Mike - its been quite for a long time now but there are signs!! In my current field I have seen 3 (what appear) decent ones in the last couple of weeks - they were senior but in time this should trickle down in to other opportunities. 2 I know are genuine……….

I am beginning to feel the same as Boden31904; only go for the jobs that are direct from genuine companies - even when you follow up with an agency the role is invariably on hold - cv fishing most of the time I guess??

Creates the illusion of jobs and positions to give the sales people some shred of credibilty. Also give then a database of candidates for the rare occasions they actually do get a sniff of a real job.

I am currently looking for work as a practitioner in the North east of England after having recently relocated and despite numerous advertisements on jobs sites none bar one have ever seen more than an interview other than the obligatory "we can help with your CV etc" sales pitch. It does make one wonder

regards

Karl

Maybe IOSH & SHP should start to probe the agencies that they allow to advertise in the magazine to see how rife the problem is?

Kingofdarkness is singing from my hymn sheet.

Last summer must have been a record period for the number of jobs suddenly being "put on hold" or filled "internally??" as soon as I made the follow up phone call.

The recruitment industry is not totally to blame for all that's wrong, but they don't seem to be helping themselves. I am very sceptical about the way in which they operate, often demanding information that they really don't need, such as "who else are you talking to?, so that we don't make approaches on your behalf". Fishing is rife.

The other thing that i have noticed is that these so called jobs never have a closing date, wonder why?

Wouldn't it be nice as member of a professional org to be able to have a data base where you could put your details so when employers go looking for possible candidates they have a first point of reference without paying large amounts of money to agencies. Just a thought, Oh there is but you have to be Chartered First?

Working for a company that has used very good recruitment agencies in the past to recruit professional people, it is sad to say we have also found questionable tactics being used.

A recent example was experienced by one of our Six Sigma Blackbelts. After some discussion with our MD over money, he applied for a position advertised by a recruitment company that is a regular in SHP. The recruitment consultant stated he met all the requirements for the role and was the strongest candidate he had found, requesting if he could forward his CV so it could then be supplied to the company. My colleague sent his CV in good faith and has never heard anything since, which OK is not an issue until he realised the recruitment company has since placed much energy into continually sending our HR department CV's of candidates with Six Sigma experience. Basically his potential replacement!!
Our MD has since let him know he could find a replacement for him and pay much less! A sign of the times sadly.

It is not the first time we have experienced this type of tactic and I do feel certain bogus adverts are placed to try to 'kick start' the market. Recruitment companies can make between 5 - 10K per candidate on the average health and safety management salary as they take a percentage of the basic starting salary. So they have much to gain in gathering a vast selection of strong candidates. 4 years ago my company paid the recruitment company 9k to recruit me.

I have just recruited two laboratory technicians using the local papers and the response was fantastic. Over 30 candidates with a science related degree applied. We found 3 of the candidates with 1st Class Hons in Chemistry - 2 of which worked part time in McDonalds and one worked part time in Subway. All unable to find full time employment - Like I say, a sign of the times.......

After a difficult time at work last summer I made up my mind to seek pastures new. I posted my details on linked-in and a couple of other internet sites. I was soon contacted by employment agencies about various roles. In every single instance interview opportunities were offered. Some I attended, some I didn't fancy the look of. Not once did I experience a situation where there was no genuine role available. I started a new role 3 weeks ago. Maybe in my neck of the woods, the northwest, there isn't a problem, but I don't believe that. Certainly there may be some rogue agencies, but why would they need subterfuge to get your details, why wouldn't they just ask for them?

Can I try and tackle the two myths which are being discussed.

1. There are no real jobs at the moment.

In answer to this point each week I generally receive between two to seven notifications of vacancies from various agencies and I am not even looking for a job! Admittedly I have not been approached by a head hunter in the last eighteen months.

2. That agencies harvest CVs by advertising jobs which do not exist.

In response to this point, they are simply not allowed to under the rules of their own trade bodies and they are audited for this practice. Secondly there is no real point when they may have well over fifty candidates for every position.

Strangely - have recently posted a job vacancy for a cdm-c and only had two replies! In the current climate, was expecting to have a great deal more...

Prior to the Internet being common place I was told by a friend in the know that jobs being advertised in recruitment agencies windows did not exist. About this time my wife was looking for a new role and would ask the agency person about a certain role only to be told "it had just been filled", but of course they would offer you another less attractive role. I suspect this practice still continues with the Internet, emails, etc.

Yes I think there are some real jobs out there and some with Agencies - as shown in this month's SHP.

There is one particular agency that I've been registered with for the past 6 months. In the current SHP they are advertising a post that would be ideal. I telephoned them about it and the response was that candidates had been shortlisted. I enquired why they had not matched my details against the position, they had thought about it but were unable to give any real reply. They agreed to ask the client whwether a late submission could be considered but apparently it was too late.

The same agency also had another vacancy advertised that was suitable. I enquired about it and it appears it was one the agency would not put me forward for a few weeks ago - for a very flimsy reason. The consultant let the client's name slip. He was very surprised to learn that another agency approached me about the same job only last week.

I think certain agencies are becoming unnecessarily selective over submitting candidates and at least one advertises in SHP. Has anybody else had similar experiences?

I agree that some agencies are being "over-selective". Some have little, possibly no, conception of this profession, its criteria etc.

They are frequently confused about terms like NEBOSH and IOSH. I haven't come across one who realises that OSHCR exists - let alone what it means.

Chris,

I'm into my 5th month of looking now. There aren't a lot of jobs about, I don't care what anyone says. There have been 3 H&S ones in my local area since January but I'm down to the last 3 candidates for one of them, fortunately.

Considering your locality I may have a contact for you if you're in the Cardiff area. PM me if you're interested.

William

Interestingly I was also appalled by the standard of some of the applications - you'd think in the current climate more care would be taken over tailoring an application to the actual advert. I know I've done this in the past and it usually results in me at least getting to speak to the client to see if I'm what they are looking for and whether I feel I could work for them

David,

Yes positions may exist but this doesn't mean everyone is able to apply for them. Most jobs are loaded with restrictions e.g MUST be degree qualified, MUST have at least 3 years in the oil and gas industry, MUST have held a similar position, MUST have previously worked in the Middle East, DO NOT APPLY unless you meet these requirements etc etc etc.

It's not quite as easy as you are trying to make out. Most jobs I have applied for I've lost out as I have no manufacturing, oil and gas, or energy experience, I'm ex-military.

A colleague of mine applied for one that said 'Do not apply unless.....', although he didn't meet the criteria, apparently, he wasn't short listed because he couldn't obey a simple command like 'Do not apply unless...'

William

Thank you Williamx for this very helpful tip on seaching for jobs. I think I might even get my CV professionally done to improve my application.

Sorry Heather I did not see your post ref the Steven Asbury piece in SHP.