Free Career and Job Search Advice

Mairead

» Find out who the best agencies are specifically for your discipline

» Registrar with the top 3-4 maximum

» If possible, try and find out the specific names of recruiters that friends or colleagues have encountered EG you could go onto boards.ie and pose the question on a forum

» The main thing is getting a Recruitment Consultant with at least 2 years experience, and understanding of your discipline, who has forged good relationships with clients in your field. Recruitment is a high turnover industry, so this can be difficult, but it is doable if you do the right research

» Always call in advance if you see a job that you are interested in. Clarify that the role is still open. When recruiters advertise roles, they generally put them up on the sites as soon as the job comes in, and then start working through their database. A lot of consultants can submit shortlists from their databases, so don’t end up considering people who apply. A good recruiter will only submit 5-6 CVs to a client.

» Request a meeting with the consultant. If they say no, push back on them and say that you would really like to registrar. If they have met you in person, it is far more likely that they will remember you

» A recruiter should give you some feedback on your CV. It is not their responsibility to go through it in too much detail, but it is in both your interests that you present yourself to your full potential

» When you meet, the consultant should know more than what is just outlined on the job spec. Ask them specific questions eg structure of the team, reporting structure, a background to the business. If they don’t know this information, I would question just how strong a relationship they have with the client. Are they going to be able to influence your application or have they just rang the client after noticing the job online??

» Clarify when next contact is going to be made and ask them if it is okay for YOU to call THEM every so often to touch base. Tell them you would like to remain in regular contact and ask them if they agree that this would be a good thing? Im sure they will agree to everything, so it is something you can bring up again if they do not do it!

» It is up to you to chase up recruiters. They are being pulled in every direction at the moment and cant really win! They are managing an increased volume of applications and are working extremely hard to get more jobs on to approach you about

» If an agency say that you are not suitable for a job, the best thing is to just accept it and move on. It is in their interest to put the best candidates forward, so they would if you were right for a job. You should always try and get feedback if you can.

» Remember, recruitment is a sales business. It is in their interest to get the best people in front of their clients. ALWAYS be honest and upfront with recruiters on everything eg. Do you have other interviews going on? Will you only move for XX salary? Is the location right for you? If you have concerns it’s in both your interests to get them addressed. Ireland is too small a place to annoy potential employers

» Never disclose to a recruiter what other companies you are interviewing with.

» Do not deal with agencies who have not requested your permission to send your CV to a client. This is the worst form of practice an agency can do. It is not fair on the agencies who follow the correct process and earn their commission! You should always be met by an agency and called about a job in advance.

» If it ever becomes an issue, I would suggest sending an email directly to the client indicating that you would like X company to represent you. Squabbling amongst the agencies is the last thing HR Professsionals in organisations want to get involved in.

» Quite often they will tell you the things you want to hear. I would have more respect for the recruiters who are honest and direct than ones who give general feedback such as “ you don’t have enough general experience” .

Hope this helps

Mairead

http://www.careermentors.ie

Claire001 · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

Good advice- you seem to have the recruitment world all wrapped up!!

I would like to add (Ex Recruitment consultant) that you should always find out what they are going to do for you, they know their local market place and should know what companies your experience/personality would be suited to. Most high street agencies like Reed or Brook street will operate by area.

Also gain their advice and guidence, they will be able to assist you with CV writing, interview preparation and so as mairead said, it is a sales focussed role it is in their interest to make sure that you are fully prepared when you meet clients etc.

udeze · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

Excellent, Thanks for that information

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