Recruitment agencies - radio silence following interviews

[JimJamJolly]

Does anyone have much experience of recruitment agencies?

I've only ever applied for jobs directly with companies before, so am after a bit of advice about how recruitment agencies work.

I've recently applied for 2 jobs that are advertised via recruitment agencies.

Job 1 - initially told by recruiter I'd be getting an interview. Heard no more, so chased to be then told that I'm on the reserve list for getting an interview and the recruiter promised to keep me informed. Heard no more, so assuming that my application is not progressing any further. Fair enough, but would have been nice to get a quick email or am I expecting too much?!

Job 2 - successful 1st interview. Had a task to complete and submit which I did, then was invited to 2nd interview. Very good experience of contact with recruiter up to this stage. Was told at the end of the 2nd interview that they'd make a decision that evening and that I'd hear from the recruitment agency the following day. It's now been 3 working days since then, so I'm assuming I've been unsuccessful. Fair enough, however it would be nice to have it confirmed rather than it hanging over me. I've phoned the recruiter a couple of times today and left a voicemail requesting feedback by phone call or email, and not heard anything. Is this usual?

My DH says that recruiters have no interest in keeping in touch with unsuccessful applicants as there's no money in it for them!

Is it usual for recruitment agencies to go silent and not to bother (even by email) with telling you that you're unsuccessful?

I've used agencies on both sides of the job hunt and never had this experience. They are usually quite good with calling you giving feedback, good or bad. Very odd! Maybe worth calling them and asking for feedback?

Sorry, just re-read, you have called! Sorry.

Yes. It's fairly unusual to hear if you have been unsuccessful.

Having this today. All-over me like flies round shit last week texted me Friday to let me know they wouldn't find out til Tuesday, nothing today.

Tbh I was so-so about the job and did an awful interview so I wasn't expecting to get through to final stage anyway. Final interview was due to be this week so I'm 99.9% sure I didn't get through.

I guess their efforts are on the next thing that can make them money rude as it is...

It will be their client. My friend runs a recruitment agency and says that getting hr / managers to feed back on candidates is so very difficult these days. Everywhere is about direct attraction these days.

Ultimately you dont pay a recruiter for their service - they are engaged by the employer who doesnt have to pay them unless they officially place the candidate. The whole industry is oversaturated and a bit fucked due to the way it is run on a contingecy basis with very little regulation. Candidates are just the product that the end cliebt doesnt really want to pay for. Lots of clients try and take candidates on by cutting out the recruiter to save on the fee (obviously against terms of engagement but the recruiter has to find out). Its cut throat and recruiters need to achieve pretty high sales targets to keep their jobs - its an industry of kpis.

I got my (senior role) through direct attraction. I thought it was bad news as i got radio silence on the day i was meant to find out. Found out a week later. Who knows maybe i was second choice?!

If the client hasn't fed back to the agency the agency won't want to say that to you as it makes the client look shit. No's generally happen straight away.