As starting a new job is one of the most stressful things we do in life, finding that job doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’re already in a role and looking for a promotion, or just leaving school or University, recruitment agencies are a good way to get your CV out there. Agencies have a real love/hate reputation, so If you’re going to work with one, here are some pointers so you can get the most out of the experience, and make sure you’re represented as well as you can be. Follow these 4 steps and you should be onto a winner.

     A. Choose your recruitment consultant 
     B. Build a strong relationship – be top of their list
     C. Communicate 
     D. Use them to negotiate 

Step 1 - Who do you work with?
With so many consultancies out there, how do you choose? Take a little time to research potential the companies and their staff. Don’t just go for the first one on a search engine. Exploit the internet and social media to find out who they really are and how they will work for you. Consider:

• Are profiles well written?
• Are they professionally qualified/experienced?
• Do they know your market?

Online profiles are a good indicator of how well individuals and companies communicate and their style. Think - does their style suit you, and do you want them to be representing you to your next potential boss. You wouldn’t choose a Financial Advisor without good qualifications and experience, and your choice of recruiter shouldn’t be any different.

Recommendations. Who have your friends/colleagues used in the past? As you may not want people at work to know you’re looking for a new role, ask friends in the same sector, talk to them about their experiences, and see if there’s anyone they’d recommend – their past experience is a great indicator of the experience you can expect to have.

Keep control. Decide how many agencies you want to register with. If you’re confident with your choice, you may be happy to work with just one – agencies like exclusivity and it gives them the incentive to work harder on representing you. Don’t register with too many it won’t actually help you. Keep control of where your CV goes, and who you’re applying for, keep notes of who you’ve spoken to and who they’re approaching so you don’t get any duplication or confusion.

Step 2 - Build a relationship
Getting on with your Recruitment Consultant is vital. Whether it’s over the phone or face to face, make sure you know what you want to get out of that first conversation. If you’re not getting a good feel for the consultant, don’t feel obliged to work with them. It’s important you build a strong relationship so they can really promote you and your skills to prospective employers.

Get across your potential, and anything that makes you different. This is your opportunity to stand out, if your consultant is enthused and confident about you and your skills, it will put you miles ahead.
Be open – talk about the kind of companies you like or dislike, and let them know why. What kind of culture do you thrive in? What’s important to you at work – salary, progression, hours, job security, social life, training and development? All sorts of things contribute to making your job enjoyable, so consider what those things are for you.
Keep them in the picture. If you’ve had problems in your last role, now is the time to share them honestly – don’t be afraid to talk to your consultant in confidence. If you don’t feel comfortable having those conversations, are you using the right consultant?

Agree the rules – e.g. are you really happy for them to send your CV anywhere on a generic mailshot? Make it clear how you want your details to be treated. It you’re in daily contact, they can wait for your approval before sending your details anywhere. If they haven’t already clarified the rules, make sure you do – a good consultant won’t mailshot your CV, so be aware of the level of service you should expect.

Step 3 - Communicate
Agree your preferred method of contact and be available. Make sure the consultant knows how and when you’ll be in touch, so they can manage their client’s expectations too. 

Keep in contact with your consultant. If you haven’t heard from them, get in touch and ask for an update. Don’t expect things to happen overnight, companies aren’t employing all the time, and you may wait a little while to get the right opportunity. Most agencies will keep in touch, but remember, you’re not the only person they’re working with, so keep your CV at the top of their thoughts and build a rapport and you’ll get the most out of them.

Don’t be afraid to say no, and don’t be pushed. Sometimes you may not like the opportunity presented to you – so tell them why. They should understand that not every role they propose will be right for you.

Step 4 - Negotiate
Agencies are a brilliant way of getting the best job offer you can. That 2nd level of communication takes any awkwardness out of negotiating the best package for you and that’s one of the reasons you chose to work with a recruiter in the first place. Make clear to them what’s important to you, if they’re in the know, they can make clear your expectations from the outset so you get exactly what you’re looking for.
All in all, pick a consultant you know is in it for the right reasons, which should be getting you the role you want, and getting a company the right person for the job.

We specialise in the environmental sector and you can view all of our jobs, job seekers, blogs and more about Fairman Consulting at www.fairmanconsulting.co.uk, email us at lydia@fairmanconsulting.co.uk or tweet us @fairconsult - we like to talk.