Recruitment Agencies: The Facts
What Does A Recruitment Agency Do?
Their main aim is to find candidates that fulfil the employer's specifications. Employers engage them for several reasons: to provide the extra resource required for handling applications, because of their database contacts and because of their selection skills.
Candidates are interviewed initially by the agency - it is at this stage the selected shortlist will be passed on to the employer. If the employer wishes to interview any of the candidates put forward, the agency will organise this. A good agency can be an excellent source of vacancies and, more importantly, of advice and guidance for job seekers.
Recruitment Agencies Categories:
- High Street Agencies - The vacancies they have are usually not to specialist or unique.
- Middle Ground Agencies - Again not focused on one industry. Typically accessed by the internet and not in high street locations.
- Specialist Consultancies - This is where De Lacy Executive Recruitment is positioned. Our consultants are agricultural professionals enabling us to use our specialist knowledge to advise candidates about the sector and to use it in selecting the right employers for you (and the right candidates for the employer!). We have vacancies all over the UK and internationally, from graduate to senior level.
Remember To Select The Agency/Consultancy CAREFULLY:
- Ensure that your CV is not passed to an employer without your prior agreement and prior knowledge of who the employer is and what the role involves - check this is the agency policy before registering your details. Remember that your CV contains personal data and you should keep control of who receives it.
- Do not allow yourself to be signed up to an exclusive arrangement with one agency to find you work - this limits your options and suits the agency, not you.
- It is illegal to charge a fee for providing work-finding services. Do not allow yourself to be charged by a recruitment agency for finding you work.
- Will the company give you skilled guidance on your career options in the agricultural industry?
- Will the company give you guidance on amending your CV, covering letter and preparing for interview?
- Will the company give you guidance on salary levels and other benefits?
- Will the company give you feedback from your interview or application or ignore you?
- Look for a recruiter who is regulated by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to ensure ethical standards of practice - De Lacy Executive Recruitment is a full member of the REC and our consultants are members of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals.
Final note: A recruitment agency will assess you through the eyes of their client and their client's specifications. To maximise your opportunities make sure you are professional at all times when dealing with them. Ideally give your feedback after interviews and respond promptly to enquiries. Do not contact the client direct through any circumstances.
