Recruitment Agencies make money by selling a unique product (You – The Candidate) to a third-party (the Client Company). Agencies get a fee from the client company but the service is entirely free to the candidate. There are a huge number of agencies for you to choose from to best represent you on your journey towards a new job – here are a few tips to help you decide.
The Job Boards will point you in the direction of agencies that are advertising jobs that are most suited to your skill-set. Google will assist you in cross-referencing your list – you will find that the more progressive agencies are closer to the top of the list.
The acid test however is when you submit your Brilliant CV to the agency. The response that you receive will tell you a lot about your future relationship with this agency. Do not waste your time calling the agency – if they have not contacted you within say 72 hours, move on – there are plenty more to choose from !
When you do get the call, the good agency will insist on a face-to-face meeting with you – take the time to meet with the agency, because remember, client companies are not interested in candidates unless the agency has met with them first. If the agency tell you that it is not necessary to meet, they are most likely involved in a wall-papering exercise (ie. lashing out un-vetted CV’s to clients) – time to move to an agency that will take the time to comprehensively understand your needs !
When you get to meet the Recruitment Consultant, be friendly but take the time to make sure that this person can best represent your interests. Do not allow yourself to be bullied into going forward for a position that you know in your heart and soul is totally unsuited to you. Demand that your CV is never submitted for a position until you are given all of the details and most importantly until such time as you give your express permission.
Good Luck with your selection !
I was seeking employment for nearly 5 months and I was applying for roles daily, I was contacting companies directly and also sending my CV into recruitment agencies who advertised roles on the jobs boards here in Ireland and my experience with these agencies was not very good at times. Yes I did meet fantastic consultants however they were far and few between. Things started to look up when I met with a consultant in Progressive Placements who not only motivated me but also gave me the much needed confidence in myself and this really increase my spirit. I completely agree when you say above ‘The acid test however is when you submit your Brilliant CV to the agency. The response that you receive will tell you a lot about your future relationship with this agency’ as the response I received was excellent and the consultant really took the time to understand what I was looking for and with this put me forward for a number of roles. I was successful and I will start Monday morning first thing.