How do recruitment agencies work?

Recruiting the right people takes a huge amount of time and skill, and for many companies, it is a real struggle to find enough time to do it well. A recruitment agency is a company that works as a ‘middle man’ in between the company looking for candidates, and the candidates themselves.

Recruiters cultivate long-term relationships with clients and candidates alike, obtaining the closest fit between organization and employee. Essentially, they streamline and manage the recruitment process for their client.

Industry Experts

The recruiter will understand the client’s business model, corporate culture, and specific industry circumstances in order to best match the new candidate to the organisation.

Using a recruitment agency can reduce a large amount of time and costs due to the vast resources and databases the recruitment agency has available. The agency does the advertising, marketing, manages all of the submissions, and shortlists the best candidates for the company.

They also have experts who can consult on industry trends, salaries, Labour regulations, corporate culture, personality fit, and find those qualities of a person which can’t as easily be demonstrated on a CV. They usually do background checks (at Greys Recruitment we do criminal record checks, credit rating checks, reference checks, and qualification checks), as well as initial candidate interviews prior to presenting them to the client for an interview.

Cutting Through the Noise

Often when employers advertise a position on job boards, they receive hundreds (or possibly even thousands) of responses, most of which do not fit the minimum requirements for the position. It can be an extremely time-consuming process, leading to many companies using recruitment agencies to shortlist candidates on their behalf. Professional recruiters help filter through all this information for their clients.

In an increasingly digital world, there are a growing number of large paid recruitment platforms and apps which reach a vast audience and allow applicants to apply for roles en masse. This has led many applicants to concentrate on quantity over quality when applying for jobs where they send out blanket CVs hoping to get lucky.

Fees

Recruitment agencies do not charge candidates a fee, they invoice their clients a percentage of the successful candidate’s annual salary. A common misconception about recruitment agencies is the idea that recruitment agencies source jobs for candidates. Rather, recruitment agencies source candidates for their client’s vacant positions.

Take Note

Be wary of companies or individuals who attempt to charge you for their services to land you a job. If you are unsure if a company is legitimate, make sure to do some research. A free email address, for example, is usually not a good sign (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.), as they might not be linked to a reputable company. Be wary of forwarding documents such as copies of certificates, your ID, or your passport. This sensitive information can be used for identity theft.

Recruitment agencies have an extensive database or ‘talent community’ of great candidates, and often fill positions without advertising. It is good to register your CV with a few good agencies so that they have your details on record for when a role in your field comes up. You can register your CV on the Greys Recruitment website here.

It is important to ensure that your CV contains keywords relevant to the positions you would apply for and that the CV is in a format that is readable by a computer and not a scanned document. This makes it easier for your details to appear when a recruiter is searching their database.

Headhunting

A key aspect of professional recruitment agencies’ functions is sourcing ‘passive’ candidates for their clients, also called ‘headhunting’. Candi Samuels, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Greys Recruitment says,

‘Headhunting is a huge part of my job, especially with the skills shortage in South Africa. I approach high-profile candidates who are currently employed but not actively seeking employment in another organization. I successfully convince the candidate to explore the opportunity by focusing on the benefits of ‘making a move’ compared to the pain points of their current position, therefore sparking their interest and completing the recruitment process. Benefiting both the candidate and our client.’

Building Relationships

Applicants also need to take note of the importance of building a relationship with their recruiter. Finding a job via a recruitment agency can have a wide range of advantages. One of the most important services that a consultant can offer a candidate is constructive advice and feedback, before and after an interview. They are well placed in the market and know the employment landscape and have good relationships with many employers.

Looking for a job is a stressful activity and having constructive feedback is an invaluable way of making sure you are on the right track. Having a good recruiter on your side who can assist you to highlight your skills in the best way can be a game-changer.

Looking for a job?

Please visit the Greys Recruitment jobseeker page, and upload your C.V to our nationwide database! Should a potential job offer open, and you are considered, we will contact you!

Looking for staff?

Let our dedicated and hardworking team of consultants find you the perfect candidate. Please visit our employer page and inform us what you are looking for!

Rooted firmly in the solid foundation of the Measured Ability Group of Companies (MASA), Greys Recruitment and Greys Nursing Services have been trusted as industry leaders in the recruitment sector for over 40 years. We have offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, and Durban.

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