“Agencies Need to Wake Up”
Great advice from TZ’s Advisor column:
Dear Advisor:
My
husband and I are in the upper levels of the creative industry. We have
both been in the market for 8 months now. We get interviews for the top
spots; then, when it comes to discussion of salary, we get the request
of everything for nothing. I’m amazed. Or after an outstanding
interview, they’ll say things like, "Oh, they were so impressed with
you…", "Your book is outstanding…", "Please don’t consider anyone
else until we call you…", "Just sit tight—you’re our pick…" Then,
after all that, we don’t even get the courtesy of a phone call.
Sometimes we don’t even get a final call back. Nothing. I remember
following the "standard" interview routine and being respectful, but
now, employers aren’t like this. They seem to be missing integrity. Can
you at least let employers know that we are noticing this, and it is
corrupting this industry?
–Lori in Texas
Advisor:
Unfortunately, stories like yours are
all too common. Jobseekers and the recruiters here at TZ tell the
Advisor of constant delays, disrespectful behavior and in some cases,
downright sleazy hiring practices. All of which is occurring at
agencies all across the country, in all skill levels and disciplines.
Even the agencies with supposedly good reputations for their creative
work can have horrible hiring processes. Agencies are brands
themselves, and they often screw up the management of their own brands.
Other than outright shaming the guilty like The Scarlet Letter,
the only thing you can do is either make a go of being your own boss,
or conduct more due diligence on who really may be the best employers
out there.
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Start a blog about it! I’ll bet hundreds of people would chime in, and it would be a truly useful tool for job seekers. I know for a fact that some of the most prestigious agencies out there are the worst in this aspect. It would be cathartic for people to write it all down. A fuckedcompany.com for agencies and their hiring practices! yeah!
Rick…that’s an excellent idea! Keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, if anyone else has horror stories they’d like to share, please feel free to comment (anonymously if you’d prefer) here. This problem is becoming epidemic; maybe it would help if industry people saw that…
Well if the two of you are in the upper levels of the creative industry, you may want to rethink your careers before you stop getting the initial interviews.I have turned way down more jobs than I have accepted in the last ten years. Besides waiting for a call back on your "books", what do you really have to offer an agency. Just something to think about. Everyday is a chance to better your self. Remeber no one can self-promote but you. Cheers.
keep on.