So, you’re job hunting and you’ve decided to use a recruitment agency to help you find your next job. Everyone obviously hopes for the ideal scenario – which is demonstrated in this simple formula:
(Candidate + Consultant) + Job + Interview + Job Offer = Happy Candidate + Happy Consultant
Surprisingly, things don’t always follow this pattern and it often boils down to the success of the relationship formed between the recruitment agent and the candidate. We are sure you’ve often pondered how you could have a perfect relationship with your Recruitment Agency. Well, now you can!
Any relationship is about balance, respect, trust and equality.
- Everyone needs to work together. See it as a partnership, with everyone having the same ultimate goal in mind.
- Don’t just sign up with an agency, then assume you’ve handed over all responsibility to them to find you a job. You need to work with them to help them find you a job.
- Once you’ve decided to use a recruitment agency, make sure you choose an appropriate agency for the type of work you are looking for. There is no point sending out your CV en masse to agencies – an IT specialist agency isn’t going to have the marketing job you are looking for. Have a look at the jobs as well as their clients and work out whether they are the right agency for you. You shouldn’t spread yourself too wide with agencies either. Keep the number of agencies you register with to a sensible number.
- If you’re applying for a job online, try to apply for jobs you really want and are actually qualified or experienced enough to do. It is a waste of your time, (and the recruitment agency’s time) to submit an application for a job you’re not able to do.
- Once you’ve applied, don’t keep ringing the agency every five minutes. It’s perfectly acceptable to give them a call to check they have received your CV, but they will contact you when there is news to tell you – they’ll be as pleased as you are.
- If you are selected for an interview, make sure you go – or advise your consultant in plenty of time if you are unable to attend (or have changed your mind)!
- Once you’ve been to your interview, it’s always nice to give your recruitment consultant a call to let them know how you got on. They’ve helped you get to interview, so it’s only fair for you to share the experience with them!
- Be honest with your recruitment agent throughough the process. If you don’t like the sound of the job, let them know. If you’ve got other irons in the fire, tell them. If you get offered an interview and have doubts or change your mind, be upfront. Everyone is working together.
- If you do get offered the job, keep your agent updated on how you are getting on. It can sometimes be like reading a book and not having the last page and you never find out how the story ends.
- Send chocolates – they always go down well! (No ulterior motive here of course, but if you insist on sending them to us, then we feel it’s only right to eat them!)
And there you have it. The key to a successful working relationship with your Recruitment Consultant!
Headliners have a great track record of good relationships. You don’t have to take our word for it though. Check out the various quotes on our website to see what others have said about us.
Tags: Recruitment