-
Recruiters are like detectives. They are trained to gain
information to benefit themselves, and it’s not always to
your advantage! If you are asked a question that you are
uncomfortable with, do not be afraid to say “I’d rather
not give out that information at this stage”.
-
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. Otherwise you
could find your application duplicated by more than one
agency or your details being sent to a company that knows
you!
-
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 details. Don’t
just presume they will pick up the pieces. Chances are,
you will need to meet them 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.
-
Some
agencies might want to talk with you despite not having
any suitable vacancies on. Avoid this if possible as you
could find yourself with lots of new business cards, but
very little immediate action.
-
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.
