** Adam Bower adam@thebowery.co.uk [2007-10-09 18:38]:
On Tue, Oct 09, 2007 at 11:39:42AM +0100, Jonathan McDowell wrote:
I encountered an agency who claimed that their document management system couldn't handle searching PDFs. I refrained from pointing out that an IT recruitment agency should really be able to deal with such a common format and ended up using latex2rtf to convert my CV to something
Aye, "should" is a word I have found I have used lots in relation to agencies. I don't think I've ever found a *good* job as the result of an agency being involved. All my good jobs I have applied for as someone I know has suggested I apply, or that I got the details and applied directly or someone offered me a job without me even asking them for one. All the jobs that have turned out to not be as described at any point along the way have been agencies, same with my worst interviews too, has anyone had any luck with agencies for getting the good jobs?
I still remember one interview, which I think was my first through an agency. When I got there I found the interview was for a completely different job to the one I had been told about. After chatting with the interviewer for a while I was asked whether I thought I could do the job, to which I replied that I didn't know, but would give it a damn good go if they wanted to give it to me - which they did! I guess that was easier since it was a short term contract, but it was extended. I did try to get taken on full time when they decided to take somebody on, but that didn't work out. I think that was for the best though as nobody seemed to work together and there was an expectation that I should somehow know what needed doing with no training or overall view of what was going on in the department. They got what they deserved though as the person that got the job was a total 'jobsworth' with no initiative at all and a major work avoidance attitude - to sum him up, he had heard that 50mph was the most economic speed to drive at, so drove at that speed everywhere - from 30mph limits to motorways!
they could handle. Later it turned out that they had indeed removed my contact details and referees from the copy of the CV handed out to potential employers.
Yeah, I've found they all do that. The worst one was the dodgy ****s who put me forward for a job and managed to magic a few more years experience onto my cv as they were having difficulty in filling the position at the time. I found out about this during the interview when I was asked about said things.
I've generally found with agencies and jobs advertised on job sites that they rarely if ever exist. When I've emailed in copies of my CV I've had no reply, and when I've phoned the person is never there and never returns your phone call. Then, a year or so later they contact you about a job totally unsuited to your qualifications.
All that said, I have met one excellent agency person. He was very clued up, advised on interview technique, gave you as much info on the job as he could and wanted follow up on how the interview went as soon as it was over so he could follow up with the potential employer. He set up on his own in the end, but I lost touch and don't think he is still trading. Never got me a job, but did get me some of my best interviews - i.e. those that matched ones I'd applied for direct in terms of job description and how close I came to getting them. ** end quote [Adam Bower]