Graduates use recruitment agencies for permanent, contract and temporary employment.
Recruitment agencies are either ‘multi-discipline’ agencies, where they recruit for a wide range of business areas, or they are specialist and recruit for specific sectors.
Top tips on using recruitment agencies
Read through the following information for advice on how best to use recruitment agencies.
Research an agency
Are they registered with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation? Do they advertise graduate jobs? Do they have any advice for graduates on their websites? Do they have any testimonials on their website?
Register with the right type of agency
Some agencies are ‘multi-discipline’ agencies, which recruit for a wide range of business areas, while some are specialist, recruiting for specific sectors. It is important to register with the right type of agency for your needs - if you have a specialist interest / aspirations to work in a particular type of occupation, make sure you register with an agency that focuses on recruitment in that industry / sector.
Register with more than one agency
Register with enough agencies to give yourself the best exposure to jobs but not too many to lose track of your applications and prevent you from developing good relationships with the recruitment consultants trying to help you. We suggest 3 or 4 maximum.
Meet your recruitment consultant
If you don’t live far away try to meet your recruitment consultant(s) if you can - this helps you develop a good relationship with them and helps them gain a better insight into you and your aspirations.
Create a good impression
Act professionally and create a good impression - treat the agency like a potential employer.
Keep in touch
Keep in touch with the agency - don’t expect them to always contact you.
Track your applications
Keep track of your applications - where each agency has sent your CV and progress with each application. It can be easy to forget who is representing you for what and which companies have seen your CV.
Employers pay recruitment agencies
Do bear in mind that agencies are paid by employers, not candidates. Their focus is on finding the right candidates for the employers they are working for and they may represent several candidates for one job, so it is down to you to market yourself effectively to the agency as well as to the employer.
Follow up online registrations
Always follow up online registrations with a phone call - show your commitment to the application.
Respond quickly to any communication
Respond quickly to any contact from an agency - they may be competing to get their candidates considered by an employer ahead of those from another agency.
Turning down opportunities
Be brave enough to say no when agencies contact you about jobs you don’t think are appropriate for you, it is important that you keep focused on what you are looking for. However, do have a degree of flexibility to ensure that you don’t miss out on roles that could help lead you in the right direction.