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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Recruiters making you go in

99 replies

TheMythicalChicken · 10/04/2018 06:22

So I’m job hunting at the moment. I have applied for a few things and got calls back from recruitment consultants. They all seemed keen and said that I had a good CV and should go in and meet them and register.

So I get dressed up and shlep into town, paying money for travel and wasting a day, to find that the job I applied for isn’t available or they’re looking for different experience, etc.

So why do they get you to go in? It really pisses me off. I just got another call from a recruiter asking me to come in and register. She said they didn’t have anything at the moment but roles come up all the time. My response: “Why the fuck would I waste time and money coming in to see you if you don’t have jobs?”

AIBU?

OP posts:
ElephantsYeah · 10/04/2018 06:25

Could you set up appointments at several recruiters on one day and combine the cost of travelling in?

Tragicboozyflaccidclown · 10/04/2018 06:25

I guess they have targets set to sign people up. It does suck though and a waste of time on your part, I’ve never had anything good come from recruitment agencies

Shoxfordian · 10/04/2018 06:26

I think it's usual practice to go in and meet recruitment agencies. Did you actually swear at her? If so don't bother with that agency because they'll think you're very unprofessional.

I recommend also applying for jobs directly

ohreallyohreallyoh · 10/04/2018 06:27

If you want a chance at the work they are advertising, you need to be signed up with them.

TalkFastThinkSlow · 10/04/2018 06:27

Yanbu, I flipping hate it when recruiters do that. It's annoying and unnecessary.

Of all the jobs I've gotten in the last 10 years, I never had to meet a recruiter. They submitted my CV for actual jobs, all I had to do was chat with them on the phone. I got each of the jobs I applied for.

I agree with tragic, I think it's to do with targets.

My sister has met many recruiters in the past and 9/10 times it does not result in an interview.

BurningGubbins · 10/04/2018 06:28

They want to meet you, see what you’re like (and whether you live up to your CV), so they can put you forward for the right roles. Theoretically anyway.

Pengggwn · 10/04/2018 06:34

Used to do recruitment. It's essential for them to meet you before putting you forward for the job. If they don't think their client will hire you, they are not going to shortlist you.

And if you speak to recruiters like that, good luck getting them to deal with you ever again.

Pengggwn · 10/04/2018 06:34

Sorry, might hire you, at least.

Believeitornot · 10/04/2018 06:37

It’s to shortlist, or at least has been when I’ve gone in. I got my current job via an agency.

TaytoAllDay · 10/04/2018 06:38

I understand your frustration but I probably wouldn't have cursed at her. I wouldn't try applying through that agency again. I wouldn't help someone who cursed at me. At the end of the day they are also trying to do their job. Plus it helps them to see if you live up to your CV.

LoniceraJaponica · 10/04/2018 06:42

So you don't really want a job then? Hmm

TalkFastThinkSlow · 10/04/2018 06:46

It's essential for them to meet you before putting you forward for the job.

It really isn't.

10 years. 4 jobs. Never had to physically meet a recruiter. Why can't they use Skype or WhatsApp video instead of making people travel to them Hmm

Faultymain5 · 10/04/2018 06:49

I agree. It especially annoys me if they know you are working and can't fit a time in around your schedule (taking half a day off, or lying to existing employers) only to be told the job you were interested is not available (because no such job exists).

It also annoys me when they know you are unemployed and make you pay to come in when there is no job available.

But, and this is the crux. You need them as much as they need you. You need to continue to play the game. Think of the end result. Oh and don't bother calling them out on it. Why? Well because 1. their hides are so tough they wouldn't understand and 2. They move around a lot and have a very long memory.

Last job I found was with LinkedIn.

ShotsFired · 10/04/2018 06:50

There is also an element of exclusivity. If you are registered with multiple agencies, employers often have a policy of "whoever gets in first" with a potential candidate so the agencies are also doing a bit of wooing to ensure you keep them top of mind/make them your first call too.

Pengggwn · 10/04/2018 07:04

TalkFastThinkSlow

It was for my clients. Maybe different clients?

RingtheBells · 10/04/2018 07:09

I don't mind going in if the job I am applying for exists but I do object if its just an excuse to get you there which happens quite a lot

speakout · 10/04/2018 07:14

I have worked in recruitment.

They use certain jobs as a hook- attracting skill sets with skills that are in demand- and the actual job may be close to being filled, but it's a way of casting nets and bringing in people with skills.

However they only get paid when someone gets a jib, so many many people get jobs through agencies.

FinallyHere · 10/04/2018 07:16

Last time i was job hunting, i saw lots of agents. I appreciated that they wanted to build a relationship in order to understand the sort of roles which would work for me. While none of them found me anything, one agency who i never met and only spoke to briefly got m an interview with a 'big five' as they were then consultancy and bingo, I had a job.

Its like any marketing spend, 80% is probably wasted, it's just not that easy to work out which is the 20% which actually works.

TalkFastThinkSlow · 10/04/2018 07:17

Pengggwn

Perhaps industry? Mine is software support and I rarely get called in. My sister is accounts and she gets asked to go in ALL THE TIME. She hates it.

Joey7t8 · 10/04/2018 07:17

Recruiters like to justify their fees. They’re often a complete waste of time and add noting to the process (apart from a few of 15-25% or your salary to your employer).

The employer themselves are generally the ones that you should make the effort for. They’re ones that will be paying you and can make a judgement on whether or not you’d be up to the job and have the personality to fit in with their team.

Bekabeech · 10/04/2018 07:19

It's essential for them to meet you before putting you forward for the job.

I totally agree this isn't true. DH is quite senior and usually has most of his conversations with recruiters via phone/skype. And would only meet them when they are finalising a short list - definitely not before they have a "job" available.
Years ago I was applying for jobs in different cities and agencies did the preliminary interviews all by phone.

The "you need to come in" is more about recruitment agencies internal targets and the way they pay their recruiters.

strawberrysparkle · 10/04/2018 07:19

I agree it's annoying but the worst bit is when they keep already filled jobs advertised or invent a job they doesn't exist to get you hooked in.

OllyBJolly · 10/04/2018 07:21

When I worked in recruitment I would never put anyone forward to a client that I hadn't met personally. They were paying me to find them the right person for the role - a CV and a telephone chat doesn't tell you much. Also the difference between many peoples' CVs and the reality can be enormous! I run my own business now and use agencies. I wouldn't be paying them a fee if I knew they weren't meeting the people they put forward.

Recruitment agencies don't work for the candidates. They work for the clients - and if they didn't fill roles they wouldn't be there. Mostly the jobs do exist (when I worked in the sector it was an offence to advertise phantom jobs; not sure whether the inspectorate still exists). It may have been filled by the time you see the recruiter, or maybe there was someone more suitable. Treat the recruiter like an employer. If they're impressed they are more likely to push you to a client.

Hope you find a position soon.

Pengggwn · 10/04/2018 07:22

Bekabeech

Like I say, my clients wouldn't meet anyone who had not been screened in person by my organisation. Some clients wanted them interviewed specifically for that job. Different strokes, different folks.

FleurDelacoeur · 10/04/2018 07:23

It's been a while since I used recruitment agencies but I used to temp a lot, through at least three agencies. I never went in to the agency in connection with one specific role - they'd meet you, suss you out and then put you forward for something they think is suitable.

Of course they want to meet you OP - they will have put a lot of work into their relationships with their clients and are not going to jeopardise that by sending them candidates who they haven't met. Meeting you is about checking you out, seeing how you present yourself, talking through your CV, making sure you are who you say you are. It's like a first stage interview.