There exists a pervasive, disturbing, ever-present and developing trend in the employment market...
Recrutiment Agencies are becoming the sole hosts for vacancies across the board - SME's and Multi-nationals alike are being sucked in by the sales pitches of a plethora of commission-hungry operatives, all of whom 'guarantee' to the employer that they can fill the vacancies with the 'right' person.
"What's wrong with that?", I hear you say.
Having been involved in the Welfare-to-Work arena (a vehicle for government-funded initiatives that are intended to reduce unemployment) for almost fifteen years, I'll tell you...
The standard response to the majority of applicants who register with recruitment agencies is -
"Thank you for your application, which will be held on file whilst we source an appropriate position for you".
The second most used response is -
"Thank you for your application, but unfortunately we have received others that more closely match the requirements of our employer".
Now, I don't know about you, but if I had applied for an advertised position, precisely matching my education, skills and experience to the specification, I'd have been mortified to receive the second response!
Unfortunately for me, I have had this rebuttal countless times TO-DATE!!!
Why is this happening? The correct answer is that agencies are using electronic keywords to filter the applications that they receive - this means that they don't ever actually read your meticulously scribed CV, unless the computer says they should!
As an experienced Recruiter myself, I understand the need for filtering and selection. I practised this many times whilst engaging the various teams under my auspices. The difference is - I used my eyes! Unless the computer sees the exact keyword phrases, in the correct order, the willing worker has NO CHANCE of EVER being interviewed!!! Even the most tailored of CV's couldn't possibly cover every aspect.
In an environment where the only legislation governing recruitment applies to the 'isms' of a politically-corrected society, recruitment agencies are playing gods over the future employment of a workforce who would like to be employed in order to pay the taxes that allow governments to initiate and enforce legislation!!!
It's about time that legislation was effected that forced ALL recruiters, whether direct-company hosted or agency, to actually GUARANTEE an interview with the EMPLOYER if a reasonable application has been made.
"Reasonable" - if you've performed the duties previously, are trained in the role, qualified, experienced, have transferrable skills, and WANT THE JOB - that's REASONABLE - isn't it?
I await further response from the latest "god" of recruitment, who has received a somewhat emotive reply to their most recent declination...
I'll keep your interest on file... and come back to you when I have a response...
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