A recruitment agency acts as the middle person between a company looking to employ someone and an individual who is looking for a job. Their aim is to find the most suitable person for a job vacancy.
How does a recruitment agency work?
The agency is sent a job advert for a vacancy from an employer, then needs to find suitable candidates for the role.
The agency has to:
- Check CVs and applications to find potential interview candidates
- Carry out screening calls to match skills to the job advert
- Send the best-suited CVs to the employer for them to review.
Some agencies then arrange the interviews on behalf of the employer, while other companies may do this step themselves.
The agency provides updates and feedback to the candidate and employer at each stage of the application process.
What are the advantages of using a recruitment agency?
Using a recruitment agency can be a useful when searching for a job. Agencies know a lot about the company whose vacancy they are helping to fill, so can offer inside information before an interview.
Good recruitment agencies will prepare you for an interview, offering tips on what to ask and sharing information on the culture of the organisation.
Some agencies have exclusive access to jobs that would not otherwise be found through an online search.
How do I register?
If you are interested in using a recruitment agency as part of your job search, you usually need to meet with a member of the agency. Once you have met or spoken with someone to discuss your background and job goals, the agency will add your CV to their database. They will then contact you when a suitable job comes up.
How long do I have to wait to get an interview?
This depends on your experience and whether it matches the requirements of the job.
It might help to improve your chances of being chosen for an interview if you join an agency that just works with companies offering the type of job you are looking for – like warehouse or care vacancies.
Another tip is to call the agency every week to check if any new vacancies have come in.
Can I sign up with more than one recruitment agency?
You can sign up with more than one agency. However, you need to make sure you don’t let your CV be sent to the same employer for the same position by more than one agency.
Always ask your agency contact to tell you if they have sent your CV to an employer and keep a note of the company name and the date your CV was sent.
Do I have to pay to sign up to a recruitment agency?
Agencies should not charge you for their service. The agency charges a fee to the employer if you get the job.
So why not try a recruitment agency in your job search? It can make applications quicker, keep you informed at every step and help you find the right role for you.
