The Connor Consultancy - Outplacement Services "We see things differently"
Outplacement Articles
HANDLING RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
There are two types of Recruitment Agencies.
- Client/Company driven, or
- Candidate driven.
Client driven companies tend to operate on more senior vacancies where the Company/Client has appointed them on a contractual basis to find a quality short list. These Agencies have the advantage in that they tend to have developed close relationships to the Company with the vacancy and they have a direct link to the Manager who is making the hiring decision. However, the downside is that these type of Agencies are Client rather than Candidate driven, and they will be less likely to actively market yourself, unless they have a specific vacancy.
Candidate driven Recruitment Agencies, tend to operate on salaries between £20-£45k. These Agencies actively market good Candidates and will forward your details to a number of Companies. This approach has the advantage of actively marketing yourself. In fact some of these Agencies will call prospective companies directly on your behalf to enquire if there are any suitable openings.
If you approach Candidate driven Agencies please observe the following guidelines.
“The £ on your forehead!”
Remember that these Agencies are Candidate driven. They will therefore be looking to actively market only the top 20% of Candidates who they meet. They will quickly assess through your C.V., and through meeting you, whether you have a “£ on your forehead”.
It is vital that you are perceived within the “top 20%”. To achieve this you should try and observe the following:-
* Make an appointment to personally introduce yourself to the Consultant. Don’t be put off. If necessary, offer to meet for just 5 minutes so that you can personally deliver your C.V.
* Dress formally and treat the meeting as you would an interview with an employer.
* Clearly think through your strengths and your Career interest areas. Make the job easy for the Recruitment Consultant by identifying the type of job you want.
* Request that they do not change the design of your C.V.
* Request that they actively market your C.V. as you not expect to be on the market for long.
* Insist on weekly updates to yourself, by phone or post, on current opportunities.
Recruitment Agencies often have web sites. These can provide a useful overview
of the agency and can help identify which agencies specialise in your market
sector.
Meet and register with all the Agencies who you feel can assist you in your market area. For time management purposes arrange as many of these meetings as you can within a short space of time. Get the Agencies on YOUR SIDE, actively marketing YOU.
