Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Jobseeking plus > Trusting a recruitment agency
Trusting a recruitment agency
One of the most effective ways to find a job is to use a recruitment agency. They can take the hassles out of job hunting, providing you set your needs out clearly from the start.
All job seeking requires a bit of homework and preparation. If you register with an agency, it's important to let them know exactly what type of work you are looking for and in which locations. State your salary expectations and hours of work to avoid wasting any time once their search begins.
Knowing the agency scene
Smaller agencies tend to offer a more personalised service. They deal with a limited number of clients and contractors, getting to know the needs of both parties in terms of skills and personal requirements and developing strong relationships.
Large agencies usually have more formalised systems. As they employ far more staff, you may be contacted by many different account managers. Make sure that you have kept a copy of your CV in case they phone you to ask about details, and take plenty of notes. Larger agencies may be supplying many major recruiters.
At totaljobs.com you'll find the UK's top recruitment agencies posting new opportunities online daily.
Finding a recruitment agency
If you are looking for work in a specialist field, register with agencies that cater for your needs. Choosing wisely should get you an agency that has all the experience and contacts necessary to find a suitable role.
When you've selected the agencies you want to use, spend some time thinking about what sort of package you're looking for. Look at what skills you've got and polish your CV, highlighting your skills and experiences.
Once you have registered with and sent your CV to an agency, it is then its job to contact you about relevant roles which, ideally, you will not only be technically able to do but will be interested in undertaking.
Sell yourself
The CV that you produce is the main reference used by an agency to sell your experience and skills, so it's important you include as much as you can about what you can do. For the IT market, for example, your employment history should cover:
- The hardware you have used
- Software platforms you are familiar with
- Main skills you have used and acquired
- Applications you have worked with
- Responsibilities, authorities
- Main achievements
- Software packages used and their version number
- Any techniques and methodologies used
- An accurate reflection of what you can do
Top five tips
- Don't just rely on job agencies, do your own searching too as some companies might advertise their own vacancies.
- Register with agencies that specialise in your field of work, e.g. an accounting agency.
- Be clear about what work you are looking for.
- Be selective about which agencies you choose and keep a track of what they are doing for you.
- Stay professional. If the agency thinks you are good, they will put you forward for more jobs.
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