Recruitment Agencies - where to find them & how to work with them

Finding a new role in the modern job market can be approached in many ways, from browsing the many job boards, networking with contacts online or at events, or applying directly to companies. One strategy is to engage with a Recruitment Agency, which can help connect you with organisations and roles that align with your skills.  Here is an explanation of what Recruitment Agencies are, how you can find them and how to work with them as part of your career transition.

What is a Recruitment Agency?

Recruitment Agencies act as an intermediary between companies and jobseekers; Employers use them to find suitable candidates for their vacancies, while candidates work with them to access role opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. Agencies handle tasks such as screening CVs, preparing candidates for interview and matching job seekers to roles.  They can specialise in specific industries and help offer a range of job types, such as temporary, permanent or contract work.

Where can I find one?

Some Recruitment Agencies have offices in cities and towns, making it easy for job seekers to locate and visit locally. However, with the rise of remote working, you may find the recruiter works with you virtually.  Here are some ways to find Recruitment Agencies online:

• Job Boards & Aggregators

Although some opportunities held by Recruitment Agencies are not advertised publicly, you will see many listed on sites such as Indeed.  You can also access aggregator sites such as www.agencycentral.co.uk to find the right recruiter for you. This is especially helpful if you are looking for an industry-specific Agency as it allows you to customise your search. If you see recruiters advertising similar roles its worth making a note of the recruiter / agency so you can speak to them about your background and ascertain other roles they may not be advertising.

• Networking

Use your online community, whether through social channels or forums to ask trusted professionals for their recommendations. They may be aware of appropriate agencies you’ve not found through other means or are connected professionally to recruiters that they can introduce you to. Keep an eye out for contacts who have recently secured a new role – they may have used a Recruitment Agency they could recommend.

• LinkedIn

Don’t forget; although you’re on the lookout for a Recruitment Agency, they’re also on the lookout for you! Recruiters will search using keywords and look at relevant job titles and experience so ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete. You need to make sure your profile is complete to rank higher in their searches and recruiters often share this with their client in place of your CV. These days, recruiters advertise roles on their company or own feed, so make sure you’re following them so you get access to this information as it’s released.

How to work with Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment Agencies work with a variety of companies, candidates and job seekers, so understanding how to work with them, means they are more likely to be able to help you find your ideal role. Here are some traits that recruiters particularly identify as traits of successful candidates:

• Be contactable

One of the most essential traits in a job candidate, according to recruiters, is the ability to be contacted at all times. Recruiters will look to inform their candidates of impending meetings or even interviews usually via MS Teams or Zoom so ensure you have these platforms installed and you feel competent in using them. If candidates are unresponsive, recruiters are unlikely to keep contacting you as there will be other candidates they will consider. An interview no-show will potentially damage the reputation of the recruitment agency itself, so if you commit to an interview inform them if you wish to withdraw from the process.

• Have a strong CV

Recruiters won’t rewrite your CV, so ensure the one you share with them is professional and includes plenty of relevant achievements. It’s the job of a recruitment agency to sell your skills and strengths to position you as an excellent candidate and an encouraging prospect for any potential employer, but they can only work with the raw materials you give them. If your CV doesn’t put across the right information and sell your key skills and characteristics, or is full of spelling and grammar errors, the recruiter, and by association any employers, will be less than impressed.

• Manage your Expectations

Discuss with the recruiter up front how they communicate throughout the recruitment process and understand time frames to manage yours, and their expectations. If you haven't received a response after a reasonable amount of time, it's acceptable to send a polite follow-up email or LinkedIn message to enquire about the status of your job search but be patient as Agencies may have many roles and candidates to manage. Remember, Recruitment Agencies are there to help match you with your existing skillset and will unlikely be able to help you change career or industry, so if this is something you are looking for, you may need to identify alternative job search strategies.