Do you usually go to agencies?

  • Hi all database professionals.

    Want to ask you some questions about agencies and dealing with them. When you are looking for a new job, and agency recruiter calls you to invite to meet him/her at the agency office, did you find it useful? Do they really send you for an interview after a meeting face to face?

    From my experience I can say that this is useless and only wasting of time. If I try to refuse, they say that this is client's requirement and without seeing me first, they won't submit my resume or send to technical interview with the client. But they don't send me anyway. Thankfully, not all agencies like this, and in last few years all the jobs that I have had were without a meeting in an agency.

    How it is in your case? How to diplomatically refuse visiting agency but not to lose good opportunity?

  • First a quick question, where are you based (country)?

    It depends but in my opinion it is more or less a waste of time unless the client is seeking something like special client facing qualities etc.

    😎

  • I've carefully hand-picked a couple of agencies and have found them to be incredibly useful especially since they're usually the first to know about new and appropriate jobs. The really good ones (the ones I've picked) are generally pretty good about protecting good people from crap jobs and oppressive sweat shops that don't actually care abut quality or people.

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

    Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.


    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

  • Why wouldn't you want a face to face? I personally want to see their offices, check out their paperwork, see their non-compete contracts, etc.

    It's also a chance for your broker/handler/whatever to find out how you interview in person. Do you know how to dress, etc. Yes, I go, unless they're out of state. I WANT to go. I need to know who I'm dealing with.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • Depends on what country you are working in.

    I have worked through agencies for the last 18 years, but i am UK based so my experiences might not matter to yourself.

    But generally find a recruiter that you like and trust, and stick with them.

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  • I'm going to say it depends. When first starting to work with one, almost necessary to get a feel for the recruiter and the company. Sometimes this is when you also meet with their other half, the people that go out looking for opportunities that the recruiter you work with presents to you.

    If both halves of the team get the chance to know you, the better chance of finding good fitting positions when you are looking.

    I have found three recruiters so far that I trust and that have taken the time to get to know me, my personality, my skills, my knowledge. This is important. I have been steered away from some opportunities because of this, and I am thankful.

  • Lynn Pettis (7/26/2014)


    I'm going to say it depends. When first starting to work with one, almost necessary to get a feel for the recruiter and the company. Sometimes this is when you also meet with their other half, the people that go out looking for opportunities that the recruiter you work with presents to you.

    If both halves of the team get the chance to know you, the better chance of finding good fitting positions when you are looking.

    I have found three recruiters so far that I trust and that have taken the time to get to know me, my personality, my skills, my knowledge. This is important. I have been steered away from some opportunities because of this, and I am thankful.

    I agree, it really depends. It depends on where you are working, it depends on the local culture and it depends on how much one has to rely on the agency to sell. If the demand is high it becomes questionable, if it's low, it's the equivalent of an precious metal ore. Having said that, ask around, it doesn't cost any but can help avoid the common pitfalls.

    😎

  • Mine have not been all that great here in the Southeast of the US.

    I live in a pretty high-tech area that is on the rise. Technical skill is greatly needed in many fields of work. Databases work is especially high in my area for good SQL or Oracle guys. NoSQL is starting to pick up, but not as much as the top RDBMS's

    Most agencies I have talked to have very little knowledge of IT. This in return, causes them communicate the potential opportunity incorrectly to you and then either oversell or undersell you to the potential client (employer). This causes a lot of issues on both ends from whether you know exactly what you are getting into to knowing if you even have a matching skill-set for the gig.

    Due to this, I think I will personally try to go to all employers directly in the future. But, the idea of an agency is good. If you can find one that knows your position and the opportunities you are seeking, then it can be a really good thing. They have the time to meet you, talk with you and get you in front of the employer versus a traditional means where you can only separate yourself with your resume.

  • The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

  • I find that any 'direct hire' jobs are in the same boat as the agencies with usually not having the technical wherewithal to properly define the position they're trying to fill.

    However, most firms I've worked with prefer the prescreening that agencies do for them. In general, I find the direct hire firms to not offer as much return value (aka: CASH, in pocket) as I can get through agencies.

    To each their own, I suppose. After 10 years I prefer to let them do the heavy lifting while I enjoy lounging around browsing the occasional monster item for myself.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

    This is true, but you could also find the employer through the agency by searching keywords when the agency itself posts the job on the job boards.

  • xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

    This is true, but you could also find the employer through the agency by searching keywords when the agency itself posts the job on the job boards.

    In my experience, agencies do not post the name of companies they are representing when they post positions on their sites or career sites like Monster, Dice, or Career Builder. If they did, people could apply directly instead of going through them costing them their commissions. In fact, they usually don't tell you the company until they have presented you to the company as a potential employee which also means you have agreed to allow them to represent you. Along with this there is a time frame in which you cannot represent yourself to that same company without having to pay some form a financial remuneration if you should be offered a position with that company. The contracts I have signed I believe that has been one year, but of course your milage may vary.

  • Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

    This is true, but you could also find the employer through the agency by searching keywords when the agency itself posts the job on the job boards.

    In my experience, agencies do not post the name of companies they are representing when they post positions on their sites or career sites like Monster, Dice, or Career Builder. If they did, people could apply directly instead of going through them costing them their commissions. In fact, they usually don't tell you the company until they have presented you to the company as a potential employee which also means you have agreed to allow them to represent you. Along with this there is a time frame in which you cannot represent yourself to that same company without having to pay some form a financial remuneration if you should be offered a position with that company. The contracts I have signed I believe that has been one year, but of course your milage may vary.

    That's all true, but it depends on the agencies and the opportunity. Unless it's fresh off the press, most organizations have had the position listed on their website and using agencies to headhunt. I've managed to find good leads from one agencies post on a public website to the direct hire because of the duration it takes to sometimes fill these roles. Other times, subtle hints on the organization, if you know your local area, also lead to it.

    I don't know what agencies you talk with, but for me, I always ask for the company name within the first discussion. This is not to go behind the agency in any way. It's to ensure that the agency as well potential employer knows that I'm not just there for a paycheck, I'm there for a project too. Otherwise, it's the end of the discussion. There is no way that I am wasting time and finding out later who the winning company is.

  • xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

    This is true, but you could also find the employer through the agency by searching keywords when the agency itself posts the job on the job boards.

    In my experience, agencies do not post the name of companies they are representing when they post positions on their sites or career sites like Monster, Dice, or Career Builder. If they did, people could apply directly instead of going through them costing them their commissions. In fact, they usually don't tell you the company until they have presented you to the company as a potential employee which also means you have agreed to allow them to represent you. Along with this there is a time frame in which you cannot represent yourself to that same company without having to pay some form a financial remuneration if you should be offered a position with that company. The contracts I have signed I believe that has been one year, but of course your milage may vary.

    That's all true, but it depends on the agencies and the opportunity. Unless it's fresh off the press, most organizations have had the position listed on their website and using agencies to headhunt. I've managed to find good leads from one agencies post on a public website to the direct hire because of the duration it takes to sometimes fill these roles. Other times, subtle hints on the organization, if you know your local area, also lead to it.

    I don't know what agencies you talk with, but for me, I always ask for the company name within the first discussion. This is not to go behind the agency in any way. It's to ensure that the agency as well potential employer knows that I'm not just there for a paycheck, I'm there for a project too. Otherwise, it's the end of the discussion. There is no way that I am wasting time and finding out later who the winning company is.

    I've developed the same trust with the agencies that work with, as I'm sure that many have. Of course, there are a whole lot of people that can't be trusted with such information and that's why it takes a while to build up such a trust.

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

    Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.


    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

  • xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    xsevensinzx (7/28/2014)


    Lynn Pettis (7/28/2014)


    The problem with going to employers directly is actually knowing what employers are currently looking for talent. You can't always go be job boards or the want ads. Some employers rely specifically on agencies to prescreen potential candidates for positions since there seems to be hundreds of people applying for limited openings.

    In addition, having talked with recruiters, they are constantly talking with client firms looking to determine if they may be getting ready to fill potential opens to give them time to start looking for potential recruits, or to give people they work with a heads up about new openings if their current positions are winding down. The good recruiters will even touch base with even when you aren't currently active to see how things are going for you.

    This is true, but you could also find the employer through the agency by searching keywords when the agency itself posts the job on the job boards.

    In my experience, agencies do not post the name of companies they are representing when they post positions on their sites or career sites like Monster, Dice, or Career Builder. If they did, people could apply directly instead of going through them costing them their commissions. In fact, they usually don't tell you the company until they have presented you to the company as a potential employee which also means you have agreed to allow them to represent you. Along with this there is a time frame in which you cannot represent yourself to that same company without having to pay some form a financial remuneration if you should be offered a position with that company. The contracts I have signed I believe that has been one year, but of course your milage may vary.

    That's all true, but it depends on the agencies and the opportunity. Unless it's fresh off the press, most organizations have had the position listed on their website and using agencies to headhunt. I've managed to find good leads from one agencies post on a public website to the direct hire because of the duration it takes to sometimes fill these roles. Other times, subtle hints on the organization, if you know your local area, also lead to it.

    I don't know what agencies you talk with, but for me, I always ask for the company name within the first discussion. This is not to go behind the agency in any way. It's to ensure that the agency as well potential employer knows that I'm not just there for a paycheck, I'm there for a project too. Otherwise, it's the end of the discussion. There is no way that I am wasting time and finding out later who the winning company is.

    The agencies I have worked with do tell me the company, but they also know I won't go behind their backs and apply directly. This is due to trust built over months and sometimes years.

    A few I have worked with wouldn't disclose to me the company name until I had signed an agreement with them. I don't work with those agencies any more, not because of the companies they sent me to for interviews but because of their own practices.

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