How successful people get the most from a Recruitment Agency

Looking for a new job can quickly become a full-time job. That’s why the savviest job hunters make finding a quality recruitment consultant a priority when embarking on a job search. However, if you’ve never used one before, working with a recruitment consultant can seem intimidating. That’s why we wrote this handy guide; to give a few insider tips on how successful people get the most from working with a recruitment agency.

The purpose of this guide is to help candidates find a job as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you’re an employer and would like to know how to find the best recruitment agency to work with, check out this article.

How Successful People Find Jobs Quickly Using an Agency

From first deciding to leave a job to receiving a job offer can take months. During which updating your CV, searching job postings on job boards, submitting applications and attending interviews can devour your time. Using an agency can help reduce the time it takes and increase your chances of getting a job offer.

If you don’t understand what recruitment agencies do, this article explains in detail. In brief, here are a few ways they can help candidates to get jobs quicker:

• Match your skills and experience to the most appropriate job, so you don’t have to waste time trawling job boards
• Provide CV and job application advice, so you don’t waste time applying for irrelevant positions
• Handle a lot of the usual admin and phone calls that come with arranging job interviews
• Help with interview preparation to improve your chances of getting an offer
• Chase feedback after interviews to speed up their client’s decision-making process

Below, we divulge the secrets of how successful candidates use agencies to get job offers in the shortest time possible.

Seven Traits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

They do Their Research

Candidates who achieve success quickly often have the best recruitment agencies working on their behalf. The quickest way to find the best recruitment agency is to do an internet search. They’re specific; For example, if they’re looking for a job in IT, they search for ‘IT recruitment specialist’ rather than ‘recruitment agency’.

Bear in mind that biggest isn’t always best unless you’re applying for a generalist role. For example, Adecco is an exceptionally well known high street agency. But, unless you’re looking for an office job or work in manufacturing, they’re unlikely to be able to help you.

So if you don’t recognise the top few search results’ names, don’t disregard them. If they appear high up the search results, they’re likely to be the most successful recruiters in your sector.

They’re Honest

When you first speak to a recruitment consultant, you’ll find they ask you some pretty personal questions. Such probing questions are necessary for consultants to understand their clients and candidates to best match their needs.

It’s better to be as upfront and honest with your answers as you can be. There are certain things you might never say in a job interview, but an agency consultant might offer advice.

For example, let’s say you’ve just quit your job because you absolutely hated it. Not the wisest career move, but you did it, and now you need to find a job fast. However, you’re unsure how to broach the subject if it comes up in a job interview.

The strongest candidates don’t hide things like this; They own up and get issues out in the open. Being honest about their situation achieves two things. Firstly, the agency will be keen to put them forward for any roles with an immediate start. Secondly, they can advise on how to tackle any awkward interview questions around the subject.

They Respond Quickly

Many people these days have phone phobia and don’t answer their phone unless know who’s calling. However, avoiding phone calls is a huge mistake when job hunting! Taking a call during work time might mean sneaking out of the office, which many people are scared of doing. Nevertheless, cunning candidates understand that the quicker they take the call, the faster they’ll progress through the recruitment process.

Remember, when working with recruitment consultants, they speak to many candidates from day to day. So it’s unlikely you’ll be the only candidate in the running for any job they advertise. Therefore, if another candidate answers the phone more quickly, you’re likely to find yourself at the back of the queue.

They’re Realistic

Astute applicants are self-aware; They understand that landing a Head of Marketing role with only two year’s experience as a Marketing Assistant is unlikely. Although, if that’s their ambition, they will ask a recruiter for advice on reaching their goal.

Recruitment professionals have an excellent understanding of the recruitment industry sector they operate within. So if progression is important to you, be upfront about it. Doing so puts recruiters in a better position to match you with a company where you are more likely to achieve your goals.

They’re Reliable

Applicants who get job offers quickly turn up on time for interviews. They research their route and do a dry run in advance. On the morning of the interview, they get up early and leave in plenty of time.

Even if it’s not a face-to-face scenario, they are available at the agreed start time of a telephone interview. Or, in the case of a video interview, a successful candidate makes sure their tech setup works in advance.

They Prepare

Successful candidates prepare well for job interviews. That said, some interviewers like to ask awkward questions where others stick to competency-based questions. Every hiring manager has its own interviewing style and bank of questions.

This is where working with a recruitment consultant can give you the edge in interview preparation. They will likely know what their client is looking for and help you to prepare accordingly.

They’re Persistent

Rejection can often be hard to take. Although despite negative feedback, contenders keep going. Recruitment and HR often work together to improve the candidate experience. Part of that will be delivering feedback. In situations where you don’t get a job offer, the feedback you get might not be what you want to hear. Whatever it is, intelligent candidates use feedback to reposition themselves and improve their chances of success next time.

Or let’s say you’ve been to a job interview and not had a response. Lack of feedback may not be anything to do with your performance; It may be due to a change of business circumstances. A recruiter’s insider knowledge may help you make the call, whether it’s worth waiting for a response or time to move on.

A Few Final Thoughts on How to Get the Most From a Recruitment Agency

Candidates have been lucky for the past few years while the jobs market has been in their favour. However, during the coronavirus crisis, the dynamic has shifted, and jobs are harder to come by. Under the circumstances, having a quality recruitment consultant on your side can dramatically improve your chances of getting hired quickly. That said, it’s always the most cooperative candidates who receive job offers more quickly.

After reading this article, we hope that you feel more confident in picking up the phone and talking to a recruitment consultant. Or if you’re still feeling shy about picking up the phone, why not check out our latest jobs? Submitting your CV is the best way to get a recruiter’s attention and encourages them to make the first move.

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