If you’ve not yet read the first part of this 2-part post, click here to read it. The first post covers all the things you need to know when filling out application forms. The previous post also includes a few things you can do to maximise your chances of being called for an interview even when you hire a recruitment consultant.
This post, on the other hand, will focus on recruitment agencies and the pros and cons of using them. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Recruitment Agencies: What Are They?
In simple terms, recruitment agencies work both with businesses and job seekers. They help companies fill their vacancies and help candidates find jobs.
Some companies choose to work with recruitment companies because they simply don’t have the time to go through all the resumes and pre-interviews. Others go to recruitment agencies when they are having difficulties finding good candidates for their open positions.
Recruitment Agencies: How Do They Work?
After having received the job description from their client, they will scan their list of candidates to find the candidate that is most suited for that role. They will typically shortlist the candidates and call them to conduct phone interviews or ask them to come to their office for a proper interview. Once that’s done, the list of names of candidates that have been selected are sent to the company and the final choice is left to the company.
What Are the Prerequisite Skills, or Qualifications I Need to Have?
While you can use a recruiter at any level, you should not know that they might not necessarily be able to help you.
Hear us out. If a company or a business is looking to fill entry-level jobs, they really won’t contact recruitment agencies. Why pay them a big fee for candidates that they should be able to find themselves? So, if you are an entry-level job seeker or are looking to change career path, steer clear of recruitment agencies. They will most probably be unable to help you out anyway.
The only type of recruitment agency that can help you if you are an entry-level job seeker is college campus recruiters that specialize in this. Otherwise, you are better off posting your resume on jobs boards and applying directly on the company’s web page.
Benefits of Using a Recruitment Agency
- Whenever a candidate applies for a job, they typically check out the business’s website to get a feel of their brand and their values. While this most definitely helps, it does not compare to the insight you can get from a recruitment consultant. Remember that these agencies have been working for these companies for a relatively long time and know them very well. They know what the managers expect in a candidate. The benefit to candidates is twofold. Firstly, this means that they take into consideration all their candidates’ qualities before recommending them to the company – making you among the best candidate for that job. Secondly, their knowledge will allow you to know a lot about the company before getting there or having an interview!
- Unlike other candidates who have to prepare for interviews on their own, if you choose to use a recruiter you will be better prepared for your interview. After having sent your resume to the company, they will do their best t ensure you are ready for the interview. They will also be willing to answer any question you may have. This will make you feel more confident as you go to the interview. That confidence might even give you an edge over other candidates.
- Several companies do not advertise vacancies for some jobs. And most of those jobs are high-paying jobs! The companies will instead go to these agencies first to ask them for potential candidates. Since the recruiter that has your resume also has access to exclusive job roles that aren’t otherwise on the job market, your chances of you being suggested for that role is high! Thus, also increasing the likelihood of you getting in with a great company.
- Not a great negotiator? Well, then you’ll be happy to know that you can leave that to the agency. They will be willing to negotiate on your behalf. From salary to working hours, you can count on them to get you the best deal possible – one that you might probably never get on your own.
- If you have been placed on a temporary assignment that you’ve come to like, you can talk to your recruitment agency to have them try to secure a permanent role instead. On the other hand, if you don’t like the job you can always talk to the recruitment agency and have them look for another role for you. To top it all off, your notice period might not even be as long as it would have been had you gone directly to the company.
Essentially, what we are trying to say is that recruitment agencies are here to help you. Helping you find a job is key to their success, after all!
