Agencies...

fauxNormal

Ok, so I had an agency contact me regarding an application I put in to a mystery studio last week.

The next day I had a phonecall from the agency handling the application revealing the studio I was applying for, and I then had a good lengthy chat about myself, my experience and what I was hoping to continue to do. The agency asked me to confirm that they could represent me, no problem.

They communicated to me that the reviews of applications was Friday 17th June, and that I'd expect to hear back from them later that day. I've since sent an email kindly requesting an update on both Monday and this morning. I haven't had a response to either so I'm guessing I've not been successful, but it'd be good to know that.

Am I being an inpatient dick? I realise that sometimes companies will take a while to review all of the applications, so it's not that I'm bothered about...more of the lack of communication with the agency.

What experiences have you guys had with agencies? What would you recommend?

Thanks guys.

Jonas Ronnegard

Yeah I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it, just work on your stuff, and if you manage to catch an interview along the way that's great, these things can take a lot of time or no answer at all.

depending on the agency they can sometimes be dicks as well, they spam away to every person with artist in their profile on linkedin and if they don't manage to get any interest with you from companies they will just kinda disappear on you.

So yeah no need wasting time thinking about it.

fauxNormal

@Jonas Ronnegard Thanks dude! Exactly what I needed to hear

Eric Chadwick

This is a good read, might give you some insight.
Game Industry Recruiter Taking In Questions

fauxNormal

@Eric Chadwick  Thanks Eric...is that specific to in-house recruiters though? Only posting as this is my first time dealing with an agency specifically.

Edit: Incidentally, I was just reading your reply to another thread regarding Bungie's hiring process. THAT is a good read.

Cheers.

roboy

Take agencies with a handful of salt... I'm talking about the external ones - best bet is just to get on with your work and apply directly to companies

I've dealt with so many agencies and only one agency (amiqus) have actually got me an interview - the rest have flaked away with the generic or lack of response 

fauxNormal

Thanks @roboy . Think I'll indefinitely move on from this and just contact the company directly. I'm not under any contract from the agency, so f it.

Kevin Albers

This sounds slightly confusing. 

It sounds like you applied to a studio on your own. Then, an agency who you were not already working with called you, and asked if they could represent you. If they wanted to represent you, doesn't that mean that they are not an official representative of the studio? How can they represent you AND the studio simultaneously? It kind of seems like they somehow found out you applied somewhere, and successfully interjected themselves as middlemen after the fact, misleading you into thinking that they are agents of the studio. If that is the case, that would suck. The studio would have to pay them a commission if they hire you, even though you initially applied on your own, not using a recruiter, so you might be less likely to get the job.

And you state in a later post that you are going to contact the studio directly, after agreeing on the phone to let this agency represent you. That doesn't make sense either. 

fauxNormal

Ok just to clarify...

I submitted an application to an agency. At that point I didn't know which studio it was for, as it wasn't stated on the job advert. I then received a phone call from said agency where I was asked for confirmation that they could represent me. At that point, I found out the identity of the Studio through the agency member.

Haven't heard anything from the Agency since last Friday, so just wondering whether applying straight to the studio might be an option. Does that make more sense? Apologies if at first that wasn't clear.

Kevin Albers

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info.

Since it's been less than a week, it seems like you can just wait a while longer. It often takes a week or two to hear back about gigs.

After I experienced a somewhat similar incident, I try and ensure that I find out about most jobs on my own, before I talk to any recruiters. That way I probably come across any job on my own, and don't feel the need to work with an agency. I'd be more impressed with an agency if they come up with jobs that I would never come across on my own.

Good luck!

Add3r

Kevin Albers said:

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info.

Since it's been less than a week, it seems like you can just wait a while longer. It often takes a week or two to hear back about gigs.

After I experienced a somewhat similar incident, I try and ensure that I find out about most jobs on my own, before I talk to any recruiters. That way I probably come across any job on my own, and don't feel the need to work with an agency. I'd be more impressed with an agency if they come up with jobs that I would never come across on my own.

Good luck!

Yup.  I would avoid agencies, personally.  Network, as most of the really good opportunities never even make it to online postings, purely hired through in-studio recruiters or through word-of-mouth from devs to friends of said devs.    As for waiting, if they said they were going to follow up by that Friday, then I definitely do not think it is unreasonable to follow up pretty soon afterwards if there was no response.  Sometimes, no response = no job sadly.  I wouldn't wait on it though, like others have said, just keep on working and applying.  I usually apply and move on as quickly as I can, the wait for applications is usually such an anxious time if you over think it.  

fauxNormal

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated. I ended up applying for the position directly last night. 

I'll definitely be keeping my future applications to a direct route rather than relying on agencies. On that note, any jobs going in Canada?... ;D

Cheers again guys

MikeF

When i was first starting out i went through a couple agencies and both were more concerned about using my portfolio for advertising than they were about finding me work in my field. Maybe it would be different for a firm that specializes in games specifically instead of just general media arts, but that was enough for me to never bother again