Affiliating yourself with a Recruitment Agent is an excellent way to optimise your job search and ensure you’re covering the market from all angles. Here are some tips on how to deal effectively with a Recruitment Agent to give you the best chance of securing your ideal role.

Make Your Expectations Clear

In the very first meeting with your Recruitment Agent, make sure that you are clear on exactly what you are looking for in your role and your next company, including your desired salary range and the minimum you would be willing to consider. Be clear on the opportunity and the company will need to have to engage you and, most importantly to keep you engaged.

When you are completely up front with your Recruitment Agent, they can extract the information from the client required to confirm that they can offer what you need. This way you will be better able to manage your own expectations and the expectations of your prospective employer throughout the process. The more open you are with your Recruitment Agent, the more feedback, support and advice they will be able to give you in regard to the opportunity.

Do Your Research

When your Recruitment Agent calls you about the opportunity, write down the most important aspects of the role and the company’s web address and then take some time to research the organisation. Agree on a time to speak with your Recruitment Agent again and then go and do your research. Be sure that you are interested enough in a role to go through to the meeting stage with the prospective employer, before you agree to the meeting. In reality, the most informed decision you can make will come after you attend the meeting with the potential employer so at times, it is hard to be 100% sure if you should even attend that meeting.

While you’re researching jot down anything that you would like your agent to clarify before you make your decision. I would also recommend that you use the typical mode of transport you use to get to work and do a trial run of the trip you would need to take from home to the organisation, to gauge whether it is a realistic daily distance for you to travel. Bear in mind that the Recruitment Agent needs to get back to the potential employer as soon as possible with suitable candidates, so don’t leave it too long to get back to them with an answer and if you agreed that you would call them back, be sure to do it at the agreed time.

Express Your Concerns Early

If, after the initial meeting, the role does not sound engaging enough for you then be honest upfront. This is crucial, as agreeing to a second meeting and then pulling out of the meeting at the last minute may damage your reputation with the organisation and prevent you from being considered for other, more suitable opportunities with the same company in the future.

If You’re Not Sure Ask For Clarification

Throughout the process, if there is anything you’re not clear on, ask your Recruitment Agent for clarification. This may include meeting times, company addresses, names of the people attending the meeting and anything else that is crucial to the opportunity. Remember, your Recruitment Agent is there to assist you but they can’t help you if they don’t know what your issues are.

Give Honest Feedback

If after the second meeting you’re not interested in pursuing the opportunity any further, be honest with your Recruitment Agent about what it was that changed your mind, as it may be something that can be easily explained and rectified.

It can be difficult to ask certain questions directly to a potential employer without feeling like you might jeopardise your chances of getting the role. This is where your Recruitment Agent can be invaluable as an intermediary between you and the company in addressing, on your behalf, any key issues that are crucial to your decision that you don’t feel comfortable in addressing directly.

Don’t Agree To Anything Without Your Recruitment Agent

While it is not common practice, there is a chance that you may be offered a position during the first or second meeting with a potential employer. It is in your best interest not to verbally agree to or sign anything without your Recruitment Agent. The benefit of being represented by a Recruitment Agent is that they can negotiate the best deal for you in line with what you have told them you are looking for.

You’ll find that sometimes in your meeting with the prospective employer, your future peers will be present and talking about your salary expectations can anger others and create friction later. Therefore, it is more effective to leave any salary discussions to your agent and concentrate on finding out as much as you can about the role and what the organisation is really like to work for. By agreeing to anything directly with the organisation before the process has run its full course you risk missing out on a higher salary package and additional benefits and are in danger of future conflict with your peers.

Be Candid About Your Job Search Activity

It is not unusual for candidates to be represented by more than one Recruitment Agent during their job search, however, you need to be transparent with your Recruitment Agent about your additional job search activities and what stage other opportunities are at. In my experience, if you’re dealing with a Generalist Recruitment Agent, as opposed to a Specialist Recruitment Agent, there is a risk that your details could be presented to a potential employer without your knowledge.

Make sure that all Recruitment Agents are open and transparent about who they are talking to on your behalf and who they are presenting your details to, as having your details presented to the same company twice may dilute your reputation in the eyes of a potential employer.

When you’re upfront, the information can then be relayed to the company that your Recruitment Agent is dealing with, encouraging them to hasten the process, while also validating your professional merit. If you do receive an offer, be honest with all the other Recruitment Agents or employers you are dealing with. This way if they are preparing an offer for you they can move things along more quickly. Then you can weigh the offers up against each other and make a more informed decision when you do accept an offer.

Could Your Employer Offer You More To Stay?

Consider the following when planning a move from your current employer:

Do everything in your power to keep your reputation intact, both with your Recruitment Agent and with potential employers. The biggest risk of damaging your reputation is if it comes across to your Recruitment Agent or potential employers that you are just shopping around to see what you are worth in the market so that you can bluff your employer into paying you more money.

Reflect on the reasons why you are looking to move on. Write down what prompted you to consider your options in the first place and then consider whether more money, a promotion or additional benefits would be enough to make you stay at your current organisation.

Before an offer is even made to you, make a judgement as to whether the role, the scope of any projects, the salary and all other benefits are in line with what you are seeking and are enough to engage you and keep you engaged.

If there is a chance that your current organisation may make you an offer to increase your salary or benefits if you stay, be honest with your Recruitment Agent before they tell the potential employer you’re ready for an offer.

How would you feel if one of your workers came to you and said they were leaving unless you gave them a pay increase, virtually on the spot, without any valid reason other than they would leave otherwise. If you agreed and they stayed on, would you still be able to see them as a trust worthy person and an asset to your team?

Be aware that 60% of workers that turn down an offer and agree to stay with their current employer in exchange for a salary increase/promotion leave within six months.

If you do turn down a job offer and stay with your employer in exchange for salary increase/promotion and then there’s a down turn in your industry, how safe will your role be when your employer knows you only stayed for the money?

Never accept an offer with the intention of turning it down later if your current employer comes back with a better offer.

Prepare Your References

When your Recruitment Agent advises you that a potential employer has asked for reference checks to be conducted, call each of your referees to advise them that somebody will be calling in due course to conduct a reference check. While you do not need to disclose the name of the potential employer, it is wise to give them an insight into the role you’re being considered for. When they are properly prepared, a referee is more likely to present you in a favourable light and give you a reference that clearly demonstrates your strengths, knowledge and potential.

The Resignation Process

Resigning can be a daunting and unpleasant experience so it is advisable to have a plan prior to your resignation day and to have written a letter of resignation before your meeting with management. In your resignation letter use short, professional and direct communication. The letter should confirm your intention to leave, the date of the meeting and your anticipated last day of employment. Discuss your resignation plan with your Recruitment Agent so that you can play out potential scenarios with them and they can give you some tips on how to conduct yourself if the conversation becomes too personal or emotive. Make an arrangement to call your Recruitment Agent after your resignation meeting to discuss how things went.

Agree On A Suitable Start Date

When negotiating your start date with your new employer, you will need to take into consideration that you may have a contractual obligation with your current employer to serve out a notice period. This period is typically between two to four weeks, depending on your length of service, but can vary depending on your industry and the specific agreement you make with your current employer upon your resignation. When deciding on your potential start date don’t get pressured to start earlier than you believe you’ll be realistically be able to. You should also consider whether to take a short break before commencing with your new employer to ensure you have the best start to your new position.

I hope that this article has given you the advice you need to get the most out of your affiliation with your recruitment agent. If you would like any further information or advice on this topic, or any of the subjects covered in this article, don’t hesitate to contact me.