Are you thinking of using them as a candidate, or an employer? If a candidate then I wouldn't use them, there are plenty of companies who will do the job for free. For example, I've dealt with a company in Manchester called PSD who got to know me and found me the ideal role. On the other hand, if you're an employer, I'd assume the agency fee would be less as the company get money from the candidates. I've seen the fee from the agency that helped to recruit me and it was frankly scary.
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It depends what you're after.
If it is as simple another job where you know what you want, its reasonably consistent with your recent career, it is a reaosnable jump in terms of level and salary, and in an industry you know, then I would say that you were just as well off wiht a normal agency/headhunter.
However, if you are thinking of a material change -e.g.
Manager to Director
Change of Industry
Small company to Large
Change of subject/path
Then, whilst I do not know Temple Reid, I would recommend that you consider such a service. Don't jump in, ask for references, or perhaps examples of their work. I would also ask fo the charging basis - how much and aat what points and how is success tied in.
In addition if you are making a change involving differnet thinking - an example would be office clerk to probation officer - then again you would find them helpful in clarifying your thinking and suitability and also your preparedness.
It also depends how "self-aware" you are to both weakness and strength. The less aware, then teh more valuable such a check.
In summary, if youwere planning a significant change in life or behaviour, then I would recommend such a course of action knowing that the worst case would be a little lost money and the nbest case could be very advantageous on many levels.
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It depends what you're after.
A good synopsis, thanks. Do they pitch their candidates further up the chain, i.e. perhaps missing first interview stage in which case the client's benefit is a better standard of candidate and a shorter, less time, consuming process however how do they sell the benefit to the candidate, in addition to the career planning do they genuinely open doors that would otherwise be closed, do they have retained clients who will only see Temple Reid candidates?
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I can't tell you specifically about Temple Reid and the individual recruiter/contract/company will matter.
Most, not all, high-level jobs are exclusive to an agency. The majority are never advertised. Most companies have at least a favoured agency if not an exclusive one.
The agency will almost certainly be doing one of a few things;
They will be responsible for providing a short-list to a client in which case you should get jump since you will have already made the short-list.- this is good
They are trying to expand their business, in which case they want more clients, in which case they are trying to supply high quality candidates which match the requirements. Therefore they will be eager to please, therefore whilst you might not get a jump, they will be putting you forward where they think you fit, so your success % should be higher. - this is good
They have a number of high quality clients and maintain higher than normal rates because of the quality of candidate they send. Therefore they put a lot of money into pre-selection. This is good.
They're rubbish at their business, not making much money at it, so trying to supplement it by a bit of extra revenue charging candidates - not totally unlike the poeple who ring you when you advertise a car in the trader. - this is not good.
If its important, rather than just curiosity, then I can probably establish where Temple Reid sit on these matters if you wish.
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Just had a quick look at them - no charge to employers for placements but charging candidates for the process.
My first thought about that is that a fee for placement can be between 15% and 30% - that's a huge amount of money compared to what can be charged to an applicant. Even executive coaching, which is mind-bogglingly expensive, would not achieve that.
40 employees in 5 offices isn't awe-inspiring either.
I could be entirely unjust, but my gut would probably be to be suspicious until I understood the charging basis and the relevance of success.
By all means drop me an-email with a note of your industry and level and I will endeavour to find a recommendation for you if you wish.
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Just had a quick look at them - no charge to employers for placements but charging candidates for the process. >> My first thought about that is that a fee for placement can be between 15% and 30% - that's a huge amount of money compared to what can be charged to an applicant.>>
I agree that sounds an illogical approach, if it works why would any co pay Michael Page etc when they can get a top class, commited candidate from a TR type set up for nothing.
By all means drop me an-email with a note of your industry and level and I will endeavour to find a recommendation for you if you wish.
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Very kind, I have a meeting with them and will see how I get on.
The background is that I responded to an approach that seemed to be about a specific role that sounded interesting, I simply made a call though perhaps I was slightly naive, turns out it is a generic description designed to attract a type of candidate, I guess rather like me. The proposition is that they can place me in that kind of role however I need to be be profiled, coached etc so as to be presented as the square peg in the square hole. The fact is if it provides some genuine career coaching, profiling and CV support it might be worthwhile if it only costs a few quid even if no job offers come along however if it puts me into the position of receiving offers at the level so far discussed then even better, ...... still too many "ifs".
I will attend the meeting and report back.
Thanks.
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.. I responded to an approach that seemed to be about a specific role that sounded interesting, I simply made a call though perhaps I was slightly naive ..... I will attend the meeting ..
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i personally would cancel the meeting in that case.
however, good luck in this particular instance.
the following comments are not aimed at this particular company.
my general rules to apply in a "cold calling" situation:
1. " say no" , but if that is not what you can bring yourself to say, then:
2. never pay up front, not even a deposit if you can help it. tell them you will pay only on success or if you are satisified with the quality of the work.
3. seek references from previous customers.
4. ask for statistics on number of successes vs failures.
5. remind yourself of the methods used by time-share sharks.
etc.etc.
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on point 4. check what the definition of success and failure is. If they exclude from failures people that didnt get to a final interview then things a re very skewed from some which count number of applications or whatever.
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Thanks guys, my wallet is closed and my eyes are open, I am going to attend though, I might learn something.
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I attended a meeting with these guys yesterday PM, the consultant was very professional, went through some assessment and profiling rather like GRID and SWOT stuff I have come across before, reckon that could do me some good along with training on interview technique and a professionally written CV.
It all sounds good and I was shown a lot testimonials, customer satisfaction reports and thank-you letters, all seemed very genuine with only the candidates surname Tippexed out. It went from guys on £25k achieving a step up to earn £35k (one guys was earning £28k working for the MOD, got a position paying £108k in civvy street) to FDs etc earning £140k achieving £250k packages as CEOs within a new organisation.
The process is described as such, I have simplified it a little:
Appraisal of the client?s qualifications
Development of career goals
Determine immediate objectives and relevant types of position
Establish realistic longer term objectives with job satisfaction, income potential and w/l balance
Marketing program, including CV development and identification of appropriate industries
Development of program to ensure identification of the appropriate level contacts
Interview prep and technique to induce job offers
Coaching on negotiation
Follow up counselling once in new role
The interesting thing though is how they break down the exec labour market. Their stats show that 75% of all vacancies and not advertised and therefore not accessible by the individual or agency. TR commission detailed market sector reports so they can form a picture as to which companies will be recruiting at which ever level long before the management team have involved the HR dept, additionally they access the ?closed? market via their extensive network of previous candidates who are now in senior positions all over the place and feed back info on forthcoming vacancies and opportunities to TR via their career advisor. Accordingly the profiled candidate with the impeccable CV has just the right level of contact, pitches in with a phone call, his CV, superb interview technique etc (all long before an agency knows about it) and walks into a role paying 50% more than he was on before.
The cost however is an issue, it runs into thousands, will it genuinely advance me, OK if I got into a new role within three months with a £15k plus hike it would pay for itself however there are no absolute guarantees.
Any thoughts?
Regards.
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The cost however is an issue, it runs into thousands, ... there are no absolute guarantees. ..Any thoughts?
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sorry but i shall only make general comments and not aimed at this particular company in anyway.
i personally recommend that £9 spent on the book by Martin John Yate published by Kogan Page ISBN 0-7494-4356-1 will help you come to your own decision. do not be midled by the title, it far more comprehensive than that. the book was aimed at the usa market but has been redrafted to suit the uk. 90% of it will apply in most cases.
also recommended here
www.newlifenetwork.co.uk/16281.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*
A great book on this topic ... by Martin John Yate published by Kogan Page ISBN 0-7494-4356-1. Well worth the £8.99 cover price"
www.trotman.co.uk/tmp_cp_viewitem.asp?ID=2391
good luck.
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