The value of recruitment services in business is hard to dispute. They provide services both for the employer and employee but there are certain factors you should consider when looking to use a recruitment agency. This article attempts to give prospective employees an idea of how recruitment agencies work and the ways in which to get the best usage from their services.
Firstly you should remember that recruitment services are not there to act as your personal recruiter. Many job hunters make the mistake of thinking that recruitment agencies will devote hours and hours to finding jobs for them. This is a common misconception that candidates have; it is not the job of recruitment services to spend their time trawling the internet and papers to find you suitable positions. They will supply you with a job when one comes into them that matches your criteria, the process can be speeded up however by making a nuisance of yourself to the agency.
There are many recruitment agencies that specialise in certain fields or industries. These can be extremely useful for those who know what industry or job role they want to work in. this can be true for many recruiters more generally; recruiters tend to prefer candidates who have a clear idea of what they would like to do. As a rule, those who are looking for a career change would be better off pursuing avenues under their own steam; they may well find recruiters to be unsympathetic to their needs. But for those who have a clear career path planned out, the services provided by recruiters are ideal.
It is worth remembering that when visiting an agency to keep your options open. Being available for relocation can greatly increase your chances of finding work. Flexibility is the key to using recruitment services effectively. As a result, the agency will be more likely to find you work over a larger geographical span. Also it is worth finding an agency that comes as part of a personal recommendation; not only does this mean that you have a good idea of the agency's success rate, but if you can mention a person that the agency has successfully found work for, it is likely that they will see you in the same light, as a worthwhile employee.
As with many industries, the recruitment business has its fair share of unscrupulous operators. Hence it is important to research an agency before employing their services. This can be considered especially true if you are approached by recruiters directly, as this can be a method of gaining personal information; a constant worry in the current climate of identity theft. That said there are still many honourable players in the industry that serve their clients well, finding work for many.
Most recruitment agencies will want to know your current salary and salary expectations as part of their services. This is not an attempt to mislead you or gain information for their benefit and your loss. As some recruitment agencies work on a percentage basis for your first year's salary, they simply want to gain an idea of the fees they will receive. If a recruiter approaches you, do not be completely put off by this direct action, try and remain responsive to their calls; even if you have decided not to change jobs after all, the contact can be useful if and when you attempt to find a new job.
Most important is to build a relationship with your recruiter, by doing this you increase your chances of receiving job offers. If your recruiter can put a face to your name and thinks they know you pretty well they will be more willing to find work for you. By following this advice you should be able to utilise the services offered by recruiters effectively, helping you find the perfect job and career path.
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Hi, I am from the Caribbean, and have been ...
By: Annah | 07-02-2008
Hi, I am from the Caribbean, and have been introduced to a job recruitment agency in the UK by the name of Bernard & Holmes recruiting and consulting agency. I have even been in correspondence with them. I would like to know if this agency is legitimate or is it a scam? I have been searching the internet for information and have found nothing.
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