Episode 26: Four Tips to Get the Attention of a Recruitment Agency


 

There are definitely occasions where you will want to use a recruitment agency to supplement your job search. I want to take a look at how you can get the attention of a recruitment agency, focussing on how you can make them inclined to work with you and help you with your job search.

But before we continue, I want to remind you of the three things that are important when deciding which recruitment agencies that you want to work with:

  • Relevance: Only contact agencies that are relevant to the job that you are looking for.
  • Research the agency: You want to contact a named person; contacting an agency via a general enquiries email suggests a lack of interest on your part, and you will not have the desired impact that you are looking for.
  • Prepare for the initial contact: You will not have long to make an impression. Whether you intend to contact them via email, telephone, or through a face-to-face- meeting, prepare yourself to make a good impression and ensure that you seem prepared for your job search.

So, after you’ve done these things, here’s how you can get noticed:

  • Referrals: The best way to get noticed is with a referral. Obviously you don’t want to advertise that you are looking for a job, but discreetly find out from people you trust what consultants they would recommend within your field. When you contact them, mention that they were recommended to you.
  • Use a phone: You should always try and make initial contact via telephone, mainly because very few people use this method anymore and it makes you more memorable. But remember that you will only be given maybe five minutes, so use it wisely: if you have a referral, open with that. Explain that you are looking for a job, that the consultant has been recommended by Mr/Mrs X who they placed in X position, and that you are interested in working with them because you want a job in X field. They should then give you an email which you can send your CV to, check that it is correct, and then email them your CV. Do not push them to spend any more time on the phone! Once you’ve sent them details don’t forget to call again to follow up.
  • Use email as a secondary contact: If you can’t get through to them on the phone, email the named consultant. Mention two things: why you are contacting them, and that you tried to telephone them first.
  • Use LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn or any other business networking platform to connect with them. Remember to make sure that your profile is up-to-date, and that you send a personalised message which mentions your referral if you have one.

Recruitment agencies are a really good resource in your job search, but remember they are paid only if they are successful and so you have get their attention very quickly. The tools I have given you should enable you to do that.

Naturally if you’ve got questions you can contact me here at patricia@thecareerace.com

 

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