Issue 14 - Do you understand how recruitment consultants work?

I was looking over the debate raging on the Workthing+ blog – with some controversial opinions on which recruitment agents to trust. As I have said before, recruitment consultants are paid by employers, who hire them as agents to fill vacancies, so their allegiance is to employers, not to you.

Here’s how to turn relationships with recruitment consultants to your advantage:


1. Know what you want

You need to be clear about the types of positions you will or won’t accept from the start. Tell the agent when you’re unavailable or on holiday; list specific interview times that you can or can’t do. If you don’t like the sound of a position, you need to be upfront about it. Recruitment consultants get really hacked off with candidates who they put forward for a role, but who then pull out at a later stage. Equally, remember that it is very unlikely a perfect job will come along just when you want it – so understand what it is that you are willing to compromise on.

2. Always be friendly…

If a recruitment consultant has ignored your call or forgotten to get back to you, don’t take it personally. Recruitment consultants are busy people who deal with many candidates on a daily basis. Naturally, they won’t be invested in your job search the same way that you are. If you want them to remember you and take an active interest, always stay polite and cheery (even if you don’t receive the same treatment in return).

3. …and flexible

If an agent contacts you about a new opportunity but neglects to mention the job they’ve been pitching to you for the last week, it’s probably because the old job has gone to another candidate or you just didn’t make their shortlist. Forget about the old job, take it on the chin, and move on to the next position.

4. Don’t tie yourself down

Some agents might ask to represent you exclusively – don’t ever agree to this, or worse, pretend that you are only using their services. Find the best consultants in your sector and region, sign up with them – and be open with them all that this is what you have done. It can get embarrassing and a little messy for recruiters if they end up arguing over who put you forward for a role.

5. Phone etiquette

• Find out the direct dial of your recruitment consultants – leave a voicemail once, not repeatedly;
• Always phone your recruitment consultant back after an interview;
• Find out the best times to call. These vary by consultant but here are some guidelines: catch them early (8 to 9 am); catch them late (after 5.30pm) or catch them between appointments – usually booked on the hour, so calling at quarter to the hour, as reader ML advises, can be worthwhile;
• Always take calls from consultants – it will usually show up as ‘number withheld’ – don’t let this stop you from answering. The consultant has a list of people to call – ensure you are as responsive as you can be.

Recruitment consultants can be an extremely valuable weapon in your jobseeker armoury. Play by their rules and they’ll be working for you…without you paying them a penny.

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already you’ve only got 3 days left to enter our waffle-free CV competition.


Yours,

TCI

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Comments

[BMC]

I love your advice..but have joined an agency, did all that was required for an interview, but the agency has not had the decency to let me know if I was successful or not.

I have to contact them and all I get is waffle, about being busy, out to see customers, will get back to you etc.

Am still awaiting a reply on the result of interview, which was three weeks ago...so reliability is not their mainstay.

BMC

[Keith]

Hi

Just a quick line to say how useful I find the weekly tips section.

Keith

[Police Jobs]

I did a lot of inquiries about it and found out that its really a lot of help in your decision making regarding the job you are taking.