Recruiting agencies

[Global Player]

Hello,

during the past years I've been on many business trips to Singapore. Meanwhile I plan to settle down permanently in this great city. Unfortunately there is no chance to get an expat- or even local package within my company. So I have to change.

Using the popular job sites in Singapore I'm surpised that so many jobs are announced via agencies only. E.g. on European job sites about 20% are posted via an agency, in Singapore about 80%.

I never approached an agency so far, so my questions might sound dumb. My concerns are as follows:

1) Do they really treat the application confidential? I'm working in the IT sector and my current company is a big player in Singpore. My profile of course matches perfectly with my current employeer. So I'm afraid my application might somehow end up there.
2) Do they hand over my personal data to 3rd parties? In Europe it's quite common to collect personal data like address, phone, email and resell to other 3rd parties using it for spam of any kind.
3) Can they forward my application to other agencies? When sending an application to an agency I just want to contact this paticular one.

Thanks in advance!

[jan walsh]

Dear Global Player


Before you read my feedback below, I like you to know that I am a Senior Consultant at an executive search firm where I provide advice to companies for positions in snr executive level and succession planning. However, my advice here is purely my personal encounter.

1. Do they really treat the application confidential? I'm working in the IT sector and my current company is a big player in Singapore. My profile of course matches perfectly with my current employer. So I'm afraid my application might somehow end up there. - I have had experience where my resume ended up being circulated within the recruiters office where I get calls from more than 1 person in their office. Upon informing them about my concern, they were rather non-chalant about it.
No, you profile will/should not end up with your current employer, if any recruiter unfortunately, presented you to your present employer, they can be sued as their actions jeopardized your present employment.

2) Do they hand over my personal data to 3rd parties? In Europe it's quite common to collect personal data like address, phone, email and resell to other 3rd parties using it for spam of any kind. - It is advisable to use a trusted recruiter or a headhunter depending on what you are looking for. And yes, some recruiters DO pass your resume around.

3) Can they forward my application to other agencies? When sending an application to an agency I just want to contact this paticular one. - Sometimes it is truly the wider net you cast the more opportunities however at times it can be a disappointment when you meet many, many recruiters who by nature of their job will focus more on mass market than specialization hence, you have to even fight to have them get back to you. (I have been there, instead of helping me and working with me) all I heard from them everyday is - the market is bad, quiet blah blah blah.

Global Player, it truly lies on what you are looking for, if there is any advise I like you to keep in mind that is ; should anyone tell you that the market is bad.... drop these recruiters immediately and focus on the positive. It helps to have someone to help you with your job search provided they are positive as well.

Hope that helps.

[sundaymorningstaple]

tic.....toc.....tic.....toc.....tic......

Somebody is treading on thin ice.......

[jan walsh]

as i said, thin ice or not. It was my personal experience. gd'day.

[Global Player]

Hello Jan,

thanks for your open feedback.

I'll continue to observe the job sites and might approach also headhunter/recruiting agencies. However, I'll concentrate first on agencies which have HQ in Europe or US and worldwide scope.

GP

[jan walsh]

you are most welcome.
I was rather demoralized after a few bad incidents and It affected my outlook into my future. Hence, all that I can do, is to share my encouunter with thise who is in the same position as I was.
Good luck and I hope you find something that you will enjoy.

regards,
Jan

[desdemona]

I do find that recruiting agencies here are not helpful. So far I only managed to get jobs from personal contacts / direct applications, despite having applied to tons of jobs posted by recruiting agencies. I'm starting to lose faith in recruiting agencies.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The reason that recruiters here have such a bad rep is because of the laws in Singapore. A recruiter cannot charge a job seeker with a recruitment fee if a successful placement takes place. Here, the law required the employer to pay any fees. Therefore the recruiter only works FOR THE EMPLOYER as that is who is paying the tab. When this happens they tends to use the shotgun approach when recruiting. It's easier for them to use this approach rather than really vetting a person before sending the CV to the client. Unfortunately, this doesn't bode well for the job seeker as, unless your CV hits all the relevant points, it will just sit there in the database until it goes off (usually within 3 months maximum). The other problem that heightens the problems are that the client company normally uses a shotgun approach and sends the requirements to a number of firms thereby creating a need for speed. This competition along with the crappy recruitment fees that are being paid just leads to shoddy, sloppy shotgun type recruitment. 'Send enough maybe strike what!"

From a open perspective, would you, as a recruiter, try to shop a CV around to all the companies who may or may not even be looking for someone or would you tend to pay attention to the Companies (Clients) who actually have live vacancies that they want to fill (and are paying the bill as well).

Generally speaking, professionalism in the industry is virtually non-existent. This goes for Executive Search types of recruiters and well as the normal body shops. There are a few, but damn few and these are not companies but individuals. I cannot give any recommendations, before you ask, as I don't even know if they are still in the business. I left the mainstream business (more or less) around 5 years ago. I still do some international searches but not for Employers here in Singapore.