How Employment Agencies Work
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What can you do to help your CV stand out from the rest? Let Surviving Redunancy experts talk you through it
Recruitment companies are a useful resource in your overall search for a new role. They are paid by their clients (your potential employers) to provide candidates who are the strongest fit in relation to relevant qualifications and experience and their company culture.
In the current market, clients expect recruitment companies to provide candidates who have been thoroughly screened and fit their exact requirements.
Recruiters save their clients time by:
- developing relationships with them
- listening to their needs and providing suitable, prepared candidates only
What to expect from a recruiter in the current market
The current economic climate means that there is less money available on the market for recruitment fees as well as more candidates available to potential employers. Recruiters are therefore concentrating on finding suitable roles for their candidates and trying not to get overwhelmed by a huge increase in applications. Should an application be relevant recruiters will be in touch with applicants, however their loyalty is to the requirements of their clients.
The Application Process
Once you've applied for a specific role with a recruiter they will consider you for all their live roles so there is no need to apply to more than one role at that stage. It is much more productive to follow up your application with a call/email if you have not heard back from them. Should your CV not be suitable for any live positions the recruiter should email/call you back within a few days to inform you of this, however it is not always possible to prioritise this.
How do Recruiters add Value?
If you are suitable for a live role and the recruitment company you applied to intends to represent you, you can expect the following added value to the application process:
- Access to a good trusted relationship with key employers
- Advice on CV layout
- Advice on interview preparation
- Information on company culture
- Interview Feedback
- Representation and negotiation in relation to salary and package expectations
What not to expect
- Don't expect a recruitment company to get you a job. They can be a useful resource but your job is to get a job, their job is to provide their clients with a top class service
- Don't expect recruitment consultants to be in constant contact. If they have a suitable role for you they will be in contact (they get paid commission so it's in their interest to do so)
What to do
- View relevant recruiters' websites regularly and if a new role is posted which you consider yourself suitable for give them a call or drop them an email mentioning that you have previously registered with them and are keen on this particular role
- Highlight any specific skills you have that match with the advertisement. Anything you can do to make yourself stand out helps your recruiter represent you in the best possible manner
- If you see a company advertising that you have an interest in working for, ask your recruitment company if they have a trusted relationship with that company and could represent you. A good recruiter will tell you to apply directly if it is in your interests
- If you are being represented by a recruiter and feel your CV is badly laid out or interview style could benefit from some critique tell your recruiter. They will be happy to help and maximise your chances at succeeding
