Question for recruitment consultants

[NewJobProblem]

I work in a fairly closed/specific industry, jobs tend to be recruited through one main industry-specific recruitment agency so there is high competition for vacancies.

Just recently I successfully got a job through this agency, it should have been a dream job but three weeks in it’s awful and I want to walk out. The reasons aside - not the question.

I will need to use the same agency to find another job, so I don’t want to burn the bridge so to speak.

My question for recruitment consultants please, if you had recruited someone into a role and they left it after only a few weeks, how would you take that? Would you still consider them for other roles or see as unreliable? Would you have not got commission if they left so soon and be annoyed about that? Would you expect me to tell you I was leaving as it’s so soon after the recruitment process?

Depends on the claw back clause in the contract
If that has passed I imagine they will be very happy to place you again
I would have a conversation in the first instance with them but just say you are thinking about leaving and see what they say, they won't share any details of their contract with you but you may get an idea if its a month for example.

If you are good and marketable, and it's just a case of a poor fit, I don't think it would stop them recruiting you for another position.
They will probably find a replacement for you, so the clawback will probably not be an issue.

Is it the main agency or the only agency? I'm not a recruitment consultant.

I've walked out from a job I was useless at, and I've stayed in a job I hated (horrible colleague). I know which was the better option.

If it is contingency recruitment, then if you leave before a certain amount of time - with us it’s three months, we provide a free replacement to avoid returning the fee. We don’t have to do that,l after a month; we can just keep it, but the relationship with the client means more obviously so the consultant would have to do the job all over again.

If you were my candidate, I’d have given you a ring after three to four weeks to see how you were getting on. If you were hating it, then I would probably try to come up with a resolution (have you got detailed enough feedback so that you have confidence in your role or whatever - that’s just an example) or is this an insurmountable issue that means you leave and I replace you.

If you’re definitely leaving, I would look at live roles that would suit you (you’re a placeable candidate and my asset) and also line up a shortlist of candidates that, when you resign, I can chat to about the role so that when HR ring me furiously, I can calm them with some good
options who have a clear idea of the job and team environment so no one is blindsided.

The best thing is to communicate with your consultant so they can look at jobs for you and then decide when your notice gets handed in. Before you start looking or after you secure a new role, depending on your preference.

Honesty is the best policy with your agency as it helps them get the right people into the right jobs.

Thanks for the advice, it’s reassuring!

The clawback where I work is 50% up to 6 months so most agents are on top of how things are going as it is onerous on them. I don’t accept replacements. If it hasn’t worked out then it is usually for a reason and I need to rethink the hire and why it went wrong.

I would speak to the agent and let them know how you are feeling.