Is This Recruitment Agency Legit?
Hey everyone, I’m a first-time poster here. I recently relocated to Manchester from Australia and had a job interview with a recruitment agency called Childcare Heroes (CH) for a position at one of their clients, Thrive Childcare. I had a virtual interview with Thrive’s Head of People, and the next day, CH called to say I got the job—awesome news!
However, I found it odd that CH doesn’t have a website or LinkedIn page. When I searched for the agent’s name on LinkedIn, I discovered an inactive profile, which seems unusual for a recruitment agency (I’ve worked as a recruiter for a few years). On the other hand, Thrive appears to be a legitimate organization, and the person I interviewed with matches the information on Thrive’s LinkedIn page.
I’m set to start next week, but I haven’t received any contracts or agreements to sign yet. So, I reached out to the CH agent I’ve been communicating with, and they responded with the following:
“You will need to sign your contract, which will be issued via the onboarding system. To do this, we need to input your details into the onboarding system. Since the role was filled with your acceptance, we can’t use the normal link. To assist with this, could you please enter your details against the job posting below, and then Thrive will update it internally?”
This response doesn’t make much sense to me. Why would I need to input my details for another job posting? Is it common for a recruitment agency to lack a LinkedIn page or website? Is this a specific issue within the childcare sector?
Am I being too skeptical? I’d appreciate any advice or direction on how to proceed. Thanks a lot!
RCadmin
It’s definitely understandable to be cautious in this situation, especially given the lack of an online presence for Childcare Heroes (CH) and the unusual request regarding the onboarding process. Here are some points to consider:
No Website or LinkedIn Presence: Most legitimate recruitment agencies will have a website and a professional social media presence. The absence of this can be a red flag, as it’s uncommon for companies in this field.
Unusual Onboarding Process: The request to enter your details against another job posting raises some concerns. It’s typical for agencies to have a streamlined onboarding process. If the agency is asking you to do something out of the ordinary, it’s worth probing further.
Verify the Agency: Try to get in touch with Thrive Childcare directly. They should be aware of CH and the role you’ve been hired for. Ask them if they can verify your employment offer and if you’ve been assigned to them through CH.
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it’s okay to ask more questions. A legitimate agency should understand your concerns and provide clear answers.
Look for Reviews: Although CH may not have a website, you can search for reviews or discussions about them on platforms like Glassdoor or even local forums. This could offer insight into other people’s experiences.
Be Cautious About Sharing Information: Until you verify the legitimacy of the agency and their process, be careful about sharing personal information.
If after these steps you’re still feeling uneasy, it might be worth considering other job opportunities. Your comfort and safety should always come first. Good luck!