Outrageous recruitment company fees are harming economy

[seabhcan]

I'm trying to hire 3 software developer. I've advertised on all the usual websites (Monster, etc) but got only a handful of applications, none of which are very suitable. I've talked to other small companies and to EI and heard the same story - there is a shortage of IT professionals. I just hired someone from abroad because I couldn't get anyone local.

On the other hand, I've heard of IT professionals complaining of a shortage of jobs in Dublin, and of there being hundreds of applicants for each position.

It seems to me that the problem is recruitment agencies. They charge employeers crazy fees - we were quoted 35% of the employees first year salary. When the employer signs up, the agency bombards them with as many CVs as possible - annoying employers and discouraging those looking for work. The employer does get lots of applications, but most are unsuitable and the employeer ends up doing the work of sifting through them, work that the agency claims they do.

We need a more efficient way of matching job seekers to the jobs that are available out there.

[ibis]

Employment agencies suffer from a bit of a problem in relation to technical positions (and in most businesses, IT is about as technical as it gets). By and large, they have no idea about the technology themselves, which means that they either rely on formal qualifications (which they understand a little) or operate pretty much by guesswork. How many recruitment consultants can tell you the difference between a Javascript developer, a Java developer, and someone with EJB experience?

I used to occasionally sit in with a couple of recruitment consultants I knew when they were trying to match Internet professionals with positions, but they never made it a paying proposition.

[The Caped Cod]

I'm trying to hire 3 software developer. I've advertised on all the usual websites (Monster, etc) but got only a handful of applications, none of which are very suitable. I've talked to other small companies and to EI and heard the same story - there is a shortage of IT professionals. I just hired someone from abroad because I couldn't get anyone local.

On the other hand, I've heard of IT professionals complaining of a shortage of jobs in Dublin, and of there being hundreds of applicants for each position.

It seems to me that the problem is recruitment agencies. They charge employeers crazy fees - we were quoted 35% of the employees first year salary. When the employer signs up, the agency bombards them with as many CVs as possible - annoying employers and discouraging those looking for work. The employer does get lots of applications, but most are unsuitable and the employeer ends up doing the work of sifting through them, work that the agency claims they do.

We need a more efficient way of matching job seekers to the jobs that are available out there.

While temp agencies certainly have their place, this type of third party middleman is never much more than a raquette, though if noone is answering your ads you're kind of stuck. Have you tried to place ads in trade magazines and development forums?

[seabhcan]

While temp agencies certainly have their place, this type of third party middleman is never much more than a raquette, though if noone is answering your ads you're kind of stuck. Have you tried to place ads in trade magazines and development forums?

Tried IrishDev.com

Are there any others?

[David Cochrane]

Recruitment agencies have costs too seabhcan, and I know a few recruiters who've lost their jobs, it's not like they're creaming it at the moment.

You've a few options....

1. Try IrishJobs or RecruitIreland.com (or LoadzaJobs or Jobs.ie) if you don't think Monster is helping you reach the right people

2. Advertise on the FAS job website (that at least is free).

3. If the Monster job isn't workinig for you, have you tried giving the sales people a call there, told them that it's not working, and that you're disappointed it's not working for you? I worked for Monster.ie for two years, and I know (for a fact) that the sales guys there are exceptional. The guy in charge there is James Mailley - I'm sure they'll sort you out (maybe by pushing the job out to a bigger audience, or giving you access to their applicants database). The final option may be more about enticing people with a job presently to move. And if possible - I'd like to think employers would take preference for people who could start work on Monday.

[cyberianpan]

As someone with a tendency towards anarcho-capitalism I love O-Desk

Also it works very well, no need for staff - pay per hour, get best of breed resources each time - all you need do is manage

Outsource to Freelancers, IT Companies, Programmers, Web Designers from India, Russia, USA, and more - oDesk

Addressing your question more directly:
If you're willing to trawl the responses you get : IrishJobs.ie works... I wouldn't see the need to hire a recruitment firm for salary anywhere under say €50k.

cYp

[odie1kanobe]

linkedin.com is another good way but depends on the individual seeking

35% to me is what I see as the norm

Course going for 3 people I would screw down the fee with it being fully refundable if persons left within 6 months.............the thanks but someone else is doing it for less and then don't answer their calls gets them rethinking strategy.

[Supermanpolitician]

Yeah they are scum.

In financial services they used to pester me with calls a few times a week. One in particular convinced me to go to an interview for quite a specialist job in my field...but gave me the wrong address of the company. I arrived uber punctual as usual (about three quarters of an hour before the meeting, couldn't find the company and phoned the agency. They confirmed it as where I was and told me to look harder. I asked them to call the company immediately (still about a half hour before the interview) and explain that I could not find the place. They were a start up so directory enquiries didn't have them listed.

A few more calls between me and the agency, asking for clarification, description of the building etc.

About 5 minutes before the interview I phoned again and said I could not find it. The girl then realised that she gave me the wrong address. And then told me that she hadn't called the employer.

[seabhcan]

35% to me is what I see as the norm.

We'd be paying between 30 and 40k+ depending on experience. 35% of 40k is 14 grand. For what? Forwarding a few CVs? I can't justify that kind of money.

[seabhcan]

Recruitment agencies have costs too seabhcan, and I know a few recruiters who've lost their jobs, it's not like they're creaming it at the moment.

You've a few options....

1. Try IrishJobs or RecruitIreland.com (or LoadzaJobs or Jobs.ie) if you don't think Monster is helping you reach the right people

2. Advertise on the FAS job website (that at least is free).

3. If the Monster job isn't workinig for you, have you tried giving the sales people a call there, told them that it's not working, and that you're disappointed it's not working for you? I worked for Monster.ie for two years, and I know (for a fact) that the sales guys there are exceptional. The guy in charge there is James Mailley - I'm sure they'll sort you out (maybe by pushing the job out to a bigger audience, or giving you access to their applicants database). The final option may be more about enticing people with a job presently to move. And if possible - I'd like to think employers would take preference for people who could start work on Monday.

Thanks for that. I might try ringing Monster.

ComputerJobs.ie has proven to be the best of the lot so far though. They give you access to their database for relatively resonable price.