noob_saibot
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I was somewhat serious with my question. A lot of people might say "C-hash", possibly even in IT as well.
Luckily, we don't have too many OCaml/BeFunge jobs.
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Why I stopped sending CVs to recruiters.
- Thread starter Captain_Amazing
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I was somewhat serious with my question. A lot of people might say "C-hash", possibly even in IT as well.
Luckily, we don't have too many OCaml/BeFunge jobs.
rrh
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Another 'thing' about agencies: they can't be bothered to return a 'phone call.
I prefer to call before wasting an hour or two customising a CV.
If (by some stroke of luck) I get through to a recruiter it is always a colleague that is the only person who can answer the questions that I asked. And, naturally, he / she is not in.
Or, if you leave a message, your are simply wasting your time.
The mantra is "send your CV". And that's where it ends.
(I was wondering if a "name & shame" campaign would help. I doubt it: one would end up with every recruiter in South Africa)
I prefer to call before wasting an hour or two customising a CV.
If (by some stroke of luck) I get through to a recruiter it is always a colleague that is the only person who can answer the questions that I asked. And, naturally, he / she is not in.
Or, if you leave a message, your are simply wasting your time.
The mantra is "send your CV". And that's where it ends.
(I was wondering if a "name & shame" campaign would help. I doubt it: one would end up with every recruiter in South Africa)
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
Mike Hoxbig
Honorary Master
They actually have some very knowledgeable people in IT recruitment, who understand exactly what you're saying when you discuss your skills.
The problem I've had with them is that you get very little feedback. They promise to call you back and never do.
Tman*
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IMO the majority of recruitment agencies in SA are the scum of the earth.
There is a very good reason for it. Every 2nd idiot thinks that he/she can start and agency out of their garage, and it pays well (if you make placements). I can place 99% of Financial Advisers and Estate Agents in the same basket as recruitment agencies.
With that said, there are well respected agencies in the market that deliver good service and know what they are doing. If that wasn't the case, there wouldn't be a market and they simply wont exist - as simple as that.
There is a very good reason for it. Every 2nd idiot thinks that he/she can start and agency out of their garage, and it pays well (if you make placements). I can place 99% of Financial Advisers and Estate Agents in the same basket as recruitment agencies.
With that said, there are well respected agencies in the market that deliver good service and know what they are doing. If that wasn't the case, there wouldn't be a market and they simply wont exist - as simple as that.
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
agree with you there, there are some really great agents out there, and some that don't even know what a computer is!
problem is to find them
maybe we should start a section on IT jobs saying who we dealt with that was knowledgeable in the IT industry.
Recruit2network
Member
It's quite interesting to read this thread. Recruitment companies are just like any business. You get the good with the bad. Many times I've been referred to a great coffee shop - only to discover it serves cold coffee and dry muffins. (Though many have said it's the best place they've been to).
gerhardusSteffy
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I have worked with 2 good agencies. Communicate and E-merge. They got me some solid companies for interviews. Especially emerge arranged one at 3fifteen(one of the best in the market for devs). So just a recommendation. But yeah you get bad ones and good ones in the industry. But these guys went out of their way. Even asking if their is companies I really want to go work for.
At my work they used a recruiting company for the paper selection, was a disaster because the people didn't have the first clue as to what they were looking for. After a number of people started sueing and unions got involved, the recuiters were fired and the paper selection went back to be done in-house.
My other experience with recruiters is also generally that they are a bunch of time-wasters and liegbekke.
My other experience with recruiters is also generally that they are a bunch of time-wasters and liegbekke.
jacodebeer
Expert Member
I have this one thing about them that quite upsets me, they always want to meet you to go over the job spec and when I go and it's done I get a email a day later to say they filled the job or something else, so I drove all the way for nothing, just wasting my time!!!
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MyLowBandwidth
Well-Known Member
I agree with OP, but put yourself in the recruiters position:
1. They work mostly off commission
2. They have a really a ****ty job which only pays well if they play the numbers game, like photocopier sales people
3. People treat them like crap - both candidates and companies
4. Despite the above, if they don't perform for their rich bosses, they get canned
Here's a few tips for dealing with recruiters:
1. When they phone you or email you always ask for a job spec for the position they want to put you forward for
2. If you apply for a position off PNET or wherever and you know its going to a recruiter, sell yourself. Explain why you think you are the best candidate for the job. Share your opinion!!! If you think Ubuntu sux, tell it like it is, but back up your opinion with reasons. Don't slate the technology just because its your preference to work with something else.
3. Consider that there are probably 5 other recruitment agencies all vying for to fill the same position. Companies are ruthless, they will play one recruiter against another to fill a post so it becomes a recruitment war zone. Companies don't care as long as they get their bum in a seat.
4. Consider that the commission the recruiter may gets is substantial and you might think that companies would prefer not to pay that 17% comm, but you would be mistaken. It's actually preferred. A lot of the time the contract between companies and recruiters includes a clause that if the employee does not hack it and is dismissed within 3 months, the company pays no comm. The company has nothing to lose if they get a bum employee. Now consider how long it takes the recruiter to get their comm...
Just a few things to think about next time you get that irritating call from a recruiter. I'm fortunate to be in a career that I get loads of calls and emails from recruiters, but considering the above facts, I try to treat every single one of them with utmost respect in all my dealings cos they got a ****tier job than I do.
1. They work mostly off commission
2. They have a really a ****ty job which only pays well if they play the numbers game, like photocopier sales people
3. People treat them like crap - both candidates and companies
4. Despite the above, if they don't perform for their rich bosses, they get canned
Here's a few tips for dealing with recruiters:
1. When they phone you or email you always ask for a job spec for the position they want to put you forward for
2. If you apply for a position off PNET or wherever and you know its going to a recruiter, sell yourself. Explain why you think you are the best candidate for the job. Share your opinion!!! If you think Ubuntu sux, tell it like it is, but back up your opinion with reasons. Don't slate the technology just because its your preference to work with something else.
3. Consider that there are probably 5 other recruitment agencies all vying for to fill the same position. Companies are ruthless, they will play one recruiter against another to fill a post so it becomes a recruitment war zone. Companies don't care as long as they get their bum in a seat.
4. Consider that the commission the recruiter may gets is substantial and you might think that companies would prefer not to pay that 17% comm, but you would be mistaken. It's actually preferred. A lot of the time the contract between companies and recruiters includes a clause that if the employee does not hack it and is dismissed within 3 months, the company pays no comm. The company has nothing to lose if they get a bum employee. Now consider how long it takes the recruiter to get their comm...
Just a few things to think about next time you get that irritating call from a recruiter. I'm fortunate to be in a career that I get loads of calls and emails from recruiters, but considering the above facts, I try to treat every single one of them with utmost respect in all my dealings cos they got a ****tier job than I do.