Using recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies can be useful for finding temporary and permanent work. We can help you find appropriate recruitment agencies and show you how to make best use of them.
If you're looking for part time jobs or temporary work register with our Student Employment Agency.
Local agencies specialising in recruiting graduates include Hot Prospects, and Graduate Gateway. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation can be useful to search for suitable agencies by business sector and geographical region.
» Understanding how recruitment agencies work
Agencies cannot charge candidates fees for placing them in work. The employer pays the recruitment agency.
Agencies have targets to send people for interview and only receive payment when a candidate is successfully placed. Be clear with the agencies about the type of vacancies you are interested in.
» Finding the right agency
When looking for permanent work, register with a number of agencies to maximise your chances, but choose them carefully. Some have graduate recruitment divisions.
- Check what kinds of work they handle. Some are very general, others specialise in particular types of work.
- Ask them about the type of jobs they fill, how many, who their major clients are and how long it normally takes for them to place people.
- Find out how quickly they expect to find you a job. If the agency does not contact you on a regular basis, contact them to find out what is happening.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation will advise you of agencies in your area.
» Building a relationship with your agencies
In many cases, recruitment agencies will be acting to produce a shortlist of suitable candidates for an employer to interview. Your contact with the agency should always be treated as a first interview and normal interview rules apply.
- Follow up your CV or online registration with a telephone call a week or so later.
- Check they have received your information and discuss your requirements in more detail.
- Tell them about yourself and your employment aspirations.
Good recruitment consultants will have an understanding of the current job market through daily contact with employers. If they offer advice on your CV and what employers want from you, it's likely to be what their own clients have told them.
» Online recruitment agencies
There are numerous national online recruitment agencies. Some specialise in graduate recruitment and others offer more general recruitment.
