Answers for Job Seekers Who Wonder: “What Is a Recruitment Agency?”

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By Lisa Hutchinson

Topics: Job Search

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Answers for Job Seekers Who Wonder-What Is a Recruitment Agency.jpgAs a job seeker, you probably have plenty of questions. What skills are employers truly looking for? How do they screen candidates?

Another question job seekers frequently ask is, “What is a recruitment agency?” Some people are vaguely aware of recruiters and what they do, while others have never heard of these services.

 

 

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The Basic Premise

A recruitment agency is a company partnered with a variety of employers. The agency is engaged by an employer to help with their hiring process. The simplest answer to “What is a recruitment agency?” is that it’s a firm which links job seekers to hiring companies.

Why Do Employers Work with Them?

There are many different reasons employers might choose to work with a recruitment agency. They may have ongoing hiring needs throughout the year, or they may need to fill a number of positions at one time.

A recruitment firm helps them with all this and more. Recruiters are highly trained hiring specialists who make the process easier for job seekers and employers alike. Employers are often able to put more qualified candidates in roles in a shorter time period when they team up with an agency.

What Kinds of Jobs Do They Fill?

There are many enduring myths about recruitment agencies. These myths often crop up when the question “What is a recruitment agency?” is asked, partially because people misunderstand the purpose of recruitment agencies.

Some people think employers only team up with recruiters when they need to hire for non-complex work or on a temporary basis. Even some employers believe recruitment agencies can’t fill permanent positions or supply highly skilled specialists!

The truth is recruitment agencies work with employers to fill all sorts of positions and roles within a company. If an employer needs a number of entry-level positions filled with temporary workers, the recruitment agency can certainly deliver. The agency can just as easily fill permanent positions for top-level talent in management and specialist positions, however.

Playing Matchmaker

Job seekers who ask, “What is a recruitment agency?” often have additional questions. Some of the most common questions relate to how working with a recruitment agency boosts their job search.

Some people believe recruitment agencies only benefit the employers they work with, at the cost of job seekers. Almost nothing is further from the truth! Recruitment agencies offer plenty of perks for those seeking work.

Many recruitment agencies offer candidates resume-writing tips and interview coaching, along with advice on conducting an effective job search. They’ll reach out to candidates with job postings they believe the candidate is strongly suited for. They may even submit your application on your behalf when a good opportunity comes along.

The core of any recruitment agency is to make good matches between employers and job seekers!

They Work for You

If you ask “what is a recruitment agency,” some people will tell you the agency is your employer. In particular, this is the case if the agency places you with a number of different roles in a short time. In most cases, they’re a partner working with you to find a good employment fit.

A recruitment agency may interview you and ask for an application before it takes you on. The recruiters want to know they can find work for you! An agency that doesn’t conduct an interview or ask for your application is unlikely to send you good employment opportunities. Similarly, an agency charging a fee doesn’t have your best interests at heart.

So now you know the answer to your question! The bottom line is a recruitment agency is a good way for job seekers like you to make connections with potential employers.

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Lisa Hutchinson

I started with Liberty Staffing in 2004 as the Regional Business Manager of the London office. I have over 20 years of experience in the customer service and retail sectors, as well as leadership experience including Store Management, People Development and Recruiting. In 2016, our London location moved to a larger office in order to accommodate growth of our business, which included adding a Clerical Division.

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