While some people are able to find employment through online job boards, working with recruitment agencies can often provide access to a wider range of vacancies that are not publicly advertised. Some of these agencies can also provide support when jobhunting – including resume writing, interview coaching or career counselling. But just which agency should you work with? There are thousands of recruitment agencies to choose from. Here are some tips on choosing the right agency to help with your jobhunting efforts.
Read reviews and testimonials
Online reviews and testimonials can give you an insight into what other jobseekers (and recruiters) think of an agency’s services. If an agency has lots of negative reviews, you may want to avoid working with them. Look for praises such as understanding candidate needs, friendliness and good communication.
Ask friends for recommendations
Do you know any friends that recently found a job through a recruitment agency? They may be able to recommend you an agency to work with. Steer clear of agencies that your friends and family tell you to avoid. Ex-colleagues may also be able to offer suggestions of agencies to try.
Consider industry specialists
While there are some general recruitment agencies out there that advertise a range of different vacancies, the majority of recruitment agencies have some kind of specialism. For example, there are companies like Origin Legal that specialise in finding roles for solicitors, and there are companies like Michael Page that specialise in finance and banking jobs. A specialist recruitment agency will be able to help you filter your search to jobs that are truly relevant to your needs, while also potentially being able to offer specialist advice when it resume and interview tips.
Talk to someone in person/on the phone
Some agencies are very much like job boards – you don’t have to talk to a recruitment agent and can simply apply to any jobs that are advertised. Others will try to talk to you over the phone or in person to get a better idea as to your personality and what you are looking for. This latter approach can be better for building a relationship with a recruitment agency and for getting personalised advice (which you don’t get through a job board). It’s also important to talk to someone, because it can give you a better idea as to the quality of the people running the agency. Are they friendly and helpful? Or do they seem a little stressed/clueless? Make sure that you get good vibes, so that you know you’re working with professionals you can trust.
Watch out for hidden fees
Most recruitment agencies rely on commission payments from recruiters after filling a vacancy. However, there are some agencies that have started charging jobseekers too. In some cases, this can be a monthly fee that you pay to access their job postings, and stop paying once you get a job. In other cases, you have to pay a fee out of your own wages once you secure a job. Being aware of these fees upfront is important – do not get caught out by hidden fees.
