How to Use Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies are useful when looking for work.
They don't guarantee work, but the more you sign up to, the more opportunities are open to you.
Temping through agencies can also be a good way of filling that blank in the work history of your CV and gives you a chance to learn new skills.
However, it is a two way relationship if you want to get the best out of them.
Check up on your local agencies There are many different types of recruitment agency.
They all recruit on behalf of clients, but the area they work in may be different.
Some work only on a local level but some also work on a national or international level.
Frequently, they also specialise in an area of work or have different agents focusing on separate industries.
It is quite common to get construction only or IT only agencies.
However, more importantly, they all have different reputations.
Some agencies are better than others, and it is a good idea to ask around and find out what other people's experiences have been with a particular agency.
How to Use Agencies Once you have discovered which agencies are best for your location and your line of work, sign up with them.
When you go, treat it like an interview, and dress smartly.
Be ready for questions on your background and work history.
Recruitment agents have to think about who would be suitable for the roles they have been given by their clients.
If you make a good first impression, you are more likely to be remembered and considered than if you turn up scruffy and acting like you don't want to be there.
However, recruitment agents have a lot of people signed up (especially with the current state of the job market) and they can't be expected to remember everybody.
This is where a two-way relationship comes in.
They are meant to contact you about suitable vacancies, but if you call them up or pop in every one to two weeks, then you are going to get to know the agent, build a relationship with them and, more importantly, find out about all of those important vacancies you could be applying for! Don't go too far though - calling up every day will take you from keen job seeker to incredibly annoying.
Also, always remember to avoid feeling pressured into taking a role that is offered, if it isn't right for you.
Some agencies do work on a commission basis and sometimes their offer of work may not be entirely down to finding the right work for you.
Don't expect career advice from recruitment agencies.
They are not career advisors.
You may get some hints on your CV, they get to see plenty everyday, but if you are looking for someone to help you with a career change or some interview training, your best bet would be to look for a career advisor.
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for some local career advisors.
In Hull, Probe Direct and the Goodwin Trust both provide career advice services and can help you with CVs, interviews and access to vacancies.
Summary The most important thing to remember with agencies, is that it is a two-way relationship.
Don't expect anything to happen if you sign up and never contact them again, unless you are the most perfect candidate on the planet.
Keep in touch with them, look at the vacancies on their website, and let them know if there are any vacancies they are handling which you are interested in being considered for.
They don't guarantee work, but the more you sign up to, the more opportunities are open to you.
Temping through agencies can also be a good way of filling that blank in the work history of your CV and gives you a chance to learn new skills.
However, it is a two way relationship if you want to get the best out of them.
Check up on your local agencies There are many different types of recruitment agency.
They all recruit on behalf of clients, but the area they work in may be different.
Some work only on a local level but some also work on a national or international level.
Frequently, they also specialise in an area of work or have different agents focusing on separate industries.
It is quite common to get construction only or IT only agencies.
However, more importantly, they all have different reputations.
Some agencies are better than others, and it is a good idea to ask around and find out what other people's experiences have been with a particular agency.
How to Use Agencies Once you have discovered which agencies are best for your location and your line of work, sign up with them.
When you go, treat it like an interview, and dress smartly.
Be ready for questions on your background and work history.
Recruitment agents have to think about who would be suitable for the roles they have been given by their clients.
If you make a good first impression, you are more likely to be remembered and considered than if you turn up scruffy and acting like you don't want to be there.
However, recruitment agents have a lot of people signed up (especially with the current state of the job market) and they can't be expected to remember everybody.
This is where a two-way relationship comes in.
They are meant to contact you about suitable vacancies, but if you call them up or pop in every one to two weeks, then you are going to get to know the agent, build a relationship with them and, more importantly, find out about all of those important vacancies you could be applying for! Don't go too far though - calling up every day will take you from keen job seeker to incredibly annoying.
Also, always remember to avoid feeling pressured into taking a role that is offered, if it isn't right for you.
Some agencies do work on a commission basis and sometimes their offer of work may not be entirely down to finding the right work for you.
Don't expect career advice from recruitment agencies.
They are not career advisors.
You may get some hints on your CV, they get to see plenty everyday, but if you are looking for someone to help you with a career change or some interview training, your best bet would be to look for a career advisor.
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for some local career advisors.
In Hull, Probe Direct and the Goodwin Trust both provide career advice services and can help you with CVs, interviews and access to vacancies.
Summary The most important thing to remember with agencies, is that it is a two-way relationship.
Don't expect anything to happen if you sign up and never contact them again, unless you are the most perfect candidate on the planet.
Keep in touch with them, look at the vacancies on their website, and let them know if there are any vacancies they are handling which you are interested in being considered for.
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