With so many recruitment agencies to choose from how do you know where to start? Do you choose a high street or a boutique agency? Do you select an agency that offers you a complementary cup of coffee? Further still do you choose an agency or a consultancy?
The answer is simple. When choosing a car you look at brands that offer the best quality and service within your price bracket. The same applies when choosing a recruitment consultancy.
Note that above I have mentioned agency and consultancy. Are they not the same thing I hear you say? The answer to this is no. An agency is more inclined to accept any job and distribute it out to any of their consultants. A consultancy differs in that they will have one dedicated consultant who only recruits within that specific area. As such they will be knowledgeable in that area and be able to advise their clients and candidates in an effective manner
The candidate
Recruitment consultancies offer a free service to candidates which entitles you to use the best consultancies out there. So make sure that you utilise this opportunity. Do some research to find out who has the best reputation and who specialises in the industry you would like to work within.
Checklist when choosing to work with a consultancy:
- Be aware of agencies that have put your CV forward for a role without your permission. They may have found your CV on a job board and decide that you are in some way suitable for the role. Agencies who tend to do this are known in the industry as seat fillers. They have a monthly target to reach and place more importance on this than on what you are looking for.
- Make sure that an agency meets you before you are submitted for a role or at the very least before an interview. This ensures that the consultant fully understands what you are looking for, can ensure that you are a suitable match for a role and also provide you with guidance and interview preparation training.
- Make sure that the consultant who is representing you has received some formal recruitment training and is confident and competent in representing you in the market.
The Organisation
For organisations looking to use a recruitment consultancy you need to be assured that the best candidates will be put forward for your roles. This includes candidates who may not be actively looking but will move for their dream job! As recruitment can be timely and expensive process it is important that you deem to be receiving value for money and a good service.
Checklist when choosing to work with a consultancy:
- Make sure that the consultancy only puts forward candidates who they have met, registered and reference checked. This is a time saving parameter for you and part of the reason why you have chosen to use a consultancy.
- Ensure that the consultant you speak to fully understands the role and knows exactly what you are looking for – this will save you time and money in the long run
At cer Financial we pride ourselves on being a first rate consultancy and we endeavour to ensure clients and candidate’s are at the heart of everything we do. As such we believe our innovative strategy offers an unparalleled level of service.
Based on their skill set consultants are assigned one specific division and solely work within these confines. They speak to an average of 50 clients and candidates a day providing them with up to date market knowledge and an insight into market trends. This leads us to boast that they are a true specialist within their area.
To ensure that we offer the highest level of service consultants are technically trained and receive ongoing training. We have devised over 200 custom training courses and before our consultants can represent any clients or candidates they must have attended all training session.
