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The best methods for using recruitment agencies to find a job
Love them or hate them recruitment agencies are an important part of finding a job in the finance and accountancy sectors, where their contacts and industry knowledge can prove invaluable. There is a reason recruitment is a multi-billion dollar industry and it is a reason anyone who is hunting a new job should look to take advantage of.
What are those reasons?
Their contacts. Every recruitment agency has hundreds, if not thousands, of contacts across the country. Companies that work within the finance and accountancy sectors who will be looking for candidates.
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Companies use them. Whilst some don't like to pay recruiter fees many others like the extra candidate options and no risk fee structure that they can provide. Due to their ability to post on many job boards many companies that don't advertise themselves use recruitment agencies, meaning if you avoid them you miss out on a large number of job opportunities.
- Advice. They can give you great advice on such things as interview tips, CV writing, etc. It is in their interest for you to get the job so they will want to give you the best opportunities possible.
- Selling you. Because the recruiters get paid when you get the job they will be pushing your application and skills as much as possible, which can be useful in highlighting skills and experience as well as making sure the hiring company are keeping you in mind.
So if there are some very good reasons for using recruitment agencies to help get you your ideal job it is important that you know how to get the best out of your experience with them. Thankfully we can help you out with that but providing you with some important tips:-
- Find agencies that operate within the finance and accountancy industries. There are many agencies out there, of which a large number are in irrelevant job markets, make sure you spend your time working with the top agencies within your niche.
- Ask for referrals. Many of the people you know and have worked with will have dealt with recruitment agencies at sometime or other. Ask them who the best agencies they have dealt with are.
- Register with the agencies. I know it sounds obvious but browsing the advertised jobs by agencies won't do you any good. Register your CV with them so they can match you up to all current and future job opportunities.
- Specify your exact criteria. One of the main issues people have with recruitment agencies when they are looking for a job is the amount of irrelevant jobs they get contacted about. So when you register with the agency make sure you talk to them and not just use a form. Describe the roles you want, the money and the locations. Make sure they know exactly what you are looking for in a job so they don't waste your time with irrelevant positions.
- Keep in touch. Simply by dropping an email in once a week, or the occasional phone call instigated by you to the right recruitment agent can make sure that you are always at the forefront of their minds. If this happens they are likely to think of you when a suitable job comes in.
- Advice. Recruitment agents can give a huge amount of advice that can help you with your job hunt. From tips on CV writing to useful hints on interview techniques the recruitment agency can provide you with a wealth of knowledge. So make sure you are asking them at every opportunity. From tailoring your CV to a particular job to using their relationships within a company to the best advantage to you. If you ask they are more likely to give the advice, so make sure you do ask.
Recruitment agencies are a cog in the recruitment process that can't be left out. So make sure you are using them to the best of your advantage by following our advice.
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