Learn how to use agencies

There are hundreds of recruitment consultancies out there, many behave ethically, a number don't. But then the same could be said of dealers, service departments and any other type of business. But if you do ask an agency to help, or if you are approached about an opportunity then morally you should give the agency at least some chance of following through and introducing yourself. On a number of occasions recently we have spoken to a candidate and they have listened, probably identified who the company is and then made a direct application through their website. The problem with this approach is that it makes us more and more reluctant to share proper information with candidates, as they can easily cut us out of the deal. And it also does the candidate no good at all, especially if you are dealing with a reputable organisation. Because they will take the view that if you're prepared to do that to the person introducing you (the agency only ever finds out when they do introduce your details in the client says “Oh we received those details directly 20 minutes ago through our website. Why did that happen?" In those situations this will not then be a curated introduction, but a situation where somebody has displayed a tendency to be at least duplicitous if not untrustworthy. They are traits that organisations are reluctant to employ. So think about that when you're trying to be clever. In bugs the hell out of us, it affects your chances. Oh and we won't deal with you again, so it removes you from our register. Want to subscribe to this blog? click here.