.

If it's being advertised in other places I.e the company's website then I would definitely go direct, that's just me. You are doing all the leg work chasing the agency, who will then get a recruitment fee if you get the job They could also have other candidates they have mentioned it to.

Aww, many thanks. You'd think I'd know more about the dark side of recruitment, but I actually did try and have some ethics when I did it!

There are really great recruiters out there and sadly plenty of not so ethical ones. Good luck, keep us posted!

I would have zero qualms about going direct.

Considering you've shown interest and followed up diligently, it's a bit odd that the recruiter hasn't been responsive.
If the job is directly advertised on the company's website and you're keen on it, there's no harm in applying directly. Well, sometimes, recruiters can get busy, but it's also important for them to maintain good communication.
And by the way, if you're actively looking for new job opportunities, you might want to check out https://huntly.ai/employers/. They have a platform that connects job seekers with employers, and it could be a helpful resource in your job search.