What makes a good recruitment consultant? (Blog)

UKFF Mod · 06-08-2009, 08:50 AM

When working as a contractor, it's inevitable that you'll speak to a number of recruitment consultants. The better ones will find you more work faster, so it's to your advantage to find these consultants and stick with them - but how do you know who they are?

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Malvolio · 06-08-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLSM Mod

When working as a contractor, it's inevitable that you'll speak to a number of recruitment consultants. The better ones will find you more work faster, so it's to your advantage to find these consultants and stick with them - but how do you know who they are?

More...

If you have any comments to make about this blog post feel free to start the debate below!

Have to say this article is about two years out of date. The question it poses is now largely irrelevant.

In the last three weeks I've spoken to two recruitment "consultants" out of probably 100 phone calls. It's apparent that 90% of them work about thirty feet away from their desks or are in constant meetings. The other 10% don't take any notice of Voicemails...

And of the two I have spoken to, that was it - no follow up, no feedback, zip.

When the industry as a whole starts delivering a service rather than acting as commodity brokers, then I'll take notice of articles like this one.

HTH.

dodgy_Dave · 06-08-2009, 11:03 AM

As an agent myself, the whole meeting thing annoys me too Malvolio. I hear people asking others to give that excuse for their unavailability all the time, and it gets cringeworthy.

It's almost like they don't want to speak to contractors! If so, they're in the wrong game I'm afraid.

Malvolio · 06-08-2009, 11:06 AM

Actually what really annoys me is that I'm a senior PM/Interim. I'm likely to be hiring more staff, or at least having a major say in what staff are needed. While I don't have a blacklist for finding work - I'll use whoever has the role - I most certainly do have one for who I'll work with...

Pistachio · 06-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Did the two you speak to call you 'mate' Mal?

Malvolio · 06-08-2009, 01:57 PM

If you're trying to make a point, it's a very obscure one.

Or have you been talking to Bel? And where is Bel, by the way?

Pistachio · 07-08-2009, 10:31 AM

Do you not get called 'mate' by every single agent out there? Even within just ten seconds of speaking to them for the first time?

And no idea about Bel, I've seen her lurking.

Malvolio · 07-08-2009, 11:18 AM

OK, in that case no (apart from two I know personally anyway). Perhaps I frighten people... or something....