Posted By colin fraser I have applied for numerous vacancies with agencies and have the relevant qualifications/experience required as per the advertisement. I have had little or no response from these applications, is this the norm from agencies? Do the vacancies actually exist? regards, Colin

Posted By Richard Spencer Colin Work on a ratio of about 100:1 that is 100 applications and one interview. These agents in the main are given a narrow term of reference which they stick to rigidly so as not to infuriate the client (man with bag of money) and sacrifice anyone to maintain that relationship (kissing it were the sun don’t shine). The other option is that they make up a bogus job and use it to fish, the job being the bait. I have a very low opinion of these agents and I would not be at all alarmed at the low success rate. The trick is to have the jobs come to you each day and to just attach the CV, send it away and forget about it. If there interested they will call you. I will be flying to Melbourne on Wednesday (I live in Sydney) for a meeting with a large multinational and this was a result of the ‘send and forget’. Well see what happens maybe nothing but then it a break at some one else’s expense. Stiff upper lip old boy – faint heart never won fair lady, at least that’s what I was always let to believe. Richard MIOSH

Posted By John Lynch Hi colin, Agencies really do exist, however it is a matter of networking etc. It took me approximately 18 months to get a break in the health and safety field, and that was six years ago. You could an agency called Osborne Richardson regents St., London who might be able to help you further. Regards, John Lynch Dip. BSc MIOSH RSP

Posted By Sonia Thomas Hello All, I'm from an agency and I agree with what you are saying as I've also been on the receiving end on the agency side too. However the company that I work for now try to get back personally to all their candidates rather than your usual mail merge. Thank you for applying blah blah etc. Infact the other day I had 186 responses and got back to the candidates personally. No mean feet I can tell you. If you would like to register with a quality committed agency then please send your cv's to sonia.thomas@mcsresource.com and I will get back to you promise!! Kind regards SONIA

Posted By Sonia Thomas Thanks Geoff. I hope I do! One thing i've learn't is to treat people how you would like to be treated too! :) SONIA

Posted By Richard S Pigg Tend to agree with you Peter I only mention my position when it is relevant to the post (ie industry trends, careers advice, etc). At the end of the day this is a careers forum not a cheap way of increasing your market penetration from Rec and training companies. Regards, Richard Pigg

Posted By Richard S Pigg Good points Angus, As an agent I am paid my clients to fill their vacancies. Thus although I attempt to provide an excellent service to both Clients and candidates my priority is to the client. Given the choice of servicing a vacancy and calling a candidate who I am unable to place, I will always choose to service the vacancy. As a Specialist agent I make money off finding people who my clients are struggling to source these will normally be at a reasonably senior level and with certain skills, if they need someone with a NEBOSH Certificate and no experience a small ad in SHP would me far more cost effective. Finally to counter the misconception that Recruiters are lazy leaches, please consider the fact that the entire H&S team with Key People work 11 hour days and most regularly will spend a few hours writing ads during the weekend. From a candidate point of view Agencies are very useful (I have used agencies myself to get Recruitment jobs) and they do give you the opportunity to be considered for hundreds of jobs with one phone call or email but please remember why we are here. Regards, Richard Pigg Key People

Posted By Sonia Thomas Hello John, Firstly, i'd like to say thanks. This is the first time from me to use IOSH discussion and I have found it very useful and most interesting.I have received bad treatment from agencies in the past too and I didn't mean to upset anyone by putting my details looking for more business. I'm sorry for this and it won't happen again. I understand that if people want to contact me then can do so in other ways. I agree that to put out a bogus add on the web is a very silly idea and don't know of it happening - i certainly would not want to sift through every cv unless I had a role, although,I have heard of this happening in some agencies not in the H&S though, more high street I have to say. I think some do use cards in the windows to get pounters in! A bit like travel shops perhaps and it is very unfair to the candidates who are looking for work. Richard you and I are in a very simliar field and I agree with you . I am new to consultancy and people do tend to think of recruiters/consultants as being very lazy. Unfortunately though some are and it's up to the good ones to repair the damage! :)

Posted By Geof Sonia - You used the forum in a proper and correct way responding to a valid point made by a contributor and showing what you do to resolve it and where people can get a better service. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Posted By Raymond Rapp Have to agree that Sonia did not use the forum surruptitiously but in context with the thread. Unlike the other recent saga where it was used arbitrarily for promotional reasons. In fact I was quite impressed with Sonia's responses and may use her myself! Personally I do not mind if agencies use the career forum. Afterall, it is all about getting a job. But they should be obliged to adhere to certain protocols which could be a euphamism for 'good manners', such as responding to those who do submit their CV. Regards Ray