Applying to multiple agencies [solved, thanks!]

ceres

Quick question: I'm applying to a number of agencies for IT work (Sapphire, TEKsystems, Robert Half, etc.) and my question is, do I need to tell these places that I'm applying to the others? There's a place for it on the application, but can I just not mention it, and can they do anything if I don't and they find out?

Is it even detrimental to mention it?

Ryadic

I've never heard of an application wanting to know where you are applying to, because, frankly, it's not their business. Most places know that someone looking for work isn't going to apply to just one place and hope they get it.

I would fill it out anyways, because I don't really see how it can hurt. Plus leaving out stuff on an application or lying about it can be very very bad if they find out.

RUNN1NGMAN

I don't really think it would make a difference either way. If I was you I would not want employers knowing where I am applying when they are only at the application review stage. I'd save that info until the interview when maybe you can leverage it a bit more, especially if you are getting positive results on the other applications. If other employers are calling you for interviews it will make you look more desireable.

Szechuanosaurus

It's not detrimental to mention it but it might be to not mention it. If a company goes to more than one recruitment agency and they both put you forward for the same job it could be awkward and embarrassing for you and the recruitment agencies. And you don't really want to embarrass people who are trying to find you employment.

The recruitment industry, like most other industries, is a fairly tight-nit community. They all know each other, especially the ones working the same fields, so don't shit on the hand that feeds you or whatever that saying is.

Edit: The above posters appear to think you are applying to companies directly for work, rather than signing up with recruitment agencies who will then find you interviews. Which your not. And so their advice is flawed.

Ardor

I would be cautious in filling items like that out as several HR folks I know, who get many offers for any particular job, need to find ways to reduce the number of applicants that need to be interviewed. There's a chance that field may help them throw out some applications in the event of too many coming in.

It is possible that there's some kind of issue with each of them looknig for jobs for you, but that's probably more crucial information to those places if they accept you AND start looking for work for you. If anything, mention it during an interview should the question come up or near the end, I'd hate to hear that it prevented you from getting an interview for some reason though.

ceres

Here's the thing.. this is not the first agency I've worked for.. I've seen this on every agency application I've filled out. This is just the first time I've applied to work for more than one at the same time. If it was direct hire, screw them, they don't need to know the other applications I've sent out.

edit: Szech, that's kind of what I figured.

Also worth noting: This application is being brought with me TO the interview.

Szechuanosaurus

It's cool, just put it down. Recruitment agency people aren't hard-ass interviewers, they're there to help you find a job (because they typically get a commission on every position they successfully fill). They aren't going to try and trick you out of getting work, they're going to do what they can to help you succeed at getting work. If they want to know this information, it's for good reasons not bad ones.

ceres

Szech was right on the money. The woman interviewing me told me almost word for word what he posted. At any rate, this thread can now be locked. Thanks.