Reply to: Something new for contractors...

[Agent]

That's not been my experience.

Client puts together JD, sends to agent. Agent pastes to jobserve. Does a keyword match, quick phone call, Agee's interview time, pays invoices every month.

Don't get me wrong, i am not saying they dont play a role. I see them as being beneficial to the client and they do guarantee quick payment for us. I just have not personally seen any value add above that....which is what makes the OPs original Q so tricky to answer.

One of the most ill informed comments I've read in these forums (and there's been a few).

I can 100% guarantee that you don't work for an agency, never have, don't know any agents personally or even have a remote understanding of what a recruiters job is.

If you honestly believe that your description above is anywhere close to reality then you're a fool and should do some homework before making such ignorant comments hahaha

[eek]

It's a fine idea with one key problem - no-one gives a toss about the agent or the agency.
The ONLY things they care about is:
- Has this agent got a job for me.
- Will I get paid. (you only find out this out too late)

The suggestion you will turn down an agent approaching with a fat contract because of negative reviews is laughable.

The only situation that would occur where the idea could serve a purpose is if the contractor had multiple options with different agents - but even then the agent that isn't likely to be the important factor

[lukemg]

Thanks for the responses so far.

As mentioned in the post I was not looking for a critique of the idea or am I trying to focus on the negative... To go back to my previous question, what do you think makes a recruitment company great, little things they have done that have made your life easier, small services that make a huge difference and/or anything positive that has made you feel more comfortable in working with them.

I dont want the name of companies I just want you guys to give me some positives

if you think this is a terrible idea let me worry about wasting my own time (it is my time after all )

Keith.

It's a fine idea with one key problem - no-one gives a toss about the agent or the agency.
The ONLY things they care about is:
- Has this agent got a job for me.
- Will I get paid. (you only find out this out too late)

The suggestion you will turn down an agent approaching with a fat contract because of negative reviews is laughable.

[youngguy]

Just go and do it and see what replies you get. You sound a bit rapey, refusing to take no for an answer.

Best comment ever

[Cirrus]

Put me down for **** for all of them.

But surely working through an agency is no different to working through an umbrella company and they are reviewed are they not?

As we've tried to point out they are entirely different. The umbrella works for you. You work for the agency.

If you're bored you could try a Trip Advisor for the railway companies that operate out of my local railway station. The fact of the matter is people have to choose a service based on price, destination and time of the day. Other things are relatively immaterial. Same with flying on holiday. Sometimes you can choose things eg hotels. Many times it's take-it-or-leave-it.

So why would you bother going on a rating site?

In my long experience you virtually never have an option of which agency to use for any given job. On the rare occasion you do, I suggest you are more driven by the likelihood of being put forward rather than whether you like the agency or not.

By the way, they all seem almost identical to me.

[VillageContractor]

How do sites like trip advisor get away from the libel issue?

[LondonManc]

Jesus, it's the people who said "I'm out" at the start that are keeping this thread alive - just stop replying if you have nothing to add

But we do because he does and now you do.

[pr1]

Jesus, it's the people who said "I'm out" at the start that are keeping this thread alive - just stop replying if you have nothing to add

[SueEllen]

The models are different but Umbrellas are reviewed and agencies (at the moment) are not. if this a place did exist where agencies were rated (pretend there is not libel issues) and you saw that you were about to take a contract with an agency that was terrible would you be put off? Or would the role be enough to win you over even though they're terrible? Or is there something else they could do to win your trust?

In the same agency I've dealt with idiots, incompetent fools and capable people.

So any rating about an agency particularly a large one I would take with a pince of salt.

[northernladuk]

Always considered it rather a shame that we cannot rate threads on the Professional forums

Definitely an argument for moving to General there.

[MrMarkyMark]

You are getting seriously annoying now... Have you read the criteria for the ratings on AUAE website? I bet you haven't......

Always considered it rather a shame that we cannot rate threads on the Professional forums

[northernladuk]

The models are different but Umbrellas are reviewed and agencies (at the moment) are not. if this a place did exist where agencies were rated (pretend there is not libel issues) and you saw that you were about to take a contract with an agency that was terrible would you be put off? Or would the role be enough to win you over even though they're terrible? Or is there something else they could do to win your trust?

You are getting seriously annoying now... Have you read the criteria for the ratings on AUAE website? I bet you haven't......

[northernladuk]

The models are different but Umbrellas are reviewed and agencies (at the moment) are not. if this a place did exist where agencies were rated (pretend there is not libel issues) and you saw that you were about to take a contract with an agency that was terrible would you be put off? Or would the role be enough to win you over even though they're terrible? Or is there something else they could do to win your trust?

What would you do?

Are you even a contractor?

[LondonManc]

The models are different but Umbrellas are reviewed and agencies (at the moment) are not. if this a place did exist where agencies were rated (pretend there is not libel issues) and you saw that you were about to take a contract with an agency that was terrible would you be put off? Or would the role be enough to win you over even though they're terrible? Or is there something else they could do to win your trust?

Just go and do it and see what replies you get. You sound a bit rapey, refusing to take no for an answer.

[PortSalutBoss]

The fact you are employed by an umbrella but contracted to an agent makes them so different you can't compare. The whole model is different so different expectations, commitments etc. I'm pretty staggered by your comments. If you can't understand two fundamentally different things how can you hope to succeed??

The models are different but Umbrellas are reviewed and agencies (at the moment) are not. if this a place did exist where agencies were rated (pretend there is not libel issues) and you saw that you were about to take a contract with an agency that was terrible would you be put off? Or would the role be enough to win you over even though they're terrible? Or is there something else they could do to win your trust?