If you want to discover how to maximise Recruitment Agency value for a more effective and fulfilling job search experience, this article provides some valuable insights.
Candidate experience… currently an infamous topic in the realms of HR and recruitment. And according to much of the reporting in the press, recruitment agencies seem to be taking a hit for offering poor candidate experience, breaking promises and lacking competence.
Whilst we’re not denying that there are some ‘bad apples’, it’s a shame that the negative experiences associated with some agencies seem to discolour the perception of others.
The fact remains; we are a service led industry and are genuinely here to help you (sometimes you just have to let us!).
Job hunting can be a gruelling, frustrating and an incredibly emotional process (particularly in the current market). However, we promise that if you follow our advice, the process will be a whole lot easier, less painful and will positively assist you in your job hunt.
Consider the specifics when selecting your agencies
It’s a wide world and there are many different types of recruitment agencies, so choosing one that’s going to meet your requirements is important. Do your research and seek recommendations from friends / colleagues on the different strengths and capabilities of each to determine who can most effectively meet your needs.
A good agency will be honest with you if they don’t feel fully equipped to assist your job hunt and should point you in the direction of an agency who can, regardless of if they’re a competitor.
Don’t apply for every single job
Thanks to good old applicant tracking systems, candidates who commit the ‘serial job application’ offence stand out a mile off. When applying for a role, make sure you fully meet the specification and have a CV that supports it. Receiving countless unsuitable applications is a big red-flag for Recruiters – it highlights a lack of judgement and is likely to act as a deterrent when agencies consider you for future (potentially relevant) opportunities.
Trust us
There’s nothing we enjoy more than placing great people into great roles. To put it crudely, it’s how we make money, build our reputation and continue to grow as a business – in addition to the warm fuzzy feeling (it never gets old). However, there’s generally only one position and hundreds of applicants. We have to do a serious amount of long-listing and short-listing, so you have to trust that our reasons are sincere if we choose not to submit you for a role.
As you’d expect, our clients come to us with a very specific ‘wish-list’ (quite often that needle in the haystack!), so we have to ensure we tick every box when meeting their search requirements.
Remain within process
Like we said, trusting our decisions when it comes to putting you forward for the ‘right’ opportunities is crucial. After all, we’ve been entrusted by our clients to manage their search because they have faith in our ability to deliver. Going outside our process and directly contacting the employing business will present you in a negative light and raises concerns about your strength as a candidate.
Please don’t be offended
A recruiter’s job is never ending. We often joke that even if we worked every single day of the year, we still wouldn’t be finished! As much as we’d love to call every applicant, the harsh reality is that there just aren’t enough hours in the day. We typically receive over 100 applications per job advert, which means phoning everyone is just simply not possible.
At the very least, we always ensure that our candidates receive an email response with the status of their application and some feedback – which we know can be frustrating and somewhat transactional given the lack of human interaction. In this scenario please don’t be offended, there are just certain occasions where we have to draw the line. Whilst we try not to purely focus on the strength of a CV when checking advert response, this is often all we have to go by, so tailoring it to the job is hugely important.
Stay true to your word
We get that it’s often difficult or too sensitive to discuss new opportunities freely. When you’re already in employment, you never know who’s in earshot of your phone calls and you don’t want to raise suspicion amongst your colleagues or boss. However, if you have arranged a time to speak or meet with your recruitment agency, make sure you honour your commitments. Of course meetings and work challenges crop up, so just give us a ring or an email if your availability changes. Making yourself accessible is key.
Be honest
Recruiters will endeavour to understand your career aspirations, drivers and motivations for securing your next role. Be up front about what you’re really after. If it’s a pay rise then say so, or if you want to move away from people management then tell us. The most frustrating thing is finding out you haven’t been honest about your drivers in the first instance, if and when a job offer comes in.
Let your personality shine
Maintaining a professional stance throughout the recruitment process is essential. But don’t do yourself an injustice by not letting your personality shine through. When sourcing for a role, experience is obviously crucial but a large part of our decision rests on your cultural fit. Make sure you showcase your personality to help us understand the work environment you’d be best suited to.
Build long-term relationships
Forming a long-term relationship with your agency is so valuable. By creating that lasting impression you stand a much greater chance of being selected for the right opportunities based on your experience and cultural fit. Even outside of your active job hunt, keep your agency updated with your career developments, give them the heads up when you start thinking about changing roles and use them to stay abreast of trends and insights into the market.
Concluding thoughts
Navigating the world of agency recruitment can be a challenging but rewarding journey, emphasising the need for trust, communication, and authenticity. Remember, a beneficial relationship with a recruitment agency is built on mutual respect and understanding.
By being discerning in your applications, showcasing your genuine personality, and honouring your commitments, you pave the way for fruitful collaboration.
Staying true to your aspirations, maintaining transparency, and building lasting relationships with your agency can significantly enhance your job-hunting experience. So, as you step into the realm of opportunities with a recruitment agency, bear in mind that this partnership, when managed effectively, can be your gateway to finding the perfect role that aligns with your career goals and aspirations.
Summary
The article discusses the importance of extracting value from a recruitment agency, emphasizing the significance of candidate experience in the HR and recruitment sectors. Despite the negative press some agencies receive, the narrative highlights that many are dedicated to assisting job seekers through the demanding process of job hunting, especially in a challenging market.
It offers practical advice for candidates, such as selecting the right agency, applying judiciously, trusting the agency’s expertise, maintaining professionalism, and building long-term relationships. The piece underscores that a successful partnership with a recruitment agency requires trust, communication, and authenticity, ultimately enhancing the job-hunting experience and helping candidates find roles that align with their career goals and aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I identify a recruitment agency that will truly add value to my job search?
To identify a recruitment agency that will add significant value to your job search, start by conducting thorough research. Look for agencies with strong reputations in your specific industry or field. Recommendations from friends, colleagues, or industry professionals can be particularly insightful. Evaluate the agency’s track record, the feedback from other candidates, and their success rates in placing candidates in roles similar to what you’re seeking. An agency that is transparent, communicates effectively, and shows a genuine interest in understanding your career goals and aspirations is likely to provide the most value.
What are the best practices for interacting with recruitment agencies to ensure a positive outcome?
When interacting with recruitment agencies, it’s crucial to be honest and clear about your career aspirations, experiences, and the type of roles you are interested in. Tailor your CV and application to reflect the role you are applying for, demonstrating how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate. Trust the agency’s process and feedback, even if it means being patient for the right opportunity. Maintaining professionalism and being responsive to communication from the agency will also help establish a positive and productive relationship.
How can building a long-term relationship with a recruitment agency benefit my career in the long run?
Building a long-term relationship with a recruitment agency can significantly benefit your career. Such a relationship means the agency will have a deep understanding of your career aspirations, strengths, and preferences. This insight allows them to identify and recommend opportunities that are closely aligned with your career goals and aspirations, sometimes even before these roles are advertised. Moreover, agencies often have long-standing relationships with employers, which can give you an advantage in the job market. Staying in touch with your agency, even when you’re not actively looking for a new role, can keep you informed about market trends and potential opportunities that could advance your career.
Benefits of Partnering with an HR Recruitment Specialist: A Candidate’s Perspective
Access to a Vast Network of Opportunities
As a candidate, partnering with a specialist HR recruitment agency opens up a world of opportunities. These agencies have a broad network of connections across various organisations, which means they can offer you access to a wide array of HR roles that might not be publicly advertised. This network can significantly increase your chances of finding a role that matches your expertise and career aspirations.
Industry-Specific Guidance and Support
Specialist HR recruitment agencies possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in the HR sector. This means they can provide invaluable guidance and support tailored to your specific career goals. They understand the nuances of different HR roles and can offer insights into what different organisations are looking for, helping you position yourself as the ideal candidate.
Streamlined Job Search Process
Working with a recruitment specialist streamlines your job search process. They handle the time-consuming aspects such as identifying suitable positions, making initial enquiries, and setting up interviews. This allows you to focus on preparing for interviews and other important aspects of your job search, saving you valuable time and energy.
Personalised Career Advice
Recruitment agencies offer personalised career advice, helping you to craft a compelling CV and cover letter, and prepare effectively for interviews. They can provide feedback and coaching based on their extensive experience with HR hiring processes, increasing your chances of success.
Confidentiality and Professionalism
When exploring new career opportunities, confidentiality is often key. HR recruitment specialists ensure that your job search remains confidential, protecting your current employment status while you explore new prospects. They maintain high standards of professionalism, which is particularly important for senior-level roles.
Faster Job Placement
Agencies often expedite the job placement process. Their goal is to match you with the right role swiftly and efficiently, which means you could secure a new position faster than if you were searching on your own. Their proactive approach can open doors more quickly, giving you an edge in the competitive job market.
Access to High-Quality Roles
Specialist recruiters focus on the quality of job matches. They aim to place candidates in roles that not only fit their skills and experience but also align with their career growth and personal values. This approach leads to more satisfying and fulfilling career moves.
Ongoing Career Support
Many agencies offer ongoing support even after you’ve secured a new role. This can include career advice, market insights, and networking opportunities, helping you continue your professional development and stay ahead in your HR career.
Partnering with PEEQ: A Unique Advantage
PEEQ offers distinct benefits with a high fill rate, exclusive partnerships, and access to experienced freelance HR recruiters. Our approach ensures a focused and committed job search process, increasing your chances of securing a desirable HR role. Additionally, own unique services like psychometric insight reports and post-hire executive coaching set you up for long-term success in your new role. With PEEQ, you gain the advantage of an informed, strategic approach to your HR career advancement.
Benefits of Partnering with an HR Recruitment Specialist: An Employers Perspective
Access to a Vast Network of Professionals
A specialist HR recruitment agency has an extensive network of professionals in the human resources field. This network allows them to identify top talent with the right expertise, qualifications, and experience for high-level positions within your organisation.
Industry-Specific Knowledge and Expertise
HR recruitment agencies specialising in your industry have a deep understanding of the specific requirements and challenges of top-level HR roles. This expertise enables them to identify candidates with the ideal skill set and experience to excel in these positions.
Streamlined Recruitment Process
Working with a specialist HR recruitment agency can save your organisation time and resources by streamlining the entire recruitment process. The agency takes care of tasks such as job posting, candidate sourcing, screening, and initial interviews, allowing your HR team to focus on other essential duties.
Tailored Recruitment Strategies
A specialist HR recruitment agency develops customised recruitment strategies that align with your organisation’s needs and goals. They take into account factors such as your company culture, values, and objectives to ensure that the candidates they present are an ideal fit for your organisation.
Confidentiality and Discretion
Top-level HR roles often require a high degree of confidentiality and discretion during the recruitment process. A specialist HR recruitment agency is experienced in handling such sensitive information and can ensure that the process is conducted with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality.
Reduced Time-to-Hire
Partnering with a specialist HR recruitment consultant or agency can significantly reduce the time it takes to fill top-level HR positions. By leveraging their network, industry expertise, and recruitment strategies, they can quickly identify, screen, and present the best candidates for your organisation.
Enhanced Quality of Hire
A specialist HR recruiter’s primary goal is to identify the highest quality candidates for your organisation. Their expertise and tailored approach ensure that the candidates they present meet the specific requirements of top-level HR roles, leading to a better overall quality of hire.
Long-Term Partnership and Support
Establishing a long-term partnership with a specialist HR recruitment agency can be beneficial for your organisation’s ongoing talent acquisition needs. The agency can provide valuable insights, support, and assistance for future recruitment efforts, ensuring a consistent and effective approach to attracting and retaining top HR talent.
Why Choose PEEQ?
The average fill rate amongst HR Recruitment Agencies is 46%, but at PEEQ our average fill rate sits above 90%, So you are twice as likely to make a hire if you choose PEEQ.
This is due to two reasons:
Firstly, we only partner with our clients on an exclusive basis, so we ‘own the responsibility’
Secondly, we don’t employ recruiters. Instead, we work with trusted and proven freelance HR recruiters, to hire for our clients.
We give them the tools and infrastructure to be successful, and the rest is down to their magic and experience. Our Associates are not employed by us and only get paid for making a successful hire.
This makes them incredibly tenacious and committed to finding the best talent, which is why our fill rate sits above 90%, compared to the industry average of 46%.
More reasons to work with PEEQ
Psychometric insight reports
Obtain a unique insight into your candidates’ Cultural Fit, Strengths, Decision Making and Resilience through our accredited assessments.
Post-hire executive coaching
Set your hire up for success with a tailored coaching programme that helps them achieve their full potential personally and professionally.
Up to 6 Month Placement Guarantees
Confidently make your hire under our 2, 3 or 6 Month Placement Guarantee; safe in the knowledge that we’ll offer you a free replacement if they leave within our pre-agreed time period.
BeTalent Accredited Approach
We are proud to offer the BeTalent Accredited approach that enables us to deliver scientific candidate assessment, in accordance with the British Psychological Society standards.
This solution is for you if you want:
- An objective way to determine who is the best fit for your role
- A comprehensive understanding into your new hire before they start
- Peace of mind that you’ve made the right hiring decision.
Get in Touch with PEEQ HR Recruitment Agency
We are here to help you. If you have any questions, queries or would like to discuss a potential hire, a job application, or require clarification on anything detailed on our website, then we would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to call, email or complete the form provided and we will assist you.