Finding a Decent Recruitment Agency
Many recruitment agencies receive bad press, for many different reasons. There are large numbers of agencies operating in the UK, and with varying degrees of candidate care.
As a candidate approaching an agency to register your details, here are some of the things you should be looking out for:
- They are realistic and honest. If you go along saying you want to be considered for roles at Director level, but you’ve only just completed your Further Education, their consultant should be letting you down gently.
- They respond to your emails and calls, with clear direct answers. Whilst we know that their priority is to fill a role for their client, they need to make time to keep their candidates happy.
- They will make sure you receive feedback from any recruitment campaign you’ve been involved in, so you know where you went wrong, or where your skills weren’t up to the mark. Next time you’ll do better!
- They will prepare you for an interview. We’re not expecting real interview coaching here, but they should at least let you know what to expect, the type of interview it will be, and who will be on the panel, so you cancdo your homework before you go along.
- They will help you negotiate your salary if you are offered a job. At this stage in the process, they should be acting in your best interests and securing the best package possible for you.
- They will keep in touch. Agencies have thousands of candidates on their books, and many make no contact unless a relevant role comes in. The best agencies will do what they can to keep in touch with you, check that your details are up to date, and make sure your CV is up to date.
- Comply with immigration legislation. Whilst it’s always a pain having to provide your ID, agencies generally should be doing this to make sure you have a right to work in the UK.
When you register with any agency, ask them what they’ll be doing to look after you.
