Using Rectruitment Consultants

Why use them?

As a candidate seeking the next step in your career, a good relationship with recruitment consultants is invaluable. This is particularly true in the Accountancy field where specific skills and experience are not just relevant, they are crucial. Skills which don't necessarily include marketing. For instance:

• Do you know how to best promote yourself?
• Are you able to highlight areas of your career and skills to a potential employer to the best effect?
• How can you guarantee that your CV will be read and will lead to an interview?
• What skills and experience is each potential employer looking for from the successful candidate and what personality will fit?
• If you are offered a position, are you best placed to negotiate salary, package and terms of employment on a one-to-one basis?

How many should I register with?

Not too many. Two at most. Multiple registrations confuse the situation. Particularly for clients who are forced to trawl through CVs and terms and conditions and who may not be sure who they are liable to for fees.

Loyalty to your consultancy usually pays off in career terms. You will form a partnership with someone who will get to know you and knows what you are looking for. Aim to build a relationship with your consultant and obtain the best career advice and entrée to the most interesting positions.

Ethics

Never try to play one consultant off against another. This could give you a bad name in the industry which could impact negatively on your career prospects. If you are registered with other agencies, or have already been put forward for a position by another agency, always be up-front to your consultant. Your consultant needs to be confident in your honesty and integrity if he or she is to recommend you to valued clients of long standing.

If you agree to be put forward by a consultant, you must tell other consultants that you cannot be represented by them for the same position or you may create a conflict of interest.

After an introduction is made for you by your consultant, never contact a client direct. Besides being unethical, the assignment may be of a confidential nature, in which case direct phone calls or emails can cause many problems.

Specialists?

A specialist consultancy should be expert in their chosen field. Working across industries is complicated. This method often leads to scanty job details when no spec is available. Specialists know their market and because of this, they know their candidates. Resulting in a more personal service and a higher level of satisfaction for both parties.