Employment Agencies
Employment agencies are becoming an increasingly integral part of the job search process. They can save you time by applying for positions that suit your qualifications on your behalf.
Application Process
- Research the recruitment agencies that include your field of interest in their job specialization areas. Each recruitment agency is different. While one recruitment agency may have access to jobs across many professions and industries, another may be strictly industry specific.
- Contact the recruitment agencies that interest you and send in your resume and cover letter by email, fax or mail. The recruiter will contact you to arrange a meeting.
- At the recruiting agency, you will undergo skills assessment tests and an interview to assess your potential for current and future positions based on your qualifications, experience and personality.
- The recruiter will then contact you to arrange interviews for positions where they have submitted your application and potential employers have shown interest in meeting with you.
What to Expect
Efficiency
- Recruitment agencies eliminate you individually applying for positions by doing it for you.
- Your resume is made available to a large pool of potential employers.
- If you are new to an area, returning to the workforce or a recent graduate recruitment agencies are a great way to find out about opportunities in your desired industry.
Skills Assessment
- If you are unsure of what skills or skill level you posses many recruitment agencies offer free skills assessment through extensive testing. Skills assessment helps you pinpoint what positions are tailored to your skills, attitude and experience.
Career Counselling
- Recruitment agencies provide individuals entering or re-entering the job market with the latest job market information along with an honest assessment of your skills and likelihood of obtaining the type of position you want.
Flexible Work Options
- Recruiters offer many types of employment options such as temporary, temporary to permanent, contract and permanent positions.
Expanded Employer Reach
- The strong relationships recruitment agencies build with employers gives them access to job vacancies that may not be listed in typical job search locations.
Waiting to see a Recruiter
- For the agency to be effective and address every applicant properly the process takes time. The wait time between sending your resume to a recruiter and meeting with a recruiter can take several weeks. Therefore, it is not advisable to be the only method you use to find employment.
Waiting for a Position
- Although you may have had a very positive experience, meeting with your recruiter it does not mean you will have a job right away. Recruiters process hundreds of application a week and your application can be amongst many other candidates competing for the same position.
Know your Objectives and Goals
- You have to be clear and precise about what kind of position(s) you are looking for when speaking with the recruiter. If you are wanting something permanent full-time but are also willing to accept a temporary position you should communicate this to your recruiter.
Agency Quality
- Only use reputable and licensed recruitment agencies and be sceptical of paying fees, in normal circumstances the services offered by recruitment agencies are free of charge.
