Reply to: Recruitment agencies (who do you use?)

[Cliphead]

One niche. Then, when any random agent gets a "web developer with Widget experience" role, they put "widget" into their database, find you, and they ring you up.

Clipper, FoxPro, dbase hasn't been on my CV for years but I still get emails and calls, niche cuts both ways.

[RichardCranium]

How niche do your skills have to be before there's any agencies that specialise in those areas?

An awful lot more niche than "web design and development"!

Let's say you had a degree in Widget Science, had a few roles in web design / development for a Widget manufacturer, an online Widget retailer and the UK's world famous Widget Wangling Company, plus a bunch of LinkedIn contacts in the Widget industry, then you're in a niche and are likely to get interviewed for any webby Widget role that comes up.

There will probably be a few Widget-related agencies, plus the occasional Widget specialist within a handful of IT recruitment agencies. It is the latter you need to find and nurture.


Beside generic IT project management, I have a niche field I have stuck to for ten years where if a project management role comes up, I get called to interview and then get the role. (An exception was the last one where they took nobody for some reason.)

Is there a theme running through your education / hobbies / work experience? Are there any keywords relating to that theme that also appear occasionally on Jobserve? If so, get them prominently on your CV. Voilà! One niche. Then, when any random agent gets a "web developer with Widget experience" role, they put "widget" into their database, find you, and they ring you up.

[Freamon]

How niche do your skills have to be before there's any agencies that specialise in those areas?

I've personally never come across it. Most companies have a couple of agencies on their PSL and use them for anything and everything vaguely IT.

Perhaps there are a few agencies that specialise in finding people with advanced security clearance? Or some advanced PhD type specialisms?

[VectraMan]

I'm wondering which recruitment agencies people use here for contracting?

All of them.

Does anyone else have any recruitment agencies to recommend?

None of them.

[alreadypacked]

Hi all (first post!)

I'm wondering which recruitment agencies people use here for contracting?

I'm specifically looking for good design-focused agencies as I've been contracting for only a few months as I'm a web designer and developer, and am curious to which other agencies you lot use?

Ta all!

Andy

Also some large companies only use a limited number of agents, so if you hear of a role with a company, (if you can't go direct) you will need to find out which agent is handling the role.

[MarillionFan]

What Churchie says

WPS but not WCS.

[andyshan]

As above, whoever gets me next. I don't think I've ever had two contracts through the same agency.

This is a secret; don't tell anyone:
- search on Jobserve for gigs that look like the sort of thing you want to do;
- for each agency that comes up, register with them. Either use their web site or their contact details on Jobserve: Options, Recruiter Directory to get their details.
Once you're bored rigid and stop getting new agency names, you can be sure the relevant agencies have your CV.

That way, you at least know they already have your CV and contact details BEFORE they advertise on Jobserve - you MIGHT get a call before they decide they need to advertise the role.

This works best for niche skills and may not help you, but at least you'll have peace of mind that they know you exist.

We use the ones that are in business. Any and all.

Thank you Richard for your ultimately very helpful reply (and thanks to all the others for the more amusing ones!). I'll take that advice on board for sure!

Thanks again! :-)

[RichardCranium]

Hi all (first post!)

I'm wondering which recruitment agencies people use here for contracting?

As above, whoever gets me next. I don't think I've ever had two contracts through the same agency.

I'm specifically looking for good design-focused agencies as I'm a web designer and developer

This is a secret; don't tell anyone:
- search on Jobserve for gigs that look like the sort of thing you want to do;
- for each agency that comes up, register with them. Either use their web site or their contact details on Jobserve: Options, Recruiter Directory to get their details.
Once you're bored rigid and stop getting new agency names, you can be sure the relevant agencies have your CV.

That way, you at least know they already have your CV and contact details BEFORE they advertise on Jobserve - you MIGHT get a call before they decide they need to advertise the role.

This works best for niche skills and may not help you, but at least you'll have peace of mind that they know you exist.

I'm curious to which other agencies you lot use?

We use the ones that are in business. Any and all.

[Churchill]

You Tart

I'm the Daddy now!

[minestrone]

First one that phones and accepts my rate.

[DodgyAgent]

What Churchie says

You Tart

[TykeMerc]

All of them. The first to get me a contract wins.

Indeed, same here.

The concept of "signing up to one or a couple of agencies" is ludicrous.

Over the years I've probably sent CV's to over a hundred agencies while chasing roles.

[andyshan]

What Churchie says

You use all recruitment agencies? You don't have a few specific ones who cater for your skillset or job position you want?

[Support Monkey]

All of them. The first to get me a contract wins.

spot on, whoever is advertising the job and gets me the contract.

Thats the sort of thing Secretarys do, sign up to Office angels who then find them work at which ever office requires them that week, contracting does not realy work like that

[pacharan]

What Churchie says