Recruitment agencies are not at their most helpful when candidates are looking to change career or go into a new sector.

That was one theme raised by speakers at the Executive Recruitment Conference, at London's ExCel this month.

Rob Barklamb, vice president of operations at MRINetwork Worldwide, said: "We're very good at putting square pegs into square holes. We're not so good at putting round pegs into triangular holes."

Barklamb had raised the skills shortages issue. He was asked by a candidate in the audience why, given this, recruiters would sometimes not put forward candidates whose experience was not in the same sector as the vacancy in question.

"There does seem to be a problem with transfer of skills," said Barklamb. "I wish it were not so. It may have to do with the fee the client is paying the agency. If you're paying £15,000, or £20,000, it's big risk for the client. It might be better for you to apply directly, rather than through an agency."

Earlier, Geoff Russell, of PCS Executive, addressed the conference. PCS offers career management services, and generates its fees from candidates. It specialises in helping those at a career crossroads. PCS is part of the BNB Group, which includes executive Peter Albrektsen/Fotolia.comsearch firm Norman Broadbent.

But Russell said: "Recruiters are often the enemy to be overcome," he said. "Recruiters can't give you a job. Only their clients can do that. But recruiters can sure as hell stop you getting a job." He said it was often a question of de-selection, rather than selection, due to issues such as age.

Russell told Recruiter: "When agencies are looking for someone to work in banking at £60,000 a year, they'll often only consider those already working in banking and earning at least £50,000."