Working with recruiters

Recruitment Consultants tend to come and go like buses which can be very frustrating. If a consultant has left the company, ask who is dealing with your file. Don’t just presume that another consultant will pick up on your information if someone leaves. Chances are, you also need to meet the new contact or you’ll just be another name. 

Referees should always be provided “upon request” and not listed on the CV. Do not freely give out this information as you might find your referee receiving 20 marketing calls with your name used. Only submit these when requested i.e. there is a possibility of interview with their client. 

Recruiters love to find out who you are speaking with, where you are going for interviews etc. Do not surrender unnecessary information if it does not benefit you. 

Make sure that the promises made by a recruitment consultant are followed through. Many recruiters end up getting side tracked and never got round to “marketing your resume” or “speaking with their contacts” for you. Ask for a progress report based on the commitments they gave when they met you. 

Within any agency there are consultants who have been in the industry for many years, others who have joined recently as a trainee. You can’t always pick and choose, but it could be worth calling their switch board to ask “who would be the most experienced consultant within your office who deals with…” 

Unless the Company name is already stated in an advertisement, agencies will very rarely give out their client's name. This is fine when you apply to the agency but it is essential you are provided with the name if your resume is to be selected for shortlist and presented to their client. Otherwise you could find your application duplicated by more than one agency or your details being sent to a company that knows you! 

Some agencies might want to talk with you despite not having any suitable vacancies on. This is okay, but just make sure they will have suitable positions on before you commit to too many agency interviews. 

Ask for a copy of their “Privacy Statement”. Never use an agency who does not comply to this law as it is there to protect your data.