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Working with a recruitment agency |
| by Rail Recruiter - 23/09/2007 |
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| "This article covers basic information about working with a recruitment agency." |
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What does it cost?
For jobseekers, working with a recruitment agency should be absolutely free! Agencies make their money by charging the employer a fee. This is normally agreed in advance between the agency and the company - and won't impact at all on the rate or salary that the jobseeker will receive.
How should I choose which to work with?
There are lots of agencies out there, so it can be difficult to choose who to register with. The simple fact is that generally, you should probably register with a number of agencies. Word of mouth recommendations are very valuable, so speak to your co-workers or other people you may know in the industry to see which ones they'd recommend.
Agencies should be registered with the REC - the industry's governing body, as this ensures a certain degree of professionalism.
Agencies can vary in size too, from one office operations to national and international companies. So, consider what it is you're looking for from an agency and how flexible you can be with where you work. A national agency will be more likely to have a larger array of vacancies from across the country and across multiple sectors. Look for agencies that have discipline specific consultants too - as these will better understand the roles they're recruiting for.
Ultimately, it's all about finding a company and/or recruitment consultant that is reliable, communicates well (and regularly!), and has the right level of indutry contacts.
What about contract work?
Recruitment agencies are an integral part of working on a contract basis within the rail industry. Often, many employers will operate preferred supplier lists - which agencies bid for inclusion on. These 'preferred' suppliers will manage the contract workforce for the employer. The benefit to the employer is that this disassociates the contractor from the company - and in doing so, also helps reduce employment liability; whilst for the contractor, working through an agency ensures certain levels of support. Contract work isn't for everyone and there are many pros and cons for opting for it, and your suitability will also depend on your skills and experience.
If you've found a good agency (look at the list of agencies in this article HERE) then the recruitment consultants should be able to offer you some career advice, free of charge.
What is the REC?
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is the trade body that supports and represents the recruitment industry. Worth £24.5 billion to the UK economy, the recruitment industry is responsible for placing 1.2 million temporary workers on assignment each week and placing over 700,000 employees in permanent work each year. (Source: www.rec.uk.com)
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| Contact Email: info@railrecruiter.co.uk |
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