locum advertising

Re: locum advertising

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:16:02 GMT

Answer to my own question: I've just received terms of business from the locum agency I used to find a locum for March and it states that if I re-employ the same candidate with 12 months a fee is payable. Equally it states that if I pass the candidate to another employer a fee is payable. Just shows I should read the small print!

Re: locum advertising

Neal Palk — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:19:27 GMT

It does indeed very much depend on the agreement you entered into with the agency 1st time around, so check back! If the individual (genuinely) approaches you directly the situation may be different, although again some agencies will cover such an eventuality in their terms also!

There's another thread about what appears to be a glut of vets on the market, struggling to find work? It seems odd to me (a non-vet) that folk would use agencies in such circumstances...........

Re: locum advertising

Clive Ansell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:08:36 GMT

I think with the 2 agencies I have mentioned the cut off period is 6 months. If a practice hires the locum again within that time the agency are entilted to charge a fee. I think the onus is on the practice, not the locum, to contact the agency?

Re: locum advertising

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:45:06 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

in 2010 I found a weeks work through an agency for a practice that had employed me twice before, but didn't think to contact me directly. The practice owner who I have know for years blamed the practice manager saying she wanted to find a cheaper locum.

[/quote]

What is the position on contacting a locum directly whom I have previously employed via an agency? Although it is unlikely they will find out, I thought they have some sort of introductory rights over this and are therefore still entitled to their fees - a bit like breach of copy-write or patent.

Re: locum advertising

Clive Ansell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:35:17 GMT

I have very rarely got work through sending out mail shots or emailing practices, most of mine when I started as a locum in 2001 was locally through word of mouth. I got myself to local cpd meetings armed with business cards which seemed to work well. Also manage to get some work through a drugs rep I was friendly with who passed on my details.

I have had some direct contacts after practices have found me Google too. Others have got my details fron this site.

Rarely use agencies these days, but the only 2 I do use are Carlton professional and Vet-Connect.

Re: locum advertising

Bob Russell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:07:16 GMT

My recent Inland Revenue begging letter has made it clear that a holiday is very unlikely this year but I would bite the hand off a locum that turned up at my door willing to do odd days at short notice!

Last week I had a day in court and would have been a lot more relaxed if I had known all hell was not likely to break loose while I was there. In October I have been invited to my Aunts diamond wedding so I would like to take two or three days off then!

Feel free to cold call but I would want to speak to previous employers or have a few 'supervised' days!

Locums for one or two weeks at a time are really easy and we have had some great ones! Sadly they seem to get jobs soon after!!

Re: locum advertising

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:59:37 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Bose"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] I am suspicious of why someone needs to cold call it looks like desperation that would include those who actually turn up on the doorstep, most of whom have English as their second language and are virtually unemployable..[/quote]

Disappointed with your reaction Mr Atkinson.

Is it so wrong to admit that I need work? I have some jobs but only 2 days this week and I would like to be more booked than that.

[/quote]

Looks like I've upset one or two people! First I would say that I also to my shame have very little education in foreign languages and however bad some of the said vets' English is, it is better than my attempts at their language but that doesn't help if their English is not good enough to do the job. Perhaps it is just I've had unfortunately atypical examples of cold-calling locums, who other than my assessment of their language skills, have typically no longer locuming on the occasions I have called them back or just don't reply. I didn't mean to imply that anyone who is unemployed and has the temerity to cold call is any less worthy than someone who waits for work via an advertisement or a locum agency, indeed thinking about it, if I did retire and decided to do some locum work, I may well write to local practices informing them I was available. Previous observations withdrawn with apologies to those offended.

Re: locum advertising

HMC — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:05:36 GMT

Disappointed with your reaction Mr Atkinson.

Is it so wrong to admit that I need work? I have some jobs but only 2 days this week and I would like to be more booked than that.

Re: locum advertising

Fiona French — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:14:14 GMT

When I started locuming, I found that local evening CPD courses were a great place to meet prospective employers. I think people are much more likely to call you when they need someone, if they have met you in person.

Re: locum advertising

Robin Grimmer — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:08:09 GMT

Speaking as a locum, I don't use agencies that often nowadays as most of my work comes from repeat bookings.

But I would recommend Shona Hostler www.vet-connect.co.uk - very proactive.

Re: locum advertising

Cat Henstridge — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:14:55 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Bose"]

Hi there,

I just wanted to canvass opinions on how practices choose their locums- specifically where they source locums from. I am a locum registered with 4 agencies and also on the locum register here. Shortly after moving to this area (Bristol) I sent out my CV to 20 vet practices in the area and had one booking as a result. I have since been employed by many practices whom I had written to- but they all booked me through an agency, which I don't understand- they had the chance to bypass agency fees! I was thinking of doing another mail shot but wondering if it's worth it...

Thanks.

[/quote] The exact same thing happened to me when I started to locum! I think for all the complaining some bosses do about agency fees, at the end if the day it is easier for them to find locums through them than doing it themselves. Now I have been working in the same area for a while my name has got around and I have had no problems finding jobs independently. I am sure the same will happen for you as well. Cat

Re: locum advertising

james herriot lied — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:29:31 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I am suspicious of why someone needs to cold call it looks like desperation

[/quote]

So how exactly would a local, non-agency locum tell you of their existence?

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

that would include those who actually turn up on the doorstep, most of whom have English as their second language and are virtually unemployable..

[/quote]

Generally speaking, sweeping generalisations are only true some or most of the time......... As a British vet, I'm only fluent in one language, which is to my shame. I've never been motivated/ been in a sufficiently desperate situation to go to a foreign country and work hard to gain employment there. This comment is rather below par for you, Mr Atkinson: I trust normal service will be resumed shortly.

Re: locum advertising

Lorna McHardy — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:37:14 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I am suspicious of why someone needs to cold call it looks like desperation that would include those who actually turn up on the doorstep, most of whom have English as their second language and are virtually unemployable..

[/quote]

Well... when I moved to Scotland and started locuming, I first contacted a couple of locum agencies, all of whom were very nice but advised me - almost in so many words - that I hadn't a cat's chance in hell of getting a locum via an agency here, and should write to practices instead. So I did.

Scottish vets are obviously different... more canny

Re: locum advertising

Martin Atkinson — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:31:28 GMT

I get a large number of cold call letters from prospective locums and although I do think it is polite to respond they get a don't call me, I''l call you response. I am suspicious of why someone needs to cold call it looks like desperation that would include those who actually turn up on the doorstep, most of whom have English as their second language and are virtually unemployable.. I've just advertised for a locum for March on vetsurgeon.org and approached a few via the jobs section of this website - I had one response to my advert and all those I approached were booked or had stopped doing locums but forgot to update their personal file. I primarily use one locum agency, Dovetail, run by Simon Bird, and he nearly always comes up with the goods, he is highly regarded by the locums and doesn't charge me a huge fee so I would advise registering with him.

Re: locum advertising

Mark Rowland — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:45:53 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

Hannah,

if you have a quiet day why not have a drive around and visit some practices? I would have thought that meeting you in person would give you the edge. We get quite a few letters/cv through the post and they get dropped in a file. We use people we know.

That's what I'd do.

[/quote]

This.

I've got a great part time vet who just walked through my door. Personality, likability and good communication skills are some of the most important things I look for. That she is a Cert SAM is a great bonus.

Jump in he car!!!

Re: locum advertising

james herriot lied — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:54:46 GMT

Hannah

Have had exactly the same experience. A mate got booked by a practice three weeks after sending them his details directly - but they booked him through an agency. Practice principal moaned about agency fees, but when he pointed out that he'd actually contacted them direct and so could have saved them a lot of money, he just got blank stares. Another partner, on meeting me in the street, asked if I was still locuming, as they hadn't heard from me in a while. I pointed out that I'd sent them my updated CV not a couple of months previously.

Basically, I don't think a lot of the letters ever make it through to the partners, or even anyone in charge of booking. Often, if they do fall across the desk of a practice manager, they just get chucked in the bin along with drug flyers and double glazing adverts.

I'd second the tip about dropping in to practices - and I hate to say it, but make sure you speak to at least one of the vets, rather than the practice manager. Practice managers tend to see it as their role in life to 'protect' their vets, and so block access whenever possible.

Re: locum advertising

HMC — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:37:53 GMT

Good advice, thanks.

Re: locum advertising

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:36:11 GMT

Hannah,

That's what I'd do.