How To Use A Recruitment Agency

how to use a recruitment agency

Despite all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and what the future holds for the economy in the UK, employment seems to have evaded any sort of backlash. This is supported by the fact the number of unemployed citizens in the UK reached a 44-year low in March. 

John Philpott, director of the Job Economist consultancy stated: “Nobody seems to have told the labour market about the mood of Brexit-related economic uncertainty which has gripped the UK since last autumn.” 

Let’s be honest, miners strikes, recessions, and political pandemonium, which included the worst parliamentary defeat in history, all compounded the unlikelihood of a four decade long economic depression turning itself around — however, it has! 

In the eight-week period between the beginning of December last year and the end of January, over 220,000 people joined the British workforce. This addition contributed to a record high employment total of 32.7 million. 

Senior economic analyst at the Resolution Foundation Stephen Clarke, who insinuated: “the encouraging growth is benefiting women and those traditionally left out of the labour market.” The statistics are certainly there to back up the philosophy in regard to the gender gap. 

Take Scotland for example— the tartan nation saw a 1.7 per cent rise of women in employment from 2008 to 2023, rising from 68.4 per cent to 70.3 per cent. As of December 2022, the UK employment rate was the highest it has been since records began back in 1971, with 9.0 million women working full-time and 6.3 working part time. 

For the market as whole, an increased workforce boasts immense positives however, for the workers themselves, competition is also increased. As of 2023, the UK boasted 14 million graduates in the labour market — more than a fifth of the UK population — with three quarters of all graduates now achieving a 2:1 classification or above. For the twenty-something slice of the population who have finally said farewell to education, finding a job can be a rather tedious task and an often-fruitless endeavor. 

Of course, the rapid digitilisation which has engulfed the world in the past two decades has made the general job search considerably easier, however there is no denying that certain job applications have become more complex. With thousands of avenues to help refine your exact job search including job title, company, and location, one can become entangled fairly rapidly — enter the extensive aid of a recruitment firm. 

This article sets out the best ways to take advantage of a recruitment agency, helping you take the next step towards career success. 

Honesty 

Take the opportunity to be completely honest with your recruiter. Realistically, if you don’t want to work in certain area, tell them — they aren’t going to judge your preferences. Similarly, if there is a company you have set your sights on, speak up — this is your future, so it is important to be assertive. A study by iNews discovered that 57% of Brits are dissatisfied with their job. 

Communication 

Undoubtedly, one of the most infuriating aspects of the job hunt is a lack of response. One of many harsh realities when hunting for a new career is the fact you will often post applications and never hear from the company again. 

The role of a recruiter, however, is to get you a job, therefore they are likely to be far more responsive and determined when it comes to interacting with employers. On the other hand, you should also try to maintain regular contact from your end, as you’ll need to provide the recruiter with plenty of relevant information when required. 

Answer phone calls, reply to emails, and complete paperwork before the recommended deadline — this will show to both the recruiter and employer that you are keen. 

Trust 

Matching the right candidate to the right role is the overarching goal, so allow them to take the lead, unless, obviously, you feel genuinely unhappy about the vacancies that they are leading you towards. Put your faith in the professionals and trust the system. 

Contacts 

There is no denying that entering the big bad world of employment is strenuous. ‘It is not about what you know, it is who you know’, may seem like a rather outdated philosophy, however it still has relevance. 

Approximately 118 candidates apply for any given job in the UK, with 20 per cent or less of these individuals advancing to the interview stage. If you apply for a role without any prior contact with the firm, your CV and cover letter will arrive with those other 117 applications and face a rigorous application process. 

Recruiters will often already have built a steady relationship with the line manager within the firm which you are applying to, therefore they will be able to communicate directly, promoting both you and your attributes. Likewise, Collingwood note how 80% of all jobs are never actually advertised, however, if you had an ‘inside man or woman’, they would have an ear to the ground in regard to upcoming vacant positions. 

Career Conclusion

If you are looking to reposition your career, or whether you are just about to enter the job market for the first time, call upon the help of an experienced Newcastle recruitment agency today, to help you along the way in 2023.

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