Working with recruitment consultants
Often employers engage the services of recruitment consultants to help fill job vacancies.
Understanding how recruitment consultants work, and how best to work with them, is therefore a valuable skill for job hunters.
What do recruitment agencies do?
Recruitment agencies are paid by the employers to fill vacancies and offer a range of employment-related services. There are two main recruitment modes:
Permanent recruitment
In this recruitment mode, consultants screen candidates, referring those they select to their client to interview. If that person is then hired, the agency is paid a commission (usually a percentage of the salary package being offered).
On-hired employee services
People employed in labour hire, temporary or casual hire are actually on the agency’s payroll, but work on-site carrying out work for a host employer. Positions are often short-term or contract based. It’s one way for employers to find extra staff to cover peak periods or to replace a permanent staff member on leave. Contract roles are new to many people, so ask questions to ensure you know exactly what your working arrangements are. Contract work is an increasingly popular option and many permanent jobs start this way.
As with any profession, there are good and bad recruiters. With time and persistence (and recommendations from people you trust) you can find recruiters that take the time to understand your career goals and to advise you on your strengths and weaknesses. If you ‘click’ with a recruitment consultant, treat them well. Keep in touch with them as part of a long-term career networking strategy.
Choosing an agency
Some recruitment agencies operate within a niche, while others are generalists. If you choose several generalist consultancies, identify those that work in financial services, have good companies as clients and who have a good reputation for looking after their candidates. The best recruitment consultants try to maintain a balance between the needs of their candidates and the needs of their clients.
Tips for working with recruitment agencies
When selecting an agency
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Don't scattergun your resume to hundreds of agencies. A targeted search will see much more quality outcomes.
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Be polite with everyone you deal with at the recruitment agency – word gets around.
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When you call an agency, make sure you can speak openly. Consultants become understandably frustrated when the caller suddenly says ‘I'll need to call you back’.
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Maintain regular contact with recruiters, but don't harass them. Ask the consultant when it would be appropriate for you to contact them. Be polite and understand that they may not be able to devote a 15 minute conversation to every call.
When attending an interview with a recruitment agency
When pursuing a job opportunity
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Only pursue opportunities that are you have a genuine interest in.
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Make sure you get enough information to clarify whether you will be interested in the role. Have a list of core questions prepared.
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Keep a list of companies your resume has been referred to. That will help you avoid being referred twice for the same position by competing agencies.
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Never call and ask ‘Can you tell me who the company is?’ It is very rare that someone is going to divulge this to you over the telephone.
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Keep a record of job reference numbers/codes that you apply for, and ensure you can quote this when you call. Some agencies will have more than 10 positions listed under the same title.