Would you call the agency?

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
#1

here’s the sitch. I contacted a placement agency to start a job search. It was in response to a newspaper ad. I had the interview set up for tomorrow.

Earlier tonight the rep calls and leaves a message that I’m ineligible for the positions she’s recruiting for because of a no-call/no-show I had with the company she’s recruiting for. If another position at another company comes up, she’ll keep my resume on file, blah blah blah.

I worked a seasonal job for the company two and a half years ago. From the day I started there were problems. They took shifts away that I was scheduled for, they added shifts with a day’s notice and the alleged no-call/no-show date was the day after Christmas. Initially I was told I would not have to work that day, then I was told I would. I told my boss that I was already scheduled to be out of town that day and so I would not be available, and indeed I did not call or show up (since I had already told them I wouldn’t be there, starting with the interview). I was taking a business law class at the time of the job and my lawyer professor confirmed for me that the company was breaking the law by their actions.

Now this has slightly bitten me in the ass. I don’t think for a minute that the recruiter is going to have my resume on the top of her pile because this company has told her I was a NCNS. So do I call (or email) her and explain the situation in hopes that she will actually keep my resume around or would I come off like somebody making excuses? I’m inclined to send an email but if it’s not going to be worth my time I won’t.

What say you?

#2

Otto , having worked in the placement industry, I would say don’t bother. It doesn’t take very long for people in that industry to become cynical, because they deal with people (both potential placements and client companies) disappointing them all the time. Since they don’t know you, it’s likely they won’t believe you. It’s especially not worth the trouble if you live in an urban area with lots of agencies.

#3

Well, someone else from the agency called to discuss a placement, so I guess not contacting them was the OK thing to do.

#4

I wouldn’t bother explaining.

You have to keep one thing in mind. Agencies make money if they place you, if they don’t place you, they make nothing. Unless you have a really bad reputation of NCNS or walking out on jobs, then your chances are pretty good they are going to find something for you.

I am willing to bet almost everyone has one of those “skeletons” in the closet of walking out on a job, not giving two weeks notice or NCNS. As a hiring manager, I tended to over look a single instance. If the job history told me this wasn’t a single instance I would pass on the person. Who needs the hassle of wondering if your employee is going to show or not. I have work that needs to be done, I am not a mind reader.

Good luck in your job hunting!