Hi guys/girls, So over the past few months I have been on the job hunt and have interviewed with some recruitment agencies down here in Melbourne, Australia. I am really questioning whether these recruitment agencies are really worth my time… I graduated in 2009 with a BBus (Honours) majoring in Economics and Finance at an ‘ok’ university in Melbourne. In addition to this, I am currently a level 1 candidate in the CFA Program (sat the December exam). I worked at a large newspaper company as a researcher, essentially looking at valuation for private companies for a good solid 6 months (on a project basis, more temporary work and I would like something more FT). That being said, I am applying for roles which includes unit pricing analysts, jnr/assistant analysts… So just yesterday I had an interview with one of the larger recruiter in Melbourne, for finance-related jobs. My experience – it was crap. The interview was conducted by two people, let’s call them A and B. So the interview went quite well at the start with A firing out the standard questions (e.g. education, experience, what do I want to do in my career, do I follow the market etc). All was good until B came along and asks me “So, what stocks do you recommend me?” (Is this the norm for interviewers to be asking?) – I was surprised, because I do not normally recommend anyone (including friends, family) my stock picks (I once was asked by a recruitment ‘consultant’ what stocks I have in my personal portfolio, and I told him one of my media stocks and my reasons for that stock to be included in my portfolio – he looked at me like I was one of the biggest dumbass in the planet… funny thing is, a few weeks after the interview some of Australia’s richest people took a large equity stake on that stock. Jokes on him.) Anyways, I tried to dodge that question by saying that I don’t really pick stocks but rather watch the market from the sideline (e.g. macroeconomics variables that drive the market and what the RBA is doing etc). After that it was back to A where he grilled me about my thesis (I did an economic thesis), which I through I handled well. Suddenly, B starts spraying me like I was wasting his time. He was rambling on about how I wasn’t passionate about finance and that to him I seem to be more passionate about economics (well, isn’t finance built on the foundation of economics?). And then he’s telling me that I should be following the market more and know more what’s happening in the Australian market (funny thing is, I do follow the market on a daily basis and I do keep up to date with the Australian market, it’s just he didn’t give me an opportunity to talk about the market rather he just asked “So, what stock do you recommend me?”). Then he asked me how my job hunt has been going and who I have been interviewing with. I told him a few small boutique investment houses and he just made a smear comment that they were all ‘entry level’ positions like I was some worthless piece of shit he scrapped of his shoes… Finally the end of the spraying session and B asked me “Is there any further questions?” So I calmly and casually said “So, what happens from here?” (In which I should’ve told him to go F himself.) He replied that he would code me into their “database” and that I should contact him every 2 weeks to see if there’s any opportunities for me, but in his own words “You’re very likely to get No but keep calling every 2 weeks to check up” (WDF?). Anyways, that’s the end of my rank. In my eyes, B was a class-A wanker. I know this may seem like I’m bitching, but to be honest I am always open to some criticism. This guy wasn’t showing me my faults; he seriously had something against me. Has any experienced similar stories to myself and would like to share? Sorry guys for the long post, just wanted to share my experience…
I’ve never had a good experience with a recruiter, had experience with about 4 of them in my time. They only care about their commission. They only talk to you or reply to emails if you are one of their top candidates for a job opening. If the company showing interest in you suddenly lean towards another person, the recruiter won’t give a damn about you anymore. A strong candidate generally doesn’t need recruiters to get interviews or land jobs. I can see recruiters at the executive level though
You are the dump one. Be real and search for entry level positions. I wouldn’t waste my time with recruiters if were you, and vice versa.
Ok, first off you have to realize several things - Staffing agencies do not HIRE you; companies do - I refuse to ever grant a staffing agency any sort of interview as it is a complete waste of time; demand they forward you a job description and only then will you be agreeable to a discussion over the phone - never tell a staffing agency who you are interviewing with as they are only going to use that data to call upon those employees to pitch their services (i can’t tell you how many times I have gotten emails from staffing companies asking me that very question in their quest to drum up business)
iteracom - Yes I agree. They are essentially just sales people, if not worst. JOE2010 - Mate I think your jumping the gun here. Most of these positions are advertised as “ideal for recent graduates.” On top of that, even if I did ‘test the water’ by applying for non-entry level position, isn’t it the recruitment consultant job to analyse my resume before calling me for an interview? dymnyc - Thanks for your advice. I know that staffing agencies do not offer employment, but they are essentially the a connection to the company.
Yeah, I passionately hate job placement firms. They absolutely suck, they have no advantage either. The few times I’ve worked with them, I’ve beaten them to the punch on every major opportunity via monster.com. They routinely under place you as they simply want the quick sure thing, minimal work. If you lack experience, they will do NOTHING for you, I’ve never seen someone with no experience get placed through a job agency. The most frustrating thing are the placement agents that ask you to interview then try to behave as if they’re well informed industry insiders, maybe they have a CPA, which only makes it worse. The only reason they’re in that unstimulating industry is because they didn’t have what it took in the field to begin with. And yes, Mr. B did sound like a tool.
tdoan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- >On top of that, even if I > did ‘test the water’ by applying for non-entry > level position, isn’t it the recruitment > consultant job to analyse my resume before calling > me for an interview? > In today’s job market, it’s very unlikely to land a job above your qualifications. The opposite is actually happening, with people willing to trade down
Don’t take stuff like this personally. You will meet many @ssholes in finance. If you let them all get to you, you will go crazy.
ha, yeah - that was funny that B was such a d1ck. he probably graduated with a degree in management and this is how he gets back at the world. don’t take either seriously. placement firms will never get you a job you want and if you take one they set you up for they’ll take a chunk of your pay as the finder fee.
I didn’t read that, but here’s the deal: Recruiters get paid by companies, not by you. Therefore, their interest is taking care of the company doing the the hiring, not you. Don’t fight economic gravity, you’ll lose every time.
tdoan, the B guy is a tool. I doubt that was a stress interview as he’s an agent and they’re not known to conduct these kind of interviews. I think you should have said everything that was on your mind, how you were never given a chance to show that you follow the market and that “what kind of stock do you recommend me” is a stupid f%cking question to ask if he wants to test your interest in the markets. My advice to you is to never take any sh^t from interviewers as some are a$$holes that you wouldn’t want to work with and some just try and see how thick your skin is, so always try and stand your ground.
Although the recruiter is a tool, the “what kind of stock do you recommend me” is a question that you will be asked again and again in all your interviews. Instead of complaining that the question is irrelevant, I’d go think about it and prepare an answer next time.
B is probably down in his portfolio and was looking for a tip. You should have told him the next best thing is XYZ and let him blow up some more. Remember this advice for next time and be sure to pick a dog.
Muddahudda Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > B is probably down in his portfolio and was > looking for a tip. You should have told him the > next best thing is XYZ and let him blow up some > more. > > Remember this advice for next time and be sure to > pick a dog. This works especially well if you pick a company that is near bankruptcy and then convince the other guy it’s “cheap” because the stock is selling for less than a dollar.