Should I use a recruitment agency?

Relieving you of the headache of sifting through scores of job applications, recruitment agencies are there to do the hard work for you. Each agency receives more than 20,000 CVs a year, and each agency’s team of experts will carefully filter them to find the best candidates for its clients. But that’s not all – opting for a recruitment agency can also be advantageous, because…

They provide the 'whole package'

Considering 200 to 300 applications for a job vacancy can be an arduous task, but a recruitment agency can do the hard work for you. It will take special care to cross-check identities, complete Criminal Record Bureau checks, and follow up references.

When there are more than 100 people applying for a single job, it’s important to get to the perfect candidate. First, it is up to the recruitment agency to create a shortlist of candidates whose CVs have real flair. By checking the history of each applicant, and contacting referees for verbal recommendations, recruitment agencies can reveal the reality behind the CV.

An individual may have a clean driver’s licence, never have had a car accident, and do the school run every day for their children – but if the job is for a chauffeur of a £200,000 Rolls-Royce, they need to have the experience that counts. An agency will also see how often an applican has jumped between jobs, the type of jobs they have held previously, and their relevance to the role being offered.

Lax checks are eliminated

In order to eliminate any accusations of lax employment checks, a recruitment agency will always ask for the original documents – passports, driving licences, National Insurance numbers and work permits are carefully verified. Records will be signed, dated and backed up, so you know any potential employee is trustworthy and can be sure that nothing has been overlooked.

It ’s efficient

Even if they don’t get the job, good candidates will be added to the agency’s database, enabling you to draw on a wider pool of talent that has already been screened next time you are looking for an employee. Because of this, recruitment agencies also have huge pools of known and trusted talent they can draw on whenever the right vacancy arises. If you try to find your own candidate, you won’t benefit from this resource.

Relationships are nurtured

An agency’s approach is often a hand-holding process from beginning to end. By taking the time to build relationships with employer and employee, good communication allows the agency to establish exactly what a client is looking for. And if you return to the same agency later, you can rest assured that you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Chemistry matters

Given its specialist nature, a recruitment agency will commit far more time to getting to know each particular candidate than an employer ever could.

This enables its staff to establish the best fit between client and employee, and to ensure that the right chemistry exists between them.

It’s not only about skills and experience. Will the employer and the potential employee be able to work together – or will there be a clash of personalities? These questions are always addressed by a recruitment agency.

Of course, there are disadvantages

Employment agencies can take the stress and worry out of finding the right employee, but they won’t work for everyone.

There is a price ]]If you use an agency, there is, of course, an expense involved. Agency fees can range from £2,000 to £12,000 per placement. You may prefer to place an ad in The Lady.

It takes more time

Using a recruitment agency will free up your time, but its meticulous screening processes may mean that the process can take eight to 10 weeks.

If you’re in a rush, you might find this too protracted, but it’s always worth contacting an agency to discuss your requirements first.

View The Lady’s own Appointments section in the print edition, or call 020-7379 4717 to find out how to place an ad.

...and what if you are an employee?

There is a theory that the more agencies you register with, the easier it is to find a new job. This is not always the case. When looking at an agency there are a few things to consider:

• Firstly, how were you treated initially by the team? Did you feel special, like they had time to talk and listen to you?
• Did you find there was a natural ‘bond’ between you? Can you trust the agency to find the right path for you in this exciting new stage of your life?
• Is the agency affiliated to a governing body such as REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) that maintains constant high standards of performance, responsibilities and awareness? If not, then you should probably be talking to a different company.
• Don’t be misled or talked into applying for a role that you simply would never otherwise go for. This is your life, your choice. The consultant/ agent should never be pushy, they should support you in your decision-making process and be understanding.
• Sometimes it feels as if you are being asked for a lot of details/supporting documentation. However, the agency does need to fulfil its legal obligation, and if you can hand over the correct documents and a well-presented CV, it will be easier for the agency to find you a suitable position.

Top tip for your CV

• Try to elaborate on relevant experiences to enhance your chances of standing out from the other applicants.
• Don’t make your CV overlong. Give an employer enough to pique their interest, but not enough to bore them.