Selecting a Recruiter

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It is important that when you are looking for staff or seeking employment that you spend some time researching the options available to you. It is vital that you select the recruitment company that best matches your needs. Below are some general guidelines that will help you to reach the right decision.

Ask a friend

Consult your friends or colleagues in similar fields. Ask whom they have used in the past, and who they recommend. A good recruitment firm will generally source at least a third of its new clients/candidates via word of mouth from satisfied customers, so this is one of the quickest and most effective ways of finding a great agency.

Do your own research

If you can't ask anyone else for his or her opinion, or if you're worried your friend's head has been turned by the promise of a golf shop gift certificate, you will need to do your own research.

To start, look for a recruitment company that specializes in the area in which you work. This might sound obvious, but many agencies do a little bit of everything, and you need to find a recruitment firm that's an expert in your field. Take a look in the trade press for firms advertising or commenting on industry issues or look online - on, say, Google - for the areas you wish to work in. It's generally best to use an agency that has the capability to find both temporary and permanent jobs, as it gives you greater flexibility in your job search. Some agencies still only do one or the other.

Check the Web sites

Next, visit the Web sites of the recruitment firms you've short-listed. This will give you an idea of their pedigree (When were they established? Have they won any awards for service?), the clients they recruit for (Does their client list look impressive? Are clients happy to have their logos displayed?) and their current vacancies. Look at the size of the company and find out if they have an international presence.

Talk to the recruitment consultant

Once you have a short list of possible recruitment companies, start calling them to ensure you are not wasting your time sending them your CV. Recruitment is sometimes like any relationship and will no doubt have its highs and lows. It is important you can relate to your recruiter and trust in their ability to do the job. Don't be afraid to ask industry-related questions or to ask them to give you an overview of the types of companies they work with. A good recruitment company will encourage an open exchange of information to ensure they are placing the right people with the right companies.

Be selective

Remember, there's very little point in blasting out your CV to everyone or giving a recruitment assignment to many different companies. If you've done your research, the agency you choose will invariably be the one that is right for you.

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