Weird Interview ? or is it just me

[beerbaron]

Firstly, this isnt intended to bag the people in the recruiting firms who hang out here
But had a weird job interview experience this week.
Registered my application for a desktop support position on Monday
Get a call Tuesday, can you come in to the recruiting agency on Thursday but prepare yourself just like you were going for interview.. (ok not fussed )

Interview thursday went for 40 minutes, and she only touched on the position for 5 minutes. Was more interested in finding out what i do at my current role, how many people are employed in IT at our company, why am i leaving,if they counter offered would i stay,what kind of person will they replace you with,have you any contractors ( this is the best part ), how many have you been through , is your boss looking for a job.
She points out that she will ring one of my referree and for me to call back friday afternoon

So i ring my referree , telling them you will get a call from a recruitment agency. The referee says to me, as soon as she ring me , ill let you know how it went.( guess what he never called )
I call her on friday, and she isnt available, ok ....

So my question is does the position really exist or are is the firm just looking to fill their candidate list, and then it clicked, our contractor is through the same agency.....
Sounds like she is looking for my replacement....

[Bifrost]

Sounds suss and yeah, it's entirely possible that the position exists, but was either already filled or she just wanted to use your interview to expand her contact list.

Just a tip for anyone applying for jobs - don't put your referees on your resume. Recruiters - most of them - use the resumes on their database and specifically the referees thereon as a contact list for unsolicited enquiry calls.

On my resume it says at the bottom "Referees Available on Request". I'll provide them if I get an interview and they ask for them and not before.

[beowulf437]

When applying for a job I have provided references that were outside the industry that I was applying in. So though I work in the IT industry providing references in goverment and business not directly connected to the industry provides me with an impressive reference list as well as not giving the recruiter more contacts. Also your reference list should be seperate from your resume.

[Fallan]

Had expericed the same as beerbaron a couple of weeks ago . practically on the same lines that have been discused , i think this is all bullshit we are all likely candidates should stand up to this and say right time too bring out the big guns ...tonight with Ray Martin on speaking the truth about recruitment agencies .I myself am comming to terms that all these 'positions' are made up .
Its not fair for the genuine job seekerwho is constantly wasting their personal time and resources , if the 'job' has been filled why is there a need to advertise longer than usual .

[beerbaron]

well i didnt get the job
the recruitement agent had come up with her story ," i dont think the job is right for you. I think you may get bored with this role and certainly have a lot of experience that you may be better off looking for a more of a network admin role rather than a desktop support role.
Call me in the new year and i may have something more suited to you.....
WTF!!!!,so am i over qualified or what ?

this makes no sense !

[MasterFarter]

well i didnt get the job
the recruitement agent had come up with her story ," i dont think the job is right for you. I think you may get bored with this role and certainly have a lot of experience that you may be better off looking for a more of a network admin role rather than a desktop support role.
Call me in the new year and i may have something more suited to you.....
WTF!!!!,so am i over qualified or what ?

this makes no sense !

From the agencies point of view it makes perfect sense. They wont put you forward for a position if they think you will be quickly bored and leave. Successful agency candidates generally have to stay in a position for 3-6 months before they (the agency) get paid their commission.

It all comes down to the bucks! Your wishes have little to do with it unfortunately.

[beerbaron]

my wishes are for a stable job, and i told her that.My employment history is 2 different employers in 12 years, so im not one to up and leave straight away.
But the agency chick wouldnt remember that would they
as you said it comes down to $$$$

[MasterFarter]

Yep, I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago.

I had been retrenched and the job market was slow. I was depressed and getting more so as each agency told me that I was not suitable for a position due to being over qualified.

In the finish I managed to short circuit the process by coming in right up front with 'you have a few positions in my line of work. Let me tell you now that I am over qualified for them but if you get me back into a solid company, I will take care of working my way back up to a suitable level myself'.

Fortunately they listened :)

[Supreme_Cmdr]

Just a tip for anyone applying for jobs - don't put your referees on your resume. Recruiters - most of them - use the resumes on their database and specifically the referees thereon as a contact list for unsolicited enquiry calls.

Good tip, I wish I had followed that when I was looking for work recently. Though it all worked out ok in the end, new job with better money, can't complain.

[beerbaron]

never mind
ive resigned anyway ! :)