Last week I applied for a job that's about 5 miles away from me.

I'd classify it as "barely suitable": I could do it easily, but I only applied out of desperation as the probability of them making an offer is utterly remote, I just don't fit their "ideal candidate" profile in any way.

I just got an email regarding it: they want me to make an 80 mile trip for "preliminary discussions".

If this was a proper interview I'd think about it - it's not though: it's a brief chat with the Recruitment Agency that are handling the position. Any other place would do this over the phone.


At the moment I'm busy trying to formulate a form of words for my reply that expresses my incredulity, but is still polite ...

i would go johnny ,if you want the gig and applied for and now they are wanting to meet with you give it a shot.sounds like they are interested.

It's not like you've got anything better to do

Headhunters [as we call them here in the states] are notorious for asking for every outrageous thing and usually getting it 'cause ya need the job.

They like that face-to-face stuff because they are social animals and they want to be sure you arent a smelly, misbegotten bug-eater before they send you to a client. If they should ever get around to doing so.

They are flesh peddlers of the lowest order allowable by law.

Go. They may find you over-qualified for this job and have your dream position in their back pocket. It s0x0rs but whatcha gon do?

-MF

Flounder - maybe Recruitment Agencies are different where you are, but here they're the scum of the earth (even lower than Lawyers), niceities like getting someone a job and getting the right candidate for their client mean NOTHING as long as they get their fee. Based on past experience, they either see me as a no-hoper for the job to give the candidate they want to place a better chance, or I'll turn up & they'll say something like "We're not going to put you forward for the job, but I wanted to spend 5 minutes asking you a few questions for our records" ... and then never get in touch with me again.

Still, my desire to have even a tiny fraction of a shot at being gainfully employed again is likely to win over my desire not to be f###ed about. I'll carry on bitching about it though ... I did draft an email that made me feel a lot better (but didn't send it):

Dear {duh-leted},

Thank you for your email in connection with the {duh-leted} role at {duh-leted} at {duh-leted}, Cambridge.

However, I read the attached letter with what can only be described as a
sense of increasing incredulity: I must have made a quantum leap into a
parallel universe that is identical in every regard to my native reality,
except for the absence of telephones.

I blame the badgers.

I freely admit that this seems unlikely, however it seems much more
plausible than your request for me to make an 80 mile trip in relation to a
position with an employer less than 5 miles away from me, when a short phone
call would be more appropriate, and is what would be done by 99.9 recurring
% of recruiters under the same circumstances.

Quote: Originally posted by Monsignor Funkibut Headhunters [as we call them here in the states] are notorious for asking for every outrageous thing and usually getting it 'cause ya need the job. They like that face-to-face stuff because they are social animals and they want to be sure you arent a smelly, misbegotten bug-eater before they send you to a client. If they should ever get around to doing so. They are flesh peddlers of the lowest order allowable by law. Go. They may find you over-qualified for this job and have your dream position in their back pocket. It s0x0rs but whatcha gon do? -MF

I thought it must be the same there ...

"Headhunter" has a more specific connotation here: they claim they are in the business of "Executive Search and Selection", but the only real difference is the level of fee they charge.

Regular Employment Agencies charge 30 % of the candidates salary, headhunters charge a lot more: 30% for just sending on your details, another 30% to send you to an interview, and another 30% if the candidate gets the job.

You can see why I'm p!553d - if I get the job they'll trouser something like 38,000 USD, and yet they still want me to do the running about.

Jonny,
What kinda Bull is that?
the job is nearby, but the interview is a 80mi round trip?
I'm with ya there bro. That far away for someone who is looking for work, is ludicris. They need to hold interviews more close to where the workplace is. If not in person, then on a video confrence at least.
I could see it if it were the final interview, and the job was placing you, but not as preliminary dicussions.

What kind of work was this application for?

On the other hand, you could practice at this interview, It gives a much needed rehersal for one you really would, like to get.

At any rate good luck to ya bro!!

recruitment agencies are nothing more than legalized slave pedlers. i've seen so many people come through where i work from a temp agency or a recruitment agency and get screwed over time and time again until the $korporation decides they are no longer needed and fires them before they are eligble for full time employment or benifits.

i spit on those ****-a-roaches

Quote: Originally posted by ZENNZZO ... What kinda Bull is that? the job is nearby, but the interview is a 80mi round trip? ...

That's 80 each way ZENNZ

Quote: Originally posted by Monsignor Funkibut they want to be sure you arent a smelly, misbegotten bug-eater

I'm sorry, but that struck me as hilarious And the worst part is it's true. Jonny, tell em to go eat bugs.

I had a job where I did 90 miles roundtrip... that was everyday! Admittingly, 160 miles roundtrip isn't much fun, but if it's only once, I'd say do it, and just let 'em know this isn't something you're willing to do too often 'cause it's burning gas to get there.

HeadHunters do provide a service... yes some are nothing more than whores pimpin' YOUR skills off, but hey..if it gets you into a job with some halfway decent income, life is good.

I knew an executive temporary agency, with the fat income these guys pulled in, some of 'em only worked three months a year and were STILL livin' large.

I would find a different job no since in driving 160 miles for a job your not excited about.

You could always get a job at Sainsbury's until something better comes along...

That's a nice drive for "I'll think about thinking about it" type stuff. If you're really not interested but a bit curious, you could always tell him that you had another interview in that area a day or so later and would like to reschedule to keep the driving time down

Quote: Originally posted by Krostillian That's a nice drive for "I'll think about thinking about it" type stuff. ...

British roads aren't really like that Krosty ...

I know in the States you just set the cruise control on your Winnebagos & climb in the back to make a sandwich , but here you have to contend with corners, homicidally reckless Frenchmen & Italians driving 18-wheelers, & sheep in the road.

I was being sarcastic about the "Nice drive" I live in the rural south (Tennessee) Believe me, I think I might be related to some of the sheep here abouts!

lol Krusty...

Here's a draft you can send: ahem:

Fxck you and the road you want me to travel, bitch.

Unless there's a large salary involved....

MMMMMMM Those sheep look lonely.

I just me this girl a month of so ago. She is a "Recruiter". She "Recruits" financial personnel. I found out from a friend of hers that she made like $230,000 this year so far.... I had no idea that they got that big of a percent of a persons salary as a finding fee from companies. And all this time I thought she really worked her @$$ off.

Some headhunters can get 50% of your annual salary as a fee for placing you permanently or temping you out.

And the companies that use them know this and like the security of being able to dump personnel willy-nilly.

Da boss: "Beckee the Recruiter Please"
Beckee: "Hi!!!! It's Beckee!!!!"
Da boss: "Mr. English came in today a bit too early and his belt didn't match his shoes. Find me someone more qualified and less expensive for tomorrow morning."
Beckee: "OK!!!!"

And Beckee will run off and do just that ... cause Da boss pays the bills and you dont. Dont matter what you do/dont do.

Then Beckee meets you at the elevator the next morning with "some news!!!" And yes, recruiters tend to speak with four explanation points behind all their sentences.

Still, ya gotta use 'em. They got access to jobs you can't find and can't get w/o them. Just understand - you're meat for someone's grinder - b sure to get yours.

-MF, who is by now finely ground