A recruitment agency is a company that matches employees to open jobs on behalf of their clients. You can register and apply through a recruitment agency to find work. They are also a great source of support and advice throughout the job search process.

Recruitment agencies are paid by the client (employer) who hires them to seek you (the candidate). It should not cost you (the candidate) any money to search for a position. Developing a strong relationship with your agency is essential, as they are the organisation that will represent you and deal with the client on your behalf throughout the process. You will only be required to deal with the client directly at the point where you are requested to interview with them and beyond, if successful for a job.

• Tapping into a large network of candidates that they can contact immediately to assess their suitability and interest.
• Using variety of technologies and platforms to go out to market and advertise your needs to prospective candidates
• Reduce the administrative nightmare associated with employee search
• Avoiding the legal risks associated with employing people on a temporary basis
• Understanding of what skills are required and how to best determine whether a person meets those requirements through thorough testing and interview

No, it is not wrong to do this. It is important, however, that you advise your agency, so they are aware that you are also being represented elsewhere or have made direct applications with companies to avoid any confusion.

Agencies are specialists in selling you and your skills. Quite often, people’s resumes don’t always do candidates justice, and agencies can assist in selling a person’s strengths. Agencies also have very strong relationships with their clients and can directly discuss your credentials beyond what is on your resume to give you the best opportunity for success.

Interviewing with a recruiter is a dress rehearsal for a potential interview with an employer. Recruiters are also the ones who will be assessing your attitude and how you present yourself to an employer. It is therefore important when meeting with an agency to:

• Dress appropriately
• Bring copies of your resume and any other necessary documents
• Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your experience
• Think about questions you may want to ask about the opportunity before meeting directly with the client

Recruiters have a lot of experience in resume writing and how to best sell you for a job. It is in their interest that you present your resume in its best light. It is a good idea to take their advice and edit your resume if deemed necessary. It is not to say you should ever lie about your experience, but rather, ensure you present your resume in a way that places you in the best possible light.

Good honest communication is essential when dealing with a recruiter. It is always good to keep your agency aware of any developments in your job search. Providing them with as much information on your situation and history is critical, so they can best represent you accurately and favourably. Withholding or giving inaccurate information to a recruiter just leads to confusion and misrepresentation, because they act as your initial vehicle of communication with their clients and will want the end result to be just as successful for you as it is for the client.

No, it is never a good idea to try and contact a client directly. Clients generally do not like to deal with you directly, as they are generally too busy, which is the reason why they employ professional recruiters. You must allow your consultant to represent you and provide as much information as possible to assist them to work on your behalf. You want to remain ethical at all times and not burn your bridges, because you never know when you may need to call on them again in the future.