Changing The Image Of Recruitment Consultancy
If we’re brutally honest, recruitment consultancy as a profession doesn’t have the best image in a lot of people’s eyes. Sadly, this is due to a minority of consultants acting in a way that ends up tarring the rest of us who take our jobs, our profession and our reputation very seriously. Below we take a look at some of the common assertions made against recruitment consultancies and what we can all do to try and change the industry’s image for the better.
Client: “Recruitment agencies just throw CVs at us until one happens to be good…”
We all know that as reputable recruiters this isn’t the case, but there are a lot of agencies out there that take this approach. ‘Fire enough bullets and you’re bound to hit something’ is effective in the short-term (it must be or else it would have died out long ago), but in the long term it’s disastrous for the relationship with your client and the reputation of both you and the agency you work for.
Good consultancies aren’t the ones that send the most CVs for a vacancy, they tend to be the ones that send the least. This shows that they have been through a rigorous selection and shortlisting process, resulting in a handful of very strong candidates suited to the role. Clients love it too. What would you rather have on your desk? Thirty average CVs or three excellent ones?
Client and Candidate: “They don’t have an understanding of the jobs they recruit for…”
Both clients and candidates are quick to judge recruiters on this topic, particularly in professional and niche markets. It’s a reputation that’s not helped by the number of ‘fly-by-night’ consultancies that continuously open and then subsequently disappear. Taking an extra-curricular interest in the area in which you recruit is essential and will come across when talking to clients. It will set you apart from all the other recruitment consultants who don’t take the time to learn about their industry and you’ll really see the benefit.
Candidate: “They promise they’ll get in touch, but they never do…”
We all know how busy it is in recruiting, but it’s important not to forget the simple things. One of the major bugbears for candidates is the recruitment consultant who promises to get back to them but never does. Yes it is time consuming, and if you’ve got a list of people to call who have been unsuccessful in their applications, it’s not exactly enjoyable. But what it is good for is both you and your agency’s reputation. Pass the task to your office junior if you really have to, but ensure you always carry out what you promise. Your career in recruitment is built upon your reputation. Value it.
Client: “Recruiters don’t provide value for money. They just filter CVs really…”
We know this certainly isn’t the case! This reputation comes from the type of consultant who simply throws CVs at clients. But good consultants don’t help by not blowing their own trumpet and explaining the hard work they have put in for a client. They’re probably genuinely unaware of the sources you have had to search, the piles of CVs you’ve been through, and the long telephone calls you’ve had to make to help shortlist candidates. Sometimes all clients see is the problem and the solution. Keep them updated throughout the process and they’ll have a better understanding of the amount of work you have put in.
Be proud of being a recruitment consultant and be the best one you can be, and you’ll have a long, successful and profitable career, with a great network of satisfied clients and candidates.
Till next time,
Cheryl