One of the biggest challenges when job hunting is when you have to partner with a recruitment agency. Believe it or not, it’s a two-way relationship. You’re their most important commodity, so they need to follow through on what they promise. Similarly, you need to provide them with all the information they need to make your candidacy shine. So, how do you manage the relationship with your recruitment agency? Here are 5 points to keep in mind…
You are not tied to them
No matter what anyone says, you are not tied to them. You can spread your wings and meet with as many recruitment agencies as you like but be open and ensure everyone is aware of where you’re at with each application and who’s representing you to which company. If you’re not transparent about this, two agencies could represent you to the one company. Not only does it not look great for you but you lose the trust in both the agency relationship and also the potential employer.
Trust your gut
We all know that recruitment agencies exist to make money. Yes, the good ones really do want to help you better your career and ensure they place the right people in the right roles that will improve the company they’re working for. But there are also some shonky operators out there.
Be sure to partner with an agency that you can build a rapport with. Trust your gut and, most importantly, make sure you can trust them. If they start ghosting you, keep it simple; find another one. If you feel they haven’t made the time and effort to understand what you’re looking for and what you can offer, find another one. At the end of the day, remember you’re their product. If you don’t think they’ll represent you well, just move on.
Turn the questions on them
It’s a two-way relationship and you need to understand how they’re going to help you. Consider asking the following:
- How long have you been in recruitment for?
- Do you understand my industry?
- Who are your clients?
- Do you have the role exclusively?
- Do you attend events in my industry?
- What is the ideal candidate your client is looking for?
A few simple questions might save a lot of wasted time! This way, you’ll get an understanding if they can add value to your job search straight away.
Take ownership of your own job hunt
Don’t just sit and wait for a recruiter to do all the work for you. They can only do so much and there’s nothing more frustrating for a recruiter than a candidate who doesn’t know what they’re looking for or doesn’t do any research into the job they’re interested in. You need to help yourself and take responsibility. Most of the time the decision to hire you is based on your performance and actions not that of the recruitment agency.
Take the time to understand how they work
Recruiters, whether internal or agency-based, have strict deadlines and KPIs to work to. By understanding what these are, you’re able to help them help you. Recruitment can be a costly area and everyone wants the right fit. In nearly all cases, labour costs are the single biggest expense to a business. More and more emphasis is being placed on hiring the right person for longevity. Agencies are creating internal systems to work through this as best as possible and ensure higher rates of success. Simply learning how the agency likes to work will make your life so much easier and the recruiter will appreciate your insight.
It’s not rocket science but sometimes it’s good to have an industry insider help you with how to manage the relationship with your recruitment agency. If you’re serious about getting ahead in the recruitment process, contact THE PEAK HR.
