Comments on: Recruitment Companies – what’s the point? http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:12:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Victoria http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1865 Victoria Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:42:52 +0000 http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1865 Im amazed that the people who rang you had enough information about your company and your need, in a short telephone conversation. Thats the problem with high street recruiters, most of them employ young kids to bang out CVs that tick a few of your boxes. I suppose if you want to pay peanuts...... Im amazed that the people who rang you had enough information about your company and your need, in a short telephone conversation. Thats the problem with high street recruiters, most of them employ young kids to bang out CVs that tick a few of your boxes. I suppose if you want to pay peanuts……

]]> By: Gary http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1864 Gary Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:40:39 +0000 http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1864 I pretty much agree. I have been on both sides of the fence and find that most recruiters are pants! Both for the client and candidate. I also get tired of the idea that working for a bluechip or having an mcse means that they can do the job. Anyway, enough of that. I got work to do. I pretty much agree. I have been on both sides of the fence and find that most recruiters are pants! Both for the client and candidate. I also get tired of the idea that working for a bluechip or having an mcse means that they can do the job.

Anyway, enough of that. I got work to do.

]]> By: Phil http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1863 Phil Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:39:44 +0000 http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1863 Interesting post, Sounds like recruitment simply isn't important enough for you to find a solution otherwise you would have, oh and a winge which is exactly what you said it was - made an interesting read though. Interesting post, Sounds like recruitment simply isn’t important enough for you to find a solution otherwise you would have, oh and a winge which is exactly what you said it was – made an interesting read though.

]]> By: David Hurst http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1862 David Hurst Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:35:12 +0000 http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1862 Thanks for taking the time to post Lee. I understand completely that there are genuine business people and cowboys in every market sector. Unfortunately for you, my patience has been exhausted and I shall never use a recruitment company. My industry is much the same, with at least 95% of so-called "web designers" being completely useless rip-off merchants, and I have come across many companies whose patience has been similarly tried that give up with the web altogether. Thanks for taking the time to post Lee. I understand completely that there are genuine business people and cowboys in every market sector. Unfortunately for you, my patience has been exhausted and I shall never use a recruitment company.

My industry is much the same, with at least 95% of so-called “web designers” being completely useless rip-off merchants, and I have come across many companies whose patience has been similarly tried that give up with the web altogether.

]]> By: Lee Stevens http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1861 Lee Stevens Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:23:08 +0000 http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/2009/01/09/recruitment-companies-whats-the-point/#comment-1861 Hi David, This is a subject that is obviously close to your heart as you have taken the time to write so much about it! I felt compelled to write a response, as I actually agree with about 90% of what you say, even though I own my own IT resourcing company (Mainly .NET specialist, but do some PHP) as the bad practices of others are seriously making things tough for us in the current market. The problem we have in our industry is that there are probably 90 cowboys out there for every 10 good consultants out there. Invariably, this means that we all get tarred with the same brush. Because there is little regulation and no way of assessing the level of competence easily. I despise some of the methods that companies use and this makes it extremely frustrating for the good ones out there as it is so difficult to show you are different. Although we are only a small company, I have always ensured that we learn the technology first and recruitment process second. For example, my latest recruit although only been with us for 2 months can already tell you that the relationships with different technologies. (E.g ASP.NET Applications normally uses SQL Server, Java - Oracle, PHP - My SQL, etc etc.). I have also taught him that if you are a good Web Developer, why would you not put URL's on your CV to show off your work.? (Sounds obvious, but you will be surprised that its the minority that do this!) The other thing i like to think separates us is our market awareness. I have Alerts set up for SharePoint, PHP, .NET, C# etc on Google that tells me exactly what developments are in each technology. I also have one set up for "IT Recruitment" so know who is saying what in the Blogosphere, hence seeing your blog. I'd gladly let you spend a day with us to give you and indication of what we do. I am sure this would open your eyes a bit and make you a bit more appreciative of what the "good guys" do and the crap we have to put up with from applicants and candidates alike! The alternative to not using an agency is doing it yourself and posting an ad on job site x, which if you have done you will realize is actually pointless at times and will invariably be bombarded with CV's of unsuitable and non english speaking foreign candidates. As you said, you are a busy man and the time it takes you do to this is costing you money. In terms of what the actual fee should be, unlike most companies, we actually ask our clients what they would be prepared to pay, then try to find a happy medium. We want our clients to feel they are getting a good service and value for money. I would truly value your thoughts and suggestions as to how we can improve and dare I say it maybe even work with you! We are always looking to be innovative in our methods and pricing, so would be glad to discover what clients want. Thanks for reading my thoughts. Lee Stevens Managing Director Aardvark Resourcing Hi David,

This is a subject that is obviously close to your heart as you have taken the time to write so much about it!

I felt compelled to write a response, as I actually agree with about 90% of what you say, even though I own my own IT resourcing company (Mainly .NET specialist, but do some PHP) as the bad practices of others are seriously making things tough for us in the current market.

The problem we have in our industry is that there are probably 90 cowboys out there for every 10 good consultants out there. Invariably, this means that we all get tarred with the same brush. Because there is little regulation and no way of assessing the level of competence easily.

I despise some of the methods that companies use and this makes it extremely frustrating for the good ones out there as it is so difficult to show you are different.

Although we are only a small company, I have always ensured that we learn the technology first and recruitment process second. For example, my latest recruit although only been with us for 2 months can already tell you that the relationships with different technologies. (E.g ASP.NET Applications normally uses SQL Server, Java – Oracle, PHP – My SQL, etc etc.). I have also taught him that if you are a good Web Developer, why would you not put URL’s on your CV to show off your work.? (Sounds obvious, but you will be surprised that its the minority that do this!)

The other thing i like to think separates us is our market awareness. I have Alerts set up for SharePoint, PHP, .NET, C# etc on Google that tells me exactly what developments are in each technology. I also have one set up for “IT Recruitment” so know who is saying what in the Blogosphere, hence seeing your blog.

I’d gladly let you spend a day with us to give you and indication of what we do. I am sure this would open your eyes a bit and make you a bit more appreciative of what the “good guys” do and the crap we have to put up with from applicants and candidates alike!

The alternative to not using an agency is doing it yourself and posting an ad on job site x, which if you have done you will realize is actually pointless at times and will invariably be bombarded with CV’s of unsuitable and non english speaking foreign candidates. As you said, you are a busy man and the time it takes you do to this is costing you money.

In terms of what the actual fee should be, unlike most companies, we actually ask our clients what they would be prepared to pay, then try to find a happy medium. We want our clients to feel they are getting a good service and value for money.

I would truly value your thoughts and suggestions as to how we can improve and dare I say it maybe even work with you! We are always looking to be innovative in our methods and pricing, so would be glad to discover what clients want.

Thanks for reading my thoughts.

Lee Stevens
Managing Director
Aardvark Resourcing

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