[GoldHeart]

Anyone else ever signed up to a sh1tty recruitment/agency promising you full time work, only to be lied to ?. I did the full works of induction , had full tour of the place and filled out and signed all the paperwork. They basically have all my information except for my blood group. And all i was sent was 2 pathetic texts for 2 inaeduate shifts which aren't suitable for my situation.

Their messages were so far a part in time frame , it makes me now think it's a horrible zero hour contract with a dead end of no success . And that they either don't want as many employees as they're letting on.

Or they just see us all as a file number with no feelings and expect people to just sit twiddling their thumbs waiting like gormless idiots, or they expect us all to jump..... at the very rare terrible shifts they DO send out which is once every 10 years. And all 1 type of shift , despite the fact they were false adverstising rotating night shift and day shift .



it hasn't got a consistent feel to it ...... i was misled into believing it was flexi immediate work, where i would be working each week and pick and choose the nights i could do .

I signed up before Christmas, and still haven't started work with them. I honestly don't trust them anymore.

I explained at the time the shift work i was interested in..... and the supervisor said it was ok, and was putting me down for that.

It has now been 3 weeks since since the last crappy dumb text, i tried contacting them but they didn't respond. I also tried getting help from a training centre tutor who was basically (long story short) ..... he's the one who pushed me into the direction of this job in the first place , making out he was ' getting me into work'.

He said he'll find out what's happening on my behalf. Well it's now been 1 week and he's totally silent on me and hasn't got back to me either, as he's another one who's full of BS .

And he spends alot of time walking around making it look like he's being productive ...... but he's not doing anything, he's only pretenting to care and pretending to help to make it look like he's doing his job, probably so he can say he's hit certain 'targets' ... he's actually messed me about before regarding employment aswell. Stupid me to fall for it again.



Honestly if this is how they all operate as they treat people like garbage, then i want nothing to do with any of them. I just wish i hadn't have wasted my time with them in the first place. But this is what happens when you're trying to get work, and so called experts trick you and sell you complete BS .

They know people are desperate and are trying their best to get into any type of employment, and they manipulate you for the sake of it. They don't have any empathy for people who are in finacial troubles or who are struggling to get their foot in the door.


I had my doubts but was constantly reassured everything was legit and fine....... Oh what a mess . It's nearly February and i've took part in the most pointless joke of a job contract. I should have been in work in full swing of things in full time employment actually getting somewhere in life ..... I've wasted over a month!.

[Vanessa]

That's awful. Hope you find work soon.
I was with an agency before, but now I have a full time contract and I'm so much happier.

[arista]

[I signed up before Christmas, and still haven't started work with them. I honestly don't trust them anymore.]


Are there any more Job Agencies
as there are better ones,


Could be
they are not getting enough work contracts
As other Agencies are doing a better Job.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by arista

[I signed up before Christmas, and still haven't started work with them. I honestly don't trust them anymore.]


Are there any more Job Agencies
as there are better ones,


Could be
they are not getting enough work contracts
As other Agencies are doing a better Job.

Yeah, I was going to suggest this.

[GoldHeart]

I have just gone back to job hunting ,but I'm at square 1 again. It's like getting to the top of a mountain...after all that time & effort,to then be pushed down to the bottom of the hill .

And I'm in a situation where most employers don't even respond anyway, whether it's AI sifting through...or they just can't be bothered to reply. It's frustrating and makes me feel like I'm yet again wasting my time.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

I have just gone back to job hunting ,but I'm at square 1 again. It's like getting to the top of a mountain...after all that time & effort,to then be pushed down to the bottom of the hill .

And I'm in a situation where most employers don't even respond anyway, whether it's AI sifting through...or they just can't be bothered to reply. It's frustrating and makes me feel like I'm yet again wasting my time.

How does your CV look? Have you had it checked over to see if any areas of it can be improved to help you stand out?

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

How does your CV look? Have you had it checked over to see if any areas of it can be improved to help you stand out?

I've changed it loads, even shortened it to the appropriate 2 page limit ...which is required now as employers won't read anything longer .

Not sure what else I'm meant to do , perhaps these horrible unsympathetic recruitment agencies & tutors want me soliciting the streets like Bonnie Blue .

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

I've changed it loads, even shortened it to the appropriate 2 page limit ...which is required now as employers won't read anything longer .

Not sure what else I'm meant to do , perhaps these horrible unsympathetic recruitment agencies & tutors want me soliciting the streets like Bonnie Blue .

Hmm, if you haven’t had it looked over maybe do. Just in case there’s anything on it which could be tweaked to help you stand out.

Also, defo worth seeing if there’s other agencies out there. Not all are awful.

Maybe also broaden your search for jobs you’re after (if possible - I’m not aware of your circumstances so it may not be possible)? For example, could you work in a garden centre or a cafe?

[AnnieK]

I worked for a Recruitment Agency and we are not all bad. Believe me, if they had work, you would be working. They don't get paid without having people in assignments so they are not going to sit on available shifts and not assign them.

The problem at the moment is generally nervousness in recruitment. All employers know that come April it is going to cist far more to employ staff with the hike in employers NI that is coming. The whole market, regardless of industry is feeling a shift in the speed of recruitment.

Did you sign a Contract when yiu signed with the agency? Are you just registered with 1 agency? I would recommend you sign up with others too to keep your options open.

Employers are getting huge numbers of applicants for each role so you do need to try and get applications in as soon as roles go live if you are applying direct. . ..after someone has read 100 CVs, they do go blind.

I get it's frustrating, I really do but try not to let a bad experience with one agency get you down.

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Hmm, if you haven’t had it looked over maybe do. Just in case there’s anything on it which could be tweaked to help you stand out.

Also, defo worth seeing if there’s other agencies out there. Not all are awful.

Maybe also broaden your search for jobs you’re after (if possible - I’m not aware of your circumstances so it may not be possible)? For example, could you work in a garden centre or a cafe?

It's already been looked at, in fact an advisor herself from the JC told me to make it 2 pages ...which I did . So not sure what else I'm supposed to do.

Job sites are dreadful and no matter what,most recruiters don't respond back.

Funny thing is even when I try those types of jobs ,they either say " not enough experience" , or they just reject. People are even getting rejected from fast food places.

The job market is awful , I thought they'd be more to choose from in the new year . But it's nearly February and it's pathetic .

I've seen a ton of online videos where other people are struggling to find work aswell.

I keep getting pushed into courses as well,and I've had my fair share of that . I just want to get into work.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

It's already been looked at, in fact an advisor herself from the JC told me to make it 2 pages ...which I did . So not sure what else I'm supposed to do.

Job sites are dreadful and no matter what,most recruiters don't respond back.

Funny thing is even when I try those types of jobs ,they either say " not enough experience" , or they just reject. People are even getting rejected from fast food places.

The job market is awful , I thought they'd be more to choose from in the new year . But it's nearly February and it's pathetic .

I've seen a ton of online videos where other people are struggling to find work aswell.

I keep getting pushed into courses as well,and I've had my fair share of that . I just want to get into work.

That’s fine, I just wasn’t sure if you’d had your CV checked over, as it’s always worth having a second set of eyes check it.

With the courses, they’re not a bad thing especially if you’re not working currently. If they’re free (not sure if they are) then maybe worth doing to up skill as gives you more to pop on your CV.

Could you also do some volunteer work (like your local charity shop for example)? It won’t pay but breaks up your day a bit, it’s a bit social and a great thing to have on your CV.

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

I worked for a Recruitment Agency and we are not all bad. Believe me, if they had work, you would be working. They don't get paid without having people in assignments so they are not going to sit on available shifts and not assign them.

The problem at the moment is generally nervousness in recruitment. All employers know that come April it is going to cist far more to employ staff with the hike in employers NI that is coming. The whole market, regardless of industry is feeling a shift in the speed of recruitment.

Did you sign a Contract when yiu signed with the agency? Are you just registered with 1 agency? I would recommend you sign up with others too to keep your options open.

Employers are getting huge numbers of applicants for each role so you do need to try and get applications in as soon as roles go live if you are applying direct. . ..after someone has read 100 CVs, they do go blind.

I get it's frustrating, I really do but try not to let a bad experience with one agency get you down.

Trust me they definitely have shift work availability as it's
a busy establishment, but they are either messing people about or lying. It was supposed to be 4 on 4 off flexibility.


They are one of these companies / recruitment services which say" urgent work " " hiring multiple people" ,so it's very confusing.

I signed a full contract,they have everything from me . I was made to believe I could start straight away. They sent me a copy of all the agreement. They have me in their system & on their payroll. But I've not even started 1 shift.

But the texts they send out have a robotic/ auto feel . And you only reply when you are agreeing to that specific shift.

If they don't have the right shifts,then they shouldn't have misled me into believing they did.

I probably would have lost my belongings anyway,as they don't even have secure places to put stuff . So that was a big turn off . But I was still willing to give them a try but just keep my valuable/ personal belongings ie keys, phone ,money actually on me in a belt & pocket if that makes sense.

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

That’s fine, I just wasn’t sure if you’d had your CV checked over, as it’s always worth having a second set of eyes check it.

With the courses, they’re not a bad thing especially if you’re not working currently. If they’re free (not sure if they are) then maybe worth doing to up skill as gives you more to pop on your CV.

Could you also do some volunteer work (like your local charity shop for example)? It won’t pay but breaks up your day a bit, it’s a bit social and a great thing to have on your CV.

Again I've already been there and done that re: volunteer work, I actually think I did too much ...as people took advantage and thought they had a free slave they could boss about. But unfortunately that's life ,and it sucks .

They assumed they could use me for free 24/7, a few of them didn't even give me a reference either . So yeah ... really been taken for a mug unfortunately.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

Again I've already been there and done that re: volunteer work, I actually think I did too much ...as people took advantage and thought they had a free slave they could boss about. But unfortunately that's life ,and it sucks .

They assumed they could use me for free 24/7, a few of them didn't even give me a reference either . So yeah ... really been taken for a mug unfortunately.

I’m sorry you feel you’ve taken for a mug at some. I’ve done plenty of volunteer stuff and never came across that myself, luckily. Not all are bad, and you can easily walk away if it is and find another.

[Ammi]

…I’m sorry that your experience is feeling quite negative, GH…the right avenues for job hunting isn’t easy …social media and networking is good even if it doesn’t feel very productive, it’s just keeping at these things and I know that’s difficult as well in not feeling despondent…is starting a business of your own and option that you could consider…?…


…I wish you good luck in finding employment, hopefully soon……

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…I’m sorry that your experience is feeling quite negative, GH…the right avenues for job hunting isn’t easy …social media and networking is good even if it doesn’t feel very productive, it’s just keeping at these things and I know that’s difficult as well in not feeling despondent…is starting a business of your own and option that you could consider…?…


…I wish you good luck in finding employment, hopefully soon……

I wouldn't know where to begin to start a business , plus that would be even more competitive.

Thanks Ammi ....I guess I'll just keep applying for jobs.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

I wouldn't know where to begin to start a business , plus that would be even more competitive.

Thanks Ammi ....I guess I'll just keep applying for jobs.

…it’s tough out there, I know…and I’m sure that nothing can be tweaked etc with your CV and applications that you haven’t already done…and it really is the obvious, just keep trying…because that job will be there…and when you do feel despondent, which is inevitable…it isn’t you or any fault with anything that you’re doing, it’s just the job seeking world out there atm…it’s also a good thing to take a step back for a day or two when you feel down about it and take some down time to keep up positivity, I thing that’s the biggest and most difficult thing, in keeping a positive vibe which is an essential thing needed.……

[Alf]

I worked for a recruitment agency about 25 years ago. They underpaid me so I went into their office to claim my money. When they still refused, I turned off all their computers at the mains.

FAFO