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Copyright (c) 2013 Alison Withers There have been encouraging signs of steady growth in job vacancies over the past few months in the UK, as the latest monthly survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) shows. This latest monthly survey for June 2013 found that permanent staff appointments rose at their fastest pace since April 2011, the strongest increase in temp billings for seven months and vacancy growth at a three-year high. All this is good news for candidates looking for their next move, perhaps from administration to secretarial or from secretarial to a top PA position. The figures will also be encouraging for those newly coming into the jobs market after graduation from university. There have never been more routes to recruitment and the job search than there are now, with increasing numbers of employers and candidates using avenues like social media in addition to the more traditional methods. However, looking for a position can be a lonely pursuit and will take time and there are advantages to having the help and support of real human beings, especially people with the expertise and contacts that can be found in a reputable recruitment agency. Candidates considering using this route can benefit enormously from signing up with an agency but it is important to choose the right one. Big is not always best in this field. The smaller, independent boutique agency may work harder for their candidates than the larger chains will. To check their professional status ask if they are members of the REC, which uses stringent accreditation and assessment criteria before accepting an agency as a member. It can be helpful to choose an agency that has expertise in a particular sector or niche. This way the candidate is likely to be only sent for vacancies that are appropriate for their skills and for the industry in which they want to work. It is also a good idea for the candidate to actually visit the premises of any agency they are considering. It will help them to assess the atmosphere and ensure they are signed on with an agency that they feel comfortable with because positive human interaction is an important part a successful job search. The relationship between candidate and recruitment agency is a two way one. Candidates should expect to be assigned to one consultant, who will get to know them and their requirements. Equally, the candidate should expect a thorough interview and assessment of their CV before being accepted onto the agency's books. The agency should also be open to candidates requests for feedback on their CV and presentation skills. This is of benefit to the reputations of both parties and some agencies will also identify any skills gaps the candidate may have and recommend training courses that can help to enhance their CV and profile. The candidate should make a point of calling their consultant at least weekly if the consultant has not been in touch with them. Regular communication is an essential ingredient for success. Following these simple rules will ensure a good relationship between agency and candidate and is worth the effort as research suggests that looking for a position via a recruitment agency can actually help to boost the starting salary significantly. Candidates looking for career progression or a first position can benefit in many ways by using the resources available in a recruitment agency. By Ali Withers.
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