Recruitment Agents: They’re not all bad

Recruitment Agents do get a bad press.

Like other candidates who have ever felt let down, disappointed, annoyed, ignored, lied to etc by an agent I have some measure of sympathy as we all need a level of help, honesty and professionalism. The current job market is swamped with candidates wanting a job or job change and it is the Recruitment Agents skills and judgment (selling ability) which we should be able to draw upon in our ‘season of need’.

But not all criticsm is fair.

Some aggrieved individuals have even got into naming and shaming and posting online the names of the Agencies they would advise you and I to steer well clear of… Not sure that helps much.

Of course some of the larger Recruitment companies deal with the very large clients and there is a tendency for them to number crunch in order to get their ‘candidate’ statistics up to please their bosses, who seemingly only care how many interviews are happening and how many placements their staff are succeeding in.

I suspect that smaller companies will be well aware of the pitfalls and will (and should) be offering their candidates a better and more tailored service, by actually responding to emails, phone calls and listening to your actual needs. And acting on them. In this scenario we are also more likely to get proper advice and feedback from any interview.

Over the last few years I have met and spoken to a number of different consultants/ agents, and yes, I’ve been sold the dream, lied to,  left in limbo and ignored but I’ve also benefited from some of their wisdom and advice.

None of this is recruitment business is rocket science, all it needs is a bit of common sense, courtesy and good Communication! That is one of my biggest concerns.

It’s unfair to tarnish all Consultants in the same way as there will always be bad people in every industry (and that includes both Agents and candidates,). We, the job searcher still have to play our part too and be consistent and honest in our job searching. Bad experiences should not forgotten but learned from…

There are also some very good agencies around, who will give of their time, and take great pleasure in matching good applicants to good companies. Hopefully you and I will find the service and then the role we’ve been waiting for…

Frustrating it is at times, but we mustn’t give up!

Gonna get through

Gonna get through,
What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?
I’m gonna get through, right? (The Pet Shop Boys)

It was nearly midnight and I had just put down the book ‘God On Mute’ by Pete Greig. I’ll probably pick it up again soon, and read a chunk more. I know it’s about unanswered prayer, and it comes highly recommended, but I’m only a few pages into it. Maybe the book will give some insights into prayer, help give some understanding to these times of struggles and trials.

The book couldn’t come at a more appropriate time, it was hand delivered by John last night, and he has more than an inkling that the last few days have been some of the hardest for the WorkHope family for a long time. I think getting a rejection from the V&A Museum and hearing that another job i’d applied for is on hold were blows that sent me reeling. Needless to say, in time, I will bounce back, get looking again, but the jobs are few and far between at the moment, and there is incredible competition for roles.

Right now however, I feel I need some answers, Mrs W needs some answers too as we don’t seem to be getting anywhere with this job search lark. To be honest, it’s getting to us both now. seventeen months and counting.

Over the weekend my wife let out how she was doing, and summarised how both us us were faring by saying “I don’t like living like this anymore’ – which if nothing else was very honest of her. Not easy to hear, but honest nevertheless. I don’t have any answers other that to press on.

We pray regularly, and so do our boys, sometimes with real fervour, and others we know must be running our of words and ideas by now as to what to pray. Their prayers are heartfelt, genuine and we know many are standing with us in this and are waiting for some Good News of prayers answered…Some are giving to us in practical ways including financially, which is wonderful. Others are struggling too, and every week, more or less I am hearing of other friends facing redundancy or fearful of losing their income. No one it seems is immune.

God has something up his sleeve for me, job wise, but boy, he must have very long arms. From where I stand (er sit) I see nothing at the moment.

Sometimes I feel life is unfair, but there again who said it wouldn’t be? It didn’t stop me from having a bit of a rant yesterday not at anyone in particular, and not in earshot of anyone in particular either! No harm done. Him upstairs knows of my frustration, and the fact I’m not going to give up either. I am now a student, majoring in perseverance, patience and trusting God. Maybe he has gone temporarily mute, but one day when I graduate to another job, I’ll be able to look back on this time and –  well, laugh, I guess.

Meanwhile, maybe just a quick peek up that sleeve?