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Hi All,
It looks like I am going to have to put my hands in a recruitment agent again (UK South West). More pointless filling in of forms... any recommendations as who to avoid based on last times experience Reed seemed to be the one to avoid...
Glenn
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I'd avoid them just based on the gawd-awfull TV ads.
"You should be a frogman because you like frogs" Oh dear, oh dear... 
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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the worst bit is that it is the way they assign vacancies
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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Bergholt Stuttley Johnson wrote: that it is the way they all agencies assign vacancies
FTFY!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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I had that opinion before the TV ads. I had an interview with them "Oh yes, well get back to you..." didn't and when I question it "oh you had person X, he doesn't work for us anymore, if you would like to interview with us again..." 
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OriginalGriff wrote: Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
Those who fail to type "history" are doomed to google for it.
Life is too shor
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A Management Consultant friend of mine advised me some years ago, "before you put yourself in the hands of a recruitment agency, you need to interview them to make sure they are going to work properly for you.". Sage advice, and I found only one agency out of 5 or 6 who came anywhere near. Unfortunately, although they passed the interview, they were not really in the IT field all that much. The others that I still tried to use to find a job, were singularly and collectively useless, and in one case downright dishonest.
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Quote: and in one case downright dishonest.
Allow me to guess rewriting your bits of your CV to fit the job? Happened to me! 
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I can go one better, not only did they rewrite my CV (adding bits no less) but actually added spelling mistakes
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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 I don't doubt it, however spelling mistakes are hard to do in this age with Word...
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This is recruitment agencies we are discussing - not savvy computer users
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glennPattonWork wrote: Allow me to guess rewriting your bits of your CV to fit the job?
Actually, re-writing the bits on your CV to fit job is fundamental to getting said job. I don't advocate lying on your CV, but accentuating your strong points that fit the job description is basic to getting an interview.
You do want to get an interview, don't you? 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Yeah.., but saying I have some experience of the use of 'Clunk' series FPGA's in interfacing is a lot different to them claiming I have five years of high speed video processing using them...
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glennPattonWork wrote: saying I have some experience of the use of 'Clunk' series FPGA's in interfacing is a lot different to them claiming I have five years of high speed video processing using them
Don't embellish your experience, just state it.
If the agency wants you to embellish your experience, walk away. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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The problem was I said what I had done and the pointy headed agent added the 5 years of video FPGA's to get me the interview... do I see they were getting paid by the number interviewed by them...
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glennPattonWork wrote: The problem was I said what I had done and the pointy headed agent added the 5 years of video FPGA's to get me the interview
That is a tough one. If you have the time and can convince the interviewer you have enough experience to do the job, without lying (if they question 5 years say it was a typo at the agency), then take the job and study hard until you can fill the position.
What is the down side? You walk away and not get the job.
Then again you can take the high road and refuse the interview. Then you walk away and not get the job.
I know it is a moral dilemma, but you were not being deceitful, and as long as you don't become complicit you can honestly say that you can do the job.
I know it is a grey area and if you are not comfortable going on the interview then don't. Otherwise, take a walk on the wild side. 
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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In this particular case no, although it has happened in the past. The agent (silly schoolgirl does not come near to decsribing her behaviour), promised me an interview before the end of the week, and spent the next few days finding excuses as to why it was not going to happen unless I filled in their stupid form (they already had my detailed CV). In the end I just wrote back and told her to stop lying to me, and oddly enough, never heard from her again. 
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My view is do all the smarmy gits want, don't argue. Do nothing that will single you out as an trouble maker.
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glennPattonWork wrote: My view is do all the smarmy gits want, don't argue.
They work for you and don't ever let them forget that.
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Fortunately I was not that desperate for a job.
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glennPattonWork wrote: It looks like I am going to have to put my hands in a recruitment agent again ... More pointless filling in of forms
Don't fill out forms with an agency, period.
Ask if they have an active client that needs your skills. If they want you to fill out forms walk away.
If they have an active client looking for your skills have them arrange an interview. If they can't arrange an interview walk away.
I have usually met with an agency staff member about 30 minutes before an interview just to say hello and get briefed on what is expected. The agency has already sent to me a synopses of the job requirements before I agree to go to an interview. If they won't, walk away.
They work for you and don't ever let them forget that.
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.
I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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I have only ever used a recruitment agency once, and only dealt with one person at it (who I both liked and trusted), and that was to recruit people, not to find a job for myself, although I have spoken to him a few times since about looking for work for myself it has only been to have a chat and a bit of advice rather than engaging him professionally.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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glennPattonWork wrote: It looks like I am going to have to put my hands in a recruitment agent again
Isn't that the other way around? They put their hands up your ass?
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Sorry typo, a little supprised by the meeting we just had
<<edit>> Quote: They put their hands up your ass?
Feels like it at times...<>
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I thought that people registered with any/all operating in their area / technology . And then on top of that respond to alert emails from sites like job serve ? I didnt think that anyone put themselves in the hands of just one agency any more ?
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